Seven Days, March 19, 2025 by Seven Days

BY COLIN FLANDERS,

HIRING EVENT GARDENER’S SUPPLY CO.

WEDNESD A Y , MARCH 26 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM

risks.

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2.6 percent

CAN YOUR HEAR THEM NOW?

South Burlington got a Monday shout-out from MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow, who was talking about people picketing Tesla dealerships. Additional local protests are planned.

IT’S OFFICIAL

e Vermont Senate last ursday voted 22-8 to conﬁrm Zoie Saunders as education secretary, nearly 11 months after the same body rejected her nomination. e vote ends a period of limbo for Saunders, who Gov. Phil Scott appointed on an interim basis after the Senate voted her down last April. Scott later removed her interim title, though Saunders’ appointment was still subject to conﬁrmation by the Senate.

Before the vote, Senate Education Committee chair Seth Bongartz (D-Bennington) explained why his committee had recommended Saunders earlier in the week. “She has provided steady leadership at a time steady leadership is critical,” Bongartz said.

Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Baruth (D/PChittenden-Central) was one of 19 senators who voted against conﬁrming Saunders last year. But he told fellow lawmakers that he supported her this time around. Baruth noted that the vote came at a pivotal time. Scott and Saunders have pitched a major overhaul to education in Vermont that the legislature is now considering. at

makes having a permanent education secretary in place all the more important, he said.

“Do I believe it’s better to have a Secretary Saunders or a negative vote against her and continuing uncertainty?” Baruth said. “Clearly, I prefer the former.”

Sen. Ann Cummings (D-Washington), changed her vote from no to yes. She said that last year, she didn’t think Saunders was “the kind of change agent that I saw our schools needing.”

But Cummings said the Agency of Education has struggled for years and she’s found it to be more responsive to legislative requests under Saunders’ leadership.

“I think this appointment has just become kind of a red herring that’s ... distracting us from dealing with the real problems we have,” Cummings said. “I think it’s time to put this to rest and put our energies into working on the solutions that our children deserve.”

Read Alison Novak’s full report and keep up with developments at sevendaysvt.com.

MOON SHADOW

A total lunar eclipse last week turned the moon red. That was the Earth’s shadow. Heavenly.

WINNER’S CIRCLE

Gov. Phil Scott won a 12-gauge shotgun after entering a Barre Town Fire Department ra e. Some guys have all the luck.

STORM SEASON

Heavy rain and warm temps ﬁlled rivers and creeks to the brink, with some minor ﬂooding reported. Seems Vermont avoided the worst.

That was Vermont’s unemployment rate in January, up slightly from a year before — but still lower than the national average of 4.1 percent.

TOPFIVE

TOWNCRIER

LOCALLY SOURCED NEWS

Farewell, Waterbury Farmers Market

After more than three decades in operation, the Waterbury Farmers Market won’t return this summer, the Waterbury Roundabout reported. Both volunteers and vendors have dwindled in recent years, organizers told the online news outlet.

STREET ART

Burlington voters allocated a good chunk of change to ﬁxing city streets and sidewalks on Town Meeting Day. at money, part of a $20 million bond, isn’t available yet, but an anonymous artist from Buffalo, N.Y., has already started the work — for free and with some ﬂair.

e Buffalo Pothole Bandit recently rolled into town and ﬁlled 10 ﬁssures, pits and hollows over several days, leaving them level and adorned with whimsical and poignant mosaics that are documented in the artist’s posts on Reddit and Instagram.

A ghost stands behind a microphone in a one-foot-square College Street sidewalk

installation titled “ e Comic.” Steps away are two tiny works: a sun shooting rainbow-colored rays over the horizon and a quote from the advice Warren Zevon gave talk-show host David Letterman shortly after the singer-song-

writer learned he had terminal cancer: “Enjoy every sandwich.”

City Hardware sales clerk Asa Fulton didn’t see the Bandit while the rogue repair work was conducted on the store’s block. Fulton did, however, notice the gems embedded in the concrete. “I think they’re supercool,” he said.

“It’s like vigilante city beautiﬁcation.”

e masked master, who began working in Buffalo about two years ago, told Seven Days in an email interview that they had no prior connection to Burlington. ey came to buy a new vehicle and “stayed to ﬁll a few holes.”

“It’s lovely here,” they wrote.

e Bandit has yet to reveal their true identity and is seen wearing a raccoon head in Instagram videos on their account.

Burlington Department of Public Works

spokesperson Robert Goulding said he admired the “civic spirit” behind the work. At the same time, he told Seven Days, city ofﬁcials “strongly discourage” people from doing this.

“It is simply not safe for people to ﬁll potholes in the middle of the road,” he said. e guerrilla artwork popped up nearly 40 years after Burlington had a Pothole Bandit of its own. e masked avenger planted three evergreen saplings on city streets in 1986 to protest the ruts.

At the time, city officials responded with a high-noon summit between the Bandit and then-police chief Kevin Scully, at which the bandit agreed to stop filling the holes. enmayor Bernie Sanders later issued a “pardon” and pledged $1 million to fix the streets.

MARY ANN LICKTEIG

COMPILED BY SASHA GOLDSTEIN & MATTHEW ROY

“Catzilla” on College Street near Onyx Tonics

Education Secretary Zoie Saunders

SOBERING NEWS.

Paula Routly

Cathy Resmer

Don Eggert, Colby Roberts

NEWS & POLITICS

Matthew Roy

Ken Ellingwood, Candace Page

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

ARTS & CULTURE

Dan Bolles, Carolyn Fox

Chelsea Edgar, Margot Harrison, Pamela Polston

Jen Rose Smith

Alice Dodge

Chris Farnsworth

Rebecca Driscoll

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

Alice Dodge, Angela Simpson

Katherine Isaacs, Martie Majoros

DIGITAL & VIDEO

Bryan Parmelee

Eva Sollberger

James Buck

Don Eggert

Rev. Diane Sullivan

John James

Je Baron SALES & MARKETING

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Carolann Whitesell ADMINISTRATION

Marcy Stabile

Andy Watts

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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

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CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS

Luke Awtry, Daria Bishop, James Buck, Gregory Nesbit, Tim Newcomb, Jeb Wallace-Brodeur, Don Whipple FOUNDERS

Pamela Polston, Paula Routly

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NOODLES AND POODLES

Heard at the summit on tari s and trade, The place where global deals are made…

Trump: I’ll tax your metals. Europe: Then we’ll tax your booze. Trump: You’d better not do that! Europe: You’re going to lose. Trump: I am not a loser! Europe: We’ll see about that.

Trump: A tax on your wine!

Europe: The old tit for tat?

Trump: Please, don’t tax our whiskey…

Europe: Jack Daniel’s? Who cares?

Trump: I’ll tax your Volkswagens!! Europe: We’ll sell them elsewhere. Trump: Our country is strong!!!

Europe: Your dollar is weak. Trump: I’ll double the tari s!!! Europe: Your people will freak.

Trump: They love me! They love me! Europe: That’s what YOU think. Trump: They’ll welcome high prices!!

Europe: Sir, you’re on the brink… Trump: Of what, you e eminate socialist dweebs?!?

Europe: Of shooting yourself in the foot.

Trump: You tax our feet? We’ll tax your noodles!

Europe: We’re getting nowhere…

Trump: I’ll tax your French poodles!!!

With that, the summit came to an end;

Never lovers, hardly friends.

Jim Lengel

DUXBURY

11TH PROVINCE?

Hi, Vermont. Upset Canadian neighbour here.

Our best friends just set up a toxic junkyard on their manicured suburban lawn and then demanded our lawn, too. Ouch. Remember when we fought together to crush fascism? When we risked our necks to save six Americans from the ayatollah? Dropped everything to feed and shelter hundreds of your travellers on 9/11?

Do 150 years of friendship mean nothing?

I was pretty disillusioned until you,

the people of Vermont, o ered a sliver of light in the darkness. Your rejection of the immoral madness of Donald Trump and your support of freedom and democracy lifted my heart [True 802: “‘Powder to the People,’” March 5].

I’ve skied Sugarbush Resort, one of the most wonderful areas east of the Rockies. I cheered when your brave citizens cancelled JD Vance’s day pass.

As they say in Newfoundland: “Good on ya!”

Vermont has always been stubbornly independent. If things become unbearable, let me be the first Canadian to encourage you to take that independence one step further and join our wonderful nation. We border you, with Québec. We share many of the same values and democratic principles, and hey — we have free health care!

We’ll embrace you warmly, as old friends and neighbours (with a “u”).

Meanwhile, sincere thanks to your citizens, your state and your wonderful senator, Mr. Bernie Sanders — a real leader with morals and integrity.

Keep it up, Vermont! And remember, if you ever want to become the 11th province, we’re here for you. Fond regards.

Scot Urquhart HAMILTON, ONTARIO

WORD MISSING

[Re True 802: “‘Powder to the People,’” March 5]: With regard to the placard held by the young woman in the photo for this story: If she is honestly protesting against President Donald Trump’s immigration policy, then her placard should more accurately read: “We support ILLEGAL immigrants.”

Brenda Waters HUNTINGTON

‘WHAT IS RIGHT WITH OUR SYSTEM’

We often read about the arguments that go on in city politics and the breakdown of democracy in this country [“War of Words: A Campaign-Trail Spat Over Israel and Gaza Could Complicate City Council Business in Burlington,” March 12]. But when you engage in local politics in Vermont, you see a lot of what is right with our system. Last year, I was able to attend Town Meeting Day in Hardwick, which was a great experience. Two weeks ago, I enthusiastically voted in my town’s election in Colchester, checking out the candidates’ positions in the Colchester Sun ahead of time.

More recently I was honored to make a presentation on behalf of HomeShare

Vermont at the Burlington Ward 1 Neighborhood Planning Assembly meeting at the Friends Meeting House.

Not only was it such a welcoming group, I was also encouraged by the opportunity to see true democracy in action at the grassroots level. Attendees were engaged and beautifully civil to one another in every way. So respectful in listening to one another and providing such important insight into issues that are affecting the ward and the city as a whole.

Democracy still exists in our beautiful state, but too often we don’t take the time to observe it firsthand. I’m pleased that I’ve had these amazing opportunities to be reminded of how well we do it here in Vermont.

Ric Cengeri COLCHESTER

FOOD IS NOT NEGOTIABLE

Gov. Phil Scott plans to cut free school meals [“Vermont Democrats Rally to Save Universal School Meals,” February 21, online]. Act 64 is Vermont’s permanent universal meals law. The statewide cost of the program next year is estimated at $18.5 million. What would the elimination of the program save? Scott contends it would lower education tax rates. It is totally unclear how that could happen, particularly since there would be a loss of about $17 million in federal dollars.

The effect on children, however, is very clear.

According to the latest available data,

there were 16,670 Vermont children that were food insecure. That means it is diffi cult for 14.7 percent of Vermont children to get enough food to eat.

If you are a child in a food-insecure household, you at least know that if you go to school, you can eat twice a day. Having a secure source of food brings comfort and reassurance. It shows a child that the community does care. The meals program has an effect on healthy develop ment. Children’s brains require sufficient food for them to develop into adults who are capable of meeting the demands of good citizenship.

To lower taxes on the backs of schoolchildren who are already food insecure is cruel. I have confidence there is another solution.

Christopher Rice LYNDON

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TO GREATNESS FROM GRO DWORK

SHOP OUR TRACTOR PACKAGES

NEWS+POLITICS 14

No Room

Federal cuts will hobble defenses against housing discrimination in Vermont

Green Mountain Transit

Announces a Round of Cuts

Canada’s Call

e country’s response to tariff threats is hurting Vermont distillers

Bill Seeks to Limit State Cooperation With ICE

Vermont’s Hangover

Felony Case Moves Forward Against Cop Who Killed Cyclist

UVM Picks Boise State President for Top Job

FEATURES 26

Aye, Robot

Vermont’s student robotics community comes of age as it hosts the FIRST Robotics New England district tournament

ARTS+CULTURE 42

Based on a True Story

Real struggles with addiction and recovery inspire a trilogy of ﬁlms set in Burlington’s North End

Role Play

Italian opera star Roberta Mameli sings e Ghosts of Hamlet at the Lane Series

Sugar High

eater review: Waitress, Northern Stage

Spit and Polish

Twenty-ﬁve years of hard work make Barre’s Studio Place

Mr. & Mrs. Smith See Things Di erently in Waterbury Art Show

F-Word to the Wise

on the

IN VERMONT

Naturalist Sophie Mazowita specializes in wildlife tracking and spends a lot of time in nature observing the signs that creatures leave behind. Seven Days Eva Sollberger met up with Mazowita on a snowy hillside in Bakersﬁeld to see what wild animals have been making tracks.

MAGNIFICENT

MUST SEE, MUST DO THIS WEEK COMPILED BY REBECCA DRISCOLL

THURSDAY 20

BRAVE NEW WORLD

e future is now! aiVermont cofounder Marc Natanagara moderates an engrossing panel discussion aptly titled “Your AI erapist Will See You Now” at Hula in Burlington. Experts from the ﬁelds of technology, psychiatry and wellness dive into developments in the extraordinarily intimate machine-human connection, including a demo of a chatbot counselor at work.

SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 60

SATURDAY 22

A Writer’s Fame

New York City author and orator Fran Lebowitz’s acerbic wit lights up the room at Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center in Stowe as “Vermont Edition” host Mikaela Lefrak asks all the right questions. Known for sardonic, unﬁltered social commentary about modern life, Lebowitz reminds listeners why writer David Sedaris regards her as “the gold standard for intelligence, efﬁciency and humor.”

SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 62

FRIDAY 21

Numbers Game

Mad River Valley Arts’ “Off the Wall” fundraiser in Waitsﬁeld offers a rare opportunity for art lovers to enter a lottery for 100 panels from the gallery’s current exhibition. Ticket holders receive a randomly assigned number between one and 100. When their number is called, guests rush to select the 10-by-10-inch work their heart desires — if it’s still available. at’s risk versus reward, folks!

SEE ART LISTING ON PAGE 51

FRIDAY 21

Clowning Around

Tired of gray skies and mucky roads? e Valley Players’ annual “Cabin Fever Follies” in Waitsfield returns to alleviate the humdrum of March with a stellar showcase of local talent. From fiddle and banjo to clowning and improv, musicians, singers and storytellers snatch the limelight to flaunt their performing prowess and bare their souls in the name of entertainment.

SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 61

SATURDAY 22

United ey Stand

Jurij Fedynskyj & Family take the stage at All Souls Interfaith Gathering in Shelburne for an evening of traditional Ukrainian music and thoughtful dialogue. e timely, donation-based beneﬁt concert supports aid for the war-torn country and features spiritual hymns and historic polyphonic village songs, accompanied by regional instruments such as the torban, kobza and bandura.

SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 62

SATURDAY 22

It’s a Pretty Big Dill

Purveyors of pickled products, kicky kombuchas and other bubbly goodies set up shop at Ferment Fest in Burlington’s Soda Plant to highlight the beauty of hardworking microorganisms. Brine buffs taste and shop vendors’ wares, listen to a panel of experts, watch dye demos, trade starters — and even line up for a themed ﬂash tattoo, if all those anaerobic samples lend some courage.

SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 61

TUESDAY 25

Hobbit Happening

One ring to bring them all ... to Shelburne! Hobbits, dwarves and wizards transform the Pierson Library into Middle-earth for Tolkien Day. Attendees don their ﬁnest cosplay ’ﬁts to celebrate the anniversary of Sauron’s defeat with board games, crafts, trivia, a scavenger hunt and a costume contest, while wise elves brush up on their Sindarin and Quenya in the language immersion corner.

SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 63

ANTARCTICA

Done Drinking

I’ve never been much of a drinker. That’s probably because I’ve seen firsthand the damage booze can do.

Every day after work, almost without fail, my father would get hammered. “Grown-up hour” started the minute he got home, either with a martini or a glass of Scotch. Then another martini or Scotch. Or three. There was a brief window of time — after he relaxed, before he got mean — when he was approachable with a question or problem.

The weekends were a whole other level. My parents entertained a lot, and Dad’s job as host was bartending, which in the “Mad Men” era meant keeping everybody’s drinks filled. If they weren’t having people over to our house, the two of them would be at someone else’s dinner party. My dad always drove, ferrying what to me was the most precious cargo: my mother, a responsible drinker whom I never saw inebriated. Of course, I worried. I don’t think I ever fell asleep before they got home.

any distinction between weekdays and weekends melted away and the most reliable succor became an evening glass, or two, of something on the couch. Drinking wine instead of water, I woke up parched at 3 a.m. those nights, with my heart pounding and ears ringing. Also likely related to dehydration: I had a couple of terrible migraines that landed me in the hospital.

ONE DAY, THREE

YEARS

AGO, I MADE A DECISION TO GIVE UP BOOZE. COLD TURKEY.

I had no interest in following in my father’s footsteps. With that attitude, at college I was a bit of an outlier. Alcohol abuse was rampant, a rite of passage — without the ceremony. I wasn’t a teetotaler, by any means, and I tried on multiple occasions to fit in. Once, pregaming for a party that seemed important at the time, I bought a bottle of Jim Beam and drank about half of it by myself. All of a sudden, mid-festivities, the liquor hit me. I wound up puking and blacking out. I have no idea how I made it home or up to my top-bunk mattress. I do remember hitting the ground, though. At some point in the night, I fell out of bed onto the floor.

Youth and resilience softened the blows, but I think it’s fair to say some of my classmates learned to be alcoholics then. This week’s cover story suggests they have plenty of company. In “Vermont’s Hangover,” Colin Flanders reports that “more than 60 percent of Vermont residents drink, a figure that’s nearly 10 percent higher than the U.S. average. While most do so within limits, many cannot. Vermont ranks in the top 10 states nationally for per capita alcohol consumption, rates of binge drinking and the share of residents thought to have a diagnosable alcohol-use disorder.”

Throughout adulthood I’ve had a pretty healthy relationship with liquor — until the pandemic, when

One more thing: I’d gained 10 pounds. Then one day, three years ago, I just made a decision to give up booze. Cold turkey. I immediately started sleeping and feeling better. At that point during the pandemic, there were few events and therefore little need for social lubrication, which made it easier. Abstaining had become my MO by the time life returned, and I realized how hard it is to get through an eight-hour wedding when you’re stone-cold sober.

Sure, there are occasions when I wish my mind were getting altered apace with everyone else’s. And I cheated a few times on vacation. In Spain, vermouth is delicious and dirt cheap. The locals drink it on ice with an orange slice before dinner — a lovely tradition.

Getting pickled is another matter. Drunk people don’t remember the amazing conversation you had. The fraternity of being fucked-up together is, in the end, an illusion. I don’t miss it, thanks to another, more manageable source of comfort and refreshment: the mocktail.

Paula Routly

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Green Mountain Transit Announces a Round of Cuts

No Room

Federal cuts will hobble defenses against housing discrimination in Vermont

BY DEREK BROUWER • derek@sevendaysvt.com

The Trump administration’s slashand-burn campaign against “wokeness” and government spending is coming for the few services that work to curtail discrimination in Vermont’s housing market.

Late last month, the ﬁrst swing of the ax struck a grant that funds a program at the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity, which supports renters, homebuyers and landlords on issues related to state and federal fair housing laws.

The program is the only one in Vermont dedicated to public education about civil rights in housing. It helps people who are barred from an apartment because they use a rental subsidy, are harassed by a landlord who uses racial epithets or are denied accommodations for their disability.

There are signs that further cuts may be

coming. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is terminating the lease for its state ﬁeld o ce in downtown Burlington, Seven Days conﬁrmed, fueling

A FEDERAL RETREAT FROM FAIR HOUSING SUPPORT WILL PUT PRESSURE ON VERMONT LAWMAKERS AND MUNICIPALITIES.

speculation that the agency may shutter the o ce altogether. And the stated rationale behind the feds’ decision to yank the CVOEO grant suggests that funds for housing discrimination enforcement in Vermont are also in jeopardy.

Housing services are by no means a particular peeve of President Donald Trump’s administration, which is pursuing funding cuts and waging war on liberal conceptions of equality in every sector of the federal government. But cuts in this area will have an outsize e ect in Vermont, where high housing costs, low supply and a soaring homelessness rate are hampering the economy and undermining the state’s inclusive aspirations.

The result could be a housing landscape that is tilted even further against people on the margins and offers little practical recourse for people who face illegal discrimination. A federal retreat from fair housing infrastructure will put pressure on Vermont lawmakers and municipalities — who are also struggling with budget problems — to put local dollars toward resources

BY RACHEL HELLMAN rachel@sevendaysvt.com

Green Mountain Transit announced on Tuesday that it will reduce the frequency of some bus routes as part of its ongoing plan to close a gap in its operating budget.

e decision comes nearly a year after the ﬁnancially troubled agency announced it was in the red and would need to make major service cuts to stay aﬂoat.

“ is is not the direction we want to be moving in, but this is the direction that we have to be moving in,” said Clayton Clark, GMT’s general manager.

Various factors have contributed to the agency’s ﬁnancial plight: the sunsetting of COVID-19 relief funds; the reinstatement of fares for Chittenden County rides after a yearslong pandemic hiatus; and dependency on federal funds that are at risk of being cut.

Starting June 16, GMT will reduce the frequency of some routes in Burlington, Williston, Essex and Shelburne. e agency will also end its “Let em Ride” policy, which allows riders unable to pay the $2 fare to take the bus anyway.

Green Mountain Transit is also considering transferring its rural lines in Franklin and Washington County to Tri-Valley Transit and Rural Community Transportation, although the earliest this change might take place is July 2026. e agency initially announced it would have to cut $3 million worth of services. GMT detailed $700,000 in service cuts last fall. e cuts announced on Tuesday would trim another $500,000. e rest of its budget gap has been ﬁlled in by additional aid from the Vermont legislature.

Clark warned that next ﬁscal year will present similar challenges. He predicts another $3 million budget gap — and further cuts.

Clark also announced on Tuesday that the agency has scrapped its Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee and replaced it with a “rider experience” group. at’s in response to President Donald Trump’s executive order targeting DEI programs. e agency will also likely pause electric bus purchases, which had been sponsored by the Federal Transit Administration. ➆

Canada’s Call

The country’s response to tariff threats is hurting Vermont distillers

BY ANNE WALLACE ALLEN • anne@sevendaysvt.com

Caledonia Spirits, a whiskey, vodka and gin distillery in Montpelier, had 120 cases of its Barr Hill gin on the loading dock and ready for shipment to Canada on February 3 when the province of Québec abruptly canceled its order. It was the day before President Donald Trump’s 25 percent tariffs on imports from Canada were set to begin.

refusal to accept the cross-border shipment. It did not.

“They didn’t say pause; they didn’t say, ‘Let’s hold on this until this is resolved,’” said Christiansen, who has been doing business in Québec for 10 years. He was left with about 900 bottles of gin, labeled in French, that cannot be sold domestically as currently packaged.

Within days of the tariff back-andforth, other U.S. distillers were feeling similar pain. Each of Canada’s 10 provinces handles alcohol regulation and sales differently, and three — Ontario, Québec and Nova Scotia — moved to ban all American products from governmentrun liquor stores.

While the president ultimately delayed the bulk of the tariffs until April 2, the damage was done. Ryan Christiansen, Caledonia’s president and head distiller, asked Québec’s liquor agency, La Société des alcools du Québec, to reconsider its

The boycott, in response to U.S. tariffs and Trump’s threats to acquire Canada as the 51st state, means shelves once laden with U.S. booze have been replaced with signs that say, “Buy Canadian Instead.”

Deteriorating relations with Canada are negatively impacting certain sectors of Vermont’s economy. Longtime visitors are canceling reservations at restaurants and lodging and making it clear they’re doing so in protest of Trump’s trade offensive.

And more official Canadian retaliation against U.S. producers stands to damage artisanal Vermont distilleries such as Caledonia Spirits, which relies on small but growing sales in Montréal

Ryan Christiansen

that could buttress the state’s own, more expansive fair housing protections.

A crossroads is approaching, said Jess Hyman, associate director of CVOEO’s housing advocacy programs: Will the state, its cities and towns “put their money where their mouth is, in terms of our values?”

Hyman’s agency received a letter from HUD on February 27 that immediately terminated the $125,000 annual grant that covers 80 percent of the statewide fair housing program.

The letter said the grant was being terminated at the direction of the Elon Musk-helmed Department of Government E ciency — better known as DOGE — because the award “no longer e ectuates the program goals or agency priorities.”

The Burlington-based nonproﬁt was one of 66 around the country to receive the letter, according to a new lawsuit challenging the legality of the cuts. On March 13, the Massachusetts Fair Housing Center and three other groups across the country asked a federal judge to restore their grant funding. The cuts, they claim, are arbitrary and capricious. Musk’s new department, the lawsuit asserts, doesn’t have the authority to direct such changes.

The plainti s are seeking to convert the case to a class-action lawsuit that would include CVOEO.

Hyman’s program helps renters and homeseekers assert their rights when they have concerns about housing discrimination. It also works with landlords, many of whom rent only a small number of units and may not be well versed in the nuances of housing law. As part of a state initiative to boost housing supply, CVOEO has trained more than 200 landlords in the past year.

“When we’re doing fair housing education and outreach, it’s a little less ﬁnger wagging and more about best practices,” Hyman said.

The group also promotes inclusivity in housing policy discussions. Each April, Hyman organizes a series of public events, including a keynote speaker last year who highlighted the ways that local zoning and development patterns have led to racial segregation.

CVOEO’s grant appears to be a casualty of President Trump’s quest to root out traces of “diversity, equity and inclusion” programs and funding across government. HUD’s new secretary, pro football player turned politician Scott Turner, recently vowed to reject a Hurricane Helene relief plan drafted by the city of Asheville, N.C., because it contained diversity language.

“DEI is dead at HUD,” Turner said in a press release about the North Carolina plan. “We will not provide funding to any program or grantee that does not comply with President Trump’s executive orders.”

The Trump administration wants to eliminate roughly half of the workforce at Turner’s agency, with proposed cuts focused heavily on offices that administer low-income rent subsidies, fair housing law and homelessness initiatives, according to documents obtained by the Associated Press. Field o ces in more than 30 states are also on the chopping block, Bloomberg News reported this month, despite a law that requires HUD to maintain an o ce in every state to process applications for mortgage insurance.

A HUD lease in Burlington is included on a public list of DOGE spending cuts. Yves Bradley, a real estate broker who handles the St. Paul Street o ce building, said the agency plans to vacate by August 1. At least three employees work there.

HUD did not respond to a request for comment, but agency spokespeople have said the department will continue to uphold fair housing law.

While the grant to Hyman’s office pays for education and outreach, the feds also help fund enforcement of fair housing rules in Vermont. The money has ﬂowed to Vermont Legal Aid’s Housing Discrimination Law Project, which represents low-income individuals with discrimination claims in court. The federal government also contracts with the Vermont Human Rights Commission, a state agency, to investigate housing discrimination claims.

Vermont Legal Aid submitted its latest enforcement grant application last fall, at a time when the Biden administration was looking for grantees to demonstrate their commitment to diversity, especially racial justice. Project director Rachel Batterson expects to receive a rejection letter from the Trump administration soon.

Without that grant, Vermont Legal Aid won’t be able to take on new clients in housing discrimination cases for the foreseeable future. That could leave low-income plainti s without lawyers to represent them.

“It’s just not that common a practice area,” Batterson said. “I don’t know anyone else in the state who is doing that.”

The Vermont Human Rights Commission receives about 10 percent of its

In a third case, an Enosburg Falls landlord named Homer Durkee allegedly refused to make necessary repairs for a disabled tenant whom he referred to as a “psychobitch” and “welfare bum.”

THE RESULT COULD BE A HOUSING LANDSCAPE THAT IS TILTED EVEN FURTHER AGAINST PEOPLE ON THE MARGINS.

roughly $1 million budget from HUD to investigate housing complaints. Those complaints make up more than half of the cases the commission looks into each year. Complainants most frequently report discrimination based on a disability; racebased discrimination is the next most common complaint.

The commission mediates disputes and sometimes pursues enforcement in court. Ten housing discrimination cases are pending, including one against the prominent Burlington-area rental company Bissonette Properties. The company is accused of evicting two women with breathing problems who had complained about neighboring tenants who smoked in their building.

Another pending civil case targets a Chittenden County landlord, Kalsang G.G.T., who is accused of refusing to rent an Essex Junction apartment to a woman who wanted to use a Section 8 voucher to pay for some of her rent. “This is a free country,” the landlord maintained, according to the commission.

The commission investigates claims under both state and federal law. The federal Fair Housing Act, part of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, covers discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status and disability. Vermont’s law goes further, adding marital status, age, victims of abuse, sexual orientation, gender identity and receipt of public assistance (such as a Section 8 housing voucher) to the list. Federal funding for the Vermont Human Rights Commission has not been directly targeted yet. But executive director Big Hartman said the federal agency recently told the commission that two cases may not be eligible for reimbursement. Both complaints were filed by trans people, Hartman said. Each has alleged discrimination primarily on the basis of disability, not gender identity.

“So we feel concerned about that,” Hartman said.

The commission is already struggling to handle a caseload that has been increasing in recent years. Investigations are often languishing for more than a year, Hartman said, and many others don’t even have an investigator assigned to them.

The commission has made some improvements, but “it’s still almost unbearable for most of the parties to wait a year — sometimes two years, sometimes longer — to know whether or not there’s reasonable grounds to believe that discrimination occurred,” Hartman said. The Enosburg Falls landlord, Durkee, died while the court case against him was pending, records show.

Hartman has asked lawmakers to nearly double the commission’s annual budget. They included a more modest $75,000 increase in the midyear Budget Adjustment Act — which is less than the $89,000 in federal funding now in question.

It’s unclear when or if the commission will get the state boost. Last Friday, Gov. Phil Scott vetoed the budget bill, criticizing lawmakers for continuing to fund an unrelated program that pays for motel rooms for the homeless. He also cited a need to be cautious with state dollars, since so much federal funding is still in limbo.

Bill Seeks to Limit State Cooperation With ICE

STORY & PHOTO BY KEVIN MCCALLUM • kevin@sevendaysvt.com

The Vermont Senate passed a bill last week that would give only the governor, in consultation with the state attorney general, the ability to make agreements with federal agents who need local help to find, arrest and detain immigrants.

The idea is to prevent individual sheriffs or police chiefs from striking out on their own and collaborating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Baruth (D/P-Chittenden-Central) said last week during debate of the bill, S.44.

On its face, the bill doesn’t appear to change much. The governor has had that same power since 2017.

But state law includes an exception that allows any “state, county, or municipal law enforcement agency” to enter into an agreement to work with federal immigration officials when “necessary to address threats to the public safety or welfare of Vermont residents arising out of a declaration of a State or national emergency.”

President Donald Trump declared a national emergency on the southern border on January 20. Some lawmakers worry that if he did the same on the northern border, individual law enforcement agencies could use the provision to bypass Gov. Phil Scott and decide on their own to work directly with federal immigration officials.

Given that Trump has shown “a predilection for declaring emergencies to empower himself,” Baruth said, lawmakers felt it would be wise to eliminate the emergency clause in state law and give that power solely to the governor.

“All we’re doing is saying in all circumstances, the governor needs to sign off,” Baruth said during a recent committee meeting.

Originally, lawmakers wanted to require the governor to get legislative

approval for such deals, but the idea didn’t get far. Scott viewed it as stepping on his authority as the state’s chief executive, and lawmakers quickly backed down, concerned the requirement might be unconstitutional.

The result: A bill that originally sought to limit the governor’s power would now increase it.

Law enforcement agencies are not opposed to the change, according to Windham County Sheriff Mark Anderson, who serves as president of the Vermont Sheriffs’ Association. Officers in Vermont are trained to treat law-abiding residents the same, regardless of their immigration status, he said, which already limits how local officers could collaborate with federal officials.

In addition, law enforcement agencies are stretched thin, meaning they would be uninterested in working with immigration officials on such cases, Anderson said.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Vermont supports the narrower bill as a “first step,” according to Falko Schilling, the group’s advocacy director.

“As Vermonters are rightfully concerned about how their state resources might be used for federal immigration enforcement, this at least creates some accountability,” he said. The message being sent by the bill is that civil immigration enforcement is not something that the state will use its limited resources to support.

Schilling said he hopes the House can have “a robust conversation” about whether protections can be extended beyond immigration enforcement to cover information federal officials might seek from state agencies, such as that about people receiving gender-affirming care. ➆

Canada’s Call « P.15

Felony Case Moves Forward Against Cop Who Killed Cyclist

BY DEREK BROUWER • derek@sevendaysvt.com

A Shelburne cop who was allegedly playing a YouTube video in his police cruiser when he struck and killed a cyclist pleaded not guilty last Thursday as members of the victim’s family looked on.

Sgt. Kyle Kapitanski was arraigned for grossly negligent driving with death resulting over the objection of his attorney, who argued that the Chittenden County state’s attorney didn’t have the minimum evidence needed to bring a felony case.

Kapitanski’s body camera showed that an anti-trans video was playing on his car-mounted computer during the early morning collision last November. But the sergeant’s private attorney, David Sleigh, said prosecutors lacked evidence that Kapitanski was actually watching it when he struck Sean Hayes, who had stopped his bike along the side of Shelburne Road.

“Looking at a video momentarily would not constitute gross negligence,” Sleigh told Superior Court Judge David Fenster.

A prosecutor representing Chittenden County State’s Attorney Sarah George, who filed the charge, said the presence of the YouTube video in the driver’s line of sight, coupled with the fact that Kapitanski was driving 40 miles per hour along a stretch with a 35 mph speed limit, provided enough evidence to proceed with the case.

Kapitanski, 41, was on patrol at the time of the crash, around 2:40 a.m. on November 11. He had just left a gas station, where he purchased a seltzer water and an energy drink, according to a court filing by a Vermont State Police investigator. Kapitanski was in his marked SUV traveling south on the fourlane road when he encountered Hayes. The man had stopped his bicycle near the curb and, according to surveillance video from nearby businesses, appeared to be tinkering with an attached trailer.

Kapitanski did not apply the brakes before striking Hayes, the state’s crash reconstruction team found.

An analysis of his department-issued tablet computer showed that YouTube

was playing continuously for 11 minutes preceding the crash. The last video to play, according to court records, was attributed to an account called “MASCULINISM” and depicted an exchange about gender identity involving anti-trans commentator and author Matt Walsh. Hayes, 38, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Judge Fenster was not persuaded by Sleigh’s contention that the state needed to show that Kapitanski was watching the video at the time of the crash. Prosecutors needed only to demonstrate probable cause that the crime had occurred — a lower standard than what a jury may eventually need to consider — in order to proceed with the case.

Kapitanski wore a dark blue blazer and khaki pants as Sleigh entered a not-guilty plea on his behalf. The judge released the sergeant pending trial with no restrictions. Shelburne police placed Kapitanski on paid administrative leave following the crash.

He faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted of the felony charge.

More than a dozen family members and friends of Hayes attended the hearing. Afterward, they huddled around the family’s civil attorney, Brooks McArthur, and State’s Attorney George. The family is separately suing the Town of Shelburne for civil negligence in Hayes’ death.

“We would like the person who caused Sean’s death held accountable,” McArthur told reporters. “We have great faith in the state’s attorney’s office and the prosecutors involved in the case.”

McArthur dismissed Sleigh’s suggestion that Kapitanski wasn’t watching the video.

“If he was paying attention to the roadway, he would have seen Sean,” McArthur said. “This is a two-lane, southbound path of travel. He could have just moved over slightly. If he had moved over four feet, he would have avoided Sean. I don’t think there’s any doubt.” ➆

to supplement a regional customer base in the U.S.

At a press conference last week, Gov. Phil Scott said he had taken up the matter with Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston.

‘The emotions are running high on both sides of the border, which is unfortunate,” Scott said. “These are friends to the north.”

Only three of Vermont’s 20 or so craft distillers — Caledonia Spirits, Lost

because prices in the heavily regulated industry are set months in advance.

“We have an order placed, but with the uncertainty over the tariffs, on-again and off-again, by the time it’s ready, I have no idea what the extra fees involved will be,” she said.

Buttenheim expects to see a larger loss this year on the tourism side, particularly at tasting rooms and farmers markets. Mad River Distillers makes whiskey, rum and brandy in Warren and has tasting rooms in Waitsfield, Stowe and Burlington.

A DECLINE IN CANADIAN VISITORS THIS SUMMER WOULD DIRECTLY IMPACT OUR BOTTOM LINE. MIMI BUTTENHEIM

Lantern and WhistlePig — distribute their products in Canada, according to Mimi Buttenheim, president of the Distilled Spirits Council of Vermont. But the state doesn’t track how much Green Mountain-made booze is sold north of the border, according to Wendy Knight, commissioner of the Vermont Department of Liquor and Lottery.

There are reasons that it’s difficult to sell there: The Canadian market has different regulations, and the provincial liquor authorities mark up the prices sharply.

But Buttenheim noted that more than half of the state’s distillers buy packaging, such as cardboard boxes and bottles, from Québec suppliers. Buttenheim is one of them: As president of Mad River Distillers in Warren, she buys boxes and glass from companies in Québec. The chaos created by the changing edicts from Washington, D.C., have made it hard to plan, especially

“A decline in Canadian visitors this summer would directly impact our bottom line,” Buttenheim said.

The Canadian action against U.S. liquor makers is varied and far-reaching. On March 10, the province of British Columbia banned the sale of all U.S. alcohol products, including beer and wine, at government stores, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, or CBC, reported.

Privately owned stores, meanwhile, were left to decide on their own whether to stock American products, according to the CBC. Nova Scotia took similar action.

Lost Lantern, a whiskey blender based in Vergennes, has sold alcohol over the years in Alberta, which has a simpler authorization process than some of the other provinces, according to the company’s cofounder, Nora Ganley-Roper. But she thinks it might be

Kyle Kapitanski (right) and attorney David Sleigh

a while before Lost Lantern’s premium blends are back on the shelves north of the border.

“We were planning to do additional releases into Canada this year, and it is less likely that will happen” amid the current uncertainty, Ganley-Roper said. “Our importer is less likely to want to take on product, or commit to buying product, with the uncertainty they have when it comes to any retaliatory tariffs.”

At Caledonia Spirits, which employs 70 people, Christiansen is trying to figure out what to do with the Barr Hill gin he labeled in French and prepped for shipment to Montréal. Under the byzantine rules that govern his industry, he can’t just sell the stock locally as is. One option is to empty the bottles and repackage the gin, but that could be too time-consuming to pay off, he said.

The French-language labels are difficult to remove, and he doubted that applying new labels over the old ones would be an effective use of staff time.

“Our goal is to keep it in those bottles, and we’re researching the compliance rules,” he said.

If the company has to repackage it, “I’d say with about 90 percent certainty we’re not going to recoup the cost.”

Christiansen doesn’t expect the trade turmoil to cause permanent harm to his business, but he’s frustrated over the impact it’s having on his industry, which traditionally has tight margins. Alcohol consumption is on a downward trajectory in the U.S., and that is spurring producers to hunt for new markets. Christiansen said he’s spent years working to build relationships within the hospitality community in Montréal, his company’s fastest-growing market.

“I’m not sure the president understands what this means for Vermont businesses, when he locks up the border,” Christiansen said.

Still, given the small number of Vermont distilleries that export to Canada, the overall financial impact of tariffs on the state’s liquor industry is limited.

Lindsay Kurrle, secretary of the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development, said last week that she had reached out to Canada’s consul general in Boston to explore how Vermont officials might resolve the tit-for-tat tariff issue with Québec Premier François Legault.

“Our goal is to try to find out what does Premier Legault need to see from us to get Vermont products back on the shelves?” Kurrle said. “We want to keep [their] products on the shelves, and we’re going to ask them to do the same.” ➆

EDUCATION

UVM Picks Boise State President for Top Job

BY ANNE WALLACE ALLEN anne@sevendaysvt.com

University of Vermont trustees have named Marlene Tromp, president of Boise State University, as the sole finalist for the same job in Burlington. Tromp was visiting campus this week to meet with students, faculty and staff.

She’s in line to become the 28th president of Vermont’s land-grant university and would replace Suresh Garimella, who resigned last August after five years on the job. Since then, provost Patricia Prelock has served as interim president.

Boise State is a large regional university with about 25,000 undergraduates and a nationally recognized football program. At UVM, Tromp would be in charge of a much smaller institution, with about half as many undergraduates and a lower sports profile. In a prepared statement, UVM trustees said more than 100 people expressed interest in the president’s job and 10 met with the board of trustees’ search committee.

Tromp has served at Boise State since 2019. Before that, she was provost and executive vice chancellor at the University of California, Santa Cruz. She also served as a dean and vice provost at Arizona State University and began her career in academic leadership at Denison University.

She is a professor of English and a widely published scholar of Victorian literature and culture, a background that signals a course change for UVM’s trustees. Their last pick for the top job, Garimella, was a professor of mechanical engineering with extensive scholarship and distinctions in science.

As UVM president, Tromp will face demographic and budgetary challenges, including a shrinking pool of high school graduates and skyrocketing health insurance costs that have created a $10 million budget deficit.

Last fall, trustees announced a 2 percent tuition increase for in-state undergrads, the first in five years, and a 4.5 percent increase for out-ofstaters, who make up the majority of the student body.

Pointing to years of double-digit health insurance cost hikes, UVM announced a 60-day hiring freeze on March 5. Last week, the university said it is starting to see cutbacks in grant funding as a result of decisions made in Washington, D.C. ➆

Marlene Tromp

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Lincoln author Jonathan Mingle spent months researching his March 5 cover story, “Axed Out: Vermont’s Loggers and Sawmills Are Disappearing — and That’s Bad News for Forests.” With grant support from the Institute for Journalism & Natural Resources, he laid out the complexities of the local wood-products industry. The piece caught the attention of tree lovers and workers, some of whom had never written to us before.

Kudos for your excellent reporting on the inherent complexities in managing our native forests. With nearly 80 percent of the state in forest cover, it is desirable that a knowledgeable citizenry helps to steer decisions on a topic as vital to Vermont as forest management. This article helps to articulate those complex issues.

Unfortunately, Vermont, like much of New England, is at a crossroads in managing forests for the many benefits they yield. An aging workforce, warmer winters, mill closures, poor financial incentives, changing political tides, and a public generally unaware of the life cycles of forests, trees and carbon fluxes — all provide challenges to intelligent decision making for healthy forest management over the long term. A confluence of di cult choices has been presented.

One issue that we can address with renewed clarity is the lack of public support for using local products. Yes to recycling, yes to reducing and reusing, and a resounding yes to conservation practices. Yet when we need shelter or paper or heat for our homes, we should recognize there is no better place for Vermonters to gather their wood products than from Vermont’s temperate forests. With our capable stewards and unmatched land ethic, who better to care for our woodlands than our local practitioners?

Hopefully, we will educate ourselves on the many roles that forests play in our lives, framing a relationship with the natural world that builds a pathway that matches our human needs with an enduring ecological balance for our forestlands. Thanks for the outstanding look into a subject that should be top of mind for all Vermonters.

Bill Peterson NORTH CHITTENDEN

By including “bad news for forests” in the headline, “Axed Out” becomes a de facto opinion piece and not objective news. This is easily apparent by reading the longwinded, meandering article bemoaning the loss of just some entities of Vermont’s

forest products industry. Economics drive industry contraction, but in this case, it is good news. Forests play an extremely critical role in storing and absorbing carbon and are best at this by being left alone. As to be expected, the industry and those so-called “forest science experts” at the University of Vermont resist acknowledging this notion and advocate maintaining the status quo.

Peter MacAusland BURLINGTON

“Axed Out” was an excellent overview of the situation with Vermont’s forests. I am reminded of Bill McKibben’s observation, in The End of Nature, that humanity has altered the planetary environment to the extent that, like it or not, humanity needs to engage with the management of systems that support life on Earth. This fact trumps all ideology and requires us to pay attention to what’s happening and act as though our lives depend on it. They do.

J. Paul Sokal PANTON

I am saddened by the one-sided reporting in Jonathan Mingle’s article. I understand the issues around loss of jobs and loss of businesses. Those are very real issues.

But the concept that people are necessary to restore and maintain health of the forests is arrogant, biased and just plain wrong.

I am a longtime walker and observer in these forests. I have read hundreds of scientiﬁc studies. I have watched forests recover in my 69 years. None of it points in the direction that humans improve on nature. The latest fashion in forest management will give way to the next fashion in a dozen years or so; it’s just the latest ploy to preserve cash ﬂows.

The arrogance that the same natural systems that brought us thousands of interacting species somehow need us to intervene is delusional. The arrogance that we, who have done nothing but disrupt and destroy, are now the saviors is mind-blowing.

Tell me you want to maintain livelihoods, and we can talk honestly about that. But don’t confuse the issue with junk science and baloney about the forests needing our help. When it comes to forest health, men with machines have never been the answer. That’s not likely to change.

Phil Merrick BURLINGTON AND STARKSBORO

It makes me sad to see the closure of so many mills in Vermont. I drove a log truck for 32 years. Now, most of the mills I delivered to are closed. It’s a big change. Most of

Axed Out

today’s forests were once sheep farms. One hundred years ago, 80 percent of Vermont was pasture. Both the sheep farmers and the woolen mills that supported them are gone.

Think back to the ’70s. How many dairy farms did Vermont have? Now most are gone.

I grew up in a small town in Connecticut. The city nearby was known as the Brass City. Now all the factories and machine shops are gone. I live in Florida now and can see signs of the citrus groves from years ago, all overgrown. We had a couple of ﬁshing ﬂeets and markets. Not anymore.

Around the country, think about what happened to Detroit and the car industry. What happened to a lot of the coal-producing states as coal was phased out. Nothing stays the same forever. Although watching the forest industry decline makes me sad, this is not the ﬁrst nor will it be the last industry to fall to “progress.”

Fred Gundersen NEW SMYRNA BEACH, FL (FORMERLY OF POMFRET)

Jamey Fidel endorses “climate-smart techniques” in the Telephone Gap project to increase forest resiliency. It is hard to find much climate benefit in a project that includes 963 acres of prescribed fire treatments, 8,205 harvest acres to reduce northern hardwoods and 600-plus acres of clear-cuts for wildlife habitat.

Today, forests cover 75 to 80 percent of Vermont and many proclaim the forest’s return. But return to what? The original forest that greeted Europeans 300 years ago, or the altered forest clawing its way back in a place now dominated by us?

Ethan Tapper claims these altered forests will not “magically get better on their own.” But they will get better, no magic involved. It will just take more time than a commodity-driven enterprise such as forestry can a ord.

Tapper says cutting trees is necessary “because mortality is essential to forest regeneration.” Yes, mortality is essential to regeneration. Has been for millions of years. But only recently has natural mortality been augmented by humans

wielding chain saws, drip torches and herbicide sprayers.

Foresters manage forests to realize the benefits, and the benefit most aspired to by the forester is represented by stumps. Tony D’Amato says, “most people don’t like to see cut stumps, but there are di erent flavors of stump.” His flavors are “exploitation,” “habitat” and “climate adaptation.” But stumps also represent costs: biodiversity loss, degraded ecosystems, loss of stored carbon. Yes, most people don’t like to see stumps because they represent loss. For them, there will never be a palatable flavor of stump.

Rick Enser HARTLAND

We could help Vermont loggers and sawmills by making all building codes allow local “rough sawn” lumber (without a rubber stamp) to be used in construction. They are thicker, stronger, cheaper and not subject to tari s.

Albert Echt BURLINGTON

The wood product industry is working itself out of a job, and now we’re supposed to feel sorry for it and the forest? Look at the size of feller bunchers, grapple skidders, and the landing space needed for a slasher and tractor trailers. Many landowners, particularly smaller ones, prefer not to have large-scale mechanized logging on their property for various reasons. The sheer volume a mechanized logger has to cut daily for that $10,000 monthly equipment payment that Cale Pelland referred to is one explanation. Loggers cut trees for one primary reason: to make money. If you aren’t making money, you won’t be logging for long.

Enrolling land in current use allows landowners to receive a tax reduction, which they often invest in hiring a forester to develop a management plan that typically includes timber harvesting requirements. Now they have to cut, but they can’t ﬁnd anybody to do it because real loggers are aging out. Loggers with a chain saw in their hands and feet on the ground and light-on-land equipment are going the way of the cowboy, because logging is hard work. The younger generation shows little interest. My visits to vocational centers revealed only a few engaged individuals. How much CO2 spewed into the air from all the diesel burned to get those hundreds of trees from the stump in Starksboro to Québec to Ticonderoga, N.Y.? Trees that had been sequestering carbon for decades, soaking up CO2. Trees for which regrowth will take decades to replace. We don’t have decades.

Bill Torrey JERICHO

Job of the Week Yard Hand

Champlain Marina is actively looking for some assistance in the yard.

Duties include: supervised assistance with the movement of boats to the water, yard clean up (blocks and stands), some equipment operation and dock work/preparation of opening up the facility.

Hourly wage varies depending on experience. $20.00- 25.00/hr. starting. Must be capable of physical work.

Send resume to: manager@champlainmarina.com

The Scoop on Champlain Marina

Mark Lurvey, General Manager

What are some speciﬁc challenges of this position?

We have 119 slips, with boats averaging 40 feet. One of the biggest challenges of managing the yard is timing the necessary moves to get boats in the water. For example, we need to set the bollards (pipe) to get the docks secured and then get the power and water turned on for boaters in the yard working on their vessels. e yard hand will put the boats in with the use of a 25-ton lift and a 40,000-pound capacity lift trailer, pulled by a tractor. It’s important to clear the yard in time to be able to set up parking in the yard. is gives the boaters a seamless experience!

What is unique about working for Champlain Marina?

Champlain Marina was started in 1945 by Ken Lonergan in Burlington. He moved it to Malletts Bay in 1946, on the site of an apple orchard situated on a long hill sloping to the lake. e average depth of the bay is 70 feet. It is truly a beautiful setting. Combine that with a friendly group of boaters, and this is one of the best opportunities to train in the marine industry. A very healthy environment! .

lifelines

OBITUARIES, VOWS, CELEBRATIONS

OBITUARIES

Dorothy Ellen James

SEPTEMBER 4, 1955MARCH 15, 2025

DOLGEVILLE, N.Y.

Dorothy Ellen James, 69, of Dolgeville, N.Y., beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend, has left this world and is on to her next spiritual journey.

Dorothy was born on September 4, 1955, in Geneva, N.Y., the fourth of six children of Robert Donald Dixson and Mary Elizabeth Dixson (Jones). e family moved to Potsdam, N.Y., where Dorothy grew up and graduated from Potsdam Central High School in 1973.

Dorothy wasted no time starting her adult life, marrying the love of her life, John Ivan James Jr., on July 21, 1973, in Potsdam. e couple moved to Deerﬁeld Beach, Fla., for a year before returning to the North Country to start a family.

homes for stray cats and providing transport for the trap/neuter/return program. Dorothy enjoyed knitting and cooking, and she loved a good crossword puzzle. She had a wicked sense of humor, one that she passed on to her children and granddaughter.

Her lasting legacy will be her commitment to her family. It was the most important thing to her. Whether it was helping raise her two younger sisters after her parents’ divorce or putting aside her personal ambitions to raise her own children, she ﬁrmly believed in giving them a better life than the one she had. And the proudest moment of her life came on November 11, 1995, when her only grandchild, Annabelle Lee, was born. e two shared a special bond that can only be described as soulmates.

After the birth of their three children in Potsdam, the family lived in Kent Island, Md., before settling in central New York, ending up in the Dolgeville area, where she lived and which she called home for the next 44 years. In the early ’90s, as her children grew older, Dorothy went to college at Herkimer County Community College – in her own words – “to learn new things.” Shortly after ﬁnishing college, Dorothy began her career as a home health aide for Catholic Charities of Herkimer County, Herkimer County Hospice and the Herkimer County Public Health Department, a job she held for more than 20 years. Dorothy left a lasting impression on so many families in Herkimer County. She was kind and compassionate. She was a helper and treated everyone with respect. She would often take house calls from her patients. ey knew they could always count on Dorothy when they needed anything, from medication pickups to grocery runs to taking pets to vet appointments, and she would even bring them lotto tickets and candy as small gifts to brighten their days.

Dorothy was predeceased by her mother, Mary Dixson, and father, Robert Dixson; mother-in-law, June Martin; sister-in-law Cynthia Abdallah; brothersin-law Gary Wheeler and Alan Matthews; and two special nephews, Rick Matthews and Joseph Wheeler.

She is loved and mourned by her husband of 53 years, John James Jr. of Dolgeville, and their three children, Casey James of Dolgeville; John James III and his partner, Mary Alice Keator, of Burlington, Vt.; and Erin James and her partner, Matthew Long, of Dolgeville. She was a devoted grandmother to Annabelle Lee-Davis and her husband, Cameron LeeDavis, of Syracuse, N.Y. She leaves behind her loving siblings Barbara Eckhardt and husband George “Hi” Eckhardt, Mary Wheeler, Robert Dixson and wife Vikki Dixson, Bonnie Murray, and Emily Boyer and husband William Boyer; and dozens of cousins, nephews, nieces and friends whom she loved dearly.

Lyle Charles Boyce Sr.

JANUARY 29, 1930MARCH 11, 2025 BURLINGTON, VT.

Lyle Charles Boyce Sr., age 95, passed away in the comfort of his home on March 11, 2025.

Lyle was born on January 29, 1930, in Massena, N.Y., the fourth of eight children of the late Lyle Boyce and Florence (Cheney) Boyce Bailey.

Lyle married the love of his life, Wanda (Richards), on May 28, 1955, at the Trinity Methodist Church in St. Regis Falls, N.Y.

Lyle grew up in St. Regis Falls and graduated from St. Regis Falls High School, class of 1948. He enjoyed playing for his high school basketball team. Lyle served his country in the U.S. Army from 1948 to 1952. He had many memories of his tour in Germany.

Lyle was employed by Alcoa in Massena, Carrier Air Conditioner in Syracuse, N.Y., and Coyne Textile Services in Syracuse before moving to Burlington, Vt., in 1957 to operate the Vermont corporate ofﬁce for Coyne. Like his father (who never missed a day of work in 27 years), Lyle was proud of the fact that he rarely missed a day of work in 37.5 years at Coyne. Following his retirement, Lyle found pleasure in working part time for Alltex.

all for his sense of humor and his jitterbug skills. He enjoyed deer hunting and snowmobiling and had many fond memories of camping with his wife and children (in the pink trailer) at Meacham Lake in New York.

Most importantly, Lyle’s legacy is deﬁned by his commitment to his family. He would do anything for his family and always put them ﬁrst in his life.

Lyle is loved and mourned by his wife of 69 years, Wanda, and his ﬁve children, Sharon Pierce (Terry) of Essex Junction, Vt.; Deborah King of Garland, Texas; Lyle C. Boyce Jr. of Burlington; Terri Lareau of New Castle, N.H.; and Barbara Boyce of Burlington. He was the devoted grandfather to eight, Kellie McKee (Joe), Melissa Gennrich, Steven Lareau (Katie), Matthew Pierce, Mark Pierce, Keven Lareau (Anna St. Louis), William King and Jada King. He is survived by seven great-grandchildren, Jordan Gennrich (Raegan), Alex McKee, Jasmine Montoya, Nevele Elmore, Jeffrey Lareau, Samuel Lareau and Lucien Boyce Lareau.

Lyle is survived by his immediate family and one sister, Edna Grifﬁth; his sisters-in-law, Ann O’Neil (Rexford), Audrey O’Reilly (Jack), Janet Ellis (Jerry), Betty Mackey, Etta Mackey (William) and Constance Hourihan (William Gillette); one brother-in-law, Gary Richards; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents; four sisters, Loretta Duval, Rita Boyce, Elaine Boyce and Lorraine Susice; and two brothers, Robert (Squeak) Boyce and Ernest (Sonny) Boyce.

e family would like to thank the University of Vermont Home Health & Hospice (especially Haley) and the staff for their care and support of Lyle and our family.

Upon retiring in 2017, she regularly volunteered with the Dolgeville Forward Cat Program, ﬁnding

Calling hours are on Saturday, March 22, 2025, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Miller-Plonka Funeral Home in Dolgeville, N.Y. In lieu of ﬂowers, the family asks that donations be made in Dorothy’s name to 13thirty Cancer Connect (13thirty.org/ donate) or to the Dolgeville Forward Cat Program (dolgevilleforward.org/cat-project).

Lyle left a lasting impression on all the lives he touched. He was a man of few words and of great morals, and he was an inspiration and role model to his family.

Lyle will be remembered by

A private family service will be held at the convenience of the family. A spring burial will be at Sand Hill Cemetery in Dickinson, N.Y., with military honors. Funeral services are entrusted to LaVigne Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Winooski, Vt. To send condolences to his family, please visit vtfuneralhomes.com.

William “Bill” Gonyeau Jr.

MARCH 15, 1933MARCH 10, 2025

BURLINGTON, VT.

It is with great sadness that the family of William “Bill” Edgar Gonyeau Jr. of South Burlington, Vt., announces his peaceful passing on March 10, 2025, at the age of 91. Born on March 15, 1933, Bill was the only child of William Edgar Gonyeau Sr. and Sarah May (Blow) Gilﬁllan, both of Burlington, Vt.

Bill was ﬁrst in his family to graduate high school and did so at Burlington High, class of 1951 — where he met and won the heart of his high school sweetheart, Jacqueline Jane “Jackie” (Charron) Gonyeau. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force just 10 days after graduation, on June 25, 1951, as airman ﬁrst class. By March 1953 he held “Secret”level security clearance as documented on a 1960 military questionnaire that his wife saved. Bill received a Korean Service Medal, a United Nations Service Medal

Jay Karl Stevens

NOVEMBER 11, 1953FEBRUARY 19, 2025

WEATHERSFIELD BOW, VT.

Jay Karl Stevens, 71, died unexpectedly on February 19, 2025.

Jay was born on November 11, 1953, in Springfield, Vt., to Karl and Patricia Stevens. Born into a long line of Vermont farmers, Jay attended school in Springfield and graduated from Kimball Union Academy before attending the University of Vermont. While at UVM he met the love of his life, Sara DeGennaro. e couple traveled the world together and lived in the fun and danger of Los Angeles and New York City during the gritty ’70s, marrying in 1980. In the mid-’80s, they returned to Vermont and raised their kids on the Stevens’ family farm in Weathersfield Bow, where

and a National Defense Service Medal. He supported NASA, General Dynamics and Convair, leaving his mark in many places around the U.S. Jackie and Bill were married on December 26, 1953, in St. Joseph Cathedral in Burlington. ey spent the following few years traveling the country while Bill was deployed and started their family.

Upon return to Vermont, Bill embarked on many endeavors. He co-owned and operated V&B Carpet and Wall Maintenance for several years, partnered with good

he lived the rest of his life in rural idyll.

Jay was a writer, poet, journalist and social historian. He wrote several books, including Storming Heaven: LSD and the American Dream, Drumming at the Edge of Magic and Planet Drum, and was a noted expert and lecturer on states of consciousness, the history of psychedelics and the radical politics of

friends. He took up work with his brother-in-law, Armand Rosetti, as a salesman at Toyota Northern Lift Trucks until he retired, and of course Bill and Jackie opened the Senorita Taco Stand at the Champlain Valley Fair, which they operated with their friends and family for 25 summers.

Along with being a loving husband to Jackie, Bill was a proud patriarch to his family. He is predeceased by Jackie and their daughter Lisa Marie (Gonyeau) Lyman and leaves behind his children Michelle Denise and Lance and Karen Gonyeau; his grandchildren and their spouses, Jessica and Tim Gerry, Robert-James Camera, Roxanne and Andrew Garland, Sarah-Mae Gonyeau and Alyssa Kay Lyman; his six great-grandchildren, Kaydn, Carter, Aliah, Lillee Bean, Brayden and Miles; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

We will remember his passion for hunting, ﬁshing, lite beer and John Wayne western movies, and for his tales of old, his charming wit and his loyal love for his sweetheart, Jacqueline Jane.

the 1960s. He released two albums of his spoken word poetry set to music, Dance House and Orphic Revival

Yankee by birth and temperament, Jay was equally skilled at composing a sonnet or making maple syrup. Like most of his tribe, he was a gifted storyteller and was friends with many idiosyncratic characters. He was a man who equally enjoyed the solitude of the woods and a damn good party.

He never met a cat who didn’t love him.

He is ﬁercely missed.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Sara; son, Zach Stevens (Lauren Ballard); daughter, Alexandra Stevens (Steven Hinz); brother, Warren Stevens (Paula Stevens); grandchildren, Sequoia, Canyon and Asa; and his nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Jay’s life will occur in August; the date is still to be announced.

Richard Paul Lynch

FEBRUARY 20, 1943-MARCH 16, 2025 ESSEX JUNCTION, VT.

Richard Paul Lynch of Essex Junction, Vt., passed away on March 16, 2025, in Colchester, Vt., with daughter Lisa at his side.

Richard was born in Burlington, Vt., on February 20, 1943, to Dr. John F. and Grace E. (Matthews) Lynch. He was a 1961 graduate of Rice Memorial High School. He received his BA and MA from Saint Michael’s College and earned his PhD from Southern Illinois University. For more than 30 years, he was a professor of English at College Misericordia in Dallas, Pa. Richard also served in the U.S. Navy from 1961 to 1965. He was known for his intellect, sense of humor and kindness. He was highly regarded for his scholarly work on James Joyce and other modernist writers and had the ability to convey the beauty of literature to his students. He published numerous articles and was honored by College Misericordia with a service award.

Richard is survived by his daughter, Lisa; son-in-law, Jason Sabol; and granddaughter, Clara. He also leaves siblings James (Louise), Joseph (Beth), Maryjean Kalanges and Terence (Kathleen), as well as many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother John, sisters Ann Tuxbury and Patricia, brother-in-law Bill Kalanges, and Lisa’s mother, Anne Bright Lynch.

Richard’s family wishes to extend their sincere gratitude for the compassionate care provided by the staff at the University of Vermont Medical Center, especially Dr. Jesse Hahn and Dr. Jonathan Hingre. e kindness of the staff at the McClure Miller Respite House allowed a comfortable and digniﬁed end to Richard’s life.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 22, 2025, 11 a.m., at the Corbin and Palmer Funeral Home, 9 Pleasant St., Essex Junction, with interment to follow at Resurrection Park in South Burlington, Vt. Donations may be made in Richard’s honor to Doctors Without Borders.

Susan Hoeppner

HINESBURG, VT.

Susan Hoeppner, 58 years old. Most of us would agree Susan, Sue, Susie Q was one of the kindest, gentlest and most thoughtful souls, inspiring us all with her gracious example of warmth. She was always placing others ﬁrst. As her husband, sons, sisters, mother, father and friends, we certainly have been fortunate. Please pray for her as she makes her way to the light.

Susan was predeceased by her son Paul in 2018. After Paul’s death by suicide, she lost her way. She was so grateful for the support of her family, her friends and her community. Still, the loss was too heavy to carry, and she died with a broken heart.

In her words: Susan is survived by her husband of 30 years; her son Marc; her parents, Claire and Leo Maguire; sisters Barb Ash, Cathy Vadnais, Mary Redington, and Ellen Emery, and their families and Joe’s family.

Give ‘em hell, Susie! On March 11, 2025, Sue lost her courageous battle with grief and took her life.

Words cannot convey the selﬂess and thoughtful love Susan shared with her family and community.

All are welcome to celebrate Susan’s life at St. Jude’s Catholic Church in Hinesburg on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, from 4 to 7 p.m. Please bring a cut ﬂower to be placed on the altar as an offering and to honor her light.

A traditional mass will be held on March 20, 2025, 2 p.m., at St. Jude’s Catholic Church.

lifelines

OBITUARIES

Julie M. “Windsong” Kervick

APRIL 4, 1937FEBRUARY 21, 2025

FERRISBURGH, VT.

Julie M. “Windsong” Kervick gently journeyed home to Spirit, with her family and friends around her, on February 21, 2025.

Windsong was born on April 4, 1937, in New York City to a young mother unable to care for her. She was placed in an orphanage, where she lived for a year before she was adopted. In an article written about her, Windsong said her experience at the orphanage served to make her “a compassionate person who could, ﬁrsthand and with clarity, understand what abuse and neglect can do to one’s mind and body.” As an adult, Windsong dedicated her life to assisting others in their healing journeys, holistically.

Adopted by Chester T. and Persis McClennen Lane, Windsong spent her early years in McLean, Va., and Nyack, N.Y., where she studied piano from a young age with Jho Waxman. As a teen she designed sets for school and local theater productions, performed in numerous musical and nonmusical plays, and was voted “Most Artistic” upon her graduation from Nyack High School in 1955. e family spent summers on Pleasant Bay on Cape Cod, where she was enrolled privately at a young age with renowned artist Vernon Smith. While further pursuing her art at Skidmore College and the Boston Museum Art School, she studied sculpture and began her lifelong love of pottery.

OBITUARIES, VOWS, CELEBRATIONS

She was an integral part of the community at Shelburne Craft School for many years and a longtime craft seller at the Waldorf Christmas Fair.

After college, she toured the country in a VW bus with her ﬁrst husband before they settled in Vermont. ey parted when their child, Tucker, was 2, and Windsong parented her son alone. Being mother to Tucker was Windsong’s pride and joy. ey shared a love of adventure and travel and had wonderful trips together over the years. She often spoke of how proud she was of his accomplishments and that he was a great husband to

Natalya and a fabulous dad to Zander. Windsong was so delighted to spend time with Zander during the almost ﬁve years of his life journey so far, delighting in the video photo album set up by his parents for her.

While raising her son, Windsong became a respected mind-body practitioner and was a leader and organizer in Vermont’s holistic health movement in the ’60s and ’70s. Drawn to working with her hands, she studied massage and Trager Psychophysical Integration and, along with Don Wright, started the Vermont Institute of Massage in 1976. Her body-mind approach was inﬂuenced by the work of Ron Kurz, founder of the Hakomi method of body-centered psychotherapy. In 1978, Windsong, Wright and Bea Bookchin founded Pathways to Wellbeing in Burlington, the ﬁrst holistic health center on the East Coast. It was here Windsong met Paul Kervick, who would become her lifelong beloved spouse and co-creative partner.

During the many years of its existence, Pathways’ practitioners offered massage, Rolﬁng, homeopathy,

naturopathy and psychotherapy for all ages. Windsong invited practitioners of new modalities to the state, organized speakers and holistic health fairs, and offered workshops to the medical and lay communities. Windsong helped found the Vermont Women’s Health Center in Burlington, the first women-run legal nonprofit clinic to perform abortions in the U.S. Windsong was the cofounder and director of the Awakening Center in Shelburne, also a holistic healing center. With her husband, Paul, she cofounded the Awakening Sanctuary nonprofit educational and healing center for community upliftment at their property in Monkton, Vt.

Windsong had a particular passion for conscious languaging and its effect on physical and spiritual dimensions. She would point out to friends and family the power of words and taught classes on the subject. In addition to pottery, Windsong held a reverence for dance and for many years hosted monthly full-moon circle dance gatherings at the Awakening Sanctuary. Windsong and Paul also became ordained ministers through the Universe Brotherhood Movement and conducted sacred ceremonies, marriages, civil unions and passing to spirit ceremonies.

Windsong was an adventurer and loved visiting different cultures around the world. She was the ﬁrst woman in the U.S. to achieve a black belt in the Korean Taoist qigong practice — Kuok Sun Do — and she solo climbed a sacred mountain in Korea and visited and assisted villagers in northern ailand. In the Vermont winter, you could ﬁnd her cutting

a hole in the ice in Lake Champlain in February, while practicing qigong breathing until she regulated her body temperature.

Her gardens were her happy place, and she would spend long hours creating beauty not just with plants but also with natural fences and trellises and thoughtful placements of stumps, shells, rocks and gemstones. Her and Paul’s crowning achievement on their land at their home in Ferrisburgh was a labyrinth they both created and built together.

Windsong’s favorite word was “yes,” which formed the logo for their Awakening Sanctuary. Yes to life and living one breath at a time. Windsong helped midwife the awakening and healing of thousands of community members and people from around the planet during her 22 years at Awakening Sanctuary and throughout the 87 years of her life. She was a true creator of beauty and love in this world. More recently, she was a key inspiration and support for Paul and a new project in their lives of cocreating a nonproﬁt low-power community radio station in Bristol, Vt. WVVT (Fireside Radio: e Voices of Vermont) will give voice to

and support local communities in creating the world we all want in our hearts. Paul and cofounders Jim Holway and Jonathan Corcoran are so very motivated to share this with the world.

Windsong was predeceased by her parents, Chester T. Lane Sr. and Persis McClennen Lane, and her brother Chester T. Lane Jr. She is survived by her husband, Paul; her son, Tucker (Natalya) McLane and grandson, Zander; Paul’s children, Colby (Garth Allen) Kervick, Robyn (Sean Balon) Kervick and Drew (Elizabeth) Kervick, and grandchildren Turner, Declan, Abigail, Henry, Sam and Charlie; Paul’s sister, Lindsay, and brother, Bob, and his family (Jan, Kris, Tara, Kelly, Jake, Jimmy, Emma); Windsong’s sister, Dinah (John Ketchum) Lane; brother David Lane; nieces and nephews, Clover, Oakley, Allegra, Hannah, Cory and Rachel; and many greatnieces and great-nephews. Windsong also stayed close with Tucker’s father’s family and will be missed by many McLanes, Gigi, Towner, Katie, Duncan; Bonnie, Jessica and Elizabeth Foz.

A celebration of life gathering will be held later this summer. People may reach out by email to songlight@ gmavt.net if they are interested in being notiﬁed once a date and location have been decided.

Donations in Julie “Windsong” Kervick’s memory and supporting her life’s passion for creating inspiration and a beautiful world may be sent to either or both of the following organizations: WVVT community radio station in Bristol, Vt. (wvvt.org/ windsong) or the Shelburne Craft School (shelburne craftschool.org/donate).

JANUARY 14, 1954MARCH 13, 2025

EAST MONTPELIER, VT.

David H. Tucker, 71, a longtime resident of central Vermont, passed away at home on Thursday, March 13, 2025, following a brief battle with cancer, with his wife and brother and close friends at his side.

David was born on January 14, 1954, in Barre, the son of Everett D. and Frances M. Tucker. David arrived that day along with his identical twin brother, Mark. David, Mark and their sister, Kay, grew up on Velie Avenue in Barre Town. He attended Barre Town schools and Spaulding High School and graduated from U-32 High School in 1972.

The two most important things in David’s life were his love for his family and his work in public service. He met his wife, Julie Lambert, in 1995, and they married in 1999. Julie was the light in David’s eyes. She brought her family to the relationship — two sons, John Lambert and his wife, Katina in Northfield, and their children, Andrew and Baylee; and Adam Lambert in Berlin, as well as Michelle Savary, Adam’s former wife, of Berlin. Andrew lives in Williamstown with his partner, Chelsea, and their two children, Mika and Aria. Baylee lives in White Bluff, Tenn., with her husband, Tyler Jordan. They are expecting their first child, Wyatt Andrew, in June. He is also survived by his sister-inlaw, Holly Gathright, and her husband, Jim Brown, of Burlington, and his brotherin-law, Buck Gathright, of California. David always loved Julie’s family as his own. David was a consummate

professional in his work life. After high school he attended Johnson State College for two years, then spent a year at Weber College in Florida, before moving to Salisbury, Md., where he continued his studies at Eastern Maryland University. He worked in a number of restaurants, eventually advancing to kitchen manager at a 350seat restaurant in Ocean City, Md. In 1990 he moved back to Barre and took a job at the Vermont Department of Labor, rising to the level of deputy commissioner. He finished his undergraduate studies at Johnson State College in 1992 and subsequently earned a master’s in public administration from the University of Vermont and a master’s in information technology from Champlain College. He transferred to the Department of Information and Innovation in 2006, where he served as deputy commissioner. In 2011 he took a position as executive director of the Vermont Enhanced 911 Board. In that role he was instrumental in implementing the first “text-to-911” capability in the United States. Text-to-911 was a heralded innovation that, beyond providing basic access to 911 service, provided a means for persons in abusive situations and those who are deaf or hard of hearing, to safely contact authorities without having to speak aloud on the telephone. David retired from state government in 2015. David was an avid golfer and member of the Barre Country Club. In 2017 he answered an ad when Goddard’s WGDR/WGDH community radio station was looking for programmers. David had been involved in community radio at U-32 and Johnson State College, and he jumped at the opportunity to get back behind the microphone. His show, the “Long and Winding Road,” focused initially on classic rock music, starting with a one-hour, midweek show that grew over the years to a three-hour show on Friday afternoons. David evolved his show in recent years to focus solely on new music — rock, soft country, blues, etc. — and he developed a reputation amongst Indie music artists and their labels for his willingness to

play music that did not easily reach mainstream radio stations. And just as he did in his professional life, David took on greater responsibility at the station. At the time of his passing, he was co-music director and chair of the board. David played an instrumental role in helping the station transition from Goddard College control to a separate 501(c)3 entity, Central Vermont Community Radio. Over the years he developed deep friendships with his fellow programmers at the station and with the current station manager. He also took on the task of mentoring new programmers and especially enjoyed working with students who expressed interest in radio. He and his wife, Julie, attended hundreds of music concerts over the years. He was, in his heart, foremost a Bruce Springsteen devotee, but he could name and describe hundreds of other musicians from his encyclopedic history with music and musicians.

David is survived by his wife, Julie; her children and their extended families; his brother, Mark, and his wife, Cathy; his sister, Kay; and the many friends and work colleagues who rallied alongside him during his brief illness. His father, Everett, passed away in 2002, and his mother, Fran, passed away in 2004. The family has been blessed for 70 years by the love and care of their Velie Avenue neighbors, Dottie and Moe Fortier and their six children.

There will be no calling hours or funeral. David will be interred later this spring at Hope Cemetery in a private service, and plans are underway for a celebration of life to be held later this summer.

Guare and Sons Funeral Home in Montpelier is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Central Vermont Community Radio at 123 Pitkin Rd., Plainfield, VT 05667 or online at wgdr.org, or to Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice.

Arrangements are in the care of the Cremation Society of Chittenden County, a division of the Ready Family, 261 Shelburne Rd., Burlington, VT. To send online condolences, please visit cremationsocietycc.com.

Brian James Place

APRIL 21, 1971-MARCH 11, 2025 JERICHO, VT.

Brian James Place, 53, passed peacefully at the family home in Jericho, Vt., after a short illness.

He was born on April 21, 1971, to Ron and Helen Place of Triangle, Va. The family moved to Jericho in 1975.

Brian was a graduate of Mt. Mansfield High School, where he excelled in wrestling and cross-country running.

Very early in life, Brian acquired a love of the outdoors, so hunting, hiking and working in the woods became second nature to him. He enjoyed fishing with his brother Kevin. (He called him Kever.)

He was the best mechanic ever and was also an accomplished carpenter, welder and bricklayer.

He is survived by his father, Ron; sister, Kimberly PlaceFaucher, of Jeffersonville; brother, Kevin; brother-in-law, Brad Faucher; and nephew, Thomas Faucher.

There will be a service of celebration of life on Monday, March 24, 1 p.m., at the Jericho United Methodist Church on Route 15, next to the town hall. The church is ADA-accessible. There will be food and a social gathering at the Masonic Lodge across Route 15.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a memorial donation in Brian’s name to the Jericho/ Underhill Food Shelf, PO Box 65, Jericho, VT.

IN MEMORIAM

Alexander (Alec) Barclay

1959-2024

CELEBRATION

Honoring Mark Utter

Join us on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at the Main Street Landing Film House in Burlington, Vt. Desserts at 1 p.m.; formal event at 2 p.m. A mix of stories, videos and humor, with actor Paul Schnabel as MC. Thank you, Main Street Landing, for hosting! For details or to speak, contact Emily at emily@gmsavt.org.

More details online at

Please join us as we celebrate the life of Alexander (Alec) Barclay, on Saturday, May 31, 2025, 3:30 to 5 p.m. The celebration will be held in the Fellowship Hall at the Congregational Church, 39 Main St., Essex Junction, VT. We welcome you to share your favorite memories and stories.

David H. Tucker

There was no triggering event, no incident nor injustice that could help Danny Chadwick understand why, after a year of hard-won sobriety, he started drinking again.

He simply woke up one day last fall with a “case of the ‘F’-its,” he said, which led him to a predictable place: passed out in the camper that his ex-wife lets him park on the remote Franklin County property she got in their divorce.

Chadwick, who is 71, called his Alcoholics Anonymous sponsor to say he would get back in touch when he got sober. His sons stopped dropping by. They could tell from the sound of his voice on the phone that he was drunk, which explained why he wasn’t showing up at their kids’ sporting events.

The days began to blur together. He takes the winters off from his handyman business, meaning he had more than enough idle time to drink himself into a stupor. He began as early as 4 or 5 a.m., slugging from a half-empty can of Coors Light on his nightstand. He would drink 24 beers or more most days, the empties often scattered across his yard or workshop.

Chadwick had been allowed to drive despite three DUI convictions, but the Department of Motor Vehicles had mandated that he install an ignition interlock. The device tests for blood alcohol levels and won’t allow a car to start if a driver has alcohol in their system.

Chadwick was spending upwards of $500 a month on booze and could no longer afford the interlock’s $100 monthly rental cost, he said. So, he drove to the mechanic and had it removed. Mechanics must notify the state when that happens, and Chadwick’s license was immediately suspended.

No matter. The nearest convenience store was only half a mile away. Patience was the real issue. The store didn’t start selling alcohol until 6 a.m.

As Chadwick’s bender dragged on, he was consumed by shame. He had started drinking during his hell-raising teenage years. His habit worsened as he grew older, but he managed to make a life for himself. He started a limousine company and built his own house. He achieved stints of sobriety — a year or two here, five there.

But alcohol always caught up to him. Looking back, he can clearly trace its destructive influence. There he was, barely a dollar to his name, his health failing him, his family wary of him. Booze had taken so much. Why not his life, too?

I’m going to drink myself to death, he thought in his brief moments of clarity. Whether it was a wish or a warning, he wasn’t always sure. His alcohol

Vermont’s Hangover

The Green Mountain State has long had a drinking problem. It’s time to talk about it.

BY COLIN FLANDERS

consumption, he said, led to “one nightmare after another.”

Vermont has a drinking problem, but you’d be forgiven for missing it. It’s been overshadowed by the opioid epidemic, the disruptive impacts of which are more recognizable and easily quantified. Vermont’s high-end breweries and

distilleries depict imbibing as a social pastime for people with discerning taste, and for many, it is. But if you stick around for last call, you’re likely to notice some uncomfortable truths.

More than 60 percent of Vermont residents drink, a figure that’s nearly 10 percent higher than the U.S. average.

While most do so within limits, many cannot. Vermont ranks in the top 10 states nationally for per capita alcohol consumption, rates of binge drinking and the share of residents thought to have a diagnosable alcohol-use disorder, estimated at about 12 percent of adults — 66,000 people. The disorder is defined as the inability to control one’s drinking, despite negative consequences.

The state also has higher-than-average rates of chronic or “heavy drinking,” defined as more than two drinks a day for men and more than one drink a day for women. Ten percent of Vermont adults report such behavior, compared to 7 percent nationally.

It’s not just college kids hitting the bottle hard, either: All age groups, including teens and seniors, report higher-thanaverage rates of risky drinking behaviors, surveys show.

Theories abound as to why. Research suggests that rural areas — especially those with long, cold winters — report higher

drinking rates. Perhaps it is no coincidence then that the two founders of Alcoholics Anonymous, Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith, grew up in the Green Mountains.

Another consideration: Vermonters are relatively highly educated, which studies have linked to higher rates of alcohol consumption.

It’s been one nightmare after another.

DANNY

And Vermont also embraces its craft beers and liquors. “Alcohol is glamorized here,” said Heidi Moore, a recovery coach at the Turning Point Recovery Center of Bennington. “But behind closed doors, a lot of people are abusing it.”

Whatever the reason, the toll of excessive drinking on Vermont is immense. Alcohol is a leading driver of calls to police and has been implicated in roughly 100 fatal car crashes over the past five years. It also contributes to hundreds of other premature deaths, as well as an untold number of falls, fights and frayed personal relationships. And while the state

says it cannot easily determine how much of its substance use treatment dollars go toward alcohol, the cost of excessive drinking and its many ramifications is likely in the tens of millions.

None of this is news to officials at the Vermont Department of Health, who for years have highlighted the risks of excessive drinking through awareness campaigns that target teens and young adults. “We know we have a problem,” deputy health commissioner Kelly Dougherty said.

But the message from policy makers often doesn’t reflect that. During the pandemic lockdown, as drinking spiked in Vermont, lawmakers made it easier to buy booze by legalizing the sale of to-go cocktails. The move, which Gov. Phil Scott called a “needed lifeline” for the food and beverage industry, has twice been extended, and a bill to make the change permanent is working its way through the Statehouse.

And now, a growing body of research has found that even moderate drinking poses significant health risks. Vermont may be ready for an intervention.

This spring, the health department will launch a new alcohol-related public service campaign targeting adults. Some lawmakers want to go further and have proposed raising taxes on booze for the first time in decades.

Dr. Javad Mashkuri, an emergency room physician at the Central Vermont Medical Center, hopes more people will begin to recognize alcohol for what it is: a drug.

He recalled an old joke among doctors: “Alcohol is the pink elephant in the room, or the Rodney Dangerfield of substances,” he said. “It just doesn’t get the respect it deserves.”

ON THE ROCKS

Consider the following, all of which occurred in Vermont over the span of roughly a week last month:

Police cited more than two dozen suspected drunk drivers. They included a 53-year-old West Rutland teacher accused of arriving at work intoxicated and a 22-year-old Burlington resident who allegedly crossed the centerline of North Avenue at 50 miles per hour and smashed into a box truck head-on, injuring both drivers.

A woman in Pownal reported to authorities that her belligerently drunk husband had choked and threatened to kill her. And a 31-year-old Bennington woman spent her final days in the intensive care unit at Southern Vermont Medical Center as her organs slowly failed. The official cause of death: chronic alcohol use.

61% of adults in Vermont drink, compared to 50 percent of U.S. adults

10%

of adults in Vermont report heavy drinking (more than two drinks a day for men and more than one a day for women), compared to 7 percent of U.S. adults

66,000 people in Vermont are estimated to have alcohol-use disorders, defined as the inability to stop drinking despite negative consequences

435 alcohol-related deaths were estimated to have occurred in Vermont in 2021, a 36 percent increase compared to 2017

100 fatal car crashes in Vermont over the past five years involved alcohol

In the decade since former governor Peter Shumlin trained a spotlight on the opioid crisis, most people have come to recognize the destructive power of illicit drugs. But alcohol, by far Vermont’s most abused substance, rarely faces the same scrutiny, even as it upends lives.

Roughly half the calls about substance abuse made to the state’s 211 helpline are from people struggling with alcohol. And recovery centers say the majority of their clients have a drinking problem.

Police arrest drunk drivers daily. Vermont cops performed 1,700 sobriety tests on suspected drunk drivers last year, or an average of five a day. Repeat offenders must complete at least 20 hours of counseling to get their driving privilege back. Demand for that was so high in the Northeast Kingdom last year that the local mental health agency began offering a class instead of one-on-one services.

Alcohol also fuels tempers: Intoxicated people are routinely implicated in violent

CHADWICK

Danny Chadwick

Vermont’s Hangover « P.27

encounters, from fights outside Burlington bars to late-night domestic assaults in rural Lamoille County.

Chadwick, the Franklin County man, was charged twice with assaulting his ex-wife during their marriage. He said he has been involved in more alcohol-fueled altercations in card games and at deer camps than he’d care to remember. “I’m a mean drunk,” he said with a shake of his head. “I don’t take much crap when I’m drinking.”

Excessive drinking can be devastating to mental health. Many turn to alcohol to quell anxious thoughts or to unwind after a stressful day. But scientists have found that alcohol can change the brain’s chemistry over time and make a person more anxious and depressed.

“People have the impression that alcohol may help them feel better in the short term, but in the long term, it’s pretty destructive,” said Dr. Steven Runyan, medical director of the inpatient psychiatric unit at Rutland Regional Medical Center.

Up to a third of the patients on Runyan’s unit on a typical day have alcohol problems, he said. And while it can be hard to unpack what came first — the drinking or the mental illness — the alcohol certainly doesn’t help.

Nor does it promote good physical health. Drinking can wreak havoc on the body, starting with the liver, which metabolizes booze. Heavy drinkers often develop fatty livers that can cause mild abdomen discomfort. Many will go on to develop alcoholic hepatitis, in which the liver becomes inflamed and swollen. Over time, some of the heaviest drinkers will develop cirrhosis, in which scar tissue builds up and replaces liver cells. Cirrhosis can cause irreversible damage and lead to fatal liver failure.

Excessive drinking has also been closely linked to mouth, stomach and breast cancers and has been shown to increase the risks of heart disease and stroke.

Tracking how many people alcohol kills is difficult, but researchers have developed ways to estimate.

One recent national study looked at dozens of causes of death that were deemed either wholly attributable to heavy drinking, such as alcoholic liver disease, as well as those partially attributable, such as heart disease, stroke and certain cancers. It found that the number of deaths caused by alcohol-related diseases had more than doubled over a 20-year span, from fewer than 20,000 in 1999 to nearly 50,000 in 2020. That didn’t account for deaths from fatal car crashes, homicides and other alcohol-related injuries.

Some 450 Vermonters are estimated to have died from alcohol-related causes in 2021, a sizable increase from a few years earlier and more than the number of people killed by COVID-19 during the deadliest year of the pandemic.

Older people drove much of the increase. It can take time to develop the chronic illnesses associated with heavy

suffering from severe alcohol-related illnesses.

That is to say: Of the young people who are drinking these days, more seem to be doing so in very risky ways.

Heidi Moore’s first client as a peer recovery coach at the Bennington County Turning Point center was the recently deceased 31-year-old woman. Moore

Alcohol is the pink elephant in the room, or the

Rodney Dangerfield of substances. It just doesn’t get the respect it deserves.

DR. JAVAD MASHKURI

drinking. But younger people are dying, too, even while more are turning away from booze.

As Seven Days previously reported, surveys show that people 30 and under are drinking less often than they did in the past, in part because they have become increasingly wary of booze’s ill effects. Vermont has a growing sober community, evidenced by robust mocktail menus and alcohol-free gatherings. At the same time, though, professionals in the addiction field say they have been encountering a growing number of people in their twenties and thirties

agreed to talk about the woman as long as the client’s name was withheld.

The two met in the emergency department four years ago after the woman, a nurse, sought care for an alcohol-related injury. A treating nurse pulled Moore aside to say she was worried her patient would be dead within five years if she didn’t quit drinking.

Moore convinced the woman to start attending regular counseling sessions, and soon she was a beloved figure at Turning Point.

“She was so sweet, kind, always smiling,” Moore recalled.

But nothing Moore said could convince her to stop drinking, and her problems piled up. She got fired from jobs for showing up drunk, then lost her nursing license. Her health began to fail — first her liver, then the rest of her body. She ultimately landed in an ICU.

“I watched in slow motion how alcohol systematically, like any other drug, took every single thing away from her,” Moore said.

Moore spent more than a week by the woman’s bedside as she came to grips with the seriousness of her situation. At one point, Moore asked the woman whether she had ever expected that alcohol would land her on her deathbed.

She had not. She was still so young, she said. She thought she’d have more time to turn her life around.

THE FIRST STEP

People with addictions can struggle to recognize that they have a problem, and that can be especially true for heavy drinkers, whose chosen substance is not only legal but widely accepted. Most people who meet the criteria for alcoholuse disorder do not feel that they need treatment, studies show, even when they acknowledge that they have all the symptoms.

Some defend their drinking habits by drawing a distinction between alcohol and street drugs. “I can’t tell you how many times I have been told, ‘I don’t need to go to meetings; I’m not one of those people,’” said Amber Robbins, a case manager at Northeast Kingdom Human Services.

Dr. Javad Mashkuri

The gentle prodding of a concerned friend or family member may be enough to convince someone they have a problem, Robbins said. More often, though, the dawning realization stems from “some sort of pain,” such as a DUI, a lost job or a broken relationship.

Gregory Hewitt’s wake-up call came after a literal look in the mirror. The Rutland man’s drinking had started as a social outlet. As a restaurant worker, he enjoyed collegial nightcaps. But at some point, Hewitt’s relationship with booze darkened. He began to drink not only at night, with friends, but also throughout the day, including at work, sneaking out to his car for a shot of vodka the same way that his colleagues took cigarette breaks.

Alcohol, he said, “became such an integral part of my life.”

His problem, like many other people’s, worsened during the pandemic. His restaurant shut down, and drinking was an easy way to fill idle hours. He consumed more, then more still, until he was up to nearly half a gallon of hard liquor a day.

He eventually noticed blood in his stool and headed to an emergency room. When a physician told him his drinking had led to intestinal bleeding, he was shocked.

While waiting to be discharged, Hewitt met a peer recovery coach from the Rutland County Turning Point. The

coach offered to connect him with help if he was interested.

He wasn’t — a dismissal Hewitt later chalked up to stubborn pride.

He managed to avoid alcohol for the next few months but was soon back to drinking as much as before. Then, one morning, he looked in the mirror to find that his skin had turned yellow overnight — “‘Simpsons’-level yellow,” he said.

He knew what that meant: His liver was failing. He headed back to the ER, then called Turning Point soon after.

“I can’t keep doing this,” he told a recovery coach, the first step in his now three-year recovery from alcohol addiction.

People who give up booze cold turkey after drinking heavily for years can face not only uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms but also life-threatening complications, including seizures. Once that occurs, there’s an increased risk of it happening again during a detox period. That’s why heavy drinkers are encouraged to detox under supervision, but it can be difficult to find places to go.

Several detox facilities have closed in Vermont in recent years, citing staffing challenges. They include Chittenden County’s Act 1 program, which was run for decades by Howard Center.

Rehab centers will take lower-risk

connection and personal accountability. Medications such as naltrexone and acamprosate can also play a role, and a much bigger one at that, according to experts.

The medications, while not as effective as those used to treat opioid addictions, have been shown to help blunt cravings and reduce the urge to drink for some people, especially when combined with counseling. Only a fraction of people with alcohol-use disorder receive medication for it, though, studies show.

Providers at Central Vermont Medical Center want to change that. Marissa Patrick, a nurse practitioner, and Mashkuri, the ER doc, have met with primary care providers across Addison County to educate them on how the drugs can be an effective treatment tool.

The efforts seem to be paying off: The hospital has tracked an uptick in the number of prescriptions of naltrexone, Patrick said. The University of Vermont Health Network has also recently distributed a tool that she created to help more providers better manage patients with alcohol-use disorder.

People who overcome serious alcohol problems often say they had to make difficult changes in both their routines and their relationships.

patients but say they’re not equipped to handle patients with histories of seizures. Hospitals, meanwhile, have strict guidelines for admitting detox patients, usually starting with a requirement that they no longer have any alcohol in their systems.

When Chadwick decided in January to sober up, he went to the Northwestern Medical Center in St. Albans and asked to be admitted for detox. He was denied, he said, even though he has had two withdrawal seizures in the past.

Afraid he would have another while alone in his camper, he bought Valium — a medication used to help people taper off alcohol — and took the pills on a schedule he remembered from his last stay at Act 1. Doctors strongly recommend against this approach, but Chadwick said it felt like his only choice.

Chadwick spent a full week on the couch in deep discomfort, the longest period of detox he’d ever had. But he did not have a seizure, and on the eighth day, he dragged himself to an AA meeting, his first in months.

People who manage to get through early days of sobriety must then find ways to maintain it.

Many Vermonters have succeeded through programs such as AA or services that seek to leverage the power of

Hewitt, for one, had to stop hanging around with friends who had unhealthy relationships with alcohol.

He also had to switch supermarkets, he said, because the Hannaford where he usually got groceries has its own liquor store, and he could feel that Pavlovian pull toward the vodka aisle as soon as he got out of his car.

He has been sober long enough now that he can return to Hannaford without fear of slipping up. That’s a relief, he said, since his mother shops there, too. She lets him use her rewards points when he checks out so he can save a little cash.

MORE TAXATION, LESS INTOXICATION?

In response to its drinking problem, Vermont has emphasized treatment and education. Recovery coaches provide around-the-clock coverage at every emergency department, and tens of millions of taxpayer dollars are spent each year treating addictions, including those to alcohol. Meanwhile, the health department’s upcoming media campaign — titled “One Less” and scheduled to launch around April, which is Alcohol

Heidi Moore

Vermont’s Hangover « P.29

Awareness Month — seeks to encourage adults to reexamine their relationship with booze.

But experts say any meaningful attempt to curb excessive drinking must include hitting people where it hurts: their wallets.

A proposal in the state legislature would increase excise taxes on alcohol retailers and producers for the first time since 1981. The bill, introduced late last month by Rep. Kate Nugent (D-South Burlington), is a page out of the antismoking playbook, and one that study after study has found to be effective in curbing unwanted behaviors.

Nugent, who is also the executive director of Winooski Partnership for Prevention, a nonprofit that seeks to promote sober living among youths, said she hoped to create a better balance between the revenue alcohol brings into Vermont and its cost on society.

“It’s not even just the deaths, which are heartbreaking,” she said. “It’s also the social impact, on families and kids.”

Alcohol tax rates vary widely nationwide. Washington State, for instance, levies a $36 tax on every gallon of liquor, compared to no tax at all in New Hampshire. Tennessee has a nation-leading $1.29-per-gallon beer tax, while a handful of states, including Massachusetts, tax booze less than 10 cents.

Vermont currently ranks in the middle of the pack in terms of alcohol tax rates. Nugent’s proposal would hike the tax on every gallon of beer from 26 cents to $1.36 and every gallon of wine from 55 cents to $3.75, and would mandate future annual increases tied to inflation. It would also double the sales tax on hard liquor, to 10 percent. And it would require that all alcoholic beverages contain labels about their cancer risks, a step recently recommended by the U.S. Surgeon General.

The proposal would raise an estimated $15 million extra in its first year, according to Nugent. Most of that would go into a special fund meant to expand mental health support at Vermont schools, along with treatment and supportive housing for people with alcohol-use disorder.

For consumers, the tax on an average beer would go from about 2 cents to 8 cents, Nugent said. That might not be enough to dissuade someone from buying a beer while out to dinner. But over time even minor tax increases can encourage some of the heaviest drinkers to cut back, research has suggested.

Two states that most recently raised taxes on alcohol — Illinois and Maryland — have reported less binge drinking and fewer car crashes involving intoxication.

Several other states have considered hiking alcohol taxes to address rising alcohol-related deaths. One recent push in New Mexico — the state with the highest rate of alcohol-related deaths — failed after an intense lobbying campaign by the alcohol industry.

Nugent’s bill is unlikely to move this session, but she hopes it will be the start of a

night, and their phone calls often end with him receiving a reading assignment. “Working me hard,” he said with a grin. He attends daily AA meetings and has 12-step literature taped to the walls and fridge of his camper.

Chadwick has been thinking a lot lately about how to process his shame. He talks about how his mother was an alcoholic; he

People have the impression that alcohol may help them feel better in the short term, but in the long term, it’s pretty destructive.

DR. STEPHEN RUNYAN

longer conversation about excessive drinking. She said she tried to strike the right balance between addressing the problem without harming alcohol businesses, which are an important part of the state’s economy.

The Vermont Brewers Association did not respond to multiple requests for comment about the bill, while the Distilled Spirits Council of Vermont said it would need more time to vet the proposal and its potential impacts.

More expensive beer won’t impact Chadwick, so long as he can help it. He’s two months sober and determined to stay that way. He talks to his sponsor every

knows more now about the generational cycle of addiction. He realizes that he raised his kids while drunk. “I didn’t ask to be an alcoholic, but I am,” he said.

But there was a noticeable shift in Chadwick when he completed the survey of his past and began to talk about his future. He became less certain, bashful even, and it felt at times like he was talking about two different people.

In a way, he was. “A lot of people like me when I’m sober,” he said. “They got no use for me drunk.”

He struggles to make sense of the support he has received from people

around him despite everything he’s put them through. His sponsor took him on, no questions asked. “All you had to do was call,” he’d said. Chadwick’s ex-mother-inlaw, meanwhile, recently invited him to visit her whenever he is struggling. “Until that feeling goes away,” the woman, in her early eighties, told him.

He hopes the months ahead will be filled with busyness — jobs for his home repair business or afternoons spent puttering around outside with his dog, Sugar. He’s making plans to have the ignition lock reinstalled so that he can get his license back.

He also wants to heal old wounds. Two of his grandchildren have refused to let him meet their own kids out of fear that he might show up drunk one day and scare them. He doesn’t blame them, he said, even though it “hurts me right to death.”

He is desperate to prove to them that he’s serious about changing this time. He also knows from experience that the gleam of his newfound sobriety will eventually wear off. That the “little devil” who has sat on his shoulder for so long will reappear, perhaps as he passes the nearby convenience store with its cases of beer. Standing in the small camper where he almost drank himself into an early grave, Chadwick vowed to never resume drinking. Then he paused for a moment, as if remembering the AA promise to be truthful and the countless other times he had let his guard down. He rephrased his words to something that felt, at least for now, a bit more honest.

“I hope I don’t go back.” ➆

Rep. Kate Nugent

Aye, Robot

Vermont’s student robotics community comes of age as it hosts the FIRST Robotics New England district tournament

BY KEN PICARD • ken@sevendaysvt.com

Ask the average person on the street what skills are needed to build a robot, and they would probably describe some combination of electrical engineering, computer science and mechanical design.

When members of FRC Team 9101, aka Green Mountain Robotics, were asked the same question, the Chittenden County high school students provided a more expansive answer that also included the kind of know-how taught in collegelevel business courses: public speaking, marketing, grant writing and project management.

“We basically operate like a small company,” said Dominic Petrarca, an 18-year-old Essex High School senior.

On a recent Friday night, Petrarca was one of 10 team members at Generator Makerspace in Burlington who were testing and fine-tuning their newly completed robot for the international FIRST Robotics Competition, or FRC.

TECHNOLOGY

The Burlington-area team’s entrant, named Champ, is a 3-foot-tall metallic structure that resembles a guillotine on wheels, minus the decapitating blade. Its central component is a three-stage “elevator” that can extend nearly nine feet in the air. Champ is also equipped with cameras that can read simple barcodes, called AprilTags, that enable it to navigate on its own. And it has an arm that extends outward to lift and manipulate objects.

The students conceived, designed, programmed and built their robot from scratch in just six weeks, ahead of a district event last weekend in Lewiston, Maine, where they won the prestigious Engineering Inspiration Award.

In the world of competitive high school robotics, FRC robots are the largest, fastest and most exciting to watch. They’re also the most sophisticated — and expensive.

Green Mountain Robotics’ 150-pound bot, which can move at 15 miles per hour and perform multiple tasks autonomously and by remote control, cost about $10,000 to build, all of which the students raised themselves through grants and corporate sponsorships.

Their goal is to be one of 600 teams worldwide invited to the FIRST Championship in Houston in April. To get there, they must first do well at a New England tournament later this month at the University of Vermont. It’s the first time the state has ever hosted a regional robotics tournament at the highest level — akin to holding a March Madness basketball game in UVM’s Patrick Gymnasium.

That 32 of New England’s best FRC robots will compete in Vermont is a testament to how far the state’s student robotics community has advanced. Three years ago, Vermont had one of the country’s lowest per capita rates of participation. Today, it’s at or above the national average, with more

THE TEAM’S ENTRANT, NAMED CHAMP, IS A 3-FOOT-TALL METALLIC STRUCTURE THAT RESEMBLES A GUILLOTINE ON WHEELS, MINUS THE DECAPITATING BLADE.

than 100 robotics teams ranging from kindergartners to high school seniors. That includes nine elite FRC teams, such as Green Mountain Robotics, with new ones being added each year.

Such rapid growth is due, in part, to a $375,000 grant from the Argosy Foundation, which helped launch the nonprofit group FIRST in Vermont in 2021. Local educators, mentors and business leaders have also invested considerable time, energy and resources into these robotics clubs because they recognize the role they play in sparking student interest in STEM — science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Many team mentors and coaches work at local tech companies, including Beta Technologies, GlobalFoundries, Hazelett Strip-Casting and Agilent, that are populated by former FIRST Robotics participants.

Green Mountain Robotics team members working on Champ

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Seven Days on the press in Mirabel, Québec

Aye, Robot «

P.32

“I’ve seen the power of robotics programs to change students’ lives,” said Linda Schadler, 61, UVM’s acting provost and former dean of the College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, who was instrumental in bringing the FIRST Robotics tournament to Patrick Gym.

FIRST, an acronym of “For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology,” is a global nonprofit founded in 1989 by engineer and entrepreneur Dean Kamen, best known as the inventor of the Segway. The group promotes STEM education by starting kids young, with FIRST LEGO League Discover at ages 4 to 6, then progressing to FIRST LEGO League Explore at ages 6 to 10 and FIRST Tech Challenge at ages 7 to 12.

Though FIRST Robotics events are ostensibly competitions, above all else they emphasize the organization’s core values of sportsmanship, inclusion, innovation, teamwork and fun. That’s why FIRST events are also called “coopertitions.” They encourage teams to both compete and collaborate by sharing ideas, equipment, software and problem-solving techniques.

Here’s how FRC events work: Beginning in January, about 3,700 teams from 32 countries all received a short video and a 164-page game manual that spelled out the rules and specs for this year’s season. Each team then had six weeks to design and build a robot that can perform different tasks. Aside from some basic components such as batteries, wheels

and motors, none of the parts could be designed or fabricated in advance.

This year’s season has an oceanoriented theme called “Reefscape.”

During each match, two alliances of three teams apiece compete on a 70-by-30foot indoor playing field. Teams earn points when their robot completes tasks such as “harvesting algae” (lifting large

rubber balls and depositing them in a bin) and “seeding coral” (placing PVC pipes onto a large metal structure, or “reef”), then returns to its “barge,” or home, by attaching itself to a hanging metal cage and hoisting itself off the floor. How each robot performs those tasks is determined entirely by the students, and no two robots are alike.

FIRST Robotics regional event in Lewiston, Maine

Every robot need not be a jack-of-alltrades. Green Mountain Robotics member Clay Nicholson, a 16-year-old junior from Champlain Valley Union High School, explained that one team’s robot may specialize in a couple of tasks and perform them really well each time, whereas another team’s robot might perform all the tasks but with lower degrees of accuracy. In its rookie year in 2023, Green Mountain Robotics built a robot that could perform only one task but do it exceedingly well. The team went on to compete in the world championship. Nicholson called it “an exercise in game theory.”

to build it, and whom they contacted in their community for funding and technical support.

“It’s communication, it’s collaboration and all this other goop that, I gotta tell you, they don’t teach us engineers!” said John Cohn, 66, an IBM fellow emeritus and FIRST in Vermont board member. Cohn, who now works at Beta Technologies, said that at last count, there were about 40 employees of the South Burlington electric aviation company who participated in FIRST Robotics clubs when they were young.

FRC robots not only have to be fast, accurate and reliable but also durable enough to sustain impacts from other robots. With six robots roving the floor at up to 20 miles per hour, collisions are inevitable. That said, FRC events are not like the popular TV show “Robot Wars.” Teams are penalized if they deliberately hinder, damage or disable another team’s robot.

“You’re all trying to help each other win,” said Max Drapa, 17, an Essex High School senior and founding member of the team. It’s not just poor sportsmanship to hinder another team’s progress, he said; it’s also bad strategy. A team that’s your opponent in one match may be your ally in the next one.

Last year, Green Mountain Robotics had motors that kept failing during an event, and the students couldn’t figure out why. (The problem turned out to be a manufacturer error.) Midcompetition, another team offered them replacement parts so they could continue in the event.

Such cooperative behavior is rewarded with points that go toward qualifying for the world championship. Of the seven trophies that Drapa and Nicholson showed off from past seasons, the one they’re most proud of is the Gracious Professionalism Award, which the team won at last year’s New England district championship. It’s awarded to the team that best embodies all the values of FIRST.

Teams can also earn points off the playing field, in ways that seem only tangentially related to robotics. To succeed at FRC events, participants must demonstrate more than just tech savvy but also strong interpersonal skills. Teams have to give oral presentations to judges, during which they explain how they chose the robot’s design, what it took

“It’s a phenomenal extracurricular activity, and I loved every second of it,” said Guy Shaffer, 25, of Williston, who participated in FIRST Robotics as a teen and now works as an equipment engineer at Essex chip manufacturer GlobalFoundries. Shaffer is co-coaching the Green Mountain Robotics team with Joseph Chase, 61, a retired Essex science teacher who now serves as state coordinator of FIRST in Vermont. While both men provide their team with guidance to stay on task, they let the teens do most of the talking.

And these kids are strong communicators. Members of Green Mountain Robotics cold-called Beta and other Vermont tech firms to line up sponsorships, order equipment, and solicit technical help with machining parts and running computer simulations. Team members also gave presentations at GlobalFoundries, at the Vermont Superintendents Association and to Gov. Phil Scott.

Those efforts yielded more than $70,000 that will support other FIRST Robotics teams and summer camps throughout the state, some of which the teens run themselves. Those community-oriented activities further help the team accrue points that could win it a coveted trophy called the Impact Award.

Ultimately, FIRST robotics teams are less about channeling students into STEM-specific careers than they are about teaching kids valuable skills that are applicable in numerous professions: critical thinking, trial and error, team building, and time and money management.

“We’ve had people come along and say, ‘I’m not that interested in robots. I want to go to law school,’” Petrarca said. “How the heck do we get people to understand that robotics club can be about a lot more than just robots?” ➆

INFO

New England FIRST District Championship, Saturday, March 29, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday, March 30, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Patrick Gymnasium, University of Vermont, in Burlington. Free. nefirst.org

VERMONT TIRE & SERVICE

MAX DRAPA

Pour Some Sugar on Me

Across the northern border, maple culture is evolving

BY SUZANNE PODHAIZER

With a grin, a man in a ﬂannel shirt, head shaved save for the long braid that whipped as he walked, crossed the bustling dining room and placed a slender wooden board on a table draped with red-and-white gingham. In the center sat two wa es, sandwiching ham, bacon and gooey cheese, which oozed and puddled on the wood. Apple compote lolled on top.

Filling as it was, the decadent sandwich was just one of many items that comprised my recent sugar shack brunch at LABONTÉ DE LA POMME , a cidery and maple syrup producer an hour west of Montréal.

While Vermont’s sugaring-season traditions involve snacking on hot dogs, eggs and other goodies poached in simmering sap — or dishing up sugar on snow alongside cakey doughnuts and crisp pickles — Québécois sugar makers have a rich history of o ering full meals and boisterous hospitality to those who visit their shacks, known as cabanes à sucre

Sugar shack fare, generally served in banquet halls, tends to be pork-heavy; classic dishes include split pea soup with ham, baked beans with bacon, crispy pig skin, omelettes and mixed meat pies. Maple desserts abound, such as pouding chômeur, a tender cake sopping with syrup. Many locals make a day of it, sticking around for on-site sleigh rides, snowshoe treks and live folk music.

Québec is the world’s largest producer of maple syrup, and the sweetener’s economic and cultural importance shows in the maple fever that sweeps the province each spring, as sugar makers ﬁre up their evaporators and invite guests to dine. Some restaurants specialize in sugar shack fare year-round, manufacturing “snow” used to turn hot syrup into ta y. One such spot, AU PETIT POUCET in Val-David — where roaring ﬁreplaces illuminate walls decked with snowshoes and moose heads — feeds as many as 1,000 visitors a day.

Recently, there’s been both bad and good news about our northern neighbor’s sugar shack culture. The pandemic closed many businesses, and where there used to be more than 200 cabanes o ering food and cheer to the public, the province now has around 140.

The bright side: Even as many continue to o er traditional feasts in their meaty, smoky glory, some have diversiﬁed that fare, giving visitors a reason to expand single sugar shack visits into full-blown, multiday tours.

Hungry for exploration after a long winter, I wanted to try a little bit of everything. Craving opportunities to burn calories whenever I wasn’t consuming

them, I planned a trip to the Laurentian Mountains, which extend northwest of Montréal. There, I found culinary o erings that hit a variety of sweet notes, as well as plenty of outdoor activities to o set my intake.

LABONTÉ DE LA POMME

405 Rang de l’Annonciation, Oka, 450-479-1111, labontedelapomme.ca

Home of that memorable wa e sandwich, Labonté de la Pomme boasts an orchard and cidery, plus a maple sugar bush and a rustic building for visitors who flow through during the spring and fall to sample the goods.

In the dining room, visitors can choose a classic meal with all the ﬁxings (CA$47), a veggie version of that meal (CA$52) or the “revisited gourmet meal” (CA$67). I opted for the latter, less traditional take, which included the waffle concoction and a caramelized onion soup featuring Trappist-style cheese — named Oka after the Cistercian Abbey that produced

Labonté de la Pomme

SIDEdishes

SERVING UP FOOD NEWS

EB Strong’s Prime Steakhouse Hopes to Expand in Burlington

The owners of EB STRONG’S PRIME STEAKHOUSE, located at 10 Church Street in Burlington, hope to expand into the neighboring storefront left empty when Danform Shoes closed its downtown outpost in early February.

Co-owner TIM HALVORSON said he and his wife, KRISTIN, are in the process of securing permits to add about 25 seats to their 75-seat steakhouse and connect the former retail store at 2 Church Street with the 13-year-old restaurant. Both occupy the Richardson building and were historically connected as part of Abernethy’s Department Store, which closed in 1982.

The Halvorsons also own HALVORSON’S UPSTREET CAFÉ, which has operated at 16 Church Street for more than 40 years. Tim, 65, said he saw an opportunity to enlarge the steakhouse dining room to meet peak demand at EB Strong’s. He explained that at least 20 times a year — for example, on college parents’ weekends, graduation and Valentine’s Day — the steakhouse has to turn away customers.

The longtime restaurateur acknowledged that the restaurant industry, especially in downtown Burlington, is going through a challenging period. “The last five years have been really crazy,” Tim said. On top of extreme labor shortages and rising food costs, he added, the city is struggling with

escalating “behavioral problems and quality-of-life issues” related to crime, addiction and homelessness.

But, Tim said, “I’ve always been kind of an optimist. As long as there’s a thriving university on the hill and a beautiful lake below us, there’s always going to be room for something in between those two.

“A thriving hospitality industry in a town makes a good town,” he concluded.

Melissa Pasanen

Parsons Dinner House Finds a New Home at Runaway Manor

A popular Northeast Kingdom restaurant has found a new home — and, one hopes, a drier one.

Co-owners and fiancés MARIA HILL and STEVE VAZZANO will reimagine Parsons Dinner house as the DINNER HOUSE AT RUNAWAY MANOR, moving from a floodprone location in Barton to 77 Maple Lane in West Glover. They’re targeting a late-May opening in the luxurious countryside home, which previously operated as an event venue and vacation rental.

The seasonally inspired Parsons Dinner House featured “upscale comfort food, exciting cocktails and decadent desserts with the homey touches often unique to owner-operated

Kristin and Tim Halvorson in front of EB Strong’s Prime Steakhouse and the proposed expansion space

Pour Some Sugar on Me

washed-rind cow’s milk wheels for nearly 100 years — along with the baked beans and homemade sausages that also grace the regular menu. When I inevitably cried oncle, staffers brought takeout containers for the leftovers.

To sip, I ordered a sampler of Labonté de la Pomme’s hard apple ciders (CA$20). They ranged from Nolan, a dry quaff made with rhubarb, to a bubbly and sweet dessert cider laced with maple syrup.

IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD

• At nearby OKA NATIONAL PARK (sepaq.com/ pq/oka, CA$24.14), which has 25 miles of beautifully groomed Nordic ski trails, I glided next to the Ottawa River while listening to owls hooting in the forest.

• To dig deeper into Oka cheese lore, book a room at the AUBERGE DE L’ABBAYE D’OKA (abbayeoka.ca, rooms from CA$160) or call ahead to request a tour of the building (CA$10 per person, minimum of 2 people).

Highlights of my stroll through the site included a visit to old dairy barns via weepy underground tunnels and peeks at various rooms that have been used as movie sets. Cheese is still made in a modern plant on the property. Several varieties, including one with mushrooms and truffles, are sold at a gift shop alongside other monkproduced specialties, such as salted caramel and mouse-shaped chocolates.

LA CABANE À TUQUE

370 Montée Fortier, Mont-Tremblant, 819-425-9129, lacabaneatuque.com

It’s not uncommon for sugar shacks to offer vegetarian options. For vegans or anyone who would prefer not to catch whiffs of ham and bacon as they dine, there’s the family-owned sugarhouse and eatery LA CABANE À TUQUE. Just 20 minutes removed from the over-the-top spa and slope culture of Mont-Tremblant, Québec’s largest ski resort, La Cabane à Tuque is a celebration of plant-based simplicity. Guests gather at a single table in owner Simon Meloche Goulet’s home and share a family-style meal (CA$60) including freshly baked bread, cups of Chaga tea brewed with sap, and a variety of ferments and pickles, alongside heartier fare such as millet pie, fried potatoes and homemade tempeh scooped from cast-iron skillets. For a few extra loonies, I snagged a glass of kombucha (CA$5.50) flavored with spices foraged from the surrounding boreal forest. Between courses, Goulet answered questions in French and English. While he cooked, I flipped through his handy, 23-page binder detailing his dietary choices, how he built his home with the help of 100 volunteers and the origin of his ingredients. Despite its nontraditional nature, the

meal ended in classic fashion — with a trip outdoors to sample sugar on snow.

MAISON DE SOMA

380 chemin Paquette, Mont-Tremblant, 833-883-7662, maisondesoma.com

Set amid snowy fields and forests, MAISON DE SOMA , an on-farm restaurant near Mont-Tremblant Ski Resort, felt like an oasis when I arrived on a frigid day in early March. A fireplace burned in the portion of the kitchen that was open to the dining room, and sunlight streamed through tall windows. From a glass beaker, a staffer poured steaming coffee — one of the only items sourced outside Québec — into round-bellied earthenware cups that doubled as hand warmers.

This year’s sugar shack menu, available through the end of April, features classics inflected with Asian flavors and made using Québécois ingredients, many grown or foraged on the 600-acre property. One outlier: Maison de Soma, which opened in May 2024, hasn’t yet set up the sugaring operation its owners hope to launch by next year, so they are currently buying local maple syrup.

The various courses on the fixed-price menu (CA$75) were plated on rustic stoneware dishes. In place of pea soup was a bowl of yellow pea congee with baby ginger and housemade soy sauce; classic, vinegared slaw was scattered with cilantro. The omelette, which came alongside smoked pork and smashed potatoes, was drizzled with nước chấm, a tart, sweet and pungent Vietnamese dipping sauce.

During my visit there were three desserts: maple cake with toasted buckwheat-topped ice cream, a fluffy meringue “floating island” and classic maple taffy, which I scarfed down outdoors in view of the farm’s hoop houses.

IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD

• Mont-Tremblant is a hub for outdoor adventure, from the lift-served MontTremblant Ski Resort to miles of Nordic and backcountry trails. While my sister hiked up the Mont and skied down (tremblant. ca, CA$30 for uphill skiers, CA$142 for a full-day downhill pass) — I lounged in an outdoor hot tub at the FAIRMONT TREMBLANT (fairmont.com/tremblant, rooms from CA$329) and watched folks slide the slopes.

We both splurged on edible souvenirs at nearby GOURMET SAUVAGE (gourmetsauvage.ca/en), a store packed with surprising goods made of wild Québécois ingredients. Chanterelle caramel, cedar jelly, dried black trumpet mushrooms and marinated milkweed pods were just a few of the items on the shelves.

This article is part of a travel series on Québec. The province’s destination marketing organization, Bonjour

is a financial underwriter of the project but has no influence over story selection or content. Find the complete series plus travel tips at sevendaysvt.com/quebec.

Québec,

COURTESY OF SATYA JACKS

Maison de Soma

La Cabane à Tuque

food+drink

SIDEdishes

businesses,” Seven Days wrote in December 2023. That visit followed the restaurant’s November reopening after extensive damage from the July 2023 flood.

In July 2024, the Barton River flooded again — not as badly, Vazzano said. “But every time it rained, we had to worry.”

The couple closed their restaurant in October after an almost four-year run. An “exhausting” search for a new location eventually led them to the yellow manor with sprawling views owned by longtime customer ED NASTA, Vazzano said.

“It’s a beautiful piece of property,” he continued. “It’ll be true destination dining, with a real wow factor.”

The 40-seat restaurant — open for dinner and Sunday brunch — will divide the manor’s main floor into three or four dining rooms, including a small bar and a lounge area with a fireplace. Upstairs, three rooms will be available to rent through Airbnb.

Jordan Barry

Entrées and Exits: Restaurant Closures in South Burlington

The Fish & Chip at 1210 Williston Road in South Burlington has closed permanently, according to building owner Merrill Jarvis III. At the end of October, a sign posted by owner Claire Banh described it as closed temporarily due to a personal situation. Jarvis said a new Vietnamese restaurant will take its place.

Wings Over Burlington, located in South Burlington’s Blue Mall at 150 Dorset Street, Suite 255, closed on March 12. David Lang, owner of the business since 2021, confirmed the closure.

The sole Vermont outpost of a multistate franchise group, Wings Over Burlington has operated in the Blue Mall since late 2007. Lang, now 29, said he had worked there since 2016. He described the choice to shutter the Vermont location as coming not from him but from the corporate offices of Wings Over. “I guess the margins weren’t high enough for them,” Lang said.

CONNECT

for the

latest food gossip! On Instagram: Jordan Barry: @jordankbarry; Melissa Pasanen: @mpasanen.

AGRICULTURE

Salad Days

BY MELISSA PASANEN pasanen@sevendaysvt.com

The March 8 event at Trillium Hill Farm in Hinesburg was billed as a farm ski tour and bonfire until — in a situation all too familiar to farmers — weather forced a change of plans. After a warm spell melted much of the snow, temperatures plummeted and froze the ground. Forecasted strong winds made a fire ill-advised.

Undeterred, farmer James Donegan and his wife, Sara Armstrong Donegan, shifted gears to a farm walk, replacing Nordic skis with ice-gripping boot spikes. An intrepid foursome plus a reporter joined the chilly afternoon tour. Happily, there was respite from the cold in Trillium Hill’s hoop houses, where Donegan,

44, tends a variety of soil-grown organic greens through the winter.

Even without extra heat, the farm’s 10 main plastic-sheathed, earth-floored structures hold enough warmth to protect hardy greens such as peppery upland cress, lemon-tart sorrel and juicy claytonia. During extra-cold stretches, Donegan tucks them under layers of row-cover fabric.

The farmer also raises other vegetables on a total of two acres of the 130-acre multigenerational family farm, half of which he and his wife own. But over Trillium Hill’s 20 years under his watch, Donegan has shifted more effort to yearround salad greens. Nestled in the heart

of Hinesburg — between Lantman’s Market, condominiums and affordable senior housing — Trillium Hill is both a vestige of Vermont’s agricultural past and a glimpse into its future, where a relatively low-tech practice can soften the extremes of Mother Nature.

For the past several winters, Trillium Hill’s one-third acre of covered land yielded fresh salad for all but a couple of weeks. This winter, the greens went dormant during the deep cold of early January, waking at the end of February like sleeping beauties kissed by increasing light and warmth.

Trillium Hill greens sell especially briskly during the colder seasons at local

stores, to restaurants and other wholesale accounts, and to about 90 community-supported agriculture members. “There’s a market for them, and they’re profitable to do on a small scale,” Donegan said.

Among his customers is electric aircraft company Beta Technologies, where lunch is provided daily for 500 employees in South Burlington and Williston. The company prioritizes local sourcing, which can be tough for fresh vegetables in winter, according to corporate chef Tim Peters.

“We kind of force everybody to eat salad every day,” Peters, 50, said with a chuckle.

Last year, the chef was able to get Trillium Hill greens almost every week. This

year, he was happy to see them return in late February.

For a recent plated lunch, the Beta kitchen team served Vermont Salumi rosemary ham over local sweet potato with a lightly dressed salad of Trillium Hill greens topped with a medley of Vermont root vegetables.

IT’S AMAZING THAT ALL OF THIS IS GROWING HERE IN THE WINTER.

MEGAN KNIGHT

Peters said he’s driven past the Hinesburg farm for years but had not understood its full scope until he started buying Donegan’s produce for Beta.

“It just kind of blew my mind how much they can do on an old hill farm,” the chef said.

The small March 8 group was similarly wowed as it toured hoop houses ﬁlled with more than a dozen varieties of greens. After a walk through the woods to a second set of the structures, Donegan pulled

back a row cover to reveal slender onion tops and tiny tufts of carrots, which will be ready to harvest in mid-May.

“They’re just waiting for spring like the rest of us,” Armstrong Donegan, 40, quipped.

Her husband explained that the hoop houses are planted almost year-round with a range of crops. In summer, they help heat-loving plants such as tomatoes and peppers ripen more quickly. No matter the season, Donegan said, “It’s a huge beneﬁt for crop health and productivity.”

The farmer later said he has been able to invest in hoop houses — each of which runs about $18,000 including installation — with the support of a decade-old U.S. Department of Agriculture costshare program. Donegan planned to

apply again this season, but it’s unclear whether the program will survive cuts to USDA personnel and funding by President Donald Trump’s administration.

Two of the tour participants, Megan Knight, 29, and Ryan Joseph, 26, live across Route 116 from the farm and said they often hike the 1.5-mile public trail around the property. The couple belong to the Trillium Hill CSA and credit it with

farm vegetables, maple syrup tapped and boiled on-site by the extended Donegan family, and local foods from dozens of farmers and producers.

The pair said they were impressed by the behind-the-scenes tour. “It’s amazing that all of this is growing here in the winter,” Knight said. ➆

Learn more at trilliumhillfarm.com.

farmstand, which will open on April 1 stocked with

Clockwise from far left: Greens growing in an unheated hoop house at Trillium Hill Farm; farmer James Donegan showing Megan Knight microgreens; Donegan and overwintered onions; Trillium Hill Farm greens on a Beta Technologies lunch plate with za’atar-roasted Vermont Soy tofu

Based on a True Story

Real struggles with addiction and recovery inspire a trilogy of ﬁlms set in

Burlington’s North End

BY HANNAH FEUER • hfeuer@sevendaysvt.com

Aman in recovery plays basketball as an outlet to help him stay sober. A musician turns to drinking to cope with his mother’s cancer diagnosis. A teacher faces a moral dilemma: Should she punish a student caught cheating, knowing the student comes from an abusive home?

These are The North End Stories, a trilogy of short films set in Burlington’s Old and New North Ends, inspired by the real struggles of people with whom filmmaker Adam Benay grew up in Vermont. At Cinema for Change — a free event on Wednesday, March 26, at Main Street Landing’s Film House in Burlington — Benay will screen the short films and participate in a discussion with several leaders of local recovery and social services organizations.

Benay, who splits his time between Brooklyn and his hometown of Fairfax, started producing the ﬁlms after graduating from Middlebury College in 2014 with a degree in ﬁlm and media culture. The 33-year-old hopes that, by presenting stories that are both uplifting and realistic, the event will foster empathy for those battling addiction.

“People put such a stigma on addiction, as though we all can’t relate,” Benay said. “Just because someone has never shot heroin doesn’t mean that someone has

not said, ‘Gosh, it’s hard to just drink one tonight.’”

The ﬁrst ﬁlm, “Pomeroy,” intersperses scenes of the main character, Trevor, attending therapy with clips of him playing basketball at Pomeroy Park. Trevor, played by Middlebury College grad Luke Smith-Stevens, is participating in a program that allows him to avoid jail time by staying clean. Benay said he based the plot on a 2016 Wall Street Journal article about a Vermont program that sends low-level offenders with drug addictions to treatment instead of prison. The article focused on program enrollee Todd Popovitch, who had been a standout high school basketball player before he began using heroin.

Benay, who has obsessive-compulsive disorder, said he drew on his many years in therapy to write authentic dialogue between the protagonist and his psychiatrist. “I’m ﬁnally being, like, not a piece of shit,” Trevor says during his appointment, drawing a laugh.

The ﬁlm resonated with Cameron Lauf, executive director of Turning Point Center of Chittenden County, which o ers coaching and support groups for people in recovery. Lauf played basketball in college and dreamed of going pro, but a heroin addiction derailed those plans. He sought treatment in Vermont and, like the character in the ﬁlm,

in Green”; and Middlebury Acting Company artistic director Melissa Lourie, who plays the psychiatrist in “Pomeroy.”

The trilogy concludes with “Petal Fall,” which won the Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival award for Best Vermont-Made Film last August. The storyline follows a teacher who catches a student cheating. Knowing he comes from a troubled home, she grapples with whether to allow the student to go on the school ﬁeld trip to Montréal.

found solace in sports — Lauf took up ice hockey during his recovery.

“It really is identical to my story,” Lauf said. “It put me right back in my own counseling and treatment.”

Lauf will join the post-screening discussion alongside Will Towne, chief operating o cer of Spectrum Youth & Family Services; Bethany Mahler, an alcohol and substance abuse counselor at the University of Vermont Medical Center; and Shabnam Nolan, executive director of the King Street Center.

The second short ﬁlm, “Blue in Green,” follows two storylines: that of a couple who use drugs and steal catalytic converters from cars, and that of a musician — played by Benay — who abuses alcohol. The parallel narratives highlight the di erent sides of substance use, Benay said, emphasizing that addiction can a ect anyone.

The ﬁlm includes moments of levity, too, such as the musician cracking jokes about Phish during a performance. Those local references help make the movie feel distinctly Vermont, though the location is never directly stated.

“Anyone watching from Vermont would know it’s Vermont,” Benay said.

Viewers may also recognize familiar faces on-screen, including local comedian Jared Hall, who plays the boyfriend in “Blue

The film is partly based on Benay’s memories of a sixth-grade classmate who was so excited for a school trip to Montréal that “all of a sudden he wasn’t this hardshell exterior, pissed o all the time,” the ﬁlmmaker recalled. “He was giddy.” Benay imagined how crushing it would have been for his classmate to miss the trip.

Benay also drew inspiration from his day job as a third-grade teacher in New York City. He related to the idea of wanting to go above and beyond for students facing hardship but also recognizing his limits.

“At a certain point, you realize that it is a job that you go home from and there’s only so much you can do for another person,” Benay said. “You can’t ﬁx everything for them, and that’s really hard to deal with.”

“Petal Fall” intentionally shifts the trilogy’s focus from individuals directly struggling with substance abuse to those a ected by the addiction of others, Benay explained, demonstrating the ripple e ects of addiction within a community.

According to Lauf, these kinds of local stories are desperately needed.

“It’s hard to find film and other art that’s showing real stories about the pains and struggles of recovery and mental health, specific to Vermonters,” Lauf said. Benay’s stories, he added, “are really the same stories I hear from all my friends.” ➆

INFO

Cinema for Change, Wednesday, March 26, 6 p.m., at Main Street Landing’s Film House in Burlington. Free; donations accepted. givebutter.com/cinema-for-change

“Petal Fall”

“Pomeroy”

Role Play

Italian opera star Roberta Mameli sings The Ghosts of Hamlet at the Lane Series

BY AMY LILLY • lilly@sevendaysvt.com

Almost exactly 100 years after Shakespeare wrote Hamlet , composer Francesco Gasparini in Venice turned the revenge story into an opera titled Ambleto Gasparini had likely never heard of the Bard. Instead, he based his 1705 work on a Venetian poet’s translation of the same source Shakespeare had used: an early 12th-century history of the Danish people by Saxo Grammaticus.

More Italian composers would soon follow suit — including Domenico Scarlatti with his own Ambleto in 1715 and Giuseppe Carcani in 1741 — but none of their scores has survived in its entirety. Recently, Italian musicologist Paolo Montanari pieced together a new “Ambleto” from surviving fragments of all these Hamlet operas, with a few additions from other Baroque-era music to round things out. Called The Ghosts of Hamlet, the work will receive a single performance this Friday, March 21, at the University of Vermont Recital Hall, as part of the Lane Series.

a theorbo — a kind of 18th-century guitar on steroids, recognizable from its giant bowl and 14-string neck extending almost three feet in the air.

Mameli sings all three roles: Ambleto (Hamlet), his mother Gerilda (Gertrude) and his fiancée Veremonda (Ophelia). The part of Ambleto was originally sung by a castrato — a male singer castrated before puberty to prevent his voice from deepening — so the higher register is perfectly accessible for the soprano. She can also sing much higher notes.

“I’m an atypical soprano. My range is really long,” said Mameli, who is from a town outside Milan and has sung for 20 years around Europe as well as in Japan and Australia. She spoke with Seven Days during the North American tour of the opera.

This unique offering, in Italian with English supertitles, is a traveling performance by European specialists in the Baroque repertoire — the Italian opera star Roberta Mameli and the orchestra Le Concert de l’Hostel Dieu of Lyon, France, led by Franck-Emmanuel Comte, who directs from the harpsichord. Le Concert’s other period instruments include

Mameli said Montanari, a longtime acquaintance, proposed the project to her, and she in turn proposed it to Comte. What interested her about The Ghosts of Hamlet was its take on the women characters, who are central to the story — something librettist Apostolo Zeno, the poet-translator, and his collaborator Pietro Pariati drew out from the source material.

“What I like is, if I compare to Shakespeare, the women are really strong,” Mameli said. “Hamlet is more delicate. He has a kind of sweetness, a female side.”

Unlike Ophelia, Veremonda displays true agency: She helps her fiancé, Ambleto,

by pretending to appease Fengone (Claudius), who lusts for her, before immobilizing the murderous uncle with a sleeping potion. The fiery Gerilda, meanwhile, detests her new husband and laments her attraction to him.

Mameli said she has not previously sung multiple roles as the sole singer of an opera but is enjoying the challenge. To switch characters, she explained, she alters her delivery and shifts her vocal range, dynamics and color. (As a concert opera, the performance will have few costumes or props.)

The aria “Tu indegno sei dell’allor” (“You are unworthy of the laurel”), for example, originally from George Frideric Handel’s opera Agrippina — one of the add-ins — demands a certain forcefulness. Sung by Gerilda, it expresses her hatred of Fengone. The song is one of only two pieces from The Ghosts of Hamlet with which Mameli was already familiar, she said. Montanari dug up the others, all unpublished, in music archives around Italy.

The soprano said she recognizes the “tension” of performing historical music as a modern singer.

“It’s important to be Roberta as much as the other roles,” Mameli said. “So when I sing Gerilda or Veremonda or Ambleto, there’s also the hand of Roberta. It’s a link that I make between the older period and modern period.

“This program is really intense,” Mameli added. “I need a lot of energy and to be concentrated as much as I can. It’s really dramatic.”

Lane Series director Natalie Neuert was thrilled to land The Ghosts of Hamlet After six performances in France, Mameli and Le Concert are bringing it to Montréal; Michigan State University in East Lansing; New York City; Washington, D.C.; and Burlington.

“When this came across my desk, I thought, Wow, Roberta Mameli — what an opportunity. She’s an incredible acting singer, and the voice is very rich,” Neuert said. “People are in for a world-class opera singer, beautiful Baroque music and a different take on the Hamlet story.” ➆

INFO

Lane Series presents The Ghosts of Hamlet Friday, March 21, at the UVM Recital Hall in Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $43.50; $7.50 for students. uvm.edu/lane series

6v-FuryGrace031225.indd 1 3/11/25 11:14 AM

Roberta Mameli

Le Concert de l’Hostel Dieu

Sugar High

Theater review: Waitress, Northern Stage

BY ALEX BROWN • alex@sevendaysvt.com

The jubilant musical Waitress begins with the main character baking a pie. When she lifts her flour-covered hand to her lips and puffs, the cloud wafts like magic, strong enough to make a wish come true for every character in Northern Stage’s sprightly production. The theme is women’s empowerment, lovingly nestled in the everyday life of a diner.

Composer and lyricist Sara Bareilles brought her pop music skills to the demands of musical storytelling and created a sonic weave of striving small-town folks. The Broadway musical was based on a 2007 film by Adrienne Shelly, which Jessie Nelson adapted into the musical’s book. Waitress had a successful run from 2016 to 2020 behind Broadway’s first all-women production team.

The songs have a faint country overtone, and this cast wanders close to vaguely down-home drawls, but the setting feels universal. Though the road is rocky, viewers will never doubt that a happy ending lies ahead, thanks to the production’s invigorating tempo.

Jenna is a seasoned waitress who also bakes a dozen pies a day for her diner employer. That kind of workload would

crush a mortal, but in a musical it expresses the energy of a woman ready to overcome an obstacle. Jenna and her coworkers, shy Dawn and feisty Becky, produce lush harmonies and serve a host of customers, juggling ketchup bottles and weathering short-order cook Cal’s get-back-to-work treatment. Jenna’s peppy life has only one flaw, but it’s a big one.

Her husband, Earl, is a lazy lout who filches her tips the instant she gets home from a hard day at work. He’s menacing and manipulative enough to pretend he’s done nothing wrong. Jenna has been building up to proposing a divorce, but when she discovers she’s pregnant, she feels more trapped than ever.

A waitress dreaming of escaping her abusive husband is a plot for a dark indie film, but if you slide the guy’s dangerous behavior mostly offstage, the story fits a musical. Not that Waitress pulls every punch. Making Earl normal enough to be anyone’s husband is a good way to clarify that physical and mental harm don’t always manifest as black eyes and obvious misery.

This is a musical, though, and Jenna’s problem is really only a launching pad. A six-piece band, weighted toward guitar and keyboards, hits every note of triumph and

cast, buoyed by music. Dunne shapes the interactions, letting comic connections express relationships and never losing the warmth of the story.

Brianna Kothari Barnes brings a fine voice and ideal comic timing to Jenna. The character is engineered for likability, but Barnes supplies a radiance that reaches to the back of the house. Caitlin Kinnunen, as Dawn, and Rae Agwé, as Becky, give punch to waitresses with quirky dreams.

Michael Evan Williams plays Jim as a lover overwhelmed by his feelings yet comically hoping to master them. The good doctor melts with delight at Jenna’s pies, so the love affair is conducted via the metaphor of irresistible sweets.

As Earl, Thom Miller has the difficult job of being a villain who crushes Jenna’s hopes but hasn’t yet driven her to escape him. Miller reveals the menace with his physical bearing while holding back enough to avoid confrontation. Jacob Tischler plays Dawn’s suitor Ogie, a scene-stealing role if there ever was one. Tischler goes beyond riotous physical stunts to give the character undeniable joy.

THEATER

striving, and Bareilles is good for witty lyrics and lovely tunes. The story gets going when sparks fly between Jenna and her gynecologist, Jim. They’re both married, and they’re both torn, but the escalating number “Bad Idea” demands that they give in.

A similar bit of musical propulsion drives Dawn to accept oddball Ogie’s courtship. The tune is cutesy twang, but the choreography and physical performance stun viewers into laughter and Dawn into commitment. Jenna’s self-actualization song, “She Used to Be Mine,” is lyrically a bit too intricate for its idea but melodically rapturous.

Scene changes are part of the fantasy. The story sweeps from location to location as the ensemble, infused with rhythm, rolls set pieces into place in two bars or less. The presto chango of unveiling new spaces is equivalent to making a pie from scratch.

Waitress is full of messy choices — extramarital affairs, devotion bordering on stalking, secret trysts. Rather than a moral compass, the characters steer by whatever brings them closer to accepting themselves, which is a great way to get an audience rooting for someone. And humor fills this diner like coffee fills the customers’ cups.

With Ashleigh King’s spirited choreography, director Carol Dunne pilots a strong

As Joe, the diner’s owner, Mike Backman speaks and moves with precision, giving his character time to bloom. Adam Huel Potter bestows a proper heart of gold on Cal the cook. A versatile ensemble of six fills the diner with interesting, changing types.

Set designer Jordan Janota delivers a golden-age eatery with red stools, a sweeping counter and booths to lounge in. LED light bars mimic neon, and a mighty outdoor DINER sign is a plain statement of the warmth that lies within. Costume designer Lexi Spanier serves up sharp waitress outfits that mix nostalgia with sporty lines, just right for dancing, slicing pie or daring to dream.

The characters may not be deep, but they want the things we love to watch people want. Bold movement, uplifting songs and lots of humor make their quests easy to cheer for. Several big numbers use the simple chores of baking or waiting tables as frames for dance, elevating work to art.

Thursday’s sold-out preview audience seemed giddy to applaud the show’s towering songs and superbly synchronized motion. Waitress follows a familiar formula, but the recipe is just plain delicious. ➆

INFO

Waitress, book by Jessie Nelson, music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles, directed by Carol Dunne, produced by Northern Stage. Through April 13: Tuesdays through Saturdays, 7:30 p.m.; Sundays, 5 p.m.; and Thursdays and Saturdays, 2 p.m., at Byrne Theater at Barrette Center for the Arts in White River Junction. $24-94. northernstage.org.

Mike Backman, Brianna Kothari Barnes and Rae Agwé in Waitress

on screen

Black Bag ★★★★

When it comes to chameleonic director Steven Soderbergh, you may feel like you’re seeing double this year — at least if you noticed the January theatrical release of the indie pioneer’s first haunted house movie, Presence (now on VOD). March brings us Soderbergh’s somewhat more heralded Black Bag, a spy drama set in London and starring Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett as married intelligence agents who have secrets — even from each other. Both movies were scripted by David Koepp, a Hollywood ﬁxture with credits ranging from Jurassic Park and other blockbusters to Panic Room.

The deal

George Woodhouse (Fassbender) doesn’t like liars. Part of an old intelligence family and a wizard with the polygraph, he’s legendary for his prowess in sni ng out agents who are up to no good — including his own adulterous father.

When fellow agent Philip Meacham (Gustaf Skarsgård) learns that a cyber weapon called Severus has been leaked, potentially endangering thousands of lives, he gives George a week to track down

the culprit within the agency. The suspects include a cocky young tech whiz (Marisa Abela); her sardonic older boyfriend (Tom Burke), who was recently passed over for promotion; his younger rival (Regé-Jean Page); and the latter’s girlfriend (Naomie Harris), who is also the agency shrink.

Like any good detective, George invites them all to a fancy dinner party, then doses their food to make sure the conversation gets lively and confessional. His loving wife, Kathryn (Blanchett), who’s also part of the agency, watches the results with amusement. What she doesn’t know is that she is George’s ﬁfth suspect.

Will you like it?

Black Bag is a ﬁlm that will have some viewers riveted by every stylish second, while others use the dark theater as an opportunity for a nap. To decide which you are, answer this question: Are you mainly hoping to see Fassbender and Blanchett do their take on Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie in Mr. & Mrs. Smith?

If so, look elsewhere, because Black Bag is a self-consciously “adult” ﬁlm of a type rarely seen on the big screen these days. There are no action heroics — indeed, virtually no action. Information is the

is also the most we see of life outside the hermetic spy enclave.

Soderbergh lends visual interest to his dialogue-heavy scenes — dinner parties, agency meetings, therapy sessions — by backgrounding the characters in pearly, sinister luminescence. Kathryn swans around in draped, reﬂective fabrics (Ellen Mirojnick did the costumes) that make her very presence seem like a trick of the light. Now we see her, now we don’t — much like George, as he grapples with the possibility that he doesn’t know his wife at all.

Blanchett gives a performance soaked in femme fatale glam, while Fassbender makes George her steely, watchful counterpoint. Along with Pierce Brosnan’s delicious turn as the agency head, these are larger-than-life portrayals that wouldn’t be out of place in a Hollywood classic.

Yet, fun as these people are to watch, there’s not a whole lot of substance underneath, and that criticism could be applied to Black Bag as a whole. Aside from Burke and Abela, whose volatile characters have an intriguingly messy relationship, the actors often appear to be playing types more than human beings.

Soderbergh and Koepp don’t seem interested in which of these spies actually care about protecting the public and which of them are truly as gleefully amoral as their dinner-table banter suggests. The distinction is weightless, merely a clue to resolve the issue of whodunit.

currency these spies are after, and some of the tensest scenes involve characters staring at satellite feeds or polygraph readouts.

Black Bag is the rare genre movie that assumes its audience’s intelligence and interest in keeping up with a devilishly twisty plot. I don’t normally mind the lack of captions, but exposition ﬂies by so fast here that they would have been helpful.

Instead of the set pieces that James Bond and his ilk have trained us to expect, Koepp’s script unfolds through a series of freighted conversations among fearsomely smart and secretive people, each of whom has something to hide. As Abela’s character points out, spy spouses and lovers can dodge any question about their activities with the phrase “black bag,” meaning that answering could compromise an operation.

You might be reminded of a cozy mystery, except that there’s nothing remotely cozy about this setting or these characters. Acting as cinematographer and editor, Soderbergh opens the movie with an impressive tracking shot that follows George into a basement club where he finds Meacham misbehaving, then out again. One of the more kinetic scenes, this

Black Bag succeeds as old-school entertainment, a reminder that smart people deserve escapism, too. Just don’t expect that fabled bag to yield anything deeper.

MARGOT HARRISON margot@sevendaysvt.com

IF YOU LIKE THIS, TRY…

TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY (2011; rentable): Set during the Cold War, Tomas Alfredson’s adaptation of the John le Carré novel about MI6’s search for a Soviet mole takes a similarly wonky, slow-burn approach to spycraft, with memorable performances from Gary Oldman, Colin Firth and Tom Hardy.

HAYWIRE (2011; PLEX, Pluto TV, Prime Video, Roku Channel, YouTube Primetime, rentable): Soderbergh also tried his hand at the action espionage subgenre with this thriller featuring Gina Carano as a special ops agent, Fassbender again and some unusually realistic ﬁght scenes.

“SLOW HORSES” (four seasons, 2022 to present; Apple TV+): Dysfunctional spies who ﬂunk out of MI5 end up in the subagency Slough House in this Emmy-winning series based on Mick Herron’s novels.

Michael Fassbender stars as a spy rooting out a mole in Steven Soderbergh’s twisty, high-gloss entertainment.

NEW IN THEATERS

THE ALTO KNIGHTS: Robert De Niro plays both Mafia bosses Vito Genovese and Frank Costello in this fact-based drama about their rivalry, directed by Barry Levinson and written by Nicholas Pileggi (Goodfellas). (120 min, R. Essex, Majestic, Star)

THE ASSESSMENT: In this futuristic drama, a couple must undergo a weeklong assessment to obtain permission to have a child. Alicia Vikander, Elizabeth Olsen and Himesh Patel star; Fleur Fortune directed. (109 min, R. Savoy)

SNOW WHITE: Marc Webb depicted Disney’s live-action version of its classic “princess movie,” starring Rachel Zegler as the title character and Gal Gadot as the evil queen. (109 min, PG. Capitol, Essex, Majestic, Marquis, Star)

CURRENTLY PLAYING

ANORAHHHH The Best Picture Oscar went to this comedy-drama about a sex worker (Mikey Madison) who marries a Russian oligarch’s son. (139 min, R. Capitol, Majestic; reviewed 11/20)

BLACK BAGHHH1/2 Double dealing threatens the marriage of two secret agents in this espionage thriller starring Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett and directed by Steven Soderbergh. (93 min, R. Essex, Majestic; reviewed 3/19)

CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLDHH The stars-and-stripes shield passes to Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie). (118 min, PG-13. Bijou, Capitol, City Cinema, Essex, Majestic)

A COMPLETE UNKNOWNHHH1/2 Timothée Chalamet plays the young Bob Dylan. (141 min, R. Majestic)

THE DAY THE EARTH BLEW UP: A LOONEY

TUNES MOVIEHHH1/2 Porky Pig and Daffy Duck battle alien invaders in this animated adventure directed by Peter Browngardt. (91 min, PG. Bijou, City Cinema, Essex, Majestic, Marquis, Paramount, Star, Welden)

DOG MANHHH A half-canine hero pursues a cat supervillain in this animated adaptation of Dav Pilkey’s kids’ books. (89 min, PG. Majestic)

EVERY LITTLE THINGHHH1/2 Sally Aitken’s documentary profiles a wildlife rehabilitator in Hollywood, Calif., who specializes in injured hummingbirds. (93 min, NR. Catamount)

I’M STILL HEREHHHH1/2 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, VTIFF [Fri only]; reviewed 2/26)

LAST BREATHHHH1/2 In this survival thriller, deep-sea divers fight to save a friend trapped underwater. Woody Harrelson and Simu Liu star. (93 min, PG-13. Capitol, Stowe)

MICKEY 17HHHH In this dark sci-fi comedy from Bong Joon Ho (Parasite), Robert Pattinson plays a clone who dies repeatedly in service to his overlords. With Steven Yeun and Naomi Ackie. (137 min, R. Bijou, City Cinema, Essex, Majestic, Paramount, Playhouse, Savoy, Star, Stowe, Welden; reviewed 3/12)

THE MONKEYHHH 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. 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. Majestic)

NOVOCAINEHHH An introvert who can’t feel physical pain (Jack Quaid) sets out to save his crush from kidnappers in this action comedy costarring Amber Midthunder. (110 min, R. Bijou, Capitol, City Cinema, Essex, Majestic, Star, Stowe, Welden)

OPUSHH A young writer finds danger on the compound of a pop star who disappeared for 30 years in this thriller. Ayo Edebiri, John Malkovich and Juliette Lewis star. (103 min, R. Essex, Majestic)

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. Essex)

RULE BREAKERSHHH A college student in Afghanistan forms a robotics team for girls in this fact-based inspirational drama. Bill Guttentag directed. (120 min, PG. Capitol)

OLDER FILMS AND SPECIAL SCREENINGS

CRESTA ALTA (Savoy, Sun only)

DUNE (1984) (VTIFF, Sat only)

ERASERHEAD (VTIFF, Sat only)

HOT SATURDAY (Catamount, Wed 19 only)

I’M STILL HERE (VTIFF, Fri only)

THE TEACHERS’ LOUNGE (Catamount, Wed 26 only)

OPEN THEATERS

(* = upcoming schedule for theater was not available at press time)

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

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

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

*CITY CINEMA: 137 Waterfront Plaza, Newport, 334-2610, citycinemanewport.com

ESSEX CINEMAS & T-REX THEATER: 21 Essex Way, Suite 300, Essex, 879-6543, essexcinemas.com

MAJESTIC 10: 190 Boxwood St., Williston, 878-2010, majestic10.com

MARQUIS THEATER: 65 Main St., Middlebury, 388-4841, middleburymarquis.com

*PARAMOUNT TWIN CINEMA: 241 N. Main St., Barre, 479-9621, fgbtheaters.com

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

SAVOY THEATER: 26 Main St., Montpelier, 2290598, savoytheater.com

THE SCREENING ROOM @ VTIFF: 60 Lake St., Ste. 1C, Burlington, 660-2600, vtiff.org

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

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

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

VERMONT RAIL SYSTEM

Vermont Railway • Green Mountain Railroad • Clarendon & Pittsford Railroad Washington County Railroad & WACR Conn River Division

Weed Control Program Newspaper Advertisement

The Vermont Rail System has applied to the Secretary of Agriculture for a permit to apply herbicides to its tracks for control of weed growth in the ballast.

• Vermont Railway operates between Bennington and Burlington.

• (In the towns of Burlington, S. Burlington, Shelburne, Charlotte, Ferrisburgh, Vergennes, New Haven, Middlebury, Salisbury, Leicester, Brandon, Pittsford, Rutland Town, Rutland City, Clarendon, Wallingford, Danby, Mt. Tabor, Dorset, Manchester, Sunderland, Arlington, Shaftsbury, Bennington )

• Green Mountain Railroad operates between Bellows Falls and Rutland City.

• (In the towns of Rockingham/Bellows Falls, Chester, Cavendish, Ludlow, Mt. Holly, East Wallingford, Shrewsbury, Rutland Town, Rutland City)

• Clarendon & Pittsford Railroad operates between Rutland and Whitehall NY, and Pittsford Town. (In the towns of Pittsford, Rutland Town, West Rutland, Ira. Castleton, Fair Haven)

• Washington County Railroad operates between Montpelier and Barre.

• (In the towns of Montpelier, Barre City, Barre Town, S. Barre, Berlin)

• WACR Conn River Division operates between White River Junction to Newport Vermont.

• (In the towns of White River, Hartford, Wilder, Norwich, Thetford, Fairlee, Bradford, Newbury, Wells River, Newport, Coventry, Orleans, Barton, Sutton, West Burke, Lyndonville, St. Johnsbury, Passumpsic, Barnet, Ryegate.)

The tracks in these locations will be treated utilizing “hi-rail” equipped trucks with nozzles aimed downward from fixed booms or swivel booms to spray the roadbed beneath or adjacent to the tracks. Beginning on or near May 1st, 2025, our applicator will be using a mix of Aquaneat, Roundup Custom or Roundup Pro Concentrate (Glyphosate), Payload or Promenade SC (Flumioxazin) Opensight or Milestone (Aminopyralid and Metsulfuron-Methyl or Aminopyralid) , Oust XP Or Oust Extra (Sulfometuron-Methyl or Sulfometuron-Methyl and MetsulfuronMethyl ) for control of weeds and grass. Beginning on or about July 1st, 2025 Right-of-Way may be treated with Aquaneat, Roundup Custom or Roundup Pro Concentrate (Glyphosate) and other areas close to streams and standing water which were not sprayed on the first application.

Residents abutting Vermont Rail System right-of-way should protect private water supplies or other sensitive areas. It is the responsibility of the resident to notify us of the existence of a private water supply located near our property.

• Notification from residents along the Vermont Railway, Clarendon & Pittsford Railroad, Green Mountain Railroad, Washington County Conn River Division and the Washington County Railroad Barre to Montpelier, should be made before April 26th, 2025 to: Rick .T. Boucher, Chief Engineer M.O.W. Vermont Railway, Inc., 118 Post Street Rutland, VT 05701, or by telephone at (802) 775-4356, Monday through Friday between 7:30 am and 4:30 pm.

Questions or comments should be addressed to: Vermont Department of Agriculture, 116 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05602-2901, or by telephone at (802) 828-5667.

Debra Messing in The Alto Knights

art

Spit and Polish

Twenty-ﬁve years of hard work make Barre’s Studio Place Arts shine

BY ALICE DODGE • adodge@sevendaysvt.com

By long tradition, each anniversary gets its own material: The ﬁrst is paper; the ﬁfth, wood; 25 years means silver. While the symbolism isn’t always clear, that last one seems dead-on: Underneath the glitz and glam, sparkling silver requires a lot of elbow grease.

That is deﬁnitely the case for Studio Place Arts in Barre, which celebrates a quarter-century this year with the exhibition “Silver Lining,” on view through April 19. Thirty-ﬁve artists have contributed shiny objects, ranging from intricate jewelry to massive sculptures to paintings with just a bit of bling.

REVIEW

The exhibition isn’t the retrospective one might expect. Five years ago, executive director Sue Higby put together a thirdﬂoor show highlighting important works and moments from the organization’s ﬁrst 20 years, which kicked o a fundraising campaign to build an endowment. The excitement and momentum of the moment, however, was quickly squashed by the COVID-19 shutdown.

“There was no celebratory feeling in the air,” Higby said.

After the slog of a drawn-out pandemic, the building was hit by three ﬂoods in one year — in July and December 2023 and July again in 2024. When Higby, 64, wasn’t mucking out the basement herself, she was raising the necessary funds to literally build a new foundation for the art center, one section of triple-layered masonry at a time.

Early in the 19th-century building’s history, it was home to a jewelry store, an art supply shop, a grocery store, a restaurant, a bike shop, a pool hall, a shooting gallery, an auction house and possibly Vermont’s ﬁrst motorcycle dealer. The second ﬂoor housed boarders, and large spaces on the third floor hosted labor union meetings, temperance activists and even Swedish church services. By the late 1990s, however, it was in sad shape, scarred by arson and sitting derelict.

Rather than flatten it for a parking lot, the city council opted for a long-shot

proposal from the Barre Historical Society to o er it to six artists who would ﬁx it up as studios and start an art center, revitalizing downtown in the process. It was easier said than done: One of SPA’s founding artists, Janet Van Fleet, said via email that when they took over the building, “the back wall of my studio was open to the elements and there were pigeons ﬂying in and out.”

Higby, then a volunteer board member, stepped in to lead the organization in 2003 after renovations, ﬂoods and administrative missteps had left it in a precarious position.

As Georgia Landau, another of SPA’s founding artists, described it: “Sue saved us, at maybe the last minute.”

Drawing on her extensive nonproﬁt experience, Higby did so by prioritizing artists and building individual relationships with donors, even those lacking deep pockets, she said. SPA’s $35 annual membership rate — $20 for seniors and students — has stayed the same since it opened. The org does not receive funding from federal, state or municipal grants. Her revenue approach is “mostly about inclusion,” Higby said. “We want people to feel very comfortable being involved at the level that they’re able to.”

“Silver Lining” is perhaps the best illustration of that principle. The exhibition is fun and forward-looking, showcasing a

SPARKLING SILVER REQUIRES A LOT OF ELBOW GREASE.

broad range of styles from artists as far away as Maine and as close as the studios upstairs.

Sculptor Matt Neckers has gone all in, contributing a slew of sculptures with his signature tinfoil-robot aesthetic. “Astronaut” seems to hover on one wall, ﬁlament light bulbs illuminating its steel torso like a vintage motel sign. Nearby, “Satellite” is a mysterious dish constructed of welded steel and wood scraps, surely receiving transmissions from outer space.

Those sculptures set a sci-ﬁ vibe for the show, not only celebrating SPA’s past but pointing toward an elegant, playful future. Christopher Curtis’ 44-inch-high “Like Minds” features a pair of elongated, curving stainless forms on a black granite base. They look like space-age wind turbines locked in an unexpectedly tender gesture.

Adam Wager’s “Projections I” o ers the viewer the moon, painted in silver leaf on the inside of a small turned-walnut cup. A visitor can bend down and, shutting one eye, just glimpse the moon as it comes into view through a small square hole in the cup’s side. It’s an exquisite little piece that cleverly re-creates the experience of ﬂeeting moonlight.

From left: “Astronaut” by Matt Neckers; “Corner of My Eye” by Elizabeth Nelson

Others interpret the theme via the natural world. Emily Piccirillo’s painting “Below Zero” silhouettes silver branches against a white winter sky. The square of canvas is stretched on a metal frame that projects out a few inches from the wall, pulled by taut threads. The e ect enhances the image, reminding the viewer of the feel of a thin winter sky and brittle, frozen

Elizabeth Nelson’s 8-by-8-inch “Corner of My Eye” is another winter view, but from space; white sweeps over inky blue, with an archipelago of silver leaf splotches. Looking at it is not unlike peering out an airplane window and seeing ﬂashes of light reﬂecting o the

Scale tips the other way with Roger Weingarten’s “Man Moth, Icarus, Minotaur,” a 7-by-5-foot sculpture that’s like a Victorian member of the Transformers franchise. With silvery wings and some steel components powder-coated in jewel-tone blue, green and copper, the insect-inspired sculpture includes antique car fenders, a carved wooden newel post, vintage brass icebox hinges, an old washing machine agitator and a giant green spring.

Several jewelry artists concentrate their sparkles. Cari Clement’s “Ice Ice Baby Necklace & Earrings” pairs glass beads with chunks of rock for jewelry reminiscent of melting snow and ice. Kristine Chartrand’s and Kerin Rose’s sterling silver necklaces present wearable surrealist imagery, such as the large bird hanging from a collar of silver twigs in Rose’s “I dreamt of Frida…”

Leslie Fry brings similar imagery to “Nesting,” a silver-patinaed bronze sculpture of a harpy. Here, a woman’s face sits atop a bird body, its wings made of folded hands; its nest is a pile of tools. It’s one of a handful of pieces that seems like a reference to what SPA and its artists have accomplished in this building.

Two more literal works in that vein are Elizabeth Fram’s “Spirit of SPA,” a watercolor portrait of Van Fleet, and next to it that artist’s own contribution to the show. It’s a little co ee pot with legs, pouring a string of silver buttons. That imagery, combined with its title — “Our cup runneth over: 25 Years of Service” — echoes what Higby said it’s taken to make this place sparkle: “love and grit.” ➆

“Silver Lining,”

From top: ”Swan Swan H” by Jason Galligan-Baldwin; “Man Moth, Icarus, Minotaur” by Roger Weingarten

EXHIBITION

Mr. & Mrs. Smith See Things Differently in Waterbury Art Show

BY ALICE DODGE • adodge@sevendaysvt.com

Rom-coms rely on the notion that opposites attract. Contrast and conflict make for good drama, even when we know the answer to “Will they or won’t they?” is that they will.

“Sharing Spaces,” on view this month at Axel’s Frame Shop & Gallery in Waterbury, may not give us a meet-cute, but in presenting works by Shapleigh and Peggy Smith, the show paints a picture of very different sensibilities. The Stowe couple, now 80 and 79, respectively, met as teenagers and have been married for 32 years. While their works aren’t exactly in conflict, each artist speaks their own aesthetic language.

Shapleigh presents photographs of Vermont granite quarries and landscapes, most of them in black and white. They are often stark, almost abstract, highlighting the geometry and patterns of each rock face.

“White Granite” is a study in contrast, with black streaks down white rock faces that are crisscrossed by fissures and ledges. White ripples on black water at the base of the cliffs pull the eye horizontally. Spruce trees sprouting from ledges bring another texture to the image, white branches frizzing out over black shadows. As in many of his photographs, Shapleigh uses a long depth of field to keep even faraway details in focus. That compresses distance, heightening the scene’s abstract qualities.

People are present in these photos only through their works. In “Single Wire Into the Water,” for instance, dramatic fissures camouflage a rusted cable bolted to the rock face. Other human artifacts, such as “Turn Buckle” and “Old Wire Spool in the Woods,” are more obvious, but the images don’t give us a sense of who left these objects to rust.

Peggy, by contrast, brings us characters galore. The viewer knows exactly whom she’s picturing in a series of folk art-inspired painted clay sculptures. There’s “Zeke (Maine Fisherman),” in a jaunty red hat and overalls, holding a seagull in the crook of his arm as though it’s a beloved pet. Busts of four women face off in “The Bridge Ladies,” each holding her cards close. The oldest lady wears a shrewd expression, while another wears pearls. A third boasts bright orange hair and too much makeup; her partner buries her face in a fan of cards. Nearby, “Ralph (Boston Terrier)” patiently awaits his owner on a pedestal, looking both worried and resigned.

While Shapleigh’s works in the show reflect a single focus, Peggy also presents a second, very different group of sculptures. Works such as “Reclining Woman” study the figure from a more modernist perspective, exploring form

rather than character. The little clay sculpture, with its polished black finish, emphasizes the lift of a hip, the slope of a calf. Beside it, “Seated Woman” exaggerates the mass of shoulders, while the figure’s crossed legs are gestural and light. These are well-seen, subtle creations, rather than whimsical ones.

That diversity of output is par for the course for Peggy, who is also a photographer and works in mixed media, though only her sculptures are on display at Axel’s. In an email, she said, “I move through different materials and methods constantly, always trying to learn new techniques and apply them to other mediums.”

Despite the differences between the spouses’ approaches, they occasionally meet on the same page. Shapleigh said they both work daily in their home studio, often asking each other for advice. That synergy comes through in a few places in the show, as when Peggy’s studied “Torso” is displayed beside Shapleigh’s minimalist “Reflection of a Branch in the Quarry Pond.” With their delicate lines, it’s almost like the two pieces are in quiet conversation, ignoring any drama we might perceive playing out elsewhere in the gallery. ➆

INFO

“Sharing Spaces: Recent Work by Peggy & Shapleigh Smith,” on view through March 29 at Axel’s Frame Shop & Gallery in Waterbury. axelsgallery.com

Clockwise from top: “White Granite” by Shapleigh Smith; “Ralph (Boston Terrier)” by Peggy Smith; “Zeke (Maine Fisherman)” by Peggy Smith

CALLS TO ARTISTS

‘FUR, FEATHERS AND FINS’: A call for submissions of one or two pieces in any medium showcasing fur, feathers or fins, either domesticated, wild or fantastical. Register via email. Deadline: April 11. Jericho Town Hall. Free. Info, catherine.mcmains@gmail.com.

S.P.A.C.E. GALLERY 2025 MEMBERS’ EXHIBITION: Seeking artwork from current, returning and new members. Artists may show any one work of their choice. Apply online at spacegalleryvt.com. Deadline: April 9. The S.P.A.C.E. Gallery, Burlington. Free for members; $50 new memberships. Info, 338-1162.

‘VISUAL VERSE’: Seeking submissions in all two-dimensional mediums for an upcoming exhibition celebrating the intersection of text and art. This show seeks to explore how language, typography and written elements can enhance and transform visual expression. Deadline and work drop-off on March 26. T.W. Wood Gallery, Montpelier. Info, info@twwoodgallery.org.

OPENINGS + RECEPTIONS

RESTORATIVE JUSTICE ART BY SECOND AND THIRD GRADERS: An exhibition by St. Johnsbury elementary school students based on Lindsey Pointer and Stella Mongodi’s book Wally and Freya. St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, through March 31. Info, 748-8291.

‘NATURE’S PALETTE: ART INSPIRED BY THE EARTH’: A show paying homage to the environment and displaying works of art from community members. Reception: Thursday, March 20, 5-7 p.m. Montgomery Center for the Arts, through March 30. Info, montgomerycenterarts@gmail.com.

DALE NAJARIAN AND DIETLIND VANDER SCHAAF: “Translations,” a show of oil paintings based on photographs by painter Najarian and abstract encaustic works by Vander Schaaf. Edgewater Gallery at the Falls, Middlebury, March 21-April 26. Info, 458-0098.

‘COMING TOGETHER’: An exhibition featuring studio artists from the White River Craft Center in Randolph, including works in a variety of media by Susan Cornick, David Hurwitz, Bailey Masi-Wood and Stephanie Nyzio. Reception: Friday, March 21, 5-8 p.m. The People’s Gallery, Randolph, through March 31. Info, markrosalbo@gmail.com.

ARTHUR ZORN: “Paintings for Penelope,” a show of 24 paintings inspired by music. Programming director Dan Casey will lead a tour of the exhibition and historic building during the reception. Reception and tour: Friday, March 21, 7-8:30 p.m. Barre Opera House, through April 1. Free. Info, 522-7649, vermontartmusic@gmail.com.

‘ROCKINGHAM’S ACROPOLIS’: An exhibition about the Rockingham Meeting House, which was constructed in 1787. Curated by the Rockingham Historic Preservation Commission. Reception: Saturday, March 22, 1-4 p.m. Vermont History Museum, Montpelier, through July 31. Info, 479-8500.

JEFFREY PASCOE: “The Seen and the Unseen,” an exhibition of photographs of frost. Reception: Saturday, March 22, 2-4 p.m. Frog Hollow Vermont Craft Gallery, Burlington, through April 2. Info, 863-6458.

KATHERINE COONS: “Underground Outside,” mixed media installations by Katherine Coons, on view in the third-floor gallery. Reception: Saturday, March 22, 4-5:30 p.m. Studio Place Arts, Barre, through April 19. Info, 479-7069.

ROBERT WALDO BRUNELLE JR.: “Walls & Windows,” paintings by the Vermont cartoonist and illustrator, on view in the second-floor gallery. Reception: Saturday, March 22, 4-5:30 p.m. Studio Place Arts, Barre, through April 19. Info, 479-7069.

‘SILVER LINING’: A celebration of the organization’s 25 years with the color silver, featuring sculptures, assemblages, paintings, jewelry and photographs. Reception: Saturday, March 22, 4-5:30 p.m. Studio Place Arts, Barre, through April 19. Info, 479-7069.

CARL E. HAZLEWOOD: A retrospective of approximately 50 paintings, drawings and installation works by the Guyanese-born artist, curated by Serubiri Moses and K. Anthony Jones. Reception: Saturday, March 22, 5 p.m. Brattleboro Museum & Art Center, March 22-July 6. Info, 257-0124.

‘CONTEMPORARY UKRAINIAN FOLK ART: THE MATRIX OF RESILIENCE’: An exhibition curated by ethnographer Sophia Sushailo and featuring Tetyana Konoval, Hanna Oliynyk and Rustem Skybin, three Ukrainian artists using traditional art forms to resist the erasure of their ancestral home and cultural heritage. Reception: Saturday, March 22, 5 p.m. Brattleboro Museum & Art Center, March 22-July 6. Info, 257-0124.

‘GLASSTASTIC’: An exhibition of imaginary creatures dreamed up by kids in grades K-6 and brought to life by professional glass artists from throughout New England. Reception: Saturday, March 22, 5 p.m. Brattleboro Museum & Art Center, March 22-November 1. Info, 257-0124.

JOHN KENN MORTENSEN: “Dream Homes,” recent pen-and-ink drawings and a collection of “sticky monsters” — meticulously detailed creepy drawings rendered on yellow Post-it notes — presented by the best-selling Danish illustrator, writer and film director in his first U.S. exhibition. Reception: Saturday, March 22, 5 p.m. Brattleboro Museum & Art Center, March 22-November 1. Info, 257-0124.

NYE FFARRABAS: “Truth IS A Verb!,” an exhibition curated by Mark Waskow and featuring text-based works on paper — cards, letters, instructions, books — as well as three-dimensional objects created by the 92-year-old Brattleboro artist, who was instrumental in the Fluxus movement of the 1960s. Reception: Saturday, March 22, 5 p.m. Brattleboro Museum & Art Center, March 22-July 3. Info, 257-0124.

YEON JI YOO: “Wish You Were Here,” an exhibition of paintings and sculptures by the Korean-born artist exploring the idea of the American dream and curated by David Rios Ferreira. Reception: Saturday, March 22, 5 p.m. Brattleboro Museum & Art Center, March 22-July 6. Info, 257-0124.

IRENE LEDERER LACROIX: “Interpreting the Natural World: Real and Abstract,” oil paintings and works in ceramic investigating how the natural world is shaped by wind, water and erosion. Reception: Sunday, March 23, 1-3 p.m. Emile A. Gruppe Gallery, Jericho, March 20-April 27. Info, emilegruppegallery@gmail.com.

EMILY ASCIUTTO: “Beyond the Skin,” a solo show exploring the inner workings of body dysmorphia as part of the artist’s senior capstone project in the Art and Design program. Reception: Tuesday, March 25, 6 p.m. McCarthy Art Gallery, Saint Michael’s College, Colchester, March 25-30. Info, bcollier@smcvt.edu.

LARRY BOWLING AND JOE JOHN: An exhibition of mixed-media works by the two artists. Bowling’s incorporate layers of photographs and oil paint, while John’s double-sided drawings invite interaction. Reception: Saturday, March 29, 3-5 p.m. The Tunbridge General Store Gallery, March 22-May 11. Info, 889-3525.

ART EVENTS

DRINK & DRAW: A drop-in event organized by the T.W. Wood Gallery; no experience necessary, drawing materials provided. Bent Nails Bistro, Montpelier, Wednesday, March 19, 5-7 p.m. Free; $10 suggested donation; cash bar. Info, 262-6035.

ARTIST TALK: GLEN COBURN HUTCHESON: The artist discusses “Solo Group Show,” an exhibition of his paintings, sculptures and assemblages, some of which he made in collaboration with other members of the collective gallery. The Front, Montpelier, Thursday, March 20, 6 p.m. Free. Info, info@thefrontvt.com.

LIFE DRAWING AND PAINTING: A drop-in event for artists working with the figure from a live model. T.W. Wood Gallery, Montpelier, Thursday, March 20, 7-9 p.m. Free; $10 suggested donation. Info, 262-6035.

‘OFF THE WALL’: A fundraiser where each of 100 available tickets buys a 10-by-10-inch work of art, generously donated by local artists. Artwork is on view starting March 6; purchasers will choose their work of art via lottery at the event. Mad River Valley Arts Gallery, Waitsfield, Friday, March 21, 5-7 p.m. Free; $150 for raffle ticket. Info, 496-6682.

‘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, March 21, 5-8 p.m. Info, 289-0104.

BEGINNING WATERCOLOR WORKSHOP: A class exploring the fundamentals of watercolors using raptors as models. Materials included. Register online at vinsweb.org. Vermont Institute of Natural Science, Quechee, Saturday, March 22, 9-11 a.m. $28; $18 for VINS members. Info, 359-5000.

ARTIST TALK: EVE JACOBS-CARNAHAN: “Knitted Sculpture for the Socially Conscious,” a discussion of the artist’s use of fiber arts in relation to challenges of democracy. Adamant Co-op, Saturday, March 22, 3 p.m. Info, 223-5760.

ART SOCIAL: A reception and celebration of four new exhibitions, including one marking 25 years of SPA. Live music by the Northfield Fiddlers. Studio Place Arts, Barre, Saturday, March 22, 4-5:30 p.m. Free. Info, 479-7069.

MEET AND GREET: CORRINA THURSTON: An opportunity to meet the Vermont Creative Network’s zone agent for Chittenden County and learn about the initiative, which works to advance the state’s creative sector through advocacy, research and networking. Milton Artists’ Guild Art Center & Gallery, Saturday, March 22, 4-5:30 p.m. Free. Info, 891-2014.

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, March 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, March 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, March 25, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free. Info, judi@waterburypubliclibrary.com.

ART HISTORY LECTURE: KATE CLAMAN: A discussion of the role of the catalogue raisonné, which documents artists’ material work, in presenting conceptual art such as Robert Rauschenberg’s “White Paintings,” and of Claman’s experience researching the artist’s oeuvre. Mahaney Arts Center, Middlebury College, Tuesday, March 25, 4:30-6 p.m. Free. Info, 643-8433. BOOK LAUNCH: SCOTT GAUSLAND: “Mixed,” a cookbook produced as part of a senior capstone project in the St. Michael’s College Art and Design program. Dion Family Student Center, Saint Michael’s College, Colchester, Wednesday, March 26, 6 p.m. Info, bcollier@smcvt.edu. ➆

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music+nightlife

F-Word to the Wise

Comedian Leslie Jones on the importance of laughing in the face of darkness

BY CHRIS FARNSWORTH farnsworth@sevendaysvt.com

Being a comedian in 2025 has its challenges. Between the constant online engagement expected of comics and the doom-heavy political climate, making people laugh can be complicated.

That is, unless you’re Leslie Jones. “It ain’t hard if you’re fucking funny,” she told me in a recent phone call. “As a comic, you need to take that kind of stu on and say: ‘I’m tired of these motherfuckers being depressed, and I’m going to make them laugh about this shit.’”

Jones, 57, has the bona ﬁdes to back up her promise. A three-time Emmy Award nominee, Jones is best known for her ﬁve seasons on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live.” Since leaving the show in 2019, she’s demonstrated the broad range of her talent — hosting ABC’s “Supermarket Sweep,” guest anchoring “The Daily Show,” starring opposite Eddie Murphy in Coming 2 America and hosting the podcast “The fckry” with comic Lenny Marcus. In 2023, she released the hilarious, intimate and perfectly named memoir, Leslie F*cking Jones

COMEDY

Ahead of her performance at the Flynn Main Stage in Burlington on Wednesday, March 26, Jones spoke to Seven Days from her home in Los Angeles and began by asking what many a touring artist does before visiting the Green Mountains: Is it cold?

is will be your ﬁrst show in Vermont ever, right? Yeah, I don’t think I’ve even been there in general. You said it’s 50 degrees right now?

It’s actually quite warm for a typical March day in Vermont.

50 degrees is warm to y’all? That’s fucking hilarious. OK, Vermont.

When you perform in a new city, do you study up on the area and try to get colloquial with your jokes? Maybe a little. Lenny [Marcus] always helps me out there. But standup is my base, it’s my job, so I know my sense of humor palette just works — I can make

anybody laugh. I might try to throw a little something Vermont-speciﬁc in there, but I’m a comedian ﬁrst. I’ve got my material worked out.

Speaking of Lenny, he’s opening the show. Are you guys going to do a live episode of your podcast, “ e fckry?”

We didn’t even think of that! You think the crowd would like that? Hmm. That’s honestly not a bad idea, dude. I’ll ask Lenny. If we do, you can take the credit. [Laughing.]

You did a great job as a correspondent on the red carpet at the “SNL” 50th anniversary special. Was that sort of like having to work at the company holiday party, though?

Firstly, thank you! And no, it was so much fun. Those types of things always feel like Thanksgiving or Christmas or something — you go home for a weekend and see all your cousins and old friends. “SNL” is

THINGS ARE DARK, BUT I WANT TO GIVE PEOPLE A REASON TO LAUGH INSTEAD OF CRY.

LESLIE JONES

always kind of intense and busy, but you’re doing something fun, so that sort of takes over.

When you started at “SNL,” you were the oldest cast member ever hired, at 47 years old. at was 10 years ago. I’ve read in some of your interviews recently that you’re starting to get tired of constantly being on the road and traveling for work. Yeah, I’m getting older, and I really don’t like to travel that much anymore. I’d be down to do a late-night show or maybe a sitcom, something where I’d be

On the Beat

Some readers out there — bless ’em — are under the misconception that your friendly neighborhood music editor is a walking repository of knowledge on all things music, especially when it comes to the Vermont scene. The truth is, while I like to think I cover a lot of bases, there are many, many cool things happening in the Green Mountain music world that I need help to ﬁnd and signal boost. (And a hearty thank you to all who do that!)

Case in point: When intrepid Seven Days news reporter — and jazz fan — Derek Brouwer popped by my desk to ask if I knew about the upcoming event at Bennington College celebrating the school’s long relationship with Black music, I replied with a particularly dumb-sounding “Uh, say what now?”

Hey, you learn something new every day.

Bennington’s Black Music Division was founded in 1974 by the late, great trumpet virtuoso and composer BILL DIXON. To celebrate the program’s 50th anniversary and highlight its ongoing mission to explore the cultural signiﬁcance of Black music, the school is holding a symposium this Friday and Saturday, March 21 and 22, including speakers, performances and workshops.

Percussionist, composer and Bennington College faculty member MICHAEL WIMBERLY organized the event, which features musician alumni such as STEPHEN HAYNES, JACKSON KRALL and LISA SOKOLOV.

“This symposium honors the improvisational brilliance of the Black Music Division’s foundational ﬁgures, Bill Dixon and MILFORD GRAVES,” Wimberly said in a press release. “I’m thrilled to share this moment with so many talented artists and students who continue to carry this tradition forward.”

Admission is free, but the school strongly urges those interested in attending to register, as space may be limited. For more information, visit bennington.edu.

Accordionist and composer BEN RICHTER is ﬁnishing up his residency at Epsilon Spires in Brattleboro by presenting the world premiere of his new experimental piece, “VAALBARA,” this Saturday, March 22.

Richter, who also directs the Massachusetts nonet GHOST ENSEMBLE, is known for his microtonal compositions and use of unorthodox — by Western standards — time signatures on albums such as 2023’s Aurogeny. For the ﬁnal performance of his March residency at the converted former church, Richter is joined by Mexican American cellist

CETILIA and experimental composer and sound recordist MIKE BULLOCK

Epsilon’s historic Estey 3-manual pipe organ, built in 1906 by the Estey Organ Company, will also feature in Richter’s new piece.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit epsilonspires.org.

Local percussionist and experimental musician JB LEDOUX, aka JO BLED, has launched a new, Bandcamp-exclusive netlabel called FLUX OV TIME. According to Ledoux, the imprint will focus on “percussion/beat-forward experimental, noise, contemporary classical, absurdist, yazz, unlistenable, and avant-garde” music.

One of the label’s first releases is Repository of Irritated Sounds by experimental composer ND DENTICO, aka Nick Dentico. The East Montpelier musician, who operates his own experimental cassette label, HISTAMINE TAPES, describes his newest piece as a drone-heavy mix of baritone guitar, played with various metal objects such as dowels and whisks, and field and hydrophone recordings of local flora, rivers and brooks.

Dentico wrote the majority of the music during the ﬁnal months of the 2024 U.S. presidential election, which resulted in some pretty politically inﬂuenced song titles, such as “By the Bootlicking Dog Whistles of the Plains States” and “I’m in the Stage of Naming My Grief as Opposition to the Incoming Fascists.”

“I imagine, to many, the songs on the album could be interpreted as the irritated sounds,” Dentico wrote in an email. “But this also represents my frustration with the rhetoric of the Republican Party right now.”

Flux ov Time will remain an online-

only label for now, according to Ledoux, who isn’t sure if he can “philosophically support putting more plastic, physical media into the world … and if it would ever break even if I put out tapes or CDs (probably not).”

The label launch caps o a busy few months for Ledoux, who released Baby Is a She-Ghost on Serbian label Splitting Sounds Records in February and announced the August return of his Burlington experimental music fest, Yazz Fest. Stay tuned for more info on what’s already shaping up to be a busy festival season this summer. And learn more about Flux ov Time at ﬂuxovtime. bandcamp.com. ➆

Listening In

(Spotify mix of local jams)

1. “LAKE VERONICA” by Barbacoa

2. “THE CROW” by the Arty LaVigne Band

3. “WAKE ME UP” by Ian Steinberg

4. “FIREWOOD” by the Beerworth Sisters

5. “FALLING APART” by Danny & the Parts

6. “SERIOUS” by the Grift

7. “XIN” by Phantom Suns

Scan to listen sevendaysvt. com/playlist

LAURA

Bill Dixon

music+nightlife

working here in LA, from my home. Doing “The Daily Show” was great, but it’s in New York, and I don’t want to live in New York.

You would be such a great late-night host! It’s all a bunch of white dudes following the formula right now. I think we need a “Late Night With Leslie Jones” show in all of our lives. That’s what I’m talking about! I would definitely do something like that. I don’t know if it would be as political as something like “The Daily Show,” but I know it would be funny as hell.

As someone who makes people laugh for a living, was there anxiety in sharing so many details about your upbringing and personal life in your memoir?

No, I didn’t feel any anxiety because it’s all the truth. I got real, and people need to start doing that and handling the truth. We can stop all this bullshit that we’re doing to each other as soon as we start being honest with ourselves.

That’s what’s wrong with everybody right now: They’re too scared to

change and too scared to face their problems. But you have to endure change; change doesn’t give a shit about your feelings. Change is going to happen, and it’s either going to be painful or not painful based on how honest with yourself you are. And right now, our society is choosing the painful way because nobody wants to fucking change.

Is that a message you feel obligated to convey while you’re onstage these days?

I don’t bring a lot of that energy to the stage, but it’s there. I want to keep people laughing and work on the concept of “self” more than political stuff. Things are dark, but I want to give people a reason to laugh instead of cry. At the end of the day, it’s my job to cultivate people’s happiness, not go all in on their sadness. ➆

This interview was edited and condensed for clarity and length.

INFO

Leslie Jones, Wednesday, March 26, 7:30 p.m. at the Flynn Main Stage in Burlington. $42-73.75. flynnvt.org.

Eye on the Scene

Last week’s live music highlights from photographer Luke Awtry TR3 FEATURING TIM REYNOLDS, SHAKEDOWN LOUNGE AT STOWE CIDER, SUNDAY, MARCH 16: Live at Luther College, the acoustic duo album that DAVE MATTHEWS and longtime collaborator TIM REYNOLDS released in 1999, was my first introduction to the real Tim Reynolds. Disc two, track two was a Reynolds tune I didn’t recognize called “Stream.” On first listen, the song’s intense energy felt out of place, the playing frenetic and out of control. I enjoyed the performance, but I didn’t “get it.” I eventually came to recognize the intentionality of the composition, performed with exacting precision, and realized that Reynolds didn’t actually “write” this song, he channeled it from his own, well, stream of consciousness. Twenty-six years later in Stowe, and I’m shaking hands with Reynolds and the band, knowing that this show will be my first real introduction to TR3, Reynolds’ rock-funk fusion project started in 1988. The performance echoed my previous experience in ’99 — a roller coaster of wild energy shifts, unpredictable genre mashups, chaotic rhythms and ferocious guitar playing. I’m sure it all went to plan, and those already familiar with TR3 knew they didn’t have to “get it” — they just needed to buckle up for a wild ride.

CLUB DATES

live music

WED.19

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.

Mike Chapman (singer-songwriter) at Two Heroes Brewery Public House, South Hero, 6 p.m. Free.

Trans & Reproductive Rights Benefit Show (benefit) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 8:30 p.m. $5-$24.

UVM Songwriter’s Circle Showcase (singer-songwriter) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 6:30 p.m. Free.

Wednesday Night Dead (Grateful Dead tribute) at Zenbarn, Waterbury Center, 7 p.m. $10.

THU.20

Boys Go to Jupiter, Summer Arachnid, Soap (indie pop) at Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington, 7 p.m. $15/$18. Dirtwire, Honeycomb, McWavy (dance, electronica) at Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $20/$25. Fun Dip (Americana) at the Den at Harry’s Hardware, Cabot, 7 p.m. Free.

Jazz with Alex Stewart and Friends (jazz) at the 126, Burlington, 8:30 p.m. Free.

RAQ (jam) at Nectar’s, Burlington, 9:30 p.m. $20.

Ryan James & the Cryin’ Shames, Abby Jenne (Americana) at Charlie-O’s World Famous, Montpelier, 7:30 p.m. Free.

Shakedown Sessions with Pappy & Friends (jam, bluegrass) at Stowe Cider, 7 p.m. $15.

Smokey Newfield Project (bluegrass, folk) at Black Flannel Brewing & Distilling, Essex, 6 p.m. Free.

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. Witches Exist, wintre., Remi Russin, Fuzzy Bones (indie) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 8 p.m.

$10/$12.

Wolfhand, Amelia Devoid, Alehoof (indie rock) at Monkey House, Winooski, 7:30 p.m. $10.

Yam Yam (jam) at Pickle Barrel Nightclub, Killington, 7 p.m.

$12/$15.

FRI.21

90 Proof (rock) at the Old Post, South Burlington, 8 p.m. Free. Beg Steal or Borrow (folk, bluegrass) at Zenbarn, Waterbury Center, 8 p.m. $15/$18.

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.

Nerd Alert

Comedian PATTON OSWALT first popped up on TV screens in a 1994 episode of “Seinfeld” and hasn’t slowed down since. Whether he’s acting in movies such as the comedy classic Zoolander and the indie film Young Adult or appearing on TV shows “The King of Queens,” “Veep,” and “Parks and Recreation,” Oswalt conveys a complex combination of intellectual humor and ferocious earnestness — what film producer Dan Pasternack once described as an “alpha nerd.” The comic developed those traits over decades as a standup, and they’re on full display in his most recent special, 2022’s “We All Scream.” He brings a new standup tour, “Effervescent,” to the Flynn Main Stage in Burlington on Friday, March 21. Comedian LISA CORRAO opens the show.

The Bressetts (acoustic) at Gusto’s, Barre, 6 p.m. Free.

Cal Humberto, Hannah Hausman, Julia Randall (singer-songwriter) at Light Club Lamp Shop, Burlington, 8 p.m. $10/$15. Carton, Featured Friends, the Way North (alt-rock) at the Underground, Randolph, 7:30 p.m. $14.

Champlain Shoregasm (folk) at Whammy Bar, Calais, 7 p.m. Free. Darkside, Skinny Dippers (rock) at Charlie-O’s World Famous, Montpelier, 9 p.m. Free.

Disciple of the Garden, Last Pages (Soundgarden tribute) at Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington, 7 p.m. $15/$18. Eggy, Certainly So (jam) at Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington, 8 p.m. $20/$25. Eric George (folk) at Hotel Vermont, Burlington, 4 p.m. Free.

George Nostrand (acoustic) at Poultney Pub, 6 p.m. Free.

Gridley Paige (covers) at Pickle Barrel Nightclub, Killington, 8 p.m. $10.

Hip-Hop Night with Mister Burns (hip-hop) at Afterthoughts, Waitsfield, 7 p.m. $15.

Laces, MAD (indie) at Monkey House, Winooski, 8:30 p.m. $5.

Maclan Roberts, Owen Doherty, Lily Mae (indie folk) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $10. Monachino, Jarrett & Stats (jazz) at Hugo’s, Montpelier, 7:30 p.m. Free.

Nighthawk (covers) at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction, 9 p.m. Free.

Out of Nowhere (covers) at 14th Star Brewing, St. Albans, 6 p.m. Free.

Paul Webb (piano) at Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

The PET Project (covers) at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction, 5 p.m. Free.

Pointe Noir Cajun Band (Cajun) at Bent Nails Bistro, Montpelier, 9 p.m. Free.

Rap Night Burlington (hip-hop) at Drink, Burlington, 9 p.m. $5.

RAQ (jam) at Nectar’s, Burlington, 9 p.m. $20.

Spencer Lewis (singersongwriter) at Jericho Café & Tavern, 7 p.m. Free.

Talking Lake Company (Americana, roots) at Shelburne Vineyard, 6 p.m. Free.

Two for Flinching (acoustic) at 1st Republic Brewing, Essex, 6 p.m. Free.

Unruly Allies (acoustic) at Two Heroes Brewery Public House, South Hero, 6:30 p.m. Free.

Wild Leek River (country) at Foam Brewers, Burlington, 8 p.m. Free.

SAT.22

Bird Mountain Sting Band (bluegrass) at Poultney Pub, 6 p.m. Free.

Bob Gagnon (acoustic) at Jericho Café & Tavern, 7 p.m. Free.

Bruce Sklar, Jeremy Hill, Josh Bruneau: Benefit for Paul Morris (benefit, jazz) at the Phoenix, Waterbury, 7:30 p.m. $15-40.

CFI (funk, jazz) at Foam Brewers, Burlington, 8 p.m. Free.

The Conniption Fits (covers) at Gusto’s, Barre, 9 p.m. Free.

Dylan Patrick Ward, Western Terrestrials (folk, rock) at CharlieO’s World Famous, Montpelier, 9:30 p.m. Free.

Fundamental Issue, Told Not to Worry, Asphyxia, Plant a Bug Grow a Flower, In Lieu of Flowers (hardcore, punk) at ArtsRiot, Burlington, 7 p.m. $10.

Gridley Paige (covers) at Pickle Barrel Nightclub, Killington, 8 p.m. $10.

Hand in Pants, Skrom, Robbitfoot, Tabarnak (indie) at Monkey House, Winooski, 8 p.m. $10.

Heather Maloney (folk, indie rock) at Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington, 7 p.m. $18/$20.

Ian Campbell (singer-songwriter) at the Den at Harry’s Hardware, Cabot, 7 p.m. Free.

Jake Kulak (blues, rock) at Lawson’s Finest Liquids, Waitsfield, 4 p.m. Free.

Kaleta & Super Yamba Band (Afro-funk) at Zenbarn, Waterbury Center, 8 p.m. $20/$25.

Live Music Saturdays (live music series) at Dumb Luck Pub & Grill, Hinesburg, 7 p.m. Free.

Paul Webb (piano) at Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

Queer Takeover with Miss Chekova, Broosha, Klub Kush (drag, DJ) at Light Club Lamp Shop, Burlington, 8:30 p.m. $15.

Queer Takeover with Rangus, Fawn, the Croaks, the Dream Eaters (indie rock) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $15.

RAQ (jam) at Nectar’s, Burlington, 9 p.m. $20.

Resistor, Dead Solace, Iron Gate, Reign Havok (metal) at the Lounge at Nectar’s, Burlington, 8 p.m. $20.

Ryan Ober & the Romans (rock) at Shelburne Vineyard, 6 p.m. Free.

Sky Blue Boys (Americana) at Whammy Bar, Calais, 7 p.m. Free.

Smokey Newfield Project (folk, bluegrass) at 1st Republic Brewing, Essex, 6 p.m. Free.

Something Reckless (covers) at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction, 9 p.m. Free.

SUN.23

Dan & Faith, Temple Mountain (singer-songwriter) at Stage 33 Live, Bellows Falls, 3 p.m. $10.

Jeremy Bradley Earl, Daniel Higgs, Matt Valentine (indie, folk) at Monkey House, Winooski, 7:30 p.m. $15.

Riverbed (indie, folk) at Foam Brewers, Burlington, 1 p.m. Free.

Steely Dead (tribute) at Nectar’s, Burlington, 7 p.m. $20.

Sunday Brunch Tunes (singersongwriter) at Hotel Vermont, Burlington, 10 a.m.

Wine & Jazz Sundays: Steve Blair, Charlie MacPhayden, David Epstein, Nick Aloi (jazz) at Shelburne Vineyard, 5 p.m. Free.

MON.24

Frankie & the Fuse, Andriana & the Bananas (indie pop) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $10/$15.

Habibi, Grumpy (indie rock) at Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington, 7 p.m. $20/$25.

TUE.25

Charlie Parr (folk) at Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington, 7 p.m. $20/$25. 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.

WED.26

BBQ and Bluegrass (bluegrass) at Four Quarters Brewing, Winooski, 6:30 p.m. Free.

Bent Nails House Band (jazz, rock) at Bent Nails Bistro, Montpelier, 8 p.m. Free.

Clairo Songs for Palestinian Relief (benefit) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 8:30 p.m. $5 - $25.

Evan Alsop (singer-songwriter) at Two Heroes Brewery Public House, South Hero, 6 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.

Wednesday Night Dead (Grateful Dead tribute) at Zenbarn, Waterbury Center, 7 p.m. $10.

djs

THU.20

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.

Local Dork (DJ) at Foam Brewers, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

Vinyl Night with Ken (DJ) at Poultney Pub, 6 p.m. Free.

FRI.21

Blanchface (DJ) at Red Square, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

Dark Entries: March Sadness with DJ Colin Hagood (DJ) at Standing Stone Wines, Winooski, 8 p.m. Free.

Dierkes (DJ) at Red Square Blue Room, Burlington, 11 p.m. Free.

DJ CRE8 (DJ) at Red Square, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

DJ Taka (DJ) at Light Club Lamp Shop, Burlington, 11 p.m. $10/$15.

Gay4Disco After-Party (disco, funk) at Stowe Cider, 10:30 p.m. $20.

John’s Jukebox (DJ) at Gusto’s, Barre, 9 p.m. Free.

FRI.21 // PATTON OSWALT [COMEDY]

Barbacoa, Hypnotika

(SELF-RELEASED, DIGITAL)

Sometimes music can overwrite the circumstances in which one listens to it. Case in point: Hypnotika, the latest album from Burlington guitar god Bill Mullins’ surf-rock band, Barbacoa. I ﬁrst listened to the record, released in January, while walking my dog on a bitterly cold and windy day. Even as three layers failed to keep me su ciently warm, Hypnotika inspired thoughts of summer. Decidedly retro, Mullins’ music has the power to transport listeners to a landscape vastly di erent than the one I experienced it in. I was grateful for the warmth.

That’s not to say the album sounds entirely beachy or like something you’d hear on an ocean cruise. The source of Hypnotika’s captivating power is in its variety. Despite abrupt stylistic and tonal shifts from song to song, the album maintains a cohesive sonic language.

is, until “Easter Island” reveals there are plenty of surprises in store. The song’s slow, serene intro starts with a bit of tropical noodling before adding shakers and congas, setting the stage for a hearty but terriﬁcally calming guitar part.

A similar juxtaposition arises later, when the album’s heaviest song, “Cave Girl,” is followed by “Drone Ranger,” quite possibly its spaciest. There’s a groove to every song on Hypnotika, and many share instrumental palettes, but it’s a credit to Mullins — who plays everything on the album himself — that you won’t leave the record feeling like you’ve heard 10 versions of the same song.

Take the ﬁrst two tracks: “Hypnotika” kicks o the record with a jaunty, bright guitar tone reminiscent of early R.E.M., which seems like a niche the album could comfortably occupy for its entire 24-minute run. That

The Arty LaVigne Band, Heartland

(SELF-RELEASED, DIGITAL)

If Vermont radio host Arty LaVigne had a goofy DJ moniker, it’d be Arty “the One Man Party.” That’s according to an icebreaker Q&A on the website for WNCS-FM the Point, where LaVigne has hosted the 2 to 7 p.m. time slot since 2018. Other answers o er candid snapshots of the man behind the mic and reveal that his roots in Vermont’s music scene run deep. Likewise, his namesake band’s latest EP, Heartland, highlights the DJ’s candor and appreciation of classic sounds. LaVigne is at his most reﬂective, but he’s not rocking out all by his lonesome.

The Arty LaVigne Band consist of LaVigne and veteran Burlington musicians Je Barrows, Andrew Bedard and longtime collaborator Mark Christensen — he and LaVigne were members of the Vermont bands John Tower Group and Radio Underground.

while longer without losing interest or feeling them drag on.

Hypnotika is, in fact, an apt title. Its tunes are e ortlessly mesmerizing, allowing the listener to sink into their seductive sounds. Mullins’ songs are uniformly short, but I kept ﬁnding myself surprised when one ended. Brevity is part of the charm, sure, but I could have listened to many of these tracks for a

While a handful of the EP’s songs are reworkings of old arrangements from those early projects, each feels right at home on the new record.

It’s ﬁtting that these tracks have their own histories. Heartland’s songs ﬁnd LaVigne facing life and its hardships head-on. While his 2023 release The Getaway looked to the past to tell LaVigne’s story of growing up in Winooski, Heartland sees the songwriter taking stock of the present and future with frank sincerity.

The EP’s opener, “The Little Things,” sets the forward-looking tone. After a quick count-in, Christensen’s bouncy electric guitar and its ﬁne-grit ﬁnish hold command over the steady rhythm section locked in a throwback groove, setting the stage for LaVigne. In a warbly tenor somewhere between Willie Nelson and Warren Zevon, he sings: “We all want the little things / the little things in life / some dream bigger dreams / others hold on through the night.”

LaVigne’s heartfelt performances bring a coarse

Like so much great instrumental surf rock, Hypnotika has the impressionistic feel of a ﬁlm score. While maybe not the best soundtrack for walking a dog in the dead of winter, its breezy tones and cool vibes induce a warmer state of mind.

Hypnotika is available on major streaming services.

intimacy to more mundane lyrical moments. When the songwriter crosses into abstraction, however, as in “Blue Water,” psychedelic arrangements help clarify his intentions. On another of the EP’s more enigmatic numbers, “California Dreaming,” Christensen’s guitar spirals around LaVigne’s nocturnal stream of consciousness, making big waves — and one e usive jam sesh.

Alongside the influence of late-1960s SoCal folkrock, elements of prog-rock guitar gush all over the EP. And with lyrics that are more photographic than narrative, the mood is, well, moody. On “Rivers Rise Up,” LaVigne recollects Vermont’s catastrophic flooding in the sparing yet potent image of blue lights flashing amid torrential rainfall. While two distinct voices are in play — LaVigne’s dramatic, commanding vibrato and Christensen’s sleek, meandering guitar — the driving tension of both the song and the EP as a whole remains rooted in an emotional core of hope and despair. As LaVigne sings, “You were hoping the sun would come out from behind the clouds and see what you lost.”

Heartland showcases folk songs ampliﬁed to full-on rock ballads and solidiﬁes the Laurel Canyon-era sound the band so skillfully captured on its debut. It’s available at theartylavigneband.bandcamp.com.

XENIA TURNER

LOUIS CHIASSON

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

SAT.22

Crypt, Topex, Ghost<3 (darkwave) at Bent Nails Bistro, Montpelier, 8 p.m. Free.

DJ Ara$ (DJ) at Red Square, Burlington, 10 p.m. Free.

DJ Craig Mitchell (DJ) at Afterthoughts, Waitsfield, 7 p.m. Free.

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

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.

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.

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

Bluegrass Jam (bluegrass jam) at Poultney Pub, 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.

comedy

WED.19

March Madness: Quarterfinals (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 7 p.m. $5. Standup Open Mic (comedy open mic) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 8:30 p.m. Free.

THU.20

Joe Pera (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 7 p.m. $35. Live, Laugh, Lava: A Comedy Showcase (comedy) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 6:30 p.m. $5.

Live Standup Comedy (comedy) at Bent Nails Bistro, Montpelier, 7:30 p.m. Free.

March Madness: Semifinals (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 9 p.m. $5.

FRI.21

Joe Pera (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 7 (SOLD OUT) & 9 p.m. $35.

Next Stop Comedy (comedy) at 14th Star Brewing, St. Albans, 7:30 p.m. $25. Patton Oswalt, Lisa Corrao (comedy) at the Flynn, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $63.25-$84.25.

Vermont Comedy All Stars Live Standup Comedy Showcase (comedy) at Next Stage Arts, Putney, 7:30 p.m. $12 /$15.

SAT.22

Joe Pera (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 7 (SOLD OUT) & 9 p.m. $35.

TUE.25

Open Mic Comedy with Levi Silverstein (comedy open mic) at the 126, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

WED.26

Leslie Jones (comedy) at the Flynn, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $42-$73.75.

March Madness: Finals (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 7 p.m. $5. Standup Open Mic (comedy open mic) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 8:30 p.m. Free.

karaoke, etc.

WED.19

Karaoke Friday Night (karaoke) at Park Place Tavern & Grill, Essex Junction, 8 p.m. Free.

Live Band Karaoke (karaoke) at Bent Nails Bistro, Montpelier, 8 p.m. Free.

Jùjú Merchant

Originally hailing from the Benin Republic in West Africa, Leon Ligan-Majek, aka Kaleta, has played guitar with some true legends, including a decades-long stint with Nigerian Afrobeat innovator Fela Kuti. After backing up artists such as Lauryn Hill and King Sunny Adé, Kaleta launched his own project, KALETA & SUPER YAMBA BAND, in 2017. Mixing Afrobeat and jùjú with psychedelic funk, the group released the critically acclaimed Mèdaho, which landed on Bandcamp’s “Best Albums of Sumer 2019” list. Kaleta, who calls New York City home these days, brings Super Yamba Band to Zenbarn in Waterbury Center on Saturday, March 22.

Singles Mixer (dating) at ArtsRiot, Burlington, 6:30-8:30 p.m. $35.

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

Karaoke Friday Night (karaoke) at Park Place Tavern & Grill, Essex Junction, 8 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.

FRI.21

Fierce Frost Drag & Burlesque Show Hosted By Emoji Nightmare (drag) at Stowe Cider, 8 p.m. $20.

Karaoke Friday Night (karaoke) at Park Place Tavern & Grill, Essex Junction, 8 p.m. Free.

Karaoke with DJ Big T (karaoke) at McKee’s Original, Winooski, 9 p.m. Free.

SAT.22

Green Mountain Cabaret (drag) at Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge, Burlington, 8 p.m. $15.

Syrup Story Slam (storytelling) at Poultney Pub, 4 p.m. Free.

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 Tuesday (trivia) at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction, 7 p.m. Free.

Tuesday Trivia (trivia) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

WED.26

Karaoke Friday Night (karaoke) at Park Place Tavern & Grill, Essex Junction, 8 p.m. Free.

Queer Bar Takeover (drag) at Charlie-O’s World Famous, Montpelier, 8 p.m. Free.

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

SAT.22 // KALETA & SUPER YAMBA BAND [AFRO-FUNK]

calendar

MARCH 19-26, 2025

WED.19

agriculture

SEED STARTING COOLWEATHER CROPS: Expert grower Angela deBettencourt teaches participants how to use a calendar to identify ideal dates for starting crops such as broccoli, kale, cabbage, cilantro and lettuce. 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

HERSTORIES: A DISCUSSION OF INTERSECTIONAL FEMINISM & THE WOMEN’S SUFFRAGE MOVEMENT: Attendees celebrate Women’s History Month with a dialogue about how the long fight for voting rights continues. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, 6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 223-3338.

LET’S TALK ABOUT: SUPPORTING YOUTH TO THRIVE & PREVENTING SUBSTANCE MISUSE: Neighbors gather for a community dinner and conversation

about creating a healthier future for our youths. Edmunds Middle School, Burlington, 5:307:30 p.m. Free. Info, bianka@ burlingtonpartnership.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.

OPEN HOUSE: Prospective patrons step into the South End tech hub for tours, a provided lunch and happy-hour networking opportunities. Hula, Burlington, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 540-8153.

PREVIEW PARTY: Theatergoers mix, mingle and enjoy live entertainment at this exciting sneak peak of Lost Nation Theater’s upcoming season. Montpelier Performing Arts Hub, 6:30-8:30 p.m. $5-10. Info, 229-0492.

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.

film

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

ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN

FILM SERIES: ‘TWYLA MOVES’: Steven Cantor explores legendary choreographer Twyla Tharp’s storied career and creative process in this 2021 documentary. Virtual option available. Burlington City Hall Auditorium, 6 p.m. Free. Info, adfilmseries@ gmail.com.

GREAT ART WEDNESDAY

SERIES: ‘DAWN OF IMPRESSIONISM: PARIS, 1874’: Ali Ray’s 2025 documentary offers a captivating look at the Musée d’Orsay’s exhibition commemorating the 150th anniversary of the first impressionist show. Town Hall Theater, Middlebury, 11 a.m. $15. Info, 382-9222.

‘THE THIN MAN’: Film fans grab some free popcorn and settle in for this 1934 whodunit starring William Powell and Myrna Loy. St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, 6:30-8 p.m. Free. Info, 748-8291.

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.

games

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 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

FARMERS NIGHT: ONE MORE TIME: A six-piece band plays traditional Irish and folk tunes featuring guitar, fiddle, banjo and button accordion. House Chamber, Vermont Statehouse, Montpelier, 7:30 p.m. Free. Info, 262-2626.

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

DECLAN MCCABE: In “Turning Stones: Discovering the Life of Water,” an aquatic ecologist dives into facts about the many stunning organisms found in Vermont waterways. Virtual option available. Goodrich Memorial Library, Newport, 7 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 334-7902.

REBECCA RUPP: A Vermont author reveals the rocky evolution of table manners and other interesting foodie-driven facts. KelloggHubbard Library, Montpelier, 6-7 p.m. Free. Info, 223-3338.

SPRING SPEAKER SERIES: BRIAN

CALI: A local homeowner provides an overview of his journey retrofitting a circa-1782 farmhouse building. Yestermorrow Design/ Build School, Waitsfield, 6:30-8 p.m. Free. Info, 496-5545.

theater

‘PRIMARY TRUST’: Vermont Stage mounts University of Vermont alumna Eboni Booth’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play about new beginnings. Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $34-54 sliding scale. Info, 862-1497.

THU.20

business

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.

climate crisis

‘CRESTA ALTA’: Viewers take in Todd Anders Johnson’s 2023 climate change documentary chronicling glaciological research expeditions and sustainability efforts in Alaska, Iceland, Chile and Peru. A Q&A with the director follows. Hazen Union School, Hardwick, 1 p.m. Free; donations accepted. Info, todd@crestaaltafilm.com.

community

ECOGATHERING: SOLIDARITY: Neighbors share space, snacks and substantial discussion about how to live well in uncertain times. Hard-Pressed Community Print Shop & Zine Library, West Danville, 6-8 p.m. Free. Info, ncoit@sterlingcollege.edu.

LET’S TALK ABOUT: SUPPORTING YOUTH TO THRIVE & PREVENTING SUBSTANCE MISUSE: See WED.19. Hunt Middle School, Burlington.

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.

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.

COME AS YOU ARE FILM SERIES:

‘RENT’: Young bohemians in New York City struggle with their careers, relationships and the effects of the AIDS epidemic in this 2005 film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical. Lebanon Opera House, N.H., 7 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 603-448-0400.

‘SPACE: THE NEW FRONTIER 3D’: Viewers witness history in the making — from launching rockets without fuel to building the Lunar Gateway — in this 2024 documentary narrated by Chris Pine. Dealer.com 3D Theater, 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.

‘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, 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.

food & drink

SPRING EQUINOX ADVENTURE DINNER: Foodies embrace the new season with culinary-driven cocktails and an epic multicourse feast highlighting springtime bounty. Adventure Dinner Clubhouse, Colchester, 6-9 p.m. $75. Info, sas@adventuredinner.com.

TASTE THE VALLEY: Gastronomes go nuts for a trade show bringing together diverse local food producers and buyers. Wilson Hall, McCullough Student Center, Middlebury College, 9:30 a.m.noon. $15; free for students, faculty and staff; preregister. Info, 234-1525.

games

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.

= ONLINE EVENT

= GET TICKETS ON SEVENDAYSTICKETS.COM

‘WAITRESS’: A playful score by Grammy nominee Sara Bareilles lends boundless joy to this Broadway smash hit about making big changes. Barrette Center for the Arts, White River Junction, 11 a.m. & 7:30 p.m. $5-94. Info, 296-7000.

words

DON HERZBERG: A local author reads stirring selections from his new memoir, The Things She Said The Norwich Bookstore, 7 p.m. Free. Info, 649-1114.

GINA TRON: Lit Club presents a discussion with the award-winning journalist, poet and author of Suspect. Radio Bean, Burlington, 6:30-8 p.m. Free. Info, 660-9346.

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, 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.

‘ANTARCTICA 3D’: Never-beforeseen footage brings audience members to the farthest reaches of the coldest, driest, windiest continent on Earth. Dealer.com 3D Theater, ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington,

BLOOD ON THE CLOCKTOWER: Katharine Bodan leads players in a thrilling social deduction game of lies and logic, in which no one is ever truly ruled out. Waterbury Public Library, 6-8 p.m. Free. Info, 244-7036.

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,

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

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.

HAFTY CRAFTY DAY: Kiddos ages 6 and up partake in a fun-filled hands-on activity. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 1-2 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.

LEGO FUN: Crafty kiddos build creations with colored blocks for display at the library. Children under 9 must be accompanied by a caregiver. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 3-6 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

PLAY TIME: Little ones ages birth to 5 build with blocks and read together. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 1010:45 a.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

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.

stowe/smuggs

‘A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD’: Two best friends embark on a 12-month adventure in this Tony Award-winning musical for all ages. Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center, Stowe Mountain Resort, noon. $10; group tickets only. Info, 760-4634.

mad river valley/ waterbury

TEEN HANGOUT: Middle and high schoolers make friends at a no-pressure

MAR. 22 & 23 | FAMILY FUN

The Golden Ticket

Families stumble out of their hibernation and into a sweet spring-y headspace during a weekend of Sugar on Snow Parties at the Audubon Vermont Sugarhouse in Richmond. Guests of all ages tap trees in the nature center’s bird-friendly sugar bush, collect sap in buckets, then follow its journey to syrup with boiling demonstrations. The reward for all that work? A tantalizing taste of each gooey grade. The lucky few who discover a “golden tap” win a treat from Lake Champlain Chocolates — that’s reason enough to get outside!

SUGAR ON SNOW PARTIES

Saturday, March 22, and Sunday, March 23, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., at the Audubon Vermont Sugarhouse in Richmond. Free. Info, 434-3068, vt.audubon.org.

meetup. Waterbury Public Library, 3-6 p.m. Free. Info, 244-7036.

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.

‘SESAME STREET LIVE: SAY HELLO’: Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Cookie Monster and their colorful friends visit our

neighborhood for an evening of singing, dancing and playing. Flynn Main Stage, Burlington, 5:30 p.m. $27.50-52.75. Info, 863-5966.

chittenden county

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

Public Library, 10-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 244-7036.

middlebury area

‘BEETLEJUICE JR.’: Talented teens take on an adaptation of the hit Broadway musical, showcasing catchy songs, outrageous characters and a heartwarming message about belonging. Mount Abraham Union High School, Bristol, 7-9 p.m. $12-15. Info, 377-3335.

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

chittenden county

‘FROZEN II’: Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel voice sisters Anna and Elsa in this 2019 animated adventure about saving a kingdom in peril. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 3-4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

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.

barre/montpelier

LEGO CLUB: Budding builders create geometric structures with snap-together blocks. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, 3:30-5 p.m. Free. Info, 223-3338.

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.

middlebury area

‘BEETLEJUICE JR.’: See THU.20.

upper valley

STORY TIME: Preschoolers take part in tales, tunes and playtime. Latham Library, Thetford, 11 a.m. Free. Info, 785-4361.

northeast kingdom

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. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, 10:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 223-3338.

stowe/smuggs

WEE ONES PLAYTIME: Caregivers bring kiddos under 4 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

PRESCHOOL STORY TIME: Youngsters and their caregivers delight in beautiful books, silly songs, creative crafts and unplugged play in the library’s cozy children’s room. Craftsbury Public Library, Craftsbury Common, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 586-9683.

SAT.22

burlington

FAMILY ART SATURDAY: Families use colored pencils, collage and cut paper to create hybrid creatures inspired by exhibiting artist Stéphanie Morissette. 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.

PHYSICS PHUN DAY: Unleash your inner Isaac Newton! University of Vermont physics students facilitate

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.

lgbtq

MARCH MIXER: St. Albans Pride hosts an evening to build relationships, connect with local businesses, and celebrate inclusivity and community. 14th Star Brewing, St. Albans, 5:30 p.m. $10-15; preregister. Info, 524-2444.

music

JOE K. WALSH & MATT FLINNER: Two exceptional string musicians team up for an evening of unmissable acoustic tunes. Richmond Congregational Church, 7-9 p.m. $17.50-27.50. Info, 557-7589.

talks

JUDITH TAYLOR: In “MUD

DANCE: At Home in the Stream,” an artist shares stories, images and a brief musical coda about her findings from the banks of the Ottauquechee River after the 2023 floodwaters receded. Artistree Community Arts Center, South Pomfret, 6 p.m. Free. Info, 457-3500.

SPRING SPEAKER SERIES:

CHERILYN GILLIGAN: The Lake Champlain Maritime Museum codirector of archaeology dives into the depths of lake lore with an address titled “Archaeology of Lake Champlain: Human History through Shipwrecks.” Virtual option available. Community Sailing Center, Burlington, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 864-2499.

‘YOUR AI THERAPIST WILL SEE YOU NOW’: aiVermont cofounder Marc Natanagara moderates an engaging panel discussion examining both the promises and potential risks of artificial intelligence in mental health care. Hula, Burlington, 5:30 p.m. $15-20; cash bar. Info, info@ aivermont.org.

theater

‘OPHELIA LIVES!’: Audience members enjoy a student-led production of Gil Elvgren’s one-act play following a group of teens rehearsing William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Montpelier Performing Arts Hub, 7:30-8:30 p.m. $5-10. Info, 798-6717.

‘PRIMARY TRUST’: See WED.19.

‘WAITRESS’: See WED.19, 2 & 7:30 p.m.

words

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.

FRI.21

agriculture

RELEASE PARTY: Locals gather to celebrate the latest issue of “Sage Zine,” which explores how Vermonters tend to community through farming and foodways. Karma Bird House, Burlington, 8-10 p.m. $8-15. Info, hello@ sagezine.com.

climate crisis

‘CRESTA ALTA’: See FRI.21. Ferrisburgh Union Meeting Hall, 7 p.m. $15.

community

JUST LIKE A BOOK, MORE THAN MY COVER: Library artist-in-residence Ferene Paris leads a dynamic three-part program encouraging multigenerational dialogue about self-identity, external appearances and the stories that define us. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, 7-9 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 223-3338. etc.

SURREALIST PARTY GAMES: Master of ceremonies Roger Clark Miller hosts a thrilling night of playful co-creation and riotous mind-bending games. Epsilon Spires, Brattleboro, 7-11 p.m. $20. Info, info@epsilonspires.org.

film

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

‘ANIMAL KINGDOM 3D’: See THU.20.

‘ANTARCTICA 3D’: See THU.20.

‘I’M STILL HERE’: Walter Salles’ 2024 docudrama follows a mother who is forced to reinvent herself when her family’s life is shattered during military dictatorship in 1970s Brazil. Film House, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington, 4-6:30 & 7-9:30 p.m. $6-12. Info, 660–2600. ‘SPACE: THE NEW FRONTIER 3D’: See THU.20.

‘T. REX: GREATEST OF ALL TYRANTS 3D’: See THU.20.

food & drink

PORK SUPPER WITH BREAD & BUTTER FARM: Gourmands celebrate pasture-focused farmers with a special springtime dinner featuring sandwiches, platters, salads and handcrafted cocktails. Minifactory, Bristol, 5-8 p.m. Cost of food and drink; preregister. Info, 453-3280.

SUGAR ON SNOW: Foodies delight in the traditional Vermont delicacy featuring hot maple syrup, crushed ice, a genuine raised doughnut and ... pickles! Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks, Montpelier, noon-4 p.m. $8.95. Info, 223-2740.

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 game. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 1-3 p.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.

MAR. 22 | ETC.

Butter Fingers

Sean Hunter Williams working with granite

Timeless pancake pals butter and syrup cozy up at Burlington’s Maple Madness fest on the Church Street Marketplace. Barre stone carver Sean Hunter Williams captivates viewers with a live butter sculpture demo at Frog Hollow Vermont Craft Gallery during the daylong syrup-centered jubilee. The transformation of a hunk o’ hard cream into a temporary work of art is an unexpected departure from Williams’ usual — and quite permanent — medium of granite, but he brings all his precision and technique to the task. So, why use butter? In keeping with the day’s theme of agricultural heritage, Williams’ choice is a deliberate nod to dairy, yet another important Green Mountain industry.

BUTTER SCULPTURE DEMO

Saturday, March 22, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., at Frog Hollow Vermont Craft Gallery in Burlington. Free. Info, 863-6458, churchstmarketplace.com.

health & fitness

GUIDED MEDITATION

ONLINE: Dorothy Alling Memorial Library invites attendees to relax on their lunch breaks and reconnect with their bodies. Noon-12:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, programs@ damlvt.org.

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, 5:308:30 p.m. Free. Info, 622-0692.

music

BLACK MUSIC SYMPOSIUM: Live performances, discussions and collaborations offer attendees an opportunity to explore the continued evolution of this unique

musical tradition. Virtual option available. Bennington College, 7 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 4425401.

DEE DAVIS & MARC GWINN: A local dynamic duo brings an eclectic mix of covers, guitars and sterling vocals to the stage. Proceeds benefit the American Civil Liberties Union. Unitarian Church of Montpelier, 7 p.m. By donation. Info, indivisiblecalais@ gmail.com.

GENTLEMAN BRAWLERS: Listeners get pumped at a concert of electrifying Afro-funk and indie dance tunes. Johnson State College, 7-8:30 p.m. $10; free for students, staff and faculty. Info, 748-2600.

SONS OF MYSTRO: A dazzling violin duo delivers a technically masterful and emotionally resonant performance that redefines genres. Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center, Stowe Mountain Resort, 7 p.m. $30-50. Info, 760-4634.

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.

talks

PAUL BIERMAN: A University of Vermont professor and geoscientist discusses Greenland, the Cold War and climate change via the lens of environmental and military history. Faith United Methodist Church, South Burlington, 2-3 p.m. $8 cash or check; free for members. Info, 343-5177.

GRACE POTTER WITH THE VERMONT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: SOLD OUT. A Grammy-nominated Vermont singer-songwriter teams up with the ensemble to perform her biggest hits and latest tracks. Paramount Theatre, Rutland, 7:309:30 p.m. $40-80. Info, 864-5741. LANE SERIES: ‘THE GHOSTS OF HAMLET’: A Lyonnaise baroque orchestra takes the stage with a passionate Italian soprano to perform an original operatic project based on recently discovered fragments of Hamlet libretti. University of Vermont Recital Hall, Burlington, 7:30-9:30 p.m. $5-40. Info, 656-4455.

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

‘THE ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS OF LEONARD PELKEY’: Middlebury Acting Company raises the curtain on Celeste Lecesne’s solo show about the disappearance of a tenacious and flamboyant 14-year-old boy in New Jersey. Town Hall Theater, Middlebury, 7:30 p.m. $20-39. Info, 382-9222.

‘CABIN FEVER FOLLIES’: The Mad River Valley’s annual cabaret-style variety show returns to lift spirits with singing, dancing, comedy and music.

BYOB. Valley Players Theater, Waitsfield, 7:30 p.m. $15-150. Info, 583-1674.

‘OPHELIA LIVES!’: See THU.20.

‘PRIMARY TRUST’: See WED.19.

‘THE SERVANT OF TWO

MASTERS’: The Shelburne Players mount a modern adaptation of Carlo Goldoni’s zany, fast-paced 18th-century comedy. Shelburne Town Center, 7 p.m. $20. Info, 343-2602.

‘WAITRESS’: See WED.19, 7:30 p.m. words

AN EVENING WITH FOUR WAY BOOKS: The Norwich Bookstore hosts a virtual discussion with six acclaimed writers across genres and mediums. 7 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 649-1114.

SAT.22

agriculture

MAPLE OPEN HOUSE WEEKEND: Sweet tooths usher in Vermont’s yummiest season with tours, tastings and other activities at sugarhouses across the state. Various locations statewide, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Info, 227-2627.

MAPLE OPEN HOUSE WEEKEND:

BAIRD FARM: Sappy folks flock to the farm for sugarhouse and sugar bush tours, tastings, giveaways, and treats by the cauldron campfire. Baird Farm, North Chittenden, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. Info, 558-8443.

MAPLE OPEN HOUSE WEEKEND:

BOURDON MAPLE FARM: Visitors revel in tours, tastings and treats, including delicious buttermilk waffles with organic syrup and maple ice cream. Bourdon Maple Farm, Woodstock, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Info, 300-3203.

MAPLE OPEN HOUSE WEEKEND:

MERCK FOREST AND FARMLAND CENTER: Locals and visitors enjoy

a celebration of the time-honored tradition, including tree tapping, sap house tours and a hike through the sugar bush. Merck Forest and Farmland Center, Rupert, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. Info, 394-7836.

MAPLE OPEN HOUSE WEEKEND:

SILLOWAY MAPLE: Fans of the sticky stuff witness a woodfired, solar-powered sugaring operation; tour the trails; and sample tasty treats, including raised doughnuts, maple baked beans and hot dogs boiled in sap. Silloway Maple, Randolph Center, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Info, 272-6249.

ORCHARD BASICS: Attendees learn more about the essentials of tree maintenance, including pruning and other critical entry-level topics. East Hill Tree Farm, Plainfield, 2-3 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 426-3581.

climate crisis

‘CRESTA ALTA’: See FRI.21. Jay Peak Resort, 4:30 p.m. $10.

community

DEATH CAFÉ: Neighbors build community with an open-ended conversation about all things death and dying. Pierson Library, Shelburne, 2-4 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 985-5124.

dance

BALLROOM IS BACK!:

Professional instructor Patti Panebianco teaches amateur hoofers how to waltz, swing and salsa, followed by a jazzy dance party featuring live music by Jenni Johnson & the Junketeers. Shelburne Town Hall, 6:30-9:30 p.m. $10. Info, 557-7226.

etc.

BURLINGTON AQUARIUM FISH, FRAG & REPTILE EXPO: Visitors and vendors connect over locally bred species, DIY demonstrations and equipment for sale at this Tropical Fish Club of Burlington affair. Delta Hotels Burlington, South Burlington, noon-3 p.m. Free; $5 to enter at 11:30 a.m. Info, 372-8716.

BUTTER SCULPTURE DEMO: Second-generation Barre stone carver Sean Hunter Williams transforms a giant block of butter into an astonishing work of art. See calendar spotlight. Frog Hollow Vermont Craft Gallery, Burlington, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. Info, 863-6458.

GREENHOUSE AT LANDRY PARK GRAND OPENING: Community members gather for a ribbon cutting ceremony, activities, snacks and seeds to celebrate the new space. Landry Park, Winooski, noon-4 p.m. Free. Info, 861-4769.

MAPLE MADNESS: Syrup stans of all ages pack the pedestrian thoroughfare for a springtime jubilee of live music, syrup tasting, ax throwing, cozy fire pits and delicious giveaways. Church Street Marketplace, Burlington, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. Info, 863-1648.

NORTH POLE SPORTS CARDS & COLLECTIBLES SHOW: Collectors browse a wide array of vintage,

rare and common cards, as well as action figures, records, comic books and other unique finds. Arrowhead Senior Citizen Center, Milton, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free; cost of cards and collectibles. Info, 782-4500.

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

FERMENT FEST: Gastronomes revel in a showcase of vendors’ pickled products, beverages, natural dyes and starters. The Soda Plant, Burlington, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. Info, 503-0344.

film

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

‘ANIMAL KINGDOM 3D’: See THU.20.

‘ANTARCTICA 3D’: See THU.20.

CHAMPLAIN COLLEGE STUDENT

FILM SHOWCASE: Viewers take in three documentary shorts filmed in Ireland by recent alums Emerson Mako, Audrey Lewis and Dillon Toole. Alumni Auditorium, Champlain College, Burlington, 8:30-9:45 p.m. Free. Info, 860-2700.

‘DUNE’: Sci-fi fans flock to a spice-y screening of David Lynch’s 1984 film adaptation of Frank Herbert’s classic novel. The Screening Room @ VTIFF, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington, 3 p.m. $6-12. Info, 660–2600.

‘ERASERHEAD’: David Lynch’s surrealist debut feature, which started as a student project and evolved into one of the most iconic midnight movies in film

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

This program supports blood cancer patients and caregivers by focusing on healthy living and advocacy. In Session 1, you’ll learn how to make the most of a survivorship clinic to live well during and after treatment, with practical tips for using survivorship resources. Session 2 explores how to advocate for yourself and others, offering insights into LLS advocacy efforts and ways

history, launches viewers into another realm. The Screening Room @ VTIFF, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington, 7-9:30 p.m. $6-12. Info, 660-2600.

‘THE SECRET OF ROAN INISH’: Audience members revisit John Sayles’ 1995 period drama about a young girl who unravels the mysterious secrets of a small fishing village in Ireland. The film’s composer, Mason Daring, opens the screening with a brief talk about his creative process. Alumni Auditorium, Champlain College, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free. Info, 363-6330.

‘SPACE: THE NEW FRONTIER 3D’: See THU.20.

‘T. REX: GREATEST OF ALL TYRANTS 3D’: See THU.20.

food & drink

BURLINGTON WINTER FARMERS

MARKET: More than 40 vendors showcase their finest farm-fresh produce, meats, unique crafts and baked goods. Burlington Beer Company, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, 560-5904.

ETHIOPIAN & ERITREAN CUISINE TAKEOUT DINNER: Foodies from the Old North End and beyond sample Mulu Tewelde’s spicy, savory, succulent meals. O.N.E. Community Center, Burlington, 4-5:30 p.m. $23-24. Info, 8819933.

PIES & PINTS NIGHT: Pie Empire serves up savory hand pies to pair with beer brewed on-site. Simple Roots Brewing, Burlington, 5 p.m. Cost of pies; preorder. Info, 399-2658.

SNOWCAT RIDE WITH DINNER: Foodies embark on a one-of-akind dining excursion featuring a riveting ride to the mid-mountain lodge for a decadent five-course meal. Stratton Mountain Resort, 5:15 p.m. $225-275; preregister. Info, 800-787-2886.

SUGAR ON SNOW: See FRI.21. 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

PRIDE HIKES: SUGAR ON SNOW: Audubon Vermont program coordinator Sarah Hooghuis leads LGBTQIA+ hikers and allies on a trek through the center’s bird-friendly sugar bush. Green

Mountain Audubon Center, Huntington, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free; donations accepted; preregister. Info, sarah.hooghuis@ audubon.org.

music

ALEX KEHLER & NICHOLAS WILLIAMS: A Québec duo presents Nordic, French and Celtic songs from its new album, featuring unusual instruments such as the nyckelharpa and accordion. Unitarian Church of Montpelier, 4-5:30 p.m. $15-25 sliding scale. Info, 514-804-1437.

BLACK MUSIC SYMPOSIUM: See FRI.21, 1:30 p.m.

CATAMOUNT ARTS BLUEGRASS NIGHT: ON THE TRAIL: A modern acoustic band known for stunning instrumentals and uplifting vocals explores everything from folk to contemporary pop. Alexander Twilight Theatre, Vermont State University-Lyndon, 7 p.m. Free; donations accepted. Info, 748-2600. GRACE POTTER WITH THE VERMONT SYMPHONY

ORCHESTRA: See FRI.21. The Flynn, Burlington. $40-60.

JURIJ FEDYNSKYJ & FAMILY: In “Ukraine & America United!” a family of Ukrainian musicians performs polyphonic village music, spiritual hymns and historical songs of freedom to benefit the war-torn country. All Souls Interfaith Gathering, Shelburne, 6-8 p.m. By donation. Info, 363-8287.

seminars

FINANCIAL AWARENESS SERIES: THE FOUR PILLARS OF NEW RETIREMENT: Edward Jones financial advisor Chris Cichoski offers invaluable information to anyone dreaming about that day when they’ll have more time on their hands. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 12:301:30 p.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.

sports

USED EQUIPMENT SALE: Winter sports fans browse a bevy of gently used boots, skis and poles. Blueberry Hill Outdoor Center, Goshen, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free; price of equipment. Info, 382-7693.

talks

AUTHENTIC VOICES SPEAKER SERIES: A powerhouse panel shares thoughts on journeys of healing, transformation and learning to live authentically. Double E Performance Center’s T-Rex Theater, Essex, 7-10 p.m. $25. Info, 878-4200.

ELIZABETH A. ALLEN: In “Dangerous Characters: The Life and Crime of Delia and Charlie Potter,” an author delves into Williston’s most sensational criminals and their role in the 1865 killing of Sally Griswold. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 2-3 p.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.

FRAN LEBOWITZ: “Vermont Edition” host Mikaela Lefrak interviews the iconic New York City writer and social commentator for an evening of thought-provoking conversation and biting wit. Spruce Peak Performing Arts

MAR. 23 | MUSIC

Colt Following

Critically acclaimed Oregon bluegrass duo the Horsenecks bring their East Coast tour to Cabot’s Willey Memorial Hall for an evening of inspired, old-timey tunes. Multiinstrumentalists Gabrielle Macrae and Barry Southern get feet stomping and bodies moving with danceable, high-octane rhythms played on fiddle, banjo and guitar. Known for tight, heartfelt harmonies and lyrical prowess, the pair pay homage to centuries-old musical traditions, while also remaining relevant to today’s scene. From barn-burning Appalachian ditties to standard-setting original compositions, the past is merely prologue for these musical thoroughbreds.

THE HORSENECKS

Sunday, March 23, 5-7 p.m., at Willey Memorial Hall in Cabot. $17-20. Info, 793-3016, cabotarts.org.

Center, Stowe Mountain Resort, 7 p.m. $65-85. Info, 760-4634.

MICHAEL LANGE: In “The Many Meanings of Maple,” a professor of anthropology and folklore examines sugaring and its enormous importance to Vermont’s economy, ecology and heritage. Brick Meeting House, Westford, 1-2:30 p.m. Free. Info, 878-4524.

RAD HISTORY: A CRITICAL HISTORY OF TELEVISION: Locals learn more about the medium’s impact on human social structures and behaviors at an illuminating community discussion. Peace & Justice Center, Burlington, 1-3 p.m. Free. Info, 863-2345.

tech

PHONE & TECH SUPPORT: See FRI.21. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 10 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 863-3403.

theater

‘THE ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS OF LEONARD PELKEY’: See FRI.21, 2 & 7:30 p.m.

‘OPHELIA LIVES!’: See THU.20.

‘PRIMARY TRUST’: See WED.19, 2 & 7:30 p.m.

‘THE SERVANT OF TWO MASTERS’: See FRI.21, 2 & 7 p.m.

‘WAITRESS’: See WED.19, 2 & 7:30 p.m.

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

MAPLE OPEN HOUSE WEEKEND: BOURDON MAPLE FARM: See SAT.22.

MAPLE OPEN HOUSE WEEKEND: SILLOWAY MAPLE: See SAT.22. 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. climate crisis

‘CRESTA ALTA’: See THU.20. Savoy Theater, Montpelier, 4 p.m. $10-15.

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.

MY DENTIST’S SON: Participants swap mystical experiences at a facilitated storytelling circle. Ferrisburgh Town Office & Community Center, 3-4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 914-953-5707.

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. etc.

HEALING ARTS SWAP: Herb growers, medicine makers, massage therapists, and Reiki and yoga instructors trade products and services at a community-driven Swap Sisters event. Hardwick Memorial Hall, 1-3 p.m. Free. Info, swapsisters@gmail.com.

FOMO?

Library, Montpelier, 10 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 223-3338.

SUN.23

activism

BREAD FOR PEACE: Volunteers bake fresh challah, pita and gluten-free oat bread that’s available for pick up the following day. Proceeds benefit humanitarian aid for Israel and Palestine. Ohavi Zedek Synagogue, Burlington, noon-6 p.m. Preregister to volunteer or order; cost of bread. Info, 864-0218.

agriculture

MAPLE OPEN HOUSE WEEKEND: See SAT.22.

MAPLE OPEN HOUSE WEEKEND: BAIRD FARM: See SAT.22.

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

FAMI LY FU N

interactive experiences focusing on the mechanics of movement and simple machines. ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. $16.50-20; free for members and kids 2 and under. Info, 864-1848.

SKATE YOUR WINTER BLUES AWAY: Winter sports fans indulge in a morning of ice skating, baked goods, hot drinks, crafts and raffle prizes to benefit Robin’s Nest Children’s Center. Gordon H. Paquette Ice Arena, Burlington, 10 a.m.-noon. $10-30. Info, 864-8191.

YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS’ FAIR:

Budding business owners in grades 3 to 12 showcase their ideas, products and services, from technical creations to handcrafted goods. Generator Makerspace, Burlington, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Info, 540-0761.

chittenden county

CONNECTIONS & PLAY: Children with autism and other disabilities and their caregivers have fun, connect and support one another in a group setting. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 11 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 878-6956.

SUGAR ON SNOW PARTIES: Folks of all ages celebrate the season with sweet treats, sugar bush tours, demonstrations and a lip-smacking sample of each grade of syrup. See calendar spotlight. Audubon Vermont Sugarhouse, Richmond, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. Info, 434-3068.

barre/montpelier

CHILDBIRTH EDUCATION SAMPLER: Moms-to-be learn more about empowered childbirth, pelvic floor and pushing prep, and prenatal bodywork.

Emerge With Amy LePage, Montpelier, 5:30-7 p.m. By donation. Info, info@ emergewithamylepage.com.

stowe/smuggs

ONE MAN’S TRASH: A REPURPOSED CIRCUS: A cast of big-top performers reanimates what’s in the trash can to create a whimsical junkyard adventure for all ages. Dibden Center for the Arts, Vermont State University-Johnson, 3-4:30 p.m. $10; free for students, staff and faculty. New England Center for Circus Arts, Brattleboro, 7-8:30 p.m. $16-35. Info, info@thecirqueus.com.

mad river valley/ waterbury

MAPLE CELEBRATION: Families learn about the sugaring process with a reading of Erin Giles’ What the Maple Tree Gives, followed by themed crafts. Inklings Children’s Books, Waitsfield, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 496-7280.

middlebury area

‘BEETLEJUICE JR.’: See THU.20, 2-4 & 7-9 p.m.

upper valley

AMPHIBIAN ADVENTURE: Folks find out what makes these critters so amazing through fun-filled games and hands-on educational activities. Vermont Institute of Natural Science, Quechee, 3-4 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 359-5000.

SUN.23

burlington

STEAM PLAY & LEARN: Youngsters ages 4 to 12 explore science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics at a station-based weekly drop-in program. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 2-4 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 863-3403.

chittenden county

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.

SUGAR ON SNOW PARTIES: See SAT.22.

PRENATAL STRENGTH: Moms-tobe enjoy a holistic fitness class to prepare for birth and postpartum recovery. Virtual option available. Emerge With Amy LePage, Montpelier, 9-10 a.m. By donation. Info, info@ emergewithamylepage.com.

RESTORE YOUR CORE AFTER BIRTH: Postpartum moms delight in a “less is more” approach to building back their strength. Virtual option available. Emerge With Amy LePage, Montpelier, 2:45-4 p.m. By donation. Info, info@ emergewithamylepage.com.

UNDERSTAND YOUR PELVIC FLOOR: Attendees learn more about the importance of these muscles during pregnancy and birth. Virtual option available. Emerge With Amy LePage, Montpelier, 1:30-2:30 p.m. By donation; preregister. Info, info@ emergewithamylepage.com.

stowe/smuggs

‘CIRQUE US STORIES’: Aerialists, jugglers, acrobats, contortionists and clowns bring beloved folktales and children’s stories to life onstage. Dibden Center for the Arts, Vermont State University-Johnson, 3-5 p.m. $10; free for students, staff and faculty. Info, 626-4849.

upper valley

WINTER FAIRY HUNTS: Kiddos search the forest for tiny hidden friends at an enchanting scavenger hunt adventure. Vermont Institute of Natural Science, Quechee, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. $16.50-19.50; free for members and kids 3 and under. Info, 359-5000.

MON.24

burlington

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.

barre/montpelier

PRENATAL YOGA: Moms-to-be learn about somatic movement, breath and how to support their changing bodies. Virtual option available. Emerge With Amy LePage, Montpelier, 5:30-6:30 p.m. By donation. Info, info@ emergewithamylepage.com.

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

SING-ALONG WITH LINDA BASSICK: Babies, toddlers and preschoolers sing, dance and wiggle along with Linda. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 1111:30 a.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

chittenden county

COUP TOURNAMENT: Kids in grades 6 and up take on the role of Duke, Assassin, Contessa, Captain or Ambassador in this thrilling social deduction card game. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 4-5:30 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

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, 3-4 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.

TODDLER 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, 9:15-9:45 & 10:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

TOLKIEN DAY: Fans of the Lord of the Rings series mark the anniversary of Sauron’s defeat with themed activities, including a scavenger hunt, fantasy board games, trivia and an Elvish language immersion corner. Pierson Library, Shelburne, 3:30-5 p.m. Free. Info, 985-5124.

barre/montpelier

STORY TIME: See THU.20.

northeast kingdom

LAPSIT STORY TIME: Babies 2 and under learn to love reading, singing and playing with their caregivers. Siblings welcome. St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, 10:15-10:45 a.m. Free. Info, 745-1391.

PRESCHOOL STORY TIME: See FRI.21.

WED.26

burlington

STEAM SPACE: See WED.19.

TODDLER TIME: See WED.19.

chittenden county

BABY TIME: See WED.19.

GAME ON!: See WED.19.

PLAY TIME: See WED.19.

PLAYGROUP & STORY TIME: See WED.19. K

film

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

‘ANIMAL KINGDOM 3D’: See THU.20.

‘ANTARCTICA 3D’: See THU.20.

‘SPACE: THE NEW FRONTIER 3D’: See THU.20.

‘T. REX: GREATEST OF ALL

TYRANTS 3D’: See THU.20.

food & drink

MAPLE, MIMOSAS & MOUNT

MANSFIELD’S BEST FRIENDS:

Guests savor a delicious breakfast, beverages and live music, then head to the sugarhouse for a demonstration, capped off by an Instagrammable hang with the farm’s famous retrievers. Golden Dog Farm, Jeffersonville, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. $149. Info, 513-808-6597.

SUGAR ON SNOW: See FRI.21.

VIRTUAL PASTA COOKING CLASS:

Gastronomes 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.

WINE TASTING WITH WILL:

The restaurant’s maitre d’ leads burgeoning connoisseurs through the provenance of six old-world varietals in a sampling and conversation titled “Exploring Lesser-Known Grapes.” The Tillerman, Bristol, 3-5 p.m. $85. Info, 643-2237.

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.

music

THE HORSENECKS: A duo plays a set of upbeat foot-stompers, new takes on old standards, and innovative compositions for fiddle and banjo. See calendar spotlight. Willey Memorial Hall, Cabot, 5-7 p.m. $17-20. Info, 793-3016.

ISMAY: An indie singer-songwriter performs stirring compositions that bridge folk music of the past and present. Richmond Congregational Church, 4-6 p.m. $17.50-27.50. Info, 557-7589.

MONTPELIER CHAMBER

ORCHESTRA: Dan Bruce directs the ensemble in “Spring Notes,” an enchanting program of works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Edvard Grieg and Vermont composer Gwyneth Walker. Montpelier City Hall Arts Center, 3-4:30 p.m. $5-20; free for kids under 12. Info, 477-3499.

PAUL ORGEL: A lauded pianist plays works by Johann Sebastian Bach, Ludwig van Beethoven and Johannes Brahms to benefit Full Circle Preschool. Ohavi Zedek Synagogue, Burlington, 4-5:30 p.m. $18-36. Info, 864-0218.

LANE SERIES: SONA JOBARTEH: A West African kora virtuoso brings instrumental skill, evocative vocals and infectious melodies to the stage. University of Vermont Recital Hall, Burlington, 4-6 p.m. $5-40. Info, 656-4455.

outdoors

RATTLESNAKE CLIFFS & FALLS OF LANA: Adventurers join up with the Green Mountain Club for a moderately paced hike to the summit for stellar views. Microspikes required. Call for start time. Silver Lake Trail, Salisbury. Free; preregister by March 20. Info, 413-884-5932.

sports

USED EQUIPMENT SALE: See SAT.22.

theater

‘THE ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS OF LEONARD PELKEY’: See FRI.21, 2 p.m.

‘PRIMARY TRUST’: See WED.19, 2 p.m.

‘WAITRESS’: See WED.19, 5 p.m.

words

TOM SCHMIDT: A teacher, writer and poet launches his latest collections, Rowing With Either Oar and Stranger in Parodies, followed by a reception. The Old Meeting House, East Montpelier, 11 a.m.noon. Free. Info, 226-9593.

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.

film

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

‘ANIMAL KINGDOM 3D’: See THU.20.

‘ANTARCTICA 3D’: See THU.20.

‘SPACE: THE NEW FRONTIER 3D’: See THU.20.

‘T. REX: GREATEST OF ALL TYRANTS 3D’: See THU.20.

games

BURLINGTON ELKS BINGO: Players grab their daubers for a competitive night of card stamping for cash prizes. Burlington Elks Lodge, 6 p.m. Various prices. Info, 802-862-1342.

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.

ITALIAN BOOK CLUB: Lovers of the language read and discuss Melanie Chircop’s Fantasmi Di Sambuca. BYO copy. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 10:15-11:15 a.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

lgbtq

QTPOC SUPPORT GROUP:

Pride Center of Vermont facilitates a safe space for trans and queer folks of color to connect, share experiences, process current events and brainstorm ideas. 6:30-8 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 863-0003.

seminars

PEER LEADER TRAINING: See FRI.21, 1-3:30 p.m.

talks

FEMALE FOUNDERS SPEAKER SERIES: OLYMPIANS: Three champion panelists discuss the “Olympian mindset” and how it applies to the entrepreneurial journey. A Q&A follows. Hotel Vermont, Burlington, 5:30-7 p.m. $15. Info, 651-0080.

SARAH E. BOND: In “This is (Not) Sparta: Fascistic Fascination With Ancient Sparta,” a historian and author sheds light on the Greek city-state’s influence on authoritarian regimes of the past century. Robert A. Jones House, Middlebury College, 4:30-5:30 p.m. Free. Info, 443-5324.

words

ORAL HISTORY WRITING

WORKSHOP: Author Mark Pendergrast leads this weekly workshop in which participants interview family members and friends, then transcribe and edit their recordings into readable histories. Fletcher Free Library New North End Branch, Burlington, 2-3 p.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

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

MOVEMENT MATTERS:

Choreographer Daniel Miramontes leads participants in a workshop that deepens their understanding of bodies in motion. Dance Theatre, Mahaney Arts Center, Middlebury College, 4:30-6 p.m. Free. Info, 443-6433.

SWING DANCE PRACTICE

SESSION: All ages and experience levels shake a leg in this friendly, casual environment designed for learning. Bring clean shoes. North Star Community Hall, Burlington, 8-9:30 p.m. $5. Info, 864-8382. etc.

PIZZA NIGHT & RAFFLE: Pie lovers enjoy a night of delicious woodfired pizza, prizes, arcade games and pool to benefit the Wardsboro 4th of July Street Festival & Parade. American Flatbread, West Dover, 4-9 p.m. Free. Info, wardsboroparade@gmail.com.

film

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

‘ADAM’S RIB’: Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn play a husband-and-wife duo working as opposing lawyers on the same case in this 1949 romantic comedy. Film House, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free. Info, 540-3018.

‘ANIMAL KINGDOM 3D’: See THU.20.

‘ANTARCTICA 3D’: See THU.20.

‘THE SANDLOT’ & ‘A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN’: Film buffs and baseball fans join up in the beer garden for a sports-themed doubleheader on the big screen. Switchback Brewing’s Beer Garden & Tap House, Burlington, 5-9 p.m. Free. Info, 651-4114.

‘SPACE: THE NEW FRONTIER 3D’: See THU.20.

‘T. REX: GREATEST OF ALL TYRANTS 3D’: See THU.20.

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.

GAME NIGHT: Folks drop in to play fun-filled board and video games using the center’s consoles. Junction Arts & Media, White River Junction, 7-8:30 p.m. Free. Info, 295-6688.

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

VERMONT’S FREEDOM & UNITY CHORUS: Singers come together for a weekly rehearsal inspiring positive change through the power of music. Chapel of Saint Michael the Archangel, Saint Michael’s College, Colchester, 7-9 p.m. $35 annual dues. Info, vermontsfreedomandunity chorus@gmail.com.

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.

talks

ELLEN THOMPSON: The Vermont Sampler Initiative project manager introduces listeners to young ladies of the 18th century who told their stories through the embroideries that they stitched. 2-3 p.m. $5; free for members; preregister. Info, 877-3406.

tech

AFTERNOON TECH HELP: Experts answer questions about phones, laptops, e-readers and other devices in one-on-one sessions.

South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 1-4 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 846-4140.

theater

‘WAITRESS’: See WED.19, 7:30 p.m. words

BURLINGTON LITERATURE GROUP: Bookworms analyze Thomas Pynchon’s postmodern epic Gravity’s Rainbow over the course of 14 weeks. 6:30-8 p.m. Free. Info, info@ nereadersandwriters.com.

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. WRITING FOR FLOOD RECOVERY: Documentary filmmaker Bess O’Brien leads a creative writing workshop to provide space for locals to process their thoughts, share with others, remember and heal. Peacham Town Library, 6:30-8 p.m. Free. Info, bobrien@ pshift.com.

WED.26

agriculture

TRI-STATE DAIRY EXCHANGE: NAVIGATING THE FUTURE OF DAIRY: The University of Vermont hosts a monthly webinar series that focuses its lens on current industry research and programs. 11:30 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, 656-7563.

business

QUEEN CITY BUSINESS NETWORKING INTERNATIONAL GROUP: See WED.19.

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.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section. CINEMA FOR CHANGE FILM SCREENING & DISCUSSION: Neighbors gather for a showing of Vermont filmmaker Adam Benay’s series The North End Stories followed by a community dialogue about addiction and mental health in the region. Film House, Main

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.

Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington, 6-8 p.m. Free; donations accepted; preregister. Info, 720-442-4332.

food & drink

COMMUNITY COOKING: See WED.19.

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.

language

PARLIAMO ITALIANO: The Vermont Italian Cultural Association hosts an evening for speakers — both beginner and native — to practice the language of love. Pearl Street Pizza, Barre, 5-8 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, vtitalianculturalassoc@ gmail.com.

lgbtq

DYKE MOVIE NIGHT SERIES: ‘I SAW THE TV GLOW’: Viewers take in Jane Schoenbrun’s 2024 psychological horror flick about a teenager’s encounter with a mysterious late-night show. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 6-8 p.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

music

FARMERS NIGHT: THE JADED RAVINS: A Calais duo presents an evening of soulful Americana, country and blues tunes featuring powerful vocals and tasty harmonies. House Chamber, Vermont Statehouse, Montpelier, 7:30 p.m. Free. Info, 262-2626. WESTSIDE ROOTS BAND WITH PHIL HENRY & MITCH BARRON: Local musicians perform upbeat folk and roots tunes to benefit the West Rutland School’s music department. Chaffee Art Center, Rutland, 6:30 p.m. $5-10. Info, 775-0356.

seminars

AMPHIBIAN ROAD

CROSSING PROGRAM:

Attendees learn how to help frogs and salamanders safely

cross Vermont roadways during their annual spring movements. Hosted by North Branch Nature Center. 6:30-8 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 229-6206.

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

BILL NOWLAN: In “Around the World in 120 Days,” a retired physician recalls adventures

— and misadventures — from a recent trip circling the globe with Semester at Sea. Waterbury Public Library, 6 p.m. Free. Info, 244-7036.

CAROL RIFELJ FACULTY

LECTURE SERIES: SARAH

STROUP: A scholar shares some of the lessons she’s learned about fostering constructive conflict in “Bridging Scholarship and Practice: A Conflict Transformation Story.” Franklin Environmental Center at Hillcrest, Middlebury College, 4:30-6 p.m. Free. Info, 443-4008.

SPRING SPEAKER SERIES: ANDY WHITE: The Boreal Design and Construction founder sheds light on designing a home for performance, affordability and joy. Yestermorrow Design/Build

School, Waitsfield, 6:30-8 p.m. Free. Info, 496-5545.

theater

‘PRIMARY TRUST’: See WED.19. ‘SHE LOVES ME’: The school’s theater department transports attendees to the 1930s with this charming Tony Awardwinning musical about two shop clerks who can’t seem to find common ground. Royall Tyler Theatre, University of Vermont, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $7.50-25. Info, theatreanddance@uvm.edu. ‘WAITRESS’: See WED.19, 7:30 p.m. ➆

classes

THE FOLLOWING CLASS LISTINGS ARE PAID ADVERTISEMENTS. ANNOUNCE YOUR CLASS FOR AS LITTLE AS $16.75/WEEK (INCLUDES SIX PHOTOS AND UNLIMITED DESCRIPTION ONLINE). SUBMIT YOUR CLASS AD AT SEVENDAYSVT.COM/POSTCLASS.

art

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 fusedglass classes for adults. Enroll today and let your creativity shine!. Location: Davis Studio, 916 Shelburne Rd., S. Burlington. Info: 425-2700, davisstudiovt.com.

ﬁtness

FIRST STRIDES VERMONT:

Women who are beginning or returning to running and/ or walking are invited to join us in this 12-week program based on mentoring, peer support and lifestyle habits. Every Wed., May 7-Jul. 23, 5:45 p.m. Cost: $45 preregistration rate for 12-week program. Location: Williston Village Community Park, 250 Library La., Williston. Info: Kasie Enman, 238-0820, ﬁrststridesvermont@gmail.com, ﬁrststridesvermont.com.

Herbs

HERBAL ROOTS

infovtherbcenter.org, vtherbcenter.org/ training-programs/ herbal-roots-apprenticeship.

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. Basic classes 5 days/week. 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.

APPRENTICESHIP: Hands-on learning for folks who want to weave herbs into their daily lives.

Learn to grow and harvest, prepare remedies, and apply plants to common complaints safely and effectively. Learn about basic physiology, traditional energetics and herbal justice. Take home a kit of remedies, seeds for next year, skills for self-care and a community of herb friends for life! Every Mon. from Apr. 14 to Nov. 3, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Cost: $2,730/188hour course. Location: Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism, 123 Pitkin Rd. Info: 224-7100,

INCLUSIVE MARTIAL ARTS: Offering martial arts that will strengthen your body and your mind, we foster a collaborative community for a diverse range of individuals. Our practices include Muay Thai, Brazilian jiujitsu, and Filipino and Thai combat arts. We offer four weekly classes and themed mini classes such as improvised weapons, knife defense, Filipino dirty boxing and more. See website for schedule and rates. Location: Green Mountain Martial Arts Collaborative, Burlington. Info:

316-8896, info@greenmountain martialarts.com, green mountainmartialarts.com.

nature

RECLAIMING TRADITION:

SHROUDING: Join end-of-life doula Lindsey Warren for a cross-cultural history of shrouding, followed by an introduction to green burial and practical tips for those interested in shrouding for home funerals and

green burials. After a lunch break, we join together in a hands-on shrouding practice. Sat., Apr. 5, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Cost: $40. Location: ReTribe, 14 Maple Leaf Rd., Underhill. Info: Lindsey Warren, 498-5700, lindsey warrendoula@gmail.com, lindseywarrendoula.com/ workshops.

spirituality

FAMILY CONSTELLATIONS

WORKSHOP: Family constellations make the elements of a question, problem or system 3D through embodied human representation. Movement out of stagnation occurs when we collectively acknowledge, grieve and are awe-struck by what is. Come enjoy a limited-time introductory rate this spring! Fri., Mar. 21, 6-9 p.m.; Sat., Apr. 5, 2-6 p.m.; Mon., Apr. 7, 6-9 p.m.; Sat., Apr. 12, 2-6 p.m.; Sat., Apr. 19, 2-6 p.m.; Sun., May 4, 1-5 p.m. Cost: $30 for 3-hour sessions; $40 for 4-hour sessions (introductory rate offer). Location: Burlington Friends Meeting House, 173 North Prospect St. Info: Mattie

Clark, mattiemarieclark@gmail. com, mattieclark.com. well-being

PARTNER THAI BODYWORK:

Bring a special someone, partner, family member, friend or neighbor or work with another participant for a fully guided ai bodywork exchange experience in community. Each person will have an opportunity to both give and receive a 45-minute session. Sat., Mar. 29, 12:30-3:30 p.m. Cost: $51. Location: Laughing River Yoga, Chace Mill, 1 Mill St., Burlington. Info: aiBodyworkVT, Kristin Borquist, kristin@thaibodyworkvt. com, thaibodyworkvt.com.

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Maple

AGE/SEX: 2-year-old spayed female

ARRIVAL DATE: February 20, 2025

SUMMARY: Maple is a gentle sweetheart looking for a fresh start! She’s had to face many changes in a short time, but she’s proven to be a resilient girl who’s taking it all in stride. Maple would love to ﬁnd a home that can offer her patience, love and guidance as she navigates this new chapter in her life. Could you have room in your home and heart for sweet Maple? Visit her at HSCC to see if she could be your new best friend!

DOGS/CATS/KIDS: Maple is dog-tolerant. If you have a dog at home, we’ll arrange a meet and greet. Maple has lived with cats and enjoyed their company. Her history with children is unknown.

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?

To introduce a new dog to furry friends at home, taking it slow and steady is key! Be patient, use lots of treats, make sure everyone has their own safe spaces, and call HSCC if you are looking for guidance or tips for successful introductions.

CLASSIFIEDS

ser vices

AUTO

DONATE YOUR CAR TO CHARITY

Running or not! Fast, free pickup. Maximum tax deduction. Support Patriotic Hearts. Your car donation helps veterans! Call 1-855402-7631. (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: 1-866-4728309. (AAN CAN)

ENTERTAINMENT

VT PRINCESS PARTY

Choose the princess that matches the magic of your princessthemed party. Call

806-336-0529 or visit vtprincessparty.com to book a date!

FINANCIAL/ LEGAL

DISABILITY BENEFITS

You may qualify for disability benefits if you are between 52-63 years old & under a doctor’s care for a health condition that prevents you from working for a year or more. Call now: 1-877-247-6750.

GET TAX RELIEF

Do you owe more than $10,000 to the IRS or state in back taxes? Get tax relief now. We’ll fight for you! Call 1-877-703-6117. (AAN CAN)

HOME/GARDEN

24-7 LOCKSMITH

We are there when you need us for home & car lockouts. We’ll get you back up & running quickly! Also, key reproductions, lock installs & repairs, vehicle fobs. Call us for your home, commercial & auto locksmith

CLASSIFIEDS KEY

appt. appointment

apt. apartment

BA bathroom

BR bedroom

DR dining room

DW dishwasher

HDWD hardwood

HW hot water

LR living room

NS no smoking

OBO or best offer refs. references sec. dep. security deposit

W/D washer & dryer

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 and similar Vermont statutes which make it illegal to advertise any preference, limitations, or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, handicap, presence of minor children in the family or receipt of public assistance, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or a discrimination. The newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate, which is in violation of the law. Our

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

needs: 1-833-237-1233. (AAN CAN)

ARBOR HILL TREE FARM

Live trees. Potted & field-grown. 2 to 20 feet. Hardwood, evergreen, fruit trees, berry plants. Grown in Eden. State inspected. 1-year warranty. Info, 802-309-4063, arborhilltreefarm@ outlook.com.

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.

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)

TREE REMOVAL & TRIMMING

Serving Chittenden County & beyond!

Working year-round, fully insured, free estimates. Call or text 315-420-6859 & ask for Evan.

PRUNING TREES

MycoEvolve offers fully insured pruning services at reasonable rates to maximize air & light for the health & productivity of fruit & nut trees in VT. Before the sap begins to rise is the ideal time, which is now! Visit mycoevolve. net.

NEED NEW WINDOWS?

Drafty rooms? Chipped or damaged frames?

Need outside noise reduction? New, energyefﬁ cient windows may be the answer! Call for a consultation & free quote today: 1-877248-9944. You will be asked for the zip code

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

services: $12 (25 words) fsbos: $45 (2 weeks, 30 words, photo) jobs: michelle@sevendaysvt.com, 865-1020 x121

print deadline: Mondays at 3:30 p.m. post ads online 24/7 at: sevendaysvt.com/classiﬁeds

estate needs.

Robbi Handy Holmes • 802-951-2128 robbihandyholmes@vtregroup.com Client focused Making it happen for you!

AUCTION

FSBO $1,100.00/month

Spacious commercial kitchen on organic farm in Monkton. Fully equipped and perfect for start up or expanding food business. Dry storage space and walk-in coolers. Available April. Contact (802) 349-7369

FSBO $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! Serious inquiries only. Contact (802) 299-8241. for sale by owner FSBO

of the property when connecting. (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 the zip code of the service location ready when you call! (AAN CAN)

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)

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. buy

GARAGE/ESTATE SALES

MILTON ESTATE SALE

Online through Wed., Mar. 26. Old barbershop collectibles, Coca-Cola country store cooler, lawn & garden furniture, tools, vintage scooter, antique wagon, lots of furniture, vintage cigarette vending machine, artwork, gas & propane generator, electric mower, glassware, china, & much more. Info: estatesalesofvermont. com.

ANTIQUES MARKET

Sun., Mar. 23, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., at the Canadian Club, 414 East Montpelier Rd., Route 14, Barre, Vt. Early buyers, $5 (8 a.m.); general, $2 (9 a.m.). Vendors offering antique, midcentury & vintage items. Call Don Willis Antiques at 802-751-6138 or visit montpelierantiques market.com.

WANT TO BUY

PAYING TOP CASH FOR MEN’S SPORT WATCHES Breitling, Omega, Patek Philippe, Heuer, Daytona, GMT, Submariner &

Speedmaster. Call 888-320-1052. (AAN CAN)

TOP CASH PAID FOR OLD GUITARS 1920-1980 Gibson, Martin, Fender, Gretsch, Epiphone, Guild, Mosrite, Rickenbacker, Prairie State, D’Angelico & Stromberg guitars + Gibson mandolins & banjos. Call 877-5890747. (AAN CAN)

music

INSTRUCTION

GUITAR INSTRUCTION

All styles/levels. Emphasis on building strong technique, thorough musicianship, developing personal style. Paul Asbell (Big Joe Burrell, Kilimanjaro, UVM & Middlebury College faculty). Info: 233-7731, pasbell@ paulasbell.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.

NEW ON FRIDAYS:

Put your knowledge of Vermont news to the test.

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: HHH

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.70 H = MODERATE H H = CHALLENGING H H H = HOO, BOY!

CROSS WORDS

ANSWERS ON P. 70 »

3 5 4 6

See how fast you can solve this weekly 10-word puzzle.

Legal Notices

STATE OF VERMONT SUPERIOR COURT

PROBATE DIVISION CHITTENDEN UNIT

DOCKET NO.: 25-PR-01110

In re ESTATE of Reginald F. Snow

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

To the creditors of: Reginald F. Snow, late of Milton, VT.

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: March 10, 2025

Signature of Fiduciary: /s/ Ritchie Snow

Executor/Administrator: Ritchie Snow, 271 South Union St. c/o McNeil, Leddy & Sheahan, PC Burlington, VT 05401

Phone: 802-863-4531

Email: tbailey@mcneilvt.com

Name of Publication: Seven Days Publication Date: 03/19/2025

Name of Probate Court: State of VermontChittenden Probate Division

Address of Probate Court: 175 Main Street, Burlington, VT 05401

STATE OF VERMONT SUPERIOR COURT

PROBATE DIVISION CHITTENDEN UNIT

DOCKET NO.: 24-PR-07768

In re ESTATE of Philip Guare

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

To the creditors of: Philip Guare, late of Westford, Vermont.

PLACE AN AFFORDABLE NOTICE AT:

Dated: 03/08/2025

Signature of Fiduciary: /s/ Thomas R. Guare

Executor/Administrator: Thomas R. Guare

c/o Glenn A Jarett of Jarrett | Hoyt 1795 Williston Rd., Suite 125 South Burlington, VT 05403 Phone: 802-864-5951

Email: glenn@vtelaw.com

Name of Publication: Seven Days

Publication Date: 03/19/2025

Name of Probate Court: State of VermontChittenden Probate Division

Address of Probate Court: 175 Main Street, Burlington, VT 05401

STATE OF VERMONT SUPERIOR COURT

PROBATE DIVISION CHITTENDEN UNIT

DOCKET NO.: 25-PR-00871

In re ESTATE of Rose M. Hebert

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

To the creditors of: Rose M. Hebert, late of South Burlington, Vermont

I have been appointed to administer this estate. All creditors having claims against the decedent or the estate must present their claims in writing within four (4) months of the date of this publication of this notice. The claim must be presented to me at the address listed below with a copy sent to the Court. The claim may be barred forever if it is not presented within the four (4) month period.

Dated: March 6, 2025

Signature of Fiduciary: /s/ Robin M. Menard, Administratrix

c/o Harry C. Parker, Esq.

38 Community Lane, Suite 4 South Hero, VT 05486

Email: hparker@vtlawoffices.com

Name of Publication: Seven Days Publication Date: 03/19/2025

Name of Probate Court: Chittenden Probate Division Address of Probate Court: 175 Main Street, Burlington, VT 05401

ACT 250 NOTICE

APPLICATION 4C0436-40 AND HEARING

10 V.S.A. §§ 6000 - 6111

Application 4C0436-40 from BVR, LLC 4302 Bolton Valley Access Road, Bolton, VT 05477 and Picnic Loop, LLC, 4302 Bolton Valley Access Road, Bolton Valley, VT 05477 was received on January 28, 2025 and deemed complete on February 19, 2025. The proposed project is a five lot subdivision with a total of 48 residential units. Lot 1 (12.34 acres) will host five buildings with a total of 32 units (three townhouse-style buildings and two multi-family-style buildings). The buildings will be approximately 3 stories tall and there will be a total of 71 spaces for residents and guests. The majority of the parking spaces will be covered/under building with some surface parking. The private road serving these units will be about 500 feet long and will be owned by a separate entity (Lot 4). The remainder of the residential units will be located on Lot 2 which is 1.05 acres. The multi-family building with 16 units will be accessed via private driveway and will have under building parking along with surface parking. Lot 3 totals 6.49 acres and will be a conservation lot where existing Nordic trails will be abandoned, and wetland mitigation activities will be applied. Lot 5 is the parent lot, and no development is proposed at this time. The

project is located at 3969 Bolton Valley Access Road in Bolton, Vermont.

The District 4 Environmental Commission will hold a site visit on March 31, 2025 at 8:30 AM and a public hearing on the application following the site visit on March 31, 2025 at 9:30 AM. This hearing will be conducted both in-person and via Microsoft Teams video conferencing software (Teams). To access the Teams meeting, click on the following link, or enter the meeting ID and passcode by clicking on the button in the upper right corner of your Teams calendar window that says “# Join with an ID.”

• Teams Meeting Link: https://teams. microsoft.com/l/meetupjoin/19%3ameeting_ ZTVjMWYzOTMtYTQzYy 00OTBiLWE1NTctYWNjOWUzNmIzZT dm%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3 a%2220b4933b-baad-433c-9c0270edcc7559c6%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22a9b3 5a77-fb09-484d-af468a8d89451177%22%7d

• Meeting ID: 216 026 681 698

• Passcode: 676um6f4

The public hearing will be held at Bolton Valley Timberline Lodge 3220 Bolton Valley Access Rd. Bolton, VT 05477. If you are unable to participate in person or by using Teams, you may still call in to the hearing:

• Dial: 802-828-7667

• Enter Conference ID: 794 754 523#

• To mute and un-mute: Press *6

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 “4C0436-40.” To request party status, 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.

If you have a disability for which you need accommodation in order to participate in this process (including participating in the public hearing), please notify us as soon as possible, in order to allow us as much time as possible to accommodate your needs. For more information, contact Kaitlin Hayes, District Coordinator before the hearing date at the address or telephone number below.

Dated March 11, 2025.

By: /s/ Kaitlin Hayes Kaitlin Hayes District Coordinator 111 West Street Essex Junction, VT 05452 (802) 622-4084 kaitlin.hayes@vermont.gov

ACT 250 NOTICE MINOR APPLICATION 4C1072-4B 10 V.S.A. §§ 6000 - 6111

Application 4C1072-4B from A. Duie Pyle Inc., PO Box 564, West Chester, PA 19382 and Milton Commons LLC, PO Box 21, Colchester, VT 05446 was received on February 13, 2025 and deemed complete on February 28, 2025. This permit specifically authorizes the construction of a 34,767 square foot building for trucking loading and unloading, as well as a second 8,716 square foot building for truck maintenance, repairs and washing on Lot 3 of the Interstate Commerce Park. This permit also approves parking lots and circulation roads to serve the proposed project. The project is located at 529 US Route 7 in Milton, 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 “4C1072-4B.”

No hearing will be held and a permit may be issued unless, on or before March 31, 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 subcriteria at issue, why a hearing is required, and what additional evidence will be presented at the hearing. Any hearing request by an adjoining property owner or other person eligible for party status under 10 V.S.A. § 6085(c)(1)(E) must include a petition for party status under the Act 250 Rules. To request party status and a hearing, fill out the Party Status Petition Form on the Board’s website: https://act250.vermont.gov/ documents/party-statuspetition-form, 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 Kaitlin Hayes at the address or telephone number below.

Dated this March 12, 2025.

By: /s/ Kaitlin Hayes

Kaitlin Hayes District Coordinator 111 West Street Essex Junction, VT 05452 (802) 622-4084 kaitlin.hayes@vermont.gov

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TOWN OF RICHMOND SELECTBOARD PURSUANT TO 24 V.S.A. §§4441 (d) AND §4444 (a)(b), THE TOWN OF RICHMOND SELECTBOARD WILL BE HOLDING A PUBLIC HEARING ON WEDNESDAY, April 7, 2025, AT 7:00 PM, IN THE RICHMOND TOWN CENTER MEETING ROOM AT 203 BRIDGE STREET AS WELL AS REMOTELY VIA ZOOM TO RECEIVE COMMENT REGARDING PROPOSED ZONING AMENDMENTS TO THE FOLLOWING:

PURPOSE: To modify the Richmond Zoning Regulations (RZR) to include a revision to §4.7, Non-Conforming Structures, §4.8 NonConforming Uses, and §6.8 Flood Hazard Overlay District. The amendments proposed for §4.7 and §4.8 are clarifying in that non-conforming structures and uses are proposed to be governed strictly under §6.8. The amendments to §6.8 are to allow for pre-existing non-conforming structures and uses to be relocated within the Flood Hazard Overlay District if the flood hazard is not increased and is in compliance with National Floodplain Insurance Program or NFIP guidelines. These revisions will affect any lot within Richmond that proposes to develop according to these sections.

GEOGRAPHIC AREA AFFECTED: Any parcel/s proposing development within the boundaries of the proposed Flood Hazard Overlay District within the boundaries of the Town of Richmond.

SECTION HEADINGS: §4.7 Non-Conforming Structures, §4.8 Non-Conforming Uses, and §6.8 Flood Hazard Overlay District.

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED ZONING AMENDMENT ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT THE RICHMOND TOWN CENTER OFFICES AT 203 BRIDGE STREET BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 8:00am and 4:00pm, MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY OR ON THE TOWN OF RICHMOND WEBSITE AT THE FOLLOWING LINK: Planning Commission - Town of Richmond, VT (richmondvt.gov).

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE RICHMOND PLANNING/ZONING OFFICE AT 802-336-2289 or koborne@richmondvt.gov

TOWN OF WESTFORD

REQUEST FOR BIDS

BROWNS RIVER COVERED BRIDGE REPAIRS

Full RFP available at the Town Office & online at https://westfordvt.us/careers-rfps/ The Town of Westford is seeking bids from qualified contractors to repair damage to the historic Browns River Covered Bridge located near the Westford Town Common on Cambridge Road in Westford, Vermont. Bids shall include an introduction, estimated timeline, and cost estimates broken down into materials and labor.

Review historical repair work:

• https://www.vermontbridges.org/chittenden_county_westford.shtml

• https://www.vermontbridges.com/preserve. htm

• https://www.lostbridges.org/details. aspx?id=VT/45-04-05&loc=n

• https://www.vermontbridges.com/westfrd2. htm

A site visit is recommended prior to bid submission. The bridge is located at the end of Cambridge Road where it connects with Route 128 in the Westford Town Center.

Questions must be submitted in writing by Friday, March 28, 2025, to Holly Delisle, Town Administrator, townadmin@westfordvt.us.

Scope of Work

• Ensure compliance with grant requirements from the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation by meeting the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation.

• Repair structural damage to Burr arches, bolster beams, bearing blocks and joists, as well as flashing and sheathing utilizing protective measures to prevent future damage.

• Select materials for durability & longevity based on location & exposure to elements.

Insurance Requirements:

The Contractor shall at their own expense provide and maintain all applicable insurances. See the full RFB for more details:

Bid Submission Instructions

Proposals must be received by 4:30 p.m. on Monday, April 7, 2025, by one of the following methods. Late bids will not be accepted:

• Electronically via email to townadmin@ westfordvt.us; or

• USPS/UPS/FEDEX - Town of Westford, 1713 VT Route 128, Westford, VT 05494; or

• Hand delivered to the Westford Town Office. There is a drop box available for after hours. (Proposals should be clearly labeled “Westford Town Office ADA Compliant Ramp & Stairs” with the contractor’s name.)

NORTHFIELD MUTUAL HOLDING COMPANY

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING

An Annual Meeting of the Corporators of the Northfield Mutual Holding Company will be held April 3, 2025 at the Hotel Champlain, 60 Battery St, Burlington, VT beginning at 6:30PM. The matters to be considered include the re-election of Directors, Director Compensation and a review of Corporate Activities. Please call (802) 871-4492 for information.

TOWN OF ESSEX, VERMONT FY 2026 PAVING PROGRAM

The Town of Essex invites you to prepare a Bid for the Town of Essex, Vermont FY 2026 Paving Program. Bid packages are available at the Town Public Works Office, 5 Jericho Road, Essex Center. Electronic copies are also available upon request. Sealed bids will be received at the Town Public Works Office at 5 Jericho Road, or mailed to the Town of Essex Public Works Department, 81 Main Street Essex Jct., VT 05452 until 10:00 A.M. on Friday, April 11, 2025. Questions can be directed to the Town Public Works Office at (802) 878-1344.

THE CONTENTS OF STORAGE UNIT 01-02421, Located at 28 Adams Drive Williston, VT , 05495 Will be sold on or about the 27th of March 2025 to satisfy the debt of Cody Flaugh, person claiming a right to the goods may pay the amount claimed due and reasonable expenses before the sale, in which case the sale may not occur.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION NOTICE

Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired gives notice that, pursuant to 49 U.S.C. § 5311 Non-Urbanized Transportation Program, Preventive Maintenance Program, Rural Technical Assistance Program and Marketing; Vermont State Operating Assistance Program;

49 U.S.C. § 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program, the opportunity is offered for a public hearing on a proposed Public Transit Program in the state of Vermont.

Projects are described as follows: volunteer driving, transit buses, vans, and taxis at an estimated total cost of $90,000 to provide transportation services to blind and visually impaired persons.

Persons desiring a hearing to be held should submit written requests to the Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired and to the Vermont Agency of Transportation at the addresses below within 14 days of publication of this notice. Upon receipt of a request, a date will be scheduled and a notice of hearing will be published. A copy of the proposal may be seen at the Project Manager’s Office. Persons desiring to make written comments should forward same to the addresses below within 14 days of publication of this notice.

Transit Provider: Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, 60 Kimball Ave., South Burlington, VT 05403

State Agency: Vermont Agency of Transportation Public Transit Section, Barre City Place, 219 North Main St., Barre, VT 05641

Dated at South Burlington, County of Chittenden, State of Vermont this 19th day of March, 2025. Steven Pouliot Project Manager

ESSEX WESTFORD SCHOOL DISTRICT: NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING 2025

ESSEX WESTFORD EDUCATIONAL COMMUNITY UNIFIED UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT #51

ANNUAL MEETING 2025

April 8, 2025, 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM

The legal voters of the Essex Westford Educational Community Unified Union School District #51 (hereafter “Essex Westford School District”) comprising the voters of the City of Essex Junction, Town of Essex, and the Town of Westford are hereby notified and warned to meet at their respective polling places on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at 7:00 AM at which time the polls will open and 7:00 PM at which time the polls will close, to vote by Australian ballot on the following articles of business:

Article 1: To authorize the Essex Westford School District to borrow money to be used for the payment of District expenses by the issuance of notes or orders payable not later than one year from the date of issuance pending receipt of payments from the State Education Fund.

Article 2: Shall the voters of the Essex Westford School District approve the school board to expend $94,712,480 which is the amount the school board has determined necessary for the ensuing fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025? The Essex Westford School District estimates that this proposed budget, if approved, will result in per pupil education spending of $14,072, which is 3.2% higher than per pupil education spending for the current year.

Article 3: Shall the voters of the Essex Westford School District approve the school board to expend $9,251,968 which is the amount the school board has determined necessary for the support of the Center for Technology Essex for the ensuing fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025?

Article 4: Shall the voters of the Essex Westford School District authorize the school board to allocate the Center for Technology Essex FY24 audited fund balance of $666,457 without effect upon the District tax levy as follows: assign $56,368 as revenue for the Center for Technology Essex 2025-2026 operating budget and assign the remaining balance, $610,089 as revenue for future operating budgets?

Article 5: Shall the voters of Essex Town elect two (2) School Directors for a term of three (3) years?

Article 6: Shall the voters of the City of Essex Junction elect one (1) School Director for a term of three (3) years?

Upon closing of the polls, the ballots for Articles 5 through 6 will be counted by local town/city election officials, who shall transmit the voting results to the Clerk of the Essex Westford School District, who will then tabulate the final results.

Upon closing of the polls, the ballots for all other Australian ballot Articles shall be transported by the members of the Board of Civil Authority to a central location where the ballots will be comingled and counted under the supervision of the Clerk of the Essex Westford School District, who will then tabulate the final results, pursuant to 16 VSA Section 741-742.

The legal voters of the Essex Westford School District are further notified that voter qualification and registration relative to said Annual Meeting shall be as provided in Chapter 11, Subchapter 3 of Title 16 and Chapters 43, 51, and 55 of Title 17, Vermont Statutes Annotated.

POLLING PLACES

The voters of the Essex Westford School District, residing in their respective city and towns, will cast their ballots from 7:00 AM-7:00 PM in the polling places designated for their community as follows:

- Town of Essex: Essex Middle School in the Town of Essex - Town of Westford: Westford School in the Town of Westford - City of Essex Junction: Champlain Valley Expo Blue Ribbon Pavilion in the City of Essex Junction

NOTICE OF INFORMATIONAL HEARING

Said persons and voters are further notified and warned of a public informational hearing, pursuant to 17 V.S.A. §2680(h), on April 1, 2025, at 6:30 pm at the Essex High School Library on Educational Drive in Essex Junction. The informational hearing is to discuss and provide voters with information on Articles 1-4.

PUBLIC HEARING

COLCHESTER DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD

Pursuant to Title 24 VSA, Chapter 117, the Development Review Board will hold a public hearing on April 9, 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) PP-25-09 HAZELETT STRIP CASTING CORP.:

Preliminary Plat Application for a major Planned Unit Development to construct a 20-room Inn (Use 1.550) with associated Restaurant (Use 8.110) and Event Facility (6.150) uses. Existing Marina and recreational uses to remain. Proposed project includes the 1) dissolution of the boundary line between 166 and 180 West Lakeshore Drive, and 2) construction of 5 multi-story buildings served by pedestrian ways, modified circulation, municipal sewer and water, and off-site parking. Subject properties are located in the Lakeshore One and Shoreland Districts. Subject properties are located at 166 and 180 West Lakeshore Drive, Account #65019002-0000000 and #65-020002-0000000.

b) FP-25-10 10TH CAVALRY HOUSING LP: Final Plat Application to amend a previously approved Final Plat Application. Amendment is to 1) Place two (2) shelters measuring 37.5 sf on existing concrete pads adjacent to Vermont Avenue and 2) Request an internal setback reduction under §9.07 to allow for the placement of the shelters. No change in use or increase in number of dwellings units is requested at this time. Subject property is located at 33, 81, and 123 Ethan Allen Avenue, Account #20-004100-0000000.

March 19, 2025

Legal Notices

IN ACCORDANCE WITH VT TITLE 9 COMMERCE AND TRADE CHAPTER 098: STORAGE UNITS 3905.

Enforcement of Lien, Stuff-It Self-Storage LLC shall host a live auction of the following unit on 4/3/25 at 4:00 PM:

Location: 930 Main St, Fairfax, VT 05454

Jill Cleary Mackey, unit #66: household goods

Janette Kerr, unit #92: household goods

Naomi Shaw, unit #101: household goods

Lise Morrison, unit #64: household goods

Contents sold as is, and need to be removed within 48 hours at no cost to Stuff-It Self-Storage LLC. Purchase must be made in cash and paid in advance of the removal of the contents of the unit. A $50 cash deposit shall be made and will be refunded if the unit is broom cleaned. Stuff-It Self-Storage LLC reserves the right to accept or reject bids.

STATE OF VERMONT SUPERIOR COURT

PROBATE DIVISION CHITTENDEN UNIT DOCKET NO.: 25-PR-01057

In re ESTATE of Brian A. Stephany

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

To the creditors of: Brian A. Stephany, late of Essex Junction.

Dated: March 15, 2025

Signature of Fiduciary: /s/ William A Stephany

Executor/Administrator: William A Stephany, c/o Jeff Wick, 15 Mountview Ct, Burlington, VT 05401

Phone: 802-777-1872

Email: jeff@wickandmaddocks.com

Name of Publication: Seven Days Publication Date: 03/19/2025

Name of Probate Court: State of VermontChittenden Probate Division

Address of Probate Court: 175 Main Street, Burlington, VT 05401

CITY OF BURLINGTON

IN THE YEAR TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-FIVE AN ORDINANCE IN RELATION TO CDO CHAMPLAIN COLLEGE BED CAPS ZA-25-05

ORDINANCE 6.2

Sponsor: Office of City Planning, Planning Commission, Ordinance Committee Public Hearing Dates: 03/10/25

First reading: 02/10/25

Referred to: Ordinance Committee Rules suspended and placed in all stages of passage: Second reading: 03/10/25 Action: adopted as amended Date: 03/10/25

Signed by Mayor: 03/14/25

Published: 03/19/25

Effective: 04/09/25

It is hereby Ordained by the City Council of the City of Burlington as follows:

That Appendix A-Burlington Comprehensive Development Ordinance of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Burlington be and is hereby amended by amending Article 4, Sec. 4.5.2 Institutional Core Campus Overlay Districts, subsection (g)(4) related to density, thereof to read as follows:

Sec. 4.5.2 Institutional Core Campus Overlay Districts

PLACE AN AFFORDABLE NOTICE AT: SEVENDAYSVT.COM/LEGAL-NOTICES OR CALL 802-865-1020, EXT. 142.

(a) – (f) As written. (g) District Specific Regulations: Champlain College (ICC -CC): 1. – 3. As written.

4. Density

For the purposes of regulating the intensity of development and the total number of residential beds , the core campus district shall be divided into two areas: a Residential Core Campus and an Academic Core Campus as delineated on Map 4.5.2-7 ICC-CC Core Campus below.

Core Campus Floor Area Ratio Maximum

Residential Beds

Residential Core Campus 1.0 530 Academic Core Campus 1.1 150

** Material stricken out deleted. *** Material underlined added.

Planning/KS/Ordinances 2025/ZA-25-05

Champlain College Bed Caps

CDO Sec. 4.5.2 (g)(4) PH Version 2-20-25

STATE OF VERMONT SUPERIOR COURT

PROBATE DIVISION CHITTENDEN UNIT

DOCKET NO.: 25-PR-00891

In re ESTATE of Gary Knapp

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

To the creditors of: Gary Knapp, late of Hinesburg, Vermont

Dated: March 17, 2025

Signature of Fiduciary: /s/ Gail Hodgeman

Executor/Administrator: Gail Hodgeman, 13 Chandler Lane, Epping, NH 03042 Phone: 802-760-9916 Email: gail.hodgeman@gmail.com

Name of Publication: Seven Days Publication Date: 03/19/2025

Name of Probate Court: State of VermontChittenden Probate Division Address of Probate Court: 175 Main Street, Burlington, VT 05401

TOWN OF ESSEX DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING APRIL 3, 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: Join Online: Zoom Meeting ID: 821 7131 4999 | Passcode: 426269 Join Calling (audio only): 888-788-0099

Public wifi is available at the Essex municipal offices, libraries, and hotspots listed here: https://publicservice.vermont.gov/content/ public-wifi-hotspots-vermont

1. Continued from 3/6/25 meeting 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). There will also be a site visit scheduled for April 3, 2025 at 5:15 PM at 9 Colonel Page Road.

2. Conceptual Discussion – Dousevicz Inc. is

requesting a conceptual discussion of a project at 21 Upper Main Street (Parcel ID 2-090-001000) located in the Mixed Use-Planned Unit Development (MU-PUD) and the Business-Design Control (BDC) Overlay Districts to construct two 4-plex residential buildings (8 units).

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.

CITY OF BURLINGTON

THE YEAR

TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-FIVE A REGULATION IN RELATION TO RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE TRAFFIC COMMISSION — 3; STOP SIGN LOCATIONS

Sponsor(s): Public Works Commission Action: Approval

Date: 2/19/2025

Attestation of Adoption:

Phillip Peterson, PE

Senior Transportation Planner, Technical Services

Published: 03/19/25; Effective: 04/09/25

It is hereby Ordained by the Public Works Commission of the City of Burlington as follows:

That Appendix C, Rule and Regulations of the Traffic Commission, 3 Stop sign locations., of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Burlington is hereby amended as follows:

3 Stop sign locations.

The following locations are hereby designated as stop sign locations:

(1) – (319) As written.

(320) At the intersection of Pitkin Street and North Street, causing traffic on Pitkin Street to stop.

(321) At the intersection of Blodgett Street and North Street, causing traffic on Blodgett Street to stop.

(322) At the intersection of Drew Street and North Street, causing traffic on Drew Street to stop.

(323) At the intersection of Front Street and North Street, causing traffic on Front Street to stop.

(324) At the intersection of Murray Street and North Street, causing traffic on Murray Street to stop.

** Material stricken out deleted.

*** Material underlined added.

/ER: BCO Appx.C, Section 3 02/19/25

CITY OF BURLINGTON IN THE YEAR TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-FIVE A REGULATION IN RELATION TO RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE TRAFFIC COMMISSION — 16; BUS STOPS

Sponsor(s): Public Works Commission Action: Approval Date:1/15/2025

Attestation of Adoption: Phillip Peterson, PE Senior Transportation Planner, Technical Services

Published: 03/19/25

Effective: 04/09/25

It is hereby Ordained by the Public Works Commission of the City of Burlington as follows:

That Appendix C, Rule and Regulations of the Traffic Commission, 16 Bus stops., of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Burlington is hereby amended as follows:

16 Bus stops.

(a) The following spaces are hereby designated as bus stops:

(1) Reserved. On the west side of Ethan Allen Parkway starting at the southernmost driveway to 332 Ethan Allen Parkway and extending south fifty (50) feet, to be effective Monday through Friday between the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., holidays excepted.

(2) – (25) As written.

(b) – (c) As written.

** Material stricken out deleted. *** Material underlined added.

/ER: BCO Appx.C, Section 16 1/15/25

NOTICE OF PROJECT-BASED VOUCHER PROJECT SELECTION

The Burlington Housing Authority has approved an application for Section 8 Project-Based Vouchers in the following new affordable housing development in accordance with its Section 8 Administrative Plan and the requirements of the Section 8 Project-Based Voucher Program Final Rule.

Supportive Housing at St. Paul Street Champlain Housing Trust 322 St. Paul Street Burlington VT 05401 10 Units

TOWN OF COLCHESTER SELECTBOARD NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Pursuant to Title 24 VSA, Chapter 113, Sec. 105, Section 106 through 109 of the Town of Colchester Charter, and Section 1-4 of the Colchester Code of Ordinances, the Colchester Selectboard will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at 6:30 PM for public comment on amendments to the Colchester Code of Ordinances, Chapter 12. Traffic: Bayview Road:

- Placement of a Stop sign at the intersection of Bayview Road at Jason Drive.

The meeting is currently scheduled to take place at the Town of Colchester Town Offices, 781 Blakely Road, Colchester, Vermont, in the Outer Bay Conference Room on the third floor. Alternatively, you can email comments to TownManager@colchestervt.gov with “Citizens to be Heard - South Bay Circle Stop Sign Public Hearing” in the Subject and include your name. As with in-person Citizens to be Heard, we ask that you SHARE YOUR ADDRESS. The email will be shared with the entire Selectboard prior to the meeting and included in the information packet at the next meeting. You may watch the Selectboard meeting on live stream TV: http:// lcatv.org/live-stream-2.

A complete set of the proposed changes, a memo explaining the purpose, as well as supporting documentation is available here:

If you have questions regarding these amendments, contact the Colchester Department of Public Works at 802-264-5620.

For publication no later than March 24, 2025 (15 days prior to Public Hearing).

Support Groups

A CIRCLE OF PARENTS FOR SINGLE MOTHERS

Please join our parent-led online support group designed to share our questions, concerns & struggles, as well as our resources & successes! Contribute to our discussion of the unique but shared experience of parenting. We will be meeting weekly on Thur., 6:15 p.m. For more info or to register, please contact Heather at hniquette@pcavt.org, 802-498-0607, pcavt.org/ family-support-programs.

AL-ANON

For families & friends of alcoholics. Phone meetings, electronic meetings (Zoom) & an Al-Anon blog are avail. online at the Al-Anon website. For meeting info, go to vermontalanonalateen.org or call 866-972-5266.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS

If you want to drink, that’s your business. If you want to stop, that’s ours. Call the Vermont statewide anonymous hotline: 802-802-2288. Alcoholics Anonymous holds daily meetings all over Vermont, both in person & online. See burlingtonaa.org for meetings, news & events in Chittenden & Grand Isle counties. For meeting & events throughout Vermont, see aavt.org.

ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION SUPPORT GROUPS

Support groups meet to provide assistance & info on Alzheimer’s disease & related dementias. They emphasize shared experiences, emotional support & coping techniques in care for a person living w/ Alzheimer’s or a related dementia. Meetings are free & open to the public. Families, caregivers & friends may attend. Please call in advance to confirm the date & time. The Williston caregiver support group meets in person on the 2nd & 4th Tue. of every mo., 5-6:30 p.m., at the the Old Brick Church in Williston. Contact support group facilitators Molly at dugan@ cathedralsquare.org or Mindy at moondog@burlingtontelecom.net. The Middlebury support group for individuals w/ early stage dementia meets the 4th Tue. of each mo., 3 p.m., at the Residence at Otter Creek, 350 Lodge Rd., Middlebury. Contact is Daniel Hamilton, dhamilton@residenceottercreek.com or (802) 989-0097. The Shelburne support group for individuals w/ early stage dementia meets the 1st Mon. of every mo., 2-3 p.m., at the Residence at Shelburne Bay, 185 Pine Haven Shores, Shelburne. Contact is support group facilitator Lydia Raymond, lraymond@residenceshelburnebay.com. The telephone support group meets the 2nd Tue. of each mo., 4-5:30 p.m. Preregistration is required (to receive dial-in codes for toll-free call). Please dial the Alzheimer’s Association’s 24/7 Helpline, 800272-3900, for more info. For questions or additional support group listings, call 800-272-3900.

ANXIETY RELIEF GROUP

Anxiety Relief Group is a safe setting for relaxing & exploring your feelings w/ others through gentle socialization & self-expression, building up what makes you centered & strong. Wed., 4-5:30 p.m. Both in-person & Zoom options avail. In-person meetings are held at the Pathways Vermont Community Center at 279 N. Winooski Ave. in Burlington. Email us for the Zoom link & more info: pvcc@pathwaysvermont.org.

BRAIN INJURY SUPPORT GROUP

Vermont Center for Independent Living offers virtual monthly meetings, held on the 3rd Wed. of every mo., 1-2:30 p.m. The support group will offer valuable resources & info about brain injury. It will be a place to share experiences in a safe, secure & confidential environment. To join, email Linda Meleady at lindam@vcil.org & ask to be put on the TBI mailing list. Info: 800-639-1522.

BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR DRAGON BOAT TEAM

Looking for a fun way to do something active & health-giving? Want to connect w/ other breast cancer survivors? Come join Dragonheart Vermont. We are a breast cancer survivor & supporter dragon boat team who paddle together in Burlington. Please contact us at info@dragonheartvermont.org for info.

BURLINGTON MEN’S PEER GROUP

Tue. nights, 7-9 p.m. in Burlington. Free of charge, 30 years running. Call Neils, 802-877-3742.

PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT GROUP

The Champlain Valley Prostate Cancer Support Group meets online on the 2nd Tue. of the mo., 6-7:30 p.m., via Zoom. Whether you are newly diagnosed, dealing w/ a reoccurrence or trying to manage the side effects of treatment, you are welcome here! More info: Andy Hatch, group leader, ahatch63@gmail.com.

CENTRAL VERMONT CELIAC SUPPORT GROUP

Last Thu. of every mo., 7:30 p.m. in Montpelier. Please contact Lisa Masé for location: lisa@ harmonizecookery.com.

THE COMPASSIONATE FRIENDS SUPPORT GROUP

The Compassionate Friends international support group for parents, siblings & families grieving the loss of a child meets every 4th Tue. of the mo., 7-8:30 p.m., at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 160 Hinesburg Rd, S. Burlington. Call/email Alan at 802-233-0544, alanday88@gmail.com, or Claire at 802-448-3569.

CONVERSATIONS ABOUT SUICIDE

Conversations About Suicide is a judgment-free & open space to talk about personal experiences of suicidal ideation. The group is facilitated by peer support staff w/ lived experience of suicidality. Thu., 4-5 p.m., at Pathways Vermont Community Center, located at 279 N. Winooski Ave. in Burlington. Email us for more info: pvcc@pathwaysvermont.org.

DISABILITY SUPPORT GROUP

Our group is a space for mutual support, open to anybody who identifies as disabled, differently abled or having a disability. Whether your disability is visible, invisible, physical or cognitive, this group is for you! The group meets every Mon., 1:15-2:15 p.m., at 279 N. Winooski Ave., Burlington & online on Zoom. Email us for the Zoom link & more info: pvcc@pathwaysvermont.org.

FIERCELY FLAT VT

A breast cancer support group for those who’ve had mastectomies. We are a casual online meeting group found on Facebook at Fiercely Flat VT. Info: stacy.m.burnett@gmail.com.

FOOD ADDICTS IN RECOVERY ANONYMOUS (FA)

Are you having trouble controlling the way you eat? FA is a free 12-step recovery program for anyone suffering from food obsession, overeating, undereating or bulimia. Local meetings are held twice a week: Mon., 4-5:30 p.m. via Zoom. For more info & a list of additional meetings throughout the U.S. & the world, call 603-630-1495 or visit foodaddicts. org.

FRESH START: A TOBACCO/VAPE QUIT WORKSHOP

Join a free 4-5-week group workshop facilitated by our coaches, who are certified in tobacco treatment. We meet in a friendly, relaxed & virtual atmosphere. You may qualify for a free limited supply of nicotine replacement therapy. Info: call 802-847-7333 or email quittobaccoclass@uvmhealth.org to get signed up, or visit myhealthyvt.org to learn more about upcoming workshops!

G.R.A.S.P. (GRIEF RECOVERY AFTER A SUBSTANCE PASSING)

Are you a family member who has lost a loved one to addiction? Find support, peer-led support group. Meets once a mo. on Mon. in Burlington. Please call for date & location. RSVP to mkeasler3@gmail.com or call 310-3301 (message says Optimum Health, but this is a private number).

GRIEF & LOSS SUPPORT GROUP

Sharing your sadness, finding your joy. Please join us as we learn more about our own grief & explore the things that can help us to heal. There is great power in sharing our experiences w/ others who know the pain of the loss of a loved one & healing is possible through the sharing. BAYADA Hospice’s local bereavement support coordinator will facilitate our weekly group through discussion & activities. Everyone from the community is welcome. 1st & last Wed. of every mo. at 4 p.m. via Zoom. To register, please contact bereavement program coordinator Max Crystal, mcrystal@bayada.com or 802-448-1610.

CONTACT CLASSIFIEDS@SEVENDAYSVT.COM OR 802-865-1020 EXT. 115 TO UPDATE YOUR SUPPORT GROUP

GRIEF SUPPORT GROUPS

Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice in Berlin offers two six-week support groups. Surviving the Loss meets on Mon., 4-5:30 p.m. There are 4 different 6-week offerings: Feb. 3, 10, 17, 21, Mar. 3, 10; May 5, 12, 19, Jun. 2, 9, 16; Sep. 15, 22, 29, Oct. 6, 13, 20; Nov. 17, 24, Dec. 1, 8, 15, 22. Spouse/Partner Loss meets on Wed., 10-11:30 a.m. There are 3 different 6-week offerings: Apr. 16, 23, 30, May 7, 14, 21; Aug. 6, 13, 20, 27, Sep. 3, 10; Nov. 12, 19, 26, Dec. 3, 10, 17. They also offer an 11-week Journaling Through Grief support group. Please call 802-224-2241 to preregister. For any questions, contact Diana Moore at 802-2224-2241 or dmoore@cvhhh.org. Groups may meet in person or over Zoom.

INTERSTITIAL CYSTITIS/PAINFUL BLADDER SUPPORT GROUP

Interstitial cystitis (IC) & painful bladder syndrome can result in recurring pelvic pain, pressure or discomfort in the bladder/pelvic region & urinary frequency/urgency. These are often misdiagnosed & mistreated as a chronic bladder infection. If you have been diagnosed or have these symptoms, you are not alone. For Vermont-based support group, email bladderpainvt@gmail.com or call 802-7355735 for more info.

KINDRED CONNECTIONS PROGRAM OFFERED FOR CHITTENDEN COUNTY CANCER SURVIVORS

The Kindred Connections program provides peer support for all those touched by cancer. Cancer patients, as well as caregivers, are provided w/ a mentor who has been through the cancer experience & knows what it’s like to go through it. In addition to sensitive listening, Kindred Connections provides practical help such as rides to doctors’ offices & meal deliveries. The program has people who have experienced a wide variety of cancers. For further info, please contact info@vcsn.net.

LAUGHTER YOGA

Spontaneous, genuine laughter & gentle breathing for physical & emotional benefit. No yoga mat needed! This group is held every Mon., 2-3 p.m., at Pathways Vermont Community Center, 279 North Winooski Ave., Burlington. Contact Chris Nial for any questions: chrisn@pathwaysvermont.org.

LIVING THROUGH LOSS

Gifford Medical Center is announcing the restart of its grief support group, Living Through Loss. The program is sponsored by the Gifford Volunteer Chaplaincy Program & will meet weekly on Fri., 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., in Gifford’s Chun Chapel. Meetings will be facilitated by the Rev. Timothy Eberhardt, spiritual care coordinator, & Emily Pizzale MSW, LICSW, a Gifford social worker. Anyone who has experienced a significant loss over the last year or so is warmly invited to attend & should enter through the hospital’s main entrance wearing a mask on the way to the chapel. Meetings will be based on the belief that, while each of us is on a unique journey in life, we all need a safe place to pause, to tell our stories &, especially as we grieve, to receive the support & strength we need to continue along the way.

MYELOMA SUPPORT GROUP

Area myeloma survivors, families & caregivers have come together to form a Multiple Myeloma Support Group. We provide emotional support, resources about treatment options, coping strategies & a support network by participating in the group experience w/ people who have been through similar situations. 3rd Tue. of every mo., 5-6 p.m., on Zoom. Info: Kay Cromie, 655-9136, kgcromey@aol.com.

NAMI SUPPORT GROUP MEETINGS

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Vermont offers several Connection Peer Support Groups & Family Support Groups that meet virtually &/or in person throughout the state. All groups are confidential, volunteer-led, & 100% free. Find a group that suits your needs at namivt.org/ support-groups.

NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS

is a group of recovering addicts who live without the use of drugs. It costs nothing to join. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using. Held in Burlington, St. Albans, Morrisville, Barre & Stowe. Info, 833-436-6166 or cvana.org.

NARCANON BURLINGTON GROUP Group meets every Mon. at 7 p.m., at the Turning Point Center, 179 S. Winooski Ave., Suite 301, Burlington. The only requirement for membership is that there be a problem of addiction in a relative or friend. Info: Amanda H., 338-8106.

NEW (& EXPECTING) MAMAS & PAPAS & EVERY PRIMARY CAREGIVER TO A BABY!

Drop-in play every day: The Children’s Room is open Mon.-Fri. for anyone w/ children ages 0-6 to come & play. Starting Tue., Sep. 3! Check the TCR calendar for hours & school closure days. Caregiver & Baby Circle: Weekly drop-in on Mon., 11 a.m., at the Children’s Room. Sponsored by Good Beginnings & hosted by the Children’s Room, we are pleased to offer a weekly gathering for babies 0-18 months & their caregivers. Nature Explorations: Tue., 10-11:30 a.m. at various trailheads in the area. Get outside for some fresh air & fun! Every week we go to a different trailhead or natural area to explore. Ages 0-6 & carriers are helpful for little ones! Email childrensroom@huusd.org to sign up. Enrollment is always open! Music & Movement: drop-in, Wed., 10:30-11:30 a.m., at the Children’s Room in Brookside Primary School. We begin by singing songs & moving together & allow time at the end to play w/ instruments, as well as time for adults & kids to socialize, too. Ages 0-6. Exploration & Art Fridays: drop-in, anytime Fri. 9 a.m.-noon at the Children’s Room in Brookside Primary School. We’ll be engaging in different hands-on explorations & using various mediums every week, sometimes combined! Come to TCR to explore, play & create!

OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS (OA)

A 12-step program for people who identify as overeaters, compulsive eaters, food addicts, anorexics, bulimics, etc. No matter what your problem w/ food, we have a solution! All are welcome, meetings are open, & there are no dues or fees. See oavermont. org/meeting-list for the current meeting list, meeting format & more; or call 802-863-2655 anytime!

PARKINSON’S MUTUAL AID GROUP

For individuals & caregivers dealing w/ the challenges of Parkinson’s, we meet to share resources & practical ideas for improving quality of life. This inperson group is free & open to the public. Every 2nd Tue. of the mo., 2-3 p.m. at the Old Meeting House, 1620 Center Rd., East Montpelier. Please contact admin@oldmeetinghouse.org or 802-229-9593.

QUEER CARE GROUP

This support group is for adult family members & caregivers of queer &/or questioning youth. It is held on the 1st Mon. of every mo., 6-7:30 p.m., online & on the 3rd Mon. of every mo., 6-7:30 p.m., at Outright Vermont, 241 N. Winooski Ave. This group is for adults only. For more info, email info@ outrightvt.org.

S EX & LOVE ADDICTS ANONYMOUS 12-step recovery group. Do you have a problem w/ sex or relationships? We can help. Info: Shawn, 660-2645. Visit slaafws.org or saa-recovery.org for meetings near you.

SEXUAL VIOLENCE SUPPORT

HOPE Works offers free support groups to women, men & teens who are survivors of sexual violence. Groups are avail. for survivors at any stage of the healing process. Intake for all support groups is ongoing. If you are interested in learning more or would like to schedule an intake to become a group member, please call our office at 864-0555, ext. 19, or email our victim advocate at advocate@sover. net. Visit hopeworksvt.com for more information.

SMART RECOVERY

We welcome anyone, including family & friends, affected by any kind of substance or activity addiction. SMART Recovery is an abstinenceoriented program based on the science of addiction treatment & recovery. Online: Sun. at 5 p.m. Info: meetings.smartrecovery.org/meetings/1868/. Face to face: Thu. at 1:15 p.m. & Fri. at 5:30 p.m. at the Turning Point Center of Chittenden County. Family & Friends online, Mon. at 7 p.m. Info: meetings. smartrecovery.org/meetings/6337. Volunteer facilitator, Bert: 802-399-8754. You can learn more at smartrecovery.org.

Veterinary Receptionist/ Patient Care Coordinator

Qi Veterinary Clinic

We’re looking for someone who is:

• Passionate

• A strong communicator in person, via email and phone

• Loves animals and the people who care for them

This is a full-time position consisting of four 10 hour shifts per week. Pay range is $20$25 and includes the following benefits:

• 40 hrs paid personal/sick time per year

• 80 hrs paid vacation time/year

• 52 hrs paid major Holidays/year

• $2,600 contribution towards healthcare premium per year

• Simple IRA with matching up to 3%

• Staff Lunches 2-3 times/week

Serious applicants must submit a cover letter telling us why you’re the right person for us, a resume and 3 references. One reference must be from a direct supervisor. Send resumes: therese@Qivet.com

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

Assistant Director of Counseling

Residential Support - Community Support Program

The Community Support Program (CSP) division of Washington County Mental Health Services (WCMHS) provides comprehensive community based support to persons with intensive and persistent mental health needs. We are currently hiring for entry-level positions to work as Residential Support with salary ranges starting from $20.05/hour based on education and experience. Competitive shift differentials offered for evening, weekend and holidays.

If you would like to learn more about the Residential Support position, or any position within Washington County Mental Health please visit our website at wcmhs.org

We are seeking both full-time and hourly folks to join our team. This is an awesome opportunity for those looking for truly rewarding work for just a few hours a week, or for those who are looking to start a career within the mental health ﬁeld.

4t-WashingtonCtyMentalHealth-022625.indd 1 2/25/25 1:39 PM

Join our team as Director of

4v-QiVet031925.indd 1 3/13/25 1:55 PM

We’re looking for someone eager to manage and optimize our technology infrastructure, ensuring seamless operations that support our mission to make a meaningful impact across Vermont.

Key Responsibilities:

Oversee VCF’s Tech Platforms & Systems

Lead IT Strategy & Data Initiatives

Manage Vendor Relationships & Cybersecurity

Optimize Data for Impact & Efficiency

Create positive change across Vermont.

Visit vermontcf.org/careers to learn more.

Environmental Well Driller

Position entails the operation of environmental well drilling equipment for the advancement and installation of soil borings and monitoring wells. The candidate should be capable of lifting and carrying heavy loads (greater than 90 lbs), troubleshooting diesel engine and hydraulic systems, operating heavy equipment in an efficient and safe manner, and working in all weather conditions. A background in geology or environmental sciences is helpful, but not required. This position entails travel both in Vermont and greater New England. Compensation is based on experience and performance; this position includes a comprehensive benefits package.

Environmental Well Drillers Assistant

Position entails assistance to the drill rig operator for the advancement and installation of soil borings and monitoring wells. The candidate should be capable of lifting and carrying heavy loads (greater than 90 lbs.), troubleshooting diesel engine and hydraulic systems, and working in all weather conditions. This position entails travel both in Vermont and greater New England. Compensation is based on experience and performance; this position includes a comprehensive benefits package.

Send your application to Mjordan@platform-env.com

Platform Environmental Drilling and Remediation Services (Platform) provides geotechnical and environmental drilling services for the purpose of, monitoring well installation, soil boring advancement, and application of several direct sensing subsurface technologies. We provide implementation assistance for the construction of environmental remediation systems. Our current staff has a diverse background in geological sciences, engineering and construction which enables us to complete complicated drilling and remediation projects successfully.

Shop Assistant

Seeking motivated and energetic assistant to help run an evolving fabrics and furnishings shop in South Burlington. Strong customer service, administrative, and technology skills a must. Experience with home textiles and/or design a bonus. This is a growth opportunity for the right person who would like to learn the industry and be trained in all aspects of selling custom fabric work. Seeking someone who is reliable, can balance following instructions with good judgement, has a strong work ethic, and wants to help grow this business. 20 hours/ week (flexible), more hours possible in the future. $18-22/ hour starting wage. Send resume & cover letter to alisa@joyofhomevt.com. Job description at joyofhomevt. com/work-at-joh

Position open until filled.

MU LTIPLE POSITIONS OPEN!

Are you our next Guest Services Representative? Buyer? Produce Associate?

to see all open positions!

General Maintenance & Housekeeping Position

Greenway Institute In Montpelier is Hiring!

Human Resources Coordinator

CSWD has an immediate opening for a highly organized, reliable professional who will support human resource initiatives including onboarding, administration, training and development, performance management, employment law and compliance, and compensation and benefit programs. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, an enthusiastic willingness to assist an amazing staff, and superior people skills required.

The ideal candidate will have a bachelor’s degree in human resources (PHR certification preferred) and three years of human resource experience. This full-time position offers competitive pay ($26-$28/hour) and an excellent benefit package. For more information on the position and CSWD, visit cswd.net/about-cswd/job-openings

Submit cover letter & resume to Amy Jewell: ajewell@cswd.net by 3/24/2025.

Are you an experienced Project Foreman/ Lead Carpenter in the Addison & Chittenden County (VT) area and looking for a new opportunity to showcase your skills?

3v-JoyofHome031225.indd 1 3/6/25 2:04 PM

Grounds & Facilities Technician

Essex Junction Recreation & Parks (EJRP) is hiring a full-time Ground & Facilities Technician to support parks and facilities year-round. Responsibilities include grounds operations (lawns, athletic fields, courts, snow removal), facilities operations (carpentry, mechanical systems, plumbing, electrical, repairs, remodeling, new construction), and pool operations (Maple Street Pool maintenance). The position reports to the Grounds and Facilities Director and may involve evenings, weekends, or holidays. Ideal candidates should have operational experience, be willing to learn, be a team player, value the role of recreation and parks in the community, and enjoy serving the public. A valid driver’s license is required.

Interested individuals should submit a letter of interest & resume: cdwyer@essexjunction org

3v-CityofEssex031925.indd 1 3/14/25 3:42 PM

The General Maintenance & Housekeeping person will be responsible for maintaining campus property to include assisting with set-ups, locking/unlocking buildings, answering calls for assistance, maintaining logs, monitoring heating systems, small repairs, painting, and basic housekeeping as needed. The person in this position will work with a team and should also confer with the Building and Grounds Supervisor, the Executive Director, and other facility and Greenway personnel when necessary to ensure the facility is properly maintained. They will also assist in the setup of events on the campus as required.

For full job description, scan QR code or email: careers@greenwayinstitute.org

Join the Community Kitchen Academy!

Community Kitchen Academy (CKA) is a 9-week job training program featuring: Hands on learning, national ServSafe certification, job placement support and meaningful connections to community. Plus... the tuition is FREE and weekly stipends are provided for income eligible students! At CKA you’ll learn from professional chefs in modern commercial kitchens and graduate with the skills and knowledge to build a career in food service, food systems and other related fields. Throughout the course, you’ll develop and apply new skills by preparing food that would otherwise be wasted. The food you cook is then shared with neighbors via community food shelves and meal sites. CKA is a program of the Vermont Foodbank, operated in partnership with Capstone Community Action in Barre.

Next session starts March 31 in Barre. Apply:

Our leading construction company is seeking a talented foreman to join our dynamic team.

With a reputation for excellence and a commitment to quality, we offer a rewarding work environment where your expertise will be valued. We offer competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package.

Please send a resume and brief cover letter outlining your experience to admin@smithmcclain.com Come build with us!

Community Engagement Programs Specialist

Ideal candidates can contribute to the diversity and excellence of the organization, bring a local community network, a shared passion for stewardship of natural resources, and have knowledge and/or practical working landscape experiences. This position is based out of our office in Newport VT in a hybrid, shared workspace. Bachelor’s degrees are desired but not required with a least 2 -3 years of professional communications work experience in a related field. Orleans County NRCD offers staff a supportive work environment with a goal of meeting our clients’ needs as well as the wellbeing of our staff. To learn more about the Orleans County NRCD and find the position descriptions on our website, orleanscountynrcd.org. All applications submitted before March 31st, 2025 will be considered, with later applications reviewed on a rolling basis. Position is open until filled.

To apply please send your cover letter and resume as one PDF to sarah.damsell@orleanscountynrcd.org

ATTENTION RECRUITERS:

DEVELOPMENT & MARKETING ASSOCIATE

Copley Hospital, located in Morrisville, VT, is seeking a full-time Development and Marketing Associate to assist with fund raising projects, events, and priorities that support our mission.

The ideal candidate will have experience with fund raising, donor cultivation, and solicitation strategies.

For more information or to apply go to copleyvt.org/careers or contact Kaitlyn Shannon, Recruiter, at 802-888-8144 or kshannon@chsi.org.

BUSINESS INSTRUCTOR

GO HIRE.

Green Mountain Technology & Career Center is seeking candidates for its Business program. Desired skills and responsibilities of the Business Instructor include:

• Business, Hospitality, or Tourism experience.

• Bachelor’s degree in Business or a related field.

• Expertise with the Microsoft Office Suite, Quickbooks, and project management platforms.

• Desire to teach high school students career and college readiness skills.

• Passion to integrate academic, technical and employability skills into a program.

• A proven ability to collaborate and build strong relationships with community partners.

Qualified candidates will also demonstrate the ability to build strong and supportive relationships with students, and the capacity to create positive and inclusive cultures and environments for all students.

If you have a thirst to learn, the desire to engage students in hands-on learning, and a passion to prepare students with the skills to succeed in post-secondary education and beyond, we encourage you to apply.

Green Mountain Technology & Career Center (GMTCC) is a cutting edge career and technical education center, where eligible students in 10th, 11th and 12th grades are prepared for college and career through the acquisition of real-world skills, practical knowledge, hands-on experiences, mentoring, and networking. In addition to earning requirements for high school graduation, students have the opportunity to earn free college credits and may obtain industry certifications in their field.

In accordance with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title 1F of the Higher Education Act of 1972, Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Green Mountain Technology and Career Center does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, handicapping condition and/or disability, marital status, or sexual orientation in admission to, access to, treatment in, or employment in its programs and activities.

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.

Job Seekers:

• 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. jobs.sevendaysvt.com

Get a quote when you post online or contact Michelle Brown: 865-1020, ext. 121, michelle@sevendaysvt.com.

Senior Content Creator

The Senior Content Creator brings their creative voice to the strategic vision and execution of CCV’s visual communications, social media, and digital marketing efforts. The SCC is a critical member of the marketing and communications team, is an innovative and creative thinker, is in-the-know regarding trends on social platforms, and can quickly conceptualize, shoot, and edit high-quality content, using a variety of platforms. The SCC serves as the College’s primary photographer.

Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree in graphic design or related field plus at least three (3) years’ relevant experience (or a combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge & skills are acquired).

Application Instructions: In order to be considered, please submit a complete application package which includes a cover letter, resume/CV, employment application and contact information for three professional references at: ccv.edu/about/employment

Infusion Nurse Practitioner

We’re seeking a dedicated Nurse Practitioner (NP) who is passionate about helping patients manage chronic diseases and acute illnesses. If you’re an NP with exceptional IV skills and a heart for patient care, we want you on our team!

What We’re Looking For:

• Licensed Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) in Vermont with strong IV skills

• ACLS and BLS certification

• Preferred: Experience in infusion nursing or a passion to learn and grow in this specialty.

• Outstanding communication skills and a warm, approachable demeanor.

• A proactive team player with exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.

What We Offer:

• Full-time opportunities in our premier outpatient infusion centers.

• Competitive salary and benefits, including health, vision, dental, PTO, and more.

• A supportive and collaborative work environment that values your expertise.

• Opportunities for professional development and career advancement.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Send resumes to: dgiliberti@thrivewellinfusion.com

Yard Hand

Champlain Marina is actively looking for some assistance in the yard. Duties include: supervised assistance with the movement of boats to the water, yard clean up (blocks and stands), some equipment operation and dock work / preparation of opening up the facility. Hourly wage varies depending on experience. $20.00-25.00/hr. starting. Must be capable of physical work.

Send resume to: manager@ champlainmarina.com

Salary Range:

$100,000 - $115,000

Robust Beneﬁts O ered!

Application Deadline: April 10, 2025

Submit cover letter and resume: recruit@stowevt.gov

The Town of Stowe is an equal opportunity employer.

ST ALBANS

Compass Case Manager/Clinician

Youth Shelter Youth Coach

Drop-In Center Youth Coach

BURLINGTON

Supported Housing Youth Coach

Drop-In Center Youth Coach

Young Adult Peer Navigator

Chief of Fire & Rescue

The Town of Stowe is seeking an experienced, motivated, and engaged leader to serve as Chief of Fire & Rescue.

Chief of Fire & Rescue

Stowe Fire & Rescue is committed to providing care to residents and visitors of the Town of Stowe in a competent and compassionate manner, and to protecting life, property and the environment through prevention and education. As an organization, we value ongoing training, safety, and professionalism.

The Town of Stowe is seeking an experienced, motivated, and engaged leader to serve as Chief of Fire & Rescue.

Key Qualities of the Chief:

Stowe Fire & Rescue is committed to providing care to residents and visitors of the Town of Stowe in a competent and compassionate manner and to protecting life, property and the environment through prevention and education As an organization we value ongoing training, safety, and professionalism

- Skilled in managing administrative and operational functions of a hybrid Fire & Rescue Department including strategic planning, policy development, budget, personnel, and compliance with local, state and federal laws.

Key Qualities of the Chief:

Skilled in managing administrative and operational functions of a hybrid Fire & Rescue

Department including strategic planning, policy development, budget personnel, and compliance with local, state and federal laws

- Visionary leader who ensures excellence, promotes a positive organizational culture where all full and parttime employees are valued, and maintains a proactive, collaborative approach to public safety.

Visionary leader who ensures excellence, promotes a positive organizational culture and maintains a proactive, collaborative approach to public safety

-Demonstrated ability to build and foster trust among internal and external stakeholders.

Demonstrated ability to build and foster trust among internal and external stakeholders

- Unquestionable integrity, will lead by example, and be engaged in the Department and the community.

Unquestionable integrity, will lead by example, and be engaged in the Department and the community

Proven fire and emergency services expertise and knowledge, skills and ability

- Proven ﬁre and emergency services expertise and knowledge, skills and ability.

ATTENTION RECRUITERS:

Creative Content Manager

We’re hiring a Creative Content Manager to drive Julbo Eyewear’s brand presence & revenue growth in the US market. This high-impact role focuses on performance-driven content and marketing to grow Julbo’s e-commerce revenue. You’ll lead digital initiatives across Meta, Google, email, and social media, developing strategies that drive traffic, conversions, and brand engagement. Send resumes to: careers@julbousa.com

CHEF

Small Established Restaurant with a pub-style family setting in Montgomery Center, VT. We have been a local favorite for over 50 years, serving great food. We are looking for a Chef to lead our kitchen, ensuring that our staple items are consistently prepared to the highest standards while also developing exciting specials.

This role requires someone who is a strong leader, organized and able to manage a small high-volume kitchen efficiently.

CLERICAL SUPPORT STAFF

Vermont Legal Aid seeks a highly organized team player, with a desire to further our mission, for a full-time position in either Montpelier, VT or Burlington, VT (preference for Montpelier).

We encourage applicants from a broad range of backgrounds, and welcome information about how your experience can contribute to our work and to serving our diverse client communities. Applicants are encouraged to share in their cover letter how they can further our goals of social justice and individual rights. We are an equal opportunity employer committed to a discrimination-and-harassment-free workplace. Please read our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion: vtlegalaid.org/commitment-diversity-inclusion

Responsibilities include general office management and front desk duties (answering phones, client contact, data entry, typing, file/document/database management), as well as supporting the work of one or more projects with multiple attorneys and paralegals. Experience as a legal assistant or formal clerical training is preferable. Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite required. Fluency in French, Spanish, Swahili, Kirundi, Somali, Arabic, Nepali, or Burmese is a plus.

See vtlegalaid.org/montpelier-support-staff-2025 for additional job description.

Base salary is $47,179 with salary credit given for relevant prior work experience. Four weeks paid vacation, retirement, and excellent health benefits.

Application deadline is March 23, 2025. Send cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references as a single PDF file with the subject line “Support Staff March 2024” to hiring@vtlegalaid.org. Please tell us how you heard about the position.

Systems Administrator District of Vermont at Burlington (CL-28/29)

$70,894 – $137,032 Full Time Permanent U.S. Probation is accepting applications for a full-time Systems Administrator. The Systems Administrator is responsible for testing and performing routine upgrades of hardware and software, maintaining technical and user documentation for assigned systems and applications, providing technical support for all systems, ensuring integrity and safety of office data and performing or coordinating IT support services necessary for the successful operation of all IT systems. AO-78 form required from all applicants.

Salary range: $70,894 - $137,032 (CL 28 to CL 29), depending on qualifications. For further information and application instructions visit vtp. uscourts.gov/career-opportunities Deadline for complete applications: Close of business, March 21, 2025.

Customer Service Representative

Julbo Eyewear is a manufacturer of top-quality outdoor sunglasses and goggles. As a Customer Service Representative in our mellow, dog-friendly office, you’ll manage customer relations, support sales, resolve warranty and repair issues, answer questions, enter orders and make sure all customers receive quality care. Company Health plan; PTO and 401k match after 6 months. Send resumes to: careers@julbousa.com

Greenhouse Grower

Creative Gardens and Nursery of Jericho, Vt. is seeking a self-motivated, hardworking reliable individual to lead in the growing of bedding plants, hanging baskets, vegetable starts, and perennials in our greenhouses and nursery. Our ideal candidate is ﬁt, has good communication skills, ability to delegate tasks, organized, able to work with and train other team members in watering and general care of plants. We are open seven days a week, some weekend days are required. E.O.E. Pay commensurate with experience. Send resume or email. Creativelgc@gmail.com

ELECTRICAL INSTRUCTOR

Green Mountain Technology & Career Center is seeking candidates for its Electrical Technology program. Desired skills and responsibilities of the Electrical Instructor include:

• Certified Master Electrician or in progress of Master Certification

• Five years or more of experience working in the field.

• Ability to support multiple apprenticeships.

• Desire to teach high school students career and college readiness skills.

• Passion to integrate academic, technical, and employability skills into a program.

• A proven ability to collaborate and build strong relationships with community partners.

Middle and High School Teachers: Humanities, Science & Math, Spanish

Join our small creative alternative school! Pacem School is hiring part-time positions for the fall in high school humanities, middle school science and math, and mixed level Spanish. Experience working with students ages 10 to 18 and a love of teaching your subject required. Apply: pacemschool.org/about/employment 2h-PacemSchool031225.indd

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

Sta Accountant

Provide accounting and analytical support to various departments within the agency using Excel. Conduct monthly analysis of financial statements. Review of General Ledger (GL), Accounts Payable (AP), and Accounts Receivable (AR) transactions. Perform fixed asset analysis and reconciliation. Prepare annual budget preparations. Allocate monthly payroll expenditures. Create, maintain, run, and distribute various financial reports. Provide Ad hoc analysis and support. Monitor monthly analysis of aged accounts receivables. Oversee monthly management of grants & contracts. Perform cash management & banking functions.

To apply, contact Dan Errico: recruitment@wcmhs.org

Washington County Mental Health Services: PO Box 647 Montpelier, VT 05601. Reference job ID: WCMH24.

Landscape Help

Now Hiring Skilled Laborers and General Landscape help. Fulltime, year-round. Travel around Vermont.

• VT Driver’s license and clean driving record desired

• Able to lift 80 lbs

• Pay range: $20-$25 depending on experience

• Paid Holidays and bonuses available

Email: morningdewlandscapingvt @gmail.com or call: 802.760.7577

GO HIRE.

GIV is hiring for several roles at their summer Institutes for teenagers. Director: Health & Medicine Community & Operations Directors Nurses

Various dates and locations; see details and apply at giv.org/jobs

Developmental Disability Services DIRECTOR

The Developmental Disability Services Director is a leadership role within the Vermont Care Partners (VCP) network, responsible for providing strategic guidance, advocacy, and coordination of developmental disability services across network agencies. This hybrid position will have an increased in-person presence during the legislative session. Apply vermontcarepartners.org/ we-are-hiring

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.

Get a quote when you post online or contact Michelle Brown: 865-1020, ext. 121, michelle@sevendaysvt.com.

Job Seekers:

• 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.

jobs.sevendaysvt.com

fun stuff

“Your honor, may I approach the bench with my clients’ puppy?”

JEN SORENSEN

HARRY BLISS

fun stuff

KRISTEN SHULL

MAT BARTON

PISCES

(FEB. 19-MAR. 20)

Coast redwoods are the tallest trees on the planet. If, Goddess forbid, lumber harvesters cut down one of these beauties, it can be used to build more than 20 houses. And yet each mature tree begins as a seed the size of a coat button. Its monumental growth is steady and slow, relying on robust roots and a symbiotic relationship with a fungus that enables it to absorb water from fog. I propose we make the redwood your power symbol for now, Pisces. Inspired by its process, I hope you implement the magic of persistent, incremental growth. Treasure the fact that a fertile possibility has the potential, with patience and nurturing, to ripen into a long-term asset. Trust that small efforts, fueled by collaboration, will lead to gratifying achievements.

ARIES (Mar. 21-Apr. 19): Cheetahs are the fastest land animals. From standing still, they can be running at 70 miles per hour three seconds later. But they can’t sustain that intensity. After a 20-second burst, they need to relax and recover. This approach serves them well, enabling them to prey on the small creatures they like to eat. I encourage you to be like a metaphorical cheetah in the coming weeks, Aries. Capitalize on the power of focused, energetic spurts. Aim for bursts of dedicated effort, followed by purposeful rest.

You don’t need to pursue a relentless pace to succeed. Recognize when it’s right to push hard and when it’s time to recharge.

TAURUS (Apr. 20-May 20): Inside a kaleidoscope, the colored shards of glass are in an ever-shifting chaotic jumble. But internal mirrors present pleasing symmetrical designs to the person gazing into the kaleidoscope. I see a similar phenomenon going on in your life. Some deep intelligence within you (your higher self?) is creating intriguing patterns out of an apparent mess of fragments. I foresee this continuing for several weeks. So don’t be quick to jump to conclusions about your complicated life. A hidden order is there, and you can see its beauty if you’re patient and poised.

GEMINI (May 21-Jun. 20): Spiders spin their webs with meticulous care, crafting structures that are delicate, strong and useful. Their silk is five times more robust than steel of the same diameter. It’s waterproof, can stretch 140 percent of its length without splitting and maintains its sturdiness at temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees. With that in mind, Gemini, I bid you to work on fortifying and expanding your own web in the coming weeks — by which I mean your network of connections and support. It’s an excellent time to deepen and refine your relationships with the resources and influences that help hold your world together.

CANCER (Jun. 21-Jul. 22): Chichén Itzá was a large pre-Columbian city from around 600 to 1200 AD. It was built by Mayan people in what’s now Mexico. At the city center was a pyramid, the Temple of Kukulcán. During the equinoxes, and only on the equinoxes, sunlight fell on its steps in such a way as to suggest a snake descending the stairs. The mathematical, architectural and astronomical knowledge necessary to create this entertaining illusion was phenomenal. In that spirit, I am pleased to tell you that you are now capable of creating potent effects through careful planning. Your strategic thinking will be enhanced, especially in projects that require long-term vision. The coming weeks will be a favorable time for initiatives that coordinate multiple elements to generate fun and useful outcomes.

LEO (Jul. 23-Aug. 22): Fireflies produce very efficient light. Nearly all the energy expended in their internal chemical reactions is turned directly into their intense glow. By contrast, light bulbs are highly inefficient. In accordance with astrological omens, Leo, I urge you to be like a firefly in the coming weeks, not a light bulb. You will have dynamic power to convert your inner beauty into outer beauty. Be audacious! Be uninhibited! Shower the world with full doses of your radiant gifts.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sep. 22): Brazil nut trees grow in the Amazon — but only if they are in the vicinity of orchid bees, their sole pollinators. And orchid bees thrive in no other place except where there are lots of blooming orchids. So the Brazil nut tree has very specific requirements for its growth and well-being. You Virgos aren’t quite so picky about the influences that keep you fertile and flourishing — though sometimes I do worry about it. The good news is that in the coming months, you will be casting a wider net in quest of inspiration and support. I suspect you will gather most, maybe all, of the inspiration and support you need.

LIBRA (Sep. 23-Oct. 22): In 1858, businessperson James Miller Williams was digging a new water well on his land in Ontario, hoping to compensate for a local drought. He noticed oil was seeping out of the hole he had scooped. Soon, he became the first person in North America to develop a commercial oil well. I suspect that you, too, may soon stumble upon valuable fuels or resources, Libra — and they may be different from what you imagined you were looking for. Be alert and open-minded for unexpected discoveries.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): I’ve been through the U.S. education system, and I can testify that our textbooks don’t give the French enough of the credit they deserve for helping our fledging nation gain independence from Great Britain. The 18th-century American Revolution would not have succeeded without extensive aid from France. So I’m a little late, but I am hereby showering France with praise and gratitude for its intervention. Now I encourage you, too, to compensate for your past lack of full appre-

ciation for people and influences that have been essential to you becoming yourself. It’s a different kind of atonement: not apologizing for sins, but offering symbolic and even literal rewards to underestimated helpers and supporters.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): As I survey the astrological aspects, I am tempted to encourage you to be extra expansive about love. I am curious to see the scintillating intimacy you might cultivate. So, in the hope that you’re as intrigued by the experimental possibilities as I am, I invite you to memorize the following words by author Maya Angelou and express them to a person with whom you want to play deeper and wilder: “You are my living poem, my symphony of the untold, my golden horizon stretched beyond what the eye can see. You rise in me like courage, fierce and unyielding, yet soft as a lullaby sung to a weary soul. You are my promise kept, my hope reborn, the infinite melody in the heart of silence. I hold you in the marrow of my joy, where you are home.”

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Four facts about a mountain goat as it navigates along steep and rocky terrain: 1) It’s strong and vigorous; 2) it’s determined and unflappable; 3) it’s precise and disciplined; 4) it calls on enormous stamina and resilience. According to my astrological analysis, you Capricorns will have maximum access to all these capacities during the coming weeks. You can use them to either ascend to seemingly impossible heights or descend to fantastically interesting depths. Trust in your power to persevere. Love the interesting journey as much as the satisfaction of reaching the goal of the journey.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): The Swiss Army knife is a compact assemblage of tools. These may include a nail file, scissors, magnifying glass, screwdriver, pliers, blade, can opener and many others. Is there a better symbol for adaptability and preparedness? I urge you to make it your metaphorical power object during the coming weeks, Aquarius. Explore new frontiers of flexibility, please. Be ready to shift perspective and approach quickly and smoothly. Be as agile and multifaceted as you dare.

Naturalist Sophie Mazowita specializes in wildlife tracking and spends a lot of time in nature observing the signs that creatures leave behind. Seven Days’ Eva Sollberger met up with Mazowita on a snowy hillside in Bakersﬁeld to see what wild animals have been making tracks.

Respond to these people online: dating.sevendaysvt.com

WOMEN seeking...

NOTHING VENTURED, NOTHING GAINED

My life is full, but I believe that some things are better shared. Moxie123, 78, seeking: M, l

AUTHENTIC, KIND AND FUN LOVING

I’m honest. I’m loving. I do my best to be gentle with other people’s hearts. I see myself as easygoing and fun to be with, enthusiastic, and a lover of life. I enjoy surrounding myself with beauty and things that make me happy. I’m spiritual but not religious and enjoy meeting new people. Jade 68, seeking: W

YOUNG SENIOR SEEKING MALE FRIEND

Active introvert seeking man for friendship and/or casual dating. I love walking my dogs, e-biking, walking and bird-watching. aquarius 80 seeking: M, l

GREAT SMILE

I am looking for someone to spend time with. I work a lot and have a successful business, so I am not looking for money or for someone to take care of me. I want a personal connection — I love the outdoors, country lifestyle. I hate the city. Horselady 54, seeking: M

BUBBLY, ADVENTUROUS FOODIE

I love meeting new people and trying new things. On a given Saturday night you can either find me dancing the night away at bars or staying at home in my PJs, reading a thriller. murphjo99, 25 seeking: M, l

WANT TO RESPOND?

You read Seven Days, these people read Seven Days — you already have at least one thing in common!

All the action is online. Create an account or login to browse hundreds of singles with profiles including photos, habits, desires, views and more. It’s free to place your own profile online.

l See photos of this person online.

W = Women

M = Men

TW = Trans women

TM = Trans men

Q = Genderqueer people

NBP = Nonbinary people

NC = Gender nonconformists

Cp = Couples

Gp = Groups

LAID-BACK

Serious relationship. Mira1a 31, seeking: M, l

NATURAL, OUTGOING AND WARMHEARTED

I’m ready for life with a man to raise animals and build a home or small vegetable garden/orchard. I want a mutually exclusive relationship. I love dining out and live music! I have a big family and love visits. I am not a big traveler or shopper. I prefer home and being established. Ideally you build, fix, have steady income, live congruently. MoveSlow, 50, seeking: M, l

LONELY LOOKING FOR ?

Looking for someone kind. I know no picture. Life’s a gamble. Self-sufficient woman here, at least I think so sometimes. I enjoy nature and good sex, like I can remember. Physically active. Not perfect. Silly_wabbit 54, seeking: M

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

’80S NATURE DANCER

Life is really good. I love my home, my kids, dear friends and getting outside. I practice yoga and meditate on the daily and am looking forward to meeting someone with a similar lifestyle to laugh and do little adventures with. waterandpines77 47, seeking: M, l

MEN seeking...

STUDIOUS, DOG DAD, RUNNER, ROMANTIC (HOPELESS?)

I have a wonderful dog, a blossoming career, and a lot of care and energy I’d like to invest in another person. The apps are tiring. This seemed like a quirky way to approach finding the One. I build my life around social groups, run/hike often and generally try to be outdoors with a book in my hand. EveningRedening 29, seeking: W, l

ATHLETIC ANTI-INTERVENTIONIST

MOUNTAIN RUNNER

Looking for an athletic mate who loves to be physically active and likes to pitch in on creative projects and exploring the far corners of the Northeast’s mountains and woodlands. I have a wicked yet gentle sense of humor about the world, which really needs some changes if we are to survive as a civilization. Wamsutta 63, seeking: W, l

IMPETUOUS, WHIMSICAL, THOUGHTFUL

ROMANTIC

Looking for companionship and passion. Someone to talk with, laugh with and make out on the sofa with. I’m a guy who likes to have fun and act goofy. I’m also committed to the liberation and flourishing of all people. I’m affectionate, generous, creative and unrealistic. I’m sometimes annoying, sometimes moody. I give great back rubs. I’m always imperfectly human. lotsalattes 61, seeking: W, l

WHERE ARE YOU, MY LOVE?

Where are you, my love? I want to hold you close, awake and asleep. I want to lift the care off your shoulders but never question your dreams, aspirations and decisions. Lie with me in the cradle, our bodies entwined. It is the core need of our human lives — the very thing that all who love truly seek. 8Penny 52, seeking: W

SEARCHING FOR LOVE

I’m a hopeless romantic of a man who likes to have fun. I don’t think that just because you believe in romance, everything has to be all sappy and mushy all the time. I definitely feel that if you’re romantically involved with someone, you should be able to share your thoughts and feelings on an array of topics. Michtheman 60, seeking: W, l

AM I ALONE?

Are you like me? The apps and bars aren’t for you or me? We’d like to be noticed — not the ones to break the ice. I’m interested in a relationship, not into hookups or older men. Looking for that special someone who would like to spend some time with me. I enjoy the outdoors, cooking, good movies and more. Simpleguy 48, seeking: M, l

HONEST, TRUSTWORTHY, LOYAL

Single for six years, seeking a fun, compatible woman. Mature, handy and humorous, I crave connection and laughter. Ready for a partner to end this loneliness and explore a deeper bond. Cob802, 42 seeking: W, l

HERE I GO AGAIN

Just moving back to the Burlington area, been away a long time. Looking for a serious partner who I can cook for and then snuggle up on the sofa with. Not into any drama — I’m loyal and kind. Take a chance, I might surprise you. Diesell67 57, seeking: W, l

INTROVERTED, ORGANIZED, RELIABLE

I care more about living my values than submitting to social norms, and so I find myself living on a homestead, far more self-sufficient than anyone you are likely to encounter in this time and place. I’m looking for company; a woman who appreciates all I have to share but doesn’t necessarily share my interests or skills. nonconformist, 43, seeking: W, l

ADVENTUROUS STALWART

I would describe myself as an introspective, thinking type who desires a grounded and uncomplicated committed partner. I am a thoughtful, well-read and loyal man. I’ve had my share of life’s tragedies, but so far have remained on the side of hope and optimism. I seem to wear my heart on my sleeve, as my demonstrative nature can attest. Gasman 66, seeking: W, l

I’M YOUR HANDYMAN

Hard to sum myself up. Used to be a jazz musician and taught jazz ensembles, guitar and bass lessons at private schools near Boston. Nowadays, I mainly do my handyman “side gig” since I moved to Vermont. I don’t even know what I’m hoping to find, but my wife died more than a year ago, and it sucks being alone. eccentric 62, seeking: W, l

I AM VERY UNIQUE

I am looking for someone to be there for me, and I will be there for them. texan05 69, seeking: W

LAID-BACK, HANDY AND KINDHEARTED I have been alone for quite some time now, and am looking for an attractive lady who is kindhearted and generous. daved 55 seeking: W

HEALTHY, ACTIVE EMERITUS PROFESSOR/SCIENTIST

At 85-plus with a healthy lifestyle, I’m expecting lots more quality years, shared with a new best friend and partner for daily company, thoughtful conversation, travel near and far, music/ theater/art, and of course, affection and intimacy. Family and friends are important — yours and mine. Also, I’m just looking for serendipity! SingingBill 83 seeking: W, l

MASCULINE, FUNNY, KAYAKING ARTIST EXPLORER

Divorced bachelor in the boonies looking for new friends and playmates. Kayaking, thrifting, day trips, festivals, concerts, camping, dinners, movies and more! I love sharing pics and memes. Selfemployed Scorpio who loves Halloween. Artist802, 44, seeking: M, W, TW, Cp, l

RELENTLESSLY SEEKING CONTENTMENT

I’m just here hoping to find someone to get to know. I’m looking for longterm love, and I know I need to meet a lot of people to find that kind of connection. Do you want to meet right now to say hello? Just talk a little bit for, like, 30 minutes or so? No obligations. No expectations. Coffee? moon 50, seeking: W, TW, l

ENJOYING LIFE

I’m here to meet people and date. If I connect with someone, great; I’d love to see where it goes. I’ve shared my life with a partner before and would enjoy doing that again. I’ve been hiking more, dancing more, and writing and playing music with an amazing group of people. stuffnthings, 52, seeking: W, l

LOVING ,UNDERSTANDING, LOOKING FOR SAME

Let’s check one another out. Love to find someone like-minded to share my life with. ugotit123 65, seeking: W

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

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, 51, seeking: M, Cp, Gp

LOOKING FOR FUN PEEPS

Fun, open-minded couple seeking playmates. Shoot us a note if interested so we can share details and desires. Jackrabbits, 61, seeking: W, Cp FUN COUPLE LOOKING FOR EXPLORATION

We are a secure couple who enjoy the outdoors, good wine, great food, playing with each other, exploring our boundaries and trying new things. We are 47 and 50, looking for a fun couple or bi man to play and explore with us. We are easygoing, and we’d love to meet you and see where our mutual adventures take us. vthappycouple, 51, seeking: M, Cp, Gp

COOPERATIVE KINDNESS

anks to all the folks who removed the downed tree on Malletts Bay Ave. It was in a bad spot on a curve, and three or four separate people stopped to help. Didn’t matter who you were; we all pitched in and took care of our community. ank you. When: Sunday, March 16, 2025. Where: Malletts Bay Ave. You: Group. Me: Trans woman. #916274

LAUNDROMAT READING

You were reading Emma in the Night by Wendy Walker. You looked up when I entered, with your gorgeous eyes, and said my dog was beautiful. I thought the same of you. We read beside each other for a while. I was shy. I wouldn’t tire of reading beside you, if you’d like to make it a date? When: Sunday, March 16, 2025. Where: King Street Laundry. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916273

WOODCHUCK EYE CANDY

You were walking on Brooklyn Street in Morrisville around 4:30 p.m. is woodchuck noticed you instantly. You had green LaCrosse rubber boots on with your pants tucked into them and a red plaid jacket on. Glad to see some Vermont women still know how to dress sexy. Keep it up! When: Friday, February 28, 2025. Where: Morrisville. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916272

CAMEL’S HUMP POWDER LOVER

Hi P — I missed my opportunity to ask you out a couple times as we both enjoyed the powder by Monroe Trail. I was the guy hiking and hooting. Now it looks like the powder is done for a bit, so I don’t know if I’ll get another chance. Beer and a soak soon? Hope you see this! — R When: Monday, February 17, 2025. Where: Camel’s Hump, Monroe trail. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916268

If you’ve been spied, go online to contact your admirer!

LEDDY PARK TENNIS PLAYER

You are stuck in my mind. is was months ago I saw you playing tennis at Leddy Park in your bikini. Keep it up! When: Friday, October 4, 2024. Where: Leddy Park. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916271

TACOBOUT LOVE

What’s love got to do with it? I saw you slamming a gordo burrito and some margaritas at Chico’s Tacos in Middlesex. It was so impressive! I look for you here every time I come in. e tattoos drew me. When: Friday, March 14, 2025. Where: Chico’s Tacos. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916270

LUNCHTIME READING

You: reading Chris Whitaker novel while enjoying salad at the bar around noon. Me: wearing a reddish knit hat, asking about the book from a few seats to your left while doing my own reading. You said it was “ﬁne” — maybe you could tell me more? When: ursday, March 13, 2025. Where: Farmhouse Tap & Grill. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916269

HEALTHY LIVING

You offered to walk me from behind the salad bar to the bread aisle, and I don’t know why I turned you down. Want to meet up for a longer walk? When: Friday, March 7, 2025. Where: Healthy Living, South Burlington. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916267

EYES IN THE MONTPELIER STREETS

I was on the corner of State and Main, hat and rose-tinted glasses. We locked eyes and said tentative hellos. You caught my eye walking in your Vermont garb — quilted skirt and leggings, Blundstones, I think. Can we meet for coffee or a beer sometime? When: Friday, March 7, 2025. Where: Montpelier, corner of State and Main. You: Man. Me: Man. #916266

BOHEMIAN BOOK BEAUTY

You were set up reading and coffee-ing with your back to me, and I ended up sitting nearby. I couldn’t help but notice your beautiful presence, posture and ﬂowy pants. Wanted to say hi but let the moment pass. Books and coffee sometime soon? When: Friday, March 7, 2025. Where: Bohemian Bakery, Montpelier. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916265

TALL HOTTIE NORTH AVE.

Saw you twice walking your dog along North Ave. I think I even beeped! (Silver Ford Expedition) You: black puffy coat and New York Yankees hat. en I passed you twice in Hannaford! Me: black boots, long brown jacket, dark curly hair. Single? You’re gorgeous! When: Tuesday, February 25, 2025. Where: North Ave. Hannaford. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916264

CASA GRANDE

Young, handsome, dark-haired man wearing a Snap-on hoodie. You caught my eye downing a football-size burrito and a pitcher of frozen banana margaritas. I would love to drink some margaritas with you sometime. When: Monday, February 24, 2025. Where: Casa Grande. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916263

GRAM CENTRAL IN MONTPELIER

You: lovely blonde in rebel cap. You recognized me from running in Hubbard Park, and we share being blessed with extra energy. You hike more than run, and we both like the hills. Reach out if you’d like a bit of company out in these beautiful woods. When: Friday, February 21, 2025. Where: Gram Central, Montpelier. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916262

SB B-DUBS

I was there with my kids; we interacted several times. While leaving, your comments about interactions and seeing us interacting together and us being good/kind people were appreciated. I was slow to react, but they came at a good time; comments made me feel like we’re on the right track. I’m proud of my kids and think they’re good people, too. Hearing someone say so unsolicited was impactful. Saying something positive and considerate can make a difference. I wanted to say thank you and return it — please don’t change. When: Tuesday, February 18, 2025. Where: Server at Super Bowl Buffalo Wild Wings. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916259

De Bleeding He t,

De Rev end,

I recently had an encounter with a young homeless woman on the Burlington mall who asked me for money for food. I gave her $25 (almost all I had on me) and asked her what she was going to eat and if she had a safe place to sleep. She said she had a tent and “two people who help me.” She pointed to an older couple who also seemed to be homeless. I was dumbfounded. So, what is the right thing to do?

BEJEWELED BEAUTY

You had sparkly cheeks in line at Ulta and high-ﬁved me after I got a great deal. Let’s keep celebrating — me and you against the world! Hit me up, I’d love to take you out. When: ursday, February 20, 2025. Where: Ulta. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916261

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 Coop. 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

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

It was very generous of you to give the woman cash, but the fact that you took time to speak with her is what really strikes me. Showing that kind of compassion and respect for a total stranger is something the world could use a whole lot more of.

ere have been people living on the streets of Burlington for decades, but the problem has grown quite a bit in recent years. It wouldn’t be feasible — or, in some cases, even helpful — to give cash to everyone you see, but there are other things you can do.

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

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

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

time, consider volunteering at a local shelter or food bank. Another fairly easy way to provide immediate assistance is to put together care kits and carry one or two with you when you’re out and about. ese can be small bags that include some essential items: water, toiletries, snacks, perhaps a few dollars. You could also print a contact list of local resources to put in the kits.

Your dollars may go further if you donate to an organization such as COTS or the Chittenden County Homeless Alliance. Perhaps you could come up with a creative fundraiser to do with friends. If you’re able to give your

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 of they

A lot of people say they care about societal problems, but not many actually do something about them. Taking the next step and turning that care into action is the only way to solve anything. It sounds like you’re on the right track.

Good luck and God bless,

I’m a woman, 80 y/o, seeking a man, 70 to 80 y/o. I’m a widow and Burlington resident. I was a gardener, and I like to ﬁsh. Interested in dinner, movies, events and nice conversations. #L1835

Busy, independent, healthy, kind, funny, curious, creative 36-y/o woman seeking connection, laughter, affection, conversation and reciprocity from like-minded, respectful 30- to 50-y/o man. Loves outdoors, music, art, food, books, animals. Enjoys talks, walks, naps. A balance of adventure and being a homebody. #L1837

I’m a 20-y/o trans man seeking folks my age or older. Looking for good conversation, FWB. I’m introspective and an old soul. I love meeting people. Buy me lunch and tell me a story. #L1836

Bist du mein B.G.G (Big Gentle German)? I am a 40-y/o female, auf der Suche nach meinen Deutschen Traummann. Du solltest respektvoll, bewusst sein, ehrlich sein, liebevoll, geduldig, freundlich, gesund und entspannt sein. Eine zweisprachige Familie zwischen den Vermont und Deutschland gründen. I am direkt, playful, kreativ, honest, healthy, patient and kind. I love to be in the Nature und ein bissel sportlich (aqua ﬁtness, pilates). #L1834

HOW TO REPLY TO THESE LOVE LE ERS:

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PAYMENT: $5/response. Include cash or check (made out to “Seven Days”) in the outer envelope. To send unlimited replies for only $15/month, call us at 802-865-1020, ext. 161 for a membership (credit accepted).

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1 Submit your FREE message at sevendaysvt.com/loveletters or use the handy form at right.

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

Seventy-y/o divorced male, retired entrepreneur looking for a lady to start a long-term relationship with; must be willing to get to know each other ﬁrst. Good conversation, laughing, warm and open, caring, friendly, and talkative. Please send phone number. #L1832

City girl loves Vermont. Well traveled and will go nearly anywhere. Happy! But looking for love. You are a sincere older gentleman, serious but can laugh at yourself and lovingly at me. Socially conscious, aesthetic, intellectual, despise this administration. Sexy. #L1830

In quest of a gentle woman (5868). Come sit here beside me, on the lush mossy bank near the river’s edge. We will share our joys and sorrows. Be ﬁt, wholesome, happy and humble. I will wait for you. #L1833

Looking for a femboy or a transgender woman, the more female, the better. I’m straight but comfortable. Can we chat and see if we are a ﬁt? anks. #L1831

Retired, happy, healthy, ﬁt and active male seeking erotic female friend. Let’s test and explore our sensual pleasures together! #L1824

Int net-Free Dating!

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

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

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 male seeking a male who loves to dress up in very sexy silk panties and loves oral and anything else. Would love to bring you the newspapers and get on my knees and dictate to you in my mouth. #L1828

Describe yourself and who you’re looking for in 40 words below: (OR, ATTACH A SEPARATE PIECE OF PAPER.)

I’m a

AGE + GENDER (OPTIONAL) seeking a

I’m a 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 long-term friendships. Looking forward to hearing from you! #L1821

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

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

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

AGE + GENDER (OPTIONAL) Required conﬁdential info:

HELP: 802-865-1020, EXT. 161, LOVELETTERS@SEVENDAYSVT.COM

THIS FORM IS FOR LOVE LETTERS ONLY. Messages for the Personals and I-Spy sections must be submitted online at dating.sevendaysvt.com.

Hula Open House

WED., MAR. 19

HULA, BURLINGTON

The Art of Scent: A Botanical Perfume Blending Event

THU., MAR. 20

ELLI PARR, SOUTH BURLINGTON

AI + Mental Health Panel: "Your AI Therapist Will See You Now"

THU., MAR. 20

HULA, BURLINGTON

Carton with Featured Friends and the Way North

FRI., MAR. 21

THE UNDERGROUND, RANDOLPH

Ethiopian and Eritrean Cuisine Takeout Dinner

SAT., MAR. 22

O.N.E. COMMUNITY CENTER, BURLINGTON

Thai Feast: Fresh and Fast! with Chef Ariel Voorhees

SAT., MAR. 22

RED POPPY CAKERY, WATERBURY VILLAGE

Bruce Sklar, Jeremy Hill, Josh Bruneau

Play a Benefit for Paul Morris

SAT., MAR. 22

THE PHOENIX, WATERBURY VILLAGE

Ballroom is Back!

SAT., MAR. 22

SHELBURNE TOWN HALL

The Art of Scent: A Botanical Perfume Blending Event

SAT., MAR. 22

THE MANOR, HOLDERNESS, NH

MCO Presents: Spring Notes

SUN., MAR. 23

CITY HALL AUDITORIUM ARTS CENTER, MONTPELIER

Female Founders: Olympians

MON., MAR. 24

HOTEL VERMONT, BURLINGTON

Eco-resiliency Gathering: Dancing with Change

WED., MAR. 26 ONLINE

An Evening with Kevin Burt

FRI., MAR. 28

RETRO LIVE, PLATTSBURGH, NY

Parker Shper Plays with Mike Bjella on Tenor Sax, JD Haenni on Bass, Geza Carr on Drums

FRI., MAR. 28

THE PHOENIX, WATERBURY VILLAGE

Switch: Four Short Plays About Love and Loss

FRI., MAR. 28, SAT., MAR. 29, SUN. MAR. 30

OFF CENTER FOR THE DRAMATIC ARTS, BURLINGTON

SAT., MAR. 29

SAINT ALBANS MUSEUM

March Bird Monitoring Walk

SAT., MAR. 29

BIRDS OF VERMONT MUSEUM, HUNTINGTON

SAM Garden Circle & Seed Swap

SAM Talks // Wolf Peaches, Poisoned Peas and Madame Pompadour’s Underwear with Rebecca Rupp

SAT., MAR. 29

SAINT ALBANS MUSEUM

Alice Howe and Freebo

SAT., MAR. 29

ROOTS & WINGS COFFEEHOUSE AT UUCUV, NORWICH

Capital City Concerts – Her Favorite Things

SUN., MAR. 30

UNITARIAN CHURCH OF MONTPELIER