Spring 2019
CELEBRATING
25 YEARS WORKING TOGETHER ON THE HOUSING SHORTAGE
THE STORY OF VITAL COMMUNITIES Celebrating 25 Years
FEATURED QUEST: Bill Hill
Vital Communities cultivates the civic, environmental, and economic vitality of the Upper Valley. We bring people together, bridging boundaries and engaging our whole community to create positive change. vitalcommunities.org 195 North Main Street White River Junction, VT 05001 Phone: 802-291-9100 Email: info@vitalcommunities.org
Staff Tom Roberts, Executive Director, x101 Sarah Brock, Energy, x109 Rachel Darrow, Finance, x115 Bethany Fleishman, Transportation, x111
Letter from the Executive Director
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Short Takes
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The Housing Shortage Affects Us All
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25 Years of Vital Communities
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Featured Quest: Bill Hill
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2018 Volunteers
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Spring Calendar
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Lauren Griswold, Valley Food & Farm, Valley Quest, Volunteers, x107 Paige Heverly, Transportation, Energy, Adaptation, x114 Mike Kiess, Housing, x113 Nancy LaRowe, Local First Alliance, Valley Food & Farm, x106 Elyse Payson, Executive Assistant, Database, x104 Carole Petrillo, Bookkeeping, HR, x103 Allison Rogers Furbish, Communications, x108 Beth Roy, Valley Food & Farm, x105 Rob Schultz, Leadership Upper Valley, x102 Becka Warren, Valley Food & Farm, x112 Rebecca Winter, Database, Events, x116
Board of Directors Barbara Barry, Woodstock, VT
On The Cover: New Year, New Look Did you notice our new logo? We’re celebrating 25 years of bringing people together to make positive change in the Upper Valley, and it seemed like the perfect moment to refresh our look. You’ll see the new logo now on our website and many of our printed materials, and on all things Vital Communities by the end of 2019. Editor: Allison Rogers Furbish Photography: Staff unless indicated otherwise Molly Drummond, page 3, back cover Rob Strong, page 3-4, 6-7 Ken Baldwin, page 7
Elyse Crossman, Claremont, NH
Printing: Compliments of Sheridan - Dartmouth Printing Company of Hanover, New Hampshire
Bill Geraghty, Hanover, NH
Design: Nomad Communications of White River Junction, Vermont
Sally Kraft, Hanover, NH Jenny Levy, Norwich, VT Nancy Merrill, Lebanon, NH Rick Mills, South Strafford, VT Markell Ripps, East Thetford, VT Ron Shaiko, Hanover, NH Ken Wells, Lebanon, NH
Connect with Us
Sally Wilson, Wells River, VT Daniel Newmark, Revers Board Fellow, Tuck School of Business
/vitalcommunities
/vitalcommunities
Vital Communities | Spring 2019 | Letter From the Executive Director
Letter from the Executive Director Reading a section of David Christian’s Origin Story: A Big History of Everything, I was reminded of our work at Vital Communities. Christian, an Australian history professor, marks the major epochs in earth’s “Big History.” He argues that in the 20th century, we began to transform everything around us to such an extent that we’ve become the equivalent of a new geological force on the earth: the “Anthropocene.” As the world transforms at an accelerating rate, we’ve reached a place where we as humans are now managing the entire biosphere. We manage a system poised on the edge of collapse because of threats we’ve put to it through climate change and declining species biodiversity, among others. He asks if we will recognize these threats and find ways to turn from extinction-level change to a sustainable future. He describes a quest for a path where we shift our ways of thinking about the
Tom Roberts, Executive Director tom@vitalcommunities.org 802-291-9100 x101
economy, energy, agriculture, and our social life. It is in exactly these areas that Vital Communities brings people together, engaging our whole community to create positive change. Christian proposes three virtues we need to carry out this work: hope, alertness, and determination. These values are intrinsic to our work at Vital Communities. I’m often struck by the number of times these virtues are cited by folks praising staff here for their work. We provide and inspire hope. We face the future with alertness and determination. If you’ve partnered with us in our work over the past 25 years, you doubtless have experienced this as well. Together, it is how we make our way to the sustainable world Christian envisions as our big history unfolds.
Celebrating 25 Years
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Vital Communities | Spring 2019 | Short Takes
Reducing the Energy Burden Town energy committee members at last year’s roundtable agreed: it’s time to work on reducing the energy burden—the percentage of a household’s income needed to pay energy costs. The Olcott Falls Pilot Project in Wilder offered the perfect opportunity to dive in. Spearheaded by the Town of Hartford and the regional Energy Advocacy Council—including Vital Communities and numerous service providers like LISTEN, the Haven, SEVCA, and COVER—the project seeks to make energy efficiency upgrades in manufactured homes, some of the leakiest in the Upper Valley. “This pilot couldn’t have happened without all the organizations pitching in,” says Vital Communities Energy, Transportation, and Adaptation Coordinator Paige Heverly.
Vital Communities hopes to get funding to run more projects like Olcott Falls—starting small, testing ideas, and growing into a model that can be used statewide by Efficiency Vermont, another project partner. “Solutions are being tested at the community level that work,” says Heverly.
“Projects like this give us the ability to share, learn from each other, and bring the best solutions to communities throughout the Upper Valley and our two states.” –Paige Heverly Want to get involved? Email paige@vitalcommunities.org.
Curb the Car– At Least for One Day The winter’s gone—and the weather is prime for trying a new way to commute! You’ll find lots of incentives and resources to get you going this spring and summer. Kick off the season with Vermont’s commuter challenge throughout the month of May and New Hampshire’s commuter challenge in June. You’ll join thousands of others as you walk, bike, bus, carpool, or telecommute your way to cheaper, healthier, more earth-friendly transportation—and you could win great prizes! On May 17, join our second annual Upper Valley Curb the Car Day. Stop by one of our Curb the Car Day stations for refreshments, bike checks, and more. We’re also offering free bike skills workshops around the region. For details on all these events and other resources to help you plan your new commute visit vitalcommunities.org/transportation.
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Vital Communities | Spring 2019 | Short Takes
Learn to Lead
Amber Johnston grew up in Bradford, Vt., then left the Upper Valley for college and life abroad. After returning and going to work for the Upper Valley Haven, she was eager to learn more about what is once again her home. “Having grown up here, I feel deep roots and a very strong connection to the Upper Valley,” she said. “But of course you usually see the piece that you see, so I was excited to expand the vision.” As a member of the Leadership Upper Valley class of 2018, Johnston said, she was able to do just that. The program offers 30 community members an immersive education in all things Upper Valley. Participants meet one day a month over 10 months, with each session focused on a different dimension of the region—and its challenges. “I was just interested in learning more about what was going on, making connections, hearing about other programs, ways we could deepen our work or partner with other things that were already out there,” said Johnston, who is director of community education and volunteer services for the Haven. “It’s helped me view the Upper Valley through a different light,” she said, “because I was made aware of issues that I wasn’t aware of, or was able to see through a different lens.… Thinking about the vast amount of knowledge that I gained during what is essentially 10 days is pretty incredible.”
Interested in being part of the Class of 2020?
“Leadership Upper Valley has helped me view the region through a different light...” –Amber Johnston
Applications are due April 30. vitalcommunities.org/leadershipuppervalley 3
Vital Communities | Spring 2019 | Short Takes
Let's Talk About Climate Change Want to learn how to talk about climate change with your neighbor, at your next social event, or around the Thanksgiving table without being divisive and defensive? Come to our spring Adaptation forum in Lebanon on April 11, where you’ll get information and tips on how to communicate effectively with people who may disagree. We’ll cover how to address common climate change misconceptions and build skills to discuss the topic without being a downer. Expert Christa Daniels, PhD, of Antioch University New England will cover the current state of climate concern, share thoughts on having conversations instead of debates, and lead participants through small group discussions and role plays. Get the details, register for the forum, and watch a helpful video on “The Secret to Talking about Climate Change”: vitalcommunities.org/adaptation.
Eat Local with Food Connects The Upper Valley food hub collaboration is moving right along, literally! In fall 2017 Vital Communities started convening conversations about a ‘food hub’ for the region. More than 70 participants expressed their needs and wishes for shared storage, trucking, education, kitchen facilities, and more. Many conversations and investigations later, we’re excited to share that Food Connects, a nonprofit food hub based in Brattleboro, is expanding its region and is now beginning to distribute local products in the Upper Valley! Food Connects increases access to markets for its producer partners and provides a platform for more Upper Valley schools, stores, and restaurants to support local farms. We’re working closely with Food Connects and local producers as the truck rolls out. Food hub conversations related to shared kitchen, storage, and education continue, so contact Nancy (nancy@vitalcommunities.org) to get involved. 4
Vital Communities | Spring 2019 | Short Takes
Hanover Co-op Food Stores: Improving Food Security–Local First
When you shop at the Hanover Co-op Food Stores you get more than what you take home in your grocery bags. This Local First founding member strengthens our community in ways that are often behind the scenes but critical to keeping the Upper Valley vital and serving our most vulnerable.
The Co-op Food Stores is helping to eliminate hunger in the Upper Valley.
for more Upper Valley residents to eat local and healthy. The Co-op is also the original sponsor of Willing Hands. These days, the cooperative donates 1.5 tons of excess food each week to be distributed to food pantries. These and other community support programs are only possible when customers choose to spend their dollars at the local businesses that give so much back to our communities. So keep it local and look for the Local First Alliance logo! Find local businesses online at vitalcommunities.org/localfirst.
Food insecurity is a real issue for many in our community. Each of the Hanover Co-op's stores is committed to supporting initiatives that help eliminate hunger in the Upper Valley. Food for All is a Co-op program that offers Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients a 10% discount on most store items year-round. The Co-op also offers Double Up Food Bucks, which provides SNAP customers a 50% discount off fresh, local produce. That makes it easier
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The Housing Shortage Affects Us All
In January the Valley News published an op-ed on the Upper Valley’s housing shortage signed by members of Vital Communities’ Corporate Council. Read an excerpt below, and find the entire op-ed and an accompanying supportive editorial at vitalcommunities.org/housing. It is no secret that there is a shortage of homes to buy or rent in the Upper Valley. That shortage affects all of us. Home ownership costs and rents are high. Vacancies are low. People have difficulty finding places to live near their jobs and services. Employers have hundreds of unfilled job openings because there just aren’t enough places to live.
Fixing the housing shortage in our region requires ideas and action from current residents, civic leaders, and organizations. One group focusing on this challenge is the Corporate Council convened by Vital Communities. We are a volunteer group of this region’s largest and best-known institutions, businesses, and nonprofits. Collectively, we employ more than 16,000 staff and reach well over half the households in the Upper Valley. We are deeply committed to strengthening our region. By acting together as neighbors and communities, we can create more places to live that support our environment, our culture and all that we value in the Upper Valley. 6
What might that look like? How will we get there? As residents of this region, each of us can play a part in answering these questions and others. Together we can address the housing shortage that threatens the vitality and sustainability of our communities. We can create the housing we need while still respecting and enhancing the Upper Valley’s landscape, communities, and local culture. Together we can create and sustain communities that our families and co-workers can afford to call home. We are eager to join together with our neighbors and communities—with you—in this work. Your perspective and experience are essential to finding the right solutions for the Upper Valley. To share your thoughts on housing in the Upper Valley, email Vital Communities Workforce Housing Coordinator Mike Kiess at mike@vitalcommunities.org.
Members of Vital Communities’ Corporate Council include: Clay Adams, Chair, Mascoma Bank President and CEO Ellen Arnold, Dartmouth College Associate General Counsel Dan Jantzen, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center Chief Financial Officer Trip Davis, Dartmouth Regional Technology Center Board Chair Beth Rattigan, Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC Director Buff McLaughry, Four Seasons Sotheby’s International Realty President Edward W. Fox, Hanover Co-op Food Stores & Auto Service Centers General Manager Evan Smith, Hypertherm President and CEO Beth Vettori, Kendal at Hanover Executive Director Karen Colberg, King Arthur Flour Co-CEO Kathy Underwood, Ledyard National Bank President and CEO Joe Perras, Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center CEO John Kuhns, Newspapers of New England Chairman of the Board Jeff Goodrich, Pathways Consulting LLC President Dan McGee, Red River Chief Operations Officer Stephen Lawe, Resource Systems Group CEO Jay Benson, Simon Pearce CEO Tim Briglin, Tuckerman Capital Partner Sara Kobylenski, NH Center for Nonprofits Board Member Thomas McHenry, Vermont Law School President and Dean Patricia Moulton, Vermont Technical College President Jenny Levy, Vital Communities Board Chair, Hypertherm VP of People, Community and Environment
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“ We need to be able to talk to each other” The Story of Vital Communities
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An intersecting point of voices & visionary ideas
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Not long after Interstates 89 and 91 opened in the 1960s, making their grand intersection at White River Junction, Norwich resident Anne Silberfarb began to worry: how would this new means of getting around change the character of life in these quiet towns along the Connecticut River?
Betty Porter of Norwich answered that plea. She believed that communities in the Upper Valley needed to become less siloed, that the border between Vermont and New Hampshire should not be a barrier to cooperation, and that recognizing our strength as a bi-state region would make us better off.
Though harder and harder for many of us to imagine, Silberfarb recalls, “The most beautiful farmland in the Upper Valley was where all the commercial development is now on 12A in West Lebanon.”
Porter was treasurer of the League of Women Voters of Hanover at the time. Right away, she thought, “This challenge is a natural for the League, because it’s known for its educational efforts, is non-partisan, and it’s not going to be threatening as we try to assemble stakeholders and get them working together.”
Changes came, in some towns more dramatically than others, and toward the close of last century a collective unease began to spread about how continued commercialization would impact local downtowns, siphoning traffic away from small businesses there.
A collective unease began to spread about how continued commercialization would impact local downtowns And while routes from Thetford to Hartford or Lebanon to Lyme now were much faster, there was little to suggest that our communities were any more interdependent. That unease turned to a call to action in September 1993, when the Valley News published an editorial encouraging readers to “think of themselves not only as residents of an individual town or state, but of a region” and to “think about preserving the qualities that make the Upper Valley a desirable place to live.” The editorial went on to list a handful of “indicators of the region’s vitality”—benchmarks by which we might measure the health of a place, including demographic diversity and availability of good-paying jobs—and concluded with a plea to some “group of volunteers” to assemble and conceive “a general strategy for protecting that which makes this area special.”
A general strategy for protecting that which makes this area special.
In late 1993, the League initiated a project called “Upper Valley: 2001 and Beyond” (UV:2001). Porter and her team managed to persuade the “articulate and charismatic” director of public issues at the Montshire Museum to join them. Her name was Delia Clark. “We knew that Delia could really help us explain what it was we were trying to do,” says Porter. Clark remembers taking the leap into this upstart group—already fully inspired by the mission. “I knew that if we could weave together the communities of the Upper Valley, to help and sustain one another, it would create a sense of union,” she says, “that would be the golden ring we were reaching for.” And what was true then, Clark thinks, is just as true today.
“We can’t just live these parallel lives. We need to be able to talk to each other across ideological lines, now more than ever.” –Delia Clark Many of the region’s towns were grappling with similar changes and challenges. “And up to this point,” Porter says, “nobody had thought to reach out to their neighbors for any wisdom or guidance.” Getting communities to talk to one another was the first initiative of UV:2001. In day-long sessions with
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Founding board members— left to right: Anne Silberfarb, Betty Porter, Rick Hausman, and Charlotte Faulkner. With thanks to The Norwich Times.
Photo credit: Jon Gilbert Fox
residents and municipal leaders in several towns, each community identified its unique values, what it saw as its challenges, and drafted action plans to address those challenges—resulting in a kind of roadmap called a Community Profile. UV:2001’s role began to come more clearly into focus. “‘Neutral convener’ were two words that kept coming up, and to me were the most important,” says Porter. “Because when you’ve got people who are developers and people who are tree-huggers, you can’t get them talking together if you’re seen as an advocate for either party.” UV:2001 gained sure footing by 1997. Silos seemed to be dissolving and regional thinking emerging. Dialogue within communities and among communities fostered both a sense of shared challenges and a growing curiosity about one another’s cultural, historical, and natural assets.
Dialogue within communities and among communities fostered both a sense of shared challenges and a growing curiosity. The League voted to spin UV:2001 off into its own organization, renamed Vital Communities of the Upper Valley. Delia Clark became its first executive director. Porter and Silberfarb remained integral to the formation of its first board of directors. All three remain tied to the organization today. “You want to make positive change happen, and Vital Communities has been remarkable in doing this,” Porter says. “I think we’ve gotten a lot of things done, 10
but it’s grassroots—it’s coming from people in the community rather than us telling them what we think they should do.”
“You want to make positive change happen, and Vital Communities has been remarkable in doing this.” –Betty Porter From the start, Vital Communities understood that a community can be defined many ways and can cross what people often see as borders. Twenty five years into its work, Vital Communities strives to remain an intersecting point of voices and visionary ideas—bringing people together to cultivate the civic, environmental, and economic vitality of the Upper Valley. The organization’s current work focuses on sustainable food systems, place-based education and community organizing, clean and efficient energy and transportation systems, climate adaptation, civic leadership, a thriving local economy, and engaging businesses in regional and societal issues. Thousands of Upper Valley residents lead, participate in, and support Vital Communities projects each year. The results over 25 years include a more vibrant regional food system and economy; hundreds more homes focusing on energy efficiency and renewable sources; increased bus and bike commuting and carpooling; more productive connections among neighbors, businesses, and towns; thousands of happy adventurers deepening their knowledge of and love for the Upper Valley through Questing; and several hundred community leaders making meaningful impacts in their communities—just to name a few.
Vital Communities: A Brief History
And as Vital Communities celebrates 25 years helping create positive change in the Upper Valley, the organization is looking ahead to greater impacts in the next quarter century and more. “Vital Communities has a 25-year history of successful, non-partisan, community-based initiatives within and across many issue areas, reaching straight back to the Valley News editorial that sparked this whole idea,” says Tom Roberts, executive director since 2015. “Our initiatives often serve as prototypes, establishing models and best practices for partners across Northern New England. We focus on the unique challenges and resources of rural communities, testing new approaches and sharing our learning. We leverage the power of collaboration across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. And in 2019, as we celebrate our 25th anniversary and implement our forward-looking strategic plan, we’re primed and ready to think and work in new ways.” Being part of Vital Communities and its work to help shape a more vibrant Upper Valley remains one of the highlights of Porter’s life, she says. “Vital Communities is a legacy for me, the existence of which is the thing I’m proudest of in my life,” Porter says. “I feel privileged to have worked with so many wonderful people who thought it was a good idea.”
1993
Founded under the name “Upper Valley: 2001 and Beyond” by the League of Women Voters of the Upper Valley
to
Convened community listening sessions to identify the region’s values, challenges, and opportunities
1996
Launched Valley Quest to strengthen the region’s sense of place
1997
Re-named Vital Communities!
1993 1996
1999 to
2002 2009 to
2013
Began work to advance Upper Valley agriculture and sustainable transportation
Added initiatives to support local economy, regional leadership development, and clean energy
Fund for the Future We’re celebrating 25 years of Vital Communities! It took bold decisions 25 years ago to get Vital Communities started. It requires bold choices today to adapt and respond to what our community needs now. The Fund for the Future will allow Vital Communities to make key investments of time and energy in the issues that matter in the Upper Valley. Housing? Farmer’s markets? Local business? Climate adaptation? Renewable energy? Help us be responsive to the challenges of tomorrow with a gift to the Fund—and your gift can be matched! Contact Development Director Rob Schultz for more information: rob@vitalcommunities.org.
2014
Started hosting community discussion lists
2017
Took on workforce housing and climate adaptation
2019
Unveiled new logo and 25th anniversary celebration 11
Featured Quest: Bill Hill Quest
Clues Before you start just look around What near this Quest trail can be found? A sugar house, ready to go Which might be envied by Thoreau!
Valley Quest is a way to explore, discover, learn, and have fun in the Upper Valley. Our 170+ community-developed treasure hunts share the natural and cultural history of our region. Find them all at vitalcommunities.org/valleyquest. As stewards of the Upper Valley, we ask that you leave the land better than you found it and pack out any trash you find. Happy Questing!
Thetford, Vermont Difficulty: Moderate Duration: 1:00 To get there: From Exit 14 off I-91 follow Rt. 113 West up over Thetford Hill and down into Thetford Center. Turn left onto Tucker Hill Rd. Just past the covered bridge turn left into the driveway and park at the “Trailhead Parking” sign.
Quest Site Overview The farm on Bill Hill was established in the early nineteenth century and cleared for cultivation, pasturage, and hayfields. In 1963, Thetford writer Noel Perrin bought the Bill Hill property and, leaving his New York City roots, began a dual life of teaching and part-time farming. Over the following four decades, Perrin learned from his land as he worked to shape it, harvest from it, and maintain the open view from the top of Bill Hill that he loved so much. Noel Perrin wanted to assure that his land will exist in its undeveloped state in perpetuity. In 1984, he placed his property under a Grant of Conservation Restrictions to the town of Thetford. Fifteen years later, he transferred the grant to a conservation easement under the Upper Valley Land Trust (UVLT). UVLT is a regional land conservancy working to protect farmland, forests, wetlands and waterways, wildlife habitat, trails and scenic areas in the Vermont and New Hampshire towns of the Upper Valley. Since 1985, UVLT has protected over 300 parcels of land encompassing more than 30,000 acres. uvlt.org
In feet, it counts eight by eleven, In syrup, sometimes twenty-seven Gallons per year for Mr.Perrin, Who for the maple trees was caring. Across the driveway steps lead down (Invasive knotweed covers ground), And straight ahead, without a hitch You see the falls and the covered bridge. This path follows the river’s bends. And at Union Village Dam it ends! But YOU go back: The Trailhead Parking leads To an old gearbox in the weeds. Who used it? Maybe Henry Bill, Who gave the name to our hill? No, he lived in the eighteen hundreds. The land was cleared and sheep here wandered. Now start your Quest where you can name “White Pine” – “White Birch”, they form a frame. Light blue blazes you will have to follow. They guide you through a grassy hollow Until you reach a rocky cleft. Twin spruce trees guard it on your left. The trail climbs up along barbed wire, Then joins the stone wall a bit higher. These walls, once built to keep sheep in, Restored they were by Noel Perrin. Stumps on the left are soft and spongy; How many years the tree rings tell ye? Beyond the metal gate in the wall, A stand of red pines straight and tall Was planted on the steeper slope. The trail goes round it and your hope For better views is soon rewarded: The open pasture does afford it! Caused by a fungus, you’ll soon see A “Black Knot” on a cherry tree Before the upper field you round, Where weeds, berries & wild flowers abound. “A lump of glacial debris” way up on top Marks where your Questing will stop. T’was Noel Perrin’s favorite view, Conserved for people just like you, Who wander up and always will Enjoy the sights from old “Bill Hill”.
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Created by Inge Trebitz in 2004.
Thank You! 2018 Volunteers Edward Adams Clay Adams Arlene Adams Tish Aldom Watt Alexander Heather Alger Jessica Allen Liane Allen Danielle Allen Peggy Allen Brent Alley Peter Allison Susan Almy Phoebe Altman Kye Ameden Greg Ames Trip Anderson Nicole Antal Ellen Arnold Shyann Arpaia Ariel Arwen Kate Ash Leah Atwood Debbie Babineau Prakriti Babu Rebecca Bailey Anne Baird Ellen Ballard Kelly Barger Barbara Barry Michael Barsanti Becky Basch Lexi Basile Kathy Beckett Sally Bellew Clifton Below Dot Benham John Benjamin Mary Berlejung Roberta Berner Bill Bittinger Brandy Blackinton Miranda Blaiklock Mark Blanchard Jay Blodgett Peter Blodgett Ellen Blumberg Don Blunt Barnes Boffey Lynn Bohi Michelle Boleski Mark Bolinger Dave Bonta Lydia Bos
Mary Bouchard Luke Boyden Ben Boyle Mary Boyle Catherine Boysen Sarah Bozuwa Cindy Brabant Mark Bradley Daniel Brand John Brennan Malachi Brennan Tim Brennan David Brenner Tracy Bricchi David Briggs Tim Briglin Tristan Broe Eleanor Bronder-Major David Brown Darla Bruno Emily Bryant Mary Bryant Amy Bucci Bill Bugg Jessica Bullock Eric Bunge Kerstin Burlingame Justin Burrows Judith Bush Phil Bush Meghan Butts Bill Cable Len Cadwallader Leigh Cameron Steve Campbell Conni Campbell Heather Cantagallo Aidan Capo Finn Capo Graham Capo Lila Capo Rachelle Capo Seth Capo Larry Carbonetti Sarah Carpenter Jim Carsley David Cate Jonathan Chaffee Ellen Chandler Megan Chapman Steve Chapman Van Chesnut Julie Chester Hardware Bill Chidsey
Stacey Chiocchio Brad Choyt Stephanie Clark Jinny Hardy Cleland Joe P. Clifford Keith Coburn Eleanor Coffey Judi Colla Chris Collier Michael Collins Joan Collison Robin Comstock-Gay Jane Conklin Dorothy Connelly Linda Conrad Matt Coogan Ted Cooley Anne Duncan Cooley Kim Cooper Linda Copp Tom Cormen Colin Cort Emma Cottage Dwayna Covey Elyse Crossman Sarah Currier Noah Curtis Bobbi Dagger Daniel Dahmen Christopher Damiani Brendan Dangelo Gary Daniels Heather Daniels Judy Danna Garrett Dash Nelson Jesse Davis Scott Davison Aaron Day Robb Day Phil Dechert Terri Decker Russ Diefenbach Debbie Diegoli Jordan Dill Gary Dir Ervinna Halim Djunarto Daren Dolley Jennifer Donovan Matt Donovan Heather Doran Aaren Dow Collen Doyle Dennis Driscoll Molly Drummond
This list has been prepared with care. However, if we’ve inadvertently omitted your name, please contact us!
Scot Drysdale Anthony Dube Kate Duesterberg Dick Dumez Misty Dumont Anne Duncan Cooley Courtney Duquette Christine Dyke Alice Eberhardt Ron Eberhardt Carol Edwards Alice Ely Kate Epsen John Erickson Diane Eze Stacie Fagan Jessie Farnham Kristin Fauci Elizabeth Ferry Joie Finley Denee Fioravanti Kyle Fisher F.X. Flinn Anthony Folland Cameron Ford Holly Fowler Alan Fowler Patricia Fowler Ed Fox Rod Francis Edward Frazer Lois Frazer Richard Frick Carolyn Frye Amelia Furbish Steve Gagliardone Gigi Gallaway Michelle Gama Benjamin Gardner Emily Gardner Lynn Garfield David Gaudet Harsha Gavarna Cathy Geiger Kevin W. Geiger Hannah Gelroth Bill Geraghty Kevin Gieger Will Gilman Selenda Girardin Dee Gish Stacey Glazer Sandy Gmur Joy Gobin
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Thank You! 2018 Volunteers Sue Godin Sherry Godlewski Sam Goldhar Joan Goldstein Carmen Gonier Phil Gonier Amy Good Jeff Goodrich Mark Goodwin Rebecca Gordon Frederica Graham Amy Grasmick Linda Gray Julia Griffin Mike Griffin Suellen Griffin Cindy Grigel Arlene Guest Bart Guetti Ryan Haac Joan Haley Vic Hall Linda Hallock Bill Hammond Paulina Hammond Kristen Haney Marie Hanson Susan Hardy Rebecca Harris Scott Hart Tyren Hartford Rebecca Haynes Shari Haynes Jenn Hayslett Reggie Hazel Doug Heavisides Nancy Heckel Theresa Hernandez Derek Herro Alicia Hershberger Jamie Hess Lori Hibner John Higgins Patricia Higgins Michael Hillinger Deborah Hinman Lori Hirshfield Geo Honigford Niko Horster Josh Hotvet Jerusha Howard Judith Howland Matt Hughes Birgit Humpert
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Mara Isham Alex Jaccaci Dan Jantzen Chris Jayne Laura Jeliazkov Luke Joanis Julia Johns Alan Johnson Amber Johnston Stefanie Johnston Jack Jones Kevin Jones Amelia Kahl Linda Kahl Thomas L. Kahl Jeremy Katz Eleanor Keats Kevin Lane Keller Rainie Kelly Karl Kemnitzer Meredith Kendall Doug Kennedy Joseph Kenney Barbara Kenny Sean Kenny Nick Kent Pamela Keyser Jeff Kimmel Curt Koehler Kyle Koehler Margaret Kohl Erika Konkel Jen Kopf Beth Kopp David Kotz John Kotz Eula Lee Kozma Sally Kraft Mikayla Kravetz Peter LaBelle Lynne LaBombard Peter Labounty Steven Ladd Grace LaFromboise Kristin Lafromboise Molly LaFromboise Chris LaGrow Mindi Laine Aaron Lamperti E.D.M. Landman Victoria Larasy John Larsson Beth Latchis Pam Lavasser
David Lavie Ben Lavoie William Laycock John Lazo Jose Lazo Julie Lazo Carola Lea Cindy Leach Dan Leavitts Robin LeBlanc Ariel Leclerc-Vanesse Cheryl Leiner Suzanne Leiter Joanne Lendaro Ken Leslie Pheonix Leslie-Reynolds Ted Levin Jordana Levine Jenny Levy Darlene Levy Jenny Levy Julie Libby Karen Liot Hill Julia Lloyd-Wright Gary Loeb Lorie Loeb Norwood Long Suzanne Long Jill Lord Rebecca Lovejoy Zea Luce Betsy Luce Devin Lucero Nicholette Lustig Jason Lutes Robin Luther Betsy Lynd Bill Lynn Denise Lyons Melissa Mackenzie Hyla Maddalena Erin Madory Pam Mainville Daniella Malin Hannah Malin Stremlau Cathy Maloney Elissa Margolin Fergus Marshall Katherine Martey Timothy Martin Aime Mason Larry Matteau Barry McCabe Betsy McClain
Marie McCormick Phebe McCosker Jim McCracken Michael McCrory Mike McCrory Martha McDaniel Sue McDonald Patricia McGovern Jane Kitchel McLaughlin Andrew McLaughlin Buff McLaughry Rusty McLear Ryan McNutt Gail McPeek Lelia Mellen Nancy Merrill Bob Merrill Krista Meyerhoff John Miller Bethany Miller Sally Miller Rick Mills Susan Mills Corb Moister Brick Moltz Tad Montgomery Sylvia Moore Sheila Moran John Morris Martha Mott James Murray Lynn Murrell Kevin Niles Bessie O'Brien Timothy O'Dell Kevin O'Hara Toyin Oke Lee Oliver Michelle Ollie Patrick O'Neill Mary Ormrod Matt Osborn Scott Osgood Erich Osterberg Charlotte Osterlund Gayle Ottman Rebecca Owens Evan Oxenham Terri Paige Rebecca Paquette Samantha Pause Natasha Payton Prudence Pease Eric Peirce
This list has been prepared with care. However, if we’ve inadvertently omitted your name, please contact us!
Janet Peirce Laura Perez Ruth Perkins David Perlman Joe Perras Hattie Perry Kevin Peterson Kathy Petuck Lizann Peyton Jennifer Phipps David Pisha Fred Pond Scott Pope Kathy Poston Monique Priestley Maria Puglisi Dawn Pullar Lisa Putnam Michael Quinn Amanda Rafuse Zachariah Ralph Mary Anne Rankin Jason Rasmussen Alex Ray George Reagan Taylor Recknow Julia Reed Sue Reed Allan Reetz Andrea Reimann-Ciardelli Andrea Rhodes Ira Richards Amy Richardson Larry Richburg Ashley Ricker Vanessa Riegler Sarah Riley Robert Rinaldi Markell Ripps Amy Robb
Joanne Roberts Benjamin Rogers Nichole Romano Randy Romike John Rooney Tim Roper Michael Sacca Robert Sand Guneet Sangha Isabelle Sangha Chhoeun Sann Guy Santagate Gina Sargent Larry Satcowitz Hope Saunders Laura Savall Kenneth Sawyer Darci Saypack Mark Scarano Jennifer Schiffman Mark Schiffman Meg Schindler Steve Schneider Lauren Schumacher Bruce Seely Meg Seely Rita Seto Ronald Shaiko Joanna Sharf Bob Sherman Lynette Sherman Anne Silberfarb Laura Simon Craig Smith Ashley Smith George Smith Nancy Smith Jason Smith Kim Smith Josh Spaulding
Pooh Sprague Debra St. Peter Caroline Stern Vanessa Stern Kelly Stettner Byron Stone Judy Stone Rob Strong Dan Sullivan Tyler Sullivan Benjamin Sutcliffe-Swanson Richard Svec Ben Swanson Robert Sydney Eric Tadlock Janet Taylor Jessica Taylor Cindi Taylor Rob Taylor Steve Taylor Martha Tecca Kathi Terami Skylar Tetu Pete Thoenen Christina Thomas Jennifer Thompson Nancy Thornton Peter J. Thurber Tig Tilllinghast Robin Tindall Deborah Tinkham Victoria Traudt Inge Trebitz Sandy Trybulski John Tunnicliffe Cynthia Twombly Molly Tyler Archi Vamathevan Amy VanderKooi Bob Walker
Michelle Walker Wilhelm Wanders Clementine Warren-Lutes Max Warren-Lutes David Watts Evie Watts Susan Weeks Carol P. Weingeist Dan Weinstein Charlie Welch Laurie Welch Ken Wells Sarah Welsch Holly West Erin Wetherell Hallie Whitcomb Becca White Nancy Wightman Jennifer Wilcox Devin Wilkie Jeremy Williams Jenny Williams Stan Williams Sally Wilson Karen Wilson Mary Alice Wilson Andrew Winter Lisa Wise Mark Wood Clayton Wood Sheryl Wood Chuck Wooster Linda Wright David Yesman Vicky Young Tom Yurkosky Pat Zacharski Teo Zagar Gabe Zoerheide
Volunteer with Vital Communities There are many ways to volunteer with Vital Communities! From office or event support to skilled consults to Valley Quest maintenance on town trails, there’s something for just about everybody. We welcome recurring volunteering as well as one-off assistance, and we have opportunities both at our White River Junction office and throughout the region (including tasks like data entry that can be done from home!). Join our team, leverage our community work, and meet new people! Email info@vitalcommunities.org to get plugged in today. 15
Spring 2019 Calendar
Flavors of the Valley Taste the flavors of the Upper Valley at the 18th annual premier local food tasting expo, with samples from more than 45 farm and food-related vendors. Enjoy fresh produce, artisan bread, award-winning cheeses, tasty jams, hand-crafted sweets, goat milk gelato, and other delicious local goods. Buy advance tickets at vitalcommunities.org/flavors. When: 11 am-12 pm Advance Ticket holders only 12-3 pm General Admission Where: Hartford High School, Hartford
Let’s Talk About Climate Change Christa Daniels, PhD, from Antioch University will lead participants in a series of exercises to learn effective strategies for communicating about climate change. Register at vitalcommunities.org/adaptation. When: Thursday, April 11, 4:30-8:15 pm Where: Hypertherm, Lebanon
Leadership Upper Valley Application Deadline Leadership Upper Valley educates, inspires, and engages citizens to better serve their communities. Participants meet one day a month over 10 months, with each session focused on a different dimension of the region—and its challenges. Apply by April 30 for the Class of 2020! When: Tuesday, April 30 Where: vitalcommunities.org/leadershipuppervalley
Valley Quest Season Begins Discover the hidden treasures of the region with one of our more than 170 Valley Quests, available at vitalcommunities.org/ valleyquest. Check out our 25th Anniversary Super Quest for our list of Top 25 Quests to try this season! When: May 1 to November 1 Where: Throughout the Upper Valley
Spring Business Leaders Housing Breakfast Network with other business leaders and learn more about workforce housing and the current real estate market. Hosted by Vital Communities and Twin Pines Housing. Register at vitalcommunities.org/housing. When: Friday, May 3, 7:30—9 am Where: Hilton Garden Inn, Lebanon
Energy Committee Roundtable An annual chance for our region’s energy committees to network with their counterparts in other towns, hear updates on local energy initiatives, and think creatively and collaboratively about our region’s most pressing challenges. This year’s event will feature discussion on transportation, the largest portion of our region's carbon footprint. Get details at vitalcommunities.org/energyroundtable. When: Tuesday, May 7, 5-8 pm Where: Fireside Inn, West Lebanon
Upper Valley Curb the Car Day Join us to choose a cheaper, healthier, more earthfriendly way to commute. We’ll have Curb the Car stations in towns around the Upper Valley – get details at vitalcommunities.org/bikewalk. When: Friday, May 17 Where: Throughout the Upper Valley
Heroes & Leaders Celebrate Vital Communities’ 25th Anniversary and the visionaries who have been instrumental in bringing people together to make positive change on issues that matter in the Upper Valley. Tickets are available at vitalcommunities.org/heroes. When: Thursday, May 30, 5:30—9 pm Where: Top of the Hop, Hanover
Support Vital Communities Inspired by what you’ve read in these pages? A gift to our annual fund today will 16
strengthen our impact in the Upper Valley over the coming year. Visit vitalcommunities.org/donate to give today. You can also make a bequest to Vital Communities and leave a legacy for the Upper Valley. Contact Development Director Rob Schultz to learn more: rob@vitalcommunities.org.
Upper Valley
Farmers’ Markets 1. ASCUTNEY, VT Ascutney Farmers' Market Saturdays 10–2
9. HARTLAND, VT
11. NEWPORT, NH
Hartland Farmers’ Market Fridays 4–7
Newport Farmers’ Market Fridays 3–6
10. LEBANON, NH
2. BARNARD, VT
12. NORWICH, VT
Lebanon Farmers’ Market Thursdays 4–7
Feast and Field Market Thursdays 4:30–7:30
Norwich Farmers’ Market Saturdays 9–1
3. BELLOWS FALLS, VT Greater Falls Farmers’ Market Fridays 4–7
13. RANDOLPH, VT
6
Randolph Farmers’ Market Saturdays 9–1
13 14. SOUTH ROYALTON, VT
4. BETHEL, VT Bethel Farmers’ Market Mondays 3–6
4
5. CANAAN, NH
Canaan Farmers and Artisans’ Market Sundays 10–2
Royalton Farmers’ Market Thursdays 3–6
14 12
2
8
15. SPRINGFIELD, VT
Springfield Farmers’ Market Saturdays 10–1
5 10
17 9
6. CHELSEA, VT
16. WILMOT, NH
Chelsea Farmers’ Market Fridays 3–6
16
7. CLAREMONT, NH
1
Claremont Farmers’ Market Saturdays 10–1
7
Wilmot Farmers' Market Saturdays 9–12
17. WOODSTOCK, VT Woodstock Market on the Green Wednesdays 3–6
11
Mt Tom Farmers’ Market Saturdays 9:30–12:30
15 8. HANOVER, NH
Hanover Farmers’ Market Wednesdays 3–6
3
Power of Produce Clubs FOR KIDS! Free, fun, fresh summer activities for kids ages 5–12. Kids get market money to spend on local fruits and veggies. It’s free and easy! Find the POP table at a participating farmers’ market, sign up, and enjoy! Come once, come often, come any time.
POP Club
Market accepts SNAP
Market doubles SNAP benefits
$
Market Accepts Farm to Family coupons
Go on a Quest here!
Find locations, events, and details at vitalcommunities.org/valleyfoodandfarm17
195 North Main Street White River Junction, VT 05001 802-291-9100 vitalcommunities.org
Flav rs OF THE VALLEY 18th Annual
Meet Farmers & Chefs • Enjoy Tasty Samples • Buy Local Food
Sunday April 7, 2019 11 am–3 pm Hartford High School, White River Junction, VT
11 am –12 pm
Advance Ticket holders only, $2 discount
12–3 pm
General Admission, $12/person or $35/family, (6 and under free) Buy Advance Tickets at vitalcommunities.org/flavors #flavorsofthevalley Photo by Molly Drummond
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS
vitalcommunities.org