Seven Days, October 14, 2020 by Seven Days

VE R MO NT ’S INDE PEN DENT VO IC E OCTOBER 14-21, 2020 VOL.26 NO.3 SEVENDAYSVT.COM

peril! GRIEF! GRI E F! D E S T R U C T I O N ! DISTRESS! D I S TR ESS! DESTRUCTION! Coping with sky-high anxiety in 2020 PAGE 32

FOLD BACK SO “A” MEETS “B”

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

Untitled-33 1

10/13/20 1:22 PM

Digital device overload? Experiencing headaches, neck/shoulder pain, eye strain? Give us a call, we may be able to help.

GIN LANE SHOP & COCKTAILS TO-GO O PEN DAILY 2-8PM

America’s Most Awarded Gin

SHOP COCKTAILS, SPIRITS, RAW HONEY & BARWARE OUTDOORS AT THE BARR HILL DISTILLERY

Neurolenses address eye misalignment to relieve symptoms by bringing eyes into proper alignment. They have been proven to reduce symptoms such as migraines, headaches, neck pain, eye strain, fatigue and dry eye sensation.

116 GIN LANE MONTPELIER, VT

CALL FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY.

Dora Sudarsky, O.D.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND SAMPLE MENU VISIT

370 SHELBURNE ROAD BURLINGTON • 497-1676 CHROMAOPTICS.COM

4T-chroma011520.indd 1

1/10/20 2:50 PM

BARRHILL.COM Untitled-26 1

10/5/20 2:00 PM

L OA N

WE MADE IT! Come in

Save money up front with a No Closing Cost Mortgage 1

Whatever your goals are, we can help you reach them sooner. Don’t forget to explore all of our home, personal and business loan options—Home Equity Loans, Home Equity Lines of Credit, Personal Loans and Business Loans.

and help us celebrate our BIRTHDAY!

20% OFF STOREWIDE Sat, October 17th

E V E N T

To get started, visit cbna.com/loans.

SPECIAL SALE

30% OFF 8-11AM ONLY

81 Church Street | Burlington 860.2220 | eccoclothesboutique.com M

Ask about our affordable housing programs. All loans and lines are subject to credit approval. 1Valid on owner occupied, 1–4-family residential properties. Property and hazard insurance are required and are the responsibility of the borrower. For mortgages with less than 20% down payment, Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) is required and customer is responsible for PMI premiums. Other applicable fees/charges, including deed stamps or deed transfer taxes, are not mortgage closing costs and will not be paid by the Bank. If a customer elects to obtain owner title insurance, the customer is responsible for the owner title insurance premium. Single-wide mobile homes are not eligible for the no closing cost mortgage. Doublewide mobile homes are eligible for the no closing cost mortgage only if permanently attached to a foundation. Should the no closing cost mortgage be closed or discharged within the first three years, the Bank may collect the third-party closing costs from the customer that were waived when the loan was opened. If a customer selects an attorney to represent him/her, customer is responsible for attorney fees. Community Bank will not pay for a survey, nor any other item that is ordinarily paid for by the seller. ADDITIONAL “NO CLOSING COSTS” PRODUCT DISCLOSURE: “No closing costs” means no: origination fee/points; application fee; flood check fee; credit report fee; appraisal fee; mortgage recording fee; abstract update or title search fee; lender title insurance fees; bank attorney fee; mortgage recording tax. Equal Housing Lender | Member FDIC SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

CBNA12044_475x556_LE_Ad, 4.75”w x 5.56”h, 4C FOR UNCOATED STOCK

x4t-Nenpa(community bank)091620 1

9/14/20 9:31 AM

Co-op Member Drive

Strength in Community Join · Renew · Engage

October is Co-op Month! Access these great incentives plus many other year-round Automatic entry benefits of into weekly raffles in October Membership!

Plus! Get a FREE Gift

from our Co-op partners when you join this month!

Free reusable bamboo utensil set

Local & Made in VT Discount Day on Oct 14

Co-ops Helping Co-ops When you open an account with VT Federal Credit Union in October, you’ll get a $15 gift card toward becoming a City Market member, too!

New Members Already a Member? Join for just $15 per year

Renew this month for great incentives!

www.citymarket.coop/join

Downtown 82 S. Winooski Ave · Open 7am - 10pm every day South End 207 Flynn Ave · Open 7am - 9pm every day Burlington, VT 4

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

1t-CityMarket101420 1

10/9/20 7:44 AM

emoji that

WEEK IN REVIEW OCTOBER 7-14, 2020 COMPILED BY SASHA GOLDSTEIN, MATTHEW ROY & ANDREA SUOZZO AP PHOTO

Members of the Abenaki community dedicated a totem pole in Swanton’s village green on Indigenous Peoples’ Day. A long time coming.

Leahy: Barrett Hearing a

‘SHAM’

In his opening remarks on Monday at Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation hearings, Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) painted the U.S. Supreme Court nominee as an existential threat to the Affordable Care Act and criticized his Republican colleagues for rushing her confirmation during a pandemic and a presidential election. Leahy said the GOP-led effort to replace the late justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has been “nothing but a sham.” “It’s the responsibility of this committee to consider her replacement on the Supreme Court, but this isn’t the way we should do it,” Leahy said, noting that he has witnessed 20 other Supreme Court nominations during his 46 years on the Judiciary Committee. “Justice Ginsburg, I am certain, would have dissented,” he later said. “And I will, too, on behalf of Vermonters, on behalf of the integrity of the Senate and on behalf of the majority of Americans who oppose this process.” On Tuesday morning, Vermont’s senior senator had 30 minutes to question the judge directly. Leahy, who appeared remotely because of concerns about the coronavirus, used his first of two rounds of questions to probe Barrett’s stance on health care policy and potential presidential election disputes. Leahy opened with a largely rhetorical exercise aimed at underscoring how many Americans benefit from the Affordable Care Act. He quizzed the nominee on statistics

?? ? ?? ? ??

802nice

PASSING GRADE

Judge Amy Coney Barrett

such as how many people under 26 have been able to stay on their parents’ insurance because of the law, and how many Americans are covered under its Medicaid expansion — questions that Barrett could not answer. “I’m not suggesting that you’re callous or indifferent to the consequences if the Affordable Care Act is overturned. You know these are real cases, and I think you’re a sympathetic person,” Leahy said after describing a diabetic Vermont woman’s fear that she would not be able to afford insulin without her current health insurance. “But I do believe that the president selected you because he wanted somebody with your philosophy, and he had a reason for it.” Barrett would not say how she would rule on challenges to the Affordable Care Act. She maintained a stance held by many of her predecessors — including Ginsburg — in refusing to say how she would rule in potential cases. She also largely steered clear of discussions about any precedents that she may reconsider. “It would be wrong of me to do that as a sitting judge,” she said. “Whether I say I love it or I hate it, it signals to litigants that I might tilt one way or another in a pending case.” Nor would she commit to recusing herself from cases related to this year’s presidential election. The committee is expected to vote October 22 on her nomination. Read Colin Flanders’ full reports at sevendaysvt.com.

Dr. Deborah Birx, the White House coronavirus task force coordinator, visited UVM to congratulate the school on keeping the coronavirus in check. Thumbs (and masks) up.

APPLE A DAY

Champlain Orchards reopened over the weekend after a COVID-19 outbreak among staff forced it to temporarily close. Time to get picking.

NUTTY NOTE

Police are investigating an anonymous letter that calls for the arrest of Vermont House Speaker Mitzi Johnson (D-South Hero) for “unAmerican activities.” Shades of that Michigan militia…

That’s how many Vermont Air National Guard members recently tested positive for COVID-19, which temporarily halted F-35 flights last week, VTDigger.org reported.

TOPFIVE

Online Now

COVER IMAGE LUKE EASTMAN • COVER DESIGN DIANE SULLIVAN

ARTS NEWS 28

How David Zuckerman would pay for his Green Mountain New Deal

Life Lines Food + Drink Music + Nightlife Movies Classes Classifieds + Puzzles 80 Fun Stuff 84 Personals

Fold cover for instant relaxation

NEWS & POLITICS 11 Debt and Taxes

Retail Therapy Side Dishes Album Reviews Movie Review Ask the Reverend

SECTIONS 26 48 54 58 60 63

in 2020

PAGE 32

FOLD BACK SO “A” MEETS “B”

42 49 56 58 85

BY DAN BOLLES, PAGE 32

! per il! GR IEF ! per il! GR IEF CTI ON ! DIS TRE SS! TRE SS! DISTRU DES TRU CTI ON ! DES A

COLUMNS + REVIEWS

Coping with sky-high anxiety in 2020

in 2020

PAGE 32

FOLD BACK SO “A” MEETS “B”

DE-STRESS SIGNALS

PAGE 48

Freeman French Freeman architects imagine better spaces for Burlington and beyond

Comic Relief

The Center for Cartoon Studies collaborates on mental health guide for youth

Vermonting: Exploring both sides of the Appalachian Gap

You might have seen Amir Malik, aka Sonic, SUPPORTED BY: on the TV show “American Ninja Warrior.” The 20-year-old Essex Junction resident made his debut on the show on October 5; he’ll appear in the upcoming semifinals. Eva spoke with him at the local gym where he trains and teaches.

Strangers on a D Train

Theater review: Dutch Masters, Northern Stage

Animated Music

Music: The Queen’s Cartoonists take their soundtracks seriously

Jewelry & Gifts

We have

Find a new job in the classifieds section on page 69 and online at sevendaysvt.com/jobs.

Online & Walk-up Orders • Outdoor Seating Gluten Free, Vegetarian & Vegan Friendly

shelburnebay plaza 2989 shelburne rd • 985.9909 alittlesomethingvt.com

373 Blair Park Rd, Williston Open daily 11am-8pm • thescalevt.com

next to the Shelburne Meat Market

Essex Junction location coming soon! 8H-alittlesomething061720.indd 1

6/15/20 12:42 PM

8h-scalepoke101420.indd 1

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

10/8/20 3:20 PM

Your store purchases and donations support Job Training, Poverty Relief & Environmental Stewardship 4t-unionbank101420 1

10/9/20 8:15 AM

Untitled-5 1

6/24/20 4:36 PM

Weatherization Wednesdays! We’ll answer your questions via Zoom and Facebook Live every Wednesday at noon, when we present a new topic in weatherization. Get a chance to win smart thermostats and other prizes. Register today!

ButtonUpVermont.org/signup

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

2H-TamarackMedia092320 1

A lot of things are uncertain right now. Weatherization isn’t one of them. Weatherizing your home pays off in comfort and savings for years to come. DIY or contractor…you’ll save money and stay cozy. Get started with DIY projects, rebates, and loans for full home weatherization at ButtonUpVermont.org

9/18/20 8:50 AM

FROM THE PUBLISHER

For as long as I can remember, exercise has been my go-to cure-all, meditation and antidepressant. Every day, I either swim a mile — 72 lengths in a lap pool — or spend at least an hour walking outside or in the gym on various machines. Every workout feels like a miracle, as I’m transformed from an aching, anxious mess to a postmenopausal superhero. Especially in the pool, which is basically a chlorinated sensory deprivation tank, the routine offers an uninterrupted break from all the rest of my business. That came to an abrupt end in March, with the arrival of the coronavirus pandemic. There was no swimming — anywhere — for the next two and a half months. Like many Vermonters, I lost my most reliable coping mechanism and, with it, any illusion of control. The timing was terrible. Ad sales at Seven Days dropped 50 percent overnight. And I found out my mom was dying. I spent half of April and all of May working from her apartment at Burlington’s Converse Home. I missed swimming every time I felt my lower back seize up in her gold Archie Bunker chair, from which I was applying for government aid, writing fundraising appeals, and reducing and rehiring staff. There was just enough floor space at her place to get down and stretch once in a while. I’d squeeze in a walk when she was napping or after I got home at night, on the bike path, in the dark. By the time my mom died, I was a mental and physical wreck. I wasn’t the only one. More than 210,000 Americans have died of COVID-19; 58 of them were in Vermont. Many others, like my mom, died of other causes. Their families have been unable to gather and mourn. We’re all facing incredible stressors — the pandemic, the climate crisis, reckonings with racial justice, and an unpredictable and unprecedented U.S. presidential race. Our way of life in Vermont has changed, too, at work, in schools and, soon enough, on the ski slopes. We’ve all had to adapt and adjust to get through the past seven months. Found a good work-around? Next thing you know, that’s disrupted, too. The challenge of living with so much uncertainty is what inspired this week’s cover story package. It offers a few ways to soldier on, from decluttering your home to punch needle rug hooking. We hope you discover something useful in it. As for me, I’m finding ways to get through this horrific year. Writing about it, for one thing; that’s been cathartic. An outdoor pool that I used most of the summer wasn’t a long-term solution — it’s closed now — but floating in sun-dappled water was great while it lasted. In August I hurt my shin, and the doctor made me swear off swimming and walking for the entire month of September. Post X-ray, he called it “the next worst thing to a stress fracture,” and we agreed that was a well-worded metaphor for our times. Doing meaningful, rewarding work sustains all of us at Seven Days. Hearing from readers who’ve taken our Staytripper recommendations. Knowing that some advertisers are supporting us because they understand the importance of local journalism. Seeing our collaboration with Vermont Public Radio recognized with a national Edward R. Murrow Award, one of the highest honors in broadcasting. Receiving timely federal and state aid. All of those things have helped to offset the significant personal and professional losses. Special thanks to our Super Readers for sending checks and notes encouraging us to “keep up the good work.” That’s the plan. I’m back in the water, swimming in whichever Chittenden County pool I can book a lap lane. Here’s hoping I’ll be able to keep that up, too — and we’ll all be able to find outlets for our stress — this winter.

Paula Routly

Stress Case

Want to help Seven Days through the pandemic? Become a Super Reader. Look for the “Give Now” buttons 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 Corey Grenier: VOICEMAIL: 802-865-1020, EXT. 36 EMAIL: SUPERREADERS@SEVENDAYSVT.COM

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

MORE INSIDE

news

CITY HALL PARK: IT’S BACK! PAGE 14

EDUCATION

SCOTT LETS POT BILL BECOME LAW PAGE 16

COMMUNIST TAKES ON WELCH

Three Chittenden County Schools Among Five in Vermont With Recent COVID Cases

PAGE 18

How Your State Tax Bill Would Change Under the Green Mountain New Deal Plan Based on 2018 Vermont Incomes

Adjusted Gross Income Average Income

Households

Under $50,000 $21,330

185,050

$50,000 to $99,999 $71,333

78,082

$100,000 to $199,999 $134,012

43,875

$200,000 to $299,999 $239,053

7,429

$300,000 to $499,999 $375,230

3,712

$500,000 to $999,999 $666,673

1,465

$1,000,000 and up $3,017,874

600

Average Tax Bill

Current and Proposed $206 $206 $206 $206 $2K $206 $2K $206 $2K $206 $2K $5K $2K $5K $2K $5K $5K $2K $12K $5K $12K $5K $12K $5K $12K $22K $12K $22K $12K $22K $22K $12K $43K $22K $43K $22K $43K $22K $43K $186K $43K $186K $43K $186K $186K $43K $186K $186K $186K

$206 $206 $206 $206 $2K $206 $2K $206 $2K $206 $2K $5K $2K $5K $2K $5K $5K $2K $14K $5K $14K $5K $14K $5K $14K $25K $14K $25K $14K $25K $25K $14K $48K $25K $48K $25K $48K $25K $48K $218K $48K $218K $48K $218K $218K $48K $218K $218K $218K

B Y A LIS ON N OVA K

Change $0 $0 $0 $1,766 $2,937 $5,344 $32,473

SOURCES: VERMONT DEPARTMENT OF TAXES AND THE ZUCKERMAN FOR VT CAMPAIGN

Debt and Taxes

How David Zuckerman would pay for his Green Mountain New Deal B Y PAUL HEI N TZ

hroughout his gubernatorial campaign, Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman has consistently called on the wealthiest Vermonters to bankroll new investments in infrastructure and the environment. Zuckerman’s Green Mountain New Deal, as he’s described it on the campaign trail, would raise $100 million a year by temporarily hiking taxes on the top 5 percent of income earners — recapturing a portion of the federal tax breaks they have enjoyed under the Trump administration. The Progressive/Democrat would devote roughly $20 million apiece to renewable energy, weatherization, regenerative agriculture, affordable housing and broadband.

“The idea is to really invest resources in rebuilding the rural economy,” he said in an interview. Though Zuckerman calls the proposal the central policy plank of his campaign, he has not previously described how exactly it would be funded. And until last week, when Seven Days inquired about it, his campaign hadn’t even figured out the details. As it turns out, they’re different than advertised. According to a summary and spreadsheet provided by the campaign, Zuckerman would raise only half of the $100 million through higher taxes on the rich. He would come up with the rest by borrowing $50 million a year over the four years the program would be in place. That

2020

ELECTION

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

would leave the state paying $13 million a year in debt service for the following two decades, according to the campaign. The notion of borrowing half the program’s cost came from state Auditor Doug Hoffer, a Zuckerman ally who volunteered last week to flesh out the funding plan. “It’s perfectly reasonable to look at debt,” Hoffer said, arguing that the resulting investments would have immediate, tangible benefits and spur economic growth. “The economy will respond.” Borrowing also carries political benefits, Hoffer noted. “It reduces the need for more taxes in the short term — and if I were running and trying to propose this sort of thing, I’d want to limit the hit,” he said. DEBT AND TAXES

» P.14

Public schools in Chittenden County remained coronavirus-free since reopening on September 8 — until this week. Three public schools in Vermont’s most populous county recently reported positive COVID-19 cases, though none has closed as a result. The Vermont Department of Health is also currently investigating schoolbased COVID-19 cases in Windsor and Manchester, as well as 12 cases connected to youth and adult hockey teams that play at Central Vermont Memorial Civic Center in Montpelier, Health Commissioner Mark Levine said at a press briefing on Tuesday. Before last weekend, the state had recorded just six total coronavirus cases at five different schools. Four of those cases were classified as “recovered” and two were listed as “current,” according to data the Department of Health last updated on October 9. The number of Vermont’s schoolrelated COVID-19 cases are well below those of other northern New England states, Financial Regulation Commissioner Michael Pieciak said on Tuesday. In New Hampshire, there have been more than 100 cases of the coronavirus in 68 schools since the academic year started. And in Maine, he said, there have been 71 cases associated with schools. Vermont’s largest school district is among those with a new case. On Sunday, Champlain Valley School District superintendent Elaine Pinckney notified families of a case at Williston Central School, which serves students in grades 3 through 8. The last potential exposure at the school occurred on October 2, Pinckney said in an email. In South Burlington, the district learned on Saturday that a high school student tested positive, superintendent David Young wrote in an email to parents and staff. Young said the student was working with the Department of Health to determine when it was safe to return to school. The third Chittenden County case was reported on Monday at Essex Elementary School and led Essex Westford School District officials to keep kids in four kindergarten classes home on Tuesday. One of those classes was expected to return to school on Wednesday. All three districts started the school year using a hybrid model, in which students were split into two groups and attended school two days a week. They are all now in the early stages of a phased reopening, in which younger students attend more days of school in person.

Split Ticket Winooski residents consider allowing noncitizens to vote

LUKE AWTRY

BY C OURT NEY L AMDIN

SUPER SPOOKY

SAVINGS! UP TO 50% OFF Oct 14-25

Sweet Deals at all Locations

or order at LCCRetail.com to pick up in-store! Prashant Singh

4t-Lakechamphoc101420 1

wo years after a similar effort stalled, Winooski voters will decide in November whether to allow the city’s substantial number of noncitizen immigrants to vote in municipal elections. Although other Vermont communities have discussed such measures, the question is particularly significant for Winooski, a city of 7,300 that boasts Vermont’s most diverse population and the state’s only majority-minority school district. Nearly 10 percent of its voting-age residents are not citizens, according to the U.S. Census Bureau — a rate more than double that of the Burlington metro area. The proposal would allow noncitizen voting only in city and school elections; state and federal ballots would remain off-limits. A “yes” vote would enshrine the new voting rights in the Onion City’s charter, though the change would still require approval by the legislature and governor. That blessing from the state capital might not be so easy to obtain. In November 2018, Montpelier voters approved a noncitizen voting charter change. The Vermont House backed it, but the measure died in the Senate; it could be reintroduced next year. Similar charter changes have gone

nowhere in two other communities. Burlington voters shot it down in 2015; an effort to revive the question failed earlier this year. Vergennes voters in March 2020 narrowly rejected an advisory question, 454-436, that asked whether city councilors should discuss the issue. When Winooski first proposed noncitizen voting in September 2018, a majority of its five city councilors agreed to delay putting the question on the ballot. They said they wanted feedback from the more than 600 noncitizens who call Winooski home. In the years since, officials say, they’ve gathered the necessary feedback and are ready to hear from voters — some of whom have already cast their ballots by now, using Vermont’s new universal mail-in voting system. “A lot of people certainly are on one side or the other,” Mayor Kristine Lott said. “They’ve had a chance to get information on it, to get used to the concept. And now it’s time to make a decision.” Many of those on either side of the issue were in attendance in July 2019, when the city council met to create its seven-member charter commission. Councilor Hal Colston, who is also a

10/12/20 9:51 AM

Vermonters, supporting Vermonters, in things Vermonters do! Shop local, shop small, and support one of the best products manufactured in our brave little state!

2020

ELECTION

SPLIT TICKET

» P.16

B U R L I N G TO N

•

DanformShoesVT.com 4t-danform101420 1

COLCHESTER

•

SHELBURNE

•

ST ALBANS

*See store for details. Selection varies by store, other excusions may apply.

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

10/12/20 4:02 PM

news Debt and Taxes « P.12 DEVELOPMENT

Burlington’s City Hall Park to Reopen This Week BY C O U R TN E Y L A M D I N

Burlington’s City Hall Park will reopen this week after more than a year of renovations. The downtown green space will host a two-day reopening ceremony on Friday and Saturday, October 16 and 17, with live music, tours, film screenings and more. The showcase event celebrates the end of a park planning process that began back in 2011. “It’s been a remarkable city project from the beginning,” said Cindi Wight, the city’s Parks, Recreation & Waterfront director. “The park looks fantastic.” The new park features wider pathways, a water fountain with customizable colored lights — think orange for Halloween and red, white and blue for July 4 — and a new public bathroom. The stand-alone unit, called a Portland Loo, will be open every day the temperature stays above 20 degrees below zero, meeting a longtime demand for accessible bathrooms downtown. It’s unclear whether the Burlington Farmers Market will return to the revamped park. The construction displaced the popular downtown summer staple, which moved last year to a parking lot on Pine Street in the South End. The market had called the park home for nearly four decades. Before construction began, the city and market signed a memorandum of understanding that would allow the market to pay a reduced fee for three years after the park reopened. The first year would be free, and the fee would increase by $5,000 annually up to the original cost of $15,000 in year four. By contrast, the Pine Street location cost the market just $65 this season, market director Mieko Ozeki said. Dealer.com, which owns the lot, has offered to extend that deal another year, but the vendors have not yet decided whether to stay or go, Ozeki said. One factor: the parking lot offers far more space for socially distanced shopping during the pandemic. The market created a controlled shopping environment this summer — with one entrance, one exit and one-way pedestrian traffic — that would be hard to duplicate in a public park, according to Ozeki. “Until we see how the pandemic pans out, we really can’t say yes” to the city, she said. Contact: courtney@sevendaysvt.com

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

Not everyone agrees that the approach is prudent, given the state’s existing debt obligations — including its underfunded pensions. Among the skeptics is Glen Wright, who serves as campaign treasurer for Zuckerman’s opponent, Republican Gov. Phil Scott. “I don’t think we could even consider handling any more debt,” said Wright, a retired managing partner of the accounting firm KPMG’s Vermont office. “I think that’s dead on arrival.” Even state Treasurer Beth Pearce, a Democrat who has endorsed Zuckerman’s campaign, appears cool to the idea. As chair of the state’s Capital Debt Affordability Advisory Committee, she has recommended reducing the state’s debt load, and she opposed a plan earlier this year to borrow $50 million to build more affordable housing. “I think it’s fair to say I would want to look at other alternatives to borrowing,” Pearce said of Zuckerman’s Green Mountain New Deal. “Debt has an interest rate associated with it, so if you can do it through other means, you have more bang for your buck.” Zuckerman himself seems to have reservations about his own campaign’s plan. In an interview last week, he distanced himself from the borrowing proposal, saying, “I think that’s an area that we actually have more work to do.” “My goal is to borrow less rather than more because we continue to indebt future generations,” he said. “But at least, in this instance, it is around infrastructure that will also be useful for decades, so that would be a reasonable indebtedness.” Zuckerman also appeared to walk back the scale of his plan. Though he has repeatedly described it as a $100 million proposal, he suggested in the interview that it could end up totaling much less. “It’s a robust amount,” he said. “It’s clearly more than $50 million. I think it’s probably in the 70 to 80 range.” The lieutenant governor said he had been forced to adjust his assumptions after Scott pointed out at a recent debate that the top 5 percent of filers include those reporting as little as $159,000 in taxable income. “So we’re talking about middle-class families that are going to be taxed more for some of those initiatives,” Scott said at the debate, which was hosted by VTDigger.org. Zuckerman has since clarified that he would hold harmless households earning less than $250,000 a year. “My priority has always been to make sure we don’t raise taxes on working-class Vermonters, and I won’t do that going forward,”

Who Would Pay for Zuckerman’s $100 Million Green Mountain New Deal? $48,668,539

$50M $40M $30M $20M

$19,483,977 $13,119,420

$10,899,101

$10M

$7,828,963

0 Households earning $200K-$300K Graphic: Andrea Suozzo

Households earning $300K-$500K

Households earning $500K-$1M

Households earning more than $1M

Government bonds

Source: Zuckerman for VT campaign GRAPHIC: ANDREA SUOZZO / SOURCE: ZUCKERMAN FOR VT CAMPAIGN

he said at a debate last week hosted by WCAX-TV. The written plan Zuckerman’s campaign provided Seven Days, however, would raise taxes on households reporting more than $200,000 in income. Those making between $200,000 and $300,000 in 2018 paid an average of $11,773 in state taxes, according to the Department of Taxes. Under Zuckerman’s plan, they would have paid $1,766 more, according to the campaign. Those earning more than $1 million paid an average of $185,562 in state taxes that year. They would have paid $32,473 more under the lieutenant governor’s plan. In his view, that’s hardly a burden for those who benefited from the federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, better known as the Trump tax plan. Zuckerman points to a 2017 analysis by the nonpartisan Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, which projected that Vermonters would save $556 million in federal taxes the next year under the Trump plan. Of that, more than $237 million — or 42 percent — of the savings would go to the top 5 percent of filers. The richest 1 percent, the institute found, could count on a tax break averaging $33,400. (According to Tax Commissioner Craig Bolio, his department has not analyzed how much Vermonters actually received in federal tax breaks.) “We’re not putting anyone through any hardship,” said state Sen. Anthony Pollina (P/D-Washington), a Zuckerman ally and chair of the Vermont Progressive Party. Pollina introduced his own Vermont Green New Deal this year in the state Senate, though his version would only have raised an estimated $30 million a year. (Both plans are named after the federal Green New Deal proposal

popularized by U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a Democrat from New York.) “I think it’s more ambitious,” Pollina said of Zuckerman’s plan. “And I think it’s appropriate to be more ambitious, given the situation we’re in.” But Oliver Olsen of Londonderry, a former member of the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee, is skeptical that it would raise as much money as its proponents imagine. That’s because many of those who report high incomes in Vermont do so only once — upon selling a business or inherited stock. They could simply put off such a move until the expiration of the Zuckerman tax hikes, which would lapse after four years, in 2026. According to a 2017 report by the legislature’s Joint Fiscal Office, 46 percent of those who reported more than $300,000 in income at any point during the previous decade did so just once. Only 6 percent made that much each year of the decade in question. “If you know that there is some sort of an income tax surcharge that is temporary in nature and it’s financially advantageous to do so, you’re simply going to avoid that event and avoid incurring that additional tax burden,” Olsen said. He pointed to Zuckerman’s own 2019 tax return, which showed that he and his spouse, Rachel Nevitt, reported more than $171,000 in capital gains that year — far more than usual. Zuckerman has explained that, following the death of his mother, he chose to sell off or give away the fossil fuel, airline and pharmaceutical stock he inherited. The candidate said he would have made the same decision no matter the tax consequences, and he’s skeptical that others would delay selling a business for several years in order to avoid

INTRODUCING BURLINGTON’S FIRST

THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR

whether it’s sugar tax or a clothing tax or income tax rate increase or — whatever it is, he’s in favor of that.” Zuckerman has, indeed, given Scott plenty of ammunition. In addition to his Green Mountain New Deal, the Progressive/Democrat has proposed several other new taxes this campaign, though he’s described few of them in detail. He’s pitched a 10 cent-per-hour-worked tax on employers to fund childcare; a higher property transfer tax on homes worth more than $700,000 to fund affordable housing; and a payroll tax to fund paid family leave. Zuckerman has also advocated for a universal primary care

MOBILE TIRE SHOP LARGE SELECTION OF TIRES! INTERIOR DETAILING AVAILABLE

Get Your Winter Tires Mounted & Balanced At Home! We bring the tire shop to you.

timelytire.com

FILE: JEB WALLACE-BRODEUR

a surcharge. “That’s a pretty big risk to take,” he said. In Wright’s view, Zuckerman’s plan would prompt high-income Vermonters, including some of the certified public accountant’s own clients, to leave the state in order to shield their earnings. “They really don’t want to. They really feel they should be contributing and paying their fair share. However, enough’s enough,” said Wright, who moved to Florida in 2005 — in part, he said, for tax reasons. Hoffer doesn’t think many Vermonters would follow Wright’s lead. The same 2017 report from the Joint Fiscal Office found that roughly the same number of high-income filers moved to the state as left it during the previous decade. “The notion which we often hear that something like this would lead to a giant

6h-timelytire100720 1

10/6/20 11:12 AM

Vermont’s largest selection of Indoor House Plants

HAS PROPOSED A LOT OF TAXES OVER HIS YEARS IN GOVERNMENT. G O V. PHIL SCOT T

and rapid exodus — there’s no evidence of that,” Hoffer said. While Zuckerman’s proposal outlines roughly how much more in taxes each income group above $200,000 would pay, it doesn’t explain how they would be taxed. That’s a problem, according to Jason Maulucci, Scott’s campaign manager. “Considering how much air time the candidate put behind the proposal, we were surprised it wasn’t more thought out,” he said. If Zuckerman were to retain the state’s existing tax structure, Maulucci argued, he would have to raise the top marginal rate covering income in the highest tax bracket from 8.75 percent to more than 13 percent, making it one of the steepest in the nation. But according to Hoffer, focusing on marginal rates is merely a means of “scaring” voters, since that higher rate would only touch income over $200,000 for a single filer. The effective tax rate for someone earning $3 million a year, he notes, would increase from 6.15 percent to 7.22 percent under Zuckerman’s plan. Scott is certainly intent on scaring voters about Zuckerman’s revenue record. “The lieutenant governor has proposed a lot of taxes over his years in government,” Scott said at the WCAX debate. “I don’t knows as there’s anything that has been left untouched,

Gov. Phil Scott

system, though he has not said what it would cost nor how he would pay for it. “We are looking at the various options,” he said, referring to the revenue source for universal primary care. “I’m not going to get pinned down on one or another. It’s just that simple.” Zuckerman appeared cognizant that he might be portrayed as “David the tax man” — as he put it — but he argued that he’s simply asking those of means to contribute their fair share to lift up all Vermonters. “The governor claims to balance the budget and care for our most vulnerable, and yet we have kids falling through the cracks; we have an IT system that’s failed when unemployment went through the roof; we have a state college system that … was not going to be adequately funded,” Zuckerman said. “The governor has balanced the budget on the backs of working people, and I’m presenting an alternative to that.” Contact: paul@sevendaysvt.com

TAKE $10 OFF

your next purchase of $50.00 or more with this coupon Coupon valid through 10/31/20

187 Main Street, Colchester, VT • OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK • www.claussens.com • 802-878-2361 M P Coupon cannot be used towards the purchase of a Claussen Gift Card. Limit one coupon per customer. Minimum purchase of $50 before sales tax. Coupon cannot be combined with any other offer, coupon, sale, seasonal promotion or quantity discount. Not valid on prior purchases. No rain checks. Some restrictions may apply; see sales associates for details. While supplies last.

3v-claussens100720.indd 1

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

10/9/20 4:14 PM

news CANNABEAT

Retail Pot to Become Legal in Vermont BY C O L I N F L A N D E R S

Gov. Phil Scott announced last week that he will allow the legislature’s tax-andregulate cannabis bill to become law without his signature, paving the way for legal marijuana sales in Vermont to begin by the spring of 2022. Scott had long been reluctant to support the creation of a legalized cannabis market. His decision ends a yearslong pursuit for many lawmakers and pot advocates. The state legislature legalized the possession and cultivation of small amounts of weed for people 21 and older two years ago, but lawmakers chose not to allow legal sales at the time. Scott wrote in a letter to lawmakers that he believes they made “substantial progress” addressing his concerns. But, he noted, “there is still more work to be done” on issues of road safety, misuse prevention and racial equity, and he urged lawmakers to revisit the law next session. “I believe we are at a pivotal moment in our nation’s history which requires us to address systemic racism in our governmental institutions,” Scott wrote. “We must take additional steps to ensure equity is a foundational principle in a new market.” The new law establishes a Cannabis Control Board that will be responsible for regulating and licensing entities in the supply chain. Existing medical marijuana dispensaries can begin applying for what are known as “integrated licenses” on April 1, 2022, and can start selling to consumers the following month. Other retailers can begin applying for licenses on September 1, 2022, and can begin selling at the start of that October. Lawmakers spent the last two years fine-tuning the proposal and finished work on the bill during September’s special budget session. They took particular care to address Scott’s stated concerns, settling on a provision that will require towns to “opt in” before marijuana retailers can be located there — as opposed to an opt-out model favored by some that would have required towns to proactively block such businesses. The legislature also dedicated some future tax revenue to youth and drug-prevention programs. Cannabis production and products will be taxed at 20 percent. And while the bill fell short of Scott’s desire for roadside, warrantless saliva tests — it instead requires that police officers get a court order — he applauded the bill’s call for additional roadside detection training. He said he was also glad that testimony from drug recognition officers would be admissible in court.

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

Split Ticket « P.13 Democratic state representative, spoke in favor of the change. He said the status quo essentially condones taxation without representation for the city’s New Americans. When he explained that it can take up to 10 years for some immigrants to obtain citizenship, one woman said that’s the way it should be. “Why are we bending down to them?” she asked. Prashant Singh also attended that meeting and listened to the debate with frustration. Singh, 41, moved to the U.S. from India on a work visa in 2011 and relocated from California to Winooski three years later. His application for a green card — formally known as permanent legal residency — has been stuck in a queue since 2016. Once he gets a green card, Singh will have to wait five more years before he can apply for citizenship. “It is a long, long, long journey to make,” he said, adding, “[Becoming a] naturalized citizen is a dream for me.” Singh works in Winooski, owns a home there and sends his three children to the city’s schools. He’s served on various committees, helped shape local education policy and paid taxes — but he can’t vote. “I think my voice should also be heard on things that can help Winooski to grow,” he said, comparing voting to taking a community survey. “If you have more surveys,” he said, “the result is more accurate.” Singh serves on the charter commission as one of two noncitizen members. The other, Winooski High School senior Hussein Amuri, 17, came to the U.S from a refugee camp in Tanzania in 2015. His family settled in Winooski the next year. The commission’s first order of business was to create information sheets about noncitizen voting, a term they dropped for the more inclusive “allresident” voting, according to commission chair Liz Edsell. The two-page fact sheet was translated into seven languages, including Arabic, Nepali, Somali and Vietnamese. Edsell and other commissioners distributed 400 copies at the polls last March. After a COVID-19-induced hiatus, commissioners partnered with Winooski’s Home School Liaison Program this summer to reach even more New American families. The liaisons, who act as cultural brokers and interpreters, distributed the fact sheets to non-Englishspeaking families and set up individual calls to discuss the voting proposal. Altogether, the liaisons, commissioners, city councilors and mayor spoke with close to 100 people, all generally in favor of expanding the vote. Commissioners also streamed a virtual

Q&A session online and on Channel 17, posted on Front Porch Forum, and published information in the school newsletter. Members met residents at the Our Lady of Providence long-term-care home and surveyed renters living in Winooski Housing Authority properties. The vitriolic reactions Edsell anticipated never materialized. “We were providing information and asking for feedback and questions; we weren’t advocating for or against the policy,” she said. “People were really quite appreciative of that effort, and so I think that was effective.” George Cross, a former Winooski school superintendent and state legislator, thinks it was all for show. In an interview, he argued that the commission was made up only of people in favor of the voting change. An outspoken critic of the proposal, Cross said he applied to serve but was turned down.

I THINK MY VOICE SHOULD ALSO BE HEARD ON THINGS THAT CAN

HELP WINOOSKI TO GROW. P R AS H ANT S INGH

Cross, who is 85 and has lived in Winooski for three decades, said he’s helped new arrivals study for citizenship exams and considers himself “quite a liberal Democrat.” But he thinks voting is a sacred right and questioned why citizens are leading Winooski’s latest ballot drive instead of immigrants who want to vote. That same complaint helped torpedo a similar voting push in Burlington earlier this year. Several immigrants denounced then-city councilor Adam Roof ’s plan because they said he hadn’t engaged with New Americans. One resident accused Roof, a white man, of pandering for votes. Roof later withdrew the initiative, saying some residents had incorrectly assumed that undocumented people would be able to vote. Edsell disagreed with Cross and noted the city’s intensive outreach to immigrant communities. But sometimes allies also have to step up and help, she said. “I think that’s a lot to expect: [for] folks to rise up and build a movement, demanding their rights in a white supremacist society where the public debate is hostile,” she said of noncitizens. “If you’re trying to get by, are you gonna stick your neck out?” Amuri, the teenage member of the commission, said his mom is too busy trying to provide for their family to become involved in the push for voting rights. A refugee from the Democratic Republic of

the Congo, Amuri’s mom works two jobs and hasn’t come up with the $800 she needs to apply for naturalization. But she would vote if she could. “At the end of the day, they don’t have the voice they need … even though they do all this stuff for our community,” Amuri said of people like his mother. “It’s just not right.” Winooski resident Kamal Dahal empathizes with the Amuris. Dahal’s family fled their native Bhutan in the 1990s, and Dahal was born and raised in a Nepalese refugee camp. He became a U.S. citizen after living here for six years, but he said it takes much longer for many others, especially if English is not their first language. Dahal said gaining citizenship was a huge reward, but he supports allowing all residents to vote on Winooski issues. Many New Americans have started businesses, pay taxes and contribute to the community in other ways. Without voting rights, they’re not represented, he said. “For refugee immigrants, they don’t have a home that they can go back to … but you are also not feeling accepted in the community that you live,” Dahal said. “It’s hard to [grapple] with that fact.” Winooski resident Dave Senical, however, thinks residency alone doesn’t qualify someone to vote. He was one of a handful of people who called in to a virtual public hearing on the ballot item last month. Senical identified himself on the Zoom call as a disabled veteran who fought for Americans’ right to vote. “It pains me greatly to have people come up and say, ‘Oh, they’re here, so we should allow them to vote,’” he said. “What about the people at the VFW, the American Legion, the Regular Veterans Association — all these people who fought, and what are we? Just trash on your feet now?” Cross, for his part, also takes issue with the argument that people who pay taxes in a town should be able to vote there. Using that logic, Cross said, second-home owners should be allowed to cast ballots. “I don’t think this tax argument is an argument that holds any water,” he said. Edsell said allowing legal noncitizens to vote doesn’t dilute anyone else’s rights. She’s hopeful the ballot item will pass since it’s being offered during a general election, one that is likely to command higher voter turnout. Mail-in voting will also allow people to research the proposal from their kitchen table. “An inclusive and participatory democracy where more people participate is better, makes for a stronger nation, makes for stronger communities,” she said. “And that is what we have the opportunity to do.” Contact: courtney@sevendaysvt.com

VOTE

PRESENTED BY

KUMULIA "KASE"

#SAVELOCALVT FALL ONLINE AUCTION

FOR STATE SENATE

OCTOBER 14-29 Get Deals! Support Local Businesses! New Items posted daily!

Your advocate for:

BTVAUCTION.ORG

Bid on Auction Items • Check Back Often • Sign Up for Email Updates Use ParkMobile for the CHANCE TO WIN A GOLDEN ENVELOPE with up to $200 in prizes/gift certificates!

Economic Growth Limiting Taxation Safety of our Communities Constitutional Rights LEARN MORE AT: GoLongVT.com

Vote for Kumulia

Vote for Change

4t-golongvt100720 1 SCAN CODE FOR PARKMOBILE APP

Details at ParkBurlington.com

10/5/20 9:47 AM

EVERYTHING WORKS BETTER, AFTER IT’S UNPLUGGED FOR A LITTLE WHILE, INCLUDING YOU. Need to get off the stress treadmill? Having a hard time sleeping deeply? Our deep relaxation treatments reduce physiological stress by decreasing cortisol production and muscular tension and increasing endorphins to help you relax. Give us a call, we’ll take care of the rest.

BURLINGTON BUSINESS OWNER?

Submit Items • Attract Customers • Get Paid! • btvauction.org Support your favorite downtown shops with proceeds benefitting the small business community. SPONSORED BY

Burlington Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine 431 Pine St., Burlington, Vt. 802.230.0909 • burlingtonacupuncture.com 4t-burlingtonacupunture101420.indd 1

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

10/12/20 11:50 AM

news

Comrade for Congress An anarchist-turned-communist in Vershire takes on Rep. Peter Welch S T ORY & PH OT O BY KE V I N J . KE L L E Y

o most Americans, including many on the left, the term “communist” carries only negative connotations: ideological fanaticism, concentration camps, sclerotic economies. But Christopher Helali, a candidate for Vermont’s sole U.S. House seat, wears that designation as a red badge of honor. The bushy-bearded 32-year-old is running as a member of the Party of Communists USA. His challenge to incumbent Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) marks the first appearance of a communist candidate on a Vermont statewide ballot since 1984. Gus Hall and Angela Davis ran that year for president and vice president on the ticket of the Communist Party USA (not to be confused with Helali’s Party of Communists USA). The program Helali espouses stands far to the left of Welch’s liberalism and is more radical than Sen. Bernie Sanders’ (D-Vt.) “democratic socialism.” In a September 17 debate carried on Burlington-based CCTV, Helali distinguished himself from all six of his opponents — Welch, Republican Miriam Berry, and independents Peter R. Becker, Marcia Horne, Shawn Orr and Jerry Trudell — by calling for the elimination of the capitalist system and its replacement with a “workers’ democracy.” “We need to nationalize all major industries and seize the means of production for the people,” Helali declared. Specifically, he said he wants to cut the $712 billion Pentagon budget “at least by half,” bring home all 165,000 U.S. troops stationed in 150 countries, abolish the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and “end support for the apartheid state of Israel.” The resultant savings should be used, he proposed, to provide free health care and education for all Americans. In a recent interview on his 30-acre farm in Vershire, Helali said he has so far raised $1,200 for his campaign. Welch, who won a seventh term in 2018 with 70 percent of the vote, has more than $2 million available for his reelection effort. Helali said he harbors no illusions about actually unseating Welch but is instead aiming “to change the political conversation” in Vermont. As he spoke, the communist candidate’s ready smile and amiable affect did make his agenda-upending objective seem vaguely plausible. Streaming sunshine, frolicking baby goats and peaking fall foliage provided an unlikely contrast to his militant message. And that wasn’t the only paradox on offer. Helali explained that he is aligned with 18

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

Candidate Christopher Helali in Vershire

the 6-year-old Party of Communists USA because he agrees with its critique that the century-old Communist Party has grown too cozy with the Democrats. Simultaneously, however, he serves as Orange County chair of the Progressive Party — which some Vermont leftists disdain for what they see as its own cozy relationship with Democrats. Earlier this year, Helali noted, he volunteered for Sanders’ campaign for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination, although he views Sanders as “not leftist enough.” The Vermont senator has erred egregiously, Helali maintained, by steering his mass movement into backing Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden’s effort to defeat President Donald Trump. Biden, in Helali’s view, is “an imperialist and warmonger” and thus fundamentally indistinguishable from Trump. He says he’ll be voting for Gloria La Riva, the presidential candidate of the Party for Socialism and Liberation. A Massachusetts native and the son of a Greek Orthodox mother and Iranian Muslim father, Helali calls himself an atheist, although he earned a master’s degree from the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, Mass. That religious affiliation need not be seen as contradictory to his political views, Helali

cautioned. His mother, a religious woman who was also a communist, taught him that those two creeds are “interconnected.” Helali’s political odyssey has been odd indeed. He joined the U.S. Army Reserve in 2009 as an undergraduate at the University of San Diego, leaving the military six years later as a first lieutenant. Next, he studied Marxist philosophy for two years at a university in Wuhan, China. But he then entered what he described as a rebellious phase characterized by an emphasis on individualism and an embrace of anarchism. In 2017, Helali traveled to the Rojava region of Syria. There, he fought on the side of the People’s Protection Units, a Kurdish military force battling ISIS, the Islamist group that specialized in beheading apostates. Helali says he fired a version of the AK-47 assault rifle while taking part in a frontline assault on Raqqa, the capital of ISIS’ self-proclaimed caliphate. Kurdish political leaders in Rojava claim to practice a radical form of democratic decentralism modeled in part on the writings of Murray Bookchin, an anarchist philosopher who lived in Burlington for 35 years until his death in 2006. Helali, who’s versed in Bookchin’s works, was attracted

2020

ELECTION

by Rojava’s social experiment. He said he went to Rojava as an anarchist but left nine months later a communist. “On the ground, I came to realize that the revolution in Rojava wasn’t all it said it was,” Helali remarked. “It wasn’t true that the rank-and-file people were involved in democratic decision making. The PKK [the governing Kurdistan Workers’ Party] exercised strong central control.” Rejecting “the utopian idealism of anarchism,” Helali came to believe that a top-down approach was essential to the effective exercise of political power. This turnaround “somehow induced [Helali] to join a party of authoritarians, the Communists,” Janet Biehl, Bookchin’s partner and chronicler, wrote in response to an email query about Helali’s transformation. “Wow — if he ever really did read Bookchin, anarchist scourge of Marxism-Leninism, he must not have read him very carefully.” Biehl, a Burlington resident, has had her own firsthand experiences of political life in Rojava. She spent a month there last year studying the region’s neighborhood assemblies and regional bodies. “I found that democracy may not be perfect but it’s real and should be supported and encouraged,” she wrote. Helali moved to Vershire in 2018 after returning from the war. The property includes two other homes occupied by the farm’s owners, who are related to his partner, Amanda Helali. She is the mother of the couple’s 17-month-old son, Theodore, and works in an administrative office at Dartmouth College, making her the couple’s primary breadwinner. Helali said he has held paid positions with the U.S. Census Bureau and on neighboring farms. He’s also studying for a master’s degree at Dartmouth in cultural studies and the anthropology of religion. Helali has another child with a woman in Boston who claims he abandoned her and their baby to go fight in Rojava, he said, and a dispute with her over custody and support payments is playing out in court. Boston is also the scene of another unhappy episode in the Helali saga. Leaders of that city’s branch of the Industrial Workers of the World, a 115-year-old international union, charged in a 2017 statement that Helali embezzled $4,510 from the organization. Helali denies the accusation, saying the money was used during a local IWW feud to COMRADE FOR CONGRESS

» P.20

We chose

Mascoma. Jodi Whalen and Phil Merrick AUGUST FIRST

888.627.2662 mascomabank.com

hil Merrick likes to say he’s “retired” from August First, the bakery, café and coffee shop on South Champlain Street in Burlington he co-owns with his wife Jodi Whalen. And he almost looked the part on a warm October afternoon, sipping coffee and dissecting a cinnamon roll at one of the many outside tables that have safely accommodated customers through the summer of the coronavirus. “Don’t give up the biscuit recipe!” Whalen joked as she walked by him into the restaurant, which was still filling lunch orders at 2 p.m. But Merrick was there to talk business, not baking. In a plaid shirt and baseball cap, the 64-year-old Plattsburgh native was reliving the rollercoaster ride every restaurant owner has experienced since the pandemic shut them down in mid-March. By the first of April, the entire August First staff was on unemployment, including Merrick and Whalen. Merrick hoped the federal Paycheck Protection Program could be a lifeline for his business, which he and Whalen started together in 2009 — one year after they married. He’d also heard there was limited money available and the potentially forgivable loans were going to be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. In other words, he was motivated to learn if August First would qualify. But “nobody knew anything,” he said of the many Burlington-area banks he called, including his own. Then he found Mascoma. Right on the website was the information he sought. “PPP loans. Here’s what it is. Here’s who qualifies. Click here if you want to apply for it,” Merrick recalled the userfriendly prompts. When he called the Pine Street branch, manager Scott Anderson explained that August First would have to move to Mascoma in order to apply for the loan through the bank. “It took two or three days to switch,” Merrick said, recalling Anderson worked way beyond bankers’ hours to make the change. Merrick’s application was in by noon on April 3, the first day the government started accepting applications. Ten days later, “I had SBA money in my bank account. I don’t know that anybody else in town did.” August First reopened in mid-June, and its customers returned the favor. In July sales were 62 percent of last year’s. In August, they reached 80 percent. In September, “we beat last year’s numbers,” Merrick said with a mixture of pride and relief. It was a “good-enough summer,” he proclaimed, that “I feel like we’re out of the woods.” He credits great staff, the PPP loan secured through Mascoma, state aid and the city’s willingness to increase outdoor seating for the dramatic comeback. “It’s been awesome,” Merrick said, noting the company has enough saved to survive another potential shutdown of two or three months. “When we got the PPP money, first thing I did was write a check to our landlord. We have enough money to make sure he’s paid through the winter.”

* All credit requests subject to commercial underwriting standards established by Mascoma Bank. 1t-mascoma101420.indd 1

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

10/13/20 6:30 PM

news Comrade for Congress « P.18 pay for a member’s cancer treatment and to finance his own trip to Rojava. He’s paid back the money, Helali said. That Rojava foray, belittled by his IWW adversaries as an exercise in “war tourism,” resulted in federal intelligence officials’ inclusion of Helali on a list of U.S. activists with purported links to Antifa and the Kurds’ war against ISIS. He’s named in a U.S. Department of Homeland Security report dated July 14 and leaked to the Nation magazine. Titled “The Syrian Conflict and its Nexus to the U.S.-based Antifascist Movement,” the document discloses the Social Security numbers and home addresses of the individuals it names. During an “encounter” with U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents at the Derby Line crossing point in June 2019, Helali was found to be in possession of “numerous pictures of and physical items related to Antifa, anarchist materials and communist propaganda,” the report states. He also “admitted to being an anarchist, antiimperialist and socialist and was attempting to meet with fellow socialists and anarchists in multiple countries, including Cuba and Venezuela,” the report adds.

The roster of radicals compiled by the Department of Homeland Security is creepily reminiscent of the blacklists of suspected U.S. communists assembled by congressional witch-hunters during the post-World War II McCarthy era. Live-and-let-live Vermont was not immune from the redsunder-the-beds hysteria of those years.

HELALI’S POLITICAL ODYSSEY

HAS BEEN ODD INDEED.

Historian Rick Winston, a former co-owner of Montpelier’s Savoy Theater, recounts two such outbursts that derailed the careers of academics in Burlington and Lyndon. In his 2018 book Red Scare in the Green Mountains: The McCarthy Era in Vermont 1946-1960, Winston tells the stories of Luther MacNair, who was forced to resign as dean of Lyndon State College in 1948, and Alex Novikoff, a University of Vermont professor of medicine sacked by the school’s trustees in 1953. MacNair was hounded because of his support for the foreign-policy positions of left-wing presidential candidate Henry Wallace, particularly a call for a less hostile

approach to the Soviet Union. Novikoff was driven out because of his refusal to provide a U.S. Senate subcommittee with the names of individuals with whom he was associated in the Communist Party while a student at Columbia University in the 1930s. The anti-communist fury that raged throughout the country subsided after its instigators were discredited, and it was all but extinguished following the collapse of the Soviet Union in the 1990s. But the term “communist” remains tainted, Winston said in a phone interview. “‘Communist’ is much more stuck in the past than ‘socialist,’” he reckoned, agreeing that Sanders has soothed the sting that the latter term used to impart. “Real-world examples of communism have been so full of really bad lessons for anyone who wants to go forward politically,” Winston observed. He also noted, however, that U.S. communist activists helped achieve some landmark social and economic reforms during the 1930s. Helali makes the same point. And he acknowledges that the record of communism in the Soviet Union and China, while partly positive, contains much that is abhorrent. Mao Zedong’s Cultural Revolution, which convulsed China in the 1960s and

’70s and took millions of lives, amounted to an “unleashing of brutality against working people,” Helali said. Joseph Stalin, the Soviet dictator responsible for millions of deaths from famine and political persecution, “made many mistakes,” Helali further conceded. When Vermont voters challenge him on crimes committed by communist regimes, Helali tells them “they should be skeptical of what’s often propaganda,” he said. Some academics, he added, have raised serious questions about the extent and circumstances of persecutions in Mao’s China and Stalin’s Soviet Union. Overall, however, Helali says he gets a “warm and friendly” reception during his limited campaigning stints. “There’s an especially positive response to my anti-war stand,” he recounted. “People agree we should get out of Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq and spend here the money we’re wasting there.” He also spins his support for free, universal health care and childcare as a patriotic proposition. “I say I’m simply endorsing family values. I use Republican rhetoric against the right wing.” It’s Helali’s way of suggesting that communism can be as American as apple pie.

EVEN WHEN WE NEED TO BE APART, ART BRINGS US TOGETHER ART EXCURSIONS, CULTURAL EVENTS, AND MORE.

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

2H-VtTourism101420 1

10/13/20 8:18 AM

CLOSES SEPTEMBER 26

Installation view, BCA Center, 2020 P: Sam Simon

Make Sure Your Vote Counts!

ONLY TWO WEEKS LEFT

This election season is unlike any we’ve ever experienced.

UPDATED GALLERY HOURS

To help you better understand

W E DN E SDA Y-SA TUR DA Y: 12-5 P M SUN DA Y-TUE SDA Y: C L OSE D

2020 EXHIBITION YEAR PRESENTED BY

your choices, and how to make

BCA Exhibitions are funded in part by a grant from The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Vermont Arts Council

them, Seven Days has created a Voters’ Guide in advance

4T-BCA101420 1

F R E E AD MI SS I ON 135 C H UR C H STREET BUR LI NGTON V E R M ONT BUR LINGTONC I TYAR TS.OR G

10/12/20 1:27 PM

of the November 3 election. Find a list of candidates, answers to your FAQs and step-by-step instructions on the correct way to mail in your ballot.

SEVENDAYSVT.COM/VOTE2020

MARC NADEL

2V-VoterGuide100720.indd 1

10/6/20 12:10 PM

experiencemiddlebury.com ST4T-middlebury092320.indd 1

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

9/18/20 2:21 PM

WEEK IN REVIEW

READER REACTION TO RECENT ARTICLES

« P.7

too thought-provokin’? Have you sent him somewhere to some “re-education camp”? Will “Tom Tomorrow” be next? Anyway … I hear he hangs out at one of his favorite bars, and I intend to see him there and maybe, just maybe, after seven or eight beers, Mr. Brunelle will “explain it all” to me. Tom Azarian

Andrew Simon

BURLINGTON

Editor’s note: C’est Ça’s takeout boxes are compostable. With rare exceptions for large institutions with specialized equipment, Vermont restaurants are not permitted to reuse food-storage containers, even if a customer provides one. It is a state health code violation.

CALAIS

LOW BLOW

THIS BITES

[Re Bite Club: “¡Duino! (Duende) Closing to Make Way for New Restaurant,” July 23]: My best friend and I visited ¡Duino! once a month for dinner as the perfect and affordable Burlington spot to find glutenfree and vegan for her, and gluten-free with meat for me! The cauliflower bites were our favorite. We will miss it so and wonder where else we can go for a fun, affordable, tasty meal that meets both our dietary needs?! Ginger Vieira

ESSEX JUNCTION

Editor’s note: The owner of ¡Duino! (Duende) has opened a new restaurant, C’est Ça, in the same location. Seven Days food writer Jordan Barry reviewed it last week. See below.

CONTAINER STRATEGY

I appreciated Jordan Barry’s review of C’est Ça and always admire Lee Anderson’s willingness to innovate and take risks [Good To-Go: “That’s It,” October 7]. Here’s what bothers me: takeout containers. Sure, it’s nice, as Jordan notes, to be able to see the food through the clear plastic covers, but when will we all take seriously the problem of smothering the Earth with our plastic refuse? “But it’s recyclable!” you will object. So they say. However, thanks to recent news articles, we know that recycling of plastics is largely a story invented by the petrochemical industry to make us feel better about their products. You can put it in the blue bin with a clear conscience, but — now that we can’t ship it to China anymore — that doesn’t mean the plastic won’t ultimately wind up in the Coventry landfill or in the ocean. So what about this? With his flair and good politics, why doesn’t Anderson let it be known that you can bring your cleaned containers back to the restaurant and they 22

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

[Re Off Message: “Zuckerman’s Spouse Slams Gray on Social Media,” September 30]: Seven Days, when did you become a tabloid? I’m a longtime reader, and I’ve always believed that you reported with respect and integrity. But I’m not sure that reporting on content that is on a private social media account is of good taste or completely ethical, for that matter. When Rachel Nevitt called the reporter “heebie-jeebie” for “creeping around on [her] private Facebook,” I think she was right on the money. Jordan Rowell

ESSEX JUNCTION

CONSIDER THE CONTEXT

[Re “Battery Power,” September 23]: Everyone supports the right to assemble and protest in our free society. Before demanding the firing of Burlington police officers, though, protesters need to get their facts straight. How many know or even care to know what happened in 2018 involving officers, charged with upholding the law, and unruly people spilling out of Main Street bars? In one incident, officers broke up a late-night confrontation, during which a Black man was pushed to the pavement. Although an internal police investigation found that Sgt. Jason Bellavance did “not use excessive or unlawful force,” he was suspended for not applying “de-escalation techniques” before physically intervening. Bellavance returned to the force, but to appease protesters, he recently entered into a separation agreement with the city. In the second incident, Officer Joseph Corrow intervened in a fight after seeing a man punched in the face. Corrow acted decisively, extending his arms and pulling the aggressor to the pavement. In his affidavit, the officer stated that he

recognized the man from “previous interactions.” In fact, that individual has a long history of illegal activities, including 10 misdemeanor convictions and five felony charges. Investigations by the police department and the Chittenden County state’s attorney cleared Corrow of wrongdoing. There is no question that we must confront “systemic racism.” But in the rush to overcome past injustices, let’s not forget that all people — Black, brown and white — need to obey the law, act as responsible members of society and not be ruled by mob mentality.

voices and women’s voices. I urge everyone to vote for this passionate and talented young woman for lieutenant governor. Susan M. Murray

BURLINGTON

‘OPPORTUNISTIC’ GRAY

Thank you for your in-depth look into one of the most crucial races: lieutenant governor [“Soapbox Derby,” October 7]. This year’s race is a clear primer for the next gubernatorial race, something that is clearly the end game for Molly Gray. It is abundantly obvious to anyone who has listened to Gray since the Jack Scully Democratic primary debate that she is COLCHESTER more interested in positioning herself for political ascension in the state than GRAY’S DAY advancing a progressive agenda that I’m writing to urge Vermonters to vote benefits Vermonters. for Molly Gray for lieutenant governor Nothing could further the point that [“Soapbox Derby,” October 7]. I’ve met and Gray is in this for herself better than the talked with Molly at some length and came fact that she failed to fulfill her civic away deeply impressed by her maturity, duty in previous elections, even failing poise and deep knowledge of the issues to vote in the last presidential election facing our state, including the climate in 2016. and health care crises, the barriers to Additionally, Gray’s main campaign economic opportunity (including the lack issues of bringing broadband to rural of broadband access for all households and Vermonters and state-funded childcare the lack of access to technology for some are critical issues far better addressed schoolchildren), and the tragedies of racial and advocated for by a legislator than and criminal injustice. by a sitting LG. Molly was born and raised on a Vermont When called out on this during the farm and has deep roots here. Her concern Democratic primary debate by Senate f o r t h e m o st president pro tem vulnerable people Tim Ashe, who ELECTION among us led her further made the GUIDE INSIDE! to spend several point that another years working with progressive voice in the International the legislature would Committee of the help override Gov. Phil Scott’s vetoes, Red Cross and for an organization that Gray evaded the makes sure private question by stating contractors protect she was only being human rights in asked about this other countries. because she was a Her opponent has woman. criticized her for Gray wishes to not voting in several be anointed lieuWEATHER REPORT TEST FLIGHT Vermont elections tenant governor READERS RESPOND in the past while she this year en route was working out of to an inevitable state, but it turns out that her opponent 2022 run for governor. Her sudden and did not vote in several elections, either, and, opportunistic run for office comes after unlike Molly, he doesn’t have the excuse of a history of civic disengagement, and her having been away from home. evasiveness in answering key questions Today Molly is a lawyer at the Vermont throughout the campaign raises further Attorney General’s Office, where she concerns about her motivations for this works on criminal justice issues and particular office. continues to fight for Vermonters. It’s Steven Martano time for a changing of the old guard in JERICHO Montpelier; we need different voices leading our state, including younger FEEDBACK » P.24 A handy voters’ handbook

M 7, 2020 VOL.26 NO.1 SEVENDAYSVT.CO VOICE SEPTEMBER 30-OCTOBER VERMONT’S INDEPENDENT

FEEDback

will refill them with their delicious food? If we can’t avoid using plastics (is this true??) and we can’t really recycle them, we can at least reuse them. C’est ça, la bonne solution!

Molly Gray and Scott Milne compete for the lieutenant governor’s perch BY COLIN FL ANDERS, PAGE 32

PAGE 6

Charged feedback to “Battery Power”

PAGE 12

COVID-19 screening at BTV

PAGE 44

Jonathan Safran Foer on food, climate

2h-nancyjenkins101420 1

10/12/20 9:46 AM

Home Delivery Easy. Safe. Convenient. • Same-day prescription delivery Monday through Friday

NEW!

• $10 delivery fee • Delivery made within 10 mile radius of eligible Hannaford Pharmacies Payment by credit card will be requested prior to delivery.

Ask your Hannaford Pharmacist for details. hannaford.com/pharmacy VT SDW 9.62x5.56 2020_RX_DeliveryROP_VT.indd 2H-Spin(Hannaford)100720 1 2

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

10/2/20 10/1/20 11:29 6:12 AM AM

WEEK IN REVIEW

READER REACTION TO RECENT ARTICLES

« P.22

FRESH FACE FOR VERMONT

Reading “Soapbox Derby” [October 7] confirmed my vote for Molly Gray for lieutenant governor. More than anything, Vermont needs to solve our demographic reality of an aging population. She epitomizes the Vermonters we need more of: talented individuals who grew up on a farm and went to school here; went away and gained new skills, perspectives and experience; and came back to Vermont to enter public service as deputy attorney general, teach in law school and now run for office to bring her experience to the role of lieutenant governor. My husband and I saw one of the debates between the candidates, with Scott Milne, who has run statewide three times and lost, and a fresh voice with the priorities we must address to move successfully into the future. Molly Gray was that fresh voice and quite a contrast to Scott Milne’s tired rhetoric. He looks like the past, and Molly epitomizes the future. Molly Gray brings new energy for a renewed Vermont. I support her and hope you will, as well. Linda Tarr-Whelan

BURLINGTON

PLAYING WITH FIRE

[Re Off Message: “Resolution Would Allow Backyard Fires in Burlington This Winter,” October 2]: Your recent article on the Burlington City Council resolution to allow bonfires in Vermont’s most populous city misses an opportunity to educate the public on an inconvenient truth:

GROWN-UP TIME 6

High Spirits Halloween sites and frights

WITH SUPPORT FROM

INSIDE!

Vermonters’ guide to exploring Vermont

Lisa Minetti

BURLINGTON

‘THE VIOLENCE OF THE WHITE GAZE’

I was severely disappointed by your article covering the Battery Park protests [“Battery Power,” September 23]. The troubles began in the first paragraph, which centers the movement on white participants, with no mention of the Black leaders who have spent weeks tirelessly organizing, educating and building a community and movement unlike any Vermont has seen before. This is the violence of the white gaze. In the article, the author named specific organizers after they had explicitly stated that singling them out could lead to violence against them and that this was a unified movement of concerned Burlington residents. The fact that Seven Days did not listen to their wishes proves that you are neither

Email your plans to: stc_estimating@steeltrusses.net (518)562-4663 • 112 Trade Road • Plattsburgh, NY SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

Autumn Is for Apples Five ways to enjoy a fruitfall fall

Stop down or call to find out how contractors and homeowners can both benefit from our structure packages!

8h-SteelTruss082620.indd 1

Grafton Getaway An iconic inn with a storied porch

Pre-fabricated and Sheathed Wooden Wall Panels, Roof and Floor Trusses. All design and engineering inhouse for a quick turnaround and manufacturer-direct pricing!

Thanks to Seven Days and Chelsea Edgar for the illuminating article on the Black Lives Matter demonstrators and their internal power struggles [“Battery Power,” September 23]. It is refreshing to discover that BLM monoculture is, in fact, being disrupted by pot-stirring individualists within the movement who refuse to be silenced for having an opinion. We are all better off for that. As to the leadership who sponsored the book burning (of my beloved Seven Days), it is my hope that they go the way of other thought-fascists — and that the grownups who take over BLM-BTV appreciate the power of free speech for all.

OCTOBER 2020

VOL.25 NO.52 SEVENDAYSV T.COM VOICE SEPTEMBER 23-30, 2020 VERMONT’S INDEPENDEN T

FEEDback

Woodsmoke carries environmental and health harms. Most of us love a good bonfire, but what evidence undergirds the wishful thinking that bonfires will ease the mental health crisis we’re feeling from this terrible pandemic? The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency classifies woodsmoke as a pollutant with health risks to older adults, children and teens, as well as people with heart or lung disease. Asthmatics, in particular, suffer acute respiratory distress from woodsmoke. During a pandemic that attacks our ability to breathe, why would our government push policy that spells fun for some and health threats for many? Vermonters know how to enjoy the outdoors in all seasons and can do so perfectly well without outdoor fires in town.

8/24/20 2:38 PM

rs occupied a park, How Black Lives Matter proteste of what they wanted captivated a city — and got some

BY CHELSEA EDGAR, PAGE 26

CLIMATE CHANGES

PAGE 12

Scott’s erratic record on warming

CLASS ACTION

PAGE 38

Teachers, staff on return to school

MEATING DEMAND

Scott Anderson

BURLINGTON

PAGE 40

Can Vermont producers keep up?

PUBLIC OPINION

allies nor accomplices to their cause, which makes you racists. You have endangered and disrespected the Black femme leaders. The white lens through which the story was told completely warped, defiled and maimed the clear message they have been spreading. The fact that white residents of Vermont will read this article and think of these words as what the protests are about is dangerous and upsetting. Furthermore, after a quick search of the Seven Days website, it seems there are no writers of color. This is a whole issue in and of itself, and I think this article has proved that the paper desperately needs to employ more BIPOC. It’s clear that this article should never have been written, but in the future these types of articles obviously need to be written and peer reviewed by BIPOC. Abbey Jermyn

MONTPELIER

[Re Off Message: “Protesters Round Up Copies of Seven Days for Evening Demonstration,” September 25]: Activists seeking news coverage should know and must accept that they cannot control the news coverage. Burlington Black Lives Matter activists instead confiscated and destroyed this newspaper and intimidated its staff. Activists seeking public support should know and must accept that the public controls its support and is not afraid to withhold it. Howard Fairman

PUTNEY

MOLLY FOLLY

U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders should be helping a person who is far closer to him politically than her opponent [Off Message: “Bernie Sanders Endorses Three Dozen People — but Not Molly Gray,” October 9]. Help her, Bernie, and you will be rewarded. Michael Vinton

CHARLESTON

OLDER? LONELY? ANXIOUS? GRIEVING?

Talk to someone who understands.

Dr. Dwight Norwood, PhD, LICSW

Geriatric Specialist - Medicare accepted Call now: 802-495-6667 One Kennedy Drive, South Burlington www.DwightNorwood.com 8h-dwightnorwood101420.indd 1

Online televideo sessions available 10/13/20 12:25 PM

ai160202423241_1t-GLGiveaway-100720.pdf

10/6/20

6:43 PM

STARTS OCTOBER 19

Wanna be on the “nice” list? Get vocal about gifting local! Vermont merchants have faced mandatory store closures and other challenges during the pandemic, but many are open for business now and need your support — especially this holiday season. Starting October 19* tell us where you’re shopping locally in person or online for the holidays, and you’ll be entered to win a $500 gift card to the Vermont retailer of your choice! The shops with the most vocal support will be featured in the Seven Days Holiday Gift Guide on November 18.

Attention, Retailers:

We’re using our online shopping directory to help readers recommend their favorite shops. If you’re not yet on the Register, now is the time to get listed! Go to shoptheregister.com and add your business before October 14. ThE ReGiStEr Is GeNeRoUsLy SuPpOrTeD By:

*Shopping for gifts will be different this year. Gotta start early!

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

lifelines OBITUARIES

John H. Henzel

OCTOBER 12, 1923SEPTEMBER 19, 2020 ESSEX JUNCTION, VT. John H. Henzel, age 96, died in Essex Junction, Vt., on September 19, 2020, surrounded by family. He was born on October 12, 1923, in Philadelphia, the son of Catherine Price Henzel and Howard Randolph Henzel. John married Leah Jane Thompson in 1947, and they began their life together in Ridley Park, Pa. John attended James Russell Lowell School in Olney and graduated from Northeast High School and the University of Pennsylvania with his undergraduate and master’s degrees in education. John began his service in the United States Army during World War II in 1943. He trained at Fort Benning, Ga.; was deployed to Europe in November 1944; and served as forward artillery scout in Germany in the ACORN Division (87th) following the Battle of the Bulge. He was wounded by mortar in

OBITUARIES, VOWS, CELEBRATIONS

March 1945. For his service, he was awarded the Battle Star, the Purple Heart and the European African Middle Western Campaign Medal. On August 21, the State of Vermont recognized his service by awarding him the Vermont Veterans Medal and the Vermont Distinguished Service Medal. He returned from Europe in 1945 to finish his education and marry Leah. During the 1950s and ‘60s, he was director of music, playing organ and conducting choirs in Pennsylvania, including at Grace Lutheran Church in Norristown; St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Philadelphia; Covenant Methodist Church in Springfield; and St. Asaph’s Episcopal Church in Bala Cynwyd. He hosted a Thursday afternoon radio program on WFLN about music in the school district of Philadelphia and, from 1958 to 1960, served as dean of the Philadelphia chapter of the American Guild of Organists. He taught vocal music from 1956 to 1968 at John Bartram High School in Philadelphia, and from 1968 to 1970 at Nether Providence High School in Wallingford. In 1970, John and Leah moved to Vermont and operated Stowe-Away Lodge as a country inn. He was primary cook and post-dinner concert pianist until 1977, when he returned to music leadership at various churches and schools. During the next 40 years, John inspired singers and parishioners at Stowe Community Church; Trinity Episcopal Church and All Souls Interfaith Gathering, both in Shelburne; and First Congregational Church and the First Church of Christ, Scientist, both in Burlington. During the same period,

IN MEMORIAM Phyllis McEntee 1932-2020 SHELBURNE, VT.

A Shelburne resident for 50 years, Phyllis lived a long, happy life surrounded by family and friends. She was a devoted volunteer in her community. For a full obituary and link to a Zoom service (on Saturday, October 17, at 1 p.m.), please go to gregorycremation.com.

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

he conducted the Burlington Oratorio (now Choral) Society, broadening the repertoire to include major orchestral choral works such as Mendelssohn’s Elijah, Handel’s Israel in Egypt and Benjamin Britten’s Saint Nicolas. John taught, coached and accompanied many vocal music students and choirs at the University of Vermont and at Burlington High School for 24 years. He accompanied high school musicals, especially at Stowe High School and BHS. He played organ or keyboard for dozens of weddings, as well as school and UVM graduation services. His love for family and music, as well as his salutations of “Happy Days — All Good Things,” will be remembered by many. He is survived by daughter Linda and son John Michael, both of Vt.; son Thomas of Philadelphia; brother Franklin of King of Prussia, Pa.; seven grandsons; seven greatgrandchildren; four nephews; and two nieces. In addition, he is survived by his step-granddaughter and her husband, Emma and Micah Tompkins, of Dayton, Ohio; and his “adopted” family, Alison McWilliams and Justin Clark of New Hampshire and Mattie Clark of New York City. He was predeceased by his wife, Leah, of 68 years and sisters Rae Kolupaev and Mary Entrekin. The family acknowledges the excellent care John received at Mansfield Place in Essex Junction and by Bayada Hospice. Interment was September 28 at Glenwood Memorial Gardens in Broomall, Pa. Please consider a donation in his memory to the music program of your choice for a school, church or chorus. A post-COVID-19 memorial is planned in Vermont.

Thomas Patterson MAY 27, 1945OCTOBER 8, 2020 BURLINGTON, VT.

Tom died on October 8, 2020, of primary progressive aphasia, a frontotemporal lobe dementia. He lived with this rare affliction — which robbed him of his language, his normal feelings and his former extroverted self — for many years. Tom is survived by his college girlfriend and wife of over 50 years, Susan Davis Patterson; his daughter Erin and her partner, Timo Ashley; his son Ryan; and the last of his beloved “puppies,” Tillie. Tom was the second son and namesake of Thomas F. Patterson Sr. and Janet Wight Patterson of Canton, N.Y. Tom always said Canton was a great place to grow up alongside his three siblings: his older brother David, his younger brother Paul and his little sister Susie, all of whom survive him, along with their families. Tom excelled academically and musically growing up, working for the family business, Wight & Patterson, during summers, and enjoying the family “camp” on Trout Lake, where he learned lifelong building and woodworking skills while helping his father build their cottage. After graduating near the top of his Canton High School class of 1963, Tom matriculated at Middlebury College, majoring in geography, joining the Alpha

Sigma Psi (SLUGgers for Democracy) fraternity and meeting his future wife, Susan Davis Patterson. At graduation from Middlebury in 1967, Tom was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. He served in the Transportation Corp in Newport News, Va., and on the DMZ in Korea, where he was transportation officer for all of second division at the time of the Pueblo Incident. Returning stateside in April of 1970, Tom and Susan were married at St. Mary’s-in-the-Mountains in Bethlehem, N.H., on June 13, 1970. After a twoyear interim — living near Syracuse, N.Y., while Tom worked in the management trainee program of MONY and Susan taught secondary English — they decided to return to New England, landing in Burlington, where Tom began a 40-year career at the University of Vermont. His eclectic career included working for the Extension Service, heading up the Extension Energy Service; serving as chair of the VOTEC Department; serving as dean of summer programs for precollege students; teaching communication courses; being head of the First Year Student Program for CALS; being chair of the Essential Learning Outcomes Committee for CALS; and teaching in the Masters of Public Administration program. Tom loved his career at UVM and formed close friendships with many students and colleagues. Even while working at UVM and building his family’s first home, Tom achieved his goal of a higher education academic career by earning a master’s degree in Extension Education from UVM in 1978, a certificate in Advanced Studies: Planning and Administration at UVM in 1981, and a PhD at Indiana University in adult education and public administration. Tom was proud of all his academic achievements and institutions, from Canton

High School through to Middlebury College, UVM and IU. In 1974, Tom and Susan’s daughter Erin was born, and in 1977, their son Ryan was born. Over 50 years of marriage, Tom built a house in King’s Hill in Westford, Vt., for his family, remodeled their next house on Robinson Parkway in Burlington, and worked on their camp cottage on Lake Dunmore many times. Tom always had a hands-on project going, from making stained-glass windows and lamps to crafting raised beds for Susan’s gardens to completely building himself a “man-cabin” at the lake to house his summer stained-glass studio and his electronic piano. Civic-minded as well, Tom was the first chair of the Burlington Tax Abatement Board, served in many capacities on committees for the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington and loved his years on the UVM Faculty Athletic Counsel. A devoted father, Tom supported his two children in all aspects of their lives and, as they continued to live close by, enjoyed UVM hockey games, dog walks and family dinners with them often. Both Erin and Ryan were devoted and instrumental in caring for their father (and mother) during Tom’s years of slow decline with PPA. Susan thanks the many friends who emotionally supported her for many years; the staff at the Arbors, where Tom lived when he could no longer be at home; and his Bayada Hospice team, who ensured Tom and his family a gentle ride to the end of his life. If you wish to acknowledge and honor Tom’s life, please consider a contribution to the Thomas F. Patterson Faculty Award, which you can do directly at go.uvm. edu/patterson or by mail to 411 Main St., Burlington, VT 05401, with “Patterson Award” on the memo line of the check.

sevendaysvt.com/lifelines

READ, POST, SHARE + COMMENT: SEVENDAYSVT.COM/LIFELINES

Allen Palmer SEPTEMBER 18, 1930OCTOBER 10, 2020 EXETER, N.H.

Allen G. “Bud” Palmer of Langdon Place in Exeter, N.H., passed away at the Community Hospice House of Merrimack, N.H., on October 10, 2020, at the ripe old age of 90 after a short period of declining health. Mr. Palmer was born in Exeter, N.H., on September 18, 1930, to Philip H. and Gertrude (Paulsen) Palmer, who predeceased him in 1981 and 2001, respectively. He graduated from Hampton Academy (High School) in 1948 and entered the United States Coast Guard. He served proudly for six years before being medically discharged in 1954. While in the USCG, he was

on the CGC Castle Rock; NAS Salem, Mass.; and, finally, NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii. He was soon employed by New England Telephone from 1954 to 1984. While there, he held a variety of positions working in the EI department, Local and Toll test; and was the wire chief for the Portsmouth area, a staff manager in Manchester, and the IR area manager in both Nashua, N.H., and Burlington, Vt. Along on that journey to various locations, he was accompanied by his beloved wife, the late Geraldine Lynch, whom he married in 1956. They successfully raised three daughters and a variety of family pets. Bud was happiest in life when he was out on the water sailing with his late brother, Donald. They had many trips along the Maine and New Hampshire coasts with a band of like-minded souls. “What happens on the boat stays on the boat.” He also loved to ski and could often be found with the entire family in the mountains of New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont and New York. With a name like “Palmer,” he was, of course, a golfer, and some of the most enjoyable days of his last years were on the fairways and greens. Bud and Gerri retired to

the east coast of Florida in 1984 — first to Tequesta, then Stuart and, finally, back to Jupiter. Gerri passed away in 2003, and Bud started his “up and down” the East Coast trips between New England and Florida, becoming a bit of a snowbird. He moved permanently to Hampton in 2017 to live with the love of his later years, Anne. Mr. Palmer leaves his girls, the “three J’s”: Joy and her husband, Richard (Dick) Whitaker, of Merrimack; Jean Palmer of Essex Junction, Vt.; and Janet Palmer of Essex Junction, Vt. Additionally, he leaves his adored grandchild, Sosenna Grace Palmer, also of Essex Junction, Vt.; as well as many nieces and nephews. Finally, he leaves his longtime companion, Anne Russell of Hampton, her family and their dog, Kate. At his request, there are no services, and burial will be private. A Celebration of Life will be planned in the late spring/early summer, when COVID-19 restrictions have improved. In place of flowers, memorial contributions are requested in honor of Bud to Community Hospice House of Merrimack, 210 Naticook Rd., Merrimack, NH 03054.

Lucille Martineau Le Beau

APRIL 8,1937OCTOBER 7, 2020 BURLINGTON, VT. Lucille Martineau Le Beau passed away on October 7, 2020, in Burlington, Vt., at the age of 83. Lucille was born in Barre, Vt., the eldest child of Alphonse Martineau and Doris Gauvin Martineau, and spent her childhood there, surrounded by other large, Catholic, immigrant families. She was the consummate big sister who helped take care of her siblings in childhood and, in later years, provided counsel and safe harbor. The granite industry employed many members of Lucille’s extended Québécois family,

and St. Monica’s was central to her upbringing. Lucille was especially close to her sister Irene, and the two often roamed far and wide on extended bike and car trips. After graduation from Spaulding High School, Lucille began work for Beneficial Finance as a secretary. She later moved to Burlington, taking a position in the human resources department of the Mary Fletcher Hospital (affiliated with the University of Vermont). At that time, it was uncommon for single, young women to strike out on their own. The family often recalls Lucy’s landlord requiring a letter from her employer attesting to her good moral character before accepting her as a tenant. She married George Le Beau in 1967, and they started a family the next year, living on Pine Street in Burlington. They moved to Vergennes, where Lucille stopped working outside of the house in order to raise her sons. Once her boys became old enough, Lucille began working as a librarian at the Bixby Memorial Library, just across the street from her house on MacDonough Drive. Lucy worked at the Bixby until her semiretirement (when she tended the flower gardens instead of

the book collections). She was active in the Post 14 American Legion Auxiliary, where George and, later, her son Mark were/are life members. The family attended St. Peter’s, where her son Lance is still a member of the Knights of Columbus. Throughout her life, Lucille loved the outdoors and natural beauty of Vermont yet also loved to travel, especially to oceanside destinations with historical significance. Lucille was an avid reader and enjoyed corresponding with family. She spent her later years residing in Winooski with her son Lance, then at Our Lady of Providence Residential Care Community. Lucille is predeceased by her husband, George, and survived by her siblings Irene, Roger, Leo, Edna and Maurice. She also leaves her sons Mark and Lance, and granddaughter Ingrid Baumer Le Beau. A Catholic Mass and burial are scheduled at St. Peter’s in Vergennes at 10:30 on Monday, October 19. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Bixby Memorial Library in Vergennes. Condolences can be made online at brown mcclayfuneralhomes.com. Lucille may be remembered by one of her oft-used phrases, “Patience, mon enfant.”

Want to memorialize a loved one? We’re here to help. Our obituary and in memoriam services are affordable, accessible and handled with personal care. Share your loved one’s story with the local community in Lifelines.

lifelines 3h-Obit House Filler.indd 1

Post your obituary or in memoriam online and in print at sevendaysvt.com/lifelines. Or contact us at lifelines@sevendaysvt.com or 865-1020 ext. 10. SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

9/12/19 2:54 PM

Bold Designs

Freeman French Freeman architects imagine better spaces for Burlington and beyond BY AM Y L I L LY

ARCHITECTURE

Pine Street Development (Market Pavilion in foreground)

hen Burlingtonians pass the no-man’s-land on Pine Street — site of the Chittenden Solid Waste District drop-off center and the current farmers market — chances are that they regret its unsightliness, if they notice it at all. No one asked CATHERINE LANGE, JAMIE GRAVEL and JANE PICKELL to imagine a better alternative for that site — certainly not the City of Burlington, which owns the land. Nonetheless, the three architects, all of the Burlington firm FREEMAN FRENCH FREEMAN, have designed what they believe the site calls for and the city needs: a net-zero residential development with community gardens, a large butterfly-roof pavilion for the farmers market and a redesigned Chittenden Solid Waste District drop-off center, screened from the rest by an “art walk” along a muralcovered wall. Pie in the sky, for sure — but that was the whole point. As Lange, an associate principal who led the Pine Street team, described the effort, “It was really just an exercise in What does the community want to look like going forward? It was just about dreaming.” The Pine Street Development proposal is part of Freeman’s pandemic-era project “Imagine This: Designing a Better Vermont.” Led by president JESSE BECK, the project turned the pandemic downturn into an opportunity to develop pro bono proposals for five such underutilized or neglected sites. The others are Burlington’s shuttered 28

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

Memorial Auditorium, the bike-unfriendly interstate overpass in South Burlington, the financially troubled Vermont Technical College in Randolph Center, and a fifth project — the only one on private land — which will be unveiled after the site’s owner views the plans. “We decided to give something back to the community,” Beck explained during a visit at Freeman’s offices. When the virus hit, he recalled, billable work “just dropped right off ” for two months. Around the same time, for unrelated reasons, the firm’s large CityPlace Burlington project was put on hold. Then Freeman received a Paycheck Protection Program loan that restored everyone’s full salaries and benefits. Reasoning that the firm was benefitting from public money, the president put it to work imagining ways to improve public spaces. Beck chose the sites. “I see an empty lot or a parking lot, and I say, ‘Wow, it would be fun to do something there,’” he said. Among Freeman’s more recent projects that have transformed forlorn spaces in Burlington into familiar destinations are the South End’s City Market, Onion River Co-op and the new YMCA. Working in groups of three or four, Freeman’s 16 architects developed drawings, SketchUp renderings, charrette boards and PowerPoint presentations of their imagined structures. They did so with a freedom most of them hadn’t experienced since architecture school — that is, with zero constraints

Memorial Gateway Center

related to budget, zoning, schedules or client demands. The firm then provided its work to the unsuspecting clients for free. It is also gradually posting the projects on its website for the public to view. While one or two architects in the firm typically handle big projects such as these, “Imagine This” allowed for wider and multiple collaborations. The team on “A Thriving Vermont Tech,” led by principal SHAWN BRENNAN, included Beck, architect TOM BURSEY and architectural designer NATHALIA ELLIS. Focused on making the campus financially viable, their plan calls for divesting or demolishing some buildings and creating, upgrading or repurposing others. Beck led his team of Ellis, architect JAMIE WAGNER and associate principal JOSH CRANDALL

on reimagining Memorial Auditorium — a building for which he’s developed plans for several actual clients in the past decade. All proved financially unviable. “The building has a lot of foundational problems: the brick, the roof, the mechanical-electrical systems — everything needs to be replaced,” he said. “Memorial Gateway Center” retains only the historic south and east façades and replaces the rest of the building. A swooshshaped, two-story glass Burlington Ballroom protrudes from the middle floors of the south façade. It’s meant to host public functions and draw the eye of visitors encountering the city’s dismal “gateway block” on their way downtown. The interior plan calls for market-rate

IMAGES COURTESY OF FREEMAN FRENCH FREEMAN

arts news

GOT AN ARTS TIP? ARTNEWS@SEVENDAYSVT.COM

Free Concert! Sunday, October 18, 2020

Boston Brass senior housing — something that’s “badly needed in the city of Burlington,” Beck said — on descending floors of independent living, assisted living and memory care. Those living spaces are organized around a central void that ends in an enclosed garden at ground level for safe use by the memory-care patients. A basement pool and a rooftop deck with sun canopies complete the vision. “The whole idea is to bring in a private developer who can infuse capital,” Beck said. “It’s a great opportunity to use a historical building everyone has memories of.” Crandall, a former Appalachian Gap cyclist who lives in his native Bristol, has plenty of memories of the reimagined sites. He led the Interstate 89 overpass project with architect JESSE ROBBINS and Ellis, hand-drawing the designs — a skill that dates back to his days at Pratt Institute, where he studied fine art before switching to a professional undergraduate degree in architecture. Mainly conceptual, the team’s four overpass designs riff on the High Line elevated park in New York City with a wide path that begins at the Staples parking lot, skirts the Exit 14 cloverleaf and bridges the highway. Rather than make it strictly a bike path, Crandall’s team enhanced it with rest spots, such as gardens, benches and bike repair stations. “It’s a multidimensional city-planning approach where you slow things down and allow businesses to spring up around the project,” Crandall said. When the team presented the plans to PAUL CONNER, South Burlington’s director of planning and zoning, “He was totally happy and amazed,” Beck said. Conner passed the plans to the city council, which presented them to the public in late September. South Burlington has begun construction on a town center behind Trader Joe’s, which could make a

pedestrian connector between SoBu and Burlington especially useful. As director of planning for Burlington, DAVID WHITE was the client to whom Freeman presented its Memorial, overpass and Pine Street projects. “I thought they could all be great additions to our community,” said White, who has worked for the city for 25 years. He was particularly impressed with the detailed plans for Pine Street, which incorporate the city’s Railyard Enterprise Project proposal for a new road from Pine Street to Battery Street. Potential problems with the project would be noise from the nearby railroad and recent controversies over adding housing to Pine Street, White said, but overall, the plan “works really well to activate that section of town.” Asked whether such a vision-based approach to development was unusual, White said no. “The work we do in planning is to try to reimagine places and spaces and stimulate ideas that might not come to fruition,” he said. “A tangible example is [the] Moran [Plant]. We’ve been around that mulberry bush a bunch of times, and finally one of those ideas had legs.” He referred to Moran FRAME, designed by Freeman, which is the city’s final choice for reusing the industrial waterfront building after considering proposals for 30 years. “It’s super valuable to have folks who take the time to put their heads together and really think through some of these things,” White continued. “I hope someone walks through the door and says, ‘Hey, I love these ideas. I have a bunch of money, and I want to make it happen.’” Contact: lilly@sevendaysvt.com

INFO

From exciting classical arrangements to burning jazz standards and the best of original brass repertoire, Boston Brass presents a unique brand of entertainment that captivates all ages. View this free concert, live-streamed from the Ramsdell Theatre in Manistee, Michigan on Sunday, October 18, 2020, 8pm at www.stoweperformingarts.com. The concert is free. Please share the link with ….EVERYONE! https://youtu.be/DNqOYQJu4a4 If you would like to make a donation to sustain Stowe Performing Arts, please visit our website.

stoweperformingarts.com

Stay with us

4t-stoweperformingarts101420 1

10/12/20 11:08 AM

STONE ART

INSIDE

OUT +FREE

I-89 Pedestrian Bridge

EXTRAORDINARY TIMES… ...EXTRAORDINARY MUSICIANS

STUDIO PLACE ARTS

CENTRAL VT’S DYNAMIC ART CENTER

+ROCK SOLID 20th Annual Exhibit +ART STROLL 16 Sculpture City Tour

201 N MAIN • BARRE 802.479.7069 • STUDIOPLACEARTS.COM

Learn more about Freeman French Freeman at fffinc.com. 4T-StudioPlace101420 1

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

10/13/20 8:04 AM

arts news

Comic Relief

The Center for Cartoon Studies collaborates on mental health guide for youth B Y M E LI SSA PA SA N E N

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

COURTESY OF CARA BEAN

BOOKS

Cara Bean

COURTESY OF THE CENTER FOR CARTOON STUDIES

y 12-year-old niece told me recently that she and her classmates received their school photos last year with a suicide prevention hotline number on the back. This came up when I asked her and my four nephews, ages 12 to 18, for feedback on a new comic book titled Let’s Talk About It: A Graphic Guide to Mental Health. Cara Bean, a cartoonist and former high school art teacher from Wareham, Mass., created the book in partnership with the CENTER FOR CARTOON STUDIES in White River Junction and Stark County Mental Health & Addiction Recovery in Canton, Ohio. The latter organization approached the cartoon school after seeing its publication This Is What Democracy Looks Like: A Graphic Guide to Governance. Both books are examples of what CCS cofounder JAMES STURM calls applied cartooning, or “using cartooning as a tool for the greater good.” Let’s Talk About It will be distributed to every Stark County middle school student and is available for anyone to download for free from the CCS website. Since its release last week, Sturm said that many organizations have reached out, and he is in conversation with the Vermont Department of Mental Health. Like my niece’s school photo, the book provides suicide prevention phone numbers. But its 24 pages dig far deeper, bringing clarity to the questions that young people — really, any of us — might have about the often-taboo topic of mental health. The cast of anthropomorphic, rabbiteared creatures represents diverse youth navigating the challenges of talking about emotions, recognizing they need help, and asking for it despite the horned and fanged stigma monster. An oppressive pile of blocks with labels including “body image,” “world problems” and “school” trap a character under the weight of everyday stress. The black goo of depression drips over slumped shoulders, and jittery lines of pain radiate from someone considering suicide. A brain wearing sunglasses and surfing over a shark illustrates the risk-taking that can result in addiction, while a reassuring tree branches out with support options. Bean’s approach is accessible and compelling; the book neither patronizes nor lectures. My niece and nephews gave Let’s Talk About It a big thumbs-up.

“It takes on a lot of real topics,” said my 12-year-old nephew. “I like how it gives you many ways to solve the problems it’s explaining.” “Very helpful for anyone in need,” added his brother, 16. “Nice job showing what both sides can do,” he added, referring to a page

illustrating how to ask for help and how to offer support. “A lot of my friends really like graphic novels and comics,” my niece said. “I see in this that people need to be brave to ask for help.” Bean’s 13 years as a teacher brought home

the need for more ways to converse about mental health. “In art class, students talk, they open themselves up,” she said. She took her first CCS workshop in 2011 and, in 2019, landed a month-long CCS fellowship in Cornish, N.H. — at the studio of cartoonist HARRY BLISS — to work on a graphic novel about mental health. A comic’s panel structure helps break down complex issues. “You can parcel out, compartmentalize one idea at a time,” Bean explained. Sturm recruited Bean for the project and served as her editor. “Cara’s very warm, generous cartooning style literally creates a space on the page for this conversation,” he said. The Stark County team provided background research and reviewed drafts. At times when she felt out of her depth, Bean reminded herself, “I [am] a vessel for the people who are experts. That gave me the courage to keep going,” she said. She chose to make the characters nonhuman, Bean noted, because they allow more readers to see themselves on the page. Why choose rabbits? For their ears, she said, because “the answer to a lot of this is listening.” Contact: pasanen@sevendaysvt.com

INFO Learn more at cartoonstudies.org.

EXPLORE VERMONT!

GOT AN ARTS TIP? ARTNEWS@SEVENDAYSVT.COM

When taking a drive in your home state to enjoy the beautiful colors, stop by and see us!

On Course

WE HAVE A FABULOUS STABLE OF VERMONT BEERS ON TAP FOR YOUR AUTUMNAL ENJOYMENT.

If you’ve ever seen “American Ninja Warrior” on NBC, you’ve probably thought, Holy crap! It’s a nail-biting adrenaline rush just watching contestants propel themselves through a sadistic-looking obstacle course. For the athletes, it’s an extraordinary test of human fitness and endurance with the additional pressure of reality-show competition and a national audience. Last week, 20-year-old AMIR MALIK of Essex Junction, aka “Sonic,” competed on the show — one of two Vermonters this past year. He passed a qualifying round at a competition in St. Louis, Mo., and will appear in the semifinals, which begin this week. As praiseworthy as it is to earn a slot on the show, it’s a near miracle that Malik took up the sport in the first place. As EVA SOLLBERGER recounts in her “Stuck in Vermont” video about Malik, at the age of 9, the rambunctious kid felt something “funny” in his heart. He was diagnosed with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome — an electrical anomaly that causes a rapid heartbeat — and told that participating in sports could cause him to go into cardiac arrest. At age 14, Malik had a catheter ablation surgery that changed that; he says in the video that he’s been fine ever since. He soon got back into action and found his passion at the Vermont Ninja Warrior Training Center at Regal Gymnastics Academy in Essex. The No. 1 necessity to be a ninja warrior, he says, is “confidence.” Sollberger caught up with Malik at the gym, where he trains and teaches, and in his backyard, where he has constructed his own ninja obstacle course.

Fire & Ice

Vermont’s Iconic steakhouse 26 Seymour Street | Middlebury | 802.388.7166 | fireandicerestaurant.com 6H-fire&ice091416.indd 1

10/5/20 11:29 AM

WOMEN’S SUFFRAGE SERIES WITH DR. SALLY ROESCH WAGNER

PAM EL A PO LS TO N

Contact: pamela@sevendaysvt.com

Sponsored by the Women’s International League for Peace and FreedomBurlington Branch, the League of Women Voters of Vermont, and the Vermont Suffrage Centennial Alliance

INFO Watch Eva Sollberger’s “Stuck in Vermont” video on Amir Malik at sevendaysvt.com. Learn more about ninja warrior training at regalgym.com. COURTESY OF EVA SOLLBERGER

FREE, VIRTUAL PRESENTATIONS WITH DR. SALLY ROESCH WAGNER Nationally recognized lecturer, author and story-teller of women’s rights history WEDNESDAY, OCT. 21: 7PM sponsored by St. Michael’s College http://bit.ly/before-columbus (REGISTRATION REQUIRED)

“Women Voted Here: Before Columbus” THURSDAY, OCT. 22: 2PM

sponsored by the Community College of Vermont http://bit.ly/rest-of-the-story (REGISTRATION REQUIRED)

“Women’s Suffrage: The Rest of the Story” THURSDAY, OCT. 22: 5PM

Sponsored by the UVM Center for Cultural Pluralism https://bit.ly/35POSiO (LINK FOR THE EVENT)

“Power, Privilege, and the Vote: Focus on Women, Culture and Herstories of Suffrage” • • • •

Amir Malik

Who were the women presidential candidates in the 1800s? How did the indigenous people influence ideas of women’s suffrage and rights? Who was not included in the US suffrage movement and why? How can the stories of women’s suffrage help us explore the ongoing creation of our democracy?

These programs are partially funded by WILPF US, Vermont Humanities Council, Anne Slade Frey Charitable Trust, Vermont Federal Credit Union, Walter Cerf Fund of the Vermont Community Foundation, Northfield Savings Bank, St. Michael’s College, University of Vermont, and Community College of Vermont.

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 14-21, 2020 3v-peace&justicecenter101420.indd 1

10/8/20 2:32 PM

DE-STRESS SIGNALS Coping with sky-high anxiety in 2020

ST ORIE S B Y J ORDAN B ARRY, DAN BO L L E S , C H E L S E A E D GAR , MAR GAR E T GR AYS O N, E L IS A JÄ R N EF ELT & M EL I S S A PA S A N EN IL L US TR ATIO NS BY L UK E E AS TMAN

n the year 2020, humanity is plagued by myriad crises — one of which is a literal plague. And that’s led to a measurable rise in stress among Vermonters. For example, according to an August report from the state Department of Health, young adults ages 18 to 25 report decreasing interest in doing things they used to enjoy, and increased anxiety and depression, since the pandemic hit Vermont in March. Mental health professionals around the state say they have been overwhelmed by the numbers of Vermonters seeking relief from stress, anxiety and grief. “I’ve definitely seen an increase in phone calls and inquiries,” said Danielle Bergeron Ingram, a Middlebury-based psychologist and vice president of the Vermont Psychological Association. She believes her colleagues have had similar experiences. “I’ve seen an increase in anxiety based on finances, political unrest, people worried that they’re gonna be laid off, worried about navigating childcare and homeschooling,” Bergeron Ingram continued. “It’s definitely different since March, during the lockdown, than it has been in the last five years of [my] private practice.” She noted that, like everyone else, therapists are just trying to figure this shit out as they go along. “We’re all in this together, and it’s a collective trauma,” Bergeron Ingram said. “Therapists have never experienced a global pandemic, either, but we’re doing the best we can to help as many people as we can.” The indicators of rising stress are everywhere. Seven Days reported in May on the statewide uptick in alcohol sales — 16 percent in April alone — as many Vermonters turned to the bottle to soothe 32

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER, AND IT’S A COLLECTIVE TRAUMA. D ANIE L L E BE R GE R O N INGR AM

frazzled nerves. The rate of opioid overdoses is up, too — 29.1 nonfatal overdoses per 10,000 emergency department visits in July 2020, compared with 15.1 in July 2019. In turn, Vermont substance-abuse services have reported an increase in demand. To help meet that demand, earlier this year the state departments of health and mental health received $2 million in emergency federal relief funding. Emotional stress takes a toll on physical health, with potentially grave consequences.

Dr. Prospero Gogo, a cardiologist at the University of Vermont Medical Center, said his department has seen a spike in heart attacks. That anecdotal observation is supported by national studies, such as a recent one by the American College of Cardiology that documented a dramatic increase in cardiac symptoms in patients around the country. Gogo noted an increase in “non-coronavirus mortality” nationwide, meaning death from, well, everything else, including cardiac events. That’s not unusual, he said, when people experience large-scale traumas.

“We have good literature showing that the rate of heart attacks goes up during the wildfires in California, volcanoes in Italy,” he said. “Very stressful, largepopulation events do increase heart attacks and cardiac presentations.” Traumatic events tend to trigger a specific kind of heart attack: stress cardiomyopathy, meaning stress on the heart muscle. Typically, Gogo explained, this is related to a surge of hormones such as adrenaline following a high-stress event — witnessing the death of a loved one, for example. The pandemic has another potentially deadly side effect: Fearing infection with the coronavirus at the hospital, people delay care for a range of ailments. When it comes to heart attack symptoms, Gogo said, “the earlier you seek attention, the more likely you are to survive.” As for avoiding stress conditions in the first place, the cardiologist offered predictable recommendations: Eat well, exercise, don’t drink to excess. Living clean can be a tall order when anxiety feels monumental, yet that’s precisely when we should try to clean up our act. Where do we start, though? In this solution-oriented package, Seven Days reports on ways to take better care of our mental health, from finding a therapist to discovering a niche hobby to learning how past traumas can help us navigate the present. (Also: Can a comic book educate us on some of these issues? Read about one coproduced by the Center for Cartoon Studies on page 30.) While we offer a few suggestions here, the possibilities for de-stressing your life are as limitless as your imagination. As Gogo put it, “I advise whatever healthy stress-relief valve you can find.” Consider that a prescription. D.B.

HEAD STRONG

Asking for help and getting the most out of therapy Are you having trouble sleeping? Are you eating way more or way less than you should? Has your evening nightcap turned into two or four or six Manhattans? Do you no longer take pleasure in things you used to enjoy? Are you unmotivated or irritable? Did that very question just piss you off? Congrats! You are alive in the year of Oh, Lord 2020. And it might be time to find some help. “Those are all the big red flags of depression and anxiety,” said Danielle Bergeron Ingram, Middlebury psychologist and vice president of the Vermont Psychological Association. If you are experiencing any or all of the aforementioned symptoms, or others, take heart: You’re not alone. In fact, you might have to be inhuman not to experience at least a little sadness and anxiety over the pandemic and the election and the civil unrest and the murder hornets and the wildfires and the hurricanes and Eddie Van Halen and… We need a minute here. … … … Gaaahhhh! … OK, we’re back.

Point is, we’re living in a seriously messedup time. It’s natural to feel messed up, too. But operators are standing by, and lots of people out there want to help. At the top of that list are mental health professionals: psychologists, counselors and therapists who are trained to un-mess you. But how do you find them? And what can you expect when you do? Bergeron Ingram offered her advice. Everything sucks. How do I find someone to talk to? If you’re looking for a therapist, Bergeron Ingram said, an easy place to start is the Psychology Today or Vermont Psychological Association websites, which both have directories of mental health professionals practicing in Vermont. Among other things, you can filter by geographic location, insurances accepted and specialty — grief, couples counseling, addiction, etc. Once you’ve found some candidates, Bergeron Ingram said, vet them. “Ask questions about training and experience,” she advised. “Be really specific with what it is you need help with: ‘I have this need. Do you have training treating that need?’” She added that a patient-therapist relationship is not a marriage, so it’s OK to play the field. “Just because you called one therapist does not mean you’re locked on their couch for the next 10 years,” Bergeron Ingram said.

She suggests having consultations with a few providers before deciding someone is right for you. If they’re not, politely ask for a referral. OK, I’ve found a shrink I like. What now? First off, don’t expect therapy to cure you overnight. It’s not magic. Like physical ailments, mental and emotional healing takes time and, most importantly, effort. But here’s the good news: The simple act of talking about what’s ailing you is a great place to start. “Having an unbiased person to talk to, really about anything, can help minimize stress,” Bergeron Ingram said. The goals should be having an outlet and coming up with an action plan to tackle your symptoms. “It can normalize stress,” she said. And that can make handling stress a little less daunting. Therapists are people, too; on top of everything we’re all struggling with, they’re trying to help others. How do they deal? “How do we practice what we preach?” Bergeron Ingram asked. “We try to do just that: Practice what we preach. The things that therapists do are things I would recommend to my patients.” That means setting appropriate and healthy boundaries in personal and professional relationships and knowing their stress levels and tolerances. It also means maintaining a normal schedule and doing the things that we all know, deep down, we should be doing to stay healthy.

“Moving our bodies regularly and eating healthy food, getting rest and really listening to our bodies,” Bergeron Ingram clarified. Those things take on added importance when our lives revolve around computer screens more than ever and even therapy happens online. “It’s been very taxing staring at a computer screen all day,” Bergeron Ingram said. So make a concerted effort to unplug. Your dried-out eyeballs will thank you. This is all great advice, but I just feel so helpless. Anything I can do day-to-day? “We’re living in a world where we feel like we’re out of control,” Bergeron Ingram said. “Not knowing when the virus is gonna end; not knowing when we’ll stop homeschooling our children; attending numerous Zoom meetings. “I think it’s really important to look at the things we can control,” she continued. “Even if it’s something simple, like ‘I know what I’m having for dinner.’ That’s something you have control over. You’re fueling your body and your brain, and it’s something to look forward to at the end of the day.” D.B.

INFO For more on the Vermont Psychological Association, including a directory of local therapists, visit vermontpsych.org. DE-STRESS SIGNALS

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

» P.34

De-Stress Signals « P.33

THOSE WEEKS OF SAILING

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

BY E L IS A JÄ R NE F E LT

ROLL WITH THE PUNCHES Combating stress with a niche hobby When I started punch needle rug hooking last winter, the hobby created more stress than it relieved. Stitching heavy-duty rug yarn into a piece of monk’s cloth, stretched and secured across a wooden lap frame, was harder than I’d thought. When I wasn’t losing the end of the yarn in the skein, the frame’s gripper strips were grabbing my sweater sleeves, leaving trails of tiny holes. I accidentally stabbed myself in the leg with alarming frequency, sometimes drawing blood. Undeterred by the hazards of learning this folk art and craft, I diligently punched along, hoping I’d end up with something that resembled a rug. Punch needle rug hooking differs from traditional rug hooking in the tool used and the direction of effort. In the former, a punch needle repeatedly pushes yarn down into the cloth; in the latter, a crochet-like hook pulls it up from below.

As I practiced, the motions of stitching the yarn and gliding my Oxford punch needle across the cloth became muscle memory, and my hobby got less stressful. Watching my stitches fill the frame, I realized I’d completely forgotten about the shitstorm out in the world. I was punching away my worries, and all that mattered was the rug. Amy Oxford invented the wooden-handled tool used by most punchers 25 years ago in Cornwall, Vt. In a recent phone call, Oxford told me I wasn’t alone in my pandemic-era hobby: She’s seen a 24 percent increase in sales of her Oxford punch needle since March. When Oxford started punch needle rug hooking in 1982, it was a dying art. Compared with traditional rug hooking, punching was obscure — even frowned on. “It was the black sheep of rug hooking,” Oxford said with a chuckle. Not bothered by what she called “crafting snobbery,” Oxford vowed to keep punching alive. She started a teacher certification program, through which she’s taught thousands of students to punch over the years.

In 2016, Toronto-based Arounna Khounnoraj’s modern designs went viral on social media, and punching entered a new renaissance. In 2019, Oxford’s company shipped punch needles to 62 different countries. I somehow missed the 2016 wave, but I’m thrilled to have discovered punch needle rug hooking in the stress tsunami that is 2020. Punching has many attributes that make it appealing in these uncertain times: The whole point is to stab, stab, stab cloth with a sharp metal object! Thread your needle and channel your rage! Oxford captured the craft’s allure perfectly on her website. “I have seen it wash away sadness, awaken creativity, build confidence, and forge friendships. I’ve watched slow and patient punching bring calm, and witnessed aggressive punching dissipate intense anger and frustration,” she wrote. As I fire off row after rage-filled row, my frustration tends to melt into focus. The repetitive motion — something many handicrafts share — lowers my heart rate and unclenches my jaw. “It’s an activity that encourages mindfulness,” Oxford explained. “It requires concentration on so many levels: physical coordination, visual, hand-to-eye coordination, tool-tobacking coordination, artistic thought of what you’re trying to create and how you’re going to create it.” It’s also reasonably affordable. An Oxford punch needle costs $32; Oxford’s gripper strip frames start at $69, but a regular embroidery hoop works, too. I’ve purchased hand-dyed yarn for $14 a skein, but leftover bits and regular craft-store yarn do the job. Even when it’s not rage-filled, punching makes quick progress. The speed with which I completed my first project — an outline of a mountain in an array of earthy greens — blew me away. (Another bonus: When you mess up, it’s easy to pull everything out and start again.) “Being able to see that progress quickly really helps with stress,” Oxford said. “The world is so frustrating right now. Having that little thing that you have control over — where you can finish something beautiful that is also useful — I think that’s a real draw.” For me, holding something concrete has been a welcome antidote to days spent staring at screens, doom-scrolling and Zooming. I haven’t quite figured out how to finish my rugs, but the growing stack of pseudo-completed projects in a corner of my office soothes me in a way that inbox zero never could. “If you’re working on something you’re really interested in and excited about, the rest of the world can fall away, at least for a little bit,” Oxford said. J. B .

INFO

Amy Oxford’s new book, Punch Needle Rug Hooking: Your Complete Resource to Learn & Love the Craft, will be published on November 17 and is available for preorder at amyoxford.com. DE-STRESS SIGNALS

4000 Mountain Road, Stowe, VT 802.253.8585 · topnotchresort.com

» P.36 Untitled-1 1

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

10/13/20 3:54 PM

De-Stress Signals « P.35

INTO THE WILD

Embracing the insanity and indulging baser impulses If I leave my window open at night, I can sometimes hear the eldritch yowling of several neighborhood cats either mauling each other or screwing their brains out — it’s impossible to tell which. These shenanigans usually take place between the hours of midnight and 3 a.m., when I would much rather be unconscious. But one of the least convenient manifestations of my sky-high existential dread is insomnia, which reliably rears its head around that time. So I lie awake and listen to the feline fracas, and I think about the precariousness of civilization. Sigmund Freud argued that large-scale human cooperation depends on the transformation of our basest impulses — the urge to shriek uncontrollably or to eat lots of cake while naked — into more useful, socially acceptable activities: the production of hieroglyphics, competitive bowling. But 2020 has placed an impossible strain on the delicate psychic mechanisms that help us channel our deranged whims into good, or at least neutral, acts. Increasingly, I have found myself unable to differentiate between stressrelieving behaviors and neurotic compulsions.

THE RIGHT STUFF De-stressing your home

I’ve been working from home for more than six months, and I officially hate my overhead lights. On cloudy days or in the evening, I turn on lamps, light candles or even click on the stove light, all to avoid using the overhead lighting. I’m not sure when or how it became so grating, but after months of spending more time in my apartment than ever before, I’m noticing problems I didn’t know existed pre-pandemic. Though many Vermonters have returned to in-person work, and essential workers never left it, the initial March lockdown is still likely to have changed our relationships to our homes. And, whether our living spaces are houses, apartments or even dorm rooms, they can have a huge impact on other parts of our lives, according to Deb Fleischman, a Montpelierbased professional organizer, productivity consultant and motivational speaker. “I believe that people’s physical space is part and parcel of their psychological space,” Fleischman said. “If you have a physical space that you feel comfortable in, that you feel is organized well and has an aesthetic component and serves different needs in your life, it creates the foundation for your well-being.” Through her business A Clear Space, Fleischman preaches the power of decluttering to ensure that our living spaces reduce stress rather than add to it. “Stuff isn’t just the physicality of the items,” she said. “It actually translates into something bigger, which is work. It takes work to manage all your stuff.”

Of course, there is a difference: In the universe of absolute value, deep breathing is probably superior to alcohol, and calling my friends back is definitely better than not calling my friends back. But in the universe where it’s 2020, or at least in my corner of it, the benefits of any particular coping strategy have become fungible. The suckage might plateau for a day, and I will scrape by on deep breathing, but then Ruth Bader Ginsburg dies, and it’s alcohol all the way. I’ve always been skeptical of wellness culture, which rests on the premise that your inner world can be cultivated and managed like a garden; that existential misery is a port where the slow, unwieldy cargo ship of your soul should not dock for too long. I have the privilege of dawdling in misery in a way that many others do not: I don’t have children; I have a job that pays the bills; I can afford to lie awake for hours in the dead of night, plying my insomnia with various ineffectual cures, and the only person who will suffer the consequences the next day is me. The conventional wisdom about insomnia is that you should do something other than try to sleep. One night, while the cats outside

were screaming their heads off, I somehow ended up reading the entire Wikipedia entry on D.B. Cooper, the pseudonym of an unidentified man who, in 1971, hijacked a plane for a $200,000 ransom, then jumped out somewhere between Seattle and Reno, Nev., with a parachute and a briefcase. Neither his body nor the money has ever been found. This stuff is batshit and not a good prelude to sleep; around 6 a.m., I gave up and made coffee and felt awful for the rest of the day. The world feels insane, and every day seems out of joint in a way that makes it hard to respond to normal cues. I used to be reasonably productive during normal business hours; recently, I’ve become a vampire. One day, I found the sunlight so annoying and hostile in its obliviousness to the situation on Earth that I closed the blinds in my room and pretended it was night. For a few hours, I managed to trick myself into feeling liberated from the diurnal rhythms of capitalism, and in my sanctuary of darkness, I felt a little better.

She recommends starting with papers — you know, that pile of mail, bills, schoolwork, receipts, kids’ art projects and magazines you keep saying you’ll read. (Just me?) A stack of paperwork floating around without a home can be an overwhelming reminder of obligations and demands on your time. A filing system helps — along with a reality check, which is likely to tell you that you don’t need most of it. “Most people only need one drawer, one little drawer, for their family,” Fleischman said. “I come to houses, and they have big giant filing systems, and most people don’t even know what’s in them.” If you’re really afraid to throw papers out, one option is to scan documents and plop them into a folder on your computer. Digital real estate, after all, is cheaper and more plentiful than its real-world counterpart. Creating an efficient and harmonious home isn’t just about getting rid of stuff. Adding some life via houseplants can also make a big difference. Studies have suggested that plants offer their owners psychological benefits, decreasing depression and boosting concentration and creativity. Simply put, “It’s nice to have some friends around,” in the words of Vermont gardening guru Charlie Nardozzi. But how do you keep your new friends from dying on you? Nardozzi, who’s an author and TV and radio host, advised that the most important step in houseplant rearing is picking a plant. Think about where you’ll put it, how much light that spot gets and how often you think you’ll remember to water.

In the best of times, I am an incorrigible cuticle picker; over the last few months, I have peeled enough skin from my thumbs to line the bottom of a hamster cage. Is this deranged? Absolutely. Is it free and legal and harmless to the general public? Also absolutely. Running is probably my only “healthy” outlet, but sometimes even that feels like a terrible exertion. Last Monday, I went to my usual running haunt in the Intervale and managed to go less than half a mile before I felt an overwhelming tightness in my chest. I had the urge to lie facedown in the middle of the trail, so without giving it a second thought, I did. The dirt was damp and smelled faintly, though not unpleasantly, fecal; a small regiment of ants marched past my nose, going about their unfathomable day. It occurred to me that someone might walk by and be alarmed at the sight of a jogger lying spread-eagle on the ground, but then again, lying spread-eagle on the ground does not seem like an unreasonable response to the year 2020. Eventually, I got up and kept running. C .E .

Succulents may be widely considered a beginner-friendly houseplant, but they need a lot of sunlight to thrive. If you’re stuck without a south-facing window, there are low-light plants that will be happier in your home. Do you have pets? Some plants are toxic, so do your research if you think your cat might decide to take a nibble. Nardozzi recommends starting with a plant that’s considered practically foolproof. The snake plant — also known as motherin-law’s tongue — and the ZZ plant are two good options. He said both are “plants you can kind of put in a corner … and water it once in a while when you remember to, and it’ll be fine.” You don’t have to spend a lot of money, either. One of the great joys of raising plants is realizing that leaves or stalks cut off and propagated can turn into new plants. If you have plant-loving friends, ask them to share a cutting. For those based in or near Burlington, the Facebook group BTV Plant Share and Swap hosts plant trades and giveaways, along with plenty of helpful advice. Everyone’s home priorities will be different, but Fleischman suggested it’s never too early to take simple steps. Fall, like spring, is a prime time to clear stuff out or make over a home, she noted. Small changes now could make a big difference as we face down an uncertain winter. And me? I’m embracing the small part of my soul that never left the college dorm and buying string lights to drape around my living room. Life is too short to live in bad lighting. M.G. DE-STRESS SIGNALS

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

» P.38

Attention Grown-Ups! ids VT Look inside the K r a super fun October issue fo CK PALS Hannaford SNA s! t for your kiddo le k o o B y it iv ct A

“HomeShare took the stress out of finding a housemate.”

Angie

ive It’ll have interact ities, games and activ r our including clues fo ger new virtual scaven mmy hunt, as well as yu hole family. recipes for the w e know some of th You’ll even get to s arn some fun fact Snack Pals and le veggies! about fruits and Angie

HOME SHARE Bringing Vermonters together to share homes

863-5625 HomeShareVermont.org

4t-homeshareVT101420 1

10/9/20 7:45 AM

el for kids.

n fufor Fufuel r hunt! kids. ge .com Fun en pals scnaav ck uaorlds rtaf vinn exciting ha

p for an hannafordsnackpals.com ls.com Download the ap nnafordsnackpa ha at e lin on n fu Or join the k4t-Hannaford1020.indd 1

10/2/20 10:16 AM

PAID FOR BY AARP

Vermont

for for kids. FunFfuel el kids. un fu ls.com hannafordsnackpals.com afordsnackpa hann

Your Vote. Your Voice. Our Fight. As our nation battles a pandemic and economic downturn, the health and financial security of voters over 50 are on the line. That’s why AARP Vermont is fighting for your voice to be heard. AARP Vermont wants to make sure that you know all of your voting options and that all Americans—from working parents to family caregivers to seniors in nursing homes—can vote safely whether they choose to vote from home or in-person. For more information on how you can vote safely and make your voice heard, visit aarp.org/VTvotes facebook.com/AARPVermont | @AARPVT | aarp.org/VT

2h-nenpa(AARP)101420 1

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

10/12/20 9:54 AM

Staycation Renovation

Make your home everyone’s favorite destination.

More than ever, our homes are working overtime, so now is a great time to update your home lighting. Shop safe at The Lighting House.

THE LIGHTING HOUSE Vermont’s Premier Lighting and Outdoor Furniture Store

RT 7 Shelburne Rd 985-2204 THE LIGHTING HOUSE •

Vermont’s Premier Lighting Outdoor Showroom Hours:and Mon. – Fri.Furniture 9 - 5:30,Store Sat.

9- 5

www.TheLightingHouse.net 4T-thelightinghouse101420 1

10/5/20 10:04 AM

Great Deals! Giveaways!

Good Vibes!

don’t miss

Montpelier Madness October 15th - 17th 20 Landgon Street, Montelier, VT - (802)-225-6736 - onionriver.com 38

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

4T-OROutdoors100720 1

10/5/20 2:03 PM

De-Stress Signals « P.36

POWER LUNCH

Finding comfort in food without using it to escape feelings Lizzy Pope, associate professor of nutrition and dietetics at the University of Vermont, recognizes that food provokes stress in many people even in the best of times — and these are not the best of times. She knows because she’s been there. “A lot of dieticians have shitty relationships with food, honestly,” the Barre native acknowledged. Pope, 37, said she’s spent the past decade “rehabbing” her own approach to eating while figuring out how to help others build healthy relationships with food. “Often that means giving them permission to just eat without a lot of rules and guidelines,” Pope said. “When you realize you can have ice cream whenever you want, then it loses power over you.” She believes in the intuitive eating approach, which begins with rejecting the dieting mentality. Pope also advocates for healthat-every-size principles, which include respect for body diversity and the belief that health is possible for multiple body shapes and sizes. Pope spoke with Seven Days about what Beyoncé can teach us, how to avoid (over) eating your feelings, and her grandmother’s mac and cheese. SEVEN DAYS: You often employ Beyoncé songs as teaching tools. Can you think of one that would work for the topic of stress and eating? LIZZY POPE: I use “Drunk in Love” to illustrate that our decision making is sometimes subpar when we are drunk and when we are in love. [Just like when we are under stress], those are difficult states for us to make rational decisions [in], and so we end up on the kitchen floor thinking, How the hell did this happen? SD: Is turning to food in times of stress always a bad thing? LP: No, it’s definitely not. Food does bring us pleasure, right? Sometimes having a pickme-up from food is welcome and the best coping mechanism we have available. A lot of our good memories are probably associated with food, too. You remember, Oh, when I make these cookies, it’s usually because I’m with my family. I can’t be with my family right now, but I’ll make these cookies. To evoke those type of safe feelings seems relatively positive, especially when the world is so chaotic around us. Turning to food for a moment of joy can be beneficial. SD: “Stress eating” has a negative connotation, but “comfort food” does not necessarily carry the same baggage. Is it a slippery slope from comfort food to stress eating? LP: They are on a continuum. In the Intuitive Eating book by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch, their continuum starts with sensory gratification, where you’re emotional and you want a little bit of a happy feeling. Then [comes] eating for comfort — with comfort food, perhaps — and then eating for distraction [when] everything’s too much, or [you’re] too stressed, or maybe you’re bored. [Then there’s] eating yourself into a stupor. If you continue

eating large quantities of food, you’re basically punishing yourself for feeling your feelings. Most people are probably in the sensory gratification, emotional eating or comfort eating, maybe distraction phases. I think when it takes a turn to the negative is when it’s your only coping mechanism. Food can only do so much. SD: If people find they are developing unhealthy eating habits due to stress, what might you recommend? LP: There are different types of health. We focus so much on physical health, not remembering that there’s mental health, emotional health, spiritual health. You’re actually more likely to [engage in] emotional or stress eating because you’re not taking care of your mental and emotional health. It’s about figuring out what’s really behind the emotional eating. Are you bored? Are you truly stressed? Are you worried about the COVID situation, the political situation, the racial unrest? Are there other ways you could handle your feelings? Could you journal? Could you talk to a friend? Could you talk to a therapist? Can you just sit with the feelings? With chronic stress, sometimes I’ll find myself just eating to fill the space. Is there a way you could distract yourself or change your situation? Go for a walk or just change rooms in your house, learn a TikTok dance. SD: What’s a comfort food for you? LP: Peanut butter sandwiches. That’s literally what my mom packed me for lunch every single day of my school career. I don’t eat it every day for lunch anymore, but I could. And the mac and cheese my grandma used to make at Christmas: It’s the most ridiculous recipe — literally only American cheese — and it is so good. This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity and length. M.P.

INFO

Learn more about health-at-every-size principles at haescommunity.com and intuitive eating at intuitiveeating.org. DE-STRESS SIGNALS

» P.40

Independent Living Your Way You’re one of a kind and so are we! Experience the freedom to fill your days with the things you love: learning, culture, entertainment, nature, and three chef-prepared meals included daily.

Our families rated our COVID-19 response

lcbseniorliving.com/safety

at Otter Creek | Quarry Hill | Shelburne Bay

Independent, Assisted & Memory Care Living 866-728-6780 New Independent Living residents receive a complimentary iPad - call us to schedule a tour! 2h-ExploreComm(LCB)101420 1

10/9/20 7:56 AM

Vermonters value simplicity. So we built it into our Medicare plans.

Introducing Vermont Blue Advantage® created by Blue Cross® and Blue Shield® of Vermont. The all-in-one Medicare Advantage plans made by Vermonters, for Vermonters.

Simple as that. 877-240-2096 (TTY:711) 8AM - 8PM vermontblueadvantage.com © 2020, Vermont Blue Advantage. All Rights Reserved. Vermont Blue Advantage and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont are independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Y0148_VBALakeDockNwspAd_C FVNR 0920 2h-Nenpa(VTBLUE)101420 1

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

10/12/20 9:41 AM

ADVENTUROUS FOOTWEAR & APPAREL FOR MEN & WOMEN

De-Stress Signals « P.38

PAST IS PROLOGUE Learning from history and seeing the big picture

Montpelier Madness! GREAT DISCOUNTS STOREWIDE! Some Exclusions Apply.

Thursday - Saturday October 15-17th

Plus, enjoy raffle prizes and a FREE gift with purchase. While Supplies Last.

8 LANGDON STREET · MONTPELIER, VT · (802) 613-3902 · ROAMVT.COM

4T-Roam101420 1

10/13/20 8:15 AM

STEPS FOR SOCIAL CHANGE

with Bia Diagnostics + Steps to End Domestic Violence

OBER ALL OCT

LONG!

FUEL UP Commit to acts of physical wellness that will energize + motivate you to sustain the work to end domestic violence. Start your journey on October 1st and accomplish something big on Saturday, October 24th.

FUNDRAISE

Ask your friends + family to sponsor your journey and join us for vritual wellness events to help us continue to provide free + conﬁdential services to those affected by domestic violence. REGISTER & DONATE: www.stepsvt.org/steps-for-social-change ur ! o o sors t u n yo spo nk us a Th nero ge

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

4t-Stepstoenddomesticviolence092320 1

9/21/20 8:26 AM

Plenty of life experiences led Bhuttu Mathews into the field of psychotherapy, but he cites the Great Recession as a key impetus. The economic stressors and sky-high unemployment of 2008 caused the number of homeless individuals and families to tick upward, as did levels of alcoholism and drug abuse. A 2014 study in the British Journal of Psychiatry suggested that the recession led to 10,000 suicides in Europe, the U.S. and Canada. Mathews personally dealt with substance abuse and homelessness during the Great Recession, and he saw “a lot of really shady places” purporting to offer help to vulnerable people, he recalled in an interview with Seven Days. “The great deficit then was the availability of widespread mental health services,” Mathews said. “We did not have a collective capacity then, and while it’s better now, we still don’t have a collective capacity as it should be.” Mathews is now a public safety officer at Saint Michael’s College and a prelicensed clinical psychologist with a Burlington-based private practice. He thinks the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent economic fallout could affect collective mental health in similar ways to the recession. That might sound bleak, but Mathews suggests those past experiences can give us a leg up in our current troubles. “There’s a lot of collective wisdom to be learned from generations before us, and we often lose that in our day-to-day hustle and bustle,” he said. Of course, many stress-causing factors are out of our control and were before the pandemic. Mathews cites childhood education, accessible and affordable housing, health care access, and social equity as structural issues that affect our mental health when they’re lacking. For people of marginalized identities, including people of color, queer people and immigrants, discrimination and oppression compound those issues. “There’s so much of identity-based counseling that depends on ... waiting for a better day,” Mathews said. However, “the resilience of marginalized communities is extremely high.” Mathews highlighted a few key concepts that are useful for framing the stress that Americans are currently experiencing. One is secondhand trauma. Often associated with first responders or counselors, who may witness trauma without directly experiencing it, secondhand trauma can affect those exposed to disturbing images or stories. Mathews said that hearing about the suffering in the world during the pandemic could produce secondhand trauma that changes our outlook for the rest of our lives. As we adjust to wearing masks and become more wary of crowded spaces, our minds may transform along with our behavior.

“You can imagine how our thoughts are changing and our mindsets are changing and our fears are becoming much more pronounced,” Mathews said. People who have remained relatively healthy and economically stable during the pandemic may also experience survivor’s guilt, or the phenomenon of regret about avoiding harm that affected others. In a time of nationwide suffering, these people may feel they have no right to be as distressed or anxious as they are. “The first thing we need to do in terms of survivor’s guilt is be OK with the fact that we deserve to be healthy,” Mathews said. Like many other social justice-oriented care providers, Mathews uses the “social model” to understand health, including disability and mental illness. In this view, a disease such as anxiety is not a moral failing — a refusal to “buck up” and power through a tough period in history — but a product of a person’s environment. “We stigmatize getting a disease very morally. We absolutely need to get out of that mindset,” he said. Ultimately, Mathews believes, understanding mental illness and its historical causes can help us survive our current stressors. “It seems like we are in a tough place, because we’ve never been through something like this before in our lives,” he said. “But [generations] before us have gotten through just as big, if not bigger, issues.” We can draw on collective wisdom, he said, by acting as a team and working through problems with the people around us. Have others look at your problems, he suggested, who can offer “compassionate, loving suggestions” — and then do that same work for others. “Those of us who’ve been through journeys like homelessness and addiction, we understand that it’s easy to get into a hell, so to speak. We can get there on our own,” Mathews said. “But it’s with the help of others that we get out of it. We are not going to be able to get out of this working individually, in a pull-your-ownself-up-by-your-bootstraps kind of a mentality. We can only do this as a community.” M.G.

Our readers are

noteworthy. Seven Days depends almost entirely on advertising and event revenue to pay the bills. When that income was reduced by half because of the pandemic, we asked our readers for help, and you responded generously.

Thank you! Havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t donated yet? If you like what we do and can afford to make a onetime or monthly recurring donation, please become a Seven Days Super Reader. Your support will help to keep our journalism thriving, our communities connected and you, our valued readers, in the know.

Local Journalism Needs You. Donate Today! Join the Super Readers at sevendaysvt.com/super-readers.

Or, send a note (and a check) to: Seven Days c/o Super Readers, PO Box 1164, Burlington, VT 05402. Need info? Contact Corey Grenier at 865-1020, ext. 36 or superreaders@sevendaysvt.com.

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

RETAIL THERAPY BY CAROLYN SHAPIRO

A New Chapter

Customer loyalty has helped the Vermont Book Shop survive downtown construction and a pandemic

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

CALEB KENNA

s 2020 dawned, Becky Dayton knew she was heading toward a rocky few months at the Vermont Book Shop. Outside the store on Middlebury’s Main Street, a major construction project was soon to begin, bringing with it blocked streets, ripped-up sidewalks and a severe drop in customer traffic. “I was expecting a huge hit in business,” Dayton said in a recent interview. She anticipated that the 10-week project — the replacement of two railroad bridges with a tunnel through the center of Middlebury’s commercial district — would be her worst problem of 2020. Then came the coronavirus. In mid-March, a few days before Gov. Phil Scott ordered the emergency shutdown of nonessential businesses, Dayton closed her store out of concern about infection and laid off her six employees. Last week, after nearly seven months of serving the public online and via curbside pickup, the 71-year-old bookshop quietly reopened for in-person shopping. Hours remain limited for now: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. Customers can also browse a smaller selection at the Vermont Book Shop’s satellite location inside the Stone Mill Public Market, around the corner on Mill Street. And they can continue to order online. By the time the rail project wrapped up, in late September, the Vermont Book Shop’s revenue had slipped 34 percent from the same period in 2019, Dayton said. Still, she’s optimistic: “We’re fine. We’re going to survive.” Dayton, 51, who bought the bookstore in 2005, used the closure as an opportunity to renovate the interior and add COVID-19 protections. For easier cleaning, she replaced carpeting and cork floors with wood ones. Shelves now can be moved on casters, allowing staff to expand aisles or remove them entirely when the shop resumes hosting readings and other events. Dayton doesn’t expect that to happen before next year. “The store had gotten very tight,” she said. “It wasn’t going to be safe for people to socially distance themselves.” Dayton also swapped a single checkout and gift-wrapping counter for two separate register stations, fronted by clear Plexiglas. A big sofa and a few chairs, which once encouraged customers to linger and relax, are gone.

Becky Dayton at the Vermont Book Shop

The space is bright and airy, if perhaps a little sterile. Reduced inventory has left a few gaps in the shelves at the back. Dayton said her top priority is keeping her staff and customers safe — and her business solvent. “I’m working extra hard to keep this little bookstore alive in my community,” she said. The Vermont Book Shop ended 2019 on a high note, with a strong holiday season and a 5 percent increase in sales over the previous year, Dayton said. By June, monthly revenue had dropped to less than 50 percent of the pre-COVID-19 total. That qualified the store for a $50,000 Vermont Emergency Economic Recovery Grant, funded through federal legislation. Between that boost and her cash reserves, Dayton managed to keep the business afloat through the summer. Until she could call back a few employees, she juggled the equivalent of three staffers’ work and solicited help from her daughter and her son’s girlfriend to fulfill the surge of web orders. Some days, Dayton’s husband and partner, Chris, handled as many as 30 local deliveries, she said. Even as Gov. Scott allowed retailers to resume in-store operations, Dayton decided it wasn’t worth reopening in the middle of construction, which would have required customers to walk from parking spots about a quarter mile away and past two portable toilets placed in front of her door, she explained. When talk of the downtown tunnel construction commenced in 2016, “I

Check out what other Vermont retailers are up to at shoptheregister.com. really started to panic,” Dayton recalled. “I started thinking about ways to counteract it or cope with it.” In July of 2019, the team that redeveloped the Stone Mill building into the home for a collection of small merchants asked Dayton if she’d like to put a stall there. She loved the idea of having Dedalus Wine and Cheese, Slate Home décor shop, and the Stone Mill gift collection as neighbors in the building. That market also closed for the initial months of the pandemic, but it reopened in June. The location has subsequently served as the primary pickup site for the bookshop’s local online orders. Dayton’s planning for the rail project probably helped her weather the coronavirus shutdown, she acknowledged last week, adding that her stall at Stone Mill proved to be “a lifesaver.” So did the Vermont Book Shop’s website, which Dayton set up a decade ago through the American Booksellers Association

platform, IndieCommerce. Before the pandemic, the site existed essentially as a marketing tool, a virtual storefront where consumers could find information. It represented less than 1 percent of the bookshop’s sales. Since March, online sales have skyrocketed to about 90 percent of the business, Dayton said. New customers from New York and elsewhere started ordering online. One regular virtual visitor in Staten Island orders about $150 worth of books every six weeks or so, Dayton said. “We were getting orders from kids who had graduated from Middlebury College 10 to 15 years ago, because they were hearing about what the pandemic was doing to small local businesses and they thought of downtown Middlebury.” Other stars aligned to boost the store’s sales. Two popular Vermont authors, Julia Alvarez and Chris Bohjalian, published books in May and promoted them on social media, referencing the Vermont Book Shop as a source. This summer, with Black Lives Matter protests erupting nationwide in the wake of the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, bookstores everywhere saw a flood of interest in books about racism and racial justice. “We did thousands and thousands of dollars of business selling Ibram Kendi’s How to Be an Antiracist and Ijeoma Oluo’s So You Want to Talk about Race. It was just amazing,” Dayton said. “Everything that James Baldwin ever wrote suddenly was in demand.” She added, “It was fascinating and really very rewarding to be the provider of that for people.” Dayton said her outlook remains bolstered by the flood of concerned comments and encouragement she has received. The emotional affirmation during this challenging time is as important as the financial support, she added. “We all need human contact,” Dayton said, “and we all need to feel seen and appreciated, whether you’re the cashier at the Maplefields or the lady who owns the bookstore in your little town.” Contact: shapiro@sevendaysvt.com

INFO Learn more at vermontbookshop.com. Retail Therapy is a seasonal series focused on retail businesses around Vermont.

PUT YOUR AUTO LOAN ON CRUISE CONTROL WITH A LIMITED TIME AUTO LOAN REFINANCE SPECIAL Everybody could use a little extra money in their pocket, and one way you can save is by refinancing your monthly auto payment. With the holiday season coming up, it’s never been a better time to save. Learn more at vermontfederal.org/auto-loan-refinance.

% 1

CASH BACK*

UP TO

200

INSURED BY NCUA *APR is the Annual Percentage Rate on the loan. Rates are quoted “as low as” and are subject to an evaluation of our credit at the time of application. Rates may vary. Terms may be limited based on credit and collateral. Rates are subject to change without notice. The 1% cash back is only for auto refinances from another financial institution; Maximum $200.00. Loan must be open for 90 days or 1% cash back will be surrendered. 90 days deferred payments dependent on credit qualifications and existing Vermont Federal Credit Union loans are not eligible. Monthly premiums for credit insurance purchased and interest will be added to the loan during the deferred payment term. Limited time offer. This promotion cannot be combined with other offers. Must be a member of the Credit Union to obtain a loan.

Untitled-2 1

+ NO PAYMENTS

UNTIL 2021*

vermontfederal.org | 888.252.0202

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

10/13/20 3:56 PM

VERMONTING

BY CHELSEA EDGAR

Waterfalls and Hoagies M Exploring both sides of the Appalachian Gap

HELLO, VERMONTING

Even as Vermont has opened up from the pandemic shutdown, Gov. Phil Scott still encourages residents to stay close to home as much as possible. And so this is a good time to explore our home state. Its diminutive size makes a multitude of short trips accessible, whether for a few hours, an overnight or a longer getaway. This series presents curated excursions in every corner of Vermont, based on the experiences of Seven Days reporters. The idea is to patronize the state’s restaurants, retailers, attractions and outdoor adventures — after all, we want them to be there when the pandemic is finally over. Happy traveling, and stay safe.

I TOOK A FEW BLISSFUL INHALATIONS OF RIVER MIST AND PINEY AIR,

AND THEN SET OFF AGAIN.

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

Forage and Finery in Warren

Art on Main in Bristol

PHOTOS: CHELSEA EDGAR

y whip, Edith, is a 2004 Volvo station wagon for outdoor concerts every Wednesday evening in the with 250,000-plus miles on her odometer summer since just after the Civil War. I sat in the gazebo, and a dented passenger door that doesn’t happily shoveling forkfuls of aioli-dressed plant matter shut properly unless you slam it with g-force. into my mouth and contemplating the muted but still I did not choose Edith; she previously belonged to my gloriously ocher foliage. mom, who bequeathed her to me in my senior year of Afterward, I wandered across the street to RECYCLED college as a tactical divorce move. READING OF VERMONT, a used bookstore and musical instruDuring my last semester at Middlebury, when I hated ment shop with a formidable selection of board games and everything so much that I flirted with the idea of dropping art supplies. Within seconds of entering, I was ensorcelled out, I often drove Edith 10 pretty miles north on Route 7, by the cover of a paperback on a display table near the then east on 17 to Bristol, where I would indulge in some entrance: Sloths: A Celebration of the World’s Most Misunlight, restorative truancy. This truancy, I should empha- derstood Mammal. The back cover posed three tantalizing size, was very light; the craziest shit I ever got up to was questions: “How old is the sloth? How do sloths have sex? cutting class for a day and drinking two chai lattes at Bris- How did a sloth save Dublin?” tol Bakery while finishing a New York Times crossword Reader, I shelled out hard: $7 was an eminently reasonpuzzle, without notifying anyone of my whereabouts. able price to pay for the secrets of slothdom. But before I Seven years later, Edith and I are still a thing. Last Thursday, I took her on a jaunt to Warren by way of Bristol, where I revisited the scene of my 22-year-old malaise. Bristol’s Main Street has always reminded me of Richard Scarry’s Busytown — a place where people constantly seem to be waving at each other as they go about their errands. The Bristol Cliffs Wilderness looms above the historic buildings of downtown, not in a creepy, ominous way but in a nice, protective way, like an incoming hug from a very tall being. My first stop, of course, was the former Bristol Bakery, which now goes by the slightly-less-snuggly-sounding name BRISTOL CLIFFS CAFÉ. The interior felt exactly the same as it did when I drowned my sorrows in chai — warm and sunny and cozy, its familiar brick walls covered in local art. When I arrived, in the pre-lunch doldrums between 11 a.m. and noon, the Bristol Town Green featured display was a series of “Calvin and Hobbes”-esque cartoons by Judah Jackson, the son of Lincoln-based artist Rory Jackson. (Woody Jackson, a painter known for his Technicolor farmscapes and happy Holsteins, is Judah’s great-uncle.) I ordered a kale Caesar salad, a concession to the impending lunch hour and the concept of dietary fiber. Because of COVID-19, the café doesn’t allow indoor dining, so I took my salad over to the town green, which looks like it fell directly out of Norman Rockwell’s brain. The green features an assortment of perfectly spaced benches and several lovely maples; there is also a playground, deserted at that hour, whose architecture boasts some of the best tree house vibes this side of Lothlórien. Near the center of the green is a gazebo that, according to Warren Falls the town’s website, has served as a stage

The Warren Store

Yarn & Yoga in Bristol

Saslaw. Then, I meandered next door to check out YARN & YOGA, a shop whose dual functions need no further elaboration. Due to the breathiness of yoga, the store has lately focused on the yarn half of its mission, Warren Store swag according to co-owner Anne Wallace, who was knitting a gray color-block cardigan when I poked my head in. I am a mediocre knitter at best, but IN THE AREA the mere sight of dyed wool and its warm, clean • ART ON MAIN: artonmain.net smell lowered my blood pressure instantly. • THE BOBCAT CAFÉ: thebobcatcafe.com In other times, I might have sidled up to the • BRISTOL CLIFFS CAFÉ: bristolcliffscafe.com bar of the BOBCAT CAFÉ & BREWERY for a midday • FARMHOUSE CHOCOLATES: farmhousechocolates.com IPA, but the eatery has shifted to a takeout• FORAGE AND FINERY: forageandfinery.com only model. So I hit the road for Warren by • RECYCLED READING OF VERMONT: recycledreadingofvt.com • VILLAGE CREEME STAND, facebook.com/ way of the Appalachian Gap, but first, I took villagecreemestand a small detour on Lincoln Road to ogle BRIS• THE WARREN STORE: warrenstore.com TOL FALLS, one of my favorite swimming holes • YARN & YOGA: yarnandyoga.com in Addison County. On hot summer days, did, I perused the selection of literature on animal the rocks around the cascades are usually husbandry, tested various ink pens and examined crawling with people, but this time of year, the vast collection of ukuleles for sale. The store Ukulele at Recycled and especially on a weekday afternoon, owner, Melissa Hernandez, informed me that Reading of Vermont you’ll likely have this magical spot all to Bristol is home to the Vermont Ukulele Society, yourself. which, in non-pandemic times, convenes for strumLess than two miles from downtown alongs every second and fourth Monday in Howden Hall Bristol, I parked in a turnout and hiked a dozen Community Center. or so yards into the woods, where I reached the edge of a My next stop was ART ON MAIN, a nonprofit, volunteer- 15-foot drop. I took a few blissful inhalations of river mist run gallery that sells work by local artisans. There, I and piney air, and then set off again. became the proud mom of a blue-and-ivory glazed As Edith and I negotiated the steep hairpin turns of Route ceramic spoon rest, made by Lincoln potter Elizabeth 17, I took in the late-fall beauty like a newborn, googly-eyed

and slack-jawed. I rolled down my window as I crested the top of APPALACHIAN GAP, elevation 2,375 feet, and whooped at a trio of cyclists, who looked as if they were about to perish. I rode with my windows down almost all the way to Waitsfield, until the burning-carpet smell of Edith’s brake pads compelled me to roll them up again. (Sorry, Edith.) In Waitsfield, I picked up Route 100 and drove five miles south into Warren, a button of a village in the shadow of Mount Ellen and Sugarbush Resort. Downtown Warren is arrestingly quaint. Its social and commercial hub, the WARREN STORE, a two-story house with wraparound porches upstairs and down, has utterly nailed the country store gestalt. Upon entering, I was greeted by a display of old-fashioned hard candy sticks and felt, briefly, as if I had wandered into an idea. The Warren Store is notorious enough to sell branded merchandise, including children’s T-shirts and adult cycling jerseys. The first floor is dedicated to comestibles; the second floor is a ramble of home goods and apparel — not just of the Warren Store variety — made from soft natural fibers. Upstairs, I talked myself out of an intoxicatingly nice-smelling bar of Warren Store-brand spruce orange goat milk soap, then headed back downstairs to the deli counter to inquire about a sandwich. (One cannot live on kale salad alone.) In my personal pantheon of foodstuffs, the Italian hoagie occupies an esteemed pedestal; when I saw one on the lunch menu, I ordered it reflexively. While I waited, I helped myself to a four-pack of Sip of Sunshine IPA from what might be the most beautiful refrigeration apparatus I have ever seen: a vintage wooden icebox with six brasslatched doors. Opening them required such ceremonious dexterity that I felt as if I were removing a relic from a chest. Then, I picked up my sandwich, which had the approximate heft of a baby, and took it to one of the picnic tables on the patio outside the store. The patio overlooks Freeman Brook, which runs beneath Main Street and eventually empties into the Mad River. At my picnic table, warmed by the late afternoon sun and serenaded by the murmuring stream below, I pounded that hoagie. It was a triumph of the genre — the right ratio of salami to provolone to capicola, the correct number of red onions, the absolutely imperative quality of almost-staleness in the bread. If my day had ended there, I would have been satisfied. But there was still more quaintness to absorb. I went next door to FORAGE AND FINERY, a boutique that sells silver jewelry and herbal skin potions made by women who both happen to be named Sasha. Before heading back to Burlington, I drove a few more miles south on Route 100 to WARREN FALLS, another überpopular summer swimming destination, and found the parking lot nearly empty. I hiked through the sun-dappled woods and took in my second waterfall of the day, feeling obscenely lucky to live in Vermont. My return trip, north along Route 100 to Interstate 89 in Waterbury, was no less sublime for the fact that I hotboxed my own oniony burps the entire way home. Edith, my long-suffering companion, did not complain. Contact: chelsea@sevendaysvt.com Find more information on Vermont day trips and adventures from the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing at vermontvacation.com/staytripper. SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

HARVEST HARVEST HARVEST Time to Harvest

Theater review: Dutch Masters, Northern Stage BY ALE X BR O W N

COURTESY OF JACQUELINE BYRNE

We are fully stocked with all types of Harvest supplies Scissors, Clippers, & Cutters, Trim Bins, drying Racks, Cover crops, And Hash Bags, 4 bag and 8 bag sets

Strangers on a D Train THEATER

Emeraldrose is open 11-3 tues-sat Or call for appointments 802-453-4797 11 MAIN ST BRISTOL Just come on down and checkout our supply AND Stay connected on facebook and instagram DONT FORGET OUR NOVELTY SEEDS AVAILABLE AT EMERALDROSESEEDS.COM

8V-emeraldgrows093020.indd 1

9/21/20 11:45 AM

It’s time to wrap up the 2020 season! We are open daily through October 31st

20% off ALL PERENNIALS,

SHRUBS AND CONTAINER TREES! Mon-Sat: 8am-4pm Sunday: 10am-4pm 802-453-5382 2638 Ethan Allen Hwy New Haven, VT 05472 greenhavengardensandnursery.com 46

John Kroft (left) and Nuri Hazzard

he theater for this moment is either a comforting diversion or a reflection of the changes we’re confronting. Northern Stage is trying both with a three-part series called Tiny Necessary Theater. Starting with the tough stuff, the first of their pieces looks at racism in a compelling two-character show. Convenient to stream, and with a low ticket price, Northern Stage is making theater accessible. And necessary. Greg Keller’s Dutch Masters premiered in 2018 but is set in New York City when David Dinkins, the city’s first and only Black mayor, was in office in the early ’90s. It won’t seem so long ago — systemic racism was masked then with the claim “we’re all equal now.” On a summer day in 1992, two young men meet on a nearly empty Bronx-bound D train. Eric is Black, Steve is white, and their interactions are rooted in racial differences that they strain to avoid addressing overtly. After Eric tosses a “whassup?” to the lanky guy buried in

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

8V-greenhaven101420.indd 1

10/13/20 10:43 AM

a book on the train, the two will spend 70 taut minutes in a physical and mental dance of trust and suspicion. They will discover a surprising connection, but not before Keller lets them struggle to see each other through the tangle of respect, fear and anger that forms their racial perspective. The dialogue is natural, but it’s all icebergs — what’s beneath the surface pitches the characters forward and asks the audience to witness the unspoken essence of racial distrust. Director Rachel H. Dickson keeps the characters in a delicate balance, pushing and pulling each other as they shift the audience’s sympathies. In riveting performances, the actors carve out the little hesitation before revealing the truth, or suppressing it. Eric’s motives are impossible to guess. Only minutes after meeting Steve, he confides, “Me and my friends are robbing this train.” Is it a tip, a boast, a lie, a confidence or a threat? As Eric, Nuri Hazzard lets every interpretation glisten in his silent

stare at the white kid too frozen to clutch his backpack off the seat. Hazzard smiles broadly one moment then glowers the next, daring Steve to accept his friendship. Is Eric propelled by anger or a yearning to connect? Hazzard captures both menace and sincerity, driving viewers to experience their own prejudices. Should Steve trust him? Would I? As Steve, John Kroft is a jangle of long limbs and pure nerves. He churns through sloppy lies about why he can’t join Eric to smoke dope while striving to agree with Eric’s suggestion that “We be boys, right?” Kroft plays Steve as boyish and impulsive, and when Eric calls out his evasions, Steve shows more curiosity than courage when he leaves the train with Eric. A two-character play is a partnership, and Hazzard and Kroft maintain a stunning connection from start to finish. Two things this reviewer has missed most during the loss of live theater were in welcome abundance here: the give-and-take of performers working face-to-face and the gorgeous

danger of a confrontation. Streaming lacks the immediacy of live performance, but this production crackles with energy nonetheless. Physical distance or proximity underlines every point of tension in the play. The actors are together, performing for the camera on sets at Northern Stage. Anyone who’s ridden a subway knows about guarding personal space, and the play begins with Eric pushing himself into Steve’s. The characters approach and recoil as they test trust, and the camera often exaggerates distance by limiting depth of field to leave one actor out of focus. Film designer and editor Alek Deva uses camera techniques to flatten or expand space. The performing restraints of COVID-19 kept the actors six feet apart except for brief moments, but Dickson

Advance Your Career with Saint Michael’s College Graduate Programs

Graduate Degrees Offered In:

STREAMING LACKS THE IMMEDIACY OF LIVE PERFORMANCE, BUT

Education

THIS PRODUCTION CRACKLES WITH ENERGY NONETHELESS. converts the limitation into strength, emphasizing the characters’ constant impulse to pull apart. Watching them flinch from each other converts pandemic distance into the gulf of racism itself. The production is simple but technically masterful. Helen Rooker consulted on the effective lighting, and James Roeder advised on sets that merge abstraction with gritty touches of realism. Sound designer Kate Marvin built a sonic city background to convey the world beyond the frame. The play is staged theatrically, but streaming adds the intimacy of close-ups. The camera is unobtrusive and the tone is neutral, as if we’re seeing the characters more truthfully than they see themselves. There’s suspense in wondering what comes next, and this production is as gripping as it gets. But here the wondering extends a little deeper, as prejudice simmers and viewers can project their own responses to a situation that distills race and class differences. The fierce, hidden beliefs that the characters have to face are there for the viewer to confront, too. Contact: alex@sevendaysvt.com

Clinical Psychology TESOL NEW Graduate Certificates Offered In:

Health Equity Known and respected throughout the region, a St. Mike’s graduate degree will open doors for you – and, with flexible, personalized pathways, you can balance work and life.

Holistic Restorative Education

Contact us today to find the pathway that is right for you. Saint Michael’s College graduate studies, because reputation matters.

INFO Dutch Masters by Greg Keller, directed by Rachel H. Dickson, produced by Northern Stage. Streaming through October 21. $15. northernstage.org

smcvt.edu/graduate | graduate@smcvt.edu 34v-stmikesgrad080520 1

| 802.654.3000 SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

8/3/20 2:48 PM

food+drink

Common Ground Abenaki Land Link Project plants seeds of food sovereignty S TORY & PHOT OS BY J ORDAN BARRY

Shane Rogers and Livy Bulger gathering the Abenaki Land Link Project harvest at the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps’ Farm

n an early October day at the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps’ Farm in Richmond, an empty greenhouse was quickly filling with the year’s harvest. “It’s really tangible today, to see all the food come in,” said Livy Bulger, education and engagement manager at the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont. She was unloading an armload of Algonquin squash. Hundreds of pounds of the hefty oblong squash lined the length of the greenhouse, forming a gradient from zucchini-like dark green to vivid orange. Squash was one of the crops grown in the pilot year of the Abenaki Land Link Project, a partnership of the Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk-Abenaki Nation, NOFA-VT and the Vermont Farm to Plate Network’s Rooted in Vermont program. More than a dozen farmers, gardeners and homesteaders around the state received Indigenous seeds provided by the Nulhegan Band — for Algonquin squash; cranberry, skunk and Mohawk dry beans; Calais flint corn; and a Koasek/Calais corn mix — to grow and harvest for Abenaki citizens. The project started with a conversation last November, explained Farm to Plate communications manager Shane Rogers as he stacked crates of corn whose colors

FOOD LOVER?

GET YOUR FILL ONLINE...

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

rivaled the peak foliage outside. Rogers and Don Stevens, chief of the Nulhegan Band, were discussing Stevens’ food sovereignty work. “In that conversation, it came up that he would love to partner with farms to grow food for his citizens,” Rogers said. From there, Rogers reached out to Bulger, and the partnership was formed. “We put our heads together and figured out how to very easily do it with a quick sign-up [at the NOFA-VT Winter Conference in February], and then have been very intentionally building the framework for what this looks like from there,” Rogers said. When the Nulhegan Band acquired tribal land in Barton in 2012, one of the motivators was the ability to grow food for its people, Stevens explained over the phone last week. “The first thing you need is recognition,” he said. “The second thing you need is your land. Then you need to be able to have some way to provide for your people.” Stevens renewed his focus on helping his people access healthy, nutritious foods after the results of a Vermont State Health Assessment project confirmed what he already knew: The Abenaki were among

the most vulnerable populations for diabetes and heart disease. The tribe had established gardens in Barton, but the forested land was not well suited to food production. Stevens decided to seek out a partner to help grow their Indigenous crops, first working with Sterling College and Fred Wiseman’s Seeds of Renewal project in 2018 to establish the Dawnland Heritage Garden. That partnership led to the creation of the Dawnland Heritage Seed Library in 2019; the same year, Stevens also partnered with Middlebury College for a similar program. In 2020, the work has expanded to the University of Vermont and the Abenaki Land Link partnership with NOFA-VT and Rooted in Vermont. These food-security programs follow a similar timeline, Stevens explained. In the first year, the focus is growing the crops to increase the quantity of seeds available for these rare Indigenous crops and create a seed bank. The second year typically starts to yield enough food to distribute it to tribal citizens throughout the winter. In its first year, the Abenaki Land Link Project has a few additional goals. By partnering with independent landowners around the state, it creates opportunities to educate growers about

FOOD NEWS SERVED TO YOUR INBOX

FOR A SNEAK PEEK AT THE WEEK’S FOOD COVERAGE, RECIPES AND OTHER DELICIOUS TIDBITS, SIGN UP FOR THE BITE CLUB NEWSLETTER: SEVENDAYSVT.COM/ENEWS.

Indigenous Abenaki crops while building relationships. Stevens hopes that those relationships might develop into a “phase two” for the project: access to land for the Nulhegan people to hunt, fish, and gather food and medicine without owning the land. “It’s a great way to give back to a community who are always at a disadvantage,” Stevens said of the project as a whole. “Our population has always struggled. My goal, as chief, is to give our citizens access to that healthy food and help with our health disparities.” But the partners are clear that the project isn’t charity; it’s an equal partnership that benefits the growers, too. “There’s education from all angles and lenses,” Bulger said. “It’s not just ‘We grow this food, and it fills your plate.’ These farmers and homesteaders and gardeners are learning about Abenaki varieties and growing techniques.” “Everybody’s here with the recognition of the horrific history that was here in Vermont among European settlers and the Indigenous population,” Rogers added. “We really tried to have our growers — who were all white landowners

GOOD TO-GO VERMONT:

COMMON GROUND

» P.50

VERMONT RESTAURANTS ARE STILL MAKING DELICIOUS FOOD FOR TAKEOUT, DELIVERY OR CURBSIDE PICKUP. FIND OUT WHAT YOUR FAVORITE EATERIES ARE SERVING UP AT GOODTOGOVERMONT.COM. #GOODTOGOVT

SIDEdishes

Celebrate the Charm of Vermont

SERVING UP FOOD NEWS B Y M ELI SSA PA S A N E N

By the Book FAYSTON’S WINK COOKS UP HUNGER RELIEF WITH A RECIPE COLLECTION WINK, a Vermont com-

pany that designs and sells household goods, stationery and giftware, has published a cookbook called The Quarantine Chef: Tastes to Comfort to support national hunger-relief efforts. BETH BINGHAM of Fayston and her business partner, CYNTHIA MEYERS of Boston, sourced, tested and compiled 65 recipes from friends and family around the country. The book reflects what Bingham described as a “communal need for recipe sharing” at this challenging time. The collection includes recipes from chefs and other food professionals, as well as home cooks. Sheryl Julian, former food editor of the Boston Globe, contributed a French yogurt cake. New York Times best-selling cookbook author Jamie

Purviance offered up a granola recipe. BOHEMIAN BAKERY of Montpelier shared the recipe for its heirloom tomato tart. Comfort food classics and family favorites include a great-aunt’s cheesecake submitted by MELODIE LAPORTE of Montpelier and a Southwestern zucchini casserole from CAROLYN CASNER of Plainfield. The book features charming black-andwhite line drawings by Meyers and was designed by Rose DiSanto of DiSanto Design in Philadelphia. Everyone

involved donated their time. All proceeds beyond printing costs will benefit Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger-relief organization, which supports a network of 200 food banks including the VERMONT FOODBANK. Bingham said she was motivated to create the cookbook early in the lockdown period of the pandemic when the news was filled with stories of people’s cooking challenges and sharp increases in food insecurity. “I thought, What can we do to help?” she said. The cookbook can be purchased for $25 at awinkdesign.com and some local stores, including BEAR POND BOOKS in Montpelier, MYSA in Shelburne and THIRTY-ODD in Burlington.

91 Main Street, Stowe Village - 802.253.3033 - Stowe@Ferrojewelers.com www. Ferrojewelers.com/Stowe - Like us on Facebook.com/FerroJewelers 6h-ferro092320.indd 1

9/22/20 8:31 AM

OPERATE A STATE LIQUOR AGENCY The Vermont Department of Liquor & Lottery, Division of Liquor Control is seeking interested parties in or near the below locations who may have an interest in and a suitable location to operate a State Liquor Agency in Newport, VT. The VDLC requires retail space and storage space all devoted to retailing liquor; plus adequate parking, signage, loading and unloading facilities. Interested parties should apply by letter to: Kim Walker, Director of Retail Operations Vermont Department of Liquor & Lottery, Division of Liquor Control 13 Green Mountain Drive, Montpelier, VT 05620-4501 Applications can be found at liquorcontrol.vermont.gov Please send a LETTER OF INTEREST to Ms. Walker before 4pm on October 23rd, 2020. FORMAL APPLICATIONS must be received Before 2pm on November 6th,2020. Further information can be obtained by calling 800-642-3134 (In VT) or 802-828-4923 and ask for Kim Walker, Director of Retail Operations or email kim.walker@vermont.gov The Vermont Department of Liquor & Lottery and its respective Board reserve the right to reject any and all applications and to change the terms of the request for applications without notice to any person.

CONNECT Follow us for the latest food gossip! On Twitter: Sally Pollak: @vtpollak. On Instagram: Seven Days: @7deatsvt; Jordan Barry: @jordankbarry.

6H-VtDeptLiquor100720indd.indd 1

10/1/20 2:20 PM

We’ve got you covered!

IMAGES COURTESY OF WINK

Check out the patio seating, take out or grab a picnic table in the City Green. Noted for our dedication to cooking from scratch, serving generous portions, and supporting local producers, we have been pumping nourishment into the heart of the Vergennes community and those who visit since 2007. The Quarantine Chef: Tastes to Comfort

Come by today!

Little City. Big Flavor. catering available

141 Main Street, Vergennes ■ 3squarescafe.com ■ 802-877-2772 6H-3squares090220.indd 1

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

8/31/20 4:57 PM

Common Ground « P.48 — recognize they are stewards of the land now that was once stewarded by Indigenous people, and they have an opportunity to grow food that is not currently available for all Indigenous folks, here in Vermont especially.” In that vein, the seeds that were distributed to be grown are owned and provided by the Nulhegan Band. They represent the rich culture of the Abenaki people and the care that has been taken to preserve them over centuries, Stevens said. Retaining ownership of the seeds lets the Nulhegan Band “continue that stewardship without other people appropriating another thing from us. “Those seeds were given to us by our creator to take care of us,” he said. “When we look at one of our seeds and we touch it, we are looking at the stories of the corn mother who sacrificed herself to get the seeds from her creator to be able to feed her children forever.” The fact that the seeds exist at all is the result of thousands of ancestors caring for them, year after year, Stevens said. “If any one of those people had not been a steward of those seeds and had thrown them away, we wouldn’t have them in our hand to be able to grow. It is our responsibility to continue those seeds forward for the next generations.” Because the Indigenous crops are well suited to Vermont’s growing conditions, building these seed banks is also a measure against the threat of the climate crisis. The corn, for example, can grow in just 65 days. Stevens is considering the potential to create new crops — crossing quickgrowing varieties, such as the Koasek corn, that are suited to shorter growing seasons with a different variety that produces bigger ears — to produce more food in a condensed amount of time. “They would still be Indigenous foods,” Stevens said, “But we’d be creating something with the technology we have now — not just for us but maybe in the future for others, too.” At the Farm at VYCC, the farmers were using an ancient Indigenous technology to grow the seeds they received as part of the Abenaki Land Link Project: the “three sisters” growing system, which involves growing corn, beans and squash together in one bed. “It’s a way for these three crops to work together to prevent weeds, and the beans trellis up the corn,” said Jill Brooks, community engagement project lead at the Farm at VYCC. “It’s a very holistic way of growing food that I think Western ways of growing food aren’t necessarily as good at. I think we can learn a lot — and also owe a lot — to these methods of farming.” 50

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

From top: The “three sisters” bed grown for the Abenaki Land Link Project (to the right of the greenhouse); Livy Bulger showing off jewel-like cranberry beans

Brooks explained that NOFA-VT had reached out to the corps farmers to see if they’d be interested in offering space and energy to be part of the Abenaki Land Link Project. For the youth education organization, the opportunity to teach people about the fact that Vermont — and the farm — is situated on unceded Abenaki territory was important, and the farm itself is starting to consider its role in that history, Brooks said. The farm’s plot was the largest planted as part of the project (they ranged from small individual gardens to about a quarter acre). The beans were still in the field in early October, nearly ready to harvest. “It’s all so beautiful. The beans are like jewels, and the corn is so vibrant,” Brooks said. “It’s been really cool to see foods that are Indigenous to this land growing here and to be able to experience that and appreciate it.” The produce collected from the Farm at VYCC and the other growers around the state will be processed and distributed to citizens of the Nulhegan Band this winter. The project is partnering with Joe Bossen of Vermont Bean Crafters in Waitsfield to use winter squash processing equipment. The Algonquin squash will be peeled and sent through Bossen’s cubing machine before being packaged in one- and two-pound bags, vacuumsealed, and frozen. The corn will be removed from the

THOSE SEEDS WERE GIVEN TO US BY OUR CREATOR TO TAKE CARE OF US. C H IE F D O N S TE VE NS

cob and milled into flour with help from Adam Wilson of Running Stone Bread and Brush Brook Community Farm. The beans, which need time to dry in the greenhouse, will eventually be packaged into onepound bags. The Abenaki Land Link Project already has a waiting list for growers for next year, Bulger said. The partners hope to involve more commercial farmers so they can continue to scale up while still working with smaller-scale homesteaders and gardeners to support the educational mission. “People are really hungry for this kind of work,” Bulger said. The project partners had originally envisioned ending its first year with a harvest celebration; they wanted to invite the public to see the bounty produced

around the state, watch processing demonstrations, listen to Abenaki stories and share a meal. COVID-19 put a damper on those plans for this year, but it hasn’t otherwise affected the project’s success. “How wonderful is that?” Stevens remarked. “We can come together, even during COVID, where people can grow on their farms and then share the wealth with others in need. It was individually done, but we came together in a communal way, just like our ancestors did.” Contact: jbarry@sevendaysvt.com

INFO Donations in support of the Abenaki Land Link Project can be made to the Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk-Abenaki Nation at abenakitribe.org.

THE FEARLESS SAV THAT’S FUN TO DRIVE.

WINE BAR.

Get out of town with the original MINI’s expedition-ready sibling. Complete with available ALL4 all-wheel drive with all-weather capabilities, all-terrain proficiency and all the features that make the 2020 Countryman as daring as you are.

TRAVEL THE WORLD

IN ONE BITE.

You’ll be surprised by how easily the MINI SAV tames rugged roads, while you relax in the comfort of a premium interior with space for five.

74 Champlain Drive | Shelburne, Vermont 05482

Dedalus Wine | Market | Bar

802.985.8482 | miniofburlington.com 4T-automasterMINI072220.indd 1

388 Pine Street • (802)865-2368 • dedaluswine.com 7/21/20 2:29 PM

Untitled-5 1

9/14/20 1:12 PM

4T-ReelHosp/sweetwaters101420 1

7/7/20 11:19 AM

Get up to speed on Vermont news in under 15 minutes. Start your day with VPR’s daily news podcast:

4T-VPR091620 1

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

10/9/20 7:53 AM

Nose-to-Tail Menu The Hindquarter reinvents itself in the owners’ Huntington hometown BY ME L IS S A PAS ANE N

he first time I drove to the Hindquarter in Huntington to pick up the shop’s weekly Wednesday pop-up dinner, the menu was smoked chicken, mac and cheese, and a crunchy, lightly pickled fall salad. I pulled in to find that the customer ahead of me at the outdoor window was the very farmer who’d raised the chicken I would soon eat — Beth Whiting of Maple Wind Farm in Richmond. There couldn’t have been a better illustration of how closely linked the Hindquarter is to the source of its meat, which chef and co-owner Luke Stone buys exclusively from Vermont farms, mostly as whole animals. The Hindquarter opened in mid-June at Beaudry’s Store, a fixture in Huntington. Besides serving the pop-up takeout Luke and Everly Stone at the Hindquarter dinners, it’s a sandwich and butcher shop and just wound down a series of weekly outdoor pizza nights. Stone, who co-owns the Hindquarter with his wife, Braeden, leases space from the store for what he calls their “COVID business.” The couple lives with their three children in Huntington. Before opening the pandemic version of the Hindquarter, they operated a catering business of the same name specializing in wood grilling. I love a good bowl of chili mac from a Vermont country store as much as the next person, but meals from the Hindquarter are a different thing altogether. Since that smoked-chicken dinner night, I have driven the Beef empanadas scenic 30-mile round trip to Huntington on two more occasions, once for Vietnamese-style beef- spicy-skinned, thanks to an espressoand-carrot stew over rice noodles and chile pepper rub. Luke Stone’s macaroni once for beef empanadas with roasted and cheese balanced cozy familiarity with sweet potatoes, rice and beans. At $15 to sophisticated flavors that came, he later $25 for a generous adult-size serving, each informed me, from a blend of cheeses meal delivered its value, both in flavor and including curds and Gruyère. The crunchy in support of local meat and vegetable salad of cauliflower florets, peppers and farmers. thinly sliced carrots provided a fresh, The smoked chicken was moist and acidic counterpoint.

I WOULD HAPPILY EAT A BOILED SHOE

IF IT WERE SLATHERED WITH THE BRIGHT, HERBY GREEN SAUCE THAT CAME WITH THE MEAL.

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

PHOTOS: JAMES BUCK

Roasted sweet potatoes with poblanos, crème fraîche, pumpkin seeds, cilantro, rice and beans

Vietnamese bo kho, the beef stew, was rich with aromatics such as star anise, lemongrass and ginger, its housemade stock base deepened with both fish and soy sauces. The beef itself was fall-apart tender, while the carrots retained some resistance to the tooth. Each order of empanadas starred three plump pastry half-moons encasing

spiced ground beef and golden raisins. The beans were flecked with morsels of ham, and the sweet potato slices were caramelized almost black, reminiscent of the plantains that might accompany empanadas in their region of origin. I’m pretty sure I would happily eat a boiled shoe if it were slathered with the bright, herby green sauce that came with the meal. The Hindquarter originated from Stone’s previous job as executive chef at Cloud 9 Caterers in Colchester. He and Cloud 9 owner Sarah Moran started the Hindquarter as a food truck in 2013; in 2016, they retired the truck and devoted the business to woodgrilled catering. Stone, 40, bought Moran’s share of the Hindquarter in 2018 and went out on his own in partnership with his wife, leveraging the experience he had amassed over years of working at Cloud 9 and other local kitchens. Those eateries include Burlington’s Penny Cluse Café and two late lamented restaurants: Smokejacks in Burlington and Christophe’s on the Green in Vergennes. When COVID-19 hit, the Hindquarter was almost fully booked for the 2020 wedding season; from Memorial Day to Christmas, the business would have catered 50 to 60 events all over the state, Stone said. “We had our normal load of two to three a weekend,” he said. “Then they just started to disappear.” In May, Stone drove down to South Carolina to pick up a mobile bread oven that his dad, also a chef and baker, was no longer using. “I have five main employees I wanted to try to keep,” he said. The team used the oven to do pizza nights in Lincoln and at Beaudry’s. “Then, the deli that was leasing the space there left,” Stone said of Beaudry’s. “I’d always had a butcher shop on my mind, but as a retirement project.” Not knowing when their catering

food+drink business would return, the Stones decided to take a leap. They gutted the old deli and opened it anew with a rotating menu of sandwiches, a butcher case, and weekly pizza nights and meals to-go. Although the couple initially called

Good To-Go is a series featuring well-made takeout meals that highlights how VERMONT restaurants and other food establishments are adapting during the COVID-19 era. Check out GOODTOGOVERMONT.COM to see what your favorite eateries are serving up via takeout, delivery or curbside pickup.

GOOD TO-GO

their new version of the Hindquarter a deli, “That’s a little misleading. We don’t sell pounds of sliced ham,” Stone acknowledged. “That’s an offshoot of trying to open a business in three weeks.” During the summer, he said, “We were scooping ice cream, started the Wednesday night dinners and did pizzas on Friday — anything to make money.” Though the Hindquarter’s catering business has crept back, Stone noted, events are far smaller these days. Now that the season for cooking pizza outside is over, the Stones will start serving pop-up dinners twice weekly, on Wednesdays and Fridays. In addition, they’ll offer a limited number of fried chicken dinners most Sundays.

GOOD TO-GO

The dinners not only generate business but complement the sandwich menu and the butcher case from a meatutility perspective, Stone said. Those three outlets give him opportunities to use every part of the animal — a challenge that he relishes, knowing that it also helps the farmers. “The dinners kind of complete the circle,” he said. For the Vietnamese beef stew, for example, Stone turned beef shanks and knuckles — the kind of cuts that most home cooks find a hard sell — into tender, braised morsels. The beef empanadas used up extra chuck from the under blade that Stone might otherwise blend into his fresh-ground burger.

Earlier this summer, he marinated pork shoulder with cilantro, chiles and ginger and roasted it for Korean-style lettuce wraps. This week, Stone’s moving into fall with smoked and chopped shoulder served with housemade bratwurst, sauerkraut and potatoes. It appears I will make the drive to Huntington a few more times. Contact: pasanen@sevendaysvt.com

INFO The Hindquarter, 2177 Main Rd., Huntington, 434-4056, thehindquarterdeli.com. Order pop-up dinners ahead in person, by phone or by emailing braedy@thehindquartervt.com.

VERMONT

Why Williston Place? Vermont’s Contemporary Choice For Today’s Independent Senior

ay!

ur Tod

our To dule Y

Sche

When you open a personal checking1 and savings2 account

Account

Bonus

Local Ownership Vermont owned and operated

Advantage Plus Checking Premier Advantage Checking

$3001

Value Fair pricing means your money will go further

Savings or Money Market

$1002

Apartment Homes Brand new, bright and spacious, includes your own washer/dryer, balcony and underground parking

Best in Value, Lifestyle and Location! Call Jennifer Olson today! (802) 871-5409

In affiliation with Mansfield Place, Assisted Living & Memory Care

422 Blair Park Road, Williston, VT 05495

3v-wirthwein(willistonplace)101420 1

UP TO $400 CASH BONUS

$2001

All Inclusive Monthly Rent starting as low as $2,495 includes: all utilities, cable & internet, chefprepared daily meal, weekly housekeeping, transportation, 24 hour onsite staffing, full life enrichment calendar

An Age 55+ Community

It pays to be you.

WillistonPlace.com

9/23/20 10:25 AM

You’ll also get FREE access to AlwaysChecking, our comprehensive identity protection service.

FREE AlwaysChecking Identity protection service3 Online Monitoring Credit Monitoring Family Monitoring OPEN AN ACCOUNT TODAY! In a rush? Securely open an account in as little as 5 minutes.

Visit a branch, call 1-800-772-1090 or go to peoples.com

1This offer is only available for new accounts opened in a People’s United Bank branch, over the phone, or online. To receive

this offer, you must mention promo code SEPT20NE when you open your new checking account held individually or jointly between 9/19/2020 and 11/30/2020 with a $25 minimum opening deposit. For accounts opened online, you must use the “Apply Now” link on the offer page at the time of account opening to be enrolled in this offer. If you enter an eligible zip code and use the “Apply Now” link, the promo code SEPT20NE will display. This offer is not available to existing People’s United Bank personal checking account customers, which means any account owner cannot currently have or have had a People’s United personal checking account within the last 365 days. Fiduciary accounts are not eligible. This offer may not be combined with other offers. Offer expires 11/30/2020; however, People’s United Bank may change or discontinue this offer at any time before this date without notice. Other restrictions may apply. To qualify for the $200 checking reward, you must 1) Open an Advantage or Advantage Plus Checking account; 2) Mention promo code SEPT20NE; AND 3) Receive qualifying direct deposits in the account totaling $1,500 or more within 60 days of account opening. To qualify for the $300 checking reward, you must 1) Open a Premier Advantage Checking account; 2) Mention promo code SEPT20NE; AND 3) Receive qualifying direct deposits in the account totaling $1,500 or more within 60 days of account opening. Qualifying direct

employer or the government into your checking account. Refer to the Schedule of Deposit Account Charges for minimum balance requirements to avoid the monthly service charge. The Reward will be credited to your checking account 6-8 weeks after the account has been open for 60 days if your account is open and has a positive balance at the time of reward payout. The account must remain as the original account type opened to receive the reward payment. If the checking account is closed within 6 months of opening, we may deduct the bonus amount at the time of account closing. One reward per household. Reward is considered interest and will be reported on IRS Form 1099-INT. 2To qualify for the $100 savings reward, you must 1) Open a savings or money market account linked to a new Advantage, Advantage Plus or Premier Advantage checking account within 5 business days of opening the checking account with a $25 minimum opening deposit between 9/19/2020 and 11/30/2020; 2) Mention promo code SEPT20NE; AND 3) Maintain a Minimum Daily Balance in the account of at least $10,000 for 60 continuous days following account opening. The account must be opened with funds not currently held at People’s United Bank or its subsidiaries. Transfers from existing People’s United Bank accounts do not qualify. This offer is not available to existing People’s United Bank personal savings or money market account customers, which means any account owner cannot currently have or have had a People’s United personal savings or money market account within the last 365 days. Fiduciary accounts are not eligible. This offer may not be combined with other offers. Offer expires 11/30/20; however, People’s United Bank may change or discontinue this offer at any time before this date without notice. This offer is not valid for multiple accounts and is only available for one savings or money market account per checking account and per household. Interest rates are variable and subject to change. We reserve the right to convert the account to a Statement Savings account without prior notice if the linked checking account is closed. Reward will be credited to your savings or money market account 6-8 weeks after the account has been open for 60 days if your account is open and has a positive balance at the time of reward payout. The account must remain as the original account type opened to receive the reward payment. If the savings account is closed within 6 months of opening, we may deduct the bonus amount at the time of account closing. One reward per household. Reward is considered interest and will be reported on IRS Form 1099-INT. 3Available as long as you have an open personal checking account. Enrollment is required. 0203040506071011 ©2020 People’s United Bank, N.A. | Member FDIC | Equal Housing Lender 3v-peoplesunited093020 1

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

9/28/20 9:55 AM

music+nightlife

The Queen’s Cartoonists

The Queen’s Cartoonists take their soundtracks seriously B Y JORD A N AD AMS

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

SEVEN DAYS: What are the Queen’s Cartoonists’ origins? JOEL PIERSON: For a long time I’ve thought about how to make jazz relevant. As jazz musicians, of course, we all think it’s relevant. But very few people are listening to jazz, right? You don’t have superstars like in the 1940s or ’50s. Or there are very few of them. How do you make people want to come to a concert if they normally say, “Oh, I don’t really listen to that music. It’s too complicated,” or “I don’t relate to it.” So one day I was thinking about the intersection of the golden era of jazz and the golden era of animation. There’s a lot of overlap between those two classic American art forms. I started researching and figuring out which films are in public domain and transcribing the soundtracks and arranging them for my ensemble. SD: So you essentially reverse-engineered the music? JP: Yeah, totally. We want the presentation to look smooth, but in reality we’re cutting up these cartoons, recomposing whole sections, doing stuff to try to make it work better in a live setting.

THERE’S DEFINITELY A DIFFERENT SET OF EMOTIONS THAT CARTOONS ARE TRYING TO BRING OUT. J O E L P I ER S O N

COURTESY OF LINDSEY THOENG

or decades, many American children spent their Saturday mornings watching hours and hours of cartoons. With bowls of Frosted Flakes piled high, they stared at their cathode-ray tube televisions, gawking at the antics of Bugs Bunny, Pluto and Popeye the Sailor. But what many of them didn’t realize was that they were simultaneously being treated to world-class selections of music showcased in cartoon scores. The Queen’s Cartoonists know this well. The New York City ensemble exclusively plays music that once backed animated shorts, with a heavy emphasis on jazz. Along with its full orchestrations, the group adds in Foley sound effects when necessary, heightening the madcap antics of provocateur Daffy Duck and flapper Betty Boop, among other cartoon characters. To fully cement the connection, the Queen’s Cartoonists perform in sync with projections of the animations from which the music originated. This not only highlights the bond between the two art forms but also heightens them both. The Queen’s Cartoonists perform a sold-out show on Friday, October 16, at the Shelburne Museum. Seven Days caught up with bandleader Joel Pierson by phone.

COURTESY OF THE QUEEN’S CARTOONISTS

Animated Music

GOT MUSIC NEWS? JORDAN@SEVENDAYSVT.COM

SD: How faithfully does the band re-create everything? JP: There are definitely liberties, but they’re taken in order to make the program go smoothly and be listenable. There’s only so much “cartoon recitative,” as I call it, that a listener can take: people falling down stairs, music that’s starting and stopping, being really manic. People like a little bit of that, but you can’t do two hours of that. We’re always looking for ways to hit people with something that’s really authentic, with all of the Foley and sound effects. SD: What elements do you look for in a cartoon score? JP: The most important thing is: Do we have permission? We start there. The show we’re presenting in Vermont is mostly based around classic characters. As much as I’d love to show a Roadrunner cartoon, there aren’t any in the public domain, so it’s off the table. If it’s public domain and has the right character I’m looking for, I just listen and think, How would we do this? Are there really unusual elements to this? SD: Are there particular characters that always have the best or most fun music? JP: Anything written by Carl Stalling we love. He’s the guy that was the musical director for Looney Tunes for a long time. That’s the really wild stuff. There’s this Daffy Duck cartoon we’re doing that’s a nonstop onslaught of sounds and sound effects and stops and starts and weird pop songs from the ’30s thrown in. SD: How much context do you provide to the audience? JP: That depends on the concert and how responsive the audience is. Sometimes I’ll talk quite a bit about cartoons. Sometimes we do less of that. SD: When transcribing scores, have you ever encountered a sound or instrument and just can’t figure out what it is? JP: There are some sound-effect issues with things we can’t really find. We’ve been dying to get a Klaxon horn, which makes that “ah-OO-gah” sound, like an old car. But they’re really hard to find. You can find them broken, but then you have to get them fixed and it’s expensive. That’s a specific thing I’d love to use. SD: Have you figured out why some cartoons are in the public domain and others, from the same era, are highly protected? JP: You know, that is the million-dollar

question and I have no idea. There’s stuff from the ’60s, ’70s and even the ’80s that’s public domain. But then there’s stuff from the 1940s that’s totally off-limits. I think that some of those companies just didn’t bother to re-register those things. Film trailers up to 1964 are public domain because they didn’t have any notices on them until the studios figured out they needed to do that. SD: What are some ways that cartoon scores differ from traditional film scores? JP: There’s definitely a different set of emotions that cartoons are trying to bring out. The cartoon scores are so tightly connected to the action, especially with the Carl Stalling stuff. If someone falls down stairs, the orchestra or Foley needs to make it sound like falling down stairs. That’s the main difference, and it really works in our favor as jazz musicians because we like to play really fast, precise music. SD: How have cartoon scores evolved throughout the decades? JP: Let’s say that postwar, maybe a little later, they just cut the budgets. When Looney Tunes was a thing, Tunes [was] spelled T-U-N-E-S because Warner Brothers was trying to monetize its recording catalog. The visuals and the music were equals in those films. And that just never happens anymore, in cartoons or in regular movies. They say Stanley Kubrick would cut scenes around a piece of classical music he liked. I don’t think that exists anymore. Once you get into the 1960s, it’s pretty boring. It’s obvious both the animation and music budgets were lower. SD: What are some newer, more obscure titles in your program that general audiences might not know? JP: We’re going to do three or four pieces by living animators. We’re going to show a contemporary piece called “Sauna Tango,” which is this Irish animator Vera Lalyko. It’s a little film about this Turkish sauna, and this masseur guy kind of beats them up and throws them back out. It really keeps changing depending on what’s happening on-screen. I love playing that.

1200mg CBD Same HIGH Quality New LOW Price!

$59.99 Register at GREENMOUNTAINHEMPCOMPANY.COM for updates and savings. 6h-greenmountainhempcompany101420.indd 1

10/8/20 5:19 PM

THE TIE DYE SHOP One of a kind items. From t-shirts to tablecloths, we’ve got you covered.

263 South Main Street • Alburgh, VT 10-4, M-Sa • 796.4694 • newdye.com

! N E ! P N O E P e O r ' e r WWe' e

6h-tiedyeshop0720.indd 1

7/20/20 3:07 PM

This conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity and length. Contact: jordan@sevendaysvt.com

INFO The Queen’s Cartoonists perform on Friday, October 16, 7 p.m., at the Shelburne Museum. $31-35. AA. flynnvt.org

Old Spokes Home is now open to the public! Come in and

Old Spokes Home is necessary. now openMonday to the -public! Come say hi. No appointment Saturday, 10-5. in and 331hi. N Winooski bike shop & non-profit (802)- 863-4475 say No appointment necessary. Monday Saturday, 10-5. 331 N Winooski bike shop & non-profit (802) 863-4475 6H-oldspokes101420 1

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

10/13/20 2:35 PM

GET YOUR MUSIC REVIEWED MUSIC@SEVENDAYSVT.COM

REVIEW this Phil Henry, Chasing Echoes (SELF-RELEASED, DIGITAL, CD, VINYL)

While looking over Rutland singersongwriter Phil Henry’s past catalog, I discovered he once recorded a snappy cover of They Might Be Giants’ nerd anthem “Birdhouse in Your Soul.” Henry reimagined the 1989 song with a featherlight ukulele and glockenspiel, almost like something you’d hear on a hip children’s album meant to please kids as much as their hipster parents. I mean that as a compliment, in case it wasn’t clear. Henry is an artist of broad appeal. His

The Wormdogs, Hey Thanks

(ASTROLOGY DAYS RECORDS, DIGITAL DOWNLOAD)

The Wormdogs are a young Burlingtonarea band with a familiar sound. We’ve had a lot of these shout-singin’, foot-stompin’, festival-ready groups in recent years; it’s a formula that would be equally at home at Nectar’s or Radio Bean. And while the group bills itself as a “bluegrass rock n roll” outfit, it definitely leans more toward Umphrey’s McGee than Bill Monroe. Like so many of their party-rockin’ predecessors, the Wormdogs are charming, energetic and not yet very good at writing lyrics. They

immaculately constructed new album, Chasing Echoes, is full of rousing, countrytinged tunes, a few of which center on cultural or social messages. An exceptional cast of players joins Henry, including producer Colin McCaffrey and folk royal Krishna Guthrie, the latter of whom provides guitar and vocal support for a cover of his grandfather Woody’s song “California Stars.” Despite being packed with heavy-hitting, preternaturally talented locals, the album isn’t an especially memorable entry into the annals of Vermont’s music history. But it’s also not likely to cause any offense. It won’t upset those with “good” taste, nor will only folks with “bad” taste like it — that

would be an inaccurate oversimplification. More likely is that Chasing Echoes, with its generically poetic title, will strike a chord with people who perhaps haven’t thought much about their own taste in music. Hence, broad appeal. At 65 minutes long, the album is a bit bloated. The adage “less is more” certainly applies to record length. Of the collection’s 16 tracks, surely at least one or two could have been shelved, such as listless rock tune “Talking Heads Tee Shirt” or the super-dry, super-serious “I Wish I Knew You Then.” Also, do we really need “There Be Monsters Here,” a song about refugees that doesn’t do much to untangle the complexities of U.S. immigration? I mean, how could it? The extraneous tracks detract from Henry’s successes, such as the charming country-jazz ditty “Saturday Night at the

Hot Sara.” It’s one of those peppy tunes all about stepping out and turning up, and Henry and his associates capture the feeling well. Fiddler Jimmy Kalb, who appears throughout the record, makes a particularly good impression here. Though not the first song to draw a parallel between heartache and the destruction of a particular ancient Italian city, “Pompeii” ushers in Chasing Echoes with a grand, sweeping chorus worthy of the cataclysm to which it refers. While many will find the album satisfying, to these ears it just isn’t as thrilling as its opener signals. Chasing Echoes will be available on Sunday, October 18, at philhenryband.com. Henry celebrates its release the same day at the Jack McKernon Drive-In at Estabrook Park in Brandon.

make up for this with sheer conviction and lots of call-and-response vocal arrangements that rope in the entire band. Sometimes this is barbershop-style harmony work, and sometimes it’s pure pirate hollering. The Wormdogs’ latest LP, Hey Thanks, finds the band at a crossroads. They do superb work when they cohere, but they’re still too willing to indulge in songs that just never amount to much. Which is a pity, because, pared down to an all-killer EP, this would have been a far better product. The album opens with “River Song,” in breezy, Michael Hurley-style sliceof-life blues. A perfect opener, it sets the tone and shows off the sextet’s dynamic range. The tune leans into the propulsive

mandolin work of Elliot Diana and then opens into a full-band roar. “Old Time Song” is a cute, self-aware folk-rock ballad about being genre interlopers. “No, I’m not from Kentucky, I’ve never seen the Tennessee Hills,” sings bassist Braden Lalancette, “but I guess I did spend an hour in Nashville.” The song is carried by the guitar work of Eric Soszynski and Nick Ledak and a great arrangement that’s pure Old Crow Medicine Show pastiche. All art is theft, though, and all that matters here is that it works. Perhaps the album’s finest moment is “Same Old Thing,” which shows off some tight, smart arrangements and the warm baritone of drummer Will Pearl, the best vocalist in the band by a country mile. Danica Cunningham does superb work on the fiddle here, pushing the song at every turn with lyrical solo runs. The Wormdogs dabble with

instrumental fare, too, albeit with mixed results. “Doggin Is My Business” (also the name of their 2018 debut) is a jammy workout that doesn’t have enough heft to hold attention. “Graveyard Blues,” on the other hand, is a damn fine song. That’s due to an arrangement that takes full advantage of a six-piece band, as well as a composition that’s got places to go, from slow, haunting waltz to smoking guitar solo. Although some tracks here surely should have been cut, it’s hard to fault anyone for bringing a joyful noise into the world these days. So, while it’s a mixed bag, Hey Thanks also squints toward a bright future. The Wormdogs have the chops and talent to transcend their own formula and evolve into something authentically great. Here’s hoping we all survive long enough to hear it. Hey Thanks is available at thewormdogs. bandcamp.com.

JORDAN ADAMS

JUSTIN BOLAND

SHOP LOCAL

CHANNEL 1074

CHILLIN’ WITH BEN PORTER SUNDAYS > 6:00 P.M. GET MORE INFO OR WATCH ONLINE AT VERMONTCAM.ORG 56

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

Untitled-28 1

and say you saw it in… shoptheregister.com

10/13/20 8:17 AM 16t-vcam-weekly.indd 1

10/12/20Untitled-1 16t-shoplocal-guy.indd 2:25 PM 1 1

4/24/12 3:32 5/12/20 3:56 PM

2020 TALENT SHOW FOR

VIRTUAL AUDITIONS!

VERMONT’S RISING STARS

Did your child miss their recital, talent show or school play this year due to COVID-19? Did they learn to play an instrument during their time at home? We’ve got some good news... the Kids VT Spectacular Spectacular, sponsored by McKenzie Natural Artisan Deli, is happening virtually this year — on WCAX Channel 3 — between November 30 and ! NESE 5WTO 16 December 18 during the 4 p.m. newscast. Participants must be AG between the ages of 5 and 16 and live in Vermont. Only the top 15 acts will make it on air! Now is the time to start working on your act. Send us your audition video by November 1.

SPONSORED BY

Visit GoodToGoVermont.com to see what your favorite local restaurants are serving. They need your support. TA K E O U T • D E L I V E RY • S E AT I N G O P T I O N S • G O O D T O G O V E R M O N T. C O M 68

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

1T-GoodToGo090220.indd 3

10/13/20 6:29 PM

69 OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

ATTENTION RECRUITERS: POST YOUR JOBS AT: PRINT DEADLINE: FOR RATES & INFO:

JOBS.SEVENDAYSVT.COM/POST-A-JOB NOON ON MONDAYS (INCLUDING HOLIDAYS) MICHELLE BROWN, 802-865-1020 X21, MICHELLE@SEVENDAYSVT.COM

YOUR TRUSTED LOCAL SOURCE. JOBS.SEVENDAYSVT.COM Commercial Roofers

Full-time, year-round employment. Good benefits. Experience in installing Epdm, Tpo, Pvc roofing. EOE/M/F/VET/Disability employer. Pay negotiable with experience.

Outreach and Development Coordinator

Learn more and apply at

Home Instead Senior Care, a provider of personal care services to seniors in their homes, is seeking friendly and dependable people. CAREGivers assist seniors yestermorrow.org/jobs. with daily living activities. P/T & F/T positions available. 12 hours/week minimum, flexible 10/13/20 10:31 AM scheduling, currently available. $13-$17.50/hour depending on experience. No heavy lifting.

Hiring Now!

8/4/202h-Yestermorrow101420.indd 2:59 PM 1

FOOD SERVICE ASSISTANT Harwood Unified Union School District has a vacancy for Food Service Assistant. This is a 35 hour/week position, 5 days per week when school is in session, plus additional training and/ or meeting times as requested or required. Job requires food preparation, cleaning, and transportation. Candidates must be able to work in a high pressure environment, maintain health code standards, work as part of a team, stand during their whole shift, and lift 50 lbs. Prior cooking experience is preferable, but not required. Must be able to check school personal email and keep up with school announcements and regulations. Must have a vehicle and be a licensed driver. The ideal candidate must have the desire to provide healthy meals to children.

Apply online at: homeinstead.com/483 Or call: 802.860.4663

Immediate openings Full-time and flexible part-time schedules Days, early evenings, & weekend shifts

Manufacturing Call Center Warehouse

2v-HomeInstead022620.indd 1

Apply in person 210 East Main Street, Richmond, VT

Full Time

OPEN POSITIONS - ALL SHIFTS

10/2/20 4t-Harringtons092320.indd 11:18 AM 1

9/18/20

Maintenance Engineer Environmental, Health, & Safety Manager

DELIVERY DRIVERS F/T & P/T available

We currently have several different shifts available. These shifts could result in a full-time schedule or part-time schedule depending on what candidates are looking for.

At Vermont Creamery, our employees are our greatest resource. We are a community that empowers our team to engage and live our mission every day. We know that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, and here, the whole is powered by a spirit of collaboration & transparency.

Please stop into our office at 54 Echo Place, Suite 1, Williston, VT 05495 to fill out an application and speak with Justin. Email Justin; Justin@shipgmm.com.

Benefits matter; thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why we offer a competitive package. Our benefits program includes medical, vision & dental insurance, retirement plans & a total well-being approach. Perks to keep you healthy & happy include a wellness program, time off & tuition assistance. A certified B Corp since 2014, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re using our business as a force for good.

Applications can also be submitted via our website: Shipgmm.com.

To apply, please call 802-479-9371 or apply online at: careers.landolakesinc.com/vermontcreamery.

4t-GreenMtnMessenger100720.indd 1

2/24/20 1:02 PM

Real Estate Paralegal

Please apply on schoolspring.com, Job ID #3374268. Include a letter of interest, resume, and 3 current letters of reference. For more information on this position, please contact our HUUSD Co-Director Paul Morris at pmorris@huusd.org or 802-583-8171.

4t-HarwoodUnifiedUnionSD100720.indd 1

Burlington Area

This position manages the marketing of the institution to recruit students, maintain/increase enrollment, and support development efforts.

Apply in person at: A.C. Hathorne Co. 252 Avenue C Williston, VT 802-862-6473

2h-ACHathorne080520.indd 1

CARING PEOPLE WANTED

10/5/20 4t-VTCreamery100720.indd 12:10 PM 1

Seeking full-time real estate paralegal in Waterbury, VT. Experienced with all aspects of real estate transactions, including title searches. Well3:34 PM developed computer skills. Knowledge of Microsoft Office and experience or ability to learn law practice software such as E-Closing and Clio. Salary commensurate with experience.

Administrative Assistant Part Time

Seeking person skilled with computers for busy law office in Waterbury, Vermont. Assist staff and clients with wide variety of transactions and tasks. Salary commensurate with experience. Benefits offered at this established and growing law firm. A great place to work. Reply to Robyn Desrochers at Robyn@waterburystowelaw.com

10/5/203v-DarbyKolter&Nordle101420.indd 3:29 PM 1

10/13/20 11:36 AM

ATTENTION RECRUITERS:

POST YOUR JOBS AT JOBS.SEVENDAYSVT.COM FOR FAST RESULTS, OR CONTACT MICHELLE BROWN: MICHELLE@SEVENDAYSVT.COM

OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

EHR OPTIMIZATION COORDINATOR

100% EMPLOYEEOWNED

Work with clinical providers and staff to discover and improve the critical intersections between the Electronic Health Record and clinical workflows to provide a more satisfying provider, staff and patient experience.

LEARN MORE & APPLY: uvmmed.hn/sevendays 4t-UVMMedCenter101420.indd 1

COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER & COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR

10/9/20 12:55 PM

What we make, makes a difference. Want to help create cutting-edge technologies for climate challenges? Visit nrgsystems.com/careers to apply for our open positions:

Join the team at Gardener’s Supply Company We’re America’s leading web-based gardening company based in Burlington, Vermont! We are a 100% employee-owned company and an award winning and nationally recognized socially responsible business. We work hard AND offer a fun place to work including BBQs, staff parties, employee garden plots and much more! We also offer strong cultural values, competitive wages and outstanding benefits!

Commercial Account Manager: This person is responsible for generating demand and driving the growth of our commercial enterprise to meet year over year increases in sales goals and customer acquisition targets. This individual does this through prospect or customer initiated contacts as well as self-developed and directed outbound campaigns. Our ideal candidate will have a min of 3 yrs sales experience; 5 yrs of experience with contact center software; and must have demonstrated success meeting forecasts by personally handling hundreds of customer accounts.

Executive Assistant and Facilities Manager:

Staff Accountant Manufacturing Engineer

This person provides primary administrative and project support for our key managers. This individual anticipates, organizes, and handles all details and tasks. In addition, this position plans for and controls the efficient and daily operations of our facility in Burlington. Our ideal candidate will have an associates degree or 2-3 yrs of experience as an Executive/Administrative Assistant; 3-5 yrs experience with office environments and facility maintenance; min of 2 yrs of supervisory experience; be proficient in Microsoft Office Systems including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Teams; and have strong org skills with close attention to detail, accuracy, multi-tasking, speed, and confidentiality. Interested? Please go to our careers page at www.gardeners.com/careers and apply online!

Untitled-8 1 CommAct_Facilities_092120.indd 1

Looking for a Sweet Job? Our mobile-friendly job board is buzzing with excitement. Start applying at

jobs.sevendaysvt.com 6t-NRG101420 1

10/12/202h_JobFiller_Bee.indd 9:48 AM 1

The Green Mountain Club is hiring for two positions on its Communications Team. Both positions will work on GMC’s communications channels and strategy, with the Manager’s primary responsibility focused on GMC’s quarterly magazine. Visit greenmontainclub.org/jobs for full position descriptions and to apply. Applications accepted until October 20.

2v-GreenMountainClub100720.indd 1

10/2/20 1:54 PM

Is currently seeking:

Warming Shelter Support Temporary Positions

https://bit.ly/2ZLD25g 2v-Spectrum101420.indd 1

10/9/20 11:29 AM

Beverage Manufacturing Assistant

Local beverage copack looking for help in our production kitchen. Daily tasks range from working 10/9/20 8:06 AM kettles, washing dishes, working bottling line, 9/21/20 12:10 PM canning line and so much more. Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Starting at $13 - $14 per hour Hiring@adropofjoy.com

1 10/13/202v-ADropofJoy100720.indd 1:31 PM

10/6/20 10:11 AM

3h-LetsGrowKids101420.indd 1

NEW JOBS POSTED DAILY! JOBS.SEVENDAYSVT.COM

10/12/20 1:07 PM

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

WORK WITH YOUTH at the Northlands Job Corps Center in Vergennes, VT. Work one or two, 6-7 hour shifts each week (your choice). $50.00/hour. Please contact Dan W. Hauben ASAP for more information. Thank you! Office: 888-552-1660, Cell: 714-552-6697 omnimed1@verizon.net

MOVING PROFESSIONALS

Local moving company looking for movers! Previous experience is not required. We will train the right candidates! Applicants must have a valid driver’s 2h-OmniMed090920.indd 1 license, have the highest level of customer service and work The Program Director is a leadership position in well in a team atmosphere. the organization for all aspects of the CSC’s Competitive wages!

PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Please call 802-655-6683 for more information or email resume to: Jennifer@vtmoving.com.

2v-VTMovingCo050119.indd 1

9/8/20 12:40 PM

Signature Programs, Summer Youth Camps, Adult Classes, High School Sailing, and any other Education-related events, classes, or camps. The Program Director leads the innovation and development of new programs, ensures that existing programs are staffed and operating safely, and has the ability to adjust and adapt to meet needs in the community.

4/26/19 12:20 PM

Compensation: Salaried; Health, Dental, and Wellness benefits; annual leave policy; retirement benefits; pay commensurate with experience.

Grant Writer

Henry Sheldon Museum Middlebury

5v-LakeChamplainChocolates101420.indd 1

For full job description and to apply go to: communitysailingcenter.org/about/jobs.

ccs-vt.org

10/6/204t-ChamplainCommServices100720.indd 10:43 AM 1

10/12/20 1:15 PM

HIRING EVENT

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree; or 5+ years’ experience leading in an educational field

Middlebury’s Sheldon Museum seeks a parttime, experienced and 4t-LakeChamplainCommunitySailingCenter100720.indd 1 10/6/20 accomplished grant writer and researcher familiar with funds available through Vermont foundations, businesses, individual Ready to enjoy your job, be appreciated by your donors, and state agencies, employer, feel good about what you do, and receive a as well as federal sources. comprehensive benefits package? Knowledge of funding for capital improvements, Champlain Community Services, named one of the “Best historic preservation, Places to Work in Vermont” for the second year in a row, museum education, art wants you to be a part of our team. Our current openings for exhibit sponsorship, historical Service Coordinator, Direct Support Professional, & Overnight research, endowment Supports offer opportunities to make a positive impact on growth, and staff enrichment someone’s life, and in yours. extremely helpful. Work at CCS and support, and live, our mission; “to build a Send resume and contact community where everyone participates and belongs.” information for three Be a part of it and apply today at www.ccs-vt.org. references to wbrooks@ henrysheldonmuseum.org.

3v-HenrySheldonMuseum100720.indd 1

71 OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

October 16th and 23rd

PRODUCTION AND FORKLIFT OPERATORS 10:34 AM

(AM shift) 7:00 am – 7:30 pm (PM shift) 7:00 pm – 7:30 am $18.17 – $20.03 per hour The Ben & Jerry's Vermont Manufacturing team is currently hiring to support our St. Albans team in performing various functions in the ice cream production process to ensure safe operation of the machinery, with a focus on producing quality product. If you are an individual that possesses strong communications, teamwork and problem-solving skills, you are invited to be part of Unilever, one of the world’s largest consumer goods companies. A full job description and online application are available at: www.benjerry.com or http://bit.ly/BenandJerrysJOBS Online application must be submitted to participate in the hiring event Employment is subject to verification of pre-employment drug-screening results (including Marijuana) and background investigation

E.O.E.

1 10/6/20 5v-Ben&Jerrys101420.indd 10:27 AM

10/9/20 1:07 PM

ATTENTION RECRUITERS:

POST YOUR JOBS AT JOBS.SEVENDAYSVT.COM FOR FAST RESULTS, OR CONTACT MICHELLE BROWN: MICHELLE@SEVENDAYSVT.COM

OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

COMMERCIAL LOAN ASSISTANT

TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST Shelburne Museum seeks a full time Information Technology Specialist to support the IT needs of the Museum. This position reports to the Human Resources and Special Projects Manager in Administration. Provide general help desk support to Museum staff. Maintain Museum inventory of technology equipment. Ensure that licenses are up to date and maintain licenses database. Act as main point of contact for IT vendors and providers. Install and manage Museum software and servers. Regularly evaluate Museum IT systems and research current IT trends to make certain Museum’s IT needs are met. Provide assistance with Museum website. Manage Museum security hardware and software. Other IT related functions as needed.

VEDA is looking to hire a full-time Commercial Loan Assistant to be based out of our Burlington or Montpelier, Vermont offices. Due to COVID-19, this position is expected to be remote-based until sometime in 2021.

Education and Experience: Bachelor’s or associate degree in related field. Minimum of three years of experience in information technology, with emphasis on desktop support and database management. Qualifications: Experience maintaining SQL databases and server/client relationships. Working knowledge of Active Directory, Exchange, Group Policy and permissions. Must have experience with Office 365 Administration, windows servers and updates and patch management. Understanding and familiarity with VPN and networking technology. Ability to troubleshot Avaya digital phone and voicemail systems. Experience with PCI Compliance, networking and switching. Must be able to maintain Museum hardware and software. Experience with WordPress administration preferred. Apply: kdraper@shelburnemuseum.org 5h-ShelburneMuseum101420.indd 1

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

10/13/20 2:59 PM

In collaboration with the Psychiatrist, this full-time position will perform psychiatric nursing assessments to accurately diagnose acute and chronic psychiatric and mental health issues, and develop treatment plans based on practice guidelines and evidence based standards of care. The PMHNP will prescribe necessary medications based on clinical indicators and will provide individual, couple or family psychotherapy. A master’s degree in nursing, and board certification in psychiatric mental health are required. Vermont certification as a PMHNP (preference for certification in both adult and child/adolescent areas) is also required for this position. Applicants must have or be willing to obtain a Suboxone waiver. Two or more years’ experience in provision of public or private mental/behavioral health clinical services is preferred. A sign-on/relocation bonus and a generous base salary are offered for this position. CEU/CME allowance and paid continuing education time is also included. Northeast Kingdom Human Services (NKHS) is a Designated Agency contracted with the State of Vermont with the purpose of promoting a high quality, comprehensive community mental health program in Vermont’s beautiful Northeast Kingdom. Northern Vermont offers quaint and friendly, small town living and a dream location to live and work in for the outdoor enthusiast! Located in the beautiful Green Mountains, there is access to hiking, the world class Kingdom Trails network for mountain biking, as well as Stowe, Jay Peak and Burke Mountain Ski resorts. This area also boasts several pristine Vermont lakes for summer fun! Benefits include: Health insurance (vision and prescription coverage included), dental insurance, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability, long-term care, AFLAC supplemental insurance plans, 125 Flex Plan-medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts, 403(b) retirement plan with company match, generous paid time off (including 12 paid holidays) and an outstanding employee wellness program. Join our team and advance your career today! To learn more about current job openings, please visit nkhs.org. Apply through our website or send cover letter and CV to jobs@nkhs.net. 7t-NKHS100720.indd 1

Among the position’s responsibilities, VEDA’s Commercial Loan Assistant will review new loan applications and order necessary supporting documents and reports, perform initial set-up and ongoing maintenance of new customer relationships in the core loan system, set-up and maintain commercial loan files, draft annual credit reviews, and generally assist Commercial Loan Officers in processing all loan applications. This job has a wide variety of responsibilities and will reward the right candidate with a breadth of experience within a non-profit, mission-oriented workplace. Visit veda.org for job description.

Minimum Education/Experience • Associate’s Degree and 2 years’ related experience • Experience working in a bank preferred

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities Required • Ability to quickly understand VEDA commercial loan programs • Familiarity with business and personal financial statements • Comfortable using Microsoft Office software • Ability to learn and use various financial and database software applications • Ability to work independently and meet deadlines • Good written and verbal communication skills • Excellent organizational skills • Understanding of when to ask for additional information • Ability to work effectively as part of a team VEDA offers a competitive salary and benefits package and is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. We are working to increase staff diversity and welcome job applications from all qualified candidates.

Please email resume with cover letter to: Cheryl Houchens, Chief Risk and Resource Officer Vermont Economic Development Authority chouchens@veda.org

10/2/20 3:20 PM

New, local, scam-free jobs posted every day!

1x5new,local,scamfree.indd 1

This position’s primary responsibility will be to provide administrative and technical support to one or more commercial lenders and commercial lending management. VEDA’s Commercial Loan Assistant is a member of VEDA’s Commercial Lending team, working under the supervision of the Director of Commercial Lending.

8t-VEDA101420.indd 1

10/13/20 1:52 PM

sevendaysvt.com/classifieds

9/8/20 11:41 AM

NEW JOBS POSTED DAILY! JOBS.SEVENDAYSVT.COM

73 OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

Education and Training Resources (ETR) is seeking to fill the following positions at

NORTHLANDS JOB CORPS

Property Manager: Affordable Housing THE WINOOSKI HOUSING AUTHORITY is seeking a Property Manager for multi-site properties. Duties and responsibilities include the following, other duties may be assigned: Provide outstanding customer service to residents, ensure that all appropriate communications are distributed on a timely basis and address any resident concerns in a timely manner. Manages the tenant selection process adhering to eligibility guidelines. Ensures that all annual recertifications are completed in a timely fashion. Schedules and performs regular property inspections. Perform site visits on a weekly basis to ensure that the common areas and grounds are well maintained. Serves as a liaison with social service agencies. Responsible for assuring tenants adhere to the lease. This position requires excellent customer service, communication and organizational skills, positive and professional demeanor and attention to detail. Applicants must have an associate’s degree in Human Services or Social Work, or previous extensive relevant experience in affordable housing or property management. Winooski Housing Authority offers an excellent benefits package including health, dental, eye, life insurance, and retirement, as well as generous paid time off. Starting salary based on experience.

PLEASE SEND RESUME AND COVER LETTER TO DHERGENROTHER@WINOOSKIHOUSING.ORG. Deadline to apply is October 16, 2020. No phone calls, please. Cover Letter Required.

DATA INTEGRITY

Student Records Specialist (Full Time) – High School Diploma required. 1-year experience working with heavy data entry/ office setting.

HUMAN RESOURCES

Cook Assistant (2 Full Time positions available!) – High School Diploma required. Cook Assistant (On-Call) – High School Diploma required.

FACILITY MAINTENANCE Custodial Assistant (1 Full Time) – High School Diploma Required Custodial Assistant (On Call) – High School Diploma Required

RECREATION

Lead Residential Counselor (1 Full Time) – Bachelor’s degree and 15 semester hours of social work/social science courses required. Residential Counselors (3 Full Time/ starting at $50,000/yr) - Bachelor’s degree and 15 semester hours of social work/ social science courses required Independent Living Advisor (4 Full Time/ All shifts starting at $18/hr) High School Diploma required. Split Shift Independent Living Advisor (On-Call) - High School Diploma

Client Strategy Manager

100A MacDonough Dr. • Vergennes, VT 05491 • 802-877-0159

ETR/NORTHLANDS JOB CORPS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER OF FEMALES AND MINORITIES 10/12/20 12:06 PM

Development Services Coordinator

10/9/20 11:10 AM

If you have a passion for VPR, consider becoming the new VPR Development Services Coordinator, providing supporters with an excellent donation & stewardship experience. Apply steadfast accuracy and responsiveness to process and acknowledge financial contributions and update donor accounts. Exercise superb interpersonal skills to resolve inquiries and strengthen donor relationships. Fulfill responsibilities for fundraising campaigns and large-scale written communications throughout the year. Be a reliable and collaborative team member. Stay on top of details and meet deadlines. Bring initiative and a positive attitude to daily work and unexpected challenges, and respectful candor to all interactions.

With this success, NativeEnergy wants to invest in more HelpBuild projects. Our business model focuses on custom projects for leading brands. We uniquely construct project portfolios to meet climate goals, drive business value for companies, and deliver tangible beneﬁts to their stakeholder communities – from customers and suppliers to employees and shareholders. Our investment model enables companies to put their sustainability strategies into practice, by investing in new climate action and ecosystem service projects in their supply sheds.

We expect at least 2 years of professional experience demonstrating your adherence to confidentiality and your aptitude for customer service, financial figures, proprietary databases and common office technology.

Position Overview

The Client Strategy Manager will join NativeEnergy’s team and be responsible to support companies in achieving their climate goals, and provide research to advance new, custom projects with companies we have yet to partner with. This is a mid-level position that will directly support companies to take climate action, while also gaining insight into NativeEnergy’s impact investment approach. We are seeking a results-driven, knowledgeable leader with a proven ability to set and achieve goals.To Apply

Learn more about all open positions at VPR.org/Careers. Vermont Public Radio is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified candidate will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, mental or physical disability, and genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, military status, protected veteran status or any other category protected by law.

Please submit resume and cover letter on or before October 30th to support@nativeenergy.com. All submissions will be held in the strictest conﬁdence. NativeEnergy is an equal opportunity employer.

7t-NativeEnergyMANAGER101420.indd 1

Please submit all applications to our applicant portal at www.etrky.com for all roles in Vergennes, VT. Employment will be at a Federal Department of Labor facility. All applicants will be subject to drug testing and a full background check.

SECURITY, SAFETY & TRANSPORTATION

7t-NorthlandJobCorps101420.indd 1 5v-WinooskiHousingAuthority101420.indd 1

APPLY TODAY

Campus Monitors (On-Call) - High School Diploma required

**Recreation Aide (On-Call) – High School Diploma required **Critical needs positions!

EOE

Finance & Administration Manager - Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration or related field along 4 years of proven work related experience in Finance and Administration

INDEPENDENT LIVING

HR Assistant (Full Time) – High School Diploma Required. Two years of administrative support or business office experience. Human Resource experience preferred.

FOOD SERVICES

FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION

10/9/20 11:33 AM 5h-VPR101420.indd 1

10/13/20 1:48 PM

ATTENTION RECRUITERS:

POST YOUR JOBS AT JOBS.SEVENDAYSVT.COM FOR FAST RESULTS, OR CONTACT MICHELLE BROWN: MICHELLE@SEVENDAYSVT.COM

OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Secretary HARK is an award winning design and development studio where experience, passion, and imagination come together to help today’s innovative companies tell their stories.

PROJECT MANAGER + We’re open to a variety of employment options in terms of PT, FT, or freelance.

+ Collaborate with our clients to make their design/marketing dreams come true.

+ Must be able to work well under pressure and

manage multiple web design and development projects and deadlines simultaneously.

+ Attention to detail is a must, a sense of humor even more important.

+ Three years plus of experience needed.

Apply>>hark.bz/careers 2v-Hark101420.indd 1

Office of the Defender General, Montpelier. Previous secretarial experience required. Experience as a secretary in the criminal or juvenile justice system or human services field preferred. Must be able to work independently and as part of a legal team. Requires patience, the ability to work with a wide variety of people, tenacity, a sense of humor, and a can-do attitude.

Vermont PBS seeks a Graphic Designer to be the in-house expert when it comes to composition, typography, color, and brand execution. Projects include, but are not limited to, on-air brand element creation, broadcast programs, promotions, development content, and short form digital content. Assist with projects that may include digital ads, print collateral, and social media asset creation. A strong candidate will have a critical eye, be self-motivated and work collaboratively as a member of a larger team.

Full-time, exempt PG17 (union) position with State benefits. $17.11/hr. Email resume and cover letter by Wednesday, October 28th to: mary.deaett@vermont.gov. E.O.E.

10/13/20 4t-OfficeDefenderGeneral101420.indd 2:50 PM 1

Client Strategy Director

10/12/20 3:46 PM

Our aim is to increase global carbon reduction capacity by building new climate action projects and we are currently seeking a results-oriented professional to join our team. NativeEnergy is a leading provider of high-quality GHG emission reduction and renewable energy investments for leaders in corporate sustainability. Through our innovative HelpBuildTM project model, NativeEnergy has enabled leading companies to invest in creating over 70 new and brand-relevant climate projects that provide meaningful social and ecosystem benefits to communities around the world. We are currently launching three first-of-their-kind soil carbon sequestration projects in the U.S., Argentina and Kenya, reaching millions of acres. We created a renewable energy credit mechanism that channels corporate REC purchases into building new, community-scale renewable generation. And we are on track to launch sugar and cotton supply chain climate action projects in the coming months. All in concert with a core, and growing, group of leading brands. With this success, NativeEnergy wants to invest in more HelpBuild projects. Our business model focuses on custom projects for leading brands. We uniquely construct project portfolios to meet climate goals, drive business value for companies, and deliver tangible benefits to their stakeholder communities – from customers and suppliers to employees and shareholders. Our investment model enables companies to put their sustainability strategies into practice, by investing in new climate action and ecosystem service projects in their supply sheds.

College degree preferred. Minimum of three years of experience creating graphics for TV/Broadcast/ Film industry. Technical competency operating both Mac and PC computers is a must. Thorough understanding of the Adobe Creative Cloud suite of software including After Effects, Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign is required. A basic understanding of non-linear editing, video codecs, and media management software is necessary. For more information please visit: vermontpbs.org/careers Please submit resume, cover letter and portfolio/link by October 28, 2020 to: Vermont PBS Attn: HR Dept. 2 204 Ethan Allen Avenue Colchester, VT 05446 An equal opportunity employer and provider

6t-VTPBS101420.indd 1

YOU WILL FIND

SUCCESS

Position Overview

The Client Strategy Director will join NativeEnergy’s team to bring more custom projects to companies we have yet to partner with. Working closely with the VP of Client Strategy, this role will be responsible for executing on NativeEnergy’s climate impact strategy through knowledge of supply chains, scope three emission sources and reductions, and connections amongst corporate goals on climate, community and sustainable sourcing. This is a senior level position that will directly support companies to shape their climate strategies and put those strategies into action. We are seeking an experienced leader with a track record of tangible results helping to achieve corporate sustainability goals.

To Apply

Submit resume and cover letter on or before October 30th to support@nativeenergy.com. All submissions will be held in the strictest confidence. NativeEnergy is an E.O.E.

10/12/20 1:46 PM

CRACK OPEN YOUR FUTURE... with our mobile-friendly job board.

Job seekers can: • Browse hundreds of current, local positions from Vermont companies. • Search for jobs by keyword, location, category and job type. • Set up job alerts. • Apply for jobs directly through the site. START APPLYING AT JOBS.SEVENDAYSVT.COM

4t-JobsFiller_.indd 1

10/13/20 1:25 PM

JOBS.SEVENDAYSVT.COM

75 OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

DENTAL ASSISTANT

CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE PREVENTION TRAINER

Middlebury Pediatric Dentistry is looking for a dental assistant to join our friendly, close-knit team. Help us take care of Vermont kids’ oral health! Full time. Health insurance. Paid vacation. Please contact us by email and include your resume:

ASSISTANT ALPINE SKI COACH (PART TIME)

Position is full time, day/evening hours. Experience working with adults, and knowledge of child development and child abuse required. MSW or other graduate degree required. Northern Lights certified instructor preferred.

Applications are being accepted for the part-time Assistant Alpine Ski coach at Saint Michael’s College. Saint Michael’s College is an frontdesk@middleburypediatricdentistry.com NCA Division II institution (Northeast-10 Conference), and sponsors 21 varsity sports. Additional program information can be found at smcathletics.com. Responsibilities include assisting with all aspects of the coaching and management of the alpine team including but 2h-MiddleburyPediatricDentistry101420.indd 1 10/12/20 2 Jobs: Apparel & Footwear Buyer - AND not exclusive to coaching and practices; supporting the academic and Outdoor Gear Sales Associate personal development of all student-athletes; assisting with official and unofficial campus visits for prospective student-athletes; and helping Onion River Outdoors is a community-minded outdoor with team fundraising activities and events. gear and apparel shop in Montpelier, Vermont. We are

Resume and 3 references can be sent to: pcavt@pcavt.org, or PO Box 829, Montpelier, VT 05601 EOE.

2v-PreventChildAbuseVT101420.indd 1

NEW JOBS POSTED DAILY!

Position is eligible for applicable tuition benefits. This part-time position is not eligible for regular College provided fringe benefits. For full job description and to apply online go to: smcvt.interviewexchange.com.

10/9/20 4t-StMichaelsCollege101420.indd 11:48 AM 1

10/9/20

Central Vermont’s outdoor recreation experts, an eclectic and fun group of active, outdoor-loving folks seeking healthier, happier, and more eco-friendly ways to live our lives by using the gear we sell as often as we can. We work hard and have fun. We recognize that our shop’s success is tied to the well-being of our Green Mountain landscape and our Central Vermont community. We open doors to the outdoors by supporting community members in their outdoor pursuits. We believe that when consumers support local 1:10 PM business and local business supports the community, we all win. We are seeking enthusiastic outdoors people for two positions: a full-time Apparel & Footwear Buyer and several full- or part-time Sales Associates. Passion for outdoor pursuits, great communication skills, positive outlook, and personal experience with outdoor gear required. Some weekend and holiday hours are a given, but so is a fun workplace in an active community. Paid vacation, competitive wages, and other benefits available. Visit onionriver.com for full job descriptions and more information.

BRANCH ADMINISTRATOR Established in 1891 and continuing the tradition of being a local Vermont bank, Union Bank provides a full array of banking products and services for consumer and business customers. We pride ourselves in being an employer of choice by offering challenging and rewarding career opportunities. We are seeking a Branch Administrator to provide management support as we expand our geographic footprint and the number of branch offices. The Branch Administrator will be responsible for managing branch operations and supervisory personnel. Other areas of responsibility will include: providing leadership with branch deposit and retail products growth initiatives; work in collaboration with branch managers to identify, address and resolve branch related issues; serve as a communication conduit with branch staff; make recommendations regarding branch policies and procedures; ensure regulatory compliance; and provide support for the Human Resources Training Officer with branch training initiatives.

11:19 AM

4t-OnionRiverOutdoors101420.indd 1

10/12/20 10:28 AM

Qualified candidates should have a minimum of five years of retail branch management experience. A college degree in Business, Finance or related field is preferred but not required. Excellent written and oral (both in person and by telephone) communication skills are essential. The ability to work in a confidential environment, and the ability to anticipate and meet deadlines is critical for success. The ability to interact well with all bank personnel while performing these duties is also important. The position requires an individual who is organized and able to work on multiple projects simultaneously. The ability to travel to branch locations within the Bank’s market footprint is required. Salary and potential for cash bonus for this position will be commensurate with experience. Union Bank offers a comprehensive benefits program for full time employees, including three options of medical insurance, dental insurance, life and disability coverage, a robust 401(k) plan with generous company matching, and paid vacation, personal and sick leave. To be considered for this position, please submit a cover letter, resume, references and salary requirements to:

Human Resources-Union Bank P.O. Box 667 Morrisville, Vermont 05661 – 0667 careers@unionbanknh.com

E.O.E. - MEMBER FDIC 9t-UnionBankBRANCHAdmin100720.indd 1

10/2/20 2:16 PM 5v-Downstreet101420.indd 1

10/12/20 1:22 PM

ATTENTION RECRUITERS:

POST YOUR JOBS AT JOBS.SEVENDAYSVT.COM FOR FAST RESULTS, OR CONTACT MICHELLE BROWN: MICHELLE@SEVENDAYSVT.COM

OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

LEARNING SPECIALIST/SPECIAL EDUCATOR GRADES 4-5 ESSEX WESTFORD SCHOOL DISTRICT

Software Engineer

Are you committed to the success of ALL children? Are you inspired by working with elementary school students?

Are you a software engineer who enjoys a dynamic product development environment? If so, then we may have the perfect opportunity for you to join our R&D engineering team at BioTek, now a part of Agilent. BioTek is a market leader in detection and imaging instrumentation for life science and drug discovery research, we are recognized globally for our innovative product line and excellent customer service. Our global customers include academic, government, and biotech/pharmaceutical companies. In this position, you will be a member of a small experienced team responsible for our flagship software product. Our ideal candidate will have a MSCS, BSCS and/or BSSE degree or equivalent with five years of experience writing Windows PC Applications in a Visual Studio development environment. The successful candidate will be comfortable performing all phases of a software project from initial conceptual design through final implementation and integration and documentation.

Experience or interest in some of the following would be a plus: • Imaging (histogram analysis, pattern finding, dilation) • Math skills (statistics, matrices, curve fitting) • XAML, MVVM, C# in Windows WPF based applications Our dedicated employees are our greatest asset contributing to our success. We offer a casual yet professional and respectful work environment, competitive salary and an excellent benefits package which includes medical, dental, vision, 401K and a profit sharing plan. If you want to join a great team that appreciates collaboration, hard work and a whole lot of fun, we would love to hear from you! To learn more, please visit our website at biotek.com. To apply, send resumes to hrresumes@biotek.com.

BioTek is an Equal Opportunity Employer. BioTek does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, nondisqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.

We are seeking a skilled professional to join our team as a learning specialist at our Thomas Fleming Elementary School to support the learning of all students. The position is temporary full-time for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year. The position shall involve consultation to grade level teams and evaluating and developing intervention programs with a focus on literacy, math and behavior. Candidates with experience working with children with intensive and significant behavioral needs is most desirable. Responsibilities include case management of student plans including EST, 504, and IEP. EWSD is committed to considering out of state candidates who are eligible to hold a Vermont educator license but do not yet hold license in this state. Folks with experience working in another country, ability to fluently speak more than one language, peace corp. experience and/or other worldly experience are encouraged to apply to help contribute to a diversity of thinking and grow our organizational practices.

CANDIDATES WITH THE FOLLOWING QUALIFICATIONS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY: • Hold or be eligible to hold a valid VT Special Educator or Consulting Teacher endorsement. Individuals who hold a corresponding teaching license outside the state of VT shall be considered equally. • Strong math, literacy, and/or behavior background • Demonstrated ability to work effectively and collaboratively as part of a teaching team and as a team of learning specialists • Successful co-teaching experience desirable • Demonstrated commitment to the belief that all children can learn and succeed in school • Possess knowledge and skill in implementing standards based curricula, differentiated instruction and formative assessment in a collaborative environment. • Candidates with knowledge of and experience working in schools that have implemented a successful intervention system are desirable. EWSD is committed to building a culturally diverse and inclusive environment. Successful candidates must be committed to working effectively with diverse community populations and expected to strengthen such capacity if hired. If you are committed to the success of all students but do not meet all qualifications listed above, you are still encouraged to apply. For consideration, please apply electronically through schoolspring.com (Job ID 3378643).

Essex Westford School District - Human Resource Department 51 Park Street, Essex Jct., VT 05452. 10v-EssexWestfordSchoolDistrict101420.indd 1

ATTENTION RECRUITERS: POST YOUR JOBS AT: PRINT DEADLINE: FOR RATES & INFO:

Human Resources BioTek Instruments, Inc. P.O. Box 998, Highland Park Winooski, VT 05404-0998 AA/EOE 3h-ContactInfo.indd 1 9v-BioTek101420.indd 1

10/13/20 1:43 PM

10/12/20 11:24 AM

SEVENDAYSVT.COM/POSTMYJOB NOON ON MONDAYS (INCLUDING HOLIDAYS) MICHELLE BROWN, 802-865-1020 X21, MICHELLE@SEVENDAYSVT.COM

6/29/15 5:11 PM

BREAD BAKER

NEW JOBS POSTED DAILY! JOBS.SEVENDAYSVT.COM

COMMUNITY PROJECTS ASSOCIATE

MULTIPLE POSITIONS OPEN

VCRD is seeking a dedicated, energetic and hardworking Community Projects Associate to provide facilitation, technical assistance, coaching, resource connections, grant drafting, and other support to local leaders who are driving projects forward for community and economic recovery.

Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital (NVRH) has a variety of openings available, including RNs, LNAs, Ultrasound Technologist, Echocardiographer, Sr. MultiModality Technologist and Medical Lab Technician or Medical Technologist. NVRH also has Administrative Positions, Food Service and Environmental Services openings.

If you derive satisfaction from working with your hands and being able to appreciate the fruits of your labor every day, you might want to bake bread with us! Professional food experience is required. Contact Douglas at:

We’re looking for someone who: • Demonstrates excellent project development and communication skills • Is a self-starter able to work independently and as part of a team • Is eager to work with communities and local leaders in all their diversity • Is dedicated to the progress of rural Vermont The position, based in Montpelier and remotely, will include regular evening meetings. Salary range of $42-52K based on skills and experience; attractive benefit package.

douglas@redhenbaking.com

Visit vtrural.org for the full job description and information about how to apply. Application deadline is 11/1/2020.

2v-RedHenBaking100720.indd 1

77 OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

WHERE YOU AND YOUR WORK MATTER...

10/6/204t-VTRuralDevelopment100720.indd 12:41 PM 1

Full, part-time and per diem positions available. Excellent benefits available including student loan repayment and tuition reimbursement. For more information or to apply, please visit nvrh.org/careers.

10/5/204t-NVRH090220a.indd 9:07 AM 1

10/9/20 1:15 PM

EARLY HEAD START TODDLER TEACHER BURLINGTON CHILDREN'S SPACE – BURLINGTON

When you work for the State of Vermont, you and your work matter. A career with the State puts you on a rich and rewarding professional path. You’ll find jobs in dozens of fields – not to mention an outstanding total compensation package.

PUBLIC ASSIS TANCE COORDIN ATOR – WATERBURY

The Vermont Department of Public Safety is seeking a temporary person to assist the DPS Business Office with issuing FEMA Public Assistance subgrant agreements and reviewing and processing payments to municipalities and state agencies, particularly but not exclusively related to COVID-19. The ideal candidate will have excellent communication skills along with a knack for learning new systems, experience in the VISION System, as well as a positive attitude and attention to details. For more information, contact Kim Canarecci at kim.canarecci@vermont.gov or 802-585-4209. Location: Waterbury. Status: Temporary. Job ID #9921. Application Deadline: Open Until Filled.

SUBS TANCE ABUSE PROGRAM MAN AGER – BURLINGTON

The Vermont Department of Health, Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Programs (ADAP) seeks a Substance Abuse Program Manager to join our Prevention Team. Seeking candidates with knowledge and experience in grant project management, development and monitoring, evaluations and systems development. Visit our website to see the full job description and apply. For more information, contact Lori Uerz at lori.uerz@vermont.gov. Department: Health. Status: Full Time – Limited Service. Job ID #9842. Application Deadline: October 18, 2020.

AHS INTERN AL AUDITOR – WATERBURY

Looking for a new challenge in your career as a professional auditor? How about being part of an internal audit team in the largest agency in state government? If so, our Agency of Human Services may have a great role for you! We are seeking an Internal Auditor to contribute to the Team’s mission in promoting efficient and effective operations across the Agency. Ideal candidate will be a “people person” coupled with strong skills in business process analytics, root cause and risk analysis. For more information, contact Peter Moino at peter.moino@ vermont.gov. Department: Agency of Human Services. Location: Waterbury. Status: Full Time. Job ID #9965. Application Deadline: October 22, 2020.

Learn more at :

careers.vermont.gov

The State of Vermont is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Head Start is a federally-funded, national child and family development program which provides comprehensive services for pregnant women, children from birth to age five, and their families. Services for children promote school readiness, and include early education, health, nutrition, mental health, and services for children with special needs. Services for parents promote family engagement, and include parent leadership and social service supports. As an Early Head Start Toddler Teacher, you will serve as co-teacher in an outcomesoriented, team environment, and provide safe, healthy, friendly, and developmentally appropriate environments and experiences for infants and toddlers. Motivated Head Start teachers improve the trajectory of children’s lives, including children’s learning outcomes, living standards, and later academic and professional success. If you want to make a difference in the lives of young children and their families, consider joining the Head Start community.

10/12/20 9:44 AM

Childhood Education or related education field; Infant toddler specific education and experience that meets or exceeds the requirements for an Infant Toddler CDA Credential; knowledge and experience in developmentally appropriate early childhood practice, child outcome assessment, child behavior management, and curriculum planning, development and implementation; a commitment to social justice and to working with families with limited financial resources; excellent verbal and written communication (bilingual abilities a plus!), documentation, and record-keeping skills; valid driver’s license, clean driving record and access to reliable transportation; physical ability to carry out required tasks, and a can-do, extramile attitude.

40 hours/week, 52 weeks/year. Starting wage upon completion of 60-working day period: $20.28-$24.22/hour, depending on qualifications. Health plan and excellent benefits. Please submit cover letter, resume, and three work references to: hdstjobs@cvoeo.org. No phone calls, please.

THIS INSTITUTION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

9t-ChamplainValleyHeadStart100720.indd 1 6t-VTDeptHumanResources101420 1

REQUIREMENTS: Bachelor’s degree in Early

10/5/20 9:43 AM

ATTENTION RECRUITERS:

POST YOUR JOBS AT JOBS.SEVENDAYSVT.COM FOR FAST RESULTS, OR CONTACT MICHELLE BROWN: MICHELLE@SEVENDAYSVT.COM

OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

South Burlington is home to over 18,000 residents and lies at the heart of Chittenden County, Vermont. The second largest city in the state, South Burlington is comprised of five districts rich with residential, economic, and recreation vitality. Annually, more than 150 employees of the municipality serve the community to make it one of the best places to live, work, and visit. Governed by a City Council of five citizens and operated under the direction of a City Manager, South Burlington is in the midst of smart growth with its commitment to building a new urban downtown—City Center. With a 10 year comprehensive plan, the City is a leader in quality and innovation.

WATER QUALITY OPERATOR

This position is responsible for the maintenance and repair of equipment for the City’s Water Quality System. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS • Monitors, maintains and repairs equipment and facilities at wastewater facilities and pumping stations. • Creates and maintains accurate log records of repairs and routine maintenance tasks, pump station call-outs and pressing duties. • Performs general external maintenance tasks such as mowing grass, trimming and snow removal. • Performs indoor plant maintenance tasks such as cleaning, mopping and painting. • Respond to on-call and weekend duties on a rotating schedule after training period EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE • High school diploma or equivalent. • One (1) year relevant work experience with operation of mechanical, electrical, and automotive tools and equipment; or equivalent education. • Valid VT CDL license with Tanker Endorsement or must obtain within first six months of employment. • VT Grade 1-DM Wastewater Operator’s License or must obtain within first six months of employment. • Effective verbal and written communication, required. • Ability to work effectively in team environment.

LIBRARY CIRCULATION ASSISTANT

The Circulation Assistant will carry out routine Circulation Desk duties and designated collection or administrative duties. Will provide a positive and welcoming experience to all Library visitors and assist patrons of all ages in locating library materials. QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS • Prior experience working in a library or book store • Providing excellent customer service to the public and co-workers • Expertise and proficiency with computers and devices, popular Library software, internet and digital communications • Ability to learn library procedures and apply policies • Works with a high degree of accuracy, efficiency, dependability and independence • Performs routine circulation functions accurately, to include: checking items in and out, registering new patrons, updating patron information, placing holds, collecting fees, answering the phone • Uses online and paper resources to assist patrons of all ages with reader’s advisory and information services • Assists patrons in the use of library computers, equipment and patron devices • Assists in the preparation of displays, book lists and bulletin boards • Runs circulation reports and notifications • Assists with collection development • Processes materials as needed • Shelves materials and reads shelves as needed • Enforces library policies in an appropriate manner • Performs other duties as assigned

New, local, scamfree jobs posted every day! jobs.sevendaysvt.com

Please submit your application and reference which job you are applying for, to Jaimie Held, Human Resource Manager at jheld@sburl.com. 12t-CityofSoBurlington101420.indd 1

10/13/20 1:56 PM 9V-postings-cmyk.indd 1

10/13/20 1:35 PM

Fall for Vermont All Over Again!

In this month’s Staytripper, find classic and creative autumnal activities that won’t leaf you disappointed. Start exploring at staytrippervt.com

PHOTO: CALEB KENNA

1T-StaytripperFiller101420.indd 1

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

10/13/20 2:03 PM

fun stuff

RACHEL LINDSAY

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

CALCOKU & SUDOKU (P.65) CROSSWORD (P.65)

“Thank you for giving my family of five the opportunity to be in a safe vehicle. My family has gone through a lot recently, and getting this vehicle relieves a great amount of stress for us.”

– Jennifer, recipient of a 2006 Toyota Highlander

HARRY BLISS

Donate a car…Change a life! Tax Deductions & Free Towing

Over 5,000 cars awarded to our New England neighbors since 1996.

Donate today!

GoodNewsGarage.org 877.GIVE AUTO (448.3288) 6h-goodnewsgarage092320 1

9/21/20 8:28 AM

Classic Cash Giveaway “Have you ever heard of knocking?” JEN SORENSEN

Thousands of Dollars in CASH PRIZES! $101.70 Winner Every Weekday Through Oct 30th

$1,017

GRAND PRIZE

LISTEN DAILY FOR DETAILS or visit

ClassicHitsVermont.com

CENTRAL VERMONT NORTHERN VERMONT CHAMPLAIN VALLEY

& STREAMING

C l a s s ic Hit sV e r mont .c om 3V-RadioVTGroup092320 1

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

9/21/20 8:37 AM

fun stuff RYAN RIDDLE

Making it is not :( Keep this newspaper free for all. Join the Seven Days Super Readers at sevendaysvt.com/super-readers or call us at 802-864-5684.

82SR-Comics-filler071520.indd SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 14-21, 2020 1

7/14/20 3:32 PM

Have a deep, dark fear of your own? Submit it to cartoonist Fran Krause at deep-dark-fears.tumblr.com, and you may see your neurosis illustrated in these pages.

FREE WILL ASTROLOGY BY ROB BREZSNY REAL OCTOBER 15-21

“between dog and wolf.” It’s used to describe twilight or dusk, when the light is faint and it’s tough to distinguish between a dog and a wolf. But it may also suggest a situation that is a blend of the familiar and the unknown, or even a moment when what’s ordinary and routine is becoming unruly or wild. Entre chien et loup suggests an intermediary state that’s unpredictable or beyond our ability to define. In accordance with astrological omens, I propose you regard it as one of your main themes for now. Don’t fight it; enjoy it! Thrive on it!

LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22):

“The hardest thing you will ever do is trust yourself,” says Libran journalist Barbara Walters. Really? I don’t think so. In my experience, the hardest thing to do is to consistently treat ourselves with the loving care we need to be mentally and physically healthy. But I do acknowledge that trusting ourselves is also an iffy task for many of us. And yet that’s often because we don’t habitually give ourselves the loving care we need to be healthy. How can we trust ourselves if we don’t put in the work necessary to ensure our vitality? But here’s the good news, Libra: In the coming weeks, you’re likely to be extra motivated and intuitively astute whenever you improve the way you nurture yourself.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Would you be willing to meditate on how you might become more skilled in the arts of intimacy? Would you consider reading books and websites that offer guidance about strategies for being the best partner and ally you can be? Are you receptive to becoming more devoted to practicing empathy and deep listening? I’m not saying you’re deficient in these matters, nor am I implying that you need to improve your mastery of them any more than the rest of us. I simply want you to know that now is an especially favorable time for you to make progress. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Entre chien et loup is a French idiom that literally means

GEMINI

(May 21-June 20): For 34 years, the beloved American TV personality Mr. Rogers did a show for children. He’s now widely acknowledged as having been a powerful teacher of goodness and morality. Here’s a fun fact: His actual middle name was McFeely. I propose that you use that as a nickname for yourself. If McFeely doesn’t quite appeal to you, maybe try Feel Maestro or Emotion Adept or Sensitivity Genius. Doing so might help inspire you to fulfill your astrological assignment in the coming weeks, which is to allow yourself to experience more deep feelings than usual — and thereby enhance your heart intelligence. That’s crucial! In the coming weeks, your head intelligence needs your heart intelligence to be working at peak capacity.

CANCER

(June 21-July 22): A blogger named Dr.LoveLlama writes, “You may think I am walking around the house with a blanket around my shoulders because I am cold, but in fact the ‘blanket’ is my cloak and I am on a fantasy adventure.” I approve of such behavior during our ongoing struggles with COVID-19, and I especially recommend it to you in the coming days. You’ll be wise to supercharge your imagination, giving it permission to dream up heroic adventures and epic exploits that you may or may not actually undertake someday. It’s time to become braver and more playful in the inner realms.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): According to author Rev. Dr. Marilyn Sewell, “The body has its own way of knowing, a knowing that has little to do with logic, and much to do with truth.” I recommend that you meditate on that per-

spective. Make it your keynote. Your physical organism always has wisdom to impart, and you can always benefit from tuning in to it — and that’s especially important for you right now. So let me ask you: How much skill do you have in listening to what your body tells you? How receptive are you to its unique and sometimes subtle forms of expression? I hope you’ll enhance your ability to commune with it during the next four weeks.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): In his fictional memoir Running in the Family, Virgo author Michael Ondaatje returns to Sri Lanka, the land where he spent his childhood, after many years away. At one point he enthuses that he would sometimes wake up in the morning and “just smell things for the whole day.” I’d love for you to try a similar experiment, Virgo: Treat yourself to a festival of aromas. Give yourself freely to consorting with the sensual joy of the world’s many scents. Does that sound frivolous? I don’t think it is. I believe it would have a deeply calming and grounding effect on you. It would anchor you more thoroughly in the here and now of your actual life and inspire you to shed any fantasies that you should be different from who you are. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): “You can’t learn anything when you’re trying to look like the smartest person in the room,” writes author Barbara Kingsolver. That’s a useful message for you right now. Why? Because you will soon be exposed to teachings that could change your life for the better. And if you hope to be fully available for those teachings, you must be extra receptive and curious and open-minded — which means you shouldn’t try to seem like you already know everything you need to know. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): I’ve de-

cided not to use quotes by famous writers who’ve endorsed bigoted ideas. In the future, my horoscopes won’t mention the work of T.S. Eliot, Roald Dahl, V.S. Naipaul, Edith Wharton, Kingsley Amis, H.P. Lovecraft, Flannery O’Connor, Rudyard Kipling and Louis-Ferdinand Celine. I’m sorry to see them go, because I’ve learned a lot from some of them. And I un-

derstand that many were reflecting attitudes that were widespread in their era and milieu. But as I’ve deepened my commitment to fighting prejudice, I’ve come to the conclusion that I personally don’t want to engage with past perpetrators. Now, in accordance with current astrological omens, I invite you to take an inventory of your own relationship with bigoted influences — and consider making some shifts in your behavior. (More info: tinyurl.com/bigotedauthors1 and tinyurl.com/bigotedauthors2)

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Capricorn chemist Tu YouYou doesn’t have a medical degree or PhD. Yet she discovered a treatment for malaria that has saved millions of lives. The drug was derived from an ancient herbal medicine that she spent years tracking down. In part because of her lack of credentials, she remained virtually unsung from the time she helped come up with the cure in 1977 until she won a Nobel Prize in 2015. What’s most unsung about your accomplishments, Capricorn? There’s a much better chance than usual that it will finally be appreciated in the coming months. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): “Luck is what

happens to you when fate gets tired of waiting,” says author Gregory David Roberts. If that’s true, I expect that a surge of luck will flow your way soon. According to my astrological analysis, fate has grown impatient waiting for you to take the actions that would launch your life story’s next chapter. Hopefully, a series of propitious flukes will precipitate the postponed but necessary transformations. My advice? Don’t question the unexpected perks. Don’t get in their way. Allow them to work their magic.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Have you formulated wily plans and crafty maneuvers to help you navigate through the labyrinthine tests and trials up ahead? I hope so. If you hope to solve the dicey riddles and elude the deceptive temptations, you’ll need to use one of your best old tricks — and come up with a new trick, as well. But please keep this important caveat in mind: To succeed, you won’t necessarily have to break the rules. It may be sufficient merely to make the rules more supple and flexible.

CHECK OUT ROB BREZSNY’S EXPANDED WEEKLY AUDIO HOROSCOPES & DAILY TEXT MESSAGE HOROSCOPES: REALASTROLOGY.COM OR 1-877-873-4888

L ATEST VIDEO! Eva Sollberger’s

Watch at sevendaysvt.com 4H-Stuck101420.indd 1

supported by: ave seen You might h n aka Sonic, o Amir Malik, n “America the TV show ” The r. io Ninja Warr ex ss E ld 20-year-o nt made e d si re Junction the show on his debut on e’ll appear in October 5; h . g semifinals the upcomin ith him at Eva spoke w where he the local gym es. ch a trains and te SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

10/13/20 3:30 PM

JUST ASK; I’LL TELL YOU Just ask; I’ll tell you whatever you want to know. I’m kind, caring, loving, genuine and just want what I deserve: to be loved and cherished. I’m a very good cuddler. Tj, 29, seeking: W, l

Respond to these people online: dating.sevendaysvt.com WOMEN seeking... LET’S MANIFEST A SEXY SITUATION Looking for a hot, nerdy dude who has an adventurous, sensitive, techie soul. Good with his hands. Must love cuddles. I don’t mind if you prioritize your alone time as long as you don’t mind that I can be an endearing space case. Be warned: I will ask for your natal chart and when your most recent STI test was. starsaligned, 25, seeking: M FUN AND ADVENTURE My music is rock and classical. My tastes are spicy and eclectic. I like my coffee hot and black. I’m all over the map on most things, except for one. You won’t find me anywhere near tepid. Faith, 63, seeking: M, l SUGARBUSH & MAD RIVER Looking for a snowman available midweek for some shared outdoor adventures followed by a good meal and conversation. P.S. I should tell you I’m a terrible cook. P.S.S. Willing to do the dishes. MidweekSkier, 52, seeking: M, l WILD-HAIRED, FUN, YET TRUE I’m kind and true. I love Vermont, all the adventures that it offers. I can’t wait to travel, only to come home to garden, hike, paint and create in Vermont. I’m looking for a “partner in crime,” someone to create and dream together. Perhaps I’ll find my best friend and lover all wrapped into one beautiful heart of a man. Verita, 58, seeking: M, l

WANT TO RESPOND?

You read Seven Days, these people read Seven Days — you already have at least one thing in common! All the action is online. Create an account or login to browse more than 2,000 singles with profiles including photos, habits, desires, views and more. It’s free to place your own profile online

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

POSITIVE, CURIOUS, FUNNY, OUTGOING I seek a good man with integrity and honesty — a creative thinker and problem solver who is kind, loving, considerate, a good listener, engaged with life traveling, not a smoker or big partier. I am an extrovert, kind, considerate. Swim, read, enjoy cooking and working in my studio. I am not perfect, don’t smoke/drink, and have been told that I am pretty. Sevevdays, 69, seeking: M

OUTDOORSY AND ACTIVE I enjoy being active in all of Vermont’s seasons, adventurous and spontaneous travel, gardening, home projects, outdoor recreation, good food, and small concerts. Am also content with museums or the New Yorker and a front porch. Raise animals for my freezer. Am a loyal friend. NEK. I am looking for a close companion and am open to all that entails. NEK026, 58, seeking: M, l

INDESCRIBABLY UNIQUE I am a weekend warrior who hikes, backpacks, kayaks and bicycles in the summer and cross-country skis and snowshoes in the winter. I enjoy swing dancing, concerts and sharing homecooked meals. I am an avid reader, good conversationalist and loyal friend. Looking for my soul mate but will be simply delighted with a new activity partner. Beshert, 67, seeking: M, l

AUTUMN LIGHT The most beautiful experience we ca have is the mysterious. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead. ~ Albert Einstein. Hope, 63, seeking: M, l

FUNNY, ACTIVE ACTIVIST AND ADVENTURIST Recently moved to Vermont from D.C. Would like to meet people for social/ political activism, hiking, hanging out and socializing. Always up for new adventures, like discussing world events. Am compassionate, enjoy outdoor activities. I’m nonjudgmental and appreciate the same in others. I’ve been involved in activism around racial equity, health care and disability rights ... but don’t take myself too seriously! AnnieCA, 67, seeking: M, l INTUITIVE, CREATIVE, A GOOD LISTENER! I’m a good person who enjoys good food to eat, good wine to drink, good books to read, good stories to share and good friends to spend time with. I have been called the “Quick of Wit.” My friends say that I am funny, caring, creative, sometimes edgy, and that I not only tell good stories, I write them! Sentient, 66, seeking: M, l WALKING PARTNER WANTED Hi, I’m Nogah. I live in downtown Montpelier. I’m looking for a friend and walking partner for the fall/winter. We’ll see where things go. I have a kind and big heart. Truth be told, I am also a bit neurotic. Pescatarians, vegetarians and vegans only. You should also be environmentally conservative and humble. NogahB, 39, seeking: M, l KIND HEART Loyal, kind, shy initially, love a good conversation, funny. Decided it’s time to explore all options that could lead to a loving, supportive relationship. Romantic but don’t need over-the-top gestures of love. Love my family, family gatherings, cooking/baking, traveling, a car ride to nowhere and a trip to Ireland! Love rugby, and favorite place is Lake Willoughby! Slaintesusan9, 58, seeking: M SUNNY, HAPPY AND FUN I love sharing fun things with a partner. I love sailing and the beach in the summer and skiing and skating in the winter. I love playing almost all sports except hunting. I also love theater, dance and music. Looking for someone who enjoys the same and is laid-back and not too serious. snowflake12 , 49, seeking: M, l

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

AFFECTIONATE, ENTHUSIASTIC, DYNAMIC SINGLE MOM I make friends like the rest of Vermont is buying Subarus. I’ll make you laugh, solve problems together and be forever loyal. I’m a sucker for muscular thighs, thoughtfulness and looking good in a T-shirt. Sex is an important part of a relationship with me. I’m intelligent, self-employed, ambitious and highly moral. I’m fat by American standards and active. Elastic_Heart, 45, seeking: M, TM CUCKOO ABOUT ADVENTURES I’m just looking for a new friend. I’m somewhat new to the area and would like to find someone who likes to talk hike, or do anything that doesn’t involve going to the bar or lots of drinking! NDrootsNYbuds, 37, seeking: M, l HERE’S TO SECOND CHANCES Widowed, fit, fun, financi ly secure WF with serious BDSM/kinky fantasies that I want/need to explore. Looking to find 50- to 60-y/o male wit experience in the much less vanilla side of sex for dating and/or LTR. bestisyettobe, 53, seeking: M, l

MEN seeking... HAPPY, HEALTHY, SEEKING EQUAL PARTNER I’m a dreamer, bike commuter (I was pre-pandemic; now I walk to Battery Park for a morning transition), feminist, runner, skier and Intervale XC groomer, sailor, gardener, poll worker (since before it was cool), homeowner/ landlord who has reduced energy use in the house by 60 percent and gas use by 94 percent, vegetarian, co-op enthusiast, dog trainer, and open source geek. Leftist, 39, seeking: W, TW, l LOOKING FOR A PARTNER ... especially one who plays golf. Object: a mutually rewarding merger and possible mixed couples contender. I am retired and financially secure. I’m in the NEK but open to relocating. I love banter and gardening. Books, desserts and witty women. Skinny-dipping and wordplay. Combining unconnected words in sentences. Please see my online ad, where I go on at greater length. BogeysAreGood, 67, seeking: W, l

TIMING IS EVERYTHING And the time is now. Lakeman, 59, seeking: W, l THE ONE I am a good-looking and somewhat athletic guy looking for kinda the same. Intelligent, informed and adventurous. Really just looking for a Sunday lover for now. Let’s talk about it, and if I trust you, I’ll share contact info and pics. mountintop, 53, seeking: M LOVING, HUMOR, ADVENTUROUS, TRAVELER, AWAKE There is no box; little of what we’ e been told is true. I have carved out a unique, fun, non-cookie-cutter-type life that involves amazing travel adventures, many forms of employment, and an amazing network of friends and family all over the world. I lost my love to ovarian cancer fi e years ago. Hope to find a magical l ve connection again. ComeDanceWithMe, 55, seeking: W, l EMOTIONALLY AVAILABLE Well-adjusted,intelligent,man who doesn’t take himself too seriously,and likes to have laugh seeking liberal, open-minded, mildly kinky woman with any body type. I’m interested in your mind,not your body. Intelligence is a huge turn-on. Communication is of paramount importance to me, as well as sense of humor. Ilovemyview, 68, seeking: W, l COUNTRY BOY I like being outdoors. Like hiking and mountain bikes. ARTIC878, 50, seeking: W KINKY OUTDOORSMAN EASY TO PLEASE I’m looking for a woman to rock my socks off — and I like to wear ‘em tall! Do you like to wear jeans? Hey, me too! I love watching the sunrise, going camping and hiking, and eating ass on the reg. What are you into? Hit me up. I might not be worth it, but I promise to pay. Swingdaddychaddy, 26, seeking: W, Cp, Gp, l ALAN ALDA CLONE LIKES BUTT Looking for a regular friend to be with me and my partner. Age is a number; I am looking for an old soul in a healthy body. I have been told (recently) that I am a good teacher for helping guys get pleasure from the ass. But I can cook, too, and love to feed my friends. Besame mucho. pierofrancesca, 62, seeking: M COUNTRY, WORKER, ADVENTURER My life sure has been an adventure! Vermont-born and -raised. Looking for a woman who might enjoy a day on the kayaks, a night out dancing or a good old-fashioned movie night. timberjack240, 59, seeking: W, l DOWN-TO-EARTH COUNTRY SOUL I’m down-to-earth with a good sense of humor/wit. Hands-on dad. I enjoy everything outdoors — hiking, gardening, animals, barbecuing, summer at the lake. I enjoy cooking and projects around the home. I’m open-minded, open to trying new things and adventures. Enjoy a good balance between an evening out and a nice meal home with a movie. Countrysoul, 45, seeking: W, l CAREGIVER Most of what I would have to say is in the questionnaire. Grampie, 73, seeking: W, l

HORNY BI-CURIOUS MAN Now is the time. I’ve been thinking about this too long, and it’s time for something new. I’ve dabbled and greatly enjoyed MMF threesomes. It’s time to explore this new side of my sexuality. Looking for a gay or bi male to navigate my exploration. Time4somethingNew, 44, seeking: M HARDWORKING, NIGHT LIFE, HONEST I’m 55, looking for adventure with a friend with benefits. orking for the future for financial independence Woodbury55vt, 53, seeking: M, W SPOIL MY PARTNER I am a very fit lifelong passabl closeted cross-dressing cougar, non op trans woman seeking a discreet, fit, kind pa tner to spoil rotten. I have much to give and love to please my mate first and foremost Have very private home and love to entertain. Looking for trustworthy partner for fun to start, maybe more. Susan123, 55, seeking: M, W

TRANS WOMEN seeking... GENEROUS, OPEN, EASYGOING Warm, giving trans female with an abundance of yum to share (and already sharing it with lovers) seeks ecstatic connection for playtimes, connections, copulations, exploration and generally wonderful occasional times together. Clear communication, a willingness to venture into the whole self of you is wanted. Possibilities are wide-ranging: three, four, explorations, dreaming up an adventure are on the list! DoubleUp, 63, seeking: M, Cp, l

COUPLES seeking... CUTE COUPLE LOOKING FOR FUN 33-y/o couple looking for female friend or couple. Mojovt, 33, seeking: W, Cp, l HELP US BRANCH OUT We are a couple of over 30 years. We love to spend time together, enjoying good food, good beer/wine and good company. We enjoy the outdoors, camping, hiking, skiing. Looking for other couples to become friends with that can help us explore and branch out. We love each other very deeply and want to share that love with others. CentralVTCpl, 54, seeking: Cp, Gp LOOKING FOR SOMEONE AMAZING We are a couple in an open relationship seeking a bi male, gay male or couple to join us in kinky play. Cuckholds, DP, etc. Are you a playmate (or playmates) who are open to safe, sane and crazy experiences. Lets fulfi l each others fantasies. We’ll try anything twice! We are two clean, professional adults. Discretion given and expected. vtfuncouple, 44, seeking: M, Cp EXPERIENCE SOMETHING NEW We are a loving couple of over fi e years. Love to play and try new things. Spend free time at the ledges. Looking for people to play with. Perhaps dinner, night out and maybe breakfast in the morning. Looking for open-minded men, women or couples who enjoy fun times and new experiences. 2newAdventurers, 52, seeking: M, W, Cp, Gp OPEN-MINDED ROLE-PLAY We are an open-minded couple looking for others. Must be discreet. Please let us know your interests. If you are a male replying, you must be bi or bicurious. VTroleplaying, 47, seeking: W

i SPY

If you’ve been spied, go online to contact your admirer!

dating.sevendaysvt.com

GRAVEL BIKER NEAR HUNGER MOUNTAIN To the gravel biker who said hi to me as I loaded up my dogs in the afternoon today: Let’s go for a ride, and I’ll buy you a beer/coffee! —Lady runner with two pups. When: Sunday, October 11, 2020. Where: Waterbury near Hunger Mountain TH. You: Man. Me: Woman. #915162

WHIPPLE HOLLOW MAN You look like you have a great sense of humor with your concrete banjo. Spied you in Seven Days, and you sparked my interest. We could share a brew and learn more. When: Friday, October 2, 2020. Where: Seven Days. You: Man. Me: Woman. #915157

OUR DOGS CONNECTED Ozzie loved Sam! If you ever want to go on a hike, I think the three of them would make a great pack! When: Saturday, October 10, 2020. Where: Sucker Brook, Williston. You: Man. Me: Woman. #915161

TRACTOR SUPPLY GUY I did need a belt but remembered it a little differently. Wondered if you saw a white-haired woman. Coffee, perhaps, if you did — or a brew? When: Friday, June 5, 2020. Where: Berlin Tractor Supply. You: Man. Me: Woman. #915156

MAGICAL MYSTERY WOMAN You’re the new kid. You have an interesting energy that could be gorgeously confident or quietly arrogant. Care to elaborate? When: Friday, October 2, 2020. Where: VGS. You: Woman. Me: Woman. #915160 SHORT-HAIRED DOG-WALKING LADY I was sitting in traffic at the light next to the high school. You were walking your black-and-white bulldog with supreme joy and confidence toward Dorset Park. I wanted to say hello, but the light turned green and you walked on by. Let’s get a drink sometime soon. Bring your dog! When: Wednesday, October 7, 2020. Where: Dorset St. You: Woman. Me: Woman. #915159 MOUNT ABE WITH OLLIE I was hiking with a good friend, and you, your buddy and dog Ollie were doing the same. We passed each other at least four times, counting on the road afterward, and exchanged big (masked) smiles. Probably you’re just naturally generous with smiles, but it’s worth asking if you’d like to go on a hike together? When: Saturday, September 26, 2020. Where: Mount Abe. You: Man. Me: Woman. #915155

SCARED AT SAXON HILL You scared me at Saxon Hill. You were walking, and I was on my bike. We joked about you scaring me. I would enjoy joking about this some more. Hope to see you there again. When: Saturday, September 26, 2020. Where: Saxon Hill. You: Woman. Me: Man. #915154 GREAT LEGS ON A SATURDAY You were parked in the VNA parking lot. Had to come around and see those legs again in that black dress. You were getting ready to go to a function. Would love to see those legs again. What function were you going to, and what type of car were you driving? (To know it’s you.) When: Saturday, September 26, 2020. Where: Colchester. You: Woman. Me: Man. #915153 JIM AND HIS HARLEY DAVIDSON Over six years ago, closeness developed between you and me at our church on Williston Road. Ironically, we see each other again years later in Cumberland Farms on Riverside (you were working at U-Haul at that time) — only to cross paths again in front of the bank. Did God answer you this time? When: Saturday, June 20, 2020. Where: on his motorcycle. You: Man. Me: Woman. #915152

MANDY, CHARLOTTE BRICK STORE Hey there. I get coffee sometimes on my work break. Over the course of the winter, your smile, friendliness and very cute face have put you in my mind far more times than I have gotten coffee. I’d love to know you. When: Saturday, August 1, 2020. Where: Brick Store. You: Woman. Me: Man. #915150

SHAVED HEAD CO-OP CUTIE You caught my eye with your sick outsider style at the co-op. You said you liked my outﬁt. Wanna chat about weird feminist art and music over coffee sometime? Signed, ° e Freak With the Yellow Crocs. When: Wednesday, September 2, 2020. Where: Middlebury co-op. You: Nonbinary person. Me: Woman. #915141

BURNT ROCK MOUNTAIN You were out enjoying a picture-perfect day on the trail with Lainey, and we crossed paths a few times. After you helped me with some directions in the parking lot, we went our separate ways, but I haven’t been able to shake your beautiful smile. I’ve never I-Spied anyone before, but ﬁgured, “Why not?” Join me for a hike sometime? When: Saturday, September 19, 2020. Where: North Fayston. You: Woman. Me: Man. #915149

COCHRAN’S PARKING LOT You were enthusiastically supportive of your buddy after mountain biking. I liked your bright blue biking shorts and infectious pep and passion. I smiled as I walked by in my blue ﬂowered tank and white sunglasses. As I drove away in my Crosstrek, we smiled again. Want to smile together over a beer or coffee? When: Saturday, August 15, 2020. Where: Cochran’s. You: Man. Me: Woman. #915138

NEK BOUNDARIES Passed by each other several times hiking on a beautiful sunny Sunday. Would like to go on a hike with you next time, and we can debate the extents of the Northeast Kingdom. Hopefully talk about lots of other things, as well, and see more foliage. When: Sunday, September 20, 2020. Where: on the trail. You: Woman. Me: Man. #915148

SAXON HILL You: orange shirt. Me: orange bike. We crossed paths at Saxon Saturday morning. Would enjoy hearing from you. When: Saturday, August 22, 2020. Where: Saxon Hill. You: Woman. Me: Man. #915134

BIKER WOMAN IN DANVILLE I saw you biking, and we spoke a few times on the trail and at the road where you got off. Let’s ride together sometime! You pedal pretty fast. When: Saturday, September 5, 2020. Where: West Danville. You: Woman. Me: Man. #915147 BLUE HAIR I saw you with your blue hair and thought you’d match my purple hair nicely. When: Friday, September 18, 2020. Where: the co-op. You: Man. Me: Woman. #915146 MONTPELIER DOMINO’S You were picking up pizza while I was waiting for mine. You had red hair and a fun personality. Your name may have been Margo. How about a pizza with me sometime? When: Friday, September 11, 2020. Where: Montpelier. You: Woman. Me: Man. #915145 PA TEACHER ON STEPS Sorry to stare as I went by on the motorcycle; you seemed so familiar. ° anks for the friendly wave. When: ˜ ursday, September 3, 2020. Where: PA. You: Woman. Me: Man. #915144

Ask REVEREND Dear Nervous Novice, °˛˝

Irreverent counsel on life’s conundrums

Dear Reverend,

I’m 21 years old and have never had sexual intercourse. I have masturbated more than once before. Will my ﬁrst time having sex with a guy hurt?

Nervous Novice (FEMALE, 21)

There’s only one way to find out. Seriously. Every woman’s first time is different, and there’s no way to know how it’s going to feel until you’re actually doing it. There are, however, a few things you can keep in mind to prepare yourself. Painful intercourse can have many causes, including lack of arousal and inadequate lubrication. If you’re expecting it to hurt, you’ll likely be nervous and tense in the moment, and that will only make it harder for you to be turned on and ready to roll.

WHEN WE WERE FOXES... Love, I wonder why are we in this quagmire? I wish I had remained wild like you; free. Every day I wait for you to come home to me, me alone; to stay. Please ﬁnd me again in our next lives. I’ll still be your vixen in moonlight awaiting your kisses sweet. Pull my hair and bite my neck so I know. When: Tuesday, July 28, 2020. Where: Plattsburgh. You: Man. Me: Woman. #915110 ITALIAN RACE BIKE, BURLINGTON-COLCHESTER BRIDGE Wow, talking to you made my day! Wouldn’t mind meeting you again. When: Monday, July 27, 2020. Where: Burlington bike path. You: Woman. Me: Man. #915109

FOUR_SEASONS Well, Miss Four_Seasons, you have been spied today on here. Your proﬁle has caught my attention, and I am interested in knowing more about you. I am open to any ideas or thoughts that you have. When: Monday, August 17, 2020. Where: Seven Days. You: Woman. Me: Man. #915132

A BRIDGE TOO FAR? Bike path bridge between Burlington and Colchester. You: on bike. Me: walking with a M/F couple. You appeared interested. I was. ° ere were geese. When: Saturday, July 25, 2020. Where: Burlington-Colchester bridge. You: Man. Me: Man. #915106

TRACTOR SUPPLY IN MONTPELIER We were both looking for mower belts. Tried to help you ﬁgure out which one. You knew it was a Craftsman but didn’t know the model number. And the book didn’t even list part numbers for Craftsman! I tried to help, had to let you head off to customer service. Should have asked for your number. Kicking myself now. When: Wednesday, August 5, 2020. Where: Montpelier Tractor Supply. You: Woman. Me: Man. #915120 CANADA EX Chatted brieﬂy as you were walking your Portuguese/spaniel mix pup. I was eating lunch with my neighbor, a bit sweaty from working. Would love to join you for a dog walk and chat more. Haven’t seen you walk by again. When: Sunday, July 12, 2020. Where: near North St. You: Woman. Me: Man. #915115

Whether it’s your first or zillionth time, foreplay is key. You’ve got to warm up the engine before you head off to the races. If you haven’t masturbated all

that much, you might want to indulge more often. That’s the best way to know what feels good and gets your juices flowing. The most important thing

LAKE CARMI I saw a blond woman in a rowing boat in rough waters in a black-and-white bathing suit keeping in great physical shape. I was ﬁshing. Too bad we couldn’t have been closer. Certainly would like to get to know her. I wonder if she has a camp on the lake. I have been renting at Sunnybank Lodge this month. When: Sunday, July 26, 2020. Where: Lake Carmi. You: Woman. Me: Man. #915107

WALK BY ME DAILY ALMOST You: female, and name starts with a C. You always say hi with a smile. You live up the street from me, and we know each other through my work (North Ave. area). I feel like you have that cartoon bubble over your head that is saying more, lol. I’m down if you are. Just ask, and I will play. When: Wednesday, July 22, 2020. Where: North Ave. area. You: Woman. Me: Man. #915103 DANIELLE Before COVID I came in to drink coffee and read. It was always special when our eyes met. Once, as you rode up on the escalator, you turned, and I, on the ﬁrst ﬂoor, smiled and said hi to you. What fuels that extraordinary smile of yours that lights up the world around you? Let’s meet. When: Wednesday, March 11, 2020. Where: Barnes & Noble. You: Woman. Me: Man. #915100

is to have a partner you trust and feel comfortable with. It’s up to you, but it might be helpful to let him know it’s your first time. Go at a pace that feels right to you, and speak up if something doesn’t feel good. Communication is a main ingredient in any good sexual experience. With a little forethought, there’s no need to be afraid, but you also shouldn’t set high expectations. I can pretty much guarantee that it won’t be the most mind-blowing sex you’ll ever have. That, hopefully, comes with practice — but we’ve all gotta start somewhere. Good luck and God bless,

The Reverend

What’s your problem?

Send it to asktherev@sevendaysvt.com. SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

I’m a mid-aged male seeking a M or F any age or gender. Wonderful youth, caring person. Male, 5’9, 147. Older mid-aged loves long-distance running, writing, literature, poetry, drawing, folk and jazz. Looking for a great friendship for hikes, walks, talks. Best to all. #L1446 I’m a single female, mid60s, seeking a male for companionship and adventure. Retired educator who loves kayaking, swimming, skiing and travel. Well read. Life is short; let’s have fun. #L1445

53-y/o discreet SWM, 5’10, 156 pounds. Brown and blue. Seeking any guys 18 to 60 who like to receive oral and who are a good top. Well hung guys a plus. Chittenden County and around. No computer. Phone only, but can text or call. #L1451 SWF seeks conservative male age 62 to 72, Addison/ Burlington area only. Turnons: har cut, shave, outdoorsy, hunter, camper. Turn-offs: smoker, drugs, tattoos. Me: 5’8, average build, blue/brown, glasses, enjoy nature, have a Shelty, birds, old Jeep, farm raised. Need phone number, please. #L1450

I’m a bicurious 41-y/o male seeking bicurious married or single men, 18 to 45, for some very discreet fun. Good hygiene, hung and H&W proportional a must. Let’s text discreetly and have some DL NSA fun. #L1449 Attractive SWM, 51, living around the Burlington area. Seeking a curvaceous female for some casual fun with no strings attached. All it takes is some good chemistry... #L1447 I’m 42-y/o looking for someone who can start and show me the way to a new life sexually. Looking to start with someone experienced. #L1440

HOW TO REPLY TO THESE LOVE LETTERS: Seal your reply — including your preferred contact info — inside an envelope. Write your penpal’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

P.O. 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. 10 for a membership (credit accepted).

PUBLISH YOUR MESSAGE ON THIS PAGE!

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.

Interested readers will send you letters in the mail. No internet required!

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

Staff researcher at UVM on biostatistics. 29-y/o Chinese male. INFJ personality. Seeking a female of similar age for longterm relationship. Love is kind. Love is patient. May we all stay healthy and be happy. #L1444 SWF, 37, seeking M for some casual fun, no strings attached. I just got out of an LTR, and I’ve forgotten how it feels to be physically and sexually alive. Can you remind me? Creative meetups and play a must. #L1443 Very unique lady in early 70s seeks male. I’m a people person and very active. Love to cook, garden, read and watch good movies. Very friendly with a lot of empathy. I love to walk and the outdoors. Looking for someone who enjoys the same. #L1442

Internet-Free Dating!

Reply to these messages with real, honest-to-goodness letters. DETAILS BELOW. I’m a GM looking for guys seeking fun and adventure in mid-Vermont. No text/email. Hope to hear from you. #L1441 I’m a GM, 62, seeking a GM 45 to 65. Bright, bearish build with bookish interests. Still growing spiritually. Love to walk, hike, write — always learning. Looking for pen pals. Please write and share your passions in life. #L1439 I’m a petite blonde. Healthy, active SWF seeking a kind, honest SWM for conversation, walks, dinners and short trips. 70 to 80. #L1438 I’m a man, 30, seeking a woman. Math-brained, tall, working. Seeking long-term relationship and date for Thanksgiving. #L1437 I’m a 58-y/o SWF seeking a 55- to 63-y/o SM. I enjoy all seasons outside, hiking, biking, skiing, riding, kayaking, gardening. Looking for someone to share good food and good books and travel. NEK. #L1435

54-y/o educated SWF seeks SM for friendship, possible LTR. Enjoy walks, hiking, camping, good food, art, movies, travel, occasional concerts and gardening. I lean politically left and am environmentally conscious. Seeking M to have fun with, enjoy activities and conversation. Ideally you’re compassionate, emotionally intelligent, capable of healthy communication, responsible, and have a good sense of humor and adventure. #L1436 I’m a bi-curious male seeking Bobby. I see your ad in the Personals, and I would love to hear from you. I can only text or call. I’m shy but a good listener. Open-minded and nonjudgmental. Contact me. #L1432 I’m a 59-y/o GWM seeking out new guys for friendship and camaraderie! Outgoing, fun-loving and gregarious. Varied interests. Open to new social ventures. Value intimate conversations and close friendships. Let’s get together! #L1430

Describe yourself and who you’re looking for in 40 words below:

Required confidential info:

(OR, ATTACH A SEPARATE PIECE OF PAPER.)

__________________________________________

I’m a _________________________________________________ __ ____

NAME

AGE + GENDER (OPTIONAL)

seeking a____________________________________________ ___________ AGE + GENDER (OPTIONAL)

_______________________________________________________

__________________________________________ 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. 10, 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.

Start the holidays with a NEFCU VISA

No annual fee Access online 24/7 No balance transfer fee (see below for details) No hidden fees 1% cash back rewards on purchases (One point for every $1 spent) Rates starting at 7.15%APR*

To open an account, visit nefcu.com, call 800.400.8790, or stop by a branch. Lower your credit card debt when you open a new NEFCU VISA® card. You’ll receive 0%** interest on balance transfers from external cards for the first six months of having the account open. It’s a great way to pay down your balance without interest adding up! Purchases and cash advances will receive your regular rate. **0% APR is the Annual Percentage Rate for the first six months of account opening on balance transfers. Terms of this offer can change at anytime.

1t-Nefcu(REV#2)101420 1

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 14-21, 2020

10/12/20 1:25 PM

31ST ANNUAL FALL TENT SALE Through SATURDAY OCTOBER 17TH BUY NOW & LATER A T S IN LL

SAFE NO CONTACT

VERMONT

LOWE ST PR ICES THE S OF EASO N

SALES & SERVICE

Tire & Service

Covid-19 All work is by appointment, make your appointment for tires now! on for Discoverer M+S Final Seas M+S Winter Tire For SUVS And Trucks 215/70R16.....$97.95

225/75R16.....$105.95 245/75R16.....$110.95 265/75R16.....$121.95 245/70R17.....$123.95 235/65R17.....$127.95 265/70R17.....$131.95 LT225/75R16.....$156.95 LT245/70R17.....$189.95 LT265/70R17.....$193.95

Blow out on Discontinued +$25 SINGLE TIRE SALE Vredestein Arctrac Studded 205/65R15.....$72.95 Cooper Weather Master S/T 2 185/60R15......$45.95 Cooper Weather Master WSC 215/65R16......$74.95 Cooper Weather Master WSC 245/45R18....$119.95 Cooper Weather Master WSC 225/50R17....$102.95 Cooper Discoverer CTS 235/70R17....$129.95 Cooper GFE 185/65R14....$62.95 Cooper GFE 205/65R15....$69.95 Cooper Discoverer AT3 235/70R17...$116.95 Cooper Discoverer AT3 LT245/70R16...$124.95 Cooper SRM II Radial LT265/75R16...$139.95 Toyo Versado LX 215/65R15.... $69.95 Toyo Open Country H/T 245/65R17.... $119.95 Toyo Open Country H/T 235/55VR18...$132.95 Toyo Open Country H/T 265/70R18.... $135.95 Toyo Open Country A/TII 225/70R16.... $107.95 Toyo Open Country A/TII 265/70R18.... $165.95 Toyo Open Country A/TII LT285/75R16.... $169.95

South Burlington 1877 Williston Rd. 658-1333 1800-639-1901

We have most NOKIAN winter tires in stock! Nordman 7

Hakkapeliitta 9

Nordman 7 Studded

OBSERVE G3-ICE - Improved Traction On Ice And Compact Snow During Cornering, Braking And Acceleration. - Enhances Wet Braking And Handling Even In Lower Temperatures. - Environmentally-Friendly Natural Material. - Studdable Snow Tires

Mon.- Fri. 7:30am-5pm Sat. 8am-4pm

Montpelier 90 River St. 229-4941 1800-639-1900

Not responsible for typographical errors

Untitled-33 1

10/13/20 1:23 PM