Seven Days, June 12, 2024

& BOLDER

Joep Beving

emoji that

RECORD CHECK

2,400

An encampment on Battery Street in Burlington before it was cleared out

The Vermont GOP’s rules prevent it from backing a candidate who is a convicted felon. It’s not too late to find an eligible candidate!

PARK AND RIDE

That’s how many miles of high-speed internet cable CVFiber and NEK Broadband want to lay across 71 Vermont towns.

TOPFIVE

1. “Burlington Police Terrified High School Students With Mock Shooting” by Courtney Lamdin and Colin Flanders. A lesson in violence prevention got too real when the fake shots started. A full story appears on page 14.

Burlington city officials are distributing water, dumpsters and portable toilets to three homeless encampments as part of Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak’s plan to provide basic necessities to the city’s growing unhoused population.

Supplies will be brought to two camps near the waterfront and another in the Intervale, by the Old North End, the mayor told city councilors at Monday night’s meeting. Mulvaney-Stanak called it a “flexible” seasonal policy. She said the city will continue removing tents from city parks and public rights-of-way.

Encampments have popped up in visible places this spring, prompting debate about how to regulate them. On Monday night, many councilors appeared to be on board with Mulvaney-Stanak’s plan. But they also had plenty of questions.

“People in Burlington are really feeling frustrated about the encampments throughout the city,” Councilor Becca Brown McKnight (D-Ward 6) said. “ at’s something I’d like to see reflected more in all of our plans.”

Burlington’s handling of encampments has been fraught. In 2017, a homeless man sued the city for trashing his campsite twice while shelters were full. A settlement in 2019 created a policy that allows officials to remove encampments from city property if they’re a health or safety risk. Campers typically are given at least seven days to relocate.

Basic Needs

Camping is only sanctioned at the North Beach campground. But illegal tenting has been going on for years, mostly out of public view. e city dismantled an expansive Sears Lane encampment in 2021, which prompted calls to reform the policy.

Meantime, Burlington’s unsheltered homeless population has ballooned to nearly 300, up from about 50 just a year ago. at number will likely spike this fall, when the state’s motel housing program winds down. Only 223 shelter beds are available in all of Chittenden County, some only in the winter months.

Mulvaney-Stanak’s plan will allocate $50,000 to outfit the campsites with supplies. She’ll also lobby the state for funds to open additional shelters in Chittenden County. And she intends to keep the Elmwood Avenue “shelter pod” community open for another year.

Councilor Gene Bergman (P-Ward 2) said the steps will provide some dignity for campers but will also cause strife in the Old North End neighborhood, where toilets will be installed. Bergman, who lives nearby, said residents already complain about the “noise and fighting” from the encampment.

“ ere needs to be real community engagement,” Bergman said. “ is is a conversation that we need to have ... because I’m going to get the calls.”

Read Courtney Lamdin’s full story at sevendaysvt.com.

The Colchester Causeway is now owned by the state and will become a state park, VTDigger.org reported. As long as it remains free…

PRAY FOR A STAY?

Two families sued Vermont over inclusive LGBTQ foster care policies they say conflict with their religious beliefs. The courts will decide.

POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE

Some Dartmouth College grads at commencement protested the school’s treatment of pro-Palestinian demonstrators. No one interrupted tennis great Roger Federer, though.

2. “A Lawmaker’s Bag Was Repeatedly Drenched, and Now a Colleague Faces a Probe” by Kevin McCallum. Sources said Rep. Mary Morrissey (R-Bennington) was caught on video dumping water into another lawmaker’s personal bag. A full story appears on page 15.

3. “iSun, Parent Company of SunCommon, Declares Bankruptcy” by Derek Brouwer. e outlook is cloudy for one of Vermont’s few publicly traded companies. A full story appears on page 20.

4. “Burlington Bagel Bakery to Add Fourth Outpost, in Williston” by Melissa Pasanen. e place will be in the former Friendly’s restaurant on Williston Road.

5. “At Fancy’s in Burlington, Chef Paul Trombly Delights in Vegetables” by Melissa Pasanen. e cozy Oak Street eatery shares a space with Poppy.

post of the week

On a train in Vermont. I boarded this train five hours ago and it’s crawling at 20mph and it’s very pretty outside but I’m starting to worry if this is purgatory

NATURAL FIT

A yurt that was carried off by floodwaters last summer from a campground in Marshfield has a new home in Montpelier, where it will be dedicated on Juneteenth as a BIPOC gathering place.

e tarp-covered structure is now set up at the North Branch Nature Center, a 28-acre preserve of forest and fields that draws about 15,000 visitors per year. It’s a gift from Opeyemi Parham, a central Vermont-based health consultant who wants the yurt to become a refuge for people of color, according to Emily Seiffert, the nature center’s deputy director.

e yurt will serve that purpose and more,

Seiffert said in an email. Programs will use it as a home base, as will Camp BranchOUT, a weeklong August camp that is run with Outright Vermont, a group dedicated to supporting LGBTQ young people.

Parham, who is Black, will lead nature-based activities and community gatherings. At the dedication on Wednesday, June 19, she’ll tell the story of the yurt, which she purchased with an inheritance from her aunt, who graduated from Howard University with a degree in botany. e ceremony will include drumming, dancing and remarks by local activist Sister Sankofa — formerly known as Shanda Williams — and community singing.

e yurt stood for three years at the Onion River Campground in Marshfield before the

area was devastated by Winooski River flooding last July.

“Luckily, the yurt floated, and was carried downstream a hundred yards before being gently deposited in a newly created wetland,” Parham said in a statement.

e structure is 17 feet in diameter and has a wooden platform and ramp. Its frame and rafters are made from saplings that are interlaced. A woodstove will make the yurt usable year-round. It’s known as Dot’s Place, in honor of Parham’s aunt.

“A group could warm up for lunch after doing a tracking program all morning,” Seiffert said. “We look forward to discovering all the ways we and the broader community might end up using it.”

ANNE WALLACE ALLEN

COMPILED BY SASHA GOLDSTEIN & MATTHEW ROY

North Branch Nature Center yurt

•

•

ONE FOR THE AGES.

publisher & editor-in-chief

Paula Routly

deputy publisher Cathy Resmer

AssociAte

publishers Don Eggert, Colby Roberts

NEWS & POLITICS

editor Matthew Roy

deputy editor Sasha Goldstein

consulting editors Ken Ellingwood, Candace Page

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

intern Jack McGuire

ARTS & CULTURE

coeditors Dan Bolles, Carolyn Fox

consulting editors

Chelsea Edgar, Margot Harrison, Pamela Polston

VisuAl Art editor Alice Dodge

Music editor Chris Farnsworth

cAlendAr writer Emily Hamilton

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

proofreAders Alice Dodge, Angela Simpson

AssistAnt proofreAders

Katherine Isaacs, Martie Majoros, Elizabeth M. Seyler

interns Ian Dartley, Leah Krason, Nina Sablan

DIGITAL & VIDEO

digitAl production speciAlist Bryan Parmelee

senior MultiMediA producer Eva Sollberger

MultiMediA journAlist James Buck

Audio/Aloud production Jeff Baron

DESIGN

creAtiVe director Don Eggert

Art director Rev. Diane Sullivan

LESSON LEARNED?

[Re “Burlington Police Terrified High School Students With Mock Shooting,” June 6, online]: I am writing to express my support for Burlington High School teachers and their collaboration with the Burlington Police Department in creating an innovative and memorable curriculum regarding the ultra-serious, horrific and literally triggering topic of gun violence.

production MAnAger John James

designer Jeff Baron

intern Olivia White

SALES & MARKETING

director of sAles Colby Roberts

senior Account executiVe Robyn Birgisson

Account executiVes Michelle Brown, Logan Pintka, Kaitlin Montgomery

eVents, proMotions & ticketing MAnAger

Carolann Whitesell

ADMINISTRATION

business MAnAger Marcy Stabile

director of circulAtion & logistics Matt Weiner

circulAtion deputy Andy Watts

AssistAnt to the publishers Gillian English good citizen chAllenge intern Ben Conway

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

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

CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS

Luke Awtry, Daria Bishop, James Buck, Tim Newcomb, Rob Strong, Jeb Wallace-Brodeur FOUNDERS

Pamela Polston, Paula Routly

CIRCULATION: 35,000

In a world ravaged by global and local problems, I was shocked that this story made national news. This is concerning given the magnitude of mortality and morbidity that can be seen blocks away from the high school. Profound post-pandemic depression, poverty and suffering — where were the stories about the violence, racism, social injustice just outside school walls? The irony of a high school in a shopping mall ill-suited for the danger nearby seems to have been missed in this bizarre nonstory.

As someone who has been mandated to sit through anemic, counterproductive, forgettable trainings on a variety of issues, including shooter drills, I applaud any creativity and innovation in the presentation. Hopefully this small classroom of students will use this information in a transformative way. I pray they will not have to use it in an actual survival situation.

George Romero’s Dawn of the Dead, which also took place in a shopping mall, showed how those on the fringe survived.

Wayne Warnken BURLINGTON

SCHOOL CHOICE FOR ALL

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

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[Re “Saunders Warns of State Intervention if Struggling School District Doesn’t Shape Up,” May 29, online]: I read with interest Alison Novak’s article concerning Agency of Education interim Secretary Zoie Saunders’ efforts to call to account Windham Southwest Supervisory Union, as well as the educational establishment’s response, voiced as a concern about her “ability to effectively advocate for and lead Vermont’s public education system.”

As an attorney who has worked on educational choice issues on behalf of parents and kids for the past seven years, I have heard horror stories about the problems kids confront in public schools. I have been struck by the educational establishment’s lack of concern for these kids. The educational establishment advocates for schools, voters, administrators and even,

©2024 Da Capo Publishing Inc. All rights reserved.

occasion, taxpayers. It never advocates for the kids. Here, Windham is failing its kids, and the establishment is concerned about the “public education system.” Holding the system to account is precisely what public education needs. But the article reveals the political pressure on the Agency of Education not to enforce its standards, so accountability in Vermont is held hostage by powerful political and bureaucratic forces.

The solution: pro-choice for all Vermont parents of Vermont schoolchildren. Vermont’s school choice system — the oldest in the country — has worked well for kids in mostly rural, poorer sections of Vermont. If all parents were given the power of choice, then the public school system would be strengthened by an accountability that at least some members of the educational establishment, according to this article, fear and oppose.

Deborah Bucknam WALDEN

GO, ‘GIRL BOSSES’

Kudos to Seven Days for the captivating article about Lawson’s Finest Liquids’ first hired CEO, Adeline Druart [“Ray of Sunshine,” May 29]. Her courage, focus and tenacity in forging her path from France to America and then achieving not one but two outstanding pinnacles in tough, usually male-led industries, are reasons enough for young people of any gender to take note.

Her proud declaration that she “didn’t go to CEO school” made me like her even more, because her authenticity as a collaborative leader is innate. When I was earning my MBA at New York University 15 years ago, case histories lauding

There’s no need for Vermont ratepayers to shoulder unaffordable costs, either — the legislature has instructed the Public Utility Commission to assess the need for a statewide ratepayer protection program to ensure that everyone can afford their electricity bills. There’s also more federal money available now than ever to support our transition to renewable energy. And Vermont’s new Climate Superfund Act aims to get restitution from those most responsible for this crisis: the fossil fuel companies who have reaped vast profits from destabilizing the climate.

dictatorial male CEOs were still the norm. Newly minted MBAs who became the “girl bosses” of the aughts gladly emulated them, but when their companies’ bottom lines plummeted, their investors replaced them with more collaborative leaders.

That Druart nailed her interview with the Lawsons by preparing a meticulous presentation that was all about the Lawson family’s legacy, the company’s values and its future, rather than focusing on her own accomplishments, should be a lesson for every leader. Moreover, her diligence in engaging every employee one-on-one for their personal story, as well as their advice for her, is evidence of her astuteness in leading a beloved family company still poised for growth.

Here’s looking forward to more good news about Druart and her success in continuing the Lawson’s Finest Liquids legacy. MBA programs, take note!

Liz DiMarco Weinmann RUTLAND

OVERRIDE H.289

[Re “Scott Vetoes Renewable Energy Bill,” May 23, online]: Gov. Phil Scott says he vetoed H.289, the Renewable Energy Standard, because of the cost — as though we can afford not to invest heavily in new local and regional renewable energy.

H.289 is the result of a historic agreement between Vermont’s utilities, who have long resisted significant steps toward renewables, and climate and environmental groups, representing all of us who understand just how critical this moment is and how steep the future cost will be for today’s children and their children if we let shortsightedness keep us from acting now.

Scott’s alternate plan might pretend to be cheaper, but it takes us further from the clean, resilient energy grid we need. Fortunately, we still have a chance to pass H.289 with a legislative veto override on June 17. I hope our legislators realize that a vote against the Renewable Energy Standard is a vote against a safe and affordable future, while a vote for the standard is a historic win that will safeguard Vermonters for generations to come.

Marisa Keller MONTPELIER

FIX ‘IRRESPONSIBLE’ VETO

The Vermont state legislature should override Gov. Phil Scott’s veto of H.289, the Renewable Energy Standard [“Scott Vetoes Renewable Energy Bill,” May 23, online.] We need to act now to make sure Vermont’s electricity is clean, reliable and affordable.

Investing in local renewable energy makes sense for our state economy and for generations of future Vermonters.

The effects of climate change are already costing our state millions of dollars — for example, in flood cleanup. It is irresponsible not to do what we can to reduce air pollution and ecosystem damage from our power supply.

We can’t afford to delay this important action.

Matthew LeFluer ALBURGH

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hang out around the campfire.

the fields. Rokeby

and

KT Tunstall,

Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center in Stowe. e Grammy-nominated Scottish musician brings passionate vocals and anthemic-rock grit to such iconic hits as “Suddenly I See”

as in, all the way back to the mid-19th century — at Father’s Day at the Farm at Billings Farm & ball, ash bat reproductions, straw-filled bases and a

“Deli, ” the third anniversary exhibit at Kishka Gallery & Library

Winooski Juneteenth to commemorate

Museum in Ferrisburgh pays Sheep & Wool Day, with spinning

weaving demos, wool

Month at Huntington’s Green Mountain Audubon Pride Mo(n)th. Nature-loving members

who used to busk on Burlington’s Church Street Marketplace

Rhubarb Hop: A Progressive , a fundraiser by the Waterford Historical by the town’s original settlers more than 200 years ago. Visitors sample rhubarb switchel, relish and

The Right Place

I’ve often remarked that Seven Days makes Burlington — and northern Vermont — look bigger and more bustling than it actually is. That’s a result of our collective weekly effort to acknowledge everything going on, from poetry readings to pig races, within the physical territory we cover.

Compiling the weekly calendar of events is a fulltime job, and, as part of it, Emily Hamilton also chooses which ones to feature on the Magnificent 7 page. Chris Farnsworth and Alice Dodge provide the same comprehensive listings and spotlights in the realms of music and visual art, respectively.

In addition, our culture reporters write longer stories about what they find noteworthy. Seven Days aims to be your guide to Vermont arts, food and culture, with local experts pointing the way. After flipping through the paper, or reading it online, I hope the takeaway is: Wow, there’s a lot more going on in this tiny place than I imagined. I should go out and experience some of it.

Over the weekend, I took my own newspaper’s advice. I did four things that I learned about from reading last week’s issue — some of which are ongoing.

First: Fancy’s. In her restaurant review last week, food writer Melissa Pasanen raved about the new, mostly vegan eatery in Burlington’s Old North End. The Oak Street space is tiny — chef Paul Trombly shares it with Poppy — so showing up at 7:30 p.m. on a weekend night was risky. But my partner, Tim, and I got lucky with two seats at the counter against the window. Each dish was more delicious and creative than the last.

With bellies full of cauliflower, celtuce and chocolate creemee, we walked down to the Burlington waterfront to get a load of Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 — one of seven shows Dan Bolles and Chris Farnsworth recommended in their combo coverage of last week’s Burlington Discover Jazz Festival. Tim and I were huge fans of Kuti’s father, the late Nigeria-born Fela Kuti, aka the King of Afrobeat. For a perfect hour and a half, we took in the complex rhythms, butt-shaking dancers and clouds of weed as the crescent moon set behind the Adirondacks.

The next day, I got up and set off for the Kents Corner State Historic Site in Calais. My friend Erin and I wanted to see “The Quarry Project Echoes,” an art show inspired by a site-specific dance-theater

piece that Vermont artist Hannah Dennison created two years ago. Oh, and Pamela Polston wrote about it in last week’s Seven Days

En route we stopped at Red Hen Baking in Middlesex, taking time first to walk around the adjacent Camp Meade outdoor performance area, with its odd sculptures and exhibits, marveling at the ingenuity of our fellow Vermonters.

Speaking of: At the Kent, we found Dennison at the entrance and, later, in one of the many small rooms that host the works of other artists in response to hers. With stunning photographs by Julia Barstow and Michael Wisniewski, as well as installations that artfully incorporate props, costumes and flotation devices from Dennison’s 2022 piece in a Barre granite quarry, the exhibition is an appreciation and continuation of her vision. It’s up through June.

I got back to Burlington just in time to catch a 5:05 p.m. Vermont Lake Monsters game at beautiful Centennial Field. Some of my colleagues were there, tabling for our annual Good Citizen Challenge. I read about that in Seven Days, too.

Summer weekends in Vermont are jam-packed with possibilities; there’s nothing illusory about it. Want to know what’s happening here, there and everywhere? You’re in the right place.

Paula Routly

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PHOTOS BY PAULA ROUTLY, DARIA BISHOP AND COURTESY OF VERMONT LAKE MONSTERS

ED AGENCY GETS SUED

LAW ENFORCEMENT

Staged Fright

Vermont to Receive

$3.1

Million in Settlement With Johnson & Johnson

STORY & PHOTO BY JACK MCGUIRE jmcguire@sevendaysvt.com

Vermont will receive $3.1 million as part of a multistate settlement with pharma giant Johnson & Johnson, Attorney General Charity Clark announced on Tuesday.

e New Jersey-based company was accused of deceptive advertising in hiding the fact that its talc-based baby and body powders could include the toxic substance asbestos. e mineral can lead to mesothelioma, cancer and other ailments. Moreover, recent research suggests that using talc-based powder can lead to higher rates of ovarian cancer.

Emails show Burlington educators were surprised, too, by mock shooting that terrified students

BY COLIN FLANDERS & COURTNEY LAMDIN

It sounded almost too far-fetched to be true: Burlington cops terrifying high schoolers by staging a fake shooting. But that’s exactly what happened last week at the city police station, where a “masked gunman” pretended to open fire in a classroom full of unsuspecting teens.

The June 5 demonstration made national news and left the adults in charge pointing fingers over who was to blame for the presentation gone wrong. The Burlington Police Department and the Burlington School District gave somewhat conflicting accounts of how the incident unfolded. While the two sides made peace by last Friday, their joint apology satisfied few.

Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak told Seven Days that she was disappointed that the police department would think a mock shooting was appropriate. But she also made clear that Chief Jon Murad, whom Mulvaney-Stanak reappointed to a yearlong term last week, will stay in his role.

The chief didn’t attend Monday’s city

council meeting. But his name came up during public comment, when several Burlington residents expressed their disappointment about what had happened.

THE DEMONSTRATION MADE NATIONAL NEWS AND LEFT THE ADULTS IN CHARGE POINTING FINGERS OVER WHO WAS TO BLAME.

“There is a crisis of trust with our police department, and this incident is one more example of how that has developed,” Rep. Troy Headrick (P/D-Burlington) said. “At some point, we need to have a very honest conversation that we don’t have leadership at the helm of BPD who has the capacity for good decision making.”

The demonstration was part of a forensics class o ered through Burlington High School’s annual year-end studies program. Twenty or so students were told that they would tour the police department and see a presentation on how detectives solve crimes.

Two of them who spoke to Seven Days on the condition of anonymity said the cops made repeated references throughout the day to how Burlington was experiencing a wave of shootings and other gun-related crimes.

Students were facing the front of the room listening to a detective speak when they heard screams behind them. Two women ran in, the students said, followed by a man wearing a ski mask and holding a gun. Gunshot sounds rang out.

One of the students said she dove to the floor. The other said she scrambled to find her phone so that she could text her mother.

“Product safety and consumer protection are two of my main priorities as attorney general,” Clark told reporters. e settlement was part of a fouryear multistate investigation. Overall, 43 state attorneys general reached a $700 million settlement with Johnson & Johnson. Factors such as market share determined Vermont’s portion of the money. e state will receive the cash over four years.

In addition to financial compensation, Johnson & Johnson also agreed to stop the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of talc-based baby and body powder products. e company started to phase out the use of talc in the 1990s and now uses cornstarch instead. Still, Clark advised consumers to throw away older Johnson & Johnson products that may contain the mineral.

e settlement does not account for private lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson over talc in their powder products. In December, a federal judge said Johnson & Johnson shareholders could pursue a class action lawsuit against the company, and there are a number of pending personal injury lawsuits.

Last month, Johnson & Johnson agreed to spend $6.5 billion over 25 years to settle lawsuits involving women who claimed the products caused ovarian cancer. ➆

Attorney General Charity Clark on Tuesday

Candid Camera

Video obtained by Seven Days shows a Republican lawmaker soaking a Democratic rival’s stuff

BY KEVIN MCCALLUM • kevin@sevendaysvt.com

Rep. Jim Carroll thought he was losing his mind.

The Democrat from Bennington would hang his canvas tote bag on a hook outside his committee room in the Statehouse every morning and, by the end of the day, it would often be soaking wet. He racked his brain for possible explanations. Was his bag under a leaky ceiling pipe? Did snow fall in it on his way into the building? Did he fail to secure the cap of a bottle?

At his wits’ end, he turned to a trusted colleague, Rep. Angela Arsenault (D-Williston).

that the documents were his personal property. The paper appealed, pointing out that the videos were taken by a public official in a public building involving potential misconduct by a public official.

STATEHOUSE

Last Friday, Seven Days broke the story about the videos and a confidential ethics investigation into Morrissey’s conduct.

“I have been very reluctant to disclose the video because I believe it will deeply embarrass Representative Morrissey,” Carroll wrote in a statement. “However, it has become clear to me that the media are aware of the details of Representative Morrissey’s behavior, and likely will continue to report on that behavior in the near future.”

The videos, which Carroll took using a small spy camera, show Morrissey, 67, approach Carroll’s bag, which was hanging outside his Commerce and Economic Development Committee room, and pour a cup of liquid into it. Portions of both videos are obscured, as though the camera lens is partially blocked by something, but what it captures is perfectly clear. (To view the videos, go to sevendaysvt.com.)

Morrissey’s face is not shown in either video, but her distinctive shock of long gray hair leaves little doubt that it is she. Her Corrections and Institutions Committee room is directly across a Statehouse hallway from Carroll’s.

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“He asked me one day, ‘Am I an asshole?’” Arsenault recalled.

Carroll explained himself: While it was “going to sound crazy,” his bag was repeatedly getting soaked. “He was like, ‘I think someone’s doing this on purpose,’” Arsenault said.

That someone, according to spy camera videos that Carroll released on Tuesday, was Rep. Mary Morrissey (R-Bennington).

Carroll provided the two videos to Seven Days in response to a request under the state Public Records Act. He initially declined to release them, through a legislative attorney, arguing

The first video, taken on March 23 at 9:10 a.m., shows Morrissey, wearing a gray suit jacket, enter the frame. She walks directly to Carroll’s white-andgreen bag, reaches up and, as though watering a houseplant, pours a cup of liquid into it.

In the second, taken on March 26 at 12:21 p.m., Carroll sticks his arm into the bottom of the bag, apparently checking its contents. The bag has a Statehouse logo on it, and it rests against a blue sport coat on a hanger. He then walks out of the frame and toward his committee room. Seconds later, Morrissey, wearing a rose-colored jacket and scarf, pops into the frame. She quickly lifts a clear cup of

Scott Vetoes Tax Rate Bill, Citing Vermonters’

Financial Strains

STORY & PHOTO BY KEVIN MCCALLUM kevin@sevendaysvt.com

Last Thursday, Gov. Phil Scott vetoed the bill meant to set property tax rates for education, arguing that it would result in steep tax increases that many residents can’t afford — especially in light of other rising costs.

“Vermonters cannot afford a doubledigit property tax increase,” Scott wrote in his message vetoing H.887. Lawmakers passed what is known as the “yield bill” toward the end of a late-night session on May 11. They scrambled to find ways to boost the state Education Fund with other revenues in order to reduce average property tax increases that at one point were predicted to exceed 18 percent.

After passing measures that included a sales tax on the use of online software anticipated to bring in $14.7 million and a 3 percent tax on short-term rentals that would raise $12 million, they were able to limit the average property tax increase for most homeowners to 13.8 percent.

But Scott said that is still unacceptable, especially when combined with a 20 percent increase in Department of Motor Vehicle fees, a new payroll tax to fund childcare and stubborn inflation, which he noted is “driving up the cost of household essentials like food, clothing and services faster than paychecks are growing.”

“We must provide property tax relief now. This can’t wait for another study before implementing cost containment strategies,” Scott declared.

House Speaker Jill Krowinski (D-Burlington) did not sound optimistic about any budget agreement.

“The Governor has been unable to provide any alternative plan that would be workable for the start of the fiscal year on July 1,” she wrote in a prepared statement. “If we do not have a yield bill on July 1, our education system is projected to face a $93 million dollar budget deficit and will exacerbate the stability and affordability issues we are facing at this moment.” ➆

Staged Fright « P.14

“I’m shaking and crying because I’m like, Oh, my god, I’m gonna get shot,” she said. “It felt so real.”

The students said they realized it was fake only after noticing that the cops had done nothing to stop the pretend shooter. Parents told Seven Days afterward that they felt the demonstration played on the anxieties of students who have grown up fearing somebody could open fire at their school.

“I’m baffled,” said one mother, who asked to remain anonymous to protect her daughter’s identity. “It is a very real threat to kids these days to have a school shooting. It’s something they worry about.”

Burlington police initially apologized to any students “who were upset” by the demonstration and appeared to cast blame on the school district. The statement quoted excerpts of emails showing that teachers had approved of the demonstration ahead of time and agreed to let parents and students know.

The simulation would involve “fake firearms in a mock shooting,” the department wrote in an email on May 23. “Do you think that sort of incident would be ok for your group of students? It is about as real life as you can get, and is certainly exactly the sort of thing we deal with most frequently.”

“I think these students will be fine with this simulation,” school staff responded. “We will give a heads up to parents and students. They can make a choice not to watch.”

The full email thread, obtained by Seven Days through a public records request, reveals a clearer picture of the discussions.

It shows that on May 24, a day after the department floated the idea of a mock shooting, a police staffer emailed the teachers to say the content of the presentation would depend on how many cops were available.

The mock shooting never came up again, the emails show. Instead, on June 3, two days before the class, a police staffer shared the following schedule: “My plan is to give a presentation about what we do, sprinkle in the Rita Curran case, and then have a scenario where they work with us to document and collect evidence based on the things we just went over,” the email read, referring to a cold case that detectives solved last year.

“We will likely have some detectives there to help do a witness interview type situation as well,” the email continued. “Sound ok?”

In the hours after the incident, school officials tried to figure out what happened.

Emails show that one of the teachers told the high school’s interim principal that police had suggested a “re-enactment involving guns and gunfire” but never said it would be unannounced.

“This seemed like it was just spitballing at the time,” one of the teachers wrote. That’s why, when the department’s plan for the day did not mention the mock shooting, the teachers thought it had been called off. “We never mentioned it to students or families based on that description,” the teacher wrote.

In an email to parents, the teachers said the officers told them that they’d previously used the lesson with college students and adults and that they wanted the event to be “as realistic as possible.”

“The detectives did apologize after they realized that the reenactment did not translate well to high school students,” the teachers wrote.

The story, which Seven Days broke online last Thursday, quickly spread, fueling headlines in the New York Times, CNN and NBC News. “As School Shootings Abound, Vermont Police Terrify Kids With a Fake One,” read a New Republic headline.

The decision to stage a realistic shooting for students was hard to fathom, even in a city familiar with bewildering police conduct. The department made national news in 2019, too, when former police chief Brandon del Pozo resigned after he was caught using an anonymous social media account to harass a critic.

Last week, del Pozo was asked on the social media platform X about the latest incident involving his former department. He responded with an emoji of a zipped mouth.

In a joint statement last Friday, Chief Murad and Burlington School District superintendent Tom Flanagan said they were “truly sorry” about the

demonstration. They said it stemmed from a “breakdown in communication between two groups trying to work together to create a meaningful experience for students.”

“Neither of us want any repeat of anything like this moving forward,” they wrote.

The school district offered counseling services and said it, along with the police department, held a “restorative circle” for students and staff to “process and talk about events of the day.” They declined to detail that experience. “What is said in the circle stays in the circle,” the statement said.

One mother who spoke to Seven Days said the official response to the incident has only added to her frustration.

The initial statement from the police seemed to deflect blame onto students for being upset, the mother said, leading her daughter to wonder whether she had blown the incident out of proportion. The joint statement, meanwhile, provided no insight into how basic communication between the cops and teachers broke down, the mother said, adding, “I still don’t understand what happened here.”

The mother, who is considering filing a formal complaint against the police department, doesn’t think that her daughter will be “scarred for life” by the incident. But she said the traumatic experience seems to be lingering in subtle ways.

The teenager has lost interest in watching TV shows such as “CSI” and “NCIS” that first piqued her interest in the forensics class, the mother said. And the cops’ repeated references to crime in Burlington have made her wary of spending time downtown; the young woman no longer trusts that police will keep her safe. ➆

Gov. Phil Scott

Chief Jon Murad

Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak

Burlington Police Officer Pleads Guilty to Negligent Driving While Off Duty

BY SASHA GOLDSTEIN • sasha@sevendaysvt.com

A Burlington police officer has pleaded guilty to negligently driving his motorcycle off duty after he reached speeds of about 100 miles per hour while crossing into oncoming traffic as he passed cars.

Jeffrey Baur, 32, entered his plea on June 5, the day he was scheduled to go on trial for the misdemeanor. He will be fined $300, plus $192 in court charges.

Franklin County Deputy Sheriff Ryan Nadeau was parked at a car dealership on Swanton Road in St. Albans at around 5:45 p.m. on October 19 when three motorcycles flew by at what he estimated was 90 to 100 miles per hour, the deputy later recounted in a sworn affidavit that was filed in court. The posted speed limit was 35 miles per hour, Nadeau wrote. Baur was riding his motorcycle alongside another Burlington police officer, Brady McGee, 30, and Burlington firefighter Joshua Porter, 36.

Nadeau’s written account details what he says happened: He activated his lights and siren and started to pursue the bikers. The motorcycles passed groups of three and four cars in no-passing areas, prompting oncoming drivers “to swerve onto the shoulder of the road to avoid a collision.” This continued for 2.3 miles, during which Nadeau drove 90 miles per hour. Even at that speed, Nadeau wrote, he would gain on the bikers, only for them to “pull away from me again.”

He was about to give up the chase because of how dangerous it was when two of the three bikers, Baur and Porter, pulled onto a side street in Swanton and parked. Nadeau pulled up and asked Baur and Porter “what they were doing driving like that.”

“Just being stupid sir,” Baur replied, according to the deputy’s affidavit. “There’s no excuse.”

They told Nadeau that they hadn’t heard his siren because they were both wearing earbuds. They eventually stopped at their destination: the house where Baur and McGee lived.

While the three were talking, Timothy Chagnon, a retired Vermont State Police lieutenant, arrived and introduced himself.

“This idiot passed me while two cars are coming at him. If you need a statement or any help afterwards I’ll give it to you. Both of them,” Chagnon said, pointing to Baur and Porter. Then, he added, “You are so fucking stupid, you almost killed someone, you dumb son of a bitch,” according to the deputy’s affidavit. Chagnon later provided a witness statement, as did another driver who stopped to yell at the motorcyclists.

Nadeau then asked Baur and Porter for the name of the third biker, but “they said they were uncomfortable giving their friends [sic] name,” the affidavit reads. Around this same time, dispatch reported a motorcycle crash a mile away. After citing Baur and Porter, Nadeau responded.

At that scene, he found a motorcycle but no rider; the bike was registered to McGee. Nadeau then received a call from dispatch — McGee was on the line, using Baur’s phone. McGee asked if he could come pick up his motorcycle, but Nadeau told him it was being taken by a tow truck. The deputy arranged to meet McGee at his house to discuss the speeding and crash.

The deputy’s account says McGee told Nadeau he hadn’t seen the deputy chasing him and his friends. He said a deer had run in front of him, causing him to go off the road. Nadeau reported that he “could smell a faint odor of intoxicants coming from McGee.

“When asked he said that when he got home he was shaken up so he had a couple beers,” Nadeau wrote. “McGee was uninjured from the crash.”

McGee and Porter were also charged with negligent operation. They’ve pleaded not guilty and have hearings scheduled later this month and in July, respectively.

Baur and McGee were placed on paid administrative leave in December and remain out, according to Joe Magee, a spokesperson for Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak.

Asked about Porter’s status with the fire department and whether he faced disciplinary action, Burlington Fire Chief Michael LaChance said Porter “is not on leave and is working his regular shifts serving the citizens of Burlington.” ➆

Candid Camera « P.15

water up to the top of the bag, pours the liquid in and scurries off.

“What that tells me is that she was watching me,” Carroll told Seven Days.

Carroll said he noticed his bag was getting wet beginning in January, and it happened more frequently in February.

On February 21, Carroll, 62, was arrested for drunken driving at 8:30 a.m. in a Statehouse parking lot. A Montpelier police officer noticed his car’s muffler was too loud and then reported signs that he was impaired. He went to rehab for a couple of weeks, then returned to the Statehouse in early March.

“That’s when it started happening over and over and over again,” he said.

reads. “I strive to ensure that our time in the State House is focused on collaborative, bipartisan work on behalf of all Vermonters. The integrity and decorum of our legislative proceedings and of legislators are of paramount importance, and any actions or behaviors that compromise these values will be thoroughly investigated and addressed. I want to assure everyone that the matter is being taken seriously.”

Rep. Martin LaLonde (D-South Burlington), chair of the House Ethics Panel, declined to be interviewed or even acknowledge that a complaint had been filed. Krowinski said she herself doesn’t know the status of the complaint.

Carroll initially told his committee chair, Rep. Mike Marcotte (R-Coventry), and asked for help figuring out how it was happening.

Minority Leader Rep. Pattie McCoy (R-Poultney), who was present when Krowinski confronted Morrissey, did not respond to multiple messages seeking comment.

“At first we thought, Is it near a source of water? Could it be something dripping from the ceiling? ” Marcotte recalled.

Carroll said he also brought the issue to the attention of House Speaker Jill Krowinski (D-Burlington), once showing her his bag with ice cubes in it. He also told former sergeant at arms Janet Miller and Capitol Police Chief John Poleway. But he realized the only way to get the evidence he needed was to catch the culprit in the act. So he plotted a Statehouse sting.

He discussed the issue with Poleway and decided to set up a tiny spy camera in the hallway. The $23 camera, which his brother, who lives in New York, sent to him, operates remotely via an app on his phone. He said he was on solid legal ground to secretly record.

“There is no expectation of privacy in a public building,” Carroll said. “It’s a public space, and the chief backed me up on that.”

Poleway declined to comment.

Once Carroll had the goods on Morrissey, he shared them with Poleway, Krowinski and others. The speaker confronted Morrissey about it, and she initially denied responsibility, Carroll said. In a follow-up meeting with Krowinski, Morrissey apologized to him, he said.

“It was a very uncomfortable meeting,” Carroll recalled. He referred questions about her motives to her.

In a prepared statement, Morrissey on Tuesday said she was sorry but did not explain her actions.

“Quite honestly, I don’t know why I did it. I was not meaning to hurt him,” she said. “It is something very out of character for me and I am ashamed. I have personally apologized to Jim and I am publicly

apologizing to Jim and the legislative body in this statement. I will take every step that is needed to repair what I have done.”

Asked whether she would stand for reelection, she declined to answer. Morrissey has filed to run and faces no primary challenger.

After Morrissey apologized in the meeting with Krowinski, the speaker subsequently blocked her from serving on a key legislative committee. The matter was referred to the House Ethics Panel. The five-member board operates in secret and only makes details about complaints public if the accused person agrees or if the panel determines that the person violated ethics rules.

In a statement on Tuesday, Krowinski confirmed the basic details of the story and added that she had recommended Carroll file an ethics complaint. The status of the complaint is unclear.

“This is a truly disturbing situation that is at odds with our legislative practices,” Krowinski’s statement

In his statement, Carroll said various factors played into his decision to release the videos “on advice of counsel.” Continuing to withhold the video “would only subject me to continued and more amplified media criticism, litigation and continued warnings of more litigation to follow.”

He added: “I believe it is right that I release the video and be fully transparent to my constituents and all Vermonters.” If there’s any bad blood between Carroll and Morrissey, he claims to be unaware of it.

Morrissey was injured in Bennington in 2000 when a blind horse named Joker got loose from its enclosure and knocked her to the ground. She sued its owners, Rhoda and Tim Carroll, but lost the case, according to court records. Carroll said there is “no relationship whatsoever” between that Carroll clan and his family.

His father, Joe Carroll, and Morrissey’s father, Gerry Morrissey, were longtime politicians in the town, both serving on the selectboard and in other roles.

“They came from very different political viewpoints,” Carroll said.

That said, he never noticed any animosity between his father and the Morrisseys.

Regardless of Morrissey’s motivation, Arsenault said she wanted the matter made public because it highlights behavior she considers both juvenile and unconscionable. After returning from rehab, Carroll needed the support of his colleagues, not their harassment, she said.

“This is the type of thing that is designed to make someone feel like they are going nuts, to make someone question themselves,” Arsenault said, “which to me is straight up cruel.” ➆

Rep. Mary Morrissey

Rep. Jim Carroll

State Officials Pitch Juvenile Facility to Vergennes

Residents

STORY & PHOTO BY ALISON NOVAK alison@sevendaysvt.com

State leaders headed to the Vergennes Opera House last week to make the case for building a secure juvenile treatment facility in the Little City.

Vermont has lacked a place to house and treat justice-involved youths since the Woodside Juvenile Rehabilitation Center in Essex closed in 2020 amid allegations that staff abused children.

At the June 5 event, Chris Winters, commissioner of the Department for Children and Families, told the 50 or so Vergennes residents in the audience that a new high-end facility is needed to stabilize the system of care for vulnerable youths and reduce the number of Vermont teens who are sent to placements out of state. Vergennes, Winters said, is an ideal location — close to larger communities but with a quiet environment.

Some residents weren’t convinced. During a question-and-answer period, they brought up various issues.

Lizbeth Ryan said some of her trepidation stemmed from the horrific stories that came out of Woodside. “It was a complete and utter disaster,” Ryan said. If the facility ends up in Vergennes, the state needs to be as transparent as possible about what goes on there, she added.

Carol Fenimore Safari said she appreciated the state’s care designing the facility. But she said she was concerned about how it would affect home values and traffic in surrounding neighborhoods.

Beverly Biello asked state officials if residents have any say in whether the juvenile treatment facility is built. She said she believed the city has “way beyond its fair share” of “government institutions” such as low-income housing, addiction treatment programs and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Job Corps program.

“We want to be a good partner to the community,” Jennifer Fitch, commissioner

of Buildings and General Services, responded. “We don’t want to force a facility in a community that doesn’t want it.”

“Here’s what I would say, though,” Fitch added. “‘Not in my backyard’ is a real thing ... If no community is willing to accept us, then we will continue to have a gap in the system, kids will be sent out of state, and they’re going to go to correctional facilities. And that’s not appropriate for these kids.”

Officials’ pitch began with a video. The Green Mountain Youth Campus, on state-owned property off Comfort Hill Road, would have a six-bed therapeutic program, where youths ages 12 to 18 could stay for several months at a time, and an eight-bed, short-term stabilization program for those in crisis.

The locked facility would be “aesthetically pleasing,” DCF adolescent services director Tyler Allen says in the video. “It won’t look like an edifice or an institution,” he says.

Presenters highlighted how the facility would differ from past ones.

“We want to make sure that ... this is a program that is not carceral in its approach but treatment-based, care-based, evidence-based, and that it’s something we can all be proud of,” said Arykah Radke, deputy commissioner of DCF’s Family Services Division.

Its design will reflect that approach, according to Fitch. Natural light, a color palette that mimics the natural landscape, plants, art and sound-dampening materials will create a space that promotes healing, she said.

Winters preemptively tried to allay residents’ concerns about public safety. The state will contract with a yet-tobe-determined provider experienced in working with troubled youths, he said. Winters said he expected minimal police and emergency medical calls to the facility.

“If you’re concerned about public safety and you’re concerned about the youth who are in here, those are kids ... who are in our communities already, and right now we don’t have a secure place to treat them,” Winters said.

Officials said they hope the Green Mountain Youth Campus is up and running in two years. The project still has to go through multiple steps — including permitting, zoning and the creation of a site plan. All of those will allow for more opportunities for community engagement. ➆

A poster for the proposed project

Solar Meltdown

Vermont’s industry giant iSun faces bankruptcy and a fire sale

BY DEREK BROUWER • derek@sevendaysvt.com

The merger of SunCommon with iSun reflected an ambitious vision to become a publicly traded, socially conscious, Vermont-based leader in the U.S. solar industry.

Instead, three years on, the combined company has melted down, leading to abrupt layoffs, lawsuits, near-worthless stock and, now, bankruptcy.

iSun claims it was hemorrhaging $250,000 per week by the time it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protections in a Delaware federal court on June 3. In a legal filing, CEO Jeffrey Peck said the company was on “the precipice of shutting down.” It was saved only by a bridge loan from a Texas energy investment firm, Siltstone Capital.

During a hearing last week, a federal judge approved $4 million in emergency financing that will allow iSun to avoid liquidation.

“We actually run out of money at the end of this week,” iSun attorney Michael Busenkell told the judge in explaining the request.

To avoid switching off the lights entirely, iSun’s executives have proposed a court-overseen sale of the company to an affiliate of Siltstone Capital, with the proceeds used to pay off creditors. What happens after the so-called Section 363 sale is anyone’s guess.

iSun’s collapse is the latest indication of troubles in the U.S. solar installation industry. High interest rates have slowed demand among residential customers, and states such as California have cut back solar incentives. The bankruptcy also represents the failure of an aggressive growth strategy by iSun’s leaders, who

have tried to transform a local, familyowned electric contractor into a dominant regional player in every sector of solar.

Most solar companies in the Northeast are small and specialized. iSun, headquartered in Williston, installs commercial and industrial-scale arrays. In 2021, iSun made a $40 million play to buy SunCommon, the largest rooftop solar installer in Vermont, and gain a foothold in the residential sector, too.

It was an intriguing partnership. SunCommon was born of the nonprofit political advocacy organization Vermont

Public Interest Research Group and later organized as a public-benefit corporation — a state designation for firms with a social purpose. iSun dates back to 1972, when Peck’s father founded Peck Electric. Jeffrey Peck transitioned the family business into solar during the Great Recession and took it public in 2019, making iSun one of just a few publicly traded Vermont companies. At the time, the combined company had about 350 employees, a majority of whom worked in Vermont.

iSun has sought to expand outside Vermont into markets up and down the

East Coast in order to take advantage of anticipated growth in the solar industry. The company took in nearly $100 million in revenue last year, a record high. But iSun has not been profitable: It reported a $19.4 million operating loss last year, smaller than its whopping $53.8 million loss in 2022, according to filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Still, Peck earned $945,000 last year, including a $267,500 bonus, while thenchief financial officer John Sullivan was awarded a $152,500 bonus.

Short on cash, iSun has struggled over the past year to find new financing needed to pay its bills. It borrowed $8 million in December at an interest rate exceeding 20 percent.

In March, the company announced that Peck was being replaced as CEO by Bob Zulkoski, a private-equity expert who cofounded the venture capital fund Vermont Works. Zulkoski headed a threeperson “triage team” whose job was to chart a new path for the ailing company. That’s according to emails included in a new civil lawsuit that Zulkoski and the other two members of the “triage team” filed against iSun in state court.

Barely a month later, however, iSun announced that Zulkoski was out and Peck would return as CEO. CFO Sullivan, too, had departed. In a press release, the company termed the shake-up a “strategic restructuring of its executive team.”

Peck planned to “continue the remarkable journey that Bob has paved for us,” he said in the release.

The lawsuit alleges a less amicable breakup. Zulkoski refused to sign the company’s annual report to investors “due to errors and inadequate disclosures in the document,” his complaint alleges. iSun then terminated his employment “without explanation, cause or any notice.” Zulkoski and others are seeking damages for breach of contract. So are SunCommon founders Duane Peterson and James Moore, who allege in a separate lawsuit that iSun has failed to make payments due to them that are related to the 2021 sale.

iSun’s publicly released annual report, signed by Peck, noted in April that the company may not be able to “continue as a going concern.” It also disclosed poor internal accounting practices that create “a reasonable possibility” of errors in company financial statements.

layoffs within iSun and its subsidiaries was unclear.

In its bankruptcy petition, iSun blamed high interest rates for slowing consumer demand, especially in the residential market, and for raising the cost of new financing.

Siltstone Capital, which touts its large portfolio of oil and gas mineral rights in Texas and Appalachia, did not respond to a request for comment about its plans for iSun, should the court-overseen purchase go through. Peck requested questions in writing. He did not respond to them directly but provided a statement saying the bankruptcy and coming auction will “ensure our longterm sustainability and competitiveness.” He said company operations will “continue as usual.”

BUSINESS

“We are committed to minimizing any disruption to our employees, customers, and vendors during this period,” Peck wrote.

Vermont solar-industry advocates said iSun’s turmoil doesn’t reflect the health of the broader industry in the state.

MICHAEL BUSENKELL

With Peck back as CEO, iSun announced a plan to consolidate its stock, whose share price had been plummeting — only to rescind the plan 24 hours later. By the end of May, NASDAQ removed iSun from the stock exchange, citing its low price of around 10 cents per share. iSun stock had reached a high of $26 per share in 2021; it now trades for less than 2 cents per share.

The company had fewer than 200 employees by the time it declared bankruptcy, according to court filings, down from 275 in April. Several current and former employees of SunCommon and iSun told Seven Days that the figure dropped because the company had laid off scores of its workers without notice in May. A laid-off SunCommon employee, who asked not to be named because he is looking for new work, said he was called into a private meeting with upper management — but not human resources staff — on May 29 and told he no longer had a job, effective immediately. The company did not provide a severance package, he said.

“Everybody was kind of upset about the lack of notice and lack of HR presence,” the former employee said.

Ten SunCommon employees in Vermont and 16 in New York were laid off on the eve of bankruptcy, according to an email from company management shared with Seven Days . The total number of

“I’m just not hearing from other folks in the solar industry in Vermont that they’re not able to make a go of it,” said Peter Sterling, executive director of Renewable Energy Vermont, an industry advocacy group.

His group and others have criticized the state’s Public Utility Commission for steadily lowering net-metering payment rates, reducing payouts to customers who sell excess solar-generated electricity back to the grid. On May 30, the commission announced another reduction that will take effect later this summer. But Sterling said there’s still plenty of work for solar installers in Vermont.

Nationally, industry analysts predict slower growth for solar in the years ahead. Analysts at energy research firm Wood Mackenzie expect solar installations to increase by roughly 3 percent per year through 2029.

“While this is certainly proof of the solar industry’s strong standing in the energy transition, it also represents a slowdown of industry growth,” the firm wrote in its latest report.

Norwich Solar CEO Jim Merriam, whose leaner firm develops commercial projects, agrees. “I think the industry at large is pretty stable,” he said.

A more modest market isn’t a huge problem for his company, which employs about 40 people, he said.

“We’re pacing our growth based on what we see on the street,” Merriam said. “We don’t have that external pressure from investors to grow, grow, grow.” ➆

EDUCATION

Three School Districts Are Suing the State Over Special-Ed Issues

BY ALISON NOVAK • alison@sevendaysvt.com

School boards in Bristol, Woodstock and Springfield have each filed lawsuits alleging that the Vermont Agency of Education has mishandled situations involving students who qualify for special education.

It’s highly unusual for school districts to take legal action against the state agency that oversees them — much less to have three separate suits filed in a matter of months. The last time it happened, according to the Vermont Attorney General’s Office, was more than five years ago, when three lawsuits were filed related to forced mergers under Act 46, the state’s school consolidation law. The state ultimately prevailed in those cases.

The litigation comes at an especially trying time for education in Vermont, marked by an increasing number of students with acute social-emotional, behavioral and academic needs and spiking costs to provide services to address those issues. School spending overall has gone up, prompting repeated budget votes this spring amid concerns about property tax hikes.

The Agency of Education is experiencing challenges as well. It has been without a permanent leader since former secretary Dan French resigned in April 2023. Heather Bouchey served as interim secretary until

April of this year, when Gov. Phil Scott appointed Zoie Saunders, a former charter school strategist. The Vermont Senate voted against confirming Saunders to the permanent position in late April due to concerns about her lack of experience working in public schools, but the governor appointed her as interim secretary anyway.

“I see this through the lens of all of the chaos that seems to be going on in public education in Vermont right now,” said Jared Carter, a professor at Vermont Law & Graduate School who is not involved in the litigation. “These suits are part of that landscape.”

Attorney General Charity Clark’s office is defending the three cases on behalf of the state. A spokesperson declined to comment on the ongoing litigation.

The plaintiffs in all three lawsuits are represented by veteran special-education lawyer Marilyn Mahusky of Stitzel Page & Fletcher in Burlington, who worked for more than two decades for Vermont Legal Aid.

The two most recent suits were filed last month by the school boards of the Mountain Views Supervisory Union in Woodstock and the Springfield School District. They list Interim Education Secretary Saunders and Human Services Secretary Jenney Samuelson as defendants.

Both cases involve Medicaid-eligible students whom the school districts enrolled in therapeutic, residential programs outside Vermont because of severe behavioral needs. In both cases, the districts say the state declined to reimburse them for the costs.

The Mountain Views district says it informed the Agency of Education about its plan to send the student out of state, then heard nothing for more than five months. By that point, the student was already enrolled. When the agency finally responded, it said the school district hadn’t followed the proper procedures for requesting residential placement. Further, the state determined that the student didn’t meet “medical necessity” for the placement and would not reimburse the school district.

“The school districts have stepped up in part because they have the legal obligation to do so,” but they aren’t getting support from the state, Mahusky said. Districts are “being asked to provide all of these services [that] go beyond education ... and then when they try to follow the process that’s designed to be collaborative ... I think they just end up being really frustrated.”

The third suit was filed in early April on behalf of the Mount Abraham Unified School District’s school board. It centers on a prekindergarten student who lives in the district and qualifies for specialeducation services.

In Vermont, all 3- and 4-year-olds are entitled to 10 hours a week of free pre-K services. Prekindergarten students with a disability, meanwhile, are entitled to more than that should a district determine that additional hours are necessary to provide that student with “a free and appropriate public education” — a commonly used special-education term. A child’s public school district is required to provide those special-education services.

Mount Abe determined last November that the student needed one-on-one paraprofessional help for a total of 20 hours a week — four hours every weekday morning. The child’s parent, though, asked the district for additional one-on-one support in the afternoon, according to the lawsuit. But the district denied the request.

The lawsuit demands $126,000 for two years’ tuition that the district paid to the residential program.

The Springfield School District also alleges that the state took more than five months to respond to its plan to enroll a student out of state and seek reimbursement. The state ultimately denied Springfield’s reimbursement request, giving the same reasons it had in the Mountain Views case. Springfield is asking for $60,000.

Both school districts also assert that the state violated federal law because there are not adequate procedures in place to resolve disputes about reimbursement for special-education services.

In an interview last week, Mahusky said the school districts and the students’ parents believed that a residential treatment program was the only appropriate option for the children. The school districts did not feel that they could wait months for the state to respond to their requests for reimbursement.

Mahusky said there have been other instances in which the state has rejected a school district’s request for reimbursement. But the districts involved in the litigation, Mahusky said, finally decided that they could not keep fronting the costs of these placements.

The parent then filed an administrative complaint with the Agency of Education, alleging that the school district violated the student’s right to a free and appropriate public education. After an investigation, the agency ruled in favor of the parent and directed the district to provide 35 hours a week of one-on-one support at the child’s private childcare center.

In the lawsuit, the school district conceded that, because of staffing shortages, it was unable to provide the full 20 hours a week of one-on-one support and thus violated the student’s special-education plan, known as an IEP. But the district also asserted that the secretary of education overstepped by directing the school district to amend the student’s IEP to provide more hours of one-on-one support. Under federal law, Mahusky said, the Agency of Education is not allowed to order a student’s special-education team to amend an IEP as part of the administrative complaint process.

The lawsuit asks the court to declare that the education secretary “exceeded her authority” and to direct her to revise the agency’s corrective action plan for the district. The suit also asks the court to invalidate a State Board of Education rule that prevents school districts from appealing administrative complaints. ➆

lifelines

OBITUARIES

Theodor “Ted” Bogner

OCTOBER 17, 1935-JUNE 3, 2024

SHELBURNE, VT.

Mr. eodor “Ted” Bogner peacefully passed away on June 3, 2024, at his home at Wake Robin in Shelburne, Vt. He was born on October 17, 1935, in Nuremberg, Germany, where he grew up with his parents and obtained his journeyman’s license in tool and die making. At age 20, he and a friend decided to find a life in the United States. After spending a few years in Toronto to save up some money, he was welcomed into the U.S. He moved to New York City, where he met his future bride, Marion Rositzke. He was drafted into the U.S. Army and served two years. After having their first son, Richard, the family moved to South Burlington, Vt., where Ted began his 36-year

David Alan Jenkins

FEBRUARY 6, 1935MAY 29, 2024

SHELBURNE, VT.

e Honorable David Alan Jenkins, 89, of Burlington, Vt., passed away peacefully on May 29, 2024, surrounded by his loving wife and two daughters.

David was born in Springfield, Mass., on February 6, 1935, the youngest of four children, to Edward Sampson and Ruth (MacLeod) Jenkins. e family moved to Burlington, Vt., in 1939 to a house which David called home for more than 80 years. Many experiences helped shape the man who contributed much to our state and community. Two principles aligned throughout his life: service above self and a strong Christian faith.

A student of Taft Elementary School, David was a member of the sixth grade class that received a generous gift, an original painting titled “ e Babysitter,” from the American painter Norman Rockwell in memory of a fellow classmate who had died. Decades later, David took an active role in

OBITUARIES, VOWS, CELEBRATIONS

career at IBM and attained the title of senior associate engineer. He and Marion had two more children, David and Stephen. After losing Marion to cancer, Ted raised the three boys by himself until he married Elizabeth “Betsy” Clark Low. ey were happily married for 42 years.

retaining the painting for the community when the school district proposed selling it. e painting now resides permanently at the University of Vermont’s Fleming Museum of Art.

Boy Scouts provided an important compass in David’s boyhood, and he was thankful for many opportunities through scouting that strengthened his character and established a strong sense of leadership.

At Burlington High School, David was a notable athlete in football, basketball, and track and field. He was proud to have played quarterback for the Seahorses under the guidance of coach Buck Hard and was one of the “five iron men” who helped the varsity basketball team claim the 1953 Vermont State High School Championship trophy. at team went on to win the quarterfinal round of the New England State Championship tournament played at the Boston Garden, one of two Vermont teams to ever do so.

Acceptance to Dartmouth College opened many doors for David, and he remained very proud and inspired by the experiences the Big Green D provided. He played freshman basketball, sang in

Ted enjoyed bowling as part of the IBM leagues for many years. He was also an avid golfer, and he was fortunate to have had two holes in one. He loved to root for the Yankees and anyone who was playing against the Red Sox!

Ted is survived by his wife Betsy and his three sons, Rich (Kristi) of Colchester, Vt.; David (Jean) of Keokuk, Iowa; and Steve of Colchester. ey have seven grandchildren, Olivia (Jake) Webber, Erich Bogner, Mickenzie (Austin) Salnitis, Clark (Sarah) Bogner, Aliza Bogner and Kaleigh Bogner; and two great-granddaughters, Lena Webber and Abigail Bogner. ere will be a family remembrance in his honor at a date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Shelburne Food Shelf (shelburnefoodshelf.org).

the glee club, joined Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and chose to study history because he believed that “unless we know history, we are doomed to repeat it.” He graduated in the Dartmouth class of 1957 and fulfilled his military scholarship commitment by serving in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve, where he sharpened his leadership skills and discovered an interest in maritime law.

David met Susan Merritt Killebrew on a blind date. ey married in June 1962 and lived in Hartford, Conn., while he pursued his law degree at the University of Connecticut Law School. To accomplish this, he worked full time for Southern New England Telephone

IN MEMORIAM

Ezra Raymond Pouech

FEBRUARY 2, 1993DECEMBER 21, 2023

In loving memory of Ezra Raymond Pouech.

Please join us as we gather to remember and celebrate Ezra on July 20, 2024, 1 p.m., at Common Ground Center, 473 Tatro Rd., Starksboro, VT 05487.

Read Ezra’s full obituary at bit.ly/EzraPouechObit.

Stephen Garcia

1948-2024

Please join us to celebrate Steve’s life on July 6, 2024, 2 to 4 p.m. Memories at 3 p.m. — please bring some to share. Coachman’s House at Shelburne Farms in Shelburne, Vt.

Company by day and attended law school by night. He completed his degree in 1965 and was admitted to the Connecticut Bar Association that same year.

In 1966 David brought his young family back to Burlington, was admitted to the Vermont Bar Association and began to establish his career. He quickly became partner of the law firm Hoff, Curtis, Bryan, Quinn and Jenkins. He was elected by the Burlington community as alderman and city counselor for Ward 6 from 1970 to 1972. He was appointed as the first full-time Burlington city attorney in 1972, working with mayors Francis Cain and Gordon Paquette. After practicing law for 14 years, David was appointed by Gov. Richard Snelling as a District Court judge in 1979 and as a Vermont Superior Court judge in 1981, where most of his work was presiding over criminal and civil trials. He was one of nine superior court judges who traveled in rotation to the 14 counties across the state. ese appointments were a point of pride for David, and he appreciated the opportunity to travel the entire state and serve each community. He

retired from the bench in 2005 and continued to serve from time to time for another five years.

David tirelessly volunteered throughout his life. Some of his many endeavors included service as a member of Sunrise Rotary (2007 to 2024), Burlington fire commissioner, public member of the Vermont Medical Practice Board (2008 to 2019), Meals on Wheels driver for Chittenden County, and as a deacon and trustee for his church. David was a lifelong member of the First Congregational Church and raised his family honoring and living the traditions of his faith. Also, he was an inspirational lifelong learner and an active member of the Grand Lodge of Vermont Free and Accepted Masons, attaining the Scottish Rite 32nd degree with the Vermont Consistory.

David was passionate about sports, including tennis, Alpine and Nordic skiing, hiking, and fishing. He was very proud of his Scottish descent and the rich heritage of the Clan MacLeod. He often donned a shirt, slacks or scarf of the clan’s dress or hunting tartan, always exclaiming the motto “Hold Fast MacLeod!” He enjoyed strong and

enduring friendships with school classmates, colleagues and friends throughout his life. Many were lifelong, and they often gathered to reminisce about youthful capers and life’s challenges and successes. ese friendships were important touchstones to him. He had many happy memories of high school and college reunions and annual fishing trips to Maine with a steadfast group of friends.

David is survived by his loving wife of nearly 62 years; daughters, Lisa (Beckner) Bryan and Heather (Sam) Jewell; four grandchildren, Merritt and Lucien Bryan and Benjamin and Elizabeth Jewell; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, Joan Zwick, Ruth Elizabeth (Betty) Maley and Dr. Edward W. Jenkins.

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be dedicated in David’s name to the United Church of Christ (ucc.org/giving) or to Meals on Wheels through Age Well (agewellvt.org).

A celebration of life will take place on June 29, 2024, 11 a.m., at the Charlotte Congregational Church, 403 Church Hill Rd., Charlotte, VT 05445.

OBITUARIES

Dr. Edward E. Nawotka Jr.

JULY 16, 1940-MAY 26, 2024 JERICHO, VT.

Dr. Edward E. Nawotka Jr., 83, died peacefully on Sunday, May 26, 2024, at the Arbors in Shelburne.

Ed was born on July 16, 1940, in Detroit, Mich., the son of Dr. Edward E. Nawotka and his wife, Marian, in a Polish- and English-speaking household. A graduate of the University of Detroit High School, the University of Detroit and University of Detroit School of Dentistry, he was proud of his Jesuit education and credited it with granting him wisdom. In college, he competed in saber fencing at a national level and took great pleasure in defeating opponents from

Eric Smith

SEPTEMBER 29, 1983MAY 27, 2024

SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT.

Eric Smith, age 40, of South Burlington, Vt., passed away on May 27, 2024, after suffering a stroke.

Eric’s multifaceted persona was a mosaic of unparalleled talents, brilliance, humor and linguistic prowess. He was a vast wealth of knowledge, ever eager to share his wisdom.

His passion for music was palpable, and he was a gifted, self-taught musician. He was active in Burlington’s hardcore scene during the 242 Main era. Eric played guitar with the band My Revenge, touring the U.S. and Canada. He went on to tour the U.S., Europe and Japan with the band Unrestrained. Following that, he played guitar, sang and wrote songs with the band Mass of arsis. More recently, he

the Ivy League. A member of the university’s ROTC program, he subsequently enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving for more than two decades and achieving the rank of colonel. His happiest memories — prior to meeting his wife, Evelyn, in 1971, to whom he was married until her death in 2010 — were of his freewheeling twenties spent on military bases in California in the 1960s, where he raced his Mustang convertible in the desert, attended the Monterey Jazz Festival and hunted.

Ed subsequently returned to Detroit, where he developed his medical career. He moved to Vermont in 1989 and became co-owner of Champlain Dental Group in South Burlington, practicing dentistry until his retirement last year. A devout Roman Catholic, he was also a dedicated member of the Freemasons and the Knights of Columbus. Ed’s passions included coin collecting, supporting the Second Amendment and watching the Detroit Lions play football. He is survived by his son, Edward E. Nawotka III, and grandchild, Quinn Nawotka, both of Houston, Texas.

Dr. Nawotka’s funeral will be on June 15, 2024, 11 a.m., at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church in Richmond. A burial will follow at Resurrection Park Cemetery in South Burlington.

played bass with the band Rail City, recording an album last year.

Beyond his musical exploits, Eric possessed a “mechanical thumb” capable of repairing and fabricating just about anything, often with simply what he had on hand. A master of mechanics and a wizard in the digital domain, his resourcefulness knew no bounds.

Eric was kind, generous and quick to help others, often

Selma Milchen

NOVEMBER 29, 1930-MAY 13, 2024 BENNINGTON, VT.

Selma Pearl Borenstein was born in 1930 in Boston to Gertrude and Emanuel Borenstein. She died on May 13, 2024, at her home in Bennington, Vt. Selma was the mother of Margaux Milchen of Aurora, Colo., and Jeff Milchen of Colchester, Vt. She is also survived by Jeff’s wife, Jennifer Rockne; and granddaughter Layla Krens of Orlando, Fla., her husband, Joe, and their daughter, Emma.

After public schooling in Newton, Mass., Selma attended Smith College before graduating cum laude from Boston University with a BS in speech and theater. Selma loved the arts, singing professionally, teaching modern dance and acting with the Framingham Community eatre. She had a scholarship in the opera department at Tanglewood, where she sang in the Berlioz Requiem under Seiji Ozawa years later. Selma married Alvin Milchen in 1954; they divorced in 1974. While living in Framingham from 1957 to 1982, Selma served on the board of the League of Women

Voters and on the Framingham Area Fair Housing Committee. She earned an MS from Worcester State University in communication disorders in 1981. e next year she moved to Shaftsbury, Vt., to work as a speech and language pathologist in the public schools, retiring in 1995. She sang with the Bennington County Choral Society for 37 years and wrote concert reviews for the Bennington Banner for five years, until someone changed her “Baroque Flavor” to “Barbecue Flavor.”

She served on the board of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Bennington, where she had been a member since 1982. She volunteered with the Community of Vermont Elders and the Bennington County Coalition for the Homeless, and she was active with the American Association of University Women for many years. Selma loved dogs and adopted three from Second Chances.

Special thanks to the people at BAYADA hospice care, At Home, and Selma’s friends and neighbors, who helped so much during her final years. Donations in Selma’s memory may be made to the UU Fellowship of Bennington or the Bennington Coalition for the Homeless.

Arthur C. Barnier Jr.

DECEMBER 14, 1953JUNE 3, 2024 BURLINGTON, VT.

Arthur “Art” C. Barnier Jr., 70, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, June 3, 2024. Visiting hours will be on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, 5 to 8 p.m., at Elmwood-Meunier Funeral Home, 97 Elmwood Ave., Burlington. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, 10 a.m., at St. Joseph Cathedral. Interment will follow in New Mount Calvary Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Humane Society of Chittenden County, 142 Kindness Ct., South Burlington, VT 05403. e full obituary can be found at elmwoodmeunier.net.

GRADUATION

sacrificing his own comfort for the sake of those in need. Yet sadly he struggled to recognize his significance to others, ultimately pushing away those closest to him and causing immense pain for both himself and those he cherished. Despite his struggles, he managed to touch the lives of those who crossed his path, a testament to the depth and richness of his lived experience.

Eric is preceded in death by his mother, Virginia, and stepfather, Bruce. He is survived by his father, Arlan, and his wife, Jeannie; his brother-in-law, Rob; his nephews, Justin and Chris; his sister Lori; his sister Dani; his cousins; his friends; and his beloved, Emily.

A celebration to honor Eric’s life will be held at the Winooski VFW on June 22, 2024, 3 p.m., where those who knew him can come together and honor his memory.

Jodi L. (Young) Larkin

SUNRISE: SEPTEMBER 14, 1981SUNSET: MAY 25, 2024 ST. ALBANS, VT.

Jodi L. (Young) Larkin passed away on May 25, 2024. Her full obituary can be found at  healdfuneralhome.com.

Presley Lewis

CLASS OF 2024

Congratulations on your graduation. We are so proud of you. As you move into the next chapter of your life, always remember to believe in yourself and follow your dreams. Love, Dad, Mom, Steffie, Tim & the crazy cats!

lifelines

OBITUARIES

David Stirling Peebles

JANUARY 27, 1947MAY 20, 2024 MONTPELIER, VT.

David Stirling Peebles, 77, passed away unexpectedly but peacefully and filled with love in the Palliative Care Suite at Central Vermont Medical Center in Berlin, Vt., on May 20, 2024. is is not an obituary, because he didn’t want one; this is a (very) short story at the end of a long and rich life, for which he was exceedingly grateful.

David died in the arms of his soulmate, his everything, of 45 years, Giovanna Morselli Peebles, after an intense week in the hospital, where he was enveloped in the strongest love and care by Stirling Peebles, Skye Peebles and Cameron Peebles.

OBITUARIES, VOWS, CELEBRATIONS

David’s death was impossibly fast: He died 12 days after being diagnosed with an aggressive, untreatable metastatic cancer. He died with grace and bravery, fully present and wonderfully funny until his end.

David’s passion to travel came to him late, when he and Giovanna retired in 2014, but it quickly became his favorite hobby and occupation. In the decade after retirement, David and Giovanna spent several months each year in Italy or Greece or both and elsewhere. Giovanna’s native Italy became his adopted country. Part of his heart resided at our longtime family camp near Rangeley, Maine, where he fly-fished like a pro, hunted with Giovanna, made thousands of delicious meals on his small four-burner gas stove, made lovely birchbark art and painted brilliant wildlife art. David was the

CELEBRATION OF LIFE

Ferguson and Jane Coyle McKay

Friends and family of Ferguson and Jane Coyle McKay are invited to attend a celebration of life service for both Ferg and Jane, who passed away on December 2 and December 16, 2023, respectively. e service will be held at the United Church of Cabot in Cabot, Vt., on June 22, 2024, 11 a.m., followed immediately by a graveside service in the Cabot Village Cemetery.

Arrangements are with Tossing Funeral Home in Rutland, Vt.

finest cook many of us have ever known. He showed his love for family and friends by preparing an infinite number of spectacular meals across the decades. In the full and joyful year prior to his death, David spent wonderful weeks with Giovanna, and sometimes other family, in Seville, Sicily, Venice (Italy), Southern California, Puerto Rico and his beloved Montréal. No doubt he was sick much of the past 12 months, but his strong body and lion heart gave few signals of it. David was the most alive person. He would remind everyone to embrace every minute of the time they have left on Earth because, he would often tell us, “None of us are getting out of this alive.”

We want to thank the extraordinary staff at Central Vermont Medical Center, who cared for David in his last week with the most remarkable compassion, kindness and love. Your care meant the world to all of us.

Per David’s wishes, there will be no services. If you wish to celebrate David, he would love for you to send a donation to Montpelier’s Kellogg-Hubbard Library, the Vermont Historical Society in Barre or the Outdoor Heritage Museum in Oquossoc, Maine. To send online condolences to his family and see photos of a joyful David, please visit awrfh.com.

James DeForge

JULY 30, 1960JUNE 2, 2024 COLCHESTER, VT.

James DeForge was a man of many names: JD, Jim, Jimmy, Jim-Jim, Uncle Jim, Master James, Hawg, Hawg Man, the Gatekeeper of Broadlake Road (selfappointed), and the list goes on.

Born on July 30, 1960, Jim was the youngest child of Barbara and Norman DeForge. His childhood was rich with activities and adventure — from backyard hockey to boating on Lake Champlain, where summers were magical and endless.

a horse bareback just for the hell of it, and could hop on his dirt bike and change gears while doing a wheelie. Despite his slim stature, he was a skilled hockey player completely at ease on the ice. He played a mean harmonica and famously accompanied the Phil Abair Band on “Mustang Sally” at his 50th birthday party. ese abilities translated into his career as a truck driver, earning Jim the nickname “the Natural” for his mastery of an 18-wheeler. He could back into the most difficult spaces with confidence. Once, on a big city run, he dismissed a doubtful dockhand and said, “I’m from Vermont, and I do what I want.” Jim only needed one attempt to park his trailer, a feat that left bystanders awestruck.

so, and held so many people in his heart, especially Sue Ellen Bennett, his partner of 25 years.

During Jim’s final days, friends and family gathered at his bedside, in the house, on the lawn and at the beach. e day before Jim passed, his dear friend Mark Abair stayed late into the night, holding vigil with a serenade of acoustic guitar and soft songs that drifted peacefully through the house.

Jim’s outlaw spirit and infectious personality were apparent at an early age. His second-grade teacher once declared, “Jim lives every day like it’s a birthday party.” at attitude continued into adulthood, where Jim’s razor-sharp wit, good looks, humor and gift for storytelling drew people to him. Many considered Jim to be their best friend. Recently, an old friend said, “Jim had a golden heart.” at golden heart was tempered with electric blue eyes and a striking gaze that always held a glimmer of mischief. Jim often pushed the limits — especially in his younger days, making him a local legend. His edges softened over the years, and he found fulfillment in quieter times.

He loved fishing, from a charter boat on Lake Ontario to the ice on Mallett’s Bay. He was an excellent marksman (stationary targets preferred) and spent many deer seasons with his cousins at their family deer camp.

One of those rare people who are good at everything they do, Jim learned to drive a boat at age 7, could ride

When his driving days were over, Jim spent much of his time at home on Colchester Point. You never had to call first when visiting Jim; you just headed down the basement hatchway stairs to “the Bench.” ere, countless stories were shared, with Jim holding court. He loved being at the helm. Spending time with Jim was an escape from the pace of modern life. He never had a cellphone or a computer, watched “M.A.S.H.” and “Gunsmoke” on repeat, and rode in an airplane exactly once (one-way to Pittsburgh).

Jim was a man of nonnegotiable absolutes — dog: German shepherd; truck: Ford F-250, black, even years; beer: Budweiser; smokes: Marlboro Reds (he was a real-life Marlboro Man with the voice to match), followed by Black & Milds after he quit cigarettes; haircut: once a year on April 1, only given by his friend Rhonda; long johns: six months on, six months off.

He had a variety of signatures phrases. Someone do you a favor? “I appreciate the appreciation.” Not up to the job? “Sub it out.” Need some flexibility with your arrival time? “Put an ‘ish’ on it.” Plans with Jim? “No pressure.”

Jim was creative, a great gift giver, and far more sensitive and observant than he let on. He was generous, sometimes overly

Jim passed on June 2, 2024, as the sky over Lake Champlain burst into pink, purple, gold and yellow. He truly did ride off into the sunset. Mark Abair picked up his guitar and led a heartfelt rendition of Eric Clapton’s “Tears in Heaven.” It was the perfect send-off. Jim is survived by his partner, Sue Ellen, (and family); sisters, Jacky DeForge and partner Linda, Judy Carpenter and husband Case, and Jo Ann DeForge; niece, Courtney Copp, and partner Matt; nephew, Chris Copp; numerous cousins, including GJ Critchlow, with whom he was especially close; and an extended family of friends. is sacred tribe — you know who you are — saw Jim through all phases of his life and supported him until the very end; a bond never to be broken.

Jim was predeceased by his parents, Norman and Barbara DeForge, and his German shepherds, Duchess, Bo, Hank, Judd and Coal.

Jim’s family thanks Noah Wollenburg, PA-C and Chelsea Chalfant, RN and her colleagues at the University of Vermont Medical Center Home Health & Hospice. Together, they helped Jim realize his wish to die at home. Donations in Jim’s name can be made to UVM Home Health & Hospice or to the charity of one’s choosing. Fly high, Jim. You are finally free. We love you fiercely and leave you with the words of poet Charles Bukowski: “You are marvelous / e gods wait to delight in you.”

In lieu of formal services, a gathering in Jim’s honor will be held on his birthday, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, 1 to =3 p.m., at the Elks Lodge, 924 North Ave., Burlington.

Vermont’s seniors are hiking, raising crops and redefining what it means to age well

THIS OLD STATE OLDER & BOLDER

Age 65 isn’t what it used to be. Seventy-five isn’t too old, either, at least for some. Instead of retiring, many seniors are staying on the job or finding new outlets for their talents and passions. Advancements in health care, technology and living standards are helping people live longer, healthier and more productively.

Examples abound. At 82, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) has announced a run for another six-year term. If his democratic-socialist sensibilities are sometimes questioned, his cognitive fitness is not.

Across the state, seniors are also keeping up their pace. Attorney Peter Langrock, 86, still runs an active law practice based in Middlebury. Jim Coutts, 81, is starting a cannabis cultivation business with his grandson in East Brookfield.

“People’s lives can be rich right up until the moment they take their last breath,” said Erica Marks, director of volunteer

services at Age Well, a resource center for seniors.

Some are choosing to work into their advanced years as society’s definition of old age is itself shifting, said Jeanne Shea, an anthropology professor at the University of Vermont who specializes in social gerontology. Life expectancy for Vermonters is 78.8 years, according to the 2020 census, slightly higher than for all U.S. residents. Average lifespans

have grown considerably during the past century, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

All of this is not news to WCAX-TV reporter Joe Carroll. For more than 12 years, he’s been profiling remarkable older Vermonters for the station’s “Super Seniors” segment, which airs each Thursday during its 6 p.m. broadcast. Some of the people he profiled stood out because of their talents, such as 76-year-old singer Rosalind Fritz, who’s had hits on European pop charts. Others, such as 70-year-old Carl Cushing, who survived polio and cancer as a child, impressed him with their tenacity.

All have shown Carroll what it means to age gracefully.

BY SEVEN DAYS STAFF

the League of Women Voters. Those e orts won her an honorary degree from Northern Vermont University. She was 87 at the time.

“Some of the most interesting people I’ve talked to seem pretty average on the surface,” Carroll said. “But they have a certain dignity about them and a positive outlook on life that I find aspirational.”

As part of a yearlong exploration into aging in Vermont, which has one of the oldest populations in the country, Seven Days reporters sought out seniors who are pushing boundaries by working, volunteering and exploring. We profile seven of them here, including a dump-truck driver, a rabbi-turned-comedian and an Appalachian Trail through-hiker.

The Graying of Vermont A YEARLONG SERIES BY

One subject in particular, Claire Duke, stuck with Carroll. For close to seven decades, she kept secret her dream of attending college. She never did enroll but volunteered thousands of hours to public service in her hometown, Barre Town, starting the first local chapter of

Together, they show that people can pursue the skills they’ve mastered over decades or can reinvent themselves — not only in spite of advancing age but also, at times, because of it.

RACHEL HELLMAN

Phyllis Rubenstein

ANOTHER WALK IN THE WOODS

Thru-hiker Phyllis Rubenstein, 71

Phyllis Rubenstein clambered over housesize boulders and slogged through cold, ankle-deep mud as she hiked the full 2,000 miles of the Appalachian Trail last year.

Along the course of the six-month journey, Rubenstein blogged regularly and posted more than 1,000 photos of flowers on the iNaturalist website. And she bonded with fellow hikers, almost all of them younger, as she pushed her body to its limits. Rubenstein turned 70 during her first week on the trail.

Trekking the full AT is a grueling enterprise, and only an estimated 1,000 people complete it each year, according to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. Being one of those people, Rubenstein said during an interview at her home in Montpelier, brought lasting joy. Yet it also drew tears.

“It really took a toll on my body. And on my emotions,” she said. Hitting her limit physically, after a lifetime of training as a cross-country skier and hiker, was sobering. “Would I ever do it again? I don’t know if I can.”

Rubenstein had long dreamed of hiking the entire length of the Appalachian Trail. Over many years of outdoor activity, she had ascended all of the nearly 100 peaks that top 4,000 feet in the White Mountains and Adirondacks. Between 2000 and 2013, she hiked the AT in sections over several summers.

But thru-hiking the trail had to wait until Rubenstein was able to retire from her law practice. Just weeks after settling almost all of her remaining cases, she was off, launching her trek north on April 15, 2023, from Amicalola Falls State Park in Georgia.

Rubenstein had planned her journey with care. She prepared about a dozen packages for her house sitters to mail to her and arranged to return home briefly for the Jewish High Holy Days in September. Years of studying outdoor gear came in handy when Rubenstein chose her sleeping pad, lightweight down quilt, tiny bear-proof food box, and tent that packed to the size and heft of a bread loaf. When she set off, her load weighed 24 pounds. Because she moves a bit more slowly than younger hikers, Rubenstein headed north from Georgia for the first half of the trek and then jumped to the end point at Mount Katahdin in Maine to finish the rest heading south. That way she could end her trip on November 7 in Pennsylvania instead of at Katahdin, where early winter conditions can arrive in October. Rubenstein avoided shared shelters, choosing instead to camp in solitude.

He isn’t sure how much longer he’ll remain behind the wheel, but standing still only makes him feel older.

“Life is simple when you’re carrying your home on your back,” she said. “I like my tent and to be immersed in nature.”

But Rubenstein also became part of the companionable culture of mutual support that has developed during the trail’s nearly 100-year history, with AT hikers swapping stories about bears, terrain and water sources. Through a well-known system of “trail magic,” volunteers along the way offer food and first aid supplies.

Her account is interwoven with tales of companions sporting trail monikers such as Honeybun, Cheeks and Mosey. Last month, Rubenstein, who came to be known as “Green Mountain Girl,” traveled

to Virginia to swap memories with some of her fellow hikers at the annual Trail Days Festival. She recalled her weeks on the trail with a new friend nicknamed 3rd Wheel, whose speed advantage came from relative youth.

“At age 44, 3rd Wheel is blessed with fully flexible joints and good balance and agility,” Rubenstein blogged on a website for long-haul hikers. “He made a game of rock hopping on the trail.”

The two sheltered from the rain for three days at a hostel in Delaware, dining out and catching a jazz band at a nearby inn.

Rubenstein, who has a slight build to begin with, lost about 15 pounds on the trail. At first, she said, she underestimated how much food she would need and often felt hungry. She remained healthy, though the risk of injury and the limits of age were everyday company.

“I stretched my limbs in unimaginable ways. I used all my strength,” Rubenstein wrote in her blog after enduring the difficult Mahoosuc Notch, known as the AT’s hardest mile for its colossal boulders and the scrambling they require. Most hikers, she noted, can get through the notch in two hours. Rubenstein and a companion, Georgia, 58, took four. Of her 187 days on the trail, that one was the toughest.

ANNE WALLACE

ALLEN

DIESEL IN HIS VEINS

Trucker Gerald Cloutier, 85

You don’t drive a truck with just this, Gerald Cloutier said, touching his forehead. You go by how it feels, in your hands and in the seat of your pants.

“You gotta be a part of it,” Cloutier said, sitting in the weathered yellow dump truck that he maneuvers across Chittenden County every week, doing whatever job needs doing. He thought for a moment. “I guess that’s where the love and attachment comes in.”

Cloutier is a truckin’ man, and he knows a thing or two about where love comes into it, too. Excavators, backhoes, 100-foot-long tractor trailers — you name it, he’s driven it. “Cut my veins, and diesel fuel will pour out,” Cloutier says.

He’s easily one of the oldest drivers at S.D. Ireland, the construction giant. The most reliable, too, said Todd Silloway, who hired him several years ago.

Cloutier has given his life to the road. And to his thinking, it has returned the favor in spades. As a boy growing up in Barton, he learned patience and a work ethic in the cab of his father’s dump truck.

Gerald Cloutier

DARIA BISHOP

OLDER & BOLDER

He was behind the wheel, too, when he first laid eyes on the woman who would become his partner in a life on the road.

As a young serviceman in 1962, Cloutier was driving a military bus in Niagara Falls, N.Y., when his friend leaned over and honked the horn.

Cloutier hadn’t noticed the pretty girl in a convertible. Then the same car pulled in behind them at the bus depot later that afternoon. When his friend stood up, Cloutier pushed him back into his seat.

“This one’s mine,” Cloutier said.

Sharon and Gerald exchanged vows a year later at the air base chapel and moved to Vermont, where they raised two kids. Sharon answered phones for the state police and opened a ceramics business. Gerald worked for trucking companies, hauling logs, oil, salt.

Years later, with their youngest heading off to college, Sharon had an idea. Her business was slowing down, and they had money lying around. Let’s buy a truck and hit the road, she proposed.

Starting a new venture worried Cloutier, but he had long dreamed of owning his own truck. Against the advice of friends, the couple made a down payment on a truck they would name Big Bertha and clambered aboard, the start of a grand adventure.

Life on the road took adjusting — with the long hours and truck-stop showers — but Sharon found her way. She handled paperwork and spoke to dispatchers. She learned how to copilot.

“She could back me in anywhere,” Cloutier said, unmistakably proud.

The couple spent the next 18 years hauling you-name-it across the country, accumulating 1.7 million miles. Cloutier can still recall those jobs with crystalclear detail, down to the exact turns he had to make. Sharon made scrapbooks to capture the moments: hauling a trailer of gear from a production of Les Misérables ; pulling part of a 737 jet; holding two tiger cubs that traveled with a client, the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus.

The travels took a toll on Sharon’s health, but she refused to call it quits — right up until she had no choice. A doctor ordered her off the road in 2012. Cloutier stuck it out solo for six months, but it just wasn’t as fun anymore.

Sharon died in 2022 at age 78. She never regretted the couple’s decision to pursue the trucker’s life. “She still talked about it,

You don’t know how much it means to an older person just to have attention.

VELMA CROWELL

the fun we had, right up until the day she died,” Cloutier said.

Cloutier eventually returned to work to pay the bills. He isn’t sure how much longer he’ll remain behind the wheel, but standing still only makes him feel older. Plus, he likes the camaraderie, trading jokes and stories.

Cloutier recently switched to one of the company’s smaller dump trucks, which has a better seat for his grumpy back. It’s a “Tonka toy” compared to Big Bertha, he said, after backing it into a tight space during a job on the Champlain College campus.

Still, this truck can do things the bigger ones can’t, he said, again sounding proud.

COLIN FLANDERS

NOURISHING HER NEIGHBORS

Volunteer Velma Crowell, 80

Among the drivers waiting in a line that snaked around the block at a pop-up food pantry in Newport, Velma Crowell was a familiar face.

She rolled down her window, adjusted her hearing aids and bantered with the volunteers directing traffic, many of whom she knew by name.

“What’s the matter, David? You think it’s summer, you’ve got no coat on?” she asked. David smiled and waved her along.

Volunteers hauled bags of carrots, cabbage, cucumbers, potatoes and

noticed that some seniors disliked the instant potatoes, she devised a recipe for duchess potatoes, seasoned with garlic and onion powder and formed into elegant shapes.

Crowell grew up in the town of Holland, where she learned to cook from her grandmother, who would drink the juice from canned fruits and vegetables that others poured down the sink. She channels that no-waste ethos into teaching others how to use leftovers and preserve or freeze food that spoils.

“I was raised that you ate what was given to you,” Crowell said. “We’re trying to teach people how to economize.”

A high school dropout, Crowell worked for AmeriGas for 16 years, starting as a secretary and working up to a managerial role. Later, she directed the Head Start program serving Orleans, Essex and Caledonia counties, which provides free early childhood education to poor families.

tomatoes — enough to feed four households — into her back seat. At Crowell’s request, they tossed in extra cabbage for a soup she planned to make.

The longtime Derby resident delivers food to seniors in rural Orleans County as part of VeggieVanGo, a monthly program sponsored by Vermont Foodbank that distributes fresh produce to those in need. But with an eye for the practical needs of her community, Crowell recognizes that having ingredients often isn’t enough: Many lack the know-how to turn raw vegetables into tasty meals. So Crowell crafts easy-to-follow recipes, shares foodpreservation tips and even personally prepares dinners. Crowell sees her efforts as a way to provide social contact for older adults, who make up a big share of those receiving help.

“Some of these people don’t really see anybody else all week,” Crowell said. “You don’t know how much it means to an older person just to have attention. Just a hello … It brings life to them.”

Her recipes are simple and budgetfriendly: a squash dinner prepared in the microwave; green beans drizzled with lemon juice, butter, salt and pepper; a two-ingredient Hawaiian cake made from angel food mix and canned pineapples.

Crowell also helps recipients of the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, a separate federal initiative offering food boxes to low-income people over 60. The boxes contain staples that don’t always match personal tastes. When Crowell

Crowell started sharing recipes because she used the food bank and saw ways it could better meet the needs of her community. In a region where many embrace a go-it-alone stoicism and eschew free services as unearned handouts, Crowell tries to help people feel more comfortable about accepting help. Learning to cook, she said, gives people more control over their eating.

“The first time I spoke to some people about it, they said, ‘I don’t want to do that because that’s for poor people,’” Crowell said. “They’re ashamed.”

With deep roots in the Northeast Kingdom, Crowell isn’t delivering to strangers. At her first stop, a trailer park in Derby, Crowell knew the woman who lives there would likely be asleep, so she left the vegetables at the doorstep without knocking.

The second destination was the home of a lifelong friend, Lisa Judd.

“It’s a godsend,” Judd said of the deliveries. She said that because she cares for a family member with dementia, she wouldn’t be able to pick up the food on her own. She handed Crowell two dozen freshly laid eggs as thanks.

At the next stop, Crowell asked a woman about an upcoming doctor’s appointment and complimented her freshly mowed lawn.

Crowell said small interactions are part of why she volunteers. “It’s looking for the shine in someone’s eyes that hasn’t had shine for a while,” she said.

The last batch of vegetables in the car were for Crowell, who was heading home to prepare a dairy-free cream of cabbage soup. After a day of deliveries, it was time to feed herself.

HANNAH

FEUER

Velma Crowell and Lisa Judd

‘WONDERFUL NOISES’

Experimental musician

Herb Leff, 80

Herb Leff likes to spend time in what he calls “the Etherium” a makeshift music studio in an upstairs bedroom of his Burlington home. It’s crammed with hundreds of instruments: xylophones, singing bowls, drums, metal water bottles that he drums on to produce “vibrant, wonderful noises,” and chimes of all shapes and sizes.

Later, Leff might make his way to “the Cave,” also known as the basement utility room. Beside his washing machine and boiler stand a two-foot-diameter gong and other large instruments. Upstairs, his “electronium” harbors synthesizers and keyboards.

Leff spends most of his waking hours in his home studios making idiosyncratic and outlandish experimental songs, which he releases on Bandcamp and SoundCloud, two online audio distribution platforms. He has around 5,000 “listens”

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on SoundCloud. And once a week Leff and five other experimental musicians jam as the band “Open Concept.” Some of the musicians are half his age.

“It’s a passion I can’t describe,” Leff said. “It’s a very dependable way of getting into a different space.”

Music making is just one venture of the self-described “utopian” psychologist, who spent most of his life teaching psychology at the University of Vermont. Leff used to make eccentric pencil drawings and then abstract sculptures, all while penning three psychology books. He has long asserted his commitment to the act of creating.

Leff has always forged his own path. In sixth grade, he knew he wanted to be a professor. “By 10th grade I had settled on philosophy,” he remembered.

In graduate school at Harvard University, though, Leff pursued humanistic psychology instead. He was greatly influenced by John Dewey, who posited that our highest calling is to enhance the quality of the human experience.

Herb Leff

“That set the tone for the rest of my life,” Leff said.

In 1970, Leff accepted a position lecturing in psychology at UVM, and moved to Vermont with his wife, Ellen, a nurse and avid quilter. Shortly after, he wrote his first book, Experience, Environment, and Human Potentials, which in 523 pages seeks to guide readers in creating a utopian world.

Leff’s research informed his decision to pursue art.

“Seeing beauty in the world around you or composing an interesting photograph: These ways of thinking have utility,” Leff said.

While on sabbatical in Hawaii, Leff became captivated by Indonesian percussion instruments. Back in Burlington, he built a backyard studio and started experimenting with percussion.

It wasn’t long before Leff pivoted, this time to sculpting. Leff created “threedimensional collages,” using distorted mirrors to create rotating mobiles. He sold six of the sculptures and had a solo exhibit at the Fletcher Free Library in the late 1990s.

In 2003, another shift: “I just had this sudden urge to play the marimba again,” he recalled.

Recently retired, Leff had plenty of time to experiment. He has kept it up for the better part of the past 20 years.

“For me,” he said, “the real joy in this is not creating something that people might say, ‘Oh wow, that’s wonderful,’ but rather creating something that I think is wonderful.”

Leff has been prolific on Bandcamp, releasing 19 albums since 2022. Some of his songs, such as “Marimba Mia,” are a delicate dance of xylophone and piano. Others, such as “Shake That Thing,” feature haunting synthesizer vibrations.

“He has a meditative, spontaneous sound to his music,” said musician and DJ Otis Cleveland, who sometimes jams with Leff. “I always feel really good at the end of making music with Herb. I feel happy and liberated.”

Leff has no plans to stop. “Art to me adds great depth and pleasure to existence,” he said.

Music, Leff said, has gotten him through difficult times. When he broke his foot last year, he wrote “Intimate Jamboree,” an album that includes drumming on metal water bottles — which he could do while sitting.

Through his instruments, Leff enters another world. Sounds dance off the walls, expanding and contracting at his whim. There, in the Etherium, time — and age — are no matter.

Herb Leff

ACTING GLOBALLY

Peace advocate Nina Meyerhof, 82 Nina Meyerhof, whose parents fled from Nazi Germany as teens, spends her own life running toward war and disaster.

She was at the United Nations in 2001 to take part in International Day of Peace ceremonies when planes struck the World Trade Center, sending thousands streaming from lower Manhattan. Meyerhof slipped off her heels and headed in stockings in the opposite direction to find a way to help.

Her act of impulse would lead Meyerhof and colleagues to an unusual project of mercy — providing teddy bears to the stricken relatives of the 9/11 missing. Moved by the scenes of children and their parents clutching the toys, she began carrying teddy bears, including ones donated by Vermont Teddy Bear, to zones of mayhem and devastation in other parts of the world.

Meyerhof, who lives in South Burlington, has delivered teddy bears to Thailand after the 2004 tsunami, New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, and to Rwanda and Uganda. More recently, she’s taken bears to Ukraine’s border with Poland after Russia’s invasion and is now coordinating a collection for Israel and Gaza.

The bears are just one part of Meyerhof’s long and continuing mission: building peace and training young leaders. Over the years, she said, the work has put her in the same room as Kofi Annan, Mikhail Gorbachev, Jane Goodall and the Dalai Lama. It won her a 2023 President’s Volunteer Service Award and produced an eclectic résumé of dizzying breadth and variety. Meyerhof’s latest big effort is to establish a peace center in Poland near the Auschwitz concentration camp, which is now a somber memorial and museum.

Diane Williams has traveled with Meyerhof to several countries, including Poland, where they distributed bears to displaced Ukrainian families in train stations and arena-size reception centers.

“She zeroes in on the kids, and she’s very present to them,” Williams said. Even before the last bear had been handed out, Meyerhof was discussing how to find housing, counseling and Polish language lessons for the refugees, Williams said. “She’s always thinking about next steps.”

In April, Meyerhof was off to Kenya to deliver computers to a school. In May, she was in Spain for a conference. Later this month, she will begin a series of remote meetings to discuss with 25 young people from around the world issues on the agenda at the U.N.’s Summit of the Future in September.

Meyerhof speaks casually about a globe-trotting life — financed by fundraising — that has exposed her to some of the world’s greatest suffering: “I just do the work,” she told Seven Days the day before she left for Spain.

Some Vermonters may know Meyerhof as the former special education director for Windham Central and Windham Northeast supervisory unions and the Winooski School District. She ran a camp for children and teens, called Hearts Bend, on her Newfane farm for 30 years.

Meyerhof’s parents lost nearly every relative in the Holocaust. They were scarred for life, and she was scarred by their scars, Meyerhof said. “You just have that choice of taking an experience and using it for the betterment of who you are or going into despair and say, ‘Oh, poor me, I’m a victim of life,’” she said. “And I’m not interested in being a victim.”

Meyerhof first took her efforts to the world stage in 1990, when she launched a nonprofit called Children of the Earth to help young people advance peace. The organization at its peak had chapters in 30 countries before falling into dormancy.

Oran Cohen, a South African who is trying to revitalize the group, met Meyerhof in Ghana 20 years ago. Watching her teach young people about peace made him realize that he, too, had a role to play, Cohen recalled. “She changed the trajectory of my life.”

Meyerhof’s current work on the Auschwitz peace center is a project of One Humanity Institute, which she founded with a Slovenian partner, Domen Kočevar.

“She’s a fast mover,” Kočevar said.

After Russia invaded Ukraine, they put the peace center on hold and renovated one of their buildings to house Ukrainians seeking shelter in Poland. Meyerhof and Kočevar plan to convert that building into a bed-and-breakfast and, next door, to operate a coworking space, a bakery and conference rooms with the help of two Polish staffers.

The goal, according to Meyerhof: Place the best of humanity near the site that represents its worst.

MARY ANN LICKTEIG

HAYMAKER’S HIGH

Farmer Wayne Lemire, 78

Wayne Lemire doesn’t know how to stop haying. He has no plans of getting off his tractor — the same one he’s been riding since 1974 or so.

“People call me crazy because I’m still haying at my age,” Lemire said. “But I just can’t sit around.”

Lemire has lived in Brownsville, population 560, his entire life. He’s made one move: from his childhood home on Route 44 to his wife’s house on what is now

known as Lemire Road. (About 20 years ago, the town renamed the street after him, to Lemire’s bewilderment.)

The 19-acre property, with billowing fields of grass and valley views of Mount Ascutney, is Lemire’s passion — along with his hay.

“I like to make nice hay,” Lemire said. “Good hay. No crap. Light green and dry.” Lemire’s introduction to haying was happenstance. Shortly after marrying his wife, Ellen, Lemire was approached by a neighbor who asked him to hay his fields. A few days later, Lemire bought a red New Holland mowing machine in New Hampshire for $7,500.

Lemire ramped up his hay-making operation. Soon enough, he was hooked. Within a few years, Lemire was selling 12,000 bales annually as feed for animals across Vermont. According to Lemire, he was known for producing some of the best hay in the area.

That’s still the case. Last week, Lemire hauled 200 bales to Wendy Bejarano, a local horse owner. (He took the next day off to rest.)

“It’s absolutely beautiful hay,” Bejarano said. “He really makes sure that it is dry and good.”

Back in his prime, Lemire also drove a truck full time for a natural gas delivery company. He’d often arrive home after logging hundreds of miles behind the wheel, then hay until 3 a.m.

Nina Meyerhof

OLDER & BOLDER

“I was nearly worked to the bone,” Lemire said.

Haying calls for careful timing to cut, dry, bale and store grass. It also requires an intimate understanding of tractors — something Lemire learned over time.

When Lemire isn’t haying, he’s in his large garage, working on dozens of vintage tractors he’s acquired over the years. He sometimes repairs neighbors’ tractors, as well. That keeps him busy in the winter.

His tractors, in various states of repair, bear tags with his scribbled notes about what work still needs to be done. His will indicates who stands to inherit some of these prized machines.

Lemire and Ellen never had children. Instead, they raised dogs and horses — 13 of each. Ellen ran a ceramics business out of her home studio and taught horseback riding. She died in 2015 from cancer.

Lemire acknowledges that he’s lonely. He leaves his home once a week to buy groceries and seed for wild birds. Recent health issues have affected his balance and slowed him down. But that hasn’t stopped him from haying. In fact, Lemire recently drove his tractor through what he suspects was a heart attack.

I like to make nice hay. Good hay. No crap. Light green and dry.

WAYNE LEMIRE

“If you’re moving around all the time, you forget about any pain,” he said.

Most days, including weekends, Lemire is out in the field or in his garage tinkering until 8 p.m. He has only five customers left for his hay but no desire to stop working.

“I love this place here,” Lemire said, gazing over his hayfield, which danced in the wind.

A RABBI WALKS INTO A CLUB

Comedian Bob Alper, 79

Bob Alper likes to tell audiences that his hero is Harrison Ford, an actor still working into his eighties.

“He’s making another movie,” said Alper, a rabbi-turned-comedian from East Dorset. “It’s going to be called Indiana Jones and the Enlarged Prostate.”

First ordained in 1972, Alper for years sprinkled humor into his sermons, weddings and eulogies before getting around to what he called “the serious crap.” It wasn’t until the 1980s, when Alper left his congregation in Pennsylvania, that he started taking comedy, um, seriously.

Since then, Alper, who moved to Vermont in 1990, has been performing at comedy clubs, festivals, corporate events, retirement communities and, naturally, synagogues throughout the U.S. His act has been featured on Comedy Central, Extra, Showtime and ABC’s “Good Morning America.” He’s performed in Europe, the Caribbean and Israel, and he’s written three books.

Avuncular and smiley, Alper said he uses humor to brighten people’s day, whether he’s paid to or not. He routinely offers store clerks his Vermont driver’s license unsolicited, just so they can see his photo. In it, Alper sports a wide, clownlike grin, his hands fanned in a playful taunt behind his ears. On the back he affixed a sticker that reads, “Yup. They let me do that.”

“There are all kinds of ways of being a rabbi: congregational life, academic life, chaplaincy,” he said. “My rabbinate is making people laugh.”

With his white hair and glasses, Alper bears a strong resemblance to Steve Martin, a feature he occasionally works into his act. He got started in standup after noticing a tiny ad in the weekly Philadelphia Jewish Exponent seeking entries for Jewish comic of the year. He submitted a joke and was chosen as one of 13 finalists to perform a five-minute act at a local comedy club. He placed third, behind a chiropractor and a lawyer.

Later, Lemire leafed through an old scrapbook of photographs. He showed off wedding-day pictures of Ellen, shots of favorite dogs and cats, of friends laughing. But most of the images depicted his field over the decades, a time-lapse progression from growing grass to neatly baled hay to vacant, stubbled remains as one season surrendered to the next.

R.H.

“I should have won,” Alper said. A news anchor at a Philadelphia morning TV show agreed and invited him on the air.

Soon Alper was performing 50 shows a year, a run that once included a comedy festival in Toronto before an audience of 2,000 Muslims. Taking the stage, the rabbi looked out upon the crowd. “I feel really strange, so alone, totally out of place,” he said. “Think of it: All of you are Canadians, and I’m American.”

Though Alper frequently performs for Jewish audiences, his brand of humor isn’t

Wayne Lemire PHOTOS:

religious. While bris jokes might seem like easy comedic fodder, Alper said he never pokes fun at the Jewish circumcision rite.

Too sacred?

“No. I don’t do dick jokes,” he said. The rabbi also steers clear of political humor, as well as anything that he views as raunchy or mean-spirited.

In 2015, Alper entered a joke contest called “Joke With the Pope,” sponsored by a Catholic relief organization and so named because Pope Francis is known for his sense of humor. Alper shared one about his close relationship with his wife, Sherri, to whom he has been married for 55 years: “Our lives are totally in sync. At the same time I got a hearing aid, she stopped mumbling.”

Of more than 4,000 entries, Alper’s joke won, beating out submissions from Bill Murray, Conan O’Brien, David Copperfield, Brooke Shields and Al Roker, he said. A plaque in Alper’s office proclaims him the “official comedic adviser to the Pope.”

Asked why Jews account for so many great American comedians, from Borscht Belt comics such as Jack Benny to Billy Crystal, Sarah Silverman and Jerry Seinfeld, Alper offered that humor has long served his people as a survival mechanism.

In this vein, he quoted another Jewish funnyman, Mel Brooks: “If you make people laugh, they can’t bludgeon you to death.”

Alper learned about survival and the power of humor from a former congregant and dear friend, the late Gerda Weissmann Klein, a Polish-born Jew and Holocaust

My rabbinate is making people laugh.

BOB ALPER

survivor. Klein recounted to Alper how she and fellow Jews held in a Nazi death camp secretly put on comedy acts at night ridiculing their captors.

When Klein died two years ago, Alper included a joke in her eulogy. It’s one he still tells to older audiences: “There are three stages in life: youth, adulthood and ‘You look wonderful!’”

KEN PICARD

Bob Alper

The first entry in Bianca Stone’s journal describes a dream she had last fall. In the dream, she was going to a restaurant called O of the Flesh. To make a reservation, she needed to log in to a website with the password “fastoftheinnocents.”

“Implied is a hidden word within this, something with two Ds?” Bianca wrote in her journal.

Bianca, who became Vermont’s 10th poet laureate last month, has made an art of spelunking into the grottoes of the psyche and emerging, grimy but triumphant, with a weird, glittering object. Her poems are esoteric and blunt, brimming with ancient confusion and ecstasy (o, of the flesh!) and the pains of modern existence (websites). In one line of poetry, she’s pondering the sacrament of communion; in the next, she’s in Walmart. “A Suckling Pig’s Prayer,” from her third and latest collection of poems, What Is Otherwise Infinite, published in 2022, demonstrates her gift for verse that hits with concussive force:

I have put aside all the blank meaningless words and decided to go totally naked into the always luscious Elysian dump of the hereafter. Say nothing at all.

The poet laureate position, a four-year appointment bestowed by the Vermont Arts Council, doesn’t involve any formal duties. Bianca wants to use the post to make poetry more accessible in a way that is neither didactic nor twee. “I’m not talking about ‘bringing poetry to the masses.’ I don’t know what that means,” she said. “But I see poetry as important for working out the most complicated parts of being alive — dealing with your own darkness, dealing with unthinkable thoughts.”

Bianca grew up in Middlebury in a family of artists and writers. Her twin brother, Walter, is a musician; her older sister, Hillery, is a poet and essayist. Their mother, Abigail, is a novelist, and their grandmother was the celebrated poet Ruth Stone, who served as Vermont’s poet laureate from 2007 until her death in 2011, at the age of 96. Bianca spent much of her early life with Ruth in her drafty old farmhouse in Goshen, running barefoot in the forest and communing with language.

Before Bianca could properly spell, she was composing her own verse in little notebooks. She keeps these close at hand to this day, the first dispatches in the

No Stone Unturned

Vermont’s new poet laureate isn’t afraid of going deep

BY CHELSEA EDGAR • chelsea@sevendaysvt.com

ever-lengthening paper trail of her inner life. Even as a child, she wrestled with the nature of being, as evidenced by one of her early works, “Sad”:

a sad Boy is nice a Happy Boy is Bad so if I like you are you sad? are you Happy?

At 40, Bianca is still obsessed with these kinds of ontological questions. “What is memory? What is self? What does it mean to have this mind that feels infinitely alone?” she mused in a recent interview at her home in Brandon. She sees the act of writing poetry as an attempt to reach another human being across a great emptiness.

“God is dead,” she said. “So we speak into the silence as if God could overhear. In that moment of connection between people, some intimation of eternity happens.”

Bianca lives with her husband, Ben Pease, and their 7-year-old daughter, Odette, at the end of a cul-de-sac lined with modest midcentury homes. Against this backdrop of middle Americana, Bianca seems a bit out of place, like a Goth at a Memorial Day parade. She has dark, deep-set eyes and speaks in a low, almost mumbling voice. Her arms are tattooed with arcane symbols and illustrations from the Rosarium Philosophorum, a 16th-century text on alchemy. On her right bicep is a beaker of dark liquid with a white bird hovering just above it, poised to dive in.

“The dark water is the unconscious, where we put the stuff we don’t want to look at,” Bianca said. “I want to be brave, always, to go into that dark place.”

In 2016, when Bianca was pregnant with Odette, she and Pease moved from

New York City to Vermont to be closer to her grandmother’s house. Ruth had requested in her will that her property be used for poetic and literary purposes, and Bianca and Pease were beginning to renovate the house, which had surpassed Grey Gardens levels of entropy. Bianca was ambivalent about returning to the scene of her youth, which was not a particularly happy one. “I wanted to do this in the spirit of what I loved about my grandma, and also I wanted nothing to do with it, because it was too painful and full of chaos — the opposite of creativity,” Bianca said.

Like Ruth before her, Bianca’s mother was a single parent of three children. Ruth’s husband died by suicide when their children were young, leaving Ruth to raise them through bewildering grief.

“It’s sort of a miracle, how she survived,” said former Vermont poet laureate Chard deNiord, who coproduced the 2021 documentary Ruth Stone’s Vast Library of the Female Mind. “She was this itinerant poet who drove millions of miles

Bianca Stone

from one college to another to teach, in this old car that was always breaking down. Bianca grew up with that intimately.” In the documentary, Bianca describes a feral mother cat that lived under her grandmother’s porch and hung on to life, year after year, “like a weird parallel to Grandma.”

By blood or osmosis, Bianca seems to have inherited this instinct for survival — a function, in part, of her irrepressible creativity. A gifted artist, Bianca has illustrated several books, including Anne Carson’s Antigonick , a translation of Sophocles’ Antigone . Recently, Bianca decided she was done with visual art. “Being asked to make art for other people was really ruinous for me,” she said.

To earn money, Bianca has stitched together various teaching gigs, most recently at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She’s now the creative director of Ruth Stone House, the nonprofit she runs with her husband and twin brother to fund the preservation of her grandmother’s Goshen property. Bianca has led poetry and letterpress workshops at the house; once the place is fully restored, she plans to launch a lowresidency writing program there. She also hosts a podcast, called “Ode & Psyche,” about the relationship between poetry and consciousness.

None of her interests exactly lends itself to stable employment. “Much to my in-laws’ chagrin, I’ve never been good at finding a full-time, real job,” she said. “I’m just hobbling along in avoiding that, like my foremothers.”

Bianca prefers not to say much about her childhood, except that it was “tumultuous.” As a teenager, she sculpted elaborately grotesque nude forms out of clay and played guitar in a feminist punk band called Speed Smear. She worked as a dishwasher and prep cook at Fire & Ice and Mister Up’s restaurants in Middlebury and toyed with the idea of not going to college. Then, during her shift at Fire & Ice one day, she had a sudden rush of clarity.

“Pretty much everyone who worked there was older than me,” she said. “No disrespect, but I did not want to work in kitchens for the rest of my life. I wanted to travel. I wanted to explore myself. I wanted to make art.”

Bianca ended up at Antioch College in Ohio. There, she decided to pursue poetry as a vocation, a choice that felt both radical and preordained. She’d been so steeped in poetry growing up, she said, that she didn’t think she had anything to learn from a class. But at Antioch, she found an unexpected freedom. “It showed

I SEE POETRY AS IMPORTANT FOR WORKING OUT THE MOST COMPLICATED PARTS

she said. “The music of my voice was changing.”

What didn’t change was her desire to write about unfathomable things — consciousness, God and nature.

Poet and part-time Vermonter Major Jackson, who met Bianca in New York, described her as “an old soul.” “She’s shaped by the big questions,” Jackson said. “I think many of her peers define themselves in relation to each other, and she’s looking at herself in relation to a larger tradition. You could say she’s tormented, as I think all the best poets are.”

After Bianca and her husband moved back to Vermont, she fell into an existential funk. As a corrective to “the neurotic matriarchy of chaos I knew best,” she said, she listened to podcasts about paleo dieting, CrossFit and Marcus Aurelius, hoping to cure her malaise with a life of bro-coded self-flagellation. (How could this program not succeed?)

Then she turned to the writings of the Christian mystics, who described the possibility of unconditional love through an intimate relationship with God. That didn’t take, either.

BIANCA STONE

me what being a poet outside of my family was,” she said. “And it totally changed the trajectory of my life.”

After graduation, she got her MFA at New York University. She studied with Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Sharon Olds, who had been a close friend of her grandmother’s, and later became Olds’ assistant. “Her imagination is astonishing,” Olds wrote in an email. “There is really no one like her: her energy and intelligence and wisdom and wit.”

In New York, Bianca said, she experienced a kind of culture shock. She’d grown up on the work of her grandmother, Olds, Sylvia Plath, William Butler Yeats — poets who wrote searchingly, even desperately, about what it means to be human. Her peers in New York wrote in a more aloof, ironic register — “anti-sentimental, very monotone,” as Bianca put it. She started experimenting with her own style. “I discovered I could be weirder, funnier,”

“Everything in me just died,” Bianca said. “I didn’t care about reading, didn’t care about doing anything. I’d come to this place where I didn’t have another path before me. I hate the word ‘trauma,’ but a lot of the disruption that’s happened in my life was just overwhelming. I was trying so hard to deal with it on my own, and I needed help from another person.” Through psychoanalysis, she discovered a language to articulate the workings of the unconscious, which opened up new realms of poetic territory.

For Bianca, writing is an extension of this interminable, occasionally miserable process of self-examination. “You have to be willing to do the work of looking at what you don’t want to look at, willing to write the poems that you want to write, even if you don’t think you’re good enough, even if you think you’re just writing crap,” she said.

Meanwhile, she’s also raising a kid, doing laundry and trying to keep her grandmother’s house intact. “If I could just go stare at the lilacs for as long as it takes for a poem to come, I’d be set,” she said. “I want that. Let that be my summer.” Which could also be her first uno cial exhortation to the public as poet laureate: Go stare at a tree. The void will still be there tomorrow. ➆

INFO

Learn more at bianca-stone.com.

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food+drink

Inn Time

Rediscovering breakfast at Shelburne Farms, from restaurant table to market garden

STORY & PHOTOS BY MELISSA PASANEN pasanen@sevendaysvt.com

We rarely host out-of-state visitors during the summer and fall without taking them to Shelburne Farms. The 1,400-acre historic country estate turned environmental education nonprofit is a National Historic Landmark and a local treasure. Even the most seasoned traveler’s eyes widen when the magnificent, turreted farm barn comes into sight.

Sometimes we simply stroll along the gravel trails and roads, meandering across meadows and through wooded copses. We might walk past the farm barn to climb Lone Tree Hill and marvel at the view of the graceful red-brick inn overlooking Lake Champlain. On our way out, we stop at the welcome center for nibbles of the excellent cheddar, made on-site from the farm’s Brown Swiss cows.

When our group includes youngsters, or animal lovers of any age, we make a beeline to the barn to see the lambs, chickens and calves in the children’s farmyard. We peek into the cheesemaking facility to witness the magical transformation of milk into cheddar and into O Bread Bakery to savor the scent of freshly baked loaves.

A RECENT FRIDAY VISIT MADE ME WONDER WHY I WAIT FOR GUESTS TO INDULGE IN THE OCCASIONAL SHELBURNE FARMS BREAKFAST.

If I’ve planned ahead, we might dine at the inn, an experience which magically transports guests into late 19th-century elegance. I love a leisurely dinner in the crimson silk damask-walled, marble-floored dining room, preceded by drinks on the rolling lawn. It is, however, a commitment not suited to every schedule or budget.

Instead, I might suggest visiting the inn for breakfast.

Reservations, particularly during the week, are easier to grab last minute. Breakfast is more casual and lighter on the wallet, and morning is the perfect time for a postprandial walk.

A recent Friday visit made me wonder why I wait for guests to indulge in the occasional Shelburne Farms breakfast. Unlike dinner, the experience makes me feel

SEASONAL EATS

less like a customer and more like a member of the family who once descended from their quarters to start the day in that same dining room.

Weather permitting, I’d opt to sit on the terrace for the best view of gardens and lake. Guests playing croquet

e terrace at the Inn at Shelburne Farms

Chard in the market garden

Garden vegetable hash

SIDEdishes

SERVING UP FOOD NEWS

Sherpa Foods to Add Himalayan D’Lite Kiosk in Burlington’s City Hall Park

South Burlingtonbased SHERPA FOODS will add a second location of its

HIMALAYAN D’LITE café beside the fountain in Burlington’s City Hall Park. Co-owner NURBU SHERPA said he hopes to open the year-round kiosk serving Nepalese fare, drinks and seasonal ice cream around July 4.

Sherpa Foods, which sells packaged Nepalese-style momo dumplings and sauces to retail stores throughout the Northeast, opened its first Himalayan D’Lite café behind its South Burlington production facility in 2023.

When the city issued a request for proposals for a food kiosk in the newly renovated park, Sherpa said he and his wife, PHURA, jumped at the opportunity. They launched their business in 2015 at the BURLINGTON FARMERS MARKET, then held in City Hall Park. “To have our first satellite location in that same place is coming full circle for us,” Sherpa said.

The kiosk menu will include momos, Nepalese chicken or beef curry with rice, and mango lassi drinks. During the summer, popsicles and ice cream will be for sale, and Sherpa hopes to install a creemee machine.

Melissa Pasanen

Burlington’s Spot on the Dock to Open a New ‘Sweet Spot’

The SPOT restaurant group is making another addition to its lineup this summer — the SWEET SPOT, a creemee and coffee window at the bottom of King Street in Burlington, near the ferry ticket booth. By June 17, manager TESSA FANCHER said, the staff hopes to offer all-day sweet treats to those wandering along the waterfront.

The addition joins three other outposts of the Spot group in Burlington: the original SPOT restaurant at 210 Shelburne Road, the SPOT AT HULA at 50 Lakeside Avenue and the seasonal SPOT ON THE DOCK. The Sweet Spot will share the summer time frame of the Spot on the Dock, with daily hours from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Onsen Ramen

137 Pearl St. #3 Essex Junction Wed.-Sat. 4pm-9pm onsenramen.com

8h-OnSenRamen041024.indd

Beginning the summer with coffee, milkshakes and creemees, the Sweet Spot may eventually offer baked goods and breakfast sandwiches, Fancher said. The ice cream offerings will strike a balance between traditional flavors and creative ones such as pineapple, peanut butter and Oreo.

The window-service location shares a building with the office of the Vermont Lake Monsters, Fancher noted, so expect baseball-themed creemee flavors and “Champ size” coffees. Find updates on Instagram at @thesweetspot_vt.

Leah Krason

LOCAL WOMEN-OWNED U-MALL, SO BURLINGTON, VT

First creemees at the new Sweet Spot

Sherpa Foods momos

on the lawn add to the relaxing, old-world ambience.

My friend ordered the garden vegetable hash ($20) with potatoes, toast and two eggs. I was sorely tempted by the breakfast egg sandwich ($16) on an August First brioche bun with shallot jam, Vermont Creamery goat cheese, arugula and a side of potatoes. But the biscuits and sausage gravy special ($20) with eggs and potatoes won out.

Our server listed off the hash vegetables — including sweet potatoes, salad turnips, green garlic and chard — some of which came from the property’s market garden. Shelburne Farms executive chef John Patterson later told me that the vegetable hash is “a good expression” of the freshest harvest from the market garden and other local farms. In August, for example, it might feature summer squash, tomatoes, eggplant and peppers.

Restaffing the seasonal operation each spring is a challenge, Patterson said. He is very happy that breakfast chef Brandy Allan returned for the second year and has given her creative license over the morning menu.

Our dishes were generously sized and well made, and they hit the spot. Sageflecked biscuits were flaky under a rich, herby cream gravy with an extra herb punch from Vermont Salumi’s maple-sage sausage. I deputized the kitchen to choose my egg style and was pleased with the fluffy scramble. My friend’s bowl boasted a rainbow of caramelized vegetables, topped with perfectly cooked over-easy eggs.

I did briefly regret not ordering the pancakes ($16), spied on a neighboring table. Patterson later told me that the fluffy, tender exemplars of the genre, made with Westfield’s Butterworks Farm buttermilk, are his favorite. “I will literally stand in the kitchen and pound two in a row,” he said.

Patterson came to Shelburne Farms in 2019 but did not run his first full season until 2023, when the inn restaurant reopened to the public after a gradual post-pandemic reboot. His dinner menu this year returns to classics. Shepherd’s pie for two ($65) stars the farm’s lamb, crowned with a clothbound cheddar-topped potato purée and served with a cocotte of seasonal vegetables. A Maple Wind Farm chicken leg and thigh ($36) are roasted with a glaze of tamari, maple and apple balsamic vinegar and accompanied by sautéed cabbage and locally cultivated mushrooms.

New this season for guests who swing

by for drinks on the inn lawn is a picnic box for two ($40) filled with Shelburne Farms cheddar, salame from Agricola Farm in Panton, apples, jam and crackers.

After breakfast, we took a quick walk through the inn gardens before heading down the hill to visit the source of some of those hash vegetables.

The market garden is on the Shelburne Farms map, posted all over the grounds, and easy to reach from the inn, though there are no signs to indicate exactly where to turn off the main trail. Follow the road that curves left behind the coach barn. Just past the solar array, take your

next left onto a small dirt driveway to arrive at the two-acre operation.

We found market gardener Jamie Hayes harvesting rhubarb, which I later learned would be paired with a buttermilk cake on the inn’s dessert menu. Peas vigorously vined up trellises and choy sum bloomed sunny flowers. Gold- and pinkstalked chard sprouted glossy green leaves, like those we had enjoyed in the breakfast hash.

Market garden manager Josh Carter welcomes visitors. “I want people to walk through here,” he said. “I want to know if your breakfast was good.”

Turns out you don’t have to eat at the inn to get a taste of the market garden. Its produce and eggs are also sold at the welcome center, and some vegetables are served in the farm barn courtyard at a lunchtime cart, which offers another affordable way to eat with farm-raised beef burgers ($12), grilled cheese ($8) and market garden salads ($6).

I see a three-meal day at Shelburne Farms in my future. ➆ INFO

The Inn at Shelburne Farms, 99 Inn Rd., Shelburne, 985-8498, shelburnefarms.org

Biscuits and sausage gravy special with scrambled eggs and potatoes

Shelburne Farms farm store and welcome center

Market gardener Jamie Hayes

Crumbs: Montpelier’s Rabble-Rouser, St. Albans’ O the Rails at One Federal and Bristol’s Village Creeme Stand Close

In Montpelier, Rabble-Rouser Chocolate & Craft at 64 Main Street appears to have closed permanently. Brown paper covered the windows of the 4,400-squarefoot café, chocolate production facility and retail shop, which opened in 2019 as an evolution of Nutty Steph’s, founded by JAQUELYN FERNANDEZ RIEKE. No one could be reached at Rabble-Rouser. Katie Trautz, executive director of Montpelier Alive, said the business has closed but may eventually continue in some form.

The Village Creeme Stand in Bristol announced on Facebook that the 43-year-old seasonal snack shack will not reopen following the 2023 death of owner Tom Wallace. Wallace, who ran the business with his wife, Claire, and their extended family, explained firmly

to Seven Days for a 2019 article that “creemee” (our house style) is actually properly spelled with one E at the end. On Facebook, the family wrote that a reopening had been planned, but “unfortunately emotionally and physically this void is too much to handle.”

After a year and a half, chef-owner SHAWN CAREAU has closed O the Rails at One Federal in St. Albans. When the restaurant launched with a wood-fired, European fusion menu in 2022, Careau told Seven Days he hoped to “bring a little bit of culinary flair to this area.”

On Facebook last week, he wrote, “Due to multiple determining factors, it has become impossible for us to keep the business going.”

Melissa Pasanen

CONNECT

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

Village Creeme Stand in 2018

Budding Bakery

The Bake Shop at Red Wagon Plants grows in Hinesburg

BY JORDAN BARRY • jbarry@sevendaysvt.com

I’m way behind in the garden this year. Weeds are high, spring cleanup barely happened, and the only things I’ve planted are three leftover mystery tomatoes my neighbor handed over the fence.

But that hasn’t kept me away from Red Wagon Plants in Hinesburg. In fact, I made my first visit of the year earlier than ever, on March 30, when the nursery held its open house and the official unveiling of its new on-site bake shop. Instead of flowers and veggie starts, I’ve been coming home with chive-and-cheddar focaccia, chocolate sourdough, coconut buns, pinsa flatbreads with white bean-za’atar dip, gluten-free brownies, jam pinwheels, and pistachio-cardamom cookies — all made by Amy Vogler and Carey Nershi.

The Bake Shop at Red Wagon Plants is a glorious, plant-adjacent pastry haven that happened “by sheer accident,” Vogler said.

Sitting together at a picnic table after baking was done on a recent Sunday, Vogler, Nershi and Red Wagon owner Julie Rubaud recounted the bakery’s evolution. Its building was originally constructed to house the nursery’s sister business, Red Wagon Herbs, and processing space for herb salts and vinegars.

Red Wagon has often hosted food pop-ups over the years, and an on-site restaurant was part of Rubaud’s vision “semi-subconsciously,” she said. “It would

float to the surface every now and then, but I didn’t think we would do anything for this year.”

Food professionals Vogler and Nershi met when they both happened to stop by Red Wagon on the same late February day — the former to drop off a spare flour mill, the latter to escape her house and midwinter boredom. Both were stunned by the space’s large commercial kitchen, which boasts a garage-door view that frames Camel’s Hump. Over a plate of Vogler’s ginger-rye cookies, they hatched a plan.

For the next month and a half, as the nursery’s production crew started work for the season, they held tastings of the baked goods they were scheming up.

“It was a whirlwind but in a very functional way,” Nershi said with a laugh.

Now, she and Vogler fill the glass pastry case Thursday through Sunday with their rustic-yet-refined treats. Often, they sell out before the shop’s closing.

“I thought it would be a couple slices of cake,” Rubaud joked. “It’s been busy.”

Not that she’s surprised, she clarified. Both bakers have serious culinary chops.

Vogler has a 20-year career in food television and recipe development, writing and testing. She’s cowritten high-profile cookbooks, such as Thomas Keller and Sebastien Rouxel’s Bouchon Bakery, and continues to work for the Jacques Pépin

there are six neatly arranged,” she said. “I have to pile them. No straight lines.”

“I’m the rustic one in the family,” Vogler added.

The bakers’ approach combines their styles and interests: Vogler has taken on yeasted doughs and sourdough, while Nershi handles the sweet side — though nothing’s too sweet, they explained.

“Not too sweet and not too fussy,” Vogler said.

It all fits into Rubaud’s vision for the space, which is full of well-worn and welcoming wood furniture, despite the building’s minimalist Scandinavian style. Waitsfield’s KS Coffee, tea, and Bristol’s Savouré sodas and seltzers round out the offerings.

Rubaud summed up the fare: It’s what your friend might serve you at their house, if that friend were an excellent cook.

“It doesn’t taste like it came out of a commercial kitchen,” she said. “And I love the combination of serving food that feels homey with people shopping for their gardens.”

Foundation. Nershi is balancing the bake shop with freelance work, too: She’s a photographer, food stylist and recipe developer who has collaborated with

At first, customers were stopping in for just one bakery item, the team said. Now, they’re leaving with boxes. I followed suit on that Sunday. Brie Gamez, who works the front of house for the bake shop, packed up my savory cheddar-chive focaccia ($6), savory-sweet dark chocolate sourdough ($6) and just-sweet-enough banana chocolate chip cookie ($3). I took bites of

brands such as Vermont Creamery and Food52. She’s famous among her friends for sending epic holiday treat boxes, for which she baked more than 1,000 cookies last year.

Running the bake shop differs in one key way from Nershi’s previous experience, she said: Things sell better when she fights the urge to be perfect.

“Nobody wants to buy a biscuit when

each before I reached my car, reveling in the simple yet surprising flavors.

My garden will get planted eventually, but I might just forget a plant or two to give myself an excuse to go back for pastries. ➆

INFO

Bake Shop at Red Wagon Plants, 2408 Shelburne Falls Rd., Hinesburg, redwagonplants.com

AMY VOGLER

Amy Vogler and Carey Nershi at work in the bake shop

Dark chocolate sourdough (front) and assorted bake shop treats

What’s next?

On July 31, fi nd the winners in All the Best magazine distributed inside Seven Days and online at sevendaysvt.com/daysies. Until then, sit tight and try not to explode with anticipation : ) 20,065 people cast 483,002 votes in round #2. Thank you.

culture

WLabor of Lava

Scientist-turned-comedian Ben Miller kicks ash with his volcano-themed standup act

BY KEN PICARD • ken@sevendaysvt.com

jokes for a web series he created called “Stand-Up Science.” He eventually turned it into an hourlong show, which had a sold-out run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2022.

In one bit, Miller ri ed about his love of homework as a child, which went awry one day when he tried to do some extracredit work for his fifth-grade sex education class.

“Since there wasn’t a textbook, I decided to read ahead on the internet. I stumbled upon dirty videos online but didn’t realize that’s what they were because I was 9 years old,” he said. “I thought it was an online educational database like Wikipedia. I was like, ‘Oh, wow! These videos have been viewed by 4 million other scholars!’”

COMEDY

hen Ben Miller submitted an application to become the 2023 artist-in-residence at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, he never expected to get the gig. After all, the National Parks Arts Foundation, which funds the monthlong residencies, had previously selected painters, sculptors, poets and Grammy Award-winning musicians. “Actual artists,” Miller pointed out, “not some guy making silly jokes.”

entomologists and archaeologists, as well as from gazing anxiously into the fiery lava lake of Halema‘uma‘u Crater.

As the first-ever comedian chosen as an artist-in-residence at a national park, Miller said his artistic duties were a departure from his previous stints performing at big-city comedy clubs and festivals.

“Then I had to awkwardly bomb in front of whoever was left.”

Miller didn’t return to a comedy stage again until his sophomore year at Columbia University. There, he earned a bachelor’s degree in materials science and engineering while doing open mics in his spare time.

In the show, Miller also riffs about being diagnosed as a child with pectus excavatum — “a medical condition, not a Harry Potter spell.” The congenital condition gave Miller a concave chest, reducing his lung capacity to 70 percent, “just barely a passing grade in breathing,” he joked. “Sort of like honorary asthma.”

Since finishing his residency in Hawaii, Miller has spent the past year honing his magma-themed gags at shows throughout the United States and Europe.

A few months later, however, the New York City-based comedian was living on Hawaii’s Big Island and figuring out how to incorporate geology terms such as “fissure,” “eruption” and “pyroclastic flow” into a comedy routine — and keep it G-rated for a national park audience.

Plus, the 28-year-old Chicago-area native admitted that he’d never built a volcano for a school science project, which seemed like a prerequisite.

“They wanted me to put on a one-hour show with jokes about volcanoes and then present it at 11 a.m.,” Miller said.

The result is Miller’s latest hourlong comedy show, “Stand-Up Science Presents: Volcano,” which he performs on Friday, June 14, at O Center for the Dramatic Arts in Burlington and Saturday, June 15, at the Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium in St. Johnsbury. In the show, Miller, a trained scientist with no background in geology, draws from the knowledge he gleaned interviewing the national park’s vulcanologists,

“It felt less like

an artistic residency and more like a Food Network challenge.”

Miller grew up in Highland Park, Ill., and tried his hand on a comedy stage for the first time at 16. When his father took him to an open mic, the pair became the butt of jokes by the older comedians, who ri ed about the teen being a sex-tra cking victim. Adding insult to injury, he said,

But after a few years of working in laboratories, conducting experiments with lasers and biopolymers, and teaching an afterschool science program in New York City, Miller made the full-time career leap from STEM to standup.

“It’s a much better show now than it was a year ago at 11 a.m.,” he told Seven Days during a recent interview from Rotterdam. Miller was just coming off an eight-show run in the Netherlands, Finland, Germany, Spain and the UK, where, he said, the humor played “surprisingly better than you’d expect” with an international audience. Because it’s science-based, he explained, “All I really had to do was change Fahrenheit to Celsius to make things work.”

While Miller’s shows are both entertaining and educational, he insisted that they don’t require a deep understanding of science to get the jokes.

Miller’s comedic accolades include twice being ranked as New York’s top roast battler in the Comedy Fight Club championship at the Stand comedy club in New York City. A roast battle, he explained, essentially involves two comedians saying mean things to each other for laughs. His secret was using his research skills to do deep dives on his opponents beforehand.

During the COVID-19 lockdown, Miller started writing science-themed

“There’s definitely a higher percentage of nerds than at the average comedy show, but all sorts of people without STEM backgrounds come and have a good time,” he said. “And it’s not like there’s going to be a pop quiz at the end.” ➆

INFO

“Stand-Up Science Presents: Volcano,” Friday, June 14, 7 p.m., at Off Center for the Dramatic Arts in Burlington. $12. Saturday, June 15, 7 p.m. (sold out) and 9 p.m., at Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium in St. Johnsbury. $15. linktr.ee/thisisbenmiller

Ben Miller performing at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park

In New Film Series, Local Comedians Present Their Favorite Comedies

BY HANNAH FEUER • hfeuer@sevendaysvt.com

A truly funny movie can be hard to come by. But if anyone could pick a film guaranteed to elicit laughter, it would be a comedian.

Enter “Comedians and Comedies,” a five-movie series hosted by Vermont International Film Foundation in which five local comedians present the films that shaped their formative years. The summer series begins this Sunday, June 16, at the Screening Room, VTIFF’s 32-seat theater at Main Street Landing in Burlington, which opened in March.

Each comedian will introduce their chosen movie by speaking about what resonates and why they find it funny. VTIFF tabbed Marianne DiMascio, cofounder of the sketch comedy troupe Stealing From Work, to pick the comics. The movie lineup includes both beloved classics and more obscure finds, according to VTIFF executive director Steve MacQueen.

“What’s funny is such an interesting idea, right? It’s so subjective,” he said. “I thought it’d be funny to get people who are paid to be funny’s perspective.”

Kicking off the series on Sunday, June 16, comic Adison Eyring presents Drop Dead Gorgeous, a mockumentary film that satirizes the world of beauty pageants. Despite its initial flop at the box office in 1999, the film is now considered a cult classic.

Next up, on June 22, is Real Genius, a 1985 sci-fi comedy starring Val Kilmer. An uptight first-year student at the fictional Pacific Tech college gets paired up with a genius senior to work on a laser, only to learn the government intends to use their project as a weapon. Max Higgins, who won a Seven Daysies award for Vermont’s best standup comic in 2023, said he’s been a longtime fan of Kilmer’s dry humor.

“It’s this classic thing of this, like, really uptight character being pushed to his limits by this absolutely crazy,

off-the-wall guy,” Higgins said. “Watching the dynamic of those two is so funny.”

On July 5, Seth Jarvis, a director for Stealing From Work, introduces the 1933 film Design for Living, the oldest movie in the series. Risqué for its time, the movie is about three Americans who find themselves in a ménage à trois in Paris.

DiMascio presents Harold and Maude on August 2. The 1971 romantic comedy follows Harold, a young man fixated with death, as his relationship with the 79-year-old Maude gives him a new perspective on living life to the fullest. The movie holds nostalgia for DiMascio, who remembers watching it as a child with her mother.

“It’s quirky; it’s sad. Probably inappropriate in some places,” DiMascio said.

“I just grew up loving the film.”

Concluding the series on August 11 is The Incredible Shrinking Woman starring Lily Tomlin, about a woman who gets poisoned by the chemicals in her household products and shrinks in size.

Amy Halpin Riley, cofounder of Full Circle Theater Collaborative in South Hero and also a member of Stealing From Work, presents the 1981 sci-fi comedy.

MacQueen said the movie is one of the more unique picks in the series.

“I’ve never heard anybody list that movie as one of their top-10 comedies of all time,” he said. “So it’d be great to see somebody who I know is funny tell me why it’s funny.” ➆

INFO

“Comedians and Comedies”: Drop Dead Gorgeous, Sunday, June 16, 3 p.m.; Real Genius, Saturday, June 22, 7 p.m.; Design for Living, Friday, July 5, 7 p.m.; Harold and Maude, Friday, August 2, 7 p.m.; and The Incredible Shrinking Woman, Sunday, August 11, 3 p.m., at the Screening Room @ VTIFF, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, in Burlington. $5-10. vtiff.org

Job of the Week

Wilderness Therapy Guide

Are you motivated and energized?

Do you have a desire to mentor youth and young adults? Minimal outdoor experience necessary. We are looking for individuals who are empathic and caring, and natural leaders and strong communicators. The Guide role is perfect for someone who is eager to learn and enhance their therapeutic skill set. Guiding is a full-time, year-round position with seasonal opportunities available. Guides work a 4 day on/ 3 day off schedule.

Guides work in teams of two to provide supervision for a group of up to 7 students. A day in the field can include: facilitating/participating in daily activities (hiking, backpacking, canoeing, kayaking, paddle-boarding, cross country skiing, and snowshoeing, games, art, yoga, disc golf, movie nights), teaching outdoor skills (camping, fire-building, outdoor cooking, map and compass navigation), and helping students achieve therapeutic goals. Must be 21 years or older. Bachelor’s degree preferred. Average starting pay is $1,050 per 4 day shift. Comprehensive benefits include health insurance, an employee assistance program, an annual wellness fund, student loan repayment reimbursement and an employer matched SIMPLE IRA.

Office & Medication Administrator

The Scoop on True North Evolution

From Alex Szuba, program manager

What makes this opportunity unique?

e Vermont mountain sunrises and the lessons the landscape teaches us as we camp, hike, and engage in adventure and other activities, are invaluable. Our intentional, customized strategies support each student with positive reinforcement, following goals set with their therapists and guides. e woods of Vermont are the perfect place to unplug and reset.

Please share a story from a day in this job.

I can recall, in the deep winter, a student who was very upset and disregulated stomped out into the snow. So I got two folding pads and simply sat out in the snow with them for a while. Just being there, side by side, with a few extra resources to make sure they stayed warm, must have had an effect. My choosing to act and show that I care — as opposed to just speaking words — helped us form a connection. Later in that student’s stay, when they felt uncomfortable, they came to me for advice and guidance, knowing that I really do care for them.

From left: Max Higgins, Adison Eyring and Marianne DiMascio

Hidden History of Lake Champlain Jason Barney and Christine Eldred, the History Press, 176 pages. $24.99.

The bridge remains hidden in the past, shrouded by the depths of the beloved lake.

e “beloved lake,” naturally, is Lake Champlain, whose 450 million-year prehistory is covered in Hidden History of Lake Champlain’s first seven pages before the book dives into the arrival of the region’s early human inhabitants.

In Hidden History, northern Vermonters Jason Barney and Christine Eldred tell the story of the people of this region and how their lives were shaped by the long, deep, narrow waterway running through it. ey guide us through the area’s history, from the Revolutionary War to the arrival of canalboats, steamships and railroads in the 19th century.

What feels missing from an otherwise sturdy history is a statement of purpose and a narrative thread to tie it all together, particularly the “hidden” component. But the book does a good job of bringing to light much that’s just below the surface — sometimes literally, as in the case of the lake’s 300-plus shipwrecks. e authors show that glimmers of our past are all around us, if we simply take the time to notice them.

KEN PICARD

Short Takes on Five Vermont Books

Seven Days writers can’t possibly read, much less review, all the books that arrive in a steady stream by post, email and, in one memorable case, a pandemonium of parrots. So this monthly feature is our way of introducing you to a handful of books by Vermont authors. To do that, we contextualize each book just a little and quote a single representative sentence from, yes, page 32. ➆

It didn’t look like much from a distance, but I was willing to give it a chance.

A universal truth: Moving sucks. Regardless, 11-year-old Sunshine attempts to see the silver lining in her family’s fresh start after the bank forecloses on their Oklahoma home.

Sunshine, Moonshine opens in the hills of Lark Springs, N.C., where the new beginning isn’t the end of the family’s troubles.

is book for middle-grade readers is more than a comingof-age story — it’s a tribute to a beloved mother and award-winning author. is is Emily Herder’s first publication and Bonnie Christensen’s last. eir mother-daughter collaboration was completed after Christensen’s 2015 death.

In her author’s note, Vermontborn, New York City-based Herder explains that her mother had a long career in publishing, illustrating 12 books during her time in the Green Mountain State and writing four herself. Herder dreamed of working alongside her mother, and while a posthumous project wasn’t what she had in mind, she used the skills Christensen taught her to bring the final manuscript to print. e heartwarming tale captures the countryside’s rolling hills and the twang in each line of southern dialogue.

GILLIAN ENGLISH

I don’t want to miss out on bonding with people over food.

Social bonding is one of the ways sugar lures us into addiction, Andrea Grayson writes. After confronting her own dependency on sugar and carbs, the Charlotte author taught herself to quit. en she created a program to help others do the same. She spells it all out in language that’s easy to digest, even for a nonscientist. A behavior change communications consultant who teaches at the University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine, Grayson explains sugar’s effects on the body — inflammation, for one, which can lead to brain fog, fatigue, heart disease and dementia. “Bottom line: human bodies just aren’t built to eat refined sugar and flour,” she writes. Grayson unmasks the physical, social and emotional factors that keep us coming back. (Sugar lights up more pleasure sensors in the brain than cocaine, for example.) en she devotes the final two-thirds of her book to a week-byweek plan to break free. Checklists, menu plans, journal prompts, an eating-out guide and craving hacks are found in a section titled “You Can Do is!”

MARY ANN LICKTEIG

Notes From the Porch: Tiny True Stories to Make You Feel Better About the World omas Christopher Greene, Rootstock Publishing, 142 pages. $29.99.

I tried to get Hugo to ignore her ... when suddenly I realized she was singing. Hugo is omas Christopher Greene’s Labrador retriever and the namesake of his Montpelier restaurant. He never barked at people — until he spotted an elderly woman in the woods. e author snapped a photo of her, which later turned out to show nothing but trees.

“ e Ghost in You” is one of 44 tales in Notes From the Porch: Tiny True Stories to Make You Feel Better About the World e founding president of the Vermont College of Fine Arts and self-described “relentlessly social extrovert” penned these vignettes during lockdown. “Covid-19 stole so much,” Greene writes. “But one thing it couldn’t steal was the power of stories.” Greene’s tales have more than a splash of whimsy. Despite the title, not all are cheerful: “Our Girl Jane” recounts the death of his 6-month-old daughter. roughout, Greene finds inspiration and meaning in the seemingly mundane, whether it’s a heron soaring overhead or a foul ball caught at Fenway Park. A quick yet satisfying read.

K.P.

e Seller of Secrets: A Memoir Kathleen Rose Morgan, She Writes Press, 252 pages. $17.95.

Mother was not available, whether she was physically present or not.

In this emotionally raw memoir, author Kathleen Rose Morgan reckons with unsettling revelations about her childhood after her mother confesses a disturbing secret. She must confront that she was a victim not only of emotional and sexual abuse but also of a parent who enabled it.

Morgan takes readers through her journey to find some semblance of closure in adulthood. She seeks relief by embracing nature — including moving from New York City to Vermont — becoming a practitioner of the Japanese energy healing practice Reiki and enlisting the help of a medium. While Morgan occasionally flirts with pseudoscientific treatments, the narrative is more about finding resilience in the face of adversity than about the author’s specific methods.

Page 32 of this newly released book is blank, so our excerpt comes from page 31. ough its subject is dark, e Seller of Secrets also imparts hope for the possibility of finding happiness and healing in the aftermath of trauma.

HANNAH FEUER

Sunshine, Moonshine Bonnie Christensen and Emily Herder, Onion River Press, 276 pages. $14.99.

e Sweet Tooth Dilemma

Andrea Grayson, Create Change Lab, 246 pages. $19.99.

Vermont's Legislature passed a key bill (H.289) aimed at helping Vermont achieve 100% renewable electricity by 2035. Supported by electric utilities, leading environmental organizations, and business groups, this bill will help Vermont cut climate pollution and create good-paying, local jobs - but Governor Scott still vetoed it.

IF YOU LOVE BURLINGTON, NOW IS

THE

TIME TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT!

JOIN THE MOVEMENT TO HELP OUR SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNITY GROW AND THRIVE.

THERE’S SO MUCH TO LOVE ABOUT BURLINGTON

and so many reasons to support our local businesses. For example, did you know that 68 cents of every dollar you spend locally stays right here in Burlington? Have you seen the new building going up where the old mall was? Do you know about the Main Street makeover? Have you visited the new shops and restaurants that have opened recently?

To make the case for supporting our historic, walkable downtown this spring and summer, we turned to the people who spend the most time there — those who work at and own downtown businesses. Although Burlington is Vermont’s biggest city, it’s also a small town. If you’ve been to the Queen City, you’ve probably interacted with some of these folks or their coworkers before.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

READ THROUGH WHAT THEY HAD TO SAY AND USE THE SUGGESTED ACTION ITEMS MARKED WITH A CHECK BOX TO CREATE YOUR OWN SUPPORT PLAN!

“A downtown is only as strong as the community supporting it. It's a vibrant ecosystem of small businesses that rely on each other and their customers’ continued interest in keeping it strong and vibrant.”

SARAH BEAL, CO-OWNER, COMMON DEER

SPREAD LOVE ON SOCIAL MEDIA! FOLLOW YOUR FAVORITE BUSINESSES, LIKE, SHARE, & COMMENT POSITIVITY.

Fun Fact

The Festival of Fools is in its 17th year and sees 50,000 attendees each year!

Guess whaT?

Already in 2024, we’ve welcomed 14 new businesses to Burlington!

“Festival of Fools is the best!”

Deb Miller, Owner, Ken’s Pizza and Pub

NEED A BIRTHDAY, ANNIVERSARY, CONGRATS, OR GET WELL SOON GIFT? SURPRISE THEM WITH THE FREEDOM TO CHOOSE THEIR PERFECT PRESENTA GIFT CARD!

“I think that what people need to understand is that yes, Burlington has changed, but it’s still safe to come visit. If we abandon it, it will never get any better. I live and work downtown, so I walk and ride my bike everywhere. I try to do most of my shopping downtown. Obviously, I can’t do it all, but it’s a fun challenge.”

SHAWNNA

STANNARD, OWNER, SILLA

“The best way to support downtown Burlington is to use it. Walk down Church Street on a sunny day. Take your visiting friends to ECHO. Celebrate your birthday at Hen of the Wood. Take your kids to the skatepark. If we treat the downtown as if it belongs to us, then we can shape it into a downtown that we can love and a place that truly reflects our values.”

MARK BOUCHETT, CO-OWNER, HOMEPORT

ROSE NATHAN

SARAH MARK

SHAWNNA

ROSE

NATHAN

SHAWNNA

SARAH MARK LLYNDARA

BECOME THE ULTIMATE BURLINGTON AMBASSADOR BY RECOMMENDING ALL YOUR FAVORITE BURLINGTON BUSINESSES TO YOUR FRIENDS.

“My favorite places to shop are Kylee Boutique, Wilder Wines, Garcia’s, and Crow Books.”

-Rose Kenary

Did you knoW

that a whopping 90% of Burlington businesses are proudly owned by locals?

“The truth is that any downtown is only special when the local community engages with it. Locals walking around meeting up with friends, shopping during the day, and patronizing restaurants and venues at night are what give Burlington its dynamic persona. Our downtown is not just a marketplace for visitors — it’s a lively, central location for Vermonters to come together.”

“Our daytime community is vibrant and special, but the nighttime vibe is truly irreplaceable. Nighttime workers in Burlington work so hard to create special experiences after dark.”

Locals marketplace CLUB

NATHAN HARTSWICK, CO-OWNER, VERMONT COMEDY CLUB

FUEL A WEEKDAY MORNING WITH A DOSE OF CAFFEINE AND COZY VIBES AT A BURLINGTON COFFEE SPOT.

“Onyx Tonics is perfection. They are a wily group of coffee-brewing masterminds!”

-Shawnna Stannard

you

ROSE KENARY, BAR AND EVENTS MANAGER, MANHATTAN PIZZA

MANAGER, MANHATTAN PIZZA

MAKE A NEW MEMORY BY ATTENDING AN EVENING SHOW - MUSIC, THEATER, COMEDY, OR WHATEVER YOU LIKE!

“A night out in Burlington is the best! Hitting a favorite spot for dinner, grabbing a show at the Vermont Comedy Club, and going to see all of my favorite bartenders for a pint.”

Here in BurliNgton, we have more than 80 restaurants to choose from. Two Burlington chefs were nominated for James Beard awards this year, and one is a finalist!

that BTV has 15 specialty coffee shops? TAKE A STROLL ON THE CHURCH

“Church Street is not a strip mall of nationally owned retailers and restaurants. It boasts a diverse array of places to shop and eat, all because of the support we show it. Keeping downtown alive and strong is important, and all we have to do is continue to show up for each other.”

LLYNDARA HARBOUR, OWNER/FOUNDER, HARBOUR THREAD

-Rose Kenary SHINE THE

GIVE A SHOUT-OUT TO A BUSINESS ON SOCIAL MEDIA AFTER YOU’VE SUPPORTED THEM. IT’S NOT JUST TAGGING – IT’S A VIRTUAL HIGH-FIVE!

ROSE NATHAN

SHAWNNA

SARAH MARK LLYNDARA

ROSE NATHAN SHAWNNA

SARAH MARK

LLYNDARA

ROSE NATHAN SHAWNNA

SARAH MARK LLYNDARA

on screen

The Luring ★★★

Filmmaker Christopher Wells is a Long Island native and current Brooklyn resident, but he has “deep roots” in Vermont, he said. His late father was St. Johnsbury artist Roderick A. Wells, to whose life and work Christopher devoted a 2016 documentary.

Now the elder Wells’ “romantic realist” paintings can be seen in The Luring, a horror film his son shot in St. Johnsbury and Lyndonville in 2017, which is available to rent or buy on Prime Video. Their pastoral scenes o er an ironic counterpoint to its unsettling plot twists.

Most of The Luring was shot during mud season in a home that Wells’ mother had just sold, the director said, so keeping the place clean was a priority. A slasher film was out of the question.

“Since I couldn’t risk messing up my mother’s house with fake blood,” Wells writes in a press release, “I wrote a script that would disturb me instead.” In a 2017 interview with Luke Baynes for Seven Days, he said, “I wanted to make a film that was unpredictable and had character development … I’m kind of over the whole jumpscare thing.”

As a horror fan eager for novelty, I watched the film to see if Wells could make good on that promise.

The deal

The Luring does feature some familiar aspects of the horror genre, such as a chilling opening sequence that would work as a self-contained short. The world’s creepiest real estate agent (“Boardwalk Empire” actor Daniel Martin Berkey) shows a couple around a rustic house, eventually disclosing to them that a 10-year-old died by suicide in its basement during a birthday party. Meanwhile, their young son explores that very basement. A mysterious red balloon leads him to a dire fate.

While many horror filmmakers observe an unwritten rule against killing o kid characters, Wells defies that taboo (multiple times) to explore an evergreen theme of childhood cruelty. What happened at the ill-fated party is a mystery to birthday boy Garrett (Rick Irwin), the film’s protagonist, now a self-involved young man who has lost his memory of the tragic incident. When we meet him, slightly before the time frame of the prologue, he’s bringing his girlfriend, Claire (Michaela Sprague), to his family’s

REVIEW

Vermont vacation home, hoping to recover the lost piece of his life.

What Garrett doesn’t tell Claire is that he’s actually less eager to revisit his memories than he is to hook up with a mysterious local (Molly Fahey) he met on Facebook. It’s she who does the luring of the title, sending him teasing missives that hint at a desire to punish him.

The woman’s letters are in rhyming doggerel, as is most of her dialogue when she shows up to tempt Garrett in person, dressed like a Hot Topic version of a dominatrix. But none of that — or her sti delivery — stops Garrett from becoming ruinously obsessed with her. Soon he’s slipping away to inhale the mystery woman’s letters in the basement and picking fights with Claire, attacking her for having the audacity to enthuse over the beauty of the Vermont landscape.

Will you like it?

Low-budget filmmaking is never easy. Wells shows a solid sense for the rhythms of horror, an instinct for what to show viewers when. He crafts some disturbing sequences, especially the ones involving that rogue birthday balloon, a callback to the inadvertently creepy 1956 children’s short “The Red Balloon.”

That’s not the only film history homage

The Luring . Like Jack Torrance in Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining, Garrett is a singularly unpleasant protagonist whom supernatural forces appear to be grooming to become even more unpleasant. When Garrett meets a “Stranger” (Berkey again) who encourages him to graduate from misogynist callousness to full-blown violence, Wells washes the two of them in hellish red light, and every horror fan will catch the reference. Instead of the Overlook Hotel, however, this demonic seduction takes place in such innocuous locales as St. Johnsbury’s Kingdom Taproom and Lowell’s Missisquoi Lanes.

It’s a great premise. The problem is that Irwin’s Garrett isn’t entertainingly evil, just sort of mean and whiny (call him the hipster Torrance). And Sprague’s Claire isn’t a fleshed-out woman fighting for her life, like Shelley Duvall’s Wendy, but an oppressively cheery, weirdly oblivious sprite. The lead actors have a tendency to telegraph their emotions that drags down the film. Berkey and Henry Gagliardi (as the younger Garrett) give more subtly sinister performances, but they can’t outweigh the broader ones at the movie’s center.

I generally don’t review low-budget films when I can’t endorse them wholeheartedly, because I know their creators are already struggling to get them seen. But

The Luring is enough of a novelty among locally shot films to deserve notice. Wells takes risks with his storytelling, and at least two shots will stick with me, one of them a bizarrely Vermonty WTF moment. If that prospect lures you, give it a try.

MARGOT HARRISON margot@sevendaysvt.com

IF YOU LIKE THIS, TRY...

SILENCE & DARKNESS (2019; Freevee, Tubi, rentable): Shot in the Mad River Valley, this indie from New York director Barak Barkan resembles e Luring in using a single residential location to eerie effect, though it’s in an artier vein.

BLACK BEAR (2020; Kanopy, rentable): Another shiver-inducing example of single-location intimacy is this drama starring Aubrey Plaza as a filmmaker who proves to be an extremely bad guest at a lake house.

WE ARE STILL HERE (2015; Peacock, PLEX, Prime, the Roku Channel, Tubi, rentable): There’s a special art to shooting scary scenes in basements. Here’s another effective low-budget example.

in

A young man gets more than he bargained for when he comes to Vermont to recover a memory in this locally shot horror indie.

NEW IN THEATERS

INSIDE OUT 2: Drama alert! The anthropomorphized emotions from Pixar’s animated hit are back, and now their human host (voice of Kensington Tallman) is a moody teenager. With Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith and Lewis Black. Kelsey Mann directed. (96 min, PG. Bethel, Bijou, Capitol, Essex, Majestic, Marquis, Paramount, Playhouse, Star, Sunset)

TUESDAY: A mother and daughter (Julia LouisDreyfus and Lola Petticrew) facing terminal illness receive guidance from Death in the form of an enormous bird in this fantasy drama from writerdirector Daina Oniunas-Pusic. (111 min, R. Savoy)

CURRENTLY PLAYING

BABESHHH1/2 A single woman (Ilana Glazer) dealing with an unexpected pregnancy seeks help from her best friend (Michelle Buteau) in this comedy from Pamela Adlon. (104 min, R. Roxy)

BAD BOYS: RIDE OR DIEHH1/2 Will Smith and Martin Lawrence return as maverick Miami police officers in this action-comedy. Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah directed. (115 min, R. Big Picture, Bijou, Capitol, Essex, Majestic, Marquis, Star, Stowe, Sunset, Welden)

CHALLENGERSHHHH1/2 A love triangle among three tennis pros (Zendaya, Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor) makes sparks fly in this drama from Luca Guadagnino. (131 min, R. Roxy; reviewed 5/1)

THE DEAD DON’T HURTHHH1/2 Viggo Mortensen (who also directed) and Vicky Krieps play pioneers fighting for survival during the Civil War in this western drama. (129 min, R. Roxy, Savoy)

EZRAHHH A divorced comedian (Bobby Cannavale) goes on a road trip with his son who is on the autism spectrum in this comedy-drama from director Tony Goldwyn. (100 min, R. Capitol)

THE FALL GUYHHH1/2 Ryan Gosling plays an injured Hollywood stuntman in this action comedy from David Leitch, also starring Emily Blunt. (126 min, PG-13. Essex, Majestic)

FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGAHHH1/2 Anya Taylor-Joy plays the warrior from Mad Max: Fury Road in a postapocalyptic action prequel. (148 min, R. Big Picture, Capitol, Essex, Majestic, Roxy, Stowe, Sunset; reviewed 5/29)

THE GARFIELD MOVIEH1/2 In this animated family flick, the cartoon cat (voice of Chris Pratt) plots a heist. (101 min, PG. Bijou, Capitol, Essex, Majestic, Marquis, Paramount, Star, Stowe, Sunset, Welden)

IFHH1/2 A kid finds out what happens to abandoned imaginary friends in this family comedy-drama. (104 min, PG. Capitol, Essex, Majestic, Stowe, Sunset)

I SAW THE TV GLOWHHHH1/2 A supernatural late-night show alters two teens’ view of reality in this A24 drama from Jane Schoenbrun. (101 min, PG-13. Roxy; reviewed 5/22)

KIDNAPPED: THE ABDUCTION OF EDGARDO

MORTARAHHH1/2 In the 19th century, the Papal police abduct a Jewish boy and raise him as a Catholic in this historical drama from director Marco Bellocchio. (134 min, NR. Roxy)

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

SONGS OF EARTHHHHH1/2 Norwegian director Margreth Olin’s documentary explores her mountaindwelling father’s relationship with nature. (90 min, NR. Savoy)

THE STRANGERS: CHAPTER 1HH A couple make the mistake of taking refuge in a remote cabin in this horror prequel. (91 min, R. Majestic)

TAROTHH In this horror flick, tarot readings can unleash evil. (92 min, PG-13. Sunset)

THE WATCHERSHH Ishana Shyamalan — yes, M. Night’s daughter — makes her directorial debut with this horror film in which Dakota Fanning plays an artist trapped in a creepy Irish forest. (102 min, PG-13. Bijou, Essex, Majestic, Paramount, Roxy, Star, Sunset, Welden)

OLDER FILMS AND SPECIAL SCREENINGS

EVERY BODY (Savoy, Tue only)

JUST GETTING BY (Savoy, Wed 19 & Thu 20 only)

PERFECT DAYS (Catamount) RUN LOLA RUN (RESTORED) (Savoy)

VANISH: DISAPPEARING ICONS OF A RURAL AMERICA (Capitol, Sat only)

OPEN THEATERS

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

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

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

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

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

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

HELEN SHULMAN

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

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

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

*MERRILL’S ROXY CINEMAS: 222 College St., Burlington, 864-3456, merrilltheatres.net

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

28th , 2024 | 5:00 - 6:30PM

– 5PM Sunday 11AM – 4PM or by appointment

Helena Howard in I Saw the TV Glow

art

Lofty Ideals

Artists get aerial in the Mad River Valley

BY ALICE DODGE • adodge@sevendaysvt.com

At Mad River Valley Arts in Waitsfi eld, the group exhibition “ALOFT” throws convention to the wind. The show takes on not only the concept of fl ight but also any idea associated with the air — from the atmospheric to the ethereal. Collecting works by local and a few out-of-state artists, as well as historical objects, the exhibition is a fun, fascinating and appropriately scattered take on the airborne.

overlaying Gowen’s naturalist style with a hint of mysticism.

Aaron Scot Ingham of Bent Nails Studios in Marshfield created three goofy, decidedly unscientific bugs out of old insect-spray canisters and tennis rackets. They perch whimsically — and a bit menacingly — on the wall, reminding us of the poisons that humans have pumped into the environment.

Waitsfield photographer Julie Parker’s digital images of insects o er a macro-lens view, showing the hairlike structures on a luna moth’s wing and the geometry of a dragonfly’s. She manipulates some of the images, highlighting the bug’s symmetry or its translucence. These are beautiful, haunting vignettes.

Princeton, N.J.based Catherine Gowen’s delicate, deliberate watercolor “Cicada Wing Wheel” also shows o the insect anatomy, but where Parker’s images show close-ups that could be any bug, each wing structure in Gowen’s picture belongs to a di erent individual. Torn or broken o at di erent points, they look like bits you might find on a sidewalk in the summer. According to her artist’s statement, Gowen organized them in a circle “to suggest the cyclical nature of their underground and aboveground lifecycle, and their periodic emergence.” The piece reads as a mandala or fairy circle,

Curator Sam Talbot-Kelly sees Mad River Valley Arts’ role as bridging nature and culture; she said the nonprofit art organization is “rooted in the Valley,” where community identity is strongly tied to the outdoors.

Talbot-Kelly considers exhibitions such as “ALOFT” opportunities to express activism through beauty and to encourage visitors to think about nature in new ways.

Barre photographer Rob Spring captured images of puffins and sandhill cranes from a kayak in Alaska, where he could see the pu ns run across the surface of the water to take o . The photos are printed on matte paper and framed without glass. The small prints, with birds in black and white against an expanse of gray sky, look like graphite drawings. They describe the beauty of these birds while suggesting their disappearance.

Sandra Grant, a Warren-based fiber artist, contributed two pieces, “Dancing Loon” and “Spoonbill’s Nest,” that incorporate wool, beads, feathers and ribbons — as if she were building nests. The reliefs

are dimensional, textured and vivid. Their thick, tightly packed weave doesn’t allow for any airiness but does convey birdieness. Perhaps Grant is asking how on Earth these flu y creatures get o the ground.

Waitsfield-based Ray Parker pursued a time-based approach to flight. He converted videos of crows and pigeons into single photographs, overlaying many frames so each bird’s path appears as a calligraphic line moving across the print. The resulting pictures, such as “Crow

Storm,” present flight as an organized, ominous mass overhead.

“ALOFT” doesn’t ignore human approaches to flight. Seeking flight-related design objects for the exhibition, TalbotKelly consulted with Sugarbush Soaring and was directed to David Bahnson. The Rutland orthopedic surgeon, who collects antique wooden airplane propellers, lent seven to the show. Six of these date from the World War I era and are mounted together on a constructed rack. At up to

"Cicada Wing Wheel" by Catherine Gowen

From top: from “Irony 1,2,3” by Aaron Scot Ingham, Bent Nails Studios; World War I propellers from the collection of David Bahnson

nine feet, the curved, varnished propellers are sculptural, like giant wooden dragonfly wings. They have the aura and luster of contemporary artisanal craftsmanship, even though these were precision-driven machines, and serve as reminders of early pilots’ audacity in taking to the air.

Some intriguing works in the show incorporate air in unexpected ways. Montpelier-based Joe Loccisano’s charcoal drawings of barn interiors give a sense of the space in the trusses of a hayloft; crisscrossing beams and ladders o er the viewer a path up and through the precarious structure.

Art Schaller’s “Billboard Building” collages stand out, depicting blocky forms that look like stilt houses built in colorful wastelands. The works have remarkable depth, shadow and sense of space. They work at many perceived scales — the structures could be dollhouses or apartment blocks. Either way, it’s clear the Northfield architect considers the empty space and movement of air around a building as well as its mass.

Two small paintings by Los Angelesbased Katie Stubblefield are abstract but suggest broken windows. She uses white and gray horizontal lines, shard-like silvery forms, and washy inks to create a sense of turbulence. In her statement, Stubblefield says her work is influenced by climate change and addresses “the updrafts, microburst[s], dust devils, tornadoes and hurricanes that we globally experience in person or witness electronically.”

The show’s premise includes not only the airborne but also the ethereal. The word conjures the heavenly, and these days it’s also often associated

with the incorporeal world of digital things stored “in the cloud.” Several of the artists in the show use digital photo generation and manipulation as tools to make physical artworks. The medium is immaterial.

St. Johnsbury artist Dominique Gustin uses “synthography” — that is, AI-generated images — as a starting place. She further manipulates each image digitally, prints it and mounts it to a panel, and reworks it with physical mediums such as charcoal and encaustic wax. She then carves and polishes the piece to give it a gleam. The layers and imperfections in the wax, as much as the strange imagery, contribute to the dreamlike quality of Gustin’s work.

Montpelier artist Cara Armstrong o ers up colorful digital drawings of the Capital City from an aerial perspective. The lines in her cartoonlike clusters of houses and blocky skies look as though they were drawn with a digital stylus, but her work would be more powerful done by hand. They are missing a sense of pressure on the surface and, though the colors are crisp and clear, pixelation sometimes gets in the way of her lines.

Curatorially, “ALOFT” had an ambitious mission: to corral disparate mediums and styles and to highlight the mysterious, magical qualities of our atmosphere. The concept is so expansive that it could benefit from more space, yet the selected artworks combine rich perspectives and together point in a new direction: up, up and away. ➆

INFO

“ALOFT” is on view through June 27 at Mad River Valley Arts in Waitsfield. madrivervalleyarts.org

Keynote Casey Mock Center for Humane Technology*

The AI dilemma: AI and Deception

Education + AI 2024 Summit

THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 4PM HULA LAKESIDE BURLINGTON, VT

*The Center for Humane Technology: creators of the Emmy-winning Netflix documentary The Social Dilemma, seen by over 100 million people worldwide

Additional support from: Vermont Principals Association, Vermont Computer Science Teachers Association, Tom & Mary Evslin, Metz Foundation, Anonymous Donors

4T-aiVermont061224 1 6/10/24 8:51 AM

"Degas Dancers" by Julie Parker

"Crow Storm" by Ray Parker

‘Borders & Boundaries’ at Edgewater Gallery Brings the Bling

BY ALICE DODGE adodge@sevendaysvt.com

A haiku is succinct and seasonal, giving an impression of a moment or thought. It makes sense, then, that Alexis Serio’s painting “Haiku,” currently on view in “Borders & Boundaries” at Edgewater Gallery at the Falls in Middlebury, restricts its visual language to do the same. Using a few shades of green, pale yellow and lavender, the Texas artist conjures up a spring vista. Her simple, blocky brushstrokes give us a hazy horizon, some young fields in the distance, glimpses of a river and a lush promontory from which to contemplate the scene.

In her artist’s statement, Serio describes her paintings as “philosophical and formal investigations about the visual perception of light and color, the personal experience of remembering and inventing, and the natural

CALL TO ARTISTS

‘RECOVERY IS POSSIBLE’: The Patient Service Center seeks artwork in any medium by individuals in recovery, including paintings, sketches, poetry or stories. Champlain Toxicology Lab, Burlington, through September 1. Info, 542-1100.

illusiveness of time.” Up close, wide streaks of paint are there for their own sake; farther away, they form familiarseeming landscapes. She plays with the boundary where paint resolves into something recognizable.

Serio’s treatment of that paint is juicy and luscious. In works such as “Threshold,” the lip on the edge of a brushstroke catches the light, just the way the edge of a lake might at sunset. Her fluid technique makes these paintings look easy and graceful. Their scale — most are at least 2 by 3 feet — is immersive.

“Borders & Boundaries” pairs Serio with Vermont artist Homer Wells, whose “paintings” are actually aluminum panels that he engraves using power tools and drypoint techniques. Some are also coated with thin layers of automotive paint, which creates a colored glow.

Wells’ artworks are experiential; as a viewer moves past a piece such as “The Sands of Time,” the light catches on planes carved in opposing directions. It seems animated and dimensional — something not apparent in photos.

The artist’s subtle coloration is most effective when paired with a highly worked scene, as in “Arctic Sunset” or “Torres Del Paine,” where mountains float in a delicate pink sky. Jagged landscapes — mountains, icebergs, dramatic storm clouds — catch the light in the room exactly the way their real counterparts do when seen from above or a distance. This trick of illumination gives the works a more realistic look than the medium would seem to allow.

OPENINGS + RECEPTIONS

ANNUAL MEMBERS’ EXHIBITION: Sculptures by current studio participants. The Carving Studio & Sculpture Center, West Rutland, through July 7. Info, 438-2097.

ARTHUR B. ZORN: “Summer Sensibilities,” works by the Barre artist. Reception: Saturday, June 15, 2-4 p.m.

Wells’ paintings are unusual and haunting, an effect that would be better served by showing fewer of them at once. Edgewater’s lovely, expansive gallery overlooking the Otter Creek Falls is a perfect setting for larger work — many of Wells’ pieces are at least 40 inches wide — but when there are so many shiny objects competing for the viewer’s attention, their individual power is muted. Some of the most dramatic works are easily missed in the entranceway. Several works feature birch trees, using matte and shiny finishes to differentiate black and white. The backgrounds often catch color from elsewhere in the room — an effect that works well with Serio’s bright palette.

Wells has a few small-scale yet exciting sculptural pieces in the show, as well, each of them called “Physical Jazz.” They are curls of copper, with tiny, twisting fronds like ferns or strange sea creatures. Some are patinaed or torched, giving them a deeper, colorful tone that’s warmer than the larger paintings. These works have a playful, experimental sensibility, which is nice to see from a wellestablished artist. ➆

INFO

“Borders & Boundaries” is on view through June 25 at Edgewater Gallery at the Falls in Middlebury. edgewatergallery.co

First Congregational Church of Berlin, through July 31. Info, 522-7649.

BARBARA ACKERMAN: An exhibition of works by the Bennington printmaker, including monotypes, collographs and photo etchings. Reception: Friday, June 14, 5-7 p.m. Two Rivers Printmaking Studio, White River Junction, through August 30. Info, 295-5901.

ELLIOT BURG: Images of the Tunbridge World’s Fair in 2019 and 2021 by the Vermont photographer.

Burlington City Hall, through September 4. Info, 865-7296.

ENRIQUE MARTÍNEZ CELAYA: “The Grief of Almost,” four large-scale paintings and one monumental sculpture by the Cuban-born artist. Hood Museum, Dartmouth College, Hanover N.H., through April 6, 2025. Info, 603-646-2808.

‘FINDING HOPE WITHIN’: A group exhibition of drawings, mixed media, crochet, poetry and narrative writing by incarcerated artists at the Chittenden

“Physical Jazz” by Homer Wells

"Haiku" by Alexis Serio

“Torres Del Paine” by Homer Wells

Regional Correctional Facility in South Burlington. Brooks Memorial Library, Brattleboro, through July 27. Info, 254-5290.

‘FOR THE LOVE OF VERMONT’: An exhibition of nearly 70 paintings and prints created between 1910 and 1970 and picturing Vermont scenes, from the Lyman Orton collection. Manchester Community Library, Manchester Center, June 14-September 7. Info, 362-2607.

‘FROM THE FIELD: TRACING FOODWAYS THROUGH ART’: A group exhibition featuring artworks across different time periods, mediums and cultures illustrating points of connection in our foodways. Hood Museum, Dartmouth College, Hanover N.H., through November 3. Info, 603-646-2808.

GREEN MOUNTAIN WATERCOLOR EXHIBITION: A juried showcase of paintings from across North America, presented by the Valley Artists Guild. Red Barn Galleries at Lareau Farm, Waitsfield, June 16-July 20. Info, 583-2224.

HELEN SHULMAN: “Make: Believe” and “Realism Reboot,” works in abstraction and realism. Reception and artist talk: Friday, June 28, 5-6:30 p.m. Edgewater Gallery on the Green, Middlebury, June 14-July 23. Info, 989-7419.

KIMBERLEE FORNEY: More than 40 works of art by the Vermont artist. Reception and live painting demo: Wednesday, June 12, 6-7 p.m., with live music by Owl Stars. LCATV, Colchester, through June 30. Info, kimberleef@msn.com.

‘LUMINOUS’: An exhibition that highlights David Maille and includes 15 other artists. Reception: Friday, June 14, 5-7 p.m. Furchgott Sourdiffe Gallery, Shelburne, through August 17, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Info, 985-3848.

NEIL RAPPAPORT: A major retrospective of the late Pawlet-based photographer, including portraits from the Pawlet Community Study, slate industry, farms, Vermont landscapes and rare photos from Comstock Prison. Reception: Saturday, June 15, 5-7 p.m. Stone Valley Arts, Poultney, June 15-August 18.

‘SUN’S OUT’: An exhibition of summer-themed works by more than 40 local artists in multiple mediums. Reception: Friday, June 21, 5-7 p.m. Sparrow Art Supply, Middlebury, June 14-August 17. Info, 989-7225.

‘[UN]MAPPING: DECOLONIAL CARTOGRAPHIES OF PLACE’: A group exhibition of works by artists whose practices critique colonial legacies of cartography and employ decolonial and Indigenous ways of knowing. Hood Museum, Dartmouth College, Hanover N.H., through November 3. Info, 603-646-2808.

ART EVENTS

‘EMBRACE & BELONGING’ UNVEILING: The presentation of a monument designed to center conversations on belonging, racial equity and affinity, with music, food and ribbon-cutting ceremony; organized by Burlington’s Racial Equity, Inclusion and Belonging office, Burlington City Arts, and Burlington Parks, Recreation & Waterfront. Dewey Park, Burlington, Friday, June 14, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free. Info, 923-9839.

FOOD AND ART FRIDAYS: A community gathering with works in progress by resident artists, wood-fired pizza and a variety of performers. Sable Project, Stockbridge, Friday, June 14, 5:30-8:30 p.m., through September 20. $5-15 suggested donation. Info, bex@ thesableproject.org.

MEET THE ARTIST: JENNIE JOHANNESEN: A reception with the pastel artist, who specializes in depicting birds. Brandon Artists Guild, Friday, June 14, 7-8:30 p.m. Info, 247-4956.

ARTIST TALK: DAVID STROMEYER: The sculptor leads a tour and discussion of his newest works. Cold Hollow Sculpture Park, Enosburg Falls, Saturday, June 15, 2-3:30 p.m. Free. Info, 512-333-2119.

BTV MARKET: Artworks, crafts and more from a rotating cadre of local creatives. Burlington City Hall Park, Saturday, June 15, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., through September 28. Info, 865-7166.

JOHN KILLACKY VIDEO SALON: “Eulogizing the Body,” four of the artist’s video works dealing with AIDS, disability, loss and chronic pain. Bryan Memorial Gallery, Jeffersonville, Saturday, June 15, 1-2 p.m. Free, registration requested. Info, 644-5100.

JUNETEENTH MURAL PAINTING: A day of celebrating the freedom of African Americans and creating a community mural. Painting supplies are provided. Akes’ Place, Burlington, Saturday, June 15, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Info, artssowonderful@gmail.com.

PAPER BEAD MAKING: A two-session workshop with Deb Zuk. Ages 10 and up. Fee includes materials. Register by email or in person. Memphremagog Arts Collaborative, Newport, Saturday, June 15, 1-3 p.m. $5. Info, macartsevents@gmail.com.

BIPOC MAKER NIGHTS: WOODWORKING: Hosted in partnership with the Root Social Justice Center, affinity spaces for anyone who identifies as Black, Indigenous or a person of color to create community around woodworking. Bring a project to repair or make. HatchSpace, Brattleboro, Monday, June 17, 5:30-8:30 p.m., through August 26. Free. Info, 552-8202.

ARTIST TALK: TINA LAM: The current artist-inresidence discusses her land-art interventions. The Carving Studio & Sculpture Center, West Rutland, Wednesday, June 19, 7 p.m. Info, 438-2097. ➆

Wednesdays & Fridays 12:30 pm

music+nightlife

S UNDbites

News and views on the local music + nightlife scene

BY CHRIS FARNSWORTH

State of the Jazz Union: Reflections on Burlington Discover Jazz Festival

They tell me my city is dead.

I see it in online comments sections, strewn about the gutter of social media like wet rubbish. Sometimes I even hear it when I walk the streets: muttered derision and sneering talk that always boils down to some version of Burlington used to be cooler when I was younger.

They tell me my city sold out. That she’s seen better days that will never come again and that all the Queen City is good for is overpriced tourist candy — weed and booze and sunset selfies. They ask me if I feel safe? Do I think the politicians fucked everything up? Is everyone on heroin now?

I’ve heard it before. I first encountered Burlington when I was around 7 years old, and no matter what some ninnies on Facebook say, it hasn’t actually changed that much. When I moved back as an adult, in 2001, I was pleasantly surprised to find a city that still had the same heart.

But negativity can build like rust on the bottom of a car after a few Vermont winters, and as I strode downtown last Friday night to take in the 41st Burlington Discover Jazz Festival, I was feeling dogged by the haters. I’d written thousands of words about the divided opinions on the city’s marquee music fest; I’d dry-cleaned a blazer and worn my freshest T-shirt on TV to talk about it; I’d answered questions from radio

DJs and family friends and coworkers. I’d been blabbing about jazz and what it meant for the soul of Burlington for days, and as I ambled past the statue of general William W. Wells at Battery Park, on the site where cannons defended the city during the War of 1812, I was flagging.

After all, I’d traversed the Church Street Marketplace earlier that day to catch what used to be the meat of the jazz fest sandwich: local acts performing all over downtown. I’d caught my old friend RYAN OSSWALD playing some sweet-sounding jazz guitar from the Red Square outdoor stage on Thorsen Way. I’d listened to a high school band’s set and taken in some truly lovely tones emanating from the Burlington City Arts tent in City Hall Park.

But there was no hiding how di erent the vibe was from years past, when Church Street was jam-packed with jazz questers combing every co ee shop, record store and restaurant in sight for the strains of saxophones and scatting.

For all the rancor and, frankly, sometimes silly takes from the jazz scene’s old guard who questioned the force of nature that is guest curator ADI OASIS and raged at the Flynn and executive director JAY WAHL in the weeks leading up to the fest, it was impossible to ignore their more salient points. Namely, that the artistic and structural cohesion and, more importantly, the sense of deeply connected community that once defined the jazz fest is a ghost of its former self.

So once I reached the Waterfront Park stage on Friday night, I was feeling pretty down. Maybe my city was dying. Maybe everything sucked now and the old

Freedia’s backup dancers mimed oral sex with uncanny gusto.

But I needn’t have worried. After flashing each other the oh, my face, the older crew was soon moving with the rest, helpless before Freedia’s onslaught of bounce and irrepressible energy.

When Freedia announced from stage that she would be curating the jazz fest in 2025, the crowd roared. Reached for comment, Rogers later said the Flynn had not yet chosen next year’s curator. But there was no debate among the thousands dancing at the waterfront: Oasis and the Flynn had thrown a hell of a party.

memories were dead and the new ones would suck, too. The halcyon days were done, and I was just making the best of what was still around. Oh, bother.

Then Oasis took the stage. I don’t know if I imagined it or not, but there was a mischievous, defiant glint in her eyes as she strapped on her bass and proceeded to lead her band through a set of pulsating soul and funk music. As if she knew all the shit that had been talked, all the proclamations of doom that had been issued, the guest curator took the festival into her own hands and demanded it to dance.

And dance it did. The waterfront crowd found all the energy missing on Church Street and then some, transforming into a vibrant, undulating mass of joy and head-bobbing bass lines. There were no more questions of authenticity or concerns about what is or isn’t jazz, because the woman onstage wasn’t asking — she was showing us. Oasis had worked for months with Flynn programming director MATT ROGERS to book one hell of a party for the city, and this was her thesis.

Yet she still had the ultimate ace up her sleeve: BIG FREEDIA. New Orleans’ Queen of Bounce walked onstage and absolutely lit up the crowd with the most raucous, filthy, booty-shaking set the jazz fest has ever experienced. It was so raw and powerful, I reflexively clutched my white-boy pearls as I looked to a group of grayhaired locals standing nearby, who clearly had ventured down to Waterfront Park to catch some jazz. I watched the older crew with growing concern as

Almost delirious from hours of dancing and with a grin plastered on my exhausted face, I walked back toward downtown. Things had picked up, and there was a jazz fest feel to the streets at last. But it didn’t stop me from hoping the Flynn can figure it out next year and reengage with the local jazz community. This is far too small a scene to have pointless barriers between people who are all just trying to bring music to the city. There’s plenty of room, even in a five-day festival cycle, to showcase Burlington’s incredible jazz musicians and still have blowout dance parties by the lake.

But beyond all that, I was su used with pride and an almost indignant type of brashness. My city is vibrant. My city lives. She’s not perfect — she’s still too damn expensive, and she’s got plenty of problems — but if anyone thought Burlington couldn’t throw a party anymore, Oasis and her friends have put that silly notion to bed. ➆

Listening In

(Spotify mix of local jams)

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Scan to listen

“JUNE” by Cricket Blue

“DARK THOUGHTS” by Dead Street Dreamers

“PLATOON GROOVE” by Raw Deff, Rico James, Pro Knows Music

“DANCING RAW” by Brunch

“I’M FROM NOWHERE” by Neko Case

“FISHEYE” by Will Keeper

7. “MUD STRUT” by e Wet Ones!

Big Freedia at the Burlington Discover Jazz Festival

On the Beat

For all the clichés comparing being in a band to marriage, making collaborative art with other humans over time is its own kind of balancing act. And in bands, as in marriages, it’s important to mark big anniversaries. To celebrate a decade of making progressive indie-folk music, CRICKET BLUE have gifted themselves a present.

To mark (and close) their first 10 years together, the duo of LAURA HEABERLIN and TAYLOR SMITH decided to perform “Corn King,” a 12-minute folk epic from their 2019 album Serotinalia, with a 10-instrument chamber orchestra and film the whole thing at the University of Vermont’s Recital Hall in Burlington.

“We’ve obviously played the song live plenty of times,” Heaberlin told me over Zoom. “But we’ve never been able to perform it with the full chamber orchestra, like it has on the record. It just feels like an appropriate way to move into our next phase — by playing one of the things we feel most proud of from that era of the band.”

For Smith, who wrote “Corn King”

more than 10 years ago, it feels a little like waving goodbye to a song, and a period of music, that he no longer identifies with as strongly.

“I’m not really the same person who wrote the song,” he said. “I have

Eye on the Scene

Last week’s live music highlights from photographer Luke Awtry

EDMUNDS MIDDLE SCHOOL JAZZ BAND, CITY HALL PARK, BURLINGTON DISCOVER JAZZ FESTIVAL, THURSDAY, JUNE 6: This year’s was not a tame Burlington Discover Jazz Festival. As the event’s official photographer, I got to see its wild side. Big Freedia’s Waterfront Park show was a spicy one, no butts about it. And at the Flynn Space, Hot Butter LGBTQIA+ Disco featuring the Illustrious Blacks got … slippery. But the set that really popped off was in City Hall Park last Thursday afternoon. A large crowd had gathered, and I was picking up elementary school chorus vibes, big time. When Graham Lambert, a self-proclaimed Santana fanatic, led his Edmunds Middle School Jazz Band in “Oye Como Va,” the young crowd went feral. I saw moves I’d never seen before. Think sugar high plus out-of-school experience — and the only conga line of the festival, to my knowledge. Huge shout-out to the Flynn for all the school-related programming and to our local music teachers for keeping kids interested in music and showing them a good time. I’m not sure where I’d be if not for teachers like that.

a lot of affection for the song and for the person I was, but it feels like putting on a costume when we play it these days.”

To give that first decade of their career a proper send-off, Heaberlin and Smith brought together a crack team of local musicians and expats, including cellist JOHN DUNLOP, violinist SOFIA HIRSCH and violist LAURA MARKOWITZ HARRISON HSIANG, a former local and front person for the band COUCHSLEEPERS, drove up from Boston to repay the favor to Heaberlin, who provided guest vocals on his latest release.

“Harrison was incredible,” Heaberlin said. “We needed an accordion player for one song, and he learned how to play it at rehearsal that day!”

The video for “Corn King” hits YouTube on Wednesday, June 12. As for the future, the band has “a big batch of new songs” that it plans to record this year and release as the long-awaited follow-up to Serotinalia

The fourth annual Maple Roots Festival announced its full lineup last week. The fest, billed as “by musicians, for musicians,” was launched by director and guitarist MICHAEL-LOUIS SMITH in 2021 and takes place at Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks in Montpelier.

The free one-day event will feature sets by Vermont stalwarts STEADY BETTY, KAT WRIGHT, AVI SALLOWAY, NICK CASSARINO and Smith’s band, MLS & FRIENDS, as well as the EAMES BROTHERS BAND, BRETT HUGHES, MIKAHELY, ANDRIANA & THE BANANAS and others.

It goes down on Saturday, July 27, rain or shine. Visit maplerootsfest.com for more information. ➆

music+nightlife

CLUB DATES

live music

WED.12

Al’s Pal’s (jam) at Essex Experience, 5 p.m. Free.

BBQ and Bluegrass (bluegrass) at Four Quarters Brewing, Winooski, 6:30 p.m. Free.

Cooie’s Trio (Americana, soul)

at North Hero House Inn & Restaurant, 5:30 p.m. Free.

Dave Keller Band (R&B, swing) at 14th Star Brewing, St. Albans, 6 p.m. Free.

George Murtie (singersongwriter) at 14th Star Brewing, St. Albans, 6 p.m. Free.

Howling Waters (blues) at Red Square, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

Jaded Ravins (Americana) at Charlie-O’s World Famous, Montpelier, 7 p.m. Free.

Jazz Sessions (jazz) at the 126, Burlington, 9 p.m. Free.

Live Jazz (jazz) at Leunig’s Bistro & Café, Burlington, 6:30 p.m. Free.

Live Music Wednesdays & Tacos (weekly music series) at the Tillerman, Bristol, 5 p.m. Free.

The Macks, Brunch, Rangus (indie) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 8:30 p.m. $10/$15.

Mike Mac (acoustic) at Two Heroes Brewery Public House, South Hero, 6 p.m. Free.

The Rough Suspects (rock, blues) at Vermont Pub & Brewery, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

Rye Dog (blues, rock) at Bent Nails Bistro, Montpelier, 8 p.m. Free.

Wednesday Night Dead (Grateful Dead covers) at Zenbarn, Waterbury Center, 7 p.m. $5. Willverine (electronic) at the Wallflower Collective, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. Free.

THU.13

Ali T (singer-songwriter) at Vermont Pub & Brewery, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free. Briar Rats (folk) at Bent Nails Bistro, Montpelier, 9 p.m. Free.

CombustOmatics (rock) at Black Flannel Brewing & Distilling, Essex, 6 p.m. Free.

Cooper (covers) at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction, 6 p.m. Free.

Frankie & the Fuse (rock) at Red Square, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

GRG Trio (jazz) at Hugo’s, Montpelier, 7:30 p.m. Free.

Hana Kahn & Thomas Gunn (singer-songwriter) at Bent Nails

Bistro, Montpelier, 7 p.m. Free.

Joe Kaplow, Fuzzy Bones, Vinal (singer-songwriter) at Zenbarn, Waterbury Center, 7 p.m. $10.

Lincoln Sprague (jazz) at Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge, Burlington, 5 p.m. Free.

Ryan Sweezey (singer-songwriter) at Filling Station, Middlesex, 6 p.m. Free.

Huff and Puff

Whether scoring headlines after getting a cease-and-desist from Kraft Foods or scoring the soundtrack to a Spider-Man video game, Brooklyn’s GREEN JELLŸ have been popping up in the unlikeliest spots since 1981. The comedy-rockers, originally called Green Jellö before legal pressure forced them to alter their moniker, hit the mainstream in 1993 with the memorable video for their smash song “Three Little Pigs.” After a long hiatus, the band re-formed in 2008 for a second act, most recently releasing the LP Garbage Band Kids in 2021. Known for unhinged live performances, Green Jellÿ play the Higher Ground Showcase Lounge in South Burlington on Saturday, June 15, with support from INVERTER, OLD NORTH END and DRUNK OFF DIESEL

ShrapKnel, Phiik, Lungs, Jesse the Tree, Mister Burns, DJ GD (hip-hop) at Monkey House, Winooski, 8 p.m. $13/$15.

FRI.14

Blue Fox (acoustic) at Gusto’s, Barre, 6 p.m. Free.

Carl Anton (acoustic) at Poultney Pub, 6 p.m. Free.

Cooie & Adlai (Americana, jazz) at 14th Star Brewing, St. Albans, 6 p.m. Free.

Dave Mitchell’s Blues Revue (blues) at Red Square, Burlington, 2 p.m. Free.

Evan Jennison (folk rock) at Nectar’s, Burlington, 8 p.m. Free.

Frankie White (singer-songwriter) at Hotel Vermont, Burlington, 4 p.m. Free.

Geoff Kim Organ Trio (jazz) at Hugo’s, Montpelier, 7:30 p.m. Free.

Hi Fi, Syndicate Sound (electronica, drum and bass) at Bent Nails Bistro, Montpelier, 9 p.m. Free.

Jaded Ravins (Americana) at Two Heroes Brewery Public House, South Hero, 6 p.m. Free.

Jeff Salisbury Band (blues) at Jericho Café & Tavern, 7 p.m. Free.

Joe Kaplow, Long Gone John, Fuzzy Bones (indie, folk) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 8 p.m. $12/$15.

Jon McBride’s Big Easy (soul, jazz, blues, funk) at the Phoenix, Waterbury, 7:30 p.m. $15-30. Info, 355-5440.

Krishna Guthrie (singersongwriter) at Whammy Bar, Calais, 7 p.m. Free.

Nate Martell Trio (jazz) at Red Square, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

Princess Nostalgia, Mary Esther Carter (indie pop, electronic) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 11 p.m. $10.

Raised by Hippies (roots, rock) at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction, 5 p.m. Free.

Rap Night Burlington (hip-hop) at Drink, Burlington, 9 p.m. $5.

Sarah Bell (singer-songwriter) at Bent Nails Bistro, Montpelier, 7 p.m. Free.

Songwriter Showcase (Americana, pop, rock) at the Underground, Randolph, 7:30 p.m. $14-17. Info, 431-6267.

Speak of the Witch, Sabrehound, Bitter Rival (metal) at Charlie-O’s World Famous, Montpelier, 9 p.m. Free.

Sticks & Stones (covers) at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction, 9 p.m. Free.

Toast (rock) at the Old Post, South Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

Vega, Hannah Frances, the Clearwater Swimmers (folk) at Light Club Lamp Shop, Burlington, 8:30 p.m. $12/$15.

SAT.15

Chezidek, DJ Big Dog (reggae) at Club Metronome, Burlington, 8 p.m. $22.

Chloe Brisson (jazz) at Hugo’s, Montpelier, 7:30 p.m. Free.

David Marchant (tiki band) at Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge, Burlington, 8 p.m. $5.

Deep Blue (blues) at Red Square, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

DJ Logic, Russ Lawton, Ray Paczkowski, Bob Wagner, Josh Weinstein (jam, DJ) at Nectar’s, Burlington, 8 p.m. $22.

Green Jellÿ, Inverter, Old North End, Drunk Off Diesel (hard rock) at Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $18/$23.

Jon Wagar & Friends (rock) at Monopole, Plattsburgh, N.Y., 10 p.m. Free.

Kudu Stooge (rock) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 10 p.m. $10.

Left Eye Jump (blues) at Red Square, Burlington, 2 p.m. Free.

Live Music Saturdays (live music series) at Dumb Luck Pub & Grill, Hinesburg, 7 p.m. Free.

The Lloyd Tyler Band (folk, rock) at 14th Star Brewing, St. Albans, 6 p.m. Free.

Mad Mojo (blues, rock) at Jericho Café & Tavern, 7 p.m. Free.

Maple Ridge, Lunch (R&B, jam) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $10.

Mowgli Giannitti (jazz, folk) at Poultney Pub, 6 p.m. Free.

The Nailers (rock) at Bent Nails Bistro, Montpelier, 9 p.m. Free.

Pseudoseason, Sunroom, Julia Spelman (indie rock) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 7 p.m. $10.

Reggae Saturdays (reggae, dancehall) at the Double E Lounge at Essex Experience, 8 p.m. Free.

Sibling Reverie (covers) at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction, 5 p.m. Free.

SUS, Osage Orange, Remi Russin (indie) at Foam Brewers, Burlington, 8:30 p.m. Free.

Toast (rock) at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction, 9 p.m. Free.

Troy Millette (folk) at the Den at Harry’s Hardware, Cabot, 7 p.m. Free.

SUN.16

Andy Lugo & the Fever Dream (singer-songwriter) at Red Square, Burlington, 3 p.m. Free.

Bloodroot Gap (bluegrass) at Lawson’s Finest Liquids, Waitsfield, 3 p.m. Free.

Bluegrass Brunch (bluegrass) at the Skinny Pancake, Burlington, noon. Free.

Bluegrass Brunch (bluegrass) at Madbush Falls, Waitsfield, noon. Free.

Django Soulo (folk) at Foam Brewers, Burlington, 1 p.m. Free.

Jack Caron (acoustic) at Vermont Pub & Brewery, Burlington, 1 p.m. Free.

John Lackard Blues Band (blues) at Red Square, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

Sunday Brunch Tunes (singersongwriter) at Hotel Vermont, Burlington, 10 a.m.

The Wellerman (folk) at Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $30/$35.

MON.17

Del Water Gap, Kaleah Lee (indie) at Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington, 7 p.m. $25/$30.

George Murtie (country, rock) at North Hero House Inn & Restaurant, 5:30 p.m. Free.

TUE.18

Big Easy Tuesdays with Jon McBride (jazz) at the 126, Burlington, 8 p.m. Free.

Bluegrass Jam (bluegrass) at Poultney Pub, 7 p.m. Free. Chicken Fat Injection (jazz, funk) at Lawson’s Finest Liquids, Waitsfield, 5 p.m. Free.

Chris Finn (acoustic) at Bent Nails Bistro, Montpelier, 9 p.m. Free. Grateful Tuesdays (Grateful Dead tribute) at Nectar’s, Burlington, 9 p.m. $10/$20.

Honky Tonk Tuesday with Pony Hustle (country) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 9 p.m. $10/$15. Jason Baker (singer-songwriter) at Bent Nails Bistro, Montpelier, 7 p.m. Free.

The Montvales, Fern Maddie (folk) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 7 p.m. $7/$10.

Thurston Howell (yacht rock tribute) at Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $20/$25. Zach Nugent (Grateful Dead tribute) at Madbush Falls, Waitsfield, 7 p.m. $10 suggested donation.

WED.19

Adirondack Jazz Orchestra (jazz) at Olive Ridley’s, Plattsburgh, N.Y., 7 p.m. Free.

BBQ and Bluegrass (bluegrass) at Four Quarters Brewing, Winooski, 6:30 p.m. Free.

SAT.15 // GREEN JELLŸ [HARD ROCK]

music+nightlife

REVIEW this

Dead

Street Dreamers, Countdown to the Reaper

(SCREAMING CROW RECORDS, CD, DIGITAL, VINYL)

Rutland, a city with a legacy of hardnosed punk and hardcore music, has produced a new torchbearer to carry forth the tradition that bands such as Get a Grip, Midnight Saints and Mask have established in recent years.

Dead Street Dreamers formed in 2021 when longtime friends and members of the local punk scene, including former River City Rebels guitarist Nick Grandchamp, came together to create a band cast in the mold of their direct influences. There’s no “post” to any of this punk, no math to the rock, no gimmicks or quirks — Dead Street Dreamers are a hard-hitting, often political band dwelling in that sweet spot between the Stooges and Black Flag.

ILLu, D Y

(EQUAL EYES RECORDS, DIGITAL)

Their debut album, Countdown to the Reaper, hits everything you want in a hardcore record. The guitar ri age from Grandchamp and Hunter Phelps is savage, drummer David Davis and bassist Brit Davis put some serious low-end thud beneath the crunch, and vocalist Nate Hale fronts the band with a furious howl.

The title track kicks o the album with a doom-laden squall of guitars and pulsing kick-drum hits, building tension as the band spells out humanity’s downfall.

“Living in a war zone / concrete cowboys every day,” Hale bellows over the storm, leaning into the nihilistic tone that pervades the entire record.

“Turncoat Lover” rides a pounding, almost tribal beat and snarling guitar work, but it’s an amusebouche for the bombast of “No Where to Go.” A perfect slice of hard rock that flirts with the grandeur of ’70s arena bangers such as Kiss’ “Detroit Rock City,” the track is a rage-filled indictment of baby boomers who stripped the

economy for parts like car thieves. “Your generation took it all / you cut our ropes, you watched us fall,” Hale screams.

For all the quality bands in the Vermont punk scene over the years, it’s rare to hear such a well-produced record come from a genre that usually dwells solidly in the DIY, EP-in-a-garage realm. But Countdown to the Reaper is on the opposite end of that spectrum; it’s a sonically potent album recorded at drummer Davis’ studio and mixed and mastered by guitarist John Stoecker (the Cheats; Johnny and the Razorblades). Stoecker’s work and the group’s meticulous production have elevated the young band’s sound into a fully formed, classic punk-rock powerhouse. For a relatively new band,

Dead Street Dreamers sound like they’ve been at it since the days of skate videos and mixtapes.

There are no ballads or slow numbers; from “Ground Zero” to “Crash & Burn,” the band never lets up, like a dog with a bone clenched between its teeth, gnashing and growling the whole way. Dead Street Dreamers know exactly who and what they are, and their debut album proclaims that as loudly as possible.

Dead Street Dreamers celebrate the album’s release with shows on Friday, June 28, at Despacito in Burlington and Saturday, June 29, at Mountain Music in Rutland. Countdown to the Reaper is available now on Spotify.

CHRIS FARNSWORTH

In the past decade, Vermont’s hiphop scene has witnessed an explosive proliferation of spooky-talented producers. Consider D Y, a recent album from Equal Eyes Records head honcho ILLu, which features a dozen outstanding artists. Presented as an instrumental “Do It Yourself Rap Album,” this is an unexpected and quirky triumph.

It’s also kinda weird. First, there’s the emoji in the title, always a fun monkey wrench to toss at print media. Then there’s the fact it’s a compilation attributed to a producer who doesn’t show up until the last track — and the album only exists as a YouTube upload. Then again, the music business itself is kinda weird these days, and there is a certain punk-rock, samizdat charm to

this unique approach. ILLu is very much the executive producer here, in the same way that Dr. Dre albums are a huge cast of guest artists being orchestrated from behind the mixing board.

Inevitably, this LP is a reflection of ILLu’s social network, but it’s also a fairly accurate cross section of the beatmaking scene in Vermont. Northeast Kingdom producer SKYWISE kicks things o with “SkyLu,” a smoked-out banger with a strong dose of the dramatic and psychedelic boom bap that he’s built his name on. It’s a smooth transition into Es-K’s “Revisichrome,” a beautiful soundtrack in search of a movie.

Burlington multimedia artist Lerrix wash up against the chilled out “Ceviche,” an exquisite Big Homie Wes club joint. Mid-song, it abruptly switches gears into a hilariously candid rap about fumbling with the ladies.

From there, things get pleasantly surprising. The bright chops of

GET YOUR MUSIC REVIEWED:

After that, the album gets back to being a beat tape showcasing some of the 802’s finest. The likes of Dokowala, Freddie Losambe, In.stinct, AgentElsewhere and Flip Physics are revered by heads in the know, but they keep a low profile. That’s true for most of Vermont’s production talent, really. Forging dope beats and promoting your own brand are two very di erent skill sets, and a lot of these artists are working parents, making music simply because they love it.

The closing suite is perfection. David Chief is one of the most successful producers out of Burlington by any metric, and “83” is a constantly surprising composition. Old Gold’s “No Muss” is a perfect loop trapped in lo-fi amber. Finally, ILLu’s contribution is fantastic — a woozy, melodic ’90s throwback that wouldn’t sound out of place on a Hieroglyphics or Jungle Brothers album.

D Y is one of most important Vermont hip-hop releases of the year. The compilation succeeds on two levels: as a guided tour of a thriving local scene and a demonstration of the vast musical range of the genre itself. Sonically diverse and smartly sequenced, this is another high point in the Equal Eyes Records catalog.

D Y is available at equaleyesrecords. com/doityourself.

JUSTIN BOLAND

Dead Street Dreamers

live music

Bent Nails House Band (folk, jazz) at Bent Nails Bistro, Montpelier, 8 p.m. Free.

CombustOmatics (rock) at Red Square, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

Dave Keller Band (R&B, swing) at Essex Experience, 5 p.m. Free.

Jazz Sessions (jazz) at the 126, Burlington, 9 p.m. Free.

WED.19 CONTINUED FROM P.59 Yes, And... Mainstays of the long-running TV program “Whose Line is it Anyway?,” legendary improv comedians COLIN MOCHRIE AND BRAD SHERWOOD have hit the road for a two-man master class on off-the-cuff hilarity. The quickwitted performers toss out the script and rely on their nimble comedic abilities to riff on audience suggestions, taking all involved on a chaotic and laugh-out-loud journey of the absurd. The two show just how funny living in the moment can be when they bring their “Asking for Trouble” tour to the Flynn Main Stage in Burlington on Friday, June 14.

Juneteenth Concert with the Blackburn Brothers (soul, funk, blues) at Retro Live, Plattsburgh, N.Y., 7 p.m. $20.

Klark Sound (singer-songwriter) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 8:30 p.m. $5.

Live Jazz (jazz) at Leunig’s Bistro & Café, Burlington, 6:30 p.m. Free.

Live Music Wednesdays & Tacos (weekly music series) at the Tillerman, Bristol, 5 p.m. Free.

Mama Tried (country, bluegrass) at North Hero House Inn & Restaurant, 5:30 p.m. Free.

Nattali Rize, Heavyweight Rockaz (reggae) at Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington, 8 p.m. $18/$22.

Tim Fitzgerald (singer-songwriter) at Two Heroes Brewery Public House, South Hero, 6 p.m. Free.

Wednesday Night Dead (Grateful Dead covers) at Zenbarn, Waterbury Center, 7 p.m. $5. Willverine (electronic) at the Wallflower Collective, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. Free.

djs

WED.12

DJ CRE8 (DJ) at Red Square, Burlington, 10 p.m. Free.

Local Dork (DJ) at Foam Brewers, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

The Mid Week Hump with DJs Fattie B and Craig Mitchell (DJ) at Monkey House, Winooski, 7 p.m. Free.

THU.13

All Ears (DJ) at the Big Spruce, Richmond, 6 p.m. Free.

DJ Chaston (DJ) at Red Square Blue Room, Burlington, 11 p.m. Free.

DJ Two Sev (DJ) at Red Square, Burlington, 11 p.m. Free.

Vinyl Night with Ken (DJ) at Poultney Pub, 6 p.m. Free.

FRI.14

DJ Craig Mitchell (DJ) at Red Square Blue Room, Burlington, 10 p.m. Free.

DJ JamStar (DJ) at Olive Ridley’s, Plattsburgh, N.Y., 9 p.m. Free.

DJ Kata (DJ) at Red Square, Burlington, 10 p.m. Free.

DJ LaFountaine (DJ) at Gusto’s, Barre, 9 p.m. Free.

DJ Taka (DJ) at Light Club Lamp Shop, Burlington, 11 p.m. $10/$15. Drum and Bass Night with Kanganade, Oddpaco, ALXØ, Mvlleus (DJ) at Despacito, Burlington, 8 p.m. Free.

Malcolm Miller (DJ) at Einstein’s Tap House, Burlington, 10 p.m. Free.

MTL’s Mighty Thicc Birthday Bash (DJ) at Zenbarn, Waterbury Center, 7 p.m. $10.

SAT.15

Blanchface (DJ) at Manhattan Pizza & Pub, Burlington, 10 p.m. Free.

DJ A-Ra$ (DJ) at Red Square, Burlington, midnight. Free.

DJ Liv (DJ) at Light Club Lamp Shop, Burlington, 9 p.m. $10.

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

DJ Two Rivers (DJ) at Gusto’s, Barre, 9 p.m. Free.

Matt Payne (DJ) at Red Square Blue Room, Burlington, 10 p.m. Free.

Molly Mood (DJ) at Red Square, Burlington, 10 p.m. Free.

Roost.world, Queens (DJ) at Light Club Lamp Shop, Burlington, 11 p.m. $10/$15.

SUN.16

Mi Yard Reggae Night with DJ Big Dog (reggae and dancehall) at Nectar’s, Burlington, 9 p.m. Free.

TUE.18

The Vanguard — Jazz on Vinyl (DJ) at Paradiso Hi-Fi, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

WED.19

DJ CRE8 (DJ) at Red Square, Burlington, 10 p.m. Free.

Local Dork (DJ) at Foam Brewers, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

open mics & jams

WED.12

Irish Sessions (Celtic, open mic) at Burlington St. John’s Club, 6:30 p.m. Free.

Lit Club (poetry open mic) at Light Club Lamp Shop, Burlington, 6:30 p.m. Free.

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

Open Mic with Danny Lang (open mic) at Poultney Pub, 7 p.m. Free.

THU.13

Old Time Jam (open jam, string band) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

Open Mic (open mic) at Whammy Bar, Calais, 7 p.m. Free.

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

Portal: Community Improvisational Music & Art (open mic) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 8 p.m. Free.

SUN.16

Olde Time Jam Session (open jam) at the Den at Harry’s Hardware, Cabot, noon. Free.

THU.13

Megan Gailey (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $25.

Roar! Showcase (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 9 p.m. $5.

FRI.14

Colin Mochrie & Brad Sherwood (comedy) at the Flynn, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $42 - $63.

Megan Gailey (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 7:30 & 9:30 p.m. $25. Wit and Wine (comedy) at Shelburne Vineyard, 7 p.m. $10.

SAT.15

Good Clean Fun (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 5:15 p.m. $10.

Megan Gailey (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 7:30 & 9:30 p.m. $25.

TUE.18

Free Stuff! (comedy) at Lincolns, Burlington, 9:30 p.m. Free.

WED.19

$5 Improv Night (comedy) at Comedy Centre Comedy Club, Rutland, 7 p.m. $5.

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

trivia, karaoke, etc.

MON.17

Open Mic (open mic) at Despacito, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

TUE.18

Open Mic Night (open mic) at Drink, Burlington, 8 p.m. Free.

WED.19

Bluegrass Jam (open bluegrass jam) at Stone’s Throw, Richmond, 6:30 p.m. Free.

Irish Sessions (Celtic, open mic) at Burlington St. John’s Club, 6:30 p.m. Free.

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

Open Mic with Danny Lang (open mic) at Poultney Pub, 7 p.m. Free.

comedy

WED.12

Comedy Jam (trivia) at Club Metronome, Burlington, 6:30 p.m. Free.

Distracted Sets (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 6:45 p.m. $5.

Hasan Minhaj (comedy) at the Flynn, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $49.50 - $99.50.

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

Trey Kennedy (comedy) at Paramount Theatre, Rutland, 7:30 p.m. $39-$129.

Joy: An All Black Variety Showcase (variety show) at Monkey House, Winooski, 7:30 p.m. $15.

Karaoke Friday Night (karaoke) at Park Place Tavern & Grill, Essex Junction, 8 p.m. Free.

Karaoke with DJ Big T (karaoke) at McKee’s Pub & Grill, Winooski, 9 p.m. Free.

Trivia Night (trivia) at Vermont Cider Lab, Essex, 6 p.m. Free.

SUN.16

Sunday Funday (games) at 1st Republic Brewing, Essex, noon. Free.

Sunday Funday Karaoke (karaoke) at Pearl Street Pub, Essex Junction, 3 p.m. Free. Venetian Karaoke (karaoke) at Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

MON.17

Trivia Monday with Top Hat Entertainment (trivia) at McKee’s Pub & Grill, Winooski, 7 p.m. Free. Trivia with Brain (trivia) at Charlie-O’s World Famous, Montpelier, 8 p.m. Free.

Trivia with Craig Mitchell (trivia) at Monkey House, Winooski, 7 p.m. Free.

TUE.18

Godfather Karaoke (karaoke) at the Other Half, Burlington, 10 p.m. Free.

Karaoke Tuesdays (karaoke) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 9 p.m. Free.

Karaoke with DJ Party Bear (karaoke) at Charlie-O’s World Famous, Montpelier, 9:30 p.m. Free.

WED.12

Karaoke Night (karaoke) at Drink, Burlington, 8 p.m. Free.

Musical Bingo (trivia) at Orlando’s Bar & Lounge, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

Trivia Night (trivia) at Stone Corral, Richmond, 7 p.m. Free.

Venetian Trivia Night (trivia) at Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

Wednesday Team Trivia (trivia) at Einstein’s Tap House, Burlington, 9 p.m. Free.

THU.13

Karaoke Night (karaoke) at Zenbarn, Waterbury Center, 7 p.m. Free.

Summer Trivia with Katy (trivia) at Highland Lodge, Greensboro, 7 p.m. Free.

Trivia Night (trivia) at Four Quarters Brewing, Winooski, 6 p.m. Free.

Trivia Night (trivia) at McGillicuddy’s Five Corners, Essex Junction, 6:30 p.m. Free.

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

Trivia Thursday (trivia) at Spanked Puppy Pub, Colchester, 7 p.m. Free.

FRI.14

The Circus Is Coming to Town (masquerade, DJ) at the Other Half, Burlington, 6 p.m. $5.

Karaoke with Motorcade (karaoke) at Manhattan Pizza & Pub, Burlington, 9 p.m. Free. Music Bingo (music bingo) at Stone Corral, Richmond, 7 p.m. Free.

Taproom Trivia (trivia) at 14th Star Brewing, St. Albans, 6:30 p.m. Free.

Trivia Night (trivia) at the Depot, St. Albans, 7 p.m. Free.

Trivia Tuesday (trivia) at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction, 7 p.m. Free.

Tuesday Trivia (trivia) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

WED.19

Karaoke Night (karaoke) at Drink, Burlington, 8 p.m. Free.

Musical Bingo (trivia) at Orlando’s Bar & Lounge, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

Trivia Night (trivia) at Stone Corral, Richmond, 7 p.m. Free. Venetian Trivia Night (trivia) at Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

Wednesday Team Trivia (trivia) at Einstein’s Tap House, Burlington, 9 p.m. Free. ➆

FRI.14 // COLIN MOCHRIE AND BRAD SHERWOOD [COMEDY]

calendar

JUNE 12-19, 2024

WED.12

business

QUEEN CITY BUSINESS NETWORKING

INTERNATIONAL GROUP: Savvy businesspeople make crucial contacts at a weekly chapter meeting. Burlington City Arts, 11:15 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, 829-5066.

community

2024 SCAVENGER HUNT IN STOWE: Townsfolk put on their detective caps, grab a map at the library and search Stowe for stickers. Prizes include hotel stays and goods from local merchants. Stowe Free Library. Free. Info, 253-6145.

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

GREEN MOUNTAIN CHAPTER OF THE EMBROIDERERS’ GUILD OF AMERICA: Anyone with an interest in the needle arts is welcome to bring a project to this monthly meeting. Holy Family Parish Hall, Essex Junction, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, gmc.vt.ega@gmail. com.

YARN CRAFTERS GROUP: A drop-in meetup welcomes knitters, crocheters, spinners, weavers and beyond. BYO snacks and drinks. Must Love Yarn, Shelburne, 5-7 p.m. Free. Info, 448-3780.

dance

WEST COAST SWING

DANCING: People pair up for a partner dance and move to every genre of music. Bring clean shoes. North Star Community Hall, Burlington, lessons, 7 p.m.; dance, 8-9:30 p.m. Donations. Info, team@802westiecollective. org.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the on screen section.

‘BLUE WHALES: RETURN OF THE GIANTS 3D’: Andy Serkis narrates the journey of a lifetime into the world of the world’s largest mammals and the scientists who study them. Northfield Savings Bank 3D Theater: A National Geographic Experience, ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, 10:30 a.m., 12:30, 2:30 & 4:30 p.m. $3-5 plus regular admission, $16.50-20; free admission for members and kids 2 and under. Info, 864-1848.

These community event listings are sponsored by the WaterWheel Foundation, a project of the Vermont band Phish.

LIST YOUR UPCOMING EVENT HERE FOR FREE!

All submissions must be received by Thursday at noon for consideration in the following Wednesday’s newspaper. Find our convenient form and guidelines at sevendaysvt.com/postevent

Listings and spotlights are written by Emily Hamilton Seven Days edits for space and style. Depending on cost and other factors, classes and workshops may be listed in either the calendar or the classes section. Class organizers may be asked to purchase a class listing.

savory French pancakes picnic-style at this monthly community meal benefiting local nonprofits. Scott Farm Orchard, Dummerston, 5:30-7:30 p.m. $20. Info, 356-8265.

‘FUNGI: THE WEB OF LIFE 3D’: Sparkling graphics take viewers on a journey into the weird, wide world of mushrooms, which we are only just beginning to understand. Northfield Savings Bank 3D Theater: A National Geographic Experience, ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, 11 a.m., 1 & 3 p.m. $3-5 plus regular admission, $16.50-20; free admission for members and kids 2 and under. Info, 864-1848.

NXT ROCKUMENTARY FILM SERIES: ‘WOODSTOCK’: A 1970 documentary chronicles the most famous music festival of all time, incorporating interviews and performance footage. Next Stage Arts Project, Putney, 6:30 p.m. $10. Info, 387-0102.

‘OCEANS: OUR BLUE PLANET 3D’: Scientists dive into the planet’s least-explored habitat, from its sunny shallows to its alien depths. Northfield Savings Bank 3D Theater:

A National Geographic Experience, ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, noon, 2 & 4 p.m. $3-5 plus regular admission, $16.50-20; free admission for members and kids 2 and under. Info, 864-1848.

‘TINY GIANTS 3D’: Through the power of special cameras, audiences are transported into the world of the teeniest animals on Earth. Northfield Savings Bank 3D Theater: A National Geographic Experience, ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, 11:30 a.m., 1:30 & 3:30 p.m. $3-5 plus regular admission, $16.50-20; free admission for members and kids 2 and under. Info, 864-1848.

food & drink

SCOTT FARM CRÊPE NIGHT: Foodies enjoy sweet and

FIND MORE LOCAL EVENTS IN THIS ISSUE AND ONLINE:

art

Find visual art exhibits and events in the Art section and at sevendaysvt.com/art.

film

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

music + nightlife

Find club dates at local venues in the Music + Nightlife section online at sevendaysvt.com/music.

Learn more about highlighted listings in the Magnificent 7 on page 11. = ONLINE EVENT

WEDNESDAY’S GRILL & CHILL: Live music soundtracks a big community picnic. Essex Experience, 5-8 p.m. Free. Info, 878-4200.

WHAT’S THAT WINE

WEDNESDAYS: Aspiring sommeliers blind-taste four wines from Vermont and beyond. Shelburne Vineyard, noon-6 p.m. $15. Info, 985-8222.

health & fitness

CHAIR YOGA: Waterbury Public Library instructor Diana Whitney leads at-home participants in gentle stretches supported by seats. 10 a.m. Free. Info, 244-7036.

language

BEGINNER IRISH LANGUAGE CLASS: Celtic-curious students learn to speak an Ghaeilge in a supportive group. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, noon-1 p.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

ELL CLASSES: ENGLISH FOR BEGINNERS AND INTERMEDIATE STUDENTS: Learners of all abilities practice written and spoken English with trained instructors. Presented by Fletcher Free Library. 6:30-8 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, bshatara@ burlingtonvt.gov.

INTERMEDIATE IRISH LANGUAGE CONVERSATION AND MUSIC: Speakers with some experience increase their fluency through conversation and song. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 10:30 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 863-3403.

lgbtq

PRIDE READATHON 2024: Sixteen indie bookstores around the state invite bookworms to raise funds for Outright Vermont by reading books by LGBTQ authors all through Pride Month. See bearpondbooks.com for details. See calendar spotlight. Free; preregister. Info, 229-0774.

QUEER WRITER’S GROUP: LGBTQ authors meet monthly to discuss their work, write from prompts, and give each other advice and feedback. Rainbow Bridge Community Center, Barre, 5:30-7 p.m. Free. Info, 622-0692.

outdoors

FELLOWSHIP OF THE WHEEL TRAIL CLINIC NIGHT: In one part of a series of trail clinics, volunteers of all abilities learn about mountain bike trail construction, tools for the job and methods to safely execute these projects. Closed-toe shoes recommended. Hayden Hill East Trailhead, Huntington, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Free. Info, info@fotwheel.org. THE BIRCHWOOD OPENING WEEKEND: Nature lovers browse the blooms of more than 700 rhododendron plants in this seven-acre garden. Proceeds benefit

the Friends of the Montgomery Town Library. The Birchwood Woodland Garden, Montgomery Center, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $7; free for kids 12 and under. Info, 603-497-8020.

québec

FRINGEMTL: The world’s most offbeat performers convene for live music, theater performances and everything in between. See montrealfringe.ca for full schedule. Various Montréal locations. Prices vary. Info, 514-849-3378.

seminars

ECOGATHERINGS: Sterling College hosts online learning sessions digging into big ideas such as joy, rage, climate change, mutual aid, food and art. See ce.sterlingcollege. edu for upcoming topics. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, ecogather@sterlingcollege.edu.

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.

VERMONT LAKE MONSTERS: Spectators buy some peanuts and Cracker Jack to watch the Green Mountain State’s own Futures Collegiate Baseball League team face off against new opponents each night. Centennial Field, Burlington, 6:35 p.m. $6-17; $125-418 for season passes. Info, 655-4200.

talks

ERICA HEILMAN: The Peabody Award-winning podcaster behind “Rumble Strip” gives an inside look into 10 years behind the mic. Worthen Library, South Hero, 6:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 372-6209.

theater

THE BAKE OFF: ‘FRANKIE AND JOHNNY IN THE CLAIR DE LUNE’: Terrence McNally’s romantic comedy gets broken into three parts, each tackled by a different director and cast, in this riotous annual Vermont Stage fundraiser. Black Box Theater, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $34-64. Info, 862-1497.

‘JERSEY BOYS’: Hits such as “Sherry” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” pepper the Tony Awardwinning true story of the musical group the Four Seasons. Weston Theater at Walker Farm, 7:30-10 p.m. $59-79. Info, 824-5288.

words

LIFE STORIES WE LOVE TO TELL: Prompts from group leader Maryellen Crangle inspire true tales, told either off the cuff or read from prewritten scripts. Presented by Dorothy Alling Memorial Library. 2-3:30 p.m. Free; preregister; limited space. Info, 878-4918.

THU.13

community

2024 SCAVENGER HUNT IN STOWE: See WED.12. FLOOD LEGAL ASSISTANCE CLINIC: Vermont Law & Graduate School volunteers answer questions and help locals file for funding and housing assistance. Sarah Partridge Community Library, East Middlebury, 2-5:45 p.m. Free. Info, ejohnson@ legalservicesvt.org.

crafts

KNIT FOR YOUR NEIGHBOR: All ages and abilities are invited to knit or crochet hats and scarves for the South Burlington Food Shelf. All materials are provided. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 2-5 p.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

KNITTING GROUP: Knitters of all experience levels get together to spin yarns. Latham Library, Thetford, 7 p.m. Free. Info, 785-4361.

dance

‘SOFT ROCKS IN THE GARDENS’: A collective of dancers showcase the fruits of their labor using the surrounding landscape as inspiration. Horsford Gardens & Nursery, Charlotte, 7 p.m. $20. Info, animaldancevt@gmail.com.

etc.

SINGING BOWLS: HEALING SOUND BATH: A sonic journey through the seven chakras offers rejuvenation and a clear mind. Practical Magick, Essex Junction, 6:30-7:30 p.m. $25. Info, 274-6671.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the on screen section.

‘BLUE WHALES: RETURN OF THE GIANTS 3D’: See WED.12.

FOMO?

Find even more local events in this newspaper and online: art

Find visual art exhibits and events in the Art section and at sevendaysvt.com/art.

film

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

music + nightlife

Find club dates at local venues in the Music + Nightlife section online at sevendaysvt.com/ music.

Learn more about highlighted listings in the Magnificent 7 on page 11. = ONLINE EVENT

FAMI LY FU N

Check out these family-friendly events for parents, caregivers and kids of all ages.

• Plan ahead at sevendaysvt.com/family-fun

Post your event at sevendaysvt.com/postevent.

WED.12

burlington

STEAM SPACE: Kids in kindergarten through fifth grade explore science, technology, engineering, art and math 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 through 24 months. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 11-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

chittenden county

BABYTIME: Caregivers and infants from birth through age 1 gather to explore board books and toys. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 9:15-9:45 a.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

LEGO FUN: Amateur toy architects build creatively. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 3-5 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

THU.13

burlington

BABYTIME: Pre-walking little ones experience a story time catered to their infant interests. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 11-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

GROW PRESCHOOL YOGA: Colleen from Grow Prenatal and Family Yoga leads little ones in songs, movement and other fun activities. Ages 2 through 5. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 1111:30 a.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

chittenden county

PRESCHOOL MUSIC WITH LINDA BASSICK: The singer and storyteller extraordinaire leads little ones in indoor music and movement. Birth through age 5. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 10:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.

PRESCHOOL PLAYTIME: Pre-K patrons play and socialize after music time. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 11-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.

STORY TIME: Little ones from birth through age 5 learn from songs, crafts and picture books. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 10-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

stowe/smuggs

WEE ONES PLAY TIME: Caregivers bring kiddos 3 and younger to a new sensory learning experience each week. Morristown Centennial Library, Morrisville, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 888-3853.

JUN. 16 | FAMILY FUN

I Did Something Dad

Kids of all ages and parents of all genders are welcome at the second annual Father’s Day celebration hosted by Dad Guild, the Burlington group devoted to empowering Vermont dads to make friends, express their feelings and embody healthy masculinity. Kids under 12 eat free at Four Quarters Brewing, and anyone who wants one gets a complimentary airbrush tattoo. The afternoon’s fun includes a drag queen story hour, live music from local troubadour Linda Bassick and a family-friendly improv show courtesy of Vermont Comedy Club.

FATHER’S DAY WEEKEND CELEBRATION

Sunday, June 16, noon-4 p.m., at Four Quarters Brewing in Winooski. Free. Info, keegan@dadguild.org.

mad river valley/ waterbury

PRESCHOOL PLAY & READ STORYTIME: Games, activities, stories and songs engage 3- through 5-year-olds. Waterbury Public Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 244-7036.

northeast kingdom

STORY TIME: Kids 5 and under play, sing, hear stories and color. St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, 10:15-10:45 a.m. Free. Info, 745-1391.

FRI.14

burlington

WILD TURTLE WEEKEND: Reptile fans of all ages encounter turtles of all varieties over three days of swell shell programming. ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Regular admission, $16.50-20; free

for members and kids 2 and under. Info, 864-1848.

chittenden county

LEGO BUILDERS: Each week, children ages 8 and older build, explore, create and participate in challenges. Children ages 6 to 8 are welcome with an adult. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 3-4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

barre/montpelier

STORY TIME & PLAYGROUP: Participants ages 5 and under enjoy science, art and nature-themed activities. Jaquith Public Library, Marshfield, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 426-3581.

upper valley

STORY TIME: Preschoolers take part in tales, tunes and playtime. Latham Library, Thetford, 11 a.m. Free. Info, 785-4361.

SAT.15

burlington

A SPECIAL MORNING FOR DADS AND KIDS: Pops and their broods have the run of the museum before it opens, courtesy of Dad Guild. ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, 8-10 a.m. Free. Info, keegan@dadguild. org.

FAMILY PLAYSHOP: Kids from birth through age 5 learn and play at this school readiness program. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 10-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

SPLASH DANCE: Kids soak up some summer fun in the fountain while DJs spin family-friendly tracks. Burlington City Hall Park, 1-3 p.m. Free. Info, 865-7166.

STORIES WITH GEOFF: Little patrons of the library’s new location enjoy a morning of stories and songs. Fletcher Free Library New North End Branch,

Burlington, 11:15-11:45 a.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

WILD TURTLE WEEKEND: See FRI.14, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

chittenden county

SATURDAY STORIES: Kiddos start the weekend off right with stories and songs. Ages 3 through 7. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 10-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

SUMMER READING KICKOFF WITH AUTHOR & ILLUSTRATOR AMY

HUNTINGTON: Little bookworms learn and craft with the author of How to Make a Mountain in 9 Easy Steps and Only 100 Million Years. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 1011 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, 846-4140.

middlebury area

SHEEP & WOOL DAY: Flock fans have a dyed-in-the-wool good time with a petting zoo, spinning demos, crafts and tours. Half-price admission with nonperishable food donations. Rokeby Museum, Ferrisburgh, noon-3 p.m. Regular admission, $10-12; free for members and kids under 6. Info, 877-3406.

upper valley

FOREST FAIRY HUNTS: Fae-loving families furnish tiny houses with acorn caps and milkweed pods and hunt for winged wonders in the woods. Ages 4 and up. Vermont Institute of Natural Science, Quechee, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Regular admission, $16.50-19.50; free for members and kids 3 and under. Info, 359-5000.

THU.13 « P.62

‘FUNGI: THE WEB OF LIFE 3D’: See WED.12.

‘OCEANS: OUR BLUE PLANET 3D’: See WED.12.

‘TINY GIANTS 3D’: See WED.12.

food & drink

FREE WINE TASTING: Themed wine tastings take oenophiles on an adventure through a region, grape variety, style of wine or producer’s offerings. Dedalus Wine Shop, Market & Wine Bar, Burlington, 4-7 p.m. Free. Info, 865-2368.

OLD NORTH END COMMUNITY

DINNER: A vegetarian meal precedes the Neighborhood Planning Assembly meeting.

O.N.E. Community Center, Burlington, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Free; donations accepted. Info, 598-3139.

games

DUPLICATE BRIDGE: A lively group plays a classic, tricky game with an extra wrinkle. Waterbury Public Library, 12:30-4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 244-7223.

WEEKLY CHESS FOR FUN:

Players of all ability levels face off and learn new strategies. United Community Church, St. Johnsbury, 5:30-9 p.m. Donations. Info, lafferty1949@ gmail.com.

health & fitness

PAINT N’ PREVENT: CREATE A MAGICAL PAINTING, GET A MAMMOGRAM: Pride Center of Vermont hosts an artistic evening complete with free breast cancer screenings. Ages 40 and up. Northwestern Medical Center, St. Albans, 6-7:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 524-1242.

language

ITALIAN CONVERSATION GROUP: Semi-fluent speakers practice their skills during a conversazione with others. Best for those who can speak at least basic sentences. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, noon-1 p.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

lgbtq

PRIDE MO(N)TH: LGBTQ community members catch moths, listen for owls, spot beavers, and connect over s’mores and hot dogs around the bonfire. BYO flashlights. Green Mountain Audubon Center, Huntington, 6-8 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 434-3068.

PRIDE READATHON 2024: See WED.12.

music

DINE AND CONCERT — AN EXCLUSIVE MUSIC ADVENTURE!: A gourmet meal and riveting musical performance make the most of a rustic environment and the surrounding nature. Point CounterPoint, Leicester, 6:30 p.m. $50; preregister. Info, 247-8467.

FEAST & FIELD MUSIC SERIES: Farm-fresh foods and live tunes

are on the menu at a weekly pastoral party out in the orchard. Fable Farm, Barnard, 5:30-8:30 p.m. $5-25; $120-1,250 for season passes. Info, 234-1645.

GREENSKY BLUEGRASS: The folk phenomenona play hits from their latest album. Shelburne Museum, 6:30-9 p.m. $69-73. Info, 345-6789.

outdoors

JUNE BIRD-MONITORING WALK:

Community scientists watch for warblers, spy sparrows and hear hawks to contribute to Audubon’s database. Green Mountain Audubon Center, Huntington, 7-9 p.m. Free. Info, 434-3068. THE BIRCHWOOD OPENING

WEEKEND: See WED.12, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

québec

FRINGEMTL: See WED.12.

theater

THE BAKE OFF: ‘FRANKIE AND JOHNNY IN THE CLAIR DE LUNE’: See WED.12.

‘JERSEY BOYS’: See WED.12.

‘THREE SISTERS, FOUR WOMEN’:

An upbeat, modern reimagining of Anton Chekhov’s Three Sisters follows a family through love and conflict. Lost Nation Theater, Montpelier City Hall, 7:30-9 p.m. $10-30. Info, 229-0492.

words

MORNING BOOK GROUP:

Readers start the day off right with a lively discussion of Old in Art School by Nell Painter. ADA accessible. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 10:3011:30 a.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

PECHAKUCHA NIGHT:

Participants in this Japanese storytelling phenomenon tell a tale through 20 images, with only 20 seconds to explain each one. The Flynn, Burlington, 7 p.m. $10. Info, 863-5966.

VIRTUAL POETRY OPEN

MIC: Wordsmiths read their work at an evening with local performance poet Bianca Amira Zanella. Presented by Phoenix Books. 7-8:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 855-8078.

FRI.14 community

2024 SCAVENGER HUNT IN STOWE: See WED.12.

crafts

FIBER ARTS FRIDAY: Knitters, crocheters, weavers and felters chat over their projects of the day at this weekly meetup. Waterbury Public Library, noon-2 p.m. Free. Info, 244-7036.

dance

DANCE PARTY TO CELEBRATE WEIGHT STIGMA ZINE: All bodies are welcome at this celebration of art and community, soundtracked by DJ GAYBAR. Spiral House Art Collective, Burlington, 7-9 p.m. Free; zines available by donation. Info,

JUN. 15 | FAIRS & FESTIVALS

By Yon Bonnie Banks

Don your kilts and Glengarry bonnets: The Vermont Highland Games are back. The Vermont Institute of Celtic Arts hosts a rollicking day of fun for the whole family, from live music by the likes of Prydein and Stravaigin to a knockdown, drag-out tug-of-war championship. Attendees also learn about Scottish culture at a bevy of workshops on subjects including the Gaelic language, fiddling, Cape Breton step dancing, bagpipe history, bodhran drum playing, clan lore and whiskey tasting.

THE

VERMONT

HIGHLAND GAMES

Saturday, June 15, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., at Highland Center for the Arts in Greensboro. $12-25. Info, 533-2000, highlandartsvt.org.

mutualadmirationzine@gmail. com.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the on screen section.

‘BLUE WHALES: RETURN OF THE GIANTS 3D’: See WED.12.

‘FUNGI: THE WEB OF LIFE 3D’: See WED.12.

‘OCEANS: OUR BLUE PLANET 3D’: See WED.12.

ODD FELLOWS MOVIE NIGHT: ‘TRIANGLE OF SADNESS’: This 2022 black comedy follows the wealthy guests on a luxury cruise that gets stranded on a deserted island. Odd Fellows Lodge, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free; donations accepted. Info, burlingtonoddevents@gmail. com.

‘TINY GIANTS 3D’: See WED.12.

food & drink

BURGER NIGHT: Live music soundtracks a family-friendly meal of grass-fed burgers and seasonal sides. Bread & Butter Farm, Shelburne, 4:30-7:30 p.m. $9-35 suggested donation; $50-200 for season pass. Info, 985-9200.

RICHMOND FARMERS MARKET:

Vendors present a diverse selection of locally produced foods and crafts as picnickers enjoy live music. Volunteers Green, Richmond, 3-6:30 p.m. Free. Info, rfmmanager@gmail.com.

SOUTH END GET DOWN: Food trucks dish out mouthwatering meals and libations. Live DJs and outdoor entertainment add to the fun. 377 Pine St., Burlington, 5-9 p.m. Free. Info, orleanseventsvt@ gmail.com.

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.

lgbtq

‘MÄDCHEN IN UNIFORM’: This 1931 German drama, one of cinema’s earliest explicitly lesbian stories, depicts an affair between a boarding school student and her teacher. The Screening Room @ VTIFF, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington, 7 p.m. $5-10. Info, 660-2600.

PRIDE PICNIC: Members of the LGBTQ community and allies enjoy their own plein air repasts while listing to tunes

and meeting reps from local organizations. Colburn Park, Lebanon, N.H., 6-8:30 p.m. Free. Info, 603-448-0400.

PRIDE READATHON 2024: See WED.12.

PRIDE SILENT DISCO: DJs blast the tunes through headphones as dancers celebrate Pride under the stars. Colburn Park, Lebanon, N.H., 9-11 p.m. $17. Info, 603-448-0400.

RPG NIGHT: Members of the LGBTQ community gather weekly to play games such as Dungeons & Dragons and Everway. Rainbow Bridge Community Center, Barre, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Free. Info, 622-0692.

music

DINE AND CONCERT — AN EXCLUSIVE MUSIC ADVENTURE!: See THU.13.

FRIDAY NIGHT PIANO: A performance of piano rolls from the 1900s through the present — and from ABBA to Led Zeppelin — entertains as audiences eat snacks around the firepit. Main Street Museum, White River Junction, 5-10 p.m. Free. Info, info@ mainstreetmuseum.org.

PIZZA BY THE POND: A woodfired oven delivers all-youcan-eat pies made of local ingredients while musicians regale diners. Blueberry Hill Inn, Goshen, 5-8 p.m. $23-43; free for kids 6 and under. Info, info@ blueberryhillinn.com.

DISPENSARY

FATHER’S DAY SPECIAL

20% OFF Accessories for the Dads!

PLATINUM

Sativa: CandyLand, FlowerPower

Hybrid: Grape Gas

SILVER

NEW GIVEAWAY!

DRAW DATE: August 31st

Harley Davidson low rider Enter to win with any in-store purchase!

Indica: HeadBand, Creamsicle, Animal Cookies, BC Jelly Truffle

Sativa: Bruce Banner

Hybrid: B.C Mango Haze

Indica: Power Punch, Garlic Storm, Gorilla Berry, Bing Su, StarFighter, Secret Cookies

Sativa: Cinderella 99, Black Cherry Soda, Purple Tangie, FrostBite

Hybrid: Birthday Cake

Kush, Pink Cookies, Cali Sour, Gelato25, Cookiez n Cream, Pink Cookies, Tangie Dream, Milf ‘n Cookiez

Indica: SFV OG, Sunset Sherbert, Grape Soda, Cinnamon Buddha, Purple Urkle, Cherry Pie, Do-Si-Dos, Garlic Cookiez, Gelato Cookie, Blue Gelato

québec

FRINGEMTL: See WED.12.

theater

THE BAKE OFF: ‘FRANKIE AND JOHNNY IN THE CLAIR DE LUNE’: See WED.12.

‘JERSEY BOYS’: See WED.12.

‘THREE SISTERS, FOUR WOMEN’: See THU.13.

words

RUTLAND FREE LIBRARY BOOK

SALE: A broad selection of used, rare and antique books goes on sale to benefit the library. Rutland Free Library, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Donations. Info, 773-1860.

SAT.15

climate crisis

VERMONT FUTURE FEST:

Between local food, live music and family-friendly fun, attendees learn how to take action for the climate and connect with other environmentalists. 377 Pine St., Burlington, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. Info, vtfuturefest@ gmail.com.

community

2024 SCAVENGER HUNT IN STOWE: See WED.12.

dance

MONTPELIER CONTRA DANCE:

Dancers balance, shadow and do-si-do the night away to gender-neutral calling and live tunes by the Young Tradition VT Touring Group. Capital City Grange, Berlin, beginners’ lesson, 7:40 p.m.; dance, 8-11 p.m. $5-20. Info, 225-8921. etc.

LIGHTS! CAMERA! AUCTION!: Live and silent auctions let locals bid on everything from art and wine to getaways and pickleball lessons. Town Hall Theater, Middlebury, 6-9 p.m. $25. Info, 382-9222.

fairs & festivals

THE VERMONT HIGHLAND

GAMES: The Vermont Institute of Celtic Arts hosts this Highlander happening that includes everything from whiskey tastings and language workshops to country dancing and a tug-of-war championship. See calendar spotlight. Highland Center for the Arts, Greensboro, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $1225. Info, 533-2000.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the on screen section.

‘BLUE WHALES: RETURN OF THE GIANTS 3D’: See WED.12.

‘FLESH AND THE DEVIL’: Organist Peter Krasinski plays a live score to this sensual, pre-Code 1926 drama that put Greta Garbo on the map as a femme fatale. Epsilon Spires, Brattleboro, 8

p.m. $20 suggested donation. Info, info@epsilonspires.org.

‘FUNGI: THE WEB OF LIFE 3D’: See WED.12.

‘OCEANS: OUR BLUE PLANET 3D’: See WED.12.

‘TINY GIANTS 3D’: See WED.12.

food & drink

BURLINGTON FARMERS

MARKET: Dozens of stands overflow with seasonal produce, flowers, artisanal wares and prepared foods. 345 Pine St., Burlington, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Info, 560-5904.

CAPITAL CITY FARMERS

MARKET: Meats and cheeses join farm-fresh produce, baked goods, locally made arts and crafts, and live music. Capital City Farmers Market, Montpelier, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, 272-6249.

THE RHUBARB HOP: A PROGRESSIVE LUNCH AT THREE HISTORIC FARMS: Sour switchel, sandwiches and sweets tingle the taste buds. Proceeds benefit Waterford Historical Society’s Save Our Stories project. Cash or check only. Davies Memorial Library, Lower Waterford, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. $30. Info, 748-4609.

games

BEGINNER DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: Waterbury Public Library game master Evan Hoffman gathers novices and veterans alike for an afternoon of adventuring. Virtual option available. Waterbury Public Library, noon-4 p.m. Free. Info, 244-7036.

CHESS CLUB: Players of all ages and abilities face off and learn new strategies. ADA accessible. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

health

& fitness

SUMMER FIRE WELLNESS

RETREAT: A morning of yoga, Reiki, healing sound baths and Lake Champlain views benefits Dragonheart Vermont. All Souls Interfaith Gathering, Shelburne, 9 a.m.-noon. $65. Info, 845-380-5668.

lgbtq

PRIDE READATHON 2024: See WED.12.

music

ARTPHIBIAN EXPERIENCE: New Music on the Point presents a uniquely ecological soundscape at stations around Lake Dunmore. Branbury State Park, Salisbury, 3-5 p.m. Free. Info, 267-886-5359.

BANDWAGON SUMMER SERIES: COMBO DAGUERRE: A Brooklynbased psychedelic crew takes inspiration from 1960s rock and 1930s surrealism. The Putney Inn, 6 a.m. $20-25; free for kids under 12. Info, 387-0102.

JAMIE LEE THURSTON: Vermont’s own honky-tonk superstar showcases his powerful singing and punchy picking. Proceeds benefit Dig Deep Vermont. Snow Farm Vineyard,

ONGOING | LGBTQ

Reading Rainbow

June may already be halfway over, but that still leaves plenty of time to pick up a book for the annual Pride Readathon. Montpelier’s Bear Pond Books, alongside 15 other independent bookstores from Burlington to Bennington, invites readers around the state to raise funds for Outright Vermont’s youth summer camp. Participants set a reading goal (whether it’s one book or 20), invite their friends and family to sponsor them, and spend the rest of the month reading whichever books by LGBTQ authors they please. Blanking on your reading list? Bear Pond has you covered with plenty of suggestions for all ages and tastes.

PRIDE READATHON 2024

Ongoing through June 30. Online. Free; preregister. Info, 229-0774, bearpondbooks.com.

South Hero, 6:30-8:30 p.m. $15. Info, 372-9463.

JUAN NIEVES & LEGADO

ORQUESTRA: The Puerto Rican cuatro player leads his band in salsa classics and originals by Rafa Moreno. Artistree Community Arts Center, South Pomfret, 7 p.m. $25. Info, 457-3500.

outdoors

PADDLING BASICS: Beginning rowers learn the ins and outs of captaining a canoe, kayak or paddleboard. REI, Williston, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. & 2:30-4 p.m. Free. Info, 316-3120.

québec

FRINGEMTL: See WED.12.

sports

VERMONT GREEN FC: The state’s winning men’s soccer club continues its third year with flair and a focus on environmental justice. University of Vermont Archie Post Athletic Complex, Burlington, 7 p.m. $8-15; free for kids 5 and under. Info, club@ vermontgreenfc.com.

theater

THE BAKE OFF: ‘FRANKIE AND JOHNNY IN THE CLAIR DE LUNE’: See WED.12, 2 & 7:30 p.m.

‘JERSEY BOYS’: See WED.12, 2-4:30 & 7:30-10 p.m.

‘THREE SISTERS, FOUR WOMEN’: See THU.13.

words

ALEC JULIEN AND KIMBERLY KAFKA: The coauthors writing as K.K. Julien launch their new

SUN.16 agriculture

EARLY BIRDERS MORNING WALK: Led by various experts, birders amble through museum grounds in search of native birds. Bring tick repellent and binoculars. Birds of Vermont Museum, Huntington, 7-9 a.m. $5-15 suggested donation. Info, 434-2167.

community

2024 SCAVENGER HUNT IN STOWE: See WED.12.

COMMUNITY CARE DAY: Volunteers hand out food, clothing and other necessities to community members in need. Rainbow Bridge Community Center, Barre, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. Info, 622-0692.

HUMAN CONNECTION CIRCLE: Neighbors share stories from their lives and forge deep connections. Pickering Room, Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 3-4:30 p.m. Free; preregister; limited space. Info, humanconnectioncircle@ gmail.com.

crafts

YARN CRAFTERS GROUP: See WED.12, 1-3 p.m.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the on screen section.

‘BLUE WHALES: RETURN OF THE GIANTS 3D’: See WED.12.

‘DROP DEAD GORGEOUS’: A small-town beauty pageant goes hilariously wrong in this cult classic 1999 satire starring Amy Adams, Kirsten Dunst, Alison Janney and other greats. The Screening Room @ VTIFF, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington, 3 p.m. $5-10. Info, 660-2600.

‘FUNGI: THE WEB OF LIFE 3D’: See WED.12.

FOMO?

novel, Flowers at the Edge of the World, with an evening of performances, signing and refreshments. Off Center for the Dramatic Arts, Burlington, 2-4 p.m. Free. Info, 355-0360. RUTLAND FREE LIBRARY BOOK SALE: See FRI.14.

WRITERS’ WERTFREI: Authors both fledgling and published gather to share their work in a judgment-free environment. Virtual option available. Waterbury Public Library, 10 a.m.-noon. Free; preregister. Info, judi@waterburypubliclibrary. com.

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

‘OCEANS: OUR BLUE PLANET 3D’: See WED.12.

‘TINY GIANTS 3D’: See WED.12. food & drink

FORAGE & FEAST: AN AFTERNOON OF PLANT-BASED

CUISINE WITH CHRISSY TRACEY: Food connoisseurs enjoy a welcome beverage, reception hour with a grazing table, passed hors d’oeuvres, small plates and a copy of Chrissy’s cookbook, Forage & Feast. Hotel Vermont, Burlington, 4-7 p.m. $95. Info, 855-650-0080.

STOWE FARMERS MARKET: An appetizing assortment of fresh veggies, meats, milk, berries, herbs, beverages and crafts tempts shoppers. Stowe Farmers Market, 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Free.

Info, stowefarmersmarket@ gmail.com.

VERSHIRE ARTISAN & FARMERS MARKET: Foodies, farmers and their friends buy and sell freshgrown produce and handmade finds. Vershire Town Center, 12:30-3:30 p.m. Free. Info, vershiremarket@gmail.com.

WINOOSKI FARMERS MARKET: Families shop for fresh produce, honey, meats, coffee and prepared foods from seasonal vendors at an outdoor marketplace. Winooski Falls Way, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Info, 655-6410.

health

& fitness

KARUNA COMMUNITY

MEDITATION: A YEAR TO LIVE (FULLY): Participants practice keeping joy, generosity and gratitude at the forefront of their

minds. Jenna’s House, Johnson, 10-11:15 a.m. Free; donations accepted. Info, mollyzapp@live. com.

holidays

‘I LIFT MY LAMP: ILLUMINATIONS FROM IMMIGRANT AMERICA’: Renowned improvisational pianist Jacqueline Schwab, joined by singers Ernestine Tuyishime and Christine Aziza, gives a Father’s Day concert to benefit USCRI-VT. South Hero Congregational Church, 3-5 p.m. Donations. Info, 318-0916.

JUNETEENTH VIGIL: Activists read from the Emancipation Proclamation and other important texts at this community gathering. Cathedral Church of St.

CARE

Paul, Burlington, noon-1 p.m. Free. Info, smcmillan@diovermont.org. lgbtq

PRIDE READATHON 2024: See WED.12.

music

MAL MAÏZ: The psychedelic Latin outfit captivates audience members with a blend of traditional and modern Central and South American tunes. Camp Meade, Middlesex, 4-6:30 p.m. Free. Info, info@campmeade.today.

québec

FRINGEMTL: See WED.12.

talks

DOUG SLAYBAUGH: A historian discusses the elections of 1800, 1860, 1824 and 1876

in an address titled “When a Presidential Election Led to Civil War (and Three Times It Almost Did).” Ethan Allen Homestead Museum, Burlington, 2-3 p.m. Free. Info, 865-4556.

theater

THE BAKE OFF: ‘FRANKIE AND JOHNNY IN THE CLAIR DE LUNE’: See WED.12, 2 p.m.

‘JERSEY BOYS’: See WED.12, 3-5:30 p.m.

‘THREE SISTERS, FOUR WOMEN’: See THU.13, 2-4 p.m.

‘THE WHOLE KIT AND CABOODLE SHOW’: Bread and Puppet’s summer show, directed by Maria Schumann, takes an anti-capitalist view toward climate change and what we owe each other and the Earth. Bread and Puppet

Theater, Glover, 3 p.m. $10. Info, 525-3031.

words

PHOENIX FABLES FANTASY BOOK CLUB: Lovers of magical myths discuss the feminist Sleeping Beauty retelling Fractured Fables by Alix E. Harrow. Phoenix Books, Rutland, 2 p.m. Free. Info, 855-8078.

MON.17

community

2024 SCAVENGER HUNT IN STOWE: See WED.1

MON.17 « P.67

crafts

HAND-STITCHING GROUP:

Embroiderers, cross-stitchers and other needlework aficionados chat over their latest projects. Waterbury Public Library, 6-8 p.m. Free. Info, northwaringa@gmail.com.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the on screen section.

‘BLUE WHALES: RETURN OF THE GIANTS 3D’: See WED.12.

‘FUNGI: THE WEB OF LIFE 3D’: See WED.12.

‘OCEANS: OUR BLUE PLANET 3D’: See WED.12.

‘TINY GIANTS 3D’: See WED.12.

games

MONDAY NIGHT GAMES:

Discounted wine by the glass fuels an evening of friendly competition featuring new and classic board games, card games, and cribbage. Shelburne Vineyard, 4-7 p.m. Free. Info, 985-8222.

lgbtq

PRIDE READATHON 2024: See WED.12.

music

SAMBATUCADA OPEN REHEARSAL: Burlington’s own samba street percussion band welcomes new members. No experience or instruments required. 8 Space Studio Collective, Burlington, 6-8 p.m. Free. Info, 862-5017.

TOM’S ELTON TRIBUTE: Audiences remember when rock was young and find that their feet just can’t keep still at this pitch-perfect tribute show. Off Center for the Dramatic Arts,

Burlington, 7-9 p.m. $30. Info, theoffcenter@gmail.com.

VERGENNES CITY BAND SUMMER CONCERTS: An all-volunteer community ensemble makes music on the green all summer long. Vergennes City Park, 7-8 p.m. Free. Info, sodaniel27@gmail.com.

WILL KASSO CONDRY: An expert discusses the history of hip-hop and the possibility of the genre’s revival as a community-focused art form. ADA accessible. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 6-7 p.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

sports

BOB ALDRICH MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT: The King Street Center hosts its annual fundraiser. Breakfast and lunch included. Burlington Country Club, 8:30 a.m. $300; preregister. Info, 862-6736.

TUE.18 community

2024 SCAVENGER HUNT IN STOWE: See WED.12.

CURRENT EVENTS DISCUSSION GROUP: Brownell Library holds a virtual roundtable for neighbors to pause and reflect on the news cycle. 10-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 878-6955.

dance

SWING DANCING: Local Lindy hoppers and jitterbuggers convene at Vermont Swings’ weekly boogie-down. Bring clean shoes. North Star Community Hall, Burlington, beginner lessons, 6:30 p.m.; dance, 7:30-9 p.m. $5. Info, 864-8382.

FAMI LY FU N

SUN.16

burlington

WILD TURTLE WEEKEND: See FRI.14. chittenden county

FATHER’S DAY WEEKEND

CELEBRATION: Dad Guild hosts a party for the whole family featuring free kids’ meals, a drag queen story hour and an all-ages improv show. See calendar spotlight. Four Quarters Brewing, Winooski, noon-4 p.m. Free. Info, keegan@dadguild.org.

upper valley

FATHER’S DAY AT THE FARM: Visitors of all ages join in an old-time baseball game on the field or enjoy ice cream while cheering from the bleachers.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the on screen section.

‘BLUE WHALES: RETURN OF THE GIANTS 3D’: See WED.12.

‘FUNGI: THE WEB OF LIFE 3D’: See WED.12.

‘OCEANS: OUR BLUE PLANET 3D’: See WED.12.

‘TINY GIANTS 3D’: See WED.12.

health & fitness

QI GONG FOR VITALITY & PEACE: Librarian Judi Byron leads students in this ancient Chinese practice of mindful movement and breath. Waterbury Public Library, 10-11 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, judi@waterburypubliclibrary.com.

language

MANDARIN CONVERSATION

CIRCLE: Volunteers from Vermont Chinese School help students learn or improve their fluency. ADA accessible. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 11 a.m.noon. Free. Info, 846-4140.

PAUSE-CAFÉ FRENCH

CONVERSATION: Francophones and French-language learners meet pour parler la belle langue Burlington Bay Market & Café, 5-6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 343-5493.

lgbtq

PRIDE READATHON 2024: See WED.12.

outdoors

FELLOWSHIP OF THE WHEEL ENDURO AT COCHRAN’S: New and experienced mountain bike riders gather in the spirit of sportsmanship for a casual racing night. Race three of five. Cochran’s Ski Area, Richmond, 5-7:30 p.m. $18-23. Info, info@ fotwheel.org.

Billings Farm & Museum, Woodstock, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Regular admission $12-19; free for members and children under 3. Info, 457-2355.

MON.17

burlington

PRESCHOOL STORY TIME: Bookworms ages 2 through 5 enjoy fun-filled reading time. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 11-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

mad river valley/ waterbury

TINY TOTS STORY TIME: Little tykes have fun, hear stories and meet new friends with Ms. Cynthia. Ages 3 and under. Waterbury Public Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 244-7036. upper valley

STORY TIME WITH BETH: A bookseller and librarian extraordinaire reads two picture books on a different theme

sports

VERMONT LAKE MONSTERS: See WED.12, 6:35 p.m. talks

HAIR EQUITY PROJECT: In advance of Juneteenth, a panel dissects the hair-based oppression that Black folks face and how to remedy it. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 6-7 p.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

theater

‘JERSEY BOYS’: See WED.12. words

BURLINGTON

LITERATURE GROUP: PATRICK MODIANO: Readers analyze the Nobel laureate’s novels Missing Person and Suspended Sentences over five weeks. 6:30-8 p.m. Free. Info, info@nereadersandwriters.com.

WINE & STORY: Lovers of libations and tellers of tales gather for an evening of good company. Shelburne Vineyard, 6:45-9:30 p.m. $5. Info, rhamrell@together. net.

WED.19 business

QUEEN CITY BUSINESS NETWORKING INTERNATIONAL GROUP: See WED.12.

community

2024 SCAVENGER HUNT IN STOWE: See WED.12.

crafts

YARN CRAFTERS GROUP: See WED.12.

each week. Norwich Bookstore, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 649-1114.

northeast kingdom

STORY TIME: See THU.13, 2-2:30 p.m.

TUE.18

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

FAMILY STORY TIME: Lively tykes gather for short stories, familiar songs, rhymes and fingerplays. Ages 5 and under. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 10-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

GAME CHANGERS: New board games and old favorites delight players in grades 4 and up. South Burlington

dance

WEST COAST SWING DANCING: See WED.12.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the on screen section.

‘BLUE WHALES: RETURN OF THE GIANTS 3D’: See WED.12.

‘FUNGI: THE WEB OF LIFE 3D’: See WED.12.

‘OCEANS: OUR BLUE PLANET 3D’: See WED.12.

‘TINY GIANTS 3D’: See WED.12.

food & drink

WEDNESDAY’S GRILL & CHILL: See WED.12.

WHAT’S THAT WINE

WEDNESDAYS: See WED.12.

health & fitness

CHAIR YOGA: See WED.12.

holidays

JUNETEENTH IN SOUTH BURLINGTON: Poet Rajnii Eddins hosts a Freedom Day celebration full of food, art and music. Veterans Memorial Park, South Burlington, 6-8 p.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

JUNETEENTH WINOOSKI:

Community members celebrate with free food; all-ages activities; a market full of local Black makers; and live music by A2VT, KeruBo and others. Rotary Park, Winooski, 5-8 p.m. Free. Info, info@downtownwinooski.org.

YURT DEDICATION & JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION: Local BIPOC leaders host a ceremony and potluck to dedicate Dot’s Place. North Branch Nature Center, Montpelier, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Free. Info, 229-6206.

Public Library & City Hall, 1-2:30 p.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

OUTDOOR STORY TIME: Little ones enjoy a sunny session of reading, rhyming and singing with Dorothy Alling Memorial Library. Birth through age 5. Williston Town Green, 10:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.

barre/montpelier

HOMESCHOOL FAMILY MEET-UP: Kids who learn at home and their caregivers bond over crafts and games. KelloggHubbard Library, Montpelier, noon-2 p.m. Free. Info, info@ kellogghubbard.org.

northeast kingdom

LAPSIT STORY TIME: Babies 18 months and younger learn to love reading, singing and playing with their caregivers. Siblings welcome. St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, 10:15-10:45 a.m. Free. Info, 745-1391.

language

BEGINNER IRISH LANGUAGE CLASS: See WED.12.

ELL CLASSES: ENGLISH FOR BEGINNERS AND INTERMEDIATE STUDENTS: See WED.12. INTERMEDIATE IRISH LANGUAGE CONVERSATION AND MUSIC: See WED.12.

SPANISH CONVERSATION: Fluent and beginner speakers brush up on their español with a discussion led by a Spanish teacher. Presented by Dorothy Alling Memorial Library. 5-6 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, programs@damlvt.org.

lgbtq

BELLOWS FALLS PRIDE: ‘TO WONG FOO, THANKS FOR EVERYTHING! JULIE NEWMAR’: Three drag queens shake up a small Southern town in this classic 1995 queer comedy. Bellows Falls Opera House, 7 p.m. $6. Info, 463-3964, ext. 1120.

PRIDE READATHON 2024: See WED.12.

music

KT TUNSTALL: The “Suddenly I See” and “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree” singer gives a mesmerizing show. Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center, Stowe Mountain Resort, 7 p.m. $40-65. Info, 760-4634.

sports

GREEN MOUNTAIN TABLE

TENNIS CLUB: See WED.12. VERMONT LAKE MONSTERS: See WED.12, 6:35 p.m.

theater

‘JERSEY BOYS’: See WED.12, 2-4:30 & 7:30-10 p.m. ➆

WED.19

burlington

STEAM SPACE: See WED.12. TODDLER TIME: See WED.12. chittenden county

BABYTIME: See WED.12.

SUMMER CRAFTYTOWN: From painting and printmaking to collage and sculpture, creative kids explore different projects and mediums. Ages 8 and up, or ages 6 and up with an adult helper. ADA accessible. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 10-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

mad river valley/ waterbury

TEEN HANGOUT: Middle and high schoolers make friends at a no-pressure meetup. Waterbury Public Library, 3-6 p.m. Free. Info, 244-7036. K

Entry from Alaina Willette, age 11, of Ferrisburgh

THE FOLLOWING CLASS LISTINGS ARE PAID ADVERTISEMENTS. ANNOUNCE YOUR CLASS FOR AS LITTLE AS $16.75/WEEK (INCLUDES SIX PHOTOS AND UNLIMITED DESCRIPTION ONLINE). SUBMIT YOUR CLASS AD AT SEVENDAYSVT.COM/POSTCLASS.

culinary

CHEESE AS YOU PLEASE: A SENSORY AND CHARCUTERIE CLASS: is 21-plus class teaches participants to detect intricate flavors, textures and aromas in a relaxed, social atmosphere through a guided cheese sensory evaluation. Sun., Jun. 30, 2-3:30 p.m. Cost: $75. Location: Cabot Creamery Store, 2657 Waterbury-Stowe Rd., Waterbury Center. Info: eanderson-putman@ cabotcreamery.com

dance

BEGINNER HIGHLAND DANCE: Looking to try something new this summer? It’s the perfect time to try Highland dance! Registration is now open for our new beginner class for dancers ages 7 to 10. New dancers will learn the fundamentals of Highland technique and the foundations of the traditional dances in a fun and supportive environment. u. starting Jun. 13, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Cost: $17/class. Location: St. George Schoolhouse, 21 Barber Rd. Info: Highland Dance Vermont, 735-3799, highland dancevermont@gmail.com, highlanddancevt.com.

kids

FAIRY HOME WONDERLAND

CAMP: Come play outside, imagine, design and create an amazing miniature fairy habitat in the forest! Homes will be crafted with materials found in nature, and children will make their own enchanting fairies, friends and pets who can live inside their dwellings. Financial assistance available. Jun. 24-28. Cost: $295 for week of half-day camp. Location: Camp Meade, 961 Rte. 2, Middlesex. Info: 279-3148, hello@planetaryartinstitute.org, campmeade.today.

GLASSMAKING SUMMER DAY

CAMP: Practice the mesmerizing art of glassmaking! In this weeklong camp, students in grades 3 and up will learn glass fusing, sculpting and blowing techniques under the guidance of glass artist Sam Lightner. Jul. and Aug. camp sessions are also available. Cost: $305/5-day half-day camp. Location: Camp Meade, 961 Rte. 2, Middlesex. Info: Camp Meade, 279-3148, hello@planetaryartinsitute.org, campmeade.today. language

participants at all levels. Please visit our website to read about all of our offerings or contact Micheline by email for more information. Classes begin Jun. 17, online or in person. Location: Alliance Française, 43 King St., Burlington. Info: Micheline, education@aflcr.org, aflcr.org.

martial arts

AIKIDO: THE WAY OF HARMONY: Cultivate core power, aerobic fitness and resiliency. e dynamic, circular movements emphasize throws, joint locks and the development of internal energy. Not your average “mojo dojo casa house”; inclusive training and a safe space for all. Scholarships and intensive program are available for serious students. Visitors are always welcome! Free workshop for youths: Jun. 15, 9:30 a.m. Membership rates incl. unlimited classes. Contact us for 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.

ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE SUMMER

SESSION: Join us for online and in-person adult French classes this summer. Our 7-week session offers classes for

spirituality

SHOOTING FIRE AT ALNÔBAIWI: Skweda paskhzik is one celebration of many performed by Native groups on the summer solstice. Participants take tobacco, leaves, herbs, sweetgrass and kinnikinnick; place them in a small bag; and breathe, think or sing good wishes for the year into them. e offering bags are placed in a fire from which arrows are lit. At solar noon, the arrows are shot toward the sun to carry those good wishes to the sky. Come and learn more about this event at Negoni Alnbaakik at the Ethan Allen Homestead campus. All people with good spirit are welcome, and materials are provided. Please arrive no later than noon, as the arrow must be released at solar noon, which is 12:54 p.m. in Burlington. Out of respect for the traditional beliefs of many Indigenous peoples, no photography of the actual celebration is permitted, but other photo opportunities will be available. Abenaki members of the Alnbaiwi organization will lead this event. Jun. 20, noon.

Location: Alnbaiwi, 1 Ethan Allen Homestead, Burlington. Info: David Schein, 242-1892, david@gmail.com, alnobaiwi.org.

housing » APARTMENTS, CONDOS & HOMES on the road » CARS, TRUCKS, MOTORCYCLES pro services » CHILDCARE, HEALTH/ WELLNESS, PAINTING

buy this stuff » APPLIANCES, KID STUFF, ELECTRONICS, FURNITURE music »

INSTRUCTION, CASTING, INSTRUMENTS FOR SALE

jobs »

NO SCAMS, ALL LOCAL, POSTINGS DAILY

Tow Mater

AGE/SEX: 2-year-old neutered male

ARRIVAL DATE: May 20, 2024

SUMMARY: is handsome, goofy bundle of enthusiasm loves going for outdoor adventures, splish-splashing in the pool, playing with his plethora of squeaky toys, and gnawing on his favorite bones and chews to unwind. He’s a smart cookie who will tell you what he wants (pets and attention, please!). A fun-loving kinda guy, Tow Mater will surely make you smile after a ruff day. Come meet him at HSCC and see if he could be your new best friend!

DOGS/CATS/KIDS: Tow Mater has lived with dogs and tolerated them well. While in our care, Tow Mater has made dog friends and seems to prefer female dogs as playmates. He has no known history living with cats or children.

Visit the Humane Society of Chittenden County at 142 Kindness Court, South Burlington, Tuesday through Friday from 1 to 5 p.m. or Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 862-0135 or visit hsccvt.org for more info.

DID YOU KNOW?

Training isn’t just for behavior challenges and tricks — it’s an important way to bond and communicate with your dog! HSCC recommends positive reinforcement-based training. Teach dogs what you want them to do! Looking for training tips? Visit our website: hsccvt.org/resources.

Humane Society of Chittenden County

Sponsored by:

CLASSIFIEDS

TRANSPORTATION on the road

MOTORCYCLES

2009 HARLEY SPORTSTER

1200 cc Harley Sportster custom, $5,000. Excellent condition, 12K miles, detachable faring, custom seat, saddlebags. Call or text 802-373-6487.

housing FOR RENT

BURLINGTON Burlington Hill Section, furnished, single room, on bus line. No cooking. No pets. Linens

furnished. Utils. incl. Call 802-862-2389.

HOUSEMATES

ADDISON COUNTY AWAITS

Share Cornwall home w/ lovely views w/ senior gentleman who enjoys classical music & reading. Negotiable rent dependent on cooking several evening meals/ week & lending a hand around the house/ yard. Private BA. Call 802-863-5625 or visit homesharevermont. org for application. Interview, refs. & background checks req. EHO.

STUNNING CALAIS HOMESHARE

Share large, beautifully handcrafted home in Calais w/ lovely couple seeking strong individual w/ chain saw skills & help w/ housecleaning, fi rewood stacking, gardening & some pet sitting (cats & fi sh). $450 all incl. No additional pets, NS. Call 802-863-5625 or visit homesharevermont. org for application. Interview, refs. & background checks req. EHO.

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

services: $12 (25 words) fsbos: $45 (2 weeks, 30 words, photo) jobs: michelle@sevendaysvt.com, 865-1020 x121

OFFICE/ COMMERCIAL

OFFICE/RETAIL SPACE AT MAIN STREET LANDING on Burlington’s waterfront. Beautiful, healthy, affordable spaces for your business. Visit mainstreetlanding.com & click on space avail. Call Owiso, 338-7641

fi ber arts. Register at madrivervalleyarts.org/ summer-camps. Contact executive director Sam Talbot-Kelly at 802-4966682 or email info@ madrivervalleyarts.org.

MOVING/HAULING

MARKOSKI’S MOVE & HAUL

Started in Aug. 2023, Markoski’s has quickly established a 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. Jobs posted weekly on Facebook!

BIZ OPPS

FCF CONSTRUCTION GRANTS

First Children’s Finance announces a grant program that supports planning activities for future childcare construction projects. If you’re a vendor, email vtgrants@ firstchildrensfi nance. org to apply.

CREATIVE

ART CAMPS AT MRV ARTS

Mad River Valley Arts offers camps in comics, mural art, shibori indigo, nature-inspired design stitching, photography & mixed media, & macrame &

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 and similar Vermont statutes which make it illegal to advertise any preference, limitations, or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, handicap, presence of minor children in the family or receipt of public assistance, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or a discrimination. The newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate, which is in violation of the law. Our

readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. Any home seeker who feels he or she has encountered discrimination should contact:

HUD Office of Fair Housing 10 Causeway St., Boston, MA 02222-1092 (617) 565-5309 — OR — Vermont Human Rights Commission 14-16 Baldwin St. Montpelier, VT 05633-0633 1-800-416-2010 hrc@vermont.gov

GARAGE/ESTATE SALES

GARAGE/LAWN SALE

Jun. 28 & 29, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., 10 Mason Dr., Essex Jct. Tools, table saw, RV, camping, lawn, garden, furniture, household, toys, dogs & vintage items.

S. BURLINGTON ESTATE SALE

Contents of the estate of Ann Goodrich of S. Burlington. Great selection of estate jewelry, fine furniture, high-quality Oriental rugs, antiques, artwork, general household items & garden items to incl.

APPLIANCES/ TOOLS/PARTS

BUSINESS EQUIPMENT FOR SALE

Ford Grader 48hp, $15,000. Kamatsu mini power shovel 40, $15,000. Ford F550, 28K miles, $12,500. Kabota tractor, 941 hours, $24,000. Fisher poly caster 2500, $2,400. King Cutter 6-foot bush hog, $1,500. York Rake, 7-foot, $1,000. Blizzard snowplow x2, $3,000. Hudson 7-ton equipment trailer, $7,500. Contact Josephine at 802-238-0782

ELECTRONICS

CUSTOM GAMING PC 1440P/4K

All-white custom gaming desktop PC computer: B550M, 5800X, 7800XT, 32GB ram, 1TB SSD, 850W gold psu. Like-new condition! Asking $1,100/ OBO. Email bclskier@ gmail.com

print deadline: Mondays at 3:30 p.m. post ads online 24/7 at: sevendaysvt.com/classifieds questions?

planters, urns, birdbaths & more. Info, estate sale sofvermont.com.

LAKEVIEW TERRACE YARD SALE

Lakeview Terrace neighborhood yard sale in Burlington. Over a dozen families, something for everyone, a pleasant stroll on a quiet street. Sat., Jun. 15, beginning at 9 a.m. 3 blocks north of Battery Park, 1 block west of North Ave.

WILLISTON YARD SALE

Sat., Jun. 15, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Golf Links neighborhood off N. Williston Rd., Williston. Tools, kids’ toys, clothing, books, artwork, military items, furniture & more!

Info, 802-373-7271 or arsenauw@comcast.net.

GARAGE SALE

Sat., Jun. 15, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Woodbine Rd. in Shelburne. Something for everyone! Housewares, lawn & garden, collectibles. Lots of free stuff. Come on by.

YARD SALE

Sat. & Sun., Jun. 29 & 30, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Black Hills Angus Farm, 754 Hinman Rd., Glover. Kayaks, furniture, equine tack, cookware, camping gear, coolers & much more.

PETS

AKC AUSSIE PUPPIES

Aussie puppies ready Jul. 12. Vet checked, 1st shots, microchipped. Blue merles & black tris. Email adkaussies@mail. com or see Adirondack Aussies on Facebook.

AKC BERNESE MOUNTAIN DOG

AKC Bernese mountain dog puppies, avail. Jun. 12. Photos avail. on Facebook Burning Farm or TikTok theburning farm. 2 girls, 3 boys. Potsdam, N.Y.

Sudoku

Complete the following puzzle by

WANT MORE PUZZLES?

Try these online news games from Seven Days at sevendaysvt.com/games.

knowledge of Vermont news to the test.

CALCOKU BY

JOSH REYNOLDS

DIFFICULTY THIS WEEK: HHH

SUDOKU BY JOSH REYNOLDS

DIFFICULTY THIS WEEK: HH

Fill the grid using the numbers 1-6, only once in each row and column. The numbers in each heavily outlined “cage” must combine to produce the target number in the top corner, using the mathematical operation indicated. A one-box cage should be filled in with the target number in the top corner. A number can be repeated within a cage as long as it is not the same row or column. ANSWERS ON P.74

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.

buy this stuff

[CONTINUED]

LAB PUPPIES AVAIL.

2 silver females & 1 charcoal female. 8 weeks old. Shots & deworming up to date, 2-year health guarantee. Parents Embark tested & on premises. $1,000. Limited registration. Contact Scott at 315-323-1467 or Lisa at 315-212-6149 or email srk.blevins@gmail. com.

WANT TO BUY

MEN’S WATCHES WANTED

Men’s sport watches wanted. Rolex, Breitling,

Omega, Patek Philippe, Here, Daytona, GMT, Submariner & Speedmaster. Paying cash for qualifi ed watches. Call 888-3201052. (AAN CAN)

PORSCHE WANTED

Old & rusty OK! Don’t ship to Germany; keep in Vermont!

I’ll buy anything & restore. Parts, panels, engines, cars. Any year, 1950-1998. Contact 802-391-0882.

music STUDIO/ REHEARSAL

VERMONT MUSIC LAB

Fully equipped recording studio & backlined rehearsal spaces booking now. For rates or to schedule a visit, contact info@vtmusiclab.com or connect

w/ us on Instagram @ vtmusiclab for more details.

NOTIFICATION OF PERIOD OF PUBLIC COMMENT

PERIOD — PATHWAYS VERMONT

Pursuant to 18 V.S.A. § 8907 and the Administrative Rules on Agency Designation, the Vermont Department of Mental Health (DMH) hereby notify the public of the Application for Redesignation of Pathways VT (PVT), located in Burlington, Vermont.

A 14-day period of public comment is provided for DMH to gather information about Pathways VT (PVT) as part of the process to decide whether or not the State of Vermont will renew the agency’s designation to deliver mental health services to adults in Vermont. Comments from consumers, parents, family members and other concerned citizens about your experiences with services provided by PVT are welcomed. Public comments will be accepted for the two-week period from Wednesday, June 12, 2024, until the close of business on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. In particular, DMH is interested in knowing:

1. What are the strengths and challenges of the agency?

2. Does the agency work well with other agencies in the community?

3. Do people get the mental health services that they need?

4. Do people get mental health services when they need them?

5. Do you have any recommendations for improvements?

Please send written comments or contact us by phone no later than Wednesday, June 26, 2024.

Please reach out to:

Mail: Department of Mental Health 166 Horseshoe Drive – Weeks Building Waterbury, Vermont 05671-2010

Attn: Puja Senning

Phone: 802-585-4540

Fax: 802-241-0100

E-mail: Puja.Senning@vermont.gov

WARNING POLICY ADOPTION

CHAMPLAIN VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT

e Board of School Directors gives public notice of its intent to adopt local district policies dealing with the following at its meeting scheduled on May 21, 2024:

E15 - Use of Video Surveillance

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

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS: PRODUCE SHORT FILMS FOR VERMONT-BASED EDUCATIONAL NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION

e Rowland Foundation seeks proposals from qualified vendors to produce 5-7 short films that feature the work of our organization. Each film will be 3-5 minutes in length and include interviews and B-roll filmed at 5-6 Vermont schools. Each film will be directed by the Rowland Foundation’s Executive Director with a focus on a different aspect of the Rowland Foundation’s work with Vermont schools (e.g., shared leadership, student-led change, community connections, democratic mission).

e Rowland Foundation short films will:

- Convey the mission and values of the Rowland Foundation in substance and style

- Interest Vermont educators as a primary audience, and parents and community members as a secondary audience

- Inspire Vermont teachers to apply for Rowland Fellowships and attend the Annual Rowland Conference

- Reflect high quality production in all aspects, including sound, images, and editing

- Include closed captioning

- Not include voiceover narration or special effects

- Reach Vermonters via the Foundation’s website, social media, communications and events

Proposals should include:

- Detailed cost estimate for the work provided, not to exceed $35,000

- Delivery time frame for the project and availability in Fall 2024

- Examples of similar work and/or portfolio

- Approach and methodology for pre-production, production, and post-production and process for collaborating with the Rowland Foundation Executive Director

- List of anticipated deliverables, including production schedule, raw footage, rough cuts and incorporation of feedback, and final cuts in appropriate formats and aspect ratios.

Proposals should be submitted by July 15, 2024 to the Rowland Foundation: info@therowlandfoundation.org. Questions and inquiries may be directed to Executive Assistant Abby Paige: abby@therowlandfoundation.org or (802) 230-7879.

Visit our website at http://www.therowland foundation.org.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT SERVICES AND FURNITURE AT CHAMPLAIN COLLEGE, BURLINGTON VT”

Request for Proposals (RFPs) for Construction Management Services and Furniture Procurement at Champlain College are available now. Proposals from Small and Minority-Owned businesses encouraged.

Proposals for Furniture Procurement are due at 3pm on June 5, 2024. Proposals for Construction Management are due at Noon on June 26, 2024. See details and RFPs at champlain.edu/ construction

PROPOSED STATE RULES

By law, public notice of proposed rules must be given by publication in newspapers of record. The purpose of these notices is to give the public a chance to respond to the proposals. The public notices for administrative rules are now also available online at https://secure.vermont.gov/SOS/rules/ . The law requires an agency to hold a public hearing on a proposed rule, if requested to do so in writing by 25 persons or an association having at least 25 members.

To make special arrangements for individuals with disabilities or special needs please call or write the contact person listed below as soon as possible.

To obtain further information concerning any scheduled hearing(s), obtain copies of proposed rule(s) or submit comments regarding proposed rule(s), please call or write the contact person listed below. You may also submit comments in writing to the Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules, State House, Montpelier, Vermont 05602 (802-828-2231).

Agency Designation.

Vermont Proposed Rule: 24P020

AGENCY: Agency of Human Services

CONCISE SUMMARY: The Rules on Agency Designation establish the requirements for community mental health services and intellectual/ developmental disability services within distinct geographic areas of Vermont. This rule has not been updated since 2003. The proposed amendments focus on modernizing language, aligning with current policy and practice, aligning with other Administrative Rules for content and formatting, including direct language from statute, increasing clarity, increasing plain language, and simplifying and/or modernizing processes.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: Ashley Johns, Agency of Human Services, 280 State Drive, Waterbury, VT 05676 Tel: 802-585-9884 Fax: 802241-0450, E-Mail: ashley.johns@vermont.gov. URL: https://mentalhealth.vermont.gov/ policy-and-legislative-resources/rules.

FOR COPIES: Ashley Roy, Agency of Human Services, 280 State Drive, Waterbury, VT 05602 Tel: 802-5855679 Fax: 802-241-0450 E-Mail: ashley.roy@vermont.gov.

Recovery Services Organization Certification Rule.

Vermont Proposed Rule: 24P021

AGENCY: Agency of Human Services, Department of Health

CONCISE SUMMARY: This rule establishes a certification process and provides certification requirements for Recovery Service Organizations that receive state or federal funding for the provision of recovery support services from the Department of Health (Department).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: Natalie Weill, Department of Health, 280 State Drive, Waterbury, VT 05671-8300 Tel: 802-863-7280 Fax: 802-951-1275 E-Mail: ahs.vdhrules@vermont. gov URL: https://www.healthvermont.gov/ laws-regulations/laws/public-comment.

FOR COPIES: Brendan Atwood, Department of Health, 280 State Drive, Waterbury, VT 05671-8300 Tel: 802-863-7280 Fax: 802-951-1275 E-Mail: ahs.vdhrules@vermont.gov.

ACT 250 NOTICE

MINOR APPLICATION 4C1065-9D 10 V.S.A. §§ 6001 - 6111

Application 4C1065-9D from the City of Winooski was received on April 22, 2024 and deemed complete on May 20, 2024. The project authorizes the amendment of a mixed-use development previously approved in Act 250 LUP 4C1065-9C, on Lot 7D. The changes to the mixed-use development include the replacement of 22,780 square feet of office space with 83 units of workforce housing, a reduction in the approved hotel use from 125 to 115 rooms, the removal of the pedestrian/boardwalk access, and minor adjustments to road, pedestrian, and parking improvements with no change to the development footprint. The project is located at 17 Abenaki Way in Winooski, Vermont. The application may be viewed on the Natural Resources Board’s website (http://nrb.vermont.gov) by clicking “Act

250 Database” and entering the project number “4C1065-9D.”

No hearing will be held and a permit will be issued unless, on or before June 25, 2024, a party notifies the District 4 Commission in writing of an issue requiring a hearing, or the Commission sets the matter for a hearing on its own motion. Any person as defined in 10 V.S.A. § 6085(c)(1) may request a hearing. Any hearing request must be in writing, must state the criteria or subcriteria at issue, why a hearing is required, and what additional evidence will be presented at the hearing. Any hearing request by an adjoining property owner or other person eligible for party status under 10 V.S.A. § 6085(c)(1)(E) must include a petition for party status under the Act 250 Rules. To request party status and a hearing, fill out the Party Status Petition Form on the Board’s website: https://nrb.vermont.gov/ documents/party-status-petition-form, and email it to the District 4 Office at: NRB.Act250Essex@ vermont.gov. Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law may not be prepared unless the Commission holds a public hearing.

For more information contact Kaitlin Hayes at the address or telephone number below.

Dated this June 3, 2024. By: /s/ Kaitlin Hayes

Kaitlin Hayes

District Coordinator 111 West Street Essex Junction, VT 05452 (802) 622-4084 kaitlin.hayes@vermont.gov

TOWN OF RICHMOND SELECTBOARD AMENDMENTS TO MUNICIPAL PARK ORDINANCE

At their meeting on June 3, 2024 the Richmond Selectboard voted to amend the Municipal Park Ordinance.

Copies of the amended ordinance are available at the Town Clerk’s Office, 203 Bridge Street Richmond, or by calling 434-5170, and, at www.richmondvt.gov.

Summary of Changes to Municipal Park Ordinance

Changes GENERAL section to include Round Church Green in the Ordinance.

Amends Attachment A, Municipal Park Map, to show location of Round Church Green.

In accordance with 24 V.S.A. 1973 residents of the Town or Richmond have the legal right to petition to disapprove of an ordinance. A petition for a vote on the question of disapproving an ordinance or rule shall be signed by not less than five per cent of the qualified voters of the municipality, and presented to the legislative body or the clerk of the municipality within 44 days following the date of adoption of the ordinance or rule by the legislative body. Unless a petition is filed in accordance with 24 V.S.A. 1973, the ordinance or rule shall become effective 60 days after the date of its adoption.

Interested persons with questions or comments may contact: Josh Arneson, Richmond Town Manager (802) 434-5170, jarneson@richmondvt.gov, 203 Bridge St. PO Box 285 (mailing), Richmond, VT 05477

STORAGE AUCTION

The contents of storage unit 01-04276 located at 28 Adams drive, Williston VT, 05495 will be sold on or about the 20th of June to satisfy the debt of Andrew Cassidy. Any 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.

STORAGE AUCTION

The contents of storage unit 01-01329 located at 28 Adams drive, Williston VT, 05495 will be sold on or about the 20th of June to satisfy the debt of Rose Parizo. Any 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.

NORTHSTAR SELF STORAGE WILL BE HAVING A PUBLIC AND ONLINE SALE/AUCTION FOR THE FOLLOWING STORAGE UNITS ON JUNE 20, 2024 AT 9:00 AM

Northstar Self Storage will be having a public and online sale/auction on June 20, 2024 at 9am EST at 205 Route4A West, Castleton, VT 05735 (3-37), 681 Rockingham Road, Rockingham VT, 05101 (R50, R51, R78), 1124 Charlestown Road, Springfield, VT 05156 (Units S118) and online at www.storagetreasures. com at 9:00 am in accordance with VT Title 9 Commerce and Trade Chapter 098: Storage Units 3905. Enforcement of Lien

Unit # Name Contents

1 3-37 Thomas Amerio Household Goods

2 R50 Kevin Merritt Household Goods

4 R51 Juston Decker Household Goods

5 R78 James Tallent Household Goods

6 S118 Ashley Dawson Household Goods

TO: UNKNOWN BIRTH FATHER

Notice to Interested Persons of Commencement of Adoption Proceedings

You are hereby notified that a petition requesting the adoption of Baby Morris has been filed in this court. The child was born in Burlington, Vermont on February 10, 2024.

When a hearing is scheduled, you will receive a separate notice of hearing.

This is the first action in this proceeding. If you want to receive notice of future hearings, events, or motions which may occur in this matter until it is concluded you must enter an appearance in this proceeding with the court. This can be accomplished by returning to the court a completed “Notice of Appearance” form which can be found on the public website, www.vermontjudiciary.org. If you have questions about the nature of this proceeding or the purpose or content of this notice, you may inquire by calling or writing to the Probate Division.

Please take this notice seriously. If you do not respond to this notice within 20 days of its publication, in some way, by contacting the Chittenden Probate Court, you will lose your standing to participate as a party to the adoption case. You will not be a person whose consent is required for the adoption petition to move forward.

LISTER’S RECORDS OF NOTICES POSTED

We hereby certify that the Notices to Taxpayers of the time and place of holding the Grievance Meeting for 2023 and in the form as set forth on the opposite page were signed by us this day duly posted in the Town Clerk’s Office and in four other public places in said Town of Colchester to wit:

Town Clerk’s Office – 781 Blakely Rd.

Dick Mazza’s General Store – West Lakeshore Dr. Colchester Post Office – Malletts Bay Ave.

Burnham Memorial Library – Main St. Simon’s Quick Stop – 6387 Roosevelt Hwy

Dated at Colchester in the County of Chittenden this 7th day of June 2024

Geri Barrows

Charlotte Gardner

Angela McDonald

Listers of the Town of Colchester

Notice of Taxpayers

Agreeably to the provisions of Title 32, Vermont Statues Annotated, Section 4111, notice is hereby given that the undersigned Listers within and for the Town of Colchester have this day completed the abstract of individual lists of persons, copartnerships, associations and corporations owning taxable property in said town on the first day of April 2023; that they have this day lodged the same in the office of the clerk of said town for the inspection of taxpayers; that on the 16th day of June at 9:00 o’clock in the fore noon, the undersigned Listers, to hear grievances of person, co-partnerships, associations and corporations aggrieved by any of their appraisals or by the acts of such Listers, whose objections thereto in writing shall have been filed with them as prescribed by statute, and to make such corrections in said abstract as shall upon hearing or otherwise be determined by them and that unless cause to the contrary be shown, the contents of said abstract will, for the year 2022 become the grand list of said town and of each

person, co-partnership, association or corporation therein named.

Given under our hands at Colchester, in the County of Chittenden, this 7th day of June 2024.

Geri Barrows

Charlotte Gardner

Angela MacDonald

Listers Town of Colchester

TOWN OF WESTFORD NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF AMENDED MOBILE FOOD VENDOR ORDINANCE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN to the residents of the Town of Westford that on May 23, 2024, the Selectboard adopted an amended Mobile Food Vendor Ordinance. The purpose of this Ordinance is to allow for food to be made occasionally available to the general public in the Town of Westford in a safe, respectful, and convenient manner to benefit the general public health, safety, and welfare of Westford citizens by establishing reasonable guidelines and standards for mobile food vendors. Furthermore, the intent of this Ordinance is to support place making by increasing business opportunities, encouraging creative business models, and providing another way to improve the quality and experience of the Town of Westford. The Ordinance shall become effective July 22, 2024 unless a petition signed by not less than 5% of the qualified voters of the town requesting that the following adopted Ordinance be submitted to the voters of the town at an annual or special meeting is presented to the Selectboard or the Town Clerk on or before July 5, 2024.

The Ordinance contains the following sections:

Section 1: Authority

Section 2: Purpose

Section 3: Definitions

Section 4: License Required

Section 5: Exemptions

Section 6: Application

Section 7: Fee

Section 8: Review of Applications

Section 9: Standards

Section 10: Violation

Section 11: Revocation

Section 12: Enforcement

Section 13: Applicability and Severability

The Ordinance in its entirety is available for inspection at the Westford Town Office, 1713 Vermont Route 128, Westford, Vermont, during regular office hours, Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and at https:// westfordvt.us/documents/ordinances-policies. Questions regarding the Ordinance may be directed to Holly Delisle, Town Administrator, in-person, by emailing townadmin@westfordvt.us, or by calling (802) 878-4587.

Dated this 28th day of May 2024. WESTFORD SELECTBOARD

Bill Cleary, Chair

Wendy Doane

Pat Haller

Casey Mathieu

Deb Sawyer Jorschick

Posted at: Westford Town Office, Westford Post Office, Westford Library, Town Website, Front Porch Forum

STATE OF VERMONT

SUPERIOR COURT CIVIL DIVISION CHITTENDEN UNIT CASE NO. 24-CV-02071 IN RE: ABANDONED MOBILE HOME OF DONALD COUTURIER

Notice Of Hearing

A hearing on The Housing Foundation, Inc.’s Verified Complaint to declare abandoned the mobile home of Donald Couturier, located at the Birchwood Manor Mobile Home Park described as Mark IV, 12’x50’, Serial #2306, Lot #123 and known as 66 Mansfield Road in Milton, Vermont to authorize the transfer without a public auction, so it may be removed and disposed of, has been set for June 27, 2024 at 11:30 a.m. You may participate in the hearing either in person at the Vermont Superior Court, Chittenden Unit, Civil Division located at 175 Main Street in Burlington, Vermont or remotely via WEBEX video. The WEBEX Login Information is as follows: App: Cisco Webex Meeting

Legal Notices

Website: https://vtcourts.webex.com

Meeting Number: 129 647 6521

Password: CIVIL2

If you do not have a computer or sufficient bandwidth, you may call (802) 636-1108 to appear by phone. (This is not a tollfree number). When prompted enter the meeting ID number listed above, followed by the pound symbol (#). You will be prompted to enter your attendee number (which you do not have). Instead, press pound (#). If you have technical difficulties, call the Court at (802) 863-3467.

Date: May 29, 2024

Nancy L. Bean, Judicial Assistant

VERIFIED COMPLAINT FOR ABANDONMENT

PURSUANT TO 10 V.S.A. § 6249(i) (Uninhabitable)

NOW COMES The Housing Foundation, Inc. (“HFI”), by and through its counsel Nadine L. Scibek, and hereby complains pursuant to 10 V.S.A. § 6249(i) as follows:

1. HFI, a Vermont non-profit corporation with a principal place of business in Montpelier, County of Washington, State of Vermont, is the record owner of a mobile home park known as the Birchwood Manor Mobile Home Park (the “Park”), located in the Town of Milton, Vermont. The Park is managed by the Vermont State Housing Authority.

2. Donald Couturier (“Couturier”) is the record owner of a certain mobile home (the “Mobile Home”) described as a Mark IV, 12’ x 50’, Serial #2306, located at the Birchwood Manor Mobile Home Park, Lot #123, 66 Mansfield Road in Milton, Vermont according to the Town of Milton Land Records. See attached Vermont Mobile Home Bill of Sale.

3. Couturier leased a lot in the Park from HFI pursuant to a written lease. Couturier paid a security deposit in the amount of $298.00 to HFI. See attached Lease.

4. Couturier’s last known mailing address is 66 Mansfield Road, Milton, VT 05468.

5. The mobile home has been abandoned and is empty/unoccupied. The last known resident of the mobile home was Couturier. All of Couturier’s personal property is believed to have been removed from the mobile home and utility services have been terminated. The Park’s Counsel has communicated with Couturier with respect to his intentions with his mobile home. HFI has received no response from Couturier. See attached.

6. Couturier was evicted from the Park for nonpayment of rent on or about January 4, 2024 by the Chittenden County Sheriff’s Department. The mobile home has been vacant since that time. The Court issued a Judgment and Writ of Possession to HFI on November 7, 2023. See The Housing Foundation, Inc. v. Couturier, Vermont Superior Court, Chittenden Civil Unit, Case No. 23-CV-04544. See attached.

7. The following security interests, mortgages, liens and encumbrances appear of record with respect to the mobile home:

a. Couturier is in arrears on obligations to pay property taxes to the Town of Milton, Vermont in the aggregate amount of $395.82, plus interest and penalties. See attached copy of Tax Bill and Delinquent Tax Report.

b. Couturier is in arrears on obligations to pay water/ sewer bills to the Town of Milton, Vermont in the aggregate amount of $1,185.41, plus interest and penalties. See attached Delinquent Water/Sewer Report.

c. Judgment Order in the amount of $3,257.19, plus interest, issued by the Vermont Superior Court, Chittenden Civil Division in the matter of The Housing Foundation, Inc. v. Couturier, Case No. 23-CV-01230 dated April 12, 2023 and recorded in the Milton Land Records on June 28, 2023 in Book 539, Page 152. See attached Judgment.

8. Mobile home storage fees continue to accrue at the rate of $389.00 per month. Rent/ storage fees due HFI through May, 2024 total $5,910.05. Attorney’s fees and court costs incurred by HFI currently exceed $2,000.00.

9. HFI sent written notice by certified mail to the Town of Milton on April 24, 2024 of its intent to commence this action. See attached.

10. The mobile home is uninhabitable. Thomas Young, Property Manager, will testify under oath as to the poor and unlivable condition of this mobile home at the abandonment hearing. WHEREFORE, HFI respectfully requests that the Honorable Court enter an order as follows:

1. Declare that the mobile home has been abandoned;

2. Transfer the mobile home which is unfit for human habitation to the Park owner without a public auction so that it may be removed and disposed of accordingly.

3. Order pursuant to 10 V.S.A. § 6249(j) that the mobile home and any security deposit paid be conveyed to the Park Owner in “as is” condition, and free from all liens and other encumbrances of record.

DATED May 28, 2024. THE HOUSING FOUNDATION, INC.

BY: Nadine L. Scibek

Attorney for HFI

I declare that the above statement is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief. I understand that if the above statement is false, I will be subject to the penalty of perjury or other sanctions in the discretion of the Court.

May 28, 2024 BY: Thomas Young Duly Authorized Agent for HFI

STATE OF VERMONT SUPERIOR COURT

PROBATE DIVISION CHITTENDEN UNIT

DOCKET NO.: 24-PR-03140

In re ESTATE of Albert Keith Butkus

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

To the creditors of: Albert Keith Butkus, late of Richmond.

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: 06/06/2024

Signature of Fiduciary: /s/ Sandra Butkus

Executor/Administrator: Sandra Butkus, c/o Juliana E. Hoyt Jarrett | Hoyt, 1795 Williston Ave., Suite 125, South Burlington, Vermont 05403 Phone number 802-864-5951; Email julie@vtelaw.com

Name of Publication: Seven Days Publication Date: 06/12/2024

Name of Probate Court: State of VermontChittenden Probate Division Address of Probate Court: 175 Main Street , Burlington, VT 05401

BURLINGTON DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD TUESDAY, JULY 2, 2024, 5:00 PM PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

Hybrid & In Person (at 645 Pine Street) Meeting Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83225696227?p wd=SGQ0bTdnS000Wkc3c2J4WWw1dzMxUT09

Webinar ID: 832 2569 6227

Passcode: 969186

Telephone: US +1 929 205 6099 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 669 900 6833 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799

1. ZP-24-224; 173-175 North Prospect Street (RL, Ward 1) Burlington Monthly Meeting, Inc. / Noa

Isabella

Proposed conversion of the front building, a multi-use space, into a school program for up to ten children, ages 2-12, one to two days a week.

2. ZP-24-148; 49-55 Chase Street (RL, Ward 1) Chase Street 49, LLC / Missa Aloisi

Proposed subdivision of existing lot into four separate parcels. Development plan includes residential unit expansions to existing structures

and construction of one new four-unit apartment building.

Plans may be viewed upon request by contacting the Department of Permitting & Inspections between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Participation in the DRB proceeding is a prerequisite to the right to take any subsequent appeal. Please note that ANYTHING submitted to the Zoning office is considered public and cannot be kept confidential. This may not be the final order in which items will be heard. Please view final Agenda, at www. burlingtonvt.gov/dpi/drb/agendas or the office notice board, one week before the hearing for the order in which items will be heard.

The City of Burlington will not tolerate unlawful harassment or discrimination on the basis of political or religious affiliation, race, color, national origin, place of birth, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, veteran status, disability, HIV positive status, crime victim status or genetic information. The City is also committed to providing proper access to services, facilities, and employment opportunities. For accessibility information or alternative formats, please contact Human Resources Department at (802) 540-2505.

IN ACCORDANCE WITH VT TITLE 9 COMMERCE AND TRADE CHAPTER 098: STORAGE UNITS 3905.

Enforcement of Lien, West Street Rentals LLC shall host a live auction of the following unit on 6/13/2024 at 04:00 PM:

Location: 170 West St, Essex Jct., VT 05452

Jennifer Hutchins, unit #26: household goods Christian Mas, unit #14: household goods

Contents sold as is, and need to be removed within 48 hours at no cost to West Street Rentals 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. West Street Rentals LLC reserves the right to accept or reject bids.

ENFORCEMENT OF LIEN, STUFF-IT SELF-STORAGE LLC SHALL HOST A LIVE AUCTION OF THE FOLLOWING UNIT ON 06/18/2024 AT 4:00 PM:

Location: 930 Main St, Fairfax, VT 05454

Desire Leroux, unit #12: household goods

Dale Bessette, unit #146: household goods

Skyler Bessette, unit #24: household goods

Michael Casey, unit #129: 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.: 23-PR-07692

In re ESTATE of Pauline Rhodes

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

To the creditors of: Pauline Rhodes, 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 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: June 7, 2024

Signature of Fiduciary: /s/ Paul R. Morwood, ESQ.

Executor/Administrator: Paul R. Morwood, Esq, 333 Dorset St., South Burlington, VT 05403 phone: 802-862-2135 email: morwood.paul@gmail.com

Name of Publication: Seven Days Publication Date: 06/12/2024

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-01948

In re ESTATE of James J. Pallack NOTICE TO CREDITORS

To the creditors of: James J. Pallack, late of Winooski.

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: June 7, 2024

Signature of Fiduciary: /s/ Michael Pallack

Executor/Administrator: Michael Pallack, c/o Corey F. Wood, Esq., 34 Pearl St., Essex Junction, VT 05452 phone: 802-879-6304 email: cwood@bpflegal.com

Name of Publication: Seven Days Publication Date: 06/12/2024

Name of Probate Court: State of VermontChittenden Probate Division Address of Probate Court: 175 Main Street , Burlington, VT 05401

TOWN OF ESSEX ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT PUBLIC HEARING JULY 2, 2024 - 6:00 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: Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85378709951?pwd=U WRTQnU0Nllod1FZVUU3b2pXWXlsQT09 Call (audio only): (305) 224 1968, Meeting ID: 853 7870 9951, Passcode 708118 Public Wifi is available at the Essex Municipal Offices, libraries, and hotspot listed here: https://publicservice.vermont.gov/content/ public-wifi-hotspots-vermont

VARIANCE: Gabe Handy d/b/a Franklin South LLC, is proposing a variance to reduce the front yard setback from 50’ to 16.5’ to accommodate a 50’x60’ commercial building on an existing non-conforming lot located at 108 Colchester Road in the Mixed Use Development (MXD) and Floodplain Overlay (C2) Districts. Tax Map 48, Parcel 3.

Application materials may be viewed before the meeting at https://www.essexvt.org/182/ Current-Development-Applications. Please call 802-878-1343 or email skelley@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.

STATE OF VERMONT SUPERIOR COURT PROBATE DIVISION CHITTENDEN UNIT DOCKET NO.: 24-PR-03290

In re ESTATE of Derek Siegler

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

To the creditors of: Derek Siegler, late of Hinesburg, Vermont

I have been appointed to administer this estate. All creditors having claims against the decedent or the estate must present their claims in writing within four (4) months of the date of the first publication of this notice. The claim must be presented to me

at the address listed below with a copy sent to the Court. The claim may be barred forever if it is not presented within the four (4) month period.

Dated: June 10, 2024

Signature of Fiduciary: /s/ Cara Montgomery

Executor/Administrator: Cara Montgomery, 388 Beecher Hill Rd., Hinesburg, VT 05461 phone: 802-578-6407 email: cara_montgomery@yahoo.com

Name of Publication: Seven Days Publication Date: 06/12/2024

Name of Probate Court: State of VermontChittenden Probate Division

Address of Probate Court: 175 Main Street , Burlington, VT 05401

NOTICE OF APPLICATION TO BROWNFIELDS REUSE AND ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITY LIMITATION ACT PROGRAM

Please take notice that Mid-Town Associates, Inc. c/o Nick & Morrissey Development whose mailing address is 29 Church Street, 3rd Floor, Burlington, VT, is applying to the Vermont Brownfields Reuse and Environmental Liability Limitation Program (10 V.S.A. §6641 et seq.) in connection with the redevelopment of property known as the former Mid-Town Motel at 230 Main Street in the City of Burlington, VT. A copy of the application, which contains a preliminary environmental assessment, and a description of the proposed redevelopment project is available for public review at the Burlington City Clerk’s Office and at the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation offices in Montpelier. Comments concerning the application and/or the above referenced documents may be directed to Anastasia Bartsch at (802) 261-5170 or at Anastasia. Bartsch@Vermont.gov. Comments may also be submitted by mail to the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, Waste Management Division, 1 National Life Drive – Davis 1, Montpelier, VT 05620; attention: Anastasia Bartsch.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING TOWN OF UNDERHILL DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD (DRB)

Preliminary Subdivision Review hearing for a 9-lot

Planned Residential Development

Monday, July 1, 2024 Site Visit at 422 VT Route 15, Underhill, VT @ 5:45 PM | Hearing @ 6:30PM at the Underhill Town Hall, 12 Pleasant Valley Road, Underhill, VT

The Underhill Development Review Board will hold a Preliminary Subdivision Review hearing fora 9-lot Planned Residential Development subdivision per Section 7.5 & 9.4 of the Underhill Unified Land Use & Development Regulations adopted March 1, 2011 and last amended March 3, 2020. The subject property is located at 422 VT Route 15, Underhill and is owned by the United Church of Underhill, Inc. which is also the applicant. The property is in the Underhill Flats Village Center zoning district, and the proposed use is residential, with open land owned in common. A site visit will take place at 5:45 PM and the hearing will commence at 6:30 PM at the Underhill Town Hall, 12 Pleasant Valley Road, on Monday, July 1, 2024. The hearing will also be accessible via the Go-To-Meeting platform.

Application submittals, including information to access the public meeting via the Go-ToMeeting platform or by telephone, may be obtained on the Town’s website calendar under July 1, 2024 or by contacting the Zoning Administrator. The hearing is open to the public. Pursuant to 24 VSA § 4464(a)(1) (C) and 4471(a), participation in this local proceeding is a prerequisite tothe right to make any subsequent appeal. If you cannot attend the hearing, comments may bemade in writing, prior to the meeting, and mailed to: Brad Holden, Interim Zoning Administrator, P.O. Box 120 Underhill, VT 05489 or emailed to: bholden@underhillvt.gov

STATE OF VERMONT SUPERIOR COURT

PROBATE DIVISION CHITTENDEN UNIT

DOCKET NO.: 24-PR-02589

In re ESTATE of Robert J. Lemire

Support Groups

A CIRCLE OF PARENTS FOR MOTHERS OF COLOR

Please join our parent-led online support group designed to share our questions, concerns & struggles, as well as our resources & successes! Contribute to our discussion of the unique but shared experience of parenting. We will be meeting weekly on Wed., 10-11 a.m. For more info or to register, please contact Heather at hniquette@ pcavt.org, 802-498-0607, pcavt.org/family-support-programs.

A CIRCLE OF PARENTS FOR SINGLE MOTHERS

Please join our parent-led online support group designed to share our questions, concerns & struggles, as well as our resources & successes! Contribute to our discussion of the unique but shared experience of parenting. We will be meeting weekly on Fri., 10-11 a.m. For more info or to register, please contact Heather at hniquette@ pcavt.org, 802-498-0607, pcavt.org/family-support-programs.

A CIRCLE OF PARENTS W/ LGBTQ+ CHILDREN

Please join our parent-led online support group designed to share our questions, concerns & struggles, as well as our resources & successes! Contribute to our discussion of the unique but shared experience of parenting. We will be meeting weekly on Mon., 10-11 a.m. For more info or to register, please contact Heather at hniquette@ pcavt.org, 802-498-0607, pcavt.org/family-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

Do you have a drinking problem? AA meeting sites are now open, & online meetings are also avail. Call our hotline at 802-864-1212 or check for in-person or online meetings at burlingtonaa.org.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

To the creditors of: Robert J. Lemire, late of Essex Junction.

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: June 7, 2024

Signature of Fiduciary: /s/ Monique Lemire

Executor/Administrator: Monique Lemire, c/o Corey F. Wood Esq., Essex Junction, VT 05452 phone: 802-879-6304 email: cwood@bpflegal.com

Name of Publication: Seven Days Publication Date: 06/12/2024

Name of Probate Court: State of VermontChittenden Probate Division Address of Probate Court: 175 Main Street Burlington, VT 05401

NOTICE OF HEARING AND ORDER FOR PUBLICATION

ESTATE OF: MARK SADAN

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS:

A Petition to Open an Estate and Appoint Fiduciary was filed in the Probate Division of the Superior Court located at 12 The Green, Woodstock Vermont on March 18, 2024.

A hearing on the Petition will be held remotely only by WEBEX at: 1:30 PM on June 24, 2024.

The Petition can be viewed prior to the hearing on the Public Portal located at the Courthouse at the above address. Interested Persons may contact the court at 802-457-2121 to receive WEBEX

CONTACT CLASSIFIEDS@SEVENDAYSVT.COM OR 802-865-1020 EXT. 115 TO UPDATE YOUR SUPPORT GROUP

participation instructions. lf no one appears at the hearing to object, the relief requested may be granted. lf you wish to receive notice of future events in this proceeding, you must notify the Court by filing a Notice of Appearance form that can be found on the Vermont Judiciary website.

It is hereby ORDERED that the notice of hearing as set forth in the Order be published in “7 Days, Vermont’s Independent Voice.”

Publication date: 6/12/24

Electronically signed on 6/5/2024 10:23 AM pursuant to V.R.E.F. 9(d) Frederick M. Glover Probate Judge

Any individual with a disability requiring assistance accessing the services, programs, and/ or activities at the Courthouse should contact the Clerk’s office at the above address for further assistance.

OPENINGS

BURLINGTON CITY COMMISSIONS/BOARDS

Fence Viewer Term Expires 6/30/25 Two Openings Board of Health Term Expires 6/30/27 One Opening Parks and Recreation Commission Term Expires 6/30/25 One Opening Retirement Board Term Expires 6/30/27 One Opening Vehicle for Hire Licensing Board Term Expires 6/30/25 One Opening

Vehicle for Hire Licensing Board Term Expires 6/30/27 One Opening

Applications may be submitted to the Clerk/ Treasurer’s Office, 149 Church Street, Burlington, VT 05401 Attn: Lori NO later than Wednesday, July 10, 2024, by 4:30 pm. If you have any questions, please contact Lori at (802) 865-7136 or via email lolberg@burlingtonvt.gov.

City Council President Traverse will plan for appointments to take place at the July 15, 2024 City Council Meeting/City Council With Mayor Presiding Meeting.

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 Tue. of every mo., 5-6:30 p.m., at the Dorothy Alling Memorial Library in Williston; this meeting also has a virtual option at the same time; 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 Daniel Hamilton, dhamilton@residenceottercreek.com or 802-9890097. 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 support group facilitator Lydia Raymond, lraymond@residenceshelburne bay.com. The Telephone Support Group meets the 2nd Tue. of each mo., 4-5:30 p.m. Prereg. is req. (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.

AMPUTEE SUPPORT GROUP

VT Active Amputees is a new support group open to all amputees for connection, community & support. The group meets on the 1st Wed. of the mo. in S. Burlington, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Let’s get together & be active: running, pickleball & ultimate Frisbee. Email vtactiveamputees@ gmail.com or call Sue at 802-582-6750 for more info & location.

ARE YOU HAVING PROBLEMS W/ DEBT?

Do you spend more than you earn? Get help at Debtor’s Anonymous & Business Debtor’s Anonymous. Wed., 6:30-7:30 p.m., Methodist

Church in the Rainbow Room at Buell & S. Winooski, Burlington. Contact Jennifer, 917-568-6390.

BABY BUMPS SUPPORT GROUP FOR MOTHERS & PREGNANT WOMEN

Pregnancy can be a wonderful time of your life. But it can also be a time of stress often compounded by hormonal swings. If you are a pregnant woman, or have recently given birth & feel you need some help w/ managing emotional bumps in the road that can come w/ motherhood, please come to this free support group led by an experienced pediatric registered nurse. Held on the 2nd & 4th Tue. of every mo., 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Birthing Center, Northwestern Medical Center, St. Albans. Info: Rhonda Desrochers, Franklin County Home Health Agency, 527-7531.

BETTER BREATHERS CLUB

American Lung Association support group for people w/ breathing issues, their loved ones or caregivers. Meets on the 1st Mon. of every mo., 11 a.m.-noon at the Godnick Center, 1 Deer St., Rutland. For more info, call 802-776-5508.

BRAIN INJURY SUPPORT GROUP

Vermont Center for Independent Living offers virtual monthly meetings, held on the 3rd Wed. of every mo., 1-2:30 p.m. The support group will offer valuable resources & info about brain injury. It will be a place to share experiences in a safe, secure & confidential environment. To join, email Linda Meleady at lindam@vcil.org & ask to be put on the TBI mailing list. Info: 800-639-1522.

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.

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

YOUR TRUSTED LOCAL SOURCE. JOBS.SEVENDAYSVT.COM

LINEWORKER

The Town of Hardwick Electric Department (HED) is looking for fully qualified First-Class Lineworkers to fill vacancies within our operations team. With 325 miles of overhead/ underground power facilities, we serve over 4,000 customers in 11 Vermont towns.

Applicants must be proficient in performing all overhead/underground transmission and distribution operations, construction, maintenance, and restoration duties in accordance with industry standard safe work practices for both energized and de-energized equipment. Successful candidates will be in the on-call rotation for after-hours outage response. Successful candidates will possess and maintain a Vermont Class A Commercial Driver's License. Position requires probationary period of six months. In addition to a competitive wage, HED offers an excellent benefits package.

Send resumes to: customerservice@hardwickelectric.com, or to Hardwick Electric Department, PO Box 516, Hardwick, VT 05843

Teacher/Community Coordinator Montpelier

The right candidate should be:

• Enthusiastic about working with adult students

• Familiar with the service area

• Capable of providing high quality education

• Flexible, have a joy for teaching, and be able to teach multiple subject areas

The right candidate will be teaching:

• Reading, writing, math, ESL, computer skills & financial literacy

• High school diploma and GED credentialing

• Career and college readiness

• Experience developing personalized education and    graduation plans a plus

• Experience recruiting and managing volunteers.

Starting salary: $45,000 – $47,000. CVAE pays 100% of individual health, dental and short-term disability insurance, & employer 403(b) contributions. Six weeks paid vacation annually.

Submit cover letter and resume to: info@cvae.net Position Open Until Filled. cvae.net

Baker

Scout coffee shops in Burlington and Winooski are looking for a baker to join our in-house pastry program. We offer good pay, paid time off and a thoughtful and supportive work environment. Some experience required.

Send application to: andy@scoutandcompanyvt.com

Executive Assistant

The Executive Assistant serves as the primary administrative support person in the Executive O ces of the University of Vermont Health Network and/or University of Vermont Medical Center.  The incumbent will typically support one President level position, two University of Vermont Health Network/ Medical Center Executives or one Network/Medical Center Executive and a large organizational function.

Qualifications: Associate’s degree in business, o ce management or related field or equivalent combination of experience and education required. Bachelor’s degree preferred. Five to seven years of progressively responsible o ce experience in order to have gained the necessary interpersonal skills to work e ectively with executive leadership.

uvmhealthnetworkcareers.org/r0065611_sevendays

The University of Vermont Medical Center is an equal opportunity employer.

Musical Theater, Acting, Dancing and Kids! Spruce Peak Arts is looking for Summer Theater Educators for 5 different programs!

JOIN US. sprucepeakarts.org/join

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FINANCE DIRECTOR

Hunger Mountain Co-op is seeking to hire a skilled Finance Director. Our ideal candidate will manage the Co-op’s finances and accounting in accordance with GAAP, oversee the preparation of business plans and budgets, and manage, analyze, and protect the assets of the Co-op.

Hunger Mountain Co-op is for everyone. Diversity, inclusion, and a culture where everybody can contribute matters to us. We aim to create an environment for all bodies. The Co-op does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, ancestry, place of birth, age, crime victim status, physical or mental condition. Please request accommodations if you need them.

Please visit: apply.workable.com/ gallagher-flynnand-company/j/F7022A941B.

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5/31/24 10:57 AM

A perfect solution for housing and employment! Live with an individual to provide residential supports and make a positive impact in their life, and yours. This individual enjoys watching gameshows, relaxing at home and going out to coffee shops.

The ideal candidate will be flexible, patient and have the desire to make a difference in someone’s life.

Contact Jennifer Wolcott at 802-655-0511 for more information.

Harwood Unified Union School District

is looking to hire the following positions:

Middle School Science

CROSSETT BROOK MIDDLE SCHOOL

Middle School Science

HARWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL

Athletic Trainer

HARWOOD MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL

Custodian

FAYSTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Instructional Assistants/ Paraeducator

MULTIPLE CAMPUSES

Food Service Worker

MULTIPLE CAMPUSES

Visit our website for more information or to apply: huusd.tedk12.com/hire/ index.aspx#aJobListings

Firefighter/EMT Administrator (Full Time)

The Underhill Jericho Fire Department is looking for an experienced Firefighter/ EMT Administrator.

This is a full-time position with competitive pay and benefits. Hours, full job descriptions and requirements can be found at ujfd.org/employment.

If you would like to join our team, please email a cover letter along with your resume in .pdf format to info@ujfd.org. Positions will remain open until filled.

The UJFD is an EOE.

Energy Engineer

6/7/24

Evernorth’s vision is people in every community have an affordable place to live and opportunities to thrive. Our mission is to work with partners to connect underserved communities in the northern New England region with capital and expertise to advance projects and policies that create more inclusive places to live.

Evernorth is hiring an Energy Engineer, who will be responsible for design review and commissioning of new projects, retro commissioning of select existing properties, evaluation of building performance via the Parsons Platform data collection system and other methodologies and reporting those findings to stakeholders and the Director of Energy Services (DES).  A successful candidate will have 3-5 years’ experience in buildings and energy systems, be a self-starter with excellent mechanical and problem-solving skills who can collaborate with others. Knowledge of python, Grafana, power BI or SQL is preferred. This position requires a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, engineering technology or related field, PE or CBCP a plus and the ability to travel throughout the state of Vermont.

To apply, go to evernorthus.org/careers

Evernorth is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Burlington Housing Authority (BHA)

Are you interested in a job that helps your community and makes a difference in people’s lives every day? Consider joining Burlington Housing Authority (BHA) in Burlington, VT to continue BHA’s success in promoting innovative solutions that address housing instability challenges facing our diverse population of low-income families and individuals.

We are currently hiring for the following positions:

Assistant Property Manager:

Serves as a critical member of our property management team. This position is responsible for assisting the team of Property Managers in the day to day operations of BHA’s property portfolio. This position assists with leasing apartments, move in and move outs, maintaining accurate tenant files and assists with tenant complaints, collection of rents, lease violations, property inspections, vacant unit checks, delivery of resident notices and certifications, and other duties related to property management.

Building Operations Technician:

Performs general maintenance work in BHA owned and managed properties. This includes building exteriors, common areas, apartments, building systems, fixtures, and grounds. Our Building Operations Techs are required to participate in the on-call rotation, which covers night and weekend emergencies.

Housing Retention Services – Site

Based: Responsible for supporting those who have mental health and substance use challenges and/or who have moved from homelessness to Bobbin Mill, Wharf Lane, and other BHA properties. The position works closely with property management and other site-based staff to identify challenges and respond with appropriate direct service and coordination of community services, with a goal of eviction prevention and facilitating a healthy tenancy.

For more info about these career opportunities: burlingtonhousing.org.

BHA serves a diverse population of tenants and partners with a variety of community agencies. To most effectively carry out our vision of delivering safe

and affordable housing to all, we are committed to cultivating a staff that reflects varied lived experiences, viewpoints, and educational histories. Therefore, we strongly encourage candidates from diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals, and women to apply. Multilingualism is a plus!

Our robust benefit package includes premium medical insurance with a health reimbursement account, dental, vision, short and long term disability, 10% employer funded retirement plan, 457 retirement plan, accident insurance, life insurance, cancer & critical illness insurance.

We provide a generous time off policy including 12 days of paid time off and 12 days of sick time in the first year. In addition to the paid time off, BHA recognizes 13 (paid) holidays and 2 (paid) floating cultural holidays. Plus, a sign on bonus!

Interested in this opportunity? Send cover letter/resume to: humanresources@ burlingtonhousing.org

Human Resources

Burlington Housing Authority 65 Main Street, Suite 101 Burlington, VT 05401

Find more info about these career opportunities at burlingtonhousing.org

BHA is an Equal Opportunity Employer

ATTENTION RECRUITERS:

Return to Work Coordinators

VT RETAIN is seeking compassionate care professionals to join our work/ health coaching team. Return to Work Coordinators directly assist individuals with a physical or mental illness/injury in their goals to stay-at or return-to work. This involves providing remote care coordination services to create a holistic work/health plan and help participants navigate medical, employment, and social services.

We are hiring a full-time hybrid position (90% remote/10% Burlingtonbased). Burlington-based work may include visits to primary care partner sites to provide staff education, program materials, or in-person support at appointments. Preference will be given to candidates based in Chittenden and Franklin counties.

Strong candidates will have:

• Experience serving individuals with mental health conditions

• Experience in case management/care coordination

• Knowledge of State and local Burlington-area resources

• A Bachelor's level degree in health or human services-related field

This position is employed through Dartmouth Health and comes with a competitive benefits pack to include: vacation/sick leave accruals, retirement plan options, Health/Dental/Vision insurance, and more.

VT RETAIN is a program managed by the State of Vermont that provides support to workers with injuries or illnesses to help them stay at or get back to work as quickly and successfully as possible.

Compliance & Safety Manager

The Chittenden Solid Waste District, a leader in municipal waste management, is seeking a Compliance & Safety Manager to monitor and enforce compliance with the solid waste management ordinance and oversee CSWD’s safety program.

The ideal candidate will be an energetic, well-organized, critical thinker with a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Law or Engineering, Occupational Safety & Health, or related field. A minimum five years’ experience in safety and compliance, including knowledge of regulations or any equivalent combination of education and experience. Supervises one employee.

Starting salary range from $77,700 to $91,700 with an excellent benefit package. For more information on the position and CSWD, visit: cswd.net/aboutcswd/job-openings/ Submit cover letter and resume to Amy Jewell (ajewell@cswd.net) by 6/28/2024.

Executive Assistant to the Chancellor and Board of Trustees

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Viatris is a new kind of healthcare company, one where you can make a difference in the world.

Manufacturing Career Fair

THURSDAY, JUNE 13TH | 1PM - 6PM

Onsite Interviews

Manufacturing and Maintenance Positions2nd & 3rd Shifts:

• Starting pay between $22/hr - $25/hr

• $3,500 sign-on bonus for eligible positions

• Day 1 Benefits

• Onsite Health Center for our employees/dependents

• Shift differentials

• Annual merit and bonus potential of 8%

• 100% Retirement match (up to 4%)

Come by to check out our openings and learn more about starting your career in pharmaceutical manufacturing!

Reporting directly to the Chancellor, the Executive Assistant provides executive support in a one-on-one working relationship. The Executive Assistant serves as the primary point of contact for internal and external constituencies on all matters pertaining to the Office of the Chancellor. The Executive Assistant also serves as a liaison to the Board of Trustees and senior leadership teams, Vermont State University and Community College of Vermont; organizes and coordinates executive outreach and external relations efforts; and oversees special projects.

The Executive Assistant must be creative and enjoy working within an entrepreneurial environment that is mission-driven, results-oriented, and community-focused. The ideal individual will have the ability to exercise good judgment in a variety of situations, with strong written and verbal communication, administrative, and organizational skills, and the ability to maintain a realistic balance among multiple priorities. The Executive Assistant will work independently on projects from conception to completion, and must be able to work under pressure to handle a wide variety of activities and confidential matters with discretion.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree

• Strong work tenure: five to 10 years of experience providing administrative support to a person, office or team.

• Experience and interest in internal and external communications and partnership development.

LOCATION: Hampton Inn 43 Lake Street St. Albans, VT

Location: The successful candidate will locate in Vermont. Some remote work possible.  Apply online: https://bit.ly/CCVexecAsst

VT RETAIN - Work/Health coaching team

LIBRARIAN

The Vermont Historical Society is hiring a Librarian to work at the Vermont History Center in Barre. The Librarian is responsible for administration of the Howard and Alba Leahy Library, including its facilities, collections, staff, and projects. The Librarian has primary curatorial responsibility for the printed, manuscript, broadside, photograph, audio, and film/ video collections. The Librarian reports to the Director of Collections & Access and works directly with the Collections Manager to develop, strategize, and manage projects related to the collections work of the Vermont Historical Society.

Applicants should submit a resume and cover letter to Amanda Gustin, Director of Collections and Access, at amanda.gustin @vermonthistory.org

Duties include:

Shipping & Receiving

WowToyz, in Vergennes, is seeking motivated individuals to join our warehouse team full-time, Mon-Fri 8:00am-4:00pm.

• Picking and packing orders

• Unloading trucks and receiving merchandise

• Shipping orders via UPS and over the road

• Ideal candidates are organized, dependable, enjoy physical work and are proactive self-starters. This is an opportunity to be part of a dynamic, growing company with room for advancement.

We recognize people as our most valuable asset. Our competitive salary and benefits package includes 401K with company match, dental insurance, medical insurance, prescription drug coverage, life insurance, paid sick time, paid holidays and paid vacations. We o er competitive compensation packages commensurate with experience.

Email cover le er and resume to: resumes@wowtoyz.com.

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Wilderness Therapy Guide

Full-time Year Round Position Available! Director of Marketing

PTO/benefits package, 401k, ski & bike passes and resort perks available. Apply at boltonvalley.com/jobs

LIGHT EQUIPMENT OPERATOR

The City of St. Albans Public Works Department is now accepting applications for a Light Equipment Operator. This job requires a valid VT driver’s license and a clean driving record. This is a union position after probationary period and includes an excellent benefits package and working environment. Pay commensurate with experience. See below for the full job description and application.

NATURE AND SCOPE OF POSITION

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Director of Development

We’re hiring a Director of Development who will champion the community-centric fundraising strategies and vision that sustain the resources needed to build a Vermont where all LGBTQ+ youth have hope, equity, and power. Compensation and Benefits Salary range: $78,000-$84,000. This is a full time, salaried, 35-hour per week position, with hybrid in-person and remote work possible. We offer a comprehensive benefit package.

Full information & application details at outrightvt.org/jobsand-internships

Are you motivated and energized? Do you have a desire to mentor youth and young adults? Minimal outdoor experience necessary. We are looking for individuals who are empathic and caring, and natural leaders and strong communicators. The Guide role is perfect for someone who is eager to learn and enhance their therapeutic skill set. Guiding is a full-time, year-round position with seasonal opportunities available. Guides work a 4 day on/ 3 day off schedule.

Guides work in teams of two to provide supervision for a group of up to 7 students. A day in the field can include: facilitating/participating in daily activities (hiking, backpacking, canoeing, kayaking, paddle-boarding, cross country skiing, and snowshoeing, games, art, yoga, disc golf, movie nights), teaching outdoor skills (camping, fire-building, outdoor cooking, map and compass navigation), and helping students achieve therapeutic goals. Must be 21 years or older. Bachelor’s degree preferred. Average starting pay is $1,050 per 4 day shift. Comprehensive benefits include health insurance, an employee assistance program, an annual wellness fund, student loan repayment reimbursement and an employer matched SIMPLE IRA.

Office & Medication Administrator

True North is actively hiring for an Office and Medication Administrator who can assist in day-to-day office administrative tasks, organize and pack student medications, and effectively communicate and collaborate with parents, doctors, and various True North departments. The ideal candidate is an organized, flexible team player with a warm and friendly personality. This is an in-person, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. position. Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits offered. Benefits include health, dental, vision, accident insurance, an employee assistance program, SIMPLE IRA, access to an employee wellness fund, and the opportunity for student loan payment reimbursement.

For more information: truenorthevolution.com/careers Relocation stipends available on a case by case basis.

Manual work of ordinary responsibility involving the operation of trucks and other light construction equipment, as well as performing duties of general maintenance and construction, working under the supervision of the City Manager or a designated representative.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The following are illustrative of duties and responsibilities associated with this position and are not to be all-inclusive.

• Operates truck in transporting employees, materials and equipment

• Loads and unloads materials and equipment

• Assists in plowing, sanding and salting roads

• Repairs guard rails, mows roadsides

• Maintains sanitary and storm drainage systems

• Performs minor repair work on equipment

• Performs related duties as required

WORKING ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES

• Working knowledge of and skill in using tools and equipment used in highway construction and maintenance.

• Working knowledge of light construction equipment, maintenance and repair.

• Ability to do hard, manual work under varied climatic conditions.

• Ability to stay in good physical condition.

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

One year’s experience in operating vehicular construction equipment. Must possess a valid Vermont operators/commercial driver’s license.

To apply, please send resume to the attention of Martin Manahan, Director of Public Works by email to k.smith@stalbansvt.com. This job is open until filled. EOE.

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JUNE 12-19, 2024

Senior Program Manager for Career Training and Exploration

VWW seeks organized individual to manage the development, coordination and delivery of our handson Trailblazers training and Youth programs.

If you are inspired by our mission of promoting economic justice by advancing gender equity and supporting women and youth along their career journeys, visit bit.ly/3VxZ88S to learn more and apply.

ATTENTION RECRUITERS:

HOT OFF THE PRESS

Work at Champlain Community Services and receive TUITION ASSISTANCE to go towards a degree related to this field!

In addition, CCS offers 29 paid days off in the first year, comprehensive health insurance plan with premium as low as $13 per month, up to $6,400 to go towards medical deductibles and copays, retirement match, generous sign on bonus and so much more.

And that’s on top of working at one of the “Best Places to Work in Vermont” for six years running.

DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL

Provide direct supports to individuals with intellectual disabilities or autism in their home, the community or their workplace. This is a great entry level position to human services and for those looking to continue their work in this field. Starting wage is $20/hr with a sign on bonus of $1,000 at 6 months.

Want to have a job you love that also helps pay for your education? Make a career making a difference and apply today staff@ccs-vt.org

JOB OPENINGS · TOWN OF ESSEX

The Town of Essex is hiring for multiple Full-Time and Part-Time job openings, in a variety of roles and departments. We are hiring for the following roles:

PARKS MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN · FULL TIME

The Parks Maintenance Technician works to effectively implement safe, aesthetically pleasing, and functional grounds and facilities for the public to enjoy in support of the development, maintenance, and stewardship of a comprehensive system of recreational services.

POLICE OFFICER · FULL TIME

The Essex Police Department is looking for motivated, honest and enthusiastic individuals looking to make a difference in the Essex Community. The Essex Police Department strives to hire individuals willing to step up to the challenge of a career in Law Enforcement. If you embody the traits of professionalism, strive for excellence and are willing to go above and beyond, then we want to speak with you.

WATER/SEWER OPERATOR · FULL TIME

The Water/Sewer Operator performs skilled manual and technical work in connection with the operation of all municipal water and sewer systems.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT PART TIME

The 20 hour per week Administrative Assistant in the Town Manager’s Office performs a full range of general administrative and clerical functions for the Town Manager, Deputy Manager, HR Director and Assistant to the Manager/Public Information Officer.

The Town offers a very competitive benefits package to Full-Time staff to include: Generous vacation and sick accruals, VMERS C Defined Benefit Retirement Plan, MVP Health Insurance, employer paid Dental and Vision insurance, Short and Long Term Disability, Life and AD&D Insurance and optional ICMA-RC 457 and Roth IRA Retirement plans. For more information on these roles, and to apply, please visit: essexvt.bamboohr.com/careers.

Apply today for our annual evidence-based Registered Nurse Residency Program. Be part of a six-month bridge program for RNs with less than one year of nursing experience to transition into professional hospital nursing positions. Work with a preceptor and improve skills through hands-on experiences and simulations. Estimated start date is in mid-July.

We are seeking a motivated team member to help advance our innovative environmentally safe technologies. Job responsibilities include:

• Maintain lab and support quality control program

• Research new ingredients and sources

We are seeking a dedicated and professional Customer Service Representative to join our team in Hardwick, Vermont. The ideal candidate will be an organized excellent communicator as they manage phones, process orders and assist customers with educational and technical support while building brand awareness. This role is essential to maintaining our high standards of customer satisfaction and operational efficiency.

Town Administrator

The Town of Waitsfield, Vermont (pop. 1,844) seeks a collaborative and creative professional full-time Town Administrator. The town has a combined budget of just under 2.7 million dollars and approximately eight municipal employees.

The Town Administrator is appointed by the five-member Selectboard and acts as the Town’s principal staff member responsible for implementing the policy and programmatic directives established by the Selectboard. A complete job description is available online.

A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from accredited college in business or public administration, or equivalent along with three to six years of local government, planning, administration, or an equivalent combination of experience and training. Salary range is $70,000-$80,000, commensurate with experience and training. Excellent benefits are offered.

To apply, please email a cover letter and resume, as a single PDF attachment, in confidence, to municipal.recruitment@ vlct.org with ‘Town of Waitsfield” as the subject. Cover letter should identify how you learned of the position opening. Priority consideration will be given to applicants who submit cover letter and resume by Tuesday, July 2, 2024, however, the position will remain opened until filled.

Youth Coaches Counselors

General Manager

Financial Manager

QuickBooks essential, non-profit accrual-accounting experience prioritized. Tasks: bookkeeping, AP/AR, account reconciliation, tax filings, financial analysis/projections/ reporting, recommendations to director/board.

14-hour-per-week position, 1-day weekly onsite. Hourly rate negotiable, based on experience, with some benefits.

Send resume, cover letter, and salary requirements to director@chandler-arts.org

350 Vermont is hiring a COMMUNITY ORGANIZER to join our grassroots climate justice team! Apply by July 8: 350vermont.org/ jobs-internships

EXPERIENCED GARDENER

Join our Caring Team and Advance Your Career in Senior Living

THE GARY RESIDENCE

THE GARY RESIDENCE

Find full job description: bit.ly/LittleSanctuaryjob

Send resumes to: littlesanctuarygardening @gmail.com

• Resident Care Director Assistant - LPN (full time)

• Medication Techs & Resident Services Assistant (all shifts available)

• Cook (full time)

• Medication Techs & Resident Services Assistant (all shifts available)

• Resident Care Director AssistantLPN (full time)

• Resident Care Director AssistantLPN (full time) Medication Techs & Resident Services Assistant (all shifts available)

• Cook (full time)

• Waitstaff (evening shifts available)

• Cook (full time)

• Waitstaff (evening shifts available)

WESTVIEW MEADOWS

• Waitstaff (evening shifts available)

WESTVIEW MEADOWS

WESTVIEW MEADOWS

• Medication Techs & Resident Services Assistant (evening & weekend shifts available)

• Medication Techs & Resident Services Assistant (evening & weekend shifts available)

• Medication Techs & Resident Services Assistant (evening & weekend shifts available)

• Dining Room Manager (varied weekdays & every other weekend)

• Dining Room Manager (varied weekdays & every other weekend) Join

• Dining Room Manager (varied weekdays & every other weekend)

LEARN MORE & APPLY thegaryresidence.com HR@thegaryresidence.com

MORE & APPLY thegaryresidence.com HR@thegaryresidence.com

westviewmeadows.com

westviewmeadows.com

HR@westviewmeadowscom

HR@westviewmeadows.com

Both facilities offer excellent work environments along with competitive pay and benefits.

Both facilities offer excellent work environments along with competitive pay and benefits.

When you work for the State of Vermont, you and your work matter. A career with the State puts you on a rich and rewarding professional path. You’ll find jobs in dozens of fields – not to mention an outstanding total compensation package.

RESEARCH AND POLICY MANAGER - MONTPELIER

The Retirement Division of the State’s Treasurer’s Office is looking for a Retirement Research and Policy Manager. Duties include staffing the defined contribution and deferred compensation plans, working with defined benefit system actuaries and retiree health plans, and analysis of legislative proposals. This position will also serve as secretary of the three defined benefit retirement boards. This position reports directly to the Director of the Vermont Retirement Systems. For more information, contact Tim Duggan at tim.duggan@ vermont.gov. Department: State Treasurer’s. Location: Montpelier. Status: Full Time. Job ID #49945. Application Deadline: June 17, 2024.

ATTENTION RECRUITERS:

We’reHiring!

Case Management Supervisor

Primarily remote with some statewide travel

This role supervises Case Managers, collaborates with the SUD treatment system and DCF Family Services, and provides consultation on substance use impacts.

Learn more at lundvt.org/employment

Competitive pay and benefits, including 13 paid holidays and generous paid time off.

Ourmission:Lundhelpschildrenthrivebyempowering

Grow with us!  Now hiring!

Join our Community Health Centers (CHC) Behavioral Health Care Team! We strive for and work toward our mission to provide health care to all people regardless of their life circumstances.

Our benefits, combined with a positive, mission-minded staff, make this a great place to work! We are committed to providing quality care for all within the communities we serve.

Our entry level roles start at a minimum of $20/hour with benefits, and we encourage the growth and development of our teammates.

BENEFITS

Medical, including a $600 wellness reimbursement

Dental, Vision

Flexible spending account

OUR CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES

Clinical Social Workers/Clinical Mental Health Workers

Monthly stipend for those with alternate health coverage

Paid parental leave, and much more!

OB Social Worker Outpatient Psychotherapist Community Health Workers Care Coordinators

POSITIONS

South Burlington

Essex Winooski South Hero and more!

Our Employment Opportunities are continually changing. Come join our growing team at CHC. Visit chcb.org/careers to check out the rest of our current openings!

Case Administrator/

Courtroom Deputy Clerk

analytical, organizational and

WINGPERSON FOR YOUNG MAN WITH AUTISM

federal benefits apply. Complete job description and formal application requirements are found in the official Position Announcement available from any U.S. District Court office (Burlington and Rutland) or the court’s

dynamic, teamoriewnted environment. The duty station is Burlington, Vermont. Full federal benefits apply. Complete job description and formal application requirements are found in the official Position Announcement available from court locations in Burlington and Rutland and the court’s web site:

Seeking a responsible, creative, kind, spirited, initiative-taking individual to help my son continue to improve his living, recreation and communication skills. Alternating weekends each month, Friday 5:00 pm — Saturday 5:00 pm, $500 per day, or 2 consec. weeknights from Mon to Th, 5-10 pm, $25/hr.

Send resume to

sk@kieselaw.com.

Fire Chief - Town of Hinesburg

The Town of Hinesburg, Vermont is actively seeking a full-time Fire Chief. The current part-time Fire Chief will be stepping down once a qualified replacement is found, and will remain on the department as a paid on-call member. The current Chief will assist in onboarding the new Chief, and is open to accepting any role within the department moving forward. This is a Department Head position which reports directly to the Town Manager.

The Hinesburg Fire Department is an all hazards, combination department comprised of 3 full-time employees (including the Chief), 30 paid on call members and a FY25 budget of $628,898.00. HFD operates two engines, one mini-pumper, one tanker, one light rescue and one command car. In 2023, HFD responded to 558 emergency calls. HFD possesses a Vermont AEMT non-transport EMS license. HFD provides contracted emergency services coverage to the Town of St George.

The Chief will be part of the direct response team on emergency calls on a routine basis, and is expected to participate in fire suppression, emergency medical services and any other services as needed. The ideal candidate will have experience in fire suppression, incident command, EMS, fire prevention, supervision, and other aspects of departmental operation including public engagement, budgeting, purchasing, strategic planning, equipment management, and personnel management.

The successful candidate will have strong communication and public presentation skills, demonstrated ability to track multiple priorities and activities, the ability to work with tight budgets for the best public value, and effective leadership skills. A full list of minimum and desired qualifications can be found within the job description.

The Town of Hinesburg offers a comprehensive benefit package, including VMERS Defined Benefit Plan Group D, health insurance (or health insurance opt-out payment of 73% of town’s contribution to a single-plan if eligible), dental, vision, short-term and long-term disability, combined time off and sick leave. A detailed benefits overview is available upon request. Annual salary range is $79,000 - $86,000 based on qualifications and experience. Send letters of interest, resume and 3 references to:

Todd Odit, Town Manager 10632 Route 116 Hinesburg, Vermont 05461

Or emailed to todit@hinesburg.org on or before June 17, 2024.

The Town of Hinesburg is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. The Town of Hinesburg makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.

TWO-YEAR POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH POSITION

The UVM Institute for Agroecology is hiring a postdoctoral researcher for an exciting participatory action research project. Join us in exploring regional governance and supporting just transitions in New England’s food systems. Lead a project with Food Solutions New England to study governance initiatives and examine the complementarity of the Right to Food (RtF) and Agroecology (AE) frameworks.

Full job description, including compensation information and application details: uvm.edu/instituteforagroecology/ employment-opportunities

Employees

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Vermont Tent Company is currently accepting applications for the following positions for immediate employment and future summer/fall employment starting in May. Full time, part time, after school and weekend hours available for each position. Pay rates vary by position with minimum starting wage ranging from $19-$23/hour depending on job skills and experience. We also offer retention and referral bonuses.

• Tent Maintenance

• Tent Installation

• Drivers/Delivery

• Load Crew Team

Interested candidates submit application online: vttent.com/ employment. No phone calls, please.

We’re Hiring!

Audiologist

Can you hear me?

Food Service Specialists

Food Service

Full-time and part-time positions

Full-time and available

Power Analyst

The Vermont Public Power Supply Authority, located in Waterbury Center, Vermont is seeking a Power Analyst to join our team.

This position is responsible for managing the power supply portfolios of municipal utilities within the New England electricity markets, preparing power supply budget, and preparing regulatory reports. Essential functions include but are not limited to:

• Risk management across the Authority’s broad portfolio of energy and ancillary market products.

• Participating in negotiations for long term power purchase agreements and physical resources.

• Performing complex technical and analytical work primarily relating to resource, rate and cost-of-service activities.

• Conducting analyses and assisting with management of the Authority’s Renewable Energy Standard program.

• Implementing hedging strategies to manage ongoing electricity market positions.

• Maintaining an understanding of wholesale electricity markets including but not limited to understanding rules of the Independent System Operator in New England (ISO-NE).

Duties require knowledge of the New England power market, Vermont regulatory process, and knowledge in mathematical and economic modeling, or comparable education and experience equivalent to completion of four years of college. Three or more years of experience in energy, utilities or related field are preferred. VPPSA is building a team of professionals who are passionate about helping Vermont towns meet their energy needs. If you are a team player and enjoy a fast-paced collaborative environment we want to hear from you.

Please send resume and salary requirements to: Vermont Public Power Supply Authority, PO Box 126, Waterbury Ctr., Vermont 05677 Attn: Amy Parah, or email to aparah@vppsa.com with the subject: Power Analyst. The position will be open until filled. See the full job description on our website: vppsa.com

Hearing and communication is vital to connection with family and friends, work and community - and YOU have the ability to shape the lives of those in need. Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital (NVRH) seeks a full-time Audiologist for our ENT & Audiology practice. Work with a team of committed professionals in a mixed specialty practice offering ENT, Audiology, Allergy, Speech-Language Pathology, and Palliative Care to perform diagnostic testing for all ages. Collaborate with ENT providers and Hearing Instrument Specialist, as well as manage hearing aid services, including assessments, fittings, and repairs. Located in Vermont’s beautiful Northeast Kingdom, NVRH offers competitive wages, student loan repayment, generous paid time off, and a comprehensive benefits package. Join us in providing exceptional patient-centered care that really makes a difference!

Director of Finance

JOB SUMMARY: This is a highly responsible position in the Town’s finance department, which involves planning, directing, and implementing accounting and economic planning activities. Work is performed under the primary supervision and direction of the Town Manager. The Director of Finance is a crucial part of the Town’s leadership team and oversees all aspects of the finance department. The Director is responsible for various tasks such as budget preparation and monitoring, financial reporting, investment of public funds, annual audits, purchasing, cash management, bank relations, accounts payable and receivable, debt management, and coordination of assigned activities with other Town departments and outside agencies. These duties and responsibilities require attention to detail, accuracy, and time management skills. In addition, the employee must have strong organizational, documentation, economic, and accounting skills.

Please go to the Town of Shelburne website, Human Resources page, and look under “Current Employment Opportunities” to view the entire job description, benefits, and application forms.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Please submit your resume and completed employment application at: shelburnevt.org/237/Human-Resources to Adam Backus, Town of Shelburne HR Assistant, abackus@shelburnevt.org Equal Opportunity Employer

GROUNDS MEMBER

Saint Michael’s College is seeking applications from dependable and efficient workers to fill a full-time grounds member position. This position will have a general schedule from 6:30 AM – 3:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Weekend shifts are available if desired. Overtime and working off hours/days are expected and required throughout the year during large campus events and especially in the winter months for forecasted snowstorms. Successful candidates will join a team that maintains campus grounds throughout the year. Starting pay up to $21 per hour based on experience.

For a complete job description, benefits information, and to apply online, please visit: bit.ly/SMCGMJu24

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ASSISTANT COACH, WOMEN’S ICE HOCKEY

Saint Michael’s College is inviting applications for an Assistant Coach of Women’s Ice Hockey. Saint Michaels is an NCAA Division II institution sponsoring 21 varsity sports and is a proud member of the Northeast-10 Conference and the NEWHA. The Assistant Coach provides assistance to the head coach and the program. Specific responsibilities also include dryland training, design and implementation of on-ice practices, game-day coaching duties, team travel (including on weekends), recruiting, and video coordination. This is a full-time, 11-month position. This position will require flexibility to work long, irregular hours, including evenings, weekends, and holiday hours.

For a complete job description, benefits information, and to apply online, please visit: bit.ly/SMCACWIHJ24

Hunger Free Vermont is VT’s leading anti-hunger advocacy and education organization.

3h-HungerFreeVT060524.indd

We currently have several positions open:

· Director of Community Engagement

· Legislative Policy Lead

· Administrative Support Coordinator

Join a caring team of people and a culture that promotes professional development and a strong work/life balance. Learn more about the open positions and our hiring process at: hungerfreevt.org/employment

HIRING: PROGRAM MANAGER

Just Cut is an essential connection between food growers, buyers, and eaters, purchasing and preparing Vermont-grown produce for institutional kitchens both large and small. Full-time, M-F, in Hardwick, VT. Salary range: $58,000-$62,000 with generous benefits.

AGRICULTURE PROGRAM SPECIALIST Regional Conservation Partnership Program

Join the effort to support Vermont land stewards in protecting water quality, improving soil health, and increasing climate resilience through building strong public-private partnerships!

The Vermont Association of Conservation Districts (VACD) seeks to fill two Agriculture Program Specialist positions to support the US Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA NRCS) in the development and implementation of Regional Conservation Partnership Programs (RCPP). RCPP is a partner-driven approach to conservation that funds solutions to natural resource challenges on agricultural and forest land and aims to leverage a voluntary approach to conservation by expanding the reach of conservation planning and implementation efforts and climate-smart agriculture through public-private partnerships.

The Agriculture Program Specialists will serve throughout Vermont. The successful candidates’ office location will be in one of Vermont’s USDA NRCS offices, to be discussed during the hiring process.

There will be the opportunity to regularly telework. Qualifications include ability to pass a USDA background investigation; a BA or BS in natural resources, biology, agriculture, soils, science or hydrology or 3 to 10 years of practical experience; capability to build professional relationships and work cooperatively with farmers, peers and partners; knowledge of USDA/NRCS Farm Bill and Financial Assistance (FA) programs; success in program administration including experience overseeing grant and contract documentation; knowledge of NRCS’ tools including Conservation Desktop (CD) and Conservation Assessment and Ranking Tool (CART); familiarity with map development including experience with ArcPro and GIS; and demonstrated capability in developing outreach materials and participating in promotional events and activities.

Starting wage of $26.44-$27.40 per hour, depending upon experience, with a normal work schedule of 40 hours per week. Benefits include paid vacation, sick, and holiday leave; health benefits; dependent care reimbursement plan: and a 401k-retirement plan.

Visit vacd.org for a detailed job description. To apply, send cover letter, resume, and three professional references to Amanda Harris at amanda.harris@vacd.org by June 24th at 5 PM.

VACD is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

3h-CenterforAgEconomy061224

“We booked a multimedia advertising package with Seven Days Jobs to help more young people discover the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps. We got great results – there are only a handful of spots left for 2024. VYCC is excited to start working with our 39th cohort of corps members and leaders. More than 150 young people are joining us this spring, summer and fall for paid, outdoor work in conservation and farming.

Michelle Brown is great to work with. She is responsive and helped us put nearly two dozen opportunities online at a time! We intend to advertise with Seven Days again next year.”

NAOMI GALIMIDI Director of Community Engagement Vermont

Youth Conservation Corps

fun stuff

“Ignore him. Focus on the breath ...”

JEN SORENSEN

HARRY BLISS

KRISTEN SHULL

JULIANNA BRAZILL

GEMINI

(MAY 21-JUN. 20)

Though 2024 isn’t even half over, you have already earned the title “Least Boring Zodiac Sign of the Year.” Or maybe a more positive way to frame it would be to award you the title “Most Scintillating, Interesting and Stimulating Zodiac Sign of the Year.” Please keep doing what you have been doing, Gemini. Entertain us with your unruly escapades and gossip-worthy breakthroughs. Encourage us to question our dull certainties and dare us to be more fun. If we seem nervous to be in your stirring presence, disarm our worries with your humor.

ARIES (Mar. 21-Apr. 19): The term “maze” has various meanings. Most commonly, it signifies a puzzling cluster of choices that lead nowhere and bode frustration. But there are more positive meanings of the word. In ancient myths, a maze was where heroes underwent ritual tests. There they might summon ingenuity to win access to a hidden treasure. In modern psychology labs, the maze is a structure used to stimulate learning in rats. According to my analysis of the astrological omens, the maze you are now in is metaphorically akin to the second two meanings, not the first.

TAURUS (Apr. 20-May 20): There is an abundance of good news, Taurus. In the coming weeks, your conversations could awaken realizations that will augment your wealth — both the financial and emotional kinds. So be

eager to commune with vigorous souls who inspire your power to attract resources and goodies. Furthermore, you could generate enriching benefits for yourself by engaging with unfamiliar influences that are outside your web of expectations. Don’t be too sure you already know everything you need. Helpful surprises could arrive if you’re extra openminded.

CANCER (Jun. 21-Jul. 22): Your subconscious mind is full of marvelous capacities and magic potencies. But it also contains old habits of feeling and thinking that influence you to respond to life in ways that are out of sync with what’s actually happening. These habits may sabotage or undermine your conscious intentions. Now here’s the good news: In the next nine months, there’s a lot you can do to dissolve the outmoded imprints. You will have more power than ever before to perform this wizardry. So get started! How? Ask your subconscious mind to send you intuitions about how to proceed.

LEO (Jul. 23-Aug. 22): The fairy tale “Jack and the Beanstalk” will serve as a prime metaphor for you in the coming weeks. Ruminate on its themes as being applicable to your life. I’ll refresh you with the main points of the story. Young Jack and his mother need money, so she decides to take drastic measures. She bids him to sell the family cow at the marketplace a few miles away. But on the way into town, Jack meets a man who coaxes him to sell the cow in exchange for magic beans — not money. When Jack returns home, his mother is angry at his foolishness. In disgust, she flings the beans out the window into the dirt. Later, though, the beans live up to their promise. They grow into a giant beanstalk that Jack climbs to reach the lair of a giant who lives in the clouds. There Jack retrieves three of his family’s lost treasures, which had been stolen by the giant long ago.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sep. 22): Before the reign of emperor Qin Shi Huang in the third century BC, Chinese people had built many local walls designed to keep out invaders. Qin Shi Huang initiated a great public works project to connect all these fragments into what’s now known as the Great Wall of China. He

also erected a vast system of roads and a city-size mausoleum filled with the Terracotta Army: sculptures of 8,000 soldiers with their chariots and horses. Qin Shi Huang was a big thinker who was also highly organized! In accordance with astrological omens, I invite you to glide into your very own Qin Shi Huang phase. What long-lasting structures do you want to build in the next 11 months?

LIBRA (Sep. 23-Oct. 22): Psychologist Carl Jung believed we could accomplish profound self-transformation by working hard on our psyches’ unripe and wounded aspects. That might entail honest self-examination, objective observation of how we affect others, and a willingness to recognize and forgive our mistakes. Jung also recommended another way to heal our neuroses: through the power of numinous experiences. By “numinous,” he meant mystical, sublime or awe-inspiring. Jung said such visitations could radically diminish our painful habits of mind and feeling. They might arrive through grace, thanks to life’s surprising interventions. They may also be coaxed to appear through meditation, dreamwork, communing with myth and fairy tales, and spiritual practices. I foresee a wealth of numinous events in your life during the coming months, Libra. May they bring you a steady stream of healing.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): In a moment, I will list events I foresee as being possible for you during the next 11 months. They are cosmic tendencies but not cosmic mandates. Whether or not they actually occur will depend on how you wield your willpower — which, by the way, could be freer and more muscular than it has been in a long time. Now here are the potential developments: 1) an offer to create one of the most symbiotic unions or robust collaborations ever, 2) great chances for you to capitalize on the success of others, 3) alterations in the family configuration, 4) major shifts in loyalty and affinity, 5) a raise in rank, and 6) revelations of secrets you can use to your advantage.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Have you been metaphysically itchy and psychologically ticklish? Are you unsure whether those tingling sensations you’re feeling are

worrisome symptoms or signs of healing and awakening? I believe they are signs of healing and awakening. They suggest you are doing the metaphorical equivalent of what a snake does when it sheds its skin. Expect imminent redemption, Sagittarius! Reframe the discomfort as a herald of relief and release.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): It’s time for Super Mom to make an appearance. Some circumstances in your life could benefit from healing tweaks best initiated by her. And when I say “Super Mom,” I’m not necessarily referring to your actual mother. I’m envisioning a wise older woman who sees you as you really are and who can assist you in living your destiny according to your own inner necessity, no one else’s. If you have no Super Mom in your world, see if you can locate one, even hire one. I also recommend creating an inner Super Mom in your imagination. You need and deserve sympathetic input from the archetype of the sage crone.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): I suspect that later in 2024, I will authorize you to commune with boisterous adventures and tricky risks. But right now, I advise you to flirt with modest adventures and sensible risks. Can you contain your burning, churning yearnings for a while? Are you willing to coax your crazy wild heart into enjoying some mild pleasures? By early autumn, I’m guessing you will have done the necessary preparations to successfully roam through the experimental frontiers. Until then, you are most likely to corral X factors on your behalf if you pace yourself and bide your time.

PISCES (Feb. 19-Mar. 20): “Oh God, if there is a God, save my soul, if I have a soul.” That prayer was the handiwork of Piscean philosopher Joseph Ernest Renan. If his ironic minimalism is the only spiritual aspiration you can manage right now, so be it. But I hope you will strive for a more intimate, expansive and personal connection with the Divine Intelligence. The coming weeks will be an extra favorable time for you to speak and listen to mysterious powers beyond your rational comprehension. Please take advantage! Go in quest of the sweet, deep lowdown directly from the Sublime Source!

Morse has spent the past 40 years tending to peony displays at multiple gardens in

County. Seven Days’ Eva Sollberger met up with Morse to see his blooms at First Congregational Church’s Memorial Garden Cemetery and Hope Lodge in Burlington.

Respond to these people online: dating.sevendaysvt.com

WOMEN seeking...

KIND, FUN, OPENHEARTED

I’m quite delightful, interested in keeping company with the possibility of intimacy. Would like to meet a good man with an open mind and open heart and see where it goes. Firefly57, 67, seeking: M

DRAMA-FREE, NATURE/ANIMAL LOVER

Looking for someone who shares my likes and enthusiasm for things. Big on communication and humor. I love to create, and I follow craft fairs and flea markets to sell. G59VT 64 seeking: M, l

OLD-SCHOOL, LAID-BACK, HONEST

Caring, honest, compassionate caretaker. I don’t like to be hurt. Honesty is most important in a relationship. Looking for someone to grow old with. I’ve been hurt too many times. Last chance for love. I want to travel and have someone to enjoy it with. Dodo6661 63 seeking: M, l

CARMEN SEEKS WALDO

Kind, loyal, funny, loves classic rock and jam bands. Am a single mom so liking kids is a must, but I have the basics taken care of on my own. JennyP42112, 41, seeking: M, l

LOOKING FOR MY THIRD WHEEL

We want another girl to join us for fun. Couples4u 29 seeking: W, 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

LONELY 420 SEEKER

I am a 70-y/o but 50 at heart. I am looking for a man who is 420 friendly and won’t shy from a game of bingo. Looking for a good friend and eventually more. Affectionate, caring, truthful, no game playing and honest. Like to laugh and walk, and just want similar interests. Angel420 70 seeking: M

EASY-GOING CURMUDGEON

Looking for someone to hang out with, go to the movies and have dinner after to talk. If we like each other and want to get jiggy, bonus. 420 friendly, don’t really care for alcohol, and I do not suffer fools. I am fun and funny. No racists, antisemites, or folks who don’t get why women pick the bear. ho_hum 55, seeking: M, l

LOVE GOOD CONVERSATION

Would love to find another who enjoys honest, good conversation, has a busy life of their own but likes a good adventure. About me: I love, love, love to travel. But I also enjoy working on my home, cooking for the joy of cooking’s sake, dressing up some days, working hard, and napping in the sun. Lovetotalk, 51, seeking: M

SINGING, SPRINGTIME AND GREAT CONVERSATIONS

Warm, thoughtful, intelligent, aware, intuitive, witty, gracious, earthy, musical, earnest, enthusiastic and romantic woman seeks man who seriously wants the fun, delight, challenges, mystery, awe and rewards of a long-term, committed relationship. VermontContent 63, seeking: M, l

EMBRACING THE LAYERS OF LIFE

I laugh and love with gusto and have a skeptic’s mind. Very comfortable living in the depths and layers and do not thrive in the shallows. I value intellect and humility. I love color, being in the beauty of our world and experiencing the gifts that can be found in joy, grief, laughter, intimacy and the complexities of being human. LoveBlueReds 55, seeking: M

GENUINELY HAPPY, SEEKING SAME Easygoing, life-loving sixtysomething in search of a man comfortable in his own skin who loves deep conversations. All the usuals apply: Must love dogs. It’s the way to my heart, for sure. Must also love the outdoors, and not in a fanatic way. Enjoy being in nature. And finally, for now anyway, must love a good belly laugh. Joyful 64, seeking: M, l

GENUINE, THOUGHTFUL, PASSIONATE

Solo tiny-farming in the hills is sublime, but this unscripted homesteading comedy could use more characters: a partner in permaculture, a paddling companion, a cross-country/backcountry ski buddy, a Scrabble challenger. Some other favored pastimes: sailing, reading, Champlain Islands camping in fall, vegetarian cookery, making you laugh. Life is good. Just missing someone special to share the journey. nordicbette242 53, seeking: M, l

SMART, SELF-AWARE, KIND SEEKS SAME Smart, self-aware and kind seeking same. AnneShirley 48, seeking: M

LIVING THE NEXT CHAPTER

Hello. I am looking for someone to spend this next chapter of life with. I enjoy taking walks, going for rides on the back roads with no destination in mind. I love the ocean. It’s my happy place. I enjoy going out for a meal now and then but am just as content to stay in. My grandchildren are my joy. Ajb, 61, seeking: M, l

CREATIVE WOMAN SEEKS LIBERATED MALE

I want a guy who was raised by a liberated mother. I am creative, witty, talented, graceful and devilish. Someone once said I think out of both sides of my brain — organized and artistic. I once auditioned for and was selected to sing backup for the Shirelles. People think I’m fun to be with. Maybe you will, too. San2Lus, 74, seeking: M, l

BIODYNAMIC ARTISTIC POLYMATH

Desire meaningful conversation, spiritual companionship, laughter and love. I am family and community-minded with philanthropic tendencies; broadly studied in history, art, science and religion; well traveled and influenced by world cultures. I lead a conscientious, healthy lifestyle and keep a clean home, body, and heart. Retired, actively pursuing my passions and enjoying my grandchildren. Are you similarly inclined? Eruditee 61, seeking: M, l

INTROVERTED EXTROVERT TO DANCE

Are you a grown-up and still curious, playful, inquisitive, ever learning? I thrive outdoors in every season and relish reflective company, solitude and togetherness, sharing ideas and inspiration, and desires to love in a way that we feel free. I see that many of us here wonder how to describe ourselves. Aren’t we all more than we can say? esmeflying, 60 seeking: M, l

MEN seeking...

SEASONALLY

I own a 20-acre private nature sanctuary in Gainesville, Fla. north of Paynes Prairie preserve. I live off-grid on 30 acres in Orange county, Vt. Looking for someone to share living space with plenty of room. 382tim 68, seeking: W

NEW TO GREEN MOUNTAINS

Transplant to Vt. seeking interesting women to connect with for friendship and possibly more. Euphemystic 46, seeking: W

FUNNY, RELAXED, RETIRED, KIND GENTLEMAN

Fresh to the market, I’m a little grey and thin on top, rounding in the middle with a great smile. I enjoy classic cars and learning to play the guitar. I’m retired with time to give someone my full attention. Not looking for a maid or a cook, just a nice lady to add to my life. I’m nice. classiccarguy64 64, seeking: W, l

UNSCENTED

Good guy. Cafés, lakefront, hiking, indoor activities. Let’s make the most of the warm weather. Ironman 54, seeking: W, l

LAID-BACK AND DOWN-TO-EARTH

Looking to find someone who will value me, respect me, take accountability, and be my peace. I can do all the same in return. Intunesafe, 37 seeking: W, l

POSITIVE, GENTLE, FUN-LOVING DUDE

I am looking to enjoy life after a long time spent cooped up. I find and celebrate the best in people. I am positive-minded, and will treat you with respect, care, and honesty. Looking for femme-bodied people (mostly) to hike, sing, ski, garden, sketch, dance, play, and share joy with. GreenMan1 55, seeking: W, Q, NC, NBP, Cp, Gp, l

YOUNG, FIT EXPLORER

Tall nerdy man looking for some fun. I bike, ski, hike, but when I’m not doing that I’m home with my feet up. RyVermont 27 seeking: W, Cp

JO BUDDY FOR MALE BONDING

Friendly chill guy with a naughty mind looking for a friends-only buddy to share fantasies, compare techniques, and maybe watch straight porn. Open-minded, respectful, discreet. I’m athletic, late forties, 420 friendly, can host in BTV. Let’s take it slow and enjoy our favorite hobby with a bro! JOBuddy 48, seeking: M, Cp

FUN-LOVING ISLANDER

Adventurous and widely travelled 51-y/o has settled down on a beautiful private island. The only thing I forgot is to bring someone to share it with! I love being outdoors and on the boat, hiking, walking, biking on my ebike, playing my guitar and working hard! I also would like to meet someone who is adventurous and independent! Islandjoe 51, seeking: W, l

LAID-BACK

I am raising my three teenage grandchildren. Easygoing, I like good company, the outdoors, camping and fishing. tdl1711, 66, seeking: W

CREATIVE, COMPASSIONATE, GRATEFUL, OPEN-HEARTED ADVENTURER

I am creative, sensuous and playful and love exploring. I am a Pisces and love all things water. I love farmers markets, photography, finding swimming spots, dancing, yoga, cooking, skiing, art, mushroom hunting. I am looking for a woman who is warm, curious, compassionate, grounded, creative, adventurous and fun, who knows and likes herself and likes to discuss ideas. WhirlingDancer, 75, seeking: W, l

LAID-BACK, ADVENTUROUS, NATURE LOVER

I’m a laid-back native Vermonter who lives in and loves the woods. I’m passionate, adventurous and open minded. I enjoy hiking, paddling, camping, mountain biking, swimming and exploring nature. I’m looking for a woman who enjoys similar activities, who is comfortable in her own skin, ability to laugh, having common sense, loving of nature and interested in friendship first. DiverDude, 58, seeking: W, l

SENSUALIST

I am hoping to find someone for sensual get-togethers. I love laughter, touch, intimacy. Blackriver 68 seeking: M, W, TM, TW, Cp, Gp, l

GO WITH THE FLOW

A down-to-earth person, passionate, love to talk and be happy. I am a retired high school grad. Eagleman, 61, seeking: W

JUST LAID-BACK EASYGOING

Just looking for a lady to go out to dinner once in a while and hang out and let things fall where they fall. Vt617, 68 seeking: W, Cp

SOBER, ACTIVE AND VITAL

I am an active, well educated, interested and interesting 86-year-old who is vital. I am looking for a woman who is similar and does not think that physical intimacy is no longer of interest. I enjoy dining out, live theater and concerts. I especially enjoy choral music. I am flexible and very few things get my shorts in a bunch. barreloves 86, seeking: W, TW, Cp, l

TRANS WOMEN seeking...

COMMUNITY-MINDED AND INDEFENSIBLY JOYFUL

I love writing, dancing, making music, and meaningful action. My favorite conversations are about people’s passions. I like hiking, biking and paddling, but I spend a lot of time happily indoors being social or creative or productive. I’m interested in people of all genders and am seeking a connection that generates joy every day for us both. Sylph 55, seeking: M, W, TM, TW, Q, NC, NBP, l

GENDERQUEER PEOPLE seeking...

INTROVERTED NATURE AND MUSIC LOVER

I work in nature and love to have spontaneous dance parties at home. I’m looking for left-leaning folks for hiking and exploring, spending time with dogs, and the occasional game of Scrabble. I love house music, but also enjoy jazz and soundtracks. Twin Peaks, 90210, and Alien franchises. I’d love to get some friends together for an Alien: Romulus party at the drive-in this summer. TwilogirlVT, 53 seeking: Q, NC, NBP, l

BABY BUTCH SEEKS GUIDANCE

(Not sexual or romantic.) If you’re queer, an activist or anything of the like, I would love to connect! I’m a genderweird (truly) babydyke butch, and I desperately want to learn from older queers. As much research as I’ve done on gay history, I always want to learn more and connect. If there are any other butches out there, please reach out! antweed 18, seeking: TM, TW, Q, NC, NBP, l

LET ME WRITE YOUR STORY

Truly just here to explore everyone else. Dating weirds me out, and sex is so intimidating, so just let me be your friend. I promise I’m actually kinda cool. orion_nebula, 28, seeking: M, W, TM, TW, Q, NC, NBP, l

NONBINARY PEOPLE seeking...

BI BOTTOM CD FOR FWB

I am a pan bottom CD. I’m looking for friends and FWB. I am an educated, mature, working-type person transitioning to all femme. Clean and COVID-vaccinated. Bim4mfwb 73 seeking: M, TW, Q, NC, NBP, Cp, Gp

COUPLES seeking...

VERY VERY OLD SCHOOL

Looking for a couple who are open and honest. My taste is very open. My wife wants nothing to do with me seeing others but is OK with it. Discretion, openness, and cleanliness. Jimdandy 59, seeking: Cp

LOOKING FOR FUN PEEPS

Fun, open-minded couple seeking playmates. Shoot us a note if interested so we can share details and desires. Jackrabbits 60, seeking: W, Cp

DOG WALK DATE DILEMMA

Caught completely off guard and wishing I was your dog walk date at Five Tree Hill. Random pretty woman introducing herself and dog in middle of the road doesn’t happen often. ere’s not a playbook for that one and I should’ve played along longer. If that date didn’t go well, let’s try that introduction again. When: Monday, June 10, 2024. Where: Williston. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916030

LOVELY BLOND DANCER AT BDJF

Beautiful curly blonde dancing in the crowd at BDJF. You were with your two girlfriends and I was solo curly salt-and-pepper guy. We ended up near each other for set two and the dance party continued. You waved twice as you left before the end of the night. Can we see if the glass slipper fits? When: Saturday, June 8, 2024. Where: Burlington waterfront at Discover Jazz Fest. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916029

SAXON HILL MOUNTAIN BIKING

You and your friend passed a group of us guys when we were at the pond. You said a friendly “hello”. en as you were leaving in your white Jeep Cherokee, you waved goodbye. Care to meet up for a ride someday? When: Friday, May 31, 2024. Where: Saxon Hill trails. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916028

HOT ON A TROT

I see you getting after it. Working on that 5K. Wearing that cool vest. Looking hot AF. Love you very much. XOXO When: Sunday, June 9, 2024. Where: In the streets. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916026

SOULMATE

To soulmate flash flash! Keep smiling! When: Tuesday, June 4, 2024. Where: All around. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916024

If you’ve been spied, go online to contact your admirer!

NINJA TURTLE WALLET WOMAN

We ate lunch next to each other at Price Chopper and I was too hypnotized by your pretty eyes and smile to say anything more than, “I should’ve gotten a salad, too.” Let’s have lunch sitting across from each other next time. When: Tuesday, June 4, 2024. Where: Price Chopper. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916027

R. ON MATCH

Hello, R. I’m not a member of that site, but I saw your great profile. You have a terrific smile. Too bad there’s no surfing nearby. Let’s do something active in the sun anyway. Start with a SUP outing? I have a spare board. Please say hello. When: Friday, June 7, 2024. Where: Match. com. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916025

YOU IN WINOOSKI

ings were held up in Philly FedX but the Eagle landed and it’s great seeing you again face-to-face. My heart always goes “thump-thump.” Signed, the Kid. When: Friday, May 31, 2024. Where: Winooski. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916023

KEN’S PIZZA LUNCH

You: working on your laptop at the bar. Me: blonde, having a late lunch with my son. We exchanged smiles. You had my flabbers gasted and I couldn’t get it together in time to ask for your number. When: Friday, May 31, 2024. Where: Ken’s Pizza. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916022

PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS?

I convinced myself many times that my feelings were unrequited. is “energy” that you refer to has me bewildered: perhaps I feel it too? Setting boundaries is all I can promise at this juncture. I am not ready to say “never”. We both need to acknowledge our feelings, as we will most likely be spending time together for years to come. When: Wednesday, May 29, 2024. Where: Her house. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916020

I’m starting to think the guy I’ve been dating has a bit of a foot fetish. I’ve never liked my feet, but he always compliments them and loves to give me foot rubs. He’s even kissed them a few times. I’d like to surprise him with a foot job, but I’ve never done that and have no idea how to do a good one. Got any tips?

SUNSET SAILBOAT VIDEO

You were sitting on the end of a dock watching the sunset when my friend and I arrived on a sailboat. As we passed, you took a video. I was the one steering. When: ursday, May 30, 2024. Where: Boathouse dock. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916021

POTENTIAL RIDING BUDDY

Craftsbury Guy, it’s Jess. We met at the little gas station outside of Hardwick. You spoke of your friend Jeff, builder, avid mountain biker and dirt bike single track maker. Should have gotten your number. Wanna ride sometime? When: Sunday, May 26, 2024. Where: Hardwick. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916019

AGE IS JUST A NUMBER

You and what you created are beautiful. I lost my head, please forgive my cheese ball. Nobody likes that. Your energy stops by, sometimes so strong I feel like you are here or on your way. IDK why. I wish you were, but I wish I hadn’t met you now knowing you are out there. Wishing you all the best. When: Friday, May 19, 2023. Where: My house. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916018

EDGEWATER GALLERY

We happened to walk out of the show together. You asked if I saw the northern lights. You were wearing a blue summer dress and a lovely smile. I sensed that you wanted to continue our conversation. I’ve been thinking about you all day. Coffee? When: Saturday, May 25, 2024. Where: Edgewater Gallery. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916017

SUPER HOT GUY AT CHIPOTLE

You were with your girlfriend (or mom?) walking into Chipotle. You were in the passenger seat. Dark brown hair slicked back, black shirt, very tall. I was wearing a floral dress and sun hat. Almost ran into you walking in as you were walking out, near the door. Just wanted to say you look great. When: Wednesday, May 22, 2024. Where: Chipotle. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916016

STILL WEARING THAT FLOWER

It was a good day to come off the mountain. I’ll be back to buy that orchid. When: Wednesday, May 22, 2024. Where: Pink Shutter. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916011

De Tootsie Jackson,

You may not like your feet, but he obviously does, so there’s no need to feel embarrassed. It may give you a confidence boost to treat yourself to a pedicure before you treat him to something new. Even if you do get your little piggies all buffed up, lube is always a good idea any time private parts and friction are involved.

AN ANGEL WEARING A SUIT

Andrew, we met on a Sunday last winter. I still think about you every day. Every time I looked at you as we walked on Church Street, your beauty intimidated me. I regret moving away when you tried to kiss me in the parking lot. I wasn’t expecting it and I didn’t want us bonking heads. Love, Andrea When: Wednesday, January 31, 2024. Where: VPB in Burlington. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916015

NEON JESUS IN CITY MARKET

I overheard you explaining how to make vegan ramp pasta in a strange British accent to a children’s birthday party. e next day I was delighted to see you in a yellow helmet and neon vest rollerblading through City Market. I think I saw you pocket an avocado but I won’t tell. Go on a picnic sometime? When: Sunday, May 19, 2024. Where: MetroRock. You: Man. Me: Couple. #916014

JAZZ CAT ON GREEN BIKE

We were eating creemees on North Ave and you biked by on a handmade bicycle. Your flowing mane and handwoven suspenders caught our eye. In climbing shoes, you were playing jazz guitar with an orange cat on your shoulder. A man of many talents? A 24-y/o with a bachelor’s in arts? Call if you want to see B&P? When: Sunday, May 19, 2024. Where: North Ave. You: Man. Me: Couple. #916013

CUTE GUY WORKING AT REI

I stopped on my way out of REI to look at knives. You showed me the new Benchmade blue knife for using in wet environments. I have a great knife collection. Would love to have a hike and a beer. You: Cute thin guy around 5’7”, tan tee, olive pants. Me: Park Ranger, blonde, denim shorts, Skida cap. When: Monday, May 20, 2024. Where: REI Williston. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916012

MUD CITY LOOP GRAVEL RIDER

Saw you biking while I was out running. You were with a friend, wearing a black top (brown hair). We shot each other a quick “hi” and a smile in passing. Would’ve made more conversation but you were throttling a hill. If you want to go biking sometime, give me a shout! When: Sunday, May 19, 2024. Where: Mud City Loop, Morrisville VT. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916010

DOG FOOD AT COSTCO

Saturday afternoon in the self-checkout line. You saw me struggling with my dog food and graciously let me put it in your cart. We chatted for a few minutes, then parted ways. Let me buy you a drink for being so chivalrous? (To confirm it’s you, tell me what kind of dog you said you had!) When: Saturday, May 18, 2024. Where: Costco. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916008

AGE IS JUST A NUMBER

“You dazzled me,” I told you. I don’t know why, but I think you feel it: your energy won’t leave. I didn’t want to work with you — it was too much. If something happens to your rainbow, nothing would make me happier than to open my door and find you, “because when I am in a room with you that missing piece is found,” and I would love to see what that feels like! When: Wednesday, May 18, 2022. Where: My house. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916007

SMILES AT SPECS

You smiled at me through the window while I was having tea with a neighbor. I had curly hair and glasses, smiled back. Once inside, I checked out your work boots and we quickly met each other’s gaze. You got impatient, left without a drink, but gave me one last smile. Can we meet for a real drink? On me. When: ursday, May 16, 2024. Where: Specs Café, Winooski. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916006

LANDSLIDE EARLY 2024

A landslide knocked on my door early on, bad timing then, but now you are gone. I hope your search is over, but if it’s not, would you like to give it a try? When: Saturday, January 20, 2024. Where: Flirts. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916005

WILD WOMAN SEDUCTRESS AND CHIC

him lie down with you sitting between his legs facing him. You can lean back on your hands for balance. Put your feet on either side of his penis, with the soles of your feet facing down. As you move your feet up the shaft, turn your soles to face each other. Reverse the maneuver on the way down. You can also hold his penis between your toes and the ball of your foot. If you want to try a real pro move, wiggle your toes as you move your feet up and down.

What a woman! So Parisian in your blue and white dress, with red lips. Such a classic beauty; approachable, too, and so well-spoken. You have an accent, too. I love your accent - it’s so sexy! Hope you enjoyed your red wine. You were surrounded by so many busy-bee men. Could I tempt you, turn your head, entice you? When: ursday, May 16, 2024. Where: e Whammy Bar, Calais. You: Woman. Me: Woman. #916004 up

As with any other erotic adventure, it’s best to ease into it with a little foreplay. Or, in this instance, foot-play. Use your feet to tease him. Run them over his pants, put them on his chest, maybe pop a toe in his mouth if he’s into it. If he really does have a fetish for feet, the more foot action, the better. e easiest position for giving a foot job is to have

Communication is always key, so don’t be afraid to ask him what he likes. You can have him hold and move your feet to help you learn how much pressure and speed is most enjoyable. is can also help keep your legs from getting tired.

And don’t forget the balls! If your legs get fatigued, you can cradle the boys with your feet and use your hands for a while.

Good luck and God bless,

SWM (61 y/o), seeking LT companionship, adventures, intimacy with SF (50-65 y/o). Would like to meet kind, respectful, creative woman. Outdoorsy interests, both serious and silly, with life experiences to carry insightful conversations. I’m attracted to intellect, kindheartedness, curiosity, compassion and wisdom. #L1767

47-y/o female looking for friendships only. Not willing to travel — I have no car. Interest in womenfolk who don’t drink or drug, vape only. Crafting and creativity a must. No liars or thieves. In search of honest and dependable friends. #L1766

I’m a tall, single 70-y/o woman in NEK seeking a companion male who’s intelligent, has common sense, is compatible in size and age. Please be kind. Heart-centered non-religious Buddhist. I live in a private, clothing-optional off-grid cabin in the woods. I prefer quiet places in nature, am a friend to animals. Organic foods; skilled wood worker, gardener, artist. Emotionally open and sensitive. Differ from cultural norms. Only with the right mate could I thrive on giving and receiving pleasures from a place of love. Platonic friendships also welcome. #L1765

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We’ll publish as many messages as we can in the Love

Artist wants model and muse with no tattoos. #L1763

I’m a 76-y/o M, seeking a F. Burlington resident, luddite, gardener, fisherman. Into Bach, Mozart, Blake, raspberries. Catholic. You: Old, pretty, smart, conversational for dinners, possible friendship. Please call. #L1764

GM looking for sex, not for a husband or boyfriend, just fun. Skilled and talented with a wide range of interests. Race and age not important, just enthusiasm for fun and exploration. #L1762

I’m a male 73 y/o seeking a female 68 and up. Active bike riding and kayaking, love an outdoor hike! Seeking similar. Also Catholic and go to church! #L1761

Excuse me! Coming through! On your left! Please make way for this fit, gentle, articulate, gracious soul seeking a SWF (55-68) with similar attributes. I revel in words, dogs, gardens, hikes, moonlight and creativity. #L1760

Sensual older couple who enjoy travel — international and domestic — are outdoorsy: camping (love the Islands), gardening, live music and more. Looking to meet preferably another couple open to the possibilities of exploring gentle consensual sensual activities. Meet for a chat-up? #L1757

Int net-Free Dating!

80-y/o woman seeking a man 70- to 80-y/o. I like to travel and eat out occasionally. Am easy to get to know. Like to knit, crochet, cross stitch and play card games also. #L1754

Tall, handsome, straight man looking for same for first-time erotic exploration. #L1755

I’m a 33-y/o woman seeking a 33- to 42-y/o man for long-term companionship. Want a strong, confident, self-aware and caring man. Someone not afraid to provide and protect but also to express his softer side. Bonus if you love gardening and have a diverse background. #L1753

Anyone able to liven up away from this state? SWF, mid-60s, NS, DD-free, seeks guy or gal set to haul off Vermont’s phonies map! Love radical, non-predator people and pets. #L1750

24-y/o independently wealthy male looking for two young partners of any kind for some double ramming. Bipolar but will do my best to treat you amazingly. #L1751

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

AGE + GENDER (OPTIONAL)

BELOW.

I’m a gay male, 65 y/o, seeking gay men for new friendships. Outgoing, fun, loving person seeking meaningful connections. “Best friend” kinda guy here! is is not an ad for sex; friendship only. Looking forward to hearing from you. #L1746

I’m a man in my late 60s, seeking a female. Seek female with some desire and passion for a relationship. Many interests. Let’s talk. See phone number, please. #L1748

Come dance with me in the gazebo. Nice guy, 5’10, 195 pounds. 74 y/o but looks younger, new to the market. Seeks a good woman/partner 55 to 75 y/o to love and be loved by. Very attentive and affectionate, likes to have fun and travel. 420 friendly. #L1749

70, young-looking, good shape. Enjoy karaoke, singing, comedy. Seek female, 45 to young 70s. I am 5’9, hazel eyes, 163 pounds, black hair. #L1743

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THIS FORM IS FOR LOVE LETTERS ONLY. Messages for the Personals and I-Spy sections must be submitted online at dating.sevendaysvt.com.

Experience Abundance Meditation in the Salt Cave

WED., JUN 12

PURPLE SAGE, ESSEX

Jon McBride’s Big Easy

FRI., JUN 14

THE PHOENIX, WATERBURY VILLAGE

Songwriter Showcase

FRI., JUN 14

THE UNDERGROUND, RANDOLPH

A Man Named Cash

SAT., JUN 15

WAR CANNON SPIRITS, CROWN POINT, NY

Early Birders Morning Walk

SUN. JUN 16, SUN. JUN. 23

BIRDS OF VERMONT MUSEUM, HUNTINGTON

Forage & Feast: An Afternoon of Plant Based Cuisine with Chrissy Tracey

SUN., JUN 16

HOTEL VERMONT, BURLINGTON

Fellowship of the Wheel Enduro at Cochran’s

TUE., JUN 18

COCHRAN’S SKI AREA, RICHMOND

Mandarin Conversation Circle

TUE., JUN 18

SOUTH BURLINGTON LIBRARY

Eco-resiliency Gathering: Summer Solstice

WED., JUN 19 ONLINE

Juneteenth Concert with e Blackburn Brothers

WED., JUN 19

RETRO LIVE, PLATTSBURGH, NY

THU., JUN 20

Women’s Ride at Sunny Hollow

SUNNY HOLLOW TRAILS, COLCHESTER

Vermont Renaissance Faire

SAT., JUN 22-SUN. JUN. 23

CHAMPLAIN VALLEY EXPOSITION, ESSEX JCT.

Essex Garden Tour

SAT., JUN 22

ESSEX FREE LIBRARY

June Farm Show - with Chris Acker, Esther Rose, Kassi Valazza & more!

SAT., JUN 22

JUNE FARM, BURLINGTON

Ethiopian and Eritrean Cuisine

Takeout Dinner

SAT., JUN 22

O.N.E. COMMUNITY CENTER, BURLINGTON

Facing Change: Life’s Transitions and Transformations

WED., JUN 23 ONLINE

2024 ChoreoLab Performance

FRI., JUN 28

THE BARN IN CORINTH

Dwight Ritcher & Ted Perry... an Evening Together

FRI., JUN 28

THE PHOENIX, WATERBURY VILLAGE

June Bird Monitoring Walk

SAT., JUN 29

HOTEL VERMONT, BURLINGTON

Cheese As You Please: A Sensory and Charcuterie Class

SUN., JUN 30

CABOT CREAMERY STORE, WATERBURY