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WEEK IN REVIEW
FEBRUARY 12-19, 2025
WORKER WINDFALL
Hundreds of employee-owners of Colchester-based Vermont Information Processing are expected to receive life-changing payments in the coming weeks when the company is sold for about $1 billion to the private equity firm Warburg Pincus. Vermont-based workers with an ownership stake found out earlier this month that they would receive as much as $10 million each, depending on how long they had worked at the company, known as VIP.
VIP reported the planned sale on end-of-year certificates of participation for its employee stock ownership plan, or ESOP. Company officials didn’t release information about the sale or return messages left by Seven Days. Reuters reported on February 12 that the sale, due to close in coming days, was worth about $1 billion.
A VIP employee who asked not to be named because of a confidentiality agreement with the company said workers were surprised to learn about their windfalls.
Employees begin collecting shares through the ESOP after they’ve worked a full calendar year with the company. Based on the tenure of his coworkers, the employee estimated that 300 employees will receive more than $1 million, and about 50 with 20-plus years of service will get in the range of $10 million. Most of VIP’s employees live and work in Vermont, he added. e money is expected to be disbursed to workers starting next month.
VIP, founded in 1972, supplies software that helps beverage distributors such as breweries, wineries and soda bottlers improve
their warehouse operations, deliveries and sales, the company’s website explains. According to LinkedIn, it has nearly 600 employees. e company has small offices in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Missouri, Vermont Biz reported in 2022.
Founder Howard Aiken sold the company to his 45 employees in 2001, the outlet reported. e story said VIP’s customers included Anheuser-Busch and Pepsi.
$550,000
That’s how much Special Olympics Vermont raised during its 30th annual Penguin Plunge earlier this month.
Workers have mixed feelings about the sale, the employee said. “ ere is gratitude; it’s money that for many of us literally represents a change in our social status,” he said. “At the same time, as an employee-owned company, it felt sort of like a second home.”
Read Anne Wallace Allen’s full story at sevendaysvt.com.
LONG GOODBYE
Bill Fraser, Montpelier’s city manager since 1995, was fired last week by the city council. He was the burg’s longest-serving city manager.
WEATHER WOES
The Town of Lyndon is warning drivers that it’s out of road salt — and down three snowplows. Winter’s not over yet!
SPEAKING OUT
Protesters in Bristol, Burlington, Montpelier and several other communities took to the streets to denounce the Trump administration.
ROCK BOTTOM
After 100 years, the Rock of Ages granite quarry and visitors center in Barre will no longer be open to the public. The operators cited safety concerns.
1. “ e Vermont Marble Museum Has Closed” by Hannah Feuer. After nearly 90 years in operation, the Proctor institution closed quietly last fall.
2. “Vermont Officials Say Tire Shop Signs Violate Billboard Law” by Kevin McCallum. A Westport, N.Y., tire shop’s roadside signs riled Vermonters. ey have since been removed.
3. “Vermont Aid Workers Reel in Wake of Rapid USAID Cuts” by Anne Wallace Allen. e dissolution of America’s foreign aid program has led to job losses in the Green Mountains.
4. “Bill Introduced to Provide Unpaid Caregivers With Tax Credit” by Rachel Hellman. State senators have proposed giving Vermont’s unpaid caregivers a $2,500 tax credit.
5. “Meet Baker Erinn Simon of Burlington’s at Cake Stand” by Rachel Stearns. Simon’s wedding and birthday cakes are beautiful and delicious.
Owner Seeks Buyout for Former Sterling Market e owner of the building that housed Sterling Market, Johnson’s lone grocery store, is seeking a federal buyout after repeated flooding, the News & Citizen reported. e structure has been vacant since the historic July 2023 deluge.
Read more at vtcng.com/news_and_citizen.
BREAD WINNERS
On February 23, members of a Burlington synagogue and a Quaker meeting house will join forces to bake bread for a good cause. Proceeds from sales of challah, pita bread and gluten-free oat bread will benefit a pair of humanitarian aid organizations serving Israel, Gaza and the West Bank.
Ohavi Zedek synagogue and Burlington Friends Meeting collaborated on a previous Bread for Peace event in January. About 20 volunteers raised roughly $1,800, according to project founder Scott Silverstein, an Ohavi Zedek member. e money was split between the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, which provides medical care for children in Gaza and the West Bank, and United Hatzalah of Israel, which
delivers volunteer emergency medical services to all, regardless of race, religion or nationality. Both orgs will get the proceeds from the latest fundraiser, too.
Silverstein started Bread for Peace in November 2023. at was shortly after the Israel-Hamas war broke out, and Silverstein, 38, said he sought a way “to provide aid to the folks who were bearing the brunt of it.”
In his Jericho kitchen, Silverstein baked batches of challah — traditional Jewish braided breads. ey sold out quickly, and Silverstein realized the effort could grow with more hands and a bigger facility. Synagogue staff suggested involving other faith organizations, starting with the Quakers, whose meeting house is across the street from Ohavi Zedek. Silverstein described himself as pro-Israel and pro-Palestine. Often, he said, people “jump
to these extreme conclusions that all demonstrators want Israel wiped out or that all Zionists want Palestine to erode away.” Bread for Peace aims to support those harmed by the conflict and help Vermonters with different views “see what we have in common: a care and concern for all humanity,” Silverstein said.
Catherine Bock, 76, a member of the Friends Meeting, agreed with Silverstein that there is misunderstanding on both sides.
“ ey think because you’re wanting the Palestinians to stay alive, that means you’re against Israel,” Bock said. “It’s not necessarily that. It’s just that you want peace and justice and human rights for everybody, which is the Quaker stance.”
Volunteer to bake or order bread at ohavizedek.org.
MELISSA PASANEN
COMPILED BY SASHA GOLDSTEIN & MATTHEW ROY
Bread for Peace volunteer bakers including founder Scott Silverstein (right)
Vermont Information Processing in Colchester
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DEFENDING BLISS
[Re Feedback: “‘Upsetting’ Comic,” January 29]: The whole point of the newspaper is to express people’s di ering views — to push us to think about new ideas or ideas that we would rather avoid. I do not have to or even want to like everything I see or read. I myself am a young 77-yearold. I do not know just what cartoonist Harry Bliss had in mind in the January 15 edition of Seven Days. The best part of my day is holding my wife and thanking her for the opportunity. I hope to be able to continue to until death do us part.
Peter Harvey ADAMANT
‘BEST OF THE BEST’
I just finished reading Joe Sexton’s article on the University of Vermont men’s NCAA Division I national championship victory [“Year of the Dogs,” January 29]. I am a Vermont native and a UVM alum (‘75), so this victory was amazingly huge for me and thousands of others. I was totally engaged. Joe’s writing was maybe the best that I have ever enjoyed. The depth of the story, the behind-the-scenes details that were so personal, and the overall blending of game details and player personalities were just exceptional.
I am a conservative Republican, so not your normal demographic, but I love your publication and this article has cemented your legacy in my mind as the best of the best. Congratulations to Joe and to everyone who worked with him to bring this absolutely brilliant story to press!
Steve Salls BURLINGTON
TROUBLE IN THAILAND
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Thank you so much for covering this [“Cuts Abroad Hit Home: Trump’s Cancellation of U.S. Foreign Aid Means Lost Contracts and Jobs in Vermont,” February 12]. I’m a native Vermonter but moved to Thailand to work on international development and humanitarian aid. What President Donald Trump is doing is horrific. People are already dying here due to his and Elon Musk’s work. Please continue to cover this impact in Vermont and around the world.
Megan Sullivan BANGKOK, THAILAND
LOSING SANDY
[Re “Sandy Baird, Fierce Advocate and Lawyer, Dies at 84,” February 10, online]: If anybody wonders what made Burlington the place it is today, it was badass women like Sandy Baird. So much gets attached to the legend of Bernie Sanders, but a host of other trailblazers like Sandy carved a path of moral clarity and wicked style in this town.
An unrelenting fury of human nature, Sandy was a no-holds brawler in heels with a biting wit and zeal who would run you over with a crooked smile and a glint in her eye. She had a minimal filter for the things she said but a maximum one for any bullshit. Anyone who knew her knew that.
My first encounter with Sandy was as a middle school kid coming of age in the 1980s. Later, as a young adult trying to figure out my way, we shared endless car rides to Montpelier and Johnson State College, where we both worked.
In the last decade, on the third floor of the O.N.E. Community Center, at AALV, Sandy became a fierce warrior for countless new Americans. There she helped mostly women who’d been saddled with a host of legal issues while trying to raise their children in an unfamiliar place.
CORRECTION
The “From the Publisher” column in the January 8 issue had the wrong dates for the education funding bill known as Act 127. Vermont lawmakers passed the law in May 2022, and a new crop of legislators had to rewrite it in 2024.
“data-informed” examination of our economic woes requires us to increase the state’s population by 150,000 in the next 10 years to reach a goal of 802,000. Then the Vermont Housing Finance Agency agrees and states that 30,000 houses by 2030 would be necessary to approach that population goal and now nurtures the group Let’s Build Homes.
Let’s Build Homes states that “we must embrace a vision of Vermont’s future that balances our cherished natural beauty with the need for growth.” The Vermont Futures Project provides no data on the environmental impacts of the growth. Neither group addresses how this growth would help us meet the goals of our Global Warming Solutions Act to decrease our greenhouse gas emissions to 40 percent of 1990 levels by 2030.
Sandy was a true hometown icon. She was one of the things that make Burlington, with all its off-the-rails challenges these days, still one of the coolest places to live. Her loss will be a cavern-size chasm in the fabric that makes up the soul of this town.
David Lines BURLINGTON
UNKNOWN PLAN?
Thinking Seven Days film critic Margot Harrison might be waiting for the announcements of the Academy Awards nominations, or the winners themselves, I have been waiting with bated breath to read her review of the Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown . While I do not consider myself a film buff by any stretch of the imagination, I often find myself reading her pieces, at least in part, because she can offer such trenchant observations about the cinematic work in question and how it relates to contemporary culture. And, given how this particular movie has engendered such wildly divergent opinions, I am surprised she has not covered it (though perhaps she and the paper feel it’s gotten sufficient attention already?). If I hadn’t written about it myself already on the website All About Jazz, I would offer to devote some verbiage to it myself.
Doug Collette SOUTH BURLINGTON
BETTER, NOT BIGGER, VERMONT
[Re: “A New Housing Coalition Has a Familiar Face — Miro Weinberger,” January 14]: First the Vermont Chamber of Commerce created the Vermont Futures Project to convince us that a
What do these two groups have in common? Growing the GDP and the tax base and a disregard for how Vermonters may see their state’s future. The Vermont Futures Project states that “Vermont needs more people; more people need Vermont,” and Let’s Build Homes states that “We hope … to change the way Vermonters think about the future of their state.”
Shouldn’t these groups be interested in what Vermonters really want? I suggest the legislature create a statewide citizens’ assembly to find out. Citizens’ assemblies (citizensassemblies.org) can be more representative and deliberative than public engagement, polls, legislatures or ballot initiatives. Citizens’ assemblies have generally been successful worldwide.
Wolfger Schneider CHARLOTTE
USE THE CHURCH
[Re “In God We Tax: Burlington Officials, Catholic Parish at Odds Over Cathedral’s Tax Status,” February 5]: When looking at the plight of the unhoused in Burlington and a large, unused and untaxed building
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offer classes at all levels (beginner, intermediate, and advanced), meeting in person, via Zoom, or
Vermont Flower Show A Story of Gardening A Story of Gardening
The
SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
• Stroll through the Grand Garden Display filled with flowering bulbs, shrubs, trees, and water features!
• Shop the Flower Show Marketplace with over 100 vendors related to horticultural/gardening/home/accessories.
• Choose from over 30 educational seminars and workshops on a variety of topics.
• Experts on-hand all 3 days to answer your gardening and landscaping questions.
• Family Activity Room: Come dig for worms, plant a flower, and make a craft and enjoy Magicians Without Borders & No Strings Marionette performances.
• Local bookstore with a great selection of books to choose from.
• The Federated Garden Clubs of VT, North District will present a National Garden Club Small Standard Flower Show: “The Story of the Garden.”
• Plant Sale at the end of the show on Sunday.
March 7, 8, 9
March 7, 8, 9
Image by Freepik
NEWS+POLITICS 14
Reform Redux
ICE BREAK ER
Gov. Phil Scott’s proposed education overhaul resembles past plans to address long-standing challenges
O cials Say Trans Athletes Can Compete
Stakes Are High in Burlington Races
Four first-time candidates compete for two seats that will determine control of the city council
UVM Attains Coveted Research Status
‘Zizians’ to Remain Jailed Following Arrests in Maryland
FEATURES 24
Worldly Pleasures
Nusantara brings a global marketplace to Essex
ARTS+CULTURE 38
‘Moon Shots’ How the Black Experience brings marquee names, including Ta-Nehisi Coates and SistaStrings, to the Flynn
Send in the Clowns: Opera Vermont and Circus Smirkus Join Forces in Pagliacci
Toke and Mirrors
Smokus Pocus, a cannabisthemed magic show, plays tricks on audience members’ minds
The Vermont Marble Museum Has Closed
Feeling Herd
Equine expert Tim Hayes’ new book explores the lessons horses can teach us about parenting, love and healing the world
At a Crossroads
An exhibition on rural America pairs panels from the Smithsonian with works by Vermont artists
Ab Fab: Color Is Everything at Mad River Valley Arts
Carrying the Torch
ree questions for new Winter Is a Drag Ball organizer Mike Oxready
Phish Nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
JAMES BUCK
STUCK IN VERMONT
At the Newark Street School, fourth and fifth graders meet up every Wednesday after school to prepare meals for six seniors. Seven Days’ Eva Sollberger traveled to Newark to see the students make mini meatloaves, mashed potatoes, peas and cookies, then she met a 91-year-old who enjoyed the meal.
MAGNIFICENT
MUST SEE, MUST DO THIS WEEK COMPILED BY REBECCA DRISCOLL
FRIDAY 21
All at Jazz
been admired.
Acclaimed jazz pianist Michael Arnowitt tickles the ivories at Artistree Community Arts Center in South Pomfret with a magnetic program of curated works for Black History Month. Arnowitt pays homage to noteworthy Black composers, including Pulitzer laureate George Walker and ethnomusicologist Joshua Uzoigwe, then closes with an original piece in memory of George Floyd.
SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 59
TREBLE MAKERS
Barre Opera House’s Celebration Series continues with internationally renowned husband-and-wife duo Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy e Canadian master fiddlers team up with their two eldest children for a new concert program bursting with joie de vivre and musical dexterity — epitomizing the elegant, intricate Cape Breton style and flair for which the pair has long
SEE CALENDAR LISTING
Cream of the Crop
“Vermont Female Farmers,” JuanCarlos
local photographer ’s exhibit at the
University of Vermont’s Fleming Museum of Art in Burlington, highlights women workers from across the state. e striking series of 45 portraits displays intimate moments of everyday life — and brings to light a glossed-over demographic making manifold contributions
ON PAGE 59
FRIDAY 21
Spice ings Up
Transport your chilly bones from Vermont’s veritable arctic tundra to warm, welcoming southwest Louisiana with local legend Pointe Noir at Seven Stars Arts Center in Sharon. Known for getting folks groovin’ on the dance floor, the red-hot Cajun band brings authentic zydeco rhythms and the musical traditions of bayou country right to our Yankee doodle doorstep.
SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 59
SATURDAY 22
Hit the Airwaves
You won’t find pork at HAM-CON: e Vermont Ham Radio Convention at the Hampton Inn in Colchester, but you will find fascinating forums, gear swaps and informative demos. Since its inception 45 years ago, the annual event remains the region’s premier swap meet for amateur radio operators, computer wizards and electronics enthusiasts. As they say over the airways — 73!
SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 59
SATURDAY 22
Room With a View
Sugar on Tap at Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center in Burlington showcases glitzy, glamorous acts featuring the entertainers of Green Mountain Cabaret. Performers leave ordinary at the door as they guide viewers into the transformative world of burlesque artistry — a dazzling, vibrant celebration of inclusion, body positivity and empowerment through creative expression.
SEE CLUB LISTING ON PAGE 55
OPENS SATURDAY 22
Nuts and Volts
Step right up! e Circuit Circus Festival at ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain in Burlington sparks joy for attendees of all ages with hair-raising shows and activities illuminating the wonders of electricity. Guests learn how to build a dancing robot, practice coding, hop on a bicycle generator and unpack static (what is that crazy stuff?) at the Electron Circus Spectacular Show.
SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 57
Getting There From Here
It’s a privilege and a luxury to be able to escape Vermont in the winter. But flying in and out of the Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport in February has a Russian roulette quality to it. Because BTV offers so few nonstop flights to balmy destinations, there’s a decent chance of getting stuck in a connecting airport between here and there.
You can try to game it. For example, changing planes in Charlotte, N.C., where it seldom snows, might be a better bet than in Chicago, famous for winter storms. Washington, D.C., where I grew up, is less likely to freeze over than Newark, N.J. But the nation’s capital is terrified of the white stuff. Just the mention of snow precipitates a flurry of cancellations.
likened the smooth ride south to a “Lincoln Town Car in the sky.”
Breeze goes back and forth to Tampa on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Unfortunately, we needed to get home on a Tuesday, so LaurenGlenn booked return flights on United through Washington Dulles International Airport.
I CHECKED THE D.C. WEATHER FORECAST AND SAW A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR THAT VERY DAY.
That’s why I overcame my fear of flying two weeks ago to hop a nonstop flight to Tampa on a new-to-me discount airline. Breeze flies four days a week to “Cigar City” — and back. It also offers nonstop service from Burlington to the Florida cities of Fort Myers and Orlando. The fares are dirt cheap, a little more than $100 one way, and include a checked bag.
Boarding what looked like a brand-new plane, I noticed there was no curtain or other barrier between the first-class and economy sections. Then: more comfortable seats and headrests, clean windows that I could actually see through, and … legroom! For the first time in recent memory, my back did not seize up from a combination of anxiety, discomfort and slouching to look out a too-low porthole.
Before we left, the pilot emerged from the cockpit to brief us in person on the weather conditions up and down the East Coast. Burlington was expecting a snow dump later that night, and we would cruise over another weather system on the way. As a nervous flier, I care deeply about that stuff.
The same pilot made another “appearance” about an hour into the flight, when he got on the PA to encourage those with a view to behold nighttime New York City. This erstwhile practice — of pointing out geographic landmarks — seems to have been abandoned by most other airlines.
My traveling companion, Lauren-Glenn Davitian,
About halfway through the week, I checked the D.C. weather forecast and saw a winter storm warning for that very day — at 2 p.m.
We’d arrive at Dulles at 11:17 a.m. and, God willing, be on a flight to Burlington a little after noon.
We boarded in Tampa as planned, and it looked like a win — until the pilot announced a brief delay so maintenance could check out a mysterious light in the cockpit. After almost an hour of sitting on the plane, we knew we would miss our connecting flight in Dulles and the next one, in the middle of Snowmageddon, would likely be canceled.
Chances are we’d be stuck in the airport overnight. Weather or not, this is one of the all-season travel risks of living where we do. Given the opportunity to deplane, we took it, Ubered to old-town St. Petersburg, and spent another sunny day and starry night there. On Wednesday we caught the hassle-free nonstop flight back to Burlington. The return took even less time — two hours and 30 minutes — because of the tailwind. That’s some “breeze.”
Paula Routly
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Gov. Phil Scott’s proposed education overhaul resembles past plans to address long-standing challenges
BY ALISON NOVAK • alison@sevendaysvt.com
At first blush, Gov. Phil Scott’s proposal to transform education appears to be a response to an immediate crisis. The confluence of steeply rising education costs and declining student enrollment has driven up property taxes and created inequities among school districts. The Scott administration and state legislature have both described the situation as untenable.
Education Secretary Zoie Saunders has spent the past several weeks briefing lawmakers on the proposal’s specifics: changing how education is funded; consolidating 119 school districts into five regional ones; and expanding student eligibility for school choice — all within an ambitious two-year timeline.
But the challenges facing the state’s education system, as well as proposed solutions, have existed for decades. Six years ago, a draft document called a “Blueprint for Transforming Vermont’s Education System” floated similar changes. So, too, did a committee created in the early 1960s to study Vermont’s
education system. It recommended consolidating school districts into regional ones, much like the current plan.
“Whenever there is discussion about reorganizing school districts on a larger political unit, the objection is immediately raised that there will be a loss of local control,” the committee’s 1963 report said. Because education had become such a vital part of the country, the committee concluded, the time had come to “organize it on a much
EDUCATION
Saunders herself has acknowledged that these have been persistent problems. When designing the current plan, she said, Agency of Education sta found a report from 1869 that outlined some of the same challenges that schools in the state are
“What we’re talking about in this
Yet the state’s failure to resolve the problems reveals how difficult it is to obtain widespread support, even while everybody agrees the system is in desperate need of reform. The challenge this time around for Scott, Saunders and state lawmakers will be learning from the lessons of the past and finding common ground that will be palatable to Vermonters from di erent communities
EDUCATION
Officials Say Trans Athletes Can Compete
BY ALISON NOVAK alison@sevendaysvt.com
Vermont officials are pushing back against President Donald Trump’s executive order banning transgender students from competing in girls’ sports.
e Vermont Agency of Education and the Vermont Human Rights Commission have asserted that they will uphold the protections for LGBTQ students enshrined in state law. And the Vermont Principals’ Association, the body that governs school sports, said it has no plans to change its guidelines allowing student athletes to play on teams that align with their gender identity.
Trump’s executive order, issued on February 5, says schools that allow transgender girls to compete on girls’ sports teams would be ineligible to receive federal funding. e order,
“Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports,” states that allowing trans athletes to compete on girls’ teams is “demeaning, unfair, and dangerous to women and girls, and denies women and girls the equal opportunity to participate and excel in competitive sports.”
But in a statement last Friday, the Vermont Human Rights Commission wrote that treating students differently because of their gender identity is illegal in Vermont.
Denying transgender students “equal opportunities to participate in all aspects of school life on the basis of their gender identity” violates Vermont’s Public Accommodations Act, it said.
e commission’s statement says it is “prepared to take all action that Vermont law authorizes to protect students and to enforce Vermont’s anti-discrimination statutes.”
Earlier this month, the Vermont Agency of Education sent a similar message to superintendents about Trump’s executive order.
“We want to assure you that protections for LGBTQIA+ students are enshrined in Vermont law and have not been diminished in any way by this federal action,” the agency wrote in an email to school leaders.
e email said Vermont Agency of Education guidance titled “Continuing Best Practices for Schools Regarding Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Students” is still in effect, as are laws that prevent hazing, harassment and bullying.
“Our commitment to fostering a safe and inclusive environment for all students remains unwavering,” the email reads. ➆
Stakes Are High in Burlington Races
Four first-time candidates compete for two seats that will determine control of the city council
BY COURTNEY LAMDIN • courtney@sevendaysvt.com
For the first time since 2003, Joan Shannon is not running for a spot on the Burlington City Council. The stalwart Democrat’s departure means one of two new contenders will fill her South District seat after the Town Meeting Day election — and could potentially tip the balance of power.
The seat is one of four in contention next month. Burlington alternates elections between the four district seats
policies on climate change, immigration and addiction, including plans to open an overdose-prevention center.
All four candidates support the concept of a center but have varying degrees of concern about potential federal intervention. The candidates are also aligned with Mulvaney-Stanak’s pledge to maintain Burlington’s status as a “sanctuary city,” a designation that prohibits local police from cooperating with federal immigration authorities.
The candidates are running on promises to tackle the city’s most pressing issues: public safety and a ordability, including housing. All four support the sizable bonds on the ballot to fix the city’s water and wastewater treatment systems. And they all hope voters pass a charter change meant to ban guns in bars. Each has said they’ll work across the aisle to get things done for the Queen City.
— up this year — and the eight ward seats to be filled in March 2026. In the North and Central districts, respectively, incumbents Mark Barlow (I) and Melo Grant (P) are running unopposed.
The two contested seats, in the East and South districts, will determine which party dominates the council at a pivotal time. In the coming months, o cials must craft a budget that could require significant cuts in order to close a multimillion-dollar revenue gap. The city is also embarking on a national search for a new police chief at a time when public safety — and the department — is under the microscope.
For Progressive Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak, the race could be a chance to upset the Democratic majority on the council, whose members have criticized the pace at which she’s addressed challenges with police sta ng and the worsening homelessness crisis. Should Progressives win both seats, it would mark the first time in city history that the party controlled both the council and mayor’s o ce simultaneously.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump’s return to office threatens to endanger Burlington’s progressive
SOUTH DISTRICT
Ranjit “Buddy” Singh says he isn’t the type of politician who thinks he knows best. To address Burlington’s challenges, he believes councilors should collaborate and let the “best ideas rise to the top.”
“I don’t want to stand in the way of a good idea,” he said. “If it’s gonna bring this city forward, I’m not gonna get in the way.”
As the Democratic candidate in a reliably Dem district, he’s got a built-in advantage over Progressive opponent Jennifer Monroe Zakaras. She’s campaigning on the promise that she’d work with Dems, a message that could resonate in an increasingly fractured political climate.
“That’s what we need in this moment,” she said.
Born in upstate New York and raised on military bases, Zakaras, 39, moved to Burlington seven years ago and lives in the Hill Section with her husband and two young daughters. She works remotely for the University of California
HIGHER ED
UVM Attains Coveted Research Status
BY ANNE WALLACE ALLEN anne@sevendaysvt.com
The University of Vermont has received a classification that it’s been working toward for years: the Carnegie Foundation’s R1 Research Activity Designation, reserved for colleges and universities that demonstrate the highest commitment to research and graduate studies.
The designation will help UVM attract grants and talent, interim President Patricia Prelock said in a prepared statement last week.
“This milestone reflects not only our commitment to academic excellence but also our role as a driver of innovation and opportunity for Vermont and beyond,” she said.
With the competition for students heating up over the past several years and enrollment stagnant, UVM has been turning to research funding to supplement tuition income. The R1 status reflects efforts by a succession of presidents who have worked to increase opportunities for groundbreaking work in the sciences and humanities.
In 2020, then-president Suresh Garimella hired Kirk Dombrowski to run UVM’s Office of the Vice President for Research. The school attracted $227 million in research funding in fiscal year 2021, and Dombrowski is widely credited with increasing that over subsequent years. He did so by drawing in big funders such as the National Science Foundation and establishing partnerships with Essex Junction chipmaker GlobalFoundries. UVM attracted more than $260 million in research funding last year, the university said.
UVM said its faculty members have garnered nearly 700 research awards to launch more than 1,000 new projects, including in climate change and public health, aided by government agencies, corporate partners, foundations and donors.
About $100 million of the research funding that came in last year went to the Larner College of Medicine, where scientists are developing new drugs and working with researchers at other universities on several studies. Attaining R1 status will help UVM amplify its impact by attracting top scholars and scientists, as well as students, officials said.
“Achieving R1 status is a transformative step for any university, signifying a leap into the highest echelon of research institutions,” Dombrowski said in the prepared statement. ➆
“Change is hard, period,” House Education Committee chair Peter Conlon (D-Cornwall) said in an interview on Monday. “And this level of change, in something that Vermonters highly value, is tricky.” He noted that the idea of sweeping education reform can threaten people’s sense of identity, traditions and values.
Past attempts to overhaul education in Vermont have not gained traction. Phil Ho was governor in 1963 when he convened a five-member task force to study the public education system. Its report, published in full in the Rutland Daily Herald , put forth several recommendations, including reducing the state’s 45 supervisory unions into 12 regional districts, each with a school board and a superintendent. The report pointed to statistics that found smaller high schools cost more per pupil to operate than larger ones. It also suggested that students in more populous areas such as Burlington and Brattleboro had better educational opportunities than those in smaller, agricultural communities.
“We believe that the people of Vermont probably cannot a ord to give Vermont children the education to which they are entitled if we try to give them that education in our present town school system,” the report stated.
The 2019 document also called for a “simplified” funding formula that would be more “transparent and predictable” to Vermonters. It would create a uniform property tax rate throughout the state — very similar, again, to Scott’s current plan.
Other similar ideas in the “Blueprint” include school choice for all students in the state, abolishing the State Board of Education, universal graduation requirements, equalizing teacher pay and creating parent committees at each school to help inform decisions.
Despite the common themes, the governor’s office says the current education reform plan is not based on the “Blueprint.”
“Many of the challenges we face today ... are the same challenges we’ve faced for years and are the product of a system that no longer works for Vermont,” Amanda Wheeler, Gov. Scott’s press secretary, wrote in an email.
The document, though, came to light at a fraught time. It was released in the wake of Act 46, a law passed in 2015 that incentivized, and in some cases forced, school districts to merge in the hopes of achieving cost e ciencies and providing more academic opportunities. Opponents of Act 46 argued that it would result in the erosion of local control and create an overly bureaucratic education system that devalued small, rural communities.
The law led to the emotionally charged creation of 50 new unified school districts. The state has yet to fully study whether Act 46 achieved its goals, though it certainly didn’t lead to the cost savings that were envisioned.
After the messy and painful mergers, some felt the ideas laid out in the “Blueprint” were too much, too soon. Krista Huling, then-chair of the State Board of Education, said as much to French at the March 2019 board meeting.
The report led to proposed legislation that would have created 14 regional school districts, according to a 1966 book, Vermont State Government and Administration. But “loud protests arose from the proponents of the ‘little red schoolhouse’” and lawmakers from small towns. They bristled at the idea of centralized control of schools and argued it “would destroy education in Vermont,” the book states. The bill was defeated, as was a subsequent bill in 1965 that would have created 25 school districts.
More than five decades later, in 2019, then-education secretary Dan French undertook what he described as a “visioning exercise” with other members of the Scott administration. It took the idea of school district consolidation much farther.
The so-called “Blueprint for Transforming Vermont’s Education System” envisioned a single statewide school district administered by four locally elected regional school boards. There’d be one for Chittenden County, the most populous part of Vermont, plus others for the northern, southern and central regions of the state, each with its own superintendent and large central-office team. The model is similar to the five-district governance structure in Scott’s current proposal.
Act 46 created divisions in communities and made people feel as if their voices weren’t being heard, Huling said: “I just feel this could be another example of that.”
WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT IN THIS PROPOSAL IS NOT NEW.
EDUCATION SECRETARY
ZOIE SAUNDERS
At a March 2019 State Board of Education meeting, then-secretary French characterized the “Blueprint” as a brainstorming activity meant to stimulate conversation, not a vetted policy proposal. He told board members that an overly complex educational system was creating ine ciency and a growing divide of opportunity for students in di erent regions. He also flagged declining student enrollment as a major issue.
“I have ... full knowledge of the fragility of the current system, and I’m really concerned about not having a plan in place to address these demographic issues as they emerge,” French said then. “I don’t think we have a lot of time to sit and have a statewide debate for five or six years, so we’ve got to figure that out — how to heat up that urgency about it.”
A year after the “Blueprint” was released, the pandemic diverted the focus of the Agency of Education. Now, as that public health crisis has ebbed, Vermont again finds itself in a situation that requires immediate action. An average property tax increase of 13.8 percent last year frustrated voters, who signaled they wanted a change in November by ousting dozens of Democratic lawmakers and stripping the party of its supermajority in the legislature.
It remains to be seen where the latest iteration to overhaul the system is headed. Already, lawmakers have criticized the proposal to expand eligibility for school choice. But they seem to understand that time is running out to resolve major funding and governance changes.
“We have probably reached the point in time where we need to decide what is possible to be accomplished in this legislative session,” Rep. Conlon told Seven Days on Monday. He called the governor’s proposal “somewhat overwhelming in its magnitude and underwhelming in its level of detail,” which poses challenges during a short legislative session.
And hashing out a plan in Montpelier is just half the battle.
“If we are willing to make big, hard decisions,” Conlon said, “it may not go down well in our own communities.”
But, he said, the legislature has an obligation to figure out how the state can provide its young people with “a highquality education at a cost Vermonters can a ord.”
As history shows, though, that’s easier said than done. ➆
‘Zizians’ to Remain Jailed Following Arrests in Maryland
BY DEREK BROUWER • derek@sevendaysvt.com
Three apparent members of a violent, cultlike group called the Zizians, which is linked to the fatal shooting of a Vermont border patrol agent and other killings around the country, will remain behind bars after they were arrested on Sunday in rural western Maryland.
The group’s leader, Jack “Ziz” LaSota, and two associates — Michelle Zajko and Daniel Blank — were all busted in Frostburg after someone called police about people living in white box trucks on private property.
They are charged with various misdemeanors, including trespassing. Zajko and LaSota also face charges related to their possession of loaded firearms in the trucks, which is illegal under Maryland law, as well as obstructing and hindering police.
Following Zajko’s arrest in Maryland, federal prosecutors in Vermont charged her on Tuesday with lying on February 2024 applications to purchase four handguns in Mount Tabor. Two of the weapons were recovered at the scene of the deadly border patrol shoot-out last month.
During appearances in Allegany County District Court on Tuesday morning, Judge Erich Bean ordered each defendant held in jail without bond. The hearings were not accessible for remote viewing, but Bean voiced concern that LaSota was a flight risk and posed a danger to public safety, the Associated Press reported.
LaSota “appears to be the leader of an extremist group known as Zizians,” an unnamed prosecutor said during the hearing, according to the Associated Press. Among other exploits, LaSota, a transgender woman, is suspected of faking her own death in August 2022 after someone reported she fell off a boat near San Francisco, Calif.
Zajko and Blank, meanwhile, lived for a time in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom. Zajko was wanted for questioning after she apparently bought guns found at a January 20 shoot-out in Coventry that claimed the lives of U.S. Border Patrol agent David “Chris” Maland and Felix Bauckholt, a German national and apparent Zizian adherent. Another Zizian, Teresa Youngblut, is charged with opening fire on the border patrol agents during the stop using a handgun originally purchased in Vermont by Zajko.
Zajko is also a suspect in the unsolved killings of her parents, who were found shot
dead in December 2022 in their suburban Philadelphia home.
Sunday’s arrests represent a major breakthrough in the sprawling, bizarre and secretive investigation that gained momentum following last month’s deadly shoot-out.
Authorities appear to have gotten lucky: A man called Maryland State Police for help kicking the trespassing trio off his land because he thought they looked “suspicious,” court records say.
LaSota, Zajko and Blank were wearing all black and staying in the box trucks at the end of a dirt road near a tree line, the resident reported. He asked them to leave his property, and they replied by asking for permission to camp there for a month. The man declined and instead called police.
Two Maryland state troopers were among those who responded to the call, according to a trooper’s court affidavit.
The trooper noticed a man, later identified as Blank, 26, sitting in the passenger seat of one of the box trucks. The trooper ordered Blank to show his hands, to which Blank replied that he had a learning disability and could not understand what the trooper was saying.
Police encountered LaSota and Zajko in the other truck. Zajko, who was carrying a loaded Sig Sauer handgun, began to cry, the trooper wrote, “saying not to kill her.” Police also located a long rifle in the back of the truck and another handgun on the front floorboard where LaSota was sitting.
None of the three would tell police their names. As authorities proceeded to arrest them for trespassing, Zajko, 32, refused to put her hands behind her back, authorities allege. The trooper and two other officers took her to the ground, the trooper wrote.
An FBI agent later identified the three arrestees using their photos, the Maryland trooper wrote: “All of the subjects involved are to be questioned regarding other crimes that have occurred across the country.”
None of the three has been charged in several killings that may be linked to LaSota’s cultlike group. But all three were detained in a Pennsylvania hotel room in early 2023 following the unsolved double murder of Zajko’s elderly parents.
Then, last month, Youngblut was carrying a Glock handgun that Zajko had purchased when border patrol stopped her and Bauckholt on Interstate 91 in Coventry. Authorities allege that Youngblut opened fire on the agents during the stop. Maland and Bauckholt were killed, though the feds have said little about how the exchange unfolded, including who fired the fatal rounds. ➆
From left: Jack “Ziz” LaSota, Daniel Blank and Michelle Zajko
Stakes Are High in Burlington Races
San Francisco, where she researches how people’s living conditions affect their physical and mental health — knowledge that she says prepares her to work on issues related to substance use and homelessness in Burlington.
Like other Progressives, Zakaras believes in attacking those issues both directly and at the root — by embedding social workers in the police department, for instance, instead of policing more aggressively.
But Zakaras does want to hire more cops. She acknowledged that the 2020 vote to shrink the department created an officer exodus. But she maintains that, four years on, the city should consider other reasons it’s struggling to hire and retain cops — the high cost of living and poor conditions at the police station, to name a couple. Singh, meantime, said the Democrats’ recent action to remove the controversial cap on the department roster will help recruitment. “And it didn’t cost us anything,” he added.
The candidates differ on efforts to open an overdose-prevention center in Burlington, where people could use illicit drugs under supervision.
Zakaras thinks the city should go full speed ahead.
“It would be premature to not do things that are good for our community because of what the [Trump] administration might do,” she said.
Singh said he supports the concept but worries that the administration could sue the city or the nonprofit chosen to operate the center. Given those risks, Singh said, he’s unsure whether the city should proceed.
“I want the city to be thoughtful in its decision making,” he said.
A loan officer with Spruce Mortgage, Singh, 53, lives near the South Burlington line with his wife and 10-year-old daughter. He said he would support policies to create more housing in Burlington, from low-barrier shelters to new homes, and advocate for state funds to pay for them. Zakaras’ platform calls for investing more in the city’s Housing Trust Fund, which helps finance affordable development projects.
Singh’s deep community connections may help his campaign. He leads the Parent-Teacher Organization at Champlain Elementary School and has served on the board for the Boys & Girls Club of Burlington for 15 years. He served an 18-year stint on the Church Street Marketplace Commission.
Singh said he’s relying more on these experiences than his party label to win the race. He’s also got some cash to use on his campaign: With $16,525 in his war
chest, he’s raised more than twice as much as Zakaras.
“I gotta earn every vote,” he said. “I want people to trust me, because I’m playing a role in what their future looks like.”
Zakaras knows she’ll struggle to win in a Dem district. She’s had to explain to voters that she won’t rubber-stamp the mayor’s agenda, even though MulvaneyStanak is her campaign treasurer. Some people she’s met knocking on doors have told her they won’t vote for a Progressive.
But the same people have softened after listening to her pitch, Zakaras said, which gives her hope.
“This is about simply knowing how to work with other people, how to compromise, how to collaborate,” she said. “That’s just really fundamental to who I am as a candidate.”
EAST DISTRICT
The East District seat has been vacant since November, when former Democratic councilor Tim Doherty resigned after being appointed a Vermont Superior Court judge. Two fresh faces are in the running in this district, which has ping-ponged between Democratic and Progressive councilors over the past several cycles.
Progressive Kathy Olwell is facing off with Democrat Allie Schachter — the former an experienced public servant and the latter a political newcomer.
Neither candidate is running a purely partisan campaign. Instead, they’re promoting their willingness to reach across the aisle.
A retired social worker, Olwell, 76, and her husband live on North Prospect Street. Her grandchildren attend school at the Sustainability Academy in the Old North End — and are good friends with Schachter’s two kids.
Olwell spent 10 years on the Burlington School Board and can take credit for founding the city’s afterschool programs and the New North End Youth Center.
Olwell says she’s running because she likes Mulvaney-Stanak’s vision for the city. A believer in progressive tax policy, she supports the mayor’s working group that’s exploring a fairer tax structure. And she thinks the mayor’s approach to public safety achieves the right balance between traditional policing and alternative responses, such as having social workers respond to certain calls.
A self-described doer, Olwell said she’d put party affiliation aside to tackle tough issues. The council can’t accomplish anything, she said, “if we’re always playing tit for tat.”
Schachter is similarly dismayed by partisan bickering and pledged to avoid it if elected.
“I will find common ground with everybody I would have the chance to work with,” she said.
Schachter, 37, lives on North Williams Street. She worked for human services nonprofits out of state before she moved to Burlington in 2021. She is now the development director for the Flynn.
Working downtown, Schachter sees the city’s challenges firsthand and recognizes the pressure put on Mulvaney-Stanak to solve them. She’s concerned that progress isn’t being made quickly enough.
That includes the slow pace of hiring more police. Schachter said she’d push for programs to make cops feel welcome in Burlington, a feeling diminished by the 2020 vote. In her Massachusetts hometown, for example, the department gave children baseball cards featuring officers’ photos, a collectible that built community trust.
On housing, Schachter says the city should promote homeshare arrangements and charge higher fees to owners of vacant buildings to encourage them to redevelop their properties or sell them. Olwell says developers should be required to build more affordable units and wants to hire more code enforcement officers to crack down on absentee landlords and owners of vacant buildings.
Schachter, meantime, has been criticized for taking campaign donations from developers, including the Pomerleau family and Dave Farrington, a partner in the CityPlace Burlington project. For her part, Schachter says her donors aren’t “notoriously irresponsible landlords” and that their contributions won’t influence her decisions if elected. Schachter has raised about $13,500 compared to Olwell’s $2,330, according to February 2 campaign finance reports. Olwell contributed about half of that haul to herself, and her biggest listed contributor is Councilor Carter Neubieser (P-Ward 1).
Living in the student-heavy East District, both candidates want the city to pursue an agreement with the University of Vermont to house more undergraduates on campus; talks have stalled in recent months. If UVM won’t budge, Olwell thinks the school should have to cap its enrollment; Schachter said she’d need to research the idea before endorsing it.
The candidates are making their final push before Town Meeting Day. Olwell has been working the phones and knocking on doors when it’s not too cold.
Schachter knows face time is the best way to compete with Olwell’s name recognition. To that end, she’s been hosting weekly coffee hours, attending house parties and knocking on doors. Her team has hit more than 1,000 to date, and they aim for 1,500 by Town Meeting Day on March 4. By that time, though, some people may have already made their choice. Ballots went out in the mail last week. ➆
Kathy Olwell
Allie Schachter
Jennifer Monroe Zakaras
Buddy Singh
« P.15
lifelines
OBITUARIES
Sandra “Sandy” Baird
DECEMBER 2, 1940FEBRUARY 10, 2025
BURLINGTON, VT.
It is with the heaviest of hearts and deepest sadness that we tell you about Sandy (Sandra L.) Baird’s life in the context of her unexpected passing on February 10, 2025. She died suddenly in Burlington, Vt., with her family at her side: lifelong friend and partner Grant Crichfield, daughter Rosanna (“Rosie”) Crichfield, grandson Nathan G. Allard.
Sandy grew up in Springfield, Mass., in a household composed of her parents and eventually five children — Sandy was the middle child. Her father had come to the U.S. from Scotland as an adolescent with his parents and siblings; Sandy often displayed her strong pride in being Scottish by wearing clothing or jewelry made of the Baird clan plaid or crest. Sandy’s household and that of her grandparents were near one another, with a lot of exchange between them. Living on a dead-end street at the edge of the Springfield College campus, Sandy for the first 10 years of her childhood lived not only in a family of all boys but also on a street with only boys as playmates, she being the only girl. In later years she became an active feminist but always had the ability to get along with men and often related to them as comrades and brothers, perhaps an extension of her childhood years. Her mother’s parents had come from Longueuil, Québec, to Plattsburgh, N.Y., and then to Springfield. Sandy’s mother was bilingual; Sandy thus often heard Scottish English and French at home. Perhaps for that reason, Sandy took a good bit of French right
OBITUARIES, VOWS, CELEBRATIONS
through graduate school and participated in local French activities in Burlington. eir home was situated near Watershops Pond, the place where she learned to swim, an activity she always continued in Burlington. Sandy felt proud of Springfield, based on her experiences growing up in an attractive city with a pond, woods, college, neighborhood movie theater and bus system at her fingertips and superior public schools, as well. She often took a drive to Springfield with Grant or Rosie and Nathan or friends to revisit.
Sandy graduated from Classical High School in Springfield and attended the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, from which she graduated with honors; there she especially loved history, which became her major. at’s also where she met Grant Crichfield — they were both 18 years old; this was a connection that continued in various forms her entire life. By coincidence, they both decided to attend graduate school at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she pursued a master’s degree in history and education. Employed by an afterschool job at a diner while in high school and then by insurance companies in Boston and Madison, she learned that her passions in life were political action and intellectual
involvements, and she pursued them throughout her existence.
While in Madison, she and Grant decided to get married, which they did in 1965. After a few years, they adopted two girls, Caroline in Madison and Rosie in Burlington. While they eventually divorced, they decided to try to salvage the positive aspects of their connection, which they did the rest of her years. From the girls’ babyhoods forward, Sandy and Grant took them to many places — Paris and Nice in France; Massachusetts to visit family; later to Martha’s Vineyard and Rhode Island beaches for summer vacations; New York City and New Jersey to visit friends and see shows and the sights. Later, tragedy struck when Caroline was killed at age 30 in an incident of domestic violence. is spurred Sandy’s commitment to legal and personal work on the issue of domestic violence and led to the creation of the Caroline Baird Crichfield Fund for Women in Need, which is still very active. When Rosie had a son, Nathan, Sandy was overjoyed at this addition to her family and was always proud of and tried to encourage his progress. Rosie and Nathan live in Sandy’s house in Burlington; Sandy always tried to make it a safe harbor for all of her family and their friends.
Sandy finished her master’s degree and taught history at Edgewood High School, a Catholic institution in Madison, and discovered she loved teaching, a profession she practiced much of the rest of her life in Burlington public schools, including Edmunds School, which Caroline, Rosie and Nathan all subsequently attended. Sandy gave courses at several colleges in Vermont, especially Burlington College, where she became a popular
and award-winning member of the core faculty. Finally, in recent years, she gave televised talks, seminars and presentations under the auspices of the Vermont Institute for Community and International Involvement, which she had created and loved doing. Having grown up in a family that held strong political enthusiasms and often engaged in heated discussions, she continued in that way always thereafter. She was without fail very well informed about history and politics and enjoyed debate and discussion. One didn’t want to be on a side opposing her views unless an expert on the topic. Other aspects of Sandy’s political life were her run for mayor of Burlington and her election to two terms in the Vermont House of Representatives. Her devotion to civic engagement was reflected by the numerous political and social-change entities of which she was not only a member but also many times the/a founder. She was a member of the committee that founded the Women’s Health Center, which offered abortions a year before Roe v. Wade was decided. She won many awards over her life, not only for teaching but also for other activities; while Peter Clavelle was mayor of Burlington, he declared a Sandy Baird Day in recognition of her contributions. Having decided to become a lawyer, she did not attend law school but rather studied law as a law clerk, preparing for the bar exam under the sponsorship of John Dooley, eventual justice of the Vermont Supreme Court. She practiced in her early law career with the Chittenden County State’s Attorney Office, then Vermont Legal Aid, and ultimately operated her own law office in
Burlington and most recently at the Association of Africans Living in Vermont. Her focus was always on people who were underrepresented — as a result, her practice was often one of family law cases.
Sandy enjoyed and participated in a wide range of activities ranging from swimming in Lake Champlain (weather permitting, she went to the beach at least for a dip every day) to trips to the ocean. She loved movies — she typically saw a movie a week (often on Sundays with Grant) — musicals, popular music, clothes, jewelry (she was a sharp dresser). She had plans to join a choir (she was a good singer) and attended many kinds of social gatherings. Loving a good time, she recently purchased a black Ford Mustang, which created many comments, enthused reactions and a lot of fun. As she put it, ”I’m having an old-life crisis and always wanted a standardshift Mustang.” Travel was high on her list: She fell in love with the people and culture of Cuba on her first trip there decades ago and continued that connection with numerous visits and the founding of a study abroad program, including the University of Havana, through Burlington College. When Grant’s work took him to Nice, France, for a year, she of course went with him — and that with two children in diapers and a cat and a dog. ey took a trip almost every year and visited many countries in Europe, North Africa, Asia and the Soviet Union (twice), as well as Canada, Central America and the Caribbean. Sandy also participated in a delegation that made an official trip from Burlington to Palestine and Israel. Sandy often integrated her observations from travel into her activities, be it a course she taught on the “City in History” or a course on comparative legal systems.
Sandy really lived life to the fullest until the day she died. Many of us would modify that to: She lived her life at warp speed until the evening she died. She had a sense of mission that energized her to participate in a staggering number of organizations, movements, demonstrations, meetings, alliances, presentations and more. Her commitment to her notions of justice, fairness, equality, learning, peace and nonviolence governed her activities all her life, and the more so toward the end, when she knew her time among us was limited simply by her age. She had great compassion and an unstoppable drive to help the oppressed.
Sandy was predeceased by her daughter Caroline Baird Crichfield; her parents, Beatrice Aubrey Baird and Charles Baird; and three brothers, Vincent Baird, Charles Baird, Jr. and Rodney Baird.
Sandy leaves behind her friend/partner, Grant Crichfield, her daughter Rosanna E. Crichfield and her grandson, Nathan Grant Allard, all of Burlington; and her sister, Bonnie Baird, Bonnie’s husband, Cliff Sosnow, and their daughter, Laura Sosnow, all of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Sandy’s survivors include numerous relatives in the Springfield, Boston and Wilbraham, Mass., and Syracuse, N.Y., areas; and in Denver, Colo., and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Sandy strongly disliked the cold and snow, and so a celebration of Sandy’s life will be held in the Burlington area on a date this spring to be announced at a later time.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Sandy’s memory can be made to the Caroline Baird Crichfield Fund for Women in Need or a favorite charity.
OBITUARIES, VOWS, CELEBRATIONS
OBITUARIES
Brian Alexander Stephany
JANUARY 20, 1971FEBRUARY 5, 2025
ESSEX JUNCTION, VT.
Brian Alexander Stephany, 54, of Essex Junction, Vt., died unexpectedly of natural causes on February 5, 2025. Born in Burlington on January 20, 1971, he was a longtime area painting contractor, most recently as the owner of Lupine Painting and prior to that at Lafayette Painting. In addition to being a highly respected craftsman, Brian was a devoted and loving “papa” to his son, Colter, and daughter, Lune, who survive him.
Equally at ease in the company of people from all stations of life, there wasn’t an ear Brian didn’t enjoy bending. He became a recognizable figure to many, with his long ponytail and trademark paintspeckled Atlanta Braves hat — a signature look he committed to for some 25 years!
Laurel (Colomb) Ashley
OCTOBER 14, 1934-FEBRUARY 11, 2025
ESSEX, VT.
After Ken’s death in 2006, Laurel moved back to Essex to be closer to her children and grandchildren.
Brian was a member of Burlington High School’s class of 1989 and the goalkeeper on its 1987 state championship soccer team before attending the University of Vermont. He enjoyed reading, cooking and fishing; was an avid Braves fan and Vermont Public listener; and had fond memories of summerlong adventures, working on Nantucket and at Yellowstone National Park.
Brien August Ducharme Jr.
SEPTEMBER 30, 1934-
FEBRUARY 11, 2025
MARSHFIELD, VT.
Brien August Ducharme, Jr., age 90, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at Heaton Woods Assisted Living in Montpelier, Vt. He was born on September 30, 1934, in Marshfield, Vt., to Brien and Cecile Ducharme. Brien was the oldest of his siblings, Maurice Ducharme, Bertha Trumble and Lorraine Harvey. Brien married the late Jeanne Claire on August 17, 1955, and Andre, Dennis, Maria, David, Gerard, Myle, Miya and Anh were a product of their love. He devoted his life to being an amazing provider. Brien spent his working years as a logger, enjoying being in
In addition to his children, Brian is survived by his parents, Judith (Edward) Ahearn of Burlington and William (Christie) Stephany of Shelburne, Vt.; siblings,
the woods and sharing his love of nature and gardening with his family and friends. Brien enjoyed dancing and traveling throughout the U.S. and Europe with his wife, Jeanne, and their many friends. Later in life, he grew to enjoy playing cards and spent many hours with family and friends, beating them at the game of rummy.
David (Caroline) Stephany of Westerville, Ohio, Kathleen (Liam) Hennessy of Wicklow Town, Ireland, and Nicholas Stephany, of Georgia, Vt.; a niece and four nephews, who delighted in his quirky sense of humor; four stepsiblings and their families; an uncle, Gerard Buckley, of San Diego; and a wide circle of friends, cousins and extended family. He was predeceased by his grandparents, Mary and F. Alexander Stephany and Agnes and John A. Buckley. A celebration of his life is being planned for springtime. (Please email davestephany@ gmail.com for details.) In lieu of flowers, please consider honoring Brian’s memory with a donation to the Safe Harbor Health Center or to the Middlebury Area Land Trust, designated for its work with the National Park Service to construct and maintain sections of the North Country National Scenic Trail in Vermont.
Please visit his obituary at gregorycremation.com to share your memories.
Brien leaves behind loving and cherished memories of his eight children, 19 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. A host of nieces, nephews, cousins and many dear friends will miss him greatly but will stop and remember the snow machine rides, picking blackberries, milking the cow, Sunday mass at North American Martyrs Church, fishing quietly on the bank of a gentle slow-moving stream, round dancing for hours on end, his quick and free sense of humor, Sunday drives — and the memories go on.
e funeral and celebration of life will be held on May 17, 2025, 10 a.m., at Christ Covenant Church, 167 Creamery St., Marshfield, VT. e burial will follow at Durant Cemetery in Lower Cabot. Condolences may be shared at dgfunerals.com.
Laurel (Colomb) Ashley passed away peacefully at the age of 90, surrounded by her loving family, on the morning of February 11, 2025. Laurel was born in Swanton, Vt., on October 14, 1934, the daughter of George and Priscilla Colomb. She graduated from the former St. Anne’s Academy in Swanton, class of 1952. On November 3, 1956, she was married to Alton “Ken” Ashley.
After graduation, Laurel worked for the state Department of Health in Burlington, Vt., until moving to Virginia to be with Ken, who was stationed with the U.S. Army at Fort Belvoir. She worked there for Routh Robbins Real Estate until Ken was sent to Korea. She then returned to Burlington and worked at the Lane Press in the office until Ken returned home and their first child was born.
Laurel became a stay-at-home mom with her daughter and son. In 1967 she began working at Essex Elementary School, where she spent 22 years in the offices of both Essex Elementary and Founders Memorial. In 1989 both Ken and Laurel retired and built their home on the lakeshore in West Swanton, where they enjoyed 17 wonderful years.
Stewart Pierson
JUNE 25, 1937-JANUARY 31, 2025 ESSEX, VT.
e Reverend Stewart Pierson of Blue Hill and Deer Isle, Maine, passed away on January 31, 2025, at Whitney Place in Natick, Mass., at age 87.
Stewart was an Episcopal priest, born in New York City, who served four parishes over 40 years, in Pittsburgh and WilkesBarre, Pa.; Lakewood, Ohio; and South Burlington, Vt.
He spent summers with his family in Deer Isle since 1966, where he proudly sailed his 18-foot Flying Scot. He was an avid squash and tennis player, an excellent amateur pianist, a lover of his cherished dogs, and a cheerful, warm person to everyone he met.
She leaves a daughter, Tamara, and her husband, Roger Pratt, of Milton, Vt.; her son, omas, and his wife, Caroline, of Essex; her grandchildren, Danielle Whitten and her partner, Jamie Fisher, of Shelburne, Vt., Kelsey Whitten and her partner, Joseph Genest, of Swanton, Lisa Ashley and her partner, Bobby Wolfe, and his daughter, Ava, of Colchester, Vt., and Michael Ashley and his partner, Anna Charland, of Essex; and a much beloved great-grandson, Kaiden Fisher #18 of Shelburne. She also leaves son-in-law Raymond Whitten of St. Albans, Vt., and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brother, Vaughn Colomb; sisters, Elaine Moreau and Gloria McCormick; and sister in-law, Grace Rose. e family would like to extend their gratitude to the nurses at the University of Vermont Medical Center, the staff at Mansfield Place and the McClure Miller Respite House for their loving and compassionate care.
Visiting hours will be held on February 20, 2025, 4 to 6 p.m., at Ready Funeral Services in Essex. e family requests that, in lieu of flowers, gifts in Laurel’s memory be made to Essex Rescue, 1 Educational Dr., Essex Junction, VT 05452.
wife, Shannon; and Sarah Pierson Wolff of St. Louis and her husband, Michael. He was deeply committed to his grandchildren, Aspen, Gray, Summer and Cole Pierson; and Pierson (1999-2002), Harbor, Julia and Hobie Wolff, all of whom spent part of each summer with him on Sunshine in Deer Isle. His happy smile, from-the-heart sermons, willingness to help others and love of life will be remembered with great fondness by all who knew him.
He is survived by his wife, Julie Burger Pierson, of Blue Hill, Maine, and his children, Stewart Jr. of Framingham, Mass., and his
A celebration of his life will be offered on June 28, 2025, 11 a.m., at St. Brendan’s Episcopal Church in Deer Isle. A Zoom link to the service will be available for friends unable to attend.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Brendan’s Church, PO Box 305, Deer Isle, ME 04627; Island Heritage Trust, 420 Sunset Rd., Deer Isle, ME 04627; or Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity, PO Box 1436, Williston, VT 05495.
Kenneth J. Swearingen
AUGUST 9, 1926JANUARY 26, 2025
BURLINGTON, VT.
Kenneth J. Swearingen
was a lucky man. He lived a long, happy and healthy life, passing away on January 26, 2025, after a very brief illness at the age of 98, at the McClure Miller Respite House in Colchester, Vt. Ken had been a passionate and committed volunteer for hospice for more than 40 years, 15 years of which were dedicated to the respite house.
Born on August 9,1926, in Hannibal, Mo., to Thomas and Lorraine, Ken and his brother, Thomas Jr., grew up surrounded by love. Reading Mark Twain was a lifelong passion that Ken loved to share, in part, because
Judith Pensack
of their common roots in Hannibal.
The family moved to Philadelphia when Ken was a young boy. He became an Eagle Scout as part of Troop 1, the first Boy Scout troop in America. It was in Philadelphia, on a blind date, that he met his first wife, Barbara, while home
on leave from the U.S. Army. Ken was a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division. He was so determined to become a paratrooper that he memorized the eye chart so he could pass the eye exam without his glasses, which would have disqualified him from jumping out of airplanes. Married for 18 years, Ken and Barbara had three daughters, Gwen Simpkins, Leigh Hometh and Beth Kuntz.
Both he and his wife were gifted athletes and won dance and roller-skating competitions and took up skiing, which remained a favorite pastime throughout his life. He skied until he was 94, regularly meeting friends at Smugglers’ Notch for breakfast and a morning on the slopes. He sailed on Lake Champlain well into
his eighties and hiked many trails in the Burlington area. Ken completed a major portion of the Appalachian Trail after his retirement at the age of 70.
A lover of people, with charm and wit and blessed with good looks, Ken discovered that he enjoyed and was adept at sales at an early age. From high school forays, selling correspondence courses to factory workers to better their job prospects, to early years spent as a traveling salesman in rural Pennsylvania and finally to his ultimate career in the textile business, he traveled the world, eventually living in Italy for a long stretch in the 1970s. It was in Italy that he met his wife Cherifa, with whom he spent 53 happy years.
Ken had a long heritage
steeped in Unitarianism and transcendental thought. He was a founder of a Unitarian Fellowship in Westfield, N.J., in the ’60s and remained active in the Unitarian Church in Burlington until his passing.
In addition to his daughters and wife, Ken was a grandfather to William Simpkins, Greer Simpkins, Ryan Hometh, Naomi Kuntz and Jonah Kuntz. His greatgranddaughter, Ginevra Epstein, was a joy to him. He had a very close relationship with his sons-in-law, Marshall Simpkins and Kerry Kuntz. He was a wonderful uncle to his niece, Sharon Marsden, her husband, Bill, and their son, Christopher. Ken was blessed to have many true friends. Jesse Taylor and Bill West stayed by his side for the last days of his life. His friend of 30
years, Ted Boniface, wrote that Ken was “a man of calmness, compassion, peacefulness, intelligence, wisdom and a wonderful sense of humor to season the picture.” His granddaughter Naomi wrote, “I don’t know anyone who embodies positivity, optimism or joy nearly as much as you.” That optimism lasted ’til the end: “I love my life, and I hate to leave, but I’m excited for the adventure and to see what it’s all about,” were among the last thoughts he shared.
There will be a celebration of Ken’s life on June 7, 2025, with details to follow. Memorial donations can be made to McClure Miller Respite House, 1110 Prim Rd., Colchester, VT 05446 or to the University of Vermont Home Health & Hospice at uvmhomehealth.org/give.
APRIL 12, 1933-FEBRUARY 11, 2025 ESSEX, VT.
Judith “Judy” Pensack, 91, passed away on February 11, 2025, at Maple Ridge Memory Care in Essex, Vt. At the time of her passing, she had her daughter by her side.
Judy was born in Brooklyn on April 12, 1933. She attended Brandeis University and graduated from Columbia University with a degree in dental hygiene. Although she would often remark that she hated putting her hands in people’s mouths, she loved teaching dental hygiene to young elementary students.
Judy married Irwin Pensack on April 11, 1954. They first lived in Crotonon-Hudson, N.Y., and later moved to Hartsdale and then to Scarsdale, N.Y., as their family grew. Judy was the quintessential ’50s housewife, caring for her family and running the household, as well as being an active member of the Scarsdale Synagogue Sisterhood. She was a loving wife and a demanding mother who encouraged her children, Larry, Debbie and Brian, to reach for success. She was a loyal friend, a passionate shopper and a world traveler.
travel agent. She also found great joy volunteering as a museum docent to young students in Winter Park, Fla.
Judy loved to spend time relaxing on the beach, whether it was in her beloved New Smyrna Beach, Fla.; in St. Thomas with her best friend, Susan; or on an exotic island elsewhere.
Judy is survived by her loving husband of 70 years, Irwin Pensack of Essex, Vt.; son Lawrence M. Pensack and his wife, Meredith Pensack, of Newton, Mass.; daughter, Deborah P. Volk, and her husband, Paul S. Volk, of Richmond, Vt.; and son Brian D. Pensack and his wife, Sonia Robles Figueroa, of Petaluma, Calif. Judy is also survived by her three cherished grandchildren, Amanda Pensack, Danielle Pensack and Ian Volk, as well as many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and cousins, all of whom she enjoyed spending time with and loved dearly. The family extends a very special thanks to Glenn Taylor and Edith Wilkerson, who made Judy’s life in Vermont very special.
Joan Mulford Braun
NOVEMBER 12, 1937FEBRUARY 6, 2025
SHELBURNE, VT.
Joan Mulford Braun passed away peacefully in the company of family at her home in Shelburne, Vt., on Thursday, February 6, 2025. She was 87.
As a longtime resident of Charlotte, Vt., Joan directed the experiential and service-learning program, DUO (Do Unto Others), at Champlain Valley Union High School from the late 1970s through the 1990s.
Joan was born in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1937, the eldest of John Mulford and Virginia Compton Mulford’s four children. As a girl, she attended the Agnes Irwin School in Bryn Mawr, Pa., and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1959 with a BA. That year she married Theodore E. Braun Jr., who was completing medical school at Penn. They remained happily married for more than 60 years until his death in October 2021.
with a great variety of students, people and businesses throughout Chittenden County, a diversity of humanity and experience she sought and nourished throughout her life.
Judy loved to entertain and was a master at throwing parties and planning elaborate events. In 1977, Judy, Irwin and Brian moved to Longwood, Fla., and later to Heathrow, Fla. While in Florida, Judy delved into real estate sales, but she ultimately found her true calling as a
A funeral service will be held on Friday, February 21, 2025, 1 p.m., at Temple Sinai, 500 Swift St., South Burlington, VT. Following the service, there will be a celebration of Judy’s life at the temple. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Planned Parenthood of Northern New England (plannedparenthood.org) or Give Way to Freedom (givewaytofreedom.org/ get-involved/#donate).
In 1970, Joan and Ted moved to Charlotte, where they raised their three sons and were active residents of a town they richly enjoyed for nearly 50 years. Joan was elected to the Charlotte School Board in the early 1970s, then pursued a master’s of education at the University of Vermont. After she received her degree, she joined the Direction Center at CVU in fall 1978. Her leadership of the DUO program took her around the U.S. as a leader in the then innovative field of experiential public education. Her work — partnering high school teens with community mentors — brought her into contact
After retiring in 1997, she devoted herself to volunteer work with the Charlotte Senior Center and the Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Burlington, Vt. — where she and Ted were engaged members for more than 50 years — and to international travel and the lives of her expanding family of grandchildren. She deeply enjoyed activities that brought her into the natural world she so treasured in Vermont; she walked, gardened, skied, biked, swam and kayaked. She also took great pleasure in UVM basketball and the vital artistic community in and around Burlington. Theater, music of all sorts, and the work of local craft and fine artists elicited her delight and support. In 2016 Joan and Ted moved to Shelburne, where she maintained a wide circle of strong friendships that sustained and enriched her. She’s survived by her sisters, Margaret Bartholomew of Shelburne and Nancy Burrill of San Francisco; sons, Theodore Braun III of Los Angeles, Michael Braun of Houston and Stuart Braun of Portland, Maine; three daughters in-law, Lori Froeling, Sandra Hurtado and Colleen Kelly; and beloved grandchildren, Isabella Hurtado-Braun, Daniel Hurtado-Braun, Samuel Braun, Lucas Braun and Grace Braun.
Services will be held on February 21, 2025, 1 p.m., at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Burlington, with a reception to follow at the Hotel Champlain. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Cathedral Church of St. Paul and the Charlotte Public Library.
lifelines
OBITUARIES
Yasin Faraj Faour
FEBRUARY 22, 1944JANUARY 13, 2025
COLCHESTER, VT.
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Yasin Faraj Faour, beloved resident of Colchester, Vt., who left us on January 13, 2025. He was born on February 22, 1944, in Sha’ab, Palestine, and his life was a testament to resilience, love, and commitment to his family, community and heritage as a proud Palestinian American.
Yasin’s journey began in a small village, where he developed a profound appreciation for his heritage and culture. is early experience shaped his life and the values he held dear. In his youth, Yasin pursued his education at the American University of Beirut, Lebanon, and then continued at the University of Vermont in 1965 in the field of radiology technology, where he helped to pioneer angiograms. He worked at Mary Fletcher/University of Vermont hospital until 1981.
Joseph Cross
MARCH 9, 1949FEBRUARY 14, 2025 UNDERHILL, VT.
Joseph Cross, 75, of Underhill, Vt., died at home on February 14, 2025, with his wife of 54 years, Judith Kaplan Cross, at his side.
Joe was born on March 9, 1949, in Colchester, Vt. Joe and Judy married on January 1, 1971.
OBITUARIES, VOWS, CELEBRATIONS
He married Wafika, and they moved to Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, where he worked at Aramco’s Hospital in charge of their X-ray department. Upon moving to Colchester, Vt., in 1991, Yasin quickly became a cherished member of the community after purchasing Sunny Hollow Quick Stop. Known for his gentle demeanor, unwavering kindness and willingness to lend a helping hand, he touched the lives of many around him. His contributions to community endeared him to all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
Yasin was a devoted husband, father and
Joe’s career as a special agent for U.S. Treasury had them transfer along the East Coast, but they returned home to Vermont in 1985. ey moved to Poker Hill Road in Underhill, where they raised their family with a deep connection to Vermont.
Joe is survived by his children, Adriane Cross Trout and Sam Cross; their spouses, Kevin Trout and Vera Cross; and his two beloved grandchildren, Miriam Trout and Benjamin Joseph Cross.
e family will have visiting hours on Friday, February 21, 2025, 3 to 7 p.m., at the house, 224 Poker Hill Road in Underhill.
grandfather. His family was the cornerstone of his life, and he took great pride in their achievements and happiness. His wisdom, guidance and unconditional love will forever be remembered and cherished by his loved ones.
Although Yasin has left this world, his legacy of compassion, generosity and strength will live on in the hearts of those he leaves behind. He is survived by his loving wife, Wafika Faour; children, Rami (Rebecca), Samer and Rabie Faour; and grandchildren, Amira, Yara, Rima and Aida Faour. He is also survived by his brotherin-law, Wafic (Helene); many nieces and nephews; and friends who will honor his memory and continue to be inspired by the values he embodied.
A memorial service will be held to celebrate Yasin’s life and to share memories of the remarkable person he was. Details of the service will be announced shortly.
May Yasin Faour rest in eternal peace, and that his memory be a blessing to all who knew and loved him.
Want to memorialize a loved one in Seven Days?
Post your remembrance online and in print at sevendaysvt. com/lifelines. Or contact us at lifelines@ sevendaysvt.com or 865-1020, ext. 10.
Robert Orville Sinclair
SEPTEMBER 6, 1922-FEBRUARY 14, 2025 SHELBURNE, VT.
Robert Orville Sinclair passed away peacefully on Friday, February 14, 2025, at the impressive age of 102. Born on September 6, 1922, and raised on a dairy farm in Johnson, Vt., Bob was a sixth-generation Vermonter and the youngest son of William F. and Mattie Buck Sinclair. His four brothers, Russell, William F. Jr, Richard and Lawrence, predeceased him.
Bob attended public school in Johnson before graduating in 1944 from the University of Vermont with a BS in animal husbandry. He served as Washington County agricultural agent and, except for 17 months of service in the U.S. Navy, continued in this position until 1953, when he began as an instructor in agricultural economics at UVM. He earned an MS in agricultural economics from UVM and a PhD from Michigan State University in 1958. Dr. Sinclair rose through the academic ranks at UVM, serving as assistant professor, professor and department chairman, then as dean of the College of Agriculture and director of the Agriculture Experiment Station. He retired in 1987 after 34 years of a distinguished career of teaching and research but continued to stay involved in the university as much as he could up until his death.
Bobby and Bev to do the same after their own retirement.
Bob and Dolly found new meaning and purpose when becoming grandparents and absolutely adored spending time with their two grandchildren. Elizabeth and Sean have fond memories of their trips to South Burlington to visit Memere and Grampy, including many playground visits, board games played and bike trips in the neighborhood. His dedication to his grandchildren is evident by his building Elizabeth a playhouse outfitted like a real house. He was a great support to Sean in his own academic career of obtaining his PhD and becoming an assistant professor.
On September 5, 1944, Bob married Cecilia J. Bilodeau, “Dolly,” his high school sweetheart and love of his life. Dolly died in 2016 after a short illness, and Bob missed her dearly. ey have two sons, Robert William and his wife, Beverly, of Rutland, Vt.; and Steven James and his wife, Susan, of Millsboro, Del. He also has two grandchildren, Elizabeth and Sean, and one greatgrandchild, Cary William Hancq. Dr. Sinclair’s primary satisfaction was in guiding and watching his sons mature and achieve their own life goals. He shared many hobbies with his sons, including camping, sailing on Lake Champlain and golfing. Family always came first, and he and Dolly were welcoming hosts to many university events, graduate students, neighbors and extended family gatherings. Fond memories include yearly family trips to Cape Cod with a big lobster fête on the final night. After his retirement, Bob and Dolly traveled the country, ultimately deciding on Tucson, Ariz., as their parttime home to escape the harsh Vermont winters. ey loved the culture, people and landscape of the Southwest, inspiring
During his tenure at UVM, Dr. Sinclair taught or advised hundreds of undergraduate and graduate students, many of whom went on to prominent positions in agriculture in Vermont and throughout the country. He had a reputation as an excellent but demanding professor with the best interest of his students at heart. Dr. Sinclair conducted research on property tax burdens, land use and national dairy policies for more than 20 years. He served as a member of the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisors under both governors Salmon and Snelling. His research in land economics and agricultural policy afforded him the opportunity to make significant contributions to the State of Vermont as it was developing its nationally recognized Act 250. He was also influential in the passage of Vermont’s farm and forestland Use Value Appraisal Program. In 2006, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences established the Sinclair Cup to recognize retired faculty who had outstanding careers in the college. He was the first recipient. e family would like to thank the nurses and staff at the Residence at Shelburne Bay and BAYADA Hospice for their care and support of Bob during these last few months. A celebration of Bob’s life will be held at a later date. To honor Bob’s life, donations can be made to the Robert O. and Cecilia B. Sinclair Future Stars Fund, established in 2017. Distributions from the fund shall be used to provide financial assistance to highly qualified undergraduate students in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences to participate in national or international conferences or study abroad programs. Donation information may be found at go.uvm.edu/sinclair.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Ready Funeral & Cremation Services. To send online condolences, please visit readyfuneral.com.
FEEDback
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slated for demolition sitting empty with a chain-link fence surrounding it, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington should consider one simple question: What would Jesus do?
Nate Goldman UNDERHILL
Richard Andrew Walton
SEPTEMBER 16, 1938FEBRUARY 1, 2025
MONTPELIER, VT.
Richard Andrew Walton (“Dick,” “Dickie,” “DOD,” “Grandpa Dick,” “GUD”) died in his home in Montpelier, Vt., at the age of 86, with his wife and daughter by his side. Though his body remained remarkably strong — still chopping wood, hiking and shoveling driveways — he began showing signs of memory loss in 2017. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2023 and chose to die with dignity by VSED.
Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Dick was the son of Stanley T. Walton and Lurella Belle Linker and the youngest brother to Joan Miller and Jean Lange. He held especially fond memories of his “Nanna” Walton, Nellie May Marsh, who lived with them and shared her talents in cooking, painting, crocheting and braiding rugs.
After moving to Branford, Conn., at a young age, Dick attended Hopkins School, which he considered a major influence on his life. He lettered in football, fencing and track (shot put) while working his way through school on a work scholarship and small construction crew. He attended Colby College, then spent his “most significant years” in New York City and in the U.S. Army, driving big trucks. He worked at the Village Gate on Bleecker Street, seeing such influential greats as Dave Brubeck, the Smothers Brothers, Stan Getz, Nina Simone and Judy Henske.
Dick completed two master’s degrees — one in library science from Simmons College and another in business administration from Goddard College. He worked as a librarian in Vermont at Goddard and Lyndon State College but found his true
passion among high school students at Spaulding High School in Barre, where he worked as head librarian for more than 20 years before retiring in 2000.
In retirement, Dick dedicated many years as a hospice volunteer, taking special pride in supporting veterans at the end of their lives. He would listen to their stories, read to them and even join them in their workshops. He also found deep purpose in practicing tai chi, committing to the Yang Long Form daily for nearly 25 years, which contributed to his strength and well-being.
Dick had an eye for beauty and an appreciation for art in all its forms. He loved taking photographs, visiting art museums, and collecting unique driftwood and rocks. He had an undeniable love for good food and drink, sweets, and especially sauces. He delighted in the neighborhood dogs and had a sharp wit, always enjoying “messing with people.”
Dick was complex, generous, brave, passionate,
meticulous and caring. He valued his family and friends above all.
He is survived by so many who loved him, including but not exclusive to: his wife of 18 years, Kate Gavin of Montpelier, Vt.; daughter, Polly Walton Yerkes, her husband, Jamie Yerkes, and their three children, Ruby Lurella, “Gus” Alexander and Lila Sienna, of Kirby, Vt.; and stepson, Dan Goetz and wife Kasha of St. Augustine, Fla. He is also survived by his brother-in-law Dick Miller of Middletown, Conn., and his children, Carol (Miller) Buzby and husband Dave Buzby of Middlebury, Vt., and Carol’s children, Lauren, Eric and Lucy; Jean (Miller) Mariner and husband Paul Mariner of Albuquerque, N.M., and their children, Blaise, EmmaLia and Eliza; Eric Miller and wife Juliet Stumpf of Portland, Ore., and their children, Liam and Zander; his sister Jean (Walton) Lange of Annapolis, Md., and her children, Joan Pfinsgraff and husband Marty, Sue Gunst and husband Gary, Priscilla Summers and husband Nick, and Fred Lange and wife Tracey; and brotherin-law Dennis Collins and wife Susie of Norfolk, Neb. He is also survived by many great- and great-greatnieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his former wife, Sienna P. Walton; his mother-in-law, Betty Phinney; and his sister Joan (Walton) Miller. A celebration of life will be held on May 31, 2025, 3 to 6 p.m., at the Notch House Lake Barn in Westmore, Vt. (notchhouse. com). All are welcome. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Dick’s name to CVMC Palliative Care Department, online at cvmc.org or by mail to CVMC Office of Development, PO Box 547, Barre, VT 05641 (make check to CVMC with “Palliative Care Department” in the memo), or to the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org).
ASK THE MAYOR
[Re “Mayor Mulvaney-Stanak Will Prescreen Police Press Releases,” January 9, online]: Understandably, politicians would like to control the message, and a chief of police would be frustrated by the leniency in adjudication of crimes. The skirmishes between Burlington Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak and Police Chief Jon Murad are not solving anything. Neither has control over the indulgences of the courts or the Chittenden County state’s attorney. They do have to deal with the fallout.
The recent reports of violence have caused concern among many. The optics could suggest the gag order is an attempt to cover up the crime level and the lack of consequences suffered by the perpetrators. As citizens, we have the right to understand the true scope of the criminality and plans to address it.
Affordability, drug addiction and mental health are the topmost contributors to our crime. Mayor, are these problems too big for Burlington alone? What leadership/responsibility should we expect from the state? Regardless of the state’s role, we have a responsibility.
Let’s consider the resources we do have to combat the issues: the police, other city departments/agencies, local businesses, higher education, the medical center, the citizenry and the many nonprofits attempting to deal with these issues. Can we aid success by creating a budget prioritizing efforts to deal with the list above?
As the elected leader, what is your vision? Are there goals and measurable outcomes for your first term?
David McKay BURLINGTON
RODGERS WRONG ABOUT SOLAR
“Man at Work” [January 22] reports Lt. Gov. John Rodgers’ preferred solutions for climate change are to rely on U.S.made solar panels and develop more geothermal power. But with fossil fuel pollution contributing to the more devastating and frequent floods we have seen here in Vermont, neither approach can be implemented fast enough on a scale to help avoid ever more such disasters.
Geothermal is an appealing long-term approach with minimal carbon emissions,
but with less than 1 percent of the power market today, it will take years to build up the expertise to develop and install large geothermal electrical capacity.
Fortunately, utility-scale solar can be set up relatively quickly, but only if we use solar panels produced by China, which currently produces about 84 percent of worldwide solar panels. We are working on expanding domestic production (we have only 2 percent of worldwide capacity now), but we need to be creating utility-scale solar right now and cannot afford to wait for investors to decide to commit to more production here in the U.S.
As to wind energy, Rodgers incorrectly suggests that carbon emissions from the manufacture and installation of wind turbines outweigh emissions they save over their roughly 30-year lifespans.
Actually, wind turbines generally pay back their manufacturing and operating carbon footprint in under two years.
Please urge Rodgers, Gov. Phil Scott and the legislature to move aggressively on climate solutions that will help save our state from the incredible human and economic costs of going slowly.
Bob Warrington BURLINGTON
MUSIC MAN
I just want to thank Chris Farnsworth for the in-depth story on Sergei Ushakov [Life Story, February 12]. The earlier article/obit was great as well [“On the Beat: RIP, Sergei Ushakov,” January 15]. I
knew Sergei both as a working musician and as a personal friend, and I know he’d have been very glad that you talked to his family — wonderful people, all! We’ll always miss him.
Tom Buckley WINOOSKI
Sergei Ushakov
Coach Meghan Sweezey carves out space for girls and women in Vermont hockey
BY ERIK ESCKILSEN
ICE BREAKER
While many of their classmates were no doubt snoozing through the waning days of winter break last month, the Saint Michael’s College women’s hockey team carried on a seasonal tradition: snagging earlymorning ice time for practice. Despite the hour, the squad skated hard inside South Burlington’s C. Douglas Cairns Recreation Arena, metal blades carving ice in a whoosh of speed. Sticks slapped pucks, thudding the boards like cannon fire in the cavernous rink.
Laughter and chatter rippled through the chill air as players roughhoused where they collided in a tangle of purple jerseys. The upbeat mood belied the intensity of the drills running at both ends of the rink.
“None of us are morning people,” admitted alternate captain Gaby Tribelli, a senior and double major in business administration and art and design. “But the minute we set foot on the ice, we’re always happy to be there — and obviously taking the sport seriously and striving to win.”
Except for her warm-up suit and white baseball cap, the team’s new head
coach, Meghan Sweezey, could’ve been mistaken for a player. On the ice, the 2010 St. Mike’s grad and former hockey standout matched her players stride for stride, goading them to dig down deep and whooping in encouragement. At times she wielded her stick like a
professor’s pointer, directing players’ attention around the ice to detail a play. When someone scored a goal or mounted a particularly stalwart defense, she bent her solid, five-foot-four frame at the waist and smacked her stick on the ice in praise.
Success, and how to define it, is often on 36-year-old Sweezey’s mind these days. The first female hockey head coach at St. Mike’s — and only the second coach of the women’s program in its 25 seasons — she inherited a team that went winless the previous season, a low point in a long run of lackluster results. By winter break this season, the Purple Knights had won just one of their first 20 games: a home victory against Connecticut’s Post University back on October 12.
Sweezey could make excuses. Hired last June, she didn’t recruit her current players, including 10 first-years. While St. Mike’s is an NCAA Division II school, the women’s hockey team plays in Division I, facing opponents with vastly greater resources. And Cairns, the Purple Knights’ home ice, is a community rink adorned with banners touting the many teams that skate it, including high school, club and youth squads. By comparison, rival Sacred Heart University in Connecticut opened a new, state-of-the-art arena in 2023 at a reported cost of $75 million. Instead of deflecting blame, Sweezey is focusing on factors beyond the win-loss column to assess her team’s growth.
Meghan Sweezey (second from right) with the Saint Michael’s College women’s hockey team
“The program historically has had a problem where we get on the precipice of winning and then we just tank in the middle of the game,” Sweezey said. “What is actually going on here?” she wondered, her eyes lighting up like a scoreboard, as they often do when she makes an important point. “What are our psychological barriers that we need to get past? Because we can beat these teams.”
Drawing on her degrees in psychology and counseling, the new coach has explored such concepts as the “scarcity mindset” to help answer her questions. Players fixating on the outcome instead of the process might be “sabotaging” their own e orts, she said.
The team is hardly throwing in the towel, though. Its record following October’s win included two heart-wrenching overtime losses, to New Hampshire’s St. Anselm College and Massachusetts’ Assumption University.
Four days after that January practice at Cairns, Sweezey’s team finally notched another victory against Post — on the road. The following week, it came from behind to beat St. Anselm. Two more overtime losses later, both to Long Island University, and St. Mike’s fans could practically hear Purple Knights skates grinding toward another win.
The very next weekend, Sweezey and her team paid a visit to the Sacred Heart Pioneers’ posh Martire Family Arena — and split the two-game stand.
That makes four wins this season to last season’s zero.
No one knows better than Sweezey that merely looking on the bright side doesn’t win hockey games. She has built a career on helping players, chiefly women and girls, carve out space in the maledominated sport. While coaching at St. Mike’s has elevated her profile in collegiate athletics, Sweezey has been a rising star in the regional hockey community for the better part of a decade.
In 2016, she launched her hockey training company, Girls 4 Hockey. In its inaugural season, G4H skated by with just eight girls participating. In 2023, the last year for which Sweezey had crunched numbers, it o ered 14 di erent programs, mostly at Burlington-area rinks. They included coed Learn to Skate & Play for kids as young as 4; skills clinics for female, female-identifying and nonbinary youth players; and adult women’s programs. More than 600 players came through the training programs that year, continuing a tradition of G4H participants going on to high school and college playing careers — and even their own coaching gigs.
“As a skills coach, Meghan Sweezey is as good as anybody working with elite-level players anywhere in Vermont,” said Patrick
Burke, founder of the Vermont Shamrocks, an elite all-girls club that has partnered with G4H over the years. “What she does with the hockey rink is create that space for these girls to really learn and grow.”
Sweezey has proven herself a gritty, resourceful entrepreneur with a preternatural passion for hockey. That drive has brought her up against a formidable foe in recent years: flagging participation in the Vermont girls’ game. She’s confronting the challenge head-on, drawing on all she knows, an agent of positive change amid the complex forces shaping athletic opportunities for girls and women.
Opportunities, she’ll be the first to tell you, that she never had.
BAY STATE BREAKAWAY
Like many girls of her generation, Sweezey began her hockey journey on figure skates. Her family lived in Lynnfield, Mass., and her mother, Suzi, was a professional figure skating coach in nearby Reading. Sweezey started skating around the time she could walk.
Being steady on blades prepared her, at age 6, to take up hockey. By 12, she felt like she’d hit a wall with figure skating and wasn’t leveling up.
He said, “You’re a girl, and you’re too small, and I’m afraid you’re going to get hurt.”
MEGHAN SWEEZEY
“I was over it,” she recalled. Her mother understood her frustration. “She was like, ‘OK, you can be done. You’ve given it a try. Go do hockey. You obviously like that better.’”
Sweezey might also have had a nudge from her father, Bob, a construction company owner who had played hockey at Salem State University and also coached locally.
Massachusetts offered Sweezey pathways to develop as a player through middle and into high school — albeit with no female head coaches and few nonparent coaches. She traveled a few towns over to Tewksbury to play with the all-girls North Shore Vipers club, but playing high school hockey meant joining the boys’ junior varsity roster at Lynnfield High School, where there was no girls’ team at the time.
Sweezey’s younger brother, Ryan, recalled her “holding her own” against boys as she got older and the game became more physical.
“She’s very competitive in general, very driven, and really wants to prove herself,” he said. She “also had that extra chip on her shoulder being the girl playing boys’ hockey.”
During varsity tryouts her junior year, she “laid an epic hit” on another player, Brian Flynn, sending them both sprawling. Flynn’s name may be familiar to fans of pro hockey: He later played in the National Hockey League for the Bu alo Sabres, Montréal Canadiens and Dallas Stars.
Sweezey was sure the takedown had earned her a varsity spot. “I thought I had done it,” she said. “I was like, That was it. He’s usually the best player on the team. I’m in.”
The varsity coach came to the opposite conclusion.
“Literally, he said, ‘You’re a girl, and you’re too small, and I’m afraid you’re going to get hurt,’” Sweezey remembered. The rejection knocked her flat.
Sweezey picked herself up and finished the season on the JV team. The next year, she took advantage of a partnership with Reading Memorial High School and suited up with the all-girls Rockets squad.
There she played for the first — and only — female head coach of her career, Olympic gold medal winner Sandra Whyte.
“There wasn’t a lot of drama. We were just a good group,” Sweezey said. “It helps when you win a lot of games.”
She recalled Whyte challenging her squad to play “above our skill level,” trying out strategies and tactics that would inform Sweezey’s collegiate playing and coaching. And she credits Whyte with advocating for her in the recruiting process.
“She had a lot of respect for my game,” Sweezey said. Whyte showed it by starting Sweezey on the first line with Dominique Lozzi, who went on to play at Maine’s Bowdoin College and coach college hockey, and Michelle Benjamin, who would play for Connecticut’s Trinity College. Sweezey quickly found her groove.
“I was lighting it up,” she said. By season’s end, playing as a forward, she’d tallied 57 points and helped her team reach the state championship after years of not even making the playo s. The Rockets lost in the game’s final seconds.
That season would prove pivotal both in Sweezey’s playing career and in her finding a deeper sense of purpose in hockey. A few weeks after that bittersweet finale, a Reading teammate died in a car crash.
Meghan Sweezey, age 2
Meghan Sweezey with her mother, Suzi
Meghan and Ryan Sweezey
ICE BREAKER
That player had worn No. 4. Sweezey still chokes up at the memory.
“She had a big impact on my confidence,” she said.
In tribute, Sweezey wore No. 4 for her entire four-year St. Mike’s playing career. She also used the numeral in Girls 4 Hockey.
Like her youthful quest for on-ice respect, Sweezey’s transition to college hockey was a scramble.
“I had five coaches tell me I’d never play college hockey,” she said. Her notoriety with the Rockets had come a little too late: Many college teams had already landed their top recruits. Sweezey used the rejections as motivation, she said, “kind of like what I was doing my whole life with boys.”
St. Mike’s head coach Chris Donovan wasn’t one of those coaches. He took a chance on underrated prospect Sweezey in 2006, although, the way she remembers it, he wasn’t sure where she’d fit into the program. “He was sure that I was good enough to play,” she said, but added: “I don’t know that he expected me to perform to the extent that I did.”
Over her four seasons, the relatively new program recorded way more losses than wins. But Sweezey racked up impressive stats nonetheless, all while cultivating the leadership potential that later led her back to the Purple Knights bench.
She’s quick to credit Donovan for helming a team with a mix of developing and “impact” players. Above all, she remembers his guidance when she got in her own way by putting too much pressure on herself — precisely what she has been trying to help her own players manage. “He’s a good dude,” she added. “He’s like my second dad.”
By the time Sweezey graduated, with a combined degree in psychology and English, she had worn the alternate captain’s patch for two seasons, captained the team her senior year and tied the program record for career games played: 103. She also earned a spot on the Eastern College Athletic Conference’s East AllAcademic team in her final two seasons. Her accumulated goals and assists still rank high in school history.
A LEAGUE OF HER OWN
The college hockey record books tell a tale of Sweezey’s contribution to the St. Mike’s program. While her influence on developing players through Girls 4 Hockey isn’t as black and white, it is no less profound.
Meghan’s the boss out there.
ADAM ROUTHIER
St. Albans Skating Association player Maddie Halsted, 14, started hockey about four years ago. Over that time, she estimates she has skated roughly 200 sessions with G4H — from learning to skate to teeing up slap shots from the blue line. Sweezey’s ice is a comfort zone of sorts for Halsted.
“She doesn’t criticize. It’s an open space,” she said. “She’s funny. She’s easy to talk to. She just wants to help you learn to be a better hockey player.”
On the ice at a recent clinic for tween players, Sweezey was in perpetual motion, setting up skills stations, offering encouragement, pausing here and there to correct a technique.
“Meghan’s the boss out there,” said Adam Routhier, a hockey dad and girls’ coach with the St. Albans Skating Association, whose squad is one of several area youth teams that have trained with G4H.
“You can tell she just knows what she’s talking about, and it comes to her so naturally,” he said, adding that the coach can be stern with players, but “in a good way.”
“They’re listening,” he said, “but it’s fun.”
The fun factor is especially important with the youngest players. At a recent Learn to Skate & Play clinic at Gordon H. Paquette Ice Arena in Burlington, some kids started out skating with the assistance of milk crates but were soon making unaided strides, hockey sticks in hand. They pushed pucks before switching to
swatting rubber duckies — a playful challenge. Sweezey smiled readily with the beginners, crouching down to make eye contact and pay a compliment.
After a single Learn to Skate & Play session, Elyssa Nagle’s 4-year-old daughter was hooked. “She had a smile from ear to ear every time she went on the ice,” said Nagle, who lives in Colchester and later signed herself up for G4H’s adult women’s program. Her 2-year-old daughter has taken to asking, “Where’s my hockey stick?”
“She’ll be signing up the day she turns 4,” Nagle said.
Hockey mom Lauren Gulka, who played at Yale University and has also coached with the Burlington Amateur Hockey Association, praised Sweezey’s on-ice persona, calling her “charismatic and welcoming.”
“She knows how to run a fun but disciplined session,” Gulka said, “and she tends to pick coaches who fit well.”
Sweezey’s elite college team members might agree with Halsted. Although their skipper, by her own admission, can bring tough love to the locker room, “She’s very much [focused] on development and bringing people up on the ice,” said firstyear St. Mike’s player Alicia McDonald, a business administration major. She described a signature Sweezey coaching move: charging players, off-ice, with setting goals and creating plans to achieve them. The coach pushes McDonald and her peers to explore their potential instead of wringing it out of them.
Giving players the kind of mentorship she mostly lacked growing up energizes Sweezey. After graduating from St. Mike’s, she returned home to Reading and coached youth teams and girls’ clinics for a couple of years, including at the USA Hockey New England District Development Camp. She rejoined the St. Mike’s women’s hockey program as an assistant coach in 2013 and worked for the college in alumni and parent relations and admissions.
Back in Vermont, Sweezey scanned the local hockey landscape through a coach’s eyes. What she saw looked awfully familiar.
“I got to see who was coaching and obviously realized that there weren’t a lot of female coaches out there,” she said. “So I was motivated to sort of jump in and do some clinics just to have some female role modeling.”
G4H weathered lean seasons in the early years, especially during the worst of the pandemic, when gatherings were restricted. Sweezey wouldn’t let the program be derailed.
When many schools shifted to online classes, she and partner Kaila Krouse, whose background includes a graduate degree in clinical psychology and work in special education, fashioned a workaround called GRLS — Girls Remote Learning Support. The program brought together about a dozen girls in a room at South Burlington’s Delta Hotel for their remote school sessions.
Sweezey and Krouse coordinated the kids’ schedules to make sure they were logging on to learn at the right times. During shared breaks, they’d lead the girls in movement activities or maybe catch a
Meghan Sweezey playing for Saint Michael’s College, circa 2008
Gaby Tribelli with Girls 4 Hockey players
women’s hockey game on TV. Eventually, they’d all pile into a van, masked up, and head to a rink for their hockey session.
Hockey parents Christine and Chris McGinty, both coaches in the Essex Youth Hockey Association, had two daughters in the GRLS program. “It really took that stress off us as parents,” Christine said. For parents working full time, she said, GRLS offered something “much more active than we might have been able to provide.” Her husband called the program “one of the highlights of that crazy, chaotic time.”
His daughters made lasting friendships in those challenging circumstances, Chris said, and still reunite happily with their GRLS pals when they meet at a rink, even when showing up for opposing teams.
To make up for lost revenue during the pandemic, Sweezey fell back on skills she developed as a young “rink rat” in Reading. She picked up shifts at the Cairns snack bar, sharpened skates and drove the Zamboni. (On a rare day, you might still see Sweezey behind the wheel at Cairns, filling in if the rink is short a driver.)
Once the pandemic loosened its grip, Sweezey and G4H quickly regained momentum. By 2023, the company was running two weeklong summer camp sessions, each drawing 50 to 60 participants, on top of its other programs. G4H was bigger than ever.
A NUMBERS GAME
A lot has changed since Sweezey was battling boys in greater Boston, with few female hockey players to look up to. Girls now have pro role models in hockey — the Professional Women’s Hockey League is in its second season — as well as in other marquee team sports, such as basketball and soccer.
Still, challenging dynamics in Vermont hockey culture find the girls’ game on thin ice, despite surging popularity nationwide.
Over the past decade or so, several area high school programs have consolidated to fill out sparse rosters, among them the Burlington High School Seahorses and Colchester High School Lakers. This season, the SeaLakers — reigning Division I state champs — also made room for players from South Burlington High School, which canceled its own girls’ hockey season due to low numbers. In other words, players attending schools in Vermont’s three most populous cities now form a single team. (The roster also includes one player each from Milton High School and Winooski High School, which do not have girls’ hockey programs.)
The reasons for the downturn in girls’ hockey are varied. Cost is an obvious one — buying equipment adds up quickly. And ice time is a scarce commodity in parts of Vermont, increasing registration costs for the youth teams that feed high school rosters. Some youth athletes are opting for other, year-round sports, such as soccer.
Theories rooted in demographic data point to Vermont’s low birth rate and a possible recession-related population dip. The pandemic hampered youth sports in general, and participation may still be in recovery mode.
The ripple effects of declining hockey numbers echo declines in a more obvious metric: school enrollment. In parts of the state, enrollment has dried up to the point that the Vermont Principals’ Association now advises on its website that “some districts are unable to provide opportunities for middle school athletes
ICE BREAKER
to play on appropriate girls’ teams, forcing girls to play on the boys’ teams.”
That’s an especially serious barrier for girls starting hockey, according to Molly Burke, a former Columbia University club hockey player who now coaches girls at Stowe High School and with the Vermont Shamrocks, the all-girls club founded by her father, Patrick Burke.
“It’s very rare that you’re going to find a girl to sign up to do something the first time ever with boys,” she said.
Why haven’t boys’ teams taken a similar hit? According to Becky Street, a former St. Lawrence University hockey player and the current coach-in-chief and girls’ hockey coordinator at the Vermont State Amateur Hockey Association, boys make up roughly 80 percent of Vermont youth players, so diminished turnout doesn’t necessarily dash entire teams.
But “when you lose a few girls, it makes a huge impact,” she said.
Then there is the proliferation of select and travel teams, which can draw players away from community associations — a problem lamented throughout the Vermont hockey community, with its already limited player pool.
As Molly Burke put it, “Every time that a select organization is created, somewhere a youth girls’ hockey team is folding.”
Since it’s not a team or club, G4H exists outside of some of youth hockey’s contentious debates.
Patrick Burke of the Vermont Shamrocks called G4H a good “on-ramp” for girls entering the sport. The range of Sweezey’s programs enables players of all skill levels to turn to them when needed. Girls stuck on coed teams, for example, who want to bolster their confidence and skills in a more hormonally hospitable environment can find talented female coaches to inspire their progress. What’s more, players on different teams who “hate each other,” Molly Burke joked, can find common ground through G4H. “It helps breed that culture of support,” she said.
“We’re starting to see the impact that Girls 4 Hockey is having,” said Savanna Poole, a former St. Anselm hockey player and current Vermont Shamrocks coach. While Poole noted the “amazing amount of players” who travel from as far away as Rutland and New York State to participate in some of G4H’s more popular programs, she added that the training company’s effect is hard to quantify because the “girls-only space” for hockey is so new. She said a clearer picture of its influence should emerge five years or so down the line.
She’s giving those girls role models.
In the meantime, the rosters of local high school girls’ teams offer a clue. At a glance, Sweezey counted 17 G4H alums among the SeaLakers’ 23 current players. Given that there are 1,000 or so female hockey players registered in Vermont, hundreds of whom go through G4H programs each year, Sweezey is likely to have helped train girls on virtually every local team.
PLAYING IT FORWARD
While Sweezey is the face of girls’ hockey to many Vermonters — she seems ubiquitous at area rinks — her work is increasingly a team effort.
St. Mike’s assistant hockey coach Spencer Fascetta helps Sweezey run practices, manage the team and screen the steady stream of player recruiting videos that arrive for review. Krouse handles much of the G4H administrative work and also coaches on the ice. The company teams up for occasional coed programs with Light the Lamp Hockey School and Post2Post Goaltending School, owned and directed by St. Mike’s women’s goaltending coach Leon Lifschutz.
Sweezey’s most visible resource, however, is the all-female G4H coaching rotation — about 15 to 20 coaches. Street, of the Vermont State Amateur Hockey Association, acknowledged Sweezey’s role in helping many of those coaches get their start.
“She’s not only helping to build female players in the state, she’s also helping to build female coaches,” Street said. “She’s giving those girls role models.”
Sabina Brochu, a Northeastern University student and club hockey player from Williston, has been both a participant and coach with G4H. She took a preseason clinic before joining her high school team — a cooperative including students from Champlain Valley Union High School, Mount Abraham Union Middle/High School and Mount Mansfield Union High School.
“I loved being on the ice, surrounded by other girls,” she remembered. “Why would I play hockey any other way?”
Brochu came on as a trial coach with G4H during one of its popular three-onthree scrimmage series. She found her niche, she said, with some of the younger players, so she joined the summer camp coaching staff “to learn the ropes,” she said.
She shadowed another coach leading drills and observed Sweezey at work with kids. Brochu said the experience boosted her confidence — an outcome she thinks Sweezey injects into the G4H coaching culture.
“Rather than ‘Do what I say and not what I do,’ she’s a ‘Do what I do’ person,” Brochu said. “When something goes wrong at camp, we all, as coaches, try to solve the problem before we go to her because we’ve seen how she solves problems.”
The G4H coaching bench gets deeper each season as Sweezey’s network expands. Sweezey has created openings for her collegiate players, such as Tribelli and McDonald, to develop coaching skills. Some of her former G4H coaches are now coaching teams of their own, including at the college level.
When she was considering the St. Mike’s coaching job, Sweezey shared a mantra about “building good team culture” with returning players raring to win and rookies eager to be a part of positive change. For Tribelli, that effort goes deeper than practicing power plays and penalty killing.
“We love hockey, but what comes first is the well-being of everyone,” she said. McDonald believes the substantial time that Sweezey and her team have spent bonding off-ice, especially between semesters, has fostered mutual support — and a winning attitude.
“Now, girls who maybe had a few doubts about how they played or how the team played realize that if we can trust each other and we can continue to play confidently, we’re going to get success,” she said. “We know that if we bring each other up, we’re going to succeed.”
With two more games to go before the league playoffs — a Cairns home stand this Friday and Saturday, February 21 and 22 — the newly invigorated team has reset expectations for the program and for the players themselves. Having witnessed her culture-changing work with G4H, Sweezey’s fans aren’t surprised she’s making a difference.
“It’s a total task that she has taken on, and she is fighting the fight to do it,” Poole said. “She’s definitely a long-game person.” ➆
Disclosure: The author’s daughters have participated in Girls 4 Hockey programs.
Learn more at girls4hockey.com and smcathletics.com.
Meghan Sweezey
BECKY STREET
Worldly Pleasures
Nusantara brings a global marketplace to Essex
BY HANNAH FEUER • hfeuer@sevendaysvt.com
Atrip to Nusantara can make a visitor feel like a world traveler, no passport required. Browsing the sprawling Essex store, shoppers might come across a copper water pot from Nepal ($2,195), a beaded anklet from Afghanistan ($127), a marionette doll crafted in Burma ($57) or cozy alpaca socks made in Peru ($22).
Nusantara, which means “archipelago” in ancient Javanese, opened at the Essex Experience shopping center in November 2022. The retailer sells antique furniture, art, clothing, jewelry and knickknacks from 70 countries, with an emphasis on Asia. Business partner and creative director Kimberly Harris hopes to eventually offer products from every country worldwide — while maintaining personal relationships with Nusantara’s suppliers.
“It’s really important that it’s handmade and we know the people we’re buying from,” Harris said of the store’s inventory. “Even things that I have from China, I actually know the owners of the companies.”
While Nusantara’s retail location is relatively new, the company is not. Rutland resident Steven Mustukas founded it as a wholesale business in 1980, selling antiques and textiles mostly to small, independent retailers through trade shows. His wife, Meg Clippingdale, is also a business partner. At its peak, Nusantara sold to nearly 3,000 shops. Mustukas pivoted to direct-to-consumer retail during the pandemic, when in-person trade shows were no longer an option.
The 6,000-square-foot store is carefully curated, down to the display tables. A glass table with swan-shaped legs once belonged to Frank Sinatra and serves as a striking centerpiece. Blue walls mirror the shade of one of the shop’s antique textiles, dyed with fermented indigo. In the back corner sits a “Full House” pinball machine, a gift Mustukas received for his birthday. And in the center of the showroom, a large disco ball, crafted by Yolanda Baker — the last known disco ball maker in the U.S. — dangles overhead. Baker has made mirror balls for Beyoncé, Madonna, Studio 54 and the Saturday Night Fever movie set.
Mustukas, 74, credits the luck of the draw with determining the course of his life. As a 20-year-old living in New York City during the Vietnam War, he was drafted and sent to Thailand. Mustukas’
IF YOU WALK AROUND THE STORE, YOU GET AN EDUCATION.
chance assignment to Thailand rather than Vietnam may have not only spared his life but also sparked a lifelong love of travel. Mustukas, who moved to Vermont in the late 1970s, estimated that he’s spent six years of his life abroad — including a year and a half in Thailand — and has visited 38 countries. He speaks Danish, Greek, Thai and Indonesian with varying degrees of fluency.
During his travels, Mustukas was struck by the stunning craftsmanship he encountered. It occurred to him that he could bridge a gap in the market, giving
MICHELLE JACKSON
Kimberly Harris and Steven Mustukas
Nusantara
Americans access to merchandise that wouldn’t otherwise be shipped abroad while also paying craftspeople fair prices. In Indonesia, he posted a sign in the local language reading, “Westerner will buy your old textiles.” Soon, women were lining up in droves.
Mustukas claims to know as much about textiles as he does “about a moon rock,” but during a recent visit to the Essex store the septuagenarian sported a stylish green button-up shirt with an abstract geometric design and acknowledged he “has a pretty good eye” for fashion. He also has a penchant for reminiscing, often offering customers travel tips and regaling them with tales of his years abroad.
For instance, Mustukas recalled once taking goods by canoe across the Mekong River on the border of Laos and Thailand, then strapping the wares to the top of a bus.
“I’ve gone to some ridiculously remote places to get these pieces,” Mustukas said. “You prayed it didn’t rain.”
Nusantara’s commitment to smallscale craftsmanship is part of what sold developer Peter Edelmann, owner of the Essex Experience, on the shop. The store aligns with his vision for a shopping center that spotlights local businesses rather than impersonal chains. Nusantara is surrounded by clothing boutiques, an art gallery, a craft brewery and a spa with a therapeutic salt cave.
“What I’m looking to do, and I think I’ve done, is add unique players, one of a kind,” Edelmann said, adding that Nusantara’s global offerings in smalltown Vermont fit the bill.
Nusantara’s Rutland warehouse is stocked with tens of thousands of items. When Harris first visited, the place looked “like Aladdin’s cave,” she said. “I was blown away. It was floor to ceiling. I got lost in it.”
She’s in the process of moving the warehouse to a 20,000-square-foot space in Fairfax, where she plans to allow customers to set up appointments and shop the boundless inventory.
Essex resident Michelle Jackson, 75, is a Nusantara regular. She’s bought a dress there for her daughter to wear to a wedding, along with jewelry, candles, pants, scarves and hats. She said the store brings back memories of the time she lived in Thailand and Japan.
“If you walk around the store, you get an education,” Jackson said. “All you have to do is ask somebody ‘Could you explain this to me?’ or ‘Where did this come from?’ And immediately, they’re into the detail of it.”
Though Mustukas has stopped traveling since the pandemic, many of the shop’s items still evoke memories of his adventures. That experience was evident as Harris and Mustukas gave Seven Days a tour of the store. Singing bowls, handmade in Nepal and Tibet, are among Nusantara’s most popular items. To demonstrate how they work, Mustukas struck one, producing a sustained musical note. He held up a 50-year-old handwoven textile from Sumba, an island in Indonesia, and pointed out a century-old tea table from Rajasthan, India.
Mustukas lit up when describing a 19th-century Chinese apothecary cabinet ($3,900) with 32 drawers that he referred to as the store’s “pièce de résistance.” Though painted over, each drawer originally bore a Chinese character indicating which herb was stored inside.
How amazing, he said, that such treasures are now sold in Vermont. ➆
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food+drink
Beyond Its Roots
A new addition helps Middlesex’s Roots Farm Market offer one-stop shopping with an emphasis on local
BY SUZANNE PODHAIZER
The sound of burbling water catches the ear as one enters a new addition to the Middlesex building that houses the Roots Farm Market, passing a display of lemon-colored von Trapp tulips and an array of raw silk scarves knotted to a metal hoop.
In one corner of the sunny space, atop a large wooden spool, sits a three-tiered concrete fountain surrounded by dozens of potted plants. Their leaves run the gamut from thick and spiky to feathery to delicately soft. Above hang a lambskin rug and a pair
of birdhouses strung from a sturdy birch bough.
Refrigerated cases line the walls. One, pungent when opened, houses Vermont’s most familiar and lauded cheeses, seafood spreads from Për’s Smoked of Vermont, Ithaca Hummus, and fondue kits from Québec’s Eastern Townships. Another o ers beer, hard cider and nonalcoholic drinks, ranging from Goldthread Plant Based Tonics’ jewel-toned botanical elixirs to familiar liters of Polar seltzer.
Owners Karin Bellemare and Jon Wagner opened the Roots Farm Market at the busy junction of routes 2 and 100B in 2019. When they discovered the Middlesex building — an 1850s structure that used to be the town’s country store — “it spoke to us because it was cheap and dilapidated,” Bellemare said. “We have a deep passion for restoring old things. This building has had so many lives, and it’s cool to give it a new one.”
Now, the couple’s 1,400-square-foot addition is infusing the space with even more possibility. Equipping the Roots Farm Market with a modern loading dock and cooler and 650 square feet of additional retail space, it cements the market’s status as a hub that lends strength to a web of food producers in the area.
Wagner, 39, and Bellemare, 37, originally opened the market as a retail outlet for their Bear Roots Farm in Williamstown. After five years of schlepping goods to the Montpelier and Burlington farmers’ markets, they were ready to transition to a more stationary way of peddling their wares.
With their farm “o in the middle of nowhere,” Bellemare explained, they needed a location that made them accessible to both Washington and Chittenden County customers. Starting in spring 2019, the Roots Farm Market o ered locals impeccably clean carrots, beets, potatoes, baby kale and radishes.
In 2020, as the pandemic lockdown deepened and customers shied away from supermarkets, the couple began adding staple grocery items to the shelves: flour, lemons, olive oil, canned tomatoes and breakfast cereals.
“We just took it as an opportunity,” Bellemare remarked.
Soon they branched out even further from the farm-grown-goods-only model, selling charming greeting cards, racks of
Display of vegetables at the Roots Farm Market
Jon Wagner and Karin Bellemare
PHOTOS:
SIDEdishes
Bobcat Café & Brewery in Bristol Has Sold to a Pair of Brothers
JON and CHRISTOPHER RUGGIERO have bought the BOBCAT CAFÉ & BREWERY in Bristol from chef-owners ERIN and SANDERSON WHEELER for the asking price of $165,000. There will be no break in service. After more than 16 years at the Bobcat, the Wheelers served their final meals on Sunday at the 5 Main Street restaurant, and the Ruggieros plan to open at 4 p.m. on Wednesday as usual.
The Bobcat opened in 2002 under the leadership of longtime local restaurateur ROBERT FULLER, using a community-supported financing model with $5,000 in start-up loans from each of 32 supporters. The Wheelers bought the restaurant in 2008 in partnership with their mentor, the late Michel Mahe; the couple took full ownership in 2015, according to Erin.
The Bobcat’s deep roots in the community appealed to the Ruggiero brothers, said Jon, 49. He and Christopher are originally from Massachusetts, but both moved to Vermont over the past few years.
“Chris and I have been exploring going into business together for a long time,” Jon said.
Jon, who works full time in the software industry, lives in South Duxbury. Christopher, 46, has a degree in hotel and restaurant management and a career in hospitality, including cooking in kitchens, his brother said. He lives in Ferrisburgh and will work on-site while Jon focuses on administrative tasks.
The Ruggieros have o ered jobs to all current sta members. They plan to continue the brewpub aspect of the business and the menu’s emphasis on “contemporary comfort food,” Jon said.
Erin, 44, said she and her 42-year-old husband were ready for a change: “It was never my plan to do this forever.” She expects Sanderson will stay in the restaurant sector but said she is interested in exploring the agricultural side of the food system, starting with a job at a local nursery.
Melissa Pasanen
Gilfeather’s Fine Provisions to Move Into Ferrisburgh’s Brown Church
The former Ferrisburgh United Methodist Church at 3323 Route 7 is under construction. By the end of 2025, it will become the new, expanded home of GILFEATHER’S FINE PROVISIONS
RICK and NANCY BENSON opened Gilfeather’s at its current spot a few buildings away in 2017. With the motto “Great Food to Go,” they’ve built a strong following for gourmet sandwiches, fresh oysters, grab-and-go entrées, house-baked pies, and specialty groceries.
“We are out of space,” Rick said,
CONNECT
Follow us for the latest food gossip! On Instagram: Jordan Barry: @jordankbarry; Melissa Pasanen: @mpasanen.
Christopher and Jon Ruggiero
Beyond Its Roots
mixed-metal earrings, kitchen towels printed with ferns or mushrooms, and sets of hand-forged cheese knives.
Now, six years into the market’s life, a dedicated seasonal eater could buy all of their groceries, libations, holiday gifts and household greenery there. Don Wexler of Moretown, who described himself as a Roots customer from “the first day they opened,” said he visits for the “excellent selection of vegetables,” as well as cheese, apples and beans.
“You can find anything from a snack on a bike ride to a present for a friend,” he said.
The newly added retail space — the room with the fountain — ensures that soon you’ll be able to find even more. The couple said they plan to add a bulk section, gardening supplies, and, in warmer weather, perennial plants and shrubs such as elderberries, currants, hearty figs, rhubarb and horseradish, all grown by Wagner.
The remainder of the new construction will make behind-the-scenes tasks easier for the market’s seven full-time and 10 part-time staffers, including those who work in the store’s kitchen, which was built in 2021.
“We added [the kitchen] because of food waste,” Bellemare said. The selection of takeout items, from freshly pressed juices to hearty entrées such as cottage pie, is designed to use “imperfect things that are fine but would otherwise have been given away or composted,” she said. “People need convenience, and [these items are] higher quality than frozen meals from the grocery store.”
But convenience remained a problem for the couple and their team, as they unloaded thousands of pounds of root vegetables onto an uneven, nearly 200-year-old floor and used a walk-in cooler that they had “slapped together just to get this place open,” Bellemare said.
Hence the addition. Using funds from a Working Lands Enterprise Initiative grant, supplemented with borrowed money from the Vermont Community Loan Fund, the pair began assessing how they could add a loading dock, a new and more efficient cooler, expanded parking, and cozier offices. The answer, per their architect: encasing portions of the existing building in a new, energy-saving one. The construction began in 2023 and is expected to end by summer.
Farm in Barnard sell their ultra-premium ice cream and organic raw milk to the Roots Farm Market in addition to running their own farmstand, where they in turn offer vegetables from Bear Roots and a selection of other producers’ products.
Randy Robar appreciates working with store owners who are also food producers. “As small farmers themselves, they appreciate the challenges other small farmers deal with,” he explained. And the staffers he encounters are “always smiling and happy to be there.”
That leaves Bellemare free to run the store. “Jon loves farming. It’s his thing, and he’s really good at it,” she said. “I was looking for a way not to farm anymore.”
She noted that Wagner has been hands-on in the building renovations,
If the building has changed over the years, so has the couple’s division of labor. When Wagner and Bellemare started farming at Bear Roots, they collectively planted and dug carrots, bagged greens, and were often found side by side behind their table at farmers markets. Now, Wagner is in charge of land management and vegetable production, with help from two Jamaican employees who have worked with him for the past six years, thanks to the H-2A temporary agricultural workers program.
though, “on top of farming.” The stanchions in the new part of the building were salvaged from an old dairy barn. And Wagner milled much of the lumber used from the couple’s own woods.
For Bellemare, maintaining a workweek of about 40 hours is one of the pleasures of the grocery gig. Another, aided by the growing retail space, is seeking out Vermont and New England goods to offer to customers. No longer a glorified farmstand, the market has become a valued outlet for local producers.
Randy and Lisa Robar of Kiss the Cow
Sam Walsh of Martin Family Farm in Williamstown, which began selling organic beef to Roots in 2024, said, “Karin and Jon’s commitment to supporting small and local means farms that wouldn’t normally be able to sell retail are able to offer their products.” Walsh called the Roots Farm Market “a game changer for us” that “gets our name out into the community in a broader way than we could do alone.”
Robar noted that Bellemare and Wagner buy from and support hundreds of local food producers, spreading awareness about those businesses. They also “offer food when fragile industrial ag breaks down,” as “during the pandemic,” he said.
For casual shoppers who are concerned less with the health of the food system than with buying groceries or a gift, Roots might simply seem effortlessly charming. Rough, rustic wooden crates and totes mingle with polished boards in the décor. You can buy a frozen pizza, blocks of
The Roots Farm Market
A display at the Roots Farm Market
Back b p Demand
tofu, young Thai coconuts or fancy bars of chocolate.
Displays are organized with whimsy and an artistic eye: A single beeswax pine cone candle sits among bottles of maple syrup.
YOU CAN FIND ANYTHING FROM A SNACK ON A BIKE RIDE TO A PRESENT FOR A FRIEND.
Pickle-making kits occupy a shelf beside potted cacti, highlighting the similarities in shape between cucumbers and succulents. A single card with a print of a candy heart reading “Squeeze Me” sits just behind bottles of locally produced massage oil.
Even as they work to complete the expansion, Bellemare and Wagner are looking to what the future holds, thinking about how Vermont agriculture needs to evolve as the climate shifts.
Bellemare said 2023 “was our worst year ever [on the farm]. We lost a significant amount of money.” As heavier rains fell, crops that used to be easy-to-grow staples, such as lettuce, were devastated by snails,
DON WEXLER
slugs and dirt that was nearly impossible to remove. At the market, they switched to using spinach in the salads. On the farm, Wagner’s interest in perennial crops was piqued.
“If anything, they’re going to become more present. From a farming perspective, our goals are to make our system as flexible, resilient and diverse as possible.”
The Roots Farm Market allows Wagner and Bellemare to do that for their own farm while also making the system more stable for every single business that sends yogurt, bread, flowers or beer to be sold there. “It’s kind of an ode to Vermont, in a way,” Bellemare said. ➆
e Roots Farm Market, 903 Route 2, Middlesex, 613-3586, therootsfarmmarket.com
Prepared foods at the Roots Farm Market
SUZANNE
Have you ever thought to yourself, I wonder if I could satisfy my recommended daily water intake with soup? If yes, we’re kindred spirits. Straight water loses its appeal for me in the wintertime. Since my recent move to Vermont, I’ve been sipping my way through the cold weather with the help of warm liquids and bouillon cubes.
Dehydrated, I recently hustled into Burlington’s Ichiban Asian Cuisine in search of my broth of the day. e small restaurant replaced Maudite Poutine at 156 North Winooski Avenue when it opened in October 2024, and I was delighted by its nine soup categories, from tom yum to pickled mustard greens soup. Customizable with a choice of protein and noodle, many of the options meet, or fall a few dollars under, our Dining on a Dime series budget of $15.
As I was deciding among udon, ramen and rice noodles, owner Jason Lin jumped in to recommend — without hesitation — the rice noodles.
Lin, 41, later told me that he owns four Chittenden County restaurants: e others are Crispy Burger, next door to Ichiban; Volcano Asian Cuisine on North Avenue in Burlington; and JBC Rice Noodles & Ramen in Colchester. At JBC, he invested in a rice noodle-making machine because he believes homemade noodles are more tender and taste better. Although JBC is closed until April 1 due to staffing shortages, the machine is still operating.
e rice noodles are made
from a simple dough using
DINING ON A DIME
Stocking Up
Ichiban Asian Cuisine adds spice to Burlington’s Old North End
BY MARIN WARSHAY
soaked grains of rice that are ground and mixed with wheat flour. “You can taste the rice,” Lin said. And I could. e generous serving of slightly chewy and slippery noodles never clumped and held its structure nicely, even as leftovers the next day.
I opted for the vegan mala broth ($12) for a spicy heat on an extra-cold day and chose tofu skins from the protein options, which also include beef, chicken and seafood.
references Sichuan peppercorns. e broth also includes star anise, cumin seeds and sesame oil.
skins. I learned that Ichiban’s vegan broth is made from shiitake mushroom paste, which gives it a uniquely savory touch. Atop the noodles, wood ear, enoki and white button mushrooms added more distinctive flavors and textures. Beyond soup, one can easily eat for $15 at Ichiban with entrées such as stir-fried noodles and fried rice priced as low as $11. If you go with a friend, your budget will stretch to a shared appetizer, such as scallion pancakes ($5) or crab rangoon ($7.50). Both were golden, crisp and accompanied by a sweet-savory sauce that added a welcome tang to their oily crunch. For days when your wallet is a little fuller, multicourse hibachi meals start at $16.50.
SIDEdishes
noting that he has to store ingredients in the shop’s dairy cooler.
According to Lin, mala is a Chinese word that translates to “hot and numbing” and
Lin said he and family members, some of whom help out at the restaurants, travel to New York or Boston every few weeks to source ingredients that aren’t readily available in Vermont, such as bulk bags of dried wood ear mushrooms. While I certainly experienced the signature tingle of Sichuan peppercorn in the mala broth, I was surprised by the prominent mushroom flavor that soaked the chewy tofu
In the summer, I might skip the appetizer and opt for a boba tea with fresh fruit purée (from $5). For now, Ichiban’s electric fireplace, complimentary green tea and range of affordable soup options will help keep me warm and hydrated through my first Vermont winter — without drying up my cash resources. ➆
Dining on a Dime is a series featuring well-made, filling bites (something substantial enough to qualify as a small meal or better) for around $15 or less. Know of a tasty dish we should feature? Drop us a line: food@sevendaysvt.com.
Ichiban Asian Cuisine, 156 N. Winooski Ave., Burlington, 540-1318, ichibanvt.com
The larger location in the Brown Church, as it’s known locally, will triple the shop’s retail o erings, with an increased selection of produce and nonfood items such as local flowers, gifts, and music and art supplies. It will feature an open kitchen similar to the current setup, where the Bensons can be seen wearing white chef coats. The addition of a hood vent, grill and fryers will “basically quintuple our firepower,” Rick said.
With that new equipment, they’ll have the flexibility to add new menu items — or bring back favorites from past businesses. Rick hinted that they might include fried calamari and the veggie fritters he served at Taste, the fine-dining restaurant he operated near the Burlington waterfront in the early 2000s.
The Brown Church was donated to the town of Ferrisburgh after its deconsecration in 2022; town o cials put out a call for proposals last spring and approved the sale to the Bensons at a selectboard meeting in November.
An extensive renovation, including foundation work and a new septic system, is under way. The couple will honor the 19th-century church’s history by incorporating its stained-glass windows and other mementos, such as the hymn board from its final service, into the new space, Rick said. He’ll display his own paintings and work by other local artists on the soaring walls.
“It was here for all those years, and now it’s turning into another kind of community venture,” Rick said. “We wanted to keep Gilfeather’s here in town and bring this building back to life.”
Jordan Barry
From left: Crab rangoon appetizer and vegan mala soup with rice noodles at Ichiban Asian Cuisine
Ichiban Asian Cuisine
Nancy and Rick Benson at the future home of Gilfeather’s Fine Provisions
MARIN WARSHAY
culture
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
‘Moon Shots’
BY MARY ANN LICKTEIG • maryann@sevendaysvt.com
When consultant Emiliano Void and poet Rajnii Eddins met in a Burlington co ee shop in 2021 to discuss how to create a flagship Black History Month celebration for Vermont, they dreamt big. “As in, we were dreaming of bringing Beyoncé and Jay-Z as headliners,” Void told Seven Days two years ago.
They got Angela Davis, an activist, writer and scholar. When they launched the Black Experience in 2022, it was part of Burlington’s Juneteenth celebration. It has since become a stand-alone annual event that happens in February. Davis returned as its featured speaker in 2023.
This Saturday, February 22, National Book Award winner Ta-Nehisi Coates and Grammy performers SistaStrings headline the Black Experience 2025. While still no Beyoncé, their appearance on the Flynn Main Stage in Burlington continues the homegrown event’s history of booking
pizza dinner at Burlington City Hall Auditorium precedes the Flynn show, where local hip-hop DJ – and Burlington city councilor – Melo Grant will spin music during breaks.
Shuttle transport, meals and admission to all events, except the show at the Flynn, are free.
Asked what he’s most excited about this year, Void said it’s simply the fact that a cluster of non-event planners who are passionate about making the state “reflective and representative” of all its demographics — “most notably Black folks” — is able to pull o the event. Void is founder and CEO of nuwave Equity Corporation, a Burlington consulting and technology company. Poet Eddins is a teaching artist, actor and singer-songwriter.
Eddins recalled the pair’s first planning meeting at Kru Co ee. Void suggested bringing together Black Vermonters from all walks of life, and the two decided to pitch the idea to the Flynn because it’s a large venue and because Eddins knew some of its sta , having taught in Flynn education programs. They were bold but not entirely prepared for their pitch.
Eddins recounted the conversation he had with a Flynn sta er:
Eddins: “Hey, we got this idea.” Flynn sta er: “When would you want to do it?”
“February.” (“This is, mind you, like October, November 2021,” Eddins told Seven Days.)
“We’re still in the midst of the pandemic. We’re not even setting things for ourselves for another year and some change … Do you have any money?”
“Nope, no money.”
impressive guests and caps off a day of poetry classes and readings, student project presentations, film screenings, and cultural cuisine.
Shuttles stopping in Brattleboro, Bennington, Northfield, Middlebury and Winooski will transport attendees. Lunch at Winooski High School catered by Kismayo Kitchen kicks off the festivities at noon.
Afternoon activities will be held at the high school, at Burlington’s Fletcher Free Library and at the Greater Burlington YMCA.
Among the many
“Have you confirmed the people you’re bringing?”
“No, not yet.”
presenters is Jolivette AndersonDouoning, a history professor at Saint Michael’s College who will lead a discussion connecting civil rights history and poetry from the time of Paul Laurence Dunbar to Kendrick Lamar. Poets Eddins and Toussaint St. Negritude will teach and read from their works, and Middlebury College associate professor of dance Christal Brown will lead a master class in moving and remembering. Youth events will be held at the high school, and Fletcher Free Library will host screenings of Black films. A
Void emailed a representative for Davis and asked her come. February proved to be too soon, but he and Eddins launched the event that June. The Flynn has been their partner ever since and now takes the lead in finding and booking headliners. “I can’t say enough about the work that those folks do to support making this happen,” Void said.
Funded by donations, the Black Experience has no recurring sponsors. Its annual budget runs between $70,000 and $120,000, Void said, and each year, the bank account “goes right back down to zero, and we build it back from the ground up.” Its success is a testament to the desire of Vermonters to see their community reflected in multiple ways, Void said.
Every year, the event attracts nationally known presenters. Author Robert Livingston, a social psychologist at Harvard
Rajnii Eddins
Emiliano Void
Send in the Clowns: Opera Vermont and Circus Smirkus Join Forces in Pagliacci
BY AMY LILLY • lilly@sevendaysvt.com
Tragedy in opera can deliver an emotional sucker punch like no other medium. Usually, the music is to blame. But when the main characters also work in a clown troupe and must continue to entertain while their own lives fall apart — as in Ruggero Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci (Clowns) — the tragedy is that much more devastating.
Opera Vermont brings Leoncavallo’s classic to Highland Center for the Arts in Greensboro for two performances this weekend. Founder and director Joshua Collier, who never met an opera he didn’t want to make more appealing for contemporary audiences, is taking the 1892 work’s verismo style to another level. In his updated version, the clowns are a circus troupe, and three veterans of Greensboro’s Circus Smirkus will join the cast of five professional singers to perform acts of aerialism, juggling, acrobatics, contortionism and clowning.
Partly inspired by the venue — Highland was built with a ceiling grid rated for indoor rigging — Collier said he is “looking to build bridges within the community.” His version of the opera marries two “virtuosic and extravagant” art forms, and it joins the state’s youngest opera company (launched as Barn Opera in 2018) with its venerable circus arts school, founded in 1987. The augmented libretto even includes references to the nearby Highland Lodge, maple syrup and the Northeast Kingdom, the setting of the venue as well as the opera’s plot.
When Circus Smirkus’ new executive director, Rachel Schiffer, met with Collier about Pagliacci, his plan to blend opera and circus made perfect sense to her. Before joining Smirkus’ administration, Schiffer performed across Europe in a troupe with three other circus artists, one of whom was a tenor. The latter would sing opera arias while riding a bicycle on which two of the other artists balanced.
Pagliacci’s circus performers won’t sing.
That will be left to tenor Edward Brennan, as troupe leader Canio; soprano Kathleen Echols, as Canio’s wife, Nedda; baritone Brad Noffsinger Morrison, as Tonio, who lusts for Nedda and pretends to be Canio’s friend; baritone Andrew Wannigman, as Nedda’s secret lover, Silvio; and tenor Diego Valdez, as Canio’s friend Beppe. The circus artists, all former Big Top Tour members, are Maia Castro-Santos, an aerial silks and trapeze artist, and Ivan Jermyn, an acrobat and clown, both of Burlington; and Naomi Eddy, a contortion specialist from Philadelphia.
The opera will be fully staged and sung in Italian with English supertitles. Music director Cailin Marcel Manson will conduct a 10-piece orchestra, including musicians from his New England Repertory Orchestra in Springfield, Mass. Collier’s score borrows selections from Pietro Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana, a short opera often paired with Pagliacci, to flesh out its length without changing the storyline. Opera fans will “hear the traditional music you want to hear” and then some, Collier said, while others can enjoy “the contemporary feel.”
Collier updated the opera to correct a lacuna in the storyline, he said. In the original, “we don’t get to see why Nedda is having an affair. I feel like we villainize her.” In his version, the first act is a rehearsal for the show-within-the-opera that makes up the second act. During the rehearsal, audiences learn Nedda’s backstory: Her husband, the troupe leader Canio, is obsessed with the circus, and she realizes it has changed their relationship. Silvio has offered to bring her to a cabin in the Vermont woods, but then their infidelity is discovered.
“The tragic ending will be particularly impactful because it blurs the line between [Canio’s] performance persona and his real emotions,” Collier said. Like the production’s own cast, the circus artists in the opera are dealing with tiring travel schedules and complicated personal lives but must pretend all is well onstage. At least until the breaking point. ➆
INFO
Opera Vermont performs Pagliacci: Friday and Saturday, February 21 and 22, 7 p.m., at Highland Center for the Arts in Greensboro. $40 plus optional $20 dinner at 5 p.m. operavermont.com, highlandartsvt.org
OPERA
Ivan Jermyn
The concept sounds almost too easy: A magician puts on a cannabis-themed magic show in which he performs tricks with a lighter, blows smoke in creative ways and makes a jar of weed disappear into thin air.
Or, as many Vermont stoners would call it, a typical Friday night.
All joking aside, magician Ben Zabin has spent the past four years blowing audience members’ minds — including those who weren’t high at the time.
The Las Vegas magician is the founder of Smokus Pocus , a traditional magic act infused with lessthan-traditional ingredients. Zabin, who has performed “the world’s dopest magic show” more than 300 times throughout North America, will appear on Friday, February 21, at Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center in Burlington. Attendees must be 21 or older.
What exactly does a 420-themed magic act entail? As Zabin explained, he takes classic magic tricks and “turns them upside down” by creating illusions with paraphernalia, making weed randomly appear onstage, and reading audience members’ minds about when and where they first got baked.
“It’s all over the place, but there’s something in there for everybody,” he said. “And you don’t have to spark up to have a great time.”
The 26-year-old Zabin, who grew up outside of New York City, is a mostly selftaught magician. He got his first magic kit at age 5. After honing his skills, he started performing at bar and bat mitzvahs in New York and Boston, then moved on to regional and national magic competitions. By 2019, Zabin was getting hired to work corporate gigs, cruise ships and U.S. naval bases around the world — minus the cannabis, of course.
The idea of combining his love of magic and marijuana had been on the back burner for years, Zabin said. He would entertain friends with sleight of hand, often while partaking. Based on how much his friends enjoyed the tricks, he realized that a cannabis-centric act could have broader appeal.
After attending a year of college in Boston, Zabin dropped out, moved to Portland, Ore., and started developing the act that would become Smokus Pocus , which he launched in 2020. He still performs all of his shows solo, but in the past two years, he licensed the show
Toke and Mirrors
Smokus Pocus, a cannabis-themed magic show, plays tricks on audience members’ minds
BY KEN PICARD • ken@sevendaysvt.com
to Canadian magician Eric Leclerc, who performs Smokus Pocus in cities north of the border, including Ottawa, Toronto, Montréal and Vancouver.
I NEVER REALLY KNOW WHAT I’M WALKING INTO EACH TIME I GO ONSTAGE.
BEN ZABIN
For obvious reasons, Zabin can only perform Smokus Pocus in states where cannabis is legal for adult and/or medical use. And, because it’s still illegal to cross state lines with ganja, Zabin always buys his, um, stage props from local dispensaries. “Gotta share the love,” he said.
Contrary to what many people might assume, Zabin said performing for a stoned audience doesn’t make it easier for magic tricks to work. In fact, he has found it can be a disadvantage if the crowd is too wasted, spaced-out or rowdy.
“Everyone can be on a different wavelength,” he said. “Some people are peaking on shrooms at the beginning of the show. Other times you have people who have just come from a pub crawl. So I never really know what I’m walking into each time I go onstage.” During a recent show in Reno, Nev., a guy proposed to his girlfriend onstage in the middle of a trick. Zabin only found out about it a minute or two beforehand. “She said yes, and it didn’t spoil the trick,” he said, “so their engagement is off to a great start.”
Zabin said he’s looking forward to the Burlington performance, his first in Vermont, in part because it will be held in a smaller and more intimate venue than most of his other shows. He also noted that some audience members will leave with “souvenirs.”
And, lest anyone is curious, Zabin does not spark up before taking the stage. “I don’t think it would be a very good show if I was significantly intoxicated,” he said. ➆
INFO
Smokus Pocus, Friday, February 21, 8 p.m., at Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center in Burlington. $33-53. smokuspocus.com
Smokus Pocus magician Ben Zabin
MUSEUMS
The Vermont Marble Museum Has Closed
BY HANNAH FEUER hfeuer@sevendaysvt.com
The Vermont Marble Museum in Proctor, one of Vermont’s first tourist attractions, quietly closed last fall after nearly 90 years in operation.
The museum, housed inside what was once the Vermont Marble Company’s headquarters, struggled to turn a profit for decades, according to board president Kevin Thornton. That trend worsened during the pandemic, as the museum had relied on senior bus tours as a major source of attendance.
The museum commemorated not only the contributions of the Vermont Marble Company to the development of the once-industrial town of Proctor — named for company founder Redfield Proctor — but also its role in shaping iconic U.S. landmarks. The Lincoln Memorial, U.S. Supreme Court Building, Thomas Jefferson Memorial and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery all have marble quarried or finished in Vermont.
“It’s a loss to the nation,” Thornton said of the museum’s closure.
The closure comes after years of fighting to stay afloat. In 2012, former owners Marsha and Martin Hemm announced plans to close and sell the museum’s collection. The Preservation Trust of Vermont stepped
Kennedy School, spoke last year. Performers have included PHILADANCO!, aka the Philadelphia Dance Company; a cappella ensemble Sweet Honey in the Rock; and Brooklyn rapper Talib Kweli.
“We’ve just been kind of taking moon shots every year,” Void said.
Sisters Monique and Chauntee Ross form SistaStrings. With Monique on cello and Chauntee on violin, the Milwaukee
in, purchasing the building and its contents. The trust then formed a nonprofit to operate the museum, hoping to eventually transfer ownership of the building back to the museum once it became financially stable.
But it soon became clear that building ownership would be more of a financial burden for the museum than an asset, according to Ben Doyle, president of the trust. In 2022, the trust sold the building to ZION Growers, an industrial hemp processing company, for just $1. In return, the trust secured a 99-year lease on the museum space for $1 per year. ZION Growers also agreed to a preservation easement, ensuring the building’s historic elements would be maintained.
“You name it, we tried it,” Doyle said of efforts to save the museum.
But the nonprofit model also proved unsustainable. As the museum neared its end, revenue was insufficient to support any full-time staff, according to Thornton. Gift shop sales were sluggish, and the remote location made it difficult to attract new visitors.
After a temporary closure last spring, the museum’s board decided to shutter permanently in fall 2024.
“Everything was just not working,” Thornton said.
The exhibits had been virtually unchanged in the past 90 years, Thornton added, without the kind of interactive installations people have come to expect from museums. Displays included a hall of presidential busts, from George Washington to George H.W. Bush; luxurious marble bathrooms; and a marble chapel.
that
Vermont
Company started the museum mainly as a promotional showroom, which resulted in certain narratives being omitted. For example, the company was at the center of a workers’ strike that attracted national attention in 1935.
The closure may be emblematic of broader trends in the museum world. A 2024 survey of museum leaders by the American Alliance of Museums showed that a quarter of museums across the country
natives have fused their classical training with their love of R&B, hip-hop and gospel. Winners of the 2023 Instrumentalist of the Year award from the Americana Music Association, the duo has backed Brandi Carlile since 2022 and played with Joni Mitchell at the Grammy Awards last February and again at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles in October.
Journalist and author Coates won the 2015 National Book Award for Nonfiction for his memoir Between the World and Me. He has written for the Atlantic and currently is a contributing editor at Vanity Fair and the Sterling Brown Endowed Chair in the English department at Howard University. His most recent book, The Message, comprises three intertwining essays that grapple with the way stories — both reported and mythical — expose and distort our realities.
He will appear in conversation with Traci Griffith, racial justice program director for the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts and former chair of the media studies department at Saint Michael’s College. She said Coates is one of a handful of Black intellectuals “pushing forward the discussions about race.”
Attempts by the new Donald Trump administration to quash such discussions
are dipping into their reserves or endowments to cover operating expenses, likely still recovering from the pandemic’s impact on attendance.
Now, the Preservation Trust is seeking a new steward for the museum’s collection. Doyle emphasized that any potential buyer would need to preserve the collection for future generations. He’s hopeful that even with the museum’s closure, the legacy of Proctor’s marble industry will continue to be shared. ➆
have elevated their importance, Griffith observed. “We’re not moving backwards. We’ll continue to move forward,” she said. “The entire Black experience is moving forward through adversity. This is nothing new.”
People in Vermont deserve to see the country’s leading Black figures, Eddins said. “We want to see representation that reflects inspiring stances in the world,” he said. “At a time in history, too, where folks really need examples of courageous integrity that stands for freedom for all people, we need to bring that energy and those representations to the fore in as many ways as possible.”
Eddins will open the evening event, as he has each year, by reading his poem “BEAUTIFUL SUN KISSED PEOPLE.” He writes the title in all caps because, he said, “I think that makes people say it more loudly.”
INFO
The Black Experience 2025 starts on Saturday, February 22, noon, at locations in Burlington and Winooski. Free. Headline event with Ta-Nehisi Coates, Traci Griffith, SistaStrings, Rajnii Eddins and DJ Melo Grant, 7 p.m., at the Flynn Main Stage in Burlington. $23-28.25. blackexperiencevt.com, flynnvt.org
Thornton noted
the
Marble
Ta-Nehisi Coates
Vermont Marble Museum
Feeling Herd
BY KEN PICARD • ken@sevendaysvt.com
Tim Hayes of Johnson was 47 the first time he rode a horse. Born and raised in New York City’s Greenwich Village, he grew up in a dysfunctional household, the son of an emotionally unavailable mother and an abusive, alcoholic father who worked in advertising. Hayes followed in his father’s footsteps, pursuing a career making TV commercials — and becoming an alcoholic.
Hayes’ life changed in 1992, when he visited a cattle ranch in southern Idaho. As he watched the horses being shod,
he asked the farrier and his daughter, a 16-year-old state roping champion, if they’d take him horseback riding.
“I’d never been on a horse. I knew nothing,” Hayes recalled. “Then something happened. I was like, Wow! This horse is so attuned to everything I’m thinking and doing!”
Hayes eventually abandoned his lucrative career in television — and gave up drinking — to pursue a happier, healthier life built around horses. He became a master of natural horsemanship, aka “horse whispering,” which uses gentle, humane techniques to build the relationship between animal and rider.
Collins, and former heavyweight boxer Gerry Cooney.
But Horses, Humans and Love is more than a book about horses for equestrians. “It’s really a book about humanity and love,” he said, “and how horses taught me to be a better person.”
Hayes, who just turned 80, lives with his wife, Stephanie Lockhart-Hayes, on their horse ranch in Johnson and still teaches on the local campus of Vermont State University. He no longer rides, having been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease two years ago. Seven Days spoke to him recently by phone.
HORSES TAUGHT ME WHAT LOVE IS.
TIM HAYES
Your first book, Riding Home, was a huge success. Why did you write a second?
As I got more into horses, I became fascinated with equine therapy and was asked to teach a course in it at the University of Vermont and Vermont State. My students weren’t getting equine therapy, just interested in learning about it. As I taught the course, I started to see some dramatic breakthroughs with students in terms of self-awareness. I would ask the class, “How many of you have ever felt inadequate?” Everyone raised their hand, as did I. Why is that?
People who would interact with a horse would get stuck in a place and they’d feel like they weren’t doing it right or weren’t good enough. As they talked, their words reflected some emotional wound from their childhood where they felt judged or criticized by their parents.
I was also learning how horses relate to each other, especially their foals. I discovered 10 qualities that horses possess [see sidebar]. I thought, Wow! Maybe we can learn how to be better people if we can practice what they do.
An expert on equine therapy, Hayes published Riding Home: The Power of Horses to Heal in 2015. The book examined how working with horses can help hardened criminals, people with addictions and veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. Robert Redford, who directed and starred in the 1998 movie The Horse Whisperer , wrote the book’s forward.
Hayes just released his second book, Horses, Humans and Love: Powerful Lessons From the Herd. It garnered blurbs from Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author Carl Bernstein, Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Judy
How so?
When a horse sees another horse, it doesn’t matter if it’s a brown horse or a black horse or a white horse. They say, “I feel safe because I’m with someone just like me.” Humans don’t do that. If we see another person that looks different, we feel different. The fact is, we’re the same species. And that’s one of the biggest problems with humanity, that we’re killing each other and the planet.
If someone asked you to make a list of all the people you love, how long would it take before you put your own name on the list? Most people say, “I would never
Tim Hayes with his late horse Austin in 2020
EXCERPT FROM HORSES, HUMANS AND LOVE: POWERFUL LESSONS FROM THE HERD
Horses have existed on our planet for more than 55 million years. ey are vegetarians. As a prey species, they have survived by outrunning and escaping their predator enemies and by living peacefully together in large groups (herds). In addition to their formidable power and speed, there are two unique evolutionary traits that have also contributed to the success of equine survival and enabled horses to live for eons. e
first one is hypervigilance — the unfailing effectiveness of a horse’s superhuman senses to detect the slightest predatorial stimulus and immediately run away to safety. e other is herd dynamics — the qualities I mentioned in the introduction of this book that provide horses’ innate ability to harmoniously live together and get along with each other.
Horses live in herds to increase their chances of survival. If a mountain lion shows up, it’s safer to be in a herd of fifty horses than all alone. Any species that depends on living in groups in order to survive must also be able to continually care about each other, help each other, look out for each other, and peacefully resolve conflicts without hurting each other. Horses are masters at getting along with their own species.
To promote social harmony and keep the herd safely together, equine
herd dynamics consist of evolutionarily hardwired qualities that I, having observed thousands of horses for more than thirty years, see as ten textbook-perfect social skills: Acceptance, Tolerance, Patience, Understanding, Kindness, Honesty, Trust, Respect, Forgiveness, and Compassion.
Taken together, these constitute what I have come to believe is the universal or true altruistic meaning of what we call love. I believe it is this love that, when emulated by humans, enables us to become better parents, children, husbands, wives, and partners. It is this love, so eloquently demonstrated among horses, that is the literal archetype for the love that I feel is not only indispensable for every successful human relationship but potentially the future existence of humanity.
have thought of putting my name on the list.” Why not? Because we’re never taught to love ourselves. Until I learn to love myself like I matter and I’m worthy, I’m going to need something outside of me — like a great job, a great wife, a lot of money, a big house — that makes me feel like I’m enough. That’s why we judge each other and don’t get along on so many levels.
Where did I learn to love myself? I didn’t learn it in grammar school, high school, college or from books. The place we learn to love ourselves is from our parents. And if they don’t know how to love themselves, how are they going to teach me? What it all boils down to is, horses taught me what love is.
Isn’t there a danger in anthropomorphizing horses’ behaviors and motivations?
The big difference between humans and horses is, we are predators. We survived for 300,000 years by killing our
enemies. We kill to eat, we kill to protect ourselves, and now we kill people we disagree with. Horses have survived by running away and getting along. I’m not anthropomorphizing. Horses have thoughts and feelings. When you start to develop a relationship with a horse, you see that relationship evolve.
Everyone loves dogs. They can be loving and friendly, and they’ll lick you even if they don’t know you. But dogs are predators, so you don’t have to earn their trust. For a horse to have a relationship with you, they have to make sure that you’re not going to hurt them. And earning that acceptance is a very powerful thing. ➆
This interview was edited and condensed for clarity and length.
on screen
A Di erent Man ★★★★ Your Monster ★★★★
For these snowbound days, I’d like to propose two genre-defying streaming films that you probably missed in theaters. Both premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, could be described as subversive takes on “Beauty and the Beast,” involve the theater, and are provocative enough to spark ample post-viewing discussion. Finally, both are on Max and rentable on Apple and a few other platforms.
A Di erent Man has the higher profile of the two: Sebastian Stan won a Golden Globe and a Silver Berlin Bear for his lead performance, and the film is an Oscar nominee for Best Achievement in Makeup and Hairstyling. The achievement in question lies in transforming the conventionally handsome star into our protagonist, a struggling actor named Edward, who has large facial tumors resulting from neurofibromatosis.
If you’re expecting just another film for which an actor donned prosthetics to impersonate someone “less fortunate,” however, writer-director Aaron Schimberg ( Chained for Life ) has surprises in store for you. We’re barely through the first act when an experimental drug
transforms the mopey, socially awkward Edward back into the smooth-faced man we always knew was underneath.
Before Edward changed, he made a strong impression on his neighbor, Ingrid (Renate Reinsve), on whom he has an unrequited crush. She’s written a play to explore the guilt she felt as she let him down gently. When Edward shows up for the audition, he is unrecognizable — indeed, he’s given himself a new name, “Guy Moratz,” and re-created himself as a blandly attractive real estate agent. But Ingrid agrees to cast him as her version of Edward, provided he wears a mask.
Enter Oswald, a wildly charismatic and extroverted actor who still has visible neurofibromatosis (as does Adam Pearson, who plays him). Suddenly competing against someone who combines a physique similar to his own past one with a radically di erent personality, Guy/Edward faces the surreal possibility that he’s not the best person to play “himself.”
Schimberg’s nuanced, contrarian approach to his subject reflects his own experience as someone born with a cleft palate. In an interview with the AV Club,
REVIEWS
he said that “you have to work around the audience’s prejudices, not only about disfigurement, but about films about disfigurement” — such as the expectation that such stories will be tragic or heartwarming.
Edward’s story is certainly neither. The screenplay presents him as a wan, passive man with no backstory and little agency. Unlike Demi Moore’s character in The Substance, he doesn’t choose his transformation (it’s deemed medically necessary), and even his rebrand as Guy just sort of happens. Edward’s lack of inspirational qualities is the film’s point, the key to the central, thought-provoking contrast between him and the dynamic Oswald. But the protagonist’s black hole of charisma is also a problem that neither Schimberg’s screenplay nor Stan’s performance entirely transcends. We’re often in the position of Ingrid, wondering guiltily why we’re spending time with this sad sack.
If A Di erent Man had given us a clearer window into Edward’s introversion, the film might have been as fascinating to watch as it is to think about. It’s still well worth seeing as a case study of how people
sabotage themselves by confusing interior and exterior change, and a satire of a culture eager to create palatable, uplifting stories at the expense of thorny truths.
Like Edward, the protagonist of Your Monster is someone else’s muse and not happy about it. We meet Laura Franco (a charming Melissa Barrera) as she’s released from the hospital after cancer surgery. Her odiously smug boyfriend, Jacob (Edmund Donovan), dumped her in the wake of her diagnosis. Now, he’s set to direct the Broadway version of the campy feminist musical that the couple developed together. Laura rushes to the audition — only to watch the role designed for her go to a starlet (Meghann Fahy).
It’s enough to send anyone into a funk, which writer-director Caroline Lindy illustrates in a funny montage involving pajamas and pie. What finally dries Laura’s tears is the discovery that she’s sharing her mom’s New York brownstone with a monster (Tommy Dewey), who resides in her childhood closet. And the place isn’t big enough for the two of them.
If this sounds like a romantic comedy with a fairy-tale twist, it is. Once they’re done bickering over the thermostat, lovelorn Laura falls hard for Monster, who’s the type of “monster” that Ron Perlman was in the 1980s “Beauty and the Beast” series — a sweet guy with token extra hair and makeup. He also boasts a tart tongue, a penchant for Shakespeare and emotional intelligence.
Barrera and Dewey have chemistry, and more sparks fly in this low-budget film, much of which takes place in the brownstone, than in many more heralded rom-coms. The blissed-out dancing scene, a staple of the genre, is beautifully executed.
But Your Monster also has darker undertones that gradually come to the fore. A new love may soothe Laura’s messy emotions about her breakup, but it doesn’t erase them. Monster gives her space to feel them — indeed, encourages her to embrace the anger she’s been repressing so she can stay part of Jacob’s show.
Everything builds to a climax that will divide viewers, open as it is to multiple interpretations. What’s harder to dispute is that Your Monster has one of the more memorable finales in recent memory, thanks to Barrera’s riveting performance of an original musical number by the Lazours. While Edward in A Different Man remains frustrated by his inability to channel main character energy, Laura claims hers, and how.
MARGOT HARRISON margot@sevendaysvt.com
Adam Pearson plays a charismatic actor in a play-within-the-film in Aaron Schimberg’s Oscar-nominated drama.
NEW IN THEATERS
I’M STILL HERE: Three Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, went to this historical drama from Brazil about a mother (Fernanda Torres) facing the threat of military dictatorship. Walter Salles directed. (137 min, PG-13. Savoy)
THE MONKEY: A wind-up toy wreaks mysterious havoc on the lives of two brothers in this adaptation of the Stephen King story from Osgood Perkins (Longlegs). Theo James and Tatiana Maslany star. (98 min, R. Capitol, Essex, Majestic, Star)
CURRENTLY PLAYING
2025 OSCAR NOMINATED SHORT FILMS: Choose among separate unrated programs for Animation (85 min), Live Action (100 min) and Documentary (158 min), or catch them all. (Majestic [Live Action only], Savoy)
BECOMING LED ZEPPELINHHH1/2 Bernard MacMahon’s documentary tells the story of the rock band through 1970. (121 min, PG-13. Capitol, Essex, Majestic)
THE BRUTALISTHHHHH Brady Corbet’s period piece examines the relationship of a refugee architect (Adrien Brody) and his wealthy client. (214 min, R. Catamount, Majestic; reviewed 1/29)
CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLDHH The stars-and-stripes shield passes to Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) as the Marvel Cinematic Universe continues. With Harrison Ford; Julius Onah directed. (118 min, PG-13. Bijou, Capitol, City Cinema, Essex, Majestic, Marquis, Paramount, Star, Stowe, Welden)
COMPANIONHHH A weekend getaway at a billionaire’s lakeside cabin goes badly for a group of friends in this thriller comedy starring Sophie Thatcher and Jack Quaid. (97 min, R. Majestic; reviewed 2/5)
A COMPLETE UNKNOWNHHH1/2 Timothée Chalamet plays the young Bob Dylan. (141 min, R. Bijou, Capitol, Essex, Majestic)
DOG MANHHH A half-canine hero pursues a cat supervillain in this animated adaptation of Dav Pilkey’s kids’ books. (89 min, PG. Bijou, Capitol, City Cinema, Essex, Majestic, Star, Stowe, Welden)
EVERY LITTLE THINGHHH1/2 Sally Aitken’s documentary profiles a wildlife rehabilitator in Hollywood, Calif., who specializes in injured hummingbirds. (93 min, NR. Savoy)
FLIGHT RISKHH A U.S. marshal (Michelle Dockery) tries to protect a witness during a flight over the Alaskan wilderness in this action thriller directed by Mel Gibson. (91 min, R. Majestic)
HEART EYESHHH A killer targets couples on Valentine’s Day in this slasher, starring Jordana Brewster, Olivia Holt and Devon Sawa. Josh Ruben directed. (97 min, R. Essex, Majestic)
LOVE HURTSH1/2 Ke Huy Quan plays a mildmannered real estate agent with a criminal past in this action comedy. With Ariana DeBose and Mustafa Shakir. (83 min, R. Essex, Majestic)
MOANA 2HHH The islander heroine must sail unknown seas to break a curse in the sequel to the animated Disney hit. (100 min, PG. Essex, Majestic)
MUFASA: THE LION KINGHHH Disney’s follow-up to its 2019 “live-action” version of The Lion King explores the backstory of Simba’s dad. (120 min, PG. Capitol, Majestic)
NICKEL BOYSHHHHH In the 1960s, a studious Black teen must survive a brutal reform school in this Oscar-nominated adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s novel from RaMell Ross. (140 min, PG-13. Savoy; reviewed 2/12)
PADDINGTON IN PERUHHH1/2 The intrepid bear and his adopted family are embroiled in a mystery on a visit to his Aunt Lucy. Hugh Bonneville, Emily Mortimer and Ben Whishaw star. (106 min, PG. Bijou, City Cinema, Essex, Majestic, Marquis, Paramount, Star, Stowe, Welden)
THE SEED OF THE SACRED FIGHHHH An Iranian judge struggles with paranoia in this Oscar nominee, directed Mohammad Rasoulof. (167 min, PG-13. Catamount [ends Thu]; reviewed 2/12)
OLDER FILMS AND SPECIAL SCREENINGS
HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS (Essex, Fri only)
HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE (Essex, Sun only)
HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN (Essex, Sat only)
HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER’S STONE (Essex, Thu only)
JOIN OR DIE (Catamount, Wed 19 only)
PADDINGTON (Catamount, Tue only)
THE SUBSTANCE (Playhouse)
TOUKI BOUKI (VTIFF, Fri only)
TRAINSPOTTING (VTIFF, Sat only)
WICKED (Capitol)
OPEN THEATERS
(* = upcoming schedule for theater was not available at press time)
WELDEN THEATRE: 104 N. Main St., St. Albans, 527-7888, weldentheatre.com
At a Crossroads
An exhibition on rural America pairs panels from the Smithsonian with works by Vermont artists
BY ALICE DODGE • adodge@sevendaysvt.com
In American songs and folk tales, a crossroads is where you meet the devil at midnight — where you make a choice. It’s a potent metaphor despite its ubiquity, which is no doubt why the Smithsonian chose “Crossroads: Change in Rural America” as the title of an exhibition that is traveling through towns in Vermont and New Hampshire. The show recently opened at the Chandler Center for the Arts in Randolph, where it’s on view through March 22.
The exhibition, developed by the Smithsonian and copresented by Vermont Humanities and New Hampshire Humanities, is itself a kind of crossroads where two very different curatorial
approaches intersect. One path, in the center of the gallery, is a series of six freestanding exhibition walls organized around five themes: identity, land, community, persistence and managing change. The other path is a selection of works by Vermont artists, hung around the edges of the gallery and organized by Rebbie Carleton and the Chandler’s volunteer gallery committee.
The Smithsonian’s panels try to define “rural America” and present examples of how it has changed over the past century, with a look toward current and future challenges. The institution’s offerings include historical photos, objects, video, sound, little binders for viewers to flip
through and an interactive touch screen, along with quite a bit of curatorial text.
A viewer can, and should, get lost in the details. The section on identity features fascinating and culturally inclusive historical photos of farmers and rural people. On panels and in video slideshows, viewers can see Dorothea Lange’s famous images of farmworkers in the 1930s and ’40s, formal portraits such as the upstanding-looking “Natsumeda family, California, 1927,” and snapshots of people in rural communities taken in the past decade. A subtitled video displays people’s definitions of what “rural” means to them.
A section of reproduced historical paintings, including Grant Wood’s
“American Gothic” and Thomas Cole’s “Notch of the White Mountains,” points out how artists have often romanticized rural life. But this part of the exhibit misses the mark in some respects. The paintings lose their impact at such a small scale. The display doesn’t mention that many of these artists were lamenting the loss of rural or wild landscapes even as they depicted them, bestowing a purposefully elegiac quality on their scenes.
The presentation does best when it illustrates its points with specific examples. In a section about land, it describes how Indigenous territory was “sometimes surrendered under pressure or sometimes purchased,” accompanied by an image of an 1805 treaty ceding lands from five di erent Indigenous nations to the U.S. Through photos and text, the panel traces how part of that land in Indiana was later settled by a white family. With the added context, an old legal document becomes compelling. It’s an e ective way to use one small story to acknowledge a much larger history.
In sections on contemporary rural revitalization, the exhibit details smalltown projects such as arts hubs and farmers markets. The Clemmons Family Farm in Charlotte is o ered as one example of an organization connecting culture with agriculture.
The exhibition’s broad strokes, however, seem a bit out of place. Assertions such as “Rural Americans contribute to the nation’s economic and cultural wealth with their knowledge, hard work, and creativity” feel a bit patronizing. Much of the text led this reviewer to wonder for whom the exhibition is intended.
Viewers will see a more nuanced and creative approach to rural identity in the excellent local additions to the show. Among them, Linda Diak’s 8-by-6-foot quilt, “Road Trip,” stands out. It depicts a motley crew of a bull, a pig, an emu and a peacock driving a convertible, the wind in their feathers. Diak constructed the image with detailed, precise appliqué, quilted through with swirling, cloudlike lines and geometric patterns.
Funny and bold, the piece is made poignant by the description on its label of how these animals were lost during the 2023 floods. The bull and pig were found within
"Road Trip" by Linda Diak
a day, while the emu was on the run for a month. “Kevin, the peacock, has not been seen since,” reads the label. “We hope he is somewhere living his best life.”
Carolyn Egeli presents several large, exquisitely painted and ornately framed canvases. “The Stink Eye” captures a cow setting down a hoof by the edge of a creek.
A VIEWER CAN, AND SHOULD, GET LOST IN THE DETAILS.
“Collecting Sap” shows local farmers sugaring with a horse-drawn wagon. Either could be mistaken for a view from a century ago, but their labels offer contemporary context. The cow is part of a herd sold off due to cost pressures; the sugar maker’s wife is described as an environmental attorney for the state, a nod to the fact that many farmers have to work other jobs to make ends meet.
Photographer Jack Rowell offers varied and personality-laden black-and-white
images of rural Vermonters. They include his grizzled “Man on the Midway” at the 1972 Tunbridge World’s Fair as well as expressive portraits of Randolph resident Margaret Egerton — pictured as a fiesty almost-100-year-old — and a 2014 portrait of Brookfieldraised singer-songwriter Myra Flynn, looking young and hopeful. Their specificity, and their differences, signal deeper individual stories of people who are not solely defined by their country settings.
Steve DePalma turns his camera to rural structures. He documented every covered bridge in Vermont, then edited his photos into abstract, kaleidoscopic images whose diamond shapes and crisscrossing patterns mirror the bridges’ timbers. Looking at these iconic symbols of the rural landscape in such a new way illustrates a creative openness to change that’s not
always apparent in the exhibition’s more documentary images.
Several of the works speak to the balance between change and constancy. Davey Mace’s hooked rug “Things of the Heart” echoes a Currier and Ives print reproduced elsewhere in the exhibition, with toddlers riding plastic toys swapped in for the 19th-century horse-drawn sleigh. That kind of revision places us in the present while reinforcing how little the landscape has changed.
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Several of Woody Jackson’s paintings, with stark black-and-white cows against vibrant fields of magenta and lime, radiate the crisp energy of the rural landscape and articulate its appeal more effectively than anything the Smithsonian has on view.
Both Jennifer Davey, with ecologically themed hooked rugs, and Cecily Anderson, with digital illustrations of farmers, address climate change — a glaring omission in the Smithsonian’s exhibition — as a force driving massive change and prompting hard choices.
While visitors may already have a pretty clear idea of why rural communities matter, it is absolutely worth seeing them through our neighbors’ eyes and through the conflicts and challenges of the past century. The exhibition is a capsule of a very particular moment in time, one we may have just passed: when the U.S. government articulated diversity, inclusion and awareness of history as national strengths, as the curators do here. See it while you still can; as the exhibition text says, “Change, good or bad, is inevitable.” ➆
INFO
“Crossroads: Change in Rural America,” on view through March 22 at the Chandler Center for the Arts in Randolph. chandler-arts.org
Display produced by the Smithsonian
"Country store on dirt road, North Carolina"
REVIEW
Ab Fab: Color Is Everything at Mad River Valley Arts
BY ALICE DODGE • adodge@sevendaysvt.com
Picture the Mad River Valley this time of year, and you probably think white: sparkling slopes and sprays of powder. At Mad River Valley Arts in Waitsfield, however, color explodes right out of the gate.
Three photographers — Lisa Dimondstein, Julie Parker and Sandra Shenk — present their collaborative project “Abstract2” through February 28. Thirty of their images, printed on a large-format inkjet printer, hang unframed from rails. They are all, as the title indicates, abstract. Swaths, slashes, ribbons and carefully delineated shapes of color interrupt and fall into one another, repeat, overlap, clash.
All three artists belong to f/7, a monthly photo group. That’s where they started experimenting with a multiple-exposure technique that allows them to combine up to nine frames directly in the camera, applying different settings between exposures to arrive at a unique composite. Each used the technique on visits to Cold Hollow Sculpture Park in Enosburg Falls, where they photographed steel sculptures by David Stromeyer.
When the park is open in the summer, visitors can explore more than 70 of Stromeyer’s large-scale steel creations from the past 50 years. Many feature wild geometry; their finishes range from rust to shining stainless to slick surfaces in primary colors. Looking at Stromeyer’s work, Dimondstein wrote in an email, “We were inspired to create abstract photos from what are already abstract forms.”
The resulting images seem more like paintings or prints than photographs. Shenk’s “Three Sailboats Off the Sahara” — a wink at her past photos of sand dunes — features broad blocks of yellow and red that look like a misregistered silk screen print, the edges repeated and offset from each other. Striations on the surface read as mirage lines on the horizon.
Many of the images in the show radiate color like paintings. The way the ink sits on the surface of the paper, more apparent because the prints are unframed, gives them the physical presence they need to project intense hues. That’s especially true of works such as Parker’s 32-by-48-inch “Peek-a-Boo,” in which overlapping pale blue, lavender and lime green are interrupted by a deep indigo square, or her aptly titled “Orange!”
The artists sometimes deliver photographic transparency, as in Dimondstein’s “Icarus.” Her composition centers on a join between two flat pieces of dark steel, behind which circular holes in the sculpture create a fiery red-and-orange geometry. The black areas dissolve into purple like the sky after sunset. It’s a readable, physical space from a distance, but seen close up, the elements alternately move forward and recede.
“Spiral Dance,” also by Dimondstein, might offer the most clues about what the viewer is looking at. In it, ribbons of steel swirl, shining marks on their surfaces creating dimension through colored reflections. Because the scale is unclear, and the double-exposure technique layers the images, the photo becomes a whorl of transparencies — it could just as easily be a delicate coil of snakeskin as a giant sculpture.
It’s easy to lose yourself in these images, whether you see them as pure, immersive color or as glimpses of where you might be months from now: wandering through a forest of bright geometry, warm sunlight bouncing off every surface. ➆
INFO
“Abstract2,” on view through February 28 at Mad River Valley Arts in Waitsfield. An artist talk is on Saturday, February 22, 3-5 p.m. madrivervalleyarts.org
CALL TO ARTISTS
RESIDENCY APPLICATIONS OPEN: Applications open for visual artists and writers for monthlong residencies in Johnson. Fellowships available. See website for details and application. Vermont Studio Center, Johnson. Deadline: March 31. $25. Info, 635-2727.
OPENINGS + RECEPTIONS
STEPHANIE AND JORDAN: An exhibition by two artists who participate in Howard Center’s weekly Arts Collective’s open studio. Flynndog Gallery, Burlington, through February 28. Info, skennelly@ howardcenter.org.
BRIAN DROURR AND ELIZABETH NELSON: “Above & Below,” an exploration of the winter landscape and
night skies in painting and photography. Reception: Thursday, February 20, 5:30-7 p.m. South Burlington Public Art Gallery, through May 9. Info, 846-4107.
EMERETTE O’KEEFE: “Smile Girl,” a solo show presented by the artist as part of a senior capstone project in the Art and Design program. Reception: Friday, February 21, 5 p.m. McCarthy Art Gallery, Saint Michael’s College, Colchester, through February 21. Info, bcollier@smcvt.edu.
REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL EXHIBITION: The 17th annual exhibition of artwork created by students nominated by their art teachers; awards chosen by Rita Fucillo, publisher of Art New England Reception: Friday, February 21, 5-7 p.m.; awards presentation at 6 p.m. AVA Gallery and Art Center, Lebanon N.H., February 21-March 21. Info, 603-448-3117.
ANNUAL INVITATIONAL GROUP SHOW: A celebration of Marshfield’s local art scene with works by Sarah
Albert, Jenni Bee, Barbara Bendix, Ed Epstein, Diane Fitch, Maggie Neale, Viiu Niiler, Margaret Pulaski,
Clockwise from top left: "Peek-a-Boo" by Julie Parker; “Three Sailboats Off the Sahara” by Sandra Shenk; “Orange!” by Julie Parker
Helen Rabin, Frederick Rudi, Merry Kelb Schmidt, David Smith and Janet Van Fleet. Reception: Friday, February 21, 6-8 p.m. Jaquith Public Library, Marshfield, through April 20. Info, 426-3581.
ARTFUL ICE SHANTIES 2025: A selection of creatively interpreted artistic shanties inspired by the rich history of ice fishing in New England. Presented by Brattleboro Museum & Art Center in partnership with Retreat Farm. Visitors welcome from dawn to dusk. Thirsty Goat Bar will be open both weekends 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Lighthearted awards will be presented to participants. Awards Ceremony: Saturday, February 22, 2 p.m. Retreat Farm, Brattleboro, through February 23. Info, 257-0124.
‘COSMOLOGIES’: An exhibition centered on subjectivity, magical thinking and mythology, with works by Mimi Allin, Rick Harlow, Michael Abrams, c marquez and Keri Straka, curated by Humberto Ramirez. Reception: Saturday, February 22, 2-5 p.m. The Fine Arts Gallery, Landmark College, Putney, February 22-April 18. Info, 275-7845.
PEGGY AND SHAPLEIGH SMITH: “Sharing Spaces,” an exhibition of contrasting approaches to photography by the married artists. Reception: Saturday, February 22, 5-7 p.m. Axel’s Frame Shop & Gallery, Waterbury, through March 29. Info, 244-7801.
‘FUELED BY LOVE: WORK THAT KEEPS YOU GOING’: An exhibition of paintings by Ellen Cone Maddrey, Gayle Robertson, John Loggia, Liza King, Mary Therese Wright and Tina Olsen. Each was selected by the artist as a touchstone piece that prompts their ongoing exploration. Reception and artist talk: Sunday, February 23, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. 118 Elliot, Brattleboro, February 23-28. Info, 118elliot@gmail. com.
EILEEN CHRISTELOW: A show of illustrations by the author-illustrator of more than 30 children’s books, including the Five Little Monkeys series and The Great Pig Escape, a tale set in Putney. Reception: Sunday, February 23, 3-5 p.m. Next Stage Arts, Putney, February 23-May 11. Info, 451-0053.
SHAN ALLEY: “Landlord Special,” a solo show presented by the artist as part of a senior capstone project in the Art and Design program. Reception: Thursday, February 27, 6 p.m. McCarthy Art Gallery, Saint Michael’s College, Colchester, February 24-28. Info, bcollier@smcvt.edu.
REBECCA PADULA: “At The Edge of Town,” an exhibition of abstract landscapes in oil and cold wax. Reception: Saturday, March 1, 1-3 p.m. CarpenterCarse Library, Hinesburg, February 20-April 16. Info, 482-2878, rpadulamusic@gmail.com.
NINA BUXENBAUM: “Future Casting,” an exhibition that asks viewers to reflect upon their personal choices to imagine the consequences and possibilities of their actions. Reception: Friday, March 7, 7-8 p.m. Vermont Studio Center, Johnson, through March 28. Info, 635-2727.
DIANNE SHULLENBERGER: “Above & Below,” fabric collage and watercolor by the Jericho artist. Reception and artist talk: Saturday, March 8, 2-4 p.m. Highland Center for the Arts, Greensboro, through April 6. Info, 533-2000.
ART EVENTS
ARTIST TALK: JESSE THOMPSON: A discussion of the artist’s large-scale drawings, currently on display, via Zoom. Phillip Robertson leads a follow-up discussion in the gallery after the Zoom meeting. Join in person or online. Julian Scott Memorial Gallery, Vermont State UniversityJohnson, Wednesday, February 19, noon. Free. Info, 635-1469.
DRINK AND DRAW: A drop-in event organized by the T.W. Wood Gallery; no experience necessary, drawing materials provided. Purchase drinks from the bar. Bent Nails Bistro, Montpelier, Wednesday, February 19, 5-7 p.m. Free; $10 suggested donation. Info, 262-6035.
VERONICA Y. PHAM: A presentation of recent works by the multidisciplinary artist and educator with a focus on her research within Vietnamese traditional paper as it relates to ritual, identity and history.
Billings Library, University of Vermont, Burlington, Thursday, February 20, 12:30-1:30 p.m. Free. Info, 656-5665.
ARTIST TALK AND DINNER: ETHAN QUILLEN: A discussion with the artist of his ceramics practice, followed by dinner. Guests are asked to arrive between 5 and 5:30 p.m. Presented by Edgewater Gallery; call the Pitcher Inn to reserve. The Pitcher Inn, Warren, Thursday, February 20, 5 p.m. Talk is free; dinner at menu rate. Info, 496-6350.
LIFE DRAWING AND PAINTING: A drop-in event for artists working with the figure from a live model. T.W. Wood Gallery, Montpelier, Thursday, February 20, 7-9 p.m. $10 suggested donation. Info, 262-6035.
‘FREE SELF-EXPRESSION’: An open forum where the public is invited to celebrate community by sharing performance, music, reading, speaking, dancing, and take-home art and writing. Canal Street Art Gallery, Bellows Falls, Friday, February 21, 5-8 p.m. Info, 289-0104.
LIVE PAINTING: DAVID POUND: A live demonstration by the artist, who paints landscapes and wildlife. Bryan Fine Art Gallery, Stowe, Saturday, February 22, 1-3 p.m. Free. Info, 760-6474.
ARTIST TALK: LISA DIMONDSTEIN, JULIE PARKER AND SANDRA SHENK: The artists discuss “Abstract2,” their exhibition of color photographs. Mad River Valley Arts, Waitsfield, Saturday, February 22, 3-5 p.m. Free. Info, 496-6682.
SOCIAL SUNDAY: An opportunity for children and caregivers to stop in and complete a 15- to 30-minute activity during the two-hour workshop. Milton Artists’ Guild Art Center & Gallery, Sunday, February 23, 1-3 p.m. Free. Info, 891-2014.
PORTRAIT DRAWING AND PAINTING: A drop-in event where artists can practice skills in any medium. T.W. Wood Gallery, Montpelier, Monday, February 24, 10 a.m.-noon. Free; $10 suggested donation. Info, 262-6035.
WINTER WATERCOLORS WITH PAULINE NOLTE: Weekly workshops for painters of all abilities; no experience necessary. Register via email. Waterbury Public Library, Tuesday, February 25, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free. Info, judi@waterburypubliclibrary.com. ➆
girlingtongarage.com
music+nightlife
S UNDbites
News and views on the local music + nightlife scene
BY CHRIS FARNSWORTH
No More Mr. Nice Guy: Rough Francis Return With Their Most Punk Album to Date
As the first Trump administration prepared to take o ce in the final days of 2016, former BLACK FLAG vocalist HENRY ROLLINS didn’t have much sympathy for defeatist talk.
“This is not a time to be dismayed,” Rollins wrote on social media. “This is punk rock time. This is what JOE STRUMMER trained you for.”
While many politicians tried to downplay the authoritarian overtones of President Donald Trump’s rhetoric — or made use of outrage to fundraise — Rollins’ invocation of Strummer and the CLASH was the first piece of advice that felt genuinely inspiring to me.
With Trump back in the Oval O ce, I’ve been waiting to see the artistic response, particularly within the punk scene. And while GREEN DAY’s BILLIE JOE ARMSTRONG has been talking shit to Elon Musk at every turn, I was hoping for something more substantial than social
media insults lobbed at broligarchs who own most of those platforms anyway.
Silly me, I almost forgot that we happen to have a world-class punk band right here in Vermont: ROUGH FRANCIS.
The four-piece consists of brothers BOBBY JR., JULIAN and URIAN HACKNEY — the scions of influential Detroit proto-punk rockers DEATH — and bassist TYLER BOLLES, who joined in 2021. Though Rough Francis formed in 2008 to pay tribute to the band started by their father, BOBBY HACKNEY SR., the group soon evolved into a powerful punk-rock act of its own, releasing the four-song EP Introducing Rough Francis in 2010.
Fifteen years later, the band is dropping another four-song EP. Fall EP comes out this Friday, February 21, followed by a release show that evening at the Higher Ground Showcase Lounge in South Burlington.
I’ve been listening to the EP for a
few weeks now and can say it is easily the band’s most focused — and furious — recording. The hardcore-inspired album roars out of the gate with “Great to Be Alive” and doesn’t let up until final track “Moving Backwards.” The latter song features Bobby Jr. bellowing lyrics such as: “I refresh my feed, it’s 1953, no progress,” “Now the uterus is public property and men hold the key,” and “Too many Black kids getting shot by filthy cops.”
Rough Francis are pissed o , and Fall EP is both a howl of frustration and a call to action. According to Bobby, though, that fire isn’t just about the return of Trump.
“Sure, the current administration certainly has a lot to do with this,” said the band’s front man and lyricist, the eldest of the three brothers, as we sat down over co ee on a February day in Burlington.
“But to be honest, as a Black man in America, this is always how I’ve felt about things,” he said. “When you’re a marginalized person in the U.S., that’s sort of the norm. This country isn’t built for people like us, so there will always be that sort of outcry in the lyrics I write.”
Bobby learned a lot of those lessons growing up in Underhill. As one of the few Black kids, he grew accustomed to being something of an outcast at school.
The song “Not a Nice Guy” on Rough Francis’ 2013 album, Maximum Soul Power, was his answer to those high school days.
“I had the idea for that song for a long, long time,” he told me. “There was so much closet racism towards me in school because I didn’t look like anybody else. It was hard to know who my real friends were, and it turns out it was the punks who would go to 242 with me — I could trust the punks and the skaters.”
Now defunct, 242 Main was the all-ages basement venue of Burlington’s Memorial Auditorium, established as
Rough Francis
Carrying the Torch
ree questions for new Winter Is a Drag Ball organizer Mike Oxready
BY SAMANTHA RANDLETT
This Saturday, February 22, drag performers, entertainers and partygoers from across Vermont will dress up to get down for the 30th annual Winter Is a Drag Ball. This pearlescent anniversary, held at Higher Ground in South Burlington, finds the iconic tradition at a juncture. The beloved House of LeMay drag troupe has produced and hosted the event since 2003, but this year the torch has been passed to Mike Oxready, a local drag king and longtime Showcase Lounge stage host for the ball.
Oxready, 42, who uses a stage name, first performed in 2009 at an event called Dragnomenon and ended up winning the competition. He went on to form his own drag king troupe, New Cocks on the Block, which performed at the drag ball from 2010 to 2012. From the dissolution of the group, Oxready’s solo persona was born. When it came time to pass the mic, drag ball producer Bob Bolyard, aka Amber LeMay, saw Oxready as the obvious choice for continuing its legacy. Oxready has a knack for hosting and had been booking talent for the drag ball for almost a decade.
This year’s drag ball theme is “ResistDANCE + RevoluSHINE,” a nod to the current political climate and queer joy as an act of resistance. In keeping with tradition, the event is a fundraiser for Vermont CARES, a nonprofit focused on HIV/AIDS resources, education and prevention.
to look just one way. There are lots of di erent hosting styles. I do a lot of dad jokes, but I also remind the audience that consent is mandatory. I just want to create that accepting environment.
Winter Is a Drag Ball is open to anyone, regardless of identity. For me, it feels like a holiday. It is a bolus of queer joy during the dark days in the cold, long winter of
Seven Days about creating safe spaces, honoring the LeMays and the continuing evolution of Winter Is a Drag Ball.
What about this event is so special to you personally?
How do you plan to add your own twist while still honoring those who have made this event such a tradition?
The House of LeMay is an institution. Everyone knows them. This year there will be a lot of familiar elements. I didn’t want to change too much too fast. I am looking forward to hearing from the community, performers who have been involved for many years and newcomers to see what they might want in upcoming years. I don’t want it to be my unilateral plan or vision. I want to hear what works and what doesn’t. I want the event to evolve in a way that works best for the community.
I saw drag kings perform for the fi rst time at Winter Is a Drag Ball and said to myself, I want to do that, too. to see how much drag has grown in Vermont. The community is super inspiring. When I think of drag ball, the resounding feeling that comes up is queer joy and being surrounded by community and a safe space.
I’m hoping this vision of a joyful, queer community event will bolster folks and demonstrate that drag is for everyone. It doesn’t have
Who are some notable performers to look out for in this
We have a wide range of performers in both age and experience. We have some folks who are coming off of the newcomers’ showcase from last year, and we also have seasoned performers. Prisma Pallet is a notable emerging performer, and there are plenty of others representing Rutland, Brandon, Brattleboro and even Hudson Valley, N.Y. DJ Llu hasn’t spun in person since 2021, but they will be doing a maskencouraged, before-bedtime dance
We also have favorite performers who have been doing this event for many years, including Rev. Yolanda, the House of LeMay, local favorite performers like Miss Chekova and Rhedd Rhumm, Green Mountain Cabaret, House of Cocktail, and
It doesn’t matter if you’ve been to all of them or if you’ve never been before — we This interview was edited and condensed
Soundbites « P.50
a gathering place in the 1980s when BERNIE SANDERS was mayor. At the club, 14-year-old Bobby formed the rock band GOULASH, the first of his many, many groups. (Seriously, if you have at least half an hour to kill, ask Bobby to list every band he’s been in. Bring a water bottle.)
At 242, he finally felt free from what he had experienced in high school — people acting like allies when in reality they were anything but.
“The situation in America right now reminds me of that,” he continued. “Apply it to corporations and rich people — they show their true colors in how they spend their money and who they don’t want to include in their plan.”
Those feelings hit close to home for Rough Francis in 2021, when they believed their bassist, DAN DAVINE — the only white member of the band at the time — had attended the January 6 invasion of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. (Davine has denied taking part in or even observing the riot, though he did attend the rally that preceded it.) The band immediately fired Davine.
The bassist’s departure gave Rough Francis a chance to reboot.
They brought in Bolles on bass, a
skilled and versatile player with a list of Vermont bands on his résumé almost as long as Bobby’s. Bolles quickly formed a potent and dynamic rhythm section with Urian, a world-class drummer who tours with IGGY POP, as well as Detroit posthardcore act the ARMED.
With a new lineup in place, the band decided to try something di erent with its sound, something more direct and heavier. Though he’s still happy with Rough Francis’ earlier catalog, Bobby acknowledged that, stylistically, it was all over the place.
“We had a miniature identity crisis for a while,” he said. “Are we trying to sound like Death or the MC5? Are we trying to sound like a Detroit rock band,
WE HAD A MINIATURE IDENTITY CRISIS FOR A WHILE. ARE WE TRYING TO SOUND LIKE DEATH OR THE MC5?
BOBBY HACKNEY JR.
even though we’re punk rockers from Vermont?”
The band eventually came to the conclusion that it was time to display its own influences — namely the D.C. 1980s hardcore punk scene and bands such as MINOR THREAT, BAD BRAINS and STATE OF ALERT that they had grown up listening to. Highly political and full of fury, D.C. hardcore music was marked by its straightforward, no-frills sound and “Fuck the man” ethos. That kind of strippedback, less-is-more approach intrigued Bobby and his bandmates, who made a concerted e ort to craft a proper hardcore record in Fall EP, which they tracked at Urian’s Burlington studio, the Box.
“It’s our love letter to punk and hardcore,” Bobby said. “We reference other stu , too; there’s some JOY DIVISION in there. But mainly, we just really wanted that dark, tight, no-bullshit sound.”
Phish Nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
BY CHRIS FARNSWORTH • farnsworth@sevendaysvt.com
On February 12, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame announced its 2025 nominees, a list that includes Vermont jam titans Phish. Joining them as first-time nominees are Chubby Checker, Outkast, Billy Idol, Bad Company, Joe Cocker, Maná and the Black Crowes.
Phish formed in Burlington in 1983, with an initial lineup of drummer Jon Fishman, bassist Mike Gordon, and guitarists Trey Anastasio and Jeff Holdsworth. Page McConnell joined on keys in 1985, followed by Holdsworth’s departure the next year. e band’s lineup has remained the same since.
Phish have released 16 studio records, beginning with Junta in 1989 and most recently Evolve last year. e band has sold millions of albums and
concert DVDs but is best known for its elaborate live shows and festivals. Phish’s massive fan base is often compared to the Grateful Dead’s traveling devotees. In order to be eligible for nomination to the Hall of Fame, artists must have released
their first recording at least 25 years ago. Along with the seven other first-timers on the ballot this year are repeat nominees Mariah Carey, Oasis, the White Stripes, Cyndi Lauper, Joy Division/New Order and Soundgarden. “ ese remarkable nominees
Fall EP has that in spades. Though the original lineup included two guitarists, these days Julian is the sole six-stringer. He makes ace use of all the newfound space, layering the record with savage ri s; his distorted power chords drive songs such as “Summer Sun.” Urian and Bolles are locked in and as tight as a turning set of gears, and Bobby’s bellow sounds bigger than ever as he sings the most ferocious lyrics of his decades-long career.
To properly celebrate the release of the new EP, the band booked a show at Higher Ground that Bobby feels is a “statement,” featuring fellow Vermont punk bands BLOSSOM, VIOLET CRIMES and DJ COLLIN HAGOOD
“We’ve got a mostly Black punk band, a trans/queer hardcore band in Blossom, and Violet Crimes has these really, really politically charged lyrics,” Bobby said. “It’s going to be a good space for people to be with other people and feel seen and heard. We want people to know that Rough Francis is with them.”
Word to the wise: The band isn’t looking at touring in support of the EP until sometime in the fall, so if you want to see it live, this is the show. Judging by the first month and a half of 2025, we’re all going to need a lot more punk music in our lives. This is what Joe Strummer trained us for. ➆
have each created their own musical style and attitude impacting generations of music lovers and contributing to the ever-evolving sounds and continued growth of rock & roll,” Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation chair John Sykes wrote in a statement. Atlantic Records cofounder Ahmet Ertegun established the Hall of Fame in 1983. A 500-member body of music historians and journalists decides on its nominees. e official list of inductees will be announced in April, followed by the induction ceremony in Los Angeles in the fall. ➆
INFO
Fans can vote for their favorite nominee at vote.rockhall.com.
Charlie Nobles
MUSIC NEWS
Phish
CLUB DATES
live music
WED.19
Badfish: A Tribute to Sublime (tribute) at Pickle Barrel Nightclub, Killington, 7 p.m. $25/$30.
BBQ and Bluegrass (bluegrass) at Four Quarters Brewing, Winooski, 6:30 p.m. Free.
Dark Star Project (Grateful Dead tribute) at Zenbarn, Waterbury Center, 8 p.m. $7.
Jazz Night with Ray Vega (jazz) at Hotel Vermont, Burlington, 8:30 p.m. Free.
Jazz Sessions (jazz) at the 126, Burlington, 9 p.m. Free.
Jeff & Gina (acoustic) at Two Heroes Brewery Public House, South Hero, 6:30 p.m. Free.
Wednesday Night Dead (Grateful Dead tribute) at Zenbarn, Waterbury Center, 7 p.m. $10.
THU.20
Bob Gagnon (acoustic) at Two Heroes Brewery Public House, South Hero, 6:30 p.m. Free.
CombustOmatics (rock) at Black Flannel Brewing & Distilling, Essex, 6 p.m. Free.
DC and the Disconnects (rock) at Charlie-O’s World Famous, Montpelier, 8 p.m. Free.
Jazz with Alex Stewart and Friends (jazz) at the 126, Burlington, 8:30 p.m. Free.
Let’s Sing Taylor (Taylor Swift tribute) at Pickle Barrel Nightclub, Killington, 6:30 p.m. $30/$35. Night Zero (jam) at Stowe Cider, 7 p.m. $15.
The Soda Plant Bluegrass Jam (bluegrass) at Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.
Vermont Jazz Trio (jazz) at Hugo’s, Montpelier, 7:30 p.m. Free.
FRI.21
Bent Nails House Band (folk, rock) at Bent Nails Bistro, Montpelier, 9 p.m. Free.
Better Angels (rock) at the Old Post, South Burlington, 8 p.m. Free.
Bird Boombox, Fly-By Ride (alternative, folk) at the Underground, Randolph, 7:30 p.m. $10. Blue Rock Boys (folk) at Jericho Café & Tavern, 7:30 p.m. Free.
Breakin’ Strings (bluegrass) at Zenbarn, Waterbury Center, 8 p.m. $20/$25.
The Bressetts (acoustic) at Gusto’s, Barre, 6 p.m. Free.
Chris & Erica (covers) at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction, 5 p.m. Free.
Dead Gowns, Lily Seabird (indie) at Foam Brewers, Burlington, 8 p.m. $10/$12.
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.
The Boys Are Back in Town
Self-described “speed rockers”
PONS are darlings of the New York City indie scene with their thunderously loud, highoctane shows. Though lifelong friends Sam Cameron and Jack Parker formed the group in North Carolina, Pons came into their own in Burlington, releasing Intellect in 2020 while the members attended the University of Vermont. They headed for the Big Apple two years later and were subsequently dubbed the city’s “Hardest-Working Band” by NYC blog Oh My Rockness. Having perfected their blend of noise-rock and onstage bedlam, Pons return to Radio Bean in Burlington on Saturday, February 22, along with local punk rockers the BUBS and NEATO
DiCE MaN, Second Nature, Rasp Cinco, Lufilthy (EDM) at the Lounge at Nectar’s, Burlington, 8 p.m. $10/$20. Earthshine, Comatose Kids (rock) at ArtsRiot, Burlington, 7 p.m. $10. Fossil Record, Otter Creek Bluegrass (rock, bluegrass) at Charlie-O’s World Famous, Montpelier, 9 p.m. Free. Frankie & the Fuse, Danny & the Parts (indie pop, Americana) at Monkey House, Winooski, 8:30 p.m. $5.
Gallison Hill Band (folk rock) at Hugo’s, Montpelier, 7:30 p.m. Free.
Josh Panda (singer-songwriter) at Hotel Vermont, Burlington, 4 p.m. Free.
Love, Kelly Winterfest (hip-hop) at Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington, 8:30 p.m. $25/$30.
moon ppl (jazz fusion) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 9:30 p.m. $10/$15.
Mountain Grass Unit (bluegrass) at Nectar’s, Burlington, 8 p.m. $15/$20.
Never in Vegas (covers) at Pickle Barrel Nightclub, Killington, 8 p.m. $10.
OrangePeelMystic, Kate Kush, NEWMANTRA (psych pop, DJ) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 9:30 p.m. $12/$15.
Paul Webb (piano) at Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.
Rap Night Burlington (hip-hop) at Drink, Burlington, 9 p.m. $5.
Rough Francis, Blossom, Violet Crimes, DJ Hargood (punk) at Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington, 7 p.m. $20/$25.
She Was Right (acoustic) at Two Heroes Brewery Public House, South Hero, 7 p.m. Free.
Sticks & Stones (covers) at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction, 9 p.m. Free.
Two for Flinching (acoustic) at 1st Republic Brewing, Essex, 6 p.m. Free.
SAT.22
Aftermath (covers) at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction, 9 p.m. Free.
Avi Salloway and Friends (indie) at Hugo’s, Montpelier, 7:30 p.m. Free.
Boom Box (rock) at Gusto’s, Barre, 9 p.m. Free.
Bruce Sklar Jazz Band with David Grippo (jazz) at Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge, Burlington, 8 p.m. $15.
Bruiser & Bicycle, Silver Tree, Barbacoa (indie rock, surf rock) at Foam Brewers, Burlington, 8 p.m. Free.
The Buck Hollers (rock, folk) at 1st Republic Brewing, Essex, 6 p.m. Free.
Dead to the Core (Grateful Dead tribute) at Nectar’s, Burlington, 8 p.m. $10.
Ernie & the Band (covers) at Alfie’s Wild Ride, Stowe, 4 p.m. $5.
JJ Booth (acoustic) at Whammy Bar, Calais, 7:30 p.m. Free.
John Daly Band (folk rock) at Jericho Café & Tavern, 7:30 p.m. Free.
Josh Panda (singer-songwriter) at Bleu Northeast Kitchen, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. Free.
Leah Rocketship (singersongwriter) at the Den at Harry’s Hardware, Cabot, 7 p.m. Free.
Live Music Saturdays (live music series) at Dumb Luck Pub & Grill, Hinesburg, 7 p.m. Free.
Nobby Reed Project (blues, rock) at 14th Star Brewing, St. Albans, 6 p.m. Free.
Paul Webb (piano) at Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.
Pons, the Bubs, Neato (indie rock, punk) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 8:30 p.m. $15.
Ponyhustle, Mia Valentini (country) at ArtsRiot, Burlington, 7 p.m. $10.
Ryan Sweezey (singer-songwriter) at Shelburne Vineyard, 6 p.m. Free.
Sons of Arrakis, Sundrifter, Dust Prophet, Evil Bong (metal) at Despacito, Burlington, 8 p.m. $10.
SUN.23
Bobbo Byrnes (indie folk) at Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge, Burlington, 4:30 p.m. $10.
Charlotte Morris, Elliott Lee Friesen (singer-songwriter) at Stage 33 Live, Bellows Falls, 6 p.m. $15.
Bluegrass Jam (bluegrass) at Poultney Pub, 7 p.m. Free. Cooie’s Trio (jazz, pop) at Lawson’s Finest Liquids, Waitsfield, 5 p.m. Free.
Grateful Tuesdays (Grateful Dead tribute) at Nectar’s, Burlington, 8 p.m. $10.
Honky Tonk Tuesday with Wild Leek River (country) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 9 p.m. $10. SWAMPYTONK, Grace Palmer (country) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 7 p.m. $5/$10.
WED.26
Anna May (singer-songwriter) at Two Heroes Brewery Public House, South Hero, 6:30 p.m. Free.
BBQ and Bluegrass (bluegrass) at Four Quarters Brewing, Winooski, 6:30 p.m. Free.
Jazz Night with Ray Vega (jazz) at Hotel Vermont, Burlington, 8:30 p.m. Free.
Jazz Sessions (jazz) at the 126, Burlington, 9 p.m. Free.
Maclan Roberts, Ashna Hille, Jersey Dave, Kaia Ellis, Spencer Bellet (singer-songwriter) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 8:30 p.m. $10/$15.
Wednesday Night Dead (Grateful Dead tribute) at Zenbarn, Waterbury Center, 7 p.m. $10.
djs
THU.20
18 Sounds (DJ) at Red Square Blue Room, Burlington, 10 p.m. Free.
Dierkes (DJ) at Red Square Blue Room, Burlington, midnight. Free.
DJ Chaston (DJ) at Red Square Blue Room, Burlington, 10 p.m. Free.
DJ JP Black (DJ) at Red Square, Burlington, 8 p.m. Free.
DJ Two Sev (DJ) at Red Square, Burlington, 11 p.m. Free.
Vinyl Night with Ken (DJ) at Poultney Pub, 6 p.m. Free.
FRI.21
DJ Taka (DJ) at Light Club Lamp Shop, Burlington, 11 p.m. $10/$15. John’s Jukebox (DJ) at Gusto’s, Barre, 9 p.m. Free.
Taylor Swift Hits Night (DJ) at the Depot, St. Albans, 9 p.m. $5.
SAT.22
Crypt Goth Night (DJ) at Bent Nails Bistro, Montpelier, 8 p.m. Free.
Dance Party with DJ Party Bear (DJ) at Charlie-O’s World Famous, Montpelier, 9:30 p.m. Free.
David Chief (DJ) at Einstein’s Tap House, Burlington, 10 p.m. Free.
DJ Raul (DJ) at Red Square Blue Room, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free. Habibi Funk, DJ Chia, Prince Nablus (DJ) at Light Club Lamp Shop, Burlington, 10 p.m. $10/$15. Matt Payne (DJ) at Red Square Blue Room, Burlington, 10 p.m. Free.
Molly Mood (DJ) at Red Square Blue Room, Burlington, 8 p.m. Free.
Mr Cheng (DJ) at Red Square, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.
SUN.23
Mi Yard Reggae Night with DJ Big Dog (reggae, dancehall) at Nectar’s, Burlington, 9 p.m. Free.
SAT.22 // PONS [INDIE ROCK]
REVIEW
Warren Haynes, Million Voices Whisper
(FANTASY RECORDS, CD, DIGITAL, VINYL)
Warren Haynes’ services are sought after. It’s been that way since the late ’80s, when the guitarist joined the Dickey Betts Band and shortly thereafter became an o cial member of the Allman Brothers Band. The leader of Gov’t Mule, an outfit he started in 1994, Haynes might also be involved at any given moment in several all-star projects, which rarely leaves much free time in his schedule. In fact, it had been nearly a decade since his last solo recording. But with the November release of his walloping fourth studio album, Million Voices Whisper, the 64-yearold Asheville, N.C., native asserts his command as a blues and slide
guitarist, showcases a soulful voice, and exhibits fortitude as a songwriter. An emotionally expressive Haynes shapes deep reflection and grit into an 11-track escapade that e uses not only blues but also soul, gospel, funk and country — styles that continue to influence this wildly accomplished musician.
He’s accompanied by some longtime friends and, of course, armed with his arsenal of Gibson guitars — the company has sold various limitededition Warren Haynes signature models. He uses the new album to pay heartfelt tribute to a couple of his beloved mentors who’ve died since he last carved out time for his own material.
Namely, he finishes o a tune begun by Gregg Allman, who died in 2017 just months after original Allman Brothers Band drummer Butch Trucks. Though Haynes doesn’t call out guitarist Dickey Betts specifically, Million Voices Whisper
Ponyhustle, Ponyhustle
(SELF-RELEASED, DIGITAL, VINYL)
For 20 years, the country music jam Honky Tonk Tuesday at Radio Bean has been a bona fide Burlington institution. Founder Brett Hughes oversaw numerous iterations of the weekly session’s house band in his decade-long tenure, leading a rotating cast of emergent and established players through both classic and original tunes. In 2015, Hughes handed the reins to Burlington songwriter Eric George. With his group Ponyhustle, George and company are keeping the Bean’s two-step tradition alive.
often be found busking on Burlington’s most tra cked promenades. A modernday troubadour whose songwriting proclivities tend toward the poetic, George pens dapper folk ditties that bask in the analog romance of a bygone era.
Ponyhustle’s selftitled debut holds true to that a ect while driving the volume dial up to 10 and pushing the tempo to that of an iron horse. OK, maybe it’s not quite locomotive fast, but the album’s pristine performances make plain that, despite their name, Ponyhustle are no pack of colts. This is an all-star band of honky-tonkers that can play to tradition and blaze new trails for modern roots music.
most certainly channels his spirit. Betts, who died last spring, recruited Haynes to join his group and, later, a reunited Allman Brothers Band.
Guitarist Derek Trucks, nephew of Butch Trucks and Haynes’ bandmate during his second stint with the Allman Brothers, joins him on album opener “These Changes.” It’s a convincing appeal for preservation, and after beginning as a slow-rolling ballad, it climbs to a jam with familiar Allman Brothers gusto as these two Grammy winners trade licks.
Haynes finds plenty of opportunity to shine on his own. His instrumental and vocal tones correspond to themes in his writing, like in the never-say-die big-band anthem “Go Down Swinging” and the ungovernable “You Ain’t Above Me.” On “This Life as We Know It,” his sound is bright and crisp as he buzzes with gratitude.
Million Voices Whisper was recorded in Waterford, Conn., at Power Station New England and produced by Haynes himself. It hears him collaborate with Lukas Nelson and Jamey Johnson
picket sign and take up a dance partner. While it doesn’t exceed the swagger that Leonard Cohen brought to his version of the song, George’s strapping vocal delivery is a welcome departure from Pete Seeger’s elegiac falsetto. Better still, Ponyhustle’s modern arrangement artfully plays against expectation. Mirroring the subtle tension that’s baked into the lyrics, the band deftly suspends time in the choruses. Bearing no resemblance to Cisco Houston’s patchy performance, Ponyhustle’s “Passing Through” is a dynamic, swinging tune that stands in a league of its own.
Track for track, the album delivers the boot-stomping spirit of Ponyhustle’s live act directly to your stereo. In keeping with Honky Tonk Tuesday’s anythinggoes atmosphere, George swaps lead duties with bandmate, singer and songwriter John Abair.
for “Day of Reckoning,” a forthright assessment with striking lyrics that contain the album’s title.
Later, Trucks reappears for “Real, Real Love,” a tender, longing Southernrock piece with lyrics partially written by Allman but finished by Haynes. Gloriously bought to life by Allman’s two former bandmates, now masters of their craft, it’s one of the record’s stunning achievements.
Just this month, Haynes was announced as a returning member of the Brothers, an Allman Brothers Band supergroup/reunion project with April dates at Madison Square Garden. But with Million Voices Whisper, Haynes has already honored his former Allman Brothers mates. He’s also cemented his stature as an articulate and gifted rock visionary.
Haynes performs on Thursday, February 20, at the Flynn in Burlington. Million Voices Whisper is available on all streaming platforms and can be purchased on vinyl and CD at warrenhaynes.net.
A seasoned sound engineer and prolific writer, George made his bones well before inheriting the residency. He’s released a whopping 14 albums in the past decade, and when George isn’t tinkering behind the boards, he can
Ponyhustle’s adoration for their folky forebears is evident in their arrangement of Dick Blakeslee’s “Passing Through,” an infamous, widely reprised ballad with political undertones. Ponyhustle’s rendition convinces crowds to chuck the
Typical to the country-western canon, both songsmiths have a knack for writing narrative lyrics about working-class life, but their sensibilities as performers diverge in more ways than one. Penning three of the album’s six originals, Abair
is more brooding than George, with a cadence reminiscent of John Prine, especially on the lovelorn “Dale and Marie.” Vocally, Abair’s bassy, nasaltinged twang subtly evokes Townes Van Zandt’s understated sound, but when the band gets cooking, his voice gets buried in the mix. On “Five Miles From Home,” George captures the down-and-out essence of highway songs past, upending the bankrupt feeling with a jaunty, uplifting chorus.
Recorded live and mixed by George, the album has flourishes that deviate from what’s possible onstage. For instance, the lo-fi intro on “Love Makes It Hard” mimics the crackle and pop of an old phonograph record. It’s an apropos opening, a little like having a rose-colored daydream before waking up to love’s tender underbelly rolling through.
Get the album on vinyl at Ponyhustle’s album release party on Saturday, February 22, at ArtsRiot in Burlington. Otherwise, it’s available on major streaming services.
XENIA TURNER
CASEY RYAN VOCK
WED.26
DJ Blaine (DJ) at Bent Nails Bistro, Montpelier, 5 p.m. Free.
open mics & jams
WED.19
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.
THU.20
Open Mic with Artie (open mic) at Whammy Bar, Calais, 7 p.m. Free.
SUN.23
Olde Time Jam Session (open jam) at the Den at Harry’s Hardware, Cabot, noon. Free.
VT Synth Society Meetup (synth open jam, discussion) at Community of Sound, Burlington, 4 p.m. Free.
MON.24
Bluegrass Etc Jam (bluegrass jam) at Ottauquechee Yacht Club, Woodstock, 6:30 p.m. Free.
Open Mic (open mic) at Despacito, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.
TUE.25
Open Mic Night (open mic) at Monkey House, Winooski, 7 p.m. Free.
WED.26
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.20-SAT.22 // LESLIE LIAO [COMEDY]
Company Woman
When they’re starting out, many comedians end up working at their local comedy club. LESLIE LIAO took that approach a step further when she got a job in the human resources department at Netflix, the streaming giant known for its wealth of comedy specials. The burgeoning standup soon appeared on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” and was named one of the Just for Laughs festival’s “New Faces of Comedy” in 2023. Those appearances propelled her into comedy full time — though she didn’t quit her day job until she actually showed up on Netflix, appearing on the show “Verified Stand-Up,” also in 2023. She’ll perform five sets in three days this Thursday to Saturday, February 20 to 22, at Vermont Comedy Club in Burlington.
comedy
WED.19
Standup Open Mic (comedy open mic) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 8:30 p.m. Free.
THU.20
College Improv Throwdown (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 9 p.m. Free. Leslie Liao (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 7 p.m. $25.
Live, Laugh, Lava (comedy) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 6:30 p.m. $10.
Live Standup Comedy (comedy) at Bent Nails Bistro, Montpelier, 7:30 p.m. Free.
Standup Open Mic (comedy open mic) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 8:30 p.m. Free.
trivia, karaoke, etc.
WED.19
Live Band Karaoke (karaoke) at Bent Nails Bistro, Montpelier, 8 p.m. Free.
Speed Dating Singles Mixer (dating) at ArtsRiot, Burlington, 6:30 p.m. $40.
Trivia (trivia) at Alfie’s Wild Ride, Stowe, 7 p.m. Free.
Trivia Night (trivia) at Dumb Luck Pub and Grill Winooski, 7 p.m. Free.
THU.20
V! A Vivacious Night of Variety (comedy, burlesque) at the Opera House at Enosburg Falls, 7-10 p.m. $25.
SAT.22
Comedy and Karaoke Night (comedy, karaoke) at Zenbarn, Waterbury Center, 7 p.m. $10/$15. Comedy at the Core: Jason Lorber (comedy) at Grange Hall Cultural Center, Waterbury Center, 7 p.m. $20.
Music Trivia (music trivia) at Standing Stone Wines, Winooski, 6:30 p.m. Free.
Trivia (trivia) at Four Quarters Brewing, Winooski, 6 p.m. Free.
Trivia Night (trivia) at Nectar’s, Burlington, 6:30 p.m. Free.
Trivia Night for Adults & Teens (trivia) at Essex Free Library, 6 p.m. Free.
FRI.21
Karaoke with DJ Big T (karaoke) at McKee’s Original, Winooski, 9 p.m. Free.
Eye on the Scene
SAT.22
Sugar on Tap (burlesque) at Black Box Theater, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington, 6-8 p.m. $15-$30. Winter Is a Drag Ball (drag) at Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $32/$37.
SUN.23
Karaoke with DJ Coco Entertainment (karaoke) at Old Soul Design Shop, Plattsburgh, N.Y., 5 p.m. Free.
Sunday Funday (games) at 1st Republic Brewing, Essex, noon. Free.
Venetian Karaoke (karaoke) at Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.
MON.24
Trivia Monday (trivia) at Black Flannel Brewing & Distilling, Essex, 6 p.m. Free.
Trivia Monday with Top Hat Entertainment (trivia) at McKee’s Original, Winooski, 7 p.m. Free.
Trivia Night (trivia) at Barr Hill, Montpelier, 5:30 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.25
Karaoke (karaoke) at Alfie’s Wild Ride, Stowe, 7 p.m. Free. Karaoke with DJ Party Bear (karaoke) at Charlie-O’s World Famous, Montpelier, 9:30 p.m. Free.
Taproom Trivia (trivia) at 14th Star Brewing, St. Albans, 6:30 p.m. Free.
Trivia (trivia) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free. Trivia Tuesday (trivia) at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction, 7 p.m. Free.
WED.26
Trivia (trivia) at Alfie’s Wild Ride, Stowe, 7 p.m. Free.
Trivia Night (trivia) at Dumb Luck Pub and Grill Winooski, 7 p.m. Free. ➆
Last week’s live music highlights from photographer Luke Awtry
CELEBRATING SERGEI: AN ANALOG OUTPOURING, NECTAR’S, BURLINGTON, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15: Not even a nor’easter could keep the Burlington music scene from paying its respects to beloved Burlington sound engineer SERGEI USHAKOV, who died last month. If anything, the weekend’s blizzard offered a fitting backdrop to say goodbye to the notoriously frosty Russian. Indeed, the turnout for the star-studded Celebrating Sergei: An Analog Outpouring at Nectar’s on Saturday was heartwarming. Both floors of the nightclub were filled with folks who braved the elements to toast the man who never stopped pushing musicians beyond their limits — while sometimes also challenging the upper decibel limits of audiences’ noise tolerance. RACHEL BISCHOFF, a local drummer, sound engineer and close friend of Ushakov, ran the sound board for PORK TORNADO and the GRIPPO FUNK BAND, and yes, it was loud enough to hear the music from the street — just as Ushakov would have wanted.
Jon Fishman performing with Pork Tornado
calendar
FEBRUARY 19-26, 2025
WED.19
activism
RECOVERY DAY: Neighbors unite for an annual advocacy celebration honoring the power of substance-use recovery. Capitol Plaza Hotel & Conference Center, Montpelier, 9 a.m.-noon. Free; preregister. Info, 490-0532.
agriculture
SEED SAVING FOR BEGINNERS: Green thumbs learn tips and techniques for small-scale gardens, including how to select varieties, understand pollination requirements and promote good seed set. Fletcher Free Library New North End Branch, Burlington, 4-5 p.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.
business
QUEEN CITY BUSINESS NETWORKING
INTERNATIONAL GROUP: Savvy businesspeople make crucial contacts at a weekly chapter meeting. BCA Center, Burlington, 11:15 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, 829-5066.
community
‘JOIN OR DIE’ SCREENING & MIXER: Vermont Public hosts a screening of Pete and Rebecca Davis’ highly acclaimed 2023 documentary about declining
social engagement, followed by a community-building social hour. Catamount Arts Center, St. Johnsbury, 6-8 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, jvasquez@ vermontpublic.org.
crafts
YARN CRAFTERS GROUP: A drop-in meetup welcomes knitters, crocheters, spinners, weavers and other fiber artists. BYO snacks and drinks. Must Love Yarn, Shelburne, 5-7 p.m. Free. Info, 448-3780. etc.
CHAMP MASTERS
TOASTMASTER CLUB: Those looking to strengthen their speaking and leadership skills gain new tools. Virtual option available. Dealer. com, Burlington, 6-7:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, champmasterstm@gmail.com.
TAYLOR SWIFT CLUB: A kids-only club opens its doors to grown-ups looking to join in on the fun, including themed activities and a discussion about what the iconic singer-songwriter means to them. Craftsbury Public Library, Craftsbury Common, 3 p.m. Free. Info, director@ craftsburypubliclibrary.org.
film
See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section.
ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN
FILM SERIES: ‘THE POWER OF UTOPIA’: This captivating 2023 documentary follows famed architect Le Corbusier and his vision for the city of Chandigarh. Virtual option available. Burlington City Hall Auditorium, 6 p.m. Free. Info, adfilmseries@gmail.com.
food & drink
COMMUNITY COOKING: Neighbors join up with the nonprofit’s staff and volunteers to make a yummy meal for distribution. Pathways Vermont, Burlington, 6-8 p.m. Free. Info, 777-8691.
INTO THE WOLF’S MOUTH:
SOLD OUT. James Beard semifinalist Micah Tavelli presents gastronomes with a seven-course tasting menu featuring innovative riffs on classic dishes. Junction, Essex, 5:30 p.m. $80-90. Info, 764-1489.
MONTPELIER RESTAURANT
WEEK: Gastronomes flock to the Capital City for a foodie-driven jubilee of local cafés, eateries and bars. See montpelieralive.com for full schedule. Various Montpelier locations. Price of food and drink. Info, 223-9604.
games
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 Rebecca Driscoll Seven Days edits for space and style. Depending on cost and other factors, classes and workshops may be listed in either the calendar or the classes section. Class organizers may be asked to purchase a class listing.
Learn more about highlighted listings in the Magnificent 7 on page 11.
participants in gentle stretches supported by seats. 10 a.m. Free. Info, 244-7036.
language
SPANISH CONVERSATION: Fluent and beginner speakers brush up on their vocabulario 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: Local legend Dennis Willmott hosts an evening filled with soulful toe-tappers, drink specials and tasty bites. BYO instrument to join in the fun. Middlebury College Snow Bowl, Hancock, 6-8 p.m. Free. Info, 443-7600.
FARMERS NIGHT: SHIDAA
PROJECTS: A collective of artists shares vibrant and exhilarating dances, drumming and other West African folk traditions. House Chamber, Vermont Statehouse, Montpelier, 7:30 p.m. Free. Info, 262-2626.
ME2 CHORUS REHEARSAL:
Conductor Stefanie Weigand leads vocalists ages 16 and up in a stigma-free, supportive environment. Faith United Methodist Church, South Burlington, 7-9 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, phoenix@me2music.org.
seminars
MAKING MAGIC WITH COMPOSITION & LIGHTING: Filmmakers move beyond the basics and learn how to frame shots, light subjects and incorporate camera movements. The Media Factory, Burlington, 6-8 p.m. Free; donations accepted; preregister. Info, 651-9692.
CHESS CLUB: Players of all ages and abilities test their skills with instructor Robert and peers. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, 3:30-5 p.m. Free. Info, 223-3338.
health & fitness
CHAIR YOGA: Waterbury Public Library instructor Diana Whitney leads at-home
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 in the On Screen section. music + nightlife
Find club dates at local venues in the Music + Nightlife section online at sevendaysvt.com/music.
JAMES LOCKRIDGE: A Big Heavy World cofounder shares historic and current examples of how the arts can invite change into communities. Presented by Brooks Memorial Library. 7 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 262-2626.
words
NOONTIME POETRY READING SOCIETY: Verse lovers link up to share their work, reflect and write creatively. Pierson Library, Shelburne, noon-1 p.m. Free. Info, 985-5124.
THU.20 business
FEBRUARY MIXER: Franklin County Regional Chamber of Commerce hosts an evening of networking, refreshments and community engagement. Northwest Technical Center, St. Albans, 5:30 p.m. $10-15; preregister. Info, 524-2444.
GROW YOUR BUSINESS: Shelburne BNI hosts a weekly meeting for local professionals to exchange referrals and build meaningful connections. Connect Church, Shelburne, 8:30-10 a.m. Free. Info, 377-3422.
HIRING2DAYVT VIRTUAL
JOB FAIR: Time for a new gig? The Vermont Department of Labor offers a meet and greet with employers from around the state. 11 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 828-4000.
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
ALEXIS MYCHAJLIW & MAX
ZELTSAR: A Middlebury College biology professor and her assistant present on their camera tracking methodology used for documenting large animals crossing town roads. New Haven Town Hall, 7-8 p.m. Free. Info, 363-4789.
CAROL RIFELJ FACULTY
LECTURE SERIES: MOLLY
ANDERSON: The Middlebury College director of academic program in food studies delves into food system transformation narratives. Franklin Environmental Center at Hillcrest, Middlebury College, 4:30-6 p.m. Free. Info, 443-4008.
DR. ASLI BÂLI: A Yale Law School professor addresses issues relating to free speech and constitutional rights at universities, particularly focusing on the
film
See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section.
‘ANIMAL KINGDOM 3D’: Audience members are guided through an exploration of stunning animal worlds, from frozen snowy forests to the darkest depths of the ocean. Dealer.com 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.
‘ANTARCTICA 3D’: Never-beforeseen footage brings audience members to the farthest reaches of the coldest, driest, windiest continent on Earth. Dealer. com 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.
‘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. Dealer.com 3D Theater: 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.
VERMONT MARKETING MEETUP: Folks flock to a launch party and rebrand event for BootstrapVT, bringing together the creative community for inspiration and collaboration. Karma Bird House, Burlington, 5-8 p.m. Free; preregister; cash bar. Info, 413-207-2375.
crafts
KNIT FOR YOUR NEIGHBOR: All ages and abilities knit or crochet hats and scarves for the South Burlington Food Shelf. Materials 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.
WOODWORKING LAB: Visionaries create a project or learn a new skill with the help of mentors and access to tools and equipment in the makerspace. Hannaford Career Center, Middlebury, 5-8 p.m. $7.50. Info, 382-1012.
etc.
FLY TYING FOR CHARITY: Participants follow a leader’s instruction to create flies for local charities. No experience necessary; supplies provided. Woodstock Nordic Center, 5:30-7 p.m. Free; cash bar. Info, 800-448-7900.
HIRSCHFIELD INTERNATIONAL FILM SERIES: ‘WHO BY FIRE’: Philippe Lesage’s 2024 comingof-age drama follows 17-year-old Jeff as he travels to the isolated wilderness lodge of an acclaimed film director. Dana Auditorium, Sunderland Language Center, Middlebury College, 7-9:30 p.m. Free. Info, cengvall@ middlebury.edu.
‘T. REX: GREATEST OF ALL TYRANTS 3D’: Incredible CGI and revelations in tyrannosaur paleontology help to chronicle a remarkable discovery in the badlands of Hell Creek. Dealer. com 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
INTO THE WOLF’S MOUTH: See WED.19.
MONTPELIER RESTAURANT WEEK: See WED.19.
games
BLOOD ON THE CLOCKTOWER: Katharine Bodan leads players in a thrilling social deduction game of lies and logic, where no one is ever truly ruled out. Waterbury Public Library, 6-8 p.m. Free. Info, 244-7036.
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.19
burlington
‘HARRIET THE SPY’: Very Merry Theatre’s talented performers in grades 4 through 6 present a musical adaptation of the popular children’s book. O.N.E. Community Center, Burlington, 6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 355-1461.
STEAM SPACE: Kiddos in grades K to 5 explore science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics with fun and engaging activities. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.
TODDLER TIME: Librarians bring out books, rhymes and songs specially selected for young ones 12 to 24 months. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 11-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.
chittenden county
BABY TIME: Infants and their caregivers enjoy a slow, soothing story featuring songs, rhymes and lap play. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 10:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.
GAME ON!: Kids take turns collaborating with or competing against friends using Nintendo Switch on the big screen. Caregivers must be present to supervise children below fifth grade. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 5-6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.
KIDS PUZZLE SWAP: Participants leave completed kids’ puzzles (24 to 125 pieces only) in a ziplock bag with an image of the finished product, then find something new to take home. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 2:30-5 p.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.
PLAYGROUP & STORY TIME: Caregivers and kids through age 5 listen to stories, sing songs and share toys with new friends. Richmond Free Library, 10 a.m.noon. Free. Info, 434-3036.
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
MAGIC OF MAPLE: Who could say no to sugar on snow? Families embark on an arctic adventure celebrating this delightful gift from trees. Billings Farm & Museum, Woodstock, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $12-19; free for members and kids 2 and under. Info, 457-2355.
brattleboro/okemo valley
HILLS ARE ALIVE: Families flock to an immersive experience celebrating the Von Trapp family legacy with an authentic Austrian buffet, marshmallow
FEB. 21-23 | FAMILY FUN
Chill Out
What is February in Vermont for, if not getting outside and roistering in all that glorious, fluffy white stuff? OK, maybe you’re over it — but the Milton Winter Festival can reignite your flame for outdoor fun. After all, Punxsutawney Phil predicted six more weeks of winter, so we might as well enjoy it! This year’s schedule includes a fireworks extravaganza at Sharp Park, a cherished night of “kid’s choice” dancing at the Snow Ball, breakfast with local celebrities at the Eagles Club, the “anything but a sled” race and, for a true test of one’s skills — a disc golf battle royale.
MILTON WINTER FESTIVAL
Friday, February 21, through Sunday, February 23, at various Milton locations. Various prices. Info, 893-6655, miltonvt.gov.
roasting, raffle prizes and live music. Ages 6 and up. Sun Bowl Base Lodge, Stratton, 5-9 p.m. $79. Info, 800-787-2886.
THU.20
burlington
BABY & ME CLASS: Parents and their infants ages birth to 1 explore massage, lullabies and gentle movements while discussing the struggles and joys of parenthood. Greater Burlington YMCA, 9:45-10:45 a.m. $10; free for members. Info, 862-9622.
BABY TIME: 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.
GROW PRESCHOOL YOGA: Colleen from Grow Prenatal and Family Yoga leads kids ages 2 to 5 in songs, movement and other fun activities. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 11-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.
chittenden county
KIDS BOOK CLUB: Young readers in grades K through 2 join Ms. Natacha to read, share and explore the title of the month. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 4-5 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, nliuzzi@southburlingtonvt.gov.
PRESCHOOL MUSIC WITH LINDA
BASSICK: The singer and storyteller extraordinaire guides wee ones ages birth to 5 in indoor music and movement. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 10:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.
PRESCHOOL PLAY TIME: 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 ages birth to 5 learn from songs, crafts and picture books. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 10-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.
barre/montpelier
POKÉMON CLUB: I choose you, Pikachu! Elementary and teenage fans of the franchise — and beginners, too — trade cards and play games. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, 3:30-5 p.m. Free. Info, 223-3338.
ROBIN’S NEST NATURE PLAYGROUP: Youngsters ages birth to 5 and their caregivers learn through exploration, song, themed crafts and storytelling. This program is outdoors. North Branch Nature Center, Montpelier, 10 a.m.noon. Free; donations accepted. Info, 229-6206.
STORY TIME: Kids and their caregivers meet for stories, songs and bubbles.
musical adaptation of Shakespeare’s tale of star-crossed lovers. O.N.E. Community Center, Burlington, 6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 355-1461.
VISIT WITH VASYA: Kiddos of all ages flock to the beloved therapy dog for a bit of unconditional love. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 10:15-11:15 a.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.
chittenden county
LEGO BUILDERS: Mini makers explore and create new worlds with stackable blocks. Recommended for ages 6 and up. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 3-4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 846-4140. MILTON WINTER FESTIVAL: A weekend of frosty fun includes restaurant specials, a disc golf tournament, ax throwing and snow tubing. See miltonvt.gov for full schedule. See calendar spotlight. Various Milton locations. Various prices. Info, 893-6655.
STORY TIME & PLAYGROUP: Participants ages 5 and under enjoy themed science, art and nature activities. Jaquith Public Library, Marshfield, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 426-3581.
upper valley
MAGIC OF MAPLE: See WED.19. STORY TIME: Preschoolers take part in tales, tunes and playtime. Latham Library, Thetford, 11 a.m. Free. Info, 785-4361.
SAT.22
burlington
‘ROMEO & JULIET: THE 60S MUSICAL’: See FRI.21, 2 & 6:30 p.m.
WEE ONES PLAYTIME: 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
BUSY BEES PLAYGROUP: Blocks, toys, books and songs engage little ones 24 months and younger. Waterbury Public Library, 10-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 244-7036.
upper valley
MAGIC OF MAPLE: See WED.19.
northeast kingdom
ACORN CLUB STORY TIME: Youngsters 5 and under play, sing, hear stories and color. St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, 10:1510:45 a.m. Free. Info, 745-1391.
FRI.21
burlington
‘ROMEO & JULIET: THE 60S MUSICAL’: Very Merry Theatre’s talented kids in grades 7 through 9 take the stage for a
CIRCUIT CIRCUS FESTIVAL: Step right up! Guests of all ages revel in hair-raising science shows, crowd-dazzling spectacles and hands-on activities about the wonders of electricity. ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $16.50-20; free for members and kids 2 and under. Info, 864-1848.
FAMILY ART SATURDAY: Families use pastels and markers to create drawings inspired by the sights and sounds of nature. BCA Center, Burlington, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, 865-7166.
FAMILY PLAYSHOP: Wee ones ages birth to 5 explore a range of themes and rotating activities designed to promote school readiness and foster creativity. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 1011:30 a.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.
WATER PROTECTORS: Kiddos ages 3 to 8 learn about the interconnectedness of our local watershed through hands-on science activities, stories, art and movement. Fletcher Room, Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 3-4 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 865-7216.
chittenden county
MILTON WINTER FESTIVAL: See FRI.21. WINTERDEEP: Guests follow a magical walking trail replete with ambient music, poetry projections and giant paper
DUPLICATE BRIDGE GAMES:
Snacks and coffee fuel bouts of a classic card game. Burlington Bridge Club, Williston, 12:30-4 p.m. $6. Info, 872-5722.
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. Free; donations accepted. Info, lafferty1949@gmail.com.
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.
MANDARIN CONVERSATION
CIRCLE: Volunteers from Vermont Chinese School help students learn or improve their fluency. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 11 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 846-4140.
music
WARREN HAYNES BAND: A Grammy Award-winning guitarist and vocalist cross-pollinates genres with his distinctive, signature style. Flynn Main Stage, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $60.25. Info, 863-5966.
seminars
PEER LEADER TRAINING:
The Get Healthy North Country Community Integrated Health Network hosts a virtual seminar for community members interested in helping others recognize the signs and symptoms commonly linked to chronic health conditions. 9-11:30 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, 315-261-4760, ext. 239.
sports
LEARN ABOUT DRAGON
BOATING: Prospective athletes learn more about competitive and noncompetitive dragon boating, then meet with members of Malia Paddling and Racing Club. Carpenter-Carse Library, Hinesburg, 6:30-8 p.m. Free. Info, manager@maliaracing.com.
talks
HOWARD E. WOODIN
ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
COLLOQUIUM SERIES: BILL
MCKIBBEN: The Third Act founder reflects on the sudden explosion of renewable energy across the world, including the cultural implications of this development. Franklin Environmental Center at Hillcrest, Middlebury College, 12:40-1:30 p.m. Free. Info, 443-5552.
RED BENCH SPEAKER
SERIES: TOM KELLY & PETER GRAVES: An Olympic storyteller and a legendary broadcaster delve into the enduring legacy of the Winter Games. Hosted by Vermont Ski & Snowboard Museum. 7-8:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 253-9911.
theater
‘ANTIGONE’: BarnArts’ colorful production brings Anne Carson’s modern translation of the classic Greek tragedy to life. Barnard Town Hall, 7:30-9 p.m. $15-20. Info, 234-1645.
‘MORNING’S AT SEVEN’: Middlebury Community Players raise the curtain on Paul Osborn’s heartfelt comedy about love in a small-town neighborhood. See calendar spotlight. Town Hall Theater, Middlebury, 7:30 p.m. $17-20. Info, 382-9222.
‘PRIVATE PEACEFUL’: One Room Theatrics mounts Simon Reade’s stage adaptation of the beloved 2003 novel exploring the harsh realities of warfare and English rural life. Brandon Town Hall, 8-10 p.m. $20. Info, oneroomtheatrics@gmail.com.
‘THE SCHOOL FOR LIES’: Dartmouth College’s theater department tackles the furious tempo and stunning verbal display of David Ives’ wild farce, adapted from a play by Molière. Theater on Currier, Dartmouth College, Hanover, N.H., 7:30-9:30 p.m. $15. Info, 603-646-2422.
THE WINTER ONE-ACTS
FESTIVAL: Burlington High School drama students present a smorgasbord of short plays with an emphasis on student-written and student-directed works. Hunt Middle School, Burlington, 7-9:15 p.m. $6-10. Info, 825-5975.
words
CAROLYN KUEBLER & KELLAM
AYRES: Two members of the college’s community launch their debut works, Liquid, Fragile, Perishable and In the Cathedral of My Undoing. Axinn Center, Starr Library, Middlebury College, 4:30-6 p.m. Free. Info, 443-5276.
ETHAN TAPPER: The Bolton author discusses his latest book, How to Love a Forest: The Bittersweet Work of Tending a Changing World, which outlines the importance of forestry and stewardship in Vermont. Shelburne Town Hall, 7-8 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 244-7037. MORNINGS, MUFFINS & MYSTERIES: Lit lovers link up to discuss the month’s twisty page-turner. St. Albans Free Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 524-1507.
VIRTUAL SPEAKER SERIES: AMY GODINE: The author of The Black Woods: Pursuing Racial Justice on the Adirondack Frontier explores how antislavery activists in New York and Vermont found common cause before the Civil War. Hosted by Vermont Historical Society. Noon-1 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 479-8500.
FRI.21
cannabis
BLACK HISTORY CANNABIS EVENT: Neighbors celebrate culture, advocacy and equity in the budding industry with an interactive panel, community action stations, live music and a book
It’s a Family Affair
FEB. 20-23 | THEATER
The Middlebury Community Players bring Paul Osborn’s vulnerable and earnest stage comedy Morning’s at Seven to Town Hall Theater. Set in a bucolic Midwest town in 1928, the Tony Award-winning work — a Broadway flop-turned-perennial smash revival — follows four elderly sisters as they navigate complicated marital and sibling dynamics. When an unexpected announcement rocks the family’s foundation, resentment boils over to reveal previous betrayals, misunderstandings and rivalries buried in their long-smoldering history. Through endearing characters and timeless humor, the show highlights the murky, messy entanglements found within all family frameworks — and reminds viewers that it’s never too late to change.
‘MORNING’S AT SEVEN’ Thursday, February 20, through Saturday, February 22, 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, February 23, 2 p.m., at Town Hall Theater in Middlebury. $17-20. Info, 382-9222, townhalltheater.org.
SMOKUS POCUS: A 420 MAGIC SHOW: Audience members get their minds blown at a dope performance featuring innovative feats fused with the world of weed. Black Box Theater, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington, 8-9:15 p.m. $33-53. Info, show@ smokuspocus.com. etc.
‘PAGLIACCI’: Viewers watch with wonder as professional circus artists join opera singers on stage for a thrilling performance merging music, theater and bigtop acts. Highland Center for the
Arts, Greensboro, 7 p.m. $40. Info, 533-2000.
film
See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section.
‘ANIMAL KINGDOM 3D’: See THU.20.
‘ANTARCTICA 3D’: See THU.20.
‘BLUE WHALES: RETURN OF THE GIANTS 3D’: See THU.20.
‘T. REX: GREATEST OF ALL TYRANTS 3D’: See THU.20.
‘TOUKI BOUKI’: Djibril Diop Mambéty’s 1973 fantasy-drama paints a fractured portrait of the disenchantment of postindependence Senegal in the early 1970s. The Screening Room @ VTIFF, Main Street Landing Performing
Arts Center, Burlington, 7-9 p.m. $6-12. Info, 860-709-4504.
food & drink
MONTPELIER RESTAURANT WEEK: See WED.19.
SKI VERMONT SPECIALTY FOOD DAY TOUR: A pop-up farmers market-style event showcases the state’s unique homegrown products, including Cabot Cheese, Woodchuck Cider and Long Trail Brewing. Smugglers’ Notch Resort, Jeffersonville, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. Info, 223-2439. games
DUPLICATE BRIDGE GAMES: See THU.20, 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
MAH-JONGG: Tile traders of all experience levels gather for a
ONLINE: Dorothy Alling Memorial Library invites attendees to relax on their lunch breaks and reconnect with their bodies. Noon-12:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, programs@ damlvt.org.
MINDFULNESS MEDITATION: Community members gather for an informal session combining stimulating discussion, sharing and sitting in silence. Pathways Vermont, Burlington, 1:15-2:15 p.m. Free. Info, 777-8691.
PEOPLE WITH ARTHRITIS CAN EXERCISE: Folks get their bodies moving with a low-impact program that keeps joints flexible and muscles strong. Waterbury Public Library, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, 241-4840.
language
ENGLISH CONVERSATION
CIRCLE: Locals learning English as a second language gather in the Digital Lab to build vocabulary and make friends. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 11 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 846-4140.
lgbtq
RPG NIGHT: Members of the LGBTQ community get together weekly for role-playing games such as Dungeons & Dragons and Everway. Rainbow Bridge Community Center, Barre,
5:30-8:30 p.m. Free. Info, 622-0692.
music
ALLISON MANN JAZZ QUARTET:
A local ensemble takes the stage for an evening of inspired spontaneity, interaction and musical magic. Whammy Bar, Calais, 7-9 p.m. Free; donations accepted. Info, 229-4329.
CELEBRATION SERIES: NATALIE
MACMASTER & DONNELL
LEAHY: An internationally renowned husband-and-wife duo takes fiddling to new heights in this riveting musical performance. Barre Opera House, 8 p.m. $26-60. Info, 476-8188.
LANE SERIES: PIPO ROMERO
TRIO: A gifted guitarist and composer from Cádiz, Spain, deftly performs complex compositions blending folk, flamenco, Celtic and classical melodies. See calendar spotlight. University of Vermont Recital Hall, Burlington, 7:30-9:30 p.m. $5-35. Info, 656-4455.
MICHAEL ARNOWITT: An acclaimed pianist presents classical and jazz compositions about the African American experience.
Artistree Community Arts Center, South Pomfret, 7 p.m. $25. Info, 457-3500.
POINTE NOIR: Revelers ring in Mardi Gras a little early with Cajun grooves performed by a local band rooted in Louisiana rhythms. Seven Stars Arts Center, Sharon, 7-9 p.m. $20-25; free for kids 12 and under. Info, 763-2334.
seminars
PEER LEADER TRAINING: See THU.20.
sports
UVM MEN’S ICE HOCKEY: Go, Cats, go! The Catamounts face off against Boston College for two exciting evenings of sportsmanship and fanfare. University of Vermont Gutterson Fieldhouse, South Burlington, 7 p.m. $15-35; free for students. Info, 656-3131.
talks
BOBBY FARLICE-RUBIO: A Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium former science educator illuminates the outer limits of astronomy. Faith United Methodist Church, South Burlington, 2-3 p.m. $8 cash or check; free for members. Info, 343-5177.
tech
MORNING TECH HELP: Experts answer questions about phones, laptops, e-readers and other devices in one-on-one sessions. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 846-4140.
PHONE & TECH SUPPORT:
Perplexed patrons receive aid from library staff on a first-come, first-served basis. Fletcher Free Library New North End Branch, Burlington, 10 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 863-3403.
theater
‘ANTIGONE’: See THU.20. ‘MORNING’S AT SEVEN’: See THU.20.
‘PRIVATE PEACEFUL’: See THU.20.
‘THE SCHOOL FOR LIES’: See THU.20.
‘TWELVE INSTALLATIONS’: The Parish Players present Gray Horan’s fantastical stage play where art comes to life — and life comes to art. Eclipse Grange Theater, Thetford, 7-9 p.m. $1525. Info, 785-4344.
THE WINTER ONE-ACTS FESTIVAL: See THU.20.
SAT.22
activism
‘UNITED FOR UKRAINE’: A special showcase of music, poetry and film benefits various advocacy and aid organizations in Ukraine. Robison Concert Hall, Mahaney Arts Center, Middlebury College, 7:30 p.m. Free; donations accepted. Info, 443-6433.
conferences
HAM-CON: THE VERMONT HAM RADIO CONVENTION: Radio operators, computer wizards and enthusiasts take in an electronics flea market, forums, and demonstrations. Virtual option available. Hampton Inn, Colchester, 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m. $12; free for kids 18 and under. Info, 879-6589.
etc.
THE BLACK EXPERIENCE: A Black History Month blowout features appearances by award-winning author and journalist Ta-Nehisi Coates, musical duo SistaStrings and DJ Melo Grant. The Flynn, Burlington, 7 p.m. $23-28.25. Info, 863-5966.
NORTH POLE SPORTS CARD SHOW: Collectors browse a wide array of vintage, rare and common cards. Arrowhead Senior Citizen Center, Milton, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $20. Info, 782-4500.
‘PAGLIACCI’: See FRI.21.
SISTERHOOD CAMPFIRE: Women and genderqueer folks gather in a safe and inclusive space to build community through journaling, storytelling, gentle music and stargazing. Leddy Park, Burlington, 7-9 p.m. Free. Info, sisterhoodcampfire@ gmail.com.
fairs & festivals
THE VERMONT HOME SHOW: The area’s best builders and remodelers converge for a weekend of product displays, services and demonstrations. Champlain Valley Exposition, Essex Junction, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $8-10; free for kids 12 and under. Info, 860-365-5678.
film
See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section.
‘ANIMAL KINGDOM 3D’: See THU.20.
‘ANTARCTICA 3D’: See THU.20.
‘BLUE WHALES: RETURN OF THE GIANTS 3D’: See THU.20.
‘T. REX: GREATEST OF ALL TYRANTS 3D’: See THU.20.
‘TRAINSPOTTING’: “Choose life. Choose a job.” Viewers take in Danny Boyle’s raucous and raunchy trip through the darkest recesses of Edinburgh. The Screening Room @ VTIFF, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington, 7-9 p.m. $612. Info, 660-2600.
‘WICKED’: Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande star in this acclaimed 2024 musical fantasy flick about an unlikely friendship between two young women — and their encounter with the Wizard of Oz. Haskell Free Library & Opera House, Derby Line, 1 p.m. $5. Info, cinemahaskell@gmail.com.
WOODSTOCK VERMONT FILM
SERIES: ‘SONGS OF EARTH’:
Audience members revel in Margreth Olin’s 2023 documentary weaving stories about generations of people who trod the trails of Norway. In Norwegian with subtitles. Billings Farm & Museum, Woodstock, 3-5 p.m. $12-15. Info, 457-2355.
food & drink
ADVENTURE DINNER LOVE
TREK: Foodies grab their skis or snowshoes for a two-mile expedition of the woods and indulge in four fire-cooked courses scattered throughout the trail. Blueberry Hill Inn, Goshen, noon-4 p.m. $175. Info, sas@ adventuredinner.com.
BURLINGTON WINTER FARMERS
MARKET: More than 40 vendors showcase their finest farm-fresh produce, meats, unique crafts and baked goods. Burlington
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.
CREATE YOUR OWN JEWELRY
Unleash your creativity at Elli Parr Jewelry, where DIY bracelet & earring making happens daily! Stop in during open hours to design your perfect piece at our bead bar. Walk in today or book your private event at elliparr.com or email us at info@elliparr.com
Presented by the Vermont Legislature Wed. evenings at 7:30 pm/FREE and open to the public / House Chamber at the VT State House
Feb 19: Shidaa Projects: W. African/Ghanaian Music & Dance
A vibrant collection of artisans focus on cultural education and diversity by sharing West African dancing, drumming and other folk traditions.
Feb 26: Toussaint St. Negritude Poet, Bass Clarinetist, Shaman (Sponsored by the Friends of the Vermont State House)
Afro-futurist/Oro-shamanic poet and bass clarinetist Toussaint St. Negritude dually conjures the lyric timbre of both his horn and verse, creating his own collaborative ceremony of empathic wonders. 8h-VTStateCuratorsOffice021925 1 2/17/25
Beer, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, 560-5904.
LIONS CLUB PANCAKE
BREAKFAST: Neighbors join up for a tasty time over a hearty winter spread. Proceeds benefit Mount Mansfield Union High School’s scholarship fund. United Church of Underhill, 8-11 a.m. By donation. Info, 875-2990.
MONTPELIER RESTAURANT WEEK: See WED.19.
SNOWCAT RIDE WITH DINNER: Adventurers embark on a one-ofa-kind dining excursion featuring a riveting ride to the mid-mountain lodge for a decadent fivecourse meal. Stratton Mountain Resort, 5:15 p.m. $225-275; preregister. Info, 800-787-2886.
games
CHESS CLUB: All ages and abilities face off and learn new strategies. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.
D&D & TTRPG GROUP: Fans of Dungeons & Dragons and other tabletop role-playing games embark on a new adventure with a rotating cast of game masters. Virtual option available. Waterbury Public Library, 1-5 p.m. Free. Info, judi@ waterburypubliclibrary.com.
LEARN TO PLAY MAH-JONGG: Expert tile trader Pauline Nolte leads players through the Chinese and American versions of the ancient game. Waterbury Public Library, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, judi@ waterburypubliclibrary.com.
lgbtq
SAM TALKS: MEG TAMULONIS: The Fleming Museum of Art manager of collections and exhibitions presents artifacts from the Vermont Queer Archives and delves into their historical significance. Saint Albans Museum, 1-2:30 p.m. Free. Info, 527-7933.
SAM WORKSHOP: QUEER
CRAFTS: Blue Heron Art Studio instructor Lindsay DiDio guides crafty folks in creating mosaic-style coasters. Ages 18 and up. Saint Albans Museum, 10-11:30 a.m. Free; donations accepted; preregister. Info, 527-7933.
music
JOHN PIZZARELLI TRIO: Listeners delight in a musical journey of familiar tunes, from Broadway to the silver screen. Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center, Stowe Mountain Resort, 7 p.m. $40-75. Info, 760-4634.
JOHN MACKENZIE: In “Lost and Found,” a local pianist plays original works highlighting Peacham’s resilience after the devastating floods of 2024. A reception follows. Peacham Congregational Church, 7-9 p.m. Free; donations accepted. Info, 592-3216.
THE MAGNETICA: SATURDAY
NIGHT SOUNDS: Listeners leave stress behind while experiencing the healing power of a sound
machine built in Uruguay. The Magnetica Performance Space, Burlington, 6:30-7:30 p.m. $30. Info, events@themagnetica. com.
MONTPELIER COMMUNITY
GOSPEL CHOIR: Local singers honor Black History Month with a program celebrating gospel’s rich heritage. Virtual option available. Unitarian Church of Montpelier, 7 p.m. $0-60 sliding scale. Info, elaine@vtgospel.com.
RAMBLETREE: Come along for the craic! Local musicians Daniel Brown and Reagh Greenleaf Jr. play a dynamic mix of homegrown material, world music and Celtic folk tunes. O’Dwyer’s Public House, Killington, 6-9 p.m. Free. Info, 779-4114.
outdoors
BLUFFSIDE FARM SKI & SNOWSHOE TOUR: Attendees grab their gear and hit the trails for an outdoor expedition and discussion about the area’s wildlife habitats, managed forests, invasive species and wetland restoration projects. Bluffside Farm, Newport, 10 a.m.-noon. Free; donations accepted; preregister. Info, 861-6506.
seminars
MINDFUL MOVEMENT: Health coach Becky Widschwenter teaches participants how to connect with their authentic values and desires and create inspired action through movement. Waterbury Public Library, 10:30 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, 244-7036.
sports
CAR-FREE SKI DAY: Vermonters for People-Oriented Places facilitates an Amtrak journey from Burlington to Middlebury for an afternoon of skiing, fat biking or snowshoeing. Meet at Burlington’s Union Station by 9:45 a.m. Various Middlebury locations. Free; preregister. Info, 614-743-8095.
UVM MEN’S ICE HOCKEY: See FRI.21, 7:30 p.m.
talks
‘MADE IN POULTNEY’: Experts shed light on goods manufactured by the town with a slideshow and a display of Gray Foundry iron novelties from the local historical society’s collection. Poultney Public Library, 1 p.m. Free. Info, 287-5556. RAD HISTORY: THE HAITIAN REVOLUTION: Folks learn more about a successful slave revolt that ultimately defeated the British, French and Spanish in the Age of Napoleon. Peace & Justice Center, Burlington, 1-3 p.m. Free. Info, 863-2345.
WILL KASSO CONDRY: In “The Art of Creating Community Through Hip-Hop,” a Juniper Creative Arts cofounder focuses his lens on themes of creative expression in Black and brown communities. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 1-2 p.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.
Folkloric Fusion
The Lane Series’ impressive season continues with the Pipo Romero Trio at the University of Vermont Recital Hall in Burlington. Hailing from Cádiz, Spain, Romero uniquely synthesizes folk, flamenco, Celtic and classical genres, coupled with superlative Spanish-style guitar playing — a multicultural mélange. Romero’s 2017 debut album, Folklórico, reached the top 10 on Europe’s World Music Charts, setting in motion myriad sold-out shows, from Barcelona to Berlin. Now touring for his third album, Ikigai — named after the Japanese concept of discovering one’s purpose — Romero continues to redefine genre boundaries while remaining true to his musical roots.
LANE SERIES: PIPO ROMERO TRIO
Friday, February 21, 7:30-9:30 p.m., at the University of Vermont Recital Hall in Burlington. $5-35. Info, 656-4455, uvm.edu/laneseries.
tech
GOOGLE WORKSPACE SERIES: Folks troubled by tech learn more about useful tools, including Gmail, Google Docs, Google Drive and Google Calendar. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, noon1:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 865-7217.
PHONE & TECH SUPPORT: See FRI.21. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington.
theater
‘ANTIGONE’: See THU.20.
‘MORNING’S AT SEVEN’: See THU.20.
‘PRIVATE PEACEFUL’: See THU.20.
‘THE SCHOOL FOR LIES’: See THU.20, 3-5 & 7:30-9:30 p.m.
‘TWELVE INSTALLATIONS’: See FRI.21.
THE WINTER ONE-ACTS FESTIVAL: See THU.20.
words
THE POETRY EXPERIENCE: Local wordsmith Rajnii Eddins hosts a supportive writing and sharing circle for poets of all ages. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 1-3 p.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.
WRITE NOW!: Lit lovers of all experience levels hone their craft in a supportive and critique-free environment. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, 10 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 223-3338.
SUN.23 agriculture
SEED SWAP: Growers and gardeners stock up on a variety of starters at a seasonal Swap Sisters exchange. Proceeds benefit Migrant Justice. Hardwick Memorial Hall, 10 a.m.-noon. Free; donations accepted. Info, swapsisters@gmail.com.
bazaars
ANTIQUES MARKET: Vintage lovers scour unique treasures and timeless finds in a relaxed atmosphere. Canadian Club, Barre, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. $2-5. Info, 751-6138.
community
HUMAN CONNECTION CIRCLE: Neighbors share stories from their lives and forge deep bonds. Pickering Room, Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 3-4:30 p.m. Free; preregister; limited space. Info, humanconnectioncircle@ gmail.com.
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
= GET TICKETS ON SEVENDAYSTICKETS.COM
crafts
SPIN-IN SPINNING CIRCLE: Yarn makers get together and get their wheels turning. BYO fiber and spinning device. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 1-4 p.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.
YARN CRAFTERS GROUP: See WED.19, 1-3 p.m.
dance
TWO-STEP DANCE: Happy feet learn how to Texas two-step and line dance, followed by an evening of salsa, cha-cha and beyond. Artistree Community Arts Center, South Pomfret, 5-8 p.m. $20. Info, 457-3500.
fairs & festivals
THE VERMONT HOME SHOW: See SAT.22, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
film
See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section.
‘ANIMAL KINGDOM 3D’: See THU.20.
‘ANTARCTICA 3D’: See THU.20. ‘BLUE WHALES: RETURN OF THE GIANTS 3D’: See THU.20. ‘T. REX: GREATEST OF ALL TYRANTS 3D’: See THU.20.
WOODSTOCK VERMONT FILM SERIES: ‘SONGS OF EARTH’: See SAT.22.
food & drink
MONTPELIER RESTAURANT WEEK: See WED.19.
PINTS & PUPS IN THE TAP ROOM: Dog lovers gather for tasty beer and McKenzie hot
dogs with their best canine companions by their side. Switchback Brewing’s Beer Garden & Tap House, Burlington, 1-5 p.m. Price of food and drink. Info, 651-4114.
VIRTUAL PASTA COOKING
CLASS: Gastronomes of all ages and abilities learn how to make delicious dishes that blend Italian tradition with fresh New England ingredients. Hosted by Trenchers Farmhouse. 5 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 650-224-5533.
games
DUPLICATE BRIDGE GAMES: See THU.20, 1-4:30 p.m.
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.
NEW LEAF SANGHA
MINDFULNESS PRACTICE: New and experienced meditators alike practice together in the Plum Village tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh. Hot Yoga Burlington, 6-7:45 p.m. Free. Info, newleafsangha@gmail.com.
lgbtq
BOARD GAME DAY: LGBTQ tabletop fans bring their own favorite games to the party. Rainbow Bridge Community Center, Barre, 1-6 p.m. Free. Info, 622-0692.
CRAFT CLUB: Creative queer folks work on their knitting, crocheting and sewing projects. Rainbow
Bridge Community Center, Barre, 10 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 622-0692.
LGBTQ FIBER ARTS
GROUP: A knitting, crocheting and weaving session welcomes all ages, gender identities, sexual orientations and skill levels. Presented by Pride Center of Vermont. Noon-1 p.m. Free. Info, laurie@ pridecentervt.org.
QUEER READS BOOK CLUB: Folks gather to chat about Samara Breger’s lush Victorian romance, A Long Time Dead. Pickering Room, Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 1:30-2:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 863-3403.
music
CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY OF LINCOLN CENTER: A lauded
New York ensemble performs a scintillating collection of works that reveal the joy and depth of chamber music literature. Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center, Stowe Mountain Resort, 3 p.m. $55-65. Info, 760-4634.
CHENYU WANG: An internationally award-winning pianist draws melophiles to the Upper Valley. Roots & Wings Coffeehouse at UUCUV, Norwich, 2-3 p.m. $15. Info, 649-8828.
FACULTY SCHOLARSHIP
CONCERT: The college’s music program presents an afternoon of riveting performances by the school’s faculty. Proceeds benefit student scholarships. University of Vermont Recital Hall, Burlington, 2 p.m. By donation. Info, 656-3040.
THE MAGNETICA SOUND BATH:
Audiences experience the healing power of a sound, light and music generator built in Uruguay. The Magnetica Performance Space, Burlington, 3-4 p.m. $30. Info, events@themagnetica.com.
MONTPELIER COMMUNITY
GOSPEL CHOIR: See SAT.22, 4 p.m.
outdoors
WILDLIFE TRACKING CLUB:
Naturalists teach trackers of all ages how to distinguish the snowy paw prints of Vermont mammals. North Branch Nature Center, Montpelier, 10-11:30 a.m. Free; donations accepted. Info, 229-6206.
sports
SNOW GOLF: CHIP, DRIVE & PUTT FOR PRESERVATION: Spectators enjoy tasty refreshments as golfers gleefully take on a series of challenges, including Longest Drive and Blindfolded Pick-A-Club. Proceeds benefit the Naulakha Campaign. Scott Farm Orchard, Dummerston, noon. Free; donations accepted. Info, 579-1853.
talks
AVIS HAYDEN: In celebration of Black History Month, a local historian explores the life of Lucy Terry Prince, one of America’s first Black poets. Arlington Common Performance Hall, 4-5 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, info@ arlingtoncommon.org.
TOM GIEDER: A wildlife specialist shares insight about mitigating human-bear conflict and the importance of keeping our furry friends wild. MarshBillings-Rockefeller National Historical Park, Woodstock, 1011:30 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, 828-457-4104.
theater
‘ANTIGONE’: See THU.20, 2-3:30 p.m.
‘MORNING’S AT SEVEN’: See THU.20, 2 p.m.
‘PRIVATE PEACEFUL’: See THU.20, 2-4 p.m.
‘TWELVE INSTALLATIONS’: See FRI.21, 3-5 p.m.
words
SOPHIE KIM: A best-selling author launches her new fantasy novel Reign of the Talon, in conversation with fellow writer Laurie Forest. Pierson Library, Shelburne, 3 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 985-3999.
MON.24
crafts
FUSE BEADS CLUB: Aspiring artisans bring ideas or borrow patterns to make beaded creations. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, 3:30-5 p.m. Free. Info, 223-3338.
dance
WEST AFRICAN DANCE & DRUM CLASS: Participants learn songs,
STARK MOUNTAIN STORYSKI: Little skiers follow the pages of Lita Judge’s Wake Up Moon! on an adventure through the glade. Mad River Glen, Waitsfield, 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Price of lift ticket. Info, 583-3536.
upper valley
‘DISNEY’S FROZEN KIDS’: Do you want to build a snowman? Northern Stage’s young thespians assume the spotlight in this 30-minute adaptation of the beloved animated musical. Byrne Theater, Barrette Center for the Arts, White River Junction, 7 p.m. $20; free for kids 10 and under. Info, 296-7000.
MAGIC OF MAPLE: See WED.19.
brattleboro/okemo valley
WINTER SUNSHINE SERIES: PUNSCHI: Viewers of all ages delight in a hand
rhythms and movements to the beat of live music. Ages 13 and up. Wilson Hall, McCullough Student Center, Middlebury College, 4:30-6 p.m. Free. Info, 443-6433.
film
See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section.
‘ANIMAL KINGDOM 3D’: See THU.20.
‘ANTARCTICA 3D’: See THU.20.
‘BLUE WHALES: RETURN OF THE GIANTS 3D’: See THU.20.
‘T. REX: GREATEST OF ALL TYRANTS 3D’: See THU.20.
health
& fitness
LAUGHTER YOGA: Spontaneous, joyful movement and breath promote physical and emotional health. Virtual option available. Pathways Vermont, Burlington, 1:15-2:15 p.m. Free. Info, 777-8691.
language
GERMAN LANGUAGE LUNCH:
Willkommen! Speakers of all experience levels brush up on conversational skills over bagged lunches. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, noon-1 p.m. Free. Info, 223-3338.
seminars
PEER LEADER TRAINING: See FRI.21, 1-3:30 p.m.
talks
MELISSA NEEDHAM: A Vermont Department of Health specialist outlines how food can be used as
puppet double feature of “Kasper and the Cow” and “The Surprise.” Sandglass Theater, Putney, 11 a.m. & 2 p.m. $8-12. Info, 387-4051.
SUN.23
burlington
CIRCUIT CIRCUS FESTIVAL: See SAT.22. chittenden county
MILTON WINTER FESTIVAL: See FRI.21.
SOCIAL SUNDAYS: Families participate in fun and educational art activities with diverse mediums and themes. All supplies and instruction provided. Milton Artists’ Guild Art Center & Gallery, 1-3 p.m. Free. Info, 891-2014. upper valley
‘DISNEY’S FROZEN KIDS’: See SAT.22, 12 & 4 p.m.
MAGIC OF MAPLE: See WED.19. manchester/ bennington
YOUTH OPEN MIC: Talented teens tell jokes, perform karaoke and play instruments — or share whatever creative pursuit their hearts desire! The Left Bank, North Bennington, 4-6 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 445-5551.
medicine to prevent, manage and treat chronic diseases. Community Center in Jericho, 6:30-8 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 829-8168.
words
JACK FAIRWEATHER: An acclaimed author delights history buffs with his riveting new novel The Prosecutor, following one man’s unrelenting quest to find Nazi war criminals. Shelburne Town Hall, 7 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 985-3999.
READ LIKE A WRITER: New England Readers & Writers hosts a virtual reading group for lit lovers to chat about short stories, both contemporary and classic. 6:30-8 p.m. Free. Info, 372-1132.
SCRIPTWRITERS’ GROUP: Got a story to tell? Talented local writers swap techniques and constructive critiques. Junction Arts & Media, White River Junction, 5:30-7 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 295-6688.
TUE.25 community
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 DANCE PRACTICE
SESSION: All ages and experience levels shake a leg in this
MON.24
burlington
CIRCUIT CIRCUS FESTIVAL: See SAT.22. PRESCHOOL STORY TIME: Bookworms ages 2 to 5 enjoy a fun-filled reading time. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 11-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.
chittenden county
‘MOANA’: Families find out how far she’ll go in Disney’s 2016 animated adventure about a girl who answers the ocean’s call. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 1-2:30 p.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.
mad river valley/ waterbury
TODDLER TIME: Little tykes ages 5 and under have a blast with songs, stories, rhymes and dancing. Waterbury Public Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 244-7036.
TUE.25
burlington
CIRCUIT CIRCUS FESTIVAL: See SAT.22.
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.
friendly, casual environment designed for learning. Bring clean shoes. Champlain Club, Burlington, 7:30-9 p.m. Free. Info, 864-8382.
film
See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section.
‘ANIMAL KINGDOM 3D’: See THU.20.
‘ANTARCTICA 3D’: See THU.20.
‘BLACK ORPHEUS’: Two people fall in love and into trouble amid the heady chaos of Carnaval in this 1959 Brazilian classic. Film House, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free. Info, 540-3018.
‘BLUE WHALES: RETURN OF THE GIANTS 3D’: See THU.20.
‘THE PRINCESS BRIDE’: As you wish! Viewers cozy up in the beer garden for Rob Reiner’s 1987 fantasy epic about a farmboy-turned-pirate’s quest to reunite with his true love.
‘THE RIDE AHEAD’: Audience members take in this 2024 documentary following Samuel Habib’s journey toward independence as a young adult with disabilities. Alumni Auditorium, Champlain College, Burlington, 3-5:30 p.m. Free. Info, 651-5957.
‘T. REX: GREATEST OF ALL TYRANTS 3D’: See THU.20.
chittenden county
FAMILY STORY TIME: Wiggly wee ones ages 1 and up love this lively, interactive storybook experience featuring songs, rhymes and finger plays. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 10:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.
SCHOOL VACATION CRAFTYTOWN: Kiddos express their inner artist using mediums such as paint, print, collage and sculpture. Recommended for ages 6 and up. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 1-2 p.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.
STORY TIME: Youngsters ages birth to 5 enjoy a session of reading, rhyming and singing. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 10:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.
barre/montpelier
STORY TIME: See THU.20.
WED.26
burlington
CIRCUIT CIRCUS FESTIVAL: See SAT.22.
STEAM SPACE: See WED.19.
TODDLER TIME: See WED.19.
chittenden county
BABY TIME: See WED.19.
GAME ON!: See WED.19.
KIDS GREAT JIGSAW PUZZLE RACE: Teams in two age groups race to
games
BOARD GAMES FOR ADULTS: Locals ages 18 and up enjoy the library’s collection or bring their own to share with the group. Light refreshments provided. Essex Free Library, 6-7:30 p.m. Free. Info, 879-0313.
DUPLICATE BRIDGE GAMES: See THU.20.
health & fitness
COMMUNITY MEDITATION: All experience levels and ages engage in the ancient Buddhist practice of clearing the mind to achieve a state of calm. First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington, 5:15-6 p.m. Free; donations accepted. Info, 862-5630.
language
FRENCH CONVERSATION GROUP: Francophones and language learners meet pour parler la belle langue. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 5-7:30 p.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.
ITALIAN LANGUAGE LUNCH: Speakers hone their skills in the Romance language over bagged lunches. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, noon-1 p.m. Free. Info, 223-3338.
music
EVAN ALLEN: A Vermont pianist, organist and teacher enchants listeners with a program featuring works by Johann Sebastian Bach, Fats Waller and John Cage. Cathedral Church of St. Paul,
complete a puzzle the fastest for a chance to win prizes. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 1-3 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, sbplkids@ southburlingtonvt.gov.
PLAYGROUP & STORY TIME: See WED.19.
TREE COOKIE DECORATING: Kids of all ages adorn sugar cookies with frosting and other goodies. Supplies provided. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 2-3:30 p.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.
WINTER WONDERLAND: Families bundle up for a frosty afternoon of sledding, hot chocolate, s’mores and snowman building. Farrell Park, South Burlington, noon-2 p.m. Free. Info, 846-4108.
barre/montpelier
GRAHAM CRACKER ARCHITECTURE WITH VERMONT HISTORICAL SOCIETY: Little patrons learn about local structures and find historic shapes in the library, then practice building their own. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, 1-1:45 p.m. Free. Info, 223-3338. K
Burlington, noon. Free. Info, 864-0471.
outdoors
EZ BREEZY RIDES: IGNITE THE NIGHT: Cyclists enjoy a funfilled, casual group ride around Burlington. Bring lights and reflective wear. Local Motion, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free. Info, 861-2700.
politics
CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES
DEBATE: Folks running in the upcoming March election flesh out a range of issues facing Burlington. Ira Allen Chapel, University of Vermont, Burlington, 6-7:30 p.m. Free. Info, 518-760-5459.
seminars
EMPOWERED AGING SERIES: ENHANCING INTIMACY & CONNECTION IN LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIPS:
AARP Vermont hosts an informative workshop exploring vital aspects of sexual health and intimacy, designed for individuals ages 50 and up. Noon-1 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, vt@aarp.org.
talks
DR. AARON N. TAYLOR: The AccessLex Center for Legal Education Excellence executive director shares a presentation for Black History Month. Virtual option available. Chase Community Center, Vermont Law School, South Royalton, 12:45-2 p.m. Free. Info, 847-529-1724.
tech
FRENCH GOOGLE WORKSPACE
SERIES: French-speaking folks troubled by tech learn more about useful tools, including Gmail, Google Docs, Google Drive and Google Calendar. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 5:30-7 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 863-3403.
words
BURLINGTON
LITERATURE GROUP: Bookworms analyze Nobel laureate Saul Bellow’s novels Henderson the Rain King and Herzog over the course of nine weeks. 6:30-8 p.m. Free. Info, info@nereadersandwriters.com.
ETHAN TAPPER: See THU.20. Faith United Methodist Church, South Burlington, 1 p.m., and Cabot Public Library, 6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 863-6764.
POETRY GROUP: A supportive drop-in group welcomes those who would like to share and listen to verse. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 11 a.m.noon. Free. Info, 846-4140.
READING ROUNDUP BOOK
CLUB: Lit lovers have an in-depth discussion about Iona Iverson’s Rules for Commuting by Clare Pooley. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 12:30-1:30 p.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.
WRITING CIRCLE: Words pour out when participants explore
creative expression in a low-pressure environment. Virtual option available. Pathways Vermont, Burlington, 4-5:30 p.m. Free. Info, 777-8691.
WED.26
business
QUEEN CITY BUSINESS
NETWORKING INTERNATIONAL GROUP: See WED.19.
climate crisis
ECO-RESILIENCY
GATHERING: Participants share conversation, insight and wisdom at a monthly meetup exploring radical resilience in the face of climate crises. 6-7 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, akmckb@ gmail.com.
community
CURRENT EVENTS: Neighbors have an informal discussion about what’s in the news. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 10:30 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 878-4918.
crafts
YARN CRAFTERS GROUP: See WED.19.
education
COMMUNITY SUPPORT DAY: PHONE- & SOCIAL MEDIA-FREE SCHOOLS: Concerned locals take to the Statehouse to share their enthusiasm and chat with legislators about making phone-free education a priority. Vermont Statehouse, Montpelier, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 522-8681.
food & drink
COMMUNITY COOKING: See WED.19.
VEGAN IN VERMONT: Folks following a plant-based diet connect with others, explore fermentation and listen to guest speaker Beki Auclair. Fletcher Free Library New North End Branch, Burlington, 6-7:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 863-3403.
games
BOARD GAME NIGHT: Game lovers enjoy an evening of friendly competition with staples such as Catan, Dominion, chess and cards. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Free. Info, 223-3338.
CHESS CLUB: See WED.19.
health & fitness
CHAIR YOGA: See WED.19.
GIRLS’ NIGHT OUT WITH BETH KRUGER: Women ages 40 and up gather for an evening focused on self-care, empowerment and balance. The Essex Resort & Spa, 5:30-8:30 p.m. $80. Info, 878-1100.
lgbtq
DYKE MOVIE NIGHT SERIES: ‘BOUND’: Viewers take in Lana and Lilly Wachowski’s 1996 crime thriller about an ex-con
and her lover’s scheme to steal millions in stashed mob money. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 6-8 p.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.
music
ME2 CHORUS REHEARSAL: See WED.19.
seminars
FILMING IN THE STUDIO: Media enthusiasts walk through the process of conducting interviews on set while switching between cameras and utilizing chroma-keyed backgrounds. The Media Factory, Burlington, 6-8 p.m. Free; donations accepted; preregister. Info, 651-9692.
sports
GREEN MOUNTAIN TABLE TENNIS CLUB: See WED.19.
talks
JONATHAN BEECHER
FIELD: A Clemson University professor reexamines the power and prejudice of a Vermont road sign from 1958. Presented by Brownell Library. 7 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 878-6955.
KARI BORNI: A dance studies scholar and choreographer illuminates how performers navigate religious identity, both on and off stage. Franklin Environmental Center at Hillcrest, Middlebury College, 4:30-6 p.m. Free. Info, 443-2507.
words
FARMERS NIGHT: TOUSSAINT
ST. NEGRITUDE: A Vermont poet and bass clarinetist conjures the lyric timbre of both horn and verse. House Chamber, Vermont Statehouse, Montpelier, 7:30 p.m. Free. Info, 262-2626.
NOONTIME POETRY READING SOCIETY: See WED.19. ➆
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
= GET TICKETS ON SEVENDAYSTICKETS.COM
classes
THE FOLLOWING CLASS LISTINGS ARE PAID ADVERTISEMENTS. ANNOUNCE YOUR CLASS FOR AS LITTLE AS $16.75/WEEK (INCLUDES SIX PHOTOS AND UNLIMITED DESCRIPTION ONLINE). SUBMIT YOUR CLASS AD AT SEVENDAYSVT.COM/POSTCLASS.
aromatherapy
BOTANICAL PERFUME BLENDING
BAR: Learn the art of perfumery by blending botanics. In an intimate class setting, you’ll choose from three base fragrances and customize them to fit your unique style, leaving with a tailor-made 1-ounce bottle of eau de parfum. u., Feb. 20, 5:30-8 p.m. Cost: $50. Location: Cheeks Luxury Skin Clinic, 34 Blair Park Rd., Williston. Info: 355-3336, sevendaystickets.com.
art
DAVIS STUDIO ART CLASSES:
Discover your happy place in one of our weekly classes, where joy and community blossom. Art is a powerful way to connect, express, and grow — together. We offer afterschool and weekend classes for youths and specialized drawing,
painting and fused-glass classes for adults. Enroll today and let your creativity shine! Location: Davis Studio, 916 Shelburne Rd., South Burlington. Info: 425-2700, davisstudiovt.com.
culinary
WHOOPIE PIE WORKSHOP: Tackle three different cake flavors — chocolate, funfetti and pumpkin! Learn the techniques behind
creating the perfect spongy treat in this family-style class. u., Feb. 27, 5:30-7 p.m. Cost: $50. Location: Red Poppy Cakery, 1 Elm St., Waterbury Village Historic District. Info: 203-400-0700, sevendaystickets.com.
design/build
WOODWORKING CLASSES: Learn furniture making, skin-on-frame canoe building and more with Timothy Clark, cabinetmaker and chairwright, at his workshop in Waltham, Vt. (on the south side of Vergennes). Classes include Making Hand-Cut Dovetails, Introduction to Chair Making, and Building an Ultra-Light Solo Skin-on-Frame Canoe. Weekend or full-week classes, usually 9 a.m.-5 p.m., with some shorter sessions. Cost: Generally $200/ day. Location: 2111 Green St., Waltham. Info: 989-3204, tim@ timothyclark.com, timothyclark. com/classeshome.html.
language
ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE SPRING
SESSION: e Alliance Française of the Lake Champlain Region is offering a new series of French classes for adults from beginner through advanced levels. e spring session begins on Mar. 17. Registration is open now! Location: 43 King St., Burlington or on Zoom. Info: Marc Juneau, education@aflcr.org, aflcr.org.
AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE (ASL): Are you motivated to learn sign language, do you need a refresher, or do you want to learn more about ASL? ASL is the visual gestural language used by the Deaf community. It has its own unique grammar, sentence structure and facial expressions. is is an immersive experience you won’t want to miss! Level 1, Tue. starting Mar. 11; Level 2, u., starting Mar. 6. Cost: $225/10 sessions, 20 hours total. Location: CVU High School, 369 CVU Rd., Hinesburg. Info: ACCESS CVU, 482-7194, access@cvsdvt. org, cvsdvt.ce.eleyo.com.
FRENCH + ART FOR KIDS: FRART AT WINGSPAN: Wingspan Studio School is offering two fun weeks of an art class with French, music and movement this Feb. for ages 4 to 8. Madame Maggie leads kids through art, song and games in a real working atelier. Wed., Feb. 5 & 12, 3-4:30 p.m. Cost: $100. Location: Wingspan Studio School, 4A Howard St., Burlington. Info: Wingspan Studio School, Maggie Standley, 233-7676, maggiestandley@ gmail.com, wingspanstudioeduc. com.
martial arts
AIKIDO: THE POWER OF HARMONY: Cultivate core power, aerobic fitness and resiliency. e dynamic, circular movements emphasize throws, joint locks
and the development of internal energy. Join our community and find resiliency, power and grace. Inclusive training, gender-neutral dressing room/bathrooms and a safe space for all. Visitors are always welcome to watch a class! Vermont’s only intensive aikido programs. Membership rates incl. unlimited classes 6 days/week. Contact us for info about membership rates for adults, youths & families. Location: Aikido of Champlain Valley, 257 Pine St., Burlington. Info: Benjamin Pincus, 951-8900, bpincus@ burlingtonaikido.org, burlingtonaikido.org.
metals
INTRO TO WELDING
FABRICATION: e course will cover welding of carbon steel using oxyacetylene torches, SMAW (arc or stick welding), GMAW (MIG or wirefeed welding), and GTAW
(TIG welding). Oxy-fuel cutting and plasma cutting will also be introduced. Weld a small project of your own during the class. Every Mon. starting Mar. 10, 5:30-8 p.m. Cost: $375/5 sessions. Location: CVU High School, 369 CVU Rd., Hinesburg. Info: ACCESS CVU, 482-7194, access@cvsdvt.org, cvsdvt.ce.eleyo.com.
music
UKULELE IRISH SONG TUNE-UP: Have a lark of a time learning Irish songs in time for St. Patrick’s Day! In this three-session, weekly course (Feb. 26, Mar. 5 & 12 (power outage date: Mar. 14), we’ll learn to play some Irish favorites, learning new chords and getting that quintessential 6/8 Celtic timing down pat. 3-week session begins Wed., Feb. 26, 6-7 p.m. Cost: $35. Location: Online. Info: ukuleleclare@gmail.com, sevendaystickets.com.
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Curtis Humane Society of
AGE/SEX: 8-month-old male
ARRIVAL DATE: August 6, 2024
SUMMARY: Meet Curtis: a charming piggy pal with a delightful mix of playfulness and sweet nature! He’s always ready to explore his surroundings with bursts of energy, zooming around with excitement. When it’s time for treats, you’ll be treated to his adorable wheeking sounds, and his little popcorn jumps are sure to make you smile. Though Curtis loves his moments of fun and adventure, he’s equally content snuggling up for some quiet bonding time. Visit HSCC to meet Curtis and see if he could be your new best friend!
Visit the Humane Society of Chittenden County at 142 Kindness Court, South Burlington, Tuesday through Friday from 1 to 4 p.m. or Saturday from 12 to 4 p.m. Call 862-0135 or visit hsccvt.org for more info.
DID YOU KNOW?
Guinea pigs can be easily startled, so always let yours know you are there by speaking to them or letting them sniff your hand. To pick up your guinea pig, use one hand to support their chest and the other to support their hind end before placing them against your chest. A secure pig is a happy pig!
Sponsored by:
Chittenden County
CLASSIFIEDS
on the road
CARS/TRUCKS
2007 VOLVO V70 2.5T
Well maintained by me & its 1st owner. New tires, exhaust. Inspected through Jan. 2027. Call 802-881-7100.
2010 FORD F-150
180K miles, 4 dr auto., 4WD. Needs starter. 1st $2,350 cash takes it. Call 802-868-2408.
2024 FORD MAVERICK AWD XLT in terrain w/ sunroof, EcoBoost, AWD, 4K towing package. 1,600 miles. $38,150. Please have your fi nancing in place. Located in southern Rutland County. Call 518-364-3786 or email jettaguy2@aol.com.
housing FOR RENT
ROOMY 3-BR & 2-BR
AVAIL. NOW
Heated, extra roomy 3-BR, now $1,700 + utils. Heated 2-BR, now $1,500. Call Joe at 802-318-8916.
HOUSEMATES
AFFORDABLE IN COLCHESTER 92-year-old woman seeks help w/ housekeeping & friendly presence in her spacious 1-fl oor house in Colchester w/ room for gardening. Private BA. $150/mo., incl. utils. Call 802-863-5625 or or visit homesharevermont. org for application. Interview, refs. & background checks req. EHO.
CLASSIFIEDS KEY
appt. appointment
apt. apartment
BA bathroom
BR bedroom
DR dining room
DW dishwasher
HDWD hardwood
HW hot water
LR living room
NS no smoking
OBO or best offer
refs. references
sec. dep. security deposit
W/D
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
Retired teacher in her 70s seeks friendly, funloving person to help w/ transportation, light housekeeping, errands.
Lovely Cape-style home in Hinesburg w/ space to garden, close to center of town. $450/mo. Call 802-863-5625 or visit homesharevermont. org for application. Interview, refs. & background checks req. EHO.
GREAT I-89 ACCESS
Professional woman who enjoys year-round outdoor activities seeks housemate to share 1-story home convenient to I-89 & heart of Richmond. Rent-only homeshare w/ no services needed. $625/mo. + utils. Call 802-863-5625 or visit homesharevermont. org for application. Interview, refs., & background checks req. EHO.
HOMESHARE & GREAT HIKING
Share spacious, country-style home in Middlesex near hiking trails. Share large kitchen, laundry room, BA. Older resident cat; other pets considered. Looking for assistance w/ light cleaning & outdoor chores.
$650/mo. + $100 for plowing, utils. Call 802-863-5625 or visit homesharevermont. org for application. Interview, refs. & background checks req. EHO.
DONATE YOUR CAR TO CHARITY
Running or not! Fast, free pickup. Maximum
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?
RESTAURANT/GROCERY
tax deduction. Support Patriotic Hearts. Your car donation helps veterans! Call 1-866559-9123. (AAN CAN)
OVERPAYING FOR AUTO INSURANCE?
A recent survey says that most Americans are overpaying for their car insurance. Let us show you how much you can save. Call now for a no-obligation quote: 1-866-472-8309 (AAN CAN)
HOME/GARDEN
AGING ROOF? NEW HOMEOWNER? STORM DAMAGE?
You need a local expert provider that proudly stands behind its work. Fast, free estimate. Financing avail. Call 1-888-292-8225. Have the zip code of the property ready when calling! (AAN CAN)
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)
DEREKCO LLC
DerekCo Carpentry & Excavating has all of your carpentry & excavating needs covered! Visit our website & contact us for a free estimate. Info, 802-310-4090, derek@ derekco.com, derekco. com.
NEED NEW WINDOWS? Drafty rooms? Chipped or damaged frames? Need outside noise reduction? New, energy-effi cient windows may be the answer! Call for a consultation & free quote today: 1-877-248-9944. You will be asked for the
HEALTH/ WELLNESS
BIO HACK WELLNESS 2025!
zip code of the property when connecting. (AAN CAN)
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 24-7: 1-888-290-2264. Have zip code of service location ready when you call! (AAN CAN)
MOVING/HAULING
MARKOSKI’S MOVE & HAUL
Markoski’s has established a local reputation for being a team of friendly professionals who treat their customers like family. Based out of Chittenden County, we go across Vermont & out of state. Contact Rick at rickmarkoski@ gmail.com, & please browse our reviews & jobs on Facebook & Front Porch Forum.
You upgrade & update devices. What about your brain? Rapid Transformational erapy frees us from land mines in our heads! Interested? New Year’s special: $250. Info, 802-878-5169, sandimeyler.com.
$39,000. Well-established ramen restaurant on Route 302. Everything included upon purchase. Staff willing to train new owners. Plenty of opportunity to expand cuisine options, grocery section, and more!
GARAGE/ESTATE SALES
NORTHFIELD ESTATE SALE
rough Mar. 5. Quilt Ambition sewing machine, Singer 4452 sewing machine, toy sewing machines, craft table, quilt, hanging porch swing, kitchen appliances, beautiful furniture, oodles of artwork. Pickups Mar. 8. Info, estatesalesof vermont.com.
ANTIQUES MARKET Sun., Feb. 23, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., at Canadian Club, 414 East Montpelier Rd., Route 14, Barre. Early buyers, $5 (8 a.m.); general, $2 (9 a.m.). Vendors offering antique, midcentury & vintage toys, advertising, clothing, glassware, furniture, tools, jewelry, postcards, early American, paintings, militaria & much more. Other market dates: Mar. 9 & 23. Call Don Willis Antiques for info, 802-751-6138, montpelierantiques market.com.
Using the enclosed math operations as a guide, ll the grid using the numbers 1 - 6 only once in each row and column.
Sudoku
Show and tell. View and post up to 6 photos per ad online.
Complete the following puzzle by using the numbers 1-9 only once in each row, column and 3 x 3 box.
Open 24/7/365. Post & browse ads at your convenience. Extra! Extra! There’s no limit to ad length online.
WANT MORE PUZZLES?
Try these online news games from Seven Days at sevendaysvt.com/games.
Put your knowledge of Vermont news to the test. NEW ON FRIDAYS:
CALCOKU BY JOSH
REYNOLDS
DIFFICULTY THIS WEEK: HHH
Fill the grid using the numbers 1-6, only once in each row and column. The numbers in each heavily outlined “cage” must combine to produce the target number in the top corner, using the mathematical operation indicated. A one-box cage should be filled in with the target number in the top corner. A number can be repeated within a cage as long as it is not the same row or column.
SUDOKU BY JOSH REYNOLDS
DIFFICULTY THIS WEEK: HH
Place a number in the empty boxes in such a way that each row across, each column down and each 9-box square contains all of the numbers one to nine. The same numbers cannot be repeated in a row or column.
ANSWERS ON P.68
ANSWERS ON P. 68 » ICKY ENDING
See how fast you can solve this weekly 10-word puzzle.
HOUSEHOLD ITEMS
VANITY FOR HOME & BATHROOM
Bath vanity w/ marble sink & new faucet, 37 x 22 x 30 in. $99. Call or text 540-226-4478.
All styles/levels. Emphasis on building strong technique, thorough musicianship, developing personal style. Paul Asbell (Big Joe Burrell, Kilimanjaro, UVM & Middlebury College faculty). 233-7731, pasbell@ paulasbell.com.
WARNING
CHAMPLAIN VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT
ANNUAL MEETING
MARCH 3, 2025 AND MARCH 4, 2025
e legal voters of the Champlain Valley School District, are hereby notifi ed and warned to meet at the Champlain Valley Union High School Library in the Town of Hinesburg at fi ve o’clock (5:00pm) in the evening on March 3, 2025, to transact any of the following business not involving voting by Australian ballot, and to conduct an informational hearing with respect to Articles of business to be considered by Australian ballot on March 4, 2025.
ARTICLE I: To elect a moderator, clerk and treasurer.
ARTICLE II: To hear and act upon the reports of the school district offi cers.
ARTICLE III: Shall the voters of the Champlain Valley School District authorize the Board of School Directors to borrow money by issuance of bonds or notes not in excess of anticipated revenues for the next fi scal year?
ARTICLE IV: Shall the voters of the Champlain Valley School District authorize the Board of School Directors to provide a mailed notice of availability of the Annual Report to residents in lieu of distributing the Annual Report?
ARTICLE V: To establish the date of the Champlain Valley School District Annual Meeting of Monday, March 2, 2026 at 5pm at CVU High School and recessed and opened back up at Australian ballot voting on Town Meeting Day.
ARTICLE VI: To transact any other business proper to come before the meeting.
BALLOT QUESTIONS
e legal voters of the Champlain Valley School District, are hereby notifi ed and warned to meet at their respective polling places on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at seven o’clock in the forenoon (7:00am), at which time the polls will open, and
seven o’clock in the afternoon (7:00pm), at which time the polls will close, to vote by Australian ballot on the following articles of business:
ARTICLE VII: Shall the voters of the Champlain Valley School District approve the school board to expend One Hundred Two Million, Seven Hundred Twenty-Four ousand, Sixty-Two Dollars ($102,724,062) which is the amount the school board has determined to be necessary for the ensuing fi scal year? e Champlain Valley School District estimates that this proposed budget, if approved, will result in per pupil education spending of Fifteen ousand, Five Hundred irty-Five Dollars ($15,535), which is 3.3% higher than per pupil education spending for the current year.
ARTICLE VIII: Shall the voters of the Champlain Valley School District authorize the Board of School Directors to allocate its current fund balance, without effect upon the District tax levy, of One Million, Seven Hundred Forty-Seven ousand, Two Hundred Fifty-Four Dollars ($1,747,254) as revenue for future budgets?
POLLING PLACES
Charlotte Charlotte Town Hall
Hinesburg Hinesburg Town Hall
Shelburne Shelburne Town Center
– Gymnasium
Williston Williston Armory
St. George St. George Town Hall
Ballots shall be transported and delivered to the Champlain Valley Union High School in the Town of Hinesburg and there commingled and counted by members of the Boards of Civil Authority of several towns under the supervision of the District Clerk of the Champlain Valley School District.
e legal voters of the Champlain Valley School District are further notifi ed that voter qualifi cation, registration and absentee/early voting relative to said annual meeting shall be as provided in Section 739 of Title 16, and Chapters 43, 51 and 55 of Title 17, Vermont Statutes Annotated.
Adopted and approved at a duly noticed, called and held meeting of the Board of School Directors of the Champlain Valley School District on January 21, 2025. Received for record and
recorded in the records of the Champlain Valley School District on January 21, 2025.
ATTEST: Lynne T. Jaunich, District Clerk; Meghan E. Metzler, Chairperson
NOTICE OF SELF STORAGE LIEN SALE
Burlington Self Storage, LLC 1825 Shelburne Road
South Burlington, VT 05403
Notice is hereby given that the contents of the self storage units listed below will be sold at public auction by sealed bid.
Name of Occupant Storage Unit Howard, Unit # 7 – 10x20
Said sales will take place on Friday 02/21/25, beginning at 10:00am at Burlington Self Storage (BSS), 1825 Shelburne Road, South Burlington, VT 05403. Units will be opened for viewing immediately prior to auction. Sale shall be by sealed
bid to the highest bidder. Contents of entire storage unit will be sold as one lot. e winning bid must remove all contents from the facility at no cost to BSS, on the day of auction. BSS, reserves the right to reject any bid lower that the amount owed by the occupant or that is not commercially reasonable as defi ned by statute.
STATE OF VERMONT SUPERIOR COURT PROBATE DIVISION CHITTENDEN UNIT DOCKET NO.: 24-PR-07725
In re ESTATE of Willard Smith
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
To the creditors of: Willard Smith, late of Burlington, Vermont
I have been appointed to administer this estate. All creditors having claims against the decedent or the estate must present their claims in writing within four (4) months of the date of 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: 02/11/2025
Signature of Fiduciary: /s/ Shirley Mercia
Executor/Administrator: Shirley Mercia, 30 Main St., 6th Floor, PO Box 66, Burlington VT 05402 Phone: 802-865-6326 Email: acusick-loecher@sheeheyvt.com
Name of Publication: Seven Days Publication Date: 02/19/2025
Name of Probate Court: State of VermontChittenden Probate Division Address of Probate Court: 175 Main Street, Burlington, VT 05401
NORTHSTAR SELF STORAGE WILL BE HAVING A PUBLIC AND ONLINE SALE/AUCTION FOR THE FOLLOWING STORAGE UNITS ON FEBRUARY 27, 2025 AT 9:00 AM
Northstar Self Storage will be having a public and online sale/auction on February 27, 2025 at 9am EST at 205 Route 4A West, Castleton, VT 05735 (units C9, C138), 130 Taconic Business Park, Manchester Center, VT 05255 (unit M229) 3466 Richville Road, Manchester Center, VT 05255 (unit 63), 1124 Charlestown Road, Springfi eld, VT 05156 (Unit S58) 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
IN ACCORDANCE WITH VT TITLE 9 COMMERCE AND TRADE CHAPTER 098:
Storage Units 3905. Enforcement of Lien, Champlain Valley Self Storage, LLC shall host a private auction of the following units on or after 3/1/25:
Location: 2211 Main St. Colchester, VT
Contents: household goods
Brandie Bessette: # 824
Location: 485 Nokian Tyres Dr. Colchester, VT
Felicia Hanvey: #2142
Paris Laplant: #2067
Location: 78 Lincoln St. Essex Jct, VT
Steven Vanzandt: #030
Auction pre-registration is required, email info@ champlainvalleyselfstorage.com to register.
STATE OF VERMONT SUPERIOR COURT
CHITTENDEN UNIT FAMILY DIVISION
DOCKET NO. 23-JV-1055
In Re: K.D.
NOTICE OF HEARING
TO: Patrick Johnson, Kazmere Wilkerson, and any other male who may be the biological Father of K.D., born on 8/4/2023, to Stephanie Duval, you are hereby notified that a hearing to terminate the parental rights of the unknown father of K.D. will be held on March 11, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at the Vermont Superior Court, Chittenden Family Division, at 32 Cherry Street, Suite 200, Burlington, Vermont 05401. You are notified to appear in connection with this case. Failure to appear at this hearing may result in a termination of your parental rights to K.D.. The State is represented by the Attorney General’s Office, HC 2 North, 280 State Drive, Waterbury, VT 05671-2080
Kate Gallagher Superior Court Judge 2/4/2025
CITY OF BURLINGTON, VERMONT
NOTICE OF VOTE TO INCUR A BONDED DEBT
The legal voters of the City of Burlington, Vermont are hereby notified and warned to come and vote at the Annual City Meeting on: Tuesday, the 4th day of March, 2025
between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. in their respective wards, at the voting places hereinafter named, for the following purposes:
To vote upon three bonding articles placed on the ballot by request of the City Council by resolutions duly adopted and approved, said articles being as follows:
PLEDGING THE CREDIT OF THE CITY TO ISSUE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS FOR THE CITY’S FIVE-YEAR CAPITAL PLAN
“Shall the City Council be authorized to issue general obligation bonds or notes in one or more series in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed Twenty Million dollars and 00/100 ($20,000,000.00) to be borrowed in increments between Fiscal Year 2026 and Fiscal Year 2028 for the purpose of funding capital improvement infrastructure projects of the City and its departments in furtherance of the City’s 5-Year Capital Plan?”
ISSUANCE OF REVENUE BONDS FOR WASTEWATER AND STORMWATER UTILITY PROJECTS
“Shall the City be authorized to issue revenue bonds or notes in one or more series, in a principal amount not to exceed $152,000,000 in the aggregate, to be issued pursuant to the City Charter and subchapter 2 of Chapter 53 of Title 24, Vermont Statutes annotated, on behalf of the Water Resources Division of the Department of Public Works and payable only by the net revenues of the wastewater system and stormwater system, as may be determined by the City Council, for the purpose of paying for (i) capital additions and improvements to the City’s wastewater and stormwater systems, including the City’s wastewater treatment plants, pump
stations and collection system, the stormwater treatment and collection system, combined sewer overflow mitigation projects, stormwater outfall rehabilitation, and (ii) funding a debt service reserve fund and paying costs of issuance?”
Estimated total Project Costs for Wastewater System: $138,000,000
Estimated total Project Costs for Stormwater System: $14,000,000
City Share of Total Costs: $152,000,000
ISSUANCE OF REVENUE BONDS FOR DRINKING WATER UTILITY PROJECTS
“Shall the City be authorized to issue revenue bonds or notes in one or more series, in a principal amount not to exceed $20,000,000, to be issued pursuant to the City Charter and subchapter 2 of Chapter 53 of Title 24, Vermont Statutes annotated, on behalf of the Water Resources Division of the Department of Public Works and payable only by the net revenues of the waterworks system for the purpose of (i) paying for capital additions and improvements to the waterworks system, including the City’s drinking water reservoir and pump station, the drinking water treatment plant, underground pipe and water distribution system, and (ii) to fund debt service reserve funds and pay costs of issuance?”
Estimated total Project Cost: $ 20,000,000
City Share of Costs: $20,000,000
The following are designated as polling places:
Ward One/East District: Mater Christi School, 50 Mansfield Ave.
Ward Two/Central District: O.N.E. Community Center, 20 Allen St.
Ward Three/Central District: Sustainability Academy, 123 North St.
Ward Four/North District: Elks Lodge, 925 North Ave.
Ward Five/South District: Burlington Electric Department, 585 Pine St.
Ward Six/South District: Edmunds Elementary School, 275 Main St.
Ward Seven/North District: Robert Miller Community & Recreation Center, 130 Gosse Ct.
Ward Eight/East District: Fletcher Free Library, 235 College St.
The polls open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 7:00 p.m. Emma Mulvaney-Stanak, Mayor
TOWN OF JERICHO INFORMATION PUBLIC HEARING ON FY 26 BUDGET
On Thursday, February 20, 2025, at 6:00 PM, the Town of Jericho Selectboard will hold a public hearing on the proposed FY 2026 Budget. The hearing will take place at the Jericho Town Hall, located at 67 VT Route 15, Jericho, Vermont. The public is encouraged to attend and participate in the review of the proposed budget. Copies of the budget are available from the Town Administrator’s office between 8:00 AM and 3:30 PM or can be accessed online at www.jerichovt.org. The Zoom link is below.
Topic: Jericho Selectboard Meeting
Time: Feb 20, 2025 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting
The Town is requesting separate sealed BIDS for the Recreation Path Resurfacing for Airport Park and Fort Ethan Allen Parade Grounds. Bid & Contract Documents are available at the following link: https://colchestervt.gov/Bids.aspx
Bids will be received by: Derek Mitchell, Assistant Parks Director, Town of Colchester, 80 Dick Mazza Drive, Colchester, VT 05446 until 1:00pm on Monday, March 10, 2025 and then at said office publicly opened and read aloud.
Each BID must be accompanied by a certified check payable to the OWNER for five percent (5%) of the total amount of the BID. A BID bond may be used in lieu of a certified check. A Performance BOND and a Payment BOND each in an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the contract price will be required. (40 CFR §31.36(h))
A non-mandatory pre-bid conference for prospective bidders will be held at 1:00pm on Friday, February 21, 2025. Any Bidder interested should come to the Colchester Recreation Center, Parks & Recreation Department, located at, 80 Dick Mazza Drive, Colchester, VT 05446. Questions regarding the Bid are due by end of day on February 28, 2025. All bidders must notify Project Manager, Derek Mitchell of their intent to bid so they can be placed on a Bidders List to receive any issued addenda or other pertinent information.
NOTICE TO VOTERS FOR MARCH 4, 2025 ELECTION BURLINGTON, VT BEFORE ELECTION DAY:
CHECKLIST POSTED at Clerk’s Office by Sunday, February 2, 2025. 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, February 22, 2025.
HOW TO REGISTER TO VOTE: There is no deadline to register to vote. You will be able to register to vote on the day of the election. You can register prior by visiting the City Clerk’s office or going online to olvr.vermont.gov.
EARLY or ABSENTEE BALLOTS: All registered Burlington voters will be automatically mailed absentee ballots for this election. The latest you can request ballots to be mailed for the March 4, 2025 Election is by the close of the City Clerk’s office at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, February 28, 2025. Ballots can be requested in-person at the City Clerk’s office until 1:00 p.m. on Monday, March 3, 2025.
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 February 19th, 2025.
• 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 and 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.
WARNING & NOTICE
2025 ANNUAL CITY MEETING
The legal voters of the City of Burlington, Vermont are hereby warned and notified to come and vote at the Annual City Meeting on
Tuesday, the 4th day of March, 2025
between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. in their respective wards, at the voting places hereinafter named and designated as polling places:
Ward One/East District: Mater Christi School, 50 Mansfield Ave.
Legal Notices
Ward Two/Central District: O.N.E. Community Center, 20 Allen St.
Ward Three/Central District: Sustainability Academy, 123 North St.
Ward Four/North District: Elks Lodge, 925 North Ave.
Ward Five/South District: Burlington Electric Department, 585 Pine St.
Ward Six/South District: Edmunds Elementary School, 275 Main St.
Ward Seven/North District: Robert Miller Community & Rec. Center, 130 Gosse Ct.
Ward Eight/East District: Fletcher Free Library, 235 College St.
The polls open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 7:00 p.m. for the purpose of electing certain city officers as follows:
WARD ONE/EAST DISTRICT – one East District City Councilor for a two-year term; one East District School Commissioner for a two-year term; one Ward One School Commissioner for a one-year term; one Ward One Ward Clerk for a two-year term; one Ward One Inspector of Election for a three-year term; all terms beginning April 7, 2025
WARD TWO/CENTRAL DISTRICT – one Central District City Councilor for a two-year term; one Central District School Commissioner for a twoyear term; one Ward Two Ward Clerk for a two-year term; one Ward Two Inspector of Election for a three-year term; all terms beginning April 7, 2025
WARD THREE/CENTRAL DISTRICT – one Central District City Councilor for a two-year term; one Central District School Commissioner for a two-year term; one Ward Three Ward Clerk for a two-year term; one Ward Three Inspector of Election for a three-year term; one Ward Three Inspector of Election for a two-year term; all terms beginning April 7, 2025
WARD FOUR/NORTH DISTRICT – one North District City Councilor for a two-year term; one North District School Commissioner for a two-year term; one Ward Four Ward Clerk for a two-year term; one Ward Four Inspector of Election for a three-year term; all terms beginning April 7, 2025
WARD FIVE/SOUTH DISTRICT – one South District City Councilor for a two-year term; one South District School Commissioner for a two-year term; one Ward Five Ward Clerk for a two-year term; one Ward Five Inspector of Election for a three-year term; all terms beginning April 7, 2025
WARD SIX/SOUTH DISTRICT – one South District City Councilor for a two-year term; one South District School Commissioner for a two-year term; one Ward Six Ward Clerk for a two-year term; one Ward Six Inspector of Election for a three-year term; one Ward Six Inspector of Election for a one-year term; all terms beginning April 7, 2025
WARD SEVEN/NORTH DISTRICT – one North District City Councilor for a two-year term; one North District School Commissioner for a two-year term; one Ward Seven Ward Clerk for a two-year term; one Ward Seven Inspector of Election for a three-year term; all terms beginning April 7, 2025
WARD EIGHT/EAST DISTRICT – one East District City Councilor for a two-year term; one East District School Commissioner for a two-year term; one Ward Eight Ward Clerk for a two-year term; one Ward 8 Inspector of Election for a three-year term; one Ward 8 Inspector of Election for a twoyear term; one Ward Eight Inspector of Election for a one-year term; all terms beginning April 7, 2025
The legal voters shall also vote upon six special articles being placed on the ballot by request of the City Council by Resolutions duly adopted and approved and one special article being placed on the ballot by request of the Board of School Commissioners by action of the Commissioners duly approved, with all said special articles being as follows:
1. Approval of School Budget for Fiscal Year 2026
PLACE AN AFFORDABLE NOTICE AT: SEVENDAYSVT.COM/LEGAL-NOTICES OR CALL 802-865-1020, EXT. 142.
“Shall the voters of the School District approve the School Board to expend $134,779,831 which is the amount the school board has determined to be necessary for the ensuing fiscal year? Burlington School District estimates that this proposed budget, if approved, will result in per pupil education spending of $14,825.77, which is 6.74% higher than spending for the current year.”
2. PLEDGING THE CREDIT OF THE CITY TO ISSUE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS FOR THE CITY’S FIVE-YEAR CAPITAL PLAN
“Shall the City Council be authorized to issue general obligation bonds or notes in one or more series in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed Twenty Million dollars and 00/100 ($20,000,000.00) to be borrowed in increments between Fiscal Year 2026 and Fiscal Year 2028 for the purpose of funding capital improvement infrastructure projects of the City and its departments in furtherance of the City’s 5-Year Capital Plan?”
3. ISSUANCE OF REVENUE BONDS FOR WASTEWATER AND STORMWATER UTILITY PROJECTS
“Shall the City be authorized to issue revenue bonds or notes in one or more series, in a principal amount not to exceed $152,000,000 in the aggregate, to be issued pursuant to the City Charter and subchapter 2 of Chapter 53 of Title 24, Vermont Statutes annotated, on behalf of the Water Resources Division of the Department of Public Works and payable only by the net revenues of the wastewater system and stormwater system, as may be determined by the City Council, for the purpose of paying for (i) capital additions and improvements to the City’s wastewater and stormwater systems, including the City’s wastewater treatment plants, pump stations and collection system, the stormwater treatment and collection system, combined sewer overflow mitigation projects, stormwater outfall rehabilitation, and (ii) funding a debt service reserve fund and paying costs of issuance?”
Estimated total Project Costs for Wastewater System: $138,000,000
Estimated total Project Costs for Stormwater System: $14,000,000 City Share of Total Costs: $152,000,000
4. ISSUANCE OF REVENUE BONDS FOR DRINKING WATER UTILITY PROJECTS
“Shall the City be authorized to issue revenue bonds or notes in one or more series, in a principal amount not to exceed $20,000,000, to be issued pursuant to the City Charter and subchapter 2 of Chapter 53 of Title 24, Vermont Statutes annotated, on behalf of the Water Resources Division of the Department of Public Works and payable only by the net revenues of the waterworks system for the purpose of (i) paying for capital additions and improvements to the waterworks system, including the City’s drinking water reservoir and pump station, the drinking water treatment plant, underground pipe and water distribution system, and (ii) to fund debt service reserve funds and pay costs of issuance?”
Estimated total Project Cost: $ 20,000,000 City Share of Costs: $20,000,000
5. CHARTER CHANGE RE: BAN ON FIREARMS IN ANY ESTABLISHMENT WITH A LIQUOR LICENSE
“Shall the Charter of the City of Burlington, Acts of 1949, No. 298 as amended be further amended to add Article 99. General Weapons Requirements
Sec. 510 entitled “Ban on Firearms in Any Establishment with a First Class Liquor License” thereto to read as follows:
Sec. 510. Ban on Firearms in Any Establishment with a First Class Liquor License.
(a) This act expressly supersedes 24 V.S.A. §§ 2291(8) & 2295 and authorizes the City of Burlington to regulate the possession and carrying of firearms in the manner indicated below.
(b) Ban. Within the City of Burlington, no person may carry or possess a firearm, as defined by Section 4016(a)(3) of Chapter 13 of the Vermont Statutes Annotated, in any building or on any real
property or parking area under the ownership or control of an establishment licensed to serve alcohol on its premises.
(c) Exceptions. This provision shall not apply to
(1) any federal, state, or local law enforcement officer acting within the scope of that officer’s official duties;
(2) any member of the armed forces of the United States or the Vermont National Guard acting within the scope of that person’s military duties; (3) any government officer, agent, or employee authorized to carry a weapon and acting within the scope of that officer’s duties;
(4) the owner or operator of such establishment, as long as that person is not prohibited from possessing or carrying that weapon under any other federal, state, or local law.
(d) The penalty for any violation of this section shall be as follows:
(1) Criminal Offense. Any violation of this Article may be considered a criminal offense, which shall be punishable by a fine of no more than $1,000 and/or by imprisonment for not more than ninety (90) days.
(2) Civil Offense. Any violation of this Article may also be considered a civil ordinance violation punishable by a fine of no less than $200 and no more than $500 and civil forfeiture of the weapon as provided below.
(3) Forfeiture. Upon probable cause that a person is in violation of this provision, a law enforcement officer may seize the weapon involved in the violation. The person from whom the weapon is seized, or the owner of the weapon (if different), may appeal the forfeiture of the weapon within thirty (30) days of the seizure to the Vermont Superior Court, Civil Division, pursuant to Chapter 102 of Title 12 of the Vermont Rules of Civil Procedure and Rule 74 of the Vermont Rules of Civil Procedure. In any appeal, the burden of proof shall rest upon the City to establish the violation by a preponderance of the evidence. If the City fails to establish the required burden of proof, the items shall be returned to the person from whom they were seized. If no appeal is taken within thirty days, or if the City prevails in the superior court proceedings, the items so seized shall become the property of the City of Burlington. ”?
6. CHARTER CHANGE RE: REDISTRICTING BY CITY COUNCIL
“Shall the Charter of the City of Burlington, Acts of 1949, No. 298 as amended be further amended to amend Section 2 to Article 2 as follows:
ARTICLE 2. CITY ELECTION AREAS DEFINED §2. Election boundaries.
(a) City districts described. For the annual meeting of 2024 and all City elections thereafter, the City of Burlington is divided into four electoral districts, constituted as follows:
(1) East District. The East District shall include all that part of said City lying easterly and northerly of the following described boundaries: Beginning at the common boundary between the Cities of Burlington and Winooski in the Winooski River beneath the Central Vermont Railway bridge downstream of the Lower Winooski Falls and Salmon Hole; thence westerly in the centerline of said railroad tracks for 406.6 feet to a point where the centerline of Intervale Road extended northerly intersects said railroad track centerline (approximately -73.2028 longitude, 44.4911 latitude); thence southerly along the extension of the centerline of Intervale Road, crossing Riverside Avenue until the centerline intersects with that of the Archibald Street centerline extended easterly; thence westerly along the Archibald Street centerline until the intersection of the Archibald Street centerline and the North Willard Street centerline; thence southerly along the North Willard Street Centerline until the intersection of the North Willard Street centerline and the Pearl Street Centerline; thence westerly along the Pearl Street centerline until intersecting with the South Winooski Avenue centerline; thence southerly along the South Winooski Avenue centerline until intersecting the Maple Street centerline; thence easterly along the Maple Street centerline for 1573.5 feet to a point where the eastern
property boundary of 315 Maple Street extended northerly intersects Maple Street (approximately -73.2064 longitude, 44.4739 latitude); thence southerly along the eastern property boundary of 315 Maple Street for 276.5 feet (approximately -73.2064 longitude, 44.4734 latitude); thence 281.4 feet westerly to a point where the southern property boundary of 315 Maple Street extended westerly intersect with the western boundary of 251 South Willard Street extended northerly (approximately -73.2071 longitude, 44.4733 latitude), thence 723.7 feet 177° southerly to a point where it intersects the southern property boundary of 285 South Willard Street extended westerly (approximately -73.2071 longitude, 44.4719 latitude); thence easterly along the southern boundary of 285 South Willard Street for 696.5 feet until intersecting with the South Willard Street centerline (approximately -73.2051 longitude, 44.472 latitude); thence northerly along the South Willard Street centerline for 220.9 feet (approximately =-73.2052 longitude, 44.4724 latitude); thence easterly along the southern property boundary of 262 South Willard Street for 557.6 feet (approximately -73.2037 longitude. 44.4725 latitude); thence northerly along the eastern property boundary of 262 South Willard Street for 89.6 feet to a point where the Juniper Terrace centerline extended westerly intersects the eastern property boundary of 262 South Willard Street (approximately 73.2037 longitude, 44.4726 latitude); thence following the Juniper Terrace centerline easterly until intersecting with the Summit Street centerline (approximately-73.2021 longitude, 44.4727 latitude); thence northerly along the Summit Street centerline until reaching the centerline of Main Street thence following the Main Street centerline easterly 2339.6 feet (approximately -73.1964 longitude, 44.4753 latitude); thence southwesterly 214° for 136.1 feet (approximately -73.1966 longitude, 44.4751 latitude); thence southeasterly 98.2 feet (approximately -73.1964 longitude, 44.4749 latitude); thence southwesterly by 213° for 770 feet (approximately -73.1975 longitude, 44.4737 latitude); thence southeasterly by 123° for 477.4 feet until intersecting with the University Heights centerline (approximately -73.1964 longitude, 44.4732 latitude); thence southerly along the centerline of University Heights Road 1221.65 feet until intersecting with the PFG Road centerline, thence westerly by 79° until intersecting with the common boundary between the Cities of Burlington and South Burlington.
(2) Central District. The Central District shall include all that part of the City bounded as follows: On the east, beginning at the common boundary between the City of Burlington and Town of Colchester in the Winooski River at a point intersecting with the centerline of Institute Road extended northeasterly (approximately -73.2147 longitude, 44.5089 latitude); thence southerly along the common boundary between the City of Burlington and Town of Colchester in the Winooski River to a point beneath the Central Vermont Railway bridge downstream of the Lower Winooski Falls and Salmon Hole; thence westerly along the East District northern boundary for 406.6 feet to its intersection with the westerly boundary of the East District; thence southerly along the westerly boundary of the East District to its intersection with the centerline of Archibald Street, then southerly along the East District western boundary to the intersection with the centerline of Pearl Street; thence westerly along the northern boundary of the East District to the intersection with the centerline of South Winooski Avenue; thence southerly along the western boundary of the East District to the centerline of Maple Street; thence westerly along the centerline of Maple Street until its intersection with the centerline of South Champlain street; thence northerly along the South Champlain Street centerline until its intersection with the centerline of King Street; on the south along the centerline of King Street extended westerly to Lake Champlain; on the west by Lake Champlain; on the north, beginning at the intersection of the common property boundary between 87 North Avenue and 9 Lakeview Terrace extended westerly to Lake Champlain (approximately -73.2252 longitude, 44.4832 latitude); thence northeasterly along the
extended property boundary between 87 North Avenue and 9
Lakeview Terrace to its intersection with the centerline of the Central Vermont Railway railroad track (approximately -73.2239 longitude, 44.4837 latitude); thence northerly and easterly along the centerline of the Central Vermont Railway railroad track, crossing North Avenue and the Burlington Beltline, to its intersection with the centerline of Spring Street extended northwesterly (approximately -73.2183 longitude, 44.4912 latitude); thence northwesterly along the extension of the centerline of Spring Street to its intersection with the centerline of Institute Road extended northeasterly (approximately -73.2281 longitude, 44.4995 latitude); thence northeasterly along the extension of the centerline of Institute Road extended to its intersection with the common boundary between the City of Burlington and Town of Colchester in the Winooski River (approximately -73.2139 longitude, 44.5077 latitude).
(3) South District. The South District shall include all that part of the City south of the southern boundaries of the East and Central Districts.
(4) North District. The North District shall include all that part of the City north of the northern boundary of the Central District.
(b) Wards described. Each of the City of Burlington’s four electoral districts set forth in subsection (a) of this section hereby comprises two wards, each of which is constituted as follows:
(1) East District—Ward 1 and Ward 8.
(A) The East District is divided into two wards by the following boundary: Beginning at the center of the intersection of Brooks Avenue and South Willard Street; thence easterly along the Brooks Avenue centerline until intersecting with the centerline of North Prospect Street; thence southerly along the centerline of North prospect Street to the intersection of the centerline of Colchester Avenue to the intersection of the centerline of Mary Fletcher Drive; thence southerly along the centerline of Mary Fletcher Drive for 331.58 feet (approximately -73.196 longitude, 44.4802 latitude); thence southerly along the western side and easterly along the southern side of the UVM Medical Center building for 1854.5 feet until a point at the center of the intersection of Beaumont Avenue and Mary Fletcher Drive (approximately -73.1932 longitude, 44.4788 latitude); thence south along the Beaumont Avenue centerline to the intersection of Carrigan Drive; thence following Carrigan Drive westerly for 199.1 feet (approximately -73.1932 longitude, 55.5756 latitude); thence travelling southwesterly for 821.3 feet along the UVM service road on the eastern border of the southeastern wing of the UVM Jeffords Hall until a point at the intersection of the service road and the centerline of University Heights extended northeasterly (approximately -73.1947 longitude, 44.4751 latitude); thence southwesterly along the centerline of University Heights 977.3 feet (approximately -73.1962 longitude, 44.4735 latitude); thence continuing southeasterly along the centerline of the driveway bounding the western side of the UVM Living/Learning Commons for 404.3 feet (approximately -73.1952 longitude, 44.4731 latitude); thence continuing south along the eastern side of UVM’s University Heights dorms until intersecting with PFG Road; thence continuing easterly along the western extension of the PFG Road centerline for 601.2 feet until intersecting with the common boundary between the Cities of Burlington and South Burlington.
(B) Ward 1 lies to the north and east of the boundary described in subdivision (A) of this subdivision (1), and Ward 8 lies to the south and west.
(2) Central District—Ward 2 and Ward 3.
(A) The Central District is divided into two wards by the following boundary: Beginning at the intersection of the common property boundary between 85 North Avenue and 9 Lakeview Terrace extended westerly to Lake Champlain (approximately -73.2252 longitude, -44.4832 latitude); thence northeasterly along the extended
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property boundary between 87 North Avenue and 9 Lakeview Terrace to its intersection with the centerline of the Central Vermont Railway railroad track (approximately -73.224 longitude, 44.4837 latitude); thence southeasterly along the centerline of the Central Vermont Railway railroad track to a point intersecting with the northwestern property boundary of 300 Lake Street extended southwesterly (approximately -73.2234 longitude, 44.4832 latitude); thence northeasterly to a point at the intersection of the northwestern property boundary of 300 Lake Street extended northeasterly with the centerline of Depot Street (approximately -73.2223 longitude, 44.4837 latitude); thence northerly along the centerline of Depot Street to the intersection with the centerline of Lakeview Terrace; thence easterly along the centerline of Lakeview Terrace extended westerly until intersecting with the centerline of North Avenue; thence northerly along the centerline of North Avenue to its intersection with the centerline of North Street; thence easterly along the centerline of North Street until intersecting with the North Union Street centerline; thence southerly following the North Union Street centerline until intersecting with the Loomis Street centerline; thence easterly along the Loomis Street centerline to the intersection of the centerlines of Loomis Street and South Willard Avenue.
(B) Ward 2 lies to the north of the boundary described in subdivision (A) of this subdivision (2), and Ward 3 lies to the south.
(3) South District—Ward 5 and Ward 6.
(A) The South District is divided into two wards by the following boundary: Beginning at the intersection of the centerlines of Maple Street and Church Street; thence southerly along the centerline of Church Street to the intersection with the centerline of Adams Street; thence westerly along the centerline of Adams Street to the intersection with the centerline of Saint Paul Street; thence southerly along the Saint Paul Street centerline to its intersection with the centerline of Shelburne Street; thence southerly along the centerline of Shelburne Street to its intersection with the centerline of Flynn Avenue; thence easterly along the centerline of Flynn Avenue extended easterly to the common boundary between the Cities of Burlington and South Burlington.
(B) Ward 5 lies to the west of the boundary described in subdivision (A) of this subdivision (3), and Ward 6 lies to the east.
(4) North District—Ward 4 and Ward 7.
(A) The North District is divided into two wards by the following boundary: Beginning at the centerline of Institute Road extended southwesterly to Lake Champlain; thence northeasterly to the intersection of Institute Road with the centerline of North Avenue; thence northerly along the centerline of North Avenue to its intersection with the centerline of Fairfield Drive; thence westerly along the centerline of Fairfield Drive to its intersection with the western property boundary of 39 Westward Drive extended southerly (approximately -73.2685 longitude, 44.5257 latitude); thence northerly along the western property boundary of 39 Westward Drive, until intersecting with the centerline of Westward Drive; thence southwesterly along the centerline of Westward Drive to the intersection with the Northshore Drive centerline; thence northerly along the Northshore Drive centerline until intersecting with the Clair Pointe Road centerline (point); thence westerly along the southern property boundary of the Claire Pointe condominium development (approximately -73.2686 longitude, 44.5286 latitude), and then extended to Lake Champlain.
(B) Ward 4 lies to the west of the boundary described in subdivision (A) of this subdivision (4), and Ward 7 lies to the east.
(5) Ward map reference. Reference is also made to a map entitled “Ward Redistricting, 8 Wards — 4 Districts, 12 Councilors, Approved Map (December 2 V1.3), Map Date: December 8, 2022 ” located
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in the Burlington Chief Administrative Officer’s office in further aid of the description of the wards set forth in this subsection.
The election area boundaries established in 2023 pursuant to Act M-7 shall remain in effect until changed by the City Council which is hereby authorized to make changes from time to time to the boundaries of the election areas in order to provide an equal division of population among them in accordance with data produced by the U.S. Census Bureau. Election areas changes shall not be made more frequently than once in five years. Such changes shall be approved by the voters at an annual or special meeting of the City and shall become effective immediately upon approval unless a later date is established therein. ”?
7. CHARTER CHANGE RE: CITY COUNCIL AUTHORITY TO REGULATE RENTAL NOTIFICATIONS AND NOTIFICATION PERIODS
“Shall the Charter of the City of Burlington, Acts of 1948, No. 298, as amended, be further amended as follows:
§ 48. Enumerated:
The City Council shall have power: (1) to (63) As written. (64) (A) Where there is no written rental agreement and notwithstanding 9 V.S.A. § 4467(c), to prohibit, by ordinance, a landlord from terminating a tenancy of rental housing within the City for no cause unless the landlord provides to the tenant written notice of at least 90 days when the tenancy has been less than two years and of at least 120 days when the tenancy has been two years or more. Notwithstanding 9 V.S.A. § 4467 or any other law, to establish, by ordinance, requirements that residential landlords provide tenants notice prior to termination of residential tenancies, including requirements for the contents and timing of such notices. Such requirements may include special notice requirements for vulnerable populations, including elderly tenants, tenants with disabilities, and low-income tenants.
(B) Unless inconsistent with a written rental agreement or otherwise provided by law, and notwithstanding the provisions of 9 V.S.A. § 4456(d), to require, by ordinance, tenants who wish to terminate a residential tenancy to give actual notice to the landlord at least two rental periods prior to the termination date specified in the notice. Notwithstanding 9 V.S.A. § 4456(d) or any other law, to establish, by ordinance, requirements that residential tenants provide landlords notice prior to termination of tenancies, including requirements for the contents and timing of such notices.
(65) Notwithstanding any other law, t To prohibit increases in rent or other changes in lease terms for rental housing within the City without advance written notice. The timing, contents, and manner of giving such notice shall be established by ordinance of at least 90 days Such ordinance may include special notice requirements for vulnerable populations, including elderly tenants, tenants with disabilities, and low-income tenants. ”?
* Material underlined added
** Material struck out deleted
Emma Mulvaney-Stanak, Mayor
Dated this 29 day of January, 2025
STATE OF VERMONT SUPERIOR COURT PROBATE DIVISION GRAND ISLE UNIT
DOCKET NO.: 24-PR-07539
In re ESTATE of Joyce Rollins
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
To the creditors of: Joyce Rollins, late of South Hero, 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: February 12, 2025
Signature of Fiduciary: /s/ Julie A. Hyre
Executor/Administrator: Julie A. Hyre, c/o Paul R. Morwood, Esq., South Burlington, VT 05403
Phone: 802-862-2135
Email: morwood.paul@gmail.com
Name of Publication: Seven Days
Publication Date: 02/19/2025
Name of Probate Court: State of Vermont –Grand Isle Probate Division
Address of Probate Court: PO Box 7, North Hero, VT 05474
NOTICE OF INVITATION TO BID: LAKE IROQUOIS RECREATION DISTRICT, BEEBE LANE, ROAD AND STORMWATER MANAGEMENT IMPROVEMENTS
Sealed bids due March 20, 2025
The Lake Iroquois Recreation District (LIRD) invites qualified contractors to prepare lump sum bids for the construction of the Beebe Lane Road and Stormwater Management Improvement Project located on Beebe Lane in Williston, Vermont, herein referred to as the Project. The Project includes all work necessary to provide road and stormwater improvements on Beebe Lane contained on the design plans. The intent of the Project is to construct approximately 120 linear feet of paved road section, 2,650 linear feet of gravel road section, stormwater management facilities, erosion prevention and sediment control measures, and all associated miscellaneous work.
Sealed bids will be received by the Town of Williston Public Works Department at 7900 Williston Road, Williston, VT 05495 (on behalf of the LIRD) until 4:00pm March 20, 2025. Bids sent via fax or email will NOT be accepted. Sealed Bids will be publicly opened by an LIRD representative starting at 4:00pm at 7900 Williston Road, Williston, VT 05495. Qualified disadvantaged (DBE), minority (MBE) and women-owned (WBE) businesses are encouraged to submit proposals, and consultants are required to document whether the consultant or firm is a DBE or WBE.
Contractors are encouraged to visit the project site prior to the submissions of bid to familiarize themselves with the project site and surrounding area. Please take note of the nearby wetlands in close proximity of the road that will need to be protected during the construction phase. All questions for the project shall be submitted to the project engineer, Mr. Stephen Diglio, via email (stephend@kas-consulting. com) by the end of the day on Thursday, March 6, 2025. A response to questions will be issued at least 7 days prior to the Bid Submission Date.
Bid and Contract Documents: Contract Documents can be viewed at KAS, Inc. 589 Avenue D, Suite 10, P.O. Box 787, Williston, VT 05495 during regular business hours from Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm. Please contact Mr. Stephen Diglio via email at Stephend@kas-consulting.com for electronic copies of the Bid Documents.
PUBLIC HEARING
COLCHESTER
DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD
Pursuant to Title 24 VSA, Chapter 117, the Development Review Board will hold a public hearing on March 12, 2025, at 7:00pm to hear the following requests under the Development Regulations. Meeting is open to the public and will be held at 781 Blakely Road.
a) CU-25-05 28 VERMONT AVE LLC: Conditional Use Application to convert an existing Medical Office (Use 3.130) to Group Quarters (Use 1.460) in the General Development Two (GD2) District. Proposed Group Quarters to include
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PLACE AN AFFORDABLE NOTICE AT: SEVENDAYSVT.COM/LEGAL-NOTICES OR CALL 802-865-1020, EXT. 142. [CONTINUED]
twenty (20) sleeping areas with shared living space. Proposed change of use will include both interior renovations and minor exterior modifications including construction of a bike rack and dumpster enclosure. Subject property is located at 28 Vermont Avenue, Account #21-008010-0000000.
February 19, 2025
TOWN OF ESSEX DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
MARCH 6, 2025, 6:30 PM
Hybrid & In Person (Municipal Conference Room, 81 Main St., Essex Jct.) Meeting. Anyone may attend this meeting in person at the above address or remotely through the following options:
Public wifi is available at the Essex municipal offices, libraries, and hotspots listed here: https://publicservice.vermont.gov/content/ public-wifi-hotspots-vermont
1. Final Plan – Allen Brook Development is proposing a 5-lot subdivision of Parcel B within the Saxon Hill Industrial Park. Access will be provided via a new 30’ wide curbed road off River Road (currently Kimo Drive). The property is located at 75 Thompson Drive, Parcel ID 2-072-008-000, in the Industrial Resource Preservation-District (RPD-I), Industrial (I) and Conservation (C1) Districts.
2. Consent Item – Pam Schirner and SH-2, LLC are proposing a Boundary Line Adjustment between 247 and 251 River Road (Parcel ID 2-033-017-000 and 2-026-009-000) located in the Agricultural Residential (AR) and Industrial (I1) Districts. The proposed adjustment exchanges 0.82 acres from 251 River Road, owned by SH-2, LLC, with 2.53 acres from 247 River Road, owned by Pam Schirner.
3. Final Plan – Kennan Heco proposes a 4-lot minor subdivision located at 9 Colonel Page Road (Parcel ID 2-014-036-000) in the Agricultural Residential (AR), Floodplain Overlay (O2) and Scenic Resource Preservation Overlay (SRPO) districts. The proposed 4-lot subdivision consists of Lot 1 with the existing house and barns (7.76 acres); Lot 2 for a proposed single household dwelling (3.03 acres); Lot 3 for a proposed single household dwelling (4.13 acres); and Lot 4 not presently for development (45.4 acres).
Application materials may be viewed before the meeting at https://www.essexvt.org/182/ Current-Development-Applications. Please call 802-878-1343 or email COMMUNITYDEVELOPMENT@ESSEX.ORG with any questions. This may not be the final order in which items will be heard. Please view the complete Agenda, at https://essexvt.portal.civicclerk.com or the office notice board before the hearing for the order in which items will be heard and other agenda items.
BURLINGTON PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
BURLINGTON COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE AMENDMENT ZA-25-02: NEIGHBORHOOD CODE – ADDITIONAL HOUSING DEVELOPMENT OPTIONS
Pursuant to 24 V.S.A. §4441 and §4444, notice is hereby given of a public hearing by the Burlington Planning Commission to hear comments on the following proposed amendments to the City of Burlington’s Comprehensive Development Ordinance (CDO). The public hearing will take place during the Planning Commission meeting on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, with the hearing starting at Time Certain 6:45pm. You may access the hearing/meeting as follows:
The meeting will be held in the Sharon Bushor Conference Room at City Hall (149 Church Street) To join virtually from a Computer, please click
this URL to join, and enter the Webinar ID if prompted: Link: https://zoom.us/j/97941883790?pwd=bGZ BNzNyV1liL3p5NkhIL2dqUFIzdz09
Webinar ID: 979 4188 3790
Passcode (if needed): 658929
To join virtually by phone, dial this number and enter the Webinar ID when prompted: Number: +1 646 931 3860
Webinar ID: 979 4188 3790
Pursuant to the requirements of 24 V.S.A. §4444(b):
Statement of purpose:
The purpose of the proposed amendment is as follows:
• ZA-25-02: This amendment augments Neighborhood Code Part 1 (Adopted 3/25/24) by establishing standards for Planned Unit Developments, Rowhouses, and Pocket Neighborhoods in the Residential zoning districts. Additionally, this amendment supports the broader goals of the Neighborhood Code by providing necessary clarification to the relationship between secondary buildings allowed in the residential standards and citywide provisions for Accessory Dwelling Units, streamlines ordinance sections related to Design Review applicability, and addresses standards for residential development bonuses.
Geographic areas affected:
This amendment applies to the following areas of the city:
• ZA-25-02: All current residential zoning districts within the city.
List of section headings affected:
The proposed amendments modify the following sections of the Burlington Comprehensive Development Ordinance:
• ZA-25-02: amends Sec. 3.3.3(a) Impact Fee Exceptions and Waivers; Sec. 3.4.2(b) Design Review Applicability; moves Map 4.5.1-1 Design Review Overlay District to Sec. 3.4.2(b) as amended and renumbers Map 3.4.2; amends Article 4, Sec. 4.4.5(d) by: modifying Tables 4.4.5-1 Lot Size, Frontage, Setback, and Lot Coverage Standards in Residential Districts and Table 4.4.5-2 Principal & Secondary Structures Massing and Placement Standards in Residential Districts; replaces the previously Reserved Sec. 4.4.5 (d) 1 A. with Pocket Neighborhoods; modifies the formerly reserved Table 4.4.5-3 to establish Pocket Neighborhood Standards; creates and moves Sec. 4.4.5 (d) 1 B. Residential Development Bonuses to a new section, Sec. 4.4.5 (d) 5.; creates Sec. 4.4.5 (d) 2 B. Rowhouses and re-numbers subsequent tables within the subsection; amends the newly-moved Sec. 4.4.5 (d) 5. Residential Development Bonuses by modifying Sec. 4.4.5 (d) 5. A., Sec. 4.4.5 (d) 5. B., Sec. 4.4.5 (d) 5. C., and, deleting Table 4.4.5-5 Residential Conversion Bonus, and renumbering and reformatting subsections and tables; creates Sec. 4.4.5-2 (d) 2. D. Exceptions to Maximum Building Footprint Limit; creates Sec. 4.4.5 (d) 4. D. Additional Unit; deletes Sec. 4.5.1 Design Review Overlay District and reserves section; modifies Sec. 5.2.2 Required Frontage or Access; deletes Sec. 5.2.3 (b) 10 under Exceptions to Lot Coverage.; deletes Sec. 5.4.5 Accessory Dwelling Units; modifies Sec. 6.2.2 (h) Building Location and Orientation and Sec 6.2.2 (l) Parking and Circulation; modifies Sec. 11.1.3 General Requirements & Applicability by deleting table 11.1.3-1 Planned Unit Development Project Size Standards; creates Sec. 11.1.4 Residential District Planned Unit Developments; creating Table 11.1.4-1 Planned Unit Development Project Size Standards; creating Table 11.1.4-2 Planned Unit Development Standards; renumbers Secs. 11.1.57; and modifies Article 13 by creating a definition for Pocket Neighborhoods and Rowhouses
The full text of the Burlington Comprehensive Development Ordinance is available online at www.burlingtonvt.gov/DPI/CDO. The proposed amendment can be reviewed in hard copy posted on the first floor of City Hall, 149 Church Street, Burlington or online at https://www.burlingtonvt.gov/DPI/CDO/Amendments
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 geneticinformation. The City is also committed to providing proper access to services, facilities, and employment opportunities. For accessibility information oralternative formats, please contact the City Planning department or 711 if you are hearing or speech impaired.
ACT 250 NOTICE
MINOR APPLICATION 4C1122-3,4C0362-1, 4C0244-1,4C0258-3
10 V.S.A. §§ 6000 – 6111
Application 4C1122-3,4C0362-1,4C02441,4C0258-3 from City of South Burlington, 104 Landfill Road, South Burlington, VT 05403; Investors Corporation of Vermont, 30 Main Street #401, Burlington, VT 05401; and Treetop Park Association, P.O. Box 1201, Williston, VT 05495 was received on February 4, 2025 and deemed complete on February 13, 2025. The project is generally described as the expansion and improvement of an existing stormwater treatment pond (Kennedy Drive Pond 7) into a gravel wetland as part of the City’s Flow Restoration Plan. The project is located near the intersection of Williston Road and Kennedy Drive in South Burlington, Vermont. The application may be viewed on the Land Use Review Board’s website (https://act250.vermont.gov/) by clicking “Act 250 Database” and entering the project number “4C1122-3,4C0362-1,4C0244-1,4C0258-3.”
No hearing will be held and a permit may be issued unless, on or before March 10, 2025, a party notifies the District 4 Commission in writing of an issue requiring a hearing, or the Commission sets the matter for a hearing on its own motion. Any person as defined in 10 V.S.A. § 6085(c)(1) may request a hearing. Any hearing request must be in writing, must state the criteria or sub-criteria at issue, why a hearing is required, and what additional evidence will be presented at the hearing. Any hearing request by an adjoining property owner or other person eligible for party status under 10 V.S.A. § 6085(c) (1)(E) must include a petition for party status under the Act 250 Rules. To request party status and a hearing, fill out the Party Status Petition Form on the Board’s website: https://act250. vermont.gov/documents/party-status-petitionform, and email it to the District 4 Office at: Act250.Essex@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 February 14, 2025.
By: /s/ Stephanie H. Monaghan District Coordinator 111 West Street Essex Junction, VT 05452 802-261-1944 stephanie.monaghan@vermont.gov
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE AMENDMENTS TO THE CITY OF WINOOSKI UNIFIED LAND USE AND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS
In accordance with 24 V.S.A § 4441 and § 4444, the City of Winooski’s Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on Thursday, March 13, 2025 beginning at 6:30 p.m. Members of the public interested in participating in this hearing can do so by attending in person at Winooski City Hall, 27 West Allen Street, Winooski VT; or electronically by visiting https://us06web. zoom.us/j/89807479305; or by calling (646) 558 8656 and using Webinar ID: 898 0747 9305. Toll charges may apply.
Amendments to the Unified Land Use and Development Regulations
• Section 4.12 – Parking Requirements
• Section 4.17 – Transportation Demand Management
Statement of Purpose: The main purpose of this amendment is to further a goal of the City of Winooski Master Plan to improve transportation infrastructure throughout the city by requiring certain new developments to include transportation-related site amenities and/or provide transportation programs to employees and/or residents. Additional objectives of this amendment are to reduce vehicle trips, improve traffic flow for all users, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and encourage City residents and employees to use transportation modes other than private vehicles.
Geographic Area Affected: The proposed amendments will apply to the entire City including all zoning districts.
Section Headings Impacted: The following specific updates are included with these amendments:
Section 4.12 – Removes references to Transportation Demand Management (TDM)
Section 4.17 – Establishes Transportation Demand Management (TDM) requirements, and methods to monitor and evaluate projects subject to the TDM requirements.
The full text of these amendments is available at the Winooski City Hall, 27 West Allen Street, during normal business hours or by contacting Ravi Venkataraman, AICP CFM, Director of City Planning by calling 802.655.6410 or rvenkataraman@winooskivt.gov.
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE BURLINGTON COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE
Pursuant to 24 V.S.A. §4442 and §4444, notice is hereby given of a public hearing by the Burlington City Council to hear comments on the following proposed amendment to the City of Burlington’s Comprehensive Development Ordinance (CDO):
ZA-25-05 Champlain College Bed Caps
The public hearing will take place on Monday, March 10, 2025 during the Regular City Council Meeting which begins at 6:00 pm in Contois Auditorium, Burlington City Hall, 149 Church Street, Burlington, VT or you may access the hearing/meeting as follows:
On-line: https://zoom.us/j/97358532867 By telephone: +1 646 931 3860 US Webinar ID: 973 5853 2867
Pursuant to the requirements of 24 V.S.A. §4444(b):
Statement of purpose:
The purpose of proposed amendment ZA-25-05 Champlain College Bed Caps is to eliminate the Maximum Residential Beds standards in Sec. 4.5.2(g) 4 in order to facilitate on-campus residential conversion and development for Champlain College students.
Geographic areas affected: ZA-25-05 applies to the Institutional Core Campus – Champlain College overlay area.
List of section headings affected: The proposed amendment ZA-25-05 amends CDO Article 4, Sec. 4.5.2 Institutional Core Campus Overlay Districts, subsection (g) District Specific Regulations: Champlain College (ICC-CC): 4. Density.
The full text of the Burlington Comprehensive Development Ordinance is available online at https://www.burlingtonvt.gov/DPI/CDO Upon request, a hard copy of the proposed amendments can be viewed at the Clerk’s Office located on the second floor of City Hall, 149 Church Street, Burlington, Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or online at https://www.burlingtonvt. gov/DPI/CDO/Amendments
Marketing & Operations Manager
This is a part-time but key position at Middlebury Acting Company. The M&OM will help oversee the organization's communications, marketing and operations, with the goal of expanding the company’s reach, building audience and helping create sustainable operations systems. This is a 20 hour per week, 3 year grant funded position that will pay from $25,000 to $30,000/year, depending on previous experience. The contract will be for a one-year period, subject to renewal.
Send resumes to: melissa@middleburyactors.org 2v-MiddleburyActingCompany021925.indd
Maintenance Operator
CSWD’s Maintenance Department supports operations through maintenance and transporting materials. This position does a variety of tasks including basic electrical/plumbing/ carpentry skills, mowing, plowing, landscaping, front-end loader operation, basic vehicle maintenance, and food scrap and other materials transport. Our new hire will be a versatile, handy team player that pays close attention to detail, follows instructions, and has a minimum of two years’ general maintenance experience. A CDL is a strong plus, but not required. $22-$24/hour with an excellent benefit package.
For more information on the position and CSWD, visit cswd. net/about-cswd/job-openings/ Submit application or resume to Amy Jewell (ajewell@cswd.net). This position is open until filled.
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
•MANDARIN•
We’re seeking to hire servers and bartenders to join our hardworking and energetic team. If you’re interested in the opportunity, drop off a resume in person, or email to: lawrence@mandarinvt.com
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Courtroom Deputy Clerk
Line Cook
Positive and motivated, willing to get trained & take responsibility of the stations. Tuesday through Saturday evenings. Chiuhos@asinglepebble.com
The Clerk’s Office for the United States District Court is seeking a qualified individual with excellent analytical, organizational and interpersonal skills capable of functioning in a dynamic, team-oriented environment. The duty station is Burlington, Vermont. Full federal benefits apply.
Complete job description and formal application requirements are found in the official Position Announcement available from any U.S. District Court office (Burlington & Rutland) or the court’s website. E.O.E.
Middlebury Lead Energy Navigator
Help your neighbors implement climate and energy solutions!
The Climate Economy Action Center of Addison County seeks a Lead Energy Navigator. This new position will play a vital role in the dayto-day operations and success of the Energy Navigators Program (https://www.energynavigators.org) in the town of Middlebury, VT. The Lead Navigator will provide an independent and trusted resource connecting Middlebury residents to the opportunities available to make energy improvements and electrify their homes. They will also conduct research and recommend programs related to clean energy workforce development and contractor education. Immediate opening. More details and a link for applications available at ceacac.org/lead-navigator 4t-ClimateEconomyActionCenter021225.indd
Addison Residential is seeking full-time:
SKILLED CARPENTERS
Our ideal candidate has experience in all aspects of residential construction, including but not limited to framing, trim work, finish carpentry, etc. The right candidate has experience working with a variety of tools and materials and being able to read blueprints & follow instructions.
FINISHER
Finisher will be responsible for spraying a variety of projects –cabinetry, siding, trim, etc. along with using a variety of finish products. The job requires repetitive motion and ability to lift-up to 65lbs.
Candidates should be able to work independently, as well as be part of a team, and have a keen eye for detail. Must have a valid driver’s license. Benefits package available. Pay based on experience/ skill level. Email resume to info@addisonresendtial.com
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Full-time, year-round jobs
Event & Farm Functions Coordinator
Farm Functions Chef
Farm Catering Coordinator
Cheesemakers
Facilities Maintenance
Seasonal career opportunities will begin accepting applications by March 1st!
Status: Full-time, salaried (flexible schedule with evening meetings required).
The Town of Bristol, located in Central Vermont’s Addison County, is seeking highly motivated candidates for the Town Administrator position to oversee our vibrant community’s daily operations. Reporting to the Selectboard, this role is pivotal in driving policy implementation, budget management, and departmental oversight to deliver high-quality, cost-effective town services.
We seek an individual with strong business and financial management skills to manage daily operations, supervise Town employees, administer a budget of approximately $3 million, and ensure compliance with municipal, state, and federal regulations. This position also requires expertise in economic development, project management, strategic planning, and municipal processes. The ideal candidate holds a bachelor’s degree in public administration, business, political science, or equivalent professional qualifications or experience (a master’s is preferred but not required) and has 3-5 years of leadership experience in municipal government or similar roles.
Detailed job description at bristolvt.org/town_admin_job.pdf
Salary is commensurate with experience, starting at $82,500. Excellent benefits package.
The position is advertised until filled. To apply, please submit a letter of interest, a resume, and three references by March 31, 2025, to townadmin@bristolvt.org or send by mail to:
Bristol Town Administrator Search
P.O. Box 249, Bristol, VT 05443
The Town of Bristol is an equal opportunity provider and employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, religion, gender, or familial status.
Executive Director
Locations: Remote plus regular in-person business in Burlington and Montpelier, VT
Position: Permanent, Full-Time, Salaried, Exempt; Reports to Board of Directors
Salary: $85,000 - $105,000, commensurate with experience
VBSR is a statewide, nonprofit business association with a mission to leverage the power of business for positive social and environmental impact. Our diverse membership represents all industries and geographic regions of Vermont - from sole proprietors to the largest employers in the state - all working toward a just, thriving, and transformative economy that works for all people and the planet.
As Executive Director, you will lead both Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility and our Research and Education Foundation (VBSR-REF) to advance our mission. You will inspire VBSR members and the public toward VBSR’s vision of a just, thriving, and transformative economy that works for all people and the planet and embody VBSR’s values. This is a pivotal role that requires visionary leadership, strategic thinking, and a deep commitment to values-driven business practices. You’ll oversee a dedicated team, advocate for innovative public policy, strengthen relationships with members and partners & drive the organization’s financial success and operational excellence.
Complete position description and application instructions available: vbsr.org/vbsr-executive-director Deadline: March 3, 2025
Applicants who identify as women and non-binary, Black, Indigenous and People of Color, First- or Second-Generation American, individuals with disabilities, LGBTQ+, veterans, justice-involved, or other historically marginalized and underrepresented identities are strongly encouraged to apply. A college degree is not required to be successful in this position.
NOW HIRING
Currently accepting applications in our LABORATORY DEPARTMENT: • Medical Lab Scientists
Pathologist
Phlebotomist
Full-time, part-time, and per diem options available.
For more information visit copleyvt.org/careers or contact Kaitlyn Shannon, Recruiter, at 802-888-8144 or kshannon@chsi.org.
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Shelburne Museum is Hiring!
PT School Nurse
Join our supportive work environment and help us keep our students healthy! Rock Point School is seeking a licensed RN to: counsel and educate students and staff about health issues, communicate with parents and other health providers, and manage medications for students. For more details about the position, visit: rockpointschool.org/ about-us/employment/ school-nurse
1/8/25 1:28 PM
Join us in sharing the wonder and awe of Shelburne Museum with tens of thousands of visitors from around the globe! We are currently looking to fill two exciting positions: Museum Store Manager and Visitor Experience Manager. If you’re passionate about art, history, and creating memorable experiences, we want to hear from you! Become part of an incredible team dedicated to enriching our visitors’ experiences. Be a part of the magic inspired by the 220-foot steamboat “Ticonderoga,” the working carousel from the 1920s, our world-class art exhibitions, and the popular annual Winter Lights event, among many other offerings.
Enjoy a vibrant work environment and a competitive benefits package that includes health, vision, dental coverage, and generous time off! Learn more and apply now at shelburnemuseum.org/employment
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Executive Director
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Learn methods of sustainable agriculture
Work in farm fields and greenhouses
Wash and pack food for distribution
Develop teamwork and leadership skills
Earn a weekly stipend and education award
This position runs from June 16 - August 14, 2025
Age eligibility: 17+
In this leadership role, you will serve as Executive Director of Lyric Theatre Company (Lyric), responsible for engaging our community, membership, donors, and volunteers in promoting and delivering a community theater experience to 14,000+ attendees a year, while ensuring financial stability and security of the organization. Reporting to the Lyric Board of Directors, you are responsible for overseeing the administrative, financial, and operational aspects of Lyric, supporting the artistic direction, production selection, or creative decisions related to theatrical performances.
Please note, this role is not an Artistic Director role. Send resumes to: lyricedsearch@gmail.com
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Location: Richmond, VT
Schedule: Mon-Thurs
Earn while you learn; no experience needed
ocation: chedule: Mon-Thurs arn
ST ALBANS
Youth Clinician
Youth Coach
Youth Development Program Coordinator
BURLINGTON
Youth Coach
Basic Need Support Staff - On Call
Scan the QR code to view job descriptions & apply.
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Shared-Living Provider
Join Home Base Inc. in supporting an older woman with developmental disabilities as a Shared-Living Provider. We are seeking someone who owns a home (preferably in/ around Burlington/Shelburne area) with an extra bedroom on the first floor. This woman lives semi-independently (can be alone for up to 3 hours at a time) and receives community supports from Home Base staff. At home, she enjoys relaxing and keeping to herself but also values company and conversation. Provide assistance with grocery shopping, meal & medication prep, home care. Generous tax-exempt monthly stipend and room and board payment for opening your home and providing care for this woman. Training and ongoing support provided.
Send resumes to: rachel@homebasevt.org
Administrative Associate
Chittenden Community Action, seeks an experienced Administrative Associate for our Burlington office. Duties may include fielding telephone calls, receiving and directing visitors, word processing, data entry, creating spreadsheets and presentations, internet research, filing, and faxing. Extensive software skills are required.
If you have an Associate’s degree in business or human services or related education and experience; effective verbal and written communication skills - bilingual abilities are a plus; excellent organizational, interpersonal and collaborative skills; self-motivated, energetic and have the ability to perform multiple tasks in a visible and fast paced environment, we’d like to hear from you!
To apply, please include a cover letter and resume with your application. We are one of the 2024 Best Places to Work in Vermont! Join us to find out why!
cvoeo.org/careers
Why not have a job you love?
Make a career making a difference with a job in human services at Champlain Community Services.
Benefit package includes 29 paid days off in the first year, comprehensive health insurance with premium as low as $30 per month, up to $6,400 to go towards medical deductibles and copays, retirement match, generous sign on bonus and so much more.
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And that’s on top of working at one of the “Best Places to Work in Vermont” for seven years in a row.
COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR
Vermont Studio Center (VSC) seeks a part-time Communications Coordinator. This position will assist the Communications Director with the creation, management, and tracking of marketing content for all VSC projects and campaigns. In addition to creating and managing social media channels and content, this position requires uploading content to the VSC website, community events calendars, and other digital platforms. As a member of the Advancement team, the coordinator will work with colleagues across departments to celebrate VSC alumni achievements, promote residency opportunities, and raise awareness of VSC’s offerings and impact. For full job description go to vermontstudiocenter.org/jobs-at-vsc. To apply, send resume and cover letter to Richard Busch at jobs@ vermontstudiocenter.org
Commercial Construction Project Manager
Silver Maple is seeking a full-time, benefits eligible Project Manager (PM) to lead its expanding Commercial Construction work. This seasoned PM will source and develop new projects and manage them from first contact through completion. The right candidate will shape the division, expand the team and build our commercial business line.
We enable our employees to do their best work, work that inspires them and supports a favorable work-life balance. Salary & Benefits are competitive and comprehensive. Apply at silvermaple.com or send your resume to hr@silvermapleconstruction.com
Great jobs in management, and direct support at an award-winning agency serving Vermonters with intellectual and developmental disabilities. ccs-vt.org/current-openings.
Founded in 2020, we began network construction in 2021. We’re a small company of fewer than 20 employees, which means there’s lots of room for growth and learning. Here at NEKCV, we’re committed to creating an inclusive culture where all employees feel welcomed and valued.
Please visit our website for specific details, www.nekbroadband.org TO APPLY,
FEBRUARY 19-26, 2025
ATTENTION RECRUITERS:
Director of Education
The Vermont Captive Insurance Association (VCIA) seeks a bright & experienced individual for a Director of Education position to join our close-knit team. This person will develop, implement, & manage the education programs, annual conference & other events of VCIA. This is a key role & innovative educational offerings is an important value to our nearly 400 member organizations.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND SKILLS
•Serve as primary liaison for all VCIA programs with the relevant external parties; develop a yearly (or multi-year) education and event plan that is consistent with the mission of the organization and the strategic plan.
•Assist in the development of association policies and procedures related to education.
•Manage the VCIA Annual Conference programing to include: topic and speaker selection process; production of timely promotional materials; serve as primary liaison to Conference Task Force, including preparation of agendas with committee chair, dissemination of supporting materials and meeting minutes.
•Report education evaluation findings to CEO and recommend changes to enhance future programs.
•Establish and maintain productive relationships with VCIA members and appropriate representatives of consumer groups.
ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS
• College degree and relevant experience in education programing;
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate all phases of the association’s education and event programming;
• Effectiveness in working with volunteers;
• Proven experience in budget and finance arenas;
• Strong marketing knowledge and experience with associations or nonprofits.
TO APPLY:
Applications due February 28th. Send cover letter and resume to: Kevin Mead, VCIA CEO, kmead@vcia.com.
Expected compensation: $75,000-$85,000 yearly, based on experience Full job description at vcia.com
“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
Electrical Apprentices & Electricians
Apprentices to have all apprenticeship fees paid. Licensed electricians receive a sign-on bonus and competitive wages. To apply call (970)-618-7151 or email resume to jacob@hellbrook.io
Contracts Specialist
Are you a detail-oriented contracts professional with a passion for higher education? Do you have a knack for negotiation, risk mitigation, and fostering collaborative partnerships? GMHEC is looking for a dynamic Contracts Specialist to join our team and support our members (Champlain College, Middlebury College, and St. Michael’s College). This is your chance to help shape the future of higher education while ensuring that our contracts meet institutional goals, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices.
Key responsibilities:
*Contract Development & Negotiation
*Contract Compliance & Risk Mitigation
*Partner Relationship Management
*Contract Lifecycle Management
*Process Improvement & Policy Development
*Internal Collaboration & Training
*Reporting & Documentation
Qualifications & Skills:
*Bachelor’s degree in Business, Legal Studies, Public Administration, or related field. Master's degree or JD preferred.
*Minimum of 4 years’ contract management experience, with preference for experience in a higher education or public sector environment.
*Professional certifications such as CPCM, CCM, or similar are advantageous.
*Legal and regulatory knowledge
*Attention to detail
*Analytical skills
*Communication and negotiation skills
*Strong organizational skills
At GMHEC, we are committed to fostering a collaborative, inclusive environment where your expertise will help strengthen the higher education community we serve.
APPLY TODAY WITH QR CODE HERE:
Media Manager
Video + Photo Director/Producer
See job descriptions at PlaceVT.com resumes and links to: jobs@PlaceVT.com
In-Person OG Structured Literacy Instructor
Full Time
The results of our recent staff survey state that 100% of our current staff would recommend working at the Stern Center!
The Stern Center in Williston is seeking a full-time, in-person instructor to join our highly experienced and collaborative team of teachers. If you’re a qualified educator with training and experience in structured literacy instruction, this rewarding role allows focus and impact, teaching one-on-one to make a positive difference every day.
Individual Giving Manager
Vermont Studio Center (VSC) seeks an Individual Giving Manager. This position is responsible for growing support from individual donors, administering the organization’s annual giving initiatives, and participating in all aspects of donor relations. The manager will work across departments to foster consistency and quality of records management, stewardship, and reporting. They will work with the Advancement team to set development strategy, expand resources, and further VSC’s philanthropic goals.
For full job description go to vermontstudiocenter.org/ jobs-at-vsc
To apply send resume and cover letter to Richard Busch at jobs@ vermontstudiocenter.org
Training in Orton-Gillingham and/or Wilson and having a Vermont State Education License strongly preferred. This position includes the Stern Center’s 6-week summer program through the 2025-26 school year. Our ideal candidate will have exceptional communication and organizational skills, an understanding of research-based interventions, and experience in developing individualized learning plans.
If you desire a culture where you receive outstanding support from your peers, a predictable schedule with an adequate amount of time for planning and lesson prep, recognition for excellent work, and would like to work in an academically stimulating environment, we encourage you to apply. You will be changing lives through the use of evidencebased instruction.
Specific duties include:
• Administer and interpret pre- and post-instructional assessments
• Create specific academic goals and objectives for each student
• Communicate with parents, schools, teachers, and special educators
• Strong progress monitoring and reporting skills
• Technology skills and willingness to learn new platforms for student record keeping
The non-profit Stern Center for Language and Learning is dedicated to learning for all as we recognize that all great minds don’t think alike. We invite you to learn more about us at sterncenter.org. Interested candidates please send a cover letter and resume to hcastillo@sterncenter.org. Stern Center for Language and Learning is an equal opportunity employer.
Central Clinical Educator (CCE)
Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital (NVRH) in St. Johnsbury is looking for a Central Clinical Educator (CCE) to help us elevate our nursing education. We want to hear from you if you’re passionate about mentoring and supporting healthcare professionals.
What You’ll Do: Manage our mandatory education programs and nursing orientation. Ensure compliance with training requirements. What We’re Looking For: An RN graduate (BSN required/MSN preferred) with at least 3 years of nursing experience. We offer competitive pay and excellent benefits, such as student loan repayment, and generous paid time off. If you’re ready to make a meaningful impact in your community, apply today! We can’t wait to welcome you to our team!
Communications Director
VNRC is seeking a mission-driven professional to lead public relations strategy, planning and implementation for VNRC and our strategic partner, Vermont Conservation Voters (VCV). The Communications Director plays a leadership role in crafting messaging for VNRC’s many coalitions and campaigns to reach media, policymakers, membership, and the general public.
The successful candidate is an action-oriented strategist and self-starter with excellent oral and written communication skills; has proven time management skills and excellent attention to detail; is able to translate complex content for a variety of audiences and purposes; experienced in the strategic use of digital advocacy tools and social media; proficient in putting together presentations, talking points, fact-sheets, web content and other communications materials; and is committed to working on behalf of Vermont’s residents, environment and communities. Experience with policy-driven nonprofits is strongly desired, and a background in membership development and fundraising is a plus.
VNRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and strongly encourages applications from candidates whose identities have been historically underrepresented in the environmental movement, including people who identify as Black, Indigenous, Hispanic or Latino, Asian or Pacific Islander, or people of color; people from marginalized economic backgrounds; and people living with disabilities. Applicants should share VNRC’s commitment to centering equity, environmental justice, diversity, and inclusion in our work.
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ATTENTION RECRUITERS:
POST YOUR JOBS AT: SEVENDAYSVT.COM/POSTMYJOB PRINT DEADLINE: NOON ON MONDAYS (INCLUDING HOLIDAYS) FOR RATES & INFO: MICHELLE BROWN, 802-865-1020 X121, MICHELLE@SEVENDAYSVT.COM
The Communications Director is a full-time, hybrid (remote & in-person) position based at our Montpelier office. Starting salary is commensurate with experience, with a salary range of $60,000 to $70,000 plus a $20,000 benefits stipend. Candidates must submit a letter of interest, resume and writing sample via email to be considered.
We will begin reviewing applications on February 24, 2025. Applications
ATTENTION RECRUITERS:
The Program Facilitator
The Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired is looking for someone to run our bi-weekly support groups for our blind and visually impaired clients in Chittenden and Franklin Counties as well as our statewide virtual support group. The Program Facilitator emphasizes independence, skills training, and emotional support to people coping with a visual impairment. This is a part-time position 10-15 hours per week, with a starting pay of 19.00 per hour. Interested applicants must be able to work well in a group setting and have a Bachelor’s Degree in either Psychology, Counseling, or Human Services, or the equivalent. Experience with blindness is preferred. Email resume to dnorris@vabvi.org.
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:
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.
Offender Re-entry Housing Specialist:
Provides support to men and women under the VT Department of Corrections supervision from prison back to Chittenden County. The ORHS focuses on high-risk men and women who are being released from jail and graduating transitional housing programs and in need of permanent housing. The ORHS provides intensive retention and eviction prevention services and works collaboratively with the Burlington Probation and Parole Office. Additionally, the ORHS works with various case workers, Re-Entry staff and the Administrative Staff from the VT Department of Corrections and the broad network of COSA staff as necessary throughout Chittenden County.
Preventative Maintenance Specialist:
Administers and implements comprehensive preventative maintenance activities at all BHA properties, ensuring the systematic upkeep of building components. The PMS will establish a maintenance schedule, as well as overseeing and coordinating with contractors for key building systems and areas related to the upkeep of buildings.
Resident Manager at South Square: Attends to various resident requests, assisting with emergency service, and light
cleaning duties. The Resident Manager is required to live on property. The Resident Manager is provided with an apartment along with free utilities in exchange for being on call after BHA business hours and on weekends.
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 and 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.
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
To find more information about these career opportunities, please visit: burlingtonhousing.org
BHA is an Equal Opportunity Employer
GO HIRE.
Job Seekers:
Job Recruiters:
• Post jobs using a form that includes key info about your company and open positions (location, application deadlines, video, images, etc.).
• Accept applications and manage the hiring process via our applicant tracking tool.
• Easily manage your open job listings from your recruiter dashboard.
• Search for jobs by keyword, location, category and job type.
• Set up job alert emails using custom search criteria.
• Save jobs to a custom list with your own notes on the positions.
• Apply for jobs directly through the site.
Get a quote when you post online or contact Michelle Brown: 865-1020, ext. 121, michelle@sevendaysvt.com.
AUTOMOTIVE TECH INSTRUCTOR
The Northlands Job Corps center has a need for an Automotive Tech Instructor to join our school. This is a full time, year round position that offers a competitive wage, major medical insurance plan, dental, vision, 401K and more. Northlands Job Corps provides career training to students 16 to 24 years of age who come to our center to gain valuable skills and start a career. Our students are mostly from the Northeast US and about 40% are from Vermont. We are probably the most diverse school in the state and our success, as measured by our students’ performance, is one of the best in the country. The ideal instructor would be someone who wants to be in a teaching role, ASE certified or willing to be certified, understands employment skills as well as automotive, and desires to run their own shop. Our program includes classroom instruction, hands on experience in our automotive shop and work based learning opportunities with local businesses. Class sizes are small to allow for one-on-one support. At Northlands we build success that lasts a lifetime.
Please contact us if you have an interest and would like to learn more.
JOIN OUR TEAM!
wdbrownell.com/about-us/current-openings Or apply directly to: wdb-info@wdbrownell.com
Spray Foam/Cellulose Insulation
AR Insulators is looking for an entry level Spray Foam and Cellulose Insulation applicator to add to our growing team. We will provide on the job training. Competitive wages, PTO, and benefits. You must have a valid driver’s license and transportation to job sites.
Send resume to insulators@ addisonresidential.com No phones calls or walk-ins.
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.
DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION FINANCE – MONTPELIER
The Vermont Agency of Education (AOE) seeks an experienced leader to serve as the Education Finance Director. This high-profile role oversees the education finance data team, revises funding mechanisms for affordability, and ensures high-quality education. Reporting to the CFO, the Director provides policy leadership, legislative testimony, and compliance oversight. Hybrid work available. For more information, contact Karen Abbott at karen.abbott@vermont.gov. Location: Montpelier.
Department: Education. Status: Full Time. Job ID # 52096. Application Deadline: February 27, 2025.
DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EDUCATION FINANCE –MONTPELIER
Vermont Agency of Education seeks a Director of Special Education Finance to oversee Special Education funding and School-Based Health Services (Medicaid). Reporting to the CFO, this leader ensures compliance with state and federal laws, manages funding structures and supervises a finance team. Collaboration with school districts, legislators, and education associations is key. Hybrid work available. For more information, contact Karen Abbott at karen.abbott@vermont.gov. Location: Montpelier. Department: Education. Status: Full Time. Job ID # 52097. Application Deadline: February 27, 2025.
STAFF
ATTORNEY III – WATERBURY
The Department is seeking a Staff Attorney to represent the Department in administrative appeals requested by applicants and recipients related to developmental and long-term care services, licensees, and alleged perpetrators of abuse or neglect of vulnerable adults. This is a full-time position located in Waterbury with an option for a hybrid work schedule. For more information, contact Stuart Schurr at stuart.schurr@vermont.gov.
Location: Waterbury. Department: Disabilities Aging & Independent Living. Status: Full Time – Exempt. Job ID #51882. Application Deadline: March 2, 2025. To apply, please submit a resume, references, and writing sample to Stuart.Schurr@Vermont.gov.
The Legislative support offices are currently hiring. The nonpartisan offices are an interesting, challenging, and exciting place to work.
You will be part of a highly professional and collegial team that is proud of, and enthusiastic about, the mission of the state legislature.
To apply, please go to 'Career Opportunities' at legislature.vermont.gov.
Gardening Assistant
Gardening assistant for a private residence with extensive perennial garden beds, a formal kitchen garden and substantial edible landscaping crops. This is a part-time, seasonal position. The duration of the position is weather dependent, but anticipated to be late Aprilearly November. This position is for 15-20 hours per week, however, additional hours are available doing trail maintenance or forestry work for the right candidate.
Contact: Tacy Lincoln
Please email: vtacy.lincoln@gmail.com
Seven
Chapin Spencer Burlington resident, cofounder of Local Motion and director of the Public Works Department
fun stuff
JEN SORENSEN
HARRY BLISS
fun stuff
“We’ll connect you with a representative just as soon as you’ve waited long enough to the point where you decide to hang up.”
RACHEL LINDSAY
ISAIAH LEGETTE
PISCES
(FEB. 19-MAR. 20)
Have you been struggling to summon the motivation to start anew in some area of your life? I predict that sometime in the coming weeks, you will find all the motivation you need. Have you been wishing you could shed the weight of the past and glide into a fresh project with unburdened mind and heart? I believe that destiny will soon conspire to assist you in this noble hope. Are you finally ready to exorcise a pesky ghost and dash jubilantly toward the horizon, eager to embrace your future? I think you are.
ARIES (Mar. 21-Apr. 19): The Hindu holiday of Maha Shivaratri is dedicated to overcoming ignorance and darkness in celebrants’ own lives and in the world. This year it falls on February 26. Even if you’re not Hindu, I recommend you observe your own personal version of it. To do so would be in accordance with astrological omens. They suggest that the coming weeks will be an excellent time for you to be introspective, study your life and history, and initiate changes that will dispel any emotional or spiritual blindness you might be suffering from. PS: Remember that not all darkness is bad! But some is unhealthy and demoralizing, and that’s the kind you should banish and transmute.
TAURUS (Apr. 20-May 20): The blue whale is the most massive animal that has ever lived. You could swim through its arteries. Its
heart is five feet high and weighs 400 pounds. And yet, when diving, its pulse slows to four to eight times per minute. I propose we choose the blue whale to be your spirit creature in the coming weeks. May this magnificent beast inspire you to cultivate slow, potent rhythms that serve you better than hyperactivity. Let’s assume you will accomplish all you need by maintaining a steady, measured pace — by focusing on projects that require depth and diligence rather than speed. Your natural persistence will enable you to tackle tasks that might overwhelm those who lack your patience.
GEMINI (May 21-Jun. 20): More than 10,000 years ago, someone walked for a mile through what’s now White Sands National Park in New Mexico. We know they did because they left footprints that were fossilized. Scientists believe it was probably a woman who mostly carried a child and sometimes let the child walk under its own power. Like those ancient footprints, your actions in the coming weeks may carry lasting significance — more than may be immediately apparent. I encourage you to proceed as if you are making a more substantial impact and having a bigger influence than you imagine.
CANCER (Jun. 21-Jul. 22): What’s the oldest known recipe? What ancient food product did our ancestors write down instructions about how to make? It was beer! The 4,000-year-old Sumerian text included a hymn to Ninkasi, the goddess of beer. It tells how to use the right ingredients and employ careful fermentation to concoct a beverage that lowers inhibitions and brings people together in convivial celebration. In that spirit, Cancerian, I encourage you to meditate on the elements you can call on to create merrymaking and connection. Now is a good time to approach this holy task with extra focus and purposefulness.
LEO (Jul. 23-Aug. 22): In November 1963, the captain of a sardine boat sailing near Iceland noticed a column of dark smoke rising out of the water. Was it another boat on fire? No, it was the beginning of a volcanic eruption. A few days later, steady explosions had created a new island, Surtsey, which still exists today.
I suspect you will have a metaphorically comparable power in the coming weeks, Leo: an ability to generate a new creation out of fervent energies rising out of the hot depths. Be alert! And be ready to harness and make constructive use of the primal force.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sep. 22): Harald “Bluetooth” Gormsson was a 10th-century Danish king. He united the tribes of Denmark into a single kingdom. His nickname originated in the fact that he had a prominent dead tooth that turned bluish-gray. More than 10 centuries later, engineers who created a new shortrange wireless technology decided to call their invention “Bluetooth.” Why? Because they imagined it would serve a variety of electronic devices, just as the king once blended the many tribes. In the spirit of these blue tooth phenomena, I’m urging you Virgos to be a uniter in the coming weeks and months. You will have an enhanced capacity to bridge different worlds and link disparate groups. PS: An aspect that could be construed as an imperfection, like Harald’s tooth, could conceal or signify a strength.
LIBRA (Sep. 23-Oct. 22): Libran author Ursula K. Le Guin wrote, “Freedom is a heavy load, a great and strange burden for the spirit to undertake.” I know from experience there’s truth in that idea. But I’m happy to tell you that in 2025, freedom will be less heavy and less burdensome than maybe ever before in your life. In fact, I suspect liberation will be relatively smooth and straightforward for you. It won’t be rife with complications and demands but will be mostly fun and pleasurable. Having said that, I do foresee a brief phase when working on freedom will be a bit more arduous: the next few weeks. The good news is that your emancipatory efforts will set the stage for more ease during the rest of 2025.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Always and forever, the world is a delicate balance of seemingly opposing forces that are in fact interwoven and complementary: light and shadow, determination and surrender, ascent and descent, fullness and emptiness, progress and integration, yes and no. The apparent polarities need and feed each other. In the coming weeks,
I invite you to meditate on these themes. Are there areas of your life where you have been overly focused on one side of the scale while neglecting the other? If so, consider the possibility of recalibrating. Whether you are balancing emotion with logic, rest with work or connection with independence, take time to adjust. If you honor both halves of each whole, you will generate fertile harmonies.
SAGITTARIUS
(Nov. 22-Dec. 21): The ancient stands of cedar trees on Japan’s Yakushima Island have a special power. They create weather patterns for themselves, generating rain clouds from the water vapor they release through their leaves. This ingenious stroke of self-nurturing provides them with the exact rainfall they require. I propose that we make these cedar trees your power symbol in the coming weeks. It’s an excellent time for you to dream up and implement more of the conditions you need to flourish.
CAPRICORN
(Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Tardigrades are tiny, eight-legged animals colloquially known as water bears or moss piglets. Their resilience is legendary. They can thrive anywhere, from mountaintops to the deep sea, from Antarctica to tropical rainforests. They can withstand extreme temperatures, live a long time without water and even survive in outer space. I propose we make the tardigrade your power creature for the coming weeks, dear Capricorn. Your flexibility and fluidity will be at a peak. You will be hardy, supple and durable. It will be a favorable time to leave your comfort zone and test your mettle in new environments. Seemingly improbable challenges may be well within your range of adaptability.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): In the coming days, playing games could be good practice for life. Breezy exchanges and fun activities could stimulate clues and insights that will be useful in making important decisions. What appears to be ordinary entertainment or social engagement may provide you with profound lessons about strategy and timing. How you manage cooperation and competition in those lighter moments could yield useful guidance about more serious matters.
At the Newark Street School, fourth and fifth graders meet up every Wednesday after school to prepare meals for six seniors. Seven Days’ Eva Sollberger traveled to Newark to see the students make mini meatloaves, mashed potatoes, peas and cookies, then she met a 91-year-old who enjoyed the meal.
Respond to these people online: dating.sevendaysvt.com
WOMEN seeking...
LOOKING FOR CONNECTION
I’m considerate, kind, compassionate, curious and always looking for new adventures. I would love to meet someone to share in my enthusiasm. Connect with me if you are not afraid to be real. katya 58, seeking: M, l
CARING, COMPASSIONATE, OPTIMIST
I am an active, energetic person with an optimistic view of life. I enjoy being out in nature and appreciate all seasons. I hope to find someone who’s up for new adventures and enjoys time alone and time together. Good communication, trust and compassion are very important to me, and I hope to find someone who shares these values.
KindredSpirit63 63, seeking: M, l
HONEST, LOYAL, INTENSE
Science and tech geek seeks similar. Dark sense of humor, still kind of a goth at heart. If I’m not home on Saturday nights, I’ll be at a bar or movie, not the theater. Shy, quiet and serious at first, looking for my opposite: someone carefree and joyful. But in the end, it all comes down to chemistry, right? labrat 47 seeking: M, l
ACTIVE, CARING AND FUNNY
Active woman who enjoys dancing, hiking, biking. My new partner is passionate about life and wants to spend time building a relationship. DancingQueen 60, seeking: M, l
WANT
TO RESPOND?
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W = Women
M = Men
TW = Trans women
TM = Trans men
Q = Genderqueer people
NBP = Nonbinary people
NC = Gender nonconformists
Cp = Couples
Gp = Groups
TEAM PLAYER SEEKS COCAPTAIN
Forty-nine years old/young, living in Stowe with my young daughter, our little dog and a kitten. Two-plus years of transition to single-mom living, and finally considering how a man might fit into my life. Honestly, still unsure, but hopeful for a partner with wit, creativity, non-arrogant ambition, humor and new adventures. I love people, kids, nature, saunas/plunges, skiing!
Mountain_Mama, 28 seeking: M, l
LOVING EVERY MORNING!
I, first and foremost, want honesty! If you don’t feel it, just tell me and go! It’s OK! I want laughter, fun, peace, enjoyment, no drama, no lies (big with me!) and to enjoy whatever “we” are doing! I am a very fast thinker but forget stuff. My life can be chaotic at times. I like my Jeep, ‘93 Mazda. MaMa_Me 71, seeking: M, l
CULTURED VERMONT WOMAN
I am intellectual and creative and love to explore active and artistic hobbies like drawing, skiing, walking in the woods and journaling. I am looking for a meaningful and serious relationship with someone who is kind yet ambitious. francoisegirl 28, seeking: M
HEADY NATURAL WORLD CARETAKER
A lover of the natural world, an artist, a lobbyist on behalf of the natural world, researcher and trainer of many kinds of animals, degreed chef and language instructor, organic gardener, daily exerciser and more online. Love to study languages and cultures. Cancer survivor, great sense of humor. Do not consent to geoengineering of our oceans and atmosphere. alphaomegafire 72 seeking: W, l
SEEKING TALL NICE GUY
Nice gal seeks nice guy for fun: conversation, travel, meals. I like fiction, cooking garden-to-table, conversation. I don’t like motorcycles, football, TV. Please be 5’10” or taller, nonsmoker, financially secure, emotionally and physically healthy. swimwstars 68, seeking: M
IN SEARCH OF YOU!
ISO companionship or LTR for social activities such as long walks on nature trails, browsing art galleries, attending lectures, long country back-road trips. I enjoy dining out but would prefer cooking healthy meals at home. Cozy evenings at home reading, playing board games by a roaring fire with great conversation. Biking and nightly walks, holding hands. Sunsets, farmers markets, live music. JeezumCrow, 73, seeking: M, l
SWEET AND SASSY
I am a down-to-earth woman. I am very creative and independent. I enjoy gardening, music and dancing, reading, and doing small projects. I am also a romantic for just a nice cooked meal at home, good conversation and cuddling to watch a movie. I also enjoy spending time with my grandchildren. Dreana58, 61, seeking: M, l
ACTIVE, CURIOUS AND ENTERTAINING
Recently single, retired professional seeking fun-loving companion who appreciates laughter, outdoors, travel, dining, music and hanging with friends. I embrace Vermont, especially Lake Champlain, on which I live. Skiing, biking, hiking and gym are all part of my routine. Grandkids and family are central but not local. Most importantly I seek a special person to share conversation, new adventures and good times. Catman 74, seeking: W, l
SCHOOL OF HARD KNOX GRADUATE
ENERGETIC, SARCASTIC AND LAID-BACK!
Not good at this. Let’s just give it a go and see what happens! Looking for a buddy, someone to hang and spend some time with. ForgingNewPaths, 37, seeking: M
GENUINE, FRIENDLY, LOYAL AND TRUE
I am single and live independently. Now retired but work part time remotely. I love nature and watching birds. I enjoy art, consignment and antique shops, music, and good movies. Looking for long-term friend and companion to love, share life, cook good food, talk, entertain and travel. Redwing, 75, seeking: M, l
ACTIVE, OUTGOING, ADVENTUROUS
I am a caring, independent, professional female who loves traveling, being outdoors (skiing, hiking, biking, paddle boarding, gardening), being with friends and family, or reading a great book. Ideally I would like to meet someone who is smart, has a good sense of humor, shares some of my interests and enjoys great conversation. Hopefully they are out there and will reach out. Oreodog 61, seeking: M, l
CURIOUS, ADVENTUROUS, CREATIVE
Most likely to cut in line at a buffet: independent, kind, impatient. Love a good road trip, museums, general stores, art and overseas travel. Group travel and cruises aren’t for me. Love cities, the seaside and forests. Not a fan of November to February in Vermont. Love great food — it doesn’t have to be complicated. Movies, history and architecture intrigue me. Jensen 60 seeking: M, l
DYNAMIC, UPBEAT, SPORT CHIC
I like to meet people and make everyone happy. I adapt very well. I’m French American, living in the United States. I would love to discover new places, walk, sail, have new activities, go on car or motorbike trips, cook, toast with a good bottle of wine, relax at home, and share life with someone who would enjoy my company. Amie 65, seeking: M, l
CREATIVE SOUL, EASYGOING, AUTHENTIC
Openhearted, loving and kind, I bring my authentic self to everything I do. What you see is what you get. I am an artist with a creative heart and open mind. Looking for a dynamic relationship with someone who is ready to “step up to the plate” with someone they can care about. turtleheart, 69 seeking: W, l
MEN seeking...
HELLO, LADIES
Hello, ladies. My name is Jonathan, but everyone calls me Jay. I’m 5’6”, I weigh 135. I am a fun-loving guy who loves to be around a special woman who loves to have sex and fun — all in one — so hit me up if that’s you. jayondamove87, 37, seeking: W, Cp, l
KIND, THOUGHTFUL, PATIENT
INTROVERT
If only I knew what to say. BonfiresAndStars 49 seeking: W, l
LET’S MEET
Looking for creative, multitalented, intelligent man for LTR/open to marriage. I put my order in with the agency so apply to heaven and they will match us up. Ask for money and it’s over. ThomThomCS135, 71, seeking: M, Cp, Gp, l
LET’S MAKE EACH OTHER SMILE
Want to spend some time with someone who wants nothing more than to make you feel good and be happy? Let me know if you are interested, and I’ll happily send pictures. Symbioticplease, 54, seeking: W
I am an honest, hardworking, single male who loves the outdoors and spending time with family. I am looking for a companion who is also honest, caring and accepting. I would like a romantic partner to join me on adventures like going for bike rides, a walk in the woods with a dog or a splash in the river. Spuds, 73 seeking: W, l
I’M SWEET, AMBITIOUS AND THOUGHTFUL
I’m funny, super positive, energetic and determined. I’m studying important historical dates. Would you like to join me? gregory1960, 64, seeking: W, l
SIMPLIFY
Hi, what’s going on? Let me know. Simplfy 61, seeking: W
MAGNIFICENT, AWESOME, SPECTACULAR, MODEST AF
Young at heart, caring, trustworthy AF, romantic, fun and funny, completely heterosexual male interested in meeting his female counterpart for dating purposes, ideally. Age has diminished me somewhat, but still very much alive. Dan fan, witty, prefer positive over negative, and love to read or watch anything good. There’s much more to me, but this is a good start, don’t you think? Cbstrike11, 57, seeking: W, l
A RELATIONSHIP OF “YES”
Compassionate, caring, loving, ethical.
As a lover, I am intimate, sensitive, passionate and communicative in all the ways available for humans to communicate. In love I can and will go as deep and fearlessly as you are willing. I’ve rebuilt buildings, built boats and a rental business, post-retirement. I want to build a life together. Communication_ Matters, 65, seeking: W, l
LOOKING FOR NSA KINKY FUN
Looking for some kinky times. Like to give and receive oral and hoping to find a well-hung top. 2ndchnce 60, seeking: M
PART-TIME JOURNALIST, FULL-TIME SEEKER
You’re curious and funny, and can laugh at yourself and me. Words warm my heart, but a mechanical challenge perplexes me. I’ve taught in England and Ireland. I’m looking for someone to share the next part of my life, which will be an adventure (of travel, theater, swimming, hiking, dining, maybe golfing) before I’m whisked off to a home for the bewildered. 0hFlatlander 68 seeking: W, l
CALM, KIND AND WELL TRAVELED
Fan of many people, places and teams, with time for another person and their interests. WadeIn 61 seeking: W
BADASS ORGANIC FARMER
I own and operate my own vegetable farm. I’m looking to meet new people and see where it goes. Cole100 39, seeking: W, l
EASYGOING AND LAID-BACK
Time is of the essence. Life is too short. I work way too hard seemingly for someone else’s benefit more than my own. rockme 60, seeking: W
THOUGHTFUL, UNASSUMING, CATCH?
Thirty-six, male. I am well educated, in full-time sales. Looks: Zoom-call handsome, dark hair and average build. Both shy and gregarious. Intellectual and kind. Personal growth and awareness are important to me. Love games, vistas, conversation. Seeking friendships or dating with women. Wanting something serious, open to casual or flirtatious. Please be patient, I’m new to this. What’s something that sparked your curiosity?
Spiritual_Charcoal 36 seeking: W, TW, Q, NC, NBP, l
HEAVY METAL DAD
Security officer at two locations. Busy single full-time dad. Looking for someone with whom to spend what little free time I have. bthibodeau, 46 seeking: W, l
TRANS MEN seeking...
INDUSTRIOUS, NERDY, PURSUING KNOWLEDGE
Student and professional artist constantly pursuing new hobbies and studies. Looking for friends to tinker and hang with or a partner for more or less the same. Friendly and open-minded but shy to start. Still wears a mask in crowds. grimblegromble 23 seeking: W, TW, l
NONBINARY PEOPLE seeking...
OUTDOORSY, TALKATIVE, CREATIVE
Hi, I am pretty fun. I listen to a lot of music. I hike a lot, backpack and garden in the summers. I’m intersex, so I’m doublegendered totally and prefer men. I like to draw a lot. I’m very creative; think of myself as a drawer of African animalistic settings, Vermont animals and astrology. Hailuithair, 30 seeking: M, l
LOOKING FOR OUTDOORSY
I’m very creative and open-minded. Spend my days foraging in the forest and gardening, working at a greenhouse days in the summer. I’m intersex, born with both male and female genitalia. Looking for a man interested in connecting with my female side to date and form a long-term relationship with. Dajag181 30, seeking: M, l
COUPLES seeking...
ENJOYING LIFE
We are an attractive, fun-loving, professional couple enjoying life together in Vermont (she, 49; he, 51). Looking for couples or the occasional single guy for fun experiences in and out of the bedroom. Onlylivingonce 50, seeking: M, Cp, Gp
EXPLORING THREESOMES AND FOURSOMES
We are older and wiser, discovered that our sexuality is amazingly hot! Our interest is another male for threesomes or a couple for threesomes or foursomes. We’d like to go slowly, massage you with a happy ending. She’d love to be massaged with a happy ending or a dozen. DandNformen 68, seeking: M, W, TM, TW, Q, NC, NBP, Cp, Gp, l
WE BOTH LIKE OLIVES
We connected briefly over a deal on olives. You were friendly and cheerful, and I wish I had slowed down to really interact. We wished each other a good day in the parking lot. When: Saturday, February 8, 2025. Where: Hunger Mountain Co-op. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916258
RUNNING ON THE RAIL TRAIL
You were out running. I was on my snowmobile and stopped to help you grab your adorable pup Maple. Running into you was the most delightful event of my day. Care to run the trails with me sometime? When: Monday, February 3, 2025. Where: St. Albans Rail Trail. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916257
TRADER JOE’S TEA
Girl with the red hair: You let me know about your upcoming visit with a friend, sharing a cup of tea and perhaps talking the tea? You departed on the winds of a cold February afternoon. Would you a care for a visit and tea with me?
When: Monday, February 3, 2025. Where: Trader Joe’s South Burlington. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916256
BE(ER) MY VALENTINE AND MORE
Your unique look caught my eye as you heaved heavy kegs and cases about. I noticed your strong physique and wondered if I should ask you out. Your handsome brown eyes were filled with delight as you performed your job, efficient and sharp. Won’t you be my valentine and bring me back to life to save me from the dark? When: Friday, February 14, 2025. Where: downtown Burlington. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916255
If you’ve been spied, go online to contact your admirer!
PRICE CHOPPER
You were a nice Black woman, getting dizzy and nauseous in the supermarket. I held your hand and walked you outside to your car. I asked you to wait about five to 10 minutes before taking off. I asked you if you would like me to get you something from the store. I hope you are doing well. I would like to see you again. When: Friday, February 7, 2025. Where: Price Chopper supermarket, South Burlington. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916254
HUNGER MOUNTAIN CO-OP INTRIGUE
Hi! Me: woman in her forties at the checkout line wearing blue coat and pink hat. You: guy in his fifties by the candy wearing green coat and brown hat. You looked at me like you knew me or wanted to. I was hoping you would come over and say hello — maybe you can start the introduction here. When: Sunday, February 2, 2025. Where: Hunger Mountain Co-op, Montpelier. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916253
BOOK BANTER AT BARRIO
You were reading A Court of orns and Roses (book three) in a cozy gray sweater. I was reading Crying in H Mart Before you left, we chatted briefly about your book, mine, and the bright winter sunshine. You piqued my interest from the very first page. When: Saturday, February 8, 2025. Where: Barrio Bakery. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916252
J. AT SPECIAL SERVICES TRANSPORTATION AGENCY
Found out recently you left the company. You were an irreplaceable asset to them. May this year bring you only good things. When: Saturday, March 2, 2024. Where: only spoke on the phone. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916251
De Nil Cummings,
SOUTH BURLINGTON DUNKIN’ GUY
Kept making eye contact with this one guy in a Dunkin’ in South Burlington. He was with two other guys (I was with two other girls). We were slightly loud/obnoxious. I think we would hit it off, honestly. Hit me up. When: Wednesday, January 15, 2025. Where: South Burlington Dunkin’. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916250
SEPTUAGENARIAN EYES
Mesmerize green eyes / Beguile, Betray Bats Burro / Reconcile swap smile. When: Sunday, February 9, 2025. Where: running from fate. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916249
ST. ALBANS TRACTOR SUPPLY
We were both shopping, and by the third time we crossed paths, there clearly was mutual curiosity with enough sparkle for me to decide to write this. No big deal, and we might as well connect just for the fun of it. I can’t get there next Saturday, which would be an easy plan B, otherwise. When: Saturday, February 8, 2025. Where: St. Albans Tractor Supply. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916248
HOLDING DOOR IN ESSEX JUNCTION
A week or so ago, as I was leaving Fairground Beverage, you held the door open for me. I just wanted to say that I think you’re a class act. anks. When: Monday, January 27, 2025. Where: Essex Junction. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916247
$30 LOAF OF BREAD
Beauty — wisdom — humor! Dark hair, parted right to left, round glasses, beautiful smile! At 2:40 p.m., we discussed the complexities involving a $30 loaf of bread. Me: long, dark curly hair. I’d love to meet you for coffee somewhere or go for a walk with the dogs — or ? So hope you see this and reach out! When: ursday, January 30, 2025. Where: East Warren Community Market. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916246
TO MY VALENTINE
Curly hair, don’t care. Brown eyes, give me butterflies. Britain or England, I’ll take you there. You are beautiful and perfect for me in every way! I love you and want to spend my life with you — and NB with GT! XoXO When: Friday, February 14, 2025. Where: Williston. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916245
Yours is a very common complaint among women, and I’m going to assume you’re referring to the penetrative portion of the party. If your boyfriend isn’t pleasuring you in other ways, that’s a bigger conversation.
I’m not sure what you consider a long time, but on average, it takes a person with a penis between five and seven minutes from penetration to ejaculation. Conversely, studies have shown that people with vaginas need six to 20 minutes to reach climax during partnered sex. Of course, it varies greatly from person to person, but it doesn’t take a mathematician to see that those numbers don’t add up.
As with just about every issue in a relationship, communication is key to solving sexual problems. I know it can be awkward, but you need to talk with your boyfriend about the situation. No guy wants to feel like a two-pump chump, so keep his feelings in mind when you broach the subject.
I’D DRESS AS DONKEY
Enjoy this Haiku / I crafted it just for you / Heartfelt Healing Hope When: Monday, February 3, 2025. Where: e deep woods. You: Group. Me: Man. #916244
HANDSOME GUY AT BENT NAILS
E, thanks for making my night. I was in my groove and caught off guard — I thought you were on a date. Now I’m wishing I’d come over. Let me buy you a drink? When: Friday, January 31, 2025. Where: Bent Nails Bistro. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916243
BIRTHDAY ON 28, LOVES TIRAMISU
e way you threw your shoulder left me feeling sore. You said you loved tiramisu, could I ask for more? Yapping with you is never a bore. I can’t believe you’re not 24 anymore. When: Sunday, January 26, 2025. Where: With the goats. You: Woman. Me: Woman. #916242
SALT & RIND WATERBURY
You were with friends from N.C. I was with someone. Wanted to sit at your table; still do. — Cute guy at the bar thinking about your pretty face. Now what? When: ursday, January 23, 2025. Where: Salt & Rind Waterbury. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916240
GARDNER’S SUPPLY EYE CONTACT
You have longish brown hair, a dynamite smile and were wearing a blue hoodie with logos. I had a blue puffy and a trucker cap on. We made brief eye contact, but the moment passed. Does the universe grant second chances? If you think that question would be a good conversation starter, how about coffee at the Gardener’s Supply Café? When: ursday, January 23, 2025. Where: Gardner’s Supply. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916239
QUEEN ANNE AND LE CORBUSIER
Most people thought the chaconne would be the piece to end the recital. We agreed that the choice of the third sonata was inspired. at allegro assai is just transcendent; so joyful. I’ll take your advice and check out the recital hall — we might meet again. I wonder what the music will be? When: Friday, January 17, 2025. Where: St. Paul’s Cathedral, Burlington. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916237
A BEAUTIFUL DAY
anks for wishing me one. I’ve been having one of those weeks where I could really use one. I appreciate your kindness. I’m looking forward to tasting the pound cake. When: Tuesday, January 14, 2025. Where: Around town. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916236
NUT AND BOLTS
When I saw you, messy hair, alluring and determined in a trench coat and big snow boots, I said to myself, Oh, my God. I wish I had said hello. Maybe I will see you again in your beautifully beat-up Mercedes station wagon. When: Tuesday, January 14, 2025. Where: Kenyon’s. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916235
CROSBY’S CUTE FRIEND?
You skied past me while I was running in shorts. “Wait, are you Crosby’s friend?” you asked, flashing a gorgeous smile. I said “No,” but I wish I’d kept the conversation going somehow. If you happen to see this, I’d love to ski with you sometime. When: Friday, January 10, 2025. Where: Intervale. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916234
MOONDANCE SIREN
Your silhouette is intriguing. It reminds me of my friend LVM, another beauty. Do you rescue domesticated animals as well? I know one who is in dire straits. When: ursday, January 9, 2025. Where: in the deep woods. You: Group. Me: Man. #916233
KENTUCKY CUTIE
I gave you a hot tip on where to find your favorite bourbon in town. Maybe we can share a whiskey sometime. Rocks or neat? When: Friday, January 3, 2025. Where: Burlington. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916232
START MAKING SENSE
Hey, Ben — lost track of you at the show. I had such an awesome time dancing next to you and felt a connection through the music, for sure. I wanted to find you to see about meeting for more local music. When: Tuesday, December 31, 2024. Where: Higher Ground. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916231
It’s no secret that many women don’t achieve orgasm through penetration alone. Slow things down, and add more focus on the extracurricular activities. Spend more time on foreplay, and make sure your motor is really running before you jump into the main event. When things get heated up, take breaks. Find positions that are less sensitive for him.
He could try the “stop and squeeze” method. When he feels an orgasm coming on, he should stop what he’s doing and squeeze right below the head of his penis with his thumb and forefinger. He can do this with you or when he’s masturbating to get a better grip on controlling his climax. A trip to a sex shop would be a fun and useful adventure for both of you. Get a toy
or two to play with. He could try a genital desensitizer. It comes in a variety of sprays, gels, lube and even condoms. A cock ring helps maintain a strong erection and can help prolong pleasure for both partners. Do a little online research before you go so that you have an idea of what might tickle your fancy.
In general, no one should expect another person to “make” them have an orgasm. It’s a team effort. With practice, the two of you should be able to find a way to reach the goal together.
Good luck and God bless,
I’m a male, 66, seeking woman around same. Hardworking man needs woman to cuddle and caress slowly! I don’t care about size or color — I’ll look at you as you! I want to love and be loved; that takes time, which I have a lot of. Please call. #L1826
Retired, happy, healthy, fit and active male seeking erotic female friend. Let’s test and explore our sensual pleasures together! #L1824
I’m a 75-y/o lady seeking a 70- to 80-y/o old man for companionship and possible relationship in the Essex Junction area. #L1825
September (M) seeks April (F) for baroque music and bicycles, les patinoires de Montréal, Apollo and Dionysus (skip the wine), and every chakra — high and low. Too innocent: ready to explore the dance of passion and vegan restos de Paris. #L1827
I’m a 65-y/o fun-loving and outgoing GWM seeking new friendships with other gay men. Enjoy dinners in and good conversation. Best friend material here! is is not an ad seeking sexual contacts or conquests. Looking for longterm friendships. Looking forward to hearing from you! #L1821
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YOUR MESSAGE ON THIS PAGE!
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I’m a 34-y/o male seeking a mature female, women couple or couples for FWB. Open to exploring. I love the outdoors. I love to laugh. 420 OK but no cigarettes, please. #L1823
GWM looking for strong tops for playtime with fun and adventurous bottom. Age not really an issue: forties and fifties a plus, will consider all ages. Will host. Talk or text. #L1822
SWF, 50, seeking a SWM, 48 to 58, to homestead and live a quiet life. I am sincere, ready to settle down, artistic and love dogs. #L1818
Single woman, 59. Wise, mindful. Seeking tight unit with man, friend, love. Country living, gardens, land to play on. Emotionally, intellectually engaged. Lasting chats. Appreciation for past experience. Please be kind, stable and well established. Phone number, please. #L1813
ree men, ages 50 and 60s. One bi, two gay. Get-together once a week at my place in Burlington. Looking for another guy to join us. Safe, sane and discreet. If interested, send phone number. Play with us! #L1820
I am an 80-y/o woman seeking a man, 76 to 80 y/o. I am looking for friendship and companionship. Be able to share life for as long as we can, and do things together for fun. Let’s enjoy life. #L1817
Int net-Free Dating!
to these messages with real,
I’m a SWF, 71 y/o, seeking a white or Black man 50 to 70 y/o. I want companionship, movies, warmth; I love music and live in Woodstock. Phone calls only. #L1815
I’m a 60-y/o SWF seeking a 55- to 70-y/o SM. Retired, healthy, fit and outdoorsy. ISO a kindred spirit with whom to share Vermont’s trails. I enjoy mountain and gravel biking, cross-country skiing, and yearround hiking, as well as a good Vermont brew, current events, reading and eating as locally as possible. Self-deprecating sense of humor a plus! #L1816
I’m an 80-y/o man in good health. I own a ranch house on Route 110 in Tunbridge, south of fairgrounds. Never married. No children, retired. Like going out to eat and riding around. Looking for a nice lady for a longterm relationship. #L1810
I miss the touch, the flirting, the taste, the smell of a woman. I’m 69, retired and disabled. I also have many facets that make me up. NEK please, thanks. #L1811
Describe yourself and who you’re looking for in 40 words below: (OR, ATTACH A SEPARATE PIECE OF PAPER.)
76-y/o male seeking a female. Widower, Burlington resident, gardener, fisherman and writer wants to meet you for dinner, movies, events and conversation. You: old, kind, no issues. Possible friendship, LTR. I don’t watch football. #L1807
I’m a SWM seeking a Black couple, both bi. I’m clean, a nonsmoker and don’t drink. Would like a weekly meet, on weekends. My place is private. I only date Black men and women. Age no problem. Phone. Serious. #L1802
Handsome SWM, young-looking 60, yearning for a woman’s connection and intimacy. Seeking friendly relations with slim-average 45- to 60-y/o, kind, smart, respectful, humorous, playful. Activities indoors and outdoors — dinners, talks, walks, nature, TV, entertainment, day trips, overnights, spontaneity, hobbies, more. #L1803
SWM, 69, seeking a SF. I am warm, friendly, clean and respectful, seeking a LTR. Just an ordinary guy looking for same. Phone number, please. #L1798
I’m a AGE + GENDER (OPTIONAL) seeking a AGE + GENDER (OPTIONAL) Required confidential info: NAME
