Seven Days, July 3, 2024 by Seven Days

BY JORDAN BARRY & MELISSA PASANEN,

LAST CALL FOR SMOKEHOUSE SAVINGS!

4t-Lakechampchoc070324 1 6/28/24 4:55 PM

Our delicious, fruit-forward IPA is brewed with blood orange and dry-hopped with Citra hops. With a slight haze from a dose of oats, this is a citrus sensation worth sipping.

4T-Hagan(LAW)070324 1

6/28/24 5:05 PM

emoji that

IN THE KITCHEN

PEDESTRIAN PROSECUTOR?

e top — and soon to be only — prosecutor in Addison County has agreed to forego driving privileges six months after she was arrested for drunk driving.

Addison County State’s Attorney Eva Vekos will lose her license for six months as a result of refusing to undergo a Breathalyzer test by Vermont state troopers in January, when she is accused of driving drunk to the scene of a homicide investigation.

Vekos initially contested the civil suspension of her license — a matter that is separate from the criminal case — but dropped her challenge late last month, ahead of a hearing that was scheduled for Tuesday. By agreeing to have her license suspended, Vekos said in an emailed statement, she was not admitting guilt. Rather, she wanted to demonstrate that “it is always a better course to cooperate with law enforcement.”

“We, as Vermonters, have the right to refuse to submit to evidentiary testing, but there are sanctions associated with a refusal,” Vekos wrote.

By using public roads, drivers in Vermont are deemed to have given police consent to conduct a Breathalyzer test,

according to state law. Refusing to take the test is grounds to have one’s license suspended. It also can be introduced as evidence in a criminal trial.

Vekos insisted the suspension will not affect her ability to act as state’s attorney.

“I fully intend to maintain my ofﬁce in a successful and proliﬁc manner as I’ve done the last year and a half,” she wrote.

Whichever way she gets to the Middlebury courthouse, Vekos will face a deluge of work there.

Beginning next week, Vekos will be the only prosecutor in the county. Deputy State’s Attorney Mike Novelli left on June 15 to take a job with the Vermont Attorney General’s Ofﬁce. A second, part-time deputy prosecutor, Anthony Bambrick, has tendered his resignation effective July 8, according to the Department of State’s Attorneys and Sheriffs.

A replacement for Novelli is expected to start in September, but until then, Vekos will be alone. She said the vacancies won’t disrupt her ability to prosecute cases.

Read Derek Brouwer’s full story at sevendaysvt.com.

Sixty South Burlington residents signed a petition to ban pickleball from Szymanski Park because the constant noise is driving them nuts. Thwack!

SHELL GAME

Border agents say a woman tried to smuggle 29 eastern box turtles from Vermont into Canada via kayak. The protected species can be sold for $1,000 each in China, the AP reported.

ON APPEAL

The Vermont GOP’s executive committee voted to exempt Donald Trump from its rule that prohibits the party from endorsing felons. Teﬂon Don.

MONEY TALKS

Barre Uniﬁed Union School District was the only one in the state that failed to pass a budget before the state’s July 1 deadline. A fourth vote is in the works.

That’s how much federal money is going toward new pedestrian projects and stormwater infrastructure in Killington.

CARMY’S CREAM

Vermont’s best butter gets a shout-out in the new season of the critically acclaimed TV show “ e Bear.” (Spoiler alert! Rich details ahead.)

In the third episode of the series’ third season, Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto — a young, talented chef running a high-end restaurant in Chicago — has an argument about food costs with Uncle Jimmy, his main investor.

“I have a bill in my hands for $11,268 for butter,” an outraged Uncle Jimmy says. “Buddy, what is it, the fucking rare Transylvanian ﬁve-titted goat? We cannot fucking keep this up.”

Carmy replies that the butter is “Orwellian.”

“It’s dystopian butter?” Jimmy responds. No, Carmy says, it’s butter from Orwell — Vermont. An invoice from the butter company ﬂashes on screen, revealing it’s from Old Major Butter Farms, a reference to the rebellious pig character in George Orwell’s novel Animal Farm

While Old Major Butter Farms is ﬁctional, the scene is an homage to the real-life Animal Farm Creamery, founded in Orwell by Diane St. Clair. In 2000, St. Clair started handcrafting butter from a small herd of happy cows; it soon became the most sought-after butter in the U.S. e biggest customer is celebrity chef omas Keller of highend restaurants the French Laundry in California’s Napa Valley and New York City’s Per Se. In 2022, St. Clair retired and sold the operation to Hilary and Ben Haigh of Rolling Bale Farm in Shoreham.

The farmers milk 12 Jersey cows to make just 100 pounds of butter per week; it retails for $60 per pound. (“Normal” butter at the grocery store costs about $4.20 per pound.) The farm also sells buttermilk, which is available at coops, natural food stores and farmstands around Vermont.

Hilary Haigh told Seven Days that she thought Keller, who makes several appearances in the show, might be behind the bit. She noted the address on the ﬁctional invoice was almost identical to that of the original farm in Orwell.

“ e scene itself was written so well, and it’s hilarious,” Haigh said. “It was portrayed really well, and … we just felt really excited to have been mentioned.”

JACK MCGUIRE

@AlisonBaitz

Hilary Haigh with Animal Farm Creamery butter

Eva Vekos in court

BREAKFAST ALL DAY.

WHERE’S CHAMP? WHERE’S CHAMP? WHERE’S

Hint: He’s hiding somewhere in the pages of this issue of Seven Days!

Tell us where you ﬁnd him by Tuesday at noon and you could win a pair of tickets to a Vermont Lake Monsters baseball game at Centennial Field in Burlington.

THU. 7/4, 1:05: NEW BRITAIN BEES FRI. 7/5, 6:35: NEW BRITAIN BEES SAT. 7/6, 6:05: WESTFIELD STARFIRES SUN. 7/7, 5:05: WESTFIELD STARFIRES

To enter the contest, report Champ’s location at: SEVENDAYSVT.COM/ CHAMPSIGHTING

Paula Routly

Cathy Resmer

Don Eggert, Colby Roberts

NEWS & POLITICS

Matthew Roy

Goldstein

Ken Ellingwood, Candace Page

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

Jack McGuire

ARTS & CULTURE

Dan Bolles, Carolyn Fox

Chelsea Edgar, Margot Harrison, Pamela Polston

Alice Dodge

Chris Farnsworth

Emily Hamilton

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

Alice Dodge, Angela Simpson

MORE DATA, PLEASE

Since 2000, Vermont has experienced official drought conditions 13 times. Eleven of these were in the last half of that period, not the previous. During this time, we’ve experienced severe drought ﬁve times, four of which were between 2017 and 2023.

TUE. 7/9, 6:35: ROAD WARRIORS WED. 7/10, 6:35: ROAD WARRIORS FRI. 7/12, 6:35: NASHUA SILVER KNIGHTS SAT. 7/13, 6:05: NASHUA SILVER KNIGHTS

Katherine Isaacs, Martie Majoros, Elizabeth M. Seyler

Ian Dartley, Leah Krason, Nina Sablan

DIGITAL & VIDEO

Bryan Parmelee

Eva Sollberger

James Buck

Je Baron DESIGN

Don Eggert

Rev. Diane Sullivan

John James

Je Baron

Olivia White SALES & MARKETING

Colby Roberts

Robyn Birgisson

Michelle Brown, Logan Pintka, Kaitlin Montgomery

Carolann Whitesell ADMINISTRATION

Marcy Stabile

Matt Weiner

Gillian English

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, Diana Bolton, Caleb Kenna, Steve Legge, Alex Mauss, Greg Nesbit, Zachary Stephens FOUNDERS

Pamela Polston, Paula Routly

CIRCULATION: 35,000

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

Seven Days is printed at Quebecor Media Printing in Mirabel, Québec.

Candles for your Coven

DELIVERY TECHNICIANS

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

$220.

$135. Please call 802-865-1020, ext. 132 with your credit card, contact circ@sevendaysvt.com or mail your check to: Seven Days, c/o Subscriptions, 255 S. Champlain St., Ste. 5, Burlington, VT 05401 Seven Days shall not be held liable to any advertiser for any loss that results

Precipitation totals for Burlington between 2000 and 2023 range from a high of 50.92 inches in 2011 to 23.27 inches in 2001, with an average of 40.27 inches. The variations above and below this average reveal no pattern whatsoever and are remarkably consistent when plotted on a line graph.

GROWING PAINS

In [“Growing Pains: How Warmer, Wetter, Wilder Weather Is Compelling Vermont Farmers to Adapt,” May 15], Seven Days wrote that there are “2.4 more days of heavy precipitation” to make the case for the “wetter” headline. What is the time frame of those 2.4 days, and why are you conflating heavier-precipitation events with wetter weather? They are not the same. Vermont as a whole has actually experienced more frequent periods of unusual aridity in the past decade than in the decade before.

You might reference the data in your reporting, rather than simply relaying the oft-cited predictions. Repeating climate predictions as if they are a mantra rather than revising them based on facts as they emerge over time undermines an accurate understanding of how our climate is shifting.

‘NOT

REAL FARMERS’

Bravo on your climate change article

[“Growing Pains: How Warmer, Wetter, Wilder Weather Is Compelling Vermont Farmers to Adapt,” May 15]. We’re noticing many of these trends in our own sizable home garden, and usually once a week the past few summers, one of us will turn to the other and say, “Aren’t you glad we’re not real farmers?” It is all scary and depressing, considering how hardworking and idealistic these folks are.

Rick Winston ADAMANT

TIME TO PULL THE PLUG?

[Re “Burlington Mayor Emma MulvaneyStanak’s First Term Starts With Major Staffing and Spending Decisions,” April 17]: Burlington Mayor Emma MulvaneyStanak’s most difficult staffing decision may be that of Burlington Electric Department general manager Darren Springer. The positions of these two leaders on the McNeil Generating Station are polar opposites. Springer wants to operate McNeil for another 20 years, as shown by his support of the district energy project. The mayor wants to phase out McNeil; in her campaign climate platform, she writes, “Develop a responsible transition to close McNeil.”

Forceful leadership is required in these climatic times. For the mayor to stand firm on her climate policy, the reappointment of Springer must include the abandonment of the district energy project. This would be a seismic shift for Burlington Electric, but the lights would not go out.

Of course, Dr. Stephen Leffler could

upend this scenario. As chief operating officer of the University of Vermont Medical Center, he can decide that the hospital, which is the sole customer of district energy, will not go forth and will not sign the contract.

It is time to pull the plug on this “nine lives” project. The climate crisis is real. The carbon dioxide emissions from McNeil are real. Who will pull the plug?

Peter MacAusland BURLINGTON

JEWS CAN BE ANTISEMITIC

I am not writing to argue about the Hamas-Israel war. Neither am I writing about whether U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders is antisemitic. My issue is with former Burlington mayor Peter Clavelle saying, “Nobody is going to accuse Bernie of antisemitism. As a Jewish senator whose father’s family was wiped out by the Holocaust, I think Bernie is ... inoculated from that” [“Fighting Words: U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders Has Become a Leading Critic of Israel’s War in Gaza,” May 29].

I guess Clavelle is limited by his experience, but no Jew is inoculated from that. The reason he gives does not hold water. I have met Jewish people who have had family murdered in the Holocaust, and some of these people have nothing but vile things to say about Jews and have very little connection to being Jewish. Clavelle’s use of the Holocaust in that statement to prove his opinion undermines and appropriates the Holocaust and shows that he lacks an understanding of human nature. Maybe if Clavelle were

CORRECTIONS

Last week’s cover story, “Green Dream,” contained numerous factual errors — the journalistic equivalent of an “own goal” in soccer. Vermont Green FC’s season lasts for two months. Five of its players have been drafted into Major League Soccer. There are 128 teams in USL League Two. The team with the highest average attendance was the Des Moines Menace. The cost of a youth jersey is $55. Patrick Infurna is 31 years old and graduated from college in 2014. Keil Corey is from Bristol. Some information about how the cofounders came together was inaccurate. There were six team cofounders. The Green do not use host families to house players and have had seasons of more than 14 games. USL League Two was known as Premier Development League when coach Adam Pfeifer won two championships as a college player. The team has no full-time employees. The founders would not provide the amount it cost to start the franchise, which was incorrect in the story. We apologize for the blunders.

SAY SOMETHING!

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

• respond to Seven Days content;

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

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

• feedback@sevendaysvt.com

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

Seitan for Supper

Rediscovering an old-fashioned vegetarian protein from a Lyndon kitchen

ORDER UP RDE P

Bird Flu Blues

BY JORDAN BARRY & MELISSA PASANEN

Vermont’s classic American diners tell us about the current state of restaurants

On the Rise

With expanded offerings, Two Sons Bakehouse aims to be Hyde Park’s “neighborhood spot” NEWS+POLITICS

Vermont health ofﬁcials prepare for a virus that is spreading in dairy herds

Welch: Biden Campaign Must Address President’s Fitness

Solar Flare-Up

Former CEO alleges iSun leaders misled shareholders ahead of bankruptcy

UVM Medical Center Nurses Set Date for Strike

Lake Leisure ree to six hours in Newport, Vermont’s north coast

Strangers and Fiction

Vermont ﬁlmmaker Jay Craven premieres his historical epic Lost Nation

Metal Mavens

Metal sculptor Kat Clear teams up with Northlands Job Corps welding students

Montpelier Marks the Flood Anniversary by Inundating Its Streets — With Art

Vulture Sister Song Explores Humans and Nature

Vermont Playwright and Musician Stephen Goldberg Dies

Bad Moon Rising

Wanda Koop brings haunting, complex paintings to Montréal ‘Embrace and Belonging’ Sculpture Unveiled in Burlington

Artist Sarah Amos Wins 2024 Vermont Prize

a new job in the classiﬁeds section on

A World Away

Last year, Vermonters threw away 71,113 tons of food scraps which ended up in our only landfill.

Equal to 242 pounds of food scraps per person per year.

CSWD’s Organic Recycling Facility (ORF) and our six Drop-Off Centers accept food scraps from residents and businesses to keep them out of Vermont’s only landfill.

For information

or visit cswd.net/a-to-z/food-scraps

Hunter Barnes

MUST SEE, MUST DO THIS WEEK COMPILED BY ANGELA SIMPSON

MAGNIFICENT

SATURDAY 6

COME TOGETHER

Bondeko bring a multicultural mélange to the Next Stage Arts Bandwagon Summer Series in Putney. e musicians in the Portland, Maine-based outﬁt span generations and originally hail from Albania, Guinea, Paris and Austin, Texas, creating a sound that’s an unlikely — and unforgettable — collaboration.

THURSDAY 4

Marching Orders

e town of Warren steps lively at its singular 4th of July Parade and Festivities. e procession of quirky ﬂoats and merry musicians is followed by hot dogs, a street dance and a unique get-to-know-yourneighbors scheme: Pay $1 for a numbered “Buddy Badge,” then ﬁnd the other person in the crowd with the same number and you’ll both win a prize.

SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 62

FRIDAY 5

Truth to Power

Rokeby Museum in Ferrisburgh marks Independence Day with its annual Reading Frederick Douglass event. Audience members take part by reading portions of the abolitionist, orator and statesman’s famous address

“What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?” Douglass ﬁrst gave the powerful speech on July 5, 1852, as the keynote at an event commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 64

SUNDAY 7

Swan Song

SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 65 the 100th of Vermont State Parks — Words in the Woods series.

Stay and enjoy the day at the park afterward: Entrance fees are covered

e Rochester Chamber Music Society salutes one of its own at the Federated Church of Rochester when pianist Cynthia Huard plays her ﬁnal concert, a coda to her 30 years as the group’s artistic director. She’s joined by cellist Ani Kalayjian and violinists Adda Kridler and Mary Rowell in a bittersweet program that includes works by Johann Sebastian Bach, Gabriel Fauré and native Vermonter Nico Muhly.

SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 66

WEDNESDAY 10

Fête the Farm

Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont hosts a Pizza Social at Miller Farm in Vernon, part of a summerlong series highlighting historic farms and hardworking farmers around the state. Foodies enjoy wood-ﬁred pizza and soft-serve ice cream made from Miller Farm milk before a hayride and farm tour. Catch upcoming installments of the series in Middletown Springs, Shoreham, Johnson, East Hardwick and North etford.

SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 69

ONGOING

Paint the Town

If you missed last summer’s attendance-recordbreaking exhibitions of “For the Love of Vermont: e Lyman Orton Collection,” here’s another chance. e Vermont Historical Society presents a reprise showing at the Vermont History Museum in Montpelier. e selection of 20th-century works by Vermont artists is a love letter to the Green Mountain State.

SEE GALLERY LISTING AT SEVENDAYSVT.COM/ART

Hope for Democracy

An afternoon downpour on Saturday forced the Town of Waterbury to postpone its annual Not Quite Independence Day fireworks show. But the rain didn’t stop all the other festivities.

Volunteers from the Waterbury Rotary Club donned raincoats to host the celebration, which included kids’ activities, food vendors and live music in Rusty Parker Memorial Park — and, of course, a parade down Main Street. Hours before kickoff, spectators toting umbrellas and American flags began snagging prime viewing spots along the parade route.

Local businesses, rescue squads and arts organizations showed up, too, with floats — many of them on theme! This year’s was “Celebration of Sports,” a nod to the 2024 Summer Olympics, which start later this month.

The group from Waterbury’s MakerSphere won “Best Use of Theme” in the parade competition. They mounted a giant gold trophy cup on the back of a pickup truck and topped it with a cutout of a surfer riding a wave. The truck also pulled a trailer carrying a metal frame festooned with circles representing a bowling ball, soccer ball, football and kickball. A message appeared along the side of the trailer: “Sportsmanship is #1.” That struck me as a fitting reminder for all the politicians marching in this electionyear parade.

money for charity and keeping up with local news. For every activity kids complete and submit, they’re entered into a drawing for the grand prize — a free trip to Washington, D.C. They can win other things, too, including free tickets to see the Vermont Lake Monsters, a 2025 Vermont State Parks vehicle pass and $50 gift cards to Phoenix Books. We’re giving away some of those items weekly between now and Labor Day, September 2, the Challenge deadline; we’ll distribute the rest at a September 19 Statehouse reception.

Seven Days launched this summer’s Challenge in June, and we’ve already received hundreds of entries, including some at and as a result of our wet afternoon in Waterbury.

One of my favorite Good Citizen activities invites kids to submit artwork showing what Vermont’s motto, “Freedom and Unity,” means to them. We recently received a great one from Alaina Willette, 11, of Ferrisburgh. “I drew a picture of people in front of the Green Mountains holding hands representing unity,” she wrote. In the sky above them, she added a padlock that has been unlocked. It represents freedom, she said.

In other words, working together is what makes freedom possible.

Local legislative office seekers waved to the crowd, joined by incumbent Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman (P/D) and his Democratic primary opponent Thomas Renner along with U.S. Rep. Becca Balint (D-Vt.), who’s running for reelection. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Esther Charlestin was there, too. So were supporters of Republican Lt. Gov. candidate John Rodgers and Gerald “Deploy” Malloy, the Republican who hopes to unseat U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt). They’re all competing in Vermont’s August 13 primary election.

Lisa Scagliotti, editor of the online-only Waterbury Roundabout, was also out there getting drenched, gathering intel for her post-parade story, while Roundabout photographer Gordon Miller snapped photos.

The whole patriotic spectacle, persisting despite the weather, made me hopeful for American democracy — no small feat after the dispiriting presidential debate last Thursday. I was glad I was there to see it. Seven Days intern Ben Conway and I had come to recruit participants for the Good Citizen Challenge, our nonpartisan youth civics project.

The Challenge encourages students in grades K through 8 to learn about and get involved in their communities. Participants choose from 25 activities, including picking up trash in public places, raising

Kids such as Alaina — and the ones Ben and I met in Waterbury — can breathe new life into our civic traditions. But don’t assume the next generation will automatically inherit our community spirit, no matter how strong: We have to encourage them. Find 25 ways to start at the Good Citizen website, goodcitizenvt.com.

Cathy Resmer

P.S. The online version of this column includes a slideshow of some of the best Good Citizen Challenge entries we’ve received so far. Check it out at sevendaysvt.com.

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

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

BURLINGTON, VT 05402-1164

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

VOICEMAIL: 802-865-1020, EXT. 115

EMAIL: SUPERREADERS@SEVENDAYSVT.COM

Truman Talbot, 7, at Waterbury’s Not Quite Independence Day celebration

GAMBLERS,

NOTE

NURSES PREPARE TO STRIKE

Bird Flu Blues

Vermont health ofﬁcials prepare for a virus that is spreading in dairy herds

BY COLIN FLANDERS • colin@sevendaysvt.com

State health officials are urging Vermont dairy farmers to stay vigilant as a highly contagious avian ﬂu tears through herds of cattle in the Midwest.

A new strain of the virus, H5N1, was detected in cows for the ﬁrst time in late March, and outbreaks have since been confirmed in 136 dairy herds across a dozen states, mostly west of the Mississippi River.

The disease is disruptive: Though cows typically recover, the virus can make them sick and decrease their production. Farmers have been encouraged to dump any milk from infected cows, a blow to those with tight margins. And the virus can spread to humans, putting dairy workers at risk.

The Northeast appears to have been spared so far, with the closest cases in Ohio. But Vermont farmers and health

o cials are closely monitoring the situation, since the longer outbreaks last, the more likely the virus will reach the state’s border.

“At that point, it’s just a matter of time before it gets to us,” said Jackie Folsom, president of Vermont Farm Bureau, a nonproﬁt advocacy group.

THERE’S SO MUCH UP IN THE AIR, AND NOBODY REALLY KNOWS WHAT’S GOING ON.

JACKIE FOLSOM

First discovered in China in the 1990s, H5N1 has long circulated in migratory birds. A new strain that emerged a

Welch: Biden Campaign Must Address President’s Fitness

BY KEVIN MCCALLUM kevin@sevendaysvt.com

U.S. Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) on Monday chastised the campaign of President Joe Biden for its “dismissive attitude” toward questions about the candidate’s age and ﬁtness, which he said were legitimate in the wake of Biden’s poor debate performance last week.

In comments to news website Semafor, Welch, 77, criticized as “inappropriate” the way Biden’s campaign staff have swatted back growing calls for him to drop out of the race.

In particular, Welch took issue with a memo by Biden’s deputy campaign manager Rob Flaherty ridiculing those calling for Biden to step aside as part of a “bedwetting brigade” and calling the strategy a sureﬁre way to ensure Donald Trump’s victory in November.

“I really do criticize the campaign for a dismissive attitude towards people who are raising questions for discussion,” Welch told the site. “ at’s just facing the reality that we’re in.”

“ e campaign has raised the concerns themselves,” Welch said. “So then to be dismissive of others who raise those concerns, I think it’s inappropriate.”

AGRICULTURE

few years ago has whipped around the globe, leaving destruction in its path. It has wiped out domestic poultry flocks and spilled over to other species, causing huge die-offs among marine mammals such as elephant seals. In Vermont, lab tests have confirmed infections this year in two red-tailed hawks and a bobcat.

The threat to the public remains low for now. Health officials are warning against drinking raw milk but say people can safely consume pasteurized milk and cooked beef. So far, there’s no evidence of human-to-human transmission.

Three dairy workers in Texas and Michigan tested positive this spring; all caught the illness from infected cows.

Welch’s remarks expounded on comments he made to Seven Days the day after the debate, when he acknowledged the poor performance as a “setback” but largely stressed how much he admires and respects Biden and views Trump as a threat to democracy.

“ e president’s challenge was not so much to articulate his values or his accomplishments. He’s on solid ground there,” Welch said. “It was to address the age issue, and he intensiﬁed rather than alleviated apprehensions about that.”

Welch said Biden’s team needed to ﬁrst acknowledge that setback internally and then assuage people’s concerns.

“ ey have to have an energetic plan which they can execute, which has the president out in public demonstrating the capacity to do the hardest job in the world for the next four years,” Welch said. ➆

U.S. Sen. Peter Welch

Solar Flare-Up

Former CEO alleges iSun leaders misled shareholders ahead of bankruptcy

BY DEREK BROUWER • derek@sevendaysvt.com

Leaders of the Vermont solar firm iSun misled shareholders and engaged in “extensive” wrongdoing, including fraud and misappropriation of funds, according to a former executive who was recruited to fix the publicly traded company in the months before its June bankruptcy.

Top executives listed their spouses as employees to obtain more government aid during the pandemic, took title to company cars and breached loan agreements as they became desperate for cash, former iSun CEO Robert Zulkoski alleges in a whistleblower complaint obtained by Seven Days

THERE EXISTED A REAL INTENT TO QUICKLY SELL THE COMPANY TO A BUYER BEFORE ANY OF THESE ISSUES BECAME PUBLIC.

Company officials and iSun’s board of directors concealed the information from stockholders, he claims. Meanwhile, the top executives reaped six-figure bonuses.

Zulkoski leveled his accusations in a June 7 letter to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission days after iSun filed for bankruptcy protection. The seven-page document, penned by an attorney representing Zulkoski, is addressed to the SEC’s confidential whistleblower program.

The SEC does not comment on its investigations and would not confirm whether it received a complaint or is looking into iSun. Zulkoski confirmed that he had filed the complaint but declined to comment further.

Zulkoski’s complaint calls into question the bankruptcy narrative put forth by iSun’s current leaders. It could expose the company to more scrutiny at a time when its future appears to hinge on a quick, court-overseen sale.

CEO and chairman Jeff Peck and iSun bankruptcy attorney Michael Busenkell declined to comment on Zulkoski’s allegations. Independent board member

Claudia Meer said board members could not comment, either.

Former chief financial officer John Sullivan, who Zulkoski alleges was behind much of the wrongdoing, said in an interview that the whistleblower complaint contains inaccuracies and misconstrues actions that were undertaken before Zulkoski’s short tenure.

“This is largely a misrepresentation of a lot of information,” Sullivan said.

Zulkoski, 63, worked at iSun for just six weeks this spring, leading a three-person “triage team” that was recruited to turn around the failing company. The board of directors abruptly fired the team in late April. Zulkoski claims he was ousted after telling the directors about the financial allegations in his complaint and because he refused to sign the company’s annual report to shareholders that failed to disclose the issues.

Zulkoski and two consultants who rounded out the triage team, Melissa Obegi and Andy Childs, are suing iSun for breach of contract.

In his separate whistleblower letter, Zulkoski claims he informed the independent members of iSun’s board of directors of the wrongdoing he discovered and advised them to commission a forensic audit to look for evidence of potential lawbreaking.

Meer acknowledged that some of the alleged conduct was “terrible” in an email to Zulkoski, but otherwise the response from the board was “utter and complete inaction,” Zulkoski’s attorney wrote in the letter.

“At no point was there any intent or concern to actually remedy the issues,” Zulkoski’s complaint states. “Worse yet,” the complaint continues, “there existed a real intent to quickly sell the Company to a buyer before any of these issues became public.”

iSun is by far the largest solar installer in Vermont and one of a handful of publicly traded companies in the state. Born of a family-owned electrical contracting company, Peck Electric, the firm pivoted to solar and went public in 2019 as part of CEO Jeff Peck’s vision to grow into a

Keep it cool at the Y!

• 2 pools, lap + family swim, sauna

• High-tech cardio, ample strength

• Group Fitness for all abilities, A - Z

• Welcoming, diverse community

• One fee, no surprises!

Solar Flare-Up « P.15

regional powerhouse in every sector of the burgeoning industry. The move brought millions in new investment capital to the Williston-based company.

After changing its name to iSun, the company bought Vermont residential solar installer SunCommon in 2021 for $40 million. The combined company employed as many as 350 people in recent years, though a round of sudden layo s on the eve of bankruptcy has reduced the count to below 200.

In its quest to grow, iSun has never turned a profit, with operating losses as high as $53.8 million in 2022. The company was hemorrhaging $250,000 per week and “on the precipice of shutting down” when it filed for bankruptcy protection, Peck told a federal court in Delaware. The Chapter 11 filing was to keep iSun operating while it reorganized. Peck blamed the company’s troubles on high interest rates, which drove up the cost of financing solar projects, hurt sales and made it more expensive for iSun to borrow cash. The company’s stock sank so low it was delisted from the Nasdaq exchange; it currently trades at 2 cents.

iSun has identified a potential buyer in Texas-based energy investment firm Siltstone Capital, which appears poised to acquire the company’s assets — reported as $66.7 million in 2023 — through a court-overseen auction, for as little as $10 million. A judge recently approved $4 million in emergency financing from Siltstone that will keep iSun afloat until the auction can take place.

iSun’s board hired Zulkoski in March as the company’s stock was plummeting. Zulkoski replaced Peck, whose father founded Peck Electric in the 1970s. When Zulkoski came aboard, Sullivan, the CFO, had tendered his resignation but not yet stepped aside. Zulkoski, a part-time Vermont resident, brought more than 30 years of experience in global ﬁnance and had invested more than $5 billion in ﬁduciary capital over his career, the board told investors. At the time, he was also a managing partner at Conduit Capital Holdings, which makes social and environmental impact investments, and a founding partner at Middlebury-based RuralWorks, which invests in rural businesses.

Six weeks later, iSun announced that Zulkoski was out and Peck would return as CEO alongside a new interim chief ﬁnancial o cer, Rob Vanderbeek. The public notice, in which Peck credited Zulkoski with charting a “remarkable journey” for the company, did not betray any of the behind-the-scenes acrimony.

Upon joining the company, Zulkoski told the SEC, he requested a list of

employees and salaries from iSun’s human resources department. The documents included a copy of iSun’s 2020 loan application to the Paycheck Protection Program, the federal government’s massive pandemic relief e ort that gave companies forgivable loans to keep their employees on the payroll during lockdowns. iSun, under the name Peck Electric, received nearly $1.5 million during the initial round of funding to save 100 jobs.

According to Zulkoski’s complaint, the 2020 PPP loan application included the spouses of executives on a list of iSun employees as a way to increase the amount of aid the company could receive. The complaint doesn’t describe precisely how Zulkoski believes the “fraudulent” scheme was designed, but it states that the company later paid spouses of three senior executives as much as $50,000. In an email purportedly penned by Sullivan and quoted in the complaint, the CFO wrote that “bonus payments” would be paid to “our spouses in order to qualify for the forgiveness provisions.”

The email and other documents are identified as exhibits to the SEC complaint, but the copy of the submission obtained by Seven Days did not include any attachments, and Seven Days has not reviewed them.

iSun has since reported that all of its PPP loans were forgiven by the U.S. Small Business Administration. In the years since the pandemic, federal prosecutors have brought criminal charges against recipients who defrauded the program, though Zulkoski wrote that he was unaware of any investigation targeting iSun.

Sullivan denied defrauding the PPP program and said executives’ spouses, including his own, were not included on the loan applications and were not paid using PPP proceeds. The $50,000 payments cited by Zulkoski, Sullivan said, “were bonuses paid directly to the executives.”

He would not say whether executives’ spouses were ever paid during his time as chief ﬁnancial o cer.

Zulkoski also reported that iSun executives received company cars in their names without proper approval. Sullivan acknowledged that he took the title to his company car as part of his departure but said Peck personally authorized the transfer. He said he wasn’t aware of employees misappropriating vehicles.

The letter also accuses Sullivan and Peck of misrepresenting iSun’s revenue to lenders who provided ﬁnancing in the months before its collapse. Last December, iSun secured an $8 million loan from a company called Decathlon Capital. The

loan was not cheap: iSun would have to pay it back, plus at least $5.2 million in interest, by 2027.

The loan included a covenant that restricted iSun from borrowing additional funds without Decathlon’s approval. Yet in the weeks that followed, iSun executives secured several more loans from what Zulkoski describes as “predatory lenders” without notifying its full board — or Decathlon. Public filings show iSun entered into $1.2 million “cash advance” agreements with Pawn Funding and Cedar Advance in early 2024.

Decathlon later accused iSun of defaulting on its $8 million loan, iSun disclosed in its bankruptcy ﬁling, in part because iSun incurred new debt that wasn’t permitted under the loan agreement.

iSun needed the cash to pay its bills. But Zulkoski alleges the loans were also used to pay bonuses to executives “during a time when the Company was (and still is) in great ﬁnancial turmoil.”

Peck and Sullivan were awarded bonuses last year of $267,500 and $152,500 respectively, Seven Days previously reported.

Sullivan said he was not responsible for the “cash advance” agreements because he had already told iSun of his intent to resign. Peck’s name appears on the contracts. Company leaders,

including Zulkoski, asked Sullivan to remain with iSun, though he ultimately declined.

Sullivan’s decision to leave did not stem from “any disagreement with the Company, its management or its Board of Directors on any matter,” the company’s February announcement stated.

“I felt that it was just time to move forward and pursue some other opportunities,” Sullivan said. He said he is currently working full-time but did not say where.

Shortly after iSun’s June 3 bankruptcy filing, Zulkoski posted a comment on LinkedIn.

“I’ve seen bankruptcy used far too often to shelter poor decision making, oversight and governance by parties not putting their responsibility to shareholders and employees first,” Zulkoski wrote.

He linked to a June 4 column in the New York Times about corporate abuses of U.S. bankruptcy law and tagged the three independent members of iSun’s ﬁve-person board of directors: Stewart Martin, Andy Matthy and Meer.

iSun’s bankruptcy petition shows its largest unsecured debt, $1.7 million, is owed to Colchester-based Green Mountain Electric Supply. The supplier already has ﬁled suit against iSun in state court, claiming iSun owes it nearly $200,000 for equipment used on one recent project on the University of Vermont campus.

iSun also owes more than $400,000 to a Vermont chapter of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 300. The bankruptcy petition lists the debt as “union dues,” but business manager Jeffrey Wimette said most of the money owed is for health and pension benefits. The labor union represented about 75 iSun employees, 36 of whom were laid off with no notice in May. So far, only about a third of the affected workers have found another job, Wimette said.

iSun started falling behind on contributions to employee health, welfare and pension funds last December, he said. An agreement is in place to repay the debt over time, which Wimette said he is optimistic the company will fulﬁll.

He hopes the company, a large employer, will be salvaged through the bankruptcy process. But Wimette said he’s frustrated with iSun’s leadership.

“A lot of people left because of mismanagement,” he said.

Nor is Wimette pleased that union members lost their jobs while the executives received bonuses.

“They’re not losing anything,” he said. “Maybe their pride, but ﬁnancially, they’re ﬁne.” ➆

HEALTH CARE

Vermont Launches Problem Gambling Support Website

BY JACK MCGUIRE jmcguire@sevendaysvt.com

Six months after Vermont legalized sports betting, the state has a new website intended to help people who have developed gambling problems.

VTGamblingHelp.org invites people to “choose to change your game.” It offers a live chat function and a number to call for help: 1-800-GAMBLER. Users can also visit the website to ﬁnd information about the signs of problem gambling and treatment options.

e site, run by the state Department of Mental Health, directs people to Vermont’s voluntary selfexclusion program. e opt-in registry allows people to ban themselves from sports betting, either permanently or for a set period of time.

Eight people are currently on the list, according to Charles Martin, a spokesperson for the Department of Liquor and Lottery, up from two in March.

“I think any state that’s going to offer a lawful [sports-betting] market should have services like this,” Martin told Seven Days. “I don’t know that you can do one without the other, so I think it’s essential.”

Before Vermont passed a legal sports-betting law in 2023, a lobbyist told lawmakers that an estimated 11,600 Vermonters were problem gamblers. People must be 21 or over to wager.

“Research is very clear that any time you introduce a new form of gambling in a jurisdiction, you ... will increase the number of problems,” Brianne Doura-Schawohl, of the National Council on Problem Gambling, said in 2022.

It’s unclear how many Vermonters are now considered problem gamblers. When online sports betting launched in January, some 52,000 people used one or more of the three virtual gambling services offered in Vermont. By the end of May, there were about 27,700 active users in the state, according to Department of Liquor and Lottery data.

e state receives about one-third of all money the sportsbooks win in Vermont, which amounted to $3.5 million as of the end of June. State law appropriated $250,000 for the Department of Mental Health to establish and administer problem gambling resources; the new website is a part of that. ➆

HEALTH CARE

UVM Medical Center Nurses

Set Date for Strike

STORY & PHOTO BY COLIN FLANDERS colin@sevendaysvt.com

Nurses at the University of Vermont Medical Center say they will strike for ﬁve days starting July 12 if they can’t reach a new contract with the hospital.

e announcement does not necessarily mean a strike will happen. Unions are legally required to ﬁle 10-day notices ahead of work stoppages, and the two sides say they will continue negotiating this week in hopes of closing a sizable gap between their proposed wage increases. But the latest posturing brings Vermont’s largest hospital one step closer to what would be its second strike in six years.

“We’re not giving up [on a deal],” Deb Snell, president of the Vermont Federation of Nurses & Health Professionals, said at a press conference on Tuesday. “But the hospital needed to be put on notice that we’re just about done with the nonsense.”

e union says its negotiators have signiﬁcantly reduced its proposal since last week, from 46 percent raises to 31 percent, which upset some of its members. e hospital’s proposal, on the other hand, has risen from 17 to 20 percent. But an 11 percent gap remains, representing more than $30 million, and it is unclear whether either side is willing to budge any further.

“We’re conﬁdent that the offer we have on the table now is the offer that makes sense, with everything else that we’re trying to do right now,” UVM Medical Center president Stephen Lefﬂer said at a press conference on Tuesday.

e union and the hospital were scheduled to meet on Wednesday, July 3, and union leaders say they’re willing to meet again on Monday, July 8, if they feel progress is being made. e current contract expires on July 9.

While expressing hope for a compromise, UVM Medical Center officials say they are preparing as if a strike is imminent. ey have already made a $750,000 deposit to a nursing staffing agency and are in the process of booking hotels for the hundreds of temp workers who would be needed to fill in, according to Leffler.

He also warned that elective procedures may be canceled during the ﬁve-day strike. ➆

Bird Flu Blues « P.14

They’ve only had mild symptoms — good news given that the virus has historically had a high fatality rate among humans, killing roughly half of the 900 or so people infected over the past several decades.

believe the ongoing outbreaks are mainly the result of contaminated milking machines being shared across farms.

Common biosecurity measures include quarantining newly arriving cows and changing clothes when moving between herds.

to have close contact with his animals because of the risk of disease. When the farm does have visitors — a school tour, perhaps — they wear disposable booties and avoid areas where the cows eat.

Still, the outbreak has public health experts worried. The longer H5N1 spreads, the more chances it has to mutate into a more transmissible form. Under that still-speculative scenario, dairy cow outbreaks could fuel the next pandemic.

“We still don’t know a lot,” said Natalie Kwit, a trained epidemiologist who serves as Vermont’s public health veterinarian. “We’re looking to our federal agencies and the other states that are dealing with it for guidance.”

Among the unknowns is whether the virus might be spreading silently. New research suggests that it probably jumped from an infected bird to a cow sometime around the start of the year — months before the first confirmed bovine case. In April, the U.S. Department of Agriculture ordered farmers to begin testing their lactating cows any time they are shipped across state lines.

Yet public health experts warn that the U.S. won’t know the full extent of outbreaks until it adopts a more aggressive, systematic testing regimen. Some are comparing it to the early days of COVID-19, when a sluggish response allowed the virus to spread undetected.

“We’re flying blind,” Jennifer Nuzzo, director of the Pandemic Center at the Brown University School of Public Health, told NPR last month.

Vermont has conducted about 100 tests on 13 farms; all were negative. Most were administered under the federal travel rules, though a few involved cows that appeared to be sick, according to Kristin Haas, the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets’ state veterinarian.

Vermont otherwise has no new protocols for its roughly 500 dairy farms, which, as of 2022, were home to about 117,500 cows. Instead, farmers are urged to keep up their “biosecurity practices,” a set of on-farm actions Haas described as setting up an imaginary wall around a group of animals to prevent them from getting sick. New research suggests the virus is spreading through infected milk rather than air droplets, and experts

The USDA has recommended that farms discourage visitors and equip workers with personal protective equipment such as gowns, goggles, gloves and masks. But with no cases reported in Vermont, farmers are weighing whether it’s worth wearing PPE during the summertime heat. “There’s a threading of the wire as to what’s practical, based on the risk index,” Haas

One thing he’s not so sure about: whether to bring his cows to the Tunbridge World’s Fair this September. His eldest son wants to go, and his vet has said it’s probably safe, as long as they follow the state’s guidance. But Ransom said his inclination is to keep the cows home until there’s more clarity on the virus.

If the region avoids any cases over the next month, he might consider it, he said: “But if it flares up in this area, then definitely not.”

AMONG THE UNKNOWNS IS WHETHER THE VIRUS MIGHT BE

IS WHETHER THE VIRUS

SPREADING SILENTLY.

Workers from the state ag agency and health department have been meeting regularly to discuss their respective roles should the state confirm its first case. Affected farms would be issued a quarantine notice, officials say, and the state would start contact tracing to figure out how the virus infiltrated the farm and whether workers might have been exposed.

Summer adds another wrinkle. Vermont has about a dozen fairs and field days, at which cows from all over the state and beyond converge into single locations where tens of thousands of people want to see them up close.

Som e states, including New York, are requiring that farmers test any lactating cows they’re bringing to county fairs. Vermont hasn’t taken that step yet, though anyone bringing a cow here from nearby states would need to test under the federal rules. Vermont farmers are encouraged to take precautions, such as limiting their use of communal milking parlors. The message to fairgoers, meanwhile: Wash your hands, and don’t eat around the animals.

“It’s not really a new message, just a new risk,” said Kwit, the health department vet.

Dozens of farmers attended an informational meeting about the virus hosted by the Agency of Agriculture last month. Among them was Earl Ransom, whose family runs a 144-head dairy operation in Strafford known as Rockbottom Farm.

After learning more about the outbreaks in other parts of the country, Ransom feels pretty confident in his farm’s preventive measures. It’s been years since he’s bought a new cow, he said, and he generally doesn’t allow people

While the departments have some experience with that process due to several small, backyard domestic poultry outbreaks, dairy farms could pose additional challenges. Many farmworkers don’t speak English, for instance. The health department says it is prepared to tailor its outreach as needed, drawing on lessons learned during COVID-19. Both departments have also created informational pages on their websites about the bird ﬂu.

The state vets say they’re holding out hope that national containment efforts will stop the virus in its tracks. Federal agriculture leaders are “not at a stage where they’re saying, ‘OK, this is just the new normal,’ and we live with it,” Haas said.

“I don’t know what level of confidence I have in this statement, but it is technically possible that we don’t see cases in Vermont,” she said.

Farmers are still anxious — and understandably so, said Folsom, the farm bureau president. “There’s so much up in the air, and nobody really knows what’s going on,” she said.

And, just like weather patterns, there’s only so much farmers themselves can control. “Other than watching bulletins come out and seeing how close it’s getting, we’re all just in a wait-and-see mode,” Folsom said. ➆

Deb Snell (center)

FEEDback

Sanders’ psychiatrist, there might be some credence to his statement.

There have been many Jews who have been antisemitic. Karl Marx is probably the most famous. Gertrude Stein kept company with the Nazis.

Milton Batalion ESSEX JUNCTION

QUIZ QUESTION

I have a lot of fun taking the Vermont News Quiz each Friday. I think it would be super cool, and very informative, if you could publish the number of quiz respondents. I love comparing myself with the stats/ data provided. However, without knowing how many people are taking the quiz, it significantly alters the landscape of data. (Seventy percent of 100 respondents is still a much smaller pool than, say, 20 percent of 2,000 respondents).

I’ve seen these stats in the New York Times quiz, so it’s possible. Is Seven Days willing to follow suit?

Thanks very much for considering!

Chris Celotto BURLINGTON

Editor’s note: Seven Days’ news quiz tool, made by News Games, doesn’t allow us to show players how many respondents have taken the quiz at any given moment. We can see the numbers on the back end, though: An average of 1,341 people have taken the quiz each week over the past 12 weeks.

‘HOME LAKE’ SOLUTION

[Re “Making Waves: For Wake Boat Opponents, New Rules Mean New Battles,” May 22]: The Department of Environmental Conservation’s new wake boat regulations became effective April 15. The “home lake” provision requiring certified decontamination of ballast tanks will help reduce the spread of aquatic invasive species. Unfortunately, without a DEC “home lake” decal program this summer, this provision cannot be implemented due to manpower issues.

Consequently, Responsible Wakes for Vermont Lakes recommended to the DEC the following:

During 2024, lake resident-owned and -operated wake boats are allowed to operate in wake sports mode only on their home lake. Similarly, nonresident wake boats may declare their home lake for such activities. No wake boats may be moved between lakes for water sports. Resident and nonresident wake boat owners will notify their local lake association or other DEC-authorized entity of their home lake.

These entities will provide the DEC with their list of registered wake boats. Because state law (10 V.S.A. § 1454) prohibits lake-to-lake transport of aquatic invasive species in ballast water, before launching, wake boat owners must attest their boat has not previously been in another lake. Once the DEC’s “home lake” decal program is established, this provision will sunset.

Implementation of this provision will be easy, inexpensive, effective and managed locally with significantly less effort required on the part of the DEC. There is no need for wake boat decontamination or certification of decontamination stations.

Adoption of this recommendation provides the DEC a year to develop an effective “home lake” decal program.

Jack

Widness

WILMINGTON

Widness is organizing leader of Responsible Wakes for Vermont Lakes.

‘TRAGEDY OF AMERICAN HEALTH CARE’

So the University of Vermont Medical Center is hitting up the Green Mountain Care Board for a multimillion-dollar Certificate of Need to construct a new surgical facility [“Pre-Op Exam: UVM

Medical Center Asks State Regulators to Approve a $130 Million Surgical Facility,” May 29]. This is an old song that we’ve heard so often before, not just with UVM Medical Center, but in so many other aspects of American business. If you build some shiny new multimilliondollar facility or whatever, it will shore up underperforming divisions and turn the ship around.

The real motive for this proposal is in the last paragraph of the article: “The center would begin paying for itself almost immediately and, by 2030, could generate an annual net profit of at least $10 million, even after accounting for the 75 new hires that would be needed to staff the facility, hospital officials said.”

That $10 million undoubtedly would be more by 2030. With Green Mountain Care Board approval, UVM Medical Center could charge higher fees and rates for this new facility, compelling insurance companies to pass on these charges to the public so that many of us would not be able to afford to have surgeries at this new surgery center we paid for.

It is about the positive cash flow coming from patients who are pumped through as consumers to meet revenue forecasts and hospital margins. If you go bigger — create a larger monopoly — then you can get the highest prices the market will bear.

This is the tragedy of American health care.

Walter Carpenter MONTPELIER

WHERE WILL PATIENTS GO?

[Re “UVM Medical Center Nurses to Hold Strike Authorization Vote Amid Contract Negotiations,” June 14; “UVM Medical Center Nurses Authorize Strike as Negotiations Continue,” June 25]: What happens to people who need urgent, critical or ongoing medical care if nurses walk off the job on July 9?

Examples: Pregnant women who are due to deliver on or after July 9; patients on kidney dialysis, chemotherapy or other regimens to manage serious disease; farmers or other workers who sustain injuries that threaten loss of a limb (the second cut for haying season in Vermont typically takes place at the end of June or July); victims of motor vehicle accidents or drowning incidents; people suffering a stroke or heart attack.

Will regional hospitals be equipped to suddenly absorb new, critically ill patients on short notice? UVM Medical Center patients and their families will want to know what to expect and plan accordingly, if possible.

Sharon Faelten UNDERHILL

People surfing behind a wake boat

Job of the Week

Executive Director

Burke Mountain Club (“BMC”), a vibrant nonprofit in East Burke, VT, is on a mission to enhance the quality of life throughout its local community. BMC is seeking a highly skilled,

The Scoop on Burke Mountain Club

What makes this opportunity unique?

Founded in 1919 by Elmer Darling, the Burke Mountain Club has a tremendous legacy of providing the community with a place to gather. Now, post-pandemic, there is a rare opportunity to reset by appointing our ﬁrst-ever executive director to reengage locals and meet their many needs. e director may also choose the live-in residency, tackling unique caretaking responsibilities around the facilities and property.

What challenges will the executive director face?

is seasoned leader must understand current trends in community building, arts, athletics and education and have experience in developing and implementing a successful fundraising plan. Experience in property management and established relationships with local community groups are pluses. e executive director will work closely with the trustees to fulﬁll the club’s vision.

Rachel Rose, Lake Valley, 2016 (video still detail)

Enrico Riley, Together Black and Yellow, 2022

lifelines

OBITUARIES

Jacquelyn Oak

OCTOBER 7, 1947JUNE 1, 2024 SHELBURNE, VT.

Jacquelyn Oak passed away on June 1, 2024. Jackie was born on October 7, 1947, in LaPorte, Ind., the daughter of Dwight David and Elizabeth Oak.

Although she grew up in Indiana, her mother’s family ties drew her to New England. After graduating from Lake Forest College in Illinois and receiving her master’s in art history at Purdue University, she began her museum career in 1972, working in research, rights and photographs at Shelburne Museum. Two years later, she became registrar. It was the beginning of a lifelong fascination with folk art and folk artists. Helping to coordinate the speakers at a graduate program series at Shelburne put her in contact with leading scholars in the ﬁeld, including Wendell Garett, editor of Antiques; Jonathan Fairbanks, Museum of Fine Arts Boston; and Peter Mooz, Bowdoin College Museum. She soaked up the history of the collections from longtime employees who had worked directly with Shelburne Museum founder Electra Havemeyer Webb. Before she left Shelburne, she curated her ﬁrst folk art exhibition. After four years with the Shelburne Museum, Jackie joined the staff of

OBITUARIES, VOWS, CELEBRATIONS

the Museum of Our National Heritage in Lexington, Mass., in 1976. For the next 14 years, she served as registrar, where she worked with the staff of major national and international museums, small historical societies, and private collectors, while managing a demanding schedule of changing exhibitions. By the 10th anniversary of the museum in 1985, she had managed loans of more than 5,000 objects, including a major exhibition from the British Library, Abraham Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address from the Library of Congress and a copy of the Emancipation Proclamation from the National Archives. Her love of folk art never waned. In addition to her responsibilities as registrar, she coauthored an article on folk artist Noah North in Antiques in 1977. She participated in major folk-art conferences at Winterthur, Williamsburg and the Fenimore Art Museum and served as a consultant to the Whitney Museum, Art Institute of Chicago, Brattleboro Museum and Art Center, and Genesee County Museum.

In 1981 she organized “House, Sign, and Fancy Painting” in collaboration with the Shelburne Museum and published two articles, “New Discoveries in House, Sign, and Fancy Painting” in Clarion and “American Folk Portraits in the Collection of Sybil B. And Arthur B. Kern” in Antiques. During planning for a comprehensive exhibition of Noah North in 1982, the discovery of a painting signed by M.W. Hopkins forced a reappraisal of works previously attributed to North and paved the way for an entirely new way to look at folk artists of the 19th century. Jackie brought an attention to detail, relentless research and an innovative social history approach to what became a groundbreaking study of Hopkins and North.

“Face to Face: M.W. Hopkins and Noah North” opened in 1988 at the Museum of Our National Heritage, accompanied by a scholarly catalog, and traveled to the Strong Museum in Rochester, N.Y.; the New York State Historical Association in Cooperstown, N.Y.; and the Museum of American Folk Art in New York City. In 1990 Jackie returned to Vermont to establish a museum consulting ﬁrm but found it necessary instead to return to Indiana to care for her aging parents. When she returned to Vermont, she reconnected with Shelburne Museum and worked as manager of photographic rights and reproductions, while continuing to teach classes on American folk art and serving as a guide at the museum from 2007 until 2024. For the past 12 years, she served as a guest curator at the Fenimore Art Museum in Cooperstown, where she initiated and curated “Artist and Visionary: William Matthew Prior Revealed,” the ﬁrst exhibition devoted solely to this important artist, in 2012. e exhibition traveled to the American Folk Art Museum in 2013. Jackie also curated “A Perfect Likeness: Folk Art and Early Photography” for the Fenimore Art Museum in 2014. At the time of her passing, Jackie was working on “ e Art of Reform,” a major exhibition on American folk artists and their involvement in social and religious reform movements.

Jackie combined her connoisseurship of folk art with a passion for local history, newspapers and documents. She loved spending time in the small villages of New England and along the Erie Canal, where her painters and their subjects lived and worked. Shelburne Museum remained a very special place for her. She continued to share her enthusiasm for the collections, working as a guide at the museum more than 50 years later.

Matthew Katz

AUGUST 6, 1946JUNE 25, 2024 BURLINGTON, VT.

Matthew Ira Katz was born on August 6, 1946, to Abraham and Minnie Katz in New York City. ey lived in Queens Village with his older brother, Sheldon. ey spoke Yiddish and grew up surrounded by a large extended family. Abe worked in the diamond district as a stone setter, while Minnie stayed at home.

Matt graduated from New York City public schools. He attended Trinity College in Hartford, Conn., graduating in 1967. He immediately went on to Rutgers Law School in Newark, N.J., where one of his favorite professors was Ruth Bader Ginsburg. He married Elaine Kaplan in 1968 in Northampton, Mass. Upon graduating from law school in 1970, he and Elaine moved to Burlington, Vt. At the age of 23, he started his law career at Vermont Legal Aid as a staff attorney in the Burlington ofﬁce.

During his three-year employment at Vermont Legal Aid, he was cocounsel for the plaintiffs in Beecham v. Leahy, a challenge to the constitutionality of Vermont’s abortion prohibition law. He won in the Chittenden Superior Court in a landmark decision from the Vermont Supreme Court that predated the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade Matt valued civic duty, serving on several local boards and committees and running unsuccessfully for Burlington city alderman on a platform to increase local bus service.

Matt moved on to the Burlington law firm of Latham, Eastman, Schweyer and Tetzlaff, where he began as the firm’s counsel for the University of Vermont. He became a partner at the firm and developed experience in commercial litigation, representing clients in banking and construction.

In 1985, governor Madeleine Kunin appointed Matt to a Vermont Superior Court judgeship. Like all superior judges at the time, he sat in superior courts in many counties and presided over all kinds of trials in civil, criminal and family cases. He developed expertise in civil cases and often sat in the Chittenden Superior Court in Burlington. On his retirement, the assistant judges named the second-ﬂoor courtroom in the Chittenden Superior Court the Judge Matthew Katz Courtroom in his honor.

Although Matt sat primarily in civil cases, it was a criminal case that gave him the most notoriety, again involving abortion. A group of anti-abortion protestors were arrested for illegal activities in connection with protests at Planned Parenthood and were brought before Judge Katz in criminal court. He ordered them to be released on bail, but only if they gave their names, which they refused to do. A standoff resulted, and the protestors were placed in jail. Other anti-abortion protestors then conducted a protest at Judge Katz’s house, the only time in Vermont that such a home protest has occurred.

Matt was also known for his humor. In the lulls that occasionally occur in trial proceedings, Matt would write limericks and draw cartoons on what was occurring in court. To capture his essence, many were read at his retirement party.

Later in his career, he was nominated to be a member of the prestigious American Law Institute. e ALI is the nation’s leading independent organization producing scholarly work to clarify, modernize and improve the law through restatements. Membership in this historic and prestigious organization is by invitation and a recognition that a person is at the top of their ﬁeld as a leading professor, advocate or judge.

Matt retired in 2011. Eight months later, he had a stroke that impaired his mobility and speech. He joined the Aphasia Choir, a group of stroke and traumatic brain injury survivors who, despite speech deﬁcits, sing using a different part of the brain than are impacted by aphasia. He sang with the choir at its annual performances. He had so many incredible and giving coaches in his physical, occupational and speech therapists and medical team. He enjoyed NDAA (adaptive) kayaking with old friends

at the Waterbury Reservoir and in the Champlain Islands, and he always looked forward to attending Tuesday UVM stroke group meetings. During this phase of his life, those around him were inspired by his positive attitude and resilience. We are thankful for all the wonderful people who cheered Matt on during his recovery.

In 2015, the Vermont Bar Association created the Matthew Katz Award to be given to persons in the judicial system who demonstrate the characteristics of Judge Matthew Katz. ese include a deep commitment to the law, professionalism and fair treatment for all who come before the judiciary.

Matt had many interests outside the law, including nature photography, cooking, history and current events. He was adept at lemon currant scones, and a family favorite was his mushroom barley soup. He was partial to biographies and listening to the Metropolitan Opera on the weekends. He and Elaine traveled widely together. eir adventures included backcountry trekking to the Havasupai Indian reservation, hiking, ﬂy-ﬁshing, and horseback riding in Arizona and Colorado. He enjoyed traveling through Europe, taking photos, absorbing historical landmarks and enjoying the cuisine. Just a week prior to his stroke, he and Elaine completed a biking trip through southern Italy. Matt was a special mentor, husband, father and zaide. Never one to impose, upon request, he was always willing to add grammatical and content suggestions to papers. He was very proud of his ability to say more with less. He will be missed but never forgotten.

Matt is survived by his wife of 55 years, Elaine Katz; and son, Ben, and his wife, Dr. Megan Malgeri, of Burlington, and their two daughters, Sylvia and Louisa. Matt had many beloved friends and family. We would like to recognize the many attorneys, judges and friends who visited the house and nursing home to read to Matt. He had visitors three to four days per week, solidly, for the past 12 years. e love and compassion his friends displayed was nothing short of magical and brought great joy to Matt. You all brightened his life.

Matt’s funeral was held on Friday, June 28, 11 a.m., at Ohavi Zedek Synagogue in Burlington, Vt.

OBITUARIES

Sally MacLeod Reichert

MARCH 17, 1948JUNE 8, 2024

ST. HIPPOLYTE-DU-FORT, FRANCE

Sally Parker MacLeod Reichert, daughter of the late Margery and Jack MacLeod and stepdaughter of the late David Glass, died in France, age 76, at her beloved home of 20 years. After growing up in Washington, D.C., and Vermont, Sally attended the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). Her life was a constant expression of originality and beauty through her work as a designer, model, writer and

photographer. Her kind and perceptive nature shone through warm friendships; she had a genius for living with style and sophistication, while maintaining a remarkable ability to delight in the simplest of pleasures. Her generosity extended to a series of cherished (formerly) homeless cats wherever she lived.

Sally met artist, writer and ﬁlmmaker Marcus Reichert when they were both freshmen at RISD. ey were together across 50 years — a marriage of true artists, with a passionate commitment to creativity, intellectual honesty and conviviality.

Sally and Marcus were part of the downtown Manhattan art scene for several years. Sally created hand-painted silk clothing, sold in a SoHo shop she co-established, and designed textile patterns. She worked for a time as a model, often posing for her dear friend and noted illustrator George Stavrinos. George’s images of Sally appeared frequently in New York Times ads for Bergdorf Goodman and Barney’s. Sally was photographed for Vogue Italia. Marcus’ conﬁdante and muse, Sally was hugely talented in her own right.

Several years of life in smalltown North Carolina inspired her novel Passing Strange (Random House, 2002). “A sharply observed study of the many ways that people judge each other” (Booklist), it was named a best book of the year by the Los Angeles Times. She also wrote 13: Stories (Ziggurat Books, 2014) and additional unpublished short-form pieces.

Sally and Marcus went on to embrace expat life in Europe, ﬁrst in London, then Northumberland and Ramsgate, England, and later in a small market town in southern France.

Sally was a gifted photographer. Marcus gave her a small camera, intuiting that her artist’s eye would capture their surroundings in strikingly original photographs. On daily walks she amassed an archive of architectural and natural features, local people and animals, skies and trees — a detailed portrait of her adopted French town. Even after physical frailty limited her mobility, she posted two of her best shots each day on Facebook and delighted in the comments posted by her legion of FB friends.

Above all, Sally adored

Marcus Reichert — and it was mutual. Intimate photographs of Sally ﬁll the pages of Marcus’ book Portrait of the Artist’s Wife (Ziggurat, 2012). On every project, from creating their next beautifully decorated home/studio/workplace to choosing the cover design for a new novel, they applied their individual talents while also collaborating in a deeply bonded and respectful partnership.

Sally was widowed with little warning in 2022, right after Marcus and his crew had completed principal photography for a film (as yet unfinished) starring singer-actor Debbie Harry of Blondie – 40 years after their collaboration on the cult film noir Union City Sally faced the loss of Marcus with stoicism and gratitude for the life they had created, buoyed by the joie de vivre of local British and French friends and professionals and the long-distance support of family and old friends from everywhere she ever lived.

Sally’s life can be honored through any action against cruelty and injustice or in the savoring of any of life’s pleasures. (She would

suggest some dark chocolate or dry rosé, ideally in the company of a purring cat.)

Survivors are her sisters, Lauren MacLeod of Rutland, Mass., and Anne MacLeod of Vergennes, Vt.; sisterin-law, Melissa Reichert, of Shrewsbury, Vt.; stepbrothers, Dickson Glass (Mary) of South Burlington, Vt., and Gordon Glass of Gulfport, Fla.; stepsister, Nancy Angelopoulos (Spyro), of North Haven, Conn.; and nephew, Luke Brownell (Cierra), of West Boylston, Mass. Sally is also mourned by a network of old and new friends, including Henry Carse of Huntington, Vt., and Mark and Marie Luscombe-Whyte, Muriel Teissier du Cros, and Stephane Marinangeli, of St. Hippolyte-du-Fort. ere are no adequate words to describe the countless acts of loving kindness given to Sally; her American family will be forever in debt to those who supported her every day across more than two years, with inﬁnite wisdom, sensitivity and tenderness.

A celebration of the lives of Sally and Marcus will take place in France in the autumn.

IN MEMORIAM

Kira Jaye Serisky

2003-2021

Sweet Kira (KJ), We can only imagine what good you might be doing in the world on your 21st birthday. In your short 17 years on this Earth, you made a lasting, positive impact on many people (and many kitties), especially your mama and daddy. We hope that you love “Kira’s Garden,” planted with a few of your friends who love and miss you greatly. We have much more to do to ensure that your legacy continues 4-ever. We miss everything about you, each day being as painful as the last. Love, Mama, Daddy, Aunt Shell, Uncle Bryan, and your furry boys, Arminius and Maple-Buns.

AUGUST 13, 1933JUNE 8, 2024

ESSEX JUNCTION, VT.

Irene Lariviere Miller, 90, died peacefully on June 8, 2024, with her two sons and daughter-in-law by her side, at the McClure Miller Respite House in Colchester, Vt. Irene was born on August 13, 1933, and raised in Burlington, Vt., where she met the love of her life, William (Bill) Miller. As the wife of a military veteran, Irene resided in many different states across the U.S. and lived in Germany for three years. She returned to Burlington with her family shortly after Bill retired from the U.S. Air Force and was employed at Plastic Monoﬁl before working at IBM for 15 years. Irene was a caring woman with a funny sense of humor and a big

heart. She was a great cook who loved spending time with family and friends. No one ever left Irene’s home hungry, and they usually left with containers of leftovers to enjoy later.

A huge Boston Red Sox fan, Irene took a once-in-alifetime trip in 2016 with her husband to Fenway Park to watch the Red Sox win, from box seats in a suite overlooking the ﬁrst-base line.

Irene was predeceased by her parents, Joseph and Rose (Boucher) Lariviere; brother, Joseph Lariviere; sisters, Jeannine Brown and MaryRose Kern; and son Michael Miller.

Irene is survived by her loving husband of 68 years, William Miller; her son

William (Jr.) Miller and his wife, Terry Miller; her son David Miller and his spouse, Crystal McCallen; seven grandchildren; 10 greatgrandchildren; and many special nieces and nephews. Irene’s family would like to thank Dr. Jan Ferris of Evergreen Family Health in Williston for her kindness and care as Irene’s doctor for decades. ey would also like to thank the dedicated and caring nurses, staff, physicians and community volunteers at the McClure Miller Respite House — a home away from home for people with a terminal illness and their families.

In lieu of ﬂowers, please consider a memorial

donation to the McClure Miller Respite House, 3113 Roosevelt Hwy., Colchester, VT 05446.

A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on ursday, July 11, 10 a.m., at Holy Family Church, 4 Prospect St., Essex Junction, VT 05452, with Reverend Charles Ranges, S.S.E. ofﬁciating. Burial will immediately follow at Resurrection Park Cemetery, 200 Hinesburg Rd., South Burlington, followed by a return to Holy Family Church for a reception at the church hall. As per Irene’s request, there will be no visiting hours. Please visit awrfh.com to share your memories and condolences.

Janet Cole

1936-2024

Please join our family at the Kingsland Bay State Park in Ferrisburgh, Vt., on ursday, July 25, 4 to 7 p.m., to commemorate the life of Janet Cole, 87, of Ferrisburgh, who died on March 26, and share memories. Rain or shine.

Irene Lariviere Miller

lifelines

OBITUARIES

Robert Boyd

OCTOBER 16, 1949-JUNE 21, 2024

SOUTH HERO, VT.

Robert Douglas Boyd (aka Bob, Faj, Bao Tak Fai, Johnny Silver, Boob and Master Boyd), born in Burlington Vt., left this world on June 21, 2024, at the tender age of 74, surrounded by his family. A unique, creative character, he blazed his own path through life in pursuit of varied creative endeavors — music, writing and martial arts — and, in his most important role, as a proud and loving parent and husband.

From his ﬁrst performance at John J. Flynn Elementary School in the third grade, singing “Sixteen Tons of Number Nine Coal,” to fronting dozens of rock, country, rockabilly and blues bands over the years to his most recent venture — singing classics and playing jazz guitar from the great American songbook — Bob was a gifted guitarist, vocalist and showman.

OBITUARIES, VOWS, CELEBRATIONS

of martial arts. In the early ’80s, he transitioned to tai chi chuan, and after years of teaching and personal pursuit, he was sought out and accepted as a private student by the Grand Master Ip Tai Tak in Hong Kong. He quickly mastered the hidden system of snake style tai chi and became the adopted son and second disciple of Master Ip, and the ﬁrst-ever American to be brought into the Yang family tai chi chuan’s long lineage. Bob went on to become an internationally recognized tai chi master, passing his extensive knowledge of the snake style on to students in the U.S., Canada and Europe. He was executive director of the Burlington Tai Chi Institute and founder of the International Snake Style Association, both with the mission to preserve and perpetuate snake style tai chi for eternity.

As a writer, he started off as a cub reporter for the Burlington Free Press, before moving on to copywriting for print and radio ads with a major ad agency in Burlington. He partook directly in their productions, singing jingles, producing TV ads and doing his best John Wayne impersonation for radio spots. He joined forces with his good friend Connie Ramsey to form their own ad agency, known as Ramsey Boyd and later Blue Moon Advertising. eir collaboration won them coveted awards from Vermont to Boston, including a Clio, one of the world’s most prestigious creative excellence awards. He wrote and published several books about snake style tai chi and spent much of his life writing ﬁction — even though those close to him knew those stories were more autobiographical than he was letting on.

In the mid-’60s, he set off on a path that would become a central focus of his life — the study of martial arts. From the early days as a karate student achieving a fourth-degree black belt, traveling to Okinawa, Japan, to learn from masters, becoming an instructor and taking over the UechiRyu Karate School in Burlington, he never stopped pursuing his study

Bob was a voracious learner and devoted teacher, who for years had vowed to pursue his creative passions until the day that he died — a promise that he was able to keep. He was practicing tai chi up until his ﬁnal days on Earth. He touched so many people and enriched the lives of all those he came in contact with. He was humble, patient and generous with all his friends, family and students. He longed for a fair and just world and strived to set an example for what a peaceful, caring world could look like. It would be remiss to omit that he had an extraordinary relationship with his family, especially his son, Jackson. eirs was a symbiotic relationship where each one was the other one’s hero.

Bob is survived by his wife of 43 years, Sydnee (née Silverman), of South Hero, Vt.; son, Jackson (Luz Gonzales), of Chicago, Ill.; sister, Sheryl Morehead (Tim O’Brien), of Burlington, Vt.; brother, Stewart (Wendy Byrne), of South Burlington, Vt.; aunt and godmother, June Terrien, of Burlington, Vt.; godchildren Polly Cain Mangan of Burlington, Vt., and Trevor Ford of Austin, Texas; brother-in-law, Steven “Skip” Silverman MD (Bonnie), of Sarasota, Fla.; nephew Will Morehead of Burlington, Vt.; nephew Danny Silverman of Los Angeles, Calif.; niece, Laurie Waldron (Josh), of Tampa, Fla.; two grandnieces, one granddog

and a number of cousins; very longtime friend and tai chi student Ernie Pomerleau of Burlington; Mabel Ip of Hong Kong; disciples ierry Bai of France, Orit Alkabetz of France and Marcel Friederichs of Germany; and tai chi students here and abroad. He was predeceased by his father, Stewart Boyd Sr.; mother, Ann Clement; stepfather, Earle “Dexo” Clement; parents-in-law, Al and Shirley Silverman (Sarasota, Fla.); his beloved man’s best friend, Pudd; and dear friends Dan Gibson (Fletcher, Vt.), Ned Strianese (Burlington) and John Mech MD (Burlington). Bob and Sydnee were longtime residents of South Hero and recently spent winter months at their home in Portugal. It was there that he was in closer proximity to his European disciples and students.

Profound gratitude goes to those who cared for him and his wife and son during Bob’s critical time of need; to his brother, Stewart, and his wife, Wendy, and the whole Vermont clan down at Trailer Estates in Florida; Ernie Pomerleau; Elita Soria (Chicago); Steve Hawthorne and Sandrine Simon (Costa da Caparica, Portugal); his devoted nurse, Jill (Bradenton, Fla.); and brother-inlaw, Dr. Skip, who worked tirelessly through complicated barriers of the health care system to ensure Bob’s recovery.

ere will be a memorial and celebration hosted by his family on Sunday, August 18, at Snow Farm Winery in South Hero, Vt. e family will commence the event at noon with tributes to Bob, followed by the celebration. RSVPs are appreciated, email sydneeaboyd@gmail.com.

A memorial and reunion will take place for tai chi students and disciples on Friday, August 16. Details to follow at a later date. Donations in memory of Bob’s life and work may be made to any of the following:

Worthen Library, c/o Kathleen Swanson, 28 Community Ln., South Hero, VT 05486.

Champlain Islands Food Shelf, PO Box 24, North Hero, VT 05474.

C.I.D.ER. (Champlain Islanders Developing Essential Resources), PO Box 13, South Hero, VT 05486.

e accolades are endless for Bob, but he was a writer and liked to keep his prose simple. So, in the words of his musical hero Frank Sinatra, “I did it myyyyyyyyy way.

”Arrangements are entrusted to Chicagoland Cremation Options of Schiller Park, Ill.

Charles Fox

MAY 20, 1922-JUNE 24, 2024 TEMECULA, CALIF.

After a life remarkable in length and love, Charles Fox died at the age of 102 on Monday, June 24, 2024, at the home of his longtime partner, Peggy Cowherd, in Temecula, Calif.

Charlie was born on May 20, 1922, in the Bronx, to Jeannetta and Joseph Fox. He was the oldest sibling to Al, Sam and Rita and would always give Rita, the youngest, 25 cents to go to the movie theater. His father was a plumber, and, not wanting to go into that trade, Charlie decided to work as a lithographer. He served in the U.S. Army in World War II in the South Paciﬁc and in Washington, D.C., where he used his plumbing and printing skills, respectively.

In 1947, he married Claire, a bookkeeper from Brooklyn. ey moved to North Bellmore, Long Island, where they raised two sons, Joe and Stuart, along with ﬁsh, a dog named Jiggsy and a series of canaries all named Sunny. Charlie loved and worked hard at his job at LaSalle Industries, always trying to improve the business. He retired at age 60 and was roasted by his colleagues with poems and jibes that

captured their admiration for Charlie.

Charlie played golf and bridge well into retirement, eventually becoming a respected bridge Ruby Life Master. Charlie and Claire moved to Margate, Fla., and then to Sun City, Calif., where they were active in the community pool and bridge clubs. It was in California that Charlie took up lawn bowling, which he continued playing well into his golden years — not doing too bad for a 90-year-old. He did crossword puzzles until, as he put it, “they started making them too hard” — but he persisted in watching “Jeopardy!” He never ﬁnished a family meal without smacking his lips and declaring, “Good shtuff!” After Claire passed away in 2003, Charlie had to learn how to fend for himself. Luckily, he found companionship with fellow bridge player Peggy Cowherd, starting a second chapter of his life. He and Peggy enjoyed traveling and spending time with their blended families. e Owenses of Temecula, Calif., treated Charlie like one of their own. At his 100th birthday party, Charlie looked back on his life with amazement, doling out sage and silly advice.

Charlie is survived by his partner, Peggy; son Joe and his wife, Kathi, of Romoland, Calif.; and son Stuart and his wife, Joan, of Clifton Park, N.Y. He was also loved by his three grandchildren: Michele and her partner, Chuck, of Fayetteville, Ark.; Adam and his wife, Shannon, of Athens, Ga.; and Carolyn and her husband, Dave, of Essex Junction, Vt.

Charlie will be interred at Riverside National Cemetery in California.

We will miss him dearly but are thankful his long life was ﬁlled with “good shtuff.”

Michael Richard Bleier

JANUARY 10, 1979JUNE 22, 2024 SPRINGFIELD, N.H.

Parents of Michael Richard Bleier wish it to be known that beloved son Michael, age 45, peacefully passed away on June 22, 2024, at 6:33 a.m., in the care of Hospice House in Concord, N.H.

Michael was born in Mount Kisco, N.Y., on January 10, 1979, to mother Marjory Bleier Bissette and the late Steven Bleier. He lived in Chappaqua and Bedford, N.Y., until the age of 15, attending Douglas Grafflin Elementary School and Rippowam Cisqua School. Mike graduated from Brattleboro Union High School, class of 1997, after his mother, Marjory, and he moved to Vermont in 1994. He attended the University of Vermont, graduating from

Jacqueline Noyes

APRIL 25, 1943JUNE 26, 2024

LYNDONVILLE, VT.

Jacqueline Noyes, 81, of Sutton, Vt., passed away on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, after a long illness. Daughter to Samuel and Elsie (Toth) Pearlman, she was born in Neptune, N.J., and raised in Freehold, N.J. She was a homemaker and an artist.

Jacqueline was predeceased by her husband, Stanley Clair Noyes, and a son, Paul Eldridge. She leaves

Vermont Technical College in Randolph, Vt., and subsequently earning his journeyman and master electrician licenses.

Michael excelled in soccer, hiking, rock and ice climbing, skiing, and other sports, joining Vermont’s Sugarbush Ski Resort ski patrol for 13 years. He later taught his children and many of their classmates to ski and coached soccer and lacrosse. Michael savored the trip of a lifetime to Italy to ski the Alps in March 2023. Working as part of the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps at Emerald Lake Park in 1999, Michael met Mary Lauscha of Rutland, Vt. They married in 2006 and moved to New Hampshire, where they settled to raise their own family.

In 2011, Michael launched Applied Cabling Technologies LLC (ACT), extending electrical services to business, educational and residential clients in New Hampshire and Vermont. Michael joined the BNI business association in August 2011; BNI awarded Michael 2023 Chapter Member of the Year, noting “over the years, Mike has served Twin City BNI in nearly every position on the leadership team … Even when dealing with numerous health challenges, he continue[d] to serve Twin State BNI as a member of the Membership Committee.”

behind three children, Tina Noyes (Everett McCarty), Carl Eldridge and Elaine Punia (David); her brother, Lawrence Pearlman, his wife, Linda, and their children, Larry and Laurie; a sister-in-law, Sybol Noyes; four grandchildren, Joseph (Christal), Jasmine, Kyle and Skylynn; and three great-grandchildren, Kodie, Temperance and Gideon.

Funeral services will be announced at a later date.

Memories and condolences may be shared online at caledonialifeservices.com. Sayles Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

In May 2023, Michael was diagnosed with an unmethylated glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. Mother Marjory and stepfather Stephen Bissette drove Michael to almost every medical appointment and treatment and ACT business obligations — allowing Mike’s wife and children to lead relatively normal lives — until his decision to cease treatment in late May 2024.

Michael is survived by his parents Marjory and Stephen Bissette of Windsor, Vt.; brother, William Bleier; stepbrother, Daniel Bissette; stepsister, Maia Rose Bissette; five children, Hayden, Rosalyn, Aggie, Jonny and Reuben; and wife, Mary, of Springfield, N.H. There will be a memorial service on July 27, 2024, 11 a.m., at First Baptist Church in New London, N.H., with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, send donations to On Belay at on-belay.org, supporting children impacted by cancer in their families.

Michael’s love and devotion to family, friends, community, business associates and employees, clients, and everyone whose paths he crossed made an indelible positive difference in countless lives. Michael’s quiet, caring, open and kind nature, as well as his passion, strength, ingenuity, spirit and smile, will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him.

Nancy Wolfe Stead

SEPTEMBER 7, 1940-JUNE 21, 2024 SHELBURNE, VT.

Nancy Stead, 83, of Wake Robin in Shelburne, Vt., and of Stowe, Vt., left us on June 21, 2024, leaving behind a legacy of love, adventure and advocacy. Born on September 7, 1940, to Gilbert and Betty Wolfe in Schenectady, N.Y., Nancy was destined for greatness from the start. After graduating from Concord Academy, she earned a history of art degree from Smith College in 1962. She then embarked on her first job, at Polaroid in Boston, where she was one of only three employees who knew the entire formula for Polaroid’s color film.

On a fateful errand to Stowe, Nancy met Dick Carlson, decided to forego Polaroid’s offer to pay for a PhD, married Dick, and had two wonderful children, Carl (Skip) Carlson and Julia Carlson Aiken. She thrived on hosting family gatherings, teaching her children to ski, and gathering friends for a float on her pond or cocktails on the patio. Nancy embraced life in Stowe. She was an active member of the Stowe Planning Commission and volunteered for various organizations, including Planned Parenthood. As one of the founders of Carlson Real Estate, Nancy welcomed and supported new members of the real estate community and generously shared her knowledge and expertise over a 30-year career. Later, she represented the Mt. Mansfield Company during their expansion, embodying professionalism in every aspect of her business. From the earliest Ski Bum races in Stowe, her team, SLIDE, (Stowe Ladies International Downhill Experts, later shortened to SLID) was the catalyst for many of Nancy’s adventures with lifelong friends. The group became truly international, sailing for a week in the Grenadines and beta testing a new zip line in St. Lucia. Nancy’s negotiating skills earned them a free ride in exchange for an article!

on the island of Erakor, surrounded by family. While Jim worked for the Peace Corps and USAID, Nancy pursued a degree in Melanesian culture, managed a project in small business development and passionately advocated for women’s rights.

Nancy and Jim returned to Stowe in 1995, where they built a new house. They continued to travel the world, and she particularly enjoyed her summers playing tennis at the Stowe Tennis Club, swimming wherever she found a cool body of water, and kayaking and cruising on Lake Champlain in their Albin 27 trawler. Nancy was brilliant, passionate and adventurous and wrote travel profiles for the Stowe Reporter, Sail Magazine and the travel sections of numerous national newspapers. The townspeople enjoyed her “gossip” column, which she revived from earlier years when it was known as “Over the Fence.” Nancy’s version was much more colorful, especially when she scolded those who had Christmas wreaths still hanging in March. As she stated: “You know who you are.” Everyone quickly removed their wreaths.

Nancy moved to Wake Robin with Jim in 2018, where she continued her passion for travel, writing and her many athletic endeavors. Her heart never left Stowe, and she visited often.

Nancy was predeceased by her son, Carl (Skip); her sister Caroline Kostanecki; her brother-in-law, Bruce Biddle; and her parents, Betty and Gilbert Wolfe. She is survived by her husband, Jim; daughter, Julia, her husband, Andy Aiken, and their daughter, Abby; her grandson, Franklin Jin; her granddaughter Hanna Carlson; her sister Betsy Biddle; Jim’s daughters, Louisa ZaiRavaris and her husband, Paul Ravaris, and Katy and her husband, Jason Watkins; and many nieces and nephews. The Stead family sends a special thank-you to the caring staff on the Juniper wing of Wake Robin, BAYADA Hospice and dear family and friends.

In the 1990s, Nancy’s life took another exciting turn when she met her second husband, Jim Stead, in Stowe. Jim left for Vanuatu and the Peace Corps in 1991. Missing Nancy, he proposed via fax (due to the scarcity of phones), and she joined him shortly thereafter. They were married in May 1992 by the Reverend Hajuju

A celebration of Nancy’s life will be held on July 11, 2 to 4 p.m., at the Green Mountain Inn. All are welcome to come and share their stories. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Planned Parenthood (plannedparenthoodaction.org) or Friends of Green River Reservoir (fgrrvt.org).

lifelines

OBITUARIES

Duncan Campbell Wilkie

AUGUST 11, 1947-JUNE 28, 2024 MONTPELIER, VT.

Duncan Campbell Wilkie, 76, of Montpelier, Vt., died at Central Vermont Medical Center after a long and valiant ﬁght with Parkinson’s disease and Parks dementia with Lewy body features. Prior to his hospitalization, he spent 17 months at Woodridge Rehabilitation and Nursing in the memory care unit. Duncan received excellent care in both facilities and from Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice staff during his long decline. e family extends their heartfelt thank-you.

Duncan was born on August 11, 1947, in Andover, Mass., the son of Robert C. and Barbara M. (Dalton) Wilkie. While he was still young, the family moved to Millis, Mass. In 1967 he graduated from the Hinckley School in Hinckley, Maine, then received a BA degree in history/anthropology/sociology from Deﬁance College in Deﬁance, Ohio, in 1971, where he secured two museum internships, at the Carnegie Museum in Pittsburgh, Pa., and the Ohio Historical Society Museum in Columbus, Ohio. He also studied in England and Scotland. He received an MA degree in anthropology from the University of Nevada in Reno, Nev., in 1974 and a PhD degree in archaeology from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland in 1979. He specialized in North American archaeology and oversaw archaeological digs in Florida and Ohio during the summers.

OBITUARIES, VOWS, CELEBRATIONS

both gardened, canoed, birded, and enjoyed snowshoeing, ice skating, cross-country skiing, Scottish country ﬁddling, and traveling around the U.S., Newfoundland and other Canadian Maritime provinces, from where his grandparents migrated. Duncan is the great-grandson of the Hudson River School painter Robert D. Wilkie, who painted in the Adirondacks, Nova Scotia, Vermont, New Hampshire and Boston areas and has work in the permanent collections of Boston and Halifax museums of art.

Duncan was actively involved in the Green Mountain Club Montpelier Section, serving as its treasurer and work hike coordinator for many years. He established the side-to-side trail badge for the Green Mountain Club with Steve Lightholder and produced pen-and-ink note cards as a fundraiser for the Montpelier Section. His drawings were featured in the Green Mountain Club trail guide, and he was an active member until 2013. He was a long-distance hiker, having completed the Long Trail and all side trails in Vermont and hiked all but 176 miles of the Appalachian Trail when he had to retire from hiking due to a medical issue.

JULY 11, 1928-JUNE 26, 2024 SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT.

Peter Kisil, 95, formerly of South Burlington, Vt., passed away peacefully on June 26, 2024, at Birchwood Terrace Healthcare in Burlington, to join his loving wife, Nancy A. Kisil, who passed on October 5, 2023.

loving and supportive father, grandpa and friend to everyone. Peter dedicated his life to his family, making sure everyone was cared for and had everything they needed. He was a self-taught engineer and had visions and talent to build anything. He practiced his craftmanship of woodworking, gardening, camping, ﬁshing, and spending time with family and friends. Peter would make a gathering out of any situation. He would also lend a hand to his neighbors of many years, who were like family to him.

Duncan taught sociology, anthropology and archaeology at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, Mo. from 1976 to 1988. While teaching at SEMO, he began a private consulting business called Cultural Resource Consultants, providing archaeological consulting to schools, airports, highways and harbors in Missouri and Tennessee. From 1988 to 1991 he taught archaeology at Plymouth State College in Plymouth, N.H., and was the director of a master’s in education degree program. From 1988 to 1991 he was also the resident archaeologist for the New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources.

He came to Vermont in 1992 to become the chief archaeologist for the Vermont Agency of Transportation, a position from which he retired in 2009. While chief archaeologist, he worked on the Bennington Bypass, the Circumferential Highway in Chittenden County, the Alburg-Swanton Bridge, the Lake Champlain Bridge, the Route 7 corridor and other highway projects throughout the state.

Duncan married Kathleen Long of Framingham, Mass., in 1971. eir daughter, Noreen Marie, was born on May 13, 1978, and their son, Mark Brian, was born on July 21, 1983, both in Cape Girardeau, Mo.. Duncan and Kathleen divorced in 1991. Duncan married Susan L. Wilson of Montpelier, Vt., on August 2, 2008, in the East Montpelier Center Church after a 13-year relationship, having met at a canoe outing sponsored by the Green Mountain Club. Until his death, they resided in Montpelier with their British Labrador retrievers. ey

roughout his career with the Vermont Agency of Transportation, Duncan bowled in the state league and, as his Parkinson’s progressed, he established a team of others with Parkinson’s disease known as the Shakey Papas. Duncan will be remembered for his kindness, gentle manner, creativity, understated humor and love for oatmeal raisin cookies. He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends he made over the years. Duncan is predeceased by members of his family including his parents, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Surviving members of his family are his wife, Susan; daughter, Noreen, and her husband, Jeremie Laﬂeur, with granddaughters Claire and Caitlin, of Wilmington Mass.; son, Mark, and his wife, Kelly, with grandsons Cole and Mason, of Beverly, Mass.; brother, Jay, and his wife, Chris, of So. Berwick, Maine; sister, Sarah Greenﬁeld, of Cedar Creek, Texas; Ida Wilson of Florida; cousin in law, James and Camilla Colby of Virginia and Susan Wilson of Ohio; cousin Barbara Smith of Lady Lake, Fla.; and especially his cousin Karen Smith of Goffstown, N.H., with whom he enjoyed much laughter. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews across the United States and his beloved Labradors, Sargent and Savvy.

A celebration of his life will be held on July 13, 2024, 2 p.m., at Guare Funeral Home, 30 School St., Montpelier, VT, with a reception following the service. Interment will be earlier in the day at Eaton Cemetery in Marshﬁeld, Vt., for immediate family. Donations can be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation, Green Mountain Club, Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice, or Central Vermont Humane Society. Duncan would want you to remember the power of kindness.

Peter was born on July 11, 1928, in Putiatynce, Poland, to Ukrainian parents Nicholas and Anna (Parchuc) Kisil.

Peter traveled with his mother, Anna Kisil, from Antwerp, Belgium, in November 1934 and landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia, joining Nicholas Kisil to start their new life in Canada. As a young boy, Peter studied in Montréal, with a focus on math, engineering and music. Peter was talented as a musician and played his mandolin and arranged music for Ukrainian wedding bands. is is where he met the love of his life, Nancy Kisil, at ﬁrst glance. Together they both played their mandolins and danced the polka at every chance they had. He married Nancy in 1957 and lived and worked in Montréal as a quality control engineer until 1978, when they moved to Vermont.

Peter was a gentleman, a

Peter is survived by his children, Tina Bemis (Kisil) and her husband, Michael Bemis; and son Michael Peter Kisil and his wife, Patricia Jackson. He is also survived by his brother, Fred Kisil, and Dixie; granddaughter, Meaghan Anna Sheehan (Grampy’s girl), and her ﬁancé, Nicholas Corrigan; and grandson, Erik Bemis.

Our family would like to invite you to honor both Peter and Nancy Kisil at their burial on Friday, August 16, 1 p.m., in Lakeview Cemetery, Burlington, Vt., and hope you will say a few words to honor their memory. We would also like to invite everyone to join in a celebration of life for Peter and Nancy later that day, 5 to 8 p.m., at Waterworks in Winooski, Vt., to celebrate their lives with food, drink and music.

e family would like to express their gratitude to the loving care provided by the caregivers and staff at Birchwood Terrace Healthcare and BAYADA Hospice.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Ready Funeral & Cremation Service, South Chapel, 261 Shelburne Rd., Burlington. To leave online condolences for the family, please visit readyfuneral.com.

Peter Kisil

Nancy Wry Cioffi

OCTOBER 23, 1931-JUNE 26, 2024 ST. ALBANS, VT.

Nancy Wry Cioffi, 92, of St. Albans, Vt., passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, at her home in St. Albans, with her loving family by her side.

Nancy was born in St. Albans on October 23, 1931, and was the oldest child of Florence O’Heare Wry and Ernest V. Wry. She was a lifelong resident of St. Albans. Nancy met the love of her life, Robert A. “Bob” Cioffi, in first grade, and many years later, she reconnected with Bob and agreed to go out on a date. The date proved to be a success, and they were married on April 19, 1954, and enjoyed 66 wonderful years together, until Bob’s passing in 2020. Together they raised their four children, Frank Cioffi, Rob Cioffi, Susan Cioffi Boulerice and Carol Cioffi Spillane.

Nancy graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1949. She then went on to pursue her degree as a registered nurse at Mary Fletcher Hospital School of Nursing and graduated in 1952. Nancy worked as an RN doing private duty early on and then worked in the operating rooms at Kerbs Memorial Hospital and St. Albans Hospital for a number of years. Nancy retired from nursing and joined Bob to manage their affordable housing developments. However, her greatest profession was nurturing and caring for all in her world, including her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, family and friends, which she continued throughout her entire life right to the very end. Always selfless and concerned for others, she was gracious and grateful for all she was afforded in life.

Nan and Bob were a remarkable couple who stood by each other through all of life’s ups and downs, always forging ahead with love, kindness, compassion and purpose, with positive attitudes and while having fun along the way. Bob was the visionary when it came to business ventures, and Nan was his rock, exuding quiet strength, support and encouragement throughout it all. She was his partner, and they made an incredible life together while making a positive difference in our local communities by creating

affordable housing units and neighborhoods and donating land and the water and sewer infrastructure for the Hard’ack Recreation Area. Part of the land is now home to a great dog park. They were also active in the Democratic Party at the local, state and national levels, with one such endeavor helping senator Patrick Leahy win his first election and every reelection thereafter, establishing a long friendship with Patrick and Marcelle. They enjoyed a lifetime of dear friends, including the families of Larry and Peggy Larrow, Paul and Alicia Fredette, Larry and Lorraine Handy, John and Teresa Manahan, Robert “Shorty” and Rena Goulette, Richard and Claire Manahan, Frank and Rosemary Spendley, Frank and Dottie Dowling, Virgin and Paul Stapleton, Bob and Mary O’Brien, Rod and Noreen Corrigan, and Bob and Arkie Corrigan. Nancy, fondly referred to as Nana, was beautiful inside and out. She was the strongest, sweetest, most gentle, caring and loving person to her family and to so many people she included as part of her world. Nana showered all who knew her with love, kindness and giving to no end. She always remembered all the people she loved in so many ways — cards written, a call or prayer, gifts sent or a helping hand, to name a few. If she knew someone needed something and she was able to help make a difference, it was done. No acknowledgement was ever necessary or expected. Nana was an exquisite personal shopper who knew everyone’s sizes, colors, styles and favorite brands. She was always impeccably dressed and was known for her signature scent, Estée Lauder Youth Dew, and her scent would linger, letting us know she was present or had been. She worked hard to make all holidays special, especially Christmas, and was always baking and cooking holiday favorites, carrying on Italian family traditions (even

though she was Irish) and making sure to include extended family and friends — not only on holidays but throughout the year. Nana’s superpower was making everyone she encountered feel so very special. Communication was a strength, as she was eloquent and precise in her writing and speaking. Nana welcomed everyone and made friends everywhere she went. She was truly interested in the lives of others, always asking about how they were doing and their families. As a close friend once said, “You leave Nancy feeling better about yourself than when you started the conversation.”

Nana was always so grateful and gracious, teaching us to the very end. In the end, love for family, faith in God, the importance of friends and helping others are by far the most profound values she taught us. While our hearts are broken, we feel very fortunate to have been blessed to call you ours, and we are so very happy that you shared your abundance of love with so many people. You made everyone you encountered a better person.

Nancy leaves behind her son Frank Cioffi; son Robert Cioffi and daughter-in-law Tina Cioffi; daughter Susan Cioffi Boulerice and son-in-law Marcel Boulerice; daughter Carol Cioffi Spillane and son-in-law Mike Spillane; and grandchildren Michael Cioffi (Alaina), Brett Boulerice (Brittany), Jennifer Howrigan (Ryan), Chadwick Cioffi (Renée), Katelyn Essex (Tyler), Kiley Boulerice, Benjamin Cioffi (Chelsey), Logan Spillane, Caleb Cioffi, Haley Spillane and Owen Cioffi. She also leaves greatgrandchildren Frankie Cioffi; Bennett and Jack Cioffi; Grace, Quinn and Ray Howrigan; Carly and Sam Essex; Brayden and Brennan Boulerice; Madelynn O’Heare Gonzalez; Carter Cioffi; soon-to-be great-grandchild, Baby Boy Cioffi; and all her special canine and feline friends.

Nancy also leaves many special nieces and nephews of the Paquin, Smith, Villella, Cioffi and Peters families; extended family, including special cousin Daniel Dilworth, Bob and MaryAnn Chaffee, the Dilworth family and the Forrest family; special friends Virgin Stapleton, Rose Rixon, Frank Spendley, Jean Carpenter, Linda Maley, Teresa and John Manahan, Dr. Toby Sadkin, John Gallagher, Tom Gallagher, Peter Todd and Lori Fredette, Brian Jaibur, and René “RBI” Benway. Nancy was predeceased by her husband, Bob; her granddaughter Alexa Rose Cioffi; her parents; her sister Polly; sisters-in-law Celia Paquin, Gertrude Villella and Marion Smith Walsh; brothersin-law Lt. Col. William G. Cioffi Sr., Franklin Cioffi, Dr. Loran Smith, Col. Burton Paquin, Donald Villella, Donald Peters and Robert “Butch” Walsh; and nieces Linda Smith Gleason and Lauren Smith Baker. It is our hope that our Nana is celebrating with all our family and friends that have gone before her.

We’d like to thank Dr. Stewart Manchester, Dr. Toby Sadkin and their office staff, Franklin County Rehab, Visiting Nurses Association, Home Instead Caregivers, and Visiting Angels for their support and kindness over the past few months and weeks. Calling hours will be held Monday, July 15, 4 to 7 p.m., at the Heald Funeral Home in St. Albans.

A mass celebrating Nancy’s life will be held at Saint Anne’s Shrine on July 16, 2024, 1:30 p.m., with burial services at 4 p.m. in the Holy Cross Cemetery in St. Albans.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Holy Cross Cemetery, care of Denise Messier, 68 Smith St., St. Albans, VT 05478, for the maintenance and beautification of the cemetery in honor of Nancy Cioffi.

To send Nancy’s family a written expression of sympathy, please visit our online guest book at www.healdfuneralhome.com.

The Cioffi family and our community was so very fortunate and lucky to have this special wonderful lady in our lives. We will miss you immensely, but your legacy of love, kindness, compassion and giving will live on in all you touched. May you rest in eternal peace with Papa and all your relatives and friends.

IN MEMORIAM

Krisann Paquette

FEBRUARY 20, 1963-JULY 3, 2020

Dancing, laughing, twirling, camper streaking at night. Thought we were hidden, oh what a sight.

Hummingbird your wings a flight never leave, you make it right. Forever.

Peter J. Vlahos, 1942-2021

PETER VLAHOS, JULY 3, 1942-DECEMBER 24, 2004

“Love is love and not fade away.” —Buddy Holly

Missing you.

Love, Maury

Want to memorialize a loved one in Seven Days?

Post your remembrance at sevendaysvt.com/lifelines. Or at lifelines@sevendaysvt.com or 865-1020, ext. 10.

“Will we keep that kind of nostalgia for diners in society?”

ORDER UP

What Vermont’s classic American diners tell us about the current state of restaurants

BY JORDAN BARRY & MELISSA PASANEN

The diner of my childhood was Arlington’s now-shuttered State Line, a white-sided single-wide, surrounded by a cornﬁeld, that straddled the Vermont-New York border. The more I recall about the place, the more I think I made it up: pancakes as big as my head, a crackly radio soundtrack (usually country) and a cat that walked across the tables as it pleased. The only traces of the State Line’s existence online are a glowing, incredibly detailed Yelp review from 2010 — ﬁve stars! — and a photo essay depicting its now-abandoned state.

to local historian Bob Blanchard. Their initial clientele were male laborers — who gathered for heavy meals after late-night factory shifts — and shifty characters, as depicted in radio programs and magazines of the time.

I moved on to hungover college breakfasts of sausage gravy over biscuits at Henry’s Diner in Burlington. Then it was late-night tuna melts and turkey clubs at Brooklyn’s 24-hour Neptune Diner II. Each diner met me where I was in my life without altering a darn thing about itself.

The iconic, metal-clad façade of a classic diner gleams in the sunshine, a beacon of consistency for weary travelers seeking bottomless cups of co ee and quick, cheap eats. Henry’s has been in the same Bank Street spot for nearly 100 years, long outliving opposition from churches and society people when Henry Couture opened it in the 1920s. The “greasy spoons,” as they were often known, had a bad reputation at the time, according

Diners change with the times without changing much at all.

But diners have been staples of American cuisine from their origin as horsedrawn lunch carts at the turn of the 19th century through their latter-day evolution to converted rail cars or prefabricated replicas.

They thrived during Prohibition, when saloons were closed, and during the Great Depression, thanks to their low prices.

In researching her 2018 book, Classic Diners of Vermont, published under Erin K. McCormick, McCormick Torres found that locals and tourists alike are “extremely passionate” about their favorites. While many restaurants o er a diner-like experience, such as the Wayside Restaurant, Bakery & Creamery in Berlin, something unique happens within the physical constraints of a 15-foot-wide dining car. In these tight quarters, you’re sure to get to know the person perched on the next stool — or at least overhear their conversation.

They became roadside stops for longhaul truckers and, after World War II, destinations for working-class families. Many were run by recent immigrants, who infused the menu with dishes from home.

Diners change with the times without changing much at all. Some now have added kitchens or attached dining rooms to host a crowd, but their counters and patched vinyl booths remain, showing the patina of time. Meals are often delivered by women who generally still embrace the title “waitress” rather than the modern, nongendered “server.”

But you can now pay with a credit card most places, and, at least in Vermont, the maple syrup is almost always local. But sometimes they do need to adapt, whether by raising the price of that bottomless cup of co ee or cutting hours. Restaurants have been dealt blow after blow since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, from increased food costs to short sta ng to rising rents. Diners aren’t insulated from those struggles. Some of the state’s iconic cars are currently in the midst of redevelopment projects, for sale or closed altogether.

A few classic dining cars have endured but been repurposed as restaurants with distinctly non-diner cuisine, such as highend T.J. Buckley’s in Brattleboro, which opened in 1983, and El Cortijo Taqueria in Burlington in 2011.

“It’s going to be interesting as the older generations who really grew up in diners pass on,” said Erin McCormick Torres of the blog Travel Like a Local: Vermont.

Diners, McCormick Torres said, have the ability to bring together different generations and people of all walks of life. Families ﬁll booths, and regulars leave elbow prints on the same spot of a wellworn Formica countertop day after day. They’re famously popular with politicians, who routinely make campaign stops at diners to signal that they can hang with the masses. Burlington’s longtime Oasis Diner hosted both vice president Walter Mondale and president Bill Clinton before it closed in 2007.

“A diner in Vermont is more than its history and the structure in which it’s built,” McCormick Torres wrote. “What makes a diner a diner is the way it makes you feel and the role it plays as the heart of the community it serves.”

Seven Days food writers headed out around Vermont to get a taste — of the overeasy eggs, pancakes, corned-beef hash, tuna melts, liver and onions, and pie of all kinds, but also of how these beloved establishments are adapting and continuing to serve those communities, from Bennington to the Northeast Kingdom. We stuck to businesses operating in classic train cars, whether a Worcester Lunch Car, Mahony, Silk City, Fodero or rebuilt Sterling enclosed in a wood frame; they’ve all got long counters with bolted-down stools and serve classic, all-American diner fare.

While our list is by no means comprehensive, these seven examples illustrate the challenges restaurants face right now — and show why the conversations that happen across those counters are often more important than the eggs and English mu ns. “Some of these small towns have lost their key focal points,” John Rehlen, co-owner of Castleton’s Birdseye Diner, said. “I wanted to keep our village vital and alive.”

In our travels, we learned how owners are adjusting their pricing, hours and o erings to survive — and exactly how full one can feel after eating a breakfast burrito-patty melt bang-bang at two diners that are only 40 minutes apart.

JORDAN BARRY

Jean Hayes at Birdseye Diner in Castleton CALEB

THE USUAL

Birdseye Diner, 590 Main St., Castleton, 468-5817, birdseyediner.com

Jean Hayes estimates she’s cracked at least a million eggs in her 32 years cooking at Castleton’s Birdseye Diner. After the breakfast rush one recent Tuesday morning, Hayes added four to that running total. Each hit the flattop with a sizzle, joining sausage patties, fluffy buttermilk pancakes and corned beef hash crisping under grill weights.

Hayes pivoted to lower a basket of home fries into bubbling oil and checked a pair of poached eggs simmering on the stove before turning back to smoothly flip the eggs over easy. Each move flowed unhurriedly into the next.

Hayes, who turns 61 this month, wears her gray-streaked brown hair in a ponytail. She has a gravelly voice and laughs easily. Five days a week, she commutes from Fair Haven to start the morning shift at 6:45 a.m.

She likes the people she works with, and her regulars. “If I glance out and see someone come in, I already know what they want before the waitress puts it in,” Hayes said.

But Hayes is eyeing retirement, counting down the five years and four months until she’s eligible for full social security benefits.

“I’m just getting too old,” Hayes said. “I got really bad feet now from being on my feet all day.”

John Rehlen and his wife, Pam, bought the diner from Hayes’s late husband, Tim, in 1996. “John talked me into staying,” Hayes said. “I liked it, and I needed a steady job.”

The Main Street spot has been a restaurant for about 80 years, according to Rehlen. The 1940’s-era diner car built by Silk City Diners of Patterson, N.J., arrived in Castleton in 1968. A previous owner had covered it with barn board and a pitched roof, so the Rehlens hired a diner restoration expert to refurbish its original chrome-and-enamel splendor. But even the most meticulously renovated diner is an empty shell without a solid staff — and the enduring connections they build over years of serving the same customers.

Losing Hayes or her kitchen colleague of 24 years, 57-year-old Jeannie Patch, is not a scenario Rehlen wants to imagine — though he knows it’s coming. Little Jean and Big Jean, as they’re known, are as much of a Birdseye institution as the slabs of homemade meatloaf, scratch-made soups and signature slender onion rings.

“John will probably talk me into staying here if he’s still alive,” Hayes said of her 80-year-old boss, with a laugh.

“We can’t find help,” Hayes added, slathering butter on toast. Then she said jokingly to me, “You can do dishes if you want.”

The dishes will get done, but the Rehlens have had to streamline to adapt to

tight staffing. They no longer serve housebaked cakes, pies and muffins, and they’ve subbed boneless, skinless breasts for the whole roasted turkeys they used to pull apart for hot and cold sandwiches.

The diner is one of the Rehlen family’s four downtown food and retail businesses. Birdseye accounts for 20 of the group’s 60 full- and part-time employees, who range from international college students on short-term work visas to old-timers.

Dulcie Gibbs, 56, has waited tables at the diner for 26 years. She loves her regulars, she said, especially those she fondly called “my oldies.”

Birdseye feeds a wide range of folks, and servers must be at ease with all. “You’ve got every walk of life in here all at once: tourists with the expensive house on Lake Bomoseen, the guy that’s pouring concrete or the carpenter, the professor or the student,” Rehlen said.

During my visit, weekly regular and retired state legislator Bill Carris of Wells said, “We walk in and they know what we want.” In his case, it’s an English muffin with bacon and a short stack with extra butter.

Patch popped out of the kitchen to deliver a blueberry pancake and a hug to Molly Faucher. Molly and her husband, Roland, drive from Mendon to Birdseye every Tuesday and Saturday “as a rule,” she said.

Roland carefully set his Americal Division veteran baseball cap on the table next to his usual beverage — “iced tea, lemon, lots of ice.” He’d had to explain his order to a new waitress.

MELISSA

PASANEN

From left: Nathan Cawley, Jean Hayes and Jeannie Patch

John Rehlen

Breakfast at Birdseye Diner

Jill Schneider

ORDER UP «

BOTTOM(LESS) LINES

Martha’s Diner, 585 Route 5, Coventry, 754-6800, facebook.com/marthasdiner85

A cup of coffee costs $2.25 at Martha’s Diner. That’s 50 cents more than it was until December, owner Kathy Holbrook said, but it’s still bottomless.

“It’s sort of frustratin’,” Holbrook said, dropping the “g.” “The customers, some of them understand. But some of them think you’re just trying to get rich off ’em.”

Since the start of the pandemic, food prices have soared: The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports a 25 percent increase from 2019 to 2023, second only to transportation prices. Diners are known for cheap eats, but they’re feeling the same squeeze. Eggs, fryer oil, hamburger and sausage — “the stuff you need every week,” Holbrook said — have all gotten more expensive.

Coffee has jumped from $123 to $176 a box, which still makes roughly 1,600 cups of coffee. Holbrook orders two or three boxes every two weeks, she said. At an additional $53 a pop, that raises her biweekly bill by $100 to $150. As Holbrook’s costs have gone up, she’s had to make some tough choices about how to pass them on to her customers.

At first, she joked about rationing regulars who paid their $1.75 and drank five cups. But after more than two years of rising ingredient costs, Holbrook finally decided to up her prices at the Coventry diner, which she bought from her parents in 2002.

“I love my customers, but I need to stay in business,” she said.

To get the best deal, Holbrook sources from a couple different suppliers. For every item she gets, she said, she shops around to find the best price. Switching from one supplier to another might save her $8 per case on eggs — and she orders eight or 10 cases per week.

“My ordering is time-consuming, because I try to save as much as I can,” Holbrook said.

Now 54, Holbrook has been working at the diner since she was 15, when she started as a dishwasher. The chromeplated 1953 Fodero Dining Car — manufactured in Newark, N.J., and brought to Coventry from its original home in Saugus, Mass., in the 1970s — has been in the family for nearly 40 years. Holbrook’s parents bought it in 1985 and christened it “Martha’s,” after her mom.

Back then, the green-and-pinkaccented diner opened at 4 a.m.; on weekends, Holbrook would join her mom there in the wee hours.

“I was not liking it very well at first, but I grew into it,” Holbrook said. She became a waitress, then eventually moved to the

grill — which remains right behind the counter, as many diner cars were originally designed.

Since her mom died in 2006, keeping things running “has always been on my mind,” Holbrook said. “I want to make her proud.” For the past 10 years, her daughter,

Katie Breault, has worked alongside her. The rest of the staff of seven is mostly family.

On a Monday in early June, the latemorning crowd was also mostly local families, filling several of the diner’s bigger booths. At the counter, the topic of the day was the past weekend’s fishing derby — not

I love my customers, but I need to stay in business.

KATHY HOLBROOK

who caught the biggest fish, but a young participant’s reluctance to unhook the one they caught.

“It was too slippery!” the waitress yelled down the counter, laughing as she carried a plate of waffles out to one of the booths. Most customers were eating breakfast, which Martha’s serves all day. Dishes such as omelettes, plate-size pancakes served with syrup made 10 miles away in Barton and fluffy biscuits slathered in a rich, peppery sausage gravy account for 70 percent of business.

Along with coffee, some of the other menu staples have increased in price: One egg and toast is up a buck, from $2.95 to $3.95, and a single pancake went from $4.95 to $5.95. But not everything has gone up: At $9.95, two eggs with a hamburg patty and toast remains the most expensive breakfast item, along with several of the three-egg omelettes.

In October, before she’d raised any prices, Holbrook decided to close on Wednesdays. She was short on help and had worked 100 hours per week for four months, doing everything from frying eggs to managing the tricky ordering. But it was still a tough call. She chose Wednesdays — a day when other local restaurants are open — to make sure customers would have somewhere else to go.

“It’s one day without worry,” Holbrook said. “My mind is just free.”

Like paying $2.25 for a cup of coffee — or five, depending on their definition of “bottomless” — her customers will get used to it.

Martha’s Diner in Coventry

Deb Hammond making bread

A burger with onion rings

GLOBAL MIX

Athens Diner, 46 Highpoint Center, Colchester, 655-3455, athensdinervt.com

The Athens Diner was closed last week from Sunday through Thursday — for a happy occasion. A sign on the door announced that the restaurant was taking a break “to celebrate the wedding of our No. 1 cook.”

The No. 1 cook, Jessica Goulette, was marrying another diner cook, Warvin Gordon, after a meet-cute in the restaurant kitchen. A sweet love story, for sure, but also an unexpected outcome of owner Shawn Malone’s desperate effort to staff his diner.

Gordon came to the Athens more than a year ago through an employment agency, to which Malone turned when all of his other efforts to recruit cooks had proved fruitless. The Vermont-based business — which Malone declined to name on the record to protect his secret weapon — has helped him cover several vacancies since 2022.

Most of the agency’s workers have hailed originally from Jamaica, as Gordon does. They make up four of the team of 12 who keep things humming at the diner, cooking and serving cast-iron breakfast skillets, club sandwiches and Greek specialties, including chicken and lamb gyros.

Gordon’s new wife, on the other hand, practically grew up in the diner. When Malone, 61, bought the Athens Diner in April 2021, Goulette’s mother, Vicki, had been cooking at the Colchester diner for more than 20 years under two previous owners.

Mother and daughter worked together in the kitchen. When Vicki retired in 2023, Jessica took over as lead cook.

Another result of the wedding-prompted closure was that Malone gave himself a Sunday off. Since he became a first-time restaurant operator in his late fifties, cashing in his 401k to invest in the business, “I work seven days a week,” he said. “I do everything. You name it.”

Still, he saw it as “a chance to do something that I’ve always wanted to do,” Malone said, sitting in one of his diner booths during a rare break. His 22-year-old daughter, Chloe, the restaurant’s host/manager, had fetched him from the kitchen.

Malone, a New Hampshire native, has loved cooking since he was assigned mess hall duty as a young man in the U.S. Air Force. He went on to a career running information technology systems, but when he spied a for-sale listing for the Athens Diner, it felt like time to follow his dream.

“Diners are just a mainstay,” Malone said, glancing with appreciation around the black-and-white tiled, redaccented 1953 Worcester Lunch Car.

As if on cue, a customer gushed her thanks to Malone as she walked past: “I’ve been coming here since it was Libby’s. It’s always the best breakfast.”

Many of the diner’s fans still call the diner Libby’s or Libby’s Blue Line, its name from 1989 through 2011, after the dining car moved from Massachusetts to Colchester.

Malone bought the Athens Diner from Bill and Naomi Maglaris. The Greek American family sold their last diner, Henry’s in Burlington, earlier this year. They also owned or co-owned the Arcadia (now and previously the Parkway) in South Burlington (see p. 32), the now-shuttered Apollo in Milton and Athena’s in St. Albans.

“Bill was literally the diner king of Vermont,” Malone said. When he and a business partner opened the

rechristened Colchester diner in January 2012, Maglaris told Seven Days the Athens would serve an extensive Greek menu, including roasted lamb plates, and the décor would nod to his homeland.

Tony Blake of V/T Commercial, who worked with the Maglarises to sell off their diners, said he believes they were the last Greek-owned diners in northern Vermont.

At the Athens Diner, the name continues to pay homage to that history, as do framed photos of the Acropolis and other historic sites hanging in the back room. A letter board sign above the counter is dedicated to Greek specialties, such as a dill-forward spanakopita made from scratch.

“I go through a lot of feta,” Malone said.

Staffing constraints have dictated a five-day-a-week schedule since Malone took over, but he said last year’s sales nearly matched pre-pandemic revenue, when the Athens served daily.

Malone hopes to continue building his team around the newly married cooking couple and expand hours. In the meantime, he’s still working overtime to trim costs. His latest tactic, which has already reaped rewards, is incentivizing customers to pay cash with a 4 percent discount. “Credit card processing fees are murder,” he said with a grimace.

“I’m not looking to get rich,” Malone said. “But like anybody else, I need to make a living.”

Lamb platter with spanakopita, tzatziki sauce and a Greek salad

Jill Booska, a 20-year waitress at the Libby’s and Athens diners

Shawn Malone and his daughter, Chloe

Athens Diner in Colchester

STAYING ON TRACK

Blue Benn Diner, 314 North St., Bennington, 442-5140, bluebenn.com

Avery Buck, who currently heads the kitchen at Burlington’s May Day, has built his career at some the city’s most acclaimed restaurants, including Hen of the Wood and the Grey Jay. But the Pownal native has a soft spot for the Blue Benn Diner.

The 31-year-old chef grew up less than 10 miles from the diner, a 1948 Silk City car. “My mom knew all the waitresses. My dad knew all the waitresses,” Buck said. “You walk in there, everybody knows everybody.”

As a youngster, he always begged to sit in a booth, where he’d flip through the songs on the tabletop selector of the antique Seeburg Select-O-Matic jukebox before inserting his precious quarters. “Whenever I went there with my mom, we’d play ‘Brown Eyed Girl’ by Van Morrison,” Buck recalled.

A few years ago, Buck learned that the now-76-year-old diner had changed hands after being owned by the Monroe family for almost 50 years. On visits home, he’s been relieved to find that the Blue Benn feels and tastes the same. Waitstaff ask how his family is doing; he can still play Van Morrison on the jukebox; the Country

LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIP

Miss Lyndonville Diner, 686 Broad St., Lyndonville, 626-9890, misslyndonvilledinervt.com

When Janet Gray Burnor’s phone rang early on a winter morning in 1978, she panicked. She and her husband, Ashley Gray, were hosting a ski team for breakfast at their Miss Lyndonville Diner, and she assumed they’d overslept.

“It was the fire department,” Burnor, 72, recalled. A fan hooked up to an extension cord had overheated, and the restaurant was destroyed. “We thought we were done,” she said.

Almost 46 years later, Miss Lyndonville is clad in cream-colored siding rather than chrome. But it’s as much a diner today as it was before the blaze, and it remains a pivotal part of its Northeast Kingdom town. Burnor believes that its longevity comes from the strength of its relationships in the community — with local residents, college students and tourists who come in for

and

is as good as he remembers.

That’s exactly what owner John Getchell hopes to hear. Since taking the reins of what he called “an institution” in December 2020, his operating principle has been simple: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” he said.

Getchell, who frequented the diner as a Bennington College student in the early ’80s, reopened the pandemicshuttered business in February 2021.

The 62-year-old had owned a catering company and worked as a private chef. But he admitted that the decision to relocate from Maine to Vermont to buy and run the diner was somewhat impulsive — enabled by an inheritance that provided him with the asking price of just under $600,000.

He did do some critical due diligence before plunking down the cash. Getchell sought out many of the Blue Benn’s veteran employees. “I said, ‘If you guys will

a North Country Special burger or one of 37 breakfast combos; with longtime staff; and with vendors, including the gardener who has continued to maintain the diner’s vibrant landscaping, even though he’s technically retired.

“It’s good food, it’s good service — all the mechanical stuff,” Burnor said. “But it’s that emotional realm that sets us apart from a lot of places.”

On a recent Monday at lunchtime, after ringing up customers at the register, the

It’s good food, it’s good service ... But it’s that emotional realm that sets us apart from a lot of places.

JANET GRAY BURNOR

come back, I’ll buy the diner. If you’re not interested in coming back, I won’t do it.’”

That roster included longtime head cook Brian Carpenter, who was trained by former co-owner Sonny Monroe and closely guards the recipe for the diner’s chunky, sugared cake doughnuts. Carpenter and several kitchen staff members agreed to return, ensuring the integrity of the Blue Benn’s broad, eclectic menu. Monroe, an adventurous, self-taught cook, was known for creating dishes that

farewell was “see you tomorrow” as often as it was a simple “goodbye.”

When Burnor and Gray moved to town and took over the Rustic Restaurant in 1978, they chose the diner concept — and its name — as an homage to a New England tradition. Gray’s father had been a partner in the Miss Florence Diner in Florence, Mass. Prior to its run as the Rustic — a truck stop with a mostly male clientele and a “bad reputation,” Burnor said — the diner had been known as the Miss Lynn. Going back to the diner’s roots, with a focus on affordable food, fast service and a “homestyle” atmosphere, appealed to the couple, Burnor said.

Today, the 99-seat Miss Lyndonville is the result of several additions, including a separate dining room annexed on the side. But the bones of the original Sterling diner car, built in Massachusetts in 1939, are still in evidence: Its long counter, with bolteddown stools and a shiny, silver, diamondtextured backdrop sit under exposed wooden beams that gently arch overhead. As I gazed around to take it all in, a server suddenly materialized, straw in hand.

“I thought you were trying to flag me down and figured you needed one of

Benedict, with sausage, biscuits

gravy,

Miss Lyndonville Diner

Brian Carpenter at the grill

these,” she said, sliding the paper-wrapped plastic straw between my tuna melt and tall, ice-cold glass of Pepsi.

That sort of mind reading is part of the diner’s extensive training, Burnor said, which essentially boils down to “keep your eyes on your section, watch people and anticipate their needs,” as she put it. It takes a certain kind of person to commit to the choreography that makes the diner’s performance a success; finding enough of those people was a challenge at the start, she said, and hasn’t changed much in a half-century.

Miss Lyndonville’s hours haven’t changed much, either, with a few exceptions. Postfire, the couple added dinner and increased service from six to seven days a week. Just before Gray died of cancer in 2005, he encouraged Burnor to cut back to dinner just twice a week, so she didn’t run herself into the ground.

“There was such an uproar in the community that I felt like I shot myself in the foot,” Burnor said. “I didn’t do it.” Instead, she closed the diner on Monday and Tuesday nights. The schedule stayed that way until the pandemic.

went beyond diner classics. When Getchell was in college, he’d often order the Sir Benn omelette, stuffed with chicken, broccoli, mushrooms and cheddar and smothered with Hollandaise, or the spinach pesto omelette. Back in the early ’80s, Getchell said, “Pesto wasn’t a thing in southern Vermont.”

Monroe experimented with Tex-Mex and Middle Eastern flavors and invented housemade vegetarian options such as

the Nut Burger, which became a menu staple. “As far as diners go, he was a visionary,” Getchell said.

Server and manager Bridget Wyman, 53, was among those who came back to work for Getchell. She had taken a 20-year hiatus after her first decade-long stint at the Blue Benn to work “a real job,” as she put it, with benefits and paid time off.

Wyman, with dangly earrings and frosted hair, presides efficiently behind the counter, chatting with regulars and the many tourists, refilling coffee cups and slicing voluptuous wedges of housemade coconut cream pie. She said the Blue Benn has largely stayed true to its past, and she credits Carpenter, in particular, with preserving the menu. “He’s carried on Sonny’s tradition. He knows all the recipes,” Wyman said. The deeply worn diner countertop is another visible artifact of the past. Its grooves and contours map the friction of decades of plates, cups and elbows. Getchell said he would never dream of replacing it. The counter “gives people a sense of place and a sense of time passing,” he said — just like the Blue Benn itself.

M.P.

The most recent change is one many restaurants have made to adjust to staffing challenges: They’ve cut back on their hours. Burnor and daughters Kim Gaboriault and Heidi Sanborn — who have worked in the diner since they were kids and now run the dining room — brought the diner back to its original breakfast-and-lunch-only schedule, and they’re now closed on Tuesdays.

“I know not being open nights is a loss to our community, and I regret it from that perspective,” Burnor said.

The change might affect how many customers they see from Vermont State University’s Lyndon campus, she said. They often joke that the college doesn’t wake up until 11 a.m., and the diner closes at 2:30 p.m. most days.

But locals are doing their part to hold up their end of the relationship — and to bring it into the next generation. More than once, families have stopped in with their newborns on the way home from the hospital. The relationship with Miss Lyndonville literally begins in the cradle.

J.B.

Ham dinner special

Bridget Wyman

Sugared doughnuts

Blue Benn Diner

COURTESY

ORDER

END OF THE ROAD

Springfield Diner, 363 River St., North Springfield, 886-3463, Springfield Diner on Facebook

The 81-seat Springfield Diner is big and busy enough to fool you into thinking it never left New Jersey. The rare Mahony Diner Car — the only remaining one of four produced by the short-lived Kearney, N.J., company, which operated from 1956 to 1958 — was slammed on a recent Friday at lunchtime.

“You’d better take a table before they’re gone,” a waitress yelled across the counter to a regular waiting by the door, holding his motorcycle helmet.

“If I wanted to get yelled at, I’d get married,” he replied, sliding into the last empty booth.

A few minutes later, she chucked a leftover French fry at him on her way into the kitchen — and she had good aim.

Owner Amy Jakob didn’t seem to care that fries were flying. She chuckled to herself as she watched the whole thing happen, carefully using two pie slicers to extract a wobbling piece of banana cream pie. She had bigger things on her mind.

This fall, Jakob will close the diner. Her five-year lease is up, and she couldn’t reach an agreement with the landlords to renew it, she said. The diner, and another commercial

PUT IT IN PARK

Parkway Diner, 1696 Williston Rd., South Burlington, 540-9222, parkwaydinervt.com

In the peril-ridden restaurant ecosystem, Brian Lewis thinks diners are “the best business model, hands down.” He has several points of comparison: The Fayston restaurateur owns the Filling Station, a burger-and-sushi spot in a former gas station in Middlesex; Yellow Mustard deli and Filibuster Café in Montpelier; and South Burlington’s Parkway Diner. If he hadn’t promised his wife he’d take a break from opening new spots, “I’d own 10 more diners,” he said.

The stats seem to support Lewis’ enthusiasm. The National Restaurant Association estimates that 80 percent of restaurants close within the first five years. Diners aren’t exempt from that — as Jakob’s Springfield Diner shows — but they do tend to persist through generations and changes in ownership. Of the 13 diners Erin McCormick Torres featured in her 2018 book Classic Diners of Vermont, only two didn’t survive the pandemic: Miss Bellows Falls, which nonprofit group Rockingham for Progress is currently fundraising to

building that shares its lot, are currently listed for sale together for $675,000.

They’ve been on the market for roughly seven months, according to Matthew Alldredge, one of three business partners who moved the diner to Springfield from

the Kingston, N.Y., area to be part of a Corvette museum in 2002. They still own the property.

Jakob, 48, had hoped to keep things running. Business is good, she said. The diner, which serves breakfast and lunch

redevelop, and Brattleboro’s Chelsea Royal, which was purchased by a pair of local real estate businessmen last summer, the Brattleboro Reformer reported. (A third, the Diner in Middlebury, was sold to neighboring Town Hall Theater and closed in 2018.)

The Parkway had been closed for two years when Lewis, 47, took over its lease in spring 2022. He kept the interior of the 1950s Worcester Lunch Car the same — worn beige counter, red stools, original booths and all — while adding outdoor

five days a week, stayed open consistently through the pandemic. But like many restaurants in a tight real estate market, a sharp rise in rent means the end.

She and her now-ex-husband got divorced after signing their lease in 2019; they continued to operate the business together through that contract, she said, but now he’s stepping away. This spring, Jakob — a 30-year veteran of the restaurant industry — told her landlords that she’d like to give it a go on her own.

Alldredge told Seven Days that Jakob initially communicated that she didn’t want to renew the lease. At that point, the property owners hired a real estate agent to find a new tenant. “When we included the cost of the realtor, she didn’t want to deal with it,” Alldredge said.

Jakob said her landlords informed her via the real estate agent that they wanted to raise her rent by 50 percent, from $3,000 a month to $4,500. She proposed a compromise — a 33 percent increase — for the first two years of a new five-year contract. Alldredge disputed that claim.

“I wasn’t scared to do it, but I needed time to build the business back up, to grow the staff and get weekends going again,” she said. The diner has been closed on Saturdays and Sundays for the past year, since the death of an “irreplaceable” cook, Jakob said. For the remaining three years, she’d meet them at their price.

The people who created diners really thought about what they were doing.

BRIAN LEWIS

opened on Montpelier’s State Street in January.

seating and updating the menu to broaden its appeal. Alongside burgers and BLTs, the diner offers Barbacoa breakfast burritos, cold brew with oat milk and boozy drinks — or “oozy drinks,” as the overhead menu board proclaimed on a recent Tuesday morning — including mimosas, Bloody Marys, Fiddlehead IPA and White Claw.

The dishes — and their high-for-a-diner prices, hitting $19 for chicken-fried steak — are similar to those at Filibuster, Lewis’ newest breakfast-and-lunch spot, which

Shortly after he signed the lease for the Parkway in March 2022, Lewis told Seven Days that all-time-high labor and product costs would mean a price hike from the what the diner’s previous owner had been charging. “You’re gonna get what you pay for,” Lewis said. The kitchen makes all the bread and English muffins using King Arthur Baking flour, and the dairy and maple syrup are local, Lewis explained. The toast and eggs, biscuits and gravy, waffles, and hash fit the classic diner bill. It’s not diner cosplay, just more expensive. Even with just 42 seats to Filibuster’s 76 (when the latter’s patio is open), the diner “outperforms Filibuster every single day” in total sales, Lewis said.

From left: A patty melt and an open-faced turkey sandwich

Waiter River Collins pouring coffee

JORDAN BARRY

“They turned me down,” she said. The diner will remain open until the end of September, when the lease runs out. Alldredge said there are a couple of prospective tenants, and “it shouldn’t be closed more than a week.” Jakob will take out the equipment she and her ex added over five years — commercial freezers and refrigerators, a grill, a deli cold table — and try to sell it on Facebook Marketplace to recoup some of the thousands they spent.

Then she’s leaving the state. She doesn’t want to watch somebody else take over what she’s built, she said. And as a single parent, she’s worried she won’t be able to make enough money in Vermont to support her daughter.

They’ll move to Florida, where Jakob got sober in 2006, and she might open a bakery, she said. Jakob bakes everything herself at the diner, including the

cranberry-orange muffins she popped in the oven while talking to a reporter. Her doughnuts — a recipe she perfected over six months and now makes three days a week — usually sell out.

Christmas cards and kids’ drawings hang from the stainless-steel walls behind the counter. Jakob and two servers, two cooks and a dishwasher churn out breakfast all day, along with juicy patty melts, gravy-topped open-faced turkey sandwiches and massive, 22-ounce milkshakes for lunch. Some customers, particularly older ones, come in for both meals, she said.

“This is their social life,” Jakob said. “I don’t care if they tip $1 in the morning and nothing in the afternoon. At least I know they’re OK.”

For the next few months, anyway.

J.B.

Sure, the Parkway has been a staple on busy Williston Road near the Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport for 70 years. But its success comes from its efficiency, Lewis said.

Servers at the Parkway can practically pivot on the spot to get food from the kitchen window to their customers, rather than traipsing through Filibuster’s spacious dining room. The diner’s food hits the counter in 10 to 12 minutes, he said, and tables turn in 30 minutes; Filibuster’s

elegant setting and plush banquettes encourage customers to linger. The diner needs half the staff of its larger counterpart and costs less to heat.

“The people who created diners really thought about what they were doing,” Lewis said.

Seventy years in, it’s not just the nostalgia that keeps the Parkway around. These all-American diners keep on chugging.

J.B.

Springfield Diner

Parkway Diner

Lake Leisure

ree to six hours in Newport, Vermont’s north coast STORY & PHOTOS BY

HANNAH FEUER

• hfeuer@sevendaysvt.com

Despite its setting on the shores of Lake Memphremagog. Newport is not known as a tourist destination. Vermont’s northernmost city is often overshadowed by the nearby Jay Peak Resort, which attracts skiers from both sides of the border. People usually have a good reason (such as a once-ina-lifetime total solar eclipse) to visit the state’s second-smallest city by population.

Once a bustling lumber port, the city of fewer than 5,000 residents has struggled since the industry’s decline — a large lumber ﬁrm, Prouty & Miller, closed in the late 1980s. In 2015, a group of investors promised Newport an ambitious economic revitalization plan, including the construction of a conference center, hotel and biotech facility. Those hopes were dashed in 2016, when the investors were convicted of crimes related to an EB-5 investment scheme, the largest ﬁnancial fraud in Vermont history. The failed venture is still painfully visible in the form of a large vacant lot in the middle of downtown.

3 TO 6 HOURS

is series is a Vermont-size take on the popular New York Times travelogue “36 Hours.” Since most destinations in the Green Mountain State don’t require a day and a half to experience, we offer day trip itineraries of local towns in three- to sixhour chunks. Got a good travel tip? Email us at culture@sevendaysvt.com.

IF YOU GO

NORTHERN STAR CRUISES, 84 Fyfe Dr., 487-0502, northernstarcruises.com

ST. MARY STAR OF THE SEA, 191 Clermont Ter., 334-5066, vermontcatholic.org

THE BROWN COW, 350 E. Main St., 334-7887, Facebook

WEST SIDE MARKET & DELI, 498 Highland Ave., 487-9020, Facebook

NEWPORT FARMERS MARKET 246 Causeway, Facebook

BEEBE SPUR RAIL TRAIL, park at 189 Prouty Dr., railtrails.vermont.gov

THE GREAT OUTDOORS 117 Waterfront Plaza, 334-2831, greatoutdoorsvermont.com

THE PICK & SHOVEL, 54 Coventry St., 334-8370, pickandshovelvt.com

GOODRICH MEMORIAL LIBRARY 202 Main St., 334-7902, goodrichlibrary.org

DUSIT THAI CUISINE, 158 Main St., Ste. 1, 487-9305, Facebook

MAC CENTER FOR THE ARTS, 158 Main St., Ste. 2, 334-1966, maccenterforthearts.com

Star

NORTHEAST KINGDOM TASTING CENTER 150 Main St., 334-1790, Facebook

THE EAST SIDE RESTAURANT & PUB, 47 Landing St., 334-2340, grayslandingvt.com

TIM & DOUG’S ICE CREAM 54 Coventry St., 334-8370, pickandshovelvt.com

JASPER’S TAVERN, 71 Seymour Ln., Ste. 3, 334-2224, Facebook

But the city o ers more than meets the eye. “Newport is Vermont’s best-kept secret,” said Adam Dobler, program director of NORTHERN STAR CRUISES on Lake Memphremagog. Its modest size notwithstanding, the area has all the ingredients for a quintessential Vermont summer getaway: a lake for water sports, dense forests with trails for hiking and mountain biking, and a small but vibrant downtown. The city’s proximity to Québec lends it an international vibe, reflected in bilingual signage and the twin spires of ST. MARY STAR OF THE SEA, a church in the French Canadian style, overlooking downtown. Venture far enough out on Lake Memphremagog, and you’ll spot a break in the shore’s tree line at the 45th parallel, a visible marker of the U.S.Canadian border. Every summer, openwater swimmers ﬂock to the lake for the Kingdom Swim (on July 27 this year), a “border buster” event during which they can swim across the divide — no passport required.

As the water is Newport’s main attraction, this season is the ideal time to visit. Here’s an itinerary for exploring, three to six hours at a time.

St. Mary

of the Sea

Lake Memphremagog

9 a.m. to noon

Start your day at the BROWN COW , a breakfast and brunch spot with an Americana diner feel. A local favorite is the Cow Plop, two scrambled eggs topped with home fries and sausage gravy, served with a biscuit. While this itinerary technically begins at 9 a.m., hard-core early risers can eat at the Brown Cow

as early as 5:30 a.m. Who’s up and about that early? According to owner Erica Gray, a group of about seven retirees who faithfully arrive every day at that hour. For a quicker bite, head to WEST SIDE MARKET & DELI to munch on a breakfast sandwich or freshly baked doughnut. Don’t be fooled by the unassuming storefront — this little mom-and-pop store won local news station FOX 44’s 2020 contest for the finest doughnut in the region. The buttermilk old-fashioned is exactly as it should be: crispy on the outside, pillowy soft on the inside. Be sure to stop in before 10:30 a.m. to get the doughnuts still warm, fresh out of the fryer.

If you’re in town on a Wednesday or Saturday, head to the NEWPORT FARMERS MARKET for a sampling of local crafts, produce and specialty foods. The market epitomizes “farm fresh”: When a man browsing Breezy Hill Acres’ stand inquired about the freshness of the spinach, vendor Judy Szych replied that her husband had picked it that morning.

Next, get some exercise by biking the BEEBE SPUR RAIL TRAIL, a four-mile gravel path that offers continuous views of Lake Memphremagog. HGTV fans will also appreciate the scenery on the opposite side of the path: luxurious lakefront properties dotting the shoreline, complete with private beaches and “no trespassing” signs. Rent a bike and cycle from the GREAT OUTDOORS store downtown, or load your bike into your car and park at North Country Hospital, which has a dedicated parking area for bikers. Don’t forget to bring your passport: A 1.5-mile

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

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

Capt. Robbie Cannon of Northern Star Cruises

Newport Farmers Market

West Side Market & Deli breakfast sandwiches

detour will take you to a border crossing, where you can continue your ride along the Tomifobia Nature Trail in Québec.

Noon to 6 p.m.

Start your afternoon by indulging in retail therapy at the PICK & SHOVEL, a roughly 50,000-square-foot superstore offering everything from kids’ toys to maple sugaring equipment. You can even get a pet: Animals for sale include guinea pigs and goldfish, ferrets and frogs. Amazingly, this Costco-like establishment is locally owned and operated: Brothers Chris and Greg Hamblett represent the third generation of family ownership. What started as a 1,000-square-foot hardware store in 1975 now spans 20 lots.

THE STORE LIVES UP TO ITS MOTTO:

“IF WE DON’T HAVE IT, YOU DON’T NEED IT.”

The impressive range of goods includes a wall-to-wall selection of shovels. “If we do something, we really do it,” Chris said of the seemingly infinite inventory. Navigating the aisles of the Pick & Shovel can be an adventure in itself. During our conversation, Chris was interrupted several times by customers seeking directions. The store lives up to its motto: “If we don’t have it, you don’t need it.”

Next, visit GOODRICH MEMORIAL LIBRARY , a Romanesque-style building constructed in 1899. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the building feels more like a museum than a public library. Step inside to admire stained-glass windows and ornate fireplaces. Upstairs, view a collection of taxidermy animals, including an eagle and an alligator, and antique items such as a telephone switchboard and an Ediphone, a sound-recording device invented by Thomas Edison in the early 1900s.

For lunch, head to DUSIT THAI CUISINE for a taste of Bangkok, the hometown of married co-owners Jintana “Jinny” Thananusak and Panadda “Exzy” Saengsiri. Savor Thai classics such as drunken noodles and coconut curry, or try the sushi, made fresh daily. Wash down your meal with a creamy Thai iced tea made with sweetened condensed milk.

Then walk next door to MAC CENTER FOR THE ARTS , a nonprofit arts collaborative featuring work from roughly 60 artists, each accepted through an

application process and evaluated by a seven-member jury. Among the local artists who contribute unique pieces are John Young, a piano tuner who makes bowls and charcuterie boards out of

lake. Hop aboard the Northern Star , a 49-passenger ship with cruises run by the nonprofit Memphremagog Community Maritime. You can choose among scenic tours that highlight local history, culinary trips serving dinner or Sunday brunch, and a four-hour “international long-distance Canadian cruise” across the lake. As no docking is involved, there’s no need for a passport. The cruise is great for kids, too: Capt. Robbie Cannon offers children (and enthusiastic reporters) the chance to steer the boat.

If you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of something otherworldly. Just as the lake monster Champ reportedly resides in Lake Champlain, Memphremagog has its own legendary dweller: Memphre, who is said to resemble the Loch Ness monster. Not everyone is lucky enough to see him, though; according to Dobler, Memphre is invisible to everyone but “naturalborn Vermonters.”

When the boat docks, it’s time for predinner drinks at the NORTHEAST KINGDOM TASTING CENTER. The indoor market offers a pub, bakery, and cider and spirits tasting bar. Witness the cidermaking process firsthand in the basement, then indulge in a $12 flight from Eden Ciders. It’s a true taste of the Northeast Kingdom: The cidery grows its apples at an orchard in West Charleston, just 10 miles away.

6 p.m. to midnight

For dinner, head to the EAST SIDE RESTAURANT & PUB, located right on the water. A table on the outdoor deck affords the best lake views. The menu spans fine dining and comfort food, from the $32 surf and turf to the $15 burger. If you have time to linger, it’s worth staying for sunset.

But don’t stay too long, because if you want to eat like a local, you’ll need time for dessert back at the Pick & Shovel. In all likelihood, you’ll have to wait in line for a scoop at TIM & DOUG’S ICE CREAM, the superstore’s seasonal stand. During the summer, the throngs of customers waiting their turn transform the store’s parking lot into a gathering spot. The business prides itself on serving generous portions for fair prices. Indeed, my creemee with rainbow sprinkles for $3.65 was heaped high for a “small.”

A trip to Newport would not be complete without an excursion on the

If you haven’t collapsed into a food coma, you can unwind at JASPER’S TAVERN , a retro-style bar tucked in an alley. Beyond drinks, it offers a dance floor with disco lights, jukebox, pool table, dartboard, pinball machine and the arcade game Big Buck Hunter. Surveying the bumping dance floor, you may find Newport momentarily feeling larger than it actually is. ➆

recycled pianos; and Bill Peck, a retired ob-gyn who crafts walking sticks from the trees in his backyard.

Jasper’s Tavern

Artist Iso Marks at the MAC Center for the Arts

The Pick & Shovel

We offer Vermont’s only advanced, documented* non-surgical alternatives that use your body’s own cells to help repair damage to joints, tendons, ligaments and nerves. If physical therapy, medication, cortisone injections or surgery haven’t been effective, a Regenexx procedure may be the right option for you.

Our advanced procedures are more concentrated and purer than the platelet rich plasma created by automated machines used at most clinics. This increases it‘s ability to stimulate the body‘s natural healing response. All procedures are performed with high-level imaging guidance to ensure the most accurate placement of cells Into the desired areas.

All evaluations and procedures are performed by physicians who are board-certiﬁed super-specialists educated in interventional orthobiologics (Dr. Jonathan Fenton and Dr. Kelsey Albert). Initial evaluations include a hands-on physical exam and diagnostic ultrasound to determine if you are a candidate for orthobiologic procedures.

food+drink

Seitan for Supper

Rediscovering an old-fashioned vegetarian protein from a Lyndon kitchen

RACHEL STEARNS

Browsing the shelves of City Market, Onion River Co-op’s South End location, I found an object in the freezer section that gave me pause. It was an amorphous brown blob of seitan with a label that boasted, “Vermont Owned Family Business Since 1979.” Thinking it would be an economical choice for quick lunches, I threw a $9.99 “pounder” in my cart.

FOOD LOVER?

Seitan, a wheat gluten-based alternative protein sometimes called “wheat meat,” evokes 1970s hippie food, unless it’s masquerading as meat in a trendy, readymade product such as fake chorizo or beef crumbles. Christina Denby has made her She eld Seitan in Lyndon for upwards of four decades. Her product doesn’t pretend to be anything but what it is: “Organic wheat gluten, cooked in natural soy sauce,

spices, and water.” And the simplicity is magic.

“It’s unique and a step above any seitan I’ve ever encountered,” said Tim Elliott, co-owner of Zabby & Elf’s Stone Soup in Burlington. He has been cooking with She eld Seitan since about 1992, back when he ran the vegetarian deli at the long-gone Origanum Natural Foods on Main Street.

SMALL PLEASURES

IT’S ONE OF THOSE BLANK SLATES THAT IS REALLY GREAT AT SOAKING UP SAUCES.

TIM ELLIOTT

Elliott appreciates the product’s versatility, he said. It’s large enough that he can cut it thin on a meat slicer before he marinates it in maple syrup and tamari and layers it on bread for the popular veggie Reuben sandwich. He also creates seitan pepper “steaks” with the slicer and runs the seitan through a cheese grater so it can mimic ground beef in specials such as Cuban stew.

“It’s one of those blank slates that is really great at soaking up sauces,” he said. Now 74, Denby bought the business with her late husband, Leo Denby, in 1981. It has taken several forms over the years;

STORY & PHOTOS BY

Seitan kebabs on the grill

Need Help?

SIDEdishes

Onsen Ramen Closes in Essex Junction; Owners Plan Williston Ice Cream Shop

SERVING UP FOOD NEWS

NEIL and PERRY FARR have announced the permanent closure of Onsen Ramen in Essex Junction and told Seven Days that they plan to open a new ice cream shop, JUDI’S, in the same building as their original restaurant, the SCALE in Williston. The old-fashioned scoop shop is named for Neil’s grandmother. It will open in early September and operate seasonally.

Onsen, at 137 Pearl Street, closed for the summer last year due to short sta ng. When it reopened in October, the Farrs said they planned to keep the restaurant open fall through spring, given the low summer demand for soup. Since then, Neil said, they’ve learned that running a kitchen seasonally doesn’t work from a sta ng standpoint.

The Farrs decided to refocus on the Scale at 373 Blair Park Road,

which has been serving Hawaiianstyle poke bowls and acai bowls since 2017. They have retained Onsen’s 10 employees and are planning more Scale locations in Chittenden County, Neil said.

Onsen Ramen’s location was originally a second outpost of the Scale. The couple will keep the space and use it as a prep kitchen for the poke restaurant. The Farrs are also developing Onsen ramen kits to sell through local retailers.

Melissa Pasanen

Riko’s Pizza to Open on Church Street

RIKO’S PIZZA will bring its tavern-style pizzas to Burlington by the end of fall. Cousins RICO IMBROGNO and LUIGI CARDILLO — CEO and COO, respectively, of the East Coast restaurant group — are excited to bring their “bar pies” to the city, according to a press release

The restaurant will open at 83 Church Street, the original location of PASCOLO RISTORANTE, which operated for nearly nine years there before reopening in early 2023 at the historic Burlington Trust bank building at 120 Church Street, formerly home to Sweetwaters restaurant.

Riko’s signature is tavern-style pizza — a style that dates back to the 1930s but died out over the years, according to the release.

Riko’s is bringing it back with 10 recipes, including Hot Oil pie.

Founded in 2011 in Stamford, Conn., Riko’s also has locations in New York, Massachusetts and Florida. (A North Carolina location is forthcoming.) The restaurants serve up made-to-order salads, Italian American appetizers and plenty of pizzas.

Burlington is the chain’s ﬁrst location in Vermont. The Church Street restaurant will have a dining area and a sports bar with TVs. According to the release, Imbrogno and Cardillo chose Burlington as a good ﬁt for a restaurant that welcomes customers for family dinners, after-work drinks and the big game.

For updates on Riko’s Pizza, visit rikospizza.com.

Are you searching for a like-minded friend to help tackle chores and tasks? Do you seek a companion to join you in hobbies and activities? Our caregivers, seniors themselves, show up ready to exceed expectations on a schedule that meets your needs.

See how we can help today by visiting shsvermont.com or calling 802-474-2079

Leah Krason

Dinner at Riko’s Pizza

Shoyu chicken ramen from Onsen Ramen

Paige & Campbell and Jamieson Insurance coming together to provide insurance solutions to clients in the Mad River Valley and beyond.

RESTAURANTS

On the Rise

With expanded offerings, Two Sons Bakehouse aims to be Hyde Park’s “neighborhood spot”

Many people passed the time by baking during the pandemic, but few took it to the level of Bill Hoag. He opened his ﬁrst bakery in Je ersonville in June 2020. To be fair, Hoag had plans to open Two Sons Bakehouse (named for sons Jackson, 16, and Cashel, 9) before COVID-19 put his — and nearly everyone’s — plans on hold. But since it started, Two Sons hasn’t stopped expanding.

The bakery quickly outgrew its Je ersonville location, and in March 2022 Hoag purchased an empty restaurant building in Hyde Park Village that most recently housed Fork & Gavel. Hoag operates his wholesale bakery business in the back of the space, calling that operation “our bread and butter, pardon the pun.” But Two Sons also does a robust takeout business in bakery items and o ers table service for more substantial fare.

That’s where a friend and I met for lunch one recent spring afternoon. We had our choice of tables and picked one in the smaller of the two dining areas, away from the bustle of the front door and pastry counter. A few outdoor tables occupy a patio between the restaurant and the Main Street sidewalk.

Bakery items include bagels, bread and pastries. The Montréal spice bagels are a favorite at my house. The fat, New York-style bagels, topped with Montréal seasoning, o er bagel lovers the best of both worlds.

The lunch menu includes small plates, salads and sandwiches featuring housemade bread. We shared an order of Brussels sprouts ($15) from the starters menu. The crispy baby Brussels were topped with nutritional yeast, Parmesan, toasted pine nuts and smoked maple syrup. The result was a nutty and moderately sweet appetizer with crunchy, caramelized burnt bits. Delicious.

We opted for sandwiches instead of salads because, well, housemade bread. My companion sampled the beer-battered fish sandwich ($17): a substantial haddock filet on a house brioche roll with tartar sauce and mixed greens. The fish-to-bun ratio was right on, and the batter was light

Soft inside and crunchy outside, they are the kind of fries you can’t stop eating.

I opted for Two Sons’ take on a Monte Cristo. The Vermonty Cristo ($17) features melted Vermont cheddar, thin apple slices, a thick layer of shaved ham and tangy cranberry mayo on French toast made from the bakery’s white sandwich loaf.

yet crispy enough to hold up to the sauce and heat. The ﬂaky ﬁsh tasted fresh and moist but not greasy.

Two Sons sandwiches are served with French fries, cooked and seasoned to perfection with salt and pepper.

There’s no turkey in the Vermonty Cristo, which seemed strange given the cranberry mayo. But once I bit into it, the omission didn’t bother me. The sandwich came with a generous side of local maple syrup for dipping and, despite its girth, held together well between trips to the syrup

I WANT TO SEE THE RESTAURANT GROW MORE.

cup. There was even syrup left over to dip more than a few fries.

Two Sons started as a breakfast and lunch spot but has recently added a full bar and dinner o erings. It serves pizza Wednesday through Friday evenings and a full dinner menu Thursdays through Saturdays, including chicken marsala served over rice pilaf ($20), steak frites with chimichurri ($24), and a local cheeseburger made with Boyden Farm beef and served with fries and a pickle ($18).

“I want to see the restaurant grow more,” Hoag said, particularly with expanded dinner service. “I want to be the neighborhood spot.” He added that he sources as many ingredients locally as he can.

The Two Sons team also runs Jenna’s Co ee House in Johnson, in conjunction with the recovery nonproﬁt Jenna’s Promise. Hoag said he’s planning to open another location, “hopefully in the next year or two,” but he’s keeping his cards close to his vest on those plans for now. ➆

INFO

Two Sons Bakehouse, 246 Main St., Hyde Park, 851-8414, twosonsbakehouse.com

DAVID HOAG

Vermonty Cristo

David Hoag

Pastries at Two Sons Bakehouse

food+drink

at one point, the couple delivered wheat puffs (tempura-fried seitan) around the state while picking up and reselling fresh specialty breads such as bagels, Jewish rye and croissants. Elliott fondly remembers the days when Leo would truck his goods to Burlington, bringing a complimentary snack of cornmeal-breaded seitan that “fried up just like chicken fingers” and tasted “stupid delightful.”

Eventually, a New Hampshire-based distributor scooped up the seitan and scattered it across the Northeast. When that company was bought by a larger one in New Jersey, Denby severed the relationship, opting to ship frozen seitan straight from her shop in the Northeast Kingdom to individuals, retailers and restaurants, including Stone Soup, the Mad Taco and Bueno y Sano.

Today, Denby is Sheffield Seitan’s sole employee. She has scaled back the business to a comfortable 25-hour workweek, focusing on maintaining current accounts. The relaxed pace leaves time to spend with her family and new husband. Still, she enjoys the work and plans to keep at it for the foreseeable future, she said, despite challenges along the way.

Right now, for instance, she has trouble sourcing the organic, 15 percent protein flour she needs to maintain quality. “I go week by week. COVID almost put me under, but I kept saying, ‘I can make it through,’” Denby said. She doesn’t want to disappoint her customers, some of whom have remained loyal buyers after moving as far away as California.

After I picked up the seitan pounder on a whim at City Market, it languished in my freezer for a good couple of months. I was intimidated by the prospect of preparing it myself, having eaten seitan only a handful of times, usually at fastfood burrito spots. I even defrosted it

once before its brown blobbiness freaked me out and I put it back. (Unlike most foods, seitan can be refrozen.)

When St. Patrick’s Day rolled around, my hankering for a meat-and-potatoestype meal inspired me to take the leap. I defrosted the pounder again, then cubed and braised it for a veggie take on Guinness pie. The chunks of seitan provided a meat-like chew among the mushrooms, carrots and celery. Bathed in a velvety reduced-stout sauce and topped with flaky pastry, the dish was a hit with vegetarians and omnivores alike.

Since then, I’ve used Sheffield Seitan as a filling for homemade burritos and tacos and, on one recent summer evening, in place of beef on grilled veggie kebabs. I cut it into large chunks straight out of the package and threaded them on skewers with colorful peppers, onions, broccoli and cremini caps. Over hot coals, the edges of the seitan charred, adding a pleasant crisp to its signature chew. A marinade would add punch, but the soy sauce in the seitan brought enough umami to the table that even low effort was plenty. The zippy garlic scapeand-kale pesto I spread over my kebabs perfectly complemented the mildly spiced seitan.

With practice, my confidence in cooking Denby’s seitan has grown. I’m already thinking of how I’ll use it next, imagining seitan-bacon BLTs all summer (aka tomato season) long. Maybe I’ll even attempt wheat puffs. ➆

Small Pleasures is an occasional column that features delicious and distinctive Vermont-made food or drinks that pack a punch. Send us your favorite little bites or sips with big payoff at food@sevendaysvt.com. INFO

more at 748-3327 or on Facebook.

Seitan for Supper « P.40

culture

IStrangers and Fiction

Vermont ﬁlmmaker Jay Craven premieres his historical epic Lost Nation

BY IAN DARTLEY • idartley@sevendaysvt.com

t all started with a broken arm. When filmmaker Jay Craven first moved to Vermont, in spring 1974, the only way he could heat his farmhouse was with wood. He borrowed a truck to lug the logs back to his house, but one drive downhill and a pair of failed brakes later, he had a cast on his right arm. Unable to ﬁnish editing a documentary, he had time to explore the Vermont History Museum in Montpelier, where he learned about the story of Ethan Allen. Fifty years later, he’s reimagined the Vermont Revolutionary War hero’s legend.

The 10th film from the prolific Vermont director, Lost Nation tells two intersecting, fictionalized tales of historical figures: Allen, one of the state’s founding fathers; and African American poet Lucy Terry Prince, who was living in Vermont at the same time as Allen. It premieres at the Latchis Theatre in Brattleboro on Wednesday and Thursday, July 10 and 11, and screens at Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center in Burlington on Friday and Saturday, July 12 and 13, before embarking on a series of showings throughout Vermont and Massachusetts.

A farmer, writer, soldier and politician,

Allen was a significant player in Vermont’s fight for independence and resistance to New York’s control. In Lost Nation, he’s played by the steely-eyed Irish actor Kevin J. Ryan. The film portrays the leader of the Green Mountain Boys militia as a man on a mission, determined to do whatever’s necessary to win Vermont’s sovereignty.

Prince’s history is less known. Her poem “Bars Fight,” a 1746 ballad about an assault on two white families by Native Americans,

to protect her family against racial persecution. To Craven, the two figures are connected through the shared experience of protecting their land.

There’s no recorded history of Prince and Allen meeting, but in Lost Nation, their paths cross when Prince sees Allen rounding up a group of American traitors. Aside from that chance encounter, the ﬁlm alternates between their stories.

“Working with two separate characters in a parallel through line is a challenge — something I tell my students never to do,” Craven, 73, said. “But the ﬁlm is principally driven by known history.”

Always on a tight budget, Craven has long incorporated teaching into his director role. He works with students through the program Semester Cinema, which he reﬁned over 23 years at various institutions (it’s currently at Vermont State University), while also bringing in bigger-name stars and seasoned Vermont actors.

Rusty DeWees, a local legend for his comedy routine “The Logger,” plays the fictional Asa Locke in the film. A longtime collaborator of Craven’s, he had one of his first roles in the director’s 1993 debut, Where the Rivers Flow North.

“There was such an evenness to this crew,” DeWees said of Lost Nation. “Everyone was on the same page, the same level, and it was just a fun time.”

It wasn’t just the friendship between DeWees and Craven that made the shoot ﬂow smoothly. Both men sang the praises of the students on the crew.

“There’s an eagerness to learn and an excitement about the process of making a ﬁlm that is totally new and unfamiliar to them,” Craven said.

Audiences can learn from the movie, too. Andrew Liptak, PR and guest services coordinator for the Vermont Historical Society, sees ﬁlms such as Lost Nation as an entry point to education.

“When people consume entertainment, whether it’s a western or a historical ﬁlm, they get their ﬁrst impression of what that world is like,” Liptak said. “[Films] subtly inform the public’s knowledge of historical events.”

is considered the oldest known piece of literature by an African American. Eva Ndachi’s performance as Prince is muted in contrast to Ryan’s, yet her command of the character is powerful.

The rebel schemer and the poetactivist came from di erent backgrounds and fought for independence in opposite ways — Allen through often covert military exploits and Prince by appealing to Vermont governor Thomas Chittenden

“The past speaks to us,” Craven said. He compared Allen’s desire to be seen as a great man to the aspirations of modern politicians. “Despite the fact that this ﬁlm takes place 250 years ago, there’s a lot of modern characterization at play.”

In the movie, Allen’s rapacious nature often seems to go against the interests of his fellow soldiers. He wants to reclaim land, regardless of the expense. While Allen is lionized in Vermont history, Craven, along with many historians, suggests that he was a more complex — read: controversial — ﬁgure in real life.

From left: John Noyes (Rob Campbell) and Ethan Allen (Kevin J. Ryan) in Lost Nation

Lucy Terry Prince (Eva Ndachi) in Jay Craven’s new ﬁlm, Lost Nation

Craven has always kept his work close to home. Two of his features, Where the Rivers Flow North and Disappearances (2006), were made within three miles of his house in Peacham.

Much of Lost Nation was shot on Nantucket, Mass., but Marlboro, Vt., was also a core location of significance. The Prince family homestead is there, and Craven taught film at the now-defunct Marlboro College for more than 20 years.

of bygone eras, he has sparked conversations that offer new angles on the past.

“History is not this one-sided story,” Liptak said. “It’s a complicated tapestry, and … understanding the complexity … and having these conversations gives us a better picture of what the past was like and how we’ve gotten here today.”

THE PAST SPEAKS TO US.

In a 2022 interview with Seven Days, Craven suggested that Lost Nation might be his last film, but that prediction turned out to be premature. He has since lined up a new feature — Major Barbara, a modern adaptation of George Bernard Shaw’s satirical 1905 comedy.

JAY CRAVEN

Lost Nation does appear to complete a multi-decade odyssey of Vermont-based storytelling, however, in which Craven has honored and challenged local lore. By focusing on themes of bravery and determination without ignoring the uglier traits

Craven is curious to hear the conversations around Lost Nation and hopes more filmmakers will be inspired to present their visions of Vermont’s history.

“We know ourselves better if we can engage and articulate,” he said. “And so what I simply ask of anyone with my work is to consider it and, if it resonates, to carry it forward.” ➆

INFO

Lost Nation, Wednesday and Thursday, July 10 and 11, 7 p.m., at Latchis Theatre in Brattleboro; and Friday and Saturday, July 12 and 13, 7 p.m., at Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center in Burlington. $20. For more info, including future screenings, visit kingdomcounty.org.

Asa Locke (Rusty DeWees) in Lost Nation

Jay Craven on the set of Lost Nation in 2022

culture Metal Mavens

Metal sculptor Kat Clear has been enriching the local landscape with public art for almost two decades. Well known around Burlington, her works include the four-story sewing machine and cascading quilt at the University of Vermont Medical Center called “Fabric of Life” and giant combination-lock bike racks outside Radio Bean and Burlington Telecom. Since 2015, Clear has taken a break from metalwork to focus on raising a family and growing mushrooms in Addison County. Now she’s back with a new public artwork in Vergennes called “Flower Stop.”

at Job Corps to watch the piece come to life and, a week and a half later, to see its installation. The transformation of the Tri-Valley Transit bus stop into a “Flower Stop” will bring nature and color to the heart of downtown Vergennes for years to come.

Clear teamed up with welding students from Northlands Job Corps in Vergennes to make the piece, which depicts massive stalks of milkweed and rudbeckia and a spray of northern asters. Clear began meeting with the students in December to fabricate the sculpture at Job Corps’ state-of-the-art welding training shop. The work was made possible through a grant obtained by the Vergennes Partnership from the Vermont Arts Council and the National Endowment of the Arts.

Sollberger spoke with Seven Days about ﬁlming the episode.

Why did you feature Kat Clear again?

I ﬁrst met Clear in 2007 when we ﬁlmed a video about Rosie’s Girls, a summer day camp organized by Vermont Works for Women. Clear taught middle school girls how to work with metal, and it was an upbeat and empowering “girl power” video. That was my 36th episode of “Stuck in Vermont,” and it has over 146,000 views on YouTube. Then I made a separate video about Clear and her metal sculptures, which have made Burlington so unique.

this was my first experience with Job Corps. Before making this video, I didn’t know anything about the organization. I learned that Job Corps provides an education and a career technical training program to youths ages 16 to 24. The program is free to incomeeligible participants and funded by the U.S. Department of Labor.

In order to visit the campus, I had to get permission, which took three weeks. I interviewed advanced welding students who have been working with Clear on this project for almost six months. They stressed that it was hard work. They are all from out of state and live on campus with free room and board. Some of them already have jobs lined up for after graduation.

It was refreshing to meet two women welders. In addition to Clear, who has been working with metal for decades, Kelley Kloner is a graduate of Job Corps and now an advanced welding instructor there. She had a unique perspective because she has experienced the program from both sides. When she was studying welding, Kloner was the only woman in the program. Now that she has returned as a teacher, she has ﬁve women in her class. That is a welcome change from my “Rosie’s Girls” video in 2007, when it was more unusual for girls to work with metal.

What was it like working with Clear again?

It’s been 16 or 17 years since we made videos together, and a lot has changed! Clear has a family with young children and a mushroom business that she runs out of her home. She greeted me at Job Corps with a bag of black pearl, pink and blue oyster mushrooms — later that night, I fried them up in a delicious frittata. Clear says in the video that she likes to be busy and stay in motion. I can’t imagine how she juggles everything, but when you see her in action it all makes sense. Who else could transform a bus stop into a colorful ﬂower garden?

Where did the ﬂowers get painted?

Clear’s husband, Rolf Humburg, works at Restoration & Performance Motorcars in Vergennes, which restores European sports cars. Clear was able to use its painting booth to transform her gray sculpture with vibrant colors. Humburg also helped Clear fasten her sculpture to the ground and design bracketing to attach it to the bus stop. It takes a village to pull o something this big!

How was the install?

The install of “Flower Stop” had a minor hiccup: One of the leaves didn’t fit properly and had to be repositioned. But the students and Clear were up to the task. Nothing could dampen the giddy feeling that afternoon as the flowers burst through the roof of the bus stop and made the city street feel like a meadow. ➆ Metal

This was my ﬁrst time seeing Clear install one of her works, and it was thrilling. I have always regretted missing her 2009 installation of “Fabric of Life” at the hospital. Over the years, it has become part of the fabric of our lives, and Clear says she still hears from people about their experiences visiting it.

Seven Days senior multimedia producer Eva Sollberger has known Clear for many years and made videos about her in 2007 and 2008. They met up again

Clear is a force of nature and exudes positivity and tons of energy. We became friends and saw the Spice Girls and Madonna at two epic concerts in Montréal. It’s been many years since our paths have crossed, so when I received an email with the subject line “Wanna get the band back together?!?,” I was all in.

Tell us more about Northlands Job Corps. I had heard of the Peace Corps and AmeriCorps, but

Episode 718: Metal in Bloom

Kat Clear and students from Northlands Job Corps with the sculpture in Vergennes

Montpelier Marks the Flood Anniversary by Inundating Its Streets — With Art

BY KEN PICARD • ken@sevendaysvt.com

Last July, when Montpelier residents and business owners began the long and laborious process of cleaning up and rebuilding after the Great Flood of 2023, one thing was obvious: From the start, the arts community was chest-deep in recovery efforts to get the city back on its feet.

So when Amy Pitton began thinking about how Montpelier should mark the first anniversary of one of the worst natural disasters in Vermont’s history, her mind immediately turned to holding an event that builds community and celebrates public art.

“I was thinking, Wow! It would be great to cover the streets with something other than water and mud and debris, so that we all have a different memory of what happened,” said Pitton, director of program and membership at the Montpelier Senior Activity Center.

That idea turned into Flood the Streets With Art, a sidewalk chalk art festival meant to highlight Montpelier’s resiliency and determination to bring people back into a downtown that, even before the flood, was still reeling from the impacts of the pandemic.

The free, daylong event on Wednesday, July 10, will feature live music, dance, food, and chalk art that’s designed and created by the public. Beginning at 9 a.m., volunteers of all ages can register to decorate a square of sidewalk on either State or Main Street.

The collaborative festival, sponsored by Montpelier Alive, the Montpelier Senior Activity Center, the Center for Arts & Learning, Kellogg-Hubbard Library, and the T.W. Wood Gallery, will also feature chalk art made by professional artists at eight locations throughout the city. Thematically, it’s similar to last year’s Renewal Project, which filled Montpelier’s flood-ravaged storefronts with community art.

On July 10 and 11, 2023, historic rainfall inundated central Vermont, causing the Winooski and North Branch rivers to overflow their banks, submerging Montpelier under several feet of water. Floodwaters forced the temporary or permanent closures of many downtown businesses, organizations and government offices. According to the governor’s office, the state totaled more than $1 billion in emergency response and recovery costs and lost revenues.

The decision to use chalk as the artistic medium for this week’s festival was both practical and symbolic, said Sabrina Fadial, executive director of the T.W. Wood Gallery, who, coincidentally, started her current job the day of the flood. Chalk is familiar and easy to use, inexpensive but colorful, and a temporary art form that’s not likely to garner complaints,

Montpelier’s Renewal Project, which filled empty storefronts damaged by the July 2023 flood with community artwork

especially since it’ll wash away after the next big rainstorm.

Chalk is also an ideal metaphor for what the festival aims to accomplish, noted Katie Trautz, executive director of Montpelier Alive, a nonprofit that works to market, revitalize and beautify the state capital.

“We would like to move on from this event and let the devastating memories of the flood wash away,” she said. “It’s like turning the page.”

For people who want to participate in Flood the Streets With Art but lack artistic skills or the mobility to kneel on the sidewalk, Trautz said they can sketch their ideas on paper, then put them in an “idea pot” for others to translate onto the sidewalk for them. The only rules are that artists keep their drawings family friendly and color inside the lines.

Pitton, who until last year was the minister at the flood-damaged Bethany Church in Montpelier, is hoping the artwork will offer uplifting themes of resilience and optimism.

“I am hoping that Montpelier can begin to feel hopeful and positive about the future. But I think that’s a big lift right now,” she added. “We’ve enjoyed a vibrant downtown before. We’ll see what happens.” ➆

INFO

Flood the Streets With Art, Wednesday, July 10, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., in downtown Montpelier. Free. Rain date: Wednesday, July 17. montpelieralive.com/ floodthestreetswithart

PUBLIC ART

Through Dance, Music and Storytelling, Vulture Sister Song Explores Humans and Nature

BY HANNAH FEUER • hfeuer@sevendaysvt.com

Vultures have a bad rap. In movies and literature, the birds of prey are often harbingers of death and other bad things to come. “Vulture” can also describe a predatory or exploitative person.

But these stereotyped creatures play an essential role in our ecosystems: As scavengers who eat dead animals, vultures help prevent the spread of disease.

Enter Vulture Sister Song, a performance using vultures as a vehicle to explore humans’ relationships with other living beings through a combination of modern dance, storytelling and live music. The nationally touring show premiered at the Grange Theatre in Pomfret in 2022 and returns to Vermont this month.

Audiences can make a night of it: On Tuesday, July 9, at Capital City Grange in Montpelier, the performance will follow a potluck dinner accompanied by music from teen folk band the Purple House Trio, along with a sculpture exhibit from Middlesex artist Talitha Landis-Marinello. On Thursday, July 11, at Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park in Woodstock, attendees are invited to picnic on the mansion lawn before the show.

Vulture Sister Song features five artists from around the country. Ellen Smith Ahern of Lebanon, N.H., currently an artist-in-residence at Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller, is one of two dancers in the piece.

People tend to look at nature as something “we are separate and apart from,” Smith Ahern said. “We’re trying to look at vultures and look at interspecies relationships in a larger sense [as] not separate at all ... We’re deeply connected.”

Then Pete Dybdahl — a violinist in Georgia’s Athens Symphony Orchestra — reads a fairy tale he wrote about a baker who receives mysterious messages from vultures after his wife and daughter go missing.

Later, Guess reads her “Poem for Tree Fall”: “If skin’s a wall and eyes / are windows. What are / hands, or paws, or anything / you’ve got now?”

Inspiration for the performance came from Guess’ son, who in 2021 found nesting vultures in the barn behind their house and took two of their eggs. He incubated the first egg until a baby vulture hatched. The second egg met a very different fate: He cooked it into an omelette. Toward the end of the show, a recording plays of Guess interviewing her son and his girlfriend about the experience.

Meanwhile, the two dancers — Smith Ahern and Seattle-based artist Kate Elias — act out the words onstage. They lie on the floor and intertwine their limbs when Guess asks, “Where does your body stop and another’s begin?” At times, they vigorously flap their arms like wings. Lantern sculptures of various sizes create a mystical ambience and serve as props. At one point, the dancers conceal themselves by stepping inside sculptures that resemble large, glowing eggs, then reemerge as if hatching out.

Smith Ahern acknowledges that the abstract nature of the show may make it difficult to follow. To aid audiences’ understanding, performers pass out a guidebook with illustrations, poems and essays exploring the rich symbolism of vultures. Included is an essay called “Six Reasons to Love the Vulture” by

The roughly 40-minute show opens with a song featuring lyrics by Georgia-based poet Josina Guess. Jacob Elias, a musician based in Ithaca, N.Y., accompanies on electric guitar. “Eyes open, eyes closed,” the performers sing repeatedly.

Anna Morris, a director at Quechee’s Vermont Institute of Natural Science.

But Smith Ahern also encourages audiences to sit with their discomfort. She views the piece as ideal for children ages 5 and up, because kids tend to be more willing than adults to admit they don’t understand and ask questions, she said.

“It’s sort of a long-standing joke with postmodern dance that it can be tricky to grasp, and sometimes folks feel really uncomfortable with that challenge,” Smith Ahern said. “It’s

been really wonderful to have children present, sort of giving everybody permission to wonder what the heck is going on.” ➆

INFO

Vulture Sister Song, Tuesday, July 9, 5 p.m., at Capital City Grange in Montpelier; and Thursday, July 11, 5 p.m., at Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park in Woodstock. Free. vulturesistersong.wordpress.com

Vulture Sister Song

Vermont Playwright and Musician Stephen Goldberg Dies

BY HANNAH FEUER • hfeuer@sevendaysvt.com

Stephen Goldberg, a countercultural playwright and jazz musician who shaped Burlington’s indie theater scene, died of natural causes on Saturday while receiving hospice care at McClure Miller Respite House in Colchester. He was 85.

A prolific artist, Goldberg wrote more than 26 plays and a book of poetry; performed with the jazz ensemble No Walls; and cofounded Burlington’s Off Center for the Dramatic Arts, a venue dedicated to staging experimental theater affordably.

The chain-smoking, vodka-drinking New York City native often wrote about society’s misfits, characters inspired by the colorful people he met while living in the Big Apple. His scripts were edgy, characterized by excessive profanity and plots that didn’t cater to political correctness.

His works include Don and Tom, about two death row prisoners’ last moments; Quantum Dog in a Deep Blue Jaguar, which features an agoraphobic physicist; and Sluts on the Roof, a show that Goldberg described to Seven Days in 2017 as “women talking about men the way men sometimes talk about women.”

he would always do it in a way where it was kind of funny. That dark humor was really the thing that made him so cool.”

Goldberg began his career as a trumpet player, an instrument he picked up in his early teens from his older brother. He studied at the Manhattan School of Music and went on to play backup for the likes of Stevie Wonder, Little Richard and Chuck Berry.

He came to Vermont as musical director of Nimbus Dance for a residency at Johnson State College (now Vermont State University). There, he met his future wife, the late folk singersongwriter Rachel Bissex. He soon moved to Vermont to be with her. In addition to Sky, he had a son, Jonas Goldberg, from a previous marriage and a stepson, Matthew Cosgrove, from Bissex’s previous marriage.

“He’s got Bukowski’s philosophy and Eugene O’Neill’s verbosity,” Bissex wrote in a song about Goldberg titled “Sean Connery Looks.”

was kind of funny to have such a pompous, overly selfimportant name for such a humble little shitbox,” cofounder Paul Schnabel said.

The group staged Goldberg’s play Screwed, about two friends who hire an escort service for the night. But the production’s success would be its undoing: After attracting a little too much attention, the fire marshal shut the space down after just a few shows.

In 2010, another group — Goldberg, Schnabel, John Alexander and Genevra MacPhail — reopened the Off Center for the Dramatic Arts at 294 North Winooski Avenue, this time in a 70-seat theater that was up to code. There, Goldberg directed many of his avant-garde plays. In 2023, the nonprofit organization moved into a newly built theater at 1127 North Avenue.

“His work contributed to sort of a broadening of the subject matter and therefore a broadening of the audience,” Alexander said. “It expanded the interest in theater in Burlington.”

“He liked the idea of making the audience feel uncomfortable, showing them something unpleasant or hard to watch,” said musician Emma Sky, Goldberg’s daughter. “But

In his forties, Goldberg transitioned to writing plays, often staging them in bars or at Burlington City Hall. In 1997, he and two friends transformed a studio apartment above Ken’s Pizza and Pub on Church Street into a 40-seat theater. They called it Off Center for the Dramatic Arts because “it

Even on his deathbed, Goldberg continued to write. The subject of his newest play? A doctor trying to evade allegations of sexual abuse. He asked two friends to produce the work posthumously.

In his final days, Sky played Johann Sebastian Bach on violin for Goldberg as he lay unconscious. The family plans to host a celebration of Goldberg’s life in the fall featuring a musical performance. ➆

FORM

28th - August 10th, 2024

Stephen Goldberg

on screen

Janet Planet

Massachusetts native Annie Baker made her cinematic directorial debut with Janet Planet, which premiered last year at the Telluride Film Festival. Also a playwright, Baker won a Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2014, and among her works are three plays that take place in the ﬁctional town of Shirley, Vt. Though Janet Planet is set in rural western Massachusetts, expect plenty of crunchy Vermont vibes from this low-key indie drama, currently playing at Merrill’s Roxy Cinemas in Burlington and the Savoy Theater in Montpelier.

The deal

It’s 1991, and 11-year-old Lacy (Zoe Ziegler) feels alone and friendless at summer camp. In the dead of night, she trudges to the nearest pay phone, calls her single mom, licensed acupuncturist Janet (Julianne Nicholson), and announces matter-offactly that she’ll “kill herself” if she has to stay any longer.

That’s how Janet and Lacy end up spending the summer together at home, where Lacy watches intently as people come and go, drawn like moths to her hippie mom’s flame. Their first house guest is moody boyfriend Wayne (Will Patton), followed by rootless actor Regina (Sophie Okonedo), who’s been living with an immersive theater troupe that bears a striking resemblance to Glover’s Bread and Puppet. (It’s actually Double Edge Theatre of Ashﬁeld, Mass.) Intensely possessive of her mother, Lacy vies with the newcomers for her attention, while Janet reconsiders her own choices — in particular, the ease with which she falls in love.

Will you like it?

There are slice-of-life ﬁlms, and then there are slice-of-life ﬁlms. Most indie movies about girls and their moms — such as Greta Gerwig’s Lady Bird (see sidebar) — hit certain expected coming-of-age-tale beats. Not this one. Dialogue is sparse in Janet Planet, and a fair bit of the story is told in lengthy wide shots. In other scenes, Baker draws our attention to details that rarely appear in movies at all — a rumbling microwave, a fallen earring, the scraps of tape and paper where a magazine cover used to hang on the wall.

When NPR asked Baker whether she

considers Janet Planet a coming-of-age movie, Baker replied that she doesn’t because “I don’t know what coming-ofage means.” It may be tempting to dismiss this statement as disingenuous, along with her claim that “I just don’t think about my life when I’m writing.” Both serve to fend off standard interview questions about whether the movie is autobiographical.

Watching Janet Planet, however, teaches us to take Baker at her word. These vignettes of Lacy’s aimless vacation life — remember when summer felt endless? — remind us just what a convenient ﬁctional construct “coming of age” is. In this movie, there is no linear progression from innocence to experience, only a leisurely wandering from one half-formed new revelation to another.

At 11, bespectacled, imaginative Lacy already has a fully formed personality, one that sometimes expresses itself in amusingly “adult” utterances: “Every moment of my life is hell,” she tells her mother casually. With the wrong young actor in the part, Lacy could have been insufferably twee. But Ziegler is believable in every scene, never self-consciously cute or charming.

That makes her an excellent match for Nicholson, a stellar supporting actor (“Mare of Easttown”) who too seldom has a worthy showcase for her talents as a lead. Lithe, freckled Janet embodies the hippie

“go with the ﬂow” ethos, rarely making even feeble attempts to mold her daughter into her own image. Rather than fret over Lacy’s declaration of existential angst, she o ers, “I’m actually pretty unhappy, too.”

While Lacy is uncompromising in her self-assertion, Janet is more inclined to bend to the will of others, transforming a little for each new friend or lover. This mother-daughter complementarity rings true; some moms raise the girls they wish they had been. But it also rings true when Janet reveals a core of egotism beneath her mellow.

No one is just one thing in this movie, a lesson brought home by a scene in which Lacy discovers a doll that does triple duty as Little Red Riding Hood, the grandmother and the wolf. The head of the theater company (Elias Koteas) lectures Janet and Lacy on the oneness of all life, but Lacy is already discovering how the boundaries between people can blur in a far more immediate way.

Janet Planet is a slow-paced, quiet film, and some viewers may find it too elliptical for their comfort, too parsimonious with its insights into its characters. When Lacy gets sick on the first day of school, for instance, we never learn whether her illness is coincidental, psychosomatic or feigned (as Janet suspects). Baker leaves the question for us to chew on.

Other viewers may ﬁnd Janet Planet powerfully evocative of childhood, especially if they grew up in a New England boho subculture like the one depicted here. For anyone who needs one, the ﬁlm o ers a bracing demonstration that having easygoing parents is no recipe for happiness.

MARGOT HARRISON margot@sevendaysvt.com

IF YOU LIKE THIS, TRY…

THE QUIET GIRL (2022; Hulu, Kanopy, rentable): For another powerfully naturalistic performance by a young actor, watch Colm Bairéad’s indie about a shy 9-year-old who gains conﬁdence in a foster family.

THE LAST DAYS OF CHEZ NOUS (1992; Kanopy): Australian director Gillian Armstrong (the 1994 Little Women) crafted a compelling portrayal of mother-daughter-sister bonds in a bohemian family in this Golden Bear nominee.

LADY BIRD (2017; Max, rentable): If seeing Nicholson in a lead role thrills you, you’ll also love Laurie Metcalf’s Oscar-nominated performance as mom to a rebellious daughter in the directorial debut of Gerwig (Barbie, the 2019 Little Women).

Julianne Nicholson gets a well-deserved lead role in this indie drama about a hippie mom and her quirky daughter.

NEW IN THEATERS

DESPICABLE ME 4: Gru Jr. joins the lovable villain’s family — plus the Minions, of course — in the fourth installment of the animated family franchise, with the voice talents of Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig and Joey King. Chris Renaud and Patrick Delage directed. (95 min, PG. Bethel, Bijou, Capitol, Essex, Majestic, Marquis, Paramount, Playhouse, Star, Sunset, Welden)

KILL: A pair of commandos must fend off bandits on a train to New Delhi in this action drama. Nikhil Nagash Bhat directed. (115 min, R. Majestic)

MAXXXINE: The horror trilogy that started with X comes full circle as porn queen/massacre survivor Maxine Minx (Mia Goth) gets her shot at mainstream stardom in 1980s Hollywood. Ti West directed. (104 min, R. Essex, Majestic, Sunset)

SOUND OF HOPE: THE STORY OF POSSUM TROT: A Texas minister and his wife arrange mass adoptions in this inspirational drama based on a true story. Demetrius Grosse and Nika King star; Joshua Weigel directed. (127 min, PG-13. Capitol, Essex)

CURRENTLY PLAYING

BACK TO BLACKHH Marisa Abela plays Amy Winehouse in this biopic about the making of her best-selling album, directed by Sam TaylorJohnson. (122 min, R. Catamount)

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

THE BIKERIDERSHHHH This drama from Jeff Nichols chronicles the lives and loves of a Midwestern motorcycle gang in the 1960s. Jodie Comer, Austin Butler and Tom Hardy star. (116 min, R. Big Picture, Capitol, Majestic, Roxy; reviewed 6/26)

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. Bethel, Sunset)

THE GARFIELD MOVIEH1/2 In this animated family flick, the cartoon cat (voice of Chris Pratt) plots a heist. (101 min, PG. Majestic)

GHOSTLIGHTHHHH A construction worker involved in a production of Romeo and Juliet finds his life mirroring the play in this drama from Kelly O’Sullivan and Alex Thompson. (110 min, R. Roxy)

HORIZON: AN AMERICAN SAGA: CHAPTER 1 HH1/2 Kevin Costner’s ensemble epic depicts the settlement of the West before and after the Civil War. Costner, Sienna Miller and Sam Worthington star. (181 min, R. Bijou, Capitol, Essex, Majestic, Roxy, Star, Sunset, Welden)

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

INSIDE OUT 2HHH1/2 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. (96 min, PG. Bijou, Capitol, Essex, Majestic, Roxy, Star, Stowe, Sunset, Welden)

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

KALKI 2898 AD: In this sci-fi action epic from India, a modern avatar of the god Vishnu defends the world from evil. (180 min, NR. Majestic)

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

KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APESHHH1/2

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

A QUIET PLACE: DAY ONEHHH1/2 Lupita Nyong’o plays a woman trapped in New York City when sound-sensitive aliens invade in this prequel to the horror franchise. Michael Sarnoski directed. (100 min, PG-13. Big Picture, Bijou, Essex, Majestic, Marquis, Paramount, Roxy, Star, Stowe, Sunset, Welden)

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

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

OLDER FILMS AND SPECIAL SCREENINGS

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND (Essex, Sun & Wed 10 only)

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON (Catamount, Tue only)

SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE (Playhouse, Sat only)

SUMMER OF SOUL (…OR, WHEN THE REVOLUTION COULD NOT BE TELEVISED (Catamount, Wed 3 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

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, 2290598, savoytheater.com

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

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

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

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

SIT BACK AND

Some retired people want to hang ‘em up, and some are just getting warmed up. The people at Wake Robin are definitely in the latter camp.They’re busy, curious, and part of a dynamic Life Plan Community in Shelburne, VT. Come see for yourself. Wake Robin. It’s where you live.

WakeRobin.com

802-264-5100

Win a trip to Washington!

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

Open to K-8 students who want to learn about and improve their communities. The deadline is September 2, but enter often to qualify for weekly drawings.

Great Job, Grace!

Grace Gillman, age 8, raised more than $100 for the Boys and Girls Club of Burlington doing Activity #12 in this summer’s Challenge. “I baked two types of cookies with my grandma and sold them at our community garage sale,” she said. Grace has also designed a new “I Voted,” sticker, connected with her neighbors on Front Porch Forum and read local news in Seven Days.

Bad Moon Rising

BY ALICE DODGE • adodge@sevendaysvt.com

In “Wanda Koop: WHO OWNS THE MOON” at the Montréal Museum of Fine Arts, the celestial orb is an ominous presence.

This is the first major exhibition in Québec for the Winnipeg artist, who has shown across Canada and internationally,

including a survey at the National Gallery of Canada in 2011. Koop’s family, like many in western Canada, emigrated from Ukraine during the last century; the war in Ukraine is central to her current work.

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s military bombed Zaporizhzhia 100 years

to the day that Koop’s family left the town, so it’s no surprise that her most arresting painting is “Ukrainian Quartet — Power Plant.” In it, we see the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant on the shoreline of the Dnipro River, described in mauve tones under a scab-colored sky. A ﬂuorescent

is article is part of a travel series on Québec. e province’s destination marketing organization, Bonjour Québec, is a ﬁnancial underwriter of the project but has no inﬂuence over story selection or content. Find the complete series plus travel tips at sevendaysvt.com/quebec.

red moon hangs heavily over it, reﬂected in the water.

One cannot get an accurate sense of the color except in person. Fluorescent paint can sometimes be gimmicky, but not here. Koop, known as a master colorist, uses it to great e ect against the rest of the scene. The moon is unreal in this picture, as though hovering in front of the canvas. It is an undeniable, nuclear-level visual threat within an otherwise unsettlingly calm scene.

Koop carries the dark mood into other works, such as “Note for Eclipse” and “Black Rose,” both of which are hung high on the wall above “Ukrainian Quartet — Power Plant.” The purple-black sky and brilliant light of “Note for Eclipse” read as sinister, unlike the celebratory atmosphere of the April 8 solar eclipse, but to those who witnessed that event, the scene will nonetheless seem familiarly spooky.

“Black Rose” and its nearby neighbor “Ghost Tree” are part of a series of paintings of dead trees, painted just before Russia invaded Ukraine. In the spruce bog near Riding Mountain National Park, Manitoba, where Koop spends part of the year, she sees trees like this as hopeful evidence of a life cycle, particularly when they shine in the moonlight.

In the exhibition, the dead trees bring us back to Earth from the moon. They are close and tactile, and in a gallery ﬁlled with skies and distant landscapes, they stand in for the human skeleton.

The show may have an undertone of doom and gloom, but there are luminous breaks in Koop’s four monumental-scale “Black Sea Portal” paintings. Each one is 10 feet high and more than 13 feet wide. They show the same landscape — a shoreline at the Black Sea — in four di erent color schemes, ranging from snowy white to midnight blue. Each has a “portal” — a vertical strip of contrasting color — hovering over the scene.

Koop uses layers of color to create subtle shifts that build to a dramatic contrast. There’s light within each vertical portal, so that even bright red and ﬂuorescent yellow have enough variation in them to

Wanda Koop brings haunting, complex paintings to Montréal

convey depth. It’s particularly e ective in “Black Sea Portal — Sunset Orange,” in which Koop interrupts a muggy, grayishpurplish-green sea and sky with a slice of the sunset on a clear summer day.

The portals may remind some viewers of James Turrell’s Skyspaces. His roomsize installations frame the sky with carefully constructed openings that present the sky as if it were a painting. Here, Koop gives us the reverse — a painting that o ers

FLUORESCENT PAINT

a sense of escape from the landscape and into the air.

“I think we’ve all been so sad,” Koop says in an interview in the show’s catalog; “we’re in this place in history where we’re all kind of ﬁlled with sorrow about what’s happening around the world. For me, when the war started in Ukraine, I sort of understood my parents’ grief for the ﬁrst time.”

That melancholy is palpable throughout the show, especially in the suite of four 9-foot tall, narrow paintings called “Sleepwalking.” Here, Koop uses a personal symbology to explore memory and cultural heritage. One is an image of a thick braid of hair, which the artist says was a real object — her grandmother’s braid, kept as a keepsake after her death. Another, of barely visible white crossstitching, references her mother’s baby blanket. The third has a drip motif that Koop calls a “bloodline” and has used before in her work.

The last of these canvases depicts a handful of wildflowers and references the feeling of wanting to throw yourself into an open grave as flowers are tossed onto the co n during a burial. The flowers are bright and pretty but also drip and blur, as though they can’t come into focus. The whole suite of paintings, strikingly starker and simpler than Koop’s landscapes, gives o haunted vibes.

The moon reappears in another quadriptych called “Objects of Interest.” One version, in a hazy blue August sky, pairs it with a painting of the International Space Station. The other, bright in a nighttime void, hovers next to a painting of the Chinese-built Tiangong space station.

Clockwise from left: “Ukrainian Quartet –Power Plant”; “Black Sea Portal — Luminous Red”; “Sleepwalking — Flowers”

‘Embrace and Belonging’ Sculpture Unveiled in Burlington

STORY & PHOTOS BY ALICE DODGE adodge@sevendaysvt.com

In a ceremony at Dewey Park on June 26, the City of Burlington unveiled its newest piece of public art: “Embrace and Belonging,” a monumental sculpture by West Virginia artists Ai Qiu Hopen and her son, Chen Hopen, who work under the name Humanity Memorial.

The project has been years in the making and was a collaboration of three city departments: the Office of Racial Equity, Inclusion & Belonging; Burlington City Arts; and Parks, Recreation & Waterfront. The idea was to replace Main Street’s temporary Black Lives Matter mural, painted in 2020, with a permanent artwork dedicated to racial equity and awareness of systemic and historical racism.

The city selected the Old North End site, and Burlington City Arts worked with six community members to review applications and award the commission. But when plans were announced in 2022, many neighbors were not happy.

“The process of bringing the ‘Embrace and Belonging’ monument to Dewey Park has been fiery,” Parks Director Cindi Wight acknowledged in her remarks at the event.

BCA had shared a not-to-scale project rendering in which the sculpture, shiny and gold, dwarfs the Integrated Arts Academy building across the street.

Some in the community felt ignored and marginalized in the commission process, which prompted a tense public meeting with the artist and organizers. The project was scaled down from 25 to 18 feet high to allay concerns without diminishing the work’s message of inclusion.

“It’s not meant to be a small thing,” said Colin Storrs, public art and grants program manager at BCA. “There’s a reason that it’s a monument.”

In terms of monumentality, the project succeeds. Two curving sheets of textured stainless steel sweep upward and almost meet at the top as stylized sankofa birds, a Ghanaian symbol of remembrance. The birds seem to lean in toward each other. As artist Ai Qiu Hopen said at the unveiling, “We can’t stand up without each others’ support.”

Cutout birds in flight rise up the sculpture’s two halves, like a flock taking to

the air. Artist Chen Hopen spent 14 hours of his recent 22nd birthday cutting the forms. Asked how he feels about the piece, he said, “I am resonating!”

To prevent the sculpture from doubling as a climbing wall, the artists reattached the lowest birds, creating outlines instead of handholds. According to Bill Hopen, Ai Qiu’s husband and a key fabricator on the team, kids shouldn’t be able to reach the open spaces “until you’re tall enough and hopefully have enough sense” not to climb the 6,000-pound structure.

The monument’s goal is to inspire people not to forget history while moving past it — to look backward as well as forward, like the sankofa birds. This includes introspection about Burlington’s history.

Parks Director Wight remarked, “We all know that systemic racism was part of how our parks were formed, and we don’t know all the backstories, but we are working on learning them.”

An information placard allows visitors to explore some of that history.

While the project took longer than expected and taught organizers some hard lessons in community engagement, the extra time “really did weave together all of the intentions we started with,”

BCA executive director Doreen Kraft said. That’s apparent in how the artists and neighbors are beginning to engage with the sculpture.

Old North End resident Kashka Orlow said she was driving by last week and had to stop when she saw Bill and Chen Hopen installing the piece. Orlow was a longtime friend of Joseph “Byrd” Allen, an eccentric artist known for pushing his colorful shopping-cart constructions around Burlington. Following his death in March, many residents put up their own memorials in Dewey Park. “Are you doing this for Byrdman?” Orlow asked the artists. “He would’ve loved it!”

Allen’s story was new to the artists, but they said they were thrilled to find that connection, which adds another layer of meaning to the work. ➆

INFO

“Embrace and Belonging” is on view at Dewey Park on Spring Street in Burlington.

With these, Koop is raising questions about surveillance and ownership.

While many mythologies cast the moon as a watchful presence, humans are now placing objects into orbit that literally fulfill that role. Koop began painting the suite

after a Chinese spy balloon, which looked a little like the moon, traversed Canadian airspace and was shot down by the U.S. in 2023. That prompted the artist to reflect: “This is so strange. I thought I was painting the Moon, but maybe I’m just painting objects of interest.”

Describing her exhibition, Koop says, “It’s

a big poem, the whole thing.” That rings true, from her unusual sense of color and pareddown visual vocabulary to the “concrete poetry” of the title, which intentionally is all upper case with no question mark.

“The Moon belongs to all of us,” Koop continues, “as does the Earth. And I think not adding the question mark allows the

title to be such a big, big, not a question but a big place to go psychologically. It gives us space.” ➆

INFO

“Wanda Koop: WHO OWNS THE MOON” is on view through August 4 at the Montréal Museum of Fine Arts. mbam.qc.ca

“Embrace and Belonging” by Humanity Memorial; Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak with artists Ai Qiu Hopen and Chen Hopen (inset)

Bad Moon Rising

AWARDS

Artist Sarah Amos Wins 2024 Vermont Prize

BY MARY ANN LICKTEIG maryann@sevendaysvt.com

Enosburg Falls artist Sarah Amos has won the 2024 Vermont Prize. The award, presented for the best visual art currently being created in Vermont, carries a $5,000 prize.

Amos has been making mixed-media hybrid prints on both paper and fabric for 25 years and “continually challenges traditional notions of printmaking, both physically and intellectually,” according to the statement announcing the award.

The prize was established by the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center; Burlington City Arts; the Current, a contemporary art center in Stowe; and the Hall Art Foundation, which operates museums in Reading and in Derneburg, Germany. A representative of each organization and one guest juror — Phong H. Bui, an artist, curator, and cofounder and publisher of monthly journal the Brooklyn Rail — selected Amos.

Her work, Bui said in a statement, “evokes a wonderful synthesis of form and matter ... Each work asserts its monumentality while maintaining a sense of intimacy, and calls forth particular places or experiences, while suggesting deep symbolic significance of sensation and memory.”

Amos earned a bachelor’s degree in printmaking in her native Australia. She became a certified master printer at the

CALL TO ARTISTS

‘THEN AND NOW’: River Arts seeks artists to create work based on historic photography, exploring how Morrisville and Lamoille County have changed over time. Submissions should reflect a specific space in its current state, a historic view or a vision of the future. Details online. River Arts, Morrisville, Through July 21. Free. Info, 888-1261.

OPENINGS + RECEPTIONS

CAROL WILLIAMS MASON: “From the Side of the Road,” an exhibition of watercolor paintings of barns, flowers and landscapes by the Lyndon artist. Greensboro Free Library, through July 31. Info, 533-2531.

CAROLE DRURY: A show of three wooden room dividers, painted with allegorical images of the Northeast Kingdom by the Greensboro artist. Greensboro Free Library, through July 31. Info, 533-2531.

LINDA BLACKERBY: An exhibition of acrylic and mixed-media paintings influenced by interior design and travel. Pierson Library, Shelburne, through September 30. Info, 865-7296.

MICHAEL STRAUSS: Acrylic and ink paintings that investigate light, shadow and color. Pierson Library, Shelburne, through September 30. Info, 865-7296.

‘FOR THE LOVE OF VERMONT’: More than 80 works from the Lyman Orton collection painted between 1910 and 1970. Vermont History Museum, Montpelier, July 3-December 31. Info, 479-8500.

Tamarind Institute in New Mexico and earned a master of fine arts degree from what was then Northern Vermont University while working as master printer for Vermont Studio Center Press. Amos has taught at Dartmouth, Williams and Bennington colleges.

“Using thread as a metaphorical web, I intertwine the realms of printing and drawing, aiming to create works that reflect meticulous attention to detail, materiality, and the passage of time,” Amos wrote in her award application. Pattern plays a central role in her work, she said, citing inspiration from Persian carpets, the Gee’s Bend quilt makers of Alabama, Japanese Kabuki theater,

‘THE INSPIRATION OF TREES’: An exhibition of works made from wood or inspired by trees. Reception: Friday, July 5, 5-7 p.m. Memphremagog Arts Collaborative, Newport, July 5-November 30. Info, 334-1966.

SAM THURSTON: “Various Works,” an exhibition of carved basswood heads and figures, painted still lifes and small ceramics created early in the artist’s career and in the past three years. Reception: Friday, July 5, 4-7 p.m. The Front, Montpelier, July 5-28. Info, info@ thefrontvt.com.

SHARON WEBSTER: “Poetic License,” an exhibition of mixed-media and interdisciplinary works by the Burlington artist. Reception: Friday, July 5, 5-9 p.m. The S.P.A.C.E. Gallery, Burlington, July 5-26. Info, spacegalleryvt@gmail.com.

GRETCHEN VERPLANCK: “Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps),” a menagerie of ceramic creatures. Reception: Saturday, July 6, 4-6 p.m. Frog Hollow Vermont Craft Gallery, Burlington, through July 31. Info, 863-6458.

BANNERS ON BRIDGE STREET: A display of painted banners by nine Mad River Valley artists on antique lampposts. Reception: Thursday, July 11, 4:30-6 p.m. Rain date July 17. Bridge Street, Waitsfield, through October 14. Info, Free.

RACHEL MIRUS: “An Artist’s Collection of Curiosities,” works by the STEAM teaching artist and nature writer. A portion of artwork sales support NBNC. Reception: Friday, July 12, 5-7 p.m. North Branch Nature Center, Montpelier, July 3-September 14. Info, 229-6206.

‘VERMONT WEEK 1984’: A 40th anniversary exhibition by participants of VSC’s first Vermont Week residency program, including Janet Fredericks, Phil Godenschwager, Linda E. Jones, Anni Lorenzini, George Pearlman, Anthony Sini, Daryl Storrs and Kate Westcott. Reception: Friday, July 12, 4-6 p.m. Red Mill Gallery at Vermont Studio Center, Johnson, through September 10. Info, 635-2727.

sashiko stitching and Katsushika Hokusai’s prints.

Past Vermont Prize winners include Will Kasso Condry of Brandon and Terry Ekasala of East Burke. ➆

ART EVENTS

CIRCUIT DES ARTS MEMPHRÉMAGOG: An open-studio tour of more than 30 Eastern Townships artists. Centre d’arts visuels de Magog, Québec, through July 7, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Info, 819-769-0663.

COMMUNITY MURAL: A paint-by-numbers event during the Independence Day celebration to complete the WPA-style project, designed by T.W. Wood Gallery youth summer camp participants, for later installation at the Montpelier Transit Center. Vermont Statehouse, Montpelier, Wednesday, July 3, 3 p.m. Info, 262-6035.

FIRST FRIDAY EVE: An open evening for the public to visit exhibitions, grounds and gardens, with live music. Shelburne Museum, Friday, July 5, 5-7 p.m. Free. Info, 985-3346.

PLEIN AIR IN THE VILLAGE: Five regional artists paint outdoors in locations around Stowe Village. Reception and wet paint sale 6-8 p.m. Front Four Gallery, Stowe, Saturday, July 6, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. Info, 760-6474.

BTV MARKET: Artworks and crafts from a rotating cadre of local creatives. Burlington City Hall Park, Saturday, July 6, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Info, 865-7166.

ART MARKET: Art in many mediums from 20 culturally diverse vendors. Firefolk Arts, Waitsfield, Sunday, July 7, noon-5 p.m. Free. Info, firefolkarts@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, July 8, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Free. Info, 552-8202.

FLOOD THE STREETS WITH ART: A downtown sidewalk chalk art festival. Community participants register at Christ Church, 64 State Street, then create chalk art in an assigned square. Features live music,

at sarahamosstudio.com and vermontprize.org.

dance and drawings by eight professional chalk artists. Various Montpelier locations, Wednesday, July 10, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. Info, apitton@montpelier-vt.org.

ARTIST TALK: JULY FEATURED ARTISTS: Jennifer Buckner, Terry Buebner, Tess Follensbee and Wayne Tarr speak about what inspires them. AIR Gallery, St. Albans, Wednesday, July 10, 4:30-6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 528-5222. ➆

Sarah Amos

"1000 Wings"

music+nightlife

S UNDbites

News and views on the local music + nightlife scene

Live From the Fletcher Free: Busy Morning Band Take a Library Tour

True story: I was terriﬁed of the library when I was a kid. There was no bibliophobia involved; I loved reading. Nor was it the idea of quiet studying — even for a 10-year-old motormouth with attention deﬁcit disorder, I was able to be a respectable library-goer.

My fear was speciﬁc to a strange program the library ran one weekend, in which a man dressed up as Thomas Je erson — white wig, stupid buckle shoes and all — and read to us about American history and the U.S. Constitution.

Halfway through his description of building Monticello, the ersatz American founder doubled over in pain. We’d learn later that his appendix burst while cosplaying, but to a roomful of ﬁfth graders, it sure seemed like it was part of the presentation in the moment. As the EMTs arrived and rushed to where the fake Je erson was crumpled on the ﬂoor, my friend Xavier leaned over to me.

“Just like in real life!” he said.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“Thomas Je erson got punched in

the stomach and died,” Xavier said with startling conﬁdence. “He dropped dead in a library!”

Years later, laughing over some beers as adults, Xavier and I realized he had mixed up Thomas Je erson and Harry Houdini. The magician is rumored to have died as a result of being punched several times in the stomach by a McGill University student — though he perished nine days later in Detroit and not in a library.

But for years after the incident, I couldn’t sit in a library without worrying that any number of famous deaths throughout history might be reenacted in front of me. When we started reading William Shakespeare, I was convinced the library would stage a bloody assassination of Julius Caesar in the reference section.

Fortunately, I’ve recovered from my childhood trauma and can now properly enjoy libraries. But it might not have taken so long had young Chris been lucky enough to catch a performance by LINDA BASSICK and GREG ROTHWELL, who play

The album was recorded at Tank Recording Studio in Burlington in 2019, but it’s taken Bassick and Rothwell time to get the funds together to illustrate and print the book.

“At ﬁrst, we kept trying to write for grants,” she said. “After a while, we realized it just wasn’t going to happen, so we decided to raise money the oldfashioned way — gigging.”

The duo wants to put out a total of ﬁve books, each derived from a song on Maple’s Busy Morning Squirrel in a Tree is the ﬁrst in the planned series, and Bassick and Rothwell plan to follow it up after raising money through a unique summer tour of state libraries.

“I love Vermont libraries,” Bassick said. “There’s 187 of them in the state! So I just said one day, ‘Why don’t we tour them?’”

Bassick, who started working with children in the late ’80s, already had a busy library schedule, playing weekly gigs at Fletcher Free Library in Burlington and Dorothy Alling Memorial Library in Williston. Booking 187 shows seemed bold, so the duo settled on a 17-library tour, starting on Friday, July 19, at Brownell Library in Essex Junction and wrapping up on Saturday, August 17, at Highgate Library & Community Center.

Bassick is excited play the songs from Maple’s Busy Morning for kids across the state and show o the new book.

children’s music, often in libraries, as BUSY MORNING BAND.

The duo released an album in 2022 titled Maple’s Busy Morning, following the story of a child, Maple, who has a lot to do before nap time. If that sounds like good fodder for a children’s book, it is.

“We always knew that we wanted put out a kids’ book to accompany the album,” Bassick said. An early childhood educator, she’s been playing music for kids for more than three decades. “We made this album that was all about planting the seeds of positive talk for kids, and it just made so much sense to illustrate that.”

Working with Burlington artist Jackson Tupper, Bassick and Rothwell put together their ﬁrst kids’ book, Squirrel in a Tree, named after a song on the record.

“It’s the most epic track on the album,” Bassick said. “We hired three string players from the Vermont Youth Orchestra Association to play on it, though it was so long ago now — they’re all in their twenties!”

“I really love watching kids interact with Maple’s story,” Bassick said, noting that the character is never given a gender. “Maple is always wearing a hoodie and even has hoodie pajamas. We leave the gender ambiguous on purpose so any kid can identify with the story.”

It’s a busy summer for Bassick. She and Rothwell are also slated to play at the annual Maple Roots Festival in Montpelier on Saturday, July 27. She’ll put aside the kids’ tunes at night to reunite with her all-star rocksteady outﬁt, STEADY BETTY. The all-female group features some of the area’s most badass musicians, including Bassick, MIRIAM BERNARDO (HIGH SUMMER) and KAT WRIGHT, who are coming together for the ﬁrst time in almost six years.

“If you’re going to spend your summer on tour, this is the way to do it,” Bassick said with a laugh. “Play for the kids and [be] back home in your own bed that night.”

I’m looking forward to checking out Busy Morning Band when they swing through Burlington for a show at Fletcher Free on Saturday, July 20. If you see me and I look a little apprehensive, don’t worry — I’m just trying not to think about Thomas Je erson. ➆

BY CHRIS FARNSWORTH

Linda Bassick and Greg Rothwell

On the Beat

A once-popular electronic music series is gearing up to return to Burlington. The Revolver series started in the early 2000s at Higher Ground, back when the nightclub was still located in Winooski. It spent time at the late, great 135 Pearl before moving to the Half Lounge on Church Street in 2008, where it remained until the series ended in 2017.

Dubbed a “high-caliber, boutique electronic music experience for the mind, body and soul” by promoter JUSTIN REMILLARD, aka JUSTIN R.E.M., Revolver strived to feature some of the world’s top touring DJs. The event comes back to life this Saturday, July 6, at the Other Half in downtown Burlington with a performance featuring EDM legend PETE MOSS and New York City-based yoginiproducer GINA TURNER. Locals D-LAV and Remillard, along with Montréal’s HELIXX, provide support. Visit nexusartists.com for more info.

Montpelier High School and Twinﬁeld Union School band the RADIANCE have won the 2024 Beats for Good high school musician contest. Held every year by National Life Group as part of

Eye on the Scene

its annual music festival and fundraiser, Do Good Fest, the contest is designed to showcase the best of Vermont’s teen bands and artists.

The Radiance submitted their single “Let It Fall,” a roots-leaning indie-rock

Last week’s live music highlights from photographer Luke Awtry

JAM 4 SLAMT1D BATTLE OF THE BANDS, THE OLD POST, SOUTH BURLINGTON, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26: I love a good battle of the bands, especially if it supports a good cause. Last week’s Jam 4 SlamT1D at the Old Post in South Burlington raised money to support the ﬁght against type 1 diabetes. e eight-band showdown, held over three consecutive Wednesdays, had a lofty goal of $10,000, which, if met, the venue would match. e night of the ﬁnals, the backyard stage area was standing room only. e remaining bands — KARLI BLOOD, FRANKIE & THE FUSE EMBERS IN UMBRA and EDW — all threw down great performances, leading to a tie. While the judges debated the winner, Old Post owner KIM ROUILLE had the biggest mic drop of the night, announcing she would give the full match even though the goal had not been met. Frankie & the Fuse, congrats on the win, but be ready to defend — the crown is always harder to hold on to than to get.

track that earned the most votes from the public. The victory scores a $5,000 donation to the music program at the band’s schools as well as a $1,000 cash prize for the band itself. The Radiance will also open Do Good Fest, which features headliners FITZ AND THE TANTRUMS, RACHEL PLATTEN and DISHWALLA. The fest goes down on Saturday, July 13, on the back lawn at National Life Group’s main o ce in Montpelier. All ticket proceeds go toward Branches of Hope, a cancer patient fund, and Howard Center. To learn more and purchase tickets, visit dogoodfest.com. ➆

Listening In

(Spotify mix of local jams)

1. “DRIVING TO THE COAST” by Aleda Bliss

2. “ALL TOO WELL” by Troy Millette & the Fire Below

3. “LONG DISTANCE DRIVER” by Greg Freeman

4. “CLEAR THE WAY” by A2VT

5. “ROSIE” by Vallory Falls

6. “ENEMY OF ME” by Embers in Umbra

7. “COWBOYS CRY TOO” by Kelsea Ballerini, Noah Kahan

Scan to listen sevendaysvt. com/playlist

"Driving To e Coast" by Aleda Bliss

Frankie & the Fuse

Gina Turner

music+nightlife

CLUB DATES

live music

WED.3

Adirondack Jazz Orchestra (jazz)

at Olive Ridley’s, Plattsburgh, N.Y., 7 p.m. Free.

Andriana & the Bananas (indie) at Vermont Pub & Brewery, Burlington, 6-9 p.m. Free.

BBQ and Bluegrass (bluegrass) at Four Quarters Brewing, Winooski, 6:30 p.m. Free.

Burning Monk (Rage Against the Machine tribute) at Foam Brewers, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. Free.

Chad Hollister (folk rock) at Red Square, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

Charlie Mayne (hip-hop) at Orlando’s Bar & Lounge, Burlington, 10:30 p.m. Free. Dobbs’ Dead White & Blue (Grateful Dead tribute) at the Skinny Pancake, Burlington, 8-11 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.

e Nailers (rock) at Bent Nails Bistro, Montpelier, 9 p.m. Free.

VT Bluegrass Pioneers (bluegrass) at Black Flannel Brewing & Distilling, Essex, 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.

Workingman’s Army, Embers in Umbra (rock) at Nectar’s, Burlington, 8 p.m. Free.

THU.4

Blue Sky (Allman Brothers tribute) at Nectar’s, Burlington, 7 p.m. $10/$15.

Brunch, MX Lonely, Wiring, Zoie Party (indie) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 8:30 p.m. $10/$15.

Campﬁre Jack (country, rock) at Vermont Pub & Brewery, Burlington, 6-9 p.m. Free.

Dale and Darcy (bluegrass, Celtic) at von Trapp Brewing Bierhall, Stowe, 5:30 p.m. Free.

Frankie & the Fuse (rock) at Red Square, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

Friedman and Quigley Duo (jazz) at Hugo’s, Montpelier, 7:30 p.m. Free.

Instant Narwahl (rock) at Monopole, Plattsburgh, N.Y., 10 p.m. Free.

Lincoln Sprague (jazz) at Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge, Burlington, 5 p.m. Free.

Nico Suave & the Mothership: A Tribute to Led Zeppelin (tribute) at Zenbarn, Waterbury Center, 9 p.m. $15.

Independence Daze

Burlington indie rockers BRUNCH describe themselves as a “US government psyop.” It’s unclear what the Central Intelligence Agency might be trying to uncover by unleashing a new wave-inﬂuenced post-punk band upon the Queen City, but Burlingtonians should take heed: Following the release of advance single “Dancing Raw,” Brunch are set to release a brand-new EP/salvo against the city’s fragile psyche when they drop DOGINYA on July 4. That same night, the band takes the stage at Radio Bean in Burlington to celebrate the EP and completing their mission. They’re joined by Brooklyn shoe gazers MX LONELY, Boston math rock outﬁt WIRING, and locals ZOIE PARTY

Paige tbo, Jesse Taylor (singersongwriter) at Light Club Lamp Shop, Burlington, 7 p.m. $10.

FRI.5

All Night Boogie Band (blues) at Foam Brewers, Burlington, 9 p.m. Free.

Allison Fay Brown, Marcie Hernandez (folk) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 7 p.m. $5/$10.

Andriana Chobot (indie pop) at Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge, Burlington, 8:30 p.m. $10. Creatio (Americana) at Zachary’s Pizza, Milton, 8 p.m. Free.

Dave Mitchell’s Blues Revue (blues) at Red Square, Burlington, 2 p.m. Free.

Elizabeth Begins (acoustic) at Gusto’s, Barre, 6 p.m. Free. Footworks (Celtic) at Charlie-O’s World Famous, Montpelier, 6 p.m. Free.

Get Up With It (funk) at Hugo’s, Montpelier, 7:30 p.m. Free.

Hip Hop Night (Hip Hop) at the Underground, Randolph, 7:30 p.m. $14-17.

Jerborn (acoustic) at 1st Republic Brewing, Essex, 6 p.m. Free.

Matt Hagen (acoustic) at Bleu Northeast Kitchen, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. Free.

McMaple (covers) at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction, 9 p.m. Free.

Mean Waltons (bluegrass) at Poultney Pub, 5 p.m. Free.

Metamorph (goth) at Bent Nails Bistro, Montpelier, 9 p.m. Free.

Mike Pedersen & Friends (rock) at Monopole, Plattsburgh, N.Y., 10 p.m. Free.

Missy Bly, Paper Castles, H3adgear (indie rock) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 9 p.m. $10/$15.

Mitch & Devon (covers) at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction, 5 p.m. Free.

Moondogs (rock) at Red Square, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

Nate Wood (progressive rock) at the Mill ADK, Westport, N.Y., 7:30 p.m. $28.52.

e Parissisian (hip-hop, soul) at Nectar’s, Burlington, 8 p.m. Free.

Phil Abair Band (rock) at the Old Post, South Burlington, 8 p.m. Free.

Pitt Crew (covers) at Whammy Bar, Calais, 7 p.m. Free. Rap Night Burlington (hip-hop) at Drink, Burlington, 9 p.m. $5.

Ron Gagnon (rock) at von Trapp Brewing Bierhall, Stowe, 5:30 p.m. Free.

Shane Murley Band (folk) at Jericho Café & Tavern, 7:30 p.m. Free.

Upon a Burning Body, Until I Wake, Mike’s Dead (metal) at Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $20/$25.

Zack Riot & the Ultraviolet, Jonee Earthquake Band, Bathwater (punk) at Despacito, Burlington, 8 p.m. $8/$10.

SAT.6

Barbacoa (surf rock) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 7 p.m. $10.

Bob Gagnon (jazz) at Jericho Café & Tavern, 7:30 p.m. Free.

Dan Parks (singer-songwriter) at 1st Republic Brewing, Essex, 6 p.m. Free.

Danny & the Parts (Americana) at Red Square, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

David Karl Roberts (singersongwriter) at the Den at Harry’s Hardware, Cabot, 7 p.m. Free.

e Decker Bandits (Americana) at Hugo’s, Montpelier, 7:30 p.m. Free.

Steve Blair (jazz) at Bleu Northeast Kitchen, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. Free.

Tim Brick (country) at Bent Nails Bistro, Montpelier, 7 p.m. Free.

SUN.7

Ali T. (singer-songwriter) at Vermont Pub & Brewery, Burlington, 1-4 p.m. Free.

Bluegrass Brunch (bluegrass) at the Skinny Pancake, Burlington, noon. Free.

Bluegrass Brunch (bluegrass) at Madbush Falls, Waitsﬁeld, noon. Free.

Garcia (Grateful Dead tribute) at Red Square, Burlington, 3 p.m. Free.

Giovanina Bucci (singersongwriter) at Foam Brewers, Burlington, 1 p.m. Free.

GuitFiddle (bluegrass) at Red Square, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

Madigan Linnane (singersongwriter) at Lawson’s Finest Liquids, Waitsﬁeld, 3 p.m. Free.

Shane Murley Duet (singersongwriter) at Blue Paddle Bistro, South Hero, 5:30 p.m. Free.

Sunday Brunch Tunes (singersongwriter) at Hotel Vermont, Burlington, 10 a.m.

Vermont Jazz Ensemble (jazz) at Zenbarn, Waterbury Center, 5 p.m. $20.

MON.8

e Butterﬁelds (Americana) at North Hero House Inn & Restaurant, 5:30 p.m. Free.

TUE.9

Dimmer Triplets (blues, rock) at von Trapp Brewing Bierhall, Stowe, 5:30 p.m. Free.

High Summer (soul) at Foam Brewers, Burlington, 9 p.m. Free.

Jewel House (indie pop) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 9 p.m. $10.

Justin Levinson (folk) at Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge, Burlington, 8 p.m. $10.

Kyle Stevens (covers) at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction, 5 p.m. Free.

Lazy Bird (jam) at Nectar’s, Burlington, 8 p.m. $5.

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.

Nickel & Dime (covers) at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction, 9 p.m. Free.

Patrick Sargent (singersongwriter) at Poultney Pub, 6 p.m. Free.

Rose Asteroid (rock) at Bent Nails Bistro, Montpelier, 9 p.m. Free.

Sons of the East, Ben Goldsmith (indie folk) at Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $25/$30.

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. Bullfrog (bluegrass, country) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 7 p.m. $5/$10.

Get Up With It (funk) at Bent Nails Bistro, Montpelier, 5 p.m. Free.

Grateful Tuesdays (Grateful Dead tribute) at Nectar’s, Burlington, 9 p.m. $10/$20.

Honky Tonk Tuesday with Wild Leek River (country) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 9 p.m. $10. Jay Southgate (vibraphone) at Bent Nails Bistro, Montpelier, 5 p.m. Free.

Troy Millette & the Fire Below (folk) at Lawson’s Finest Liquids, Waitsﬁeld, 5 p.m. Free.

Zach Nugent (Grateful Dead tribute) at Madbush Falls, Waitsﬁeld, 7 p.m. $10 suggested donation.

WED.10

BBQ and Bluegrass (bluegrass) at Four Quarters Brewing, Winooski, 6:30 p.m. Free.

Bent Nails House Band (covers) at Bent Nails Bistro, Montpelier, 8 p.m. Free.

THU.4 // BRUNCH [INDIE]

The Duo (rock) at North Hero House Inn & Restaurant, 5:30 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.

Sunbeam, Diamond, Cricket Blue (folk) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 8:30 p.m. $10.

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.

WED.3

DJ ATAK (DJ) at Red Square, Burlington, 3 p.m. Free.

DJ Chalango, DJ Tarzana (DJ) at Hugo’s, Montpelier, 7 p.m. Free.

DJ CRE8 (DJ) at Red Square, Burlington, 10 p.m. Free.

Local Dork (DJ) at Foam Brewers, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

THU.4

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.

Line Dancing with Dancin’ Dean (line dancing) at the Depot, St. Albans, 6 p.m. $7.

Vinyl Night with Ken (DJ) at Poultney Pub, 6 p.m. Free.

FRI.5

D Jay Baron (DJ) at Einstein’s Tap House, Burlington, 10 p.m. Free.

DJ Craig Mitchell (DJ) at Red Square Blue Room, Burlington, 10 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.

SAT.6

Blanchface (DJ) at Manhattan Pizza & Pub, Burlington, 10 p.m. Free.

DJ A-Ra$ (DJ) at Red Square, Burlington, midnight. Free.

DJ Fattie B (DJ) at Light Club Lamp Shop, Burlington, 9 p.m. $10.

DJ LaFountaine (DJ) at Gusto’s, Barre, 9 p.m. Free.

DJ Raul (DJ) at Red Square Blue Room, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

HAVEN (DJ) at MothershipVT, Burlington, 10 p.m. Free.

Malcolm Miller (DJ) at Einstein’s Tap House, Burlington, 10 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.

Pete Moss, Gina Turner, D-Lav, Helixx, Justin R.E.M. (electronic) at the Other Half, Burlington, 8:30 p.m. $20/$25.

SUN.7

Mi Yard Reggae Night with DJ Big Dog (reggae, dancehall) at Nectar’s, Burlington, 9 p.m. Free.

TUE.9

The Vanguard — Jazz on Vinyl (DJ) at Paradiso Hi-Fi, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

WED.10

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.

open mics & jams

WED.3

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.

The Ribbit Review Open-Mic & Jam (open mic) at Lily’s Pad, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

THU.4

Open Mic (open mic) at Whammy Bar, Calais, 7 p.m. Free.

Open Mic Night (open mic) at Bent Nails Bistro, Montpelier, 7 p.m. Free.

Open Stage Night (open mic) at Orlando’s Bar & Lounge, Burlington, 8 p.m. Free.

FRI.5

Red Brick Coffee House (open mic) at Red Brick Meeting House, Westford, 7 p.m. Free.

SUN.7

Olde Time Jam Session (open jam) at the Den at Harry’s Hardware, Cabot, noon. Free.

MON.8

Open Mic (open mic) at Despacito, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

TUE.9

Open Mic Night (open mic) at Drink, Burlington, 8 p.m. Free.

Open Mic Night with David Karl Roberts (open mic) at Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

Venetian Soda Open Mic (open mic) 7 p.m. Free.

WED.10

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.

Writers’ Bloc Open Mic (writer open mic) at Light Club Lamp Shop, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

comedy

WED.3

Standup Comedy Open Mic (comedy open mic) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 8:30 p.m.

FRI.5

Comedy Night (comedy) at Zenbarn, Waterbury Center, 8 p.m. $10.

Comedy Night Open Mic (comedy open mic) at the Den at Harry’s Hardware, Cabot, 8 p.m. Free.

SAT.6

Comedy on Fire! A Standup Comedy Showcase (comedy) at Jericho Town Green, 8 p.m. $12. Info, 922-1095.

WED.10

$5 Improv Night (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 7 p.m. $5. Comedy Jam (comedy) at Club Metronome, Burlington, 6:30 p.m. Free.

Standup Comedy Open Mic (comedy open mic) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 8:30 p.m.

trivia, karaoke, etc.

WED.3

Karaoke (karaoke) at Charlie-O’s World Famous, Montpelier, 7 p.m. Free.

Karaoke Night (karaoke) at Drink, Burlington, 8 p.m. Free. Musical Bingo (music bingo) at the Depot, St. Albans, 6 p.m. Free.

Musical Bingo (trivia) at Orlando’s Bar & Lounge, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

Trivia Night (trivia) at Stone Corral, Richmond, 7 p.m. Free. Trivia Night (trivia) at Rí Rá Irish Pub Burlington, 7:30 p.m. Free.

Venetian Trivia Night (trivia) at Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free. Wednesday Team Trivia (trivia) at Einstein’s Tap House, Burlington, 9 p.m. Free.

THU.4

Karaoke Night (karaoke) at Zenbarn, Waterbury Center, 7 p.m. Free.

Radio Bean Karaoke (karaoke) at Light Club Lamp Shop, Burlington, 9 p.m. Free.

TRIVIA, KARAOKE, ETC. » P.61

The Pilgrims, Joking but Serious

(SELF-RELEASED, DIGITAL)

It’s impossible not to respect What Doth Life. The folks behind the Windsorbased collective do it all: They run a record label, book shows and festivals, and direct their own music videos. They’re a group of Upper Valley friends making some of the most distinctive music in Vermont through a massive roster of incestuous bands. And it’s been a damn long time since we’ve heard from one of What Doth Life’s cornerstone acts: the Pilgrims.

I had to double-search the internet to make sure I wasn’t missing any LPs. Indeed, it’s been seven years since the thick-cut, brain-blasting rock band dropped No Focus, its third studio album. And its latest, the facetiously titled Joking but Serious, is … whatever the sonic equivalent of a sight to behold is. It evokes intense, sometimes upsetting thoughts, feelings and memories. Yet the band couches its darkness in musical levity and lyrical gooﬁness.

A lot can happen in seven years. Bassist Brendan Dangelo wrote in an email that the Pilgrims came close to breaking up — but didn’t — because “we don’t really take ourselves seriously enough to break up.” A show billed as the group’s last hurrah took place this year on April Fool’s Day. Wink, wink.

After No Focus, the band tried to “take advantage of the way music was being consumed … and capture the short attention span we all seem to have these days” by eschewing traditional albums, guitarist and self-proclaimed cyborg Kiel Alarcon explained by email. (Not joking, very serious: Several years after a spinal cord injury and frustrated with available assistive devices, Alarcon designed his own robotic leg brace.)

A string of singles (and some fantastic accompanying music videos) helped the group maintain momentum but “wasn’t very satisfying for us as a band,” Alarcon continued. The fellas really wanted that “big-project feeling.” And as soon as pandemic-era restrictions eased, the Pilgrims began rehearsing and sifting through material they’d cached while on hiatus.

Writing Joking but Serious had its

ups and downs. At times, Alarcon wrote, “too much time and freedom” led to frustration while he produced the record. He wanted the album to sound “like a real band playing live music,” because adding overdubs and studio magic can push the sound further away. But the end result achieves the loose, humanistic e ect he was going for.

The Pilgrims operate collectively and independently, working together on song structure while leaving speciﬁcs up to each instrumentalist. Alarcon said the group’s singer and lyricist, Chris “Rosie” Rosenquist, struggled especially to articulate his thoughts, so his bandmates brought him some raw tunes that he eventually cooked through.

sax. And everything comes together under Rosie’s raspy, deﬁant howl.

The singer has a loose, extemporaneous quality, like he’s speaking his thoughts as quickly as they come to him. He chokes out bon mots in spurts, then drives home phrases in demented wails.

“Take me to a hospital / I might die soon / well / I slide / I glide / across the ﬂoor / the pressure pressure / I needed a hospital!” he cries at the apex of opener “Hot Spittle.” The group’s punchy, syncopated instrumentation collapses into a raging inferno around the singer’s urgent declaration.

The head-banging, giggle-inducing and, occasionally, stomach-turning tunes on Joking but Serious balance precision with an anticipatory feeling that just about anything could happen. Dangelo’s bass is nimble and rubbery. Davis McGraw’s keys bounce with pep and ﬂair. Drummer Chris Egner ranges from meticulous and restrained to monstrously powerful. When he isn’t shredding, Alarcon jolts the sound with electrifying

“Bustanova” is a rollicking, lightly jazzinﬂected track. Its playon-words title suggests a genre mutation, and the organ-assisted groove makes good on this as it trips and falls into cymbal-thrashing, sax-blasting mayhem.

Insecurity and isolation seem to be running themes. Between non sequiturs and Lomographic recollections, Rosie’s self-doubt emerges: “Feels like everybody’s out to get me” (“Garﬁeld”); “You didn’t even invite me to the party” (“Jacket”); “I was so lonely and sweaty” (“Test Pressing”).

“Teeth” is one of the album’s most intense cuts. Guitars snarl and seethe, drums and cymbals pop and ﬁzz, and bass buzzes under harsh, unhinged proclamations: “Well call the cops / I just found my whole head in an institution.”

Penultimate song “Floater” is dazzling. A muscular foundation of bass and drums shoulders the mid-tempo jam as it expands with cosmic resonance.

“This is the age of everything,” Rosie sings, sounding something like hopeful. But nothing matches the unﬁltered ramblings of closer “Best Friend.” Slowly building in musical intensity with fuzzy guitars and subdued beats, the track features the album’s most stunning lyrics. As if unburdening himself, Rosie rambles on, looking back at the tipping point of adolescence, innocence crashing into disillusionment. Some choice excerpts include:

You used to look at me and say, “My dad has a whole bunch of pornos, and he hides them in the kitchen.” And I remember how weird your kitchen was. It used to have all sorts of weird shit on the counters in little jars. And your dad always looked like he had just ﬁnished fucking something...

You were a good friend to me. We used to lift up our arms to see puberty...

And you cried your eyes out when we prank-called that woman 6,000 times and we had to clean her yard, and we rode our bikes there…

The song concludes the album with a bittersweet, laughing-so-hard-we’recrying-but-maybe-we’re-crying-becausewe’re-sad feeling that courses through the 10 tracks.

This may be the last Pilgrims album, but not in a declarative way. As Dangelo put it, “We’re more of a fade away than burn out type” of band. If it is a curtain call, it’s a hell of a way to close out a 10-plus-year career.

Joking but Serious is available at pilgrimsvt.bandcamp.com and on major streaming services. Catch the band on Saturday, August 10, at the Monkey House in Winooski.

JORDAN ADAMS

e Pilgrims

Tonk Man For all the talk about folk star Noah Kahan and jam kings Phish, the playlists of Vermont radio stations reveal a deep love of country music in the Green Mountains. And there are few locals who have been flying the country flag longer than TIM BRICK. The Barre singer-songwriter started hitting local stages when he was only 12 and became a fixture in the Vermont country scene before he relocated to Austin, Texas, in 2015. He’s back in his home state these days, having released the LP Homegrown Remedy in 2022. He plays Bent Nails Bistro in Montpelier on Saturday, July 6.

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.

Summer Trivia with Katy (trivia) at Highland Lodge, Greensboro, 7 p.m. Free.

Trivia (trivia) at Jericho Café & Tavern, 6:30 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.5

Karaoke Friday Night (karaoke) at Park Place Tavern & Grill, Essex Junction, 8 p.m. Free.

SAT.6

Mayor’s Cup Karaoke with Cam (karaoke) at Monopole, Plattsburgh, N.Y., 10 p.m. Free.

SUN.7

Sunday Funday (games) at 1st Republic Brewing, Essex, noon. Free.

MON.8

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.9

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.

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.10

Karaoke Night (karaoke) at Drink, Burlington, 8 p.m. Free.

Musical Bingo (music bingo) at the Depot, St. Albans, 6 p.m. Free.

Musical Bingo (trivia) at Orlando’s Bar & Lounge, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

Trivia Night (trivia) at Stone Corral, Richmond, 7 p.m. Free.

Trivia Night (trivia) at Rí Rá Irish Pub Burlington, 7:30 p.m. Free.

Venetian Trivia Night (trivia) at Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

Wednesday Team Trivia (trivia) at Einstein’s Tap House, Burlington, 9 p.m. Free. ➆

Honky

calendar

JULY 3-10, 2024

WED.3

activism

CHAMPLAIN VALLEY DSA

GENERAL MEETING: Members of the local chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America and other left-wing activists gather to plan political activities. Democracy Creative, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. Free. Info, hello@champlainvalleydsa.org.

DISABLED ACCESS & ADVOCACY OF THE RUTLAND AREA (DAARA)

MONTHLY ZOOM MEETING: Community members gather online to advocate for accessibility and other disability rights measures. 11:30 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 779-9021.

business

QUEEN CITY BUSINESS

NETWORKING INTERNATIONAL

GROUP: Savvy businesspeople make crucial contacts at a weekly chapter meeting. Burlington City Arts, 11:15 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, 829-5066.

community

2024 SCAVENGER HUNT IN

STOWE: Townsfolk put on their detective caps, grab a map at the library and search Stowe for stickers. Prizes include hotel stays and goods from local merchants. Stowe Free Library, Free. Info, 253-6145.

crafts

JEWELRY MAKING WITH CASEY: Crafty folks string beads together to create teardrop earrings. Ages 7 and up. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 3-4:30 p.m. Free; limited space. Info, 878-6956.

YARN CRAFTERS GROUP: A drop-in meetup welcomes knitters, crocheters, spinners, weavers and beyond. BYO snacks and drinks. Must Love Yarn, Shelburne, 1-3 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. Free. Info, 448-3780. etc.

CHAMP MASTERS

TOASTMASTERS OF GREATER BURLINGTON: Those looking to strengthen their speaking and leadership skills gain new tools at a regular meeting. 6-7:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 338-2305.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section.

‘BLUE WHALES: RETURN OF THE GIANTS 3D’: Andy Serkis narrates the journey of a lifetime into the 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

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 are written by Emily Hamilton and Gillian English. Spotlights are written by Angela Simpson Seven Days edits for space and style. Depending on cost and other factors, classes and workshops may be listed in either the calendar or the classes section. Class organizers may be asked to purchase a class listing.

Learn more about highlighted listings in the Magnificent 7 on page 11.

JULY 3RD AT BARR HILL: Revelers celebrate the 4th of July holiday a day early with cocktails, food and fireworks. Barr Hill, Montpelier, 4-10 p.m. Free. Info, 472-8000.

p.m. $3-5 plus regular admission, $16.50-20; admission free for members and kids 2 and under. Info, 864-1848.

‘FUNGI: THE WEB OF LIFE 3D’: Sparkling graphics take viewers on a journey into the weird, wide world of mushrooms, which we are only just beginning to understand.

Northfield Savings Bank 3D Theater: A National Geographic Experience, ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, 11 a.m., 1 & 3 p.m. $3-5 plus regular admission, $16.50-20; admission free for members and kids 2 and under. Info, 864-1848.

‘OCEANS: OUR BLUE PLANET 3D’: Scientists dive into the planet’s least-explored habitat, from its sunny shallows to its alien depths. Northfield Savings Bank 3D Theater: A National Geographic Experience, ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, noon, 2 & 4 p.m. $3-5 plus regular admission, $16.50-20; admission free for members and kids 2 and under. Info, 864-1848.

‘TINY GIANTS 3D’: Through the power of special cameras, audiences are transported into the world of the teeniest animals on Earth. Northfield Savings Bank 3D Theater: A National Geographic Experience, ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, 11:30 a.m., 1:30 & 3:30 p.m. $3-5 plus regular admission, $16.50-20; admission free for members and kids 2 and under. Info, 864-1848.

food & drink

DANVILLE FARMERS MARKET: Villagers shop local from various vendors handing out fruits, veggies and prepared foods. Danville Village Green, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, cfmamanager@ gmail.com.

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.

= 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.

holidays

BURLINGTON’S INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION: Live bands and fun-filled activities set the scene for spectacular fireworks over Lake Champlain. Waterfront Park, Burlington, 5-11 p.m. Free. Info, 864-0123.

HULA PRESENTS: BLOCK

PARTY 2024: Revelers gather for food, family-friendly entertainment, live music and Burlington’s fireworks display to celebrate Independence Day. Hula, Burlington, 4-9:30 p.m. $10-15; free for kids under 5. Info, 540-8153.

JULY 3RD: The Capital City’s blowout bonanza returns with a bang, featuring Family Fest, a perfectly patriotic parade, a phenomenal fireworks show and plenty of fun all around downtown. Various Montpelier locations, 3-10 p.m. Free. Info, 223-9604.

ROCK THE DOCK: A festive fundraiser for sailing scholarships features food trucks, libations, tunes, dancing and prime views of the fireworks. Community Sailing Center, Burlington, 6-10:30 p.m. $50-60. Info, 864-2499.

language

BEGINNER IRISH LANGUAGE CLASS: Celtic-curious students learn to speak an Ghaeilge in a supportive group. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, noon-1 p.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

ELL CLASSES: ENGLISH FOR BEGINNERS AND INTERMEDIATE STUDENTS: Learners of all abilities practice written and spoken English with trained instructors. Presented by Fletcher Free Library. 6:30-8 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, bshatara@ burlingtonvt.gov.

INTERMEDIATE IRISH LANGUAGE CONVERSATION AND MUSIC: Speakers with some experience increase their fluency through conversation and song. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 10:30 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 863-3403.

SPANISH CONVERSATION: Fluent and beginner speakers brush up on their español with a discussion led by a Spanish teacher. Presented by

Dorothy Alling Memorial Library. 5-6 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, programs@damlvt.org.

music

GREEN MOUNTAIN CHAMBER

MUSIC FESTIVAL: MASTER CLASSES: Classical music fans sit in on lessons from visiting artists. McCarthy Arts Center, Saint Michael’s College, Colchester, 4-5:30 p.m. Free. Info, 503-1220.

MILTON BUSKER & THE GRIM WORK: The Vermont band introduces audiences to “suit-folk” — that is, songs of the people if they got dressed up for a night out. La Chapina serves Guatemalan grub. Shelburne Vineyard, 6-8:30 p.m. Free. Info, 985-8222.

MUSIC ON THE GREEN: Familyfriendly shows entertain on the lawn overlooking Lake Champlain. Kraemer & Kin, Alburgh, 6-8 p.m. Free. Info, 796-3586.

VSO SUMMER FESTIVAL TOUR:

‘SYMPHONY OF STARS’: The Vermont Symphony Orchestra celebrates its 90th birthday with a lap around the state and a set list that includes the music of Sufjan Stevens, John Williams and Vermont’s own Erik Nielsen. Grafton Trails & Outdoor Center, 7:30-9:30 p.m. $5-35; free for kids 5 and under. Info, hello@vso.org.

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 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, 6 p.m. $8-15; free for kids 5 and under. Info, club@vermontgreenfc. com.

theater

2024 BIG TOP TOUR: THE IMAGINARIUM: Performers ages

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

10 through 18 pull off daring and dazzling acts in this acrobatic extravaganza. Farr’s Field, Waterbury, 1-3 & 6-8 p.m. $25-40. Info, tour@smirkus.org.

‘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, 2-4:30 & 7:30-10 p.m. $59-79. Info, 824-5288.

THU.4 community

2024 SCAVENGER HUNT IN STOWE: See WED.3.

etc.

NIGHT OWL CLUB: Astronomers and space exploration experts discuss the latest in extraterrestrial news with curious attendees. Presented by Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium. 7 p.m. Free. Info, 748-2372.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section.

‘BLUE WHALES: RETURN OF THE GIANTS 3D’: See WED.3.

‘FUNGI: THE WEB OF LIFE 3D’: See WED.3.

‘OCEANS: OUR BLUE PLANET 3D’: See WED.3.

‘TINY GIANTS 3D’: See WED.3. games

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.

holidays

75TH ANNUAL WARREN 4TH OF JULY PARADE: Floats, fireworks and family fun fill the village with music and merriment for Independence Day. See madrivervalley.com for full schedule. Various Warren locations, 10 a.m.9:30 p.m. Free. Info, 498-8545.

CABOT’S JULY 4TH

CELEBRATION: Residents celebrate the holiday with a parade, food vendors and live music. Cabot Town Common, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Info, 424-2633.

STOWE VIBRANCY’S 4TH OF JULY

CELEBRATION: Holiday revelers enjoy eats from an array of food vendors, live musical performances and other entertainment. Stowe Village Green, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Info, 253-8358.

lgbtq

POP-UP HAPPY HOUR: Locals connect over drinks at a speakeasy-style bar. Hosted by OUT in the 802. Lincolns, Burlington, 5:30-7 p.m. Free. Info, 860-7812.

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.3

burlington

‘A LITTLE PRINCESS’: Very Merry Theatre presents the all-ages adventures of a girl sent to an oppressive boarding school. The outdoor performance will be moved inside if it rains. See calendar spotlight. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, noon-1 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.

VR NATIONAL PARKS: Teens take virtual tours of the Grand Canyon, Hawai’i’s volcanoes, Death Valley and other locales. Ages 11 through 18. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 1-2 p.m. Free; preregister; limited space. Info, 863-3403.

chittenden county

ADVENTURES IN PLAY: Toddlers play with giant blocks, hoops, chalk, bubbles and water. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 10-10:45 a.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

BABY TIME: Parents and caregivers bond with their pre-walking babes during this gentle playtime. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 10:3011 a.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.

SUMMER BABYTIME: Infants gather for a gentle, slow story time. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 9:15-9:45 a.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

SUMMER CRAFTYTOWN: From painting and printmaking to collage and sculpture, creative kids explore different projects and mediums. Ages 8 and up, or ages 6 and up with an adult helper. ADA accessible. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 10-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

barre/montpelier

FIRE DANCING BY WILDFIRE: Indian Clubs instructor and performance artist Jay Moran puts on a bright show. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, 2-3 p.m. Free. Info, 223-3338.

MESSY ART ON THE LAWN: Kids explore a variety of painting techniques without worrying about keeping everything clean. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, 1-3 p.m. Free. Info, 223-3338. TWILIGHT ADVENTURES: George Springston brings telescopes to give a talk about the night sky. Jaquith Public Library, Marshfield, 6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 426-3581.

mad river valley/ waterbury

TEEN HANGOUT: Middle and high schoolers make friends at a no-pressure

Que Sara, Sara

“It would be easy to be a princess if I were dressed in cloth of gold,” declares Sara Crewe in Frances Hodgson Burnett’s classic children’s book A Little Princess, “but it is a great deal more of a triumph to be one all the time when no one knows it.” Brought to a grim boarding school by her well-intentioned father, Sara plummets from privilege to penury at the hands of an oppressive headmistress. Using her imagination, compassion and intelligence, she improves her world and inspires everyone around her — including generations of readers. Burlington’s Very Merry Theatre brings an open-air production of Sara’s story to Chittenden County locations, with nearby indoor alternatives at the ready in case of rain.

‘A LITTLE PRINCESS’

Wednesday, July 3, noon, at Fletcher Free Library in Burlington; Thursday, July 4, noon, at Charlotte Library; and Friday, July 5, 6:30 p.m., at Staige Hill Farm in Charlotte. Free. Info, 355-1461, verymerrytheatre.org.

meetup. Waterbury Public Library, 3-6 p.m. Free. Info, 244-7036.

TEEN QUEER READS: LGBTQIA+ and allied youths get together each month to read and discuss ideas around gender, sexuality and identity. Waterbury Public Library, 6-7 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 244-7036.

upper valley

FOREST DISCOVERY CENTER: Interactive learning stations, demonstrations and crafts give kids hands-on nature experiences. Ages 8 and under.

Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park, Woodstock, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Info, 457-3368.

THU.4

chittenden county

‘A LITTLE PRINCESS’: See WED.3. Charlotte Library. Rain location, Charlotte Congregational Church. Free. Info, 425-3864.

upper valley

4TH ON THE FARM: Celebrators recognize independence with horse-drawn wagon rides, historic lawn games, ice cream making and crafts. Billings Farm & Museum, Woodstock, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Info, 457-2355.

FRI.5

chittenden county

‘A LITTLE PRINCESS’: See WED.3. Staige Hill Farm, Charlotte, 6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 355-1461.

ADVENTURES IN MUSIC!: Little ones sing and dance with local troubadour Linda Bassick. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 10-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

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. TEEN ANIME CLUB: Fans in grades 6 through 12 watch their favorite shows with friends and snacks, Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 4-5:30 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

barre/montpelier

DRAGON PARTY: Winged beast lovers of all ages enjoy stories, activities and snacks. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, 2-4 p.m. Free. Info, 223-3338.

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.

stowe/smuggs

STOWE FREE LIBRARY STORYTIME: Miss Nancy regales children with captivating

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, 11:1511:45 a.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

chittenden county

OUTDOOR SATURDAY STORY TIME: A special storyteller reads to little ones in front of the library. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 10:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.

upper valley

FOREST DISCOVERY CENTER: See WED.3. INCREDIBLE INSECT FESTIVAL: Amateur entomologists spend the day crafting, exploring bug safaris, and interacting with live caterpillars, bees and dragonflies. Vermont Institute of Natural Science, Quechee, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Regular admission, $16.50-19.50; free for members and kids 3 and under. Info, 359-5000.

SUN.7

burlington

MASKS ON! SUNDAYS: Elderly, disabled and immunocompromised folks get the museum to themselves at a masks-mandatory morning. ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, 9-10 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, 864-1848.

northeast kingdom

DRAG STORY HOUR: Drag queens read stories focused on individuality, activism, gender, creativity, expression and social responsibility. Craftsbury Public Library, Craftsbury Common, 11 a.m. Free. Info, director@craftsburypubliclibrary.org.

MON.8

tales. Stowe Free Library, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 253-8358.

upper valley

ART IN THE PARK: National park artists-in-residence lead nature-inspired activities for all ages. Marsh-BillingsRockefeller National Historical Park, Woodstock, 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Free. Info, 457-3368.

FIREWORKS, FOOD & RUN: A dazzling display closes out a night of activities that include a cookout, games, music and a flag ceremony. Woodstock Union High School, 6-9 p.m. Free. Info, 457-2355.

STORY TIME: Preschoolers take part in tales, tunes and playtime. Latham Library, Thetford, 11 a.m. Free. Info, 785-4361.

SAT.6 burlington

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.

LEGO TIME AT THE NNE: Kids ages 4 through 11 construct their very own creations. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 11 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 863-3403. SPLASH DANCE: Kids soak up some summer fun in the fountain while DJs spin

burlington

COSPLAY WORKSHOP WITH ANDREW LIPTAK: Teens and tweens learn the art of geeky costume creation from the author of Cosplay: A History. Ages 11 through 18. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 2-3 p.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

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.

chittenden county

POKÉMON CLUB: Players trade cards and enjoy activities centered on their favorite strategic game. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 4-5 p.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.

TEEN CRAFT ADVENTURES: Budding fashionistas make runway-ready looks from humble trash bags. Supplies provided. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

mad river valley/ waterbury

TINY TOTS STORY TIME: Little tykes have fun, hear stories and meet new friends with Ms. Cynthia. Ages 3 and under. Waterbury Public Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 244-7036.

upper valley ART IN THE PARK: See FRI.5.

music

FEAST & FIELD MUSIC SERIES:

Farm-fresh foods and live tunes are on the menu at a weekly pastoral party out in the orchard. Fable Farm, Barnard, 5:30-8:30 p.m. $5-25; $120-1,250 for season passes. Info, 234-1645.

MYRA FLYNN AND PAUL BOFFA:

Local musicians play heartfelt original songs and perfected covers. Jaquith Public Library, Marshfield, 6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 426-3581.

OWEN LEAVEY: A Vermont performer plays tunes while listeners enjoy a slice. American Flatbread, Stowe, 6-8 p.m. Free; price of food and drink. Info, 253-8358.

VSO SUMMER FESTIVAL TOUR: ‘SYMPHONY OF STARS’: See WED.3. Shelburne Museum.

sports

VERMONT LAKE MONSTERS:

Spectators buy some peanuts and Cracker Jack to watch the Green Mountain State’s own Futures Collegiate Baseball League team face off against new opponents each night. Centennial Field, Burlington, 1:05 p.m. $6-17; $125-418 for season passes. Info, 655-4200.

theater

2024 BIG TOP TOUR: THE IMAGINARIUM: See WED.3, 1-3 & 6-8 p.m.

‘ANALOG AND VINYL’: The music of Elvis Costello, the Beatles and Brian Wilson infuses a romantic romp set in a record store. Depot Theatre, Westport N.Y., 5 p.m. Info, 518-962-4449.

‘JERSEY BOYS’: See WED.3, 2-4:30 p.m..

‘THE SECRET GARDEN’: An enchanting classic of children’s literature is reimagined in musical style. Jean’s Playhouse, Lincoln N.H., 7:30 p.m. $30. Info, 603-745-2141.

FRI.5

bazaars

FIRST FRIDAY: Live music soundtracks a bustling summer market overflowing with food, artisan goods and kids’ activities. Merchants Row, Randolph, 5:307:30 p.m. Free. Info, 728-4305.

community

2024 SCAVENGER HUNT IN STOWE: See WED.3.

crafts

FIRST FRIDAY FIBER GROUP: Fiber-arts fans make progress on projects while chatting over snacks. GRACE, Hardwick, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Free; donations accepted. Info, info@ruralartsvt. org.

etc.

GREAT BRANDON AUCTION: Locals drop by for silent bidding on furniture, art, gifts and more.

Brandon Town Hall, 2-7 p.m. Free. Info, 247-6401.

fairs & festivals

FREE FIRST FRIDAY EVE: The museum opens its exhibits to one and all, and the lawns overflow with food, drink, games and live music. Shelburne Museum, 5-7:30 p.m. Free. Info, 985-3346.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section.

‘BLUE WHALES: RETURN OF THE GIANTS 3D’: See WED.3.

‘DESIGN FOR LIVING’: Three American artists in Paris enter into a very Challengers-esque love triangle in this 1933 preCode comedy. The Screening Room @ VTIFF, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington, 7 p.m. $5-10. Info, 660-2600.

‘FUNGI: THE WEB OF LIFE 3D’: See WED.3.

‘OCEANS: OUR BLUE PLANET 3D’: See WED.3.

‘TINY GIANTS 3D’: See WED.3.

food & drink

RICHMOND FARMERS MARKET: Vendors present a diverse selection of locally produced foods and crafts as picnickers enjoy live music. Volunteers Green, Richmond, 3-6:30 p.m. Free. Info, rfmmanager@gmail.com.

SOUTH END GET DOWN: Food trucks dish out mouthwatering meals and libations. Live DJs and outdoor entertainment add to the fun. 377 Pine St., Burlington, 5-9 p.m. Free. Info, orleanseventsvt@ gmail.com.

games

MAH-JONGG: Tile traders of all experience levels gather for a game. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 1-3 p.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.

health & fitness

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.

holidays

READING FREDERICK DOUGLASS: Audience members take active part in a recitation of Douglass’ famous address, “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?,” first given on July 5, 1852. Rokeby Museum, Ferrisburgh, 1-3 p.m. Free. Info, 877-3406.

lgbtq

RPG NIGHT: Members of the LGBTQ community gather weekly to play games such as Dungeons & Dragons and Everway. Rainbow Bridge Community Center, Barre, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Free. Info, 622-0692.

JUL. 6 & 7 | FAIRS & FESTIVALS

Listen Local

The inaugural Homegrown in Vermont Music Festival in Stowe showcases some of the best music in the Green Mountain State, with a dozen live performances spanning two days. The lineup includes country crooners Wild Leek River, singer-songwriters Christine Malcolm and Lesley Grant, art rockers Billy Wylder, heartfelt troubadours Troy Millette & the Fire Below, and Americana aficionados Maple Run Band. On-site food options and kids’ activities mean you can settle in to enjoy the shows; a pass grants admission to both days of sweet sounds.

HOMEGROWN IN VERMONT MUSIC FESTIVAL

Saturday, July 6, and Sunday, July 7, noon-10 p.m., at the Village Green at Spruce Peak in Stowe. $25. Info, 760-4634, sprucepeakarts.org.

music

CANTRIP: Pipes, fiddle, guitar and three-part harmonies combine traditional Scottish music with modern influences for a foot-stomping sound. Live stream available. Next Stage Arts Project, Putney, 7:30 p.m. $10-25. Info, 387-0102.

GREEN MOUNTAIN CHAMBER

MUSIC FESTIVAL: ARTIST

FACULTY SERIES: Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival students, faculty, fellows and artists perform. Elley-Long Music Center, Saint Michael’s College, Colchester, 6:45-8:15 p.m. $35; free for students. Info, 503-1220.

JOSH WORMAN: A native Vermonter plays rock tunes. Grace Episcopal Church, Sheldon, 7 p.m. Free. Info, 326-4603.

REMEMBER BAKER: The local outfit plays a delectable blend of folk and bluegrass while listeners

sip wines and ciders. Shelburne Vineyard, 6 p.m. Free; price of food and drink. Info, 985-2222.

SUMMER CONCERT SERIES: EDW: A high-energy funk rock band plays original music and rock classics. Burlington City Hall Park, 12:30-1:30 p.m. Free. Info, 865-7166.

TWILIGHT SERIES: SOULE MONDE: The avant-funk duo brings its bold grooves to an outdoor concert. Burlington City Hall Park, 7:30-9 p.m. Free. Info, 865-7166.

VSO SUMMER FESTIVAL TOUR: ‘SYMPHONY OF STARS’: See WED.3. Saskadena Six Ski Area, South Pomfret, 6:30-8:30 p.m. sports

VERMONT LAKE MONSTERS: See THU.4, 6:35 p.m. tech

MORNING TECH HELP: Experts answer questions about phones, laptops, e-readers and more in one-on-one sessions. ADA accessible. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 846-4140.

theater

‘ANALOG AND VINYL’: See THU.4.

‘JERSEY BOYS’: See WED.3, 7:3010 p.m.

MIND MAGIC: INDEPENDENCE

DAY: Dr. Steve Taubman astounds audience members in an interactive evening of comedy, mind reading, psychology and theater. Off Center for the Dramatic Arts, Burlington, 7-9 p.m. $25. Info, 236-3146.

‘THE SECRET GARDEN’: See THU.4, 7:30 p.m.

SAT.6 agriculture

ANNUAL BUTTERFLY AND BUG WALK: Bug enthusiasts join local naturalists and entomologists for an exploratory stroll of the Birds of Vermont Museum grounds. Binoculars, magnifying glasses, and an insect net are recommended. Birds of Vermont Museum, Huntington, 10 a.m.noon. $5-10 suggested donation. Info, 434-2167.

bazaars

ARNOLD’S RESCUE CENTER COMMUNITY MARKET: Visitors peruse a variety of food, crafts and other items to benefit rescue animals. Arnold’s Rescue Center, Brownington, 9 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 239-872-7333.

community

2024 SCAVENGER HUNT IN STOWE: See WED.3.

dance

MONTPELIER CONTRA DANCE: Dancers balance, shadow and do-si-do the night away to gender-neutral calling and live tunes by Thunderwing. Beginners’ lesson, 7:40 p.m. Capital City Grange, Berlin, 8-11 p.m. $5-20. Info, 225-8921.

etc.

GREAT BRANDON AUCTION: See FRI.5, 8 a.m.-10 p.m. fairs & festivals

INCREDIBLE INSECT FESTIVAL: Entomophiles enjoy demonstrations, exhibits, games and crafts. Vermont Institute of Natural Science, Quechee, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $16.50-19.50; Free for children under 3. Info, 359-5000. film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section.

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

Wild Leek River

‘BLUE WHALES: RETURN OF THE GIANTS 3D’: See WED.3.

‘FUNGI: THE WEB OF LIFE 3D’: See WED.3.

‘OCEANS: OUR BLUE PLANET

3D’: See WED.3.

‘TERRESTRIAL VERSES’: Nine vignettes depict ordinary Iranians chafing against hostile, authoritarian bureaucrats in this gripping, Kafkaesque 2024 feature. The Screening Room @ VTIFF, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington, 7 p.m. $5-10. Info, 660-2600.

‘TINY GIANTS 3D’: See WED.3.

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. 133 State St., Montpelier, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, 272-6249.

ST. JOHNSBURY FARMERS

MARKET: Growers and crafters gather weekly at booths centered on local eats. Pearl St. & Eastern Ave., St. Johnsbury, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, cfmamanager@gmail. com.

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

2024 DEB BECKETT MEMORIAL

5K RUN AND WALK: Runners at all levels — including those ages 4 and up — race to support the Williston-Richmond Rotary Club. Williston Village Community Park, 7:45-10 a.m. $15-25. Info, 316-2170.

music

BANDWAGON SUMMER SERIES: BONDEKO: A collaboration of musicians from Portland, Maine’s migrant community play tunes from all over the world. Cooper Field, Putney, 6 p.m. $20-25; Free for children under 12. Info, 387-0102.

CONNOR YOUNG BAND: A Vermont-born and -raised trumpeter plays jazz tunes with a full ensemble. The Pinery, Burlington, 7-9 p.m. Free. Info, info@thepineryvt.com.

GREEN MOUNTAIN CHAMBER

MUSIC FESTIVAL: QUARTET

HOP: Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival students play

at numerous local businesses. Church Street Marketplace, Burlington, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. Info, 503-1220.

HOMEGROWN IN VERMONT FESTIVAL: A variety of local musicians perform on the village green. See calendar spotlight. Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center, Stowe Mountain Resort, noon-10 p.m. $25. Info, 609-529-8160.

MAIN STREET LIVE MUSIC SERIES: RAY VEGA & FRIENDS: The host of Vermont Public’s “Friday Night Jazz” plays tunes of his own. Corner of Park and Main streets, Stowe, 3-5 p.m. Free. Info, 253-8358.

THE PARRISIAN: Parris Fleming comes in hot off of a world tour as Harry Styles’ horn arranger and section leader. Pete Meyer opens. Killington Resort, 3-5:30 p.m. Free. Info, 236-6796.

SHANE MURLEY TRIO: Wine aficionados enjoy a genre-blending set on the patio. Shelburne Vineyard, 6 p.m. Free; price of food and drink. Info, 985-2222.

TWILIGHT SERIES: ALI MCGUIRK: Audience members groove to the New England singer-songwriter’s signature blend of soul and folk styles. Jason Baker opens. Burlington City Hall Park, 6:30-9 p.m. Free. Info, 865-7166.

VSO SUMMER FESTIVAL TOUR: ‘SYMPHONY OF STARS’: See WED.3. Burke Mountain Hotel & Conference Center, East Burke, 7:30-9:30 p.m. sports

VERMONT LAKE MONSTERS: See THU.4, 6:05 p.m. tech

MEDIA FACTORY ORIENTATION: Mediamakers get free access to gear, studios and tech support. The Media Factory, Burlington, 1-2 p.m. Free. Info, 651-9692.

theater

‘ANALOG AND VINYL’: See THU.4, 5 p.m.

‘JERSEY BOYS’: See WED.3, 2-4:30 & 7:30-10 p.m.

‘THE SECRET GARDEN’: See THU.4, 7:30 p.m. words

FRIENDS OF ILSLEY LIBRARY USED BOOK SALE: Books of all genres for all ages go on sale, and all proceeds fund library programming. Cash or check only. Middlebury Town Offices, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Info, 388-4095. WORDS IN THE WOODS: ELLEN ‘LN’ BETHEA: Listeners soak in the natural beauty around them while the spoken word poet reads from her work as part of this Vermont Humanities series. ASL interpretation available. Kill Kare State Park, St Albans City, 11 a.m.-noon. Free; preregister. Info, 262-2626.

SUN.7

community

2024 SCAVENGER HUNT IN STOWE: See WED.3.

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.3.

etc.

GREAT BRANDON AUCTION: See FRI.5, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

fairs & festivals

MIDDLEBURY FESTIVAL ON-

THE-GREEN: A seven-day fête features live tunes in every genre, family-friendly programs and dancing in the street. See calendar spotlight. Village Green, Middlebury, 7 p.m. Free. Info, info@festivalonthegreen.org.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section.

‘BLUE WHALES: RETURN OF THE GIANTS 3D’: See WED.3.

‘FUNGI: THE WEB OF LIFE 3D’: See WED.3.

‘OCEANS: OUR BLUE PLANET

3D’: See WED.3.

‘TINY GIANTS 3D’: See WED.3.

food & drink

STOWE FARMERS MARKET: An appetizing assortment of fresh veggies, meats, milk, berries, herbs, beverages and crafts tempts shoppers. Stowe Farmers Market, 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. Info, stowefarmersmarket@ gmail.com.

VERSHIRE ARTISAN & FARMERS

MARKET: Foodies, farmers and their friends buy and sell freshgrown produce and handmade treasures. 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 more seasonal vendors at an outdoor marketplace. Winooski Falls Way, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Info, 655-6410.

health & fitness

COMMUNITY MINDFULNESS

QuarryWorks Theater Presents... Cinderella

July 11-14 & July 18-21 Thurs, Fri and Sat Evenings: 7:30 p.m. Sat & Sun Matinees: 2 p.m.

PRACTICE: New and experienced meditators are always welcome to join this weekly practice in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hahn. Sangha Studio — Pine, Burlington, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Free. Info, newleafsangha@gmail.com.

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.

music

BURLINGTON CONCERT BAND

CONCERT: Whitney Lussier directs free concerts weekly in the band’s 173rd season. Battery Park, Burlington, 7-8:30 p.m. Free. Info, l.solt@burlingtontelecom.net.

DAVID KARL ROBERTS: An instrumentalist and songwriter plays a cocktail of soul, folk and jazz. American Flatbread, Stowe, 6-8 p.m. Free. Info, 253-8358.

THE DECKER BANDITS: Bluegrass, jazz and funk form an unbeatable, dance-worthy blend. Camp Meade, Middlesex, 4-6:30 p.m. Free. Info, info@campmeade. today.

HOMEGROWN IN VERMONT FESTIVAL: See SAT.6, noon-10 p.m.

LEVITT AMP ST. JOHNSBURY MUSIC SERIES: MAL MAÏZ:

The psychedelic Latin outfit captivates audience members with a blend of traditional and modern Central and South American tunes. Dog Mountain, St. Johnsbury, 5 p.m. Free. Info, 748-2600.

ROCHESTER CHAMBER MUSIC

SOCIETY: Cellist Ani Kalajian and violinists Adda Kridler and Mary Rowell join pianist Cynthia Huard in her final concert as the organization’s artistic director. Federated Church of Rochester, 4-5:30 p.m. Donations accepted. Info, 767-9234.

TWILIGHT ON THE TAVERN

LAWN: VERMONT JAZZ CENTER

SEXTET: Twilight Music and Next Stage Arts Project present an evening of soulful stylings by local masters. Putney Tavern Lawn, 6 p.m. Free; donations accepted. Info, 387-5772.

VSO SUMMER FESTIVAL TOUR: ‘SYMPHONY OF STARS’: See WED.3. Trapp Family Lodge Concert Meadow, Stowe, 7:309:30 p.m.

WINE & JAZZ SUNDAYS: BACK

PORCH REVIVAL: Listeners nosh on authentic Guatemalan cuisine from La Chapina while a seasoned trio runs through a repertoire of

American roots music. Shelburne Vineyard, 5 p.m. Free. Info, 985-8222.

outdoors

CAMEL’S HUMP LOOP: The Green Mountain Club leads a challenging hike to the summit. Call for meetup location. Camel’s Hump State Park, Huntington. Free. Info, 899-9982.

sports

VERMONT GREEN FC: See WED.3, 2 p.m.

VERMONT LAKE MONSTERS: See THU.4, 5:05 p.m.

theater

‘ANALOG AND VINYL’: See THU.4, 3 p.m.

‘JERSEY BOYS’: See WED.3, 3-5:30 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

BACK ROADS READINGS: EDWARD HIRSCH: A reception and book signing follow an outdoor poetry reading. Highland Center for the Arts, Greensboro, 3-4:30 p.m. Free. Info, backroadsreadings@gmail. com.

MON.8

community

2024 SCAVENGER HUNT IN STOWE: See WED.3. etc.

GREAT BRANDON AUCTION: See FRI.5, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. fairs & festivals

MIDDLEBURY FESTIVAL ON-THEGREEN: See SUN.7, noon & 7 p.m. film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section.

STARTS JUL. 7 | FAIRS & FESTIVALS

Field Notes

Vermont’s capricious summer weather is no match for the Middlebury Festival onthe-Green: Locals fill the lawn in the center of town on sunny days and party under a massive tent if rain moves in. Either option is perfect for a week of performances that include music, magic and marionettes. Bring your brown-bag lunch to daily shows at noon, then return every evening with a picnic for under-the-stars entertainment. Boston-based string band Twisted Pine (pictured) kick things off with two sets of bluegrass-based revelry on Sunday night.

MIDDLEBURY FESTIVAL ON-THE-GREEN

Sunday, July 7, 7-9:45 p.m., and Monday, July 8, through Wednesday, July 10, noon-1 p.m. & 7-9:45 p.m., on the Village Green in Middlebury. See website for additional dates. Free; donations accepted. Info, 239-1976, festivalonthegreen.org.

‘BLUE WHALES: RETURN OF THE GIANTS 3D’: See WED.3.

‘FUNGI: THE WEB OF LIFE 3D’: See WED.3.

‘OCEANS: OUR BLUE PLANET 3D’: See WED.3.

‘TINY GIANTS 3D’: See WED.3. games

CHESS TIME: Newbies and pros are all welcome to play the classic strategy board game. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 5-6 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6955.

MONDAY NIGHT GAMES:

Discounted wine by the glass fuels an evening of friendly competition featuring new and classic board games, card games, and cribbage. Shelburne Vineyard, 4-7 p.m. Free. Info, 985-8222.

health & fitness

FARM & FOREST YOGA FLOW: Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Park Ranger and yoga teacher Jen Jackson leads a balanced asana practice. Billings Farm & Museum, Woodstock, 5:15-6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 457-3368.

language

ENGLISH CONVERSATION CIRCLE: Locals learning English as a second language gather in the Digital Lab to build vocabulary and make friends. ADA accessible. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, noon-1 p.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

music

GREEN MOUNTAIN CHAMBER

MUSIC FESTIVAL: ARTIST FACULTY SERIES: See FRI.5, 7:30-9 p.m.

GREEN MOUNTAIN CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL: MASTER CLASSES: See WED.3, 1-3 p.m. SAMBATUCADA OPEN

REHEARSAL: Burlington’s own samba street percussion band welcomes new members. No experience or instruments required. 8 Space Studio Collective, Burlington, 6-8 p.m. Free. Info, 862-5017.

ST. JOHNSBURY BAND: The nation’s third-oldest community band regales locals during a weekly ice cream social.

Twisted Pine

Caledonia County Courthouse, St. Johnsbury, 7:30 p.m. Free. Info, manager@stjohnsburyband.org.

VERGENNES CITY BAND

SUMMER CONCERTS: An all-volunteer community ensemble makes music on the green all summer long. Vergennes City Park, 7-8 p.m. Free. Info, sodaniel27@gmail.com.

seminars

SIDE HUSTLE SUCCESS:

The Center for Women & Enterprise presents a workshop highlighting the best practices of navigating a career in freelancing. 8-9:30 p.m.; registration required. $0-50. Info, info. vermont@cweonline.org.

talks

2024 SOLAR ECLIPSE WRAP-

UP: Members of the Vermont Astronomical Society share stories and images from April’s unforgettable celestial event.

7:30-9 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6955.

TUE.9 community

2024 SCAVENGER HUNT IN STOWE: See WED.3. 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.

LAKE CHAMPLAIN MEMORY

CAFÉ: Those living with dementia and their caregivers gather to make friends and have fun. Fletcher Free Library New North End Branch, Burlington, 11 a.m.noon. Free. Info, 863-3403. 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.

‘VULTURE SISTER SONG’: Artists from across the country blend live storytelling, folk songs, humor and lullabies. Capital City Grange, Berlin, 5-7 p.m. Free. Info, 207-240-7288. etc.

GREAT BRANDON AUCTION: See FRI.5, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

fairs & festivals

MIDDLEBURY FESTIVAL ON-THEGREEN: See SUN.7, noon & 7 p.m. film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section.

‘BLUE WHALES: RETURN OF THE GIANTS 3D’: See WED.3.

‘FUNGI: THE WEB OF LIFE 3D’: See WED.3.

‘OCEANS: OUR BLUE PLANET 3D’: See WED.3.

‘TINY GIANTS 3D’: See WED.3.

food & drink

FOOD TRUCK POP-UP: A diverse selection of cuisines rolls up as foodies enjoy live music. Three Rivers Path Trailhead Pavilion, Lamoille Valley Rail Trail, St. Johnsbury, 4:30-7:30 p.m. Free. Info, 748-8575.

health & fitness

QI GONG FOR VITALITY & PEACE: Librarian Judi Byron leads students in this ancient Chinese practice of mindful movement and breath. Waterbury Public Library, 10-11 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, judi@waterburypubliclibrary.com.

language

PAUSE-CAFÉ FRENCH

CONVERSATION: Francophones and French-language learners meet pour parler la belle langue Burlington Bay Market & Café, 5-6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 343-5493.

SOCIAL HOUR: The Alliance Française of the Lake Champlain Region hosts a rendez-vous over Zoom. 5:30-6:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, ellen.sholk@gmail.com.

music

BEN & JERRY’S CONCERTS ON THE GREEN: JASON MRAZ: SOLD OUT; WAIT LIST AVAILABLE. The two-time Grammy Award-winning artist sends out good vibes with his upbeat pop-folk numbers. Shelburne Museum, 6:30 p.m. $64-68; free for kids 12 and under. Info, 652-0777.

FAIRLEE SUMMER CONCERT

SERIES: Outdoor audience members take in a show from a new band each week. Fairlee Town Common, 6:30-8 p.m. Free. Info, contact@fairleearts.org.

GREEN MOUNTAIN CHAMBER

MUSIC FESTIVAL: ARTIST FACULTY SERIES: See FRI.5, 6:458:15 p.m.

THE TELEGRAPH QUARTET: The San Francisco foursome takes the stage for a program featuring works by Ludwig van Beethoven, Fanny Mendelssohn and Antonín Dvořák. Greensboro United Church of Christ, 7:30-9 p.m. $22; free for kids under 18. Info, 533-7437.

TUESDAY NIGHT LIVE: PURPLE: A PRINCE TRIBUTE BAND: Craig Mitchell fronts a funky dance party dedicated to the music of the Purple One. Legion Field, Johnson, 6-8:30 p.m. Free. Info, 730-2943.

outdoors

FELLOWSHIP OF THE WHEEL

ENDURO AT BOLTON VALLEY: Race four of five. New and experienced mountain bike riders gather in the spirit of sportsmanship for a casual racing night. Bolton Valley Resort, 5-7:30 p.m. $18-23. Info, info@fotwheel.org.

HIKE LIKE A GEOLOGIST: Joanne Garton leads an informative hike about the underlying geology of the area. Salmon Hole Park, Burlington, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Free; registration required. Info, 863-3403.

sports

TRY-IT TUESDAY: Beginners get an intro to dragon boat paddling on Lake Champlain. Community Sailing Center, Burlington, 5:157:15 p.m. Free. Info, manager@ maliaracing.com.

VERMONT LAKE MONSTERS: See THU.4, 6:35 p.m.

theater

2024 BIG TOP TOUR: THE IMAGINARIUM: Young performers ages 10 through 18 pull off daring and dazzling acts in this acrobatic extravaganza. Bombardier Park West, Milton, 7-9 p.m. and July 10, 1-3 & 6-8 p.m. $25-40. Info, tour@ smirkus.org.

words

THE MOTH STORYSLAM: Local tellers of tales recount true stories in an open-mic format. Film House, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $17.50; preregister. Info, susanne@ themoth.org.

POETRY GROUP: A supportive drop-in group welcomes those who would like to share and listen to poetry. ADA accessible. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 11 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 846-4140.

SARAH BETH DURST: The veteran author launches her debut fantasy-romance novel The Spellshop in conversation with Katherine Arden. Phoenix Books, Essex, 6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 872-7111.

WED.10

business

QUEEN CITY BUSINESS NETWORKING INTERNATIONAL GROUP: See WED.3.

community

2024 SCAVENGER HUNT IN STOWE: See WED.3.

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.

Summer Safety Tips from VGS

Keep landscaping

and large objects away from your meter

Please do not place mulch, topsoil or rocks in contact with your meter. Be careful when mowing and report any damage. If your meter is located where large objects, such as vehicles or dumpsters, could collide with it, a barricade should be installed. Contact us about barricade options at 802-863-4511.

During summer, you may see VGS representatives outside your home inspecting our system and painting meters.

Be safe

Scan the QR Code or visit vgsvt.com/be-safe for more safety information.

How to Detect a Gas Leak

Smell: Natural gas is normally odorless. A distinctive, pungent odor, similar to rotten eggs, is added so that you will recognize it quickly.

Sight: You may see a white cloud, mist, fog, bubbles in standing water, or blowing dust. You may also see vegetation that appears to be dead or dying.

Sound: You may hear an unusual noise like a roaring, hissing, or whistling.

If you suspect a leak:

Move immediately to a safe location. Call VGS at 800-639-8081 or call 911 with the exact location. Do not smoke or operate electrical switches or appliances. These items may produce a spark that might result in a dangerous condition. Do not assume someone else will report the condition.

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.

SUCCULENT TERRARIUM

WORKSHOP: Plant lovers receive step-by-step instructions to create a small garden. Oakledge Park, Burlington, noon-2 p.m. Free; registration required. Info, 866-227-7451.

YARN CRAFTERS GROUP: See WED.3, 5-7 p.m. etc.

CHAMP MASTERS TOASTMASTERS OF GREATER BURLINGTON: See WED.3.

GREAT BRANDON AUCTION: See FRI.5, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. fairs & festivals

MIDDLEBURY FESTIVAL-ON-THEGREEN: See SUN.7, noon & 7 p.m. WINOOSKI WEDNESDAYS: Vendors, live music, free food and fun for party people of all ages bring neighbors together. Rotary Park, Winooski, 5-8 p.m. Free. Info, info@downtownwinooski.org. film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section.

northeast kingdom

SEVEN DAYSIES PARTY

STORY TIME WITH BETH: A bookseller and librarian extraordinaire reads two picture books on a different theme each week. Norwich Bookstore, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 649-1114.

northeast kingdom

‘HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON’: Hiccup and his scaly friend Toothless take flight in this 2010 animated adventure. Catamount Arts Center, St. Johnsbury, 1:30 p.m. Free. Info, 748-2600.

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.

STORY TIME: See THU.4, 2-2:30 p.m.

WED.10 burlington

TUE.9 burlington

“THE RAINBOW FISH MUSICAL”: Rainbow Fish learns that it is more important to be kind than beautiful in this Lyric Theatre production. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 6-7 p.m. Free; reservation required. Info, 863-3403.

IMAGINATION STATION: Giant Jenga, blocks and tic-tac-toe entertain shoppers of all ages in between stops. Church Street Marketplace, Burlington, 1-3 p.m. Free. Info, 863-1648.

AWKWARD TALKS: A BOOK CLUB FOR PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS: Family nurse practitioner Celia Bird prepares grown-ups for conversations with their kids about bodies, consent and how babies get made. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 6-7:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 863-3403.

INTRO TO IMPROV WITH VERMONT COMEDY CLUB’S RACHAEL SHERMAN: Teen and tween jokesters learn how to “yes, and” each other to create short comedic scenes. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 1-3 p.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

SING-ALONG WITH LINDA BASSICK: Babies, toddlers and preschoolers sing, dance and wiggle along with Linda. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 11-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

chittenden county

FAMILY STORY TIME: Lively little ones gather for short stories, familiar songs, rhymes and fingerplays. Ages 5 and under. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 10-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

GAME CHANGERS: New board games and old favorites delight players in grades 4 and up. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 1-2:30 p.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

OUTDOOR STORY TIME: Youngsters enjoy a sunny session of reading, rhyming and singing with Dorothy Alling Memorial Library. Birth through age 5. Williston Town Green, 10:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.

mad river valley/waterbury

CIRCUS MINIMUS: This family-favorite show features one man, a circus in a suitcase and a whole lot of audience participation. Phantom Theater, Edgcomb Barn, Warren, 6 p.m. $20. Info, 496-5997.

INTERNATIONAL BOOK CLUB: Lit lovers ages 11 through 18 discuss recent reads written by foreign authors or taking place in another country. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

TODDLER TIME: See WED.3.

chittenden county

ADVENTURES IN PLAY: See WED.3, 10-10:45 a.m.

CONSTELLATION STORIES & SCIENCE: Stargazers locate constellations while the Planetarium Lady shares multicultural myths and legends — and plenty of solid facts — about the cosmos. 291 Snowdrift Ln., Williston, 4-5, 5:30-6:30 & 7-8 p.m. $20-40. Info, 871-5709.

MOVIE MATINEE: Film lovers have a family-friendly afternoon at this screening of an animated favorite. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 3-4:45 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

SUMMER BABYTIME: See WED.3.

SUMMER CRAFTYTOWN: See WED.3.

barre/montpelier

COMMUNITY SING-ALONG: Heidi Wilson leads singers of all skill levels in belting out simple yet adventurous songs. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, 1-2 p.m. Free. Info, 223-3338.

ICE CREAM SOCIAL WITH CRAZY CROQUET: Players swing mallets and enjoy sweet treats. Jaquith Public Library, Marshfield, 6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 426-3581.

upper valley

FOREST DISCOVERY CENTER: See WED.3. K

‘MARLEY’: Footage tells the life story of musician, revolutionary and legend Bob Marley, from the early days to international superstardom, in this 2012 documentary. Next Stage Arts Project, Putney, 7 p.m. $10. Info, 387-0102.

‘BLUE WHALES: RETURN OF THE GIANTS 3D’: See WED.3.

‘FUNGI: THE WEB OF LIFE 3D’: See WED.3.

‘OCEANS: OUR BLUE PLANET 3D’: See WED.3.

‘TINY GIANTS 3D’: See WED.3.

food & drink

DANVILLE FARMERS MARKET: See WED.3.

PIZZA SOCIAL: Farm-fresh slices are on the menu along with softserve ice cream. Miller Farm,

Vernon, 5:30 p.m. $15-30; free for BIPOC. Info, 434-4122.

SCOTT FARM CRÊPE NIGHT: Foodies enjoy sweet and savory French pancakes picnic-style at this monthly community meal benefiting local nonprofits. Scott Farm Orchard, Dummerston, 5:307:30 p.m. $20. Info, 356-8265.

WEDNESDAY’S GRILL & CHILL: See WED.3.

WHAT’S THAT WINE

WEDNESDAYS: See WED.3.

health & fitness

CHAIR YOGA: See WED.3.

language

BEGINNER IRISH LANGUAGE CLASS: See WED.3.

ELL CLASSES: ENGLISH FOR BEGINNERS AND INTERMEDIATE STUDENTS: See WED.3.

INTERMEDIATE IRISH LANGUAGE CONVERSATION AND MUSIC: See WED.3.

lgbtq

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.

music

CLASSICAL ENCOUNTERS WITH THE GREEN MOUNTAIN CHAMBER

MUSIC FESTIVAL: Talented student musicians play a concert for all ages. South Burlington Public

Library & City Hall, 11:15 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 846-4140.

JAZZ AT THE JUNCTION: FROM BLAKEY TO BRAZIL AND BEYOND Michael Zsoldos leads a group of world-class musicians in a program that covers decades and spans the globe. Byrne Theater, Barrette Center for the Arts, White River Junction, 7 p.m. $24-45. Info, 296-7000.

MILTON BUSKER & THE GRIM WORK: See WED.3.

MUSIC ON THE GREEN: See WED.3, 6-8 p.m.

OAK HILL MUSIC FESTIVAL: Musicians from the country’s top orchestras grace the stage for a show of classical music. 7 p.m. $1035. Info, 603-667-6425.

POINTE NOIR CAJUN BAND: The Louisiana dance outfit brings the beats of the bayou to Vermont.

Martha Pellerin & Andy Shapiro Memorial Bandstand, Middlesex, 6:30 p.m. Free; donations accepted. Info, 522-4810.

SUMMER CONCERT SERIES: PHIL

ABAIR BAND: The local favorites play a range of styles out on the lawn. Sam Mazza’s Family Farm, Colchester, 6-8 p.m. Free.

SUMMER CONCERT SERIES:

OUM KAMAR: The internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter plays a Middle Eastern lute and sings about love, nature and spirituality. Burlington City Hall Park, 12:301:30 p.m. Free. Info, 865-7166.

sports

GREEN MOUNTAIN TABLE TENNIS

CLUB: See WED.3.

VERMONT GREEN FC: See WED.3, 7 p.m.

VERMONT LAKE MONSTERS: See THU.4, 6:35 p.m.

theater

2024 BIG TOP TOUR: THE IMAGINARIUM: See TUE.9, 1-3 & 6-8 p.m.

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. ➆

YOUR

art

BLOCKPRINTING BOTANICALS: Carve botanicals to print onto paper and fabric. Join visual artist Jen Berger to learn the basics of carving linoleum. Bring your own 4-by-6-inch image or make one in the group. Leave with your own reusable linoleum block, prints and the knowledge to make many more. Sun., Jul. 14, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Cost: $65.

Location: Horsford Gardens & Nursery, 2111 Greenbush Rd., Charlotte. Info: sevendaystickets.com.

JESSE MILES PAINT & SIP X BURLY AXE: Learn to paint bears in the style of Jesse. No experience necessary! All materials are provided, including aprons. Drinks extra. Sponsored by Vermontijuana and Monarch Cultivation. u., Jul. 11, 7-9 p.m. Cost: $35. Location: Burly Axe, 294 North Winooski Ave., Ste. 116B, Burlington. Info: sevendaystickets.com.

ART & THE DISCOMFORT ZONE: A ﬁve-week seminar focused on art that challenges cultural norms about what is “pretty” to spur creative growth. Pim Volpi, former instructor at the Art Institute of California, takes participants through various artistic movements, culminating in making pieces inspired by the concepts presented. Open to young adults and up. Supported in part by Vermont Humanities. Scholarships available. Sat. starting Jul. 6, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Cost: $100. Location: Corner School Resource Center of Granville, VT, 75 Post Ofﬁce

Rd. Info: Kate Stauss, 989-8787, vtcornerschool@gmail.com.

kids

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. Weeklong half-day camp. Cost: $305/5-day camp tuition. Location: Camp Meade, 961 Rte. 2, Middlesex. Info: 2793148, hello@planetaryart institute.org, campmeade.today.

martial arts

AIKIDO: THE WAY OF HARMONY: Cultivate core power, aerobic ﬁtness and resiliency. e dynamic, circular movements emphasize throws, joint locks and the development of internal energy. Not your average “mojo dojo casa house.” Inclusive training and a

safe space for all. Scholarships and intensive program are available for serious students. Visitors are always welcome! Basic classes 5 days/week. Membership rates incl. unlimited classes. Contact us for info about membership rates for adults, youths & families. Location: Aikido of Champlain Valley, 257 Pine St., Burlington. Info: Benjamin Pincus, 951-8900, bpincus@burlingtonaikido.org, burlingtonaikido.org.

massage

ABHYANGA MASSAGE

TRAINING: Learn our signature one-therapist treatment, which is a set of rhythmic strokes applied in a beautiful, loving and nourishing way with the intent to open the channels of the body and release stagnant prana. You will learn the beneﬁts of oil massage, marma points and a full body routine. Fri., Aug. 9, 5-7 p.m. (incl. kitchari dinner); and Sat. & Sun., Aug. 10 & 11, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Cost: $495. Location: e Ayurvedic Center of Vermont, 34 Oak Hill Rd., Williston. Info: Allison Morse, 872-8898, info@ayurvedavermont.com, ayurvedavermont.com.

shamanism

APPRENTICESHIP IN

SHAMANISM: Rare opportunity to apprentice locally in a shamanic tradition. Five weekends over a year; the ﬁrst one is Sep. 20-22. Location: St. Albans. Info: thomas.mock1444@gmail. com or text 802-369-4331, heartofthehealer.org.

housing » APARTMENTS, CONDOS & HOMES on the road » CARS, TRUCKS, MOTORCYCLES pro services » CHILDCARE, HEALTH/ WELLNESS, PAINTING buy this stuff »

APPLIANCES, KID STUFF, ELECTRONICS, FURNITURE music »

INSTRUCTION, CASTING, INSTRUMENTS FOR SALE jobs » NO SCAMS, ALL LOCAL, POSTINGS DAILY

AGE/SEX: 8-year-old spayed female

ARRIVAL DATE: April 15, 2024

SUMMARY: Get ready to fall in love! is gentle girl has a heart of gold, and she’s ready to join your home. Athena will gladly follow you to the ends of the Earth once she gets to know you. She’s a staff favorite who will win you over with her boundless charm (belly rubs, please) and intellect. Sit, shake, roll over — she knows all the tricks! When she isn’t impressing you with her skills, you can ﬁnd her indulging in her favorite pastimes: sunbathing and snuggling with her people. Athena is searching for a home where she can be your one and only canine queen and loyal companion. Contact HSCC to learn more about Athena and meet her in her foster home!

DOGS/CATS/KIDS: Athena will be most successful as the only dog in her new home. She has done well with cats in a previous home and may be a good ﬁt for older, dog-savvy kids.

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?

Pets need dental care, too! Dental health is an important part of your pet’s overall health. Regularly brushing your pet’s teeth is the single most effective thing you can do to keep their teeth healthy.

CLASSIFIEDS

on the road

CARS/TRUCKS

2003 VW BEETLE

1.8 turbo-charged limited edition. Auto., red exterior w/ black & red interior, sunroof, CD player. Inspected, 240K miles. $1,500/OBO. Call Marc, 802-985-5683.

2007 INFINITY M35X

SEDAN

3.5L, V6, AWD, 156K miles. Vt. inspection. All bells/whistles: smart key, cruise control, navigation, multi-disc Bose sound, heated/cooled seats, good leather, silver body, 4 small rust spots. Transmission needs attention soon.

$5,500 Call Chris at 802-223-3156.

housing

HOUSEMATES

LOVELY SWANTON HOMESHARE

Homeshare in Swanton w/ a bright, active 85-year-old woman in lovely 1-story home. $0 rent w/ contribution toward utils. in exchange for companionship & light, practical help around the house. Small grand-dog spends days visiting. Mediumsize BR w/ private BA. NS, no pets. Call 802-863-5625 or visit homesharevermont. org for application. Interview, refs. & background checks req. EHO.

SKI-CENTRIC STOWE SHARE

Enjoy large, furnished BR/private BA in ski-centric Stowe home within walking distance of village. Zero rent/

CLASSIFIEDS KEY

appt. appointment

apt. apartment

BA bathroom

BR bedroom

DR dining room

DW dishwasher

HDWD hardwood

HW hot water

LR living room

NS no smoking

OBO or best offer

refs. references

sec. dep. security deposit

W/D washer & dryer

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 and similar Vermont statutes which make it illegal to advertise any preference, limitations, or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, handicap, presence of minor children in the family or receipt of public assistance, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or a discrimination. The newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate, which is in violation of the law. Our

housing ads: $25 (25 words) legals: 52¢/word buy this stuff: free online

services: $12 (25 words) fsbos: $45 (2 weeks, 30 words, photo) jobs: michelle@sevendaysvt.com, 865-1020 x121

utils. in exchange for safety presence, occasional companionship & a few small household tasks. No substance use, no additional pets. Call 802-863-5625 or visit homesharevermont. org for application. Interview, refs. & background checks req. EHO.

OFFICE/ COMMERCIAL

GROW SPACE IN N. HYDE PARK

Purchase a currently licensed, indoor, turnkey tier 1 or 2 grow space.

$120,000. For details, see online classiﬁ ed ad, call Joe at 802-272-6716 or email sevenleaf geneticsvt@gmail.com.

HEALTH/ WELLNESS

OZEMPIC SUPPORT GROUP

Starting a support group for people using Ozempic. Come & share your experiences. Offered in the conference room at Bluewater Center, Shelburne, Vt. Signs will be posted. Tue. & u. beginning Jul. 9, 6-7 p.m. For info, contact Cynthia Taylor MA, psychotherapist, at 802-318-5664. Fee is $25/meeting.

HOME/GARDEN

BATH & SHOWER

UPDATES

In as little as 1 day! Affordable prices. No payments for 18 mos. Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & military discounts avail. Call 1-866-370-2939. (AAN CAN)

PEST CONTROL

FINANCIAL/LEGAL

BOOKKEEPING SERVICES

Efﬁ cient bookkeeping services for businesses.

Stay organized, save time & optimize ﬁ nances. Call or text 802-557-7492 or email patrickbookkeepingvt@ gmail.com.

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

FSBO $505,000 6 rooms, 1.5 baths, porch, deck with wooded view. 1903 Brand Farm Drive, South Burlington, VT. 802-985-9743 for sale by owner FSBO

Protect your home from pests safely & affordably. Roaches, bedbugs, rodents, termites, spiders & other pests. Locally owned & affordable. Call for service or an inspection today! 1-833-237-1199. (AAN CAN)

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!

print deadline: Mondays at 3:30 p.m. post ads online 24/7 at: sevendaysvt.com/classiﬁeds questions?

CONDO FOR SALE

FSBO-Kilbourn-070324.indd 1

GARAGE/ESTATE SALES

GARAGE SALE & THEN SOME!

Fri., Jul. 5, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

at 501 Shelburne Rd. in Burlington. Selection of collectibles, marble-top table, furniture, cut glass, antique picture frames, puzzles, games, books, unique items. Something for everyone! Park on Scarff Ave. or in the TJMaxx parking lot.

PETS

F1 GOLDENDOODLE PUPPIES

Rare color variations. Parents are genetically cleared. Vet checked, up to date on shots, family raised. Ready for new homes mid-July. Call or text 802-309-7780.

SPORTS EQUIPMENT

2017 MERCURY OUTBOARD

2017 Mercury outboard engine, lightly used, not used at all in past 2 years. Short shaft, 5 HP. $1,200. Info, genieip380@yahoo.com or 802-238-8770.

WANT TO BUY

TOP CASH FOR OLD GUITARS

1920-1980 Gibson, Martin, Fender, Gretsch, Epiphone, Guild, Mosrite, Rickenbacker, Prairie State, D’Angelico & Stromberg + Gibson mandolins & banjos. Call 877-589-0747. (AAN CAN)

FSBO $ $299,000

2BR 1 bath condo for sale in downtown Waterbury. Many new improvements done in recent years. NOT in the flood zone. No short term renting or dogs allowed. Must see. 802-279-3308 for sale by owner FSBO

6/28/24 11:47 AM FSBO $808,000 Mountain Views, 10+ acres, 3-4 bed rooms, 3.5 baths, amazing timber frame porch, gardens, hiking trails, end of road privacy, perfect for nature lovers, entrepreneurs, artists - Westford, Underhill. 802-825-8227 for sale by owner FSBO

MISCELLANEOUS

FREE ITEMS

Sidewalk slate for walkway. 9 large pieces, various sizes. Average size 2-by-2-feet, 2 in. thick. Many smaller pieces. Free, must take all. Will help load. Shelburne Rd, Burlington. Call 802-863-5024.

music

INSTRUCTION

BAGPIPE & DRUM BAND e Red Clover

Highlanders are looking for new students for Highland bagpipe & drumming. No experience required. Free classes start in Jul. Email redcloverpb@gmail.com.

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.

CALCOKU BY JOSH REYNOLDS

DIFFICULTY THIS WEEK: ★★★

Fill the grid using the numbers 1-6, only once in each row and column. e numbers in each heavily outlined “cage” must combine to produce the target number in the top corner, using the mathematical operation indicated. A one-box cage should be ﬁlled in with the target number in the top corner. A number can be repeated within a cage as long as it is not the same row or column.

SUDOKU BY JOSH REYNOLDS

DIFFICULTY THIS WEEK: ★★

Place a number in the empty boxes in such a way that each row across, each column down and each 9-box square contains all of the numbers one to nine. e same numbers cannot be repeated in a row or column.

ON P.74

WANT MORE PUZZLES?

Try these online news games from Seven Days at sevendaysvt.com/games.

Put your knowledge of Vermont news to the test.

See how fast you can solve this weekly 10-word puzzle.

Legal Notices

PROPOSED STATE RULES

By law, public notice of proposed rules must be given by publication in newspapers of record. e purpose of these notices is to give the public a chance to respond to the proposals. e public notices for administrative rules are now also available online at https://secure.vermont.gov/SOS/rules/ . e 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).

Administration of Nonemergency Involuntary Psychiatric Medications.

Vermont Proposed Rule: 24P023

AGENCY: Department of Mental Health

CONCISE SUMMARY: is rule outlines the procedures for the administration of nonemergency involuntary psychiatric medications by the Department of Mental Health Services (DMH). is rulemaking adds a “forensic facility,” as deﬁned by Act 27 (2023) to the list of facilities where involuntary psychiatric medications can be administered. Section 7: USE OF RESTRAINTS WHEN ADMINISTERING NONEMERGENCY INVOLUNTARY MEDICATION” has been removed from this rule because these requirements are addressed in a separate DMH rule. Terms and formatting have also been updated. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: Karen Barber, Agency of Human Services, 280 State Drive, Ctr. Bldg., Waterbury, VT 05671 Tel: 802-461-8096 Email: karen.barber@vermont. gov URL: https://mentalhealth.vermont.gov/ policy-and-legislative-resources/rules.

FOR COPIES: Nicole DiStasio, Agency of Human Services, 280 State Drive, Ctr. Bldg., Waterbury, VT

05671 Tel: 802-904-3226 Email: nicole.distasio@ vermont.gov.

STATE OF VERMONT SUPERIOR COURT

PROBATE DIVISION CHITTENDEN UNIT

DOCKET NO.: 24-PR-02449

In re ESTATE of Gary M. Mawe

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

To the creditors of: Gary M. Mawe, 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. e claim must be presented to me at the address listed below with a copy sent to the Court. e claim may be barred forever if it is not presented within the four (4) month period.

Dated: July 3, 2024

Signature of Fiduciary: /s/ Kevin Mawe

Executor/Administrator: Kevin Mawe, Executor, c/o Kohn Rath, LLP PO Box 340, Hinesburg, VT 05461

Name of Publication: Seven Days Publication Date: 07/03/2024

Name of Probate Court: State of VermontChittenden Probate Division

Address of Probate Court: 175 Main Street, Burlington, VT 05401

ACT 250 NOTICE

MINOR APPLICATION 4C1132-6 10 V.S.A. §§ 6001 - 6111

Application 4C1132-6 from the City of South Burlington, 104 Landﬁll Road, South Burlington, VT 05403 and 1675 Shelburne Rd, LLC, 549 US Highway 1 Bypass, Portsmouth, NH 03801 was received on April 5, 2024 and deemed complete on June 19, 2024. e project is generally described as modiﬁcations to the portion of the City of South Burlington operated and controlled stormwater treatment and conveyance system that occurs on the

tract of land encumbered by Land Use Permit 4C1132 and amendments, including partial removal and reconstruction of an existing gravel access road. e project is located at 1675 Shelburne Road in South Burlington, Vermont. e application may be viewed on the Natural Resources Board’s website (http:// nrb.vermont.gov) by clicking “Act 250 Database” and entering theproject number “4C1132-6.”

No hearing will be held and a permit will be issued unless, on or before July 15, 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/partystatus-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 Kevin Anderson at the address or telephone number below.

Dated this June 25, 2024.

By: /s/ Kevin Anderson Kevin Anderson District Coordinator 111 West Street Essex Junction, VT 05452 802-522-6074

Kevin.Anderson@vermont.gov

ACT 250 NOTICE

MINOR APPLICATION 4C0419-5A 10 V.S.A. §§ 6001 - 6111

Application 4C0419-5A from Burlington School District and the Trustees of the Diocese of Vermont, Inc., was received on May 23, 2024 and deemed complete on June 21, 2024. e project

authorizes circulation and parking improvements, as well as reconstruction of the stormwater management facility. e project is located at 20 Rock Point Road in Burlington, Vermont. e application may be viewed on the Natural Resources Board’s website (http://nrb.vermont.gov) by clicking “Act 250 Database” and entering the project number “4C0419-5A.”

No hearing will be held and a permit will be issued unless, on or before July 19, 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/partystatus-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 25, 2024. By: __/s/ Kaitlin Hayes_____ Kaitlin Hayes District Coordinator 111 West Street Essex Junction, VT 05452 (802) 622-4084 kaitlin.hayes@vermont.gov

NOTICE OF SELF-STORAGE LIEN SALE VITAL SELF STORAGE - FAIRFAX 64 HARVEST ROAD FAIRFAX, VT 05454

Notice is hereby given that the contents of the self-storage units listed below will be sold at public auction by sealed bid. is sale is being held to collect unpaid storage unit occupancy fees, charges, and expenses of the sale. e entire contents of each self-storage unit listed below will be sold, with the proceeds to be distributed to Vital Self Storage for all accrued occupancy fees (rent charges), late payment fees, sale expenses, and all other expenses in relation to the unit and its sale.

Contents of each unit may be viewed on July 10th, commencing at 10:00 am. Sealed bids are to be submitted on the entire contents of each self- storage unit. Bids will be opened one half hour after the last unit has been viewed on June 10th. e highest bidder on the storage unit must remove the entire contents of the unit within 48 hours after notiﬁcation of their successful bid. 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. Vital Self Storage reserves the right to accept or reject bids.

e contents of the following tenant’s self-storage units will be included in this sale:

Xain DeMont, Unit 233

STATE OF VERMONT SUPERIOR COURT

PROBATE DIVISION CHITTENDEN UNIT

DOCKET NO.: 24-PR-03896

In re ESTATE of Orville Keeler

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

To the creditors of: Orville Keeler, late of Burlington.

The claim may be barred forever if it is not presented within the four (4) month period.

Dated: 6/27/24

Signature of Fiduciary: /s/ Pamela Keeler Ford

Executor/Administrator: Pamela Keeler Ford

1585 Charlotte Road, Hinesburg, VT 05461 phone: 802-343-6049 email: dford@lhsvt.com

Name of Publication: Seven Days Publication Date: 07/03/2024

Name of Probate Court: State of VermontChittenden Probate Division

Address of Probate Court: 175 Main Street, Burlington, VT 05401

RFP FOR SHELBURNE LITTLE LEAGUE FIELD RENOVATION PROJECT:

The Town of Shelburne is seeking bids to provide construction services to renovate the North and South Little League Baseball Fields at 5420 Shelburne Rd. The fields serve Champlain Valley Little League programs, as well as summer and fall teams and other public use. This project is intended to be started and completed during the off season after the Little League All-Star season is complete, either in 2024 or 2025.

For Full scope of work, response format, timing, and proposal evaluation of criteria, please view the full RFP at: https://vt-shelburne.civicplus.com/398/ Bids-RFQs-RFPs

All proposals must be received by the Town no later than 2:00 PM on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. Proposals and/or modifications received after this time will not be accepted or reviewed. No Fax or electronic proposals will be accepted. Each bidder must submit 1 paper copy of their proposal to the following address:

Town of Shelburne Shelburne Little League Fields Bid

C/O: Betsy Cieplicki, Parks and Recreation Director 5420 Shelburne Rd. PO Box 88 Shelburne, VT 05482

Questions about the project should be directed to Betsy Cieplicki at bcieplicki@shelburnevt.org no later than July 10, 2024. Answers will be posted by July 12, 2024 at 4:00 PM. Responses will be posted at: https://www.shelburnevt.org/398/Bids-RFQs-RFPs

STATE OF VERMONT SUPERIOR COURT

PROBATE DIVISION CHITTENDEN UNIT

DOCKET NO.: 24-PR-01589

In re ESTATE of Douglas Murphy

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

To the creditors of: Douglas Murphy, late of Essex Junction.

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: Wednesday, June 26, 2024

Signature of Fiduciary: /s/ Brian P. Murphy

Executor/Administrator: Brian P. Murphy 111 Browns River Road Essex Junction, Vermont 05452 phone: (802) 922-6150 email: mornelithe@comcast.net

Name of Publication: Seven Days Publication Date: 07/03/2024

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-02746

In re ESTATE of Paul T. Sawyer

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

To the creditors of: Paul T. Sawyer, late of South Burlington, VT.

I have been appointed to administer this estate. All creditors having claims against the decedent or the estate must present their claims in writing within four (4) months of the date of the first publication of this notice. The claim must be presented to me at the address listed below with a copy sent to the Court. The claim may be barred forever if it is not presented within the four (4) month period.

Dated: June 28, 2024

Signature of Fiduciary: /s/ Carol Corneille

Executor/Administrator: Carol Corneille c/o Claudia I. Pringles, Esq., 25 Court St., Montpelier, VT 05602 phone: 802-223-0600 email: cpringles@pringleslaw.com

Name of Publication: Seven Days Publication Date: 07/03/2024

Name of Probate Court: State of VermontChittenden Probate Division

Address of Probate Court: 175 Main Street, Burlington, VT 05401

OPENINGS

BURLINGTON CITY COMMISSIONS/BOARDS

**UPDATED: 06/28/24 LO**

Conservation Board Term Expires 6/30/27 One Opening

Fence Viewer Term Expires 6/30/25 Two Openings Board of Health Term Expires 6/30/25 One Opening Board of Health Term Expires 6/30/27 One Opening Parks and Recreation Commission Term Expires 6/30/25 One Opening

Police 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.

TOWN OF COLCHESTER

SELECTBOARD

PUBLIC HEARING

Pursuant to Title 24 VSA, Chapter 117, the Colchester Selectboard will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, July 23, 2024 at 6:35 P.M. at the Colchester Town Offices, 781 Blakely Road, for the purpose of considering amendments to the Colchester Development Regulations. The proposed amendments are as follows:

a. Modify bylaw relating to non-conforming uses [§2.12-A, Article 12];

b. Clarify bylaw relating to assignment of uses as residential vs non-residential for purposes of height maximums in the LS1 and LS2 districts [Table A-2].

These are a summary of the proposed changes. Copies of the adopted and proposed regulations can be found at the Town Offices at 781 Blakely Road and may also be reviewed online at http://www. colchestervt.gov. To participate in the hearing, you may 1) attend in person or 2) send written comment to the Colchester Selectboard via USPS at the address herein or via email to Cathyann LaRose, clarose@colchestervt.gov.

Colchester Selectboard Publication date July 3, 2024

STATE OF VERMONT SUPERIOR COURT PROBATE DIVISION CHITTENDEN UNIT DOCKET NO.: 24-PR-01253

In re ESTATE of William K. Mooney NOTICE TO CREDITORS

To the creditors of: William K. Mooney, late of Colchester, VT.

I have been appointed to administer this estate. All creditors having claims against the decedent or the estate must present their claims in writing within four (4) months of the date of the first publication of this notice. The claim must be presented to me at the address listed below with a copy sent to the Court. The claim may be barred forever if it is not presented within the four (4) month period.

Dated: June 29, 2024

Signature of Fiduciary: /s/ Tim Bombardier

Executor/Administrator: Tim Bombardier, c/o 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: 07/03/2024

Name of Probate Court: State of VermontChittenden Probate Division Address of Probate Court: 175 Main Street, Burlington, VT 05401

SALE OF CONTENTS OF STORAGE UNIT

The contents of storage unit 01-04923 located at 28 Adams Drive, Williston VT, will be sold on or about the 11th of July to satisfy the debt of Michael Plunkett. 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.

STATE OF VERMONT SUPERIOR COURT PROBATE DIVISION CHITTENDEN UNIT

DOCKET NO.: 23-PR-05389

In re ESTATE of Nancy M. Lagasse

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

To the creditors of: Nancy Lagasse, late of Williston, 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 17, 2024

Signature of Fiduciary: /s/ Bryant Lagasse

Executor/Administrator: Byrant Lagasse, Co-Executor/Administrator, 61 Bluff Street, Riverside, RI 02915 phone: 774-261-0324

/s/ Brennan Lagasse

Co-Executor/Administrator 7017 10th Ave Tahoma, CA 96142 phone: 508-769-0006

c/o Atkins Law Offices, P.C. Thomas Atkins, Esq., 50 Lakeside Ave., Burlington, VT 05401

Name of Publication: Seven Days Publication Date: June 26, 2024

Name of Probate Court: State of VermontChittenden Probate Division Address of Probate Court: 175 Main Street, Burlington, VT 05401

350 Vermont is hiring

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

FLORAL MERCHANDISER

MILTON, Part time

Floral Associate, Burlington and Milton, VT

3 mornings per week (Tuesday, Friday, Sunday) approximately 15-20 hours. Fun and flexible job, perfect for a creative person who likes to work independently

Please contact Nathalie at the number below: 518-420-3786

Unique opportunity! SimplyReady, a division of the Bill Doran Company, is looking for a Floral Associate in Burlington, VT and Milton, VT. Days of service are Tuesday, Friday and Sunday mornings. Hours vary, and range between approximately 10 to 25 hours per week depending on seasonal volume. Ideal candidate will have some working knowledge of both cut flowers and plants, as well as a solid work history that includes at least 5 years of sales, merchandising or retail experience. Job entails walking, pushing, and repetitive lifting of up to 30lbs. Contact Nathalie: 518-420-3786

2h-SimplyReady071421.indd 1

• Loading and unloading trucks at customers’ locations, Booska Warehouse, and other areas within the state.

• Heavy lifting of furniture, boxes, hot tubs, pianos, safes, boilers, and others items as needed in accordance with moving industry.

• Running areas as needed, box deliveries, equipment deliveries, light truck maintenance.

• Operating forklifts, loading and unloading of delivery trucks, box orders.

Assistant Safety & Security Manager

City Market, Onion River Co-op is seeking an Assistant Safety & Security Manager who is responsible for supporting the Safety & Security team and various storewide aspects of City Market operations. This position provides a high degree of safety and support for shoppers, employees, and guests of the Co-op with an emphasis on customer service. Follow link to apply: bit.ly/45CnaCS

• Equipping trucks with all necessary equipment before leaving the yard.

• Pre-trip inspections before operating any Booska owned vehicle.

• Wood working, building crates, rigging, hoisting furniture.

• Pack jobs.

• Paperwork on moves, Bill of Ladings, Inventories, and other paperwork as needed.

• Performing the work in a safe and friendly maner.

DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

MENTOR Vermont is a statewide non-profit organization that provides funding, resources, and support to the youth mentoring field in Vermont to strengthen the quality and broaden the reach of mentoring relationships in our communities.

Join us! Visit mentorvt.org to view the full job listing.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Park House is a congregate home in Rochester providing affordable housing for independent seniors and qualifying adults. This is a full-time, salaried position with occasional evening/weekend hours and a preferred start date of Nov 2024.

Responsibilities include: managing programs, staff, and buildings; overseeing financial management, and developing comprehensive fundraising and communication strategies. To apply contact Lolly Lindsey: director@parkhousevt.org.

Vermont Housing & Conser vation Board

Housing Programs Coordinator

The Housing Programs Coordinator is a central role of the VHCB Housing team, providing administrative support to a breadth of housing programs that help ensure adequate housing and a safe place to live for all Vermonters.

VHCB is an Equal Opportunity Employer and we strongly encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply. This position is open until filled.

To learn more, visit vhcb.org/about-us/jobs. To apply, send a cover letter and resume to: jobs@vhcb.org

Receptionist

Full-time and part-time, year-round

Guess what? Beneﬁts include getting your hair done for free! Come join our award winning team!

Adjunct Professor: STATISTICS

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Saint Michael’s College has a recurring need for Adjunct Instructors to teach one or two courses per semester. Courses include precalculus, calculus, elementary statistics, mathematics for teachers, and other first year mathematics and statistics courses. The need for 2024-25 focuses on Statistics. Applications will be kept on file and reviewed as these openings occur.

For a complete job description, benefits information, and to apply online, please visit: bit.ly/SMCAPSJ24

arts. All backgrounds encouraged to apply. This is a full-time, benefited, in-person position.

WORKFLOW AMBASSADOR

Provide administrative support to the Executive Director and act as communications liaison for the Board of Trustees. Candidates must have excellent communication skills, the ability to multi-task, and outstanding problem-solving skills. Along with the ability to manage calendars, processes, and meetings within the organization, the Workflow Ambassador will keep our ED prepared, on time, and up to date. Visit our website for more details: flynnvt.org/About-Us/Employment-and-Internship-Opportunities Email materials to: HResources@flynnvt.org

No phone calls, please. E.O.E.

ATHLETIC TRAINER

Applications are invited for the position of Athletic Trainer at Saint Michael's College, a private Catholic liberal arts and Sciences College located in the greater Burlington area of Vermont. Saint Michael's is an NCAA Division II institution sponsoring 21 varsity sports and is a proud member of the Northeast-10 Conference, NEWHA, and the EISA. This is a full-time, 10-month position with benefits. Job responsibilities include but are not limited to addressing prevention, care, evaluation, and treatment of injuries for intercollegiate student-athletes; covering staffing needs for home practices, as well as home and away contests; documenting treatment plans; assisting with ordering of equipment and supplies; and completing administrative and organizational tasks with Health Services and the Team Physician.

For a complete job description, benefits information, and to apply online, please visit: bit.ly/SMCATJ24

ATTENTION RECRUITERS:

Help Children Love to Read!

Coordinators needed for Everybody Wins! reading mentoring programs in these communities:

Barre City

Northfield

Brandon (Neshobe School)

Hartford (White River School) 3 days/14 hrs per week

Vershire/West Fairlee (Westshire School)

Waterbury (Brookside School)

More info: everybodywinsvermont.org/about-us/openings

To apply, send a letter of interest & resume or job history to Beth Wallace, Executive Director: info@everybodywinsvermont.org

Everybody Wins! Vermont is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, gender, sexual identity, color, national origin, religion, disability, class, or age in hiring, programs, or activities.

Stowe Electric Department is a municipally owned public power utility offering an exciting, dynamic work environment serving Stowe, VT.

ACCOUNTANT & BENEFITS ADMIN

The Accountant & Benefits Administrator plays a crucial role in overseeing payroll and benefits administration. Assists with accounting and financial reporting. Wages: $38 - $40.75/hour.

BUSINESS & COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

The Business and Communications Manager plays a pivotal role in overseeing critical business functions, regulatory reporting and public communications. Wages: $90,000 - $115,000/year

Outstanding Benefits Package Includes:

• 6 Weeks PTO After First Year

• Low-Cost Health Insurance, Employer-Provided Dental

• $100K Life Insurance

• 401(a) & 457(b) Retirement

• Annual Health & Wellness Reimbursement

• 12.5 Paid Holidays, Summer Hours

• Excellent Work Environment

Email your resume and 3 references to: HR@StoweElectric.com. Visit StoweElectric.com/jobs for full job descriptions. E.O.E.

5v-StoweElectricDept070324.indd

IT Director

$90K - $100K w/ Excellent Benefits

Seeking a strategic and analytic IT Director with proven experience with hardware and software. Responsible for design, implementation, mgt., and security of the Town’s IT and telecom infrastructure. Exceptional understanding of computer systems, security, network and systems admin, databases and data storage, and telecommunications systems.

R OUNDTREE C ONSTRUCTION

Experienced Carpenter

Experienced carpenter needed for high-end custom well established home builder working primarily in the Champlain & Mad River Valleys and the Eastern Adirondacks. A minimum of 5 years’ experience in all types of carpentry required. The ideal candidate will be proficient in rough framing, interior & exterior trim carpentry as well as in the placement of casework/cabinetry. Our carpenters set the plates, frame, trim the inside & outside, place windows & doors, and mount the cabinets. The company offers competitive wages ($30-35/hr), retirement plans with a match, tool allowance, paid personal/vacation time, and health & dental insurance. Come join our team! Send resume to: rsantamaria@roundtree.bz and/or call 802-343-5589

4t-EverybodyWins!062624.indd 1 6/24/24 1:14 PM

Oversees Town IT staff, consultants, vendors, contractors, and service providers. Drafts IT policies, procedures, and instructions for staff. Ability to integrate and modify existing programs or vendor supplied package programs for use with existing information systems. Ability to work with Town staff and resolve end-user technical issues.

Bachelor’s in IT, Computer Science, Information Systems, or related with 7+ years of relevant exp. Supervisory exp. preferred. Proficient in network admin., system design, and contract mgt., including planning, writing specifications, budgeting and administration.

CompTIA Network Plus, Comp TIA Project+, CAPM, CISA, CITM, CISSP and CEH preferred.

Ability to work nights, weekends, holidays. Background check. Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, and organizational skills. Experience in local government a plus.

To learn more and apply: colchestervt.gov/321/HumanResources. Open until filled. E.O.E.

Renovation and New Construction Project Manager

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.

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.

Evernorth is hiring a Project Manager that will manage all aspects of renovation and new construction projects from pre-development through construction completion, with follow-up through the one-year warranty period. A successful candidate will have 3- 5 years’ construction project experience, financial budget management, understand legal documents used in development, know or ability to learn non-profit affordable rental housing development and applicable housing programs, regulations, and federal, state, and local funding sources. A bachelor’s degree and proficient in Microsoft Office 365 with advanced Excel skills are required. To read the full job description and to apply, go to evernorthus.org/careers

Evernorth is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Regulatory & Support Analyst

The Vermont Public Power Supply Authority, located in Waterbury Center, Vermont is seeking a Regulatory and Support Analyst to join our team. This position is responsible for performing analytical work primarily relating to rate, cost-of-service and regulatory activities, financial planning, Integrated Resource Planning and project management.

Essential functions include but are not limited to:

• Identify, analyze, and track emerging regulatory issues.

• Monitor issues pertaining to rates, regulatory compliance planning.

• Gather information and perform analyses to meet complex regulatory reporting requirements.

• Assist with development of legislative and regulatory compliance reports.

Duties require: a combination of knowledge and experience related to regulatory proceedings and compliance procedures. Prefer a Bachelor’s degree in a business related field with 2+ years of experience in energy, utilities or related field. 2+ years of paralegal or compliance function experience desired. 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: Regulatory and Support Analyst.

Position open until filled. See the full job description at vppsa.com

Facilities Assistant

II & III

City Market Co-op is seeking a Facilities Assistant to perform maintenance, inspection, cleaning, and customer service tasks, to ensure the safety and comfort of our cherished customers, co-workers, and community.

Follow link to apply: bit.ly/45CnaCS

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.

5v-VPPSA070324.indd 1 6/28/24 11:40 AM

TOWN PLANNER

The Town of Jericho is looking for its next Town Planner. Jericho (pop. ~5,080) is a small rural community in the center of Chittenden County about 30 minutes from Burlington to the west and Mt. Mansfield to the east. The community has 3 small historic village centers surrounded by a quintessential rural landscape and abundant recreational opportunities.

Do you:

TOURISM MARKETING AND SALES ASSOCIATE

• Want to work in a growing community that cares deeply about planning?

• Seek a new challenge and opportunity to take your career to another level?

• Want to play a leadership role in guiding the future of a dynamic rural small town?

• Have a weakness for craft beer or coffee, maple creemees, and handmade chocolate all within walking distance of your office? If so, this job is exactly what you should be looking for!

The primary responsibility of the Town Planner is to assist the Planning Commission in carrying out their statutory functions and supporting the Town Administrator in managing the implementation of grant funded projects. The work of the Town Planner involves researching, analyzing, developing, and proposing land use planning and development policies, plans and ordinances for consideration by the Planning Commission and Selectboard. This work requires a high degree of independence, initiative, sound judgment and professionalism.

Jericho has a number of exciting planning initiatives currently underway that make this role particularly enticing including implementation of the recently updated Town Plan (December 2023), by-law updates, and a wastewater feasibility study for the 3 Village Centers. The Town also has several very active citizen committees working on affordable housing, trails, land conservation, energy, equity, and social justice.

Our ideal candidate will be highly independent, curious, collaborative and a great communicator, and have a Bachelor’s degree and 3 or more years of experience in the field. Experience in grant writing and grant administration would be beneficial. The Town can offer a very competitive salary DOQ, a comprehensive benefits package, a flexible work environment, and a team-oriented work setting. Salary is commensurate with experience.

For a complete job description visit: jerichovt.org, and find the link on our home page. To apply, please send cover letter, resume and 3 references to Linda Blasch, Assistant Town Administrator via email at lblasch@jerichovt.gov or via mail at PO Box 39, Jericho, VT 05465. Review of applicants will begin July 1 and the position will remain open until filled. The Town of Jericho is an E.O.E.

The Vermont Chamber of Commerce works to advance Vermont’s economy. The Tourism Marketing and Sales Associate ensures high-quality content, maintains consistent branding, and engages with stakeholders to drive engagement and support the Vermont Chamber’s goals. This is a full-time, salaried position located out of our office in Berlin, Vermont.

Primary responsibilities include phonebased Tourism Marketing Program advertising sales and upsells; overseeing and assisting with tourism-centered products, fulfillment, and customer inquiries; and assisting with member recruitment and retention. The successful candidate must be assertive, creative, and resourceful. The candidate must be sales-minded, interested in building lasting relationships and providing solutions to the tourism community, and enjoy working in a highly entrepreneurial environment. The position requires outstanding communication and organization skills. The candidate must have an understanding of print and digital media and will be responsible for hitting annual sales targets.

Responsibilities include:

Handling sales phone calls and emails for print and digital ad sales and upsells

Communicating with clients and recording all correspondence

Assisting with the copy writing of all marketing materials and web-based listings

Developing and implementing ideas for the marketing and sales of our educational programs

Utilizing social networks to facilitate sales and increase brand awareness

Assisting with promotional events

Responding to general tourism inquiries from the public

Prospect list generation

Tourism Marketing Program product fulfillment and sales

Vermont Tourism Network program

support, outreach, web updates, and product support

Requirements:

2+ years sales or marketing experience preferred

Excellent organizational skills

Able to work as a team member and be a positive influence on others

Excellent oral and written communication skills

Ability to execute all aspects of the sales process

To apply, please submit your resume to jobs@vtchamber.com and attach a cover letter that demonstrates how your knowledge and experience matches the job description. If you currently reside outside of Vermont, please make clear in your cover letter why you are interested in relocating. Salary is commensurate with experience.

The Vermont Chamber of Commerce is proud to be an affirmative action/ equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, creed, gender/sex, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected under local, state or federal laws.

See who’s hiring at jobs.sevendaysvt.com

— EST. 1919 BURKE MOUNTAIN CLUB

Executive Director

Burke Mountain Club (“BMC”), a vibrant nonprofit in East Burke, VT, is on a mission to enhance the quality of life throughout its local community. BMC is seeking a highly skilled, adventurous and energetic person to lead this mission and become its first ever executive director (“ED”). Starts September 1st.

If interested, please visit burkemountainclub.org

WINGPERSON FOR YOUNG MAN WITH AUTISM

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

2v-KieselsteinAutism050824.indd

Join the Community Kitchen Academy!

Community Kitchen Academy (CKA) is a 9-week job training program featuring: Hands on learning, national ServSafe certification, job placement support and meaningful connections to community. Plus... the tuition is FREE and weekly stipends are provided for income eligible students! At CKA you’ll learn from professional chefs in modern commercial kitchens and graduate with the skills and knowledge to build a career in food service, food systems and other related fields. Throughout the course, you’ll develop and apply new skills by preparing food that would otherwise be wasted. The food you cook is then shared with neighbors via community food shelves and meal sites. CKA is a program of the Vermont Foodbank, operated in partnership with Capstone Community Action in Barre and Feeding Champlain Valley in Burlington. Next sessions start August 5th in Barre and October 14th in Burlington. Apply online: vtfoodbank.org/cka.

4t-VTFoodbank062624.indd

The McClure Foundation is ready to grow!

Residential

Direct Support Professional

Why not have a job you love?

Benefit package includes 29 paid days off in the first year, comprehensive health insurance plan with premium as low as $13 per month, up to $6,400 to go towards medical deductibles and copays, retirement match, generous sign on bonus and so much more. And that’s on top of working at one of the “Best Places to Work in Vermont” for five years running.

JOB HIGHLIGHT – RESIDENTIAL DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL:

Provide supports to an individual in their home and in the community in 24h shifts including asleep overnights in a private, furnished bedroom. You can work two days, receive full benefits and have five days off each week! Other flexible schedules available, starting wage is $21/hr.

Check out our website for other positions and work at an award-winning agency serving Vermonters with intellectual disabilities: ccs-vt.org/current-openings

Make a career making a difference and apply today! Send resume to staff@ccs-vt.org.

(with great benefits)

Since 1986, Dismas of Vermont has served more than 2,000 people moving out of incarceration using a Housing First model that centers reconciliation, community, and compassion.

Create a more just, safe, and productive Vermont with us.

Philanthropic Associate - Rutland Program Director Step-Down Housing Program Manager

Complete position descriptions and to apply: www.dismasofvt.org/about-us/now-hiring.html

The McClure Foundation seeks to hire a detail-oriented professional who cares about the future of Vermont and has relevant experience to work with the Executive Director to manage statewide initiatives, public-private partnerships, policy advisory efforts, and a $1M+ annual grantmaking portfolio.

If this sounds like a good ﬁt for you, visit VERMONTCF.ORG/CAREERS for a

ATTENTION RECRUITERS:

POST YOUR JOBS AT: SEVENDAYSVT.COM/POSTMYJOB PRINT DEADLINE: NOON ON MONDAYS (INCLUDING HOLIDAYS) FOR RATES & INFO: MICHELLE BROWN, 802-865-1020 X121, MICHELLE@SEVENDAYSVT.COM

Burlington Housing Authority (BHA)

Are you interested in a job that helps your community and makes a difference in people’s lives every day? Consider joining Burlington Housing Authority (BHA) in Burlington, VT to continue BHA’s success in promoting innovative solutions that address housing instability challenges facing our diverse population of low-income families and individuals.

We are currently hiring for the following positions:

Assistant Property Manager:

Serves as a critical member of our property management team. This position is responsible for assisting the team of Property Managers in the day to day operations of BHA’s property portfolio. This position assists with leasing apartments, move in and move outs, maintaining accurate tenant files and assist with tenant complaints, collection of rents, lease violations, property inspections, vacant unit checks, delivery of resident notices and certifications, and other duties related to property management.

Building Operations Technician:

Performs general maintenance work in BHA owned and managed properties. This includes building exteriors, common areas, apartments, building systems, fixtures, and grounds. Our Building Operations Techs are required to participate in the on-call rotation, which covers night and weekend emergencies.

Housing Retention Services – Site

Based: Responsible for supporting those who have mental health and substance use challenges and/or who have moved from homelessness to Bobbin Mill, Wharf Lane, and other BHA properties. The position works closely with property management and other site-based staff to identify challenges and respond with appropriate direct service and coordination of community services, with a goal of eviction prevention and facilitating a healthy tenancy.

Property Manager: Serves as a critical member of our Property Management team. This position will provide oversight of day-to-day operations of BHA’s Elderly RAD developments to ensure longterm viability of the properties within the property portfolio. This position requires independent judgment, timely management of deadlines as well as discretion in carrying out responsibilities.

For more info about these career opportunities: burlingtonhousing.org.

BHA serves a diverse population of tenants and partners with a variety of community agencies. To most effectively carry out our vision of delivering safe and affordable housing to all, we are committed to cultivating a staff that reflects varied lived experiences, viewpoints, and educational histories. Therefore, we strongly encourage candidates from diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals, and women to apply. Multilingualism is a plus!

Our robust benefit package includes premium medical insurance with a health reimbursement account, dental, vision, short and long term disability, 10% employer funded retirement plan, 457 retirement plan, accident insurance, life insurance, cancer & critical illness insurance.

We provide a generous time off policy including 12 days of paid time off and 12 days of sick time in the first year. In addition to the paid time off, BHA recognizes 13 (paid) holidays and 2 (paid) floating cultural holidays. Plus, a sign on bonus!

Interested in this opportunity? Send cover letter/resume to: humanresources@ burlingtonhousing.org

Human Resources

Burlington Housing Authority 65 Main Street, Suite 101 Burlington, VT 05401

BHA is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Housekeeping Manager

Join our award-winning hotel team as a full-time Housekeeping Manager. You will oversee and direct all aspects of our housekeeping and laundry departments to ensure a clean, orderly, and safe environment for our guests and staff. Responsibilities include hiring, training, evaluating, and developing a team of room attendants of 8-10 people to provide exceptional guest service. You will also manage budget preparation and control, and regularly communicate with the General Manager to maintain high standards of cleanliness and guest satisfaction. Duties will include, cost controls, ordering, linen management and inventory, guest satisfaction, implementing policies and procedures, and high levels of communication. Pay $50,000 - $55,000 per year based on experience

How to Apply:

If you are interested in this opportunity to lead our housekeeping team and contribute to our guests' exceptional experiences, please submit your resume and cover letter to ctepper@bwpws.com

The Vermont Department of Health is looking for our next Public Health Communication Officer - Media Relations Lead! The Media Relations Lead is a key member of our Communication Office and spearheads the development and implementation of our media relations strategy. Our ideal candidate is a strategic and collaborative communications professional who can use media relations tactics to further our public health mission and work well under pressure when handling time-sensitive projects. For more information, contact Gillian Morgan at gillian.morgan@vermont.gov. Department: Health. Location: Waterbury. Status: Full Time. Job ID #50344. Application Deadline: July 8, 2024.

HireAbility VT is seeking a team-orientated individual with very strong customer service and administrative skills to support our Springfield office in a part-time, long-term temporary position. This role provides key clerical support to a vibrant team of vocational counselors & employment staff related to case documentation, development and organization of DocuSign processes, financial processes, communicating with participants, and front-line support for visitor reception. For more information, contact Alicia White at alicia.l.white@vermont.gov. Department: Disabilities Aging & Independent Living. Location: Springfield. Status: Full Time, Temporary. Job ID #50400. Application Deadline: July 7, 2024.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT/ INTAKE COORDINATOR

Vermont Center for Anxiety Care/Matrix Health Systems

Exclusive Burlington waterfront location.

Duties:

• Manage online client applications for mental health services

• Telephone screening of new clients

• Health insurance verification

• Manage client wait list

• Coordinate case assignments

• Telephone and in-person patient reception

• Implement pandemic health safety protocols, as needed

• Administrative support to practice director

Required skills:

• Friendliness and effective verbal communication

• Computer skills: spreadsheets, scanning, faxing, email, MS Word

• Efficiency and organization

Send resume to Alesia: alesia@ocamhs.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!

DIRECTORLamoille Valley School Engagement Program

Lamoille Restorative Center seeks experienced professionals to join our growing team. LRC is a nonprofit organization with a mission to uphold the dignity and resilience of individuals and families through restorative justice principles and programs.

LRC is hiring a 32-40 hr/wk Director of the Lamoille Valley School Engagement Program (LVSEP). The LVSEP is the only program of its kind in Vermont and utilizes restorative justice approaches to address student chronic absenteeism in three Supervisory Unions.

This position leads the LVSEP team, which includes three School Engagement Specialists (SES). The LVSEP Director oversees the operations of the LVSEP and provides direct supervision to the SES staff. The Director is also responsible for representing LVSEP with schools, community partners and interested stakeholders across Vermont and interfacing with the family court system in truancy actions. The LVSEP Director ensures services are rooted in restorative practices, whereby parents and children feel heard and acknowledged, and their dignity and resilience are upheld.

This position is ideal for someone with an understanding of the education systems in Vermont, restorative work in schools, excellent communication, collaboration, and organizational skills, and those who are interested in a workplace that promotes employee wellbeing. Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required.

The hourly pay rate is between $30.06 and $34.77. A generous benefits policy provides $12,730 annually for each employee to pay for the benefits they need, such as: medical, dental, vision, and supplemental insurance, and retirement. Additional benefits include 27 paid days off & 17 paid holidays, pre-tax dependent care deductions, paid family medical leave, an annual training stipend, and life insurance.

Please submit a cover letter and resume to: info@lrcvt.org.

LRC is an equal opportunity employer and invites applications from professionals with lived experience. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The Vermont Bar Foundation is seeking candidates for the position of Executive Director to begin September, 2024. The full-time position reports to the board of directors with flexible work options requiring at least three days in the Montpelier office, as well as occasional in-state travel.

The ideal candidate will have a personal commitment to access to justice and to promoting VBF’s mission of creating a just community by funding legal services for the disadvantaged. Job involves working with stakeholders in the Vermont judiciary and with attorneys practicing in Vermont, so knowledge of Vermont’s legal community is preferred. A law degree is not required.

Successful candidate will have non-profit experience with a background in fundraising and grant writing. Skills needed include effective and professional communication, non-profit development, public speaking, donor management and board relations. Applicants should have experience with budget management, reporting and tracking, and be able to work independently.

Apply online: vtbarfoundation.org/hiring/

4t-VTBarFoundation061924.indd

candidates will have bookkeeping or accounting experience, a passion for precision, and excellent communication. If this sounds like a good ﬁt for you, visit VERMONTCF.ORG/CAREERS for a complete job description and instructions for applying.

JOIN O U R TEAM AT BASIN HARBOR!

Basin Harbor is hiring for multiple exciting positions: Sales & Events Administrative Assistant Administrative Assistant to the Executive Chef Local On-Call Event Servers Grounds Sta • Sushi Chef Repair and Maintenance Technicians

Visit BasinHarbor.com/jobs to apply!

Technology Support Specialist

Sheehey Furlong & Behm P.C. Burlington, VT

Sheehey Furlong & Behm, a Burlington based law firm, is accepting applications for a Technology Support Specialist. The Technology Support Specialist will provide technical support, tools and guidance to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the firm. Duties include providing end-user support, setting up workstations, AV troubleshooting, routine server and infrastructure maintenance, and interfacing with various IT vendors. Qualified candidates will have some technical support experience and the ability to work under pressure. This position has the opportunity to grow into an IT Management role for the right candidate. If you feel like you would be a good fit and are looking to grow your career, send your resume to hiring@sheeheyvt.com Salary will be commensurate with experience and includes a comprehensive benefits package.

Engaging minds that change the world

Watershed Engagement Coordinator

Join Friends of the Mad River as the VHCB AmeriCorps Watershed Engagement Coordinator to help build resilience, adaptability, awareness, and inclusion into our watershed community. Work with our team to coordinate events and opportunities for education and community engagement.

Position term: September 9, 2024 - August 8, 2025. Full time and requires 1,720 hours for an average of 40 hours per week, for 47 weeks. You will receive a living allowance of $30,000 (pre-tax), and an education award of $7,395 (pre-tax) upon successful completion of service.

For details and to apply: friendsofthemadriver.org/jobs

TECHNOLOGY MANAGER

The Town of Stowe is seeking a Technology Manager to help us stay operational and move into the future with technology. This position is responsible for overseeing the provisioning, monitoring, planning, implementation, and maintenance of the software, hardware and other systems needed to support the computing, communications and technology needs of the Town of Stowe.

The individual selected will be a self-motivated department of one with excellent communication, project planning and implementation skills, and ability to manage vendor relations. We are especially interested in someone who can advance the Town of Stowe with their proficiency in various technology tools and cloud-based platforms. This is an in-person position.

The Technology Manager will work closely with existing IT managed service provider and other outside vendors to support the Town with help desk services, systems planning and implementation, cyber security support and radio communication vendor support.

We’re Hiring!

3v-FriendsoftheMadRiver070324.indd 1 6/28/24 11:59 AM

We offer competitive wages & a full benefits package for full time employees.

GENERAL MANAGER (AUTO) (Williston, Vermont)

The Town of Stowe is a full-service municipality with a multitude of departments including Administration, Finance, Human Resources, Town Clerk, Planning & Zoning, Lister, Public Works, Water, Wastewater, Highway, Library, Parks & Recreation including an Arena, and public safety with Police, Fire/EMS and Mountain Rescue. The Town of Stowe has a workforce of 66 full-time employees and over 100 part-time emergency services and seasonal personnel.

Associate’s degree in the field of computer science or information technology preferred supplemented by three to five years of managerial experience including budgeting, planning, and vendor relations, or any equivalent combination of education, training, or experience. Pay range $73,095 - $86,742 dependent upon experience. Come grow with Stowe!

Seeking a position with a quality employer? Consider The University of Vermont, a stimulating and diverse workplace. We offer a comprehensive benefit package including tuition remission for on-going, full-time positions.

Administrative Assistant - UVM Extension - #S5138PO - UVM Extension is seeking an Administrative Assistant to provide support in the Brattleboro office. Responsibilities include word processing, maintaining schedules and travel arrangements, tracking workshop registrations, answering phones, and reception. Effective interpersonal skills, the ability to interact with the public, working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, and internet skills required. An Associate’s degree and one to three years of related working experience, or equivalent combination, is required. A basic understanding of PeopleSoft software is desired. We offer a comprehensive benefit package for this 37.5 hour per week position.

To be considered, applicants must submit a resume and cover letter. The University is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of the institution. Applicants are encouraged to include in their cover letter information about how they will further this goal. For further information on this position and others currently available, or to apply online, please visit www.uvmjobs.com Applicants must apply for positions electronically. Paper resumes are not accepted. Open positions are updated daily. Please call 802-656-3150 or email employment@uvm.edu for technical support with the online application..

The University of Vermont is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

Due: 6/17 by 11am

Size: 3.83” x .3.46”

This position is for the overall management of our Auto Auction Responsible for leading, directing and overseeing all activities of the auto auction business.

The Town of Stowe currently offers an excellent benefit package including BCBS health plans with low employee premium share, dental insurance, generous paid leave, VMERS pension plan, life insurance and more.

Cost: $308.55 (with 1 week online)

Salary + Performance Bonuses

Email: info@thcauction.com

AUTO AUCTION TECHNICIAN (Williston, Vermont)

Looking for a responsible, motivated, self-starter for busy Williston auto auction facility. Position works with the general manager and the office manager completing tasks both inside outdoors. Rate is $17-$20/Hour Email: info@thcauction.com Thomas Hirchak Company is an at will employer. See more jobs at: THCAuction.com

Job description and employment application can be obtained at: townofstowevt.org. Submit letter of interest, resume, and employment application to: Town of Stowe, c/o HR Director, PO Box 730, Stowe, VT 05672 or by email recruit@stowevt.gov

The Town of Stowe is an E.O.E.

fun stuff

JEN SORENSEN

HARRY BLISS & STEVE MARTIN

e State of Vermont will pay $175,000 to a man who was arrested for what?

Answer topical questions like these in our weekly news quiz. It’s quick, fun and informative. Take a new quiz each Friday at sevendaysvt.com/quiz.

LIKE TO DO PUZZLES?

Challenge yourself with online games from Seven Days at sevendaysvt.com/games.

See how fast you can solve this weekly 10-word puzzle.

RACHEL LINDSAY

CANCER

(JUN. 21-JUL. 22)

The Fates have authorized me to authorize you to be bold and spunky. You have permission to initiate gutsy experiments and to dare challenging feats. Luck and grace will be on your side as you consider adventures you’ve long wished you had the nerve to entertain. Don’t do anything risky or foolish, of course. Avoid acting like you’re entitled to grab rewards you have not yet earned. But don’t be self-consciously cautious or timid, either. Proceed as if help and resources will arrive through the magic of your audacity. Assume you will be able to summon more confidence than usual.

ARIES (Mar. 21-Apr. 19): The “nirvana fallacy” is the belief that because something is less than utterly perfect, it is gravely defective or even irredeemably broken. Wikipedia says, “The nirvana fallacy compares actual things with unrealistic, idealized alternatives.” Most of us are susceptible to this flawed approach to dealing with the messiness of human existence. But it’s especially important that you avoid such thinking in the coming weeks. To inspire you to find excellence and value in the midst of untidy jumbles and rumpled complexities, I recommend you have fun with the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi. It prizes and praises

the soulful beauty found in things that are irregular, incomplete and imperfect.

TAURUS (Apr. 20-May 20): You are coming to a fork in the road — a crux where two paths diverge. What should you do? Author Marie Forleo says, “When it comes to forks in the road, your heart always knows the answer, not your mind.” Here’s my corollary: Choose the path that will best nourish your soul’s desires. Now here’s your homework, Taurus: Contact your Future Self in a dream or meditation and ask that beautiful genius to provide you with a message and a sign. Plus, invite them to give you a wink with either the left eye or right eye.

GEMINI (May 21-Jun. 20): Last year, you sent out a clear message to life requesting help and support. It didn’t get the response you wished for. You felt sad. But now I have good news. One or both of the following may soon occur: 1) Your original message will finally lead to a response that buoys your soul. 2) You will send out a new message similar to the one in 2023, and this time you will get a response that makes you feel helped and supported. Maybe you didn’t want to have to be so patient, Gemini, but I’m glad you refused to give up hope.

LEO (Jul. 23-Aug. 22): All of us, including me, have aspects of our lives that are stale or unkempt, even decaying. What would you say is the most worn-out thing about you? Are there parts of your psyche or environment that would benefit from a surge of cleanup and revival? The coming weeks will be an excellent time to attend to these matters. You are likely to attract extra help and inspiration as you make your world brighter and livelier. The first rule of the purgation and rejuvenation process: Have fun!

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sep. 22): On those rare occasions when I buy furniture from online stores, I try hard to find sources that will send me the stuff already assembled. I hate spending the time to put together jumbles of wood and metal. More importantly, I am inept at doing so. In alignment with astrological omens, I recommend you take my approach in regard to every situation in your life during

the coming weeks. Your operative metaphor should be this: Whatever you want or need, get it already fully assembled.

LIBRA (Sep. 23-Oct. 22): When Adragon De Mello was born under the sign of Libra in 1976, his father had big plans for him. Dad wanted him to get a PhD in physics by age 12, garner a Nobel Prize by 16, get elected President of the United States by 26 and then become head of a world government by 30. I’d love for you to fantasize about big, unruly dreams like that in the coming weeks — although with less egotism and more amusement and adventurousness. Give yourself a license to play with amazing scenarios that inspire you to enlarge your understanding of your own destiny. Provide your future with a dose of healing wildness.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): “Your horoscopes are too complicated,” a reader named Estelle wrote to me recently. “You give us too many ideas. Your language is too fancy. I just want simple advice in plain words.” I wrote back to tell her that if I did what she asked, I wouldn’t be myself. “Plenty of other astrologers out there can meet your needs,” I concluded. As for you, dear Scorpio, I think you will especially benefit from influences like me in the coming weeks — people who appreciate nuance and subtlety; who love the poetry of life; who eschew clichés and conventional wisdom; who can nurture your rich, spicy, complicated soul.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): The coming weeks will be prime time for you to reimagine the history of your destiny. How might you do that? In your imagination, revisit important events from the past and reinterpret them using the new wisdom you’ve gained since they happened. If possible, perform any atonement, adjustment or intervention that will transform the meaning of what happened once upon a time. Give the story of your life a fresh title. Rename the chapters. Look at old photos and videos and describe to yourself what you know now about those people and situations that you didn’t know back then. Are there key events from the old days that you have repressed

or ignored? Raise them up into the light of consciousness.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): In 1972, before the internet existed, Capricorn actor Anthony Hopkins spent a day visiting London bookstores in search of a certain tome: The Girl From Petrovka. Unable to locate a copy, he decided to head home. On the way, he sat on a random bench, where he found the original manuscript of The Girl From Petrovka It had been stolen from the book’s author, George Feifer, and abandoned there by the thief. I predict an almost equally unlikely or roundabout discovery or revelation for you in the coming days. Prediction: You may not unearth what you’re looking for in an obvious place, but you will ultimately unearth it.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Aquariusborn Desmond Doss (1919-2006) joined the U.S. Army at the beginning of World War II. But because of his religious beliefs, he refused to use weapons. He became a medic who accompanied troops to Guam and the Philippines. During the next few years, he won three medals of honor, which are usually given solely to armed combatants. His bravest act came in 1944, when he saved the lives of 70 wounded soldiers during a battle. I propose we make him your inspirational role model for the coming weeks, Aquarius. In his spirit, I invite you to blend valor and peacemaking. Synergize compassion and fierce courage. Mix a knack for poise and healing with a quest for adventure.

PISCES (Feb. 19-Mar. 20): What types of people are you most attracted to, Pisces? Not just those you find most romantically and sexually appealing but also those with whom a vibrant alliance is most gracefully created. And those you’re inclined to seek out for collaborative work and play. This knowledge is valuable information to have; it helps you gravitate toward relationships that are healthy for you. Now and then, though, it’s wise to experiment with connections and influences that aren’t obviously natural — to move outside your usual set of expectations and engage with characters you can’t immediately categorize. I suspect the coming weeks will be one of those times.

sculptor Kat Clear

up with welding students from Northlands Job Corps to fabricate a gigantic ﬂower sculpture that transformed a bus stop in downtown Vergennes. Seven Days’ Eva Sollberger watched the piece come to life at Job Corps and, a week and a half later, saw its installation.

WOMEN seeking...

ROMANTICIZING MY LIFE

New to the area and looking for camping buddies, dinner party cohosts and romantic connections if it feels right. I love reading the local news, jumping in lakes and looking for the weirdest object in an antique store. Always trying to laugh more, dance more. Help me find the best coffee in the NEK? citymouse, 25, seeking: M, TM, Q, NC, NBP, l

FANTASY FULFILLMENT

61-y/o WW and 53-y/o WM looking for a woman to fulfill a fantasy. I’m a full-figured woman who has lost over 100 lbs. He is a large man. Could turn into something regular. Fantasy2024 61, seeking: W

LIFE IS HERE. NOW.

I’m an active biker, hiker, gardener, musician who has adapted well to retirement (there had to be something positive about COVID!) but is ready to explore life with a companion, maybe a partner, again. Many things are better with a partner, including dining out, travel, bike rides, hikes, laughing, sharing — so I’m putting my toes back in the water! maplesong 69 seeking: M, l

HONEST, CONFIDENT AND CARING

52-y/o female who enjoys bonfires, BBQs, hiking trails on a cool evening or morning, walks on the beach, listening to live bands and so much more. VTHonest1 52, seeking: M

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

INFP LOOKING FOR CONNECTION

I’m partnered and looking for a little extra-ethical playfulness and companionship. I’m an engineer turned educator, musician and artist who values creativity, adventure, intelligence and a can-do, will-do spirit. Let’s flirt, tease and have a little fun. I’m open to longterm, but not full-time, relationships. TruantShoefly 46, seeking: M, Cp, l

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, l

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

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

GENUINELY HAPPY, SEEKING SAME

Easygoing, life-loving sixtysomething in search of a man comfortable in his own skin who loves deep conversations. All the usuals apply: Must love dogs. It’s the way to my heart, for sure. Must also love the outdoors, and not in a fanatic way. Enjoy being in nature. And finally, for now anyway, must love a good belly laugh. Joyful 64, seeking: M, l

GENUINE, THOUGHTFUL, PASSIONATE

Solo tiny-farming in the hills is sublime, but this unscripted homesteading comedy could use more characters: a partner in permaculture, a paddling companion, a cross-country/backcountry ski buddy, a Scrabble challenger. Some other favored pastimes: sailing, reading, Champlain Islands camping in fall, vegetarian cookery, making you laugh. Life is good. Just missing someone special to share the journey. nordicbette242, 53, seeking: M, l

BIODYNAMIC ARTISTIC POLYMATH

Desire meaningful conversation, spiritual companionship, laughter and love. I am family- and communityminded with philanthropic tendencies; broadly studied in history, art, science and religion; well traveled and influenced by world cultures. I lead a conscientious, healthy lifestyle and keep a clean home, body, and heart. Retired, actively pursuing my passions and enjoying my grandchildren. Are you similarly inclined? Eruditee 61 seeking: M, l

INTROVERTED EXTROVERT TO DANCE

Are you a grown-up and still curious, playful, inquisitive, ever learning? I thrive outdoors in every season and relish reflective company, solitude and togetherness, sharing ideas and inspiration, and desires to love in a way that we feel free. I see that many of us here wonder how to describe ourselves. Aren’t we all more than we can say? esmeflying 60, seeking: M, l

SMART, SELF-AWARE, KIND SEEKS SAME

Smart, self-aware and kind seeking same. AnneShirley 48, seeking: M

THIS COULD BE GREAT, RIGHT?

Calm, peaceful woman hoping to connect with a kind, smart, liberal, dog-loving guy. I work in a medical practice and also have a small business and live in northern New York. I am a widow but so ready for a great second chapter! Julie2085 66, seeking: M, l

MEN seeking...

LOOKING FOR FUN AND EXCITEMENT

Easy going, fit and bearded. Love VT in spring, summer and fall. The winters are getting a bit old. Looking for new relationships to explore and have fun. Would love to spend time with a wonderful woman. Love the outdoors and being active. Vegetarian. WeenFan, 50, seeking: W

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

EX-FARM BOY IN THE CITY

I’m a 42-y/o man. Looking for a woman 32 to 42 with similar interests. I enjoy old cars, trucks and tractors, and pretty much anything with a motor. I enjoy movies, video games, car shows. I also enjoy yard sales, antiques and antiquing, but not so much anymore. I do enjoy day trips. Willdog81, 42, seeking: W, l

SEARCHING FOR A LTR

Divorced white man searching for LTR. Two kids on their own. I work for myself, like being outside, and do a lot of skiing and some hiking but also enjoy relaxing outdoors. I like the rural/suburban lifestyle but enjoy visiting cities for culture and activities. Open to LTR, casual or friends. I don’t mind a bit of driving for the right person/connection. VTguy3743 59, seeking: W, l

OLD-SCHOOL, LAID-BACK

I’m an honest, loving, caring, loyal person who loves to ride motorcycles, get tattoos and have a good time. I’m looking for a woman who wants friends with benefits for now and maybe something a little bit more later. Harley2010 58, seeking: W, l

SEASONALLY

I own a 20-acre private nature sanctuary in Gainesville, Fla., north of Paynes Prairie preserve. I live off-grid on 30 acres in Orange County, Vt. Looking for someone to share living space with plenty of room. 382tim 68, seeking: W, l

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 gray 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

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

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

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

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

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: M, Q, NC, NBP, l

COUPLES

seeking...

LOOKING FOR FUN PEEPS

Fun, open-minded couple seeking playmates. Shoot us a note if interested so we can share details and desires. Jackrabbits, 60, seeking: W, Cp

HANNAH AT GUSTER SHOW

I saw you before the show started and saw how you seemed to know everyone. I waited around after the show and we spoke brieﬂy about how we both seemed familiar but couldn’t ﬁgure out where we had crossed paths. I wish I had asked for your contact info. Seemed like we had a spark, even in the rain. Contact me? When: Saturday, June 29, 2024. Where: Guster concert. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916042

GUCCI SNEAKERS GIRL

Super cute girl with white Gucci sneakers and gorgeous brown eyes. We locked eyes for a while (several times), but we both were with someone. I owe you an apology: you know why. Please reply if you see this; this is my last recourse. When: Friday, June 28, 2024. Where: Red Square. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916041

SOCCER GAME AT HAZEN

You had dark hair and jean shorts. I think you got out of a vehicle with Virginia plates. We exchanged smiles. Just wanted to say you made my day, seeing your beautiful smile. When: Friday, June 28, 2024. Where: Hardwick. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916039

HUNK AT BURLINGTON FOOD TRUCKS

We crossed paths Friday night. You got a mint chocolate chip ice cream cone and then smiled back at me and said, “It’s the best ﬂavor, gotta try it.” I think you’re quite the catch in your gray Vans. Let’s ride around in your white Tacoma sometime. When: Friday, June 28, 2024. Where: Burlington food trucks. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916038

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!

SMILING STRANGER

I saw you running on the path near Texaco Beach. We glanced at each other. Your smile brightened my entire day. en you continued your run, gracefully heading down the dirt road beside the grafﬁticovered containers on the railroad tracks. Would be so lovely to know your name and share another smile. When: Tuesday, June 25, 2024. Where: Burlington bike path. You: Woman. Me: Woman. #916037

IN THE CAFÉ AT VERMONT COMEDY CLUB

You were making coffee for your tubby friend on Saturday. You were making him laugh, but weirdly me too. You’re very funny, and good at coffee. Latte art was ﬁre. At least that’s what it looked like. Wanted to ask for your name, but asked for sugar instead because I was nervous. I’m diabetic! Drop me a message if that’s your thing. When: Saturday, June 22, 2024. Where: In a café. You: Man. Me: Man. #916036

GROOVY GAL

When I was almost invisible, I was already under your spell. My actions are not contrived. “I can’t help myself,” and I have tried. I always leave your house on Penny Lane, unfulﬁlled and wanting more time with you. When I am free next month, how about a hike? Perhaps an email address, a hike, or a cup of coffee. When: Tuesday, June 25, 2024. Where: Her house. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916035

IN THE ELEVATOR AT CASAVANT

We met this morning while I was taking the trash out. You’re John, I’m Sarah. We talked brieﬂy about how sometimes we feel like our life isn’t our own and that we’re only along for the ride. Remember though, we are the masters of our destiny. You seemed really sad. I’m around if you need a friend. When: Friday, June 21, 2024. Where: In the elevator at Casavant. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916034

De Oli O.,

De Rev end,

For the 15 years we’ve been married, my wife has always left the butter dish out on the kitchen counter. I ﬁrmly believe it belongs in the refrigerator. I always put it back in, and then she takes it out again. It’s like a never-ending butter back-andforth. Can you settle this debate once and for all?

SEPTUM RINGS AND SMILES

I forgot to grab a basket at the front and made my way around the right side of the store past the breads. en I saw you and forgot everything that I had come into the store to get to begin with. With a smirky smile you looked at me again and smiled with your eyes. When: Wednesday, June 19, 2024. Where: Shelburne market. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916033

JUNETEENTH

Saw you and thought you were so cute! So hot! en saw you again strolling around town. We passed each other. I had a beard and cutoffs. I really wanted to say hi. Give me a chance over a cup of coffee? When: Wednesday, June 19, 2024. Where: Scout in Winooski. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916032

HOTTIE AT PRIDE

You: Gorgeous smile, dancing in the rain with your rainbow umbrella during the drag show. Your van full of friends didn’t want to brave the rain but you made the best of it. Me: Woman who nervously asked if you wanted to paint our community canvas. Would love to show you how the canvas turned out. When: Saturday, June 8, 2024. Where: Saint Albans Pride. You: Woman. Me: Woman. #916031

DOG WALK DATE DILEMMA

Caught completely off guard and wishing I was your dog walk date at Five Tree Hill. Random pretty woman introducing herself and dog in middle of the road doesn’t happen often. ere’s not a playbook for that one and I should’ve played along longer. If that date didn’t go well, let’s try that introduction again. When: Monday, June 10, 2024. Where: Williston. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916030

LOVELY BLOND DANCER AT BDJF

Beautiful curly blonde dancing in the crowd at BDJF. You were with your two girlfriends and I was solo curly saltand-pepper guy. We ended up near each other for set two and the dance party continued. You waved twice as you left before the end of the night. Can we see if the glass slipper ﬁts? When: Saturday, June 8, 2024. Where: Burlington waterfront at Discover Jazz Fest. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916029

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Full disclosure: I’ve been a lifelong member of Team Leave-It-Out. I like to believe it’s because of my French Canadian roots, but it could simply be that I don’t enjoy cold butter ripping up my toast in the morning.

e U.S. Department of Agriculture says butter is safe at room temperature but leaving it out for more than a few days may cause the ﬂavor to turn rancid. It suggests only leaving out an amount that can be used in one or two days.

According to the American Butter Institute, different types of butter have different recommendations for proper storage. Salted butter is ﬁne

Unsalted and whipped butters are more perishable. ey can be taken out of the fridge to soften for 30 to 60 minutes but should not be left out for an extended period of time. Any unpasteurized butter should always be refrigerated.

to leave out at room temperature anywhere from a few days to two weeks. It should be kept in a covered container, and if the room temperature goes above 70 degrees Fahrenheit, it should be put in the fridge.

Settling your debate would involve a deep dive into details of your butter that I don’t have. What I suggest instead is that you become a twobutter-dish family. One can live on the counter and the other in the fridge. Bingo-bango — everybody’s happy. Good luck and God bless,

The Rev end

What’s your problem? Send

65-y/o local, active female seeking intelligent male companion 58-70ish for hiking/ bike packing tips. Love good cooking, maps, thoughtful conversations, board games, early mornings and mutual kindness. Cleanliness required. I value someone polite, caring, gentle and authentic. No: drugs, smoking, heavy drinking. Yes: fun, laughs, good health, fresh air. #L1772

I’m a 67-y/o SWM, 6’, 190 lbs., seeking a mid-sixties bi couple for occasional get-together. I am honest and respectful and expect the same. Fairly new to this, so slow at ﬁrst. No devices, only landline. #L1771

Nice guy, 5’10, 195 pounds. 74 y/o but I look younger and am new to the market. I’m seeking a good woman/ partner 55 to 75 y/o to love. Very attentive and affectionate, likes to have fun and travel. 420 friendly. #L1773

I would like to meet someone between 60 and 75 who is 5’6” or under and is a slim nondrinker/smoker. Asian heritage preferable. I’m 5’8” and drink/ smoke free. I’m a good cook. An Asian who doesn’t speak good English is acceptable. #L1770

Strong, attractive guy looking for an artistic woman who likes both a soft and rough hand. #L1768

HOW TO REPLY TO THESE LOVE LE ERS:

Seal your reply — including your preferred contact info — inside an envelope. Write your pen pal’s box number on the outside of that envelope and place it inside another envelope with payment. Responses for Love Letters must begin with the #L box number.

MAIL TO: Seven Days Love Letters PO Box 1164, Burlington, VT 05402

PAYMENT: $5/response. Include cash or check (made out to “Seven Days”) in the outer envelope. To send unlimited replies for only $15/month, call us at 802-865-1020, ext. 161 for a membership (credit accepted).

PUBLISH YOUR MESSAGE ON THIS PAGE!

1 Submit your FREE message at sevendaysvt.com/loveletters or use the handy form at right.

We’ll publish as many messages as we can in the Love Letters section above. 2

Interested readers will send you letters in the mail. No internet required!

SWM calling all guys. Seeking gay, bi, trans — I want all. Any age and race. Black men are my favorite. I’m clean, don’t smoke, drink or do drugs. I love sex. Kinky OK. I’m a nudist. Love a partner. Phone number. #L1769

SWM (61 y/o), seeking LT companionship, adventures, intimacy with SF (50-65 y/o). Would like to meet kind, respectful, creative woman. Outdoorsy interests, both serious and silly, with life experiences to carry insightful conversations. I’m attracted to intellect, kindheartedness, curiosity, compassion and wisdom. #L1767

47-y/o female looking for friendships only. Not willing to travel — I have no car. Interest in womenfolk who don’t drink or drug, vape only. Crafting and creativity a must. No liars or thieves. In search of honest and dependable friends. #L1766

I’m a 76-y/o M, seeking a F. Burlington resident, Luddite, gardener, ﬁsherman. Into Bach, Mozart, Blake, raspberries. Catholic. You: Old, pretty, smart, conversational for dinners, possible friendship. 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

Int net-Free Dating!

Reply to these messages with real, honest-to-goodness le ers. DETAILS BELOW.

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 nonreligious 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 woodworker, gardener, artist. Emotionally open and sensitive. Differ from cultural norms. Only with the right mate could I thrive on giving and receiving pleasures from a place of love. Friendships also welcome. #L1765

Excuse me! Coming through! On your left! Please make way for this ﬁt, gentle, articulate, gracious soul seeking a SWF (55-68) with similar attributes. I revel in words, dogs, gardens, hikes, moonlight and creativity. #L1760

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

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)

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

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

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

I’m a 33-y/o woman seeking a 33- to 42-y/o man for longterm 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

Required conﬁdential info:

NAME

ADDRESS

ADDRESS (MORE)

CITY/STATE

ZIP

PHONE

MAIL TO: SEVEN DAYS LOVE LETTERS • PO BOX 1164, BURLINGTON, VT 05402

OPTIONAL WEB FORM: SEVENDAYSVT.COM/LOVELETTERS HELP: 802-865-1020, EXT. 161, LOVELETTERS@SEVENDAYSVT.COM

THIS FORM IS FOR LOVE LETTERS ONLY. Messages for the Personals and I-Spy sections must be submitted online at dating.sevendaysvt.com.

South End Block Party 2024!

WED., JUL 3

HULA, BURLINGTON

Hip Hop Night

FRI., JUL 5

THE UNDERGROUND, RANDOLPH

Mind Magic: Independence Day

FRI., JUL 5

OFF CENTER FOR THE DRAMATIC ARTS, BURLINGTON

Annual Butterﬂy and Bug Walk

SAT., JUL 6

BIRDS OF VERMONT MUSEUM, HUNTINGTON

Comedy on Fire! A Stand Up Comedy Showcase

SAT., JUL 6

JERICHO CENTER

Fellowship of the Wheel Enduro at Bolton Valley

TUE., JUL 9

BOLTON VALLEY RESORT

Constellation Stories & Science

WED., JUL 10 & 17

THE PLANETARIUM LADY, WILLISTON

Living with Loss: A Gathering for the Grieving

WED., JUL 10 ONLINE

Barn Yarns! Storytelling by Storysmiths

THU., JUL 11

ISHAM FAMILY FARM, WILLISTON

Jesse Miles Paint & Sip x Burly Axe

THU., JUL 11

BURLY AXE THROWING, BURLINGTON

Town Forest

THU., JUL 11

July 11th Women’s Ride at Hinesburg

HAYDEN HILL EAST TRAILHEAD - HINESBURG TOWN FOREST

Roadhouse 60’s Jukebox Rock n Roll

FRI., JUL 12

WAR CANNON SPIRITS, CROWN POINT, NY

Live in the Gardens Music Series with Locals & Company & Green Mountain Grille Billie’s Food Truck

FRI., JUL 12

SNAPS AND SUNFLOWERS, CAMBRIDGE, VT

SAT., JUL 13

RICHMOND COMMUNITY KITCHEN

Do Good Fest VT 2024

SAT., JUL 13

NATIONAL LIFE, MONTPELIER

e Butterﬂy Comedy Show

SAT., JUL 13

OFF CENTER FOR THE DRAMATIC ARTS, BURLINGTON

Sabor Boricua in Every Bite: Beginner’s Class on Puerto Rican Empanadillas

Sex With Jenna: A Sex Ed Comedy Show

SAT., JUL 13

OFF CENTER FOR THE DRAMATIC ARTS, BURLINGTON

Blockprinting Botanicals

SUN., JUL 14

HORSFORD GARDENS & NURSERY, CHARLOTTE

Mandarin Conversation Circle

TUE., JUL 16

SOUTH BURLINGTON LIBRARY

e Rumble at Retro Live

WED., JUL 17

RETRO LIVE, PLATTSBURGH, NY

JULY 22 | 7:30 PM

SEPT 14 | 7:00 PM THURSDAY, NOV 21 | 7:00 PM

OCT 26 | 8:00 PM

SEPT 12 | 7:30 PM FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1 | 7:30 PM