Seven Days, December 14, 2022

Come by the Waitsfield Taproom to

Maple Tripple Ale along with a special Lawson’s Finest branded balloon glass.

TARGETING GUNS

The Burlington City Council passed a resolution on Monday that calls for a wide-ranging response to increased gun violence in the city.

The measure asks the Vermont legislature to pass stronger gun laws, including a trio of charter changes that Burlington voters endorsed in 2014 but never made it out of a Vermont House committee. Those proposals would ban guns from bars, require safe storage of firearms and allow police to seize guns following incidents of domestic violence.

The resolution also pledges to partner with domestic violence prevention groups and those focused on mental health “for the purpose of better addressing root causes of gun violence.”

“We will not enforce our way out of this problem,” Councilor Joe Magee (P-Ward 3) said. “We must do the hard and crucial work to address the root causes of violence, to create lasting change in order to interrupt the cycle of harm.”

Last month, the city’s Board of Health asked the council

QUEER CHEER

Lily Baker, a queer potter who lives in Montpelier, is just beginning to turn her craft into supplemental income. Many of the fairs where she might hawk her earthen wares, however, are limited to “very established artists.” So, over the summer, Baker started talking to her fellow crafty queer friends.

We should have our own, they decided.

Behold: the inaugural Central Vermont Queer Craft Fair.

The event, which takes place on Saturday, December 17, in Barre, fills a gift-shopping void that opened when a mainstay holiday market in Montpelier shut down during the pandemic.

But the new queer crafters on the block

to develop a broad public health response to gun violence. Burlington has recorded 51 instances of criminal gunfire since 2020, compared to a previous average of two per year between 2012 and 2019. Guns were used in four of the city’s five murders this year.

The resolution adopts most of the board’s suggestions. That includes a commitment to involve the city’s Office of Racial Equity, Inclusion and Belonging in any local efforts to curb gun violence; the resolution notes that the issue has disproportionately affected people of color.

It also lists additional steps not included in the Board of Health’s version. One provision asks Mayor Miro Weinberger to review the city’s existing firearm regulations to consider whether city hall, the Church Street Marketplace and other landmarks could be designated as “parks” where firearms are banned. Another asks state lawmakers to consider banning people convicted of hate crimes from owning guns.

Read Courtney Lamdin’s full story and keep up with developments at sevendaysvt.com.

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TARNISHED BADGE

A former Orange County sheriff’s deputy will serve up to 18 months in prison for firing a gun in a roadrage incident. Not fit for duty.

7.1

That’s how many degrees Burlington winters have warmed since 1970 — the biggest increase in the country, according to a report from Climate Central.

TOPFIVE

MOST POPULAR ITEMS ON SEVENDAYSVT.COM

1. “UVM Students Charged for ‘Extreme’ Dorm Damages” by Chelsea Edgar. Nearly 450 University of Vermont students have been billed for destruction of property in residence halls.

ON THE BOOKS

State officials formally added amendments to the Vermont Constitution that enshrine reproductive rights and ban slavery. No going back.

2. “Lawsuit: UVM Mishandled Rape Allegation Against Basketball Star Anthony Lamb” by Derek Brouwer & Chelsea Edgar. The university “steered” the student who accused Lamb away from filing a formal Title IX complaint, a lawsuit alleges.

3. “An Illinois Developer Is Claiming CityPlace Burlington as Its Own” by Courtney Lamdin. In a proposal to fix up Memorial Auditorium, a development group claimed to be involved in the CityPlace project. It’s not!

HOME BASE

Affordable housing developers broke ground on a Burlington building for 16 families experiencing homelessness. Keep it coming.

IT’S SHOWTIME

A vacant Masonic lodge in Corinth that featured prominently in Beetlejuice is getting a face-lift, WCAXTV reported. Just watch out for ghosts.

4. “Expensive Housing Is Limiting Who Gets to Live Where in Vermont — and Clouds the State’s Future” by Derek Brouwer. This final installment of our “Locked Out” series examines how the housing crisis is forcing Vermonters to confront uncomfortable questions that shape the state’s future.

5. “Man Stabbed to Death in Downtown Burlington” by Derek Brouwer. Abubakar Sharrif, 23, died last week after an attack inside Piesanos pizza shop on Main Street.

tweet of the week

@PickleVermont

Temps dropping below 10 at our house tonight. More snow coming soon. Oh winter gods, be good to us all please, no concussions, frozen pipes, too-slippery roads, ice dams, frozen toes, bitterly cold weeks. Just your peace, your comfort, your silence, your outrageous beauty.

have a grander vision. Along with 36 vendors selling all manner of art and crafts, the historic Old Labor Hall will be packed with flourishes and activities intended to make the fair inclusive and accessible to all. Organizers are planning music, a massage corner and a community art project that shoppers can help create. Attendees can write letters to incarcerated people or queer youth, and volunteer medics on hand can provide Band-Aids or nervine tincture, an herbal concoction for well-being.

“There is something about making an event with this community, where there is just so much sparkle

and magic,” Baker said. The application process for exhibition space was also open to heterosexual vendors.

The fair, organizers hope, will serve as a joyous and radical expression of resilience in the face of ongoing prejudice, hateful rhetoric and violence toward queer and trans people.

“I think that gathering together in community is always a transformative experience and always an antidote to that hate,” co-organizer Dana Dwinell-Yardley said.

Straight people needn’t worry about crashing the party, Dwinell-Yardley emphasized.

“This is a really tangible way that allies can show up for queer community right now and put money in the pockets of queer artists,” she said.

The Central Vermont Queer Craft Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Masks are required and will be available at the door.

DEREK BROUWER

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @SEVENDAYSVT OUR TWEEPLE: SEVENDAYSVT.COM/TWITTER

Burlington City Hall

READING BETWEEN THE LINES.

publisher & editor-in-chief Paula Routly deputy publisher Cathy Resmer AssociAte publishers Don Eggert, Colby Roberts

NEWS & POLITICS

editor Matthew Roy deputy editor Sasha Goldstein consulting editors Ken Ellingwood, Candace Page stAff writers Derek Brouwer, Chelsea Edgar, Colin Flanders, Rachel Hellman, Courtney Lamdin, Kevin McCallum, Alison Novak, Anne Wallace Allen

ARTS & CULTURE coeditors Dan Bolles, Elizabeth M. Seyler AssociAte editor Margot Harrison Art editor Pamela Polston consulting editor Mary Ann Lickteig Music editor Chris Farnsworth cAlendAr writer Emily Hamilton speciAlty publicAtions MAnAger Carolyn Fox stAff writers Jordan Barry, Melissa Pasanen, Ken Picard, Sally Pollak proofreAders Carolyn Fox, Angela Simpson AssistAnt proofreAders Katherine Isaacs, Martie Majoros

DIGITAL & VIDEO digitAl production speciAlist Bryan Parmelee senior MultiMediA producer Eva Sollberger MultiMediA journAlist James Buck

DESIGN

creAtive director Don Eggert Art director Rev. Diane Sullivan production MAnAger John James designers Jeff Baron, Kirsten Thompson

SALES & MARKETING director of sAles Colby Roberts senior Account executives Robyn Birgisson, Michael Bradshaw Account executives Michelle Brown, Logan Pintka MArketing & events director Corey Barrows business developMent strAtegist Katie Hodges personAls coordinAtor Jeff Baron

ADMINISTRATION business MAnAger Marcy Carton director of circulAtion Matt Weiner circulAtion deputy Andy Watts

CONTRIBUTING

‘INCREDIBLE’ INCOMPETENCE

[Re “Lawsuit: UVM Mishandled Rape Allegation Against Basketball Star Anthony Lamb,” December 7]: Can someone explain why these crimes or allegations of serious crimes against female students are handled by the incompetent and unqualified staff at the university and not referred to the proper authorities — i.e., the police? Shouldn’t this be changed? Incredible.

Alan Quackenbush DUXBURY

BEAVERS BEAT ESPORTS

Thank you for the great article on the demise of the Champlain College basketball team [“Requiem for the Beavers: Twenty Years Ago, Champlain College Basketball Went Away, and So Did a Piece of Burlington,” November 16]. It is so interesting to see how a team with many members from different races and places can inspire and unify a college, a city and a large part of the state. The educational and spiritual benefits are incalculable, both to the students and to the population at large.

I am happy that the students now have an opportunity to participate in what the college describes as “robust intramural, fitness and club sports offerings,” which took the place of the disbanded varsity athletics in 2002. But I can’t imagine that Champlain’s new esports program, where students play video games competitively, does much for the intellectual or spiritual advancement of the student body or the citizens of the Burlington area.

Charles Taplin WARREN

DISTRICTS V. WARDS

[Re Primary Voters’ Guide : “Redrawing the Map: How Redistricting Will Affect Your Vote in 2022,” June 29]: The independent redistricting committee heard loudly and clearly that Burlington

CORRECTION

A story in last week’s paper, “Williston-Based Dog Rescue May Be Forced to Close,” misreported the year Dawna Pederzani moved the dog rescue she operates to her Williston home. It was 2010.

residents do not want district council seats, preferring two councilors per ward. That would give us 16 representatives instead of 12.

Nonetheless, to keep the city council small in response to a veto threat from the plurality mayor, councilors agreed to keep the four district seats. Meanwhile, the trend in Chittenden County is toward increased representation. We now have 16 Senate districts instead of 13 and seven senators instead of six. Governing boards of both the hospital and the university have increased their representation and diversity to 20-plus members.

The question of whether residents want district councilors or greater representation with two councilors per ward will be decided by ballot in March. I think residents should vote down the council’s redistricting plan. An unreasonable fear of greater representation on the council is denying all of us a strong voice. The independent redistricting committee also heard that:

• Campaigns for district seats are more expensive, increasing the influence of money in our council elections, excluding those without financial backing of their own or from a party or special interest group.

• When councilors represent larger districts, they are distanced from their constituents and less accountable to the people who elected them.

• Two councilors per ward provides broad representation and fosters inclusion and diversity.

• City charter assigns many duties to council; a small council can’t fulfill all of its responsibilities.

District representation is a fatal flaw in the council’s redistricting plan.

Lea Terhune BURLINGTON

PROGRAM SHOULD BE COLOR-BLIND

I just saw [“Opening Doors: BIPOC Homeownership Rates in Vermont Are Dismal. New Programs Are Meant to Change That,” November 30], about the programs to help BIPOC people buy their own homes in Vermont. What?? Why?? Why should someone get special

I know you are just reporting it, but why not ask and answer those questions? All any of this does is create more despair and animosity between people. Enough is enough, and you, the people reporting this stuff, should give all angles.

Morgan McGee PITTSFORD

THANK NEFCU [Re “Opening Doors: BIPOC Homeownership Rates in Vermont Are Dismal. New Programs Are Meant to Change That,” November 30]: Thank you for the thoroughly reported story on the inequities in access to homeownership for BIPOC households, the depth of that inequity in Vermont, the historical reasons for this disparity, and the efforts under way, including by the Champlain Housing Trust, to create programs that address the ongoing impact of this country’s past racist housing, lending and land-use policies. Preventing access to homeownership for nonwhite buyers was intentional and official public policy, and we live with that legacy today.

However, there was one misleading statement, as well as a very important omission in the article: The source of funds for the Champlain Housing Trust’s program is not the State of Vermont, though we would welcome such involvement. The program was developed only because of a significant three-year, $3 million gift from the New England Federal Credit Union. In making this commitment, NEFCU acknowledges our harmful past and seeks a more equitable future.

Curtin is director of homeownership for the Champlain Housing Trust.

SAY SOMETHING!

treatment because of the color of their skin? How about helping out longtime Vermonters, not Black or white, but Vermonters? There should be no special treatment because of a statistic. If anyone who lives here, works here and pays their taxes here qualifies for the assistance, it should be afforded to them. It is not right to give special money to someone based on race.

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Julie Curtin MONTPELIER

MAGNIFICENT

FRIDAY 16 & SATURDAY 17

FUNNY GIRL

An Emmy Award-winning comedian and one of Comedy Central’s “Greatest StandUps of All Time,” Paula Poundstone stops by the Dibden Center for the Arts at Northern Vermont University-Johnson and Fuller Hall at St. Johnsbury Academy. The consummate jokester offers up nonstop laughs and witty observations on motherhood, the pandemic and getting older.

SEE CLUB LISTINGS ON PAGE 63

Making Merry

Central Vermonters get their holiday shopping done while supporting the LGBTQ community at a Queer Craft Fair in Barre’s Old Labor Hall. Colorful creativity is on full display at this bustling bazaar featuring more than 30 vendor stalls bursting with zines, pottery, prints, paintings, jewelry, leatherwork, herbal goods and more.

SEE “TRUE 802” ON PAGE 5 AND CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 73

SATURDAY 17

Jingle All the Way

AO Glass in Burlington’s South End celebrates the season with SleighStop, an artisanal extravaganza of warmth and light, courtesy of those fiery kilns. All-day glassblowing demonstrations supplement a morning of coffee and Nordic baked goods to celebrate Saint Lucia’s Day and afternoon gin drinks by the furnace with Caledonia Spirits.

SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 73

SUNDAY 18

More Like ‘Skatehouse’

If you didn’t know that part of the Vermont Statehouse lawn in Montpelier is transforming into an ice rink for the winter, now you know. At the Grand Opening Skating Rink Party, locals hit the ice and sip hot cocoa under the golden dome. The Montpelier Recreation Department lends out skates for those who need them.

SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 74

SUNDAY 18

To Be, or Maccabee

Burlington’s Ohavi Zedek Synagogue hosts its annual Chanukah Party, an all-ages shindig on the first day of the Festival of Lights. Revelers young and old enjoy a hot chocolate bar, plenty of latkes, games of Kahoot!, raffles and the lighting of the menorah. Donations of kids’ and adults’ socks and gloves are accepted.

SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 73

WEDNESDAY 21

Heart and Solstice

The darkest night of the year gets a little brighter at Adventure Dinner’s Winter Solstice Celebration at Middlebury’s Werner Tree Farm. The festive mixer features a fire-stoked fondue feast, hot spiced cider for sipping and an evergreen centerpiece craft, all in a fully decked-out, candlelit barn.

SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 75

ONGOING

If I Ran the Circus

The Jackson Gallery at Middlebury’s Town Hall Theater presents “We’re All at a Party Called Life on Earth,” an art installation by sculpting duo Frobertan, aka Fran Bull and Robert Black. A brightly painted array of characters evokes circus vibes across history, from commedia dell’arte to carnival to Greek drama.

SEE GALLERY LISTING ON PAGE 56

Publick Eye

Every year, the New England Newspaper & Press Association bestows up to 16 Publick Occurrence awards. The weirdly spelled citation is a reference to America’s first newspaper, established in 1690, which strove to be an independent voice in the New World. Predictably, a story in the first issue o ended the British colonial government, which promptly shut it down.

The modern-day Publick commendations are for “the most outstanding work” produced by New England newspapers, either by an individual reporter or a team, over the course of a 12-month period.

Last week, three of this year’s 15 awards went to Seven Days. None of the other winning media outlets received more than one.

The judges liked our 2021 collaboration with Vermont Public, “Roaches and Broken Locks,” about a local rental housing empire ruled by the Bove brothers — of tomato sauce fame. Derek Brouwer and Liam Elder-Connors documented the Boves’ practice of leasing substandard apartments to immigrant families who may be too scared to complain about the conditions. After the story ran, the Boves promised to make changes to address the problems the writers revealed.

NENPA raved about “The Doctor Won’t See You Now,” Seven Days’ investigation last fall of long wait times to see Vermont doctors, calling it “fascinating reporting” and “by far the most impactful and best-told story.”

Reporters Colin Flanders and Chelsea Edgar worked together on this one. The judges noticed: “The weaving of patient and practitioner stories with data on medical care in Vermont was first-rate.”

The third award went to our yearlong “Locked Out” series chronicling Vermont’s housing crisis. Although only half of the 12 stories had been published by the competition deadline, the judges called the collection an “exhaustive report on Vermont’s struggles with the relatively high cost and the scarcity of housing in that state.” Next year they’ll get to read the six stories we wrote between July and December!

Not to boast, but these are ambitious reporting projects for a newspaper in our small state. We

embrace them, on top of the massive amount of work that already goes into the weekly paper, to better serve you. Reporter for reporter, we are producing a substantial amount of quality journalism — as much as or more than any media outlet in the state. How do we pay for it? Mostly the old-fashioned way: by selling advertising to local businesses. Although Seven Days is independent and 49 percent employee-owned, we aren’t structured like our nonprofit competitors. That means we can’t access many of the grants from national foundations that are available to them.

Thankfully, two kinds of readers are chipping in to help us pay the bills: Super Readers give one-time gifts or monthly donations that collectively generate a hugely helpful $2,000 a week; other readers are directing checks or contributions from donor-advised funds to our fiscal sponsor, Journalism Funding Partners, to support specific projects — including our investigative fund — that qualify them for a tax deduction.

This generous expression of community support signals that our readers recognize and appreciate our e orts, which is all we can ask.

Neither of the above arrangements makes Seven Days itself tax-exempt. When and if the paper makes a profit, all 15 owners pay their share. From front to back, the paper enriches the community. Last I checked, that’s called a public, er, publick service.

Paula Routly

If you appreciate the quality journalism in Seven Days, 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

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Promising Endeavors

A recovery center in Johnson is helping reinvigorate the town

BY RACHEL HELLMAN • rhellman@sevendaysvt.com

‘Visionary’ Vermont Entrepreneur Will Raap Dies at 73

BY COLIN FLANDERS colin@sevendaysvt.com

Will Raap, an influential Vermont entrepreneur best known for founding Gardener’s Supply and the Intervale Center, died on Monday night. He was 73.

His family attributed his death to a “long term illness.”

“He was a guiding star and instrumental in the lives of many of us,” his three children — Kelsy, Addison, Dylan — and his wife, Lynette, wrote in an email announcing his death. The family asked for space to grieve and said they would provide information about a celebration of his life in the coming months.

Raap founded Gardener’s Supply in 1983 and grew the now-employeeowned business into a go-to shop for plants and gardening gear. The Burlington-based company employs 260 people across four stores in New England.

He also started the nonprofit Intervale Center, a 360-acre campus of farmland, trails and open space in Burlington that has spawned dozens of Vermont farms and advised many more in its mission to expand local food access.

Rachel buzzed around Johnson’s new light-filled coffee shop, wiping down counters, artfully arranging pastries in a display case and flashing her infectious smile with every steaming cup of joe she handed to a customer.

“Rachel is our star employee,” her manager remarked last week.

While Rachel’s talents are apparent to customers, she is facing difficulties that are largely invisible.

Rachel, who asked that her last name be withheld to protect her privacy, is in recovery and living in sober housing. She was also among the first employees hired to work at Jenna’s Coffee House, which opened in late November. The business is one of several in Johnson associated with Jenna’s Promise, a nonprofit that takes a comprehensive approach to treating substance-use disorder.

The café sources its coffee beans from Jenna’s Promise Roasting Co. Down the street, the nonprofit opened a discount store called JP’s Promising Goods in 2021. All three businesses primarily employ people in recovery, most of whom live in sober housing that the nonprofit has developed downtown.

While some Johnson residents had

initial reservations about hosting a recovery center, many now say they’ve been pleasantly surprised by the outcome. The nonprofit’s enterprises, which use formerly vacant buildings downtown, are not only creating opportunities and housing for people in recovery but are also breathing new life into the Lamoille County town.

Rachel said

Ashley Donahue, a lifelong resident of Johnson, said she was glad to finally have a coffee shop close to home. She’s been

Raap, who lived in Shelburne, had recently turned his attention to Earthkeep Farmcommon, an ambitious project at a former dairy farm on Route 7 in Charlotte. He hoped to build a collective of environmentally sustainable farm businesses that could one day be replicated on other defunct farms in Vermont and beyond.

Friends and family who spoke to Seven Days for a May cover story on Raap’s latest project described him as a “visionary” and determined leader.

But for all of his success, Raap’s moral compass never wavered, according to Alan Newman, a fellow entrepreneur and close friend.

“The thing that stood out most for me about Will was his intelligence and his humanity,” Newman said in a phone call on Tuesday. “I just don’t know him ever making a decision that was based on his need over what was the right thing to do.”

Raap underwent quadruple bypass surgery in July 2021, when doctors inserted new heart plumbing they hoped would work for another decade. Lynette, his wife of more than 40 years, told Seven Days earlier this year that he was back on email days after the procedure.

“He told me, ‘I want to go out spent and burned up and contributing to the max,’” she recalled. m

“I’ve been amazed by how supportive this community is,”

in between coffee orders. “They just want to see us do well.”

Jenna’s Coffee House in Johnson

Rachel

on

BY COLIN FLANDERS • colin@sevendaysvt.com

It might as well be midnight, so heavy are the rain clouds over downtown St. Johnsbury. Even the streetlights seem dull under their weight.

Chantelle Blackburn arrives a few minutes before 8 p.m. at the white Colonial overlooking Main Street. She unlocks the front door, slips inside and snaps the dead bolt shut, then ascends a dark stairwell up to the room where she will spend the next 13 hours.

The room is about the size of a dentist’s waiting area and somehow less welcoming. Lamplight reveals two desks and a

post she will hold through sleepiness and boredom, until reinforcements arrive in the morning. For now, though, the front is quiet. She unpacks her bags and settles in.

At 9:30 p.m., the phone rings. Blackburn removes one of her earrings.

“Thank you for calling Lifeline,” she says, pressing the phone against her head. “This is Chantelle.”

‘HIGH RISK’

Pause here and zoom out, far enough to see a map of the U.S. in the mind’s eye, and the phone that Blackburn answers appears among a constellation of shimmering red dots. Each represents one of the more than 200 call centers that make up 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

21 Essex Way, Suite 413

Essex Junction, 802.857.5065

Tue-Sat 10-6 • Sun 12-4

Blackburn has spent dozens of nights here over the past year and seems at home. She’s wearing her “PJs”: black tights and a sweatshirt that covers her tattooed arms. She kicks off her rain boots and drops her bags.

The room is hot and stuffy, but the electric baseboards still hum, controlled by a thermostat in the group home that occupies most of the building. Blackburn cracks the windows to take the edge off, and the sound of tires on wet pavement spills in.

She sits down in a gaming chair, opens her laptop and checks the time. At precisely 8 p.m., a switch flicks somewhere in the digital universe. Just like that, she is thrust back onto the front lines of Vermont’s fight against despair, a

The 24-hour service, chronically underfunded since its inception in 2005, received a $400 million federally funded reboot this summer in response to a surge of mental illness in the U.S.

mental

The money allowed the patchwork of call centers that run the hotline to hire more staff and funded the creation of an additional two dozen phone banks. The infusion also allowed the hotline to transition from the 10-digit number that most people know from warning labels on TV episodes to the far easier to remember “988.”

Since mid-July, all calls and texts to 988 have been routed to the hotline; federal officials hope the number will one day be thought of as the 911 for mental health crises.

The hotline received 255,000 calls in August, a nearly 50 percent increase over the same month last year. Vermont experienced a similar jump: The 670 calls made in August were double last year’s total.

Like all call-takers, Blackburn received training on how to help calm emotional situations over the phone and connect those in acute crisis to more

Fast bars, Little Debbie chocolate cakes.

Housing Slated for Newport Convent

BY ANNE WALLACE ALLEN anne@sevendaysvt.com

Promising Endeavors

impressed by the nonprofit’s work: “It’s exciting to see the new stuff they’ve put into the town. Before, there were a whole lot of empty buildings.”

Jenna’s Promise is also providing a commodity that has become precious these days — workers. The café, for instance, is a collaboration between the nonprofit and Two Sons Bakehouse, which also has locations in Jeffersonville and Hyde Park.

State Rep. Mike Marcotte (R-Coventry) has fond memories of his 12 years as a student at Sacred Heart School in Newport, a Catholic institution on a promontory overlooking Lake Memphremagog.

“I got a great education,” Marcotte said. “I think it’s made me who I am.”

When Marcotte was a student, many of the nuns who taught there were housed in a convent at the school; others lived in nearby homes with boarding students from as far away as South America.

But like many other Catholic schools in the U.S., Sacred Heart saw its enrollment peak in the 1960s and then decline. The school eventually closed, the nuns moved away, and the property has been vacant since 2007.

Affordable housing developer RuralEdge, which owns and manages about 150 units of housing in Newport, plans to buy the complex and convert the convent into 26 apartments. It wants to turn the school buildings into more housing in the coming years.

RuralEdge executive director Patrick Shattuck said the organization has agreed with the State Division for Historic Preservation to retain some of the character of the rambling brick property.

Sacred Heart was a basketball powerhouse in its day, and Shattuck is hoping to keep some of the glass cases — and trophies — that line the school’s wide corridors. He’s talked to the project architects about how to convert the high school gym into condominiums, complete with the four original basketball hoops.

“Having one of those in your living room would be cool,” Shattuck said.

RuralEdge will pay $600,000 to purchase the 8.5-acre property and another $9 million to clean up asbestos in the convent, which was built in 1969, and create the apartments.

To pay for the projects, the developers will use COVID-19 aid money that the state set aside for housing, investment from Community National Bank, financing from the Vermont Community Loan Fund and tax credits. m

“It’s not just helping the employees,” explained Bill Hoag, founder and owner of Two Sons Bakehouse. “It’s helping people like me who are running a business in this area. It’s hard to find people that want to work right now … Why wouldn’t you give somebody a chance if there’s nobody else that wants to work?”

The community-based model that Jenna’s Promise has developed was inspired directly by the life experiences of the nonprofit’s namesake: Jenna Tatro. She was an avid equestrian and animal lover who tended to see the best in everybody. Her family recalls her as a helpful, loving person. She also struggled with substance-use disorder, as does one in 12 Vermonters. Jenna had been in and out of recovery programs for six years before she died of an opioid overdose in 2019 at age 26. She told family members that she wished more of her peers could’ve had the same treatment opportunities she did.

Her parents, Greg and Dawn Tatro, have made Jenna’s dream to help others going through recovery a reality. They’ve poured about $1.5 million of their own into the enterprise — Greg owns a successful construction company — and have partnered with experts across the state. By investing in local businesses that provide job training for those in treatment, the charismatic couple hope to sustain Jenna’s Promise by reinvesting profits in the recovery center.

Kelly Peck, director of clinical operations for the University of Vermont Center on Rural Addiction, thinks the Tatros have hit the mark with their treatment approach. “Your context and the environment that you’re living in can have a huge role on outcomes,” he explained.

Right now, Jenna’s Promise has beds for 70 women in downtown Johnson, which Greg said is not nearly enough to meet demand. But the recovery model is promising: Other towns across Vermont have reached out to the Tatros in hopes of expanding the program.

With multiple buildings under the nonprofit’s ownership, the town has gotten a face-lift. The Tatros have renovated a number of historic buildings and restored the structure that now houses Jenna’s Coffee House, which sits on Johnson’s

Main Street. Speckled light pours in through the café’s stained glass windows.

The central hub for Jenna’s Promise is in the former St. John’s Catholic Church, where Jenna was baptized and memorialized. In 2021, the Tatros used Jenna’s life insurance proceeds to turn the building, now known as Jenna’s House, into a community center for activities ranging from Alcoholics Anonymous meetings to yoga classes.

They’ve also created a health center and a fitness studio and revitalized five vacant buildings to provide housing for those in recovery. One of those buildings, according to Greg, used to be a well-known spot for drug trafficking.

Lisa Rowell, co-owner of the Village Emporium on Main, a downtown boutique, is encouraged by the changes.

“They’re opening up spaces that had previously been closed to the community,” she said of the Tatros. Rowell has gotten a boost to her business as a result and has befriended women in the residential

program. For her, it’s bittersweet when they move on. “They’re determined,” she shared.

The Tatros’ projects tie back to their vision of a “whole-person” approach to recovery through meeting all the needs of someone going through treatment for substance-use disorder.

The nonprofit partners with the North Central Vermont Recovery Center to provide recovery resources. Residents can attend meetings, take free yoga classes, receive medical treatment and work a recoveryfriendly job, all within walking distance. Most stay in the program for a few months to a year — or sometimes longer, depending on their situation. By providing accessible wraparound services for women in recovery, the family hopes to create a true place of healing and remove barriers to success.

“We want it to be a home that feels safe,” explained Gregory Tatro, Jenna’s brother and a cofounder of Jenna’s Promise. (His father goes by Greg; he uses his full name.)

DON WHIPPLE

Sacred Heart School and Convent in Newport

Gregory Tatro

JP’s Promising Goods

Gregory said that when Jenna’s Promise first started, some residents were afraid of having “ those types” of people around. To which he responded: “They’re already here. They’re just not in recovery.”

Eric Osgood, a member of the Johnson Selectboard, also remembers initial skepticism to the projects. Now, Osgood said, the family has “changed the perception of recovery” in Johnson.

Lamoille County Sheriff Roger Marcoux Jr. agrees. He’s on the nonprofit’s board

and, at the opening of Jenna’s Coffee House, described what an important resource the recovery community can be.

“It’s really impactful to run into somebody that’s having the worst day of their life and be able to help this person right away,” he said. “Come next week, or tomorrow morning, we may have lost that opportunity.”

Jenna’s father thinks the interconnection between Johnson and Jenna’s Promise has helped lessen the stigma of substance abuse in the community.

to find work, though, she would do better in her recovery.

Experts say having a job helps people’s recovery process. Cameron Lauf, executive director of the Turning Point Center of Chittenden County, a peer-run recovery center, explained that working can be a critical way to gain self-confidence. Plus, keeping busy at the early stages of the recovery process often improves the likelihood of success.

Casey DeGuise was on his recovery journey when he started looking. He was turned down by more than 35 employers, which tempted him to start using again,

he told Seven Days. Then DeGuise interviewed for an entry-level job at Mark BBQ, which was then in Essex.

Darrell Langworthy, co-owner of the restaurant, decided to take a chance on him. DeGuise quickly proved himself indispensable. Four years later, DeGuise is a manager at Mark BBQ and is working with Langworthy to make the restaurant a recovery-friendly workplace.

With an estimated 7 percent of jobs in Vermont vacant, tapping this often overlooked group of potential workers has helped some employers.

Rhino Foods, a wholesale cookie dough manufacturer in Burlington, uses an inclusive hiring model for many entrylevel positions. By removing barriers from the application process, the company has been able to recruit from a larger pool of potential employees. Rooney Castle, the vice president, thinks this has resulted in a more loyal workforce.

“These are just good human practices,” said Lisa Lord, director of workforce development for Recovery Vermont, a nonprofit that provides resources for those fighting substance-use disorder. “It’s about genuinely caring about one another, being nonjudgmental and recognizing everyone struggles with something.”

That’s the ultimate goal of Jenna’s Promise, as well.

“Jenna had to sacrifice herself for us to be able to do this good work,” Amy Tatro, Jenna’s sister-in-law and a cofounder of Jenna’s Promise, told Seven Days. “The sacrifice was not in vain. You can see the meaning everywhere when you drive down Johnson’s main street. She’s there. She has not gone.” m

Rachel Hellman covers Vermont’s small towns for Seven Days . She is a corps member of Report for America, a national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms. Find out more at reportforamerica.org.

“Jenna would try to get jobs here in our area,” Greg said. “But everyone knew she was suffering from substance-use disorder, so they wouldn’t hire her.” When Jenna could manage

Jenna’s Promise staff at the community center

comprehensive supports, including, in rare cases, emergency responders. Calls are routed to local crisis centers based on area codes, then forwarded to national backup centers if they go unanswered. Answering locally is preferable because counselors generally have a better idea of what services exist in their area.

Vermont has two 988 call centers run by nonprofits better known for their work contracting with the state to provide mental health, substance-use and disability-related services. The Northwestern Counseling & Support Services in St. Albans handles all calls and texts from 9 a.m. through 8 p.m., while the Northeast Kingdom Human Services in St. Johnsbury is responsible for any contacts between 8 p.m. and 9 a.m.

Blackburn helps supervise the agency’s four dedicated call-takers and fills in herself whenever needed. She’s lately worked three shifts a week on top of her day job as an enhanced crisis case manager, a grueling schedule made no easier by the fact that it’s impossible to know how each shift will go.

The phone rings so often some nights that she can barely find the time to eat. Other shifts pass by with hardly a call. But even then it can be difficult for Blackburn to relax, knowing that at any moment she might need to talk someone down from the edge.

Roughly half of the 800 calls that Blackburn and her colleagues answered between July and September were deemed “high risk,” meaning the person not only expressed suicidal thoughts but also said they had a plan to carry them out. Only 24 calls resulted in the dispatch of police or EMTs, however. Counselors managed to talk down the rest of the callers over the phone, according to Josh Burke, the NEK agency’s director of emergency services.

“We have the power of time,” said Burke, who oversees the hotline program. “We’ll be on with them as long as it takes. Them staying on the phone is a connection to life.”

Of course, not every caller is suicidal. Many speak about grief, anxiety, addiction or trauma. Some just want company.

Blackburn can usually tell what she’s facing within seconds of picking up the phone.

“You can feel it in their voice,” she said.

9:30 P.M.

The first call of the night is from a young woman who has googled “Who to call for a panic attack?” She tries to explain what is wrong but struggles to speak amid

sobs and rapid breaths. She apologizes repeatedly.

“It’s OK. It’s OK,” Blackburn softly replies. “Don’t apologize. I’m glad you’re here.”

Blackburn advises the caller to take some deep breaths. “In through your nose, out through your mouth,” she says. “Feel the anxiety leave when you exhale.”

The technique seems to work: The young woman calms down enough to explain that she is anxious about an upcoming appointment for some unresolved health issues. Blackburn hears her out and asks if she has any coping strategies. She personally finds that listening to classical music helps ease her mind, she tells the caller. The two are eventually laughing. By the end of the 40-minute conversation, the young woman agrees to schedule a follow-up phone call.

Blackburn catches up on work emails, then turns on a Netflix trivia game show called “Bullsh*t,” hosted by comedian Howie Mandel. At 10:30 p.m., the ringing phone interrupts the first episode. A young man is worried about a friend who texted him and said she did not want to be alive tomorrow, then stopped responding. But the friend finally texts him back a minute into the call.

“Do you want to call her and see if she’d be willing to talk to us?” Blackburn asks. He says he will. “Great,” Blackburn says. “Call back if you need me.”

An hour and two “Bullsh*t” episodes later, the phone rings again. Blackburn pauses Mandel mid-sentence. An older woman explains through tears how she lost her husband a few years ago and is

struggling with a new relationship. Blackburn listens and tries to validate her feelings: “Your life changed in an instant,” she says. “The grieving, the confusion? Those are normal emotions. Don’t beat yourself up.” The conversation gradually shifts to more benign matters: pets, family, travel. The woman says she feels better. She, too, agrees to a follow-up call. She tells Blackburn before hanging up: “Thanks for helping me — and listening.”

TO FEEL ENTIRELY ALONE

Blackburn never planned to get into crisis work.

She worked in hospitals and nursing homes for years, then switched professions and became a civil engineer. A pandemic-era shift to remote work allowed her to move from North Carolina back to Vermont to be closer to her father, who’s battling cancer. When her employer mandated a return to in-person work last year, she applied for a job at Northeast Kingdom Human Services, which was just launching its suicide prevention hotline.

The opportunity appealed to her, she said, because she knew better than most what it is like to feel entirely alone in the world.

Blackburn was 15 when she met the 20-year-old man who would become her first husband; she said she experienced verbal and physical abuse during their 15-year relationship. She has since remarried and now strives to support other victims of spousal abuse through a Facebook page she runs anonymously. She’s helped other women escape abusive relationships, she said, and is taking

psychology classes at the Community College of Vermont with a goal of one day working with domestic violence victims full time. She’s also writing a memoir about her experience and has typed out 100 pages so far, with “much more” to say.

“I hope I can empower more women,” she said.

1:30 A.M.

Blackburn is in the bathroom when the phone rings again. She hustles back to her desk.

The caller, a young woman, tells Blackburn that she has been having suicidal thoughts and would like to go to the hospital. Blackburn offers to send an ambulance, but the caller wants to first ask friends whether they are willing to take her. A few moments later, voices spill out of the phone pressed against Blackburn’s ear, loud enough to be heard from 10 feet away. “What the fuck are you doing?!” somebody yells. “Hang up the phone!”

The line goes silent.

Blackburn can’t believe it. “They yelled at her,” she says, shaking her head.

Blackburn rests her chin on her thumbs and stares at the paused Netflix screen, weighing her options. “I’m not supposed to call back,” she says. “But everything in me is telling me I should.” She goes with her gut. The call goes straight to voicemail. She sighs.

“All we can do now is hope that she calls back if needs us,” she says.

She leans back in her chair and resumes the game show.

Seven more hours.

Chantelle Blackburn

‘YOU JUST WANT EVERYONE

TO BE OK’

Blackburn vividly remembers the first time she had to connect a caller with emergency services. An older veteran in southern Vermont called in and said he no longer wanted to live. She heard a click, followed by another. “I can’t get this damn gun to fire,” the man muttered.

Blackburn thought about her son in the Navy, how he was trained to respond to orders. She told the man in her sternest voice to put down the gun. He complied. She told him to disassemble it. “Yes ma’am,” he said. She convinced him to drive to the Veterans Affairs hospital in White River Junction and stayed on the phone until she heard the ER staff take over in the parking lot. She hung up the phone, walked outside and cried.

Turnover has been a constant challenge for suicide hotline call centers over the years, a symptom of the same low-pay, high-stress cocktail that has long plagued their counterparts in 911. Call-takers routinely burn out within a year of taking the job. Many centers have open positions and manage to staff the phone lines only with the help of volunteers.

The switch to 988 this summer raised the stakes. Some centers were forced to create a dozen or more new positions to handle the increased demand. Those unable to quickly fill the new posts reported a spike in the rate of calls sent to backup centers.

The story has been different at Northeast Kingdom Human Services, at least so far. All five of its call-takers, including Blackburn, have worked the line for at least a year. And though calls that come in while they’re already engaged get booted to a backup center, they’ve still managed to answer more than 80 percent of calls since the 988 switchover.

A pay-based retention incentive has helped keep call-takers around. They earn $20 to $25 an hour as a baseline and receive an additional stipend every quarter worth $3 for every hour they worked. That bonus works out to about $6,000 a year for a full-timer.

Blackburn said she has tried to create an environment in which it’s OK not to be OK. She talks to her colleagues about compassion fatigue, the psychological phenomenon in which a person trying to help someone through a problem begins to internalize the distress. She accommodates anyone who needs to take time off. “You’re hearing crisis every day, every day, every day,” she said. “You have to make time for yourself. You have to regroup.”

Blackburn has found her own ways of coping. She’s part of a Christian women’s

support group and reads the Bible. She has a nightly routine in which she writes down a single word in her journal to describe a challenge she had that day and how she overcame it. She listens to classical music — lately, Bach.

For weeks after the veteran called, Blackburn worried the phone would ring again and she’d hear another person try to kill themself. A year later, her relationship with the phone remains complicated.

“I want the phone to ring because I want them to know I’m here,” she said. “But every time it does, it means somebody’s in crisis.”

She likes to imagine on the slow nights that everyone is getting along just fine without her. But she knows better. Ninety-three Vermonters died by suicide in the first eight months of 2022, according to the latest state data. The number doesn’t yet include the 21-year-old Hazen Union High School athletic director who killed himself in October. Or the 12-yearold boy who died last month after trying to hang himself on a school playground located less than half a mile from the St. Johnsbury office.

Blackburn’s hardest moments these days come not during the calls themselves but afterward, she said, when the adrenaline has subsided and she’s left alone with her thoughts.

“You just want everyone to be OK,” she said. “But you can’t control that. You can only control that one call.”

3:30 A.M.

Blackburn is back on the phone with the widow, who is struggling again. They cover much of the same ground, but Blackburn shows no sign of impatience. The two speak for another half hour and sound like old friends by the end of the call. “Get some sleep,” Blackburn says.

At 6:40 a.m., a young woman calls in from her workplace’s parking lot. She is anxious and needs to talk to someone, she says. The call does not last long — her shift begins soon — but Blackburn talks her through a breathing exercise and tells her to call back anytime.

Blackburn remains at her desk, attentive, but the phone doesn’t ring again. Sunlight spills in the open windows, followed by the sound of laughter and scuffing shoes — kids on their way to school. The rain that has been falling overnight turns to snowflakes that melt upon reaching the ground.

At precisely 9 a.m., a switch flicks somewhere in the digital universe. Blackburn’s night watch is over. She gives the room a final once-over, then walks down the stairwell and through the front door, locking it behind her. m

Lawsuit: UVM Mishandled Rape Allegation Against Basketball Star Anthony Lamb

BY DEREK BROUWER & CHELSEA EDGAR

Former University of Vermont men’s basketball star and current Golden State Warriors player Anthony Lamb has been accused in a civil lawsuit of raping a fellow UVM studentathlete in 2019.

The complaint, filed in U.S. District Court in Burlington, accuses school officials of mishandling reports of sexual assault and interfering with due process for victims. It lays out in detail allegations that athletic director Jeff Schulman and other employees “steered” the woman who said Lamb raped her, Kendall Ware, away from filing a formal complaint under the university’s Title IX procedures and misled her about the available remedies, as well as the potential consequences for Lamb.

Schulman personally met with Ware several times while the Title IX process played out, despite the fact that he had no role in adjudicating Title IX complaints. Ware, a member of the school’s swim team, “did not feel like Schulman expressed any concern about her assault, and he was clearly focused on not losing his prize asset Lamb,” the suit alleges.

Ware’s case is one of many in which UVM has failed to adequately respond to reports of sexual assault on campus, the complaint alleges. Ware is joined in the lawsuit by two other plaintiffs who also claim they were sexually assaulted in two separate incidents while they were UVM students.

In a statement to the news website SFGate, Lamb denied assaulting Ware. “The allegations made against me in 2019 that have recently resurfaced are patently false,” the statement says. “I have always been fully cooperative regarding the alleged incident, and have welcomed any investigation into the matter. Simply put, I have never committed sexual assault.”

The Warriors also issued a statement to SFGate last Thursday indicating that the team did not plan to take immediate action in light of the suit. Lamb has played regularly for the Warriors in recent weeks.

Seven Days does not typically identify alleged victims of sexual assault without their permission. The newspaper is naming Lamb’s alleged victim, Ware, because she has previously spoken publicly about the incident.

The lawsuit accuses UVM and several university officials of violating the three students’ constitutional rights to equal protection, federal Title IX protections against discrimination on the basis of sex

and the Vermont Fair Housing and Public Accommodations Act, among other claims.

In recent years, UVM students have staged protests about the university’s handling of sexual violence and maintained an Instagram account that circulates mostly anonymous stories of sexual assault on campus. The wave of student activism prompted UVM to have a consultant review its policies and procedures around Title IX in 2021.

In a statement to Seven Days on December 7, a UVM spokesperson said university officials “were sorry to learn of the individual situations that each of these plaintiffs recounted and we want all survivors to know that they are heard, supported, and respected.” The statement continued: “We stand behind our strong procedures and protocols, and the support provided by the dedicated individuals who perform this work with the highest degree of professionalism, integrity, and care. Even though an independent review last

year found that UVM met or exceeded all benchmarks around sexual misconduct response, we have implemented numerous changes to our protocols.”

Lamb is not named as a defendant. Until the suit was filed, the only public allegation against Lamb was contained in an anonymous social media post from 2021 that claimed he had assaulted unnamed UVM students.

The civil complaint alleges that Lamb raped Ware at his house in September 2019 following a party with other members of the men’s basketball team. Ware and Lamb had dated earlier in the year but were no longer together, according to the complaint.

In 2020, Ware spoke to the Burlington Free Press about what happened and UVM’s response. But the newspaper did not identify Lamb as her assailant because, she told the newspaper at the time, she didn’t want the story “to become all about him.” “At this point, I’m more upset and unhappy with how the school handled things,” Ware told the Free Press

Ware was one of seven women who sued the NCAA in federal court in Michigan in 2020, alleging the organization failed to protect them from sexual assaults by male college athletes at several schools. That lawsuit was subsequently withdrawn.

The other two plaintiffs in the new lawsuit allege systemic failings in UVM’s responses to their reports of sexual assault. One alleged she was drugged at a fraternity party and subsequently assaulted. The other said a club tennis player assaulted her while she was unconscious.

On October 29, 2021, the two plaintiffs spoke at a UVM Board of Trustees meeting about their experiences. Both “found the Board of Trustees apathetic and the presentation incredibly traumatic,” the complaint states. m

Read the full story at sevendaysvt.com.

Golden State Warriors forward Anthony Lamb during a game on November 29

‘I AM NOT AN ACRONYM’

[Re “Opening Doors: BIPOC Homeownership Rates in Vermont Are Dismal. New Programs Are Meant to Change That,” November 30]: In a New York Times opinion piece, John McWhorter calls the acronym BIPOC “jargon.”

Merriam-Webster’s dictionary lists the second definition for the word “jargon”: “gibberish and meaningless talk or writing.”

BIPOC could be the name of an obsolete computer game from the 1980s.

I imagine a meeting of software developers where the acronym BIPOC is assigned to a new digital commerce platform for Better Integrated Protocols of Cryptocurrency.

The point is, the acronym BIPOC is problematic because it does not look or sound like it is describing human beings.

Additionally, these five letters fail in representing the vast number of cultures, customs and traditions that the term is meant to represent, including 517 distinct tribes of First Nation people.

Shrink-fitting all of us into five letters minimizes us — our contributions, our struggles and our achievements that sweep generations and include every arena, from science to music to literature to politics.

The phrase “people of color,” or POC, assumes white as the default, the norm, the point where everything about naming color and race begins.

If these are the rules with which we are going to abide, then BIPOC only works if my white friends and relatives are referred to as POLC — people of less color.

Sylvia Obell, host of the podcast “Okay, Now Listen,” said, “We are asking for a lot of things, and being called BIPOC is not one of them.” She added, “Stop making decisions for us without us.”

I agree.

I am not an acronym. Call me Creole.

Martha M. Kemp BURLINGTON

PAY BACK FTX

[Re “Balint to Give Away Campaign Donation From Disgraced Crypto Executive,” November 15]: How noble and dignified of U.S. representative-elect Becca Balint and senator-elect Peter Welch to “give to charity” their FTX crypto — shyster campaign “donations.” Will that include the PACs supporting them that took in millions, too?

Perhaps they might have assuaged their consciences more if they had returned all the nasty cash to FTX, now in bankruptcy, to be returned to all the people and pension funds, etc., that were swindled by this “wunderkind” Democratic donor?

If they had a conscience, that is. So funny, too, that this massive swindle wasn’t exposed — and the checks cashed? — until after the election. Yet only a “conspiracy theorist” would surmise any collusion regarding the financial crime of the century! Right, there are no conspiracies, only coincidences. And

why, to this very day, are there no extraditions nor indictments in the biggest 21st-century financial crime? As Cyndi Lauper once sang: “Money changes everything.”

Steve Merrill NORTH TROY

Editor’s Note: Since we received this letter, FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried has been arrested and charged with fraud and conspiring to violate campaign finance rules.

LEAVE LEAVES

The cover of the [October 26], showing Harry Bliss’ image of the grim reaper raking leaves, might be more subtle than one might at first perceive.

Perhaps he meant to also have us reflect, as I did upon seeing a woolly caterpillar walking across a barren cement sidewalk, that without leaves to overwinter in, many beneficial insects, especially caterpillars (many of which would have become butterflies in spring), will die.

Leaf litter on the ground, especially under trees, is essential habitat to help all sorts of beneficial creatures survive winter — including native bees, butterflies, moths and various beetles. (Most of the caterpillar species fall to the ground when they are fully grown. Then they burrow into leaf litter.)

Beyond the link of caterpillars to butterflies, most birds feed their young primarily caterpillars (thousands per hatchling before fledgling). There are so many animals that live in leaves — spiders, snails, worms, beetles, millipedes, mites and more — that support the chipmunks, turtles, birds and amphibians that rely on these insects for food.

Perhaps not raking but leaving the fallen leaves can be our gentle reminder to protect all species’ habitats. As a bonus, we have more time to savor being alive and to enjoy the diversity of life in

Bernie Paquette JERICHO

OBITUARIES

Priscilla Jackson

MAY 5, 1937NOVEMBER 23, 2022 SHELBURNE, VT.

Priscilla Jackson, 85, died peacefully on November 23, 2022, at Wake Robin in Shelburne, Vt., with her family holding her close.

Priscilla was born in Beverly, Mass., on May 5, 1937, to parents Barbara Sinclair and E. Randall Jackson. She grew up in Danvers, Mass., and graduated from the University of Connecticut in 1960 with a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy. She married David Glendinning and raised three children in Southwest Harbor and Waterville, Maine. In 1987, she married her second husband, Ralph Atwood, and they enjoyed 10 full and happy years together in Oakland, Maine, before his death. After more than 50 years in Maine, Priscilla moved to Vermont in 2013 to be closer to her family.

Priscilla taught those she knew how to be kind and curious. Right up to her final days, she was an exceptional listener who could engage just about anyone in interesting conversation, just by asking a question and truly listening to the response. She took tremendous joy in appreciating and supporting the endeavors of her children and grandchildren and was immensely proud of all of them. Priscilla was their biggest fan.

Priscilla was strong and fiercely independent. As a single woman, she was proud to successfully start and run her own physical therapy business to treat children with disabilities and to purchase her own house at a time in her life that required

strength and courage. She amazed friends and family with her adventurous travel all over the world. Priscilla rode elephants and trekked in Nepal, hiked and camped in the Grand Canyon, and admired the art and architecture in St. Petersburg, Russia. More locally, Priscilla loved exploring the Maine outdoors. She spent many happy days camping with her family in Baxter State Park, skiing at Saddleback Mountain, and kayaking and canoeing around the Belgrade lakes.

Priscilla was a lifelong lover and supporter of the arts. She took numerous art history courses at Colby College as an adult and volunteered as a docent at the Colby Museum of Art. She enjoyed any museum or gallery and would never pass up the opportunity to attend a concert, opera or eccentric foreign film — the more eccentric, the better.

She was a vibrant and active member of the Wake Robin retirement community in Shelburne. She met some of the best friends of her life at Wake Robin, where she could be found sharing a glass of wine and laughing with friends while discussing books, films,

politics and current events. She also loved spending time with family, walking everywhere, swimming, playing tennis and participating in as many events as possible, including being an indispensable member of the Vermont Artists Project.

Priscilla was predeceased by her sister Ann Jackson and by her husband, Ralph Atwood. She leaves behind her daughters, Jennifer (Jeffy) Usher and her husband, Jim, of Essex, Vt., and Deb Light and her husband, John, of Burlington, Vt.; her son, Matt Glendinning, and his wife, Katherine, of New Haven, Conn.; and her grandchildren, Nicole Egan and husband Gerard, Colby Hamilton, Hannah Light and Maddie Light. She was delighted to be able to meet and hold her great-grandson, Desmond Egan, before she died. Priscilla is also survived by her sister Susan Karp and her husband, Steven, of Bainbridge Island, Wash.; her niece, Sarah Karp, and her husband, Noah Pearce, and their children, Norah and Otto; her stepdaughter, Karen Cook, and her husband, Mike; her stepson, Rusty Atwood, and his wife, Sue; and her step-grandchildren Brittany, Sam, Chrissie and Tim.

e family would like to thank the staff at Wake Robin for their unwavering support and care and the compassionate team at the University of Vermont Home Health & Hospice for helping her through her final days. Donations in Priscilla’s honor can be made to the Hospice and Palliative Care Program at the University of Vermont Home Health & Hospice. A memorial gathering is planned for the spring.

Caitlin McFarland

SEPTEMBER 29, 1987DECEMBER 7, 2022 BALTIMORE, MD.

Caitlin J. McFarland, M.D., a psychiatrist dedicated to mental health education and advocacy, died in an automobile collision on December 7, 2022. She was 35 and lived in Baltimore City, Md. Dr. McFarland is survived by her wife, Elisabeth (Philip) McFarland, LCSW-C; and her brother, Ian; mother, Nancy; and father, Andrew, of Dansville, N.Y.

She enjoyed running and biking and especially hiking. In recent years, she hiked a significant portion of the Appalachian Trail. Dr. McFarland was also passionate about music. She was an accomplished vocalist who loved singing at St. Paul’s Cathedral in Burlington. She was also an avid volunteer for underserved communities.

Dr. McFarland was born

and raised in western New York and graduated from Roberts Wesleyan College. After spending a few years as a researcher at the University of Vermont, she joined its School of Medicine. In 2020, she completed her psychiatry residency at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and was awarded the Frank L. Coulson Jr. Award for Clinical Excellence.

At the time of her death, Dr. McFarland served as the director of behavioral health and psychiatry at the West Cecil Health Clinic

in Conowingo, Md. She was also an instructor at the Sex and Gender Clinic in the Department of Psychiatry at Johns Hopkins University.

Dr. McFarland was a mental health advocate for LGBTQI+ populations, researching, lecturing and writing on issues related to care. She planned to join the Hopkins full-time faculty in July as director of an outpatient clinic focused on transgender mental health care.

She was the eldest of 10 adoring cousins who looked to her as a role model and mentor and was the niece of Edward and Michele McFarland of Baltimore; Paul and Judit McFarland of Oxford, England; Doug and Kim McFarland of York, N.Y.; and Stephen McFarland of Macon, Ga.

A fund to continue Dr. McFarland’s commitment to LGBTQI+ patients and research has been established at gofund. me/3f1516f3.

Theresa Wixson

MARCH 20, 1960DECEMBER 5, 2022 BURLINGTON,VT.

eresa A. “Terry” Wixson of Burlington, died peacefully at home, in her sleep, following a short battle with cancer.

She was born on March 20, 1960, in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. e family decided to make their residency in Richmond, Vt., in 1964, where her beautiful journey began. She graduated from Mount

Mansfield High School in 1978 and started her career in 1977. She worked for

many years for the former Burlington Convalescent Center and the Shelburne Road Price Chopper, and she used her talent to work her way up to various positions at both places.

For a complete obituary, please visit vtfuneralhomes. com.

A celebration of life and memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 17, 1 to 4 p.m., at LaVigne Funeral Home, 132 Main St., Winooski, VT.

Arrangements are through the LaVigne Funeral Home.

Eugene Ward III

APRIL 10, 1952DECEMBER 4, 2022

SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT.

Eugene “Chip” Joseph Ward III, 70, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 4, 2022, at his winter home in Greensboro, Ga. Chip also had his summer home in Vermont.

Chip was born on April 10, 1952, in Rockville Centre, N.Y., to Eugene “Gene” Joseph Ward Jr. and Elizabeth “Betty” (Gilleran) Ward.

He attended St. John’s Academy (now Seton Catholic) in Plattsburgh, N.Y., and continued his education at SUNY Plattsburgh, graduating in 1974 with a bachelor of business degree. After completing his postgraduate studies at Vermont Law School, Chip began practicing law in 1982 and founded Ward & Associates Attorneys at Law, now called Ward & Towle, in 1986. He practiced real estate, estate planning and business law, and he recently retired in July 2022.

Outside the office, Chip could be found pursuing his true passion: golf. Chip

Pete Sutherland

MAY 13, 1951NOVEMBER 30, 2022 MONTPELIER, VT.

Peter Jeffrey Sutherland, lifelong Vermonter and world citizen, passed away on November 30 at the age of 71. Born on May 13, 1951, in Burlington, Vt., to Mary Lou and Bob Sutherland, he grew up in Shelburne, Vt., and attended Champlain Valley Union High School and Castleton State College.

As a descendent of minstrels, he had a knack for music and art from as far back as anyone can remember. He lived his creativity and crafted a life and career sharing his music, poetry, art and storytelling.

One of his earliest outlets was writing and starring in home movies. While Pete went on to work with numerous performance groups here and abroad, his original endeavors involved recruiting family and neighbors to participate in his various project ideas.

His mom was the initial musical inspiration, playing and writing musicals at the piano, the instrument that Pete first learned. He was quick to develop the ability to play by ear, picking out melodies and

was a three-time Vermont Senior Amateur Champion, holder of six Vermont State Golf Association championship titles and was ranked as high as 13th in the country by Golfweek. He loved traveling across America to play in tournaments and was always ready to provide tips to anyone on the course, especially beginners, whom he hoped would find love for the game like he did. Chip’s passion for playing golf started at Bluff Point Golf Resort in Plattsburgh, N.Y., with his mom and lifelong friend Mike O’Connor. He later joined Burlington Country Club

in Burlington, Vt., and, most recently, Reynolds Lake Oconee in Greensboro, Ga.

He is survived by his loving life partner, Susan Wainer, of Vermont; children, Laura Ward of Plattsburgh, N.Y., Shawn Ward of Burlington, Vt., and Eugene Joseph “EJ” Ward IV of Burlington, Vt.; and granddaughter, Charlotte Elizabeth (5) of Plattsburgh, N.Y. He also leaves behind Jonathan and Ashley Wainer of Hinesburg, Vt., and their children, Charlotte Marie (5) and eodore (3); and several special friends.

He was predeceased by his parents, Gene and Betty, as well as several uncles and aunts.

Calling hours will be on Wednesday, December 14, from 5 to 8 p.m., followed by a service on ursday, December 15, at 10 a.m., both being held at Ready Funeral Home in Burlington, Vt. A celebration of life will immediately follow the service on December 15 at the Burlington Country Club.

In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to the Vermont Golf Association Scholarship Fund.

Edward Ziemer

SEPTEMBER 24, 1929DECEMBER 6, 2022 SHELBURNE, VT.

composing his own. In high school, he played trombone in the marching band alongside his brother Chris. At Castleton, he began his lifelong love affair with folk and traditional music. It was during that time that he learned fiddle, banjo and guitar and formed his first gigging bands. While he was indeed adept at many instruments, he always washed dishes like a man just learning to play drums.

Pete was a student of Vermont history, and some of those stories found their way into his impressive body of songs and poetry. Always curious and well-read, Pete was an early adopter of health trends that would later become popular. His favorite

foods were the ones he picked himself. He was a lifelong forager of mushrooms — and other wild edibles — that he would find on his frequent and beloved hikes.

Deeply committed to preserving traditions and discovering new musical pathways, he taught, mentored and inspired people of all ages. Pete leaves behind a rich legacy that can be found on the many albums he recorded, produced and played on; in his many projects, including those with the Vermont Folklife Center; and in the hearts and memories of those he touched.

He lived with cancer for over a decade, while continuing to follow his heart and creative muse. And when his body finally gave out, he chose Vermont’s Medical Aid in Dying Act, to go on his terms. Pete spent his time on Earth doing what he loved, and his was a life well lived.

Pete is survived by his son, Calum; his brother Michael; his brother Davis and his partner, Marie; and all of their families. He was predeceased by his brother Chris.

A Full Circle Hoedown is being planned for his birthday in the spring.

Edward John Ziemer, age 93, of Shelburne, Vt., died on Tuesday, December 6, 2022, with his family by his side. He is survived by his former wife and friend, Shirley Ziemer of Colchester, Vt.; his five children, Meribeth Ziemer (Robert Bajak) of Gowanda, N.Y., Lynne Meeks (John) of Grand Isle, Vt., Gary Ziemer (Darcy) of Morrisonville, N.Y., David Ziemer of Essex, Vt., and Douglas Ziemer (Nicole) of Morrisville, Pa.; his six grandchildren, John Schenne of Parker, Colo., Meredith Wright (Landon) of San Diego, Calif., Melanie Olzcak of West Falls, N.Y., Julia Meeks (Dan) of Concord, N.H., Zachary Ziemer of Glens Falls, N.Y., and Erik Ziemer of Burlington, Vt.; and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Karl E. and Marjorie A. (Franck) Ziemer; his longtime partner, Jackie Prouty; his brother, Donald Ziemer; and his sister, Joan Monson. Ed, or Ted, as he was known earlier in life, was born in Suffern, N.Y., and raised in Stony Point, N.Y. After graduating from Haverstraw High School, he attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where he was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity and earned his bachelor’s

Barbara J. Hill

NOVEMBER 10, 1934NOVEMBER 26, 2022 VERO BEACH, FLA.

Barbara J. “BJ” Hill of Vero Beach, Fla., formerly of Shelburne, Vt., died on November 26, 2022. She was born in 1934 in Buckland, Mass., the daughter of Esther Temple and Winthrop F. Anderson.

For 66 years, she was the beloved wife of Harold W. “Harry” Hill. Surviving her is her son, David John, and his wife, Beth Myette Hill; grandsons, Curran Anderson Hill and his wife, Laura (MacNeil) Hill, and Wyatt David Hill; and daughter, Ellen Mary Hill, of Cambridge, Vt. She was predeceased by her siblings, Winthrop T. Anderson, Donald F. Anderson and Margaret J. St. Pierre.

She was a graduate of Arms Academy, class of 1952, and New England

degree in chemical engineering. He served in the U.S. Army at the Aberdeen Proving Ground, obtained his professional engineering license and enjoyed a long career in industry, most notably with IBM, which brought him to Vermont in 1966.

He had a lifelong love of the art of sailing and sailboat racing, with all its endless intricacies. His competitive nature on the water stood somewhat in contrast to his otherwise quiet, reserved nature. He was a member of the Malletts Bay Boat Club for over 50 years. He loved to ski and was a 15-year member of the National Ski Patrol at Smugglers’ Notch. He skied Mad River when the single chair was new. His experience on the ski patrol led him to become a catalyst for the efforts to create a volunteer ambulance service in Essex Junction, and he became a founding member and the first president of the Essex Rescue in 1971. is achievement epitomized his approach to life that actions speak louder than words.

Ed’s family would like to express their appreciation of the staff of Wake Robin for their compassionate care over the last year.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are in the care of Stephen Gregory and Son Cremation Service in South Burlington, Vt.

Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing, class of 1956.

During her 27 years in Vermont, she served on the boards of the Visiting Nurse Association and the Elizabeth Lund Home, as well as donated her time and efforts to other charitable organizations, such as being a Peace Corps “assistant” to her daughter in Jamaica and helping to establish the Jamaican Relief Fund in 1989, post-Hurricane Gilbert.

She was an avid tennis player and swimmer who also enjoyed gardening, painting (designreserve.wixsite.com/bjhill), and taking long walks and snowshoe excursions in the woods with her family and sunrise strolls on the beach in Vero Beach.

Memorial donations to the United Way of Lamoille County may be made online at uwlamoille.org.

Drawing Conclusions

As his career peaks following a new book with Steve Martin, cartoonist Harry Bliss considers walking away ... maybe

BY DAN BOLLES • dan@sevendaysvt.com

Harry Bliss is ready to retire. At least, he might be. Maybe. Sitting across from a crackling woodstove in the cluttered but cozy wood-paneled living room of his Cornish, N.H., cottage, the 58-yearold New Yorker cartoonist and part-time Vermonter turned reflective as a reporter peppered him with questions about his life and career. Pondering how much longer he’ll keep working, Bliss gazed at a painting by 19th-century artist Clifton Tomson hanging nearby. It features one of the few things Bliss claims he can’t draw: a horse.

“I do not like working. I really don’t,” Bliss confessed, shaking his head. It was unclear if his exasperated grin betrayed facetiousness or revealed a deeper truth that he is, in fact, ready to lay down his pencils. Then he added flatly, “I have no ambition.”

Delivered in a house where drawers and cabinets are overflowing with his work, that statement could read like the wry punch line to one of Bliss’ own cartoons. The man is prolific by any measure.

He still gets up each morning to draw the syndicated daily comic, “Bliss,” that he’s produced since 2005 — more than 5,000 cartoons in all. The single-panel gag appears weekly in this newspaper, for which Bliss also contributes an occasional cover. A much greater claim to fame are the 25 New Yorker covers he’s illustrated and the exponentially more cartoons for the magazine he’s drawn since 1998. Fellow New Yorker cartoonist and former Vermont cartoonist laureate Ed Koren called Bliss “one of the brightest lights” at that publication.

He has also illustrated more than 20 children’s books, including a series with writer Doreen Cronin that was adapted for an animated 2019 Amazon show, “Bug Diaries.” Since 2018, he’s collaborated with entertainer Steve Martin on “Bliss” cartoons. That partnership has produced two books, A Wealth of Pigeons in 2020 and Number One Is Walking: My Life in the Movies and Other Diversions, published last month.

Anyone capable of that kind of prodigious and consistent output can hardly be said to suffer a lack of initiative. And yet…

“I like drawing, and I like that people like my cartoons,” Bliss said. “But I don’t want to spend the day trying to promote something. It’s literally horrible for me to think about.”

If Bliss is seriously contemplating walking away, he wouldn’t be the first creative

soul at his Cornish address to recede from public life, or even the best known. The labyrinthine cottage, which features a maze of quirky rooms and an underground tunnel/fallout shelter, sits several miles down a winding dirt road in the woods of western New Hampshire. It’s an ideal

spot to get away from the world. That was undoubtedly the allure for its past owner, author J.D. Salinger, possibly the most famous recluse of the 20th century.

Bliss, who bristles at the idea that he’s a recluse, bought the place in 2016 and now spends most of his time there, surrounded

by trees and woodland critters and his vast and varied art collections — all of which inspire his work in roughly equal measure, he said. When he can stomach the traffic, Bliss treks to Burlington, where his wife of 12 years, Sofi Dillof, lives most of the time. Otherwise, he’s happiest holed up in Cornish, drawing and drinking and, every now and then, making goofy videos on Instagram.

“I don’t know if it happened because I did psychedelics. I don’t know what kicked in for me,” he said. “But at a certain point I just thought, I would much rather stay in Cornish and read a book, go for a hike in the woods, cook dinner.”

It’s unlikely that Bliss will just stop making comics anytime soon. As his childhood friend John Butler put it, “I don’t believe he’s capable of not doing it. Cartoons just fall out of him.”

But if Bliss did stop now, he and his spiritual housemate Salinger would share something else in common: going out at the peak of their popularity and influence.

While they’re maybe not quite such paradigm-shattering works as Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye, Bliss’ recent collaborations with Martin have thrust him into a national spotlight. Their collection A Wealth of Pigeons was composed mostly of “Bliss” cartoons written with Martin. Number One Is Walking is Martin’s Hollywood memoir presented through Bliss’ artistic lens. It is by turns hilarious, sweet and insightful — much like their individual works often are.

“They have an edge,” said Françoise Mouly, the art editor at the New Yorker who introduced the two. “But there’s a gentleness and an enjoyment of life and people.”

Following the book’s release last month, Bliss and Martin embarked on an old-fashioned press junket. They hit morning TV shows such as “The View” and did a series of high-profile meet-theauthors events hosted by some of Martin’s celebrity pals.

In the TV interviews, Martin was every bit the warm and funny performer whom generations have come to love through “Saturday Night Live,” The Jerk and Parenthood. And Bliss was, well … “I was so fucking nervous,” he admitted.

Indeed, he confessed as much live on “The View” before uncomfortably answering a question from cohost Sunny Hostin.

Stage fright aside, Bliss is charismatic and funny in person. Sharp-witted, mischievous and still somehow boyish

Harry Bliss’ first New Yorker cover, above

HARRY BLISS

as he nears 60 — picture a grown-up Calvin from “Calvin and Hobbes” with a taste for negronis — he’s anything but the picture of a curmudgeonly recluse. Dillof describes him as “a combination of the bear on the cover of the Sleepytime tea box and the Tasmanian devil,” adding, “He can be sweet and warm” but sometimes volatile.

Bliss is also someone whose career, by necessity and personal preference, mostly takes place in solitude. As Martin put it recently to Gayle King on “CBS Mornings,” “One of the great things about working with Harry is that we never see each other.”

It’s a joke, but also not. And it speaks to the idea that, for the most part, Bliss would prefer not to see many people at all, outside of his closest circle. It may also help explain why, as his career crescendos, he has begun to consider its next phase.

As Bliss put it, “I was ready to retire before I met Steve.”

Art Imitates Life Imitates Art

On the wall above Bliss’ desk in Cornish are two original comic boards. One is a “Peanuts” strip drawn by Charles Schulz. The other is a “Blondie” strip by Chic Young, which Bliss said is the “best cartoon I’ve ever seen.”

Original comic art by the likes of Edward Gorey, Robert Crumb and Charles Addams hangs throughout Bliss’ house. He proudly displays comics alongside the fine art of painters such as Tomson, Henry Pember Smith and others. In a sense, Bliss’ house-turned-art-museum is a reflection of his own work — or maybe it’s the other way around.

Whether illustrating children’s books, composing New Yorker covers — which are all done in watercolor — or drawing his single-panel cartoons, Bliss succeeds with deceptive simplicity. His drawings, while

unfussy and easy to consume, are often incredibly detailed and highly rendered — even when drawing “cute” for kids. His classical training allows him to draw pretty much anything he sees, from the trees that surround his Cornish home to re-creating “Nighthawks” or “Mona Lisa” for a good gag.

“You can say to Harry, ‘We need a Rembrandt here,’ and he can draw it,” Martin told Seven Days in a 2020 interview about A Wealth of Pigeons. “Or a Monet or a Modigliani, an Edward Hopper. If you look in the book, all these are drawn so beautifully. Almost anything you ask for, he can deliver.”

At the same time, Bliss has developed a distinct cartooning style that he blends almost seamlessly with his nearphotorealistic scenes — and that often heightens his humor, which ranges from sweet to sardonic to downright twisted.

One recent “Bliss” depicts “Mort Feldstein: Loving Father and Professional

Clown.” Mort, dressed in full clown regalia, stands in the doorway of his son’s bedroom at night and says, “Sweet dreams, Tim.” Both Morton and his son are cartoonish: a perfectly creepy, sad clown; Tim huddled, scared, under the covers. But the lifelike detail in the rest of the scene — from the shading in Tim’s darkened room to the lamp on his bureau — sets the atmosphere for the joke, juxtaposing the familiar sweetness of a parent saying good night with a child’s fear of clowns.

“His facility for cartooning is off the charts,” James Sturm, cofounder of the Center for Cartoon Studies in White River Junction, said of Bliss. “But he also knows that if you draw everything photorealistically, it’s not a cartoon.

“He really has a great understanding of when to wow people with his rendering skills and when it’s not effective in terms of

I was ready to retire before I met Steve.

humor,” Sturm went on, noting that Bliss is a “great student of humor.”

For that, Bliss credits not schooling but, at least in part, his sometimes rough childhood. Comedically, he said, he was weaned on 1970s comedy classics like “SNL” and Monty Python. But to escape a chaotic home life, he would also often lose himself in comics — “Peanuts,” “The Addams Family” and MAD magazine, to name a few.

“My fondest memories of my childhood are of being by myself,” Bliss said. He cracked a self-aware grin and added, “Is that weird?”

The Family Circus

Bliss was raised in a family of artists in Rochester, N.Y. His parents, both artists, met in art school in Philadelphia; his uncles were successful illustrators, as well. All told, Bliss counts at least 10 professional artists in his immediate and extended family, including his sister Rachel and brother Charles. His oldest brother, John, is a teacher in Rochester and is “good enough to be a cartoonist,” Bliss said. But, he teased, “he’s not that funny.”

Despite all that artistic DNA floating around his family’s “shitty ranch” in the Rochester suburbs, Bliss doesn’t mince words describing his 1970s upbringing.

“It was like a really fucked-up version of ‘Happy Days,’” he said. “You just felt on edge, like at any moment things were going to combust.” He alluded to a degree of physical and verbal abuse that was not uncommon in the era. “It was how everybody was raised back then: Kids got hit.”

“He was a wiseass,” Butler, his childhood friend, said of Bliss. “To a certain extent, he was a loner in the way we all were — that most artists are, I guess — in that we would all retreat to our bedrooms and draw. But he wasn’t a wallflower by any means.”

In fact, as he neared high school, Bliss said he was on the verge of “becoming a bad kid.” So, his parents sent him for a year to McQuaid Jesuit High School, a strict, all-boys Rochester prep school where, Bliss said, corporal punishment was practically part of the curriculum.

“If you did something wrong … they fucking hit you, hard,” Bliss recalled.

Bliss said his therapist has suggested he has posttraumatic stress disorder from the tension and violence in his childhood. But, he acknowledged, in a twisted sort of way the scared-straight approach at McQuaid worked.

“We stopped misbehaving,” he conceded.

Back in public school the following year, Bliss continued to find refuge and purpose in drawing. He obsessively consumed as much art as he could, from comics such as Eerie and Creepy magazines to art books of modern masters, including Pablo Picasso, Amedeo Modigliani and Marcel Duchamp.

“We didn’t differentiate between highand low-brow art. It was either good or it sucked,” Bliss said. “Essentially, art was an escape from all the dysfunction that was in the air.”

Through art-making, he also discovered an outlet for his burgeoning sense of humor. At McQuaid, Bliss would draw caricatures of the priests, to the delight of his classmates. His high school antics

became more extroverted, though he denies being a class clown.

“I was a class disrupter,” he clarified. “I enjoyed the attention, getting laughs.”

After two years at the Philadelphia College of Art post-high school, Bliss transferred to the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and studied painting for two years. There he fell in love for the first time. Before long, his girlfriend got pregnant. Penniless, the couple gave the baby girl up for adoption.

“We went on welfare, and I was buying groceries with food stamps,” Bliss recalled. “It was really fucking hard.”

(That story has a happy ending. In 2005, Bliss and his daughter, Valerie, reunited. They remain close — Bliss is now a grandfather to her son.)

The experience as a starving artist spurred Bliss to return to PCA and finish his degree. Even before graduating in 1990, he was drawing illustrations for major magazines including GQ and BusinessWeek , along with regular work for the Philadelphia Inquirer

“Then I met my son’s mother,” Bliss recalled. “And we did some drugs and drank a lot. And that was really fun.”

Cover Story

By 1997, Bliss was living in a cheap basement apartment in Nyack, N.Y., where he had moved to be closer to his son, Alex, and his mother, with whom he’d split up shortly after the boy was born; they were never married. Bliss was so deep in student loan debt that an accountant suggested he file for bankruptcy.

One afternoon in a rare-books store, he flipped through a book by Charles Addams, creator of “The Addams Family.” It originally ran in the New Yorker as a single-panel gag comic, long before it was turned into a TV show and movies.

“It brought a lot of things home for me,” Bliss said of that book. Specifically, he was reminded of reading Addams’ cartoons in his mother’s copies of the New Yorker as a kid. Rediscovering Addams’ macabre humor, as well as a drawing style Bliss described as “lush and almost cinematic,” sparked something.

“I thought, Shit, I could do this.”

He ran home and drew a handful of black-and-white samples, which he sent to Robert Mankoff, then cartoon editor at the New Yorker. But the drawings ended up on the desk of Mouly, the magazine’s newly installed art editor. Bliss still has the letter from her asking if he’d like to try his hand at some cover sketches for the magazine.

“Harry’s drawings didn’t tickle [Mankoff’s] fancy or something … but I had to publish him,” Mouly recalled.

She explained that she had been hired by editor Tina Brown in 1993 to revamp the magazine’s look and give it a sort of artistic “shock therapy.” Bliss, in Mouly’s estimation, “was just too perfect for the magazine. So, I put him on the cover before he was even published inside.”

At the time, Mouly went on, the New Yorker had “sort of fallen asleep on its laurels.” The magazine had “ignored an entire generation of people in the ’60s and ’70s,” she said, “and now we were in the ’90s, and many of our readers were, too.”

In the 1970s, she said, the New Yorker delivered more abstract concepts on its cover. Mouly longed for a return to the covers of the 1930s and ’40s, when artists such as Helen Hopkinson, Mary Petty and Addams favored a storytelling approach.

“And Harry had that,” she said.

Bliss landed the January 5, 1998, cover of the New Yorker. It featured a well-dressed coupled ascending a grand staircase, arms around each other, cocktails in hand, at the end of a ritzy New Year’s Eve party. Bliss would do five more covers that year. Between those, a number of book cover illustrations and other gigs, he was able to pay off his student loans by the time the New Yorker offered him his first contract as a cartoonist the following year.

“I saved like a hermit,” Bliss recalled. “But for the first time in my life I was actually making money. I had to pay taxes. I had health insurance.”

Cartoons just fall out of him.

JOHN BUTLER

In 1999, his career expanded even further. Legendary New Yorker cartoonist and children’s book artist William Steig wrote Bliss a letter offering to connect him to his agent to do children’s books. Bliss now has more than 20 children’s books to his credit as an illustrator and a handful as a writer/illustrator, including Luke on the Loose and Bailey.

Ironically, that was also the year he started contributing cartoons to Playboy magazine, which he did for more than 15 years. Though he said his cartoons for that adult magazine, as well as those he penned for Penthouse , were rarely sexual. “Bob Guccione really liked mafia cartoons,” Bliss recalled of the late Penthouse publisher. “So I did a lot of those.”

In kids’ books, Bliss plays up his warm, clean style to extra-adorable effect. Those projects have proved lucrative from the start. As have several others, his very first children’s book, A Fine, Fine School with Newbery Medal-winning author Sharon Creech, landed on the 2001 New York Times bestseller list.

“I still get royalty checks for that thing,” Bliss said in disbelief.

Panel Discussion

While illustrating for children’s books, Bliss continued to crank out singlepanel cartoons for the New Yorker . He explained that the magazine’s many cartoonists are expected to pitch the cartoon editor — currently Emma Allen

— seven to 10 ideas a week. Allen selects two or three from each artist and brings them to editor David Remnick, who narrows the field to 10 or 15 cartoons total.

“So, the rejection rate is pretty high,” Bliss explained. What, then, to do with all of those unused gags?

In 2005, Bliss approached every major syndication company in the U.S. about syndicating his leftovers and landed with the Tribune Content Agency. The New Yorker would get the right of first refusal, and anything the mag declined was fair game for publication in some 80 publications in the U.S., Canada and Japan. Bliss maintains the copyright to his cartoons and also nets 60 percent of the syndication revenue, rather than the industry-standard 50-50 split.

Bliss prides himself on his business sense, which he credits for his success almost as much as his talent and work ethic. His philosophy essentially boils down to this: Don’t sell yourself short.

Even before he made a living as an artist, Bliss said, he regularly turned down gigs if he’d thought he’d be underpaid or didn’t see some other redeeming quality in the project.

“I felt like I’d rather bartend than not get paid what I’m worth,” he said. “I tell people all the time, ‘As an artist, don’t undersell yourself, because you bring the whole fucking market down.’”

Though he draws cartoons every day, Bliss said he doesn’t have a set process for them. Ideas can come from anywhere at any time. Some drop out of the sky with an

image and punch line fully formed. Sometimes, they originate with a funny line or song lyric, or even just a curious word.

“Someone will say ‘doppelgänger,’ and I’ll be like, ‘That’s gotta be in a cartoon,” Bliss said.

Other ideas derive from images Bliss encounters in his day-to-day life but without punch lines, sort of like his own personal New Yorker caption contest.

One such recent cartoon features a man and his dog seated at a kitchen peninsula drinking coffee in the morning. They’re desperately hungover, as evidenced by puffy eyelids on both the man and the dog — and the large bottle of Advil on the counter.

Harry Bliss

Drawing Conclusions

“What do you got goin’ on today?” the man asks the dog. Anyone who’s ever been hungover and struggling to make conversation with a roommate will recognize the humor in the scene.

That cartoon started out as a drawing Bliss made based on a photo of an empty kitchen that he found in a copy of a 1950sera Good Housekeeping magazine — Bliss collects bound volumes of old print magazines, because of course he does.

“I saw that little round thing they’re sitting at, and I just knew I had to draw that,” he said. “I wanted to put people in that kitchen and see what would happen.”

Bliss added that he’d originally planned for a husband and wife to be hungover in the kitchen before opting to go with a man and his dog — as he often does.

Bliss conceded the caption-contest comparison but noted one key difference.

“The thing about my cartoons is, that’s me,” he said. “I’m a drinker. I like booze. There are trees in my cartoons because I love trees.

“Most of the stuff that I admire and like, it’s all in my cartoons,” he went on. “That’s one of the reasons I like working with Steve: He sends me in directions I wouldn’t normally go.”

Walking Forward

At a New Yorker party in 2018, Martin approached Mouly with an idea for a cartoon. The French designer, editor and publisher is an icon in the comics world and is often “accosted,” as she put it, by people looking to pitch her cartoon ideas.

“And I always freeze, because that’s usually not the start of a good thing,” she said. “Except when it comes from Steve Martin. Then I had to really freeze, because that had to be taken seriously.”

Martin is a comedian, actor, musician, author and playwright with an Oscar, five Grammy Awards, a Mark Twain Prize for American Humor and a Kennedy Center Honor to his credit. Perhaps the one thing he can’t do is draw. He wondered if Mouly could recommend an artist to illustrate his ideas.

A tall order, Mouly noted, because Martin himself is so funny.

“Usually when you put two funny people together, you don’t get something twice as funny,” she observed.

Cartoonists, she went on, tend not to be sociable. Which is why Bliss came to mind: Despite his preference for solitude, he is affable.

Like Bliss, Mouly said, “There’s something warm about Steve and his humor. They walk a line between the high and the

low art, both of them. They’re just trying to make themselves or their friends laugh.”

As fellow New Yorker cartoonist Koren put it, Bliss doesn’t just have a great eye and prodigious artistic talent: “He has a great ear” for humor, “coupled with a visually comical, complex view of things.” Koren added, “It’s no secret why he and Steve Martin are collaborators.”

The partnership began with Bliss drawing cartoons written by Martin, which they referred to as “working forward.” They

would also work “backward,” with Bliss sending Martin caption-less “orphan” cartoons for Martin to punch up. Forward or backward, the cartoons were published under the “Bliss” banner. When they had enough of them, the duo collected them into A Wealth of Pigeons, their 2020 debut.

In a Seven Days interview that year, Martin expressed his admiration for Bliss.

“Obviously, we must have a similar sense of humor, because more cartoons end up drawn than don’t,” he said. “But I love

Harry’s drawing style. First, it’s just high level; it’s very clear and cleanly drawn. And I like humor that is sharp, focused.”

In turn, Bliss discovered something about Martin, which he revealed in a cartoon in the book. In it, Bliss is huddled over his desk working on a cartoon while Martin dictates from a recliner. A thought bubble from Bliss reads: “He’s actually pretty funny.”

Obviously, the former standup and star of Planes, Trains and Automobiles ,

Excerpt from Number One Is Walking: My Life in the Movies and Other Distractions

Roxanne , and the current Hulu series “Only Murders in the Building” is funny. “But writing cartoons is a different medium,” Bliss said in 2020. “It’s tricky. It would be like me trying to write a play or do standup. It’s just not in my wheelhouse.

“But that cartoon is very accurate,” he went on. “I was sitting there drawing and thinking as these ideas came in almost daily, These are actually good.”

A Wealth of Pigeons quickly hit the New York Times bestseller list and laid the groundwork for Number One Is Walking. As it’s Martin’s memoir, the new book was mostly composed working forward, with Martin dictating stories from his movie career — freezing outdoors with John Candy during the filming of Planes, Trains and Automobiles, for example — to Bliss to draw.

“Steve is so good at telling anecdotes. He’s very concise,” Bliss said. “So, when I would hear them, I could see them in a strip.”

However, Bliss noted, despite his classical training, one of his few artistic weak

spots is drawing likenesses of people. That posed a challenge when trying to depict Martin’s dinner conversation with Dana Delany about sex scenes or, worst of all, rendering Martin, Martin Short and Chevy Chase in Three Amigos, a movie that featured a lot of horses.

Bliss’ versions of those celebs and others are certainly recognizable. They’re not caricatures, exactly, though he does exaggerate certain features for effect — Martin’s nose, for example. And he lucked out with Three Amigos, since many scenes of the stars on horseback were actually shot with the actors sitting on ladders outside of the frame.

In A Wealth of Pigeons , interstitial scenes among the single-panel cartoons illuminate Bliss and Martin’s odd-couple relationship. Martin is portrayed, gently, as an oblivious and self-important celebrity, while Harry is more the wisecracking regular guy — which is hardly a stretch. That pairing is even more prominent, and effective, in Number One Is Walking

Excerpt from Number One Is Walking: My Life in the Movies and Other Distractions

Drawing Conclusions

In the book, Martin’s stories are presented as the actor recounting them to Bliss, sometimes on walks in the woods or on bike rides. To set up the classic roadtrip movie Planes, Trains and Automobiles, the duo is driving along a scenic mountain road. At the end of the Three Amigos section, Martin joins Bliss and his dog, Penny, in bed.

Penny appears in many of the strips in Number One Is Walking and also trails behind a strutting Martin on the book’s cover. The mini-poodle takes a costar turn in the section about Martin’s 1984 film All of Me. In that story, she and Martin are fishing. Near the end, we see a smiling Penny standing over a table holding a knife, about to fillet the day’s catch. Martin encouraged Bliss to include the dog, who died last year.

As for working with Martin, Bliss said he’s long past being starstruck. He and Martin have another book in the works, though Bliss wouldn’t divulge details — possibly because there aren’t many to divulge just yet.

“I have no fear anymore about telling Steve that something doesn’t work,” Bliss said. “And if at some point Steve decided he didn’t want to do this anymore, I wouldn’t give a shit about the work. I’d just miss Steve.”

A House in the Woods

Early in their partnership, Martin ventured to Cornish to visit Bliss. A noted lover of literature and art, he was likely drawn in part by the aura of Salinger and the opportunity to explore the once-famed Cornish Art Colony, a legendary haven for artists in the late 1800s and early 1900s. But he might also, like Bliss, have been lured by the solitude, which Bliss had been seeking, subconsciously and otherwise, for decades.

Bliss moved to Vermont with his thengirlfriend, Kelly, in 1999. He was looking for a change of pace but also wanted to be near his son, Alex, who had moved to the Burlington area with his mother. Bliss has remained close with his son, who is now a filmmaker in Brooklyn.

Bliss and Kelly married in 2001, but the relationship was short-lived. Around 2005, he met Dillof at a book signing at Muddy Waters coffee shop in Burlington; she purchased one of Bliss’ books for her daughter, Delia. After dating for a few years, they married in 2010.

“I’ve spent more money on engagement rings than on student loans,” Bliss quipped.

He remained in the Burlington area for more than a decade but gradually tired of life in the Queen City.

“I was finding it more and more difficult to be in Burlington, ‘the big city,’” he said. “I wanted to get away. I wanted to be in the woods.”

In 2015, a New Yorker colleague sent around a listing for the house in Cornish, which had been on the market for a couple of years. Initially, Bliss had hoped to buy it collectively with other New Yorker cartoonists and turn it into a cartoonists’ commune of sorts — in a way harking back to the Cornish Art Colony days. When no one else showed interest, he bought it himself.

Bliss now lives at the house most of the time, while Dillof, a popular yoga instructor, lives in Burlington. It’s an

unconventional arrangement that the couple said has its ups and downs. As Dillof noted, both she and Bliss need time alone and are afforded freedom they otherwise might not have together. But she also acknowledged it can get lonely.

“We miss each other a lot,” she wrote in an email, adding that they rarely go more than four days without seeing each other.

“Absence makes the heart grow fonder,” Bliss said. “And that’s true, because I really miss her when we’re apart.

“But the upside is that I like to be alone,” he continued. “So, it allows me the time to be in the woods by myself and

read all the fucking books I have yet to read.”

Understanding the house’s legacy, Bliss said he feels an obligation to share it. One way he’s done that is by developing the Cornish CCS Residency Fellowship with the Center for Cartoon Studies in nearby White River Junction, where he was once a board member. The annual fellowship, which started in 2017, invites one cartoonist a year to spend a month, typically in the fall, living in a guest apartment above Bliss’ garage to work on a project.

The idea grew out of Bliss winning the Maurice Sendak Fellowship in 2014, when he spent five weeks on the late Where the

Excerpt from Number One Is Walking: My Life in the Movies and Other Distractions

Wild Things Are illustrator’s estate in upstate New York.

“He has such a fierce passion and dedication to the craft of making comics,” CCS cofounder Sturm said. “His love and passion for the medium is apparent in everything he does.”

That includes fostering the next generation of cartoonists. Four artists have been through the Cornish residency since 2017 — it was paused during the pandemic. Bliss has stayed in touch with each cartoonist, including at least one who’s now a New Yorker contributor, and he continues to be supportive of their work.

Nick Drnaso was the first Cornish CCS fellow, in February 2017. The Chicago-based cartoonist was working on his second book, Sabrina, which was published in 2018. He said the isolation in Cornish — Bliss didn’t even have internet at the time — was a boon to his creativity. So was observing Bliss’ artistic processes, which Drnaso said differ greatly from his own.

“He would wake up very early and just sit in bed, sometimes for several hours, just reading or sketching or thinking,” Drnaso said. “It’s ‘work,’ but he said he doesn’t feel the pressure to actually produce something. He gives great care to the generative stage, which is something I’ve tried to take away.

“He’s disciplined about knowing that that’s necessary,” Drnaso continued. “So, Harry’s in this place in my mind, just working up in his mountain home.”

From the desk where he draws his daily cartoon, Bliss has a postcardworthy view of a sloping, wooded valley

and, in the distance, Mount Ascutney. He’s befriended several other neighbors, including Salinger’s widow, Colleen, of whom he said, “I’ve never had a better neighbor.” They’re all friendly, Bliss said, but are there for the same reason.

“Wherever you live, you want to have a great community, and we have that,” Bliss said. “But we all really also love our privacy.”

A Penny Saved

If there is such a thing as a typical Bliss cartoon, it would probably depict a man with glasses and a small dog walking in the woods or looking out on a rolling vista. The caption would be a sardonic kicker, delivered by either the man or the pooch.

The November 11 “Bliss” is one such example. It features a man atop a hill gazing out at a sweeping valley. His dog is in a baby carrier on his back, facing the other direction. The man says, “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”

In another from October 25 — shortly after NASA slammed a spaceship into an asteroid to see if it could — the man is sitting against a tree with the dog on his lap. They gaze up at the sky, and the man says, “Big whoop. They ran into an asteroid. It’s not like they caught a flying saucer in their mouth in midair.”

If not explicitly based on his life, “Bliss” is often inspired by it and reflects it — albeit sometimes through a

fun-house mirror. Almost nothing inspired Bliss more than his and Dillof’s beloved dog in her 17 years on Earth.

Dillof adopted Penny just before meeting Bliss. As a pup, she had a rare blood disorder that required extensive (and expensive) medical care. Penny’s health eventually turned so dire that the vets strongly urged euthanizing her, but Dillof refused. After many long months of treatment, Penny survived.

“Sofi saved Penny’s life,” Bliss said. “I don’t think a lot of people would have done that. But I’m so glad she did.”

“Penny was a spunky little broad,” Dillof wrote in an email.

You need only to look at his cartoons to see that Bliss developed an intense bond with Penny. Her death last October, he said, shattered him. Even more than a year later, she still appears frequently in “Bliss.”

“I held her in my arms as she died,” Bliss recalled. “I put her down, and then I just fainted.”

Through Penny, he said, he “really discovered how to fully love something.”

Bliss is currently working on a project called You Can Never Die. It’s a memoir of sorts, ostensibly told through the lens of his relationship with Penny. But, he explained, “It won’t be like any other memoir you’ve seen.”

The title is taken from a caption of one of Bliss’ cartoons. A man sits with his dog on a park bench and says, “Sitting here with you is so perfect … which reminds me: You can never die.”

In fact, all the cartoons in the book will be dog cartoons — which are essentially all Penny cartoons. Each inspires a memory from Bliss’ past, which will correspond to journal entries, photos and writings by Bliss, some dating back to his childhood.

“It’s basically an art book,” he explained, “but it’s curated.”

Bliss often posts to Instagram in a similar fashion. In the last month or so, he’s posted a few Penny cartoons and offered accompanying memories. He’s also shared observations on his unconventional living arrangement with Dillof, his appreciation for the work of Schulz, and the occasional drunken rant, art critique or bit with his sheep puppet, Sheepie. His posts are often candid, unguarded and hilarious.

Bliss expects that the memoir will be published in early 2024. In the meantime, he’ll keep pumping out “Bliss” and whatever other work strikes his fancy — as long as it does. And if he can do it in peace, that will undoubtedly be a while.

“Here’s the thing about working alone for days on end,” Bliss said. “My mind is

The thing about my cartoons is, that’s me.

HARRY BLISS

able to come and go wherever it wants. There are no distractions. That is incredibly valuable to an artist.

“I’m really semiretired already,” he went on. “At a certain point in my career, I turned my love of drawing into my work. And now I draw cartoons that I want to draw, so I get my love of drawing out in my cartoons.”

Whether he continues publishing or not, Bliss won’t stop drawing. Probably ever. Like his friend Butler said, he can’t.

“The process. That’s the answer,” Bliss said. “Whatever your process is, that has to fulfill you, that drives you, that makes you happy. And I just find it so goddamn rewarding, whether I succeed or fail.” m INFO

Learn more at harrybliss.com.

Harry Bliss and Sofi Dillof with Penny

COURTESY

OF HARRY BLISS

Raising the Glass

A

Montpelier

farmer digs for another kind of earthly bounty — old and rare bottles

BY KEN PICARD • ken@sevendaysvt.com

The idea of digging around her property for buried treasures first came to Laura Smith-Riva in a dream. But it took some groundhogs to turn that dream into reality.

In 2018, Smith-Riva and her husband, Vincenzo Riva, bought an 1823 farmhouse and land on Berlin Street in Montpelier. Two years later, Smith-Riva was standing in her yard on their hilly, 10-acre sheep farm when she spotted something glimmering in the sun: a perfectly square glass bottle that the groundhogs had unearthed. She dug it up, washed it and, upon researching it, determined that it was a perfume bottle from the 1920s.

HISTORY

Later, her husband mentioned that he’d discovered an old trash dump in one corner of their property; such dumps were common on Vermont farms in the years before municipal landfills. So, in the midst of the pandemic lockdown, Smith-Riva decided to see what else lay buried there.

“I spent that summer digging that out and finding all kinds of cool stuff,” she recalled. “From there, the hobby just kind of took off.”

Soon, Smith-Riva’s home and garage were filled with an assortment of found objects she’d dug up on her property and those of friends: buttons, marbles, tobacco pipes, medallions, dolls, electric insulators and porcelain figurines.

Mostly, though, she turned up old glass bottles, some of which date back to the mid-1800s. Among her favorites are those embossed with the names of products they once contained: Dead Shot for Bed Bugs; Dr. Kilmer’s Swamp Root Kidney Liver & Bladder Cure; Bunker Hill Pickles; Kendall’s Spavin Cure for Human Flesh. Many were Vermont-made remedies that contained now-prohibited compounds such as opium, laudanum and cocaine; a few were over-thecounter abortifacients.

Though the bottles are now empty and their paper labels have long since decomposed, they offer a snapshot of the daily lives of Vermonters who once lived there and the products they used. There’s a thriving trade in old bottles and other historic items, which are often sold at antique stores and flea markets and online. While the practice of digging for them is legal on private land, archaeologists charged with protecting the integrity of historic sites are concerned when the market for such items drives

LAURA SMITH-RIVA

prospectors to scavenge on state-owned land and in public waterways.

Smith-Riva is one of dozens of Vermont hobbyists known as bottle diggers. Though many do it as a side hustle — an old bottle can sell for anywhere from $10 to $10,000 — Smith-Riva is primarily a collector.

“I’m not in it for the money,” she said. “I just love finding the old glass.”

Smith-Riva regularly posts photos, videos and historical details of her findings on her Instagram account, @middenmaidenvt, and now has more than 770 under the title Vecchia bottiglia — Italian for “old bottle.” One such video, shot by her digging buddy, Jeremy Berquist, has been viewed more than 25,000 times.

“It’s just a video of an old bottle being pulled out of the ground,” she said. But Smith-Riva isn’t surprised that something so seemingly mundane attracts so much curiosity.

“It’s the sense of the reveal. There’s the anticipation of what is it and then seeing this old thing come up out of the ground,” she explained. “That’s just something that people feel drawn to. I know I did.”

A Jericho native, Smith-Riva, 59, grew up in an 1832 farmhouse and did some similar scavenging as a child. She and her siblings often played in an old trash dump across the road from their house and pulled bottles from a nearby river.

“I always wanted to be an archaeologist when I was a kid,” she said. “But it wasn’t exactly the kind of career path that was generally encouraged by parents from the Greatest Generation.”

Years later, while living with her husband

I FEEL LIKE WE’RE RESCUING HISTORY.

A portion of Laura Smith-Riva’s collection of items from digs around the state

Laura Smith-Riva

PHOTOS: JEB WALLACE-BRODEUR

in Danville, Smith-Riva dreamed that a little girl was living on her property. In the dream, Smith-Riva was riding on the tailgate of a pickup truck when the girl came running after her and handed her a small figurine that she’d dug up from the ground.

At the time, the dream had no obvious significance to Smith-Riva. Years later, though, while digging on her farm in Montpelier, she unearthed an ivorycolored porcelain figurine known as a “Frozen Charlotte” doll, which many diggers collect. According to a National Park Service website, Frozen Charlottes are small, one-piece dolls that were first manufactured in Germany, then later in Britain and elsewhere, between 1850 and 1920. The name originated from a Victorian-era folk ballad about a young woman who froze to death during a carriage ride to a winter’s ball.

At the time she had the dream, SmithRiva had never seen or heard of a Frozen Charlotte. But, coincidentally, she has an alternative healing practice, called Archetypical Dreamworks, in which she helps clients understand the significance of their dreams and what their subconscious might be trying to tell them.

“It was quite a synchronicity when I started this hobby and found the first Frozen Charlotte doll, and then I remembered the dream that I had,” she said. “[In] a lot of the work that’s happening in a dreamwork session, you’re excavating the past,” such as childhood traumas or longtime patterns of behavior that the client wants to change.

Though Smith-Riva doesn’t believe that dreams have universal interpreta-

tions, she suggested that they can reveal unfulfilled aspirations — in her case, perhaps a childhood desire to become an archaeologist.

These days, Smith-Riva goes out digging about once a week, often with Berquist, whom she met through a local Facebook group. The two regularly spend three to five hours excavating a site, at times digging 12 feet deep. Some days, their outings yield buckets of old bottles; other days, just one or two.

Regardless of what they find, the process has reaped other rewards. Early on, SmithRiva realized that her political views and those of Berquist were on opposite ends of the spectrum.

“We don’t talk politics a lot,” she said. “But we found common ground and got to know each other, so we can respect each other for who we are.”

Not all diggers are as cooperative, and many are very protective of their dig sites because of the hot market for historic bottles, especially those made in Vermont. Tim Camisa, who owns 802 Antiques in South Burlington’s University Mall, regularly sells old Vermont glass brought to him by local bottle diggers.

“I’ve probably got six or eight of them who come in,” he said. “It’s gratifying to pull something out [of] the ground.”

As Camisa explained, the bottles’ prices are based on their shape, color, age and rarity. For example, a good spring water bottle can fetch $1,000 to $5,000, he said, while a flask from the 1840s to 1860s can run anywhere from $500 to $15,000.

“Putting price tags on historic items

from Vermont’s past is not something we condone or engage in,” said Jess Robinson, state archaeologist with the Vermont Divi sion for Historic Preservation. Robinson emphasized that he isn’t “scolding” collec tors such as Smith-Riva, who are perfectly within their right to excavate dumps on their own land and other private property, then sell it.

“Curiosity about the human past through material remains is extremely important and makes us understand our world more,” he added.

But whether people plan to sell these items or simply display them on a shelf, Robinson pointed out, diggers need to know that it’s illegal to gather artifacts without permission on any publicly owned property. That includes municipal, state and federal land, as well as navigable waterways below their normal high-water mark. It’s also ille gal to disturb burial sites or human remains, regardless of their location.

If diggers find something they think is significant, Robinson recommended that they take a photo with a smartphone, docu ment the GPS coordinates and send them to him. Unless it’s at imminent threat of being washed down a river or destroyed by development, he advises leaving it in place, both for its long-term preservation and for future archaeologists.

For her part, Smith-Riva emphasized that she never digs on public land and never on private property without the owners’ permission. But she feels good about many of the items she’s found, such as a tiny stone watering can, once common in canary cages. Though she knows nothing of this one’s origins, such cages were used in the late 1800s and early 1900s by Chinese railroad laborers, who often kept canaries.

Another prize find: a 1928 copper medallion, made to commemorate the U.S. Army Ambulance Corps in World War I.

“I feel like we’re rescuing history,” she said. “If bottle diggers weren’t doing this, archaeologists wouldn’t be doing it. This stuff wouldn’t be coming up out of the ground.”

Assuming, of course, that the groundhogs don’t unearth it first. m

INFO

See more of Laura Smith-Riva’s found objects on Instagram at middenmaidenvt.

Some of the bottles from

Laura Smith-Riva’s collection

Go With the Flowchart

An illustrated guide to the two and a half dives at the Five Corners

The Father, the Son, the Holy Ghost. Protons, electrons, neutrons. Birth, life, death. The fundamentals of our universe are built on the power of three. Vermont, too, houses a formidable and essential triumvirate — a trio of singular dive bars all within steps of Five Corners in Essex Junction: Park Place Tavern & Grill, the Hornets’ Nest, and Murray’s Tavern & Grill. Within these 12 walls, there’s a barstool for every mood, craving and manner of company.

Normcore rules at Park Place Tavern. The lighting is more restaurant than bar (set just below stun), while the popcorn machine, pool table, digital jukebox and perpetual sports flicker on oversize TVs could be plucked from Anytown, USA. (Fun fact: You may be able to program the jukebox remotely, but you didn’t hear it from me.)

What separates Park Place from its restaurant counterparts are the regulars who belly up to the wraparound bar. In my half dozen visits, everyone on the rail seemed to know each other, and a perpetual din of shouty banter and convivial ribbing bounced around the room. This is a working-class hang, with Carhartts, hoodies, camo and steel-toed boots the uniform of choice. My read is that Park Place’s regulars are a sarcastic, comfort-seeking and grounded bunch who enjoy each other’s company and prefer drinking in proximity to drinking alone.

But it’s not only the chummy gang that entices here: Park Place’s Buffalo wings are a major highlight, full stop. Long before I was on the dive beat, a few trusted friends recommended the place for its punching-way-above-theirweight-class wings. They were right. Saucy, crisp, classic and $13 for a dozen (Park Place might be the only bar around that didn’t double its prices during the Great American Wing Shortage), these are now my go-to favorites.

Wings aren’t your thing? An extensive menu lists typical bar fare, including nachos, quesadillas, hot dogs and a surprisingly solid burger. For those with a more adventurous palate: coconut shrimp, corn chowder, hot turkey with gravy. All pair stunningly well with Miller Lite.

I’d like to introduce a metric to the Deep Dive series: the Record Scratch

Factor. When nonregulars walk into a neighborhood bar, they affect the energy, and the Record Scratch is a gauge of that energy shift. At 1 on the scale, you are essentially invisible; at 10, you’re Pee-wee Herman in a biker bar (pre-“Tequila” dance, obviously).

Park Place is a Record Scratch of 4: You may get a few looks, but they’re not unfriendly. The bartenders are kind and efficient, and it’s hard to avoid slipping into the genial ease of the place. On my first visit, I found myself in a substantive conversation with the dude next to me about family and errant life choices, which, honestly, is near the peak of what I’m looking for on dive bar mountain. And although Park Place is reputedly a bit rowdier than its neighbors, odds are that Pee-wee Herman would feel welcome.

A quarter-mile stroll to the north along the railroad tracks (not a recommended route), you’ll find the Hornets’ Nest and its vaguely Irish-themed exterior. Its designation as a dive is debatable. Stephanie Aldrich, the bubbly and amiable bartender, confirmed this: “It’s a half dive,” she said with a wink. But I’m gonna round up for the sake of inclusion.

The Hornets’ Nest does have many divey hallmarks: a devoted clientele, pull tickets, weekly National Football League betting pools, $3.50 domestic beers, karaoke and local gossip. Decked with mini disco balls and string lights, it feels the closest of this trio to a hipster hangout and is probably the most amenable to an unfamiliar face. Record Scratch Factor: 2. And I can say confidently that it’s the only bar in town that stocks lavender simple syrup.

Quirks abound here, including a diminutive “leprechaun door” out front (leprechauns remained elusive on my many visits) and a shared bathroom with Irrawaddy, the newly relaunched Burmese restaurant next door. Looking for an inspired date concept? Order dinner at Irrawaddy, walk through the bathroom and plunk down at the Nest for the most unique crawl in town.

For those with a more domestic appetite, the bar currently has a single offering: Jimmy Dogs. Like a Michigan dog but less saucy, the Jimmy Dog is tunneled with crumbled beef, onions and mustard and is now in my top-tier hot dog adventures

in Essex Junction

STORY & IMAGE BY RYAN MILLER

alongside the behemoth at Costco. Order two. I say this from experience.

A 30-second walk farther north, toward the bus station, delivers you to Murray’s Tavern. Not every dive is an old man bar, but every old man bar is a dive, and Murray’s proves the rule. The Record Scratch Factor is high — 7 or 8 — but your results may vary, especially if you’re not wearing floral pants. A willingness to venture out of one’s comfort zone here is rewarded with one of the more unusual drinking experiences in Vermont. The moment I walked in, nary a note of music could be heard, just the creak and click of the front door followed by drop-dead silence. The vibe? Think early retirement community meets David Lynch, and you won’t be too far off.

Established over 50 years ago, Murray’s has aged along with its customers. This has been reflected in the everearlier hours with each passing decade. Standard bar times gave way to 11 a.m. to

DIVE IN!

THE HORNETS’ NEST 12 Railroad Ave.

MURRAY’S TAVERN & GRILL 4 Lincoln Pl.

PARK PLACE TAVERN & GRILL 38 Park St.

Find all three bars in Essex Junction and on Facebook.

some dusty dart trophies in the back. Oh, wait, those are here, too.

All of this, along with the Rorschachesque stains on the drop-tile ceiling (I found a buffalo!), puts Murray’s in an entirely different lane than the youthoriented bars of Burlington. I don’t get the sense that fresh faces appear often, and I’m doubtful that there are weekly meetings on how to recruit new customers. Adorably, nearly every customer is welcomed by name (“Hey, Ed!”) and sent off in similar fashion when they leave (“Bye, Ed!”), but my newbie status didn’t make me feel unwelcome. Bravery here is rewarded — especially for Frugal Fannies — with the cheapest drinks in town. Nowhere else can you get a shot of whiskey and a can of PBR for $8. Ditto if you want to drink next to someone connected to an oxygen tank on the bar.

7 p.m. — a boon for the early risers. Last call at 6:45? That’s a real commitment to the day-drinker nation. If you’re hankering for built-in drinking companions before noon in Essex Junction, this is your spot.

Murray’s is a time capsule, with brica-brac last updated when Led Zeppelin were still releasing studio albums and when rusty signs that declare “Eat Oysters and Keep It Up!” may have felt a little fresher. The bar’s slightly labyrinthine layout charms: An annexed old apartment, complete with kitchenette, houses the requisite pool table and dartboard. A similarly glommed-on room in the back corner gives off grandpa mancave energy. The only thing missing is a plastic-covered upholstered sofa and

As Five Corners expands its offerings, here’s hoping these three community anchors continue to thrive and retain their respective dive bar magic. If you’re not sure where to start, here’s a handy guide by yours truly. Just look to the flowchart on the right and follow the dancing Pee-wee. m

INFO

“Deep Dives” is a series exploring Vermont dive bars and the communities around them. Got a dive bar we should know about? Email culture@sevendaysvt.com.

Ryan Miller is the lead singer of the band Guster, a PBS host, a film composer, author of the Weird and Wonderful newsletter, a bon vivant, and a xiao long bao aficionado. He’s lived in Vermont for 12 years, five months and 12 days, but who’s counting?

food+drink

FIRST BITE How to Hot Pot

BY MELISSA PASANEN • pasanen@sevendaysvt.com

Sam Lai does a lot of explaining these days. During dinner service, the chef checks in on most tables at Café Dim Sum, the recently expanded Burlington restaurant he co-owns with his wife, Li Rong Lin. His aim is to help guests navigate the eatery’s new evening offering.

As its name suggests, Café Dim Sum still serves a daytime menu of small plates, including dumplings, steamed sticky rice bundles and custard buns. But as of November 26, each Wednesday through Sunday at 4 p.m., it switches to serving a version of Chinese hot pot meets Japanese shabu-shabu.

To prepare the mostly do-it-yourself meal, diners cook thinly sliced meat, seafood, vegetables, noodles and other selections in individual pots of fragrant stock simmering on burners set into the tabletops. Each person also creates a customized dipping sauce from an array of ingredients at what Lai calls his “sauce bar.”

It is a novel experience for many. “I’m trying to make it really complicated, so people come here five times to work it out,” Lai, 45, said with characteristic dry humor.

The chef also still finds himself explaining the restaurant’s daytime dim sum

menu, from chicken feet to cheese-filled wontons. Since Café Dim Sum opened in October 2021, he has offered many classic dim sum items, along with a few that cater to local preferences (see “cheese-filled,” above).

“Some traditional dishes are not suited to everybody. We’re trying to do what works in Burlington,” Lai said. “We don’t want people to think this is dim sum dim sum,” he continued, underscoring that he’s not a purist. “Please don’t compare us to big cities.”

Word spread fast when Lai and Lin, 42, launched their tiny 20-seat restaurant at 95 St. Paul Street. It was the city’s first

dedicated dim sum destination, and the couple were soon overwhelmed by the demand for crystal shrimp dumplings, fried turnip cake and five-spice roast pork served with fluffy white buns.

“We just wanted a little space where people could have some tea and order a few small dishes,” Lai said. “We expected calm.”

Calm it was not. Café Dim Sum sold out most days and almost immediately ceased doing takeout. Customers frequently waited two hours for a table.

Lai and Lin began eyeing a soon-to-be-

Assortment of hot pot ingredients

Good Eggs

Breakfast tacos hit the spot at ShireTown Marketplace in Middlebury

STORY & PHOTOS BY JORDAN BARRY • jbarry@sevendaysvt.com

When I last spoke with Kevin Archambeault, the conversation focused on his amazing creemees. In August, the ShireTown Marketplace owner had opened the only creemee window in downtown Middlebury — and it was a hit.

But since the meticulously renovated, multifaceted market and restaurant opened fully in mid-September, I’ve fallen for a different ShireTown offering: breakfast tacos. Everything except the creemees have shifted inside for the colder months, but Archambeault’s breakfast tacos are still available every Tuesday through Saturday morning. I order one of each: veggie ($4.50) and rotating meat options ($5). They’re a quick and filling breakfast to eat in ShireTown’s lovely dining area or on the go in my car, where I inevitably spill the bright, fresh housemade pico de gallo.

ShireTown’s building, at 54 College Street, a block from Middlebury College, has been many things in its 200-plusyear history. Most recently, it was home to Ales Family Restaurant. Getting the word out that it’s under new ownership — and open for breakfast — has been Archambeault’s biggest challenge.

“Our goal is to shift the whole mentality of what this place is and what it means to the community,” Archambeault said while sitting in one of the new banquettes. On the wall hangs an old family toboggan. The woodfired oven kicked off cozy heat.

ShireTown does a bustling lunch business, offering a dialed-in, simple menu of sandwiches, such as slow-smoked barbecued pork shoulder, tri-tip beef, French onion grilled cheese or black bean veggie burgers on a variety of housemade breads. The menu’s Santa Maria-style barbecue influence — with the style’s signature tri-tip and open fire cooking — comes from Archambeault’s time on California’s Central Coast, where he and his wife, Dani, lived before moving to Vermont in 2018.

The market is starting to get customers from the college, Archambeault said. A few morning regulars stop in for tacos, biscuit breakfast sandwiches, chilaquiles or challah French toast with a cup of joe made with beans from Middlebury roaster Iluminar Coffee.

“When we first opened, we had a warmer up front [for the window], and we kept it stocked with tacos,” he continued. “Ultimately, people really wanted to see the space, so they were coming in anyways.”

Now, the tacos are made to order in the restaurant’s open kitchen. Every morning, the team fire-roasts red peppers

ShireTown Marketplace, 54 College St., Middlebury, 989-7201, shiretownmarketplace.com

in the hearth; those become the base for the veggie taco, along with black beans, scrambled eggs and Jack cheese on a warm flour tortilla. (Gluten-free corn tortillas are also available.)

The meat tacos feature the tri-tip steak or smoked pork from the lunch menu, chorizo, or, most recently, thick-cut bacon, which started as a staff meal — Archambeault calls it “the gringo version.”

“But people dig the bacon-egg-andcheese,” he said. “I can’t make enough of those things.”

ShireTown also serves the tacos at Saturday brunch, along with specials such as smoked-pork hash. Beer, wine and cider are on tap.

Archambeault expects to bring breakfast tacos back to the window in the spring, when the weather gets nice. In the meantime, you can walk up and get a creemee all year round. m

Dining on a Dime is a series featuring wellmade, filling bites (something substantial enough to qualify as a small meal or better) for $12 or less. Know of a tasty dish we should feature? Drop us a line: food@ sevendaysvt.com.

Kevin Archambeault in the kitchen at ShireTown

ShireTown Marketplace’s Dirt & Worms

Close Quarters

Whole-animal butcher sets up shop in Waitsfield’s Mad River Taste Place

BY JORDAN BARRY • jbarry@sevendaysvt.com

The Mad River Taste Place in Waitsfield has been a food lover’s paradise since it opened in 2017. Stocked with Vermont’s finest treats — and one of the best cheese counters in the state — the specialty grocery store couldn’t get much better.

But on November 30, it did, with the addition of the 5th Quarter Butcher Shop.

Josh Turka, 36, started 5th Quarter in 2021, making whole-animal charcuterie at Babette’s Table, a Waitsfield facility owned by Erika Lynch. He soon met “movers and shakers in the local food scene,” he said, including Taste Place founder and owner Robin Morris and general manager Mary Tuthill. The latter was looking for summer help and offered him a job.

Turka started working behind the Taste Place cheese counter, and 5th Quarter pork rillettes, jambon blanc and various pâtés soon found their way into the shop.

“[The Taste Place] is the home for all things good in the valley,” Turka said. “Being here is such a great leg up for me.”

Tuthill knew that Turka’s ultimate goal was a fullservice butcher shop. As they worked and talked, the pair cooked up a plan for the underused classroom space in the store’s back corner.

“Josh was looking for a place to set up, and it seemed silly to put him anywhere else in town,” Tuthill said. “He has the same vision we do, in terms of working with farmers and really giving our customers the best of the best.”

That 600-square-foot back corner is now home to a walk-in cooler full of dry-aging beef; a work space for breaking down whole cows, pigs and lambs; and a refrigerated display case. It’s filled with everything from T-bone steak to soup bones to a rainbow of signature sausages, including chorizo verde and classic Italian-style fennel.

Turka began exploring whole-animal butchery six years ago in Boston, breaking down fish as a sous chef at Barbara Lynch’s B&G Oysters. Then, at the Salty Pig, he learned to cure hams and make pâté and other types of charcuterie.

“Fast-forward, I was looking to get out of restaurants,” Turka said. “I was tired of that lifestyle.” He started working at M.F. Dulock, a Somerville, Mass., butcher shop specializing in pasture-raised local meats.

Two years ago, Turka and his wife moved to Vermont. “Even in Boston, a lot of the high-quality meat comes from Vermont. It was a no-brainer in that sense,” he said.

Now 5th Quarter sources entirely from small Vermont

farms that are “raising animals right,” Turka said, such as von Trapp Farmstead, Knob Hill Farm and Bobolink Farm.

Turka named the business for “quinto quarto,” the offalheavy cuisine that he encountered while living in Rome in his twenties. Traditionally, he explained, animals were divided into quarters when they were butchered: the first for the nobility, the second for the clergy, the third for the bourgeoisie, the fourth for the army. The lowest classes got the leftovers that no one else wanted — the “fifth quarter.”

At his shop, Turka highlights lesser-known cuts and encourages customers to be flexible and use all parts of the animal. When the short ribs are sold out, he suggests

beef belly, which could be prepared the same way. He gets only two pounds of hanger steak for every 800 pounds of beef that comes in, so instead, he might point to a beautifully marbled Denver steak.

“I love hanger steak, and I’ll sell it to you when I have it,” Turka said. But offering alternatives, he said, “reminds people what an animal actually is and where the meat comes from.” m

INFO

5th Quarter Butcher Shop, Mad River Taste Place, 89 Mad River Green, Waitsfield, 496-3165, 5thquartervt.com

Josh Turka of 5th Quarter Butcher Shop

The case at 5th Quarter Butcher Shop

Sausage

PHOTOS: JORDAN BARRY

SIDEdishes

SERVING UP FOOD NEWS

BY JORDAN BARRY • jbarry@sevendaysvt.com

Onsen Ramen Opens in Essex Junction

PERRY and NEIL FARR have been making ramen at their poke bars, the SCALE, for four years. This week, they are launching a restaurant devoted to the Japanese noodle dish.

ONSEN RAMEN opens at 137 Pearl Street in Essex Junction on Thursday, December 15. The restaurant occupies the former Essex Junction location of the Scale, which closed earlier this year. The original Scale in Williston remains open daily with its popular poke and acai bowls.

Onsen’s ramen-focused menu features

options that regulars will recognize from the Scale’s past ramen offerings, including shoyu chicken, spicy miso with pork, and vegetarian — all made with fresh noodles. The dedicated space will allow the Farrs to include two or three gluten-free ramen options; kids’ ramen with broth and noodles; new toppings such as roasted and grilled pork belly, miso butter, and jammy eggs; and beer, wine and sake.

The Farrs adapted their ramen dishes into takeout kits at the Scale, which doesn’t have much seating. Onsen will offer takeout and delivery via DoorDash, as well as seating for 25 in its newly revamped space.

“We did a pretty good job of tweaking it, figuring out how to take it to go,” Perry said. “But we’re excited to put hot, steaming bowls of ramen in front of people and have them enjoy it how it’s intended.”

The couple originally planned to open a ramen restaurant two years ago, Neil told Seven Days. Because of the pandemic, they paused the idea and considered turning their Essex Junction location into a commissary kitchen. But that idea “never really took off,” Neil said.

“Now the ramen finally has the space it deserves,” Perry said. “We’re not just trying to fit it into the corner of another restaurant.”

Onsen is open Wednesday through Saturday, 4 to 9 p.m., beginning December 15. m

CONNECT

On Instagram: Seven Days: @7deatsvt; Jordan Barry: @jordankbarry; Melissa Pasanen: @mpasanen.

vacant suite next door in the same building. But the couple didn’t want to expand dim sum hours, partly because dim sum is traditionally a daytime meal and partly because the dishes tend to be labor intensive.

“The biggest issue is this one bald guy cooking,” Lai joked, referring to his own clean-shaven head. “I am still the only guy making it,” he said as he sliced rehydrated dried shiitake mushrooms in the kitchen on a recent afternoon.

The couple decided to make hot pot for the same reason they’d chosen dim sum: an unfilled market niche. “We think it’s suited [to] Vermont. It’s cold here, and it’s the most popular food in China in cold areas,” Lai said.

After a little more than six months in business, Café Dim Sum closed temporarily on May 1 to expand into the neighboring space. It required extensive renovation, much done by Lai himself. Although the couple had hoped to reopen in July, supply chain issues caused delays. The final date of October 15 was auspicious, Lai said, matching their opening the previous year.

The new restaurant is large and airy, with 54 seats at tables and a stretch of bar bordering a central service area. Every seat has a built-in hot pot burner, covered by a plate during the day.

Café Dim Sum now offers beer, wine and hard cider. The expansion has changed the dim sum experience, too. After being seated at a table, customers now come to the counter to select their dishes from a large case holding dozens of plates and steamer pots, all priced well under $10. This system is more efficient than the previous one, in which many dishes were finished to order. The downside is that some items, such as the stiff triangles of fried scallion pancake ($7) that I sampled on a recent visit, may suffer when they don’t turn over quickly.

The rotating list of about 30 dishes still includes many of this reporter’s favorites, such as soft-bellied, seared slabs of turnip cake ($5.50); vinegary cucumber salad with wood ear mushrooms, peanuts and cilantro ($6.50); shrimp-and-pork bamboo roll, fried and then steamed, with a delightfully wrinkly tofu skin ($5.50); and velvety eggplant in black bean sauce ($4.50).

Although Lai acknowledged that it’s not traditional for a restaurant to serve both dim sum and hot pot, he paired the two by design. A pragmatist who grew up in his family’s Chinese American restaurants in New Jersey and then Burlington before starting several of his own, Lai said the relatively simple prep for hot pot complements the labor-intensive dim sum.

For the evening menu, Lai prepares vegetables, slices meat, and makes the

WE’RE TRYING TO DO WHAT WORKS IN BURLINGTON.

pork and vegetarian broths from scratch, seasoning them both delicately with goji berries, whole black cardamom pods and shiitake mushrooms. Many of the other hot pot ingredients, such as noodles and different kinds of seafood dumplings and fish balls, come premade.

There are other synergies between the two menus. The whole cuts of meat that Lai slices paper-thin for hot pot generate trim that he uses in dim sum. In the restaurant kitchen, the chef showed off a curried beef bao filling he had made from scraps of rib eye and fatty beef. “I waste nothing here,” Lai said.

Rib eye and fatty beef (which Lai described as the cow equivalent of pork belly) are among the main course meat options ($28 to $38), which also include two cuts of pork and chicken breast. Diners can also choose a mixed seafood platter ($32), an assortment of fish balls ($30) or a vegetarian option ($28). All these generous portions come with a pot of broth, regularly topped off by servers with hot water as needed; a heaping plate of raw vegetables and mushrooms; a choice of noodles (udon or mung bean) or steamed rice; and unlimited sauce bar access.

Our table of three included Mieko Ozeki of Burlington, who grew up with hot pot and offered to help guide two newbies through the meal. After we ordered our mains — rib eye for Ozeki and pork shoulder and mixed seafood for the two Seven Days food writers — Ozeki cautioned us

against putting too many items in our simmering broth at once. Crowding would cool it and make timely retrieval of various foods challenging.

Although Lai had assured us that hot pot “takes no skills,” the first overcooked piece of food teaches diners to extract quick-cooking squid rings or slices of lean pork shoulder within seconds. I should have known from the name shabu-shabu, which is Japanese for “swish swish,” a reference to the brief motion of each ingredient through the hot broth.

Using chopsticks to find food in the

cloudy broth also requires some skill —though, thankfully, each diner also receives a pair of tongs. Throughout the meal, our ineptitude prompted plenty of laughter and only minimal loss.

“You create your own treasure hunt,” my colleague Jordan Barry commented.

One aspect of hot pot that even Lai acknowledged takes some skill is concocting a good dipping sauce. I took his sage advice for rookies and started with a base of the restaurant’s ginger-garlic dumpling sauce, to which I added a little peanut butter, some ground peanuts, more garlic, and a dash each

SAM LAI

Dim sum selections (clockwise from left): cucumber salad, shrimp-and-chive dumplings, sesame balls, and yu choy

Sam Lai

food+drink

of red and black vinegars. Back at the table, I poured in a little of the satay seafood sauce found on every table, along with a drizzle of Lai’s signature chile oil.

The sauce was delicious — and I will never be able to re-create it.

Our three mains made for a huge meal, with their included thick udon noodles and vegetables (my favorite was kabocha squash wedges). But, in the name of research, Ozeki also ordered a couple of items from the side dishes menu.

Soybean roll ($6) turned out to be rolls of fried tofu skin that unfurled in the hot broth into delectably light and crinkly lasagna-size noodles. Ozeki also ordered a plate of bite-size shrimp-and-pork wontons ($7), which cooked up beautifully in the stock. She later lamented that we should have tried the fried taro ($6), too.

Of the mains, the seafood mix won my vote for its varied textures and flavors, from raw shrimp to a baked fish cake that cooked up lightly rubbery in the best

way. I’m not generally a fan of surimi, the “crab” stick featured in California rolls, but I loved how it fell apart into flossy seafood strands in the broth.

On my next visit, I will go with a friend (or two) and order one main to share, plus an extra pot of broth for $5 and several side dishes. One will definitely be the ginger-seasoned shrimp paste ($12), which Lai said a server would scrape into the soup to form tender balls.

When I asked Lai for one word to describe hot pot, he said simply, “It’s fun” — a social, communal activity.

Based on the laughter around our steaming pots of broth, I would agree. m

INFO

Café Dim Sum, 95 St. Paul St., Burlington, 540-9140, cafe-dim-sum.business.site

Note: Because of the risk of

culture

Musician Pete Sutherland

Calum said. “Simple, do-it-yourself pleasures.”

Though Pete wasn’t athletically inclined, he chased countless balls during his son’s baseball phase, Calum said. He once wrote a poem about sitting in the bleachers watching Calum pitch. When Calum’s interests changed, Pete learned about each new focus, including American history and filmmaking.

In Calum’s younger years, Pete sang him to sleep with lullabies.

“He liked harmony,” Calum said. He paused before adding, “Among people.”

Pete was the oldest of four sons of Bob and Mary Lou Sutherland, who met when they were students at the University of Vermont. Bob worked at General Electric in Burlington; Mary Lou was an excellent classical pianist who could have been a concert performer, according to Michael. She opted to get married and raise a family instead. Three sons came along in quick succession. Michael was followed by Christopher, who predeceased Pete. The youngest brother, Davis, was born about a decade after Pete.

Mary Lou played “scratchy 78s of opera and classical music only,” Michael said. Their father listened to “cocktail jazz.” When the boys took piano lessons, Pete’s talent was evident. His musicianship had already revealed itself. “Peter could hum a recognizable tune before he could talk,” his mother told this reporter 22 years ago.

Pete Sutherland, May 13, 1951-November 30, 2022

BY SALLY POLLAK • sally@sevendayvt.com

In a small house on a dirt road in Shelburne, Pete Sutherland and his brother Michael played imaginative games when they were young. The boys were “quick and sharp,” Michael said, and the bond they formed in early childhood felt magical.

“We created a world of bright color and sound and vision in a very black-andwhite decade and time,” Michael, 69, said. “Anything was fair game with words and sounds.”

Word and sounds would prove central to Pete’s life. A stellar and versatile musician, he died on November 30. Sick with cancer, he ended his life using Vermont’s Death With Dignity Law, his family said. Pete was 71.

“When we were saying our goodbyes,

he gave me a real big smile,” Pete’s 32-yearold son, Calum, said.

Pete was a traditional and folk musician who played fiddle, guitar, banjo and keyboards, and sang. He wrote and arranged songs, incorporated modern influences and sounds into traditional tunes, produced records, and led a contra dance band for kids. He performed at venues including the Capital City Grange, the Vergennes Opera House, the Flynn and the Calais Town Hall, where he played a gig in early October.

Musicians who played with Pete describe a heartfelt and inventive experience similar to the one Michael remembers from the brothers’ gameplaying 65 years ago.

Pete was a “unifying force” in Vermont’s

music scene, said producer and guitarist Colin McCa rey of East Montpelier. “He was also a role model for many people, myself included.”

Playing in a band or recording an album, it was “always a blast” to make music with Pete, McCa rey said. “There was always going to be some really cool mashup, and he always did it with such love.”

Pete was similarly open, interested and generous in activities he undertook at home. The family lived in a “pretty funky” house in Monkton that was a former general store and post o ce, Calum said. Pete kept a big garden and loved eating from it. “He seldom took care to wash the dirt o his lettuce,” Calum said. Pete foraged for fiddlehead ferns and hen of the woods mushrooms and sautéed them in butter. He made mushroom-barley soup that tasted so good, Calum said, it’s tough to re-create. He valued “simple pleasures,”

When they were kids, Pete and Michael — only 20 months apart — created a neighborhood newspaper they called the Shelburne Scandal Sheet. The brothers made up gossip, which Pete edited and Michael illustrated. As they got older, a neighbor’s kitchen table became a gathering place for preteens and teens who sang songs while Pete played guitar.

He graduated from Champlain Valley Union High School and attended Castleton State College, where he taught himself to play banjo and fiddle. After two years, Pete transferred to UVM, where he studied English and education. But his interests had already been established. “I decided to go in the path of old-time music,” Pete told this reporter in 2000. “That stirred me.”

Pete was playing a hammer dulcimer he had made himself when he met his future spouse, musician Karen Billings, at UVM’s student center in the early 1970s. Pete and Karen, who now goes by Rose Diamond, married a few years later. The marriage ended in divorce about six years ago, Calum said.

In the 1980s, the couple lived in Bloomington, Ind., where Pete played in a trio called Metamora. The band included Grey Larsen on Irish flute and tin whistle and Martin Dalglish on hammer dulcimer. Metamora released three records and

Pete Sutherland and Emmett Stowell

performed in every state but Hawaii. The trio’s recording of the traditional Basque melody “This Rush of Wings,” which Pete arranged, is on a 1988 Windham Hill Records compilation that went gold, A Winter’s Solstice II. Playing music with Pete was a treat, Larsen said.

“He played fiddle like he was singing through the fiddle, fiery and tender,” Larsen recalled. “As a guitarist and pianist, he had an incredibly rich imagination when it came to chords, to harmonies and counterpoints. And as a songwriter, Pete [had] so much humanity and wisdom in his writing.”

By 1990, the Sutherlands were back in Vermont, where Pete pursued every aspect of music: writing, performing, producing, arranging and teaching. Music was a constant in their house, Calum said, whether practices or lessons. He often accompanied his parents to gigs because “it was cheaper than a babysitter.”

His father didn’t seek the spotlight,

Calum said, but he “bore it gracefully and willingly … and he appreciated it. He was just an exceedingly humble guy.”

Over the years, Pete played in numerous bands, including the Clayfoot Strutters and Pete’s Posse. His teaching included being an artist leader for the touring group of Young Tradition Vermont, a music and dance program for young people that’s now a Vermont Folklife program.

“Pete had a gift,” Young Tradition’s executive director Mark Sustic said. “A gift of being able to see things and hear things that other people didn’t hear in the cacophony of everything that’s going on in life and in a music ensemble.”

Fiddle player Oliver Scanlon, for example, doesn’t know how Pete recognized his interest in music when he was a boy. Now 27, Scanlon was in fourth grade when he joined Pete’s contra dance group

culture

Janice Obuchowski’s awardwinning debut collection of short stories, The Woods, opens with “The Cat,” an eerie tale of a neurotic writing professor arriving in a small Vermont town to teach at the local college. Her own writing isn’t going well, but the bucolic environment and the local ghost stories entrance her, and she befriends a feral cat. Then she discovers a bloody bone while jogging down a logging road.

Obuchowski’s unnamed narrator begins to find death (and perhaps murder) lurking everywhere. Her eye records these moments with cracklingly good descriptions. Of a dead bird that she finds with its neck dangling by a thread, she tells us: “It was taupe and brown and white — a striation almost like marble — with a tiny patch of white beneath its small beak. The eyes — round like dark seeds — were open and dull, black smoke within glass.”

Just when Obuchowski’s taut prose has prepared the reader for some serious carnage à la Stephen King’s The Shining, the story concludes with the narrator’s realization that she’s been romanticizing the “untamed” rural life and seeing only what she wanted to see. “All these details I accumulated, considered, and meanwhile, I didn’t know anything at all about what was really happening around me,” she admits.

This epiphany — that mundane reality can be harder to accept than occult explanations — is poignant on its own. But it also makes for a refreshing moment of self-awareness that sets Obuchowski’s writing apart from both horror-genre tropes and the transplant gaze typical of so much writing set in Vermont.

Fans of literary horror shouldn’t worry, though; this anticlimax at the beginning of the collection turns out to be a deft feint, foreshadowing some far spookier stories to come.

Winner of the John Simmons Short Fiction Award for The Woods, Obuchowski grew up in Shelburne and has published her stories widely, taught at Middlebury College and served as an editor at New England Review. Middlebury, where the author now lives, isn’t explicitly named as the college town where the stories in The Woods take place, but the context clues add a fun roman à clef element for those acquainted with the area.

While the narrator of the opening story bears some resemblance to the author, The Woods is not a collection of thinly veiled autobiographical fiction. The second story, “The Orams,” makes a bold leap in perspective; here, the narrator is an oldtimer who uses the royal “we” and takes on the collective voice of the town itself. In recounting the increasingly violent

Lovely, Dark and Deep

BY BENJAMIN ALESHIRE

rivalry of the fictional Oram brothers, the narrator juxtaposes their behavior with that of Robert Frost, referred to only as “Our Poet.”

Like the opening story, this one pushes back against Vermont’s pastoral mythos and the hagiography of Frost. Obuchowski adds balance with anecdotes of the revered poet’s petty, cruel and downright weird behavior — eating cigarettes, for instance, or the time “When he got jealous of another famous writer, he set fire in a trashcan and yelled ‘fire’ so no one would hear the other famous writer read his work.”

Throughout, Obuchowski populates her stories with academics and their families. Most of them have either recently arrived to teach at the local college, like the narrator of the opening story, or have taught there for many years. They’ve brought with them writer’s block, unhappy

marriages and a fascination with the “wildness” of the woods surrounding them, which oscillates between wonder and fear.

In “Mountain Shade,” the bereaved spouse of a philosopher gets dangerously turned around while jogging. In another story, a family struggling through the dark days of the pandemic encounters a bear. These stories create tension not with plot fireworks but through vividly realistic dynamics among characters.

Obuchowski depicts family strife exceedingly well, showing the spiritual toll that caregiving labor can take on spouses and parents. Two stories are linked by infidelity. In “Potions,” a wife learns of her husband’s a air, and in “Sylvia Who Dreams of Dactyls,” one of the standouts of the book, a woman haunted by her own liaison hears the syllabic rhythm of her lover’s name echoing everywhere she goes.

Book review: e Woods, Janice Obuchowski

COURTESY OF ANDY DUBACK/DUBACK PHOTOGRAPHY

The author’s talent for switching perspectives lends the collection a degree of complexity and empathy beyond what a novel with a single protagonist can achieve. We see both the frustration of young writers struggling to find a place in their hypercompetitive field and the dread and regret of elderly academics who have long enjoyed the stability of tenure. Obuchowski also writes not just convincingly but fluently from a father’s perspective (“The Bear Is Back”) and a teenager’s (“Monsters”).

“Self-Preservation” is perhaps the most alluring story in the collection. A good old-fashioned ghost story, it repeats a pattern seen elsewhere in The Woods: A married couple from southern California, newly arrived to teach at the local college, settle into their beautiful yet somehow disquieting surroundings.

As in all of Obuchowski’s stories, tensions simmer just below the surface. Lisette and her husband, childless after losing their first pregnancy, have a professional power dynamic to navigate: The college hired him but not her. Listless and stung, Lisette fills her time by going on walks with a friendly woman who says she’s their new neighbor up the road.

As the story snakes toward its thrilling conclusion, Obuchowski misses no opportunity to poke fun at the pretensions of academic flatlanders. “At first, I wanted to run screaming — all this quiet — but we’ve grown accustomed to the pace,” the VP of student affairs tells the couple over glasses of chenin blanc.

“Vermont started out as a lark, a way to improve their moods,” Obuchowski writes, a moment that oozes with so much privilege it’s downright ominous. The foreboding increases when Lisette has a close call while driving the steep roads in the snow.

The author toys with horror tropes while portraying its protagonist’s mixture of grief, resentment, loneliness and anxiety with great humanity. In one scene, for instance, Lisette walks to the country store without gloves, and the old woman who owns the store rubs her nearly frostbitten hands to warm them. This small act of kindness and intimacy from a stranger provokes flashbacks to “a colleague squeezing her hand as she waited for the ambulance. Pain had dizzied her, her abdomen on fire.”

Lisette is a richly rendered character; any reader can relate to some aspect of her, even without having been in her circumstances. And, as in all great ghost stories, there’s more at stake emotionally for her than simple danger. Ultimately, Lisette finds herself faced with a choice between her husband’s life of dull cocktail parties and book clubs, and finding her own way

FROM “SYLVIA WHO DREAMS OF DACTYLS”

Sylvia wakes thinking of dactyls as if they’d been spilling out across her dreams. Washington, Dumbledore. She stretches, throws back her comforter, opens the curtains, and lets ashen light bathe her. Some subterranean part of her head engaging in pattern assessment. Bothersome: yes. Trigonometry: no.

In the kitchen she drinks coffee from a mug glazed cobalt — dusted sunshine about her shoulders — and looks out to her back fields. In the distance a slim streak of lake is silver blue, and the mountains are August lush and serene. Gesturing, cluster fuck. This abstract clutter, this part of herself not making sense to herself — pursuing its own avenues of nonsense inquiry. A nighttime devoted to syllabic count.

©2022 Janice Obuchowski. Used with permission University of Iowa Press.

— which happens to lead down a terrifying path into the woods.

Does she make it out? The woods in Obuchowski’s stellar debut don’t offer answers as much as they demand that readers ask themselves questions — about whether we’re capable of confronting what we fear the most and whether we’re willing to lose ourselves in order to find our way. m

INFO

The Woods by Janice Obuchowski, University of Iowa Press, 212 pages. $18.50. Obuchowski will be in conversation with Chris Bohjalian on Saturday, January 28, 4 p.m., at the Champlain Valley Unitarian Universalist Society in Middlebury. Free. cvuus.org, janiceobuchowski.com. The author will also read on Thursday, February 2, 5:30 p.m., at Still North Books in Hanover, N.H. Free. stillnorthbooks.com

culture

A ‘Unifying Force’

at Lake Champlain Waldorf School as a viola player. He started playing fiddle in the fifth grade.

Informal childhood lessons with Pete, who showed Scanlon fiddle tunes, led to playing together in Pete’s Posse. When Scanlon graduated from high school, Pete had the “brilliant idea” to hit the road, Scanlon said. In fall 2014, with bandmate Tristan Henderson, Pete’s Posse piled into a 2002 Buick LeSabre for a 12,000mile, two-and-a-half-month tour. “It’s kind of where our career as a band took off,” Scanlon said, adding that Pete’s influence extended beyond music.

“As a younger person hanging out with an older person who’s been through some shit,” Scanlon said, “you kind of glean some of the things they’ve learned along the way.”

Zachary Mills, 23, is another fiddler who credits Pete for guiding him on his musical path. He was a middle schooler in Burlington and losing interest in classical violin when he met Pete at Trad Camp, a program of Young Tradition Vermont.

“Pete really showed me a whole other side to traditional music that didn’t involve sheet music, but possibilities to learn from the oral tradition,” said Mills, who now lives in Washington, D.C.

“I think he had an innate sense of finding people that could have a creative spirit that was easily nurtured,” he said.

In high school, Mills sometimes split wood, painted and worked in the garden at Pete’s house in exchange for his musical mentorship.

In the last few years of his life, after he sold the house in Monkton, Pete lived with friends in Chittenden County and central Vermont.

Some Vermonters might know him from “Winter Tales,” the annual holiday

show of songs and stories presented by Vermont Stage. For about 15 years, Pete was a central performer, playing music with singer and guitarist Patti Casey of Montpelier.

This year’s five-date show opens on Wednesday, December 14, in the Black Box Theater at the Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center in Burlington. Casey plans to begin the performance with a waltz called “Sunday River” that Pete wrote for his grandmother. The piece will feature Casey on guitar and Susannah Blachly on fiddle. The duo will also play his tune “Ribbon Candy” and a song that Casey wrote for Pete after he died, “Everywhere.”

She recalled a “Winter Tales” performance when she and Pete performed “Green Solstice,” her parody of the Irving Berlin classic “White Christmas.” Pete’s accompaniment was “perfect,” she said. “He really figured out what a song needed.”

Mark Nash, the former artistic director of Vermont Stage who conceived of “Winter Tales,” said Pete’s performances possessed the two qualities essential to the show: heart and humor.

Nash and his wife, Kathryn Blume, were among the friends who were able to visit Pete not long before he died. “He modeled in his death everything that he modeled in his life,” Nash said, “which was curiosity and creativity and acceptance of the bounty of the world.” m

INFO

“Stories for a Winter’s Eve,” on Thursday, December 22, 7 p.m., at the Old Meeting House of East Montpelier Center, with Patti Casey, Kathryn Blume and Mark Nash, will be dedicated to Pete Sutherland. Young Tradition Vermont will dedicate its May 7 festival concert at Burlington City Hall to Sutherland.

COURTESY OF ARTHUR HYNE

Pete’s Posse, from left: Pete Sutherland, Oliver Scanlon and Tristan Henderson

Yarn Tough

Leslie Roth’s companion animals are knit with wit

BY PAMELA POLSTON • ppolston@sevendaysvt.com

Leslie Roth’s animals have attitude. Their likenesses vary from a frog to a chicken to a raccoon, but most wear expressions of self-assurance bordering on defiance: I might be made of yarn, but don’t think you can mess with me.

clay; appendages are often little wooden dowels. The animals’ eyes come from an online source or are crafted with Sculpey.

Once she makes the infrastructure, Roth said, she knits the rest in the round to fit the bodies snugly, à la yarn bombing.

master’s degree in social work. Afterward, they decided to settle in Vermont’s capital city. “We wanted a balance between urban and rural,” she explained.

“Knitting a nose or ears became more interesting than knitting sleeves,” Roth added.

PROFILE

Roth, who lives in Montpelier, is a really good knitter. She whips out functional items such as sweaters, scarves and beanies in patterns that look impossibly tricky. She also designs patterns and knitwear. But it’s Roth’s handcrafted sculptural menagerie that stands out in a gallery exhibit, or even on a shelf in her work space at Studio Place Arts in Barre.

“I sometimes try to make a cheerful creature,” Roth said, “but it just comes out grouchy or morose. They sometimes decide my intentions.”

It’s not that the animals look aggressive or mean; rather, they’re adorably fierce. In a current group exhibit at Studio Place Arts, a rooster-headed character titled “Stew” has arms ending in large, threedigit “hands” that are both monstrous and silly. In Roth’s studio, the face of a sort-ofhuman woman wearing a tiny knit pussy hat appears ready to smash the patriarchy.

The animals are not all yarn. For their armatures, Roth also uses recycled materials such as paper towel rolls, plastic bottles, newspaper (exclusively Seven Days, she said), insulation foam and wire. She makes teensy claws from Sculpey

Roth began knitting in 1991, she recalled, when she was 21. “My mother had tried to teach me, as a child, but she gave me iceberg-lettuce-green acrylic yarn. She said I could have better yarn when I learned how to knit.” Young Leslie stitched just a few rows and gave it up.

Born in Montréal and raised outside New York City, Roth racked up adventures and miles before picking up the needles again. At McGill University, she earned a degree in anthropology. “Then I went to Alaska with skis and a backpack and lived in a tent, snow to snow,” she recounted.

Roth found jobs gutting fish, waiting tables and working for a longshoremen’s union. Ten years later, she was the executive director of a hospice nonprofit in Homer. In Alaska, she also met the man she would marry.

Roth and her husband moved next to Madison, Wis., where he completed a

Initially, Roth found work “facilitating a support group for people with ALS,” she said. “Then I earned a mediation certificate from Woodbury [College]. I didn’t use it at all.” Instead, she purchased the Knitting Studio, a yarn store in Montpelier, and ran it for about eight years. She also had two sons — and found a new yarn mission.

“Once I had kids, I would knit their Halloween costumes,” Roth said. “They started becoming more three-dimensional.” Think a chimera with three heads, a mythical dog with multiple heads, a robot. And animals — “zebra, lion, tiger,” she remembered.

Her boys, now 18 and 15, have outgrown trick-or-treating, and their mom moved on to making sculptural critters. Roth described two categories: Vermont denizens, often “nuisance animals” such as opossums and muskrats; and fantastical creatures inspired by mythology or her

Asked how people respond to her ani mals, Roth laughed, remembering one nonfan who, during a studio visit, “sniffed and sucked her teeth.” But the woman’s husband found them amusing.

Roth observed that viewers who like her animals “tend to have a quirky sense of humor,” she said. “And people who buy my art seem like they are nurturing. When [they] choose to live with my creatures, it’s like it’s part purchase, part adoption.”

They’re also able and willing to shell out a few hundred bucks: Roth’s knitted sculptures go for $375 to $650. “I’m glad people want to take them home so I don’t have a lot of animals sitting around,” she said. Roth guessed that 75 percent of her customers buy a piece for themselves rather than as a gift. Her odd little beings are not for everyone, she acknowledged.

“I have a lot of fun coming up with my own ideas,” she said, “so I’m fine not taking directions.”

She’s learned to make the bodies and appendages fairly quickly, but crafting the head and facial expression requires “quiet time and concentration,” Roth said.

“That tends to be the most important part of the process for me.” And, of course, it largely determines the creature’s anthropomorphized attitude.

“The nice thing about yarn,” she added, “is if you make a mistake, you just unravel it and begin again.”

Roth does not name her animals, “but buyers usually do, and so did my husband — he has a bunch in his office,” she said. “But I do say good night to them when I leave the studio.” m

NEW THIS WEEK

burlington

f KEILANI LIME: “Silver & Gold,” paintings on canvas with a metallic element that represents overcoming difficult times. Proceeds of sales go toward the costs of brain and spinal cord surgeries. In Honor Leather studio, Suite 103, by appointment. Opening: Saturday, December 17, 11 a.m. -4 p.m. December 17-February 1. Info, 355-2855. The Vaults in Burlington.

brattleboro/okemo valley

f ‘IN AWE, COEXISTENCE AND MINDFULNESS OF LIFE’: An exhibition of paintings by Vermont artists Judy Hawkins, Carol Keiser and MC Noyes. Reception: Friday, December 16, 5-7 p.m. December 16-February 11. Info, artinfo@canalstreetartgallery.com. Canal Street Art Gallery in Bellows Falls.

ART EVENTS

ART TO GO HAND-PAINTED LUGGAGE

AUCTION: Rutland nonprofit Come Alive Outside is auctioning unique, hand-painted luggage by more than 20 Vermont artists, ranging from elementary school students to professionals. Actress Chrissy Metz from “This Is Us” also designed a special piece. Details and auction items at comealiveoutside. com. Online. Through December 14. Info, admin@ comealiveoutside.com.

ARTIST TALK: CLIMATE CHANGE ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE: The Brattleboro Museum & Art Center recently launched the Climate Change Artist Residency to support artists seeking to engage with questions and challenges presented by the climate crisis. Inaugural artists in residence Elizabeth Billings, Evie Lovett and Andrea Stix Wasserman talk with director of exhibitions Sarah Freeman about the work they created during the residency and answer questions from listeners. Register for Zoom link at brattleboromuseum.org. Online. Thursday, December 15, 7 p.m. Free. Info, 257-0124.

BTV WINTER MARKET: A European-style outdoor market featuring a rotating group of 20 local artists, makers and food vendors. Burlington City Hall Park, Friday, December 16, and Saturday, December 17, noon-6 p.m.; and Sunday, December 18, noon-4 p.m. Free. Info, 865-7166.

HOLIDAY PARTY: The annual soirée offers artful creations and bubbly from Artisanal Cellars. Scavenger Gallery, White River Junction, Friday, December 16, 5:30-7 p.m. Info, 603-443-3017.

OPEN STUDIO: Visitors can see new and older work, including paintings from which the glass for the Hyde Park Public Art project is drawn, as well as works on paper and giclée prints. Dan Gottsegen Studio, Woodstock, Saturday, December 17, noon-6 p.m. Info, 345-0735.

OPEN STUDIO: Make art alongside other artists, socialize, get feedback and try out new mediums. No experience required; art supplies provided. Hosted by the Howard Center Arts Collective, whose members have experience with mental health and/ or substance-use challenges. ONE Arts Center, Burlington, Monday, December 19, 12:30-2:30 p.m. Free. Info, artscollective@howardcenter.org.

WINTER MAKERS MARKET: Local artists share their work, from paintings to pottery to textiles and more. Hot cocoa available to sip while you shop. The Vaults, Burlington, Saturday, December 17, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Info, sarahnoelceramics@gmail.com.

‘WOMEN IN THE ARCHIVES’: Artists Alexa Frangos, Elaine Luther, xtine, Vicki Scheele and Nancy Bernardo, along with American studies associate professor Ellery Foutch, discuss the representation of women in the Henry Sheldon Museum archives and the role artists can play in drawing out past stories of women’s lives. Register for webinar at henrysheldonmuseum.org. Online, Wednesday, December 14, 7 p.m. Free. Info, 388-2117.

‘Solace’

Northern Daughters gallerists Sophie Pickens and Justine Jackson center their end-of-year show, titled “Solace,” on a question: “What do you turn to?” Initially they asked their artists to explore, as they created new works, the idea of seeking and finding comfort. Perhaps it’s not surprising that artists turn to, well, making more art. Endless creativity is arguably its own reward.

“Most artists make art as a form of solace,” Pickens observed during a visit to the Vergennes gallery.

But the question is relevant to viewers, too. Why are we drawn to the visual bounty of a gallery or museum? Which artworks seem to speak to us personally? What is this mysterious connection between art and heart?

Of course, we can enjoy looking at art without getting all meta about it. Sometimes it’s enough to think, Damn, that’s really good

Pickens responded to her own query in a thoughtful gallery statement. “This exhibit was conceived to honor all of the ways that art supports us as human beings,” she wrote. “The world is complicated and its beauty and terror alike can overwhelm. Living with artwork helps me stay in awe of the beauty and mystery every day.”

To own a gallery, present exhibitions and literally look at work all the time is next-level art appreciation. But even visitors dropping in on a whim can find something to like in “Solace.” That’s because the nine artists — all women, as it happens — possess exceedingly different visions.

Fans of Anne Cady, who is known for painting stylized landscapes in heightened hues, may be surprised to see three large geometric abstractions — her first three ever, Pickens clarified. Pamela Smith’s winsome folk-art paintings sweetly evoke fairy tales and idealized intersections of humans and animals. Bonnie Baird’s moody landscapes and Hannah Sessions’ goat-forward farmscapes are reassuringly grounded in a sense of place.

In addition to six gallery regulars, Pickens said, “Solace” introduces three artists new to Northern Daughters.

Chelsea Granger’s gouache and flashe works on paper have a strong graphic appeal, and something else: ghostlike forms that suggest the presence of spirits. Granger created the paintings as a way to work through grief, Pickens said, following the deaths of her mother and a close friend. Jessica Parker Foley also paints in gouache and creates ambiguous settings in which figures look like cutout silhouettes. Carla Weeks’ small oil paintings are geometric, monochromatic studies in primarily ultramarine. The shade is so intense, it seems to have its own magnetic field.

Color is one way to speak to the senses; imagery that invites us to imagine other worlds is another. “My feeling is that art can provide us all with an outlet, a refuge or at least some solace,” Jackson writes in the gallery statement. “Art can be a place to go and feel and explore or escape or return to.”

“Solace” is on view through January 31.

Clockwise from top left: “A Memory of Missing Things” by Bonnie Baird; “This World Otherword” by Chelsea Granger; “Do Tell” by Pamela Smith; “Bathers in the Swamp No. 2” by Jessica Parker Foley

ONGOING SHOWS

burlington

ART AT THE HOSPITAL: Photographs by Greg Nicolai and Caleb Kenna (Main Street Connector, ACC 3); relief monotypes by Erika Lawlor Schmidt (Main Street Connector); acrylic paintings by Sandra Berbeco (McClure 4 and EP2); oil and mixed-media paintings by James Vogler (EP2); and oil paintings by Julia Purinton (BCC). Curated by Burlington City Arts. Through January 23. Info, 865-7296. University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington.

ART AT THE MALTEX: Paintings by Pievy Polyte, Shannon O’Connell, Nancy Chapman and Ashley MacWalters and photography by Brian Drourr and Robert Fahey. Through April 8. Info, 865-7296. The Maltex Building in Burlington.

BILL MCDOWELL: “Roxham Road to North Elba,” color photographs that challenge viewers to consider complex ideas around borders, migration, privilege and racism. Info, 865-7166. MATT LARSON: Acrylic paintings by the local artist. Info, 865-7296. VALERIE HIRD: “The Garden of Absolute Truths,” small interactive theaters, hand-drawn animated videos, paintings and drawings by the Burlington artist that utilize familiar childhood stories to examine current power inequities. Through January 28. Info, 865-7166. BCA Center in Burlington.

‘BLACK FREEDOM, BLACK MADONNA & THE BLACK CHILD OF HOPE’: Designed by Raphaella Brice and created by Brice and Josie Bunnell, this mural installed for Burlington’s 2022 Juneteenth celebration features a Haitian-inspired image of liberation. Through June 18. Info, 865-7166. Fletcher Free Library in Burlington.

CLARK DERBES: “Skateboarding Is Performance Art,” trompe l’oeil objects, shaped paintings and sculptures featuring colorful grids and bands that pay homage to the architecture that skateboarding utilizes. Through January 12. Info, 233-2943. Safe and Sound Gallery in Burlington.

‘CONNECTIONS’: Howard Center Arts Collective presents an art installation of painted mailboxes and mosaics, inviting viewers to reflect on the benefits of old-fashioned mail delivery and to consider whether mailboxes have become relics of the past. Through July 31. Info, artscollective@ howardcenter.org. Howard Center in Burlington.

‘GUARDIANS OF THE GREAT OUTDOORS’: An exhibition in which young explorers can roam forests, navigate streams and become backyard adventurers while learning to become thoughtful stewards of the land. Through January 15. Info, 864-1848. ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain in Burlington.

‘LARGE WORKS’: A group exhibition of works measuring between two and six feet by artists of all ages working in all mediums. Through March 10. Info, spacegalleryvt@gmail.com. The Soda Plant in Burlington.

f ‘LOCAL PRESS’: An exhibition of new handpulled prints by Gregg Blasdel, Jennifer Koch, Katie Loesel, Hillary Love Glass, Susan Smereka and Elise Whittemore in Suite 1-17. Closing reception: Saturday, December 17, 2-5 p.m. Through December 17. Info, 373-7096. 4 Howard Street in Burlington.

‘MORE THAN A MARKET’: An exhibit celebrating local, immigrant-owned markets in Burlington, South Burlington and Winooski, featuring an installation that re-creates the feel of a busy market, as well as wall panels with archival and contemporary photographs. Third floor. Through December 23. Info, 989-4723, cbarrett@historicnewengland.org. O.N.E. Community Center in Burlington.

‘PROCESS’: A capstone exhibition of seniors in graphic design and visual communication at the college. Through January 30. ‘UNCONSCIOUS IMAGINATION’: A dream-themed group exhibit in a variety of mediums by students Rachel Alberti, Carly Downes, Shiloh Elfman, Rosalea Hearthstone, Alia Hutchins, Jaime Klingsberg, Elizabeth Marando, Matthew Payne, Sabrina Small, Delia Williams and Alex Woessner; in the Stair Nook Gallery. Through

December 16. Info, 865-8990. Champlain College Art Gallery in Burlington.

‘SMALL WORKS’: An exhibition of works 12 inches or smaller in a variety of mediums by local artists. Through January 27. Info, spacegalleryvt@gmail. com. The S.P.A.C.E. Gallery in Burlington.

VANESSA COMPTON: “Come to Marlboro Country,” a solo exhibition of mixed-media collages that explore the challenges of reconciling personal narratives with collective histories of privilege, colonialism and racism. Through January 21. Info, 324-0014. Soapbox Arts in Burlington.

‘VOICES OF ST. JOSEPH’S ORPHANAGE’: Photographs and stories of abuse and recovery from the Catholic-run Burlington orphanage, which was home to more than 13,000 children from 1854 to 1974. Presented by the St. Joseph’s Orphanage Restorative Inquiry and the Vermont Folklife Center. Through December 16. Info, 656-2138. Billings Library, University of Vermont in Burlington.

chittenden county

‘ABENAKI CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE VERMONT COMMUNITY’: A series of murals designed by Scott Silverstein in consultation with Abenaki artists Lisa Ainsworth Plourde and Vera Longtoe Sheehan and members of Richmond Racial Equity; the 10 panels celebrate the Abenaki origins of practices still important to Vermont culture. Through May 31. Info, radiate.art.space@gmail.com. Richmond Town Hall.

BRECCA LOH & KRISTINA PENTEK: Abstracted landscape paintings and color photographs, respectively. Curated by Burlington City Arts. Through February 14. Info, 865-7296. Pierson Library in Shelburne.

DEB PEATE: A solo exhibit of 20 whimsical paper animal heads featuring William Morris textile designs and vintage jewelry. Through December 31. Info, dpeate@yahoo.com. Healthy Living Market & Café in South Burlington.

‘FOR THE LOVE OF ABSTRACT ART’: A curated exhibition of paintings by Vermont artists. ‘WINTER LIGHT’: A curated collection of winter-themed original artwork by Mary Azarian, Lorraine Manley, Marilyn James, Susan Bull Riley, Dierdra Michelle, John Churchman, Mike Sipe, Richard Brown, Ian Clark, Alistair McCallum, Jeff Clarke, John Clarke Olson, Kim Senior, David Pound, Wendy Soliday, Karen Winslow, Julie Davis, Kathleen Berry Bergeron, Sheila Franz, Eric Tobin, Fred Swan, Peter Miller, Brian Hewitt and Robert W. Brunelle Jr. Through December 31. Info, 662-4808. ArtHound Gallery in Essex.

NORTHERN EXPOSURE PHOTOGRAPHY GROUP: “A Diverse View of Our Land and Our Sky,” photographs. Through December 22. Info, 899-3211. Emile A. Gruppe Gallery in Jericho.

‘OUR COLLECTION: ELECTRA HAVEMEYER WEBB, EDITH HALPERT AND FOLK ART’: A virtual exhibition that celebrates the friendship between the museum founder and her longtime art dealer, featuring archival photographs and ephemera, a voice recording from Halpert, and quotations pulled from the women’s extensive correspondences. Through February 9. ‘WINTER LIGHTS’: The buildings and gardens glow in multicolored illuminations for the holiday season. Purchase timed tickets at shelburnemuseum.org. Through January 1. $15 for adults; $10 for ages 3-17; free for children under 3. Info, 985-3346. Shelburne Museum.

‘SILVER GLOW’: An annual winter exhibit featuring the works of 12 regional artists. Through January 31. Info, 985-3848. Furchgott Sourdiffe Gallery in Shelburne.

SMALL WORKS: An exhibition of petite paintings by Anne Cady, Charlotte Dworshak, Maria Flores Gallindo, Edward Holland, Julia Jensen and Hannah Sessions. Through December 31. Info, 877-2173. Northern Daughters Annex Gallery in Shelburne. ‘WELCOME BLANKET’: A collection of quilted, crocheted and knitted blankets handmade by

barre/montpelier

AXEL STOHLBERG: “House,” collages and sculptures that consider the concepts of dwelling and place. Through December 30. Info, 279-5558. Vermont Supreme Court Gallery in Montpelier.

‘CELEBRATE!’: A holiday show featuring works by more than 70 SPA member artists, displayed on all three floors. Through December 28. Info, 479-7069. Studio Place Arts in Barre.

GROUP SHOW 52: Gallery members host a holiday market with items $100 or less. Through December 30. Info, info@thefrontvt.com. The Front in Montpelier.

MARCIA HILL & CINDY GRIFFITH: Vibrant pastels that capture the spirit, energy and intensity of the natural world. Through December 28. Info, 479-0896. Espresso Bueno in Barre.

MEMBERS SHOWCASE: An exhibition of artworks by Karen Schaefer, Preya Holland, Paul Markowtz, JC Wayne and others. Through January 31. Info, info@ cal-vt.org. Center for Arts and Learning in Montpelier.

ROBIN CROFUT-BRITTINGHAM: Large-scale watercolor paintings that address themes of nature, extinction and mythology. A portion of sales support the center’s mission of connecting people with the natural world. Through December 31. Free. Info, 2296206. North Branch Nature Center in Montpelier.

‘THE WORLD THROUGH THEIR EYES’: Watercolors and drawings by 19th-century Norwich alumni William Brenton Boggs and Truman Seymour depicting scenes in North and South America, Asia, Europe and Africa. Through December 16. Info, 485-2886. Sullivan Museum & History Center, Norwich University in Northfield.

stowe/smuggs

‘GEMS & GIANTS’: An annual exhibition of large and small artworks including landscapes, abstracts, florals, portraits and still lifes by gallery members. 2022 LEGACY COLLECTION: An exhibit of works by 16 distinguished New England landscape artists plus a selection of works by Alden Bryan and Mary Bryan. Through December 24. Info, 644-5100. Bryan Memorial Gallery in Jeffersonville.

ANDREA PEARLMAN: “Two Thousand Light Years From Home,” abstract oil paintings, drawings and hooked rugs that express plastic space, volume and movement. Through January 26. Info, 635-2727. Red Mill Gallery, Vermont Studio Center in Johnson.

MARYA LOWE: “Scattered Cohesion,” contemporary wall quilts and textiles by the Vermont artist. Through January 14. Info, 646-519-1781. Minema Gallery in Johnson.

MFA STUDENT INVITATIONAL EXHIBIT: Artworks by masters of fine arts candidates Amy Kolb Noyes, Abigail Synnestvedt, Caroline Loftus, Chelsea Pafumi, Finn Nutter Knowles, Jillian Lauren Lisitano and Katelyn Hudson. Through December 16. Info, 635-1469. Julian Scott Memorial Gallery, Northern Vermont University in Johnson.

SCOTT LENHARDT: An exhibition of graphic designs for Burton Snowboards created since 1994 by the Vermont native. Through October 31. Info, 253-9911. Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum in Stowe.

mad river valley/waterbury

‘CELEBRATE THE SMALL’: The annual group exhibition of petite works by local artists; all priced at or under $100. Through December 24. Info, 244-7801. Axel’s Frame Shop & Gallery in Waterbury.

VERMONT WATERCOLOR SOCIETY AWARDS SHOW: An exhibition of paintings by society members, juried by nationally acclaimed watercolor artist Antonio Mass, president of the American Watercolor Society. Thirteen awards will be presented. Through December 16. Info, 496-6682. The Gallery at Mad River Valley Arts in Waitsfield.

middlebury area

‘ADDISON COUNTY COLLECTS’: An eclectic exhibition of objects and personal stories from 36 area collectors, celebrating the local and global community. ‘ADDISON COUNTY KIDS COLLECT’: A continually growing exhibition of photos of Addison County children with their personal collections. ‘ARTISTS IN THE ARCHIVES: COMMUNITY, HISTORY & COLLAGE’: Collage prints by 23 artists from seven countries that reflect upon the idea of community in the 21stcentury world. Curated by Kolaj Institute director Ric Kasini Kadour. ‘THE ELEPHANT IN THE ARCHIVES’: An experimental exhibit reexamining the museum’s Stewart-Swift Research Center archival collections

with a critical eye toward silences, erasures and contemporary relevance. CHUCK HERRMANN: “Sculptures of Perseverance,” eight poignant works by the Shoreham wood carver created in response to the ongoing Ukrainian tragedy. Through January 7. Info, 388-2117. Henry Sheldon Museum of Vermont History in Middlebury.

‘DEFINE SMALL’: An annual exhibition of petite paintings, featuring new work from established gallery artists Sara Katz, Kay Flierl and Duncan Johnson, as well as work from new Edgewater artist Larry Horowitz. More works at Edgewater Gallery at the Falls. Through December 31. Info, 989-7419. Edgewater Gallery on the Green in Middlebury.

FROBERTAN (FRAN BULL AND ROBERT BLACK): “We’re All at a Party Called Life on Earth,” a carnivalesque art installation of painted sculptures that celebrates humanity, harmony and diversity. Through February 18. Info, 382-9222. Jackson Gallery, Town Hall Theater in Middlebury.

CALL TO ARTISTS

ARTFUL ICE SHANTIES: The museum and Retreat Farm invite artists, ice fishing enthusiasts, tiny house aficionados, design-builders, and creative groups and individuals of all ages and experience levels to enter this annual exhibition of creative shanties. Details and registration at brattleboromuseum.org. Brattleboro Museum & Art Center, Through December 16. Free. Info, 257-0124.

‘BEACON OF LIGHT’: This social commentary exhibit invites artists to challenge viewers to consider our day, our options and what our country represents or could embody moving forward. Show dates: March 15 to April 29. Deadline: January 28. Details at studioplacearts. com. Studio Place Arts, Barre. $10; free for SPA members. Info, submissions.studioplacearts@ gmail.com.

CALL FOR EXHIBITORS: Enter your group show, traveling exhibit or new body of work for the 2022-23 season in our community gallery. We seek thought-provoking exhibits that examine the human experience. CAL is an interdisciplinary art center that celebrates diversity, equity and inclusion in all forms. Submit artwork at cal-vt. org. Deadline: December 31. Center for Arts and Learning, Montpelier. Info, 595-5252.

CALL FOR MEMBERS: Become part of a thriving hub for music and art education. CAL is committed to enhancing the cultural life of central Vermont through its founding member organizations, as well as embracing individual artists, musicians and other nonprofits in a collaborative and welcoming community. Register at cal-vt.org. Center for Arts and Learning, Montpelier. Through December 31. $36 annually. Info, 595-5252.

GLASSTASTIC 2023: The Brattleboro Museum & Art Center invites children in grades K-6 to submit drawings for imaginary creatures, which professional glass artists from around New England will turn into 3D glass sculptures for a spring exhibit. Guidelines and entry forms can be found at brattleboromuseum. org or picked up in person at the museum. Online. Through December 16. Info, 257-0124.

GREAT STREETS: MAIN STREET PROJECT: Burlington City Arts is issuing a request for qualifications from artists or artist teams for public art works to be incorporated into the Main Street project in downtown Burlington. Selected works will reflect the diversity of the city’s residents, explore its history, create meaningful

landmarks in the built environment, and connect the people, the land and the lake. Info at greatstreetsbtv.com. Online. Through December 16. Info, cstorrs@burlingtoncityarts.org.

‘THE HEART SHOW’: Seeking submissions to an exhibition in which artists create unique works in the universal heart shape. An online auction in February will benefit local nonprofits selected by the artists. DM or email heartshowrr@gmail.com for info and to sign up. Village Wine and Coffee, Shelburne. Through December 31. $20. Info, heartshowrr@gmail.com.

‘ONE + ONE IS MORE THAN TWO’: This show is about multiple artworks by an artist that relate to each other as a group, in some cases using repetition of pattern, form, shape, color and comparative imagery. Show dates: May 10 to June 24. Deadline: March 25. Details at studioplacearts. com. Studio Place Arts, Barre. $10; free for SPA members. Info, submissions.studioplacearts@ gmail.com.

‘SERENITY’: Emerging and established artists are invited to submit one or two pieces of artwork that expresses the theme in any medium for an exhibit January through April. For registration, contact Catherine McMains at catherine. mcmains@gmail.com or go to jerichovt.org. Deadline: December 30. Jericho Town Hall.

‘UNCONDITIONAL’: AVA Gallery and Art Center in Lebanon, N.H., seeks artwork about dogs and other beloved pets for an exhibit January 13 to February 11. Deadline: December 19. Apply at avagallery.org. Online. $15. Info, 603-448-3117.

THE VERMONT FLOWER SHOW: The flower show returns to the Vermont Expo in March, with a display theme of “Out of Hibernation! Spring Comes to the 100-Acre Wood,” an adaptation of the world of A. A. Milne’s Winnie the Pooh. Gardeners, volunteers and vendors can find more info and register at vnlavt.org. Early bird discount through December 31. Online.

A MERRY LITTLE MARKET: A maker market featuring fine artwork, pottery, candles, jewelry and more by local artisans, plus handcrafted ornaments and holiday cards. Through January 14. Info, 989-7225. Sparrow Art Supply in Middlebury.

‘SOLACE’: Artworks by Anne Cady, Bonnie Baird, Jessica Parker Foley, Chelsea Granger, Julia Jensen, Hannah Sessions, Pamela Smith, Susanne Strater and Carla Weeks that respond to the question, “What do you turn to?” Through January 31. Info, 877-2173. Northern Daughters in Vergennes.

‘WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?’: Digital photography, ink and acrylic work by Gwilym Gibb and acrylic paintings and photocollage by Candace Slack. Through January 1. Info, 345-7327. Little Seed Coffee Roasters in Middlebury.

rutland/killington

JUST IMAGINE: A HOLIDAY GIVING MARKET: Handcrafted wares including pottery, stained glass, jewelry, photography, ornaments, dolls and original works by more than 30 Vermont artists. Through January 29. Info, 247-4956. Brandon Artists Guild.

upper valley

ELIZABETH RICKETSON: “A Voice to Be Heard, a Time to Consider,” figurative paintings of dancers by the South Pomfret artist. Through December 30. Info, 457-2309. Norman Williams Public Library in Woodstock.

‘FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS’: An exhibition of handmade, one-of-a-kind lamps by Ken Blaisdell, Megan Bogonovich, Rachel Jackson, Doug Johnston, Lakea Shepard, Jonah Takagi and Dave Zackin. Through January 1. Info, 347-264-4808. Kishka Gallery & Library in White River Junction.

‘I NEVER SAW IT THAT WAY: EXPLORING SCIENCE THROUGH ART: This self-curated exhibition of mixed-media works by artists, sculptors, photographers and crafters on the museum staff considers science from fresh perspectives. Through January 31. Info, 649-2200. Montshire Museum of Science in Norwich.

KATIE ROBERTS: Artworks in a variety of mediums by the nature artist, who is inspired by plants, animals and weather. Through February 28. Info, 359-5000. Vermont Institute of Natural Science in Quechee.

MEMBERS HOLIDAY PRINT SHOW: Prints by studio members, original prints on handmade greeting cards and small matted prints for sale. Also online at tworiversprintmaking.org. Through January 30. Info, 295-5901. Two Rivers Printmaking Studio in White River Junction.

northeast kingdom

‘1,111 COPPER NAILS’: A 36-year retrospective of the Bread and Puppet calendar. Through December 31. Info, breadandpuppetcuratrix@gmail.com. Hardwick Inn.

ANNUAL HOLIDAY FAIR: A variety of handmade wares by member artists and guest artisans, including jewelry, pottery, glassware, textiles, rugs and more. Through January 6. Info, 748-0158.

Northeast Kingdom Artisans Guild Backroom Gallery in St. Johnsbury.

‘COMING CLEAN’: An exhibition that considers bathing practices throughout time and across cultures, including religious immersion and ritual purification, bathing as health cure, methods of washing in extreme environments, and much more. All kinds of bathing and scrubbing implements are on display. Through April 30. Info, 626-4409. The Museum of Everyday Life in Glover.

NORTHEAST KINGDOM SHOWS » P.58 CHITTENDEN COUNTY SHOWS « P.55

EVENT

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ELLY BARKSDALE: “The Beauty of Horses,” paintings. Through December 28. Info, 525-3366. The Parker Pie Company in West Glover.

‘TIME OF CHANGE’: A group exhibition featuring works in a variety of mediums by 21 local artists. Through January 4. Info, melmelts@yahoo.com. The Satellite Gallery in Lyndonville.

‘WINTER LIGHT’: An exhibition that celebrates winter in the Northeast Kingdom, as well as other cultures and traditions. Through January 7. Info, 334-1966. MAC Center for the Arts in Newport.

brattleboro/okemo valley

‘WE FEEL OUR WAY THROUGH WHEN WE DON’T KNOW’: A group exhibition of works by Mariel Capanna, Oscar Rene Cornejo, Cheeny Celebrado-Royer, Vessna Scheff, Gerald Euhon Sheffield II and Lachell Workman, guest-curated by Michael Jevon Demps, that address themes of community, memory, dissonance, displacement, intimacy and loss. Through February 12. ALISON MORITSUGU: “Moons and Internment Stones,” watercolor paintings of rocks gathered by the artist’s grandfather while he was imprisoned at the Santa Fe Internment Camp during World War II paired with oil paintings of the moon. Through February 12. JUDITH KLAUSNER: “(De)composed,” sculptures of objects usually considered ruined, meticulously crafted from a child’s modeling medium, expressing a reevaluation of the under-appreciated. Through March 4. MADGE EVERS: “The New Herbarium,” works on paper using mushroom spores and plant matter as artistic mediums. Through February 12. OASA DUVERNEY: “Black Power Wave,” a window installation of drawings by the Brooklyn artist, inspired by images of Chinese Fu dogs, the cross and the Yoruba deity Èsù. Through May 6.

RENATE ALLER: “The Space Between Memory and Expectation,” an immersive installation of large-format photographs of mountains, glaciers, trees, ocean and other natural landscapes, plus an assemblage of lichen-covered rocks from the West Brattleboro home of artists Wolf Kahn and Emily Mason. Through February 12. Info, 257-0124. Brattleboro Museum & Art Center.

f ‘ART FOR ALL SEASONAL GROUP SHOW’: More than two dozen local artists present their works in a variety of mediums, sizes and prices in celebration of the gallery’s sixth year. 3rd Friday Gallery Night: Friday, December 16, 5-7 p.m. Through January 7. Info, 289-0104. Canal Street Art Gallery in Bellows Falls.

‘FIGURING IT OUT’: Figure drawings and paintings by John Loggia, Jason Alden, Matthew Beck, Peter Harris, Marki Sallick, Martha Werman and Tina K. Olsen. Through December 30. Info, 380-4997. 118 Elliot in Brattleboro.

‘WHERE ARE WE?’: An exhibition of works in multiple mediums by Andrea Stix Wasserman, Elizabeth Billings and Evie Lovett, the inaugural Climate Change Artists in Residence at the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center. Through December 19. Info, 257-0124. Michael S. Currier Center, Putney School.

manchester/bennington

GAIL WINBURY: “The Girl Who Drew Memories,” large-scale abstract paintings and collage. Through February 25. Info, 367-1311. Southern Vermont Arts Center in Manchester.

‘PERSPECTIVES: THE STORY OF BENNINGTON THROUGH MAPS’: A collection that shows the changing roles of maps, from those made by European colonists showcasing American conquests to later versions that celebrate civic progress and historic events. ‘THE WALLOOMSAC EXHIBITION’: Objects from the historic former inn and the museum’s permanent collection. Through December 31. Info, 447-1571. Bennington Museum.

randolph/royalton

ARTISAN HOLIDAY MARKET: Local makers present knitwear, cards, calendars, art prints, comestibles, salves, jewelry and more for the gifting season. Through December 24. Info, 728-9878. Chandler Center for the Arts in Randolph.

VERMONT ARTISTS GROUP SHOW: Thirteen featured artists present paintings, drawings, photography, basketry and more. Through January 29. Info, artetcvt@gmail.com. ART, etc. in Randolph.

online

‘ACTION FIGURES: OBJECTS IN MOTION’: A virtual exhibition from the Shelburne Museum that explores the theme of movement and action in art. Through April 30. Free. Info, 985-3346.

‘PRIDE 1983’: Castleton University Bank Gallery presents an online exhibition of photographs and other documents of Vermont’s first Pride March on June 25, 1983, in Burlington; organized by the Vermont Folklife Center and Pride Center of Vermont. Through January 15. Info, 1-800-639-8521.

CAMPUS THEATER MOVIE POSTERS: The Henry Sheldon Museum Archives presents a virtual exhibit of posters and other ephemera from Middlebury’s former movie theater, which opened in 1936. It was later converted to the current Marquis Theater. Through January 7. Info, 388-2117.

WOMEN’S FESTIVAL OF CRAFTS: The 33rd annual sale is virtual, featuring dozens of local artisan wares including jewelry, pottery, handmade cards and works on paper, specialty food items, skin care and aromatherapy products, knitted and sewn creations, and much more. Through December 16. Online.

outside vermont

AVA MEMBERS HOLIDAY EXHIBITION: A show and sale of items by Vermont and New Hampshire artists. Through December 30. Info, 603-448-3117. AVA Gallery and Art Center in Lebanon, N.H.

outside vermont

‘DIANE ARBUS: PHOTOGRAPHS, 1956-1971’: Nearly 100 black-and-white prints shot by the late American photographer primarily around New York City. Through January 29. ‘SEEING LOUD: BASQUIAT AND MUSIC’: The first large-scale multimedia exhibition devoted to the role of music in the work of the innovative American artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, organized in collaboration with the Philharmonie de Paris museum. Through February 19. ‘VIEWS OF WITHIN: PICTURING THE SPACES WE INHABIT’: More than 60 paintings, photographs, prints, installations and textile works from the museum’s collection that present one or more evocations of interior space. Through June 30. SHARY BOYLE: “Outside the Palace of Me,” a multisensory exhibition that explores how identity and personality are constructed in the age of social media. Through January 15. Info, 514-285-2000.

Montréal Museum of Fine Arts.

NELSON HENRICKS: Immersive video installations by the Montréal artist in which visual and sound editing create a musical dynamic, and which explore subjects from the history of art and culture. Through April 10. Info, 514-847-6226.

Montréal Museum of Contemporary Art.

PARK DAE SUNG: “Ink Reimagined,” 23 ink paintings, some on view for the first time in the U.S., by the renowned Korean artist; curated by Sunglim Kim, Dartmouth College associate professor of art history. Through March 19. Info, 603-646-3661. Hood Museum, Dartmouth College in Hanover, N.H. m

music+nightlife

S UNDbites

News and views on the local music + nightlife scene

BY CHRIS FARNSWORTH

Musician Sta Party

Part of being in a music scene is dreaming big. It doesn’t matter if it’s a traditional jazz outfit or a trip-hop collective made up of all furries, just about every artist or promoter I’ve interacted with over the years seems to have some sort of grand scheme or big idea. (OK, I was making up the whole trip-hop furries thing, but you were totally about to google it.) Hell, that’s how things like Waking Windows, the Old North End Ramble and the Radio Bean Birthday Bash got started in the first place.

I remember an idea my band used to scheme about: a musicians-only basketball tournament at Memorial Auditorium — back when such a thing was feasible in the now sadly shuttered civic center. The gist was that bands would play each other in half-court games in a bracket-style tournament. Each losing team had to jump on the stage at the other end of the court and play music for the next game until a champion emerged.

The idea obviously never took o . Aside from the cool music aspect of it, we quickly ascertained that the number of people interested in watching a bunch of local musicians play basketball was

somewhere in the vicinity of zero. I do recall that we went as far as working out which bands we’d attack in the post (we would have destroyed BLUE BUTTON on the glass!) and whether or not we would attempt a zone defense to cover up our lack of a big man in the middle. The only musician I recall being excited about it other than us was fellow sports dork DAN RYAN

Fortunately, some of the big ideas do come to fruition. For example, take the

Holiday Extravaganza at Foam Brewers in Burlington this Saturday, December 17. Originally conceived in 2017 by ROB LIU and the late, great NOISE ORDINANCE production crew, the show features a ton of Burlington acts all playing their favorite holiday tunes.

The first two jams were held at SideBar in downtown Burlington before the extravaganza moved to ArtsRiot for a single iteration in 2019 — RIP (for now) to both venues. In 2021, Foam Brewers and musician/promoter DAN KRUGLAK took over the event.

“Rob Liu is one of my closest friends,” Kruglak told me in an email. “So when the holiday season came around last year, I asked for his blessing to take the event over to Foam and keep the tradition going.”

Kruglak has taken the holiday bash

up a notch. This year’s show features a record 23 acts playing more than seven hours of holiday music, including traditional favorites and brand-new stu written for the occasion/season. The lineup is seriously hefty, featuring some of the area’s best, such as rockers MATTHEW MERCURY, neo-soul singersongwriter IVAMAE, folk-pop act TROY MILLETTE & THE FIRE BELOW, jazz collective the DISCUSSIONS and many, many more.

While the show sounds like a nightmare to put together, Kruglak insisted the coordination is actually rather easy. He attributed that to a scene of musicians who are accustomed to playing together, sharing gear and communicating ahead of time.

“I try my absolute hardest to not have any repeats being played,” Kruglak said, noting that he asks all the acts to send him a list of their planned tunes a few weeks before the show so he can work out who gets which song.

It’s a fun night full of great holiday music, but a big part of the appeal to local musicians is getting to actually hang out with each other.

“Many of the people who are playing don’t get to go out on weekends and see each other’s shows,” Kruglak wrote, pointing out that the bands are usually playing simultaneously around town. “So getting a lot of these people under the same roof is kind of like a holiday sta party for the music scene itself!”

It’s not all standard tunes, either. For every rendition of “The Little Drummer Boy” or “Christmas in Hollis,” there are more creative takes on holiday classics.

Kruglak recalled a few years back when he dressed up as Santa Claus to belt out a cover of METALLICA’s “Enter Sandman,” but rewritten to be Santacentric — “Enter Santa,” of course.

“I was able to get a full band to back me for that,” he recalled. “We had some headbanging!”

Attendees also might just catch a band debuting brand-new holiday music, like when SAVAGE HEN unleashed their brutal Christmas concept record, The Red, at the 2018 Extravaganza.

For a full list of acts, pop over to foambrewers.com.

The Saxophone and the Quilt

Some of the state’s most important music history is on display at the Vermont Statehouse through the end of January, thanks to Burlington’s nonprofit music development organization BIG HEAVY WORLD.

First up is a saxophone that belonged to blues legend BIG JOE BURRELL: a 1942

Matthew Mercury

Big Joe Burrell exhibit

COURTESY

OF LUKE AWTRY PHOTOGRAPHY

COURTESY OF LAFOI FAITH AWOTHO

King Zephyr alto sax, to be precise. Last year, Big Heavy World purchased three of Burrell’s saxophones to become, as executive director JIM LOCKRIDGE described, “public cultural treasures.” This included the King Zephyr alto sax, which has the late musician’s name engraved on it.

Burrell, a former member of the B.B. KING ORCHESTRA, spent more than three decades playing music in Vermont, forming the legendary crew the UNKNOWN BLUES BAND with PAUL ASBELL. One of the most popular acts in Vermont during its run, the Unknown Blues Band called it quits in 2002, three years before Big Joe passed away.

and eventually emblazoned with the signatures of some of the most notable musicians to grace the Lane stage. Among the many, many names found scrawled on the fabric are YO-YO MA, JOAN BAEZ, PETE SEEGER, DOC WATSON and WYNTON MARSALIS.

“The quilt shows the depth and breadth of programming that the Lane Series has brought since our founding,” wrote Lane Series director NATALIE NEUERT in a press release, adding that the series “has always been a force in the world of live performance.”

Lockridge sees both the saxophone and the quilt as proof of Vermont’s broad impact in the arts.

“They illuminate Vermont’s status as a cultural crossroads and the widereaching appreciation Vermonters have for the performing arts,” he wrote.

Visit bigheavyworld.com and uvm. edu/laneseries for more information.

Fare Thee Well

As reported previously, indie rockers FATHER FIGUER are kissing Burlington goodbye. They’ve since scheduled a farewell show on Friday, December 30, at Radio Bean in Burlington.

Also getting the museum treatment is a commemorative quilt, first started in 1996 and completed in 2000, celebrating almost 70 years of the UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT LANE SERIES. The long-running music series was established at UVM in 1955 as a memorial to GEORGE BISHOP LANE, who founded the school newspaper, the Vermont Cynic. While primarily known now as a chamber music series featuring jazz, classical and traditional folk, the series has a storied history of bringing some of the greatest (and biggest) musicians on the planet to Burlington in a wide range of genres.

To celebrate that history, the aforementioned quilt was commissioned

I tend not to get too choked up by Burlington bands flying the coop — it’s almost a feature of the scene, really. I always wish them well, and, often enough, we see them again in one form or another.

I’ll miss Father Figuer a little more than most, though. The band’s last two records, the full-length 2021 album Jack of All Fruits and this year’s F F EP, were two of my favorite local releases in the past few years. Between singer and guitarist Erin White’s haunting vocals and the band’s DIIV-meets-LUSH sonic approach, their music was some of the most beautiful and unsettling stuff to come out of Burlington in a long time.

I’ll be sad to see them go, but it’s always nice to get a farewell show for some closure. See you there! m

Father Figuer

CLUB DATES music+nightlife

live music

WED.14

Bluegrass & BBQ (bluegrass) at Four Quarters Brewing, Winooski, 6:30 p.m. Free.

Bresetts Duo (folk) at Bent Nails Bistro, Montpelier, 8 p.m. Free.

Irish Sessions (Celtic folk) at Light Club Lamp Shop, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

Jazz Night with Ray Vega (jazz) at Hotel Vermont, Burlington, 8:30 p.m. Free.

Jazz Sessions with Randal Pierce (jazz open mic) at the 126, Burlington, 8:30 p.m. Free.

Jug Jam Bluegrass (bluegrass) at Orlando’s Bar & Lounge, Burlington, 8 p.m. Free.

Live Jazz (jazz) at Leunig’s Bistro & Café, Burlington, 6:30 p.m. Free.

Peter Wayne Burton (singersongwriter) at the Venetian Soda Lounge, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

Singer Songwriter Sessions featuring Ben Cosgrove, Aneken River (singer-songwriter) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 9 p.m. Free.

Wednesday Night Dead (Grateful Dead covers) at Zenbarn, Waterbury Center, 7 p.m. $5.

Ween Wednesday: Knights of the Brown Table (tribute) at Nectar’s, Burlington, 9 p.m. $5.

THU.15

Alex Stewart Quartet and Special Guests (jazz) at the 126, Burlington, 9 p.m. Free.

Breanna Elaine (singersongwriter) at Charlie-O’s World Famous, Montpelier, 8 p.m. Free.

Brett Hughes (country) at Filling Station, Middlesex, 6 p.m. Free.

Dan Ryan Express (jazz) at Foam Brewers, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

Grace Palmer and Socializing for Introverts (rock) at Red Square, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

High Summer (groove) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 9 p.m. $10/$15.

Jo Squared (folk) at 1st Republic Brewing, Essex Junction, 6 p.m. Free.

Lincoln Jazz Piano (jazz) at the Venetian Soda Lounge, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

Mihali (jam, reggae) at Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington, 8 p.m. $24/$30.

Phil Cohen (indie rock) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

The Rustics (folk) at Folino’s, Williston, 5 p.m. Free.

FRI.16

Americana Blue (Americana) at Jericho Café & Tavern, 7:30 p.m. Free.

Bad Horsey (rock) at the Old Post, South Burlington, 8 p.m. Free.

Chicky Stoltz (Americana) at Charlie-O’s World Famous, Montpelier, 8 p.m. Free.

Man on the Scene

Find the most up-to-date info on live music, DJs, comedy and more at sevendaysvt.com/music. If you’re a talent booker or artist planning live entertainment at a bar, nightclub, café, restaurant, brewery or coffee shop, send event details to music@sevendaysvt.com or submit the info using our form at sevendaysvt.com/postevent.

Peter Wayne Burton (singersongwriter) at the Venetian Soda Lounge, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

Wednesday Night Dead (Grateful Dead covers) at Zenbarn, Waterbury Center, 7 p.m. $5.

Twiddle (jam) at Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington, 8 p.m. $35/$38.

Ugly Sweater Party with Aaron Audet & Nikki Adams (folk) at Taps Tavern, Poultney, 6 p.m. Free.

VT Bluegrass Pioneers (bluegrass) at Jericho Café & Tavern, 7:30 p.m. Free.

SUN.18

Bonny Light Horseman, Cassandra Jenkins (folk) at Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $25/$30.

Celebration of Life Concert for Chad Fry featuring Bob Wagner & Friends (rock) at Zenbarn, Waterbury Center, 8 p.m. Free.

In 2019 and 2020, ANDREW CALLAGHAN traversed America in an RV with some camera equipment for his popular YouTube channel, All Gas No Brakes. Whether at the George Floyd protests in Minneapolis or talking to Juggalos in Seattle, Callaghan had his finger on the country’s pulse, delivering dispatches with a blend of harsh reality and cutting humor. Now running the independent journalism website Channel 5, he continues to dig deep into the world’s biggest stories, including documenting the Russian invasion of Ukraine. On Thursday, December 15, he brings his multimedia show, which includes live interviews, video and sketch comedy, to the Higher Ground Ballroom in South Burlington.

Chris Pureka (singer-songwriter) at the Coffee Bar, Bennington, 7:30 p.m. $20.

Dave Mitchell’s Blues Revue (blues) at Red Square, Burlington, 2 p.m. Free.

David Karl Roberts (singersongwriter) at Stone’s Throw Pizza, Richmond, 6 p.m. Free.

Elizabeth Begins (singersongwriter) at Gusto’s, Barre, 6 p.m. Free.

George Nostrand (singersongwriter) at Taps Tavern, Poultney, 6 p.m. Free.

Justin LaPoint (singersongwriter) at Hotel Vermont, Burlington, 4 p.m. Free.

Liam Bauman, the Bar Belles (singer-songwriter, Americana) at Bent Nails Bistro, Montpelier, 7:30 p.m. Free.

The Lizards (Phish tribute) at Nectar’s, Burlington, 8 p.m. $12.

Mansfield Mountain Band (bluegrass) at Stone Corral, Richmond, 7 p.m. Free.

Marc Thompson (rock) at Monopole, Plattsburgh, N.Y., 10 p.m. Free.

Paul Asbell (jazz) at Bleu Northeast Kitchen, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. Free.

Phantom Airwave (funk) at Red Square, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

Purple: A Tribute to Prince (tribute) at Foam Brewers, Burlington, 7 p.m. $5.

Rapping for Presents: A Night of Hip-Hop with Mister Burns, C.Shreve the Professor, Konflik, Asah Mack, Teece Luvv (hip-hop) at Orlando’s Bar & Lounge, Burlington, 9 p.m. $5.

Troy Millette and the Fire Below, Emma Cook & Questionable Company, Chris & Erica, Jesse Agan, Citizen Bare, Christopher Gregory (rock, folk) at 14th Star Brewing, St. Albans, 5 p.m. Free.

Twiddle (jam) at Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington, 8 p.m. $35/$38.

Zonkey, Dick Richard, Beans, Moondogs (punk, indie) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 7 p.m. $10/$15.

SAT.17

The Apollos (rock) at Monopole, Plattsburgh, N.Y., 10 p.m. Free.

Bob & Andy Jazz Duo (jazz) at the Venetian Soda Lounge, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

The Conniption Fits (covers) at Gusto’s, Barre, 9 p.m. Free.

C.Shreve the Professor (hip-hop) at Bent Nails Bistro, Montpelier, 7:30 p.m. Free.

Dan Ryan Trio (jazz) at the Venetian Soda Lounge, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio (blues, rock) at Nectar’s, Burlington, 9 p.m. $30.

Double You (jam) at Orlando’s Bar & Lounge, Burlington, 9 p.m. Free.

Duncan MacLeod (jazz) at Bleu Northeast Kitchen, Burlington, Free.

Good Morning Gils (indie rock) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 10 p.m. $10/$15.

The Good Parts (jazz) at Antidote, Vergennes, 6 p.m. Free.

Hungry Ghost, Jabedon, Tom Pearo (indie, ambient) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 7 p.m. $5/$10.

JerBorn (rock) at 1st Republic Brewing, Essex Junction, 6 p.m. Free.

Left Eye Jump (blues) at Red Square, Burlington, 2 p.m. Free.

Night Protocol (synth rock) at Charlie-O’s World Famous, Montpelier, 9:30 p.m. Free.

Old North End, Void Bringer, Cooked (metal) at Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington, 7 p.m. $10/$15.

The Pop Disaster (covers) at Pickle Barrel Nightclub, Killington, 9 p.m. Free.

Queen City Soul (soul) at Red Square, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

Sunday Brunch Tunes (singersongwriter) at Hotel Vermont, Burlington, 10 a.m.

Zack Dupont and Matt DeLuca (ambient) at Foam Brewers, Burlington, 1 p.m. Free.

MON.19

Metal Monday featuring Bearded Belligerents (metal covers) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 7 p.m. $5/$10.

TUE.20

Bad Accent (folk rock) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $5/$10.

Bluegrass Jam (bluegrass) at Taps Tavern, Poultney, 7 p.m. Free.

Dead Set (Grateful Dead tribute) at Nectar’s, Burlington, 7 p.m. $10.

Folk Talk Trio (folk) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

Honky Tonk Tuesday featuring Pony Hustle (country) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 9 p.m. $10.

WED.21

Bluegrass & BBQ (bluegrass) at Four Quarters Brewing, Winooski, 6:30 p.m. Free.

Fresh Pressed Wednesday featuring Emmy McDonell, No Lemon, Brunch (indie) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 9 p.m. $5/$10.

Irish Sessions (Celtic folk) at Light Club Lamp Shop, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

Jazz Night with Ray Vega (jazz) at Hotel Vermont, Burlington, 8:30 p.m. Free.

Jazz Sessions with Randal Pierce (jazz open mic) at the 126, Burlington, 8:30 p.m. Free.

J.P. Arenas, Jeremy Harple (singer-songwriter) at Bent Nails Bistro, Montpelier, 7:30 p.m. Free.

Live Jazz (jazz) at Leunig’s Bistro & Café, Burlington, 6:30 p.m. Free.

Metal of the Month (metal) at Nectar’s, Burlington, 8 p.m. Free.

djs

THU.15

DJ Chaston (DJ) at Red Square Blue Room, Burlington, 11 p.m. Free.

DJ Two Sev (DJ) at Red Square, Burlington, midnight. Free.

Manic Focus (EDM) at Club Metronome, Burlington, 8 p.m. $18.

Mi Yard Reggae Night with DJ Big Dog (reggae and dancehall) at Nectar’s, Burlington, 9:30 p.m. Free.

Molly Mood (DJ) at Red Square, Burlington, 10 p.m. Free.

Vinyl Night with Ken (DJ) at Taps Tavern, Poultney, 6 p.m. Free.

Vinyl Thursdays (DJ) at Hotel Vermont, Burlington, 5 p.m. Free.

FRI.16

Aquatic Underground (DJ) at Club Metronome, Burlington, 8 p.m. $5.

DJ Craig Mitchell (DJ) at Red Square Blue Room, Burlington, 9 p.m. Free.

DJ Kata (DJ) at Red Square, Burlington, 10 p.m. Free.

DJ Kev (DJ) at Monkey House, Winooski, 9 p.m. Free.

DJ Taka (DJ) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 11 p.m. $10/$15.

Genderdeath, Mole (DJ) at Light Club Lamp Shop, Burlington, 8:30 p.m. $10/$15.

SAT.17

DJ A-Ra$ (DJ) at Red Square, Burlington, midnight. Free.

DJ Raul (DJ) at Red Square Blue Room, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

DJ Rice Pilaf (DJ) at Foam Brewers, Burlington, noon. Free.

DJ Taka (DJ) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 11 p.m. $10/$15.

Matt Payne (DJ) at Red Square Blue Room, Burlington, 10 p.m. Free.

Molly Mood (DJ) at Red Square, Burlington, 10 p.m. Free.

No Fun Intended: Genderdeath (techno) at Monkey House, Winooski, 9 p.m. Free.

Winter Solstice Burlesque and Dance Party with DJ Chia (DJ, burlesque) at Club Metronome, Burlington, 8 p.m. $15.

SUN.18

DJ Tad Cautious (DJ) at Monkey House, Winooski, 3 p.m. Free.

TUE.20

Local Dork (DJ) at Foam Brewers, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

THU.15 // CHANNEL 5 LIVE WITH ANDREW CALLAGHAN [COMEDY]

Please contact event organizers about vaccination and mask requirements.

WED.21

Queer Bar Takeover (DJ) at Charlie-O’s World Famous, Montpelier, 8 p.m. Free.

open mics & jams

WED.14

Annual VCC Holidaygasm Party, Gift Swap and Open Mic (comedy open mic) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

Open Mic (open mic) at Monopole, Plattsburgh, N.Y., 10 p.m. Free.

Open Mic Night (open mic) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

Open Mic with Danny Lang (open mic) at Taps Tavern, Poultney, 7 p.m. Free.

comedy

WED.14

Second Wednesday Comedy Jam (comedy) at Nectar’s, Burlington, 6:30 p.m. Free.

THU.15

American Werewolf: Comedy Showcase (comedy) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 7 p.m. $5/$10.

Blake Wexler (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 6:30 p.m. $10.

Channel 5 Live with Andrew Callaghan (comedy) at Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington, 9:30 p.m. $25/$30.

Live Comedy (comedy) at Bent Nails Bistro, Montpelier, 7:30 p.m. Free.

Maisie and Matt’s Spectacular Holiday Game Show (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 8:15 p.m. $5.

TUE.20

Comedy Open Mic (comedy) at the 126, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

Soda Jerk Variety Show (comedy) at the Venetian Soda Lounge, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

trivia, karaoke, etc.

THU.15

Karaoke Night (karaoke) at Zenbarn, Waterbury Center, 7 p.m. Free.

Trivia & Nachos (trivia) at Four Quarters Brewing, Winooski, 6 p.m. Free.

Trivia Night (trivia) at Nectar’s, Burlington, 6:30 p.m. Free.

Trivia Thursday (trivia) at Spanked Puppy Pub, Colchester, 7 p.m. Free.

THU.15

Open Mic (open mic) at Whammy Bar, Calais, 6:30 p.m. Free.

Open Mic (open mic) at Orlando’s Bar & Lounge, Burlington, 8:30 p.m. Free.

Open Mic Night (open mic) at the Parker Pie, West Glover, 6:30 p.m. Free.

SUN.18

Open Mic Night with Justin at Charlie-O’s World Famous, Montpelier, 7:30 p.m.

TUE.20

Open Mic with D Davis (open mic) at Bent Nails Bistro, Montpelier, 7 p.m. Free.

WED.21

Open Mic (open mic) at Monopole, Plattsburgh, N.Y., 10 p.m. Free.

Open Mic with Danny Lang (open mic) at Taps Tavern, Poultney, 7 p.m. Free.

FRI.16

Paula Poundstone (comedy) at Dibden Center for the Arts, Northern Vermont UniversityJohnson, 7 p.m. $15-52.

Stavros Halkias (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 7 & 9 p.m. $30.

SAT.17

Liberty Stand-Up Comedy Presents: Tony Deyo, Shaun Eli, Kerri Louise (comedy) at Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center, Stowe Mountain Resort, 7 p.m. $20-35.

Paula Poundstone (comedy) at Fuller Hall, St. Johnsbury Academy, 7 p.m. $15-52.

Stavros Halkias (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 7 & 9 p.m. $30.

SUN.18

Stavros Halkias (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 7 & 9 p.m. $30.

SAT.17

A Beaver Pond Christmas (drag) at Three Needs Taproom & Pizza Cube, Burlington, 6 p.m. $15.

SUN.18

Venetian Karaoke (karaoke) at the Venetian Soda Lounge, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

MON.19

Trivia with Brian (trivia) at Charlie-O’s World Famous, Montpelier, 8 p.m. Free.

TUE.20

Karaoke with DJ Party Bear (karaoke) at Charlie-O’s World Famous, Montpelier, 9:30 p.m. Free.

Lip Synch Battle (lip synch) at Bent Nails Bistro, Montpelier, 7:30 p.m. Free.

Trivia Night (trivia) at the Depot, St. Albans, 7 p.m. Free.

Tuesday Night Trivia (trivia) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free. m

Anna Geniushene— Van Cliburn Silver Medalist

SAT.17 // TOM PEARO [INDIE, AMBIENT]

Genderdeath, Raveyard

(NO FUN INTENDED, DIGITAL)

The intersection of music and time is fluid. For some generations, the idea of house music still feels relatively fresh, as if it were a recent genre or some purely underground phenomena. Of course, that isn’t even remotely true. At this point, house music is essentially a classic genre that rose from the ashes of disco and came out of the early ’80s Chicago West Loop neighborhood, where a group of Black DJs such as Ron Hardy and J.M. Silk pioneered the beat-driven scene.

Over the years, house has mutated, branching o into techno and jungle, among other EDM tributaries, and becoming a linchpin for gay and Latin club culture, as well. House has even flirted with mainstream pop success, when acts like the Chemical Brothers and Daft Punk have cracked the charts. Yet it always gravitates back to the underground club

Jarv, The Amalgam

(SELF-RELEASED, DIGITAL & PHYSICAL)

Windsor rapper Jarv got his start with the Maiden Voyage crew and has since built an undeniable and uncompromising solo career. His latest LP, The Amalgam, marks his fifth record and something of a turning point, too. It is his leanest, cleanest and dopest project to date.

True to Jarv’s earlier work, this album has a warm, home-studio demo sound, reminiscent of classic Edan or Del the Funky Homosapien tapes. Yet it’s also highly polished and meticulously recorded and mixed. Thanks to the expert mastering work of Rick Essig, even the grittiest of tracks here shine.

In fact, this is one of the most consistent 802 rap albums I’ve ever heard.

From up-tempo bangers to luxuriantly soulful slow jams, Jarv tailors a very specific brand of ’90s throwback listening experience. The Amalgam is packed full of careful details, and all of them work.

scene, its true home the best place to experience it.

And make no mistake, Genderdeath’s new LP, Raveyard, is tailor-made to blast in a nightclub. The moment the sevenminute-plus rave-up “Dance in Paris” kicks in, it’s impossible not to envision a dark club, packed with bodies undulating, as smoke and lasers fill the room. The full-length album has 12 tracks (a rarity in the current singlesdriven EDM market), and all are optimal for body movement, from drumand-bass bangers to more synth-driven, breakbeat jungle songs such as “Can’t Deny.”

Raveyard is the first fulllength LP from Burlingtonbased producer Genderdeath, aka Riley McGrath. McGrath, who uses they/them pronouns, is a newer face on the local EDM scene but for a 22-year-old shows o a deep knowledge of the lore. Whether going for pure, get-the-bodies-moving tracks, as on the explosive “Raver Kicks,” or more funk-inspired, atmospheric jams such as “Now I Find Myself,” McGrath understands how these genres work.

They have curated the LP with almost scientific precision, such that it’s almost an understatement to say the record is a perfect mix for a night at the club.

McGrath has certainly constructed music that will absolutely crush it on the dance floor. But Raveyard is also su used with color and variance. It’s about little moments in the songs, brief pauses before needle drops and washes of synths that pour over the beats like a cooling rain. Perhaps it’s the e ect of a younger producer looking at the genre more historically, or at least certainly with a wider lens, that produces a kind of panoramic view of house music.

The record is an exciting addition to Burlington’s thriving EDM scene, and McGrath holds their own space among the other electronic producers in town. With Raveyard, they have crafted a record capable of referencing the most primordial sounds of EDM within a shiny, ultra-modern blend of styles and production.

Listen to Raveyard at nofunvt. bandcamp.com. The album gets the release-show treatment on Saturday, December 17, at the Monkey House in Winooski.

CHRIS FARNSWORTH

That’s impressive, because the album is almost entirely a one-man show. Jarv’s mic skills tend to obscure the fact he’s also one of the very best boom-bap producers Vermont has ever seen, summoning dusty, funky, timeless beats. He’s also his own DJ these days, and his deft scratch work adds some serious flavor to the mix.

There are only two features on tap here: Boston underground legend Mr. Lif joins Jarv for “True Love,” and Los Angeles’ MC Wax assists on the blistering microphone workout “Preschool.” Neither of these artists phones in a token 16 bars; each pours their heart into genuine collaborations, a clear sign of mutual respect.

Although Jarv is an earnest hip-hop purist, his style is admirably diverse, drawing on A Tribe Called Quest and FuSchnickens and saturated in both Native Tongues and Heiroglyphics. He truly loves the genre. As he puts it on “Style,” “I’m not a fast rapper, I’m an MC who can rap fast.” His speedball antics are no gimmick. Even

his densest bars are packed with brilliant wordplay, smart storytelling and more than a few hard-won life lessons.

That maturity aside, what really separates The Amalgam from Jarv’s previous work are the hooks. He has nailed a formula for crafting catchy refrains without breaking character, and it amplifies the staying power of these songs.

After years of touring, he’s also selfaware of his role in the genre. “I’ll never sell a million records, and I’m fine with it,” he raps on “Eclectic Slide.” Although I have to wonder whether it will never hit a million, considering that this album racked up more than 100,000 Spotify plays in the first three days after it dropped.

Just because the major-label machine is pushing drugged-out emo EDM bullshit, does that somehow mean that straightforward, dope beats and rhymes are a weird niche now? Absolutely not. Great rap music is a formula that has survived passing fads for decades. Anyone who loves it needs to get hold of The Amalgam, immediately.

The Amalgam is available at jarvmakesmusic.bandcamp.com.

JUSTIN BOLAND

on screen

The Fabelmans

Steven Spielberg’s The Fabelmans scored five Golden Globe Awards nominations this week and is almost certain to be a contender at the Academy Awards. Yet box o ce receipts for the director’s autobiographical passion project have been lackluster, and the fi lm was just released on paid video on demand.

That’s not a good sign for the theatrical future of “quiet” movies in general — and the abrupt streaming release is a cruel irony, considering that The Fabelmans pays tribute to the big-screen spectacles that shaped Spielberg’s youth. While you can, I suggest you catch this immersive movie about movie love at Merrill’s Roxy Cinemas in Burlington.

The deal

Young Sammy Fabelman (Mateo Zoryan) is obsessed with movies from the night in 1952 when his parents take him to see The Greatest Show on Earth. His dad (Paul Dano), a computer engineer, is happy to supply the boy with cameras and other equipment but cautions him to keep his filmmaking just a hobby. A pianist who put aside her own promising career to raise four kids, Sammy’s mom, Mitzi (Michelle Williams), is more sympathetic.

As a teenager (Gabriel LaBelle), Sammy casts his whole Boy Scout troop in increasingly elaborate 8-millimeter spectacles. His beloved mother, meanwhile, becomes depressed and volatile. When Sammy learns something unexpected about Mitzi from one of his own home-movie reels, he has to face the flawed nature of the one person who’s always believed in him.

Will you like it?

Some movies sweep you up immediately into their worlds; others grow on you. The first third of The Fabelmans came close to losing me because it was so stylized, with broad performances that didn’t feel natural to the actors. The young Sammy is more cute than expressive, Dano could be pastiching “Father Knows Best,” and Williams turns up the comic mania so high that she gave me unwelcome flashbacks to Nicole Kidman in last year’s Being the Ricardos. These early scenes feel more like the 1950s remembered through a haze of

nostalgia and pop culture clichés than anyone’s real experience.

But perhaps that’s the point. Spielberg is, after all, someone who unabashedly loves pop culture and defined mass entertainment for a generation with his string of blockbusters in the ’70s and ’80s. Is it any surprise that he remembers his own past as a movie-loving kid of the era might see it?

As Sammy grows older and learns to see the shades of gray in his life, the style of The Fabelmans loses the frenetic stiltedness of an early sitcom. By the time the movie ends, in the mid-1960s, it leans more toward the heightened naturalism of Spielberg’s own early films. The performances relax, allowing the actors to shine. And the director inserts a few winks to the audience that invite us to see the movie as a memoir with a deliberate degree of built-in artifice.

Although Sammy is an obvious standin for Spielberg, he remains something of a cipher until the last third of the movie, when a move to southern California forces him to reckon with bullying, antisemitism and his fi rst love. For the most part, our attention is firmly on the frustrated artist Mitzi and her fraught relationships with her husband and his best friend, played by Seth Rogen in a performance that both defines and complicates the concept of a mensch.

While Dano does some impressively subtle work as a subtle man, Williams is the riveting presence here. With her pageboy cut and ever-present scarlet lipstick, Mitzi comes o as a cross between the young Mia Farrow and a silent film star — a creature of the movies, aware of but still controlled by her own love of high drama.

This is a woman who refuses to clip her Cruella de Vil nails for a televised piano recital and who impulse buys a pet monkey because “I needed to laugh.” Mitzi could easily have been a caricature, but Williams gives her enough self-consciousness to be a tragic figure, always grasping on some level the gap between her pretensions and reality. Mitzi both epitomizes and understands the selfish aspect of artists, including her son — a theme that gives The Fabelmans some bite.

Spielberg isn’t afraid to hint at the dark side of filmmaking: Sammy uses it to spin marvels from the ordinary, but the people on the other side of his camera aren’t always happy with how he sees them. The Fabelmans reflects on cinema’s power to heighten reality, with everything good and bad that entails, while exemplifying that enhancement in every frame.

Watching Sammy fall in love with the silver screen, I remembered how seeing Spielberg’s Close Encounters of the Third

REVIEW

MARGOT HARRISON margot@sevendaysvt.com

IF YOU LIKE THIS, TRY...

SPIELBERG (2017; HBO Max, rentable): Susan Lacy’s comprehensive documentary about the director’s life and career gives us another angle on his upbringing.

20TH CENTURY WOMEN (2016; fubo, Hoopla, Kanopy, Paramount+, Showtime, rentable): Like e Fabelmans, Mike Mills’ drama about a teen growing up in 1979 Santa Barbara is in large part a tribute to the filmmaker’s mom — Annette Bening in a powerhouse performance.

ROMA (2018; Netflix): Here’s yet another heartfelt autobiographical fi lm from an auteur — but director Alfonso Cuarón puts a spin on the traditional “portrait of the artist” by putting the family’s housekeeper in the protagonist position.

Kind at age 9 expanded my world by filling my eyes and ears with wonders, beautiful and terrifying alike. This filmmaker has earned his victory lap — on the big screen.

Spielberg’s autobiographical coming-of-age tale is complex enough to transcend its cornier elements.

NEW IN THEATERS

2ND CHANCE: This documentary from Ramin Bahrani (The White Tiger) tells the story of the man who invented the modern bulletproof vest — by testing it on himself. (89 min, NR. Savoy)

AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER: Director James Cameron returns to Pandora for this reportedly visually stunning sequel in which Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and his family face a new threat. With Zoe Saldana and Sigourney Weaver. (192 min, PG-13. Big Picture, Bijou, Capitol, Essex, Majestic, Marquis, Palace, Paramount, Playhouse, Roxy, Star, Welden)

HOLY SPIDER: An Iranian journalist (Zar AmirEbrahimi) hunts a serial killer who targets sex workers in this acclaimed fact-inspired thriller from Ali Abbasi. (116 min, NR. Savoy)

CURRENTLY PLAYING

AFTERSUNHHHHH A woman tries to reconcile memories of a childhood vacation with her dad with what she knows about him now in Charlotte Wells’ acclaimed debut feature. (102 min, R. Catamount; reviewed 11/16)

ALL THAT BREATHESHHHH1/2 Two brothers in Delhi devote themselves to protecting a bird species in Shaunak Sen’s documentary, winner of a slew of prestigious festival awards. (97 min, NR. Savoy)

THE BANSHEES OF INISHERINHHHH1/2 The end of a long friendship has unintended consequences in this drama from writer-director Martin McDonagh. (114 min, R. Palace, Savoy)

BLACK ADAMHH The villain (Dwayne Johnson) of the D.C. Comics film Shazam! gets center stage in this showcase for his antiheroism. (124 min, PG-13. Majestic)

BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVERHHH1/2 In Marvel Comics’ fictional African kingdom, the Wakandans mourn King T’Challa and protect their nation from new threats. (161 min, PG-13. Capitol, Essex, Majestic, Palace, Welden)

BONES AND ALLHHH1/2 Taylor Russell and Timothée Chalamet play two cannibal lovers on a road trip in the latest from Luca Guadagnino (Call Me by Your Name). (130 min, R. Majestic, Roxy; reviewed 11/30)

DEVOTIONHHH1/2 This fact-based drama tells the story of the friendship between two U.S. Navy fighter pilots (Glen Powell and Jonathan Majors) during the Korean War. (138 min, PG-13. Essex, Stowe)

THE FABELMANSHHHH A teen in midcentury Arizona sets out to become a filmmaker in Steven Spielberg’s acclaimed autobiographical drama, starring Michelle Williams and Gabriel LaBelle. (151 min, PG-13. Roxy; reviewed 12/14)

THE MENUHHH1/2 A culinary adventure goes awry in Mark Mylod’s horror comedy. Anya Taylor-Joy and Ralph Fiennes star. (106 min, R. Majestic, Palace, Roxy)

SHE SAIDHHH1/2 Carey Mulligan and Zoe Kazan play the New York Times reporters who broke the story of Harvey Weinstein’s sexual misconduct in Maria Schrader’s fact-based drama. (128 min, R. Big Picture, Savoy)

SPOILER ALERTHHH A terminal cancer diagnosis changes everything for two life partners (Jim Parsons and Ben Aldridge) in this comedy-drama based on Michael Ausiello’s memoir. (112 min, PG-13. Capitol, Roxy)

STRANGE WORLDHHH1/2 A family of explorers ventures into an alien landscape in this Disney family animation. With the voices of Jake Gyllenhaal and Jaboukie Young-White. (102 min, PG. Bijou, Essex, Majestic, Palace, Roxy, Stowe)

TICKET TO PARADISEHH1/2 Julia Roberts and George Clooney play a divorced couple who join forces to sabotage their daughter’s wedding. Ol Parker directed. (104 min, PG-13. Essex)

TILLHHHH The mother (Danielle Deadwyler) of murdered teen Emmett Till fights entrenched racism to bring his killers to justice in this historical drama. (130 min, PG-13. Savoy)

TO THE ENDHHH Rachel Lears’ documentary follows the efforts of four young women who have played key roles in the fight for the Green New Deal. (95 min, R. Roxy)

UTAMAHHH1/2 Alejandro Loayza Grisi’s drama depicts an elderly Quechua pair fighting to survive in the Bolivian highlands. (87 min, NR. Savoy)

VIOLENT NIGHTHHH Santa Claus (David Harbour) defends a rich family from a gang of mercenaries in this holiday action comedy. (101 min, R. Bijou, Capitol, Essex, Majestic, Palace, Roxy, Star, Stowe, Welden)

OLDER FILMS AND SPECIAL SCREENINGS

AND LIFE GOES ON (Catamount, Wed 14 only)

ELF (Savoy, Sun only)

TCM BIG SCREEN CLASSICS PRESENTS: IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE, CELEBRATING 75 YEARS (Essex, Sun & Wed 21 only)

THROUGH THE OLIVE TREES (Catamount, Wed 21 only)

TOP GUN: MAVERICK (Majestic)

OPEN THEATERS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

PALACE 9 CINEMAS: 10 Fayette Dr., South Burlington, 864-5610, palace9.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

David Harbour in Violent Night

DECEMBER 14-21, 2022

WED.14

bazaars

INTERNATIONAL BOUTIQUE: Goods from Mexico, India, Nepal and beyond make for unique holiday gifts. Waitsfield Masonic Lodge, noon-6 p.m. Free. Info, 793-2205.

WOMEN’S FESTIVAL OF CRAFTS: The artisan market goes virtual, with gifts from more than 70 vendors available online. Prices vary. Info, womensfestvt@gmail. com.

business

BIZ BUZZ ZOOM: Vermont

Womenpreneurs hosts a virtual networking space for women business owners to meet and connect. 10-11 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, info@ vtwomenpreneurs.com.

A MATTER OF TIME WITH CLAIRE

WHEELER: The Mercy Connections educator covers the fundamentals and best practices of time management. Presented by Women Business Owners Network Vermont. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 503-0219.

QUEEN CITY BUSINESS NETWORKING

INTERNATIONAL GROUP: Local professionals make crucial contacts at a weekly chapter meeting. Burlington City Arts, 11:15 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, 829-5066.

climate crisis

IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON AGRICULTURE & ECOLOGY: A panel of environmental

experts contemplates the consequences of climate change for the Vermont landscape. Presented by Kellogg-Hubbard Library. 7 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 223-3338.

VECAN CONFERENCE: The Vermont Energy & Climate Action Network hosts its 15th annual conference to work toward a more sustainable future. See vecan.net for full schedule. Noon-1:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 223-2328, ext. 112.

community

CURRENT EVENTS: Neighbors have an informal discussion about what’s in the news. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 10:30 a.m.noon. Free. Info, 878-4918.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section.

‘AMAZON ADVENTURE 3D’: Viewers experience 19thcentury explorer Henry Bates’ journey through the Amazon rainforest. Northfield Savings Bank 3D Theater: A National Geographic Experience, ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, noon, 2 & 4 p.m. $3-5 plus regular admission, $14.50-18; admission free for members and kids 2 and under. Info, 864-1848.

‘AND LIFE GOES ON’: A filmmaker searches for the stars of his previous film in the aftermath of the 1990 Iran earthquake in this fictionalized, autobiographical offering by the director of Where Is the Friend’s House? Catamount Arts Center, St. Johnsbury, 6 p.m. Free. Info, 748-2600.

ARCHITECTURE + DESIGN

FILM SERIES: ‘ALBERT FREY: THE ARCHITECTURAL ENVOY — PART I’: A film explores the formative years of Swiss midcentury architect Frey. Virtual option available. Burlington City Hall Auditorium, 6-7:30 p.m. Free. Info, 865-7166.

‘INHABITANTS’: A 2021 documentary follows five Indigenous tribes as they work to restore their traditional environmental practices. Presented by Sustainable Woodstock. Free. Info, 457-2911.

‘MYSTERIES OF THE UNSEEN WORLD 3D’: Sparkling graphics take viewers on a mindbending journey into phenomena that are too slow, too fast or too small to be seen by the naked eye. Northfield Savings Bank 3D Theater: A National Geographic Experience, ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, 11 a.m., 1 & 3 p.m. $3-5 plus regular admission, $14.50-18; admission free for members and kids 2 and under. Info, 864-1848.

NXT ROCKUMENTARY FILM SERIES: ‘STOP MAKING SENSE’: This 1984 Talking Heads concert film is next in this screening series from Next Stage Arts and Next Chapter Records. Q&A with Talking Heads members Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth follows. Next Stage Arts Project, Putney, 7 p.m. $15. Info, 387-0102.

‘THE QUARRY PROJECT’: Short films document the effort to produce a site-specific dance theater performance at Wells Lamson quarry. Q&A follows. Chelsea Public Library, 5:30 p.m. $5 suggested donation. Info, chelsealibraryvt@gmail. com.

‘SEA MONSTERS 3D’: An adventurous dolichorhynchops travels through the most dangerous oceans in history, encountering plesiosaurs, giant turtles and the deadly mosasaur along the way. Northfield Savings Bank 3D Theater: A National Geographic Experience, ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, 11:30 a.m., 1:30 & 3:30 p.m. $3-5 plus regular admission, $14.50-18; admission free for members and kids 2 and under. Info, 864-1848.

‘WINGS OVER WATER 3D’: Sandhill cranes, yellow warblers and mallard ducks make their lives along rivers, lakes and wetlands. Northfield Savings Bank 3D Theater: A National Geographic Experience, ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, 10:30 a.m., 12:30, 2:30 & 4:30 p.m. $3-5 plus regular admission, $14.50-18; admission free for members and kids 2 and under. Info, 864-1848.

food & drink

COOKIE EXCHANGE: Home bakers drop off two dozen treats on Tuesday, then pick up an assorted basket of other neighbors’ goodies on Wednesday. Cookies must be individually wrapped; include recipe. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 878-4918.

games

BOARD GAME NIGHT: Lovers of tabletop fun play classic games and new designer offerings. Waterbury Public Library, 6-8 p.m. Free. Info, 244-7036.

health & fitness

CHAIR YOGA: Waterbury Public Library instructor Diana Whitney leads at-home participants in gentle stretches supported by seats. 10 a.m. Free. Info, 244-7036.

holidays

BRASS QUINTET & COUNTERPOINT: Perfectly balanced horns and voices make for an intimate program of carols. Woodstock Town Hall Theatre, 7:30 p.m. $20-30. Info, 457-3981.

FESTIVAL OF TREES: DOWNTOWN TREE WALK: Local businesses deck out their display windows with quirky and captivating Christmas trees. Downtown St. Albans. Free. Info, vtfestivaloftrees@gmail.com.

HOLIDAY MUSIC: The Kingdom Mountain Dulcimers play traditional wintertime tunes. St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, 1-2 p.m. Free. Info, 748-8291.

lgbtq

MOMENTUM MONTHLY VIRTUAL SOCIAL HOUR: LGBTQ folks ages 55 and up gather to make new friends and connect with old ones. Presented by Pride Center of Vermont. 6-7 p.m. Free. Info, eeka@pridecentervt.org.

music

ZACH NUGENT UNCORKED: The sought-after guitarist plays a weekly loft show featuring live music, storytelling and special guests. Shelburne Vineyard, 6-9 p.m. Free. Info, 985-8222.

outdoors

EYEING THE STARS: VINS hosts an out-of-this-world viewing party for the Geminid meteor shower, featuring hot cocoa and lessons in Greek mythology. Ages 5 and up. Vermont Institute of Natural Science, Quechee, 7-9:30 p.m. $9.50-13.50; preregister; limited space. Info, 359-5000.

sports

GREEN MOUNTAIN TABLE TENNIS CLUB: Ping-Pong players swing their paddles in singles and doubles matches. Rutland Area Christian School, 7-9 p.m. Free for first two sessions; $30 annual membership. Info, 247-5913.

talks

MARK DERY: An author and cultural critic dives deep into the history and psychology of conspiracy theories. Presented by Vermont Humanities. 7 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, jpelletier@ vermonthumanities.org.

words

AFTER HOURS BOOK CLUB: Patrons discuss Chances Are, the story of three longtime friends revisiting an old mystery, by Richard Russo. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.

FFL BOOK CLUB: ‘THE RAVENMASTER: MY LIFE

WITH THE

RAVENS AT THE TOWER OF LONDON’: Readers break down Christopher Skaife’s memoir of his time as the Queen of England’s raven keeper. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 6:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, bshatara@ burlingtonvt.gov.

Athenaeum, 7 p.m. Free. Info, 748-8291.

THU.15

bazaars

INTERNATIONAL BOUTIQUE: See WED.14.

WOMEN’S FESTIVAL OF CRAFTS: See WED.14.

business

HIRING2DAYVT VIRTUAL JOB FAIR: The Vermont Department of Labor gives job seekers a chance to meet with employers from around the state. 11 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 828-4000.

climate crisis

VECAN CONFERENCE: See WED.14.

crafts

DROP-IN

KNIT FOR YOUR

NEIGHBOR: Yarnsmiths create hats and scarves to be donated to the South Burlington Food Shelf. All supplies provided. ADA accessible. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 3-6 p.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

KNITTING GROUP: Knitters of all experience levels get together to spin yarns. Latham Library, Thetford, 7 p.m. Free. Info, 785-4361.

etc.

CAPRICORN NEW MOON CIRCLE: Witchy types journal, reflect and set intentions during the last new moon of the year. South End Studio, Burlington, 7-8:30 p.m. $14. Info, shakeburlington@gmail. com.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section.

‘AMAZON ADVENTURE 3D’: See WED.14.

‘INHABITANTS’: See WED.14.

‘MYSTERIES OF THE UNSEEN WORLD 3D’: See WED.14.

‘SEA MONSTERS 3D’: See WED.14.

‘WINGS OVER WATER 3D’: See WED.14.

games

All submissions must be received by Thursday at noon for consideration in the following Wednesday’s newspaper.

Find our convenient form and guidelines at sevendaysvt.com/postevent

Listings and spotlights are written by Emily Hamilton Seven Days edits for space and style. Depending on cost and other factors, classes and workshops may be listed in either the calendar or the classes section. Class organizers may be asked to purchase a class listing.

music + nightlife

Learn more about highlighted listings in the Magnificent 7 on page 11. =

‘WINTER TALES’: Local writers and musicians tell festive tales and share seasonal songs at Vermont Stage’s annual tradition. Black Box Theater, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $31.0534.50. Info, 862-1497.

language

IRISH LANGUAGE CLASS: Celticcurious students learn to speak an Ghaeilge in a supportive group. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

PHOENIX BOOKS VIRTUAL POETRY OPEN MIC: Wordsmiths read their work at an evening with local performance poet Bianca Amira Zanella. Presented by Phoenix Books. 7 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 855-8078.

POETRY POTLUCK: Wordsmiths and readers bring a dish and a poem (their own or others’) to share. Whirligig Brewing, St. Johnsbury, 7-9 p.m. Free. Info, acampbell@catamountarts.org.

POETRY SOCIETY OF VERMONT’S 75TH ANNIVERSARY: Poets read from the PSOV’s journal, the Mountain Troubadour, as well as their solo work, to celebrate three-quarters of a century of wordsmithing. St. Johnsbury

UNPLUGGED GAME NIGHT: Players nosh on pizza and play one of the library’s many board games (or one of their own).

Latham Library, Thetford, 5-7 p.m. Free; preregister for pizza. Info, librarian@thetfordlibrary.org.

health & fitness

FALL PREVENTION TAI CHI: Humans boost their strength and balance through gentle, flowing movements. St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Vergennes, Levels 1 and 2, 9-10 a.m.; Level 3, 10-11 a.m. Free; donations accepted. Info, lhfrancis839@gmail.com.

FAMI LY FU N

Check out these family-friendly events for parents, caregivers and kids of all ages.

Plan ahead at sevendaysvt.com/family-fun • Post your event at sevendaysvt.com/postevent.

WED.14

burlington

BABYTIME: Librarians bring out books, rhymes and songs specially selected for young ones. Pre-walkers and younger. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 11-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

CRAFTERNOON: Crafts take over the Teen Space, from origami to stickers to fireworks in a jar. Ages 11 through 18.

Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 4-5 p.m. Free. Info, 540-2546.

STEAM SPACE: Kids explore science, technology, engineering, art and math activities. Ages 5 through 11. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 5-6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

chittenden county

AFTERSCHOOL MOVIE: ‘SPACE JAM: A NEW LEGACY’: This sequel to the classic Looney Tunes basketball flick ups the ante with LeBron James’ deep dive into the Warner Bros. cinematic universe. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 2 p.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.

BABYTIME: Teeny-tiny library patrons enjoy a gentle, slow story time featuring songs, rhymes and lap play. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 10:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

LEGO BUILDERS: Elementary-age imagineers explore, create and participate in challenges. Ages 8 and up, or ages 6 and up with an adult helper. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 3-4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

MOVIE MATINEE: Film lovers have a family-friendly afternoon at this screening of an animated favorite. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 3-5 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

PLAY TIME: Little ones build with blocks and read together. Ages 1 through 4. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 1010:45 a.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

barre/montpelier

CHESS CLUB: Kids of all skill levels get one-on-one lessons and play each other in between. Ages 6 and up. KelloggHubbard Library, Montpelier, 3:30-5 p.m. Free. Info, 223-3338.

mad river valley/ waterbury

LEGO CHALLENGE CLUB: Kids of all ages engage in a fun-filled hour of building, then leave their creations on display in the library all month long. Waterbury Public Library, 3-4 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 244-7036.

upper valley

‘THE RAILWAY CHILDREN’: Based on the classic children’s novel by Edith Nesbit, this holiday musical by Northern Stage celebrates kindness and community. Barrette Center for the Arts, White River

DEC. 17 & 18 | FAMILY FUN

Land of Sweets

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s most beloved ballet gets a maple-flavored update at Moving Light Dance’s Green Mountain Nutcracker. The well-trod story of Clara, the prince and the dastardly Mouse King gets whisked away to Vermont in the 1970s, a fanciful (and familiar) land inhabited by flannel-decked loggers and a Maple Sugar Fairy. The all-ages cast, made up of both student and professional dancers, brings the tale to life, surrounded by snowy scenery and set to a mix of Tchaikovsky’s beloved score and original tunes by local musician Colin McCaffrey.

‘GREEN MOUNTAIN NUTCRACKER’ Saturday, December 17, 7 p.m., and Sunday, December 18, 2 p.m., at Barre Opera House. $15-28. Info, 476-8188, barreoperahouse.org.

Junction, 11 a.m. & 7:30 p.m. $19-69. Info, 296-7000.

PEABODY AFTERSCHOOL FUN FOR GRADES 1-4: Students make friends over crafts and story time. George Peabody Library, Post Mills, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 333-9724.

STORY TIME!: Songs and stories are shared in the garden, or in the community room in inclement weather. Norwich Public Library, 10-11 a.m. Free. Info, 649-1184.

THU.15 burlington

PRESCHOOL YOGA: Colleen from Grow Prenatal and Family Yoga leads little ones in songs, movement and other fun activities. Fletcher Free Library,

Burlington, 11-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

chittenden county

BORAX CRYSTAL SNOWFLAKES: Crafty kiddos prepare a pipe cleaner snowflake for a chemistry experiment, then come back in a day or two to see their ornaments magically covered in “snow.” Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 5-5:45 p.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.

LEGO CLUB: Children of all ages get crafty with Legos. Adult supervision is required for kids under 10. Winooski Memorial Library, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 655-6424.

PRESCHOOL MUSIC WITH LINDA BASSICK: The singer and storyteller extraordinaire leads little ones in indoor music and movement. Birth through

age 5. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 10:30-11 a.m. Free; preregister; limited space. Info, 878-4918.

PRESCHOOL PLAYTIME: Pre-K patrons play and socialize out on the patio. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 11-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.

PRESCHOOL STORY TIME: Books, songs, rhymes, sign language lessons and math activities make for well-educated youngsters. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 10-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

READ TO A DOG: Little ones get a 10-minute time slot to tell stories to Lola the pup. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Free; preregister; limited space. Info, 878-4918.

barre/montpelier

FUSE BEAD CRAFTERNOONS: Youngsters make pictures out of colorful, meltable doodads. Ages 8 and up. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, 3:30-5 p.m. Free. Info, 223-3338.

PRESCHOOL STORY TIME: Energetic youngsters join Miss Meliss for stories, songs and lots of silliness. KelloggHubbard Library, Montpelier, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 223-3338.

mad river valley/ waterbury

PRESCHOOL PLAY & READ: Outdoor activities, stories and songs get 3- and 4-year-olds engaged. Waterbury Public Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 244-7036.

rutland/killington

FREE HOLIDAY MOVIE SERIES: ‘A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS’ + ‘HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS’: Santa himself makes an appearance at this double feature of two festive family favorites. Paramount Theatre, Rutland, 4 p.m. Free. Info, 775-0903.

upper valley

‘THE RAILWAY CHILDREN’: See WED.14, 2 & 7:30 p.m.

SONGS OF THE SEASON: Little ones ages five and under spread the cheer with festive song and dance. Junction Arts & Media, White River Junction, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 295-6688.

FRI.16

burlington

VISIT SANTA: Little ones tell the big man their Christmas wishes. Homeport, Burlington, 3-6 p.m. Free. Info, 863-1648.

chittenden county

FALL TEEN ZINE CHALLENGE: High schoolers cut, paste and doodle art and text from community members into collaborative collage books. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 3:30-5:30 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

TEEN GENRE BOOK CLUB: Young adults read any graphic novel they wish, then get together to discuss and vote on next month’s genre. Ages 12 and up. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 5-5:45 p.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.

upper valley

‘THE RAILWAY CHILDREN’: See WED.14, 7:30 p.m.

STORY TIME: Preschoolers take part in stories, songs and silliness. Latham Library, Thetford, 11 a.m. Free. Info, 785-4361.

northeast kingdom

ACORN CLUB STORY TIME: Kids 5 and under play, sing, hear stories and take home a fun activity. St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, 10-11 a.m. Free; preregister; limited space. Info, 745-1391.

SAT.17

burlington

FAMILY PLAYSHOP: Kids from birth through age 5 learn and play at this school readiness program. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 10-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

KIDS’ TRAIN RIDE: The North Pole Express takes kids on a joyride up and down Church Street. Church Street Marketplace, Burlington, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. Info, 863-1648.

SPEAKING VOLUMES CHRISTMAS PARTY: Santa Claus makes an appearance at this all-ages shindig featuring plenty stories. Speaking Volumes, Burlington, 3-6 p.m. Free. Info, 540-0107.

VERMONT’S OWN ‘NUTCRACKER’: Vermont Ballet Theater presents a full-length, all-ages rendition of Tchaikovsky’s holiday spectacle. The Flynn, Burlington, 2 & 7 p.m. $20.5545.25. Info, 863-5966.

VISIT SANTA: See FRI.16, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

COURTESY OF ABIGAIL FELDMAN

calendar holidays

BRASS QUINTET & COUNTERPOINT: See WED.14.

SOLD OUT. Warren United Church of Christ, 7:30-9:30 p.m. $20-30. Info, 864-5741.

CAROLING: Pop-up merrymakers surprise shoppers with their fala-las. Church Street Marketplace, Burlington. Free. Info, 863-1648.

FESTIVAL OF TREES: DOWNTOWN TREE WALK: See WED.14.

GHOST STORIES ON A WINTER’S NIGHT: Folks wishing for a spookier holiday season get their Dickens on and tell winterthemed ghost stories. Waterbury Public Library, 6-7:30 p.m. Free. Info, 244-7036.

HOLIDAY MIXER: Central Vermont Chamber of Commerce members and colleagues eat, drink and win prizes at a cheerful shindig. Chestnut Place, Berlin, 5-6:30 p.m. $10; free for members. Info, 229-5711.

LU•LU HOLIDAY MAKERS

MARKETS: Folks discover local artists and makers, enjoy warm drinks and other sweets, and revel in the magic of a holiday season in Vermont. Lu•lu, Vergennes, 5-8 p.m. Free. Info, 777-3933.

‘WINTER TALES’: See WED.14.

politics

THOUGHT CLUB: Artists and activists convene to engage with Burlington‘s rich tradition of radical thought and envision its future. Democracy Creative, Burlington, 6-7:30 p.m. Free. Info, tevan@democracycreative.com.

theater

‘LITTLE WOMEN’: The tale of Jo, Beth, Meg and Amy is brought to brilliant life in musical format. Highland Center for the Arts, Greensboro, 7 p.m. $5-20. Info, 533-2000.

words

AUTHOR & ARTIST SERIES: JODI GIROUARD: The Vermont author reads from her poetry and prose collection, Living With the Neighbors. Discussion and Q&A follow. Peace & Justice Center, Burlington, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Free. Info, 863-2345.

BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP: Kellogg-Hubbard Library patrons unpack The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. 6:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 223-3338.

INQUISITIVE READERS BOOK

CLUB: Bookworms discuss a new horizon-expanding tome each month. St. Johnsbury

DEC. 16-18 | HOLIDAYS

VISIT SANTA: See FRI.16, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

barre/montpelier

‘GREEN MOUNTAIN NUTCRACKER’: See SAT.17, 2 p.m.

chittenden county

KARMA KIDZ YOGA OPEN STUDIO

SATURDAYS: Young yogis of all ages and their caregivers drop in for some fun breathing and movement activities. Kamalika-K, Essex Junction, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Donations. Info, 871-5085.

SATURDAY STORIES: Kiddos start the weekend off right with stories and songs. Ages 3 through 7. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 10:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

barre/montpelier

‘GREEN MOUNTAIN NUTCRACKER’: Moving Light Dance puts a local twist on this holiday classic boasting boisterous loggers and a Maple Sugar Fairy. See calendar spotlight. Barre Opera House, 7 p.m. $15-28. Info, 476-8188.

stowe/smuggs

STORY TIME WITH SANTA AND ORNAMENT PAINTING: The team from Mud and Lace Children’s Clothing Boutique leads a morning filled with Christmas fun. River Arts, Morrisville, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free. Info, 355-8481.

upper valley

‘THE RAILWAY CHILDREN’: See WED.14, 2 & 7:30 p.m.

SUN.18

burlington

VERMONT’S OWN ‘NUTCRACKER’: See SAT.17, 1 & 6:30 p.m.

champlain islands/ northwest

SANTA BREAKFAST: SOLD OUT. Santa takes pictures with kids in between games, prizes and a holiday breakfast buffet. The Depot, St. Albans, 9-11 a.m. $12.50-17.50; preregister; limited space. Info, 443-798-5380.

upper valley

‘THE RAILWAY CHILDREN’: See WED.14, 2 p.m.

MON.19

burlington

HOLIDAY COOKIE SWAP: Tween and teen bakers share home-baked holiday goodies. Ages 11 through 18. Bring ingredient list. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 4 p.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

STORIES WITH SHANNON: Bookworms ages 2 through 5 enjoy fun-filled reading time. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 11-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

chittenden county

SLIMY CHEMISTRY: Budding chemists create their own ooey-gooey slimes and putties in any color and smell they wish. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 5-5:45 p.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.

TWEEN BOOK CLUB: Readers in grades 5 through 7 discuss a new book each month in a group run by tweens, for tweens. Dorothy Alling Memorial

Library, Williston, 3-4 p.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.

northeast kingdom

ACORN CLUB STORY TIME: See FRI.16, 2-2:30 p.m.

outside vermont

BAND AND CHORUS WINTER CONCERT: The Lebanon Middle School music department shows off what the students have been learning all semester. Lebanon Opera House, N.H., 7 p.m. Free. Info, 603-448-0400.

TUE.20

burlington

SING-ALONG WITH LINDA BASSICK: Babies, toddlers and preschoolers sing, dance and wiggle along with Linda. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 1111:30 a.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

chittenden county

CRAFTYTOWN!: From painting to printmaking and collage to sculpture, creative kids explore different projects and mediums. Ages 8 and up, or ages 6 and up with an adult helper. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 3-4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

PLAYGROUP & FAMILY SUPPORT: Families with children under age 5 play and connect with others in the community. Winooski Memorial Library, 10-11 a.m. Free. Info, 655-6424.

PRESCHOOL STORY TIME: A librarian leads half an hour of stories, rhymes and songs. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 10-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.

TODDLERTIME: Kids ages 1 through 3 and their caregivers join Miss Alyssa for story time. South Burlington Public

Library & City Hall, 10:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

barre/montpelier

PRESCHOOL STORY TIME: See THU.15.

ROBIN’S NEST NATURE PLAYGROUP: Outdoor pursuits through fields and forests captivate little ones up to age 5 and their parents. North Branch Nature Center, Montpelier, 10 a.m.-noon. Free; donations accepted. Info, 229-6206.

mad river valley/ waterbury

POKÉMON CLUB: I choose you, Pikachu! Fans of the franchise discuss their favorite cards, games and TV episodes in this monthly activity group. Ages 6 and up. Waterbury Public Library, 3-4 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 244-7036.

upper valley

‘THE RAILWAY CHILDREN’: See WED.14, 7:30 p.m.

randolph/royalton

YOUTH EMPOWERMENT & ACTION: Activists ages 14 through 18 discuss community service, climate action, LGBTQ rights and social justice. BALE Community Space, South Royalton, 3:30 p.m. Free. Info, 498-8438.

WED.21

burlington

BABYTIME: See WED.14.

CRAFTERNOON: See WED.14.

STEAM SPACE: See WED.14.

chittenden county

AFTERSCHOOL ACTIVITY: STEAM FUN: Little engineers and artists gather for some afternoon excitement. Dorothy

Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 2-3 p.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.

BABYTIME: See WED.14.

COMICS CLUB!: Graphic novel and manga fans in third through sixth grades meet to discuss current reads and do fun activities together. Hosted by Brownell Library. Essex Teen Center, Essex Junction, 2:303:30 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

LEGO BUILDERS: See WED.14.

PLAY TIME: See WED.14.

TEEN NIGHT: YULETIDE BALL: Dressed in their holiday best, kids ages 12 and up dance, play Harry Potter trivia and eat magical snacks. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 6-8 p.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.

barre/montpelier

‘OLD-FASHIONED CHRISTMAS’: Vermont Youth Theater presents a pageant of carols, candles and scenes from classic stories. Bethany United Church of Christ, Montpelier, 6:30 p.m. $24. Info, yourlifestoryvermont@gmail.com.

CHESS CLUB: See WED.14.

SOLSTICE CELEBRATION: Neighbors mark the longest night of the year by turning jars into little lanterns and sharing a community meal. Jaquith Public Library, Marshfield, 4-7 p.m. Free. Info, 426-3581.

mad river valley/ waterbury

TEEN ART CLUB: Crafty young’uns ages 12 through 18 construct paper jellyfish lanterns to bring underwater ambience to their bedrooms. Waterbury Public Library, 6-7:30 p.m. Free. Info, 244-7036.

upper valley

‘THE RAILWAY CHILDREN’: See WED.14, 2 & 7:30 p.m.

STORY TIME!: See WED.14. K

COURTESY OF EVAN OXENHAM

Athenaeum, 6-7 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, henningsmh@ yahoo.com.

LIVE POETRY AT THE FRONT:

LINDA QUINLAN & RAIN NISSENREILLEY: Two local wordsmiths read from their work. The Front, Montpelier, 6:30-8 p.m. Free. Info, 505-5596.

STORY JAM: BI-MONTHLY STORYTELLING CIRCLE: Based on the theme “If Only,” neighbors share five-minute, unrehearsed tales from their memories.

Junction Arts & Media, White River Junction, 6-7 p.m. Free. Info, 295-6688.

For Old Times’ Snowflake

Upper Valley locals gather around the campfire for a cherished Revels North tradition: A New England Midwinter Revels. This year’s celebration of vintage festive flair draws from traditional English Christmas music and Abenaki solstice traditions to transport audiences back in time. Between the mystical moves of the Abbots Bromley Horn Dancers and the spellbinding mystery of the mummers’ play, folk artists such as Jeff Warner, the Vox Hunters, and James and Jesse Bowman Bruchac show why this holiday revue has endured for almost 50 years.

‘A NEW ENGLAND MIDWINTER

REVELS’

Friday, December 16, 7 p.m.; Saturday, December 17, 2 & 7 p.m.; and Sunday, December 18, 2 p.m., at Lebanon Opera House in N.H. $10-25. Info, 603-448-0400, revelsnorth.org.

FRI.16

bazaars

INTERNATIONAL BOUTIQUE: See WED.14, noon-6 p.m.

WOMEN’S FESTIVAL OF CRAFTS: See WED.14.

climate crisis

VECAN CONFERENCE: See WED.14, noon-1:30 p.m.

dance

ENGLISH COUNTRY DANCE: Locals get their Jane Austen on at a British ball where all the dances are run through beforehand. Wear casual, comfortable clothes. Elley-Long Music Center, Saint Michael’s College, Colchester, newcomers’ lesson, 6:30 p.m.; social dance, 7-9:30 p.m. $10-15; preregister. Info, val.medve@gmail.com.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section.

‘AMAZON ADVENTURE 3D’: See WED.14.

‘INHABITANTS’: See WED.14.

‘MYSTERIES OF THE UNSEEN WORLD 3D’: See WED.14.

‘SEA MONSTERS 3D’: See WED.14.

‘WINGS OVER WATER 3D’: See WED.14.

games

MAH-JONGG: Tile traders of all experience levels gather for a game session. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 1-3 p.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.

health & fitness

COMMUNITY HOOP CLASSES: Hula hoopers of all ages get loopy at this weekly class.

Champlain Elementary School, Burlington, 6-7 p.m. Donations. Info, 355-8457.

ONLINE GUIDED MEDITATION: Dorothy Alling Memorial Library invites attendees to relax on their lunch breaks and reconnect with their bodies. Noon-12:30 p.m. Free;

preregister. Info, programs@ damlvt.org.

holidays

‘A CHRISTMAS CAROL’: Beloved storyteller Willem Lange reads from a book owned by Dickens himself, just as he has every year since 1975. Proceeds benefit the Haven. Livestream available. Lost Nation Theater, Montpelier City Hall, 7-9 p.m. $10-26. Info, 229-0492.

BARNARTS WINTER CAROLS: Friends and neighbors come together for solstice sing-alongs and performances by the community choir. First Universalist Church and Society, Barnard, 7-9 p.m. Free. Info, 234-1645.

BRASS QUINTET & COUNTERPOINT: See WED.14. United Church of Newport, 7:309:30 p.m. $20-24; free for kids under 18. Info, 864-5741.

CANDY CANE MAKING DEMONSTRATION: Merrymakers watch as sugar workers boil, pull, turn, roll and twist festive treats. Laughing Moon Chocolates, Stowe, 11 a.m.-noon. Free; $6 to make a candy cane. Info, 253-9591.

CAROLING: See THU.15.

FESTIVAL OF TREES: DOWNTOWN TREE WALK: See WED.14.

‘THE FLYING COCONUT’: A Christmas party veers off course when it’s attacked by acrobatic pirates in this unforgettable holiday circus extravaganza. New England Center for Circus Arts, Brattleboro, 7 p.m. $12-25. Info, 254-9780.

A FOREST OF LIGHTS: The VINS forest canopy walkways and surrounding woodlands transform into a twinkling winter wonderland open for strolling. Vermont Institute of Natural Science, Quechee, 5-7 p.m. $5-10; free for members under 17; preregister. Info, 359-5000.

HAIR DOWN HOLIDAY SHOW: Locals spread the happiness and cheer with wine and live tunes by Samara Lark and Joe Adler. Shelburne Vineyard, 6-8:30 p.m. Free. Info, 985-8222.

HOLIDAY LIGHT PARADE: Decked-out cars drive around town spreading holiday cheer. Bombardier Park West, Milton, 6:30 p.m. Free; preregister to participate. Info, 893-4922.

‘LIMONCELLO: A BARN OPERA HOLIDAY BASH’: A jaunty piano revue of opera, musical theater and holiday favorites makes a delightful replacement for the postponed production of The Letters of Charlotte. Barn Opera, Brandon, 7:30 p.m. $35-40. Info, 772-5601.

‘A NEW ENGLAND MIDWINTER REVELS’: Local musicians, dancers and mummers draw on old English and Abenaki traditions for a holiday revue full of vintage flair. See calendar spotlight. Lebanon Opera House, N.H., 7 p.m. $10-25. Info, 603-448-0400.

STEVIE POMIJE: The pianist celebrates the beloved holiday tunes of Charles Strouse and Irving Berlin. Main Street Museum, White River Junction, 6 p.m. Free; donations accepted. Info, info@ mainstreetmuseum.org.

A VERY VERMONTY CHRISTMAS WITH JOE ICONIS & FAMILY: A merry band of musical theater punks serves up rip-roaring renditions of some of the industry’s hottest new work. Weston Theater at Walker Farm, 7:30 p.m. $25-60; limited space. Info, 824-5288.

‘WINTER TALES’: See WED.14.

language

ADVANCED INTERMEDIATE ITALIAN CONVERSATION: Semifluent speakers practice their skills during a slow conversazione about the news. Fletcher Room, Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, noon-1:30 p.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

music

BOB AND SARAH AMOS BAND: The father-daughter duo finds perfect harmony while performing original and classic bluegrass and folk songs. Seven Stars Arts Center, Sharon, 7-9 p.m. $20-25. Info, 763-2334.

MUSIC JAM: Local instrumentalists of all ability levels gather to make sweet music. BALE Community Space, South Royalton, 7-10 p.m. Free. Info, 498-8438.

outdoors

INTRODUCTION TO WINTER HIKING: The Green Mountain Club teaches trekkers how to stay safe when the trails get snowy. 5:30-6:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, lcurrier@greenmountainclub.org.

sports

KICKOFF TO A SAFE WINTER: Slope denizens sip cider, enter a gear raffle and learn about backcountry best practices to benefit Stowe Mountain Rescue. Black Diamond Equipment, Burlington, 6 p.m. $10 suggested donation; preregister; limited space. Info, 540-9178.

DEC. 21 | HOLIDAYS

Greatest Story Ever Cold

One thing most of the world’s cultures can agree on is that the longest night of the year warrants a celebration of light and love. Lost Nation Theater brings together winter solstice songs and stories from all different traditions — Hanukkah poems, gospel songs, Native American tales and even some Dr. Seuss — for a warm and cozy evening of togetherness. Local talent includes West African cultural organization Shidaa Projects, Abenaki singer and storyteller Bryan Blanchette, actor and singer Taryn Noelle, and maybe one or two surprise guests. Livestream available.

STORIES FOR THE SEASON

Wednesday, December 21, 7-9 p.m., at Lost Nation Theater, Montpelier City Hall. Free; donations accepted. Info, 229-0492, lostnationtheater.org.

tech

TECH HELP: Experts answer questions about phones, laptops, e-readers and more in one-on-one sessions. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 10 a.m.-noon. Free; preregister; limited space. Info, 846-4140.

theater

‘BROADWAY ROCKS’: Colchester native and denizen of the Great White Way Merritt David Janes leads a program of talented musical theater performers. Partial proceeds benefit CHS’ music and theater department. Colchester High School, 7:30 p.m. $20-35. Info, 264-5700.

‘LITTLE WOMEN’: See THU.15.

‘OKLAHOMA!’: Very Merry Theatre presents Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic musical about farm girl Laurey Williams and her two rival suitors, Curly and Jud. O.N.E. Community Center, Burlington, 6:30 p.m. Free. Info, ben+shows@verymerrytheatre.org.

SAT.17

bazaars

INTERNATIONAL BOUTIQUE: See WED.14, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

crafts

FIBER CRAFT AND CHAT: Knitters, stitchers and crocheters bring their crafts and shoot the breeze over coffee. Uncommon Coffee, Essex Center, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, milukra@gmail.com.

dance

MONTPELIER CONTRA DANCE: To live tunes and gender-neutral calling, dancers balance, shadow and do-si-do the night away. N95, KN94, KN95 or 3-ply surgical masks required. Capital City Grange, Berlin, beginners’ lesson, 7:40 p.m.; social dance, 8-11 p.m. $5-20. Info, 225-8921. etc.

EKAM SIDDHI/STATE OF ENLIGHTENMENT EXPERIENCE:

Four spiritual practitioners, recently returned from a retreat in southern India, offer insights into enlightenment. North Universalist Chapel Society, Woodstock, 1-2:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 233-2638.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section.

‘AMAZON ADVENTURE 3D’: See WED.14.

‘THE HOURS’: The Metropolitan Opera streams composer Kevin Puts’ musical adaptation of Michael Cunningham’s acclaimed novel. Paramount Theatre, Rutland, 12:55 p.m. $23. Info, 7750903. Catamount Arts Center, St. Johnsbury. $16-25. Info, 748-2600.

‘INHABITANTS’: See WED.14.

‘MYSTERIES OF THE UNSEEN WORLD 3D’: See WED.14.

‘SEA MONSTERS 3D’: See WED.14.

‘WINGS OVER WATER 3D’: See WED.14.

food & drink

CAPITAL CITY WINTER FARMERS MARKET: Root veggies, honey, maple syrup and more change hands at an off-season celebration of locally grown food. Barr Hill by Caledonia Spirits, Montpelier, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, manager@ montpelierfarmersmarket.com.

FREE SATURDAY CHOCOLATE TASTINGS: A sommelier of sweet stuff leads drop-in guests through a tasting platter. Lake Champlain Chocolates Factory Store & Café, Burlington, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. Info, 864-1807.

games

BEGINNER DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: Waterbury Public Library game master Evan Hoffman gathers novices and veterans alike for an afternoon of virtual adventuring. Teens and adults welcome. Noon-4 p.m. Free. Info, 244-7036.

CHESS CLUB: Players of all ages and abilities face off and learn new strategies. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

PUZZLE SWAP: Folks of all ages looking for a new challenge trade their old puzzles. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6955.

holidays

ADVENTURE DINNER PROCRASTINATOR’S PARADISE HOLIDAY MARKET: There’s no shame in leaving your shopping ’til the last minute when it means getting to visit a decked-out

makers’ fair complete with cocktails. Kennedy Brothers Building, Vergennes, noon-4 p.m. Free. Info, 248-224-7539.

CANDY CANE MAKING DEMONSTRATION: See FRI.16.

CAROLING: See THU.15.

CHRISTMAS AT THE FARM: Merrymakers dip candles, toast s’mores and snowshoe across the grounds, all while taking in traditional 19th-century decorations. Billings Farm & Museum, Woodstock, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Regular admission, $8-17; free for members and kids 3 and under. Info, 457-2355.

FESTIVAL OF TREES: DOWNTOWN TREE WALK: See WED.14.

‘THE FLYING COCONUT’: See FRI.16, 3 & 7 p.m.

A FOREST OF LIGHTS: See FRI.16.

FREE HOLIDAY MOVIE SERIES: ‘IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE’: James Stewart stars in Frank Capra’s 1946 Christmas classic about a man saved from despair by his guardian angel. Paramount Theatre, Rutland, 7 p.m. Free. Info, 775-0903.

HOLIDAY BAKING WITH ‘THE PIE GUY’: STEAMED PERSIMMON PUDDING: Gary Stuard demonstrates how to make a scrumptious, saucy, seasonal treat. Presented by City Market, Onion River Co-op. 10-11:30 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, info@citymarket.coop.

HULADAY MARKET: The tech campus pitches its second annual holiday market, featuring more than 50 vendors and mulled wine from the bar. Hula, Burlington, 2-8 p.m. Free. Info, events@hulalakeside.com.

JERICHO HOLIDAY CRAFT SHOW: Neighbors shop small from their local potters, artists, herbalists and knitters. Community Center in Jericho, 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Free. Info, strbrdpottery@gmail.com.

‘THE KAT AND BRETT HOLIDAY SHOW’: Brett Hughes and Kat Wright present their annual extravaganza of honky-tonk

FOMO?

Find even more local events in this newspaper and online: art

Find visual art exhibits and events in the Art section and at sevendaysvt.com/art. film

See what’s playing at theaters in the On Screen section.

music + nightlife

Find club dates at local venues in the Music + Nightlife section online at sevendaysvt.com/ music.

Learn more about highlighted listings in the Magnificent 7 on page 11.

COURTESY OF MIKE FUREY

holiday cheer. Town Hall Theater, Middlebury, 7 p.m. $25-35; cash bar. Info, 382-9222.

‘LIMONCELLO: A BARN OPERA HOLIDAY BASH’: See FRI.16.

‘A NEW ENGLAND MIDWINTER REVELS’: See FRI.16, 2 & 7 p.m.

NEXT STAGE COOKIE SWAP: Neighbors inject the holiday season with surprise and sweetness with a baked goods exchange. Next Stage Arts Project, Putney, drop off, 10-11 a.m.; pickup, 1:302:30 p.m. Free. Info, 387-0102.

ONION RIVER CHORUS: Marking a year after the passing of choir cofounder Larry Gordon, Richard Riley conducts 60 voices in Baroque and modern holiday works. First Church in Barre, Universalist, 7:30-9 p.m. $20; free for students and kids under 18. Info, 477-3922.

REJOICE & BE MERRY: The South Burlington Community Chorus sings songs of the season by Benjamin Britten, John Rutter, Robert Shaw and more. Elley-Long Music Center, Saint Michael’s College, Colchester, 7:30-9 p.m. $10; free for kids under 18. Info, 324-5056.

SLEIGHSTOP: All-day glassblowing demonstrations supplement a morning of Nordic baked goods to celebrate Saint Lucia’s Day and afternoon drinks from Barr Hill. AO Glass, Burlington, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Info, 540-0125.

‘TIDINGS OF JOY’: Jubilant Christmas hymns and spirited bagpipe airs make for a special seasonal show from Solaris Vocal Ensemble. White Meeting House, Waterbury, 7:30 p.m. $15-20. Info, tickets@solarisensemble. org.

A VERY MERRY MUSEUM

HOLIDAY VARIETY

EXTRAVAGANZA: Locals bring their ukuleles to a festive jam featuring local talent, cookies and plenty of cheer. Main Street Museum, White River Junction, 7 p.m. Donations. Info, info@ mainstreetmuseum.org.

A VERY VERMONTY CHRISTMAS

WITH JOE ICONIS & FAMILY: See FRI.16, 4 & 7:30 p.m.

A WINTER SOLSTICE

CELEBRATION: Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite meets stunning celestial storytelling in the sky theater. Northcountry Planetarium, SUNY Plattsburgh, N.Y., 2 & 6 p.m. $5-9; preregister. Info, 518-564-2121.

WINTER SOLSTICE MINI-FEST: Grammy-nominated mandolinist Matt Flinner and formidable folk act Low Lily come together for a seasonal bluegrass spectacular. Next Stage Arts Project, Putney, 7:30 p.m. $20-24. Info, 387-0102.

‘WINTER TALES’: See WED.14, 2 & 7:30 p.m.

lgbtq

QUEER CRAFT FAIR: Holiday shoppers celebrate creativity and LGBTQ community at a bustling bazaar featuring prints, pottery, zines and more. Old Labor Hall, Barre, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. Info, vtqueercraft@gmail.com.

music

BATYA LEVINE: The musician and Jewish prayer leader sings traditional and original tunes and leads a community sing-along. Virtual option available. Ohavi Zedek Synagogue, Burlington, 7 p.m. $18 suggested donation. Info, 356-1668.

‘DEEP MIDWINTER: SONGS FROM WINTER’S HEART’: Social Band comes out of hibernation for a choral concert chock-full of ancient and modern classics. Richmond Free Library, 7:30-9 p.m. $18 suggested donation. Info, 355-4216.

OPERA 101: A DAY IN THE LIFE: The Youth Opera Company of Vermont weaves together selections from Glück, Humperdinck, Mozart and more to tell the story of a day in the life of a typical teen. Faith United Methodist Church, South Burlington, 2-3:30 p.m. Free. Info, youthoperavt@ yahoo.com.

outdoors

WINTER FOREST BATHING: Folks unplug, slow down and experience nature through a guided mindfulness practice led by Duncan Murdoch. Audubon Vermont Sugarhouse, Huntington, 9:30 a.m.-noon. $30-35; preregister. Info, gcauser@audubon.org.

theater

‘BROADWAY ROCKS’: See FRI.16, 2 p.m.

‘LITTLE WOMEN’: See THU.15, 2 & 7 p.m.

‘OKLAHOMA!’: See FRI.16, 2 & 6:30 p.m.

words

VERMONT READS KICKOFF

PARTY: Library patrons of all ages pick up a copy of The Most Costly Journey: Stories of Migrant Farmworkers in Vermont Drawn by New England Cartoonists and sip hot cocoa. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 10-11 a.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.

WRITERS’ WERTFREI: Authors both fledgling and published gather over Zoom to share their work in a judgment-free environment. Virtual option available. Waterbury Public Library, 10 a.m.-noon. Free; preregister. Info, judi@waterburypubliclibrary. com.

SUN.18

dance

MOVEMENT FOR PARKINSON’S FALL

PERFORMANCE: Soundtracked by Burlington Taiko, adaptive dance students show off their moves. Presented by the Flynn. 1 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 863-5966.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section.

‘AMAZON ADVENTURE 3D’: See WED.14.

‘INHABITANTS’: See WED.14.

‘MYSTERIES OF THE UNSEEN WORLD 3D’: See WED.14.

‘SEA MONSTERS 3D’: See WED.14.

‘THE TRAVERSE’: World-class skiers Hillary Gerardi and Valentine Fabre present a film about their groundbreaking journey along the Alpine Haute Route. Proceeds benefit Lake Champlain Community Sailing Center’s programs for women and girls. Black Diamond Equipment, Burlington, 6 p.m. $10 suggested donation; preregister; limited space. Info, 540-9178.

‘WINGS OVER WATER 3D’: See WED.14.

food & drink

WINTER FARMERS MARKET: Shoppers sip a local beer while browsing local bites at this wintertime hub for local growers, bakers and crafters. Four Quarters Brewing, Winooski, noon-3 p.m. Free. Info, 391-9120.

health & fitness

COMMUNITY MINDFULNESS PRACTICE: New and experienced meditators are always welcome to join this weekly practice in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hahn. Sangha Studio — Pine, Burlington, 6:30-8:15 p.m. Free. Info, newleafsangha@gmail.com.

KARUNA COMMUNITY MEDITATION: Participants practice keeping joy, generosity and gratitude at the forefront of their minds. Jenna’s House, Johnson, 10-11:15 a.m. Donations; preregister. Info, mollyzapp@live.com.

SUNDAY MORNING MEDITATION: Mindful folks experience sitting and walking meditation in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Shambhala Meditation Center, Burlington, 9 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, lungta108@gmail.com.

holidays

ADVENTURE DINNER PROCRASTINATOR’S PARADISE HOLIDAY MARKET: See SAT.17.

CAROLING: See THU.15.

CHANUKAH PARTY: Revelers eat latkes, play dreidel, sip hot chocolate and enjoy live music by Brass Balagan. Ohavi Zedek Synagogue, Burlington, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. $5-18; preregister. Info, 864-0218.

CHRISTMAS AT THE FARM: See SAT.17, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

FESTIVAL OF TREES: DOWNTOWN TREE WALK: See WED.14.

‘THE FLYING COCONUT’: See FRI.16, 1 p.m.

HINESBURG ARTIST SERIES ANNUAL HOLIDAY CONCERT: Local performers present Christmas favorites such as “Jingle Bells” and selections from Handel’s Messiah. Food shelf donations accepted. Hinesburg St. Jude Catholic Church, 2-3:30 & 4:30-6 p.m. Free. Info, 777-5040.

in...

calendar

SUN.18 « P.73

HOLIDAY DINNER DANCE AND ANNUAL MEETING: Rutland

Area ARC members, friends and family enjoy a seasonal shindig. Transportation available. Elks Lodge #345, Rutland, noon-4 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 775-1370.

MIDDLEBURY ‘MESSIAH SING’: Singers and string players join in Handel’s masterpiece at this nearly 40-year-old community tradition. Congregational Church of Middlebury, 2-3:30 p.m. $5-20 suggested donation. Info, jeff.rehbach@gmail.com.

‘A NEW ENGLAND MIDWINTER REVELS’: See FRI.16, 2 p.m.

ONION RIVER CHORUS: See SAT.17, 4-5 p.m.

‘SING WE NOW NOEL’: Audiences are encouraged to sing along when prolific pipe organist William Tortolano and singer Jerry Proulx perform carols from around the world. Chapel of Saint Michael the Archangel, Saint Michael’s College, Colchester, 2 p.m. Free; donations accepted. Info, 899-3564.

‘TIDINGS OF JOY’: See SAT.17. College Street Congregational Church, Burlington, 4 p.m.

WESTFORD MUSIC SERIES: HELIAND: The woodwind quartet offers up a brand-new holiday program of classical and contemporary carols. Westford Common Hall, 4-5 p.m. Donations. Info, 363-0930.

‘WINTER TALES’: See WED.14, 2 p.m.

YULETIDE CEREMONY: The Green Mountain Druid Order celebrates the solstice at sunset with a bonfire and drum playing. Burlington Earth Clock, Oakledge Park, 4-6 p.m. Free. Info, fearnessence@gmail.com.

lgbtq

WINTER VIRTUAL MOVIE NIGHT: Pride Center of Vermont’s Glow program virtually screens a feel-good lesbian Lifetime Christmas flick. 7 p.m. Free. Info, 860-7812.

music

‘DEEP MIDWINTER: SONGS FROM WINTER’S HEART’: See SAT.17. United Church of Hinesburg, 3-4:30 p.m.

OPERA 101: A DAY IN THE LIFE: See SAT.17. Waterbury Congregational Church, 2-3:30 p.m.

outdoors

GRAND OPENING SKATING RINK PARTY: Locals hit the ice and sip hot cocoa to celebrate the unveiling of the new ice rink under the golden dome. Vermont Statehouse lawn, Montpelier, 2-5 p.m. Free. Info, 223-9604.

theater

‘LITTLE WOMEN’: See THU.15, 2 p.m.

words

DEAN WHITLOCK: The local longtime author reads from his short story collection, Iridescent Dreams: 20 Tales of Science Fiction and Fantasy. Latham Library, Thetford, 4-5 p.m. Free. Info, 785-4361.

MON.19 crafts

DROP-IN KNIT FOR YOUR NEIGHBOR: See THU.15.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section.

‘AMAZON ADVENTURE 3D’: See WED.14.

‘INHABITANTS’: See WED.14.

‘MYSTERIES OF THE UNSEEN WORLD 3D’: See WED.14.

‘SEA MONSTERS 3D’: See WED.14.

‘WINGS OVER WATER 3D’: See WED.14.

health & fitness

YANG 24: This simplified tai chi method is perfect for beginners looking to build strength and balance. Congregational Church of Middlebury, 4-6 p.m. Free; donations accepted. Info, wirlselizabeth@gmail.com.

holidays

CHRISTMAS AT THE FARM: See SAT.17, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

FESTIVAL OF TREES: DOWNTOWN TREE WALK: See WED.14.

words

ADDISON COUNTY WRITERS COMPANY: Poets, playwrights, novelists and memoirists of every experience level meet weekly for an MFA-style workshop. Swift House Inn, Middlebury, 6-8 p.m. Free. Info, jay@zigzaglitmag.org.

FOMO?

TUE.20 community

CURRENT EVENTS DISCUSSION GROUP: Brownell Library hosts a virtual roundtable for neighbors to pause and reflect on the news cycle. 10-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 878-6955.

dance

SWING DANCING: Local Lindy hoppers and jitterbuggers convene at Vermont Swings’ weekly boogie-down. Bring clean shoes. Champlain Club, Burlington, beginner lessons, 6:30 p.m.; social dance, 7:30-9 p.m. $5. Info, 864-8382.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section.

‘AMAZON ADVENTURE 3D’: See WED.14.

‘INHABITANTS’: See WED.14.

‘MYSTERIES OF THE UNSEEN WORLD 3D’: See WED.14.

‘SEA MONSTERS 3D’: See WED.14.

‘WINGS OVER WATER 3D’: See WED.14.

health & fitness

FALL PREVENTION TAI CHI: See THU.15. Congregational Church of Middlebury, 10-11 a.m. Info, lindsayhart09@gmail.com.

holidays

BIG BAD VOODOO DADDY: The swing revival act brings a jazzy sensibility to classic and original Christmas songs. Lebanon Opera House, N.H., 7:30 p.m. $38-58. Info, 603-448-0400.

CHRISTMAS AT THE FARM: See SAT.17, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

DROP-IN GINGERBREAD HOUSES AND CHRISTMAS CRAFTS: Locals get creative with graham crackers and glitter. Latham Library, Thetford, 2-5 p.m. Free. Info, 785-4361.

FESTIVAL OF TREES: DOWNTOWN TREE WALK: See WED.14.

language

PAUSE-CAFÉ IN-PERSON FRENCH CONVERSATION: Francophones and French-language learners meet pour parler la belle langue Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 5-6:30 p.m. Free. Info, pause-cafe+owner@groups.io.

music + nightlife

SOCIAL HOUR: The Alliance Française of the Lake Champlain Region hosts a rendez-vous over Zoom. 5-6 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, ellen. sholk@gmail.com.

music

LUNCH AND LEARN: BRIAN PERKINS: The musician tells the immigrant history of the Queen City’s Old North End through music. Ohavi Zedek Synagogue, Burlington, noon-1:30 p.m. Free; donations accepted. Info, 864-0218.

politics

CHAMBER BREAKFAST CLUB: Let’s Grow Kids representatives discuss upcoming childcare legislation proposals over a catered morning meal. Central Vermont Chamber of Commerce, Berlin, 8-9 a.m. $11; preregister. Info, 229-5711.

words

BOOK CLUB BUFFET: Readers dig into Benjamin Hoff’s introductory philosophy book The Tao of Pooh over lunch.

Presented by Dorothy Alling Memorial Library. 12:30-1:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, programs@ damlvt.org.

WED.21

business

QUEEN CITY BUSINESS NETWORKING INTERNATIONAL GROUP: See WED.14.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section.

‘AMAZON ADVENTURE 3D’: See WED.14.

‘INHABITANTS’: See WED.14.

‘MYSTERIES OF THE UNSEEN WORLD 3D’: See WED.14.

‘SEA MONSTERS 3D’: See WED.14.

‘THROUGH THE OLIVE TREES’: The conclusion of Abbas Kiarostami’s trilogy, set in an earthquake-ravaged Iran, blurs

the boundaries of art and life.

Catamount Arts Center, St. Johnsbury, 6 p.m. Free. Info, 748-2600.

‘WINGS OVER WATER 3D’: See WED.14.

food & drink

ADVENTURE DINNER WINTER SOLSTICE CELEBRATION: The darkest night of the year gets brighter at a festive feast featuring fondue, spiced cider and an evergreen centerpiece craft. Werner Tree Farm, Middlebury, 6-8 p.m. $79; preregister. Info, 248-224-7539.

games

PUZZLE SWAP: Folks of all ages looking for a new challenge trade their old puzzles. South Burlington Public Library &

City Hall, 2:30-5 p.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

health & fitness

CHAIR YOGA: See WED.14.

holidays

CHRISTMAS AT THE FARM: See SAT.17, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

FESTIVAL OF TREES: DOWNTOWN TREE WALK: See WED.14.

HOLIDAY READINGS: Peter Blodgett celebrates the solstice with wintertime tales from around the world. Virtual option available. George Peabody Library, Post Mills, 7-8 p.m. Free; preregister for Zoom link. Info, librarian@thetfordlibrary.org.

STORIES FOR THE SEASON: Local legends, including Taryn Noelle,

Bryan Blanchette and more, read solstice and holiday tales from around the world. See calendar spotlight. Lost Nation Theater, Montpelier City Hall, 7-9 p.m. Free; donations accepted. Info, 229-0492.

language

IRISH LANGUAGE CLASS: See WED.14.

SPANISH CONVERSATION: Fluent and beginner speakers brush up on their español with a discussion led by a Spanish teacher. Presented by Dorothy Alling Memorial Library. 5 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, programs@damlvt.org.

lgbtq

Center of Vermont virtually screens a movie centered on queer and trans people of color. 6:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, thrive@pridecentervt.org.

music

ZACH NUGENT UNCORKED: See WED.14.

sports

GREEN MOUNTAIN TABLE TENNIS CLUB: See WED.14.

talks

THRIVE QTPOC MOVIE NIGHT: Each month, Pride

NIKOLOZ GVASALIA: A visiting Georgian student gives a presentation on and answers questions about his home in the Caucasus Mountains. St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, 7-8 p.m. Free. Info, 748-8291. m

Seven Days is a great resource for job seekers and hiring managers alike. Its statewide distribution and content attract a large audience. We tried posting on other online platforms, but the reach was too narrow and didn’t yield the same results.

After running our employment ad, we received applications immediately. We ended up finding a great candidate very quickly with the qualifications and initiative to fit right into our small team.

Working with Michelle Brown was great. She is very e cient, and her advertising expertise was very helpful. We would absolutely recommend advertising with Seven Days!

AMY KIMMEL / ROB PERRY Deerfield Designs

ACRYLIC PAINTING CLASSES:

Beginner-friendly acrylic painting classes for kids and adults.

In person or online. Abstract expression, still life, color theory and guided painting. Abstract expression and still life are in-person adult classes. Color theory is in person for homeschoolers ages 11 and up. Guided painting is online and for all! Every Tue. or Sat., starting Jan. 3. Cost: $300, all materials incl. Location: Katie O’Rourke Art, 24 Main St., Montpelier. Info: Katie O’Rourke, 498-8588, katie@katieorourkeart.com, katieorourkeart.com/classes.

DAVIS STUDIO ART CLASSES:

Discover your happy place in one of our weekly classes. Making art boosts emotional well-being and brings joy to your life, especially when you connect with other art enthusiasts. Select the ongoing program that’s right for you. Now enrolling youths and adults for classes in drawing, painting and fused glass. Location: Davis Studio, 916 Shelburne Rd., S. Burlington. Info: 425-2700, davisstudiovt.com.

language

ADULT LIVE SPANISH E-CLASSES: Join us for adult Spanish classes this winter, using Zoom online video conferencing. Now in our 17th year! Learn from a native speaker via small group classes and individual instruction. You’ll always be participating and speaking. Five different levels. Note: Classes fill up fast. See our website or contact us for details. Beginning week of Jan. 9. 10 classes of 90+ min. each, 1/week. Info: 585-1025, spanishwaterburycenter.com.

ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE: Registration for winter French language classes is now open! The Alliance Française of the Lake Champlain Region offers French language classes from beginner through advanced levels. Winter session begins Jan. 9. Location: Alliance Française, Burlington. Info: Micheline Tremblay, education@aflcr.org, aflcr.org.

SPANISH CLASSES FOR ALL AGES: Premier native-speaking Spanish professor Maigualida Rak is giving fun, interactive online lessons to improve comprehension and pronunciation and

to achieve fluency. Audiovisual material is used. “I feel proud to say that my students have significantly improved their Spanish with my teaching approach.” — Maigualida Rak. Info: 881-0931, spanishtutor.vtfla@gmail.com, facebook.com/spanishonlinevt.

martial arts

AIKIDO: THE WAY OF HARMONY: Discover the dynamic, flowing martial art of aikido. Learn how to relax under pressure and cultivate core power, aerobic fitness and resiliency. Aikido techniques emphasize throws,

pinning techniques and the growth of internal power. The circular movements emphasize blending movements rather than striking. Visitors are always welcome to watch a class!

Starting on Tue., Jan. 3, at 6 p.m. for adults; youths at 4:30 p.m. Membership rates incl. unlimited classes. Contact us for info about membership rates for adults, youths & families. Location: Aikido of Champlain Valley, 257 Pine St., Burlington.Info: Benjamin Pincus, 9518900, bpincus@ burlingtonaikido.org, burlingtonaikido.org.

VERMONT BRAZILIAN JIUJITSU: We offer a legitimate Brazilian jiu-jitsu training program for men, women and children in a friendly, safe and positive environment. Julio Cesar “Foca” Fernandez Nunes; CBJJP and IBJJF seventhdegree Carlson Gracie Sr. Coral Belt-certified instructor; teaching in Vermont, born and raised in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil! A two-time world masters champion, five-time Brazilian jiu-jitsu national champion, three-time Rio de Janeiro state champion and Gracie Challenge champion. Accept no limitations! 1st class is free. Location: Vermont Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, 55 Leroy Rd., Williston. Info: 598-2839, julio@bjjusa.com, vermontbjj.com.

music

DJEMBE & TAIKO DRUMMING: JOIN US!: New classes (outdoors mask optional/masks indoors). Taiko Tues. and Wed.; Djembe Wed.; Kids & Parents Tue. and Wed. Conga classes by request!

Location: Taiko Space, 208 Flynn Ave., Suite 3G, Burlington. Info: 999-4255, spaton55@gmail.com, burlingtontaiko.org.

21 & 28 ISSUES*

Hashtag

AGE/SEX: 8-year-old neutered male

ARRIVAL DATE: September 27, 2022

SUMMARY: Sweet senior Hashtag is one of our deserving special-needs kitties hoping for his very own home for the holidays. Hashtag came into our care because he was experiencing undiagnosed medical needs. After running diagnostics and being examined by our medical team, we learned that Hashtag is diabetic. Now that his insulin is regulated, he is feeling so much better. This sweet boy is much more comfortable, and he’s ready for his next chapter. Hashtag is a most very good boy with his insulin, and our staff will show you how easy it is to care for him. You’re sure to be rewarded with snuggles and playtime!

CATS/DOGS/KIDS: Hashtag lived with another cat and a dog and had done well with them prior to not feeling well. Now that he’s feeling better, we’re happy to discuss how to introduce him to any animals in your home.

Visit the Humane Society of Chittenden County at 142 Kindness Court, South Burlington, Tuesday through Friday from 1 to 5 p.m. or Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 862-0135 or visit hsccvt.org for more info.

GIVE THE GIFT OF HSCC!

Sponsored by:

Humane Society of Chittenden County

CLASSIFIEDS

on the road CARS/TRUCKS

CASH FOR CARS

We buy all cars! Junk, high-end, totaled: It doesn’t matter. Get free towing & same-day cash. Newer models, too. Call 1-866-5359689. (AAN CAN)

RECREATIONAL VEHICLES

2014 WINNEBAGO

ASPECT

32-foot, 3 slide-outs, sleeps 6, 12K miles. Asking $18,500. More info: kathyvt@ revsunits.com.

housing HOUSEMATES

HOMESHARE

IN DOWNTOWN BTV

Walkable to UVM/ downtown. Share a home w/ active, retired professional couple who enjoy gardening & travel. $650/mo., all incl. No pets. 863-5625, homesharevermont. org for application. Interview, refs., background check req. EHO.

LOOKING FOR ROOMMATE

Walkable Burlington apt. for $800/mo. I’m looking for a trans-friendly roommate. 3-BR, 1-BA. No pets. Recently renovated! Has a patio, new W/D, dishwasher, oven & fridge. Send me a message. 343-5859.

housing ads: $25 (25 words) legals: 52¢/word buy this stuff: free online

SPACIOUS HOME TO SHARE

Shelburne. Spacious rural home w/ lovely mountain views! Share w/ active senior who enjoys the arts & ping-pong. $400/mo. + cooking 3 times/week & sharing conversation. Private BA. Familiarity w/ memory loss is a plus. 863-5625, homesharevermont.org for application. Interview, refs., background check req. EHO.

LAND

FERRISBURGH LAND FOR SALE

6.8 treed & open acres. Incl. post & beam 26’x36’ barn, driveway, pond, septic design, electricity on-site. $140,500. 802-877-1529.

OFFICE/ COMMERCIAL

OFFICE SPACE IN SOUTH END

Chiropractic offi ce interested in subletting a beautiful offi ce space. e space includes windows, natural light, a common waiting room area & a small kitchenette. Please inquire by email to michelle@essential carechirorpactic. com or by phone at 802-540-1143.

OFFICE/RETAIL SPACE AT MAIN STREET

LANDING

on Burlington’s waterfront. Beautiful, healthy, affordable spaces for your business. Visit mainstreetlanding.com & click on space avail. Melinda, 864-7999.

services: $12 (25 words) fsbos: $45 (2 weeks, 30 words, photo) jobs: michelle@sevendaysvt.com, 865-1020 x121

soothe the nervous system & relieve anxiety. Info: heart-cavehealing.square.site, lorenann58@gmail.com.

HOME/GARDEN

print deadline: Mondays at 3:30 p.m. post ads online 24/7 at: sevendaysvt.com/classifieds questions? classifieds@sevendaysvt.com 865-1020 x120

company.com or call Tim at 802-373-7223.

SAFETY UPDATES FOR BATHTUBS

ser vices

AUTO

CUSTOM VAN CONVERSIONS

Discounted custom camper van conversions for 2023 when you book by Dec. 31, 2022, at Ozzie Vans of Westford, Vt. Info at ozzievans. com & 802-637-9033.

DONATE YOUR VEHICLE

To fund the search for missing children. Fast, free pickup. 24-hour response. Running or not. Maximum tax deduction & no emission test req. Call 24-7: 855-504-1540. (AAN CAN)

EDUCATION

ATTN: ACTIVE DUTY & MILITARY VETS

Begin a new career & earn your degree at CTI! Online computer & medical training avail. for veterans & families. To learn more, call 866-243-5931, Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-6 p.m. ET. Computer w/ internet is req. (AAN CAN)

FINANCIAL/LEGAL

CREDIT CARD DEBT RELIEF!

Reduce payment by up to 50%. Get 1 low affordable payment/mo. Reduce interest. Stop calls. Free no-obligation consultation. Call 1-855761-1456. (AAN CAN)

HEALTH/ WELLNESS

PSYCHIC COUNSELING

Psychic counseling, channeling w/ Bernice Kelman, Underhill. 40+ years’ experience. Also energy healing, chakra balancing, Reiki, rebirthing, other lives, classes & more. 802-899-3542, kelman.b@juno.com.

BATH & SHOWER UPDATES

In as little as 1 day! Affordable prices. No payments for 18 mos. Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & military discounts avail. Call 1-866-370-2939. (AAN CAN)

BURLINGTON WALLPAPERING

Wallpaper installer. Burlington area or within 30 min. Transform a wall or room today! Call/text Kathleen at 919-270-7526 or email kathleenpeden@ gmail.com. 20+ years’ experience. Visit burlingtonwallpaper andmuralinstaller.com.

COVERED HOME REPAIRS

Don’t pay for covered home repairs again! American Residential Warranty covers all major systems & appliances. 30-day risk free/$100 off popular plans. Call 855-7314403. (AAN CAN)

HOME ORGANIZER/ DECLUTTERER

Drowning in clutter? Spruce up for the holidays! Experienced & professional. Services: organizing by room/ home, packing/unpacking, selling/donating items. $45/hour, fully vaccinated. Refs. upon request. declutterbtv@ gmail.com.

INTERIOR PAINTING SERVICE

South Burlington-based painter seeking interior projects. Quality work, insured w/ solid refs. On the web at vtpainting

BathWraps is looking for homeowners w/ older homes who want a quick safety update. ey do not remodel entire bathrooms but update bathtubs w/ new liners for safe bathing & showering. ey specialize in grab bars, nonslip surfaces & shower seats. All updates are completed in 1 day. Call 1-866-531-2432. (AAN CAN)

WATER DAMAGE TO YOUR HOME?

Call for a quote for professional cleanup & maintain the value of your home. Set an appt. today. Call 833-6641530. (AAN CAN)

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 and similar Vermont statutes which make it illegal to advertise any preference, limitations, or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, handicap, presence of minor children in the family or receipt of public assistance, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or a discrimination. The newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate, which is in violation of the law. Our

readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. Any home seeker who feels he or she has encountered discrimination should contact:

HUD Office of Fair Housing

10 Causeway St., Boston, MA 02222-1092 (617) 565-5309 — OR —

Vermont Human Rights Commission 14-16 Baldwin St. Montpelier, VT 05633-0633 1-800-416-2010 hrc@vermont.gov

MASSAGE FOR MEN BY SERGIO

Baby, it’s cold outside!

Time for a massage to ease those aches and pains. Call me for an appointment: 802-3247539, sacllunas@gmail. com.

REIKI OFFERINGS

Reiki master offering 30- & 60-min. sessions in Burlington. A gentle, loving energy healing modality that can

buy

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APPLIANCES/ TOOLS/PARTS

BRAND-NEW CORDLESS TOOLS

Milwaukee cordless 9-piece combo, brand-new, unopened, 3 batteries, 18-volt, $500. Paid $800. Info: 802-310-9691.

MISCELLANEOUS

4G LTE HOME INTERNET

Get GotW3 w/ lightningfast speeds + take your service with you when you travel! As low as $109.99/mo. 1-866-5711325. (AAN CAN)

BCI WALK-IN TUBS Now on sale! Be 1 of the 1st 50 callers & save $1,500! Call 844-5140123 for a free in-home consultation. (AAN CAN)

DISH TV $64.99 $64.99 for 190 channels + $14.95 high-speed internet. Free installation, Smart HD DVR incl., free voice remote. Some restrictions apply. Promo expires Jan. 21, 2023. 1-866-566-1815. (AAN CAN)

DIRECTV SATELLITE TV Service starting at $74.99/mo.! Free install. 160+ channels avail. Call now to get the most sports & entertainment on TV. 877-310-2472.

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WANT TO BUY

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WANT MORE PUZZLES?

Try these online news games from Seven Days at sevendaysvt.com/games.

CALCOKU

BY JOSH REYNOLDS

DIFFICULTY THIS WEEK: ★★★

Fill the grid using the numbers 1-6, only once in each row and column. e numbers in each heavily outlined “cage” must combine to produce the target number in the top corner, using the mathematical operation indicated. A one-box cage should be filled in with the target number in the top corner. A number can be repeated within a cage as long as it is not the same row or column.

SUDOKU

BY JOSH REYNOLDS

DIFFICULTY THIS WEEK: ★★

Place a number in the empty boxes in such a way that each row across, each column down and each 9-box square contains all of the numbers one to nine. e same numbers cannot be repeated in a row or column.

Put your knowledge of Vermont news to the test.

NEW ON FRIDAYS: See how fast you can solve this weekly 10-word puzzle.

NEW EVERY DAY:

Guess today’s 5-letter word. Hint: It’s in the news!

Legal Notices

AUCTION – MOBILE HOME

Sale Date and Location: Tuesday, 12/20/22 at 11:00 a.m. – Milton Mobile Home Co-op, Lot #78, 44 Rita Way in Milton, Vermont.

For more info. call (802) 860-9536.

1974 Skyline, 14’ x 66’, Min. bid $7,477.05 Must be moved 5 days after sale.

Auctioneer: Uriah Wallace – Lic. #057-0002460

ENGELBERTH CONSTRUCTION, ACTING AS CONSTRUCTION MANAGER FOR 10TH CAVALRY HOUSING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, SEEKS QUALIFIED SUBCONTRACTORS AND SUPPLIERS FOR THE 10TH CAVALRY APARTMENTS PROJECT IN COLCHESTER, VT.

Women-Owned, Minority-Owned subcontractors and suppliers, and Small, Locally Owned, and Section 3 Businesses are strongly encouraged to submit a bid proposal.

Project Description: Renovations to three historic buildings, previous dormitories: Dupont Hall, Hamel Hall, and Purtill Hall, located at 123, 33 and 81 Ethan Allen Avenue in Colchester, VT. The project is anticipated to consist of conversion to 65 units of multi-family housing with a mix of studios, and one-bedroom units.

Schedule: The work is scheduled to begin the 1st Quarter 2023 and be completed the 1st Quarter 2024.

The construction work contains but is not limited to the following: Interior demolition and hazardous material abatement, structural improvements, addition of egress stairs, framing for new floor layouts, drywall, paint and finishes, masonry repair and repointing, window restoration and replacement, roof repair, porch and balcony repair, appliances, and new electrical, mechanical, ventilation and fire suppression systems. Site improvements will include connection to water, sewer and stormwater utilities at the curb, and

PLACE AN AFFORDABLE NOTICE AT: SEVENDAYSVT.COM/LEGAL-NOTICES OR CALL 802-865-1020, EXT. 142.

walkways, ramps and access along with landscaping and amenities improvements.

Funding: This project is funded by housing and community development financial assistance from one or more HUD programs and will adhere to their procurement and contracting guidelines, including Davis Bacon wage rates. Women-Owned, MinorityOwned, Locally-Owned Businesses, and Section 3 Business are encouraged to submit quotes.

Any interested subcontractors and suppliers should contact Engelberth Construction by sending an email to: Preconstruction3@Engelberth. com Please include your company name, address, phone number, contact name, and the scope of work you wish to bid. When the Bid Package is finalized, a formal invitation to bid will then be sent to you which will include electronic access to relevant documents including the plans and specifications.

Engelberth Construction, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Further information about Engelberth Construction is available at www.engelberth.com

NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS STATE OF VERMONT December 14, 2022

Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development Josh Hanford, Commissioner, VT Department of Housing and Community Development One National Life Drive, Davis Building, 6th Floor Montpelier, VT 05620 802-828-3080

These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the State of Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development (Agency).

Request for Release of Funds

On or about December 24, 2022 the Agency will submit a request to HUD to release the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (PL 93-383), the National Affordable Housing Act, as amended, to undertake a project known as Recovery Housing for the purpose of conducting minor rehab and repair of three existing multifamily buildings including adding ADA ramps. The project will also undertake minor stormwater and drainage repairs. The project is located at 1005, 1006 and 1007 Ethan Allen Avenue, Essex, Vermont. The total estimated cost of the project is$2,431,995; approximately $1,071,455 VHCB - Innovation Fund, $360,540 VCDP - Recovery Program, private foundation $200,000, and $600,000 in CDBG funding.

Finding of No Significant Impact

The Agency has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) which will be made available to the public for review at the Agency, National Life Building, One National Life Drive, Davis Building 6th floor, Montpelier, Vermont 05620, may be examined or copied between the hours of 8:00am and 4:00pm or via email at grace. vinson@vermont.gov.

Public Comments

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the Agency, Attn: Environmental Officer, Department of Housing and Community Development, National Life Building, One National Life Drive, Davis Building 6th floor, Montpelier, Vermont 05620, or via email at grace. vinson@vermont.gov. All comments received by December 24, 2022 will be considered by the Agency prior to authorizing the submission of a request for release of funds. Comments must specify which Notice they are addressing—the

Finding of No Significant Impact or the Request for the Release of Funds.

Environmental Certification

The Agency and Josh Hanford, in his official capacity as Commissioner of the VT Department of Housing and Community Development, consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied.

HUD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the Agency to use the CDBG funds.

Objections to Release of Funds

HUD will accept objections to its approval of the release of funds and the State’s certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer Josh Hanford; (b) the Agency has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by the HUD; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality.

Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed the Attn: Grace Vinson, Environmental Officer, Agency of Commerce and Community Development, One National Life Drive, Davis Building, 6th Floor, Montpelier, Vermont 05602 or via email at grace. vinson@vermont.gov. Potential objectors should contact the Agency via email to verify the last day of the objection period.

NOTICE OF SELF-STORAGE LIEN SALE CHIMNEY

CORNERS SELF STORAGE 76 GONYEAU ROAD, MILTON VT 05403

FROM P.81

FROM P.81

Notice is hereby given that the contents of the self-storage units listed below will be sold at public auction by sealed bid. This sale is being held to collect unpaid storage unit occupancy fees, charges, and expenses of the sale. The entire contents of each self-storage unit listed below will be sold, with the proceeds to be distributed to Chimney Corners Self Storage for all accrued occupancy fees (rent charges), late payment fees, sale expenses, and all other expenses in relation to the unit and its sale.

Contents of each unit may be viewed on December 28th, 2022, commencing at 10:00 am. Sealed bids are to be submitted on the entire contents of each self- storage unit. Bids will be opened one half hour after the last unit has been viewed on December 28th, 2022. The highest bidder on the storage unit must remove the entire contents of the unit within 48 hours after notification of their successful bid. Purchase must be made in cash and paid in advance of the removal of the contents of the unit. A $50 cash deposit shall be made and will be refunded if the unit is broom cleaned. Chimney Corners Self Storage reserves the right to accept or reject bids.

The contents of the following tenant’s self-storage units will be included in this sale:

Fallon Binns, Unit 228. Maurice Guariglia, Units 321, 611, and 620. Jason Vincent, Units 406 and 911. Jessica Ferrecchia, Unit 633. Nicole Mann, Unit 702.

NOTICE OF TAX SALE TOWN OF COLCHESTER

The resident and non-resident owners, lien holders and mortgagees of lands in the Town of Colchester in the County of Chittenden are hereby notified that the taxes assessed by such Town remain, either in whole or in part, unpaid on the following described lands in such Town, to wit:

CLASSIFIEDS »

Property Owner: Frederick J. Fortune, III

Property Address: 0 Clay Point Road

Parcel ID # 16-057010-0000000

A portion of the same lands and premises conveyed to the said Frederick J. Fortune, III by Warranty Deed of Beatrice F. Wallace dated September 20, 1997 and recorded at Volume 281, Page 475 of the Land Records of the Town of Colchester, Vermont.

Tax Years: 2021 - 2023 Amount of delinquent taxes, stormwater fees, interest, cost and penalties: $891.96

Property Owner: Frederick J. Fortune, III

Property Address: 705 Clay Point Road

Parcel ID # 16-058000-0000000

A portion of the same lands and premises conveyed to the said Frederick J. Fortune, III by Warranty Deed of Beatrice F. Wallace dated September 20, 1997 and recorded at Volume 281, Page 475 of the Land Records of the Town of Colchester, Vermont.

Tax Years: 2021 - 2023 Amount of delinquent taxes, stormwater fees, interest, cost and penalties: $7,804.87

Property Owner: K&N Enterprises, LLC

Property Address: 574 Prim Road

Parcel ID # 49-020002-0000000

All of the same lands and premises conveyed to the said K&N Enterprises, LLC by Warranty Deed of Andre J. Thibault and Gisele K. Thibault dated May 24, 2018 and recorded at Volume 837, Page 595 of the Land Records of the Town of Colchester, Vermont. Tax Years: 2021 - 2023 Amount of delinquent taxes, stormwater fees, interest, cost and penalties: $17,647.71

Property Owner: Kadic Inc.

Property Address: 40 Blum Court

Parcel ID # 28-079002-0010000

All of the same lands and premises conveyed to the said Kadic Inc. by Warranty Deed of Richard C. Blum dated September 2, 2016 and recorded at Volume 804, Page 730 of the Land Records of the Town of Colchester, Vermont. Tax Years: 2019 - 2023

Amount of delinquent taxes, stormwater fees, interest, cost and penalties: $12,364.39

Property Owner: Kadic Inc.

Property Address: 42 Blum Court

Parcel ID # 28-079002-0020000

All of the same lands and premises conveyed to the said Kadic Inc. by Warranty Deed of Richard C. Blum dated September 2, 2016 and recorded at Volume 804, Page 730 of the Land Records of the Town of Colchester, Vermont. Tax Years: 2021 - 2023

Amount of delinquent taxes, stormwater fees, interest, cost and penalties: $4,539.65

Property Owner: Kadic Inc.

Property Address: 46 Blum Court

Parcel ID # 28-079002-0030000

All of the same lands and premises conveyed to the said Kadic Inc. by Warranty Deed of Richard C. Blum dated September 2, 2016 and recorded at Volume 804, Page 730 of the Land Records of the Town of Colchester, Vermont. Tax Years: 2021 - 2023

Amount of delinquent taxes, stormwater fees, interest, cost and penalties: $15,912.05

Property Owner: Kadic Inc.

Property Address: 48 Blum Court

Parcel ID # 28-079002-0040000

All of the same lands and premises conveyed to the said Kadic Inc. by Warranty Deed of Richard C. Blum dated September 2, 2016 and recorded at Volume 804, Page 730 of the Land Records of the Town of Colchester, Vermont. Tax Years: 2020 - 2023

Amount of delinquent taxes, stormwater fees, interest, cost and penalties: $24,211.90

Property Owner: Katelyn Ruhl

Property Address: 275 Williams Road

Parcel ID # 07-068003-0000000

All of the same lands and premises conveyed to the said Katelyn Ruhl by Warranty Deed of Ralph J. Williams dated September 28, 2010 and recorded at Volume 675, Page 638 of the Land Records of the Town of Colchester, Vermont. Tax Years: 2021 - 2023 Amount of delinquent taxes, interest, cost and penalties: $3,400.21

Reference may be made to said deeds for a more particular description of said lands and premises,

as the same appear in the Town Clerk’s Office of the Town of Colchester.

So much of such lands will be sold at public auction at the Town of Colchester, 781 Blakely Road, Colchester, Vermont 05478, on the 19 th day of January, 2023 at 10 o’clock in the forenoon, as shall be requisite to discharge such taxes with interest, costs and penalties, unless previously paid.

Property owners, mortgagees, and lien holders may pay such taxes, interest, costs and penalties in full by cash or certified check made payable to the Town of Colchester. At tax sale, successful bidders must pay in full by cash or certified check. No other payments accepted. Any questions or inquiries regarding the above-referenced sale should be directed to the following address:

Kristen E. Shamis, Esq.

Monaghan Safar Ducham PLLC

156 Battery Street Burlington, VT 05401 kshamis@msdvt.com

Monaghan Safar Ducham PLLC, and the Town of Colchester give no opinion or certification as to the marketability of title to the above-referenced properties as held by the current owner/taxpayer.

Dated at Colchester, Vermont, this 5 th day of December, 2022.

Julie Graeter

Collector of Delinquent Taxes

Town of Colchester (802) 660-4735

PROPOSED STATE RULES

By law, public notice of proposed rules must be given by publication in newspapers of record. The purpose of these notices is to give the public a chance to respond to the proposals. The public notices for administrative rules are now also available online at https://secure.vermont.gov/ SOS/rules/ . The law requires an agency to hold a public hearing on a proposed rule, if requested to do so in writing by 25 persons or an association having at least 25 members.

To make special arrangements for individuals with disabilities or special needs please call or write the contact person listed below as soon as possible.

To obtain further information concerning any scheduled hearing(s), obtain copies of proposed rule(s) or submit comments regarding proposed rule(s), please call or write the contact person listed below. You may also submit comments in writing to the Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules, State House, Montpelier, Vermont 05602 (802-828-2231).

Independent External Review of Health Care Service.

Vermont Proposed Rule: 22P035

AGENCY: Department of Financial Regulation

CONCISE SUMMARY: The Independent External Review of Health Care Services Decision (hereafter, the Rule) provides a process for individuals whose health insurance plan has denied, reduced or terminated their health insurance coverage or denied payment for a health care service, and who have exhausted all applicable internal review procedures provided by their health benefit plan, to obtain an independent external review of the plan’s decision. In addition to technical corrections, the proposed revisions to the Rule expand the scope of external review to any adverse benefit determination involving whether a claim is eligible for surprise billing and cost-sharing protections under the federal No Surprises Act.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: E. Sebastian Arduengo, Department of Financial Regulation 89 Main Street, Montpelier, VT 056203101 Tel: 802-828-4846 Fax: 802-828-5593 Email: Sebastian.Arduengo@vermont.gov URL: https:// dfr.vermont.gov/about-us/legal-general-counsel/ proposed-rules-and-public-comment.

FOR COPIES: Emily Kisicki, Department of Financial

Show and tell. View and post up to 6 photos per ad online.

Open 24/7/365.

Post & browse ads at your convenience.

Regulation 89 Main Street, Montpelier, VT 056203101 Tel: 802-622-4305 Email: Emily.Kisicki@ vermont.gov.

RFP ESSEX WESTFORD SCHOOL DISTRICT NETWORK BACKUP SOLUTION

EWSD invites interested proposers to submit bids for a district-wide information technology network backup solution. The deadline to submit proposals is January 19, 2023 at 4:00pm Eastern Standard Time. For more details visit www.ewsd. org > District Operations > Purchasing & Bids and view the full RFP document (including information about an upcoming Q&A session for interested proposers) under “RFPs & Bid Requests.” For more information contact pdrescher@ewsd.org.

STATE OF VERMONT SUPERIOR COURT PROBATE DIVISION CHITTENDEN UNIT DOCKET NO. 22-PR-05215

IN RE: Catherine Elizabeth Carol Hughes

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

To the creditors of Catherine Elizabeth Carol Hughes, late of Charlotte, Vermont

I have been appointed to administer this estate. All creditors having claims against the decedent or the estate must present their claims in writing within four (4) months of the date of this publication of this notice. The claim must be presented to me at the address listed below with a copy sent to the Court. The claim may be barred forever if it is not presented within the four (4) month period.

Dated: 8/5/2022

Signature of Fiduciary: /s/ Anne Cox

Executor/Administrator: Anne Cox c/o Julie Hoyt, 1795 Williston Rd, Suite 125 South Burlington, VT 05403 802-864-5951 julie@vtelaw.com

Name of Publication: Seven Days Publication Date: December, 14th 2022

Name of Probate Court: Chittenden Country Probate, ATTN: Debra Brunell, Register Address of Probate Court: PO Box 511, Burlington, VT 05402

STATE OF VERMONT SUPERIOR COURT PROBATE DIVISION CHITTENDEN UNIT DOCKET NO.: 22-PR-07167

In re ESTATE of MARY JANE ROY

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

To the creditors of: MARY JANE ROY, late of Essex Junction, Vermont

I have been appointed to administer this estate. All creditors having claims against the decedent or the estate must present their claims in writing within four (4) months of the date of the first publication of this notice. The claim must be presented to me at the address listed below with a copy sent to the Court. The claim may be barred forever if it is not presented within the four (4) month period.

Dated: 12/12/2022

Signature of Fiduciary: /s/ Launa L. Slater

Executor/Administrator: Margaret Portelance, c/o Launa L. Slater, Wiener & Slater, PLLC 110 Main Street, Suite 4F,Burlington, VT 05401, (802) 863-1836 launa@wsvtlaw.com

Name of Publication: Seven Days Publication Date: 12/14.2022

Name of Probate Court: Vermont Superior Court, Chittenden Unit Address of Probate Court: P.O. Box 511 Burlington, VT 05402-0511

Extra! Extra! There’s no limit to ad length online.

WARNING JERICHO FIRE DISTRICT NO. 1 SPECIAL MEETING DECEMBER 19, 2022

The legal voters of Jericho Fire District No. 1, Vermont are hereby notified and warned to meet at Deborah Rawson Library meeting room, in the Town of Jericho on Monday, December 19, 2022, between the hours of 10 o’clock (10:00) in the forenoon (a.m.), at which time the polls will open, and seven o’clock (7:00) in the afternoon (p.m.), at which time the polls will close, to vote by Australian ballot upon the following Article of business:

ARTICLE I

Shall general obligation bonds or notes of Jericho Fire District No. 1 in amount not to exceed Sixty-Six Thousand Dollars ($66,000), subject to reduction from available state and federal construction grants-in-aid and other financial assistance, be issued for the purpose of constructing water system transmission and distribution improvements, such improvements estimated to cost Sixty-Six Thousand Dollars ($66,000)?

The legal voters and residents of Jericho Fire District No. 1 are further warned and notified that a virtual informational hearing will be held on Monday, December 12, 2022, commencing at 7 o’clock (7 p.m.) for the purpose of explaining the subject proposed water system improvements and the financing thereof.

The legal voters of the Jericho Fire District No. 1 are further notified that voter qualification, registration and absentee voting relative to said special meeting shall be as provided in Section 2484 of Title 20, and Chapters 43, 51 and 55 of Title 17, Vermont Statutes Annotated.

Adopted and approved at a duly convened meeting of the Prudential Committee of the Jericho Fire District No. 1 held on November 15, 2022. Received for record and recorded in the records of Jericho Fire District No. 1 on November 15, 2022.

ATTEST: /s/Charles Windisch FIRE DISTRICT CLERK

JERICHO FIRE DISTRICT NO. 1 /s/Jeffrey Earl /s/Fred Lavenberg /s/Ann Lerner-Kroll Prudential Committee

STATE OF VERMONT VERMONT SUPERIOR COURT ADDISON UNIT, CIVIL DIVISION DOCKET NO: 25012-19 ANCV

PENNYMAC LOAN SERVICES, LLC v. MICHAEL a. BORTELL APPOINTED EXECUTOR of the ESTATE of KENNETH J. BORTELL and USDA

OCCUPANTS OF: 34 Exchange Street, Middlebury VT

Mortgagee’s Notice of Foreclosure Sale of Real Property Under 12 V.S.A. sec 4952 et seq.

In accordance with the Judgment Order and Decree of Foreclosure entered October 14, 2022, in the above captioned action brought to foreclose that certain mortgage given by Kenneth J. Bortell to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. as nominee for ARK-LA-TEX Financial Services, LLC dba Benchmark Mortgage, dated April 30, 2015 and recorded in Book 276 Page 466 of the land records of the Town of Middlebury, of which mortgage the Plaintiff is the present holder, by virtue of an Assignment of Mortgage from Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. as nominee for ARK-LA-TEX Financial Services, LLC dba Benchmark Mortgage to PennyMac Loan Services, LLC dated November 1, 2017 and recorded in Book 293 Page 293 of the land records of the Town of Middlebury, for breach of the conditions of said mortgage and for the purpose of foreclosing the same will be sold at Public Auction at 34 Exchange Street, Middlebury, Vermont on January 17, 2023 at 11:00

AM all and singular the premises described in said mortgage,

Legal Notices

To wit:

A parcel of land containing 0.14 acres, more or less, with residence and other improvements thereon, known and designated as 34 Exchange Street, being all and the same lands and premises conveyed to Seth Gero & Holly S. Wry by Warranty Deed of Maribeth T. Gero dated April 8, 2011 and recorded at Book 253, Page 496 of the Middlebury Land Records and more particularly described as follows:

Being all and the same lands and premises conveyed to Maribeth Gero by Warranty Deed of Elizabeth D. Hampel dated January 9, 2004, and of record in Volume 206, Page 338 of the Town of Middlebury Land Records, and being more particularly described therein as follows:

“Being all and the same lands and premises conveyed to the herein Grantor and her husband, Harrison B. Hampel, no deceased, by Executor’s Deed of Richard S. Emilo, Executor of the Estate of Mary E. Connelly, dated July 15, 1999, recorded in Book 172 at Page 620 of the Middlebury Land Records, and therein described as follows:

Being all and the same lands and premises conveyed to Mary E. Connelly and her husband, Gerald D. Connelly, who predeceased her, by Warranty Deed of Giovanina Emilo and Louis J. Emilo, said deed being dated January 23, 1963, and recorded in Book 58 at Page 513 of the Middlebury Land Records, and being more particularly described therein as follows:

“Being all and the same land and premises conveyed to Grantors herein by Administratrix’ Deed of Stella Wooster of the Estate of Bridget, said deed being dated 12 June 1961 and being recorded in Book 57 at page 578 of the Middlebury Land Records, it being all and the same lands and premises described in a deed from Lizzie M. Crannelly (formerly Lizzie M. Wooster) and Edward J. Crannelly to Bridge Wooster, dated 24 November 1905, recorded in Book 34 at page 290 of the Middlebury Land Records and described in said deed as follows:

`Beginning at the South West corner of Charles Westhall’s home place, thence South on said Westhall’s line 93 feet, thence East 80 feet at right angles to last mentioned line to the Satterly line, thence north on the Satterly lot 93 ft. at right

Support Groups

A CIRCLE OF PARENTS FOR MOTHERS OF COLOR

Please join our parent-led online support group designed to share our questions, concerns & struggles, as well as our resources & successes! Contribute to our discussion of the unique but shared experience of parenting. We will be meeting weekly on Wed., 10-11 a.m. For more info or to register, please contact Heather at hniquette@pcavt. org, 802-498-0607, pcavt.org/ family-support-programs.

A CIRCLE OF PARENTS FOR SINGLE MOTHERS

Please join our parent-led online support group designed to share our questions, concerns & struggles, as well as our resources & successes! Contribute to our discussion of the unique but shared experience of parenting. We will be meeting weekly on Fri., 10-11 a.m. For more info or to register, please contact Heather at hniquette@pcavt. org, 802-498-0607, pcavt.org/ family-support-programs.

A CIRCLE OF PARENTS W/ LGBTQ+ CHILDREN

Please join our parent-led online support group designed to share our questions, concerns & struggles, as well as our resources & successes! Contribute to our discussion of the unique but shared experience of parenting. We will be meeting weekly on Mon., 10-11 a.m. For more info or to register, please contact Heather at hniquette@pcavt. org, 802-498-0607, pcavt.org/ family-support-programs.

AL-ANON

For families & friends of alcoholics. Phone meetings, electronic meetings (Zoom), & an Al-Anon blog are avail. online at the AlAnon website. For meeting info, go to vermontalanonalateen. org or call 866-972-5266.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS

Do you have a drinking problem? AA meeting sites are now open, & online meetings are also available. Call our hotline at 802 864-1212 or check for in-person or online meetings at burlingtonaa.org.

ALL ARTISTS SUPPORT GROUP

Are you a frustrated artist? Have you longed for a space to “play” and work? Let’s get together and see what we can do about this! Text (anytime) or call 802-777-6100.

ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUPS

Support groups meet to provide assistance & info on Alzheimer’s disease & related dementias. They emphasize shared experiences, emotional support & coping techniques in care for a person living w/ Alzheimer’s or a related dementia. Meetings are free & open to the public. Families, caregivers & friends may attend. Please call in advance to confirm date & time. 4 options: 1st Mon. of every mo., 2-3 p.m., at the Residence at Shelburne Bay, 185 Pine Haven Shores, Shelburne; 4th Tue. of every mo., 10-11 a.m., at the Residence at Quarry Hill, 465 Quarry Hill Rd., South Burlington; 2nd Tue. of every mo., 5-6:30 p.m., at the Alzheimer’s Association Main Office, 300 Cornerstone Dr.,

Suite 130, Williston; 2nd Mon. of every mo., 6-7:30 p.m., at Milton Public Library, 39 Bombardier Rd., Milton. For questions or additional support group listings, call 800-272-3900.

ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION TELEPHONE SUPPORT GROUP

2nd Tue. monthly, 4-5:30 p.m. Preregistration is req. (to receive dial-in codes for toll-free call). Please dial the Alzheimer’s Association’s 24-7 Helpline, 800-272-3900, for more info.

ARE YOU HAVING PROBLEMS W/ DEBT?

Do you spend more than you earn? Get help at Debtor’s Anonymous & Business Debtor’s Anonymous. Wed., 6:30-7:30 p.m., Methodist Church in the Rainbow Room at Buell & S. Winooski, Burlington. Contact Jennifer, 917-568-6390.

BABY BUMPS SUPPORT GROUP FOR MOTHERS & PREGNANT WOMEN

Pregnancy can be a wonderful time of your life. But it can also be a time of stress often compounded by hormonal swings. If you are a pregnant woman, or have recently given birth & feel you need some help w/ managing emotional bumps in the road that can come w/ motherhood, please come to this free support group led by an experienced pediatric registered nurse. Held on the 2nd & 4th Tue. of every mo., 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Birthing Center, Northwestern Medical Center, St. Albans. Info: Rhonda Desrochers, Franklin County Home Health Agency, 527-7531.

angles to said last mentioned line, thence West 80 feet to the place of beginning. Together with right of way for teams (and otherwise) to pass and repass from the North-West corner of said granted lot along said Westhall’s line and along the line of lands owned by Henry T. Langworthy to the Rail Road, said Westhall having a right of way from his place to the same point.

Also the right to a foot path for foot passengers from the South West corner of said granted lot to Depot Street, so-called.

Meaning hereby to convey the same premises conveyed by Charles C. Peck to Lizzie M. Wooster, by his warranty deed dated August 27, 1883 and recorded in Book 27, Page 185 of Middlebury Land Records, from the record of which deed the above description is copied and it is expressly understood that said description is of the boundaries on August 27, 1883, and that there may now be different abutters.’ ”

Reference is hereby made to the above-mentioned instruments, the records thereof, the references therein made, and their respective records and references, in further aid of this description.

The Property is conveyed subject to the rights of the public and others legally entitled thereto in any portion of the Property lying within the boundaries of a public road, way, street, trait, or alley to the extent not otherwise extinguished by the Vermont Marketable Record Title Act (27 V.S.A. §§ 601 - 604).

Reference is hereby made to the above

instruments and to the records and references contained therein in further aid of this description.

Terms of sale: Said premises will be sold and conveyed subject to all liens, encumbrances, unpaid taxes, tax titles, municipal liens and assessments, if any, which take precedence over the said mortgage above described.

TEN THOUSAND ($10,000.00) Dollars of the purchase price must be paid by a certified check, bank treasurer’s or cashier’s check at the time and place of the sale by the purchaser. The balance of the purchase price shall be paid by a bank wire, certified check, bank treasurer’s or cashier’s check within sixty (60) days after the date the Confirmation Order is entered by the Court. All checks should be made payable to “Bendett & McHugh, PC, as Trustee”.

The mortgagor is entitled to redeem the premises at any time prior to the sale by paying the full amount due under the mortgage, including the costs and expenses of the sale. Other terms to be announced at the sale.

DATED : December 12, 2022

By: /s/ Rachel K. Ljunggren Rachel K. Ljunggren, Esq. Bendett and McHugh, PC 270 Farmington Ave., Ste. 151 Farmington, CT 06032

BETTER BREATHERS CLUB

American Lung Association support group for people w/ breathing issues, their loved ones or caregivers. Meets on the 1st Mon. of every mo., 11 a.m.-noon at the Godnick Center, 1 Deer St., Rutland. For more info call 802-776-5508.

BRAIN INJURY SUPPORT GROUP

Vermont Center for Independent Living offers virtual monthly meetings, held on the 3rd Wed. of every mo., 1-2:30 p.m. The support group will offer valuable resources & info about brain injury. It will be a place to share experiences in a safe, secure & confidential environment. To join, email Linda Meleady at lindam@vcil.org & ask to be put on the TBI mailing list. Info: 800-639-1522.

BRAIN INJURY ASSOCIATION OF VERMONT

Montpelier daytime support group meets on the 3rd Thu. of every mo., at the Unitarian Church ramp entrance, 1:302:30 p.m. St. Johnsbury support group meets on the 3rd Wed. of every mo., at the Grace United Methodist Church, 36 Central St., 1-2:30 p.m. Colchester evening support group meets on the 1st Wed. of every mo., at the Fanny Allen Hospital in the Board Room Conference Room, 5:30-7:30 p.m. White River Jct. meets on the 2nd Fri. of every mo., at Bugbee Sr. Ctr. from 3-4:30 p.m. Call our helpline at 877-856-1772.

CANCER SUPPORT GROUP

The Champlain Valley Prostate Cancer Support Group will be held every 2nd Tue. of the mo.,

6-7:45 p.m. via conference call. Newly diagnosed? Prostate cancer reoccurrence? General discussion & sharing among survivors & those beginning or rejoining the battle. Info, Mary L. Guyette RN, MS, ACNS-BC, 274-4990, vmary@aol.com.

CELEBRATE RECOVERY

Overcome any hurt, habit or hang-up in your life w/ this confidential 12-step, Christcentered recovery program. We offer multiple support groups for both men & women, such as chemical dependency, codependency, sexual addiction & pornography, food issues, & overcoming abuse. All 18+ are welcome; sorry, no childcare. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; we begin at 7 p.m. Essex Alliance Church, 37 Old Stage Rd., Essex Junction. Info: recovery@ essexalliance.org, 878-8213.

CELEBRATE RECOVERY

Celebrate Recovery meetings are for anyone struggling w/ hurt, habits & hang-ups, which include everyone in some way. We welcome everyone at Cornerstone Church in Milton, which meets every Fri. from 7-9 p.m. We’d love to have you join us & discover how your life can start to change. Info: 893-0530, julie@mccartycreations.com.

CENTRAL VERMONT CELIAC SUPPORT GROUP

Last Thu. of every mo., 7:30 p.m. in Montpelier. Please contact Lisa Mase for location: lisa@ harmonizecookery.com.

CEREBRAL PALSY GUIDANCE

Cerebral Palsy Guidance is a very comprehensive informational website broadly covering the topic of cerebral palsy &

associated medical conditions. Its mission is to provide the best possible info to parents of children living w/ the complex condition of cerebral palsy. cerebralpalsyguidance.com/ cerebral-palsy.

CODEPENDENTS ANONYMOUS CoDA is a 12-step fellowship for people whose common purpose is to develop healthy & fulfilling relationships. By actively working the program of Codependents Anonymous, we can realize a new joy, acceptance & serenity in our lives. Meets Sun. at noon at the Turning Point Center, 179 S. Winooski Ave., Suite 301, Burlington. Tom, 238-3587, coda.org.

DECLUTTERERS’ SUPPORT GROUP

Are you ready to make improvements but find it overwhelming? Maybe 2 or 3 of us can get together to help each other simplify. 989-3234, 425-3612.

DISCOVER THE POWER OF CHOICE!

SMART Recovery welcomes anyone, including family & friends, affected by any kind of substance or activity addiction. It is a science-based program that encourages abstinence. Specially trained volunteer facilitators provide leadership. Sun. at 5 p.m. The meeting has moved to Zoom: smartrecovery. zoom.us/j/92925275515.

Volunteer facilitator: Bert, 399-8754. You can learn more at smartrecovery.org.

MAKING REFUGE FELLOW

Apr 1 - Oct 31, housing included.

Development Associate

Full-time, Year-round On-site role (Shelburne, VT)

Pay range: $18-20/hour

This role will provide administrative support to our Development department, which raises funds to support annual operations, special projects related to our education programs, capital projects, and the endowment. You’ll thrive in this role if you love working in Excel, are detail-minded, and are passionate about working for a nonprofit with a mission to inspire and cultivate learning for a sustainable future.

Please submit a resume and response to the questions listed below to our hiring team at jobs@shelburnefarms.org

• Tell us about a previous role or task that involved managing data or one that has allowed you to develop skills to prepare you for this role.

• After reading about Shelburne Farms and our Equity statement, briefly address how your experiences, values, and/ or efforts demonstrate your commitment to the values of diversity, justice, and equity?

• How did you hear about the position?

ATTENTION RECRUITERS:

POST YOUR JOBS AT: JOBS.SEVENDAYSVT.COM/POST-A-JOB PRINT DEADLINE: NOON ON MONDAYS (INCLUDING HOLIDAYS) FOR RATES & INFO: MICHELLE BROWN, 802-865-1020 X121, MICHELLE@SEVENDAYSVT.COM

Director of Events & Business Education

Do you have a passion for bringing people together for unforgettable experiences? Do you appreciate the Vermont business economy and desire to create events and educational programming that will further a mission of advancing Vermont’s economic growth? If so, we invite you to apply for this position, an exciting career opportunity with the statewide Vermont Chamber of Commerce. This full-time position pays an annual salary of $60,000 plus benefits.

Send your LinkedIn profile, resume, and a letter of interest to jobs@vtchamber.com

The Vermont Chamber embraces inclusivity in our hiring and employment practices.

Senior Customer Care Associate

CSWD Drop-Off Center Operator

Saturday & on-call positions available

CSWD is seeking a highly motivated individual to work at various busy DropOff Centers on Saturdays, 7:45am-3:45pm. (On-call positions also available Mon- Sat.) Must enjoy interacting with the public, have the ability to operate a point-of-sale system (training provided) and be able to keep cool under pressure. Moderate to strenuous physical effort is required as is the ability to work outdoors year-round. Customer service experience a plus. Self-starters and those with a passion for reducing waste, recycling, and composting, are strongly encouraged to apply. $17.89 per hour. See full job description & download application form at cswd.net/about-cswd/job-openings/

Send a resume or a completed job application to Amy Jewell at ajewell@cswd.net. Position is open until filled.

The Senior Customer Care Associate for Water Resources is responsible for leading all daily functions related to utility billing and the provision of excellent customer service for water, wastewater & stormwater, including but not limited to troubleshooting account issues and providing technical assistance to customers. This position executes specialty billings, account maintenance and projects, in addition to directing and monitoring the work of the Customer Care Associate I positions. In collaboration with division technical and planning staff, the position leads customer education and outreach and provides administrative support on Chapter 26 and 31 ordinance compliance activities. Additionally, the position is responsible for administrative support and the execution of special tasks and projects for the Customer Care and Finance Manager and executive support for the Division Director.

Our ideal candidate will have an Associate’s Degree and 3 years of customer service and billing experience and 1 year of supervisory/team leader experience and 2 years of utility industry experienced required. Additional years of customer service and billing experience may be substituted for the degree requirement on a 2 years for 1 year basis.

We are searching for someone with demonstrated experience with customer accounts management, strong professionalism working with customers and has excellent written and verbal communication skills.

The City of Burlington is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applicants who can contribute to our growing diversity. We offer a comprehensive benefits package and a rate of $27.41 - $30.55 per hour.

ATTENTION RECRUITERS:

GROUNDS MEMBER

Saint Michael’s College is seeking applications from dependable and efficient workers to fill a full-time grounds member position. This position will have a set schedule on Saturdays and Sundays, from 6:00 AM – 2:30 PM, and three (3) other weekdays of their choosing, from 6:30 AM – 3:00 PM. Successful candidates will join a team that maintains campus grounds throughout the year. Overtime is expected and required throughout the year during large campus events and especially in the winter months for forecasted snowstorms.

For a complete job description, benefits information, and to apply online, please visit: bit.ly/SMCPSMG

DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND OPERATIONS

The Vermont Historical Society seeks a full-time Director of Finance & Operations based in Barre. The DFO is responsible for management of all VHS financial functions, including financial statement preparation, personnel administration, grant accounting, and day-to-day bookkeeping. The position is also responsible for supervising and administering all operational contractors, including facilities, IT, and security. The DFO is a member of the senior management team and may be called on to supervise other staff as needed.

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in accounting, bookkeeping, or finance and ten or more years of bookkeeping or accounting experience required. Expertise in non-profit and fund accounting preferred. Starting salary approximately $70,000 with generous benefits package.

To apply, send a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references to steve.perkins@vermonthistory.org Candidates will be considered as submitted.

Director of Finance and Operations

PLUMBER

The Facilities Department at Saint Michael’s College is inviting applications for a full-time Plumber. This position supports the department in maintaining a comfortable, safe, and efficient environment by providing timely responses to issues and ensuring all campus plumbing systems are fully operational. Some responsibilities include maintaining, repairing, and replacing plumbing systems and components throughout the campus; operating and repairing energy management building systems that control heating and cooling systems; participating in an on-call rotation for 1-week every 4-5 weeks; identifying deferred maintenance issues; and implementing preventative maintenance for the shop. This position will require regular work hours, as well as occasional on-call evening, weekend, and holiday times.

For a complete job description, benefits information, and to apply online, please visit: bit.ly/SMCPLFT

HOUSING FIRST MODIFIED ACT TEAM NURSE

Service Area: Chittenden, Franklin, Addison counties

The Company: Pathways Vermont is a dynamic nonprofit agency that ends homelessness and provides alternative mental health services. Pathways believes housing is a basic human right and practices housing first - immediate access to housing without preconditions.

The Role: As a specialist on the Housing First team, the nurse provides direct service and consultation to clients around medical and healthcare-related needs and has primary responsibilities of assisting clients in medication management, performing basic medical procedures in the field, and interfacing with the ACT Team and Medical Director around client care.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Licensure by Vermont Board of Nursing required (LPN or RN, pay commensurate with credential)

• Familiarity with persons experiencing mental health issues, utilizing substances and having experienced incarceration preferred

The Intervale Center seeks a dynamic, mission-driven Director of Finance and Operations to join our team in Burlington, Vermont and help carry forward the community food revolution sustaining farms, land, and people that we began over 30 years ago! This position is responsible for all financial matters and effective operations of the Intervale Center. The Director of Finance and Operations works closely with the Executive Director, Program Director, Development Director, and the Board of Directors to develop and implement strategies across the organization.

Intervale Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values diversity of experience, background, and perspective to enrich our work. Applications by members of all underrepresented groups are encouraged.

For a full job description and how to apply, visit: intervale.org/ get-involved# employment-banner

LOOKING FOR A COOLER OPPORTUNITY?

SEASONAL WORKERS

Saint Michael’s College is seeking applications from dependable and efficient seasonal workers from November 28, 2022, through at least March 31, 2023. This is a full-time, winter temp, Monday-Friday position, and overtime and working off-days/hours are expected and required, especially during times of forecasted snowstorms. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, performing snow removal; salting parking lots, campus walks, stairs, and ramps throughout the winter using general snow/ice removal light and heavy equipment; cleaning up campus grounds to include litter and debris; assisting with the moving and storage of all campus furniture, appliances, and equipment; and assisting with the set-up and tear-down of all special events.

For a complete job description and to apply online, please visit: bit.ly/SMCPSMGWT

• Driver’s license, a reliable personal vehicle available for work purposes and automobile insurance required

• Prior experience working in a mental health and/or harm reduction agency preferred

COMPENSATION

• Full Time, 35-40 hours per week

• $1,000 Hiring Bonus

• LPN: $22 -$28/hour

• RN: $28-$34/hour

BENEFITS

• Medical, dental, vision, long term disability and life insurance

• Paid Time O (accrual of 210 hours per year to start)

• 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan

To apply, please submit resume and cover letter to employment@pathwaysvermont.org

Events Manager!

The Intervale Center seeks an enthusiastic Events Manager to join our growing organization. This position is a member of the Center’s Development team, providing important leadership in event management and logistics, and community engagement. An ideal candidate has at least two years of experience working in event logistics and a passion for hospitality, food, planning, and the outdoors!

Intervale Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values diversity of experience, background, and perspective to enrich our work. Applications by members of all underrepresented groups are encouraged. The full job description with instructions on how to apply can be found at intervale.org/getinvolved#employment-banner

Treasurer

Town of Fairfax, VT

The Town of Fairfax is seeking to fill the position of Treasurer. This position is appointed by the Selectboard, full-time, supervised by the Town Manager, and works within a small team to deliver excellent customer service to the community. The Treasurer manages and administers the finances of the Town, including the receipt, expenditure, and custody of municipal funds. This position serves as the school treasurer and Assistant Town Clerk. A relevant Bachelor’s degree and financial experience are required with preference given to previous municipal experience.

This position has excellent benefits including VT Municipal Retirement and a salary range of $50,000 to $60,000. To review the entire job description and download an application visit the Town’s website at: fairfax-vt.gov/jobs. Mail your cover letter, application and resume to: Town of Fairfax, Attn. Town Manager, 12 Buck Hollow Road, Fairfax, VT 05454.

Deadline for submitting applications is 12:00 pm on January 13, 2023. The Town of Fairfax is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Delivery Drivers Wanted

Want

General Assembly

Aide to the Speaker of the House

The Legislative support offices are currently hiring. The offices are an interesting, challenging, and exciting place to work.

You will be part of a highly professional and collegial team that is proud of, and enthusiastic about, the mission of the state legislature.

To apply, please go to 'Career Opportunities' at legislature.vermont.gov

WHY NOT HAVE A JOB YOU LOVE?

Plus, have a benefit package that includes 29 paid days off in the first year, a comprehensive health insurance plan with your premium as low as $13 per month, up to $6,000 to go towards medical deductibles and copays, a retirement match, and so much more.

And that’s on top of working at one of the “Best Places to Work in Vermont” for four years running.

Great jobs in management ($46,000-$58,000 Annual) and Direct Support Professionals ($19-$20 per hour) at an award-winning agency serving Vermonters with intellectual disabilities. All positions include a generous sign-on bonus.

Make a career making a difference & join our team today! ccs-vt.org/current-openings/

Conflict Assistance Program (CAP) Coordinator

Our Community Justice Center is seeking a Conflict Assistance Program (CAP) Coordinator. This grant-funded part-time position was established one year ago to create a brand-new program. CAP supports people who are not involved with the criminal legal system to work through conflict and harm through direct services and community workshops.

Our ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree with three years of experience in mediation, restorative justice, conflict resolution, or related field. Additional experience may be substituted for a degree requirement on a two-forone year basis. In order to be successful in this role, strong communication and organization skills, high standards of confidentiality, and program management are very important. We are searching for an individual that has a good grasp of navigating power dynamics, and a solid sense of how their own identities play into their work.

The City of Burlington is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applicants who can contribute to our growing diversity. We offer a comprehensive benefits package and $25.76-28.71 per hour.

Senior Financial & Administrative Analyst

This position is responsible for overseeing and carrying out financial and administrative functions for the Department of Public Works, Water Resources Division and the Parking and Traffic Division. Under the supervision of the Director of Finance and Administration, the Senior Financial/Administrative Analyst will manage division level financial and administrative operations including annual capital and operating budget preparation, capital project accounting and administration, grant and loan financial management, participate in the development and implementation of financial management procedures led by the Clerk Treasurers Office, carry out compliance and training activities, in addition to directing and monitoring the work of the Accounting & Administrative Assistant.

Our ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or related field with at least 5 years of capital, grant or construction accounting and other relevant experience required. Additional experience may be substituted for a degree requirement on a two-for-one year basis.

Experience with supervision preferred and thorough knowledge of general accounting principles and practices required. Effective communication skills and strong collaboration with peers and management within and across departments are keys to success for the person in this role.

This role is paid an annual salary of $70,147 - $78,257. We offer a comprehensive benefits package.

The City of Burlington is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applicants who can contribute to our growing diversity. To learn more about this role and to apply go to: bit.ly/BTVfinance

bit.ly/CityofBurlingtonCAP

ATTENTION RECRUITERS:

Start the New Year with a New Career at Rhino Foods!

Rhino is hiring like crazy to meet the summer demand for all our delicious products and we need you to join us! If you are hired in an hourly role for our Production, Distribution, Maintenance and Sanitation Teams, Rhino will pay YOU $2,000 on your 6-month anniversary!

Check out our website for all our job listings, which include:

Production 1st, 3rd shifts, $17-18.50 depending on shift

Sanitation 2nd shift-$18/hr.

Maintenance Techs 1st shift-DOE

Make Your New Year’s Resolution to Earn some “dough” at Rhino Foods!

Please see more on these openings on our career page at rhinofoods.com/about-rhino-foods/jobs-and-careers

DISPATCH SWITCHBOARD OPERATOR

Full Time

The Public Safety/Fire & Rescue Departments at Saint Michael’s College are inviting applications for a Full-Time Dispatch Switchboard Operator to dispatch radio calls and operate the College switchboard. The successful candidate will be responsible for answering all incoming calls and directing calls to the appropriate party quickly, accurately, and professionally. This role receives all emergency calls for SMC campus and the surrounding community. Dispatch, switchboard, emergency services experience desirable, but we will provide training for a motivated and dependable person with demonstrated aptitude. This position will work 40 hours a week in 8 hour shifts, with a focus on evening shifts, but with the flexibility to work regular hours, as well as weekend and holiday times. For a complete job description, benefits information, and to apply online, please visit: bit.ly/SMCFTDSO

Full

MEMBERSHIP & VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR

go to:

volunteer-coordinator/

*Rhino Foods does run sex offender checks on all employees We have several exciting opportunities available!

OFFICE OF THE DEFENDER GENERAL Financial Director – Montpelier

The Office of the Defender General is seeking a Financial Director & Administrative Services Manager to lead the department’s financial operations. This management position operates with considerable independence, reporting directly to the Defender General, and is responsible for all financial functions for the department.

In this role, you will be responsible for the department’s budget development and maintenance, including preparing annual budget projections, analyzing special patterns, advising the DG about needed adjustments, and projecting future needs.

You will also serve as the primary financial liaison for the department, including responding to inquiries from legislators and members of the criminal justice system. You will also have a significant supervisory role and will further support the department by taking responsibility for contract administration, property management, and overseeing procurement of goods and services, among other tasks.

The ideal candidate has excellent communication skills and is positive, self-motivated, assertive, and able to handle a diverse community of personalities and opinions. Prior management experience is preferred.

This is an exempt, full-time position with excellent State benefits.

Salary: $61,963 - $97,156. EOE.

To apply, please email a cover letter and resume to Gina Puls, HR & Special Counsel, at gina.puls@vermont.gov.

FULL TIME CUSTODIAN

Saint Michael’s College is seeking applications from dependable, efficient workers to fill a full-time custodial position. The shift is Sunday 6:30am-2:30pm + Monday-Thursday 5:00am-1:30pm. Successful candidates will join a team which cleans College buildings including dormitories, restrooms, offices, and classrooms. Training will be provided for the right candidate. Benefits include health, dental, vision, employerpaid life and disability insurance, voluntary life, critical illness and accident insurance options, parental leave, flexible spending accounts (healthcare and dependent care), 401(k), generous paid time off, paid holidays, employee and dependent tuition benefits, employee and family assistance program, well-being programs and opportunities, discounted gym membership, paid volunteer time, use of the athletic facilities and the library, and countless opportunities to attend presentations, lectures, and other campus activities.

For a complete job description, benefits information, and to apply online, please visit: bit.ly/SMCS-TC

PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER - Full Time

Are you looking to make a difference in people’s lives? The Department of Public Safety at Saint Michael’s College is inviting applications for a full-time Public Safety Officer from those looking to enhance their skills. This position requires the flexibility to problem-solve in a wide range of situations, both demanding and rewarding. A successful candidate will possess the ability to work effectively in a college environment seeking a balance between education and enforcement. Benefits include health, dental, vision, employer-paid life and disability insurance, voluntary life, critical illness and accident insurance options, parental leave, flexible spending accounts (healthcare and dependent care), 401(k), generous paid time off, paid holidays, employee and dependent tuition benefits, employee and family assistance program, well-being programs and opportunities, discounted gym membership, paid volunteer time, use of the athletic facilities and the library, and countless opportunities to attend presentations, lectures, and other campus activities.

For a complete job description, benefits information, and to apply online, please visit: https://bit.ly/SMCFTPSOD22

Sales & Marketing Person

Logical Machines in Charlotte, Vt is looking for an energetic sales and marketing person to join our team. You must be a team player, willing to think outside the box, a self starter, and have a good sense of humor.

Job responsibilities include (but are not limited to) growing our sales, helping expand our online marketing presence, and working directly with customers and distributors. This is an in person job and will require some traveling.

Learn more about our company by visiting: logicalmachines.com

Send your resume with a brief cover letter to sarah@logicalmachines.com

OUTREACH & COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR

The Outreach & Communications Coordinator serves as the primary promotional voice for VAL programs, specifically, Energy Works. The successful candidate will take the lead on the development and daily coordination of a comprehensive Energy Works strategic communication & promotion plan, including Energy Works participant recruitment and building an assembly of employer partners. Position is 80% remote with the balance being in-person engagements in a variety of professional settings. The scope of this position is state-wide and will require some travel. Depending on the successful candidate’s home-base, the position may require overnight stays on occasion.

Email cover letter, resume, and evidence of professional marketing/outreach experience to Rebecca Campbell, rcampbell@vtadultlearning.org

VAL is an E.O.E. We understand the more diverse our team, the more aware and creative we become as an organization. All interested & qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. vtadultlearning.org/about-us/#careers

Administrative Assistant

Temple Sinai’s Administrative Assistant will provide a welcoming face to people coming to the temple, and provide support to the Rabbi, Executive Director, and Temple President. A successful candidate is organized, skilled in personal relations, uses judgment in prioritizing demands, and keeps all office matters confidential. The person will work closely with the Executive Director, Rabbi, and the Temple President to ensure that Temple Sinai functions smoothly and that needed administrative and communication tasks are accomplished.

Q ualifications:

• 3-5 years’ experience as an office coordinator or admin asst.

• Knowledge of Judaism and the Jewish calendar is very helpful

Accounting and Administrative Assistant

This position is responsible for carrying out the accounting and administrative functions for the Department of Public Works, Water Resources Division and the Parking and Traffic Division under the supervision of the Senior Financial and Administrative Analyst. The position assists with the division level financial and administrative operations including annual capital and operating budget preparation and maintenance, capital project accounting and administration, grant and loan financial management, and a variety of administrative tasks.

Our ideal candidate will have an Associate’s Degree in Accounting or related field with at least 2 years of relevant experience required. Additional experience may be substituted for a degree requirement on a two-for-one year basis. Thorough knowledge of general accounting principles and practices required. Demonstrated ability to show great attention to detail and communicate effectively with peers and management within and across departments are vital to the success for the person in this role.

This role is paid an hourly rate of $27.41 - $30.55. We offer a comprehensive benefits package.

The City of Burlington is an equal opportunity employer.

Program Director

Beth Jacob Synagogue in Montpelier is seeking a creative, organized and reliable Program Director. This role is responsible for developing, promoting, and delivering educational, artistic, and holiday programs as well as administrative tasks and building management.

This is a salaried position based on 32 hours per week. Hours are flexible and you can work from home most of the time! See the full job description at bethjacobvt.org/ job-postings.html

If you are interested in applying please send a resume, letter of interest and 2 references to  president@bethjacobvt.org

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Suite

• Willingness to learn ShulCloud information software, Constant Contact, and Canva

Send resumes to: stacie.gabert@templesinaivt.org

VYCC

Field Supervisor, Program Assistant, Program Coordinator, Program Director

Mentor and work alongside young people, outdoors, on projects that matter vycc.org/about/careers

DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC

POSITION

WORKS

The Director of Public Works provides leadership and performs professional, administrative, management, and technical work in all matters relating to the town’s public works, including public facilities (buildings and outdoor sites) and the highway department. The public works director develops and proposes policies and oversees activity in accordance with general policies established by the Selectboard.

The Director of Public Works is a full-time employee of the Town of Calais and subject to all applicable policies, procedures, rules, and laws that apply to all other municipal employees of the Town of Calais.

Please submit your resume and list of references to Denise Wheeler at calaissbdenise@gmail.com

For a detailed job description and qualifications please visit our website at calaisvermont.gov and see the link on our homepage.

Calais is an equal opportunity employer

We encourage applicants who can contribute to our growing diversity. To learn more about this role and to apply go to: bit.ly/BTVaccountant

is welcoming a new cohort of Members, Leaders and staff Make a difference in seasonal and year-round positions. Open professional staff roles:

ACCOUNTANT

We are looking for an individual with the training, education, experience, and collaborative communication skills to support the steady execution of our accounting functions and accurate reporting of our financial performance. This position will be responsible for managing the general ledger, generating financial reports, and ensuring compliance with GAAP. Other responsibilities include timely management of revenue, credits, receivables, payables, and loan obligations, as well as tax filing in concert with the CFO and our outside accountants. While we require weekly in office work, a significant portion can be done remotely. This individual will report directly to the CFO, regularly interact with the CEO and managers/staff throughout the company and be the in house lead for other accounting staff.

For a complete job description & list of qualifications: highmowingseeds.com/staff-and-careers

To Apply: Email resume, cover letter and salary history to jobs@highmowingseeds.com

Please put the job title in subject line. No phone calls, please.

DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES & ADMINISTRATION

Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA), located in Burlington VT, is recruiting for a new Director of HR & Administration. Formed in 1974, VHFA’s mission is to finance and promote affordable, safe, and decent housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income Vermonters. As one of Vermont’s leading non-profits in the affordable housing sector, the Agency needs a bright, innovative individual to work closely as a part of the Agency’s Executive Management team to attract, motivate and retain a dedicated team of 42 professionals.

As an independent manager solely responsible for all of the Agency’s human resource functions, this position is charged with understanding the pulse of the workforce and bringing programs, policies, issues and opportunities forward so that VHFA can remain one of the best places to work in Vermont. As the Agency’s only HR position, this person will run payroll and administer all aspects of the Agency’s benefits, compensation, recruitment, training and performance evaluation, and onboarding and departing staff needs. The Director of HR & Administration will work closely with managers to continually improve management skills and coach individual staff as needed. Additionally, this position oversees the Office Manager and all associated administrative functions, including acting as a back-up for that role if needed.

A minimum of five years of direct Human Resources management or administration experience, including extensive experience in the areas of benefit administration, employment law, payroll administration, and employee coaching is required. Two years supervisory experience is required. Demonstrated experience in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion including professional development, a high level of cultural awareness, attentiveness, and interpersonal skills is highly desired. Highlevel proficiency in Microsoft Office products is required. Experience with SharePoint is desired.

Consistently named one of the “Best Places to Work in Vermont”, the Agency offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package. The salary range for this position is $90,000$105,000. For a detailed job description and benefits overview, please see the Careers section of VHFA.org. To apply, send cover letter (required; otherwise your application will not be considered), resume, and references to the Human Resources Department at HR@vhfa.org. Please consider including in your cover letter a description of how your unique background and experiences would contribute to the diversity and cultural vitality of VHFA. Position will be open until filled.

VHFA is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workplace. We highly encourage people from historically underrepresented groups to apply including persons with disabilities, LGBTQ+ and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.

Chef/Cook

Full Time, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

We have an opening for a Full-Time Chef/Cook for our Dining Services Department. e individual selected for this position will cook/prepare meals for 64 residents. Meals are cooked from scratch using local Vermont products. Candidate must maintain all the cleanliness and preparedness of the kitchen, will utilize the dishwasher, and will perform cleaning assignments. Clean background check required.

You can download an application at www.westviewmeadows.com, or email: hr@westviewmeadows.com, or stop by 171 Westview Meadows Road, Montpelier, VT 05602.

rough the hard work of our sta , our community has achieved the highest standards of excellence for resident care.

RESIDENT MANAGER

South Square

Burlington Housing Authority (BHA) is seeking a Resident Manager for South Square Apartments, located in Burlington, VT. South Square Apartments is a community designated for the elderly and disabled and as such is supported by community and resident services. South Square Apartments provides communal spaces and group events that encourage engagement for our residents.

The Resident Manager is required to live at South Square and is provided with a free apartment, along with a monthly telecommunication stipend and free utilities. The Resident Manager is on-call after BHA business hours and every other weekend to attend to various resident requests, assisting with emergency service, and light cleaning duties.

The ideal candidate will possess strong communication skills, an attention to detail, and flexibility in their role with the residents. Basic computer skills, such as Word and e-mail, are required.

BHA serves a diverse population of tenants and partners with a variety of community agencies. To most effectively carry out our vision of delivering safe and affordable housing to all, we are committed to cultivating a staff that reflects varied lived experiences, viewpoints, and educational histories. Therefore, we strongly encourage candidates from diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and women to apply.

Multilingualism is a plus!

Please send a letter of interest to: humanresources@burlingtonhousing.org

Human Resources, Burlington Housing Authority

65 Main St, Suite 101, Burlington, VT 05401

Burlington Housing Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer www.burlingtonhousing.org

You’re in good hands with...

LEGAL SERVICES VERMONT COMMUNITY ADVOCATE

Temporary Position:

Legal Services Vermont is looking to fill a temporary, full-time position for a Community Advocate. We are an innovative nonprofit law firm that provides civil legal services to a broad spectrum of low-income clients in a high-volume practice. Our advocates assist individual clients, participate in court clinics and also staff our helpline to screen new clients and provide legal advice. Working closely with Vermont Legal Aid, we help low-income Vermonters help themselves to resolve their civil legal issues.

This position will be on a temporary contract through December 31st, 2023, with the potential for extension depending on the availability of funding.

“Seven Days sales rep Michelle Brown is amazing! She’s extremely responsive, and I always feel so taken care of. I can only imagine how many job connections she has facilitated for local companies in the 20 years she has been doing this.”

CAROLYN ZELLER Intervale Center, Burlington

Get a quote when posting online. Contact Michelle Brown at 865-1020, ext. 121, michelle@sevendaysvt.com

JOBS.SEVENDAYSVT.COM

We are seeking a community advocate to work on our statewide legal helpline. The job duties will include assessing incoming requests for assistance, contacting and screening callers for eligibility, and providing legal information and referral. The position may also involve a small caseload, depending on qualifications.

We are looking for candidates with strong communication skills; a demonstrated commitment to community engagement and public interest advocacy; the ability to organize a large volume of work; the ability to work with a diverse clientele; and a collaborative work style. The position is based in Burlington.

We are an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and culturally competent staff to serve our increasingly diverse client community. We encourage applicants from a broad range of backgrounds, and welcome information about how your experience and skills can contribute to serving our client communities.

Hiring level will depend on background and qualifications. Starting salary is $44,200, with salary credit given for relevant experience, and an excellent benefits package.

Application deadline is December 28, 2022. Your application should include a cover letter and resume, sent as a single PDF. Send your application by e-mail to Sara Zeno at szeno@legalservicesvt.org with the subject line “Hiring Opportunity.” Please let us know how you heard about this position.

Director of Major Gifts, Grossman School of Business

The University of Vermont Foundation is seeking an experienced fundraiser to fill the Director of Major Gifts role within the Grossman School of Business. The person in this position is responsible for managing a portfolio of individual, corporate, and foundation prospects to benefit the school. They will collaborate with Foundation colleagues and Grossman School leadership to cultivate donors and foster an environment for successful fundraising.

This position requires a leader who can be self-directed while collaborating effectively with others to craft effective fundraising strategies. Knowledge of business education and/or business experience is preferred, as is demonstrated success in securing philanthropic investments in the six to seven figure range.

Business Office Coordinator

The University of Vermont Foundation seeks a detail-oriented and solutions-focused team player to join our organization. The Business Office Coordinator provides general management of our offices and facilities, while also executing key financial and human resources functions to support our operations. The person in this position will be required to execute expense, cash receipts, and bank deposit strategies in support of the Foundation’s business goals with care and precision. They will also work closely with Human Resources to manage benefit enrollments and other onboarding tasks, and be a welcoming support person for new and existing staff members.

We seek candidates with strong technical aptitude, proficiency with MS Excel, and the ability to learn and apply technology solutions. Candidates should also possess strong problem-solving abilities and critical thinking skills and demonstrate the ability to work well with colleagues and team members.

Executive Director of Annual Giving, Academic Health Sciences

The University of Vermont Foundation seeks an experienced fundraising professional with an understanding of the academic medicine context to manage annual fund programs that benefit a variety of health-related priorities. This is an excellent opportunity for a collaborative leader who can identify and pursue strategic goals and execute effective programs in a complex environment.

We are looking for an excellent communicator and relationship-builder with the ability to steward donors along the giving pipeline, while also creating thriving internal relationships with colleagues, supervisees, and partners across the institutions this position serves. Demonstrated achievement in developing annual fund programs and securing philanthropic investments in the four, five, and six figure ranges is preferred.

Director of Legacy Giving

The University of Vermont Foundation seeks an experienced fundraising professional to fill a newly announced role of Director of Legacy Giving. The person in this position will be responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive legacy / planned giving program at the Foundation. This role will also include marketing and communicating this program to constituents and coordinating outreach to reunion classes.

We seek a candidate with experience in gift planning mechanisms, such that they can work independently and help others learn about planned giving techniques. Demonstrated achievement in securing philanthropic gifts in the five+ figure range is preferred. This is an excellent opportunity for a self-starter with strong relationship-building skills and a desire to make a true difference in the lives of donors and the beneficiaries of gifts.

About the Foundation: The mission of the UVM Foundation is to secure and manage private support for the benefit of the University of Vermont. Our Vision is to foster relationships with alumni and donors that maximize their personal and philanthropic investment in the University, toward the realization of the University's aspiration to remain among the nation's premier small research institutions. The UVM Foundation is committed to diversity and building an inclusive environment for people of all backgrounds and ages. We especially encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including women, people of color, LGBTQ people, and people with disabilities. Visit our website to apply: w ww.uvmfoundation.org/careers

Join a growing team at an innovative, nationally-recognized organization charged with creating affordable housing, building community, preserving historic assets, and conserving our lands.

Community Development Specialist

The Vermont Housing & Conservation Board supports the development and preservation of housing affordable to Vermonters. Use your experience and passion to help add new rental and homeownership opportunities statewide!

Finance Director

Work collaboratively with a highly effective finance team, oversee financial operations, ensure compliance with funding sources, and lead budget and audit processes. Contribute to meeting the housing needs of Vermonters and preserving our landscape!

Housing Stewardship Coordinator

Evaluate, monitor, and support the long-term sustainability of housing developments across the state. Bring your excellent analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills and assist the network of non-profit organizations creating housing for Vermonters and revitalizing our communities.

VHCB offers an excellent benefit package and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. To read the job descriptions and apply, visit vhcb.org/about-us/jobs. Positions will remain open until filled.

LOOKING FOR A COOLER OPPORTUNITY?

Sales Representative

Focus on building business within their territories as well as developing and maintaining strong customer relationships. While working in conjunction with route drivers, the Sales Representative provides product insight to our clientele regarding essential lines of business.

Territory is based out of Barre VT and has accounts in VT, NH, and parts of NY.

Why work for Safety-Kleen?

• Health and Safety is our #1 priority, and we live it 365!

• Competitive wages (base compensation plus commission)

• Comprehensive health benefits coverage after 30 days of full-time employment

• Group 401K with company matching component

•

• Positive and safe work environments

•

SUPPORT & SERVICES AT HOME WELLNESS NURSE

Burlington Housing Authority (BHA) in Burlington, VT seeks a part time (15 hours per week – non benefited position)

Support and Services at Home (SASH) Wellness Nurse  to provide oversight of wellness care and coaching for SASH participants in accordance with Vermont’s Nurse Practice Act.  The Wellness Nurse is responsible for overseeing the well-being of participants and in coordinating health services with other members of the SASH team and other community providers. The Wellness Nurse supports a philosophy of aging in-place consistent with the mission of SASH.  This position also works with the SASH team on developing individual participant healthy living plans as well as community healthy living plans for the enrolled community at large.

Candidate must be currently licensed as a Registered Nurse in the State of Vermont.  Must possess at least two years of experience in a clinical setting, demonstrated leadership skills and the ability to exercise sound judgment.  Must also have knowledge of standard record keeping procedures (i.e., progress notes, HIPAA guidelines), excellent verbal and written communication skills, be able to work independently and as part of a team and possess strong organizational and time management skills.

BHA serves a diverse population of tenants and partners with a variety of community agencies. To most effectively carry out our vision of delivering safe and affordable housing to all, we are committed to cultivating a staff that reflects varied lived experiences, viewpoints, and educational histories. Therefore, we strongly encourage candidates from diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and women to apply. Multilingualism is a plus!

If you are interested in this career opportunity, please send a cover letter and resume to: humanresources@burlingtonhousing.org

Human Resources, Burlington Housing Authority 65 Main St, Suite 101, Burlington, VT 05401

Burlington Housing Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer www.burlingtonhousing.org

MAIN STREET BARBERS

Coordinator, Simulation & Laboratory Center

WHERE YOU AND YOUR WORK MATTER

GRANTS MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST - MONTPELIER

Do you care about creating equitable, thriving places where Vermonters want to come together to live, work and play? Do you see yourself on a mission-driven team working to revitalize Vermont’s community centers alongside a diverse group of community and program partners? The Department of Housing and Community Development seeks a dynamic team player with hands-on organizational, administrative, and management skills to oversee $20 million in grants that revitalize our villages and downtowns and create vibrant community centers - including an exciting $10 million opportunity to expand the network of electric vehicle charging stations across the state. DHCD is remote work friendly; excellent benefits are included. For more information, contact Chris Cochran at chris.cochran@ vermont.gov. Department: Commerce & Community Development. Location: Montpelier. Status: Full Time. Job Id #38341. Application Deadline: December 18, 2022.

ENERGY & UTILITIES ANALYST - MONTPELIER

The Vermont Public Service Department seeks candidates with strong quantitative skills interested in electric, transportation, and building energy and emissions issues to work on economic and environmental analysis, rate design, utility rate and siting cases, power supply planning, regulatory compliance, and related initiatives. This position will involve significant data analysis, modeling, visualization and testimony before the Public Utility Commission and legislature. For more information, contact Anne Margolis at anne.margolis@vermont.gov. Department: Public Service Department. Location: Montpelier. Status: Full Time. Job Id #45793. Application Deadline: January 3, 2023.

Learn more at: careers.vermont.gov

The

WATERBURY RETAIL STORE OPPORTUNITIES

BRAND EXPERIENCE MANAGER

This FT salaried position is perfect for someone who is motivated, passionate and enthusiastic, who loves cheese and would enjoy “telling the Cabot story.” Duties and responsibilities include leading and empowering sta , providing superior customer service to our visitors, educating customers about Cabot cheese, our farmer-owners, and our award-winning products, coordinating in-store events, placing store product orders, and inventory control. Experience with O ce 365 Suite required.

FT DEMO LEAD ($24/HR.)

Duties and responsibilities of the Demo Lead will include coordinating in-store tastings and events, maintaining inventory and supporting existing relationships and creating new vendor relationships. Requires superior customer service, creativity, and a desire to promote and represent our brand ideals. Reports directly to the Brand Experience Manager

FT AMBASSADOR LEAD ($22/HR.)

This role will report directly to the Brand Experience Manger and be a support person for the daily store

operations. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, schedules, ordering and receiving product, training sta . This position will provide superior customer service to our visitors while maintaining a professional atmosphere.

FT AND PT CABOT AMBASSADORS ($20/HR.)

If you are reliable, positive, and enthusiastic, enjoy working with the public, and want to work for an established and reputable employer who manufactures and sells award winning products, please consider joining our team and being an important part of our continued success.

State of Vermont is an Equal Opportunity Employer

PIANO Accompanist

First United Methodist Church, an open, accepting and grateful faith community, is looking for a piano accompanist to perform and help plan music for Sunday morning worship and some special services. The ideal person will have the ability to play traditional and contemporary pieces, a willingness to work collaboratively with the Pastor to select music for worship services.

Please send letters of interest and a resume to First United Methodist Church, 21 Buell St., Burlington, VT via email at pam@umcburlington.com or via phone at (802) 862-1151

GO HIRE.

Highway Maintenance Worker

The Town of Jericho is accepting applications for a Highway Maintenance Worker Level II. This is a full-time position which requires a CDL (min Class “B”) and the ability to routinely work outside of regular working hours. The ideal candidate will have at least two years of experience in highway maintenance, snow plowing, construction procedures and methods at the municipal level. Equipment operation experience is a plus.

The starting hourly wage is dependent on qualifications.

The Town of Jericho offers excellent benefits, including health and dental insurance and a retirement plan.

Application & job description can be downloaded from jerichovt.org

They are also available at: Jericho Town Hall 67 VT Rt. 15, Jericho Mon-Fri, 8:00 am – 3:00 pm

Completed applications can be submitted to Paula Carrier in person, via email at pcarrier@ jerichovt.gov or via mail to PO Box 39, Jericho, VT 05465.

Position is open until filled.

Job Recruiters:

• Post jobs using a form that includes key info about your company and open positions (location, application deadlines, video, images, etc.).

• Accept applications and manage the hiring process via our applicant tracking tool.

• Easily manage your open job listings from your recruiter dashboard.

Job Seekers:

• Search for jobs by keyword, location, category and job type.

• Set up job alert emails using custom search criteria.

• Save jobs to a custom list with your own notes on the positions.

• Apply for jobs directly through the site.

Get a quote when you post online or contact Michelle Brown: 865-1020, ext. 121, michelle@sevendaysvt.com.

jobs.sevendaysvt.com

Highway Maintenance/ Mechanic Worker

The Town of Jericho is accepting applications for a Highway Maintenance/ Mechanic Worker Level 3.

This is a full-time position which requires a CDL (min. Class “B”) and the ability to respond to emergencies and snow removal outside of regular working hours.

The ideal candidate will have at least five years of experience in highway maintenance, construction procedures and methods and the operation of large trucks, graders and excavators, preferably at the municipal level. Supervisory experience is a plus. Work includes general laboring duties, heavy lifting, physical work, equipment operation, and on-call duty (nights, weekends and holidays).

The starting hourly wage is dependent on qualifications. The Town of Jericho offers excellent benefits, including health and dental insurance, and a retirement plan.

Application & job description can be downloaded from jerichovt.org

They are also available at: Jericho Town Hall 67 VT Rt. 15, Jericho Mon-Fri, 8:00 am–3:00 pm

Completed applications can be submitted to Paula Carrier in person, via email at pcarrier@jerichovt.gov or via mail to PO Box 39, Jericho, VT 05465.

Position is open until filled.

Legal Assistant

Burlington, VT

Sheehey Furlong & Behm, an established, growing law firm located near the Burlington waterfront, is accepting applications for a legal assistant. The successful candidate will be detail-oriented, possess strong written and verbal skills and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment. Proficiency in MS Office applications is required. 1-3 years of legal experience is preferred. Competitive pay and comprehensive benefits package. Forward cover letter and resume to hiring@sheeheyvt.com, subject “Legal Assistant.”

LEAD CARPENTER

BURLINGTON HOUSING AUTHORITY (BHA), located in Burlington, VT, is seeking candidates to continue BHA’s success in promoting innovative solutions that address housing instability challenges facing our diverse population of extremely low-income families and individuals. Join us and make a difference in our community!

RAPID REHOUSING SPECIALIST provides assistance to community members who are without housing and have barriers to locating and securing housing in the community. This grant funded position works closely with our Rental Assistance department and Chittenden County Coordinated Entry and is a part of a skilled team that focuses on assessment, intervention, and service coordination of at-risk households.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Responds to referrals from Coordinated Entry to assess need for housing search services and level of support needed to secure housing

• Provides direct retention services which may include home visits, supportive counseling, making referrals on behalf of household, accompanying member(s) of household to appointments, providing/coordinating transportation when needed, coordinating services which may benefit the household, and work to stabilize the housing as necessary

• Coordinates services which are beyond scope of housing search and makes appropriate referrals back to housing retention team or other agencies when necessary

• Supports households in meeting with landlords and attending showings in BHA’s service area

• Support the household’s awareness of resources, increase overall resiliency, and promote stability and proactivity over crisis management

• Collects and maintains required data and case notes in centralized database

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor’s degree required in human services or related field. Previous experience in direct service and advocacy preferred. Exhibits effective verbal and written communication skills. Knowledge of the social services network is preferred. Proficiency with Microsoft Office and internet navigation required. Excellent time-management skills and the ability to work independently are required.

To learn more about our organization, please visit: burlingtonhousing.org.

Youth Case Manager

The new Youth Case Manager position will oversee our new Pathways to Higher Education for Youth program and will be responsible for the organization, planning, and coordination of a broad range of programming and services for youth of refugee and immigrant background who are currently enrolled in grades 7 through 12.

For more information and to apply: refugees.org/careers

BHA serves a diverse population of tenants and partners with a variety of community agencies. To most effectively carry out our vision of delivering safe and affordable housing to all, we are committed to cultivating a staff that reflects varied lived experiences, viewpoints, and educational histories. Therefore, we strongly encourage candidates from diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and women to apply. Multilingualism is a plus!

BHA offers a competitive salary, commensurate with qualifications and experience. We offer a premium benefit package at a low cost to employees. Benefits include medical insurance with a health reimbursement account, dental, vision, short and long term disability, 10% employer funded retirement plan, 457 retirement plan, accident insurance, life insurance, cancer and critical illness insurance and access to reduced cost continuing education. We also offer a generous time off policy including paid time off, sick, and 13 paid holidays. And sign on bonus of up to $2,000.

If interested, please submit your resume and cover letter to:

HUMANRESOURCES@BURLINGTONHOUSING.ORG

Beta Experience FOT Raffle

NOV. 1 - DEC. 31

SAINT ALBANS CITY HALL, ST. ALBANS

Sip, Taste, & Explore Vermont RAFFLE

THROUGH DEC. 19

ONLINE

Eco-resiliency Gathering

WED., DEC. 14 ONLINE

Facing Change: Life’s Transitions and Transformations

WED., DEC. 14 ONLINE Homemade Éclairs From Scratch

THU., DEC. 15

RICHMOND COMMUNITY KITCHEN, RICHMOND

Kickoff to a Safe Winter

FRI., DEC. 16

BLACK DIAMOND EQUIPMENT, BURLINGTON Damnitall with End User

FRI., DEC. 16

THE UNDERGROUND, RANDOLPH

Huladay Market

SAT., DEC. 17 HULA, BURLINGTON

A Beaver Pond Christmas: Two Shows!

SAT., DEC. 17 THREE NEEDS, BURLINGTON

Batya Levine: Concert and Community Sing

SAT., DEC. 17

OHAVI ZEDEK SYNAGOGUE, BURLINGTON

Tidings of Joy-Solaris Vocal Ensemble

SAT., DEC. 17-SUN., DEC. 18

WATERBURY CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, WATERBURY

An Evening & Film Screening with Hillary Gerardi & Valentine Fabre

SUN., DEC. 18

BLACK DIAMOND EQUIPMENT, BURLINGTON Reindeer Cake Decorating Workshop

MON., DEC. 19

RED POPPY CAKERY, WATERBURY

Middle Eastern Winter Feast

MON., DEC. 19

Green Mountain Mahler Festival: Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony SUN., JAN. 1 ST. MICHAEL’S COLLEGE, COLCHESTER

fun stuff

HARRY BLISS

JEN SORENSEN

“Lemme guess: the squirrels again?”

KRISTEN SHULL

RYAN RIDDLE

agree with her in general, and I especially don’t agree with her in regard to your life in the coming weeks. I believe your soul will be singing, telling jokes, whispering in the dark and flinging out unexpected observations. Your soul will be extra alive and alert and awake, tempting you to dance in the grocery store and fling out random praise and fantasize about having your own podcast. Don’t underestimate how vivacious your soul might be, Taurus. Give it permission to be as fun and funny as it yearns to be.

SAGITTARIUS

(NOV. 22-DEC. 21)

I applaud your expansive curiosity. I admire your yearning to learn more and more about our mysterious world as you add to your understanding of how the game of life works. Your greed for interesting experiences is good greed! It is one of your most beautiful qualities. But now and then, there come times when you need to scale down your quest for fresh, raw truths and work on integrating what you have already absorbed. The coming weeks will be one of those times.

ARIES (Mar. 21-Apr. 19): Aries painter Vincent van Gogh was renowned for translating his sublime and unruly passions into colors and shapes on canvas. It was a demanding task. He careened between torment and ecstasy. “I put my heart and soul into my work,” he said, “and I have lost my mind in the process.” That’s sad! But I have good news for you, Aries. In the coming months, you will have the potential to reach unprecedented new depths of zest as you put your heart and soul into your work and play. And hallelujah, you won’t lose your mind in the process! In fact, I suspect you will become more mentally healthy than you’ve been in a long time.

TAURUS (Apr. 20-May 20): “The soul is silent,” writes Taurus poet Louise Glück. “If it speaks at all, it speaks in dreams.” I don’t

GEMINI (May 21-Jun. 20): The coming weeks will be an excellent time to expand your understanding about the nature of stress. Here are three study aids: 1) High stress levels are not healthy for your mind and body, but low to moderate stress can be good for you. 2) Low to moderate stress is even better for you if it involves dilemmas that you can ultimately solve. 3) There is a thing called “eustress,” which means beneficial stress. It arises from a challenge that evokes your vigor, resilience and willpower. As you deal with it, you feel hopeful and hardy. It’s meaningful and interesting. I bring these ideas to your attention, dear Gemini, because you are primed to enjoy a rousing upgrade in your relationship with stress.

CANCER (Jun. 21-Jul. 22): Long before he launched his illustrious career, Cancerian inventor Buckminster Fuller was accepted to enroll at Harvard University. Studying at such a prestigious educational institution was a high honor and set him up for a bright future. Alas, he was expelled for partying too hard. Soon he was working at odd jobs. His fortunes dwindled, and he grew depressed. But at age 32, he had a pivotal mystical experience. He seemed to be immersed in a globe of white light hovering above the ground. A disembodied voice spoke, telling him he “belonged to the universe” and that he would fulfill his life purpose if he applied himself to serving “the highest advantage of others.” How would you like a Buckminster Fuller-style intervention, Cancerian? It’s available if you want it and ask for it.

LEO (Jul. 23-Aug. 22): Leo-born Judith Love Cohen was an electrical engineer who worked

on NASA’s Apollo space program. She was also the mother of the famous actor Jack Black. When she was nine months pregnant with Jack, on the day she went into labor, she performed a heroic service. On their way to the moon, the three astronauts aboard the Apollo 13 spacecraft had encountered a major systems failure. In the midst of her birth process, Judith Love Cohen carried out advanced troubleshooting that helped save their lives and bring their vehicle safely back to Earth. I don’t expect you to achieve such a monumental feat in the coming days, Leo. But I suspect you will be extra intrepid and even epic in your efforts. And your ability to magically multitask will be at a peak.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sep. 22): When you’re at the height of your powers, you provide the people in your life with high-quality help and support. And I believe you could perform this role even more strongly in 2023. Here are some of the best benefits you can offer: 1) Assist your allies in extracting bright ideas from confusing mishmashes. 2) Help them cull fertile seeds from decaying dross. 3) As they wander through messy abysses, aid them in finding where the redemption is. 4) Cheer on their successes with wit and charm.

LIBRA (Sep. 23-Oct. 22): A blogger named Daydreamydyke explains the art of bestowing soulful gifts. Don’t give people you care for generic consumer goods, she tells us. Instead, say to them, “I picked up this cool rock I found on the ground that reminded me of you,” or “I bought you this necklace for 50 cents at a yard sale because I thought you’d like it,” or “I’ve had this odd little treasure since childhood, but I feel like it could be of use to you or give you comfort, so I want you to have it.” That’s the spirit I hope you will adopt during the holiday season, Libra — as well as for all of 2023, which will be the year you could become a virtuoso gift giver.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): In 1957, engineers Alfred Fielding and Marc Chavannes invented three-dimensional plastic wallpaper. No one bought the stuff, though. A few years later, they rebranded it as Bubble Wrap and marketed it as material to protect packages during shipment. Success! Its new use has

been popular ever since. I suspect you are in a phase comparable to the time between when their plastic wallpaper flopped and when they dreamed up Bubble Wrap. Have faith in the possibility of there being a second act, Scorpio. Be alert for new applications of possibilities that didn’t quite make a splash the first time around.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Better than most, you have a rich potential to attune yourself to the cyclical patterns of life. It’s your birthright to become skilled at discerning natural rhythms at work in the human comedy. Even more fortunately, Capricorn, you can be deeply comforted by this awareness. Educated by it. Motivated by it. I hope that, in 2023, you will develop your capacity to the next level. The cosmic flow will be on your side as you strive to feel the cosmic flow — and place yourself in closer and closer alignment with it.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Anne, a character in a book by L.M. Montgomery, says she prefers the word “dusk” over “twilight” because it sounds so “velvety and shadowy.” She continues, “In daylight, I belong to the world … in the night to sleep and eternity. But in the dusk, I’m free from both and belong only to myself.” According to my astrological assessment, you Aquarians will go through a dusk-like phase in the coming weeks: a time when you will belong solely to yourself and any other creature you choose to join you in your velvety, shadowy emancipation.

PISCES (Feb. 19-Mar. 20): My Piscean friend Venus told me, “We Pisceans feel everything very intensely, but, alas, we do not possess the survival skills of a Scorpio or the enoughis-enough, self-protective mechanism of the Cancerians. We are the water sign most susceptible to being engulfed and flooded and overwhelmed.” I think Venus is somewhat correct in her assessment. But I also believe you Fishes have a potent asset that you may not fully appreciate or call on enough. Your ability to tune into the very deepest levels of emotion potentially provides you with access to a divine power source beyond your personality. If you allow it to give you all of its gifts, it will keep you shielded and safe and supported.

WOMEN seeking...

RELAXED AND HAPPY

I would love to meet a kind and gentle man for companionship, friendship and long-term relationship. I live a pretty quiet and simple life, though would love to share time with a kind kindred spirit. I would love to meet someone who is easygoing, enjoys the outdoors, loves dogs and has a big, tender heart. angelight333 75, seeking: M, l

OLD-SCHOOL FUNNY GARDENER

I love antiques, gardening and dancing. I like to have peace and quiet with a whole lot of fun. I am looking for a young-atheart guy who is financially independent with similar interests and likes to exercise and eat healthy. Excited to get to know you. AntiqueGirl 74, seeking: M, l

HOPEFULLY YOURS?

Charismatic, adventuresome woman seeks man for friendship, LTR, shared and mutual interests! I am kind and fun, seeking the same to enjoy and share life! HopeVT, 62 seeking: M, l

ARTSY, ACTIVE, SOCIAL, INTROVERT

Looking for a man who loves Vermont, is grounded and enjoys meaningful conversations. Youthful, educated, community-minded, endlessly curious, I love to dance, make music, watch indie and foreign films, attend live performances of all kinds, and laugh with friends. I’m in the woods daily to walk the dog, hike, snowshoe, ski, meditate. You? NEKdancerdrummer, 61, seeking: M, l

HARDWORKING THINKER SEEKING COMPANION

I’d love a few thought-provoking companions to hang with now and again. If more develops, I’ll consider more. I work hard but would like to socialize more. Stimulating conversation is top of mind. Prefer someone who lives relatively close to the Burlington area. BornHere, 68, seeking: M, l

FLOWER GIRL FOREVER

Eternal optimist and explorer, playful realist, and retired teacher seeks friends, companions and lover for dances, dates, discussions and explorations. International travel is a joy, deep discussions, painting and cooking, gardening, hiking, biking, sailing, kayaking with picnics! Playful, fun, average-size brunette with an easy smile and cheerful talk. Speak five languages. Love all cultures and the arts! Flowersgalore 61, seeking: M, l

MONTRÉAL WIFE IN OPEN RELATIONSHIP

Longtime married, very attractive, in open relationship. Desire playmate in Burlington area. I like confident, experienced, athletic, smart, welleducated, charming men. I am not looking to develop a relationship. Would like a regular playmate who is very discreet. My wonderful husband may be around for first meet, so need to be comfortable with that. He does not participate.

MontrealWife, 53, seeking: M, l

HONEST, KIND, RELAXED, STRAIGHTFORWARD

I love my family. I prefer genuine honesty and kindness. I’m looking for someone to spend time with and who enjoys family time. My interests: camping, road trips, nights at home, cooking for family, gardening, cuddling my grandchildren. I am sweet, loving and compassionate. I like to go dancing and to social events or have fun nights at home. Bluebird, 55, seeking: M, l

FRIENDLY, KIND, CARING

I am looking for someone who can make me laugh and just wants to hang out. Alicat30 30, seeking: M, l

I NEED LOVE

I am proud of myself, honestly. I treat others the way I want to be treated, and I need a man who is going to love me and give me joy. elizabethlove 28, seeking: M, l

LAID-BACK

I’m looking for the one to settle down with, to have a family with. I’m a sweet, caring, loving, compassionate, bighearted woman who will do anything to make anyone happy. I do have a three-date rule. Cassh9883, 23, seeking: M, l

MELLOW, CREATIVE OLD HIPPIE

I love myself. Happy with my own company and in a crowd of people. I have many good friends and hobbies. The last time I remember being bored, I was 9! I consider it a really good day when I have learned something new and had a good laugh. Full-blown Libran. Prefer cultured, educated company. Versatility is a must. Zenbabe 61, seeking: M, l

LOVE TO EXPLORE!

Relationships take time and develop with honesty. I hope to get to know someone who wants to be spontaneous and head out for the weekend. Explore museums, castles, trails and more. I do love being on the back of a motorcycle, too. Exploring New England to start. crystalrene, 50 seeking: M, l

INTUITIVE, CARING, LOVE BEING OUTSIDE

I am a passionate, fit, caring, downto-earth woman looking to share adventures. I love to be active — hiking, skiing, running, yoga. I love to travel, as I am fascinated by the different ways people live their lives. I hope to have honest, interesting, authentic conversations where we really get to know each other. Let’s meet for coffee or a drink! lovemountains 57, seeking: M, l

SEEKING SIMILAR

I’m an out-of-practice romantic with a small but enthusiastic fan club wasted on cooking for one — a lover of books, art and trivia brimming with unrealized potential and hungry for lively conversation. Possibly in need of a copy editor. Pearly_Sweetcake 41, seeking: M, l

ENERGETIC, CREATIVE, HONEST, INDEPENDENT

I am a combination of outdoorswoman, ballroom dancer and retired application developer. Hardworking, honest, funloving, romantic. Family is important to me. I have a log cabin in the NEK that I love. Hoping to find someone to laugh, learn and explore with. Friends first. College grad, Caucasian. Cabingirl, 66, seeking: M, l

MEN seeking...

SEEKING SOMETHING FUN AND CASUAL Living life collecting as many wonderful memories along the way as possible. Let’s make a few. ADK_ROVER, 52, seeking: W, l

SEARCHER

Lust for life looking for FWB, perhaps more. blueskyinvt2022, 58, seeking: W

DOG LOVER, SAILOR

A full-time sailboat captain. Watching the sunset while bringing a smile to my passengers is my passion. In the winter, I teach Hebrew and am still working on perfecting my English. Favorite winter pastime is sitting by the fireplace, watching a classic movie. In winter I help people with disabilities ski downhill. Looking for a tough woman with a sweet heart. Alexmia, 64, seeking: W, l

YOUNG-AT-HEART NATURE LOVER

Looking for an active, fit, outdoorsy woman who can laugh easily, appreciates the natural world, is thoughtful and playful. Who likes to “play like a dog”! Dog lovers a plus. I’m a kind, active, free-spirited, reliable, romantic, educated, spontaneous and sensual man. Youthful in appearance, mind, body and soul. Enjoy outdoor activities, especially skiing (all types), sailing, hiking. Skisailvt 69, seeking: W, l

LIVE YOUR LIFE

I am strikingly average with a big heart to give. Looking for my one and only soulmate to sweep off her feet. sweetestman 66, seeking: W, l

MESSENGER IN A BOTTLE

Looking for a woman who likes herself, has a kind tongue, intelligence, a sense of humor, and wants someone with imperfections like mine. I tend to like movies that have character development, rather than special effects and gratuitous action. I avoid junk food as much as I can and get enough exercise but am not overboard with it. Outdoor tendencies. Victor58, 58, seeking: W

Tall, a little fluffy, experimental, clean and mostly smooth. Looking to meet other fun people. weldon72 75, seeking: M

CONTENT IN THE NEK

I’ve relocated to Vermont as part of several very positive changes in my life. Glad and grateful for how things are shaking out up here in the Kingdom. Still, I’d like to meet someone as keen as I am for conversation, exploring the state/region and seeing what might develop. NeitherFoldedNorSpindled, 56 seeking: W, l

NONBINARY PEOPLE seeking...

WORTHLESSLY

OVERQUALIFIED AND HOPELESSLY HOPEFUL

Retired college professor who has also worked his PhD into employment as a canine home-care provider, public school kitchen helper, medical assistant and, while having nothing to do with employment, a contributor at Bread Loaf. I bicycle, walk, bus, once “rented” Sparky from Carshare Vermont, and am otherwise finding my path with the Dao through tai chi and music. HippieHeart 73, seeking: W, l

GREAT ATTITUDE

Hello. I am interested in great attitudes, kids, animals, hard workers, sports, fishing, etc. booboo 53, seeking: W, l

WISE,

VIBRANT, YOUNG AT HEART

Excellent generalist, language lover, witty conversationalist. I also live deep in my head and soul, a nature lover, and wish for a man to share the physical to probe the mind and heart. I am a practiced masseur with high potential for sensual abandon. SageOne 69, seeking: M, l

CAPTIVATING CONVERSATION

Tell me about your passions, your inner thoughts that get you through the day. What drives you to be you? Lifeis2short, 53, seeking: W

CARPE DIEM. EXPLORE!

Active lifestyle. Curious about all things! Humor and laughter are important. Creating, building, hands-on. Good food with great conversation. DeNe 65 seeking: W

GRINNING GRANOLA GLAMPER

Currently single in central Vermont/ New Hampshire, seeking compatible peeps for fun and friendship (possible LTR and/or FWB). Clean, energetic, love to laugh, create new projects/events and volunteer. Yoga, meditation and sound/ vibrations connect me to Source (or your preferred name for It). ShivaShakti, 61, seeking: M, W, TW, NC, NBP, l

WHITE BOAT CUMMIN’ UP RIVER

I’m into Neil Young, B. Traven, Passivhaus, wilderness, water, Alexander Berkman, John Prine, writing, saving the world, silence, the stars, German beer, etc. I have no idea who I’m looking for. I’ve probably not learned the lessons I should have. Ragged heart is still on the sleeve. Stilgar, 71, seeking: W, l

OLD-SCHOOL,

SENIOR LADY LOVEBUG

Hello, want to be email pals first? Are you cute, young 60ish? Looking for a straight, educated man, sorta wealthy, loving, easygoing. Friends to start, flirting OK. Try new foods, places, etc. In the end, I would love to love and be loved, like the old-schoolers did. Sammyd 74, seeking: M

REALIST WHO IS OPEN-MINDED

I’m an honest, down-to-earth person who has been through a lot in life and is looking for companionship since I’m new to the area. I’m not like most people in that I feel people are afraid to talk to me. I don’t go out of my way to make friends. I wait for them to come to me. BreBri2022, 37 seeking: M, W, Cp

COUPLES seeking...

EASYGOING COUPLE LOOKING FUN Married couple looking to spice it up with other like-minded people. Jandjsovt, 52, seeking: Cp

LOVERS OF LIFE

We are a 40s couple, M/F, looking for adventurous encounters with openminded, respectful M/F or couples. Looking to enjoy sexy encounters, FWBs, short term or long term. sunshines, 42, seeking: M, W, Q, Cp

I’M YOUR PERSON

Welcome, everyone. Looking for some good people. Love to make some new friends. Looking for the right woman to share my fantasies with. Lovetohavefunnn, 41, seeking: W, l

LOOKING FOR OUR MAN!

Ideally hoping for a throuple/FWB situation. Us: established M/F couple. DD-free. (She: 44, straight BBW; he: 46, bi MWM). Drinks, 420-friendly, fires, get outside, music, Netflix and chill, always horny. You: DD-free, clean, masculine bi male (30ish to 50ish) who works and knows how to enjoy life! A little rough/hard (top, real man, etc.) with a compassionate heart and a bit of a snuggler. Connection is key. Let’s chat and get to know each other, then play! ginganddaddy 46, seeking: M

EXPLORING THREESOMES AND FOURSOMES

READY TO PLAY

I am looking for a fun-loving, beachloving activity partner. I love playing in water; you should, too. I enjoy some good humor. I can laugh at myself. I enjoy cards and board games when the weather chases me indoors. vtswimmer, 54, seeking: W

LOVE

I am a decent and hardworking man. People love to see the moon and stars in the sky, but my eyes just love to see my love’s happy and smiling face! abelfirm, 65, seeking: W, l

We are an older and wiser couple discovering that our sexuality is amazingly hot! Our interest is another male for threesomes or a couple. We’d like to go slowly, massage you with a happy ending. She’d love to be massaged with a happy ending or a dozen. Would you be interested in exploring sexuality with a hot older couple? DandNformen, 66 seeking: M, TM, NC, Cp, l

VT COUPLE SEEKING A FEMALE/COUPLE Fun married couple in their 30s looking for a female or couples for casual dates. We like the outdoors. 3inthevt, 36, seeking: W, Cp, Gp

JITTERY OR CAFFEINATED?

Last week you commented that I was jittery. is week we talked about your tattooed hands and my only tattoo. My question to you is, how do you feel about ethical nonmonogamy? Sincerely, Not looking for a unicorn. When: Friday, December 9, 2022. Where: Montpelier. You: Woman. Me: Man. #915677

BEARDED COFFEE PATRON

Approximately 2 p.m. You held the door for me and remarked on my beard. en, when I left, we met eyes and you smiled. Too shy to ask your name. Wish I had! When: Friday, December 9, 2022. Where: Williston Dunkin’ Donuts. You: Woman. Me: Man. #915676

RED HAT WOMAN, NEWPORT WALMART

Hello, Indiana Jones. You sauntered in wearing a leather hat, looked right at me and smiled the most beautiful smile. I had a red felt hat on. I will never forget what that smile meant to me at that moment in time. Perhaps I may find you again? When: Wednesday, December 7, 2022. Where: Newport Walmart. You: Man. Me: Woman. #915675

CYCLING ON PINE

We passed each other in the dark on Pine, near Flynn. You nodded, and I smiled. I appreciated that simple acknowledgment that we weren’t out in the cold alone. Safe travels, fellow commuter! When: Monday, November 28, 2022. Where: Burlington. You: Man. Me: Woman. #915674

HANNAFORD SUPERMARKET

Evening. Enjoyed talking with you about horses, blueberries and kids in the checkout line. You were wearing a black hoodie. Are you single? Do you want have a tea or coffee together and chat sometime? When: ursday, November 17, 2022. Where: Hannaford. You: Man. Me: Woman. #915673

WHO HAS THE REMOTE?

Older gentleman wondering who had the remote for the TV at Handy’s Toyota waiting room. We started talking about downtown Burlington, and then my car was ready. When: ursday, November 10, 2022. Where: Handy’s Toyota, St. Albans. You: Man. Me: Woman. #915672

WHY KNOT BE THEIR SQUARED?

My GPS brought me to your location twice. I didn’t catch your name, and I bet you can’t guess mine! When: Saturday, November 13, 2021. Where: in the eyes of the world. You: Woman. Me: Man. #915671

SHAMWOW

Two and a half years, and you still visit my dreams and almost every thought day-to-day! When: Saturday, June 6, 2020. Where: in my dreams. You: Woman. Me: Man. #915670

SAXON MOUNTAIN BIKER, GREAT SMILE

You finished your ride and loaded up your orange mountain bike onto your black Subaru. ere were numerous glances between us while I stood chatting with my friends. As you drove away, you gave a very friendly smile and wave. It would be great to say hello, maybe do a bike ride or hike, or even just have a drink sometime. When: Sunday, November 6, 2022. Where: Saxon Hill Rd. parking lot. You: Woman. Me: Man. #915668

HAVE WE MET?

Maybe, or in another life? Like me, you’re weary of running away from, running to catch up, running in circles. Let’s be still, be patient and have faith; we will be together soon. en let’s practice those qualities in our union every day. How will we know we have found each other? Love, it will be love that feels right. When: Saturday, November 5, 2022. Where: to be destined by summer 2023. You: Woman. Me: Man. #915667

HELLO, SLOWWALKER

I saw your message a month after you posted it. Sorry for the late reply. I bet Ruby is out of treats; should I bring some more? When: Saturday, September 24, 2022. Where: Shelburne Bay Park. You: Man. Me: Woman. #915669

BEAUTIFUL BRUNETTE, VFCU

I was in a black truck at the teller window at lunchtime, in South Burlington. You are a stunning brunette with a great smile! You helped me with a shared branch banking transaction. Wanna grab a coffee sometime? When: ursday, October 27, 2022. Where: VFCU. You: Woman. Me: Man. #915666

I SPY MVISLANDDREAMIN

Saw your profile in the personals; sent a message. Please read and hopefully get back to me. When: Sunday, October 30, 2022. Where: Personals. You: Woman. Me: Man. #915665

WHATCHYA READIN’?

You were walking up Church Street with a bag from Phoenix and an iced matcha. I am envious of your afternoon with new books and a sweet drink. If you’d be interested in having company next time, I’d be thrilled to join you. When: Saturday, October 29, 2022. Where: top block of Church St. You: Woman. Me: Woman. #915664

HELP WITH CROSSWORD?

I was with someone else when we met at the movie theater — unfortunately. We’re fellow alumni, and you were wearing ... maybe a reddish sweater? Dressed like a professor? I dashed out to the nearest pile of Seven Days specifically for the puzzles, since you didn’t have one to share. I haven’t finished the crossword yet; I thought maybe you’d like to help? When: ursday, October 27, 2022. Where: the Marquis. You: Man. Me: Woman. #915663

FILM FESTIVAL BEAUTY

We spoke at the festival at the entrance of Alcarràs (7 p.m.). While I was fussing about being late, I sensed signs of attraction. It’s mutual. I noticed your gorgeous face and long, curly dark hair. I’m a woman (seeking a woman), mixed race, with long curly hair. Let’s create our own story. When: Saturday, October 22, 2022. Where: Vermont International Film Festival. You: Woman. Me: Woman. #915662

De C ious,

De Rev end,

I’m a happily married man in my sixties, but recently I’ve been entertaining the thought of hiring an escort to pay for sexual services. I’ve never done this before, and I’m looking for some advice about how safe these encounters are in a city like Burlington and what I might expect. C ious in the Queen City (MALE, SIXTIES)

MORE KELLBEL

I was going to message you, but it looks like you are now off this site.

If you see this message, holler back. I, too, like to take long car rides. When: Wednesday, October 26, 2022. Where: Seven Days Personals. You: Woman. Me: Man. #915661

JUST A STONE’S THROW AWAY

You know when you meet someone, still remember their name months later, run into them again and only say “hi” but not their name because you don’t want them to feel uncomfortable? at was the case when I saw you and your dog in the woods by the creek. e pool’s closed, so how about a walk? When: Friday, October 21, 2022. Where: Essex Junction. You: Woman. Me: Man. #915660

BLUE ADIDAS

CROSSING

I was surfing on a rock, trying to cross a puddle at Preston Pond with my pup during peak foliage, and you were hiking solo. In our brief encounter, you pointed out the snow-capped mountains in the distance. Want to hike together sometime? When: Saturday, October 8, 2022. Where: Preston Pond trail. You: Man. Me: Woman. #915656

BEAUTIFUL BRUNETTE IN BLUE VAN

AT COMEDY CLUB

If your name is James, you wear blue Adidas sneakers, like brown boots and have half a brain, maybe we could finish that conversation face-to-face? When: Friday, October 21, 2022. Where: Comedy Club. You: Man. Me: Woman. #915659

HIKER PLAYING ‘WOULD YOU RATHER’

“Would you rather fart all day or have a booger hanging out?” I mean, what guy can resist a line like that? Your smile almost stopped my heart. Also, no ring on your left hand. I hope someone in your hiking group sees this. Would you like to get together for a few friendly rounds of “Would you rather”? When: Saturday, October 22, 2022. Where: on the trail of Stowe Pinnacle. You: Woman. Me: Man. #915658

SAW YOU AT SHAW’S

You are very beautiful, and I would like to date you. Some of my interests include reading, working out, bicycle riding and other things. I can cook, too! I would like to find out your interests, as well. I live across from the store. Please get back to me. I want to see you! Sincerely, Jay. When: Monday, October 10, 2022. Where: Montpelier. You: Woman. Me: Man. #915657

COLORFUL LIGHT, MAIN STREET LANDING

Your orange puffy coat was the perfect match for the light made pink by the trees. When: Tuesday, October 18, 2022. Where: Main Street Landing. You: Woman. Me: Man. #915654

I see you in Essex driving in your blue van. You have gorgeous dark hair and a pretty face. Sometimes you leave Dunkin’ in your scrubs. People are fortunate to be in your care. If you have a family, they must be very lucky. You may see me waving at you from my red Jeep. I hope you wave back. When: ursday, October 20, 2022. Where: Essex. You: Man. Me: Man. #915655

WE SAW EACH OTHER AT SHAW’S

Hello. You are very beautiful. If you were here, I would invite you into my life. When: Monday, October 10, 2022. Where: Shaw’s. You: Man. Me: Man. #915653

BURLY BAGEL BAKERY & CAFÉ

I spied a dude with longish hair working behind the counter. I glanced at you and then again — awkwardly (sorry). I was wearing a Carhartt beanie and clear glasses. I thought you were super cute and am wondering if you’re single. If so, coffee sometime? When: Sunday, October 16, 2022. Where: South Burlington Bagel Bakery. You: Man. Me: Woman. #915650

PIKMIN DEBATE SATURDAY NIGHT

Your car group pulled up next to me at a red light in SB and asked if the sprout I had was a Pikmin reference. Just wanted to say it made my night to hear you were debating about a little sprout decoration and to have another fun game reference for my car. When: Saturday, October 15, 2022. Where: South Burlington near Staples. You: Group. Me: Woman. #915649

ARCHIE’S IN SHELBURNE

I saw you being sweet with your kids and wished I could have joined in your Frisbee game. I was in a yellow puffy coat at the next table with my parents. ere was excited talk of the playoffs. Something in your smile and presence struck me, and I wish I knew your name. When: Friday, October 14, 2022. Where: Archie’s Grill. You: Man. Me: Woman. #915648

Last year I tried to answer a question about how to find a sex worker (October 13, 2021), and I just about gave my editor a heart attack. Sex work does happen in Vermont, and I’m fairly certain you can find what you’re looking for. However, it’s an illegal activity, and I can’t give advice on breaking laws. Besides, I don’t want to send one of my coworkers to the hospital for the holidays.

I’d rather focus on the fact that you call yourself “happily married” in the same breath that you say you’re thinking of paying someone for sex. Does your spouse know about this? If they’re cool with it, then more power to you. Stop reading and go find your side fling, illicit or not.

If your spouse doesn’t know or disapproves, ask yourself why you desire sexual fulfillment outside of your marriage. Do you think that you won’t really be cheating if you do it with a professional,

because there won’t be an emotional attachment? Well, that’s just not the case. Adultery is different from an open marriage, and it’s not nice, honest or fair — to your spouse or yourself. ere must be something making you unhappy in your marriage. Have you grown apart? Are you bored? ese are problems that can be solved, and it seems worth trying to fix the relationship you have so much invested in. If you don’t agree, perhaps it’s time to evaluate whether you want to stay married.

Before you seek sex elsewhere, you need to either confront the issue with your spouse or cut them loose. Otherwise, I can almost guarantee that you’re going to wind up in a big mess and break your partner’s heart in the process.

Good luck and God bless,

What’s your problem?

Send it to asktherev@sevendaysvt.com.

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

Irreverent counsel on life’s conundrums

PATHS AT PRESTON POND

I’m a male, 70, seeking a female, 50-plus. I am single and looking for a good friend and possible partner. Chittenden County. Phone, please. #1621

I’m a 57-y/o woman. Not married, no children. I stay as healthy as I can. Educated, mostly by deep life experience. Need a dedicated relationship with a man who understands me and treats our unit as No. 1. Need to live in the country. Calm, gardens, sounds of nature, sunset. Please be honest, thoughtful and kind. Be able to relate well to others and be well liked. Phone number, please. #1620

I’m a male seeking a loving companion of any gender. I’m a non-smoker with a concentration on health. I’m an educated, honest, kind and calm baby boomer with a love for gardening. Time is precious. Open to the right person. #1622

Man, 70, seeking woman. Warm heart, hard body, open mind. Easy to look at. Musically inclined. Going to Australia playing, singing, dancing. Mainly veggie. Grow my own. Bicycle. Looking for you, someone to be with in Australia. #1623

HOW TO REPLY TO THESE LOVE LE ERS:

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PUBLISH YOUR MESSAGE ON THIS PAGE!

1 Submit your FREE message at sevendaysvt.com/loveletters or use the handy form at right.

We’ll publish as many messages as we can in the Love Letters section above. 2

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

I’m a 70-y/o WF seeking a 70-plus WM. (#1604, I’m interested.) Was widowed 10 years ago and am lonely and seeking a companion. I love being outdoors and seeing birds and animals. Car travel is fun for me. #1618

Young-looking baby boomer woman seeks the same in a male partner. Time is precious. I’m a humanist looking for a nonsmoking, honest, good person. Seeking an occasional drinker without drug or anger issues. Ninety-five percent Democrat and young-at-heart woman who doesn’t drink is looking for a partner, not a serial dater (aka bachelor). #1619

I am a SWM, young-looking 52y/o in search of a trans woman. Not into drugs or 420 and not into a lot of drinking. Someone who wants to be treated like a lady in public and freaky in private. I am very respectful, romantic, physically passionate and enjoy some kinky situations. I enjoy a lot of outdoor activities, like swimming (sometimes skinny-dipping), camping, fishing, walks and bike rides. I also like quiet nights at home, snuggling and watching movies. If you want to know more about me, please write. #1616

I’m a SWM seeking a SBF. Kinkier the better. Love women’s clothes, high heels and stockings. Very clean. Phone. #1605

Calling all bottom fem guys, trans into stockings, high heels, painted fingers, toenails. Any race, young or old. Gay, bi, straight. Always horny. Spend the weekend together. No drugs or smoke. Clean. Phone. #1617

Along life’s highway: 1967 Canadian traditional sedan, high mileage but good steelbelted radials and rust-free, AM/FM radio, power steering, child’s car seat, seeks lightly used sporty 2000 Christian, low-maintenance family van (no child seat), 8-track a plus, for shared travel. #1614

Discreet oral bottom. 54-y/o SWM, 5’8, slim, dark hair, blue eyes. Seeking any well-hung guys, 18 to 55 y/o, who are a good top and last a long time for more than one round. Phone only, but text. Champlain Valley. #L1615

I’m a GMW (59 y/o) looking for younger guys who like to have fun with older men. I’m very adventurous, like everything and am in need of a good workover. Rutland area. Call or text. #1613

Happily married older couples who’ve enjoyed some wonderful sensual encounters with other single M/F and couples. Seeking sensual encounters. Chat, sensual massage for starters. Well traveled, fun and outdoorsy. #1612

I’m a male, 78, seeking a female, 50-plus, to come live with me and do cooking and house cleaning. I have two dogs to take care of. I like outdoor work and hunting. I need someone to be with me to love. #1611

I’m a female seeking the person who waved at me (almost two months ago) by the liquor warehouse in Winooski. You were interested in me, but I told you I had someone else. Now I realize I’m interested in you. You drove a newer-model gray truck. #1610

Female, 60, seeks an intelligent, curious and open man to ponder/explore things like the perfect bite of a meal, the wonder of the stars, the meaning behind a piece of art, the answers to a crossword puzzle and more. #1606