Seven Days, February 4, 2026 by Seven Days

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be hard on skin. Cold air and indoor heat leave skin dry, irritated, and vulnerable. Show your skin some love with gentle cleansing, daily moisturizing with fragrance free products, and sun protection.

This February, SWAE Skin Dermatology invites our community to care for one another as well. We are collecting unopened moisturizers, balms, and gentle skin-care items to donate to our local food shelf, helping neighbors in need protect their skin. Healthy skin is part of whole-person health.

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GROUND UP

$2.8 million

SOUTH END HOUSING GETS $8 MILLION BOOST

On Monday Vermont Treasurer Mike Pieciak announced a block of money to support new housing in the state, including an $8 million infusion to help a long-awaited project get off the ground in Burlington’s South End.

e funds will go toward the ﬁrst phase of a project backed by Russ Scully, not far from the Hula coworking campus he created. In the initial $100 million phase, two six-story buildings with nearly 200 studio and single-bedroom units will be constructed on what is now a parking lot at 125 Lakeside Avenue. Future phases are expected to contain more than 1,100 additional units. Twenty percent of the development will be affordable.

Plans call for transforming the industrial area into a mixed-use, transit-oriented neighborhood of apartments, retail and green space.

e funding is part of $30 million in low-interest loans that the state announced in six communities. It’s made possible by a program that invests up to 10 percent of the money the state has on hand and puts the earnings back into the Vermont economy. Pieciak opted

several years ago to expand the program and focus it exclusively on housing.

Pieciak noted that past investments have helped close funding gaps that emerged late in the development cycle because of rising costs. e state is getting involved earlier to help jump-start projects that might not otherwise make economic sense, he said.

Burlington Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak stressed that the project, known as the South End Coordinated Redevelopment, is an example of how the city is committed to working with developers and housing organizations to create needed housing.

In addition to the $8 million in loans, the overall project is expected to take advantage of city-owned property, tax-increment ﬁnancing, and a program passed last year by lawmakers to fund infrastructure upgrades including sewer, water, roads and sidewalks.

Scully thanked Pieciak for his support.

“ is money literally put wind in our sails at a time when we were really struggling to ﬁgure out how we were going to pay for this,” he said.

Read Kevin McCallum’s full story at sevendaysvt.com.

The long-empty “pit” in Newport may be sold as a court-appointed receiver ﬁnishes his work related to the EB-5 scandal, VTDigger reported. A promising development.

STEPPING DOWN

Rutland Mayor Michael Doenges resigned in the middle of his term. He said he’s landed a dream job in the private sector.

MOVING ON

Vermont lost population at the highest rate in the country between 2024 and 2025. The state now has about 1,800 fewer people.

LOST AT SEA

A 2025 UVM grad was among seven lost when a ﬁshing vessel sank o the coast of Massachusetts. Jada Samitt, 22, was a NOAA ﬁsheries observer.

That’s how much money the nonproﬁt cooperative Mad River Glen raised to purchase 1,100 acres of land that surround the ski area.

TOPFIVE

1. “ICE Detains Somali Taxi Driver in Burlington Amid Crackdown” by Lucy Tompkins. Hussien Noor Hussien, 63, was working at the Burlington Airport on New Year’s Day when federal immigration agents detained him.

2. “Students Banned From CVU-Rice Basketball Game” by Alison Novak. e schools made the decision after students taunted each other and traded increasingly crude social media posts.

3. “Ice Fishing With River Run’s Former Chef Jimmy Kennedy” by Melissa Pasanen. e professional bass angler grew up in Louisiana. When he moved to Vermont, he thought winter ﬁshing through the ice sounded crazy. Now, he’s all in.

4. ‘“ICE Out’ Rally Draws Huge Crowd in Burlington” by Sasha Goldstein. “If we want to stop ICE’s reign of terror, we need to shut it down!” one speaker said outside city hall.

5. “Former Burlington Athletic Director Settles Equal Pay Suit for $475,000” by Alison Novak. Jeanne Hulsen argued that a younger man with less experience earned a signiﬁcantly higher salary than she’d made after 22 years with the district.

TOWNCRIER

LOCALLY SOURCED NEWS

Montpelier Scraps Charter Change Proposal

e city is dropping a controversial proposal that would have allowed the council to veto non-legally binding ballot items brought by citizen petition, the Bridge reported. e city charter currently says that any petition signed by 5 percent of Montpelier residents will appear on the ballot for a vote. e proposed change would have given the council ﬁnal say.

SPECIAL DAY SPECIAL

Tiffany Brown has loved weddings for as long as she can remember. After serving as a ﬂower girl at the ﬁrst one she attended, she recalled, she was entranced by “the magic that’s created and how happy everyone is.”

Now Brown is leveling up her love of love. At their home in Holland, she and her husband, Cory McGuire, are launching Magic Moments Farm, which they bill as an affordable backyard-type wedding venue that offers discounts to those in need.

“We want to be a space that’s breathtakingly beautiful and affordable, and people can still have their dream wedding, their big, special day,” she said. “And it’s not going to put

them into debt, and it’s not gonna make them choose between owning a home or having a wedding or whatever.”

Until recently, Brown and McGuire lived in Oregon. But they both needed a change and, after vacationing in Vermont, decided to move here. ey wanted a space where Brown could pursue her dream of hosting weddings. Eventually, they found the one-acre Holland property, which features a tranquil setting and fields of wildflowers. ey moved in last summer. ey can host up to 30 people and, for $1,700, they offer a package that includes the space for eight hours, seating and tables, a PA system, two floral bouquets, a party tent and heaters, plus two areas for getting ready. e entrepreneurs also offer a “Love Is Magic” program: a 10 percent discount for

people receiving government assistance, as well as 20 percent off if one in the couple has a terminal illness and wants to get married as a last wish. Brown recalled how her father was diagnosed with cancer 13 years ago and died within three months.

“My dad never got to be at my wedding,” she said. is will be the couple’s ﬁrst wedding season, so they are working to get the word out. Brown said their low-income model was well received at last month’s Vermont Bridal Show & Wedding Expo, where she connected with other vendors who offered to provide discounts to couples who use her venue.

“ at was really cool,” Brown said. “It’s already rippling.”

SASHA GOLDSTEIN

COMPILED BY SASHA GOLDSTEIN & MATTHEW ROY

LOVE STORIES.

A Celebration of Love, Laughter, and Great Food.

Host international exchange visitors

1, 2, or 3 Weeks (May & July)

Students aged 15-18 Adult Chaperones

All participants speak English proficiently

Paula Routly

Cathy Resmer

Don Eggert, Colby Roberts

NEWS & POLITICS

Matthew Roy

Sasha Goldstein

Ken Ellingwood, Candace Page

Hannah Bassett, Colin Flanders, Kevin McCallum, Alison Novak, Lucy Tompkins

ARTS & CULTURE

Dan Bolles, Carolyn Fox

Chelsea Edgar, Margot Harrison, Pamela Polston

Jen Rose Smith

Alice Dodge

Chris Farnsworth

Rebecca Driscoll

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

Alice Dodge, Angela Simpson

Martie Majoros, Elizabeth M. Seyler

DIGITAL & VIDEO

Eva Sollberger

Je Baron DESIGN

Don Eggert

Rev. Diane Sullivan

John James

Je Baron

Colby Roberts

Robyn Birgisson

Michelle Brown, Logan Pintka, Kaitlin Montgomery

Maguire

Marcy Stabile

Gillian English

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Jordan Adams, Justin Boland, Alex Brown, Erik Esckilsen, Anne Galloway, Steve Goldstein, Amy Lilly, Bryan Parmelee, Suzanne Podhaizer, Samantha Randlett, Jim Schley, Carolyn Shapiro, Xenia Turner, Casey Ryan Vock

CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS

Luke Awtry, Daria Bishop, Sean Metcalf, Tim Newcomb, Jeb Wallace-Brodeur

FOUNDERS

Pamela Polston, Paula Routly

CIRCULATION: 35,000

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‘A BREATH OF FRESH AIR’

I read Seven Days from Michigan. I used to live in Vermont and miss its people. I write a monthly newsletter, and many times I share an article that I believe my followers would enjoy. Keep writing the type of articles that you are generating. Your paper is a breath of fresh air. Keep ﬁghting the good ﬁght.

Cyndi Casemier GRAND HAVEN, MI

CITY SHOULD STAND UP

Lucy Tompkins’ excellent report, “ICE Detains Somali Taxi Driver in Burlington Amid Crackdown” [January 30] shows us what can happen to our immigrant neighbors when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement comes to town. Inevitably, with its swollen budget, it will arrive with more agents and more weapons.

After studying and writing for years about the anti-Nazi resistance in the Netherlands, I learned there is a continuum of resistance and a continuum of collaboration. There are, of course, some limits to what the city can do, but we should go right to the edge of those limits and push them. No one in the employ of the City of Burlington should be assisting ICE in any way whatsoever. In fact, prohibiting them from doing so might be a meaningful piece of legislation, along with the other measures the city is considering.

As the mayor and city council consider what we can do as a municipality, I am glad they are reaching out to other cities to strategize and take the strongest possible action. The degree of lawlessness in Minneapolis shows us that ICE considers itself above the law, and its agents will do what they want regardless of constitutional or other rights. But we don’t have to make it easy for them.

The tide will turn, and we all want to be on the right side when it does.

Mary Fillmore BURLINGTON

CORRECTION

Last week’s story “Pedal to the Medal” incorrectly stated that Ben Ritchie of Waitsﬁeld would compete in the Olympics as an Alpine skier. Because his qualifying race occurred after the U.S. Ski Team’s deadline, he will not be allowed to compete.

POLITENESS GOES A LONG WAY

[Re “Dividing Line,” January 21, which describes an incident in Je ersonville]: A bright spark in the U.S. Border Patrol should have noticed that the roofers live in plain sight, send their kids to school and are gainfully employed. The contractor could have been asked if proper paperwork was on ﬁle. A couple of polite questions and the chaotic and, according to witnesses, violent incident could have been avoided.

The publicity did the Border Patrol no favors.

FLAVOR OF THE YEAR

New Ben & Jerry’s ICE cream flavor: IMPEACHMINT!

WHY WETLANDS MATTER

[“All Wet? Gov. Phil Scott Wants to Relax Wetlands Regs to Spur Housing Construction. Critics Say the Change Would Endanger the Environment — and Homes,” January 28]: Gov. Phil Scott’s intent to reduce the wetland buffer restriction for housing development from 50 to 25 feet would do incalculable damage to sensitive wetland ecology in Vermont, because it would restrict free soil water capability, drainage and soil filtration, as well as impact sensitive wetland habitat ecology of birds, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, wetland trees and wetland vascular plants.

Wetlands play a critical role in carbon sequestration and are a natural remedy in combating climate change.

‘FLOAT

BOATS, NOT HOUSES’

“All Wet?” [January 28]. We will be if Gov. Phil Scott’s wetlands regulation changes are allowed.

Float boats, not houses.

TWO-FACED?

I read the letter from Lori Wilson [Feedback: “‘Agreement Is Possible,’” January 21] with some confusion. The ﬁrst paragraph sounds as if it were written by a di erent person than the other two. She began well with the idea that agreement — or at least respect — can be reached among people of di ering opinions if they just communicate.

Paul Mitro JEFFERSONVILLE

Diane Mortier HINESBURG

Victor C. Capelli BENNINGTON

Bernie Paquette JERICHO

But her second paragraph uses derogatory terms about Democrats that come from certain politicians and commentators. If she’s interested in talking with somebody who votes Democratic who doesn’t match her current opinion, I’m glad to try.

Her last paragraph touts the virtues of Republicans in ways that simply don’t match what many of us are seeing on the ground.

So, which is it? Is she interested in talking with her neighbors who have different opinions? Or does she come into it with her own prejudice intact?

Ann Larson ESSEX

ANGELS’ ADVOCATE

I appreciated Lori Wilson’s mention of Braver Angels Vermont [Feedback: “Agreement Is Possible,” January 21]. I had the privilege of attending my first Braver Angels workshop recently. I experienced outstanding guidance by red-leaning and blue-leaning moderators, who led our equal numbers of red-leaning and blue-leaning participants in the work we did together. It was an amazing opportunity to get to know each other personally, across our red-leaning and blue-leaning views.

One valuable exercise involved naming stereotypes that we think are sometimes applied to us because of our political views. Notably, there was no sense of any participants hating the people who might have different points of view. I just don’t believe that most Democrats hate Republicans, or vice versa. I encourage Lori and others who are looking for this positive and respectful kind of “farm

porch” discourse to check out a Braver Angels workshop.

Sally Cook BURLINGTON

‘TOTAL MARKET FAILURE’

[Re “Manage Your Care: To Lower Health Costs, Vermont’s Largest Insurance Company Is Urging Patients to Shop Around,” January 14]: The Blue Cross Blue Shield ad campaign urging patients to “shop around” and avoid the University of Vermont Medical Center when possible is a textbook example of latestage capitalism: one powerful institution accusing another of exploitation. Framed as consumer advocacy, the state’s largest insurer fancies itself as a protector of patients against an overcharging hospital.

In reality, BCBS is not a neutral watchdog; it is Vermont’s dominant insurer, shaping premiums, reimbursement rates, benefit design and access to care. Rather than empowering patients, BCBS deflects blame while obscuring

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READER ENGAGEMENT

Say “I do” to the Love & Marriage Issue

Who doesn’t love a good marriage proposal story?

Assuming everything goes according to plan, Middlebury’s SUSIE MCGOVERN AND DARIN GATES will soon have a great one.

If you somehow skipped over the cover of this week’s issue, take a second and flip back to it — we’ll wait … Holy matrimony, right?

Last month, Seven Days put out a call asking readers crazy enough — er, bold enough — to consider making a very public marriage proposal on the cover of our annual Love & Marriage Issue. This is actually the second time we’ve tried the gimmick, but we had no takers last year. This time around, Susie was one of several worthy applicants.

After vetting each and chatting with a few strong contenders to make certain they would go through it — and that they were certain their partner would say “yes” — we landed on Susie. For one, we liked the idea of a woman proposing to man. But mostly, we just got a good vibe. Everyone here at Seven Days is on pins and needles waiting to find out what happens when Darin sees the cover. We’ll report back on how it went next week.

An unusual marriage proposal demands a UNIQUE WEDDING VENUE (page 31). Fortunately for Susie and Darin, there is no shortage of them in and around Vermont. From a funky tree house at Oakledge Park in Burlington to a replica of the set of the original “Star Trek” TV show in Ticonderoga, N.Y., the couple should have no trouble finding somewhere as cool as they are to tie the knot.

As for what to wear on the big day, local options abound for brides-to-be like Susie. Grooms and groomsmen such as Darin, however, face a dearth of menswear choices. We suggest trying MCNEIL & REEDY (page 34). The third-generation, familyowned haberdashery in downtown Rutland offers quality and a personalized touch to suit most budgets.

Of course, before even thinking about walking down the aisle, one must first navigate the wild and woolly world of dating. App culture geared more toward hookups than connection and a limited dating pool pose challenges for single Vermonters looking for love. So sex educator and comedian

Jenna Emerson aims to help with her live game show “SEX WITH JENNA: DATING SHOW,” modeled on “The Dating Game” TV show (page 43).

Lucky contestants who meet their match then have another conundrum: Where to go on that all-important first date? Seven Days food writers suggest A TRIO OF ROMANTIC RESTAURANTS perfect for a special night (page 36). For a less conventional first encounter, check out the inaugural art exhibit at the newly minted SEABA Center in Burlington, “FROM VERMONT, WITH LOVE” (page 48).

Finally, a Passumpsic woman renovating an old house recently stumbled upon a remarkable find: a LOVE LETTER FROM 1879 hidden in the floorboards (page 28). The discovery, along with some smart sleuthing, unearthed a sweet and dramatic love story from a bygone era. Perhaps someday, many years from now, someone might be working on a house in Middlebury and find this week’s Seven Days buried behind a wall or in the back of a closet and wonder about the couple on the cover. Here’s hoping the story they uncover about Susie and Darin is a long and happy one.

NEWS+POLITICS 14

Plan of Action

Vermonters brace themselves for the possibility that federal immigration ofﬁcials target them next

Drescher Conﬁrmed for Supreme Court in Rare TieBreaker Vote

Quarry Dustup

Morristown residents worry about a proposed project to mine quartz

‘ICE Out’ Rally Draws

Huge Crowd

FEATURES 28

Finding Love

Renovations in a Passumpsic home turn up a 19th-century love letter

venues

Beyond Measure

For 70 years, Rutland haberdashery McNeil & Reedy has been outﬁtting the sharp-dressed man

of the Fletcher Free Library for more than a decade, and they are familiar faces at book sales. Seven Days Eva

All Aboard

eater review: Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express, Vermont Stage

Sex Educator and Comedian

Jenna Emerson Hosts an IRL Dating Game

Black Artist Showcase

Highlights Queen City Stories

Vermont Home Vies to Win HGTV’s ‘Ugliest House in America’

Italian Folk Singer Beppe Gambetta to Play Beneﬁt House Concert in Essex

Heart of Pine Street

e SEABA Center celebrates love in its inaugural art show

On the Air

Host and musician Abbey Berger-Knorr’s “Abstract VT” podcast uncovers hidden gems of Vermont’s creative scene

Jericho’s Erin Bentlage Wins Third Grammy

FOOD+ DRINK 36

Restaurant Rendezvous ree Chittenden

County destinations worthy of date night

Mark and Robin Twery have been married for almost 50 years. e retired Burlington residents have volunteered for the Friends

Sollberger visited the couple in their book-ﬁlled basement domain.

Susie McGovern

MUST SEE, MUST DO THIS WEEK BY REBECCA DRISCOLL

MAGNIFICENT

SATURDAY 7

FRESH FUSION

SATURDAY 7

Practical Magic

Self-proclaimed international man of mystery Andrew Pinard conjures gasps at “Discovering Magic” at the Grange eatre in South Pomfret. e showman’s astonishing displays of deception use sleight-of-hand tricks, comedy and storytelling to transport viewers to a land of pure imagination, where even the most ordinary objects are transformed into extraordinary illusions.

SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 68

SATURDAY 7

Livin’ It Up

Touring act EagleMania — aka “the World’s Greatest Eagles Tribute Band” — take listeners to Hotel California and back at the Barre Opera House. Uncanny ﬁve-part harmonies and note-for-note instrumentals ﬁll a faithful program of hummable hits that’ll surely make you lose your mind.

SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 64

NPR describes the music of California indie-rock artist Kishi Bashi as “a radiant, uplifting soundscape.” Listeners at Hopkins Center for the Arts in Hanover, N.H., feel the pulse of the singersongwriter and multi-instrumentalist’s boundary-busting energy at an electric performance fusing genres from symphonic folk and ’70s funk to Brazilian jazz and Japanese city pop.

SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 64

SATURDAY 7

Take the Leap

Calling all hardy Green Mountain souls! e 31st annual Special Olympics Vermont Penguin Plunge on Burlington’s waterfront invites locals to brave the freezing waters of Lake Champlain for a cause. e midwinter tradition supports athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities, a powerful reminder of the importance of unity and inclusion.

SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 64

SATURDAY 7 & SUNDAY 8

Knight Moves

What do you call a king’s spare knight? Sir Plus! Vermont Gatherings’ ninth annual Winter Renaissance Faire summons lords and ladies in period garb to the Champlain Valley Exposition in Essex Junction for some next-level medieval merriment. Sundry performances, including singing, dancing, living history and ﬁght demos, punctuate a showcase of more than 95 vendors’ authentic wares.

SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 64

Like Father, Like Son

Dads often pass the torch to their offspring, but said torch rarely involves punk-rock stardom. At Legacy & Lineage: A Punk Rock Conversation With Bobby Hackney Sr. & Bobby Hackney Jr., a live taping of “Homegoings” at Vermont Public in Colchester, candid conversation between two of the genre’s iconic local voices sparks reﬂection about the power of ancestry and belonging.

SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 63

Bobby Hackney Jr.

CLOSES SUNDAY 15

In

Tight Spot

e Adamant Cooperative’s “Nooks and Crannies” exhibit explores how hidden corners and dark recesses can serve as safe spaces for stowing physical items, as well as intangible things such as memories and daydreams. e cozy group show considers spots of seclusion, secrecy and security through multimedia works by Joni Clemons, Nel Emlen, Diane Fitch and other notable artists.

SEE GALLERY LISTING AT SEVENDAYSVT.COM/ART

Bobby Hackney Sr.

‘Sweetheart Angie’

A romantic missive, written in 1879, is at the heart of a story in this Love & Marriage Issue of Seven Days. Contractors discovered the letter in the ﬂoorboards while renovating an old house in Passumpsic. The property owner was intrigued. With just a few details gleaned from the faded document, she tracked down the enamored couple, Sumner Putnam Pinney and Carrie Harriet Noble — through children, illnesses and a second marriage — to their ﬁnal resting place. Mary Ann Lickteig’s “Finding Love” is a brief but intimate glimpse of a 19th-century Vermont relationship.

Reading it gave me the courage to climb the almost-vertical stairs in my home o ce to the loft space where I store the belongings of my mother, father and sister, my only sibling — all of whom have predeceased me. I easily found the shiny green shoebox that, until now, I have been unable to face.

Paul

Inside are the letters my parents, Angie Catanese and Paul Routly, exchanged in 1950, the year before they were married. They met on a double-blind date at Princeton University, where my dad was a doctoral student in astrophysics. My mom lived half an hour away in New Brunswick, N.J., with her Sicilian-born parents. She worked as an executive secretary at Rutgers University, which is as close to college as she got.

LOVE STORIES ARE HAPPENING ALL AROUND US, BUT NOTHING HOLDS THAT SPARK — FOREVER — LIKE A LETTER.

delightful to the eye. Oh, how my imagination wanders these days.”

Dad!

The couple were already serious when Paul learned he would have to spend the fall doing research at the Palomar Observatory in Pasadena, Calif. Separated by distance and slow mail delivery, the epistolary exchange that ensued captured the sweetest period of their relationship, full of concern, anticipation and impassioned requests to write more often.

He continued: “And to think that in another two months you will be real — really you and I shall be kissing, not a picture.”

They exchanged letters at least once a week. My dad’s missives to “Miss Angie Catanese” are tied together with a pink ribbon; hers to him have also been perfectly preserved. Then 25-year-old kids, they would have celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary this year.

How hot are these letters from a time before zip codes? I pulled one of Paul’s out of the middle of the stack and began reading it aloud to my partner, Tim. My dad’s handwriting was always beautiful — he wrote longhand, with a fountain pen — and I quickly remembered how to decipher it.

“Sweetheart Angie, Your two letters this past week brought a great deal of joy to this old tired heart of mine. In contrast to my usual close-mouthed and secretive manner, I shall unhesitatingly tell you that I am extremely dependent on your correspondence, darling. Hearing from you constitutes just about the only high spot in my otherwise monotonous, boring, and exceedingly lonely existence here.”

Her previous letter had apparently included a picture of herself. He waxed, “As usual, you look absolutely radiant and beautiful. I am carrying it about in my wallet so that it will warm up my insides. I rather smiled at your suggestion that I only asked for the picture in order to admire your ‘double chin’ — it is a lovely chin alright, but you seem to have forgotten the presence of something else which is also double and equally as

Instead of feeling the “ew” of a child watching her parents be a ectionate, I was deeply moved by their back-and-forth, full of revealing quotidian details but also sustained — and restrained! — longing. It was a gentle reminder that our memories are selective and things may not have been as they seemed.

(Also in the box, I found a letter from an old friend of my mom’s revealing the details of a physically abusive marriage that, after two excruciating years, had just ended in divorce. It was postmarked May 1954, three years after my parents tied the knot.)

Love stories are happening all around us via phone, text, email and even public proposals of marriage, but nothing holds that spark — forever — like a letter.

Paula Routly

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Letters from

Routly to Angie Catanese in 1950

IMMIGRATION

Plan of Action

Vermonters brace themselves for the possibility that federal immigration ofﬁcials target them next

BY LUCY TOMPKINS • lucy@sevendaysvt.com

Astring of violent incidents involving U.S. immigration agents in Minneapolis has prompted Vermont officials and local organizers to prepare in case a similar enforcement surge is aimed at the Green Mountain State.

While Vermont has not been the target of a large-scale operation like recent ones in Maine or Minnesota, the feds are already here. Early last month, for instance, a Somali cab driver was detained while working outside Burlington International Airport. But the threat of a larger-scale operation has galvanized Vermonters, whose preparations have assumed a greater sense of urgency.

Burlington Mayor Emma MulvaneyStanak met with the city’s police and ﬁ re chiefs last week to discuss how to respond if U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents descend on the city. State lawmakers are considering bills that would curb the power of those agents. And immigration advocates and attorneys held

a virtual training last week, attended by more than 1,000 people, to organize their response in anticipation of a Minneapolislike operation here.

“Detentions are already happening, and they are going to happen,” Emma MattersWood, an attorney with the Vermont

DETENTIONS ARE ALREADY HAPPENING, AND THEY ARE GOING TO HAPPEN.

EMMA MATTERS-WOOD

Asylum Assistance Project, told attendees. “The best thing we can do is be as prepared as possible to support people leading up to, and in the event of, a detention occurring.”

She encouraged immigrants to carry copies of their identiﬁcation and proof of employment and to talk with a lawyer — if

JUDICIARY

Drescher Conﬁrmed for Supreme Court in Rare Tie-Breaker Vote

BY KEVIN MCCALLUM kevin@sevendaysvt.com

e Vermont

Senate conﬁrmed

Gov. Phil Scott’s two nominees for the Supreme Court on Tuesday, but Michael Drescher’s appointment was nearly derailed due to criticism that the veteran federal prosecutor represented the government in high-proﬁle ICE cases.

Most Democrats voted against Drescher’s nomination out of concern that he was the face of the Ofﬁce of the U.S. Attorney in the detention cases, including Mohsen Mahdawi’s. e Palestinian activist and former Columbia University student was arrested in April. Drescher later argued against his release.

All Republicans supported Drescher’s nomination. Two Democrats from Bennington, Sens. Seth Bongartz and Rob Plunkett, broke ranks with their peers and also voted to conﬁrm, leading to a 15-15 tie.

In such cases, the lieutenant governor must cast the deciding vote, and that’s what John Rodgers did — in favor of Drescher. A lieutenant governor hasn’t broken a tie vote since 2019.

they have one — to plan a course of action in case they’re detained. But she also noted that the spike in arrests over the past year already has immigration attorneys in Vermont stretched thin.

“I want to prepare folks for the inevitability that not everyone will be able to access an immigration attorney,” she said. “That is the reality — there’s simply not enough to respond to the volume of need.”

The advocacy group Migrant Justice, which manages an emergency hotline and responds to reports of immigration arrests, tallied 107 immigration detentions across the state in 2025, compared to just 10 the year before.

The group has been hosting “rapid response” training almost every week since Trump reassumed the presidency promising a mass deportation campaign. It has also built up a network of about 2,000 people who follow up on reports of ICE sightings, support families whose relatives

Rodgers said he felt Drescher was “just doing his job.” He said he felt the prosecutor was “highly qualiﬁed” and that the appointment process “became political” because senators received input from members of the public who “maybe don’t know all the facts.”

Most Democrats disagreed.

Sen. Tanya Vyhovsky (P/DChittenden-Central) said Drescher didn’t just do his job but seemed to embrace it. She noted that he attended a press conference in Florida held by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and didn’t view this as an expression of support for the administration’s policies.

“Mr. Dreschser is a nice guy. I do believe that,” she said. “What I do not believe is that he has the courage, the insight or the public trust to serve on the Vermont Supreme Court in a time when our rights are under attack daily.”

Christina Nolan, who served as U.S. Attorney in Vermont during President Donald Trump’s ﬁrst term, was approved 23-7 by the Senate. ➆

A protest in Burlington last week

SASHA GOLDSTEIN

Michael Drescher

Christina Nolan

Quarry Dustup

Morristown residents worry that a proposed project to mine quartz could spread dangerous silica dust

BY KEVIN MCCALLUM • kevin@sevendaysvt.com

Thea Alvin spends every possible moment outdoors in the summer.

Weather permitting, the Morristown resident walks her dogs, shears her Angora goats, rides her mountain bike and builds elaborate award-winning sculptures in her yard.

Now she and others in the area are worried that they’ll be forced indoors to avoid inhaling dangerous dust. The reason: A quarry that would generate silica dust has been proposed nearby — and would operate for a decade.

ENVIRONMENT

“That’s 10 years of me being unable to go outside every summer,” said Alvin, a 60-year-old artist who lives just a few hundred yards from the quarry site. Speaking of an elderly friend, she said, “That’s 10 years of my neighbor, in the last years of her life, not being able to safely breathe the air.”

A yearslong battle over plans for an industrial park and quarry on farmland across Route 100 from the MorrisvilleStowe State Airport has anxious residents holding their breath for a permit decision due any day.

The quarry is part of local businessman Garret Hirchak’s plan to build a sprawling campus of 26 industrial buildings on what is now 89 acres of cornfields and forest. Local zoning officials signed off on the project in 2023 over the objections of many residents.

Now a three-member state Act 250 land-use review panel must weigh the project’s environmental impacts as it decides whether to issue a permit for the proposed industrial park. One pending question is whether the quarry will produce dangerous levels of silica dust, a known health hazard. Monday was the deadline for each side to make its case, and a ruling is expected soon.

“The decision they are about to make is vital and will set the stage for the next steps for everybody,” Alvin said.

The stakes are high. Hirchak’s

company, Sunrise Development, proposes to build what would be one of the biggest industrial parks in Vermont and the largest project in Morristown in recent memory.

Hirchak and his backers have pitched the project as important for central Vermont’s economic future. They argue that it would help businesses grow and would attract new firms to the state. The park would create an estimated 1,800plus jobs, according to the developer.

“This development is important for this Town and region,” Hirchak told Seven Days in an email.

Hirchak is the CEO of Morrisville’s Manufacturing Solutions, Inc., one of the largest employers in Lamoille County. MSI is a contract manufacturer specializing in metal fabrication. It builds everything from rowing machines to electrical components to firearms.

Hirchak and his wife, Beth Salvas, MSI’s president, acquired 437 acres west of the airport in 2021. The industrial park would be located on an 89-acre section just across the road from the airport entrance.

A tree-covered knoll, which is a 12-acre deposit of quartz, rises 55 feet in the middle of that property. Development plans call for removing it, which would necessitate a temporary quarry on the site.

Blasting out the hill would make it easier to construct the park’s buildings and infrastructure. About 49,000 tons of rock per year would be removed over the course of a decade. Some of the gravel and crushed stone would be used for the project’s roads and parking lots, while the rest would be trucked away and sold. The estimated cost of that development work, not including construction of the buildings, is around $6 million, according to Hirchak. Full build-out would likely cost more than $100 million, he estimated.

Most of the residents’ opposition, especially since last summer, has focused on the quarry. That’s when tests of the bedrock ordered by the Act 250 commission found that it is nearly pure quartz.

have been detained and connect them with legal help.

Other mutual aid groups have helped immigrant families by delivering groceries, driving children to and from school, and accompanying people to doctor’s appointments.

“We’re in a pretty special situation here in part because the immigrant community in Vermont is so deeply organized and has been for a long time,” Rachel Elliott, a Migrant Justice staff member, said during the virtual training. “We have protections here in the state of Vermont that do not exist in other areas to the same degree. That’s something to be deeply proud of and find hope in and be inspired by.”

Those protections include a statewide Fair and Impartial Policing Policy that forbids police departments in Vermont from collaborating with federal immigration authorities. Lawmakers passed a law in 2016 directing the Vermont Criminal Justice Council to develop the policy

ICE DETAINS SOMALI TAXI DRIVER IN BURLINGTON

On New Year’s Day, Hussien Noor Hussien was sitting in his cab in the taxi lane at Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport when two unmarked vehicles pulled up behind and in front of him.

Surveillance video obtained by Seven Days shows several immigration agents approach his window, pull him from his van, handcuff his wrists behind his back and drive him away.

Hussien, a 63-year-old from Somalia, has lived in Vermont for 13 years and runs his own company, Freedom Cab. After coming to the U.S. as a refugee in 2004, he eventually settled in Burlington with his wife and their five children, now ages 3 through 17, all of whom are U.S. citizens.

His detention comes amid a heightened crackdown on Somali immigrants in Minnesota and nearby Maine, in the wake of findings that some members of Minnesota’s Somali community defrauded the federal government out of hundreds of millions of dollars in emergency COVID-19 funding.

President Donald Trump has seized on that news to condemn Somalis as a whole, deploying thousands of federal immigration agents to Minneapolis, home to the largest Somali population in the U.S., and cutting off other legal immigration pathways.

So far, there are no signs of a widespread crackdown targeting Vermont’s Somali population of about 500, most of whom live in Burlington and Winooski. But Hussien’s detention has reverberated through the tight-knit community and beyond, alarming his children’s teachers and neighbors who have known his family for years.

Refugees from Somalia began settling in Vermont in 2003, after more than a decade of civil war and persecution forced many to flee to refugee camps in Kenya and neighboring countries. Refugees undergo

vetting by the federal government while abroad and enter the U.S. with legal status. Many have since obtained permanent residency or become naturalized citizens.

Court records show Hussien came to the U.S. as a refugee under the name of a relative, Abukar Hassan Abdule, and was accompanied by Abdule’s ex-wife and the couple’s children.

In 2011, he became a naturalized citizen under that name while living in Maine. He later divorced his first wife and married his current wife, Runbila Aden, with whom he now has five children.

In 2013, after moving to Burlington, he applied to legally change his name to his birth name, Hussien Noor Hussien. Investigators began looking into inconsistencies with his identity in 2017, when the children from his first marriage applied for passports and listed their father as the real Abdule, who lives in Kenya.

Two years later, he was convicted in a trial in the U.S. District of Maine of three federal crimes: making a false statement on his passport application, impersonating another in his naturalization proceeding and illegally procuring naturalization.

His citizenship was revoked, downgrading his immigration status to permanent residency, or a green card. He was sentenced to two months in prison, and, when he was released in early 2020, ICE immediately took him into custody and began deportation proceedings against him.

A few months later, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and Hussien and other prisoners were released on the condition that they regularly check in with immigration authorities as their cases wind through the immigration court system. For the past six years, he has met those conditions, Aden said. His next appointment in immigration court was scheduled for April 2027.

On the morning Hussien was detained, his wife was working a shift inside the airport as a cleaner. Airport security staff notified her that Hussien had been taken away by police and gave her the keys to his abandoned cab.

In a panic, Aden went searching for him. Local police had no information on his whereabouts. It wasn’t until that afternoon that she got a call from Hussien and learned he’d been taken by ICE. He is now detained at the Northwest State Correctional Facility in St. Albans.

Hussien filed a habeas corpus petition in federal court, asking a judge to review the legality of his detention.

Supporters packed a courtroom for his initial appearance on January 12.

“It’s one thing to detain someone who’s a threat to the community,” said Abdirisak Maalin, a close friend of Hussien’s and assistant executive director of United Immigrant & Refugee Communities of Vermont.

“But it’s another thing to detain someone for the sake of detaining them. No one is above the law, no one wants anyone disobeying the law, but we want things done in a way that’s fair and just and not terrorizing the community.”

Maalin was planning to attend Hussien’s next court hearing on Wednesday, February 4, with a group of supporters. A rally was planned for outside the courthouse. ➆

Hussien Noor Hussien after he was detained by ICE

Protesters in Burlington last month

COURTESY

titled “Status of ICE Operations” that disputed the rumor.

“City officials urge residents to avoid sharing unverified information, which can increase fear and divert emergency resources,” the mayor wrote. “Calls to 911 or police dispatch should be reserved for health, safety, or other emergencies.”

Mulvaney-Stanak also announced the launch of a web page on which the city would post resources and credible information about the presence of ICE. She noted that city officials would not receive prior notice of a federal enforcement operation and reminded residents of the legal limits to local authority.

“It is important to note,” she wrote, that while the Burlington Police Department “will not help ICE agents in civil enforcement matters, they are prohibited by law from impeding ICE actions.”

State legislators, meanwhile, are weighing several bills in response to the Trump administration’s deportation drive.

S.208 would prohibit all law enforcement agents — state and federal — from wearing masks or disguises, with exceptions for certain hazardous conditions such as freezing temperatures or smoke exposure. S.209 would prohibit civil arrests from being made in “sensitive locations” such as government buildings, schools, shelters and health care facilities.

after the American Civil Liberties Union of Vermont and Migrant Justice argued for it.

The group plans to hold more training sessions in the coming weeks and is trying to expand its rapid response network “as much as we can,” Elliott said. “The goal with rapid response is to be able to show up quickly and provide support in moments of crisis and to be able to document what’s going on.”

Elected officials are preparing, too. At the Burlington City Council meeting on January 26, Mulvaney-Stanak said she was connecting with mayors across the country to inform local planning in case immigration agents show up en masse in the Queen City.

“Stay steady, Burlington,” she said. “We are preparing, we are tracking what is happening in other parts of this country, and we will do everything we can to keep all our residents safe and protected from dangerous actions and overreach by the federal administration.”

Late last week, amid escalating fears of an expanded ICE foray into Vermont, rumors began to spread that federal agents had booked hotel rooms in the Burlington area. That prompted Mulvaney-Stanak to issue a statement

And H.742 would create a state fund to provide legal representation for immigration detainees in Vermont. Unlike people charged with a crime, those detained for alleged immigration violations under civil code do not have a right to a lawyer at the government’s expense.

At a January 21 Statehouse press conference about the bills, Sen. Tanya Vyhovsky (P/D-Chittenden-Central), acknowledged the “very real restraints” represented by the supremacy clause of the U.S. Constitution, which holds that federal laws take precedence over state laws with which they conflict.

“I have been frustrated with how little we can do, and I and our judiciary committee have worked hard to find the needle of what we can do to offer real protection in Vermont,” she said.

The bills have yet to move much, though, and would need to get past Gov. Phil Scott, a moderate Republican.

Scott has been reluctant over the past year to take a firm stand against the Trump administration. But the day after federal agents in Minneapolis killed Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen and ICU nurse, the governor released a statement

‘ICE Out’ Rally Draws Huge Crowd

STORY & PHOTO BY SASHA GOLDSTEIN sasha@sevendaysvt.com

Hundreds, maybe thousands, of people ﬁlled downtown Burlington last Friday afternoon, united in their opposition to the Trump administration’s haphazard and sometimes violent immigrationenforcement efforts.

Cries of “Fuck ICE,” a reference to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, rang out as people young and old gathered on Church Street in front of city hall, armed with signs and anger about current events. e rally was meant to be the culmination of a national strike last Friday with “no work, no school and no shopping” to protest the recent killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good by federal agents in Minneapolis.

“ e increasing violence of the state against immigrants and its own citizens has us all at a crossroads,” one speaker said outside city hall. “Will we wait for a few minor concessions from the ruling class, like the change-out of one ICE leader for another?”

“NOOOO,” the crowd roared in response.

“Or will we show them what the power of the people really looks like?” she asked, eliciting cheers. “If we want to stop ICE’s reign of terror, we need to shut it down!”

Hundreds of students, from grade school to college, braved single-digit temperatures to hear speakers and march down Church Street. Organizers in neon vests handed out hand warmers and hot drinks while one speaker led the crowd in song.

“ e danger of authoritarian fascism is real, and it is here,” said state Sen. Tanya Vyhovsky (P/D-ChittendenCentral). “We are all in peril, and the time is right now to stand up to say, ‘No more.’”

She added, “We must go beyond rallies, beyond asking nicely, and we must begin real resistance.”

e throng marched up Church Street, waving signs that read, “Renee Good. ICE Bad,” “No Human Is Illegal,” “ is ICE Must Melt” and “We Are the Power.”

“No hate, no fear, immigrants are welcome here,” the crowd chanted. “No justice, no peace. Get ICE off our streets!” ➆

“That was a game changer,” Alvin, a stonemason, said.

The ﬁnding ampliﬁed fears that the quarry would create hazardous dust. When quartz is pulverized, crystalline silica dust is created. When inhaled, silica can lead to dangerous diseases including silicosis, or scarring of the lung, which can be deadly. It can also increase the risk of lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and kidney ailments, according to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

The greatest health risks, which have been known for nearly 100 years, are to construction and quarry workers with heavy exposure to the dust. Operations are encouraged to require respirators for workers and to use water and vacuum equipment to control dust.

Silica dust is listed as a hazardous air contaminant in Vermont and is strictly regulated. The quarry would need an air quality permit from the Agency of Natural Resources. The developer has proposed a detailed plan to limit the spread of any dust. The plan involves wetting the rock during blasting, crushing and sorting; sweeping it o roads; and placing air monitors around the site.

But residents remain fearful.

Nancy Dunavan, 66, moved to Vermont from Colorado four years ago in part because of the promise of clean air. She’s now a member of the Morristown Conservation Commission, which opposes the quarry.

She lives about three miles from the site and worries less for herself and her husband than for people who live closer.

“Once it’s in the air, you just don’t know where those particles will be going,” Dunavan said. “If you’re out there working and you breathe at the wrong time, it’s going to be in your lungs.”

ONCE IT’S IN THE AIR, YOU JUST DON’T KNOW WHERE THOSE PARTICLES WILL BE GOING.

NANCY DUNAVAN

Even the town has changed its tune in the wake of the test results on the rock.

In 2023, the Morristown Development Review Board approved the plan despite opposition from at least 150 people at a public hearing and another 2,500 who signed a petition, Alvin said.

“They didn’t hear a single thing we said,” Alvin said. “Their decision was made before we walked in.”

According to Alvin, the board reasoned that the temporary nature of the proposed operation meant a prohibition on quarries in that area of town did not apply.

But just two months after learning of the results of tests at the quarry site, a town attorney, David Rugh, sent a letter to the Act 250 district commission saying the town was now “adamantly opposed” to “blasting and rock removal activities” on the property.

“The Town has signiﬁcant concerns regarding the impacts to the public’s health, safety and welfare from the Project’s silica emissions, especially if the mitigation measures proposed are not as successful as anticipated,” Rugh wrote.

Considering the prevailing winds, much of the town and all of Morrisville village “sit in the cross-hairs of the emissions from the Project’s earth extraction activities,”

Rugh wrote. The selectboard proposed a “scaled-down” version of the project that would leave the knoll as is, eliminate the quarry and drop plans for three buildings proposed for the knoll site, Rugh wrote.

Town manager Brent Raymond stressed that the letter was not an about-face on the overall project but was a suggestion based on the new information.

“The intent of the letter was to let the state know that they expect the state to fully analyze any potential risk to the community that could result from silica,” Raymond said.

On Monday evening, facing a room full of residents opposed to the quarry, Morristown Selectboard chair Donald McDowell was blunt.

“We are opposed to this project,” he said to applause.

Hirchak acknowledged in an email that silica inhalation “is a serious matter” and said “people working in close proximity” to the dust need to take proper precautions. He added that using the quarried rock on-site would save money compared

Morrisville-Stowe State Airport

Industrial Park site

Proposed quarry

ea Alvin

Protesters on Friday

to bringing material in. Revamping the plan at this point would require onerous and costly additional study and re-permitting that still might not satisfy some opponents, Hirchak said.

Hirchak’s attorney, James Mahoney, pointedly noted in a letter to the town in December that the selectboard expressed concern about his client’s proposed quarry but not for a nearby gravel pit that extracts triple the amount of material.

His client is “at a loss as to how the Selectboard’s health and safety concern in this regard seems to stop at the MSI Airport Industrial Park property boundary.”

The intense focus on the risk of silica dust is largely due to Alvin, who has emerged as a leader of the opposition. She said she demanded the tests of the rock because from her home she can see the remains of an abandoned asbestos mine on Belvidere Mountain in Eden, a defunct operation that is now a Superfund site about 12 miles north of Morristown. Knowing that geologic formations typically run north-south in Vermont, Alvin worried that the same hazardous mineral might be present at the quarry site.

She has also used her skills as an artist to build multiple 3D models of the site to help people understand just how radically it would be transformed.

“This is a really big change from a cornfield,” she said.

In her studio last week, Alvin showed Seven Days three detailed topographical models she uses to illustrate her objections to the industrial park, which go well beyond just quarry dust. She pointed out where two 35-foot-high water tanks supplying 28,000 gallons per day are planned for the ridge above the site. She wants them lowered. She highlighted wetlands on the property, which she worries will be destroyed by roads and buildings. She even constructed tiny cardboard structures to illustrate the size and placement of the buildings and their parking lots and used thin blue yarn to depict tributaries and ponds.

She and her neighbors also worry about how many cars and trucks will come and go from the site during and after construction, what kinds of businesses might set up shop there, and other unknowns, she said. She said she’s proud of the selectboard for writing a strong letter in opposition and now wants the Act 250 commissioners to follow suit.

“I’m hopeful that they will see quarrying silica in a residential area as a no-go,” she said. ➆

Frank Zappa (arr. Askin)

G-Spot Tornado

Philip Glass

Violin Concerto No. 1

Augusta Holm é s

La nuit et l’amour

Georges Bizet

Carmen Suites Nos 1. & 2.

| MUSIC DIRECTOR

condemning the violence and urging a “reset” of immigration enforcement.

A few days later, at a Statehouse press conference, Scott adopted a softer stance, though he continued to urge the president to “tone down” and “de-escalate” his approach. When asked about the pending bills, Scott said he supported prohibiting masks for law enforcement but would need to see more details before signing off.

The supremacy clause also makes it difficult to prosecute federal agents for alleged constitutional violations. But prosecutors around the country are banding together to respond to concerns about warrantless arrests and unlawful detentions.

Chittenden County State’s Attorney Sarah George said she is in regular contact with prosecutors in other states about sharing resources and the potential challenges of suing federal agents.

“My record has shown that I hold law enforcement accountable when our laws allow for it and justice requires it, and that absolutely applies to federal agents who violate Vermont law,” George wrote in an email to Seven Days

The preparations have extended to schools, where educators and administrators are considering the possibility that agents could try to detain students or parents on campus.

In the South Burlington School District, teachers are not to engage with ICE agents and should notify administrators immediately if any show up, according to Monica Desrochers, an administrator who oversees multilingual programming.

That has yet to happen, she said, but school staff have had to comfort students whose parents have been detained.

Winooski Schools superintendent Wilmer Chavarria runs the most diverse district in the state, where about 9 percent

THE RESILIENCE AND RESISTANCE IN MINNEAPOLIS WILL HELP US LEARN HOW TO RESPOND WHEN THE SAME THREATS COME TO OTHER COMMUNITIES.

REV. KAREN G. JOHNSTON

of students are Somali. Immigrants from the East African country have been a particular target of the Trump administration in recent months. After the president called Somalis “garbage,” Chavarria’s district flew a Somali flag in December to show solidarity with the immigrants.

Video of the flag raising spread online, and hateful and threatening calls poured in from around the country.

“Given recent events, both nationally and here in Vermont, it is understandable that members of our school community are experiencing concern and anxiety,” Chavarria wrote in an email to Seven Days

The district has “strong safety protocols” in place, he said, and administrators meet and communicate regularly “to ensure we remain prepared, responsive, and focused on student wellbeing.”

On the day Pretti was fatally shot by immigration agents, Rev. Karen G. Johnston was on a plane back to Burlington after having joined protesters in Minneapolis for several days.

Johnston, a senior minister at the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington, said she and about a dozen other Vermonters had responded to a national call for clergy around the country to convene in the Minnesota city.

She attended a protest at the Minneapolis airport, where about 100 clergy were arrested for trespassing. And she marched with tens of thousands through the streets, carrying a sign that said, “Vermont Stands With MN.”

“I responded to the call because I already see here in Vermont the ways in which excessive overreach and fear is impacting my neighbors, our neighbors,” Johnston said. “I’ve accompanied people to their ICE appointments in St. Albans. They live in deep fear all the time.”

Johnston was struck by how well organized the activist and mutual aid groups were in Minneapolis. It was clear that they were building on years of work, she said, not dissimilar to the aid networks and “deep veins of community care” that exist across Vermont — networks she thinks need to be strengthened now.

“The resilience and resistance in Minneapolis will help us learn how to respond when the same threats come to other communities — including to our own,” Johnston said. “Resistance against authoritarianism in our midst has to be prepared. It can’t be spontaneous. It needs to be sustained.” ➆

Lucy Tompkins covers immigration, the border and new American communities in Vermont 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.

FEEDback

the exorbitant premiums, growing costsharing and administrative complexity, not to mention the Vermont CEO salary nearing $1 million annually.

As the dominant provider for northwest Vermont — and having consolidated six area hospitals, including some in New York — UVM Medical Center realized $1.9 billion in excess revenue last year. With these two giants accusing each other of driving up costs, we are witnessing a total market failure.

The absurdity is that Vermonters facing cancer, cardiac emergencies or complex chronic illness cannot simply comparison-shop hospitals and care. Rural residents often have no viable alternatives within a reasonable distance; insurance networks, referral requirements and coverage rules constrain choice long before patients ever see a bill.

Health care should not be viewed as a competitive marketplace; it should be a public good, and this requires a publicly funded system. A single-payer model — just like veterans, very low-income households and people over the age of 65 have — delivers real price control and affordability.

Liz Curry BURLINGTON

responsibility, free markets, limited government and respect for free speech — to have a voice when many students live in fear of expressing any type of support for conservative, traditional values.

Ask yourself: Should someone have to change their beliefs or how they conduct their personal life in order to stay in a political or work position?

Will someone in Montpelier stand up and shout out: “Mr. Speaker, I have a list of the names of 50,000 or more conservatives here in Vermont to banish and suppress that may be members of other groups that oppose our political and religious or nonreligious beliefs”?

That is what is happening to Michael Boutin: a far-left form of McCarthyism that has almost no tolerance for freedom of speech and expression outside its socialistic beliefs and agenda.

The Vermont I grew up in once tolerated and encouraged civil discussion and debate, hearing all sides on issues of social and political concern.

Robert “Bob” Devost JERICHO

‘WONDERFUL SHOW’

IN MEMORY OF DAVID CRAWFORD

[Re Life Lines: David Allen Crawford, January 12]: On behalf of the staff and board of the Winooski Valley Park District, we wanted to deeply thank David for his years of service as WVPD trustee and for being a good friend, adviser and trusted colleague. We were all well served by his presence, wisdom and dedication. Public service was his calling card, and Vermont is a far better place because of him.

We miss you, David.

Nick Warner BURLINGTON

Warner is executive director of Winooski Valley Park District.

A CONSERVATIVE VOICE

[Re “Barre Residents Criticize School Board Chair’s Turning Point Ties,” January 15, online]: Michael Boutin should stand tall, and he is within his full constitutional rights to participate in a Turning Point USA event and remain fair and objective as chair of the Barre Unified Union School District.

Are all school board members subject to such scrutiny in how they choose to conduct their personal lives?

What is Turning Point USA? Its mission statement is to engage primarily college students to embrace fiscal

Thank you for [“Picture Perfect: New City Curator Maedeh Asgharpour Brings a Show of Illustration to South Burlington,” January 14]. After reading it, my wife and I went to the South Burlington Public Library to view “The World in Our Mind.” The show was much richer than I anticipated. As a children’s librarian at the Richmond Free Library for over 30 years and a cartoonist-artist for many more years than that, I found this show a true pleasure. I was aware of and/or had seen work by only three of the eight artists represented. Thanks to Asgharpour for curating this wonderful show.

L.J. Kopf RICHMOND

THE OTHER F-WORD

[Re Feedback: “Oh, F*ck,” January 7]: Freedom, our most valuable right — or is it a privilege? — tempts anyone willing to test its perceived limitations. Illustrated by the excessive use of a certain fourletter word in print recently, it threatens the journalistic integrity that permits its service. We shouldn’t allow taking liberties to cloud our judgment of what is socially proper, lest we lose track of what is the nastiest, most deceptive four-letter f-word in the English language. It’s right there on the cover of every print copy of Seven Days. It is: FREE.

Jeremy W. Bond WINOOSKI

is Valentine’s Day, express your love — or whatever’s in your heart — to someone special in the pages of this ﬁne newspaper.

Surprise your partner, pal, parent or pet with a personalized and public Valentine’s post printed in Seven Days on February 11. All messages from simple props to marriage proposals are encouraged!

Order your Cardy-o-grams ($14/message) by noon on Friday, February 6, at: sevendaysvt.com/heart

lifelines

OBITUARIES, VOWS, CELEBRATIONS

Diane Bourgon Shepler

MARCH 24, 1947JANUARY 18, 2026

BURLINGTON, VT.

Diane Bourgon Shepler passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, January 18, 2026.

Diane was born on March 24, 1947, in Huntington, Québec, to Lionel and Rejane Bourgon. She grew up in a French-speaking household in New Haven, Vt. Diane was a tall, skinny farm girl who excelled at basketball at the former Beeman Academy.

After high school, Diane attended Champlain College, where she obtained an associate’s degree in business. She enjoyed coming home on the weekends and cruising in her girlfriend’s little red Corvette.

Diane spent her professional career in the snow industry, working in sales and ﬁnance. She worked with all of the big names in the ski industry: Rossignol, Nordica and eventually Burton, where she enjoyed walking to work. Appreciated for her professionalism as well as

Susan Reedy McMath

DECEMBER 9, 1957JANUARY 25, 2026 WALDEN, VT.

Susan Reedy McMath, born on December 9, 1957, in Manchester, Conn., passed away unexpectedly. She was the daughter of the late Garland and Beverly Reedy. Susan grew up in Coventry, Conn., alongside her older sister, Janeen, and brother, Christopher, and attended the Coventry school system. She later made her home in Walden, Vt., where she and her husband raised their daughters. From a young age, she loved the outdoors and adventure, traveling across the country with her family in a station wagon pulling a pop-up trailer — experiences that shaped her lifelong love of nature.

her positive, playful attitude, Diane was a model employee and maintained close friendships with colleagues, especially from Nordica. Diane enjoyed the Nordica days and the travel associated with it. She could tell stories of singing onstage with Leon Russell, ﬁtting Nordica

at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in Florida and studies of common terns on Lake Michigan.

Susan attended Northland College in Ashland, Wis., where she earned a degree in biology and met her future husband, David McMath. ey were married on September 6, 1986, and built a life rooted in love, curiosity, nature and family. Together, they raised two daughters, Keilidh and Linnea. Susan was deeply devoted to her family and found great joy in being a mother and grandmother to her beloved grandchildren, Liam and Torrin. She especially treasured trips to Florida with her girls to visit her parents, creating memories ﬁlled with sunshine and togetherness.

Her passion for ﬂowers, gardens and plants began early through her work at the gardens of the Nathan Hale Homestead Historical Site. is love guided much of her early career, which included loon research in New Hampshire, work with the International Crane Foundation in Wisconsin, research

Susan loved the ocean, gardening and spending time with her family. A master gardener, she had a lifelong love of ﬂowers. On sunny afternoons in Vermont, she could often be found sitting in a lawn chair with a good book, soaking up the warmth of the sun. She adored her dog, Acer, and always shared her home with golden retrievers and many cats. She was deeply artistic — an

ski boots on Don Johnson (star of “Miami Vice”) and getting an autographed note by heavyweight champion George Foreman.

Diane was a valued friend to everyone she met. People refer to her as, “the ﬁrst person I met in Vermont, my best roommate, my travel partner, my golf buddy, nicest neighbor ever and the person who always made me laugh.”

Everyone loved Diane, and Diane loved being active — walking, biking, skiing, playing pickleball and golfing. Diane even has a hole in one to her credit. After retiring from Burton, Diane worked seasonally at Lake Champlain Chocolates. Diane also enjoyed investing in the stock market and became a day trader in retirement.

exceptionally talented quilter, a gifted photographer, and a lover of arts and crafts, including making handmade kites. She took special joy in creating quilts for dear friends and family, delighting in giving them as gifts made with care and love.

Susan had a deep appreciation for life’s small moments. She delighted in noticing everyday details — a squirrel in a tree, a bird passing by, the way the light shifted in the afternoon — and spoke about them with warmth and curiosity that made others feel present and connected.

She loved sailing on Lake Champlain, could talk to anyone and told wonderfully detailed stories. Generous and welcoming, Susan touched many lives with her kindness and joy. Her favorite joke was, “Why did the turkey cross the road? Because it was the chicken’s day off!”

She is survived by her husband, David McMath; daughters, Keilidh McMath and Linnea Devine; son-in-law, Chuck Devine; grandchildren, Liam Devine and Torrin Devine; brother, Christopher Reedy, and his wife, Susan; sister, Janeen Adil, and her husband, Tom; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

No formal services will be held at this time, with plans for a summer celebration of Susan’s life. In lieu of ﬂowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Central Vermont Humane Society or the Vermont Audubon Society.

Diane is survived by her husband, Gregory Shepler; her sister, Colette Hancock; and her brothers, Clement Bourgon and Marc Bourgon. Diane was a loving stepmother to Sam Shepler, Malcolm Shepler and Sinclair Shepler. Her two grandchildren, Benjamin Shepler and Sophie Shepler, loved Diane, calling her “Gammy.” Diane was a proud and loving aunt to Melissa Cole, Kaitlin Bourgon, Kenneth Bourgon and Danielle Yeatman.

Diane’s ﬁnal three years were challenged by dementia. We are thankful for her kind and patient caregivers: Norma Guzman, Hannah Smick, Nora Rhodes, Sarah Nardi, Adele Dienno and the entire University of Vermont home hospice staff.

Although more of a humorist than a philosopher, Diane’s life attitude easily aligned with the teachings of Lao Tzu, who said: “Make your heart like a lake, with a calm surface and great depths of kindness.” Diane was calm and kind, even when challenged by dementia.

A memorial in celebration of Diane’s life will take place in the summer.

To help others suffering from dementia, please consider making a gift to the Alzheimer’s Association of Vermont or Age Well Vermont. Anyone wishing to make a donation in honor of Diane’s life can make a gift in her name to her favorite charities, the Vermont Foodbank or the Ronald McDonald House of Vermont.

Carol Paquette

NOVEMBER 19, 1946-JANUARY 10, 2026 BURLINGTON, VT.

Carol Paquette passed away peacefully surrounded by her family at home on January 10, 2026.

Born on November 19, 1946, in Burlington, Vt., Carol had a passion for gardening, cooking for her family and going to the casino with her husband. She is survived by her loving husband, Stuart; her daughters, Vicki and husband Wade Miller, and Lisa and husband Jay Shangraw; stepsons, Clinton and Ryno Paquette; and many grandchildren. Carol joins her parents and her six siblings in eternal rest. ere will be no service, per her wishes.

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OBITUARIES

Jean Rogers Schoen

FEBRUARY 10, 1930JANUARY 16, 2026

ESSEX JUNCTION, VT.

Jean Rogers Schoen, of Essex Junction, Vt., passed away peacefully in her home on January 16, 2026. Jean was born and raised in the small town of Viroqua, Wis., to Fred Simeon Rogers and Hazel Baker Rogers.

In this rural setting, and being the youngest in a very large family, Jean acquired early conﬁdence with many aspects of life. With her father as the owner of the local coal yard, Jean helped her dad deliver coal in the dead of winter via horse and sleigh. During the Depression, at Christmas, they would load up that same sleigh together and deliver gift baskets to her father’s tenant families. In the summer months, it was Jean’s responsibility to mow the grass in front of the coal yard up to the Vernon County Tobacco Warehouse a block away with a push mower, in weeds up to her 7-yearold knees. At the age of 6 she began the weekly trek from the coal yard to the National Bank on Main Street with a pouch ﬁlled with the business’ cash for deposit and never lost a dime. Many times, she did this while riding her beloved Shetland pony, Midgie. After Jean graduated from Viroqua High School, she helped drive her favorite Aunt Flo back to her home in Wyoming. Jean decided to stay and attend the University of Wyoming in Laramie to major in education. It was there, in a geology class, that Jean met her future husband of 66 years, Robert “Bob” Schoen. However, before getting married, as a treat to herself in 1956, Jean scandalized her mother and left for a summer youth hostel bicycling trip in Europe. She raised the $2,300 ticket by teaching kindergarten. Jean’s group of three young women and seven young men, from all over America, traversed the continent, traveling over 1,200 miles, including a portion of the French Alps. One of the young women became Jean’s friend for life, sweet Zona. Jean kept a travel journal that showcased her experiences that summer. From stumbling upon the Queen of England at the Victoria Cross for Valor in London (“Elizabeth

II seems to be a humble and lovely queen”) to swimming in the Adriatic; a gondola ride on the Grand Canal in Venice; sampling cuisines from Germany, Austria and Switzerland; a service in Westminster Abbey; and witnessing ﬁrsthand the damage from World War II, still visible — all provided Jean with an incredible experience far beyond the farming community in which she grew up.

Jean continued to teach kindergarten in Wisconsin until her marriage to Bob and retained a lifelong love of little children. Over the next six years her own four blessings arrived. Jean’s focus from then on was being a mother to these joys

with stained glass. She had a particular appreciation of the beauty of clouds in the sky. Her love of horses caused her to insist that her own daughters be responsible for a horse upon moving from Cupertino, Calif., to Herndon, Va., during their early teenage years. at love was passed on to her children when she found sweet Buck, their beautiful quarter horse. After her children grew up and moved on, she continued to travel with Elderhostel and biked with her husband and son. Her hobbies included painting, jigsaw puzzles, crosswords, playing Solitaire, reading, dancing and singing. She loved music. Family camping trips in

of her life. While she still loved to travel, the opportunity seldom arose during those years, except in 1968. at summer her geologist husband was to give a speech at a worldwide geology symposium in Prague, Czechoslovakia. ey spent the summer traveling through Europe. In August, despite the turbulent political waters, Bob gave his speech to 3,000 geologists. Early the following morning, Jean and Bob were awakened by rumbling Soviet planes overhead and Soviet tanks rolling down the streets in front of their hotel room’s windows. A day later, as the food ran out and the electricity was cut, Jean decided to go outside and see this invasion with her own eyes, while waiting for Bob to ﬁnd a way out of the country. She calmly recalls in her travel journal walking down the street and glaring at the soldiers pointing their guns from tank turrets at her. With a waylaid bus and driver, the international hotel guests were transported at night to a train station and ultimately to safety in Vienna, Austria, far from the brutal Soviet occupation.

Jean’s artistic talents ran from sketching to watercolors to working

Pelch); seven grandchildren: Aric Cowne, Justin Cowne, Alexander Kolankiewicz, Peter VanDeventer, Gretchen VanDeventer, Tristan VanDeventer and Willa Pelschoen; seven great-grandchildren; nieces Mary DeLap Sandstrom (Paul), P. Sue Alexander, Donna Rogers Marhofke (John), Karen Rogers Teed (Kim), Rebecca “Becky” Rogers (Doug De Laurier), Candice Rogers Andrich (John) and Shelley DeLap Adel (David); and nephews, Jack Lawton (Bonnie), Jim DeLap (Paula), Fred Alexander (Lisa), Fred “Fritz” Rogers (Mary Koenig) and John DeLap (Sara); along with many extended branches.

the old green station wagon were loud and boisterous with song. She absolutely loved Christmas stocking stuffers, brandy Manhattans, lobster tails with copious quantities of melted butter, and braids in her hair.

Jean and her husband retired to Middleton, Wis., but eventually moved to Vermont to be closer to their daughter and son. Leaving Wisconsin was difﬁcult for her. Her family, extended family, so many memories — Wisconsin was, is and will always be her home. “ e only state that matters.” Her favorite saying? “Uffda!”

Jean was preceded in death by her husband, Bob; parents, Fred and Hazel; sisters Esther R. Lawton (Jack), Frances R. Alexander (Bill) and Helen R. DeLap (Bunny); brothers Fred “Fritz” Rogers (Norma), William “Bill” Rogers (Janet) and baby boy Rogers; a beloved niece, Jeanne Lawton; and a grandnephew, Nick DeLap.

Surviving Jean to cherish her memory and love of her huge family tree are her children: Wendy Schoen Cowne (Stephen), Paula Schoen VanDeventer (William), Roxana Schoen and Peter Schoen (Leslie

Vermont held a very important ancestral fascination for Jean: Her ﬁrst cousin, ﬁve times removed, was the hero and scoundrel himself, Mr. Ethan Allen of the Green Mountain Boys. She received a royal welcome each time she visited his Vermont homestead.

A private family celebration will be held in Viroqua, Wis., in the summer, where she and her husband will be laid to rest under a “nice piece of gneiss” in the Viroqua Cemetery. Jean’s children would like to extend their heartfelt thanks and deep appreciation to the following, for their tender care, amazing compassion and love for Jean and also their assistance to her family: at Mansfield Place, Fatima, Dani, Leah (who helped Mom to “rock those long braids”), Shelby, Glen and Ella; and the folks at Bayada Hospice. Jean also leaves behind her favorite table mate and friend, Eileen.

In lieu of ﬂowers, please consider a donation in Jean’s name to either the Vernon County Museum and History Center, 410 S. Center Ave., Viroqua, WI 54665; or the Vernon County Fairgrounds, a dearly held family tradition since the early 1900s (P.O. Box 388, Viroqua, WI 54665), and where the main barn still holds “Fred S Rogers” above the doors. Mom was so proud that her dad kept it running with a donation of $600 during the Depression. e horse races were her favorite part. Uffda! Arrangements are in the care of the Cremation Society of Chittenden County, a division of Ready Funeral & Cremation Services. To send online condolences, please visit cremationsocietycc.com.

IN MEMORIAM

Laurie Jones

1952-2022

In loving memory of Laurie Jones, February 27, 1952-February 8, 2022.

“I heard a song today that I knew you would love but you’re gone so instead I got in my car and sang it as loud as I could and hoped that somewhere out there you heard me.”

— Whitney Hanson, “Harmony”

I’ll love you forever... READ, POST, SHARE + COMMENT: sevendaysvt. com/lifelines

lifelines

OBITUARIES

Judith Ann Harden

OCTOBER 10, 1941JANUARY 24, 2026 CALAIS, VT.

Judy Harden, 84, a longtime resident of Calais, Vt., died peacefully on January 24, 2026, in Burlington, Vt., after a slow decline due to Alzheimer’s disease.

Judith Ann Harden was born on October 10, 1941, the daughter of Virgil “Pete” Harden and Pearl (Gill) Harden. She grew up in Mobile, Ala., and received a BS in psychology from Duke University and a PhD in psychology from the University of Chicago. While studying in Chicago, she met Richard “Dick” Jenney. ey married in 1969 and moved to California, where Dick became an early faculty member at the California Institute of the Arts.

Thomas J. Raub

OBITUARIES, VOWS, CELEBRATIONS

After growing up as an only child with few family connections and losing her mother to cancer at a young age, Judy was especially grateful to become part of Dick’s family, including his three children from a previous marriage and the families of his brother and sister, Peter B. Jenney and Betsy Jenney Basch.

OCTOBER 10, 1936-JANUARY 31, 2026 MILTON, VT.

omas J. Raub passed away peacefully at his home in Milton, Vt., surrounded by family, on January 31, 2026, at the age of 89. Tom was born on October 10, 1936, in Rochester, N.Y., and was raised in Elmira, N.Y., by his parents, Rose and Charles Raub. It was in Elmira where he would meet the love of his life, Georgene (Georgie) Bridgeman. e two married on June 23, 1956, beginning a 69year partnership and starting their family, which grew to include a daughter and two sons, ﬁve grandchildren, and one great-grandson.

After graduating from Alfred Tech in 1956, Tom began his 31-year career at IBM in Endicott, N.Y., where he also served with the ﬁre department and as president of the local Jaycees. He transferred to IBM in Essex Junction, Vt., in 1966, bringing his family to the Green Mountain State. He served on the Essex Junction Fire Department and alongside his wife, Georgie, on the Madonna Mountain (now Smugglers’ Notch) Ski Patrol from 1968 to 1985. Tom

Judy spent most of her working life teaching various aspects of psychology and women’s studies. She and Dick lived in the Los Angeles area for about 20 years and moved to Vermont in 1989 when Judy was offered a teaching position at Goddard College in Plainﬁeld. ey grew to love their rural life here, which Judy described as “simpler, less lonely, much richer.” ey bought a house in Calais, where they spent most of their remaining years, becoming deeply involved in the community and building a close network of friends and neighbors. Some of Judy’s many passions included running, swimming, cross-country skiing, hiking and kayaking. She spent many summers in South China, Maine, with Dick’s extended family, where

and Georgie were founding members of Essex Rescue, where they served from 1971 to 1981 and taught many ﬁrst aid, CPR and EMT training courses. After retiring from IBM, Tom worked in commercial real estate at Hickock & Boardman from 1987 to 2016. He was also an active member of the Colchester Rotary from 1990 until his passing. His dedication to helping others extended to serving on the board of directors for Sail Beyond Cancer, an organization close to the family’s heart, from 2022 until his passing.

Tom spent countless years competitively sailing with his family on Lake Champlain with the Malletts Bay Boat Club after roping his entire family into the sailing scene. He remained active well into his later years, often playing basketball and competing as a senior Olympian in multiple events. Tom and Georgie were devoted University of Vermont “Lady Cats” basketball fans, regularly traveling out of state to cheer on the team. ey were also active members of the Colchester Community Chorus for many years. He and Georgie made the most of their golden years, owning a series of RVs for their cross-country adventures.

she loved to kayak and swim in the lake and the ocean. Judy loved classical music and took up the cello later in life. She would tell you that she wasn’t very good but loved working at it, occasionally ﬁnding moments of bliss and playing in a “band” with fellow cello students. Judy was also an avid knitter and quilter and contributed a panel to the AIDS Memorial Quilt in memory of a dear friend.

Judy was a very spiritual person from a young age and attended many Zen retreats in California and later in the Hudson Valley in New York before ﬁnding the Shao Shan Temple in East Calais, where she made many deep connections. In retirement, Judy was able to pursue her interests in social and community issues, especially prison reform and working

with women in prison. She also corresponded with a few inmates, especially a man named Teddy, who credits Judy with turning his life around and encouraging him to pursue a college degree while in prison.

In 2012 Judy reconnected with a son she had put up for adoption at birth in 1964.

ey clicked immediately, sharing loves of music, dogs and sarcasm, and they stayed in contact the rest of her life through weekly phone calls and many trips to see each other. Judy also had especially close relationships with her beloved niece Becky and her beloved stepdaughter, Karen, who provided loving support during her last years.

Survivors include her son, Kris Knowles, and his wife, Christina, of Lawrence, Kan.; her stepdaughter, Karen Jenney Gaukel, and

While Georgie was the warmth and heart of the Raub family, Tom was the steady rock and patriarch. He had an extraordinary ability to bring people together and instilled in his family values of community involvement, adventure and making the most of every moment, a legacy to be carried on in all those who knew him. Tom is survived by his daughter, Linda (Raub) Noyes, and husband Scott Noyes; and son omas C. Raub and late wife Cheryl (Bouchard) Raub. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Kristin Raub and husband Dylan Scholz; Kelley Raub and partner Steve Crispino; Cali (Noyes) Cooper, husband Travis Cooper and great-grandson Brody; Alex Raub; and Nikki (Raub) Centerbar and husband Zach Centerbar; and his sister Peggy (Raub) Lockner and husband William Lockner. Tom was predeceased by his beloved wife, Georgene (Georgie) Raub, on April 21, 2025, and his son William (Bill) T. Raub on July 31, 1993. Having been adopted, Tom was blessed to meet and spend time with biological siblings and cousins in his later years.

A service will be held on Saturday, February 7, 2026, 10 a.m., at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Colchester, Vt. A reception will immediately follow at Tom and Georgie’s home in Milton.

In lieu of ﬂowers, you might consider donating to one of Tom’s favorite organizations: Sail Beyond Cancer Vermont and Colchester Rotary Foundation.

her husband, Ron Gaukel, of Carlsbad, Calif.; stepson David Jenney of Vassalboro, Maine; stepson Tom Jenney and his wife, Helen, of Poway, Calif.; stepgrandchildren, Allison Jenney and Nicholas Jenney; Garrett Galstaun (Alli’s husband) and Wyatt Galstaun (step-greatgrandchild); her sisters- and brothers-in-law, Betsey Jenney Basch and Martin Basch, Peter B. Jenney and Michelle Jenney; and several nieces and nephews. Judy also leaves behind a wide circle of friends.

A green burial ceremony with close friends is planned at Robinson Cemetery in Calais, and a larger celebration for Judy is anticipated in the spring. In lieu of ﬂowers, donations may be made to Shao Shan Temple in East Calais, Vt., and the Alzheimer’s Association.

IN MEMORIAM

David A. Bean

DECEMBER 19, 1939-JANUARY 20, 2026

David A. Bean passed away on January 20, 2026.

A memorial service will be held on February 7, 2026, 11 a.m., at St. Mark’s Roman Catholic Church, 1251 North Ave., Burlington, VT. In lieu of ﬂowers, donations may be made to UVM Health Network Home Health & Hospice, 1110 Prim Rd., Colchester, VT 05446 (uvmhealth. org/give-back/give-to-uvm-health/give-to-homehealth-hospice) or to Tidewell Hospice- Venice Hospice House, 220 Wexford Blvd., Venice, FL 34293 (tidewellfoundation.org/ donate).

A private burial will be held at the Warren Cemetery in Vermont at a later date. For a full obituary, go to elmwoodmeunier.net.

Martha Scott Perkins

AUGUST 28, 1936JANUARY 29, 2026

CHARLOTTE, VT.

Martha Scott Perkins passed away peacefully at home, next to the woodstove, her two beloved cats tucked in next to her.

Martha was born at Mary Fletcher Hospital in Burlington, Vt., on August 28, 1936, to her mother, Mabel Larrabee Scott, and Vernon Lucius Scott. She grew up on Lyman Avenue in the South End of Burlington with her three brothers, Stanley, Wally and Roderick. She told stories of roaming and playing in the woods with her friends at Oak Ledge and Red Rocks parks on the lake near her home. Martha found adventure as a child in the wilderness of the South End of Burlington and then wherever she went throughout her life. She graduated from Burlington High School in 1954, where she met and dated Dick Perkins, one year her elder. Martha loved sharing the story of walking up the hill to the University of Vermont after graduating from high

school and asking them, “How do I go to college?” Her college path was paused when she and Dick married in 1957, but she later returned and graduated from UVM in 1972 with a bachelor of science. And a degree in life.

An avid athlete, Martha especially loved to ski, and it was a passion for Martha and Dick together. They’d scrape together money for cheap tickets at Stowe or find other ways to get on the hill. Martha skied for the UVM Women’s Ski Team, pre-Title IX, pinching pennies to pay for uniforms. Skiing well into her seventies, she especially loved Mad River Glen. Tennis, hiking, running, croquet — she aced them all. And let us not forget

Julius Francis Dychton

JANUARY 8, 1955-DECEMBER 2, 2025 HUNTINGTON, VT.

Julius Francis Dychton, 70, died peacefully on December 2, 2025, at the McClure Miller Respite House following a two-year battle against pancreatic cancer.

Julius was born on January 8, 1955, in Fairport, N.Y. His No. 1 life passion was skiing, which led him to relocate to Huntington, Vt., in 1978. Julius met his life partner, Colleen Flynn, in February 1990 on a ski trip to Vail. They married later that year and had two children.

Julius was an avid ski instructor at Mad River Glen for more than 45 years, where he made many lifelong friends.

the baton twirling and tap dancing. When her knees hurt in the last few years, she’d chuckle, “That’s what I get for being an old athlete.”

After marrying, Martha and Dick lived at Dartmouth College in Hanover, N.H., where Dick attended graduate school. They moved to the Boston area after that to begin their careers and build their life together. After stints in Somerville and Bedford, where their eldest child, Scott, was born, they moved to rural Stow, Mass., where they went on to have two daughters, Meg and Kit. With three children under 6, Martha was a heroic homemaker and homesteader, caring for kids, growing and canning food, living on a shoestring, and becoming a core part of the Stow community as a librarian and town volunteer.

Martha was part of a generation of women who entered adulthood straddling two different worlds: the expectations of the 1950s housewife and the women’s liberation movement of the 1960s and ’70s. With her boundless energy, intelligence and vision, Martha was a dynamo, enthusiastically living

Woodworks, Julius was a master cabinetmaker and craftsman. He produced custom cabinets and furniture, and his reputation for outstanding work produced steady recommendations and satisfied customers.

Julius was predeceased by his parents, Thadeus and Harriet Dychton. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Colleen; his children, Shannon and Cassandra; his brother, Christopher; and several siblings-in-law, nieces and nephews.

Julius loved winter and counted down the days to when snow would fall. He took pleasure in plowing neighbors’ driveways with his “Green Beast.” Julius also enjoyed the outdoors during summer — hobbies included berry picking, rowing, sailing, landscaping and having meals by the campfire. As owner of Dychton Precision

in both worlds; she worked hard to care for her family, her home and her community and tirelessly advocated for equal rights, social justice and environmental sustainability. When the home nest emptied, Martha spearheaded some creative ventures in city design and planning, town/ university relationships, and environmental activism, and she started her own company, Spirit Beam Community Planners and Writers. She earned a master’s of regional planning from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in 1990.

Martha moved back to Vermont in 1993, converting part of the family camp in Charlotte for year-round use, and has loved living there ever since. Despite their separation in the early 1990s, Martha and Dick have stayed in close touch all these many years.

Connecting with a wonderful community of people here in Vermont, Martha built a strong, bonded group of friends and colleagues of all ages whom she cared for deeply and who we know cared for her. An artist and expert seamstress, Martha always loved finding beautiful

Cassandra Reyes

Richard

Julius’ family is grateful for longtime friends who were able to visit in November and for the kind, gentle care provided to him and his family by the staff of University of Vermont Home Health & Hospice and the McClure Miller Respite House.

A celebration of Julius’ life will be held on Saturday, February 7, 2026, 2 to 5 p.m., at the Huntington Public Library to offer family and friends an opportunity to share memories and honor him. In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to be made in Julius’ memory to the Stark Mountain Foundation or the McClure Miller Respite House.

fabrics and vintage clothing to make scarves and other textile designs.

Often referred to as “the Pie Lady,” Martha ran her own business — Mrs. Perkins’ Pies — in Stow, Mass., for many years. In Vermont, she turned her pie-making skills into a fundraiser for the Charlotte Congregational Church. It was an epic volunteer effort, making and selling 50 pies a day every fall for more than 10 years, even generating net income!

A spiritual person who always insisted on a blessing before each meal, at a beautifully set table, Martha practiced Christianity and Buddhism. She followed Buddhist teacher and writer Thich Nhat Hanh. His teachings and meditations carried Martha through some hard life challenges and helped her find peace in her active mind and heart. The Charlotte Congregational Church was her beloved Christian home. Martha was a scholar and an avid reader. She loved books and filled her home with them. Her bookshelves tell the story of her interests: spirituality, relationships, leadership, power, nature,

AUGUST 4, 1955-JANUARY 31, 2026 VERGENNES, VT.

Cassandra Reyes Richard journeyed peacefully into the Great Beyond, concluding a long and courageous relationship with ovarian cancer.

Born in East Hampton, N.Y., Cas carried a bright curiosity and a deep love of learning. After earning a philosophy degree from Saint Michael’s College and later a master’s in theology, she settled in Vermont, the place that became her true home. It was there — while slicing deli meat at the All American Hero — that she met the love of her life, Dave. Together they built a sweet, steady life rooted in simple joys and steadfast companionship.

Cas served her community with warmth and dedication. She began as director of religious education at Saint Peter’s Catholic Church and later became a beloved presence at One Credit Union, where she spent countless hours laughing with her “favorite ladies.”

poetry and so much more. She devoured the New York Times, Washington Post and local forums and loved talking about it all with friends and family, likely with abundant chocolate, over a game of cooperative Scrabble.

Martha leaves her beloved kitties, Butter and Mary, and her children and their families, whom she adored: Jonathan Scott Perkins, wife Kathleen Perkins, and their daughters, Ruth and Mary; Meg Perkins Ames, husband Rick Ames, their daughters, Susannah and Katy, and two great-grandchildren, Arlo and Finn; and Kit Perkins, spouse Andrew Thurber, and their children, Kosi and Maria. She also leaves her brother, Roderick Scott, many dear nephews and nieces, and friends far and wide, including right here at Cedar Beach in Charlotte. You know who you are.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Martha’s honor to Shelburne Farms (shelburnefarms. org/support/make-gifttoday), KidsGardening (kidsgardening.org/ donate-kg) or Charlotte Congregational Church (charlotteucc.org/giving).

She cherished reasons to leave the house, especially folk group practice and book club with her dear friends, “the Holy Remnants.” Family was her deepest pride. Cas never missed a swim meet, musical or band concert, cheering with unwavering enthusiasm and volunteering wherever she was needed. In retirement, she embraced slow, joyful living — growing and cooking delicious food, tending her garden, and befriending every bird in her yard. Nature brought her peace, whether hiking with the “Adirondack Ambulators” or gliding across still waters in her kayak, always finishing adventures with wine, cheese and laughter.

Cas lives on in the memory of her devoted husband of 50 years, David; her children, Rebecca (Seth Clark) and Nathan; and her cherished grandchildren, Jacob and Naomi. She is predeceased by her parents, Anthony and Johanna Reyes; her brother, Mark Anthony Reyes; and Mildred Ozalis of Sag Harbor, N.Y.

A memorial service will be held later this spring — her favorite season, when the world returns to color and new life begins.

Finding Love

Renovations

in a Passumpsic home turn up a 19th-century love letter

BY MARY ANN LICKTEIG • maryann@sevendaysvt.com

Square nails, knob-and-tube wiring, and the occasional signature on a beam are among the things contractors ﬁnd when working in old houses. But electricians stringing wire in a Northeast Kingdom attic last fall discovered a portal back in time. Under the ﬂoorboards in an old home in the village of Passumpsic, they found a tiny stained envelope. Tucked inside it was a 146-year-old love letter.

“Hyde Park, Vermont, August 21, 1879,” it begins. “Dear Sumner: Your dear letter was received last evening Mr. Jewett brought it to me. He seldom brings our mail and I do not know how it happened that he did last eve.” Had the letter writer — who had signed only her ﬁrst name, Carrie — known he would return to town, she would have sent a letter back with him: “I send a letter every time I have an opportunity.”

The prosaic opening sentences belie the pining, drama and heartbreak in the paragraphs to come. “It’s like a little novel,” said Lawuo Dolo Cummings, in whose house the letter was found.

The envelope was addressed “Mr. Sumney Pinney, Wolcott, Vermont” and carried no return address. The letter’s four blue-lined pages o er a glimpse of life in 1879 — illness was common; mail delivery, less so — and the faded ink reveals the yearnings of a young woman’s heart. Flourishes adorn her capital letters.

She is both ﬂirtatious — she has made pillowcases for the two of them, she wrote, adding, “Do you think we shall ever need them?” — and reassuring. Sumner had expressed concern about his reputation.

“There has been a good deal said about you but not one remark which was not praiseworthy,” Carrie reported. She is not ashamed to introduce him to anyone, she continued, nor does she think he was wrong to call on “Miss Lawrence.” It is unclear whether Sumner was courting Miss Lawrence.

“About teaching at Wolcott,” Carrie told Sumner, “I am undecided — do not know whether I would like the school or not for certain. Should like to be near you — so there is one great inducement for me to teach there. But come to think you have not said you would like to have me there. I will talk with you in regard to that subject when I see you.”

Sumner was apparently planning to visit. “If you cannot get here Sat. you will come early Sunday won’t you darling? It

has been such a long, long time since I have seen you or had any of those sweet kisses.”

Cummings, a 33-year-old accountant, and her contractors were immediately invested in the couple’s story, eager to know what happened next. Cummings’ home had been the Passumpsic post office, prompting her to wonder if the letter had even reached Sumner or simply been lost in the mail. She enlisted help from her friend Ruth Johnson, a retired nursemidwife and psychiatric nurse practitioner with a genealogy sleuthing hobby that she calls “playing ancestry.”

“Carrie” as his spouse. Then, she said, “I just sat back to see who showed up.”

professor and author of Epistolary Practices: Letter Writing in America Before Telecommunications . “Someone’s hand was moving across that page,” he said. Tears stain letters. People lick envelopes, then seal them with a kiss, he continued: “A person’s DNA is very much embedded in such documents.”

From an armchair in her Massachusetts home, Johnson logged into ancestry.com. She entered Sumner’s name, the approximate years of his birth and death and, betting on the success of the letter, typed

Ancestry.com links to census records, birth and death certificates, ﬁndagrave.com, and newspaper articles. Johnson learned that Sumner Putnam Pinney and Carrie Harriet Noble married in Morrisville on December 17, 1879. They lived with his parents in Greensboro in 1880, when Sumner worked as a farmer. They had two sons and a daughter, the last of whom, it appears, died as a baby. Shortly after, in 1883, Carrie died from tuberculosis. She was 29 years old. She and Sumner had been married less than four years. After learning more about the couple, Cummings texted her contractor: “They actually used those pillowcases.”

Handwritten letters carry a bodily presence absent from electronic communication, said William Merrill Decker, a retired Oklahoma State University English

While mail delivery between post o ces was quite regular in 1879, Decker said, traversing the ﬁnal leg to an addressee’s home was “really a crapshoot,” often relying on someone traveling in that direction. Such uncertainty made letters even more dear and contributed to a sense of isolation. Carrie told Sumner she was lonely.

“The weather for the past week has not been very favorable for Luke and he has been feeling quite poorly,” Carrie wrote of her brother. “Mother has been about sick for a week, but I think she is a little better this morning.”

Carrie apparently wrote the bulk of the letter in the morning, then took a break,

Lawuo Dolo Cummings in her attic, where the letter was found

Carrie Noble’s 1879 letter to Sumner Pinney

MARY ANN LICKTEIG

IT HAS BEEN SUCH A LONG, LONG TIME SINCE I HAVE SEEN YOU OR HAD ANY OF THOSE SWEET KISSES.

CARRIE

because she started the ﬁnal paragraph with the word “Afternoon.” “Darling Sumner,” she wrote, “Luke died about an hour ago Was taken very suddenly with hemorage and died within twenty minutes after he was taken funeral Sat. the hour is not decided perhaps at ten. Do, do, come darling — Ever your Carrie.”

Death records show that Luke Noble died on August 21, 1879, the day the letter was written, conﬁrming to Johnson that she had indeed found the right couple.

In 1898, 15 years after Carrie died, Sumner married widow Abbie Augusta Parker Burnell. The 1900 census shows Sumner, then 55, and Abbie, 50, living in Barnet, the town that includes

Passumpsic, with Sumner’s sons, Jabez, 19, and Orville, 18. Sumner owned the Passumpsic general store, and Abbie was postmaster. They likely lived upstairs, Johnson said.

An undated photo of the post o ce was hanging in Cummings’ home when she bought it in 2023. She now knows the identity of the man sitting in the horse-drawn carriage out front because the same photo, dated 1917, appears on ancestry.com, where the man in the carriage is identiﬁed as Orville Pinney.

By 1920, Sumner and Abbie, apparently retired, had moved to Morristown. Carrie’s letter, perhaps under the ﬂoorboards by then, was left behind. Abbie died in 1923 at 72 years old and was buried in Wolcott next to her ﬁrst husband, Milo S. Burnell. Sumner moved to Colorado, where his two sons lived, but he visited Vermont most summers. In July 1928, he fell ill and remained in Vermont. He died the following February at age 84.

Carrie was 26 years old the day she wrote her letter, unaware, of course, that she would win Sumner’s love and have a too-short life with him. The two are buried under a shared gravestone in Greensboro Village Cemetery. ➆

NOBLE, WRITING TO SUMNER PINNEY

Sumner Putnam Pinney

Carrie Harriet Noble Pinney

Lawuo Dolo Cummings’ house in 1917

Altar Alternatives

Couples think outside the barn with these unusual Vermont wedding venues

BY SUZANNE PODHAIZER

Golden-hour light streaming down over a pastoral setting. Farm-to-table cuisine for 150. A tiered cake delicately adorned with edible ﬂowers — or a tower of artfully stacked individual pastries. Readily available mocktails. A DJ alternating between golden oldies and contemporary bangers … Welcome to the classic modern Vermont wedding.

This kind of scene is popular for a reason: It highlights some of the elements for which our state is most famous. But for plenty of nearly-weds, the Vermontiness of the setting may not be the most important aspect of their celebration. Some would prefer a gathering reﬂective of a shared

EVERYONE HAS REACHED THIS MILESTONE IN THEIR OWN PARTICULAR WAY.

CLAUDIA ROLLIN

hobby or a favorite TV show. Others might not have the budget for hundreds of meals or an opulent setting.

At Harlow & Dahlia Events in South Burlington, founder and creative director Claudia Rollin specializes in luxurious and perfectly curated occasions but says it’s crucial for a wedding to be tailored to each couple. “Everyone has reached this milestone in their own particular way,” she explained.

That’s why her work with a couple begins with questionnaires and mood boards alongside practical discussions about budget and dietary restrictions.

Her goal is to pull the pieces together into an event that is a “true reﬂection of the clients’ love story. We work with them to make sure we capture their vision.”

Similarly, Adam Frehm, owner of Love Buzz photography and cinematography, has spent decades honing his craft so that he can be ﬂexible and creative as weddings unfold, telling the couple’s “story as authentically and artfully as possible,” he said. To do so, he avoids leaning into one particular photographic style. “I love to create many different looks throughout the day,” he added. “It takes practice to be versatile, and that’s my wheelhouse.”

This flexibility is evident from his portfolio, which includes images of one couple kissing in a canoe, another gazing at each other lovingly in front of a silo, and an image of a bride with her hair and dress streaming behind her as she rides a horse. Frehm also employs artful blurs and night photography and punctuates the collection with a handful of shots in black and white.

While he has documented hundreds of weddings, Frehm said few of them have taken place in o eat venues. The same goes for Rollin, who is most often asked to design classic weddings in elegant locations around Vermont, New England and New York City. However, she has been party to a few less typical scenarios.

In one case, the wedding party led guests in a line dance that moved them from the location of the ceremony to the place where the reception was held. She’s also worked on weddings on mountaintops and has melded Vermont ingredients with New Orleans fare for a couple who had NOLA roots.

Have either Rollin or Frehm ever worked on a “Star Trek”-themed wedding? Or is taxidermy a common feature in Harlow & Dahlia or Love Buzz events? Not yet.

In honor of our Love & Marriage Issue, we wanted to help readers think outside the barn with a collection of fun, somewhat less ordinary spots around Vermont — or close by. If you choose to get married on a boat, in a tree house or surrounded by owls, please let us know. Maybe we’ll feature your story in next year’s issue.

ALWAYS AND FOREVER

Forever Young Treehouse, Oakledge Park, Burlington, 864-0123, burlingtonvt.gov

Want to add a little hint of daring to your special day? The Forever Young Treehouse at Oakledge Park is free and open to the public, but because it can’t be reserved, there’s no guarantee it won’t be in use when you get there. Don’t mind sharing? This may be your perfect spot.

The tree house platform, which was completed in 2004, is a 500-square-foot space built to ADA-accessible standards. There are public restrooms and a playground in the vicinity, plus walking paths along the lake.

Although the tree house is free, the picnic area nearby is available to rent. Find a caterer, or save even more money by making the meal a potluck. Bring speakers and a fun playlist for an al fresco dance party.

For good luck, take a stroll along the cove to find something old: a nearly 300-year-old white oak purported to be the one of the most ancient trees in Burlington.

I DO, I DO, I DO

ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, 1 College St., Burlington, 864-1848, echovermont.org

Love the lake but prefer to get hitched on dry land? Perched on the edge of Lake Champlain in Burlington, ECHO is conveniently located near the majority of the city’s hotels, restaurants and shops, making it an easy destination for larger occasions. For dedicated ﬁsh fans, it may be the only spot worth considering when preparing to take the plunge.

Renting ECHO for a wedding allows visitors to belly up to all the exhibits and learn about the fish, amphibians and reptiles therein — making it a particularly kid-friendly destination. Plus, there’s the opportunity to have wedding photos taken with a statue of Champ in the background.

Wondering about the food? ECHO works exclusively with Sugarsnap Catering, which o ers fare such as roasted local chicken, housemade ravioli and seared polenta cakes with seasonal ragù, served with an array of local veggie sides. Given the location, it might be best to skip the sea bass.

LIVE LONG AND PROSPER

Star Trek Original Series Set Tour, 112 Montcalm St., Ticonderoga, N.Y., 518-503-5497, startrektour.com

If your partner popped the question by asking you to “boldly go where no one has gone before,” invited you to be “assimilated” into their blended family or

A wedding party at the Forever Young Treehouse at Oakledge Park

Newlyweds at ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain

simply said, “Engage!” it’s clear you’ve got a Trekkie on your hands.

In that case, only one wedding venue will do. Located in downtown Ticonderoga, N.Y., the Star Trek Original Series Set Tour was created by an enterprising gentleman named James Cawley.

Using original blueprints and “thousands of photographs,” according to the Star Trek Tour website, Cawley re-created the studio in which the original “Star Trek” series was filmed between 1966 and 1969.

To add even more authenticity to the experience, William Shatner, aka Captain James T. Kirk, occasionally drops by for visits and has reportedly stopped in for a Trek-themed wedding or two.

Although the website doesn’t have a wedding section, posts on the business’ Instagram account make it clear that event inquiries are welcome and that visitors are encouraged to show up in costume. If that doesn’t make you beam, we don’t know what will.

THE LOVE BOAT

The Ticonderoga at Shelburne Museum, 6000 Shelburne Rd., Shelburne, 985-3346, shelburnemuseum.org

In its heyday, the steamboat Ticonderoga — which was built in Shelburne in 1906 — could transport 1,070 passengers in style around Lake Champlain. Its matched pair of paddle wheels turning sedately, the Ti cruised at 17 miles per hour while those on board ate, danced to ragtime and jazz music, and watched the sun slip behind New York’s mountain peaks. For a brief period, the steamboat even operated as a floating casino.

Since 1955 the boat has been moored on dry land at Shelburne Museum and restored to its early 1920s glory. Visitors can meander through the engine room, galley, crews’ quarters and staterooms. Couples can even tie the knot on deck.

These days, the maximum capacity is a bit lower than it used to be: 150 can attend a ceremony, and up to 80 may enjoy a seated dinner.

Like many venues, the museum has a list of preferred caterers with whom a couple or their wedding planner can work. What ought one eat on board? Those aiming for perfect historical accuracy at their feast can find inspo in a laminated Ticonderoga dinner menu from the late 1920s, preserved in the museum’s collection.

Highlights from that meal include spiced watermelon, a purée of tomato, and salmon with Hollandaise sauce as appetizers; roast ribs of beef and boiled ham with spinach as main dishes; and apple pie with ice cream and coffee for dessert.

Science have the option of hosting cocktail hour in the raptor enclosure area, meaning that you can sip a rum and Campari-based Jungle Bird or a fruity Pink Flamingo in the presence of real live owls, hawks and falcons.

VINS was founded in the early 1970s by a group of locals who wanted to teach youngsters about the importance of caring for the environment. The Vermont Raptor Center — at which injured birds are rehabilitated — opened to the public in 1987, followed by the 47-acre VINS Nature Center in 2004. In keeping with its mission, VINS works exclusively with eco-friendly vendors.

To burn off some calories pre- or postdinner, lovebirds and their guests can meander along an ADA-accessible forest canopy walk, which slowly and gently rises to 100 feet in elevation, bringing the treetops to eye level. Those who feel extra daring can climb 99 steps to the top of the Tree House tower for an even more exciting view.

Both the ceremony and the meal can be held either indoors or out, depending on the weather.

BEAR WITNESS

Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium, 1302 Main St., St. Johnsbury, 748-2372, fairbanksmuseum.org

If you’ve always dreamed of having a polar bear, a moose or a ferret at your wedding, you’re in luck. At St. Johnsbury’s Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium, folks can say their vows among the exhibits, and their guests can enjoy learning and exploring as well as dancing and dining.

Open since 1891, the museum was conceived by Franklin Fairbanks, then president of his family’s famous scalemanufacturing company, who donated the building and its contents to the town just a few years before his death.

A similar buffet should be simple enough for a caterer to whip up, although one thing will be wildly different: When the menu was written, the meal cost $1.25 per person.

GETTING MARRIED IS FOR THE BIRDS

Vermont Institute of Natural Science, 149 Natures Way, Quechee, 359-5000, vinsweb.org

Want your wedding to be a hoot? Couples who marry at Vermont Institute of Natural

With a cabinet-of-curiosities vibe, the collections hold 175,000 objects relating to natural history and culture, including oddities such as art made from beetles and a large collection of taxidermied birds.

For those who are less interested in the weird but love science, planetarium shows and an exhibit about local wildflowers are tamer but equally interesting.

Also on offer: a game that requires participants to identify animal skulls and an escape room-like challenge based on a real-life theft that occurred on the premises.

Unlike some of the other event spaces on this list, the Fairbanks allows guests to choose their own vendors. However, special care must be taken to preserve the exhibits.

Reproduction “Star Trek” set

A wedding at Vermont Institute of Natural Science

Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium

A wedding on the Ticonderoga

Beyond Measure

For 70 years, Rutland haberdashery McNeil & Reedy has been outﬁtting the sharp-dressed man

BY KEN PICARD • ken@sevendaysvt.com

When Nick Cashman of Middletown Springs went looking for a suit for his wedding, he wanted one that would measure up to the magnitude and magniﬁcence of the big day. What he found at McNeil & Reedy Mens Store in downtown Rutland in January 2024 was more than just a well-tailored tuxedo. It was a complete shopping experience.

“When I walked in, I was immediately overwhelmed by how di erent the vibe was” from other men’s clothing stores, the 29-year-old recalled. Cashman was greeted at the door by Casey McNeil, who shepherded him into a side room with an overstu ed leather couch and racks of suits, tuxedos, ties and other accessories. Casey o ered Cashman a cup of co ee or cappuccino; McNeil & Reedy brews its own special roast, Red Truck Co ee, named after the store’s mascot, a 1956 red Chevy pickup that Casey parks outside in warmer months. Casey then explained the range of choices, from a ordably priced tuxedo rentals, which start at $150, to bespoke suits that are made to measure, which start at $1,500. Cashman chose the latter.

“Especially for weddings, men want that suit to be as special as the bride’s dress, something that’s made just for them,” Casey said. “They can pick the buttons, the liners and all that stu . It’s less, ‘I want to rent a suit for just one day’ and more ‘How can I create something special for this one day that I can wear for a lifetime?’”

Cashman was soon back at McNeil & Reedy with all the men in his wedding party. Then, the night before the wedding, Casey reserved time for the groomsmen to try on their tuxedos and get last-minute alterations by one of the shop’s tailors. He was also prepared to provide any additional accessories they might need or want, from dress shoes and suspenders to cu links and pocket squares.

“I was really impressed with how it all came together,” said Cashman, who has since returned to McNeil & Reedy for three or four more made-to-measure suits for his work in the pharmaceutical industry. “This is a team of people that really prioritizes quality and the experience of buying a suit.”

When people think about an immersive pre-wedding shopping excursion, they might think of the TLC television series

COURTESY

“Say Yes to the Dress,” in which a bride, her mother and bridesmaids spend hours in a bridal shop drinking Champagne and anguishing over the right wedding gown. For the Vermont groom, there are few comparable options. The websites for both the Vermont Wedding Association and the Vermont Association of Wedding Professionals list just one store for tuxedos and ﬁne menswear: McNeil & Reedy.

For 70 years, the haberdashery on Merchants Row in Rutland has been outﬁtting men for weddings, job interviews,

THIS IS A TEAM OF PEOPLE THAT REALLY PRIORITIZES QUALITY AND THE EXPERIENCE OF BUYING A SUIT.

NICK CASHMAN

corporate events, black-tie affairs and other formal occasions. (About a quarter of the store’s business comes from weddings.) As the oldest continuously operated retail outlet in Rutland, McNeil & Reedy is the go-to men’s clothing store for doctors, lawyers, bankers and other business professionals. As today’s consumers discover the quality, durability and style of a hand-tailored suit that cannot be replicated by the fast fashion sold by big-box stores and online retailers, McNeil & Reedy is educating a new generation of men on how to look sharp and dress for success.

Casey, 36, is a third-generation haberdasher who joined the family business ﬁve years ago after a career in ﬁnance. He’s now a co-owner, along with his father, Jim McNeil, and uncle, John McNeil, who are identical twins. The business is open seven days a week and employs six people, including two full-time tailors. McNeil &

Reedy routinely draws Vermont customers from as far away as the Northeast Kingdom, and one out-of-stater drove ﬁve hours from his home on Long Island to buy a hand-tailored suit.

As Casey explained, McNeil & Reedy can work with anyone, regardless of budget, size or fashion preferences. Recently, Casey had a customer request a butter-yellow suit. Finding no such fabric available from his usual suppliers, Casey tracked one down at a textile mill in the United Kingdom, whose owners couldn’t ﬁnd Vermont on a map.

Jim and John’s father, James F. McNeil, founded McNeil & Reedy in 1956 with his business partner, George Reedy. Both men had worked next door at the Economy, a now-defunct department store which in the ’50s was Vermont’s largest retailer. Its owner, William Ginsburg, was a businessman of considerable wealth and inﬂuence in the Marble City. He owned the Rutland Railway as well as two local hotels. And in an era when all but blue-collar workers routinely wore suits or jackets and ties to work, Ginsburg’s other businesses created a built-in clientele for his clothing sales.

The elder James McNeil started at the Economy literally at the bottom — as an elevator operator. He worked his way up, as it were, to the men’s clothing department, where he met Reedy. When the two men decided to open their own store, Ginsburg gave them his blessing and support. He provided them with ﬁxtures, clothing racks and other accoutrements to outﬁt the 2,000-square-foot space that McNeil & Reedy still occupies. Why help his competition?

“Back then, everybody walked store to store and block to block, and a lot of people didn’t own cars,” said Jim, 67, who joined his father and brother in the business when he was 20. For Ginsburg, having a competitor on the block gave shoppers yet another reason to go downtown.

In the 1970s, when Jim started working in the family business, downtown Rutland still had two other full-service men’s stores, as well as one that specialized in blue jeans and another that sold men’s leather goods.

“Our competition has always been fierce,” Jim said. “But nobody has the service we have.”

John came to work at McNeil & Reedy when he was 15, greeting customers, washing windows and restocking merchandise.

James F. McNeil

From left: John, Jim and Casey McNeil

CALEB KENNA

His mother, a seamstress, taught him how to sew, and Jim honed his tailoring skills by watching the older Italian tailors down the street who handled McNeil & Reedy’s rush jobs. Today, John still does many of the store’s alterations.

“You can come in, buy a suit, go have lunch and come back and take the suit home with you,” he said. “You can’t do that anywhere else.”

During the pandemic, when brick-andmortar retailers faced both prolonged closures and an existential crisis — ﬁne menswear didn’t qualify as an essential business like grocery stores and pharmacies — Casey joined McNeil & Reedy and began infusing the shop with fresh ideas and youthful energy. He installed new front windows and removed the drop ceiling, revealing the original tin one that had been hidden for decades.

The improvements gave the shop a brighter and more airy feel. Later this month, Casey will renovate the wedding side of the store to expand the lounge area and install a walk-in humidor for selling cigars. Both should be ready in time for peak wedding season, which starts in early spring.

Last year, he also began to develop the store’s own line of tailored clothing, which will be made in Rochester, N.Y., where, coincidentally, his grandfather bought many of his goods. McNeil & Reedy’s clothing line, which debuts this spring, will feature items that customers cannot ﬁnd elsewhere.

For example, Casey discovered that it’s nearly impossible for men to ﬁnd a madein-America overcoat, the kind that lasts a generation or more. After several customers came in looking for a Harris Tweed coat, Casey saw a business opportunity. He now plans to sell four di erent styles.

“They can’t ﬁnd them, so we’re going to make them,” Casey said.

Evidently, eyeing new business opportunities runs in the family. Jim, who served seven years in the Vermont legislature, would invite to his shop fellow lawmakers, some of whom had never owned a tailored suit.

“We now have a nice clientele on both sides of the aisle,” Jim said.

In the past year or so, McNeil & Reedy has also seen an unexpected windfall from such weight-loss drugs as Ozempic and Wegovy, which have enabled men to shed dozens of pounds and keep them o .

“People are coming in with their clothing, whether they bought them here or elsewhere, and we do a makeover for them,” Jim said. If a customer’s weight loss was signiﬁcant enough that the jackets, vests and trousers cannot be properly altered, McNeil & Reedy will sell them new ones.

Bringing his son into the business gave the store a stylistic makeover of sorts, Jim added. Casey introduced more casual and everyday clothes. As a man in his midthirties, he is also at the age when many of his friends are getting married. And having spent years working in ﬁnance, he is dialed in to the latest fashions that young professionals are wearing.

“My goal right now in life is to work with my grandchildren,” said Jim, who is partially retired. Though Casey’s son, Axel, is only 3 years old, his grandfather boasts that the boy is already picking out his own shirts, pants, socks and blazers to dress up for dinner.

“If you ask him,” Jim added, “he’ll tell you he’s the lead designer for McNeil & Reedy.” ➆

Colchester, Vt. | Waterbury, Vt. | Middlebury, Vt. | Plattsburgh, N.Y.

FEBRUARY 21 • 18+

Nick Cashman and his groomsmen in January 2024

ree Chittenden County destinations worthy of date night

BY JORDAN BARRY & MELISSA PASANEN • jbarry@sevendaysvt.com,

pasanen@sevendaysvt.com

My husband and I recently embarked upon our 41st year together. That feels momentous for many reasons. When we ﬁrst connected, friends bet we wouldn’t last more than six weeks.

People often inquire about the secret to our happy union. The not-so-secret is that there isn’t one. Beyond the obvious — mutual respect, patience and luck — it feels impossible to predict if the person you fall in love with at 20 will still ﬂoat your boat decades later. Stu happens, and a lot of it is beyond our control.

an interview with both of our spouses for the 2024 Love & Marriage Issue. The need to check out restaurants does, however, mean scheduling regular date nights.

Valentine’s Day is the ultimate date night, but this long-married lady is here to tell you that any night can be perfect for a restaurant rendezvous.

To help broaden your date-night horizons, we checked out three romantic destinations in Burlington, Shelburne and Essex where you can reconnect with your sweetheart over sophisticated beverages, a shared plate of steak tartare or a pair of matching cannoli.

One thing we can control is making time to connect. On days when we’re both working from home, Mark is really good at convincing me to tear myself away from my computer for an

afternoon walk. We are devoted to collaborating on the New York Times word games every night. And given my career, we also eat out together a lot.

Dining on the clock with your partner is not all intimate relaxation, as my food writer colleague Jordan Barry detailed in

I will not dwell on the moment during my research meal at Pascolo Ristorante — recently relocated to its original subterranean Church Street home — when my husband dared to imply I didn’t deserve a $20 glass of Barolo.

Now that I think about it, forgiveness may actually be the secret to a long and happy marriage.

MELISSA PASANEN

Warm carrot salad with leeks at Salt & Bubbles

Kailee Atkinson torching bacon at Fig

JORDAN BARRY

Cannoli for two at Pascolo Ristorante

SIDEdishes

SERVING UP FOOD NEWS

Instant House Offers Self-Serve Ramen Bar in Essex Junction

On January 21, BISHNU POKHREL opened INSTANT HOUSE at 4 Pearl Street in Essex Junction. The business capitalizes on the South Korean trend of self-serve instant-ramen bars, where customers pick a packaged ramen and toppings to combine and heat on special induction burners and then eat on-site. Pokhrel also makes and sells milk teas with and without boba and stocks various Asian drinks, snacks and frozen treats.

The 24-year-old said she is a huge fan of K-pop and K-dramas, the cultural juggernauts from South Korea. When self-serve instant ramen bars in that country begat similar ones all over the U.S. that proceeded to fill her TikTok feed, Pokhrel saw an opportunity to bring one to her home state.

The young entrepreneur moved with her family to the U.S. from Nepal when she was 7 years old. She grew up in South Burlington and graduated from the University of Vermont with a degree in biology and chemistry. Plans to become a dentist were put aside when Pokhrel concluded that the health care field “was not my cup of tea.”

So far, helping customers navigate the self-serve ramen concept and

making them boba tea do seem to be her cup of tea. Pokhrel demonstrated how to fill a tray with a package of ramen plus small ramekins of toppings, such as corn kernels, diced Spam, shredded mozzarella and whole boiled eggs, and then prepare the noodle soup on the special cookers. She said she expects high school and college students to anchor her customer base.

MELISSA PASANEN

Penzo Pizza Moves Home From Montpelier to Essex Junction

After almost three years in Montpelier, DAVE PENZO has brought his family-run business, PENZO PIZZA, home to the town where he started it as a food truck in 2021. The pizzeria closed at the Inn at Montpelier on November 1 and opened at 3 Maple Street in Essex Junction in early December.

The new counter-service restaurant, with about 20 seats, was formerly a location of NOMAD COFFEE. There, Penzo, 64, and his two sons, LUKE, 21,

CONNECT

Follow us for the latest food gossip! On Instagram: Jordan Barry: @jordankbarry; Melissa Pasanen: @mpasanen. SIDE DISHES » P.41

Bishnu Pokhrel at Instant House

A Perfect Pairing

Salt & Bubbles Wine Bar and Market, 21 Essex Way, Essex, 662-4877, saltandbubbleswine.com

When it opened in 2021, Salt & Bubbles Wine Bar and Market in the Essex Experience quickly caught my attention for owner Kayla Silver’s thoughtfully selected wine list and light fare to pair with a flight. I admit, though, that I had it pegged more for girls’ night out than for date night. Then I went last summer with my date and was impressed by the sophistication of the small food menu and the wine bar’s warm, casual elegance, which easily allows you to forget you’re in a suburban mall.

About 18 months ago, Silver hired two young pros to head the front and back of house. Together, they have found their groove. Executive chef Jordan Atwood and general manager/beverage director Logan Patnaude have both cooked professionally. Atwood, who has farmed in the past, most recently ran the kitchen at Burlington’s Trattoria Delia. Patnaude spent several years working in the cellars of winemakers in Oregon’s Willamette Valley and then in Portland at Division Wines, a nationally noted wine bar.

The two share a similar taste in food and wine, Patnaude said, and “Jordan makes a screamin’ wine dish.” By way of example, the general manager described “the saltiness, crunch and texture” of the Castelvetrano olive, cherry tomato and fennel salad ($14) that I had recently shared with my husband, with the optional marinated white anchovies called boquerones ($3).

With all of that going on, Patnaude said, “Wine just enhances the experience so naturally.”

To sip with our salad and the excellent caper-spiked, yolk-enriched beef tartare ($18), served with potato chips, we’d opted for the featured by-the-glass specials. The minerally grüner veltliner ($18) and softly fruity blaufränkisch ($18) were easy to drink but had enough personality to stand up to — and complement — the food’s complexity.

That pair of organic Slovakian wines from a tiny grower-winemaker called Naboso epitomized the kinds of wines and farmer-vintners that Patnaude seeks out, often from less familiar regions and made with what he described as more “esoteric” grapes. Patnaude is also careful to offer some equally compelling nonalcoholic beverages, such as a zero-proof, amarostyle spritz.

For our second round of shared plates, we’d picked that evening’s food special, named Year of the Cabbage ($16) in honor of Vogue magazine’s freshly anointed vegetable of 2026. To round out the meal, we had the raclette plate ($23) of roasted fingerling potatoes draped with melted Jasper Hill Farm Whitney cheese and

creativity,” the chef said, with zero sign of frustration.

On my summer visit, I relished one of Atwood’s seasonal tartines ($14) topped with creamy stracciatella cheese, herb oil and toasted pistachios, as well as meltingly soft baked zucchini ($16) with an herb salad and cashew cream. In the winter, his rotating specials might lean meatier, to braised short ribs or bangers and mash with a caramelized leek gravy, he said.

For Valentine’s Day weekend, Atwood may bring back his version of Italian vitello tonnato, but with shaved Fifth Quarter capicola instead of veal under a creamy tuna sauce with salad and pickled vegetables.

Atwood was married in October to a sommelier who works at Stowe’s Lodge at Spruce Peak. His wife, Olivia, has a big influence on his menus, he said. She especially loves salads like the one made with Castelvetrano olives, which the couple call “goodie” salads: “all of those things that make a salad great,” like nuts, fruits, and pickled or cured ingredients without the lettuce, Atwood explained.

THE WINE BAR’S WARM, CASUAL ELEGANCE EASILY ALLOWS YOU TO FORGET YOU’RE IN A SUBURBAN MALL.

served with pickles and a pile of rosy, thinly sliced speck ham ($6).

The classic Alpine raclette was simple but satisfying. The cabbage dish elevated the humble vegetable grown at Jericho Settlers Farm to fine-dining heights. Caramelized leaves were scattered with crumbles of chorizo sausage from Waitsfield’s Fifth Quarter and mushrooms from Ferrisburgh’s Blue House Mushroom, all on a bed of tangy goat milk skyr from Villa Villekulla Farm in Barnard. Neon-pink pickled onion and a heavy snowfall of toasted breadcrumbs crowned the dish. What makes a multilayered plate such as this even more impressive is that Atwood and his small team do not work out of a standard restaurant kitchen. The cooking “line,” such as it is, is squeezed behind the bar: a small convection oven, a panini press, two induction burners and a sous vide machine. “It forces

On their first date, Atwood said, they went out to dinner and each ordered their own dish plus a third to share. “Then we just ended up sharing everything,” he continued. It was an auspicious early sign and a practice that became fundamental to their relationship. Take note.

Love Potion

Fig, 5573 Shelburne Rd., Shelburne, 489-5390, shelburnefigvt.squarespace.com

When you have a toddler, date night looks a little different. Sure, you can go all out and add $25 per hour for a babysitter to the night’s bill. But more often than not, my husband and I opt for the “bring the kid along” approach.

Romantic? More so than not having date night at all, I guess. And with enough tiny construction vehicles, we even get to have adult conversation.

On a recent Thursday evening at Fig in Shelburne, we joked that the band MGMT — playing at a reasonable volume from the speaker above us — might be millennials’ version of “Margaritaville.”

Our joke subliminally inspired what my husband ordered that night: While I had a floral mocktail, he sipped a Mr. Serious ($16). A zhuzhed-up margarita with house-infused sage mezcal, it was a logical pairing with our plate of nachos ($14).

Fig opened in October 2024, taking over the bar and dining room of what was once Peg & Ter’s. Now, the right-hand side of the

M.P.

Jordan Atwood preparing raclette at Salt & Bubbles

Raclette with Whitney cheese from Jasper Hill Farm and Gochujang Caesar salad

PHOTOS: BEAR CIERI

house-like building is home to the Shelburne location of Mirror Mirror, founder Lindsay Chisholm’s longtime Burlington beauty biz. Behind it is a day spa, where one can get a facial, a wax or a lash lift.

If you hang a left at the display case stocked with Gucci sunglasses, you’ll find Fig, which Chisholm co-owns with Kirsten Dwyer.

I’ve always loved the layout of this particular dining room. It boasts banquette seating down the entirety of one wall, a cozy-for-a-group corner table and, most importantly in its current iteration, a big central bar.

We had our pick of seats when we arrived before 5 p.m. and chose one near the window, so our son could spot trucks on Route 7. We’d promised him pizza on the way home, so this date night was just for a quick drink and a snack.

Fig offers a leather-bound book of cocktail, mocktail, beer, cider and wine options. A special caught my eye: the Flower Float NA mocktail ($10) with nonalcoholic gin, lemon, butterfly pea flower powder, lavender and egg white.

Garnished with a dried dandelion blossom, the purple drink — designed by bartender Grace Wilson — matched the dainty flower arrangement on the table. It’s one of several drinks on the menu made in the style of a flip, a classic cocktail move where bartenders dry-shake ingredients with egg to frothy, creamy results.

Using the method for a mocktail “makes it more special than just fancy juice,” bar manager Kailee Atkinson said.

Atkinson has been at Fig for about a year; she previously worked at the Bench in Stowe and at Electra’s Restaurant, just down the street in Shelburne.

At Fig, Atkinson creates drinks that appeal to her loyal local crowd, tweaking an ingredient or flavor to put her own spin on it. The most popular is always “something that resembles a margarita,” she said.

But her menus include a chai hot toddy and the Ube Mama, another purple drink made with ube cream liqueur sourced from the Philippines.

Two months ago, chef Damien Crowley

Peanut Butter & Jelly Negroni at Fig

A Flower Float NA mocktail and a Mr. Serious cocktail at Fig

RESTAURANT RENDEZVOUS » P.40

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BARRY

Hellen — a former personal chef and breakfast cook at the Shelburne Farms Inn — joined the Fig team. Since then, the most popular items on the succinct food menu have shifted from deviled eggs and pretzels to sliders and roasted carrots topped with spicy honey.

With the team finding its stride, more dishes and specialty drinks will be added soon, Atkinson said.

“You never really come back to the same place,” she noted.

Next time we go, I’ll spring for a babysitter. Atkinson just added a Peanut Butter & Jelly Negroni to the menu, and it’ll go great with those carrots. Her combo of peanut fat-washed gin and blackberry-infused Campari creates an aroma that’s all PB&J, like opening a toddler’s lunch box. On the palate, it’s a hint of jammy flavor, leaving room for a Negroni’s bittersweet goodness.

It’s special enough for a special night — and it’s garnished with a torched twirl of bacon for a bonus snack.

Another bonus? The Fig staff is all trained on Mirror Mirror’s point-of-sale system, so if you’ve forgotten a Valentine’s Day gift (or want to treat yourself), you can grab some luxurious skin care or a gift certificate for a facial on the way out.

J.B.

Home Is Where the Heart Is

Pascolo Ristorante, 83 Church St., Burlington, 540-1317, pascolovt.com

Contrary to novelist Thomas Wolfe’s assertion, sometimes you can go home again. This could figuratively describe returning to the arms of a former lover. It also applies, literally, to the January 2 reopening of Pascolo Ristorante in its original 83 Church Street home, following a three-year stretch in the much bigger 120 Church Street space that was — and will again be — Sweetwaters.

Pascolo first launched in 2014, one of the Farmhouse Group restaurants owned by Jed Davis. With its 2023 move into the high-ceilinged, historic Burlington Trust bank building, Davis saw an opportunity to expand and raise the profile of his subterranean Italian spot. But, he acknowledged, “Every guest said they preferred it back at 83 Church, like a constant chorus.”

Part of the issue, Davis said, is that people tend to identify a restaurant with a specific space. In this case, he said, Pascolo’s home for its first nine years was cozier and guests missed that ambience as they twirled housemade spaghetti and popped calamari rings into their mouths.

“I should have listened to my wife,” Davis said with a laugh. (Another relationship tip, perhaps?)

As I descended the stairs to see the brick arches, red-stone cellar walls and long central bar, the new-old Pascolo felt very familiar. Then I saw a wall where previously the open

return to its previous cozier, more intimate feel — definitely date-night-worthy.

Davis said the menu, under the direction of executive chef Mike Crowell, has not changed substantially in the move, though he especially recommended Crowell’s new risotto offering: “He knows how to do it the right way.”

Tucked in a corner table, my husband and I perused the extensive list of wines by the glass. I ordered the Franco Serra Barolo despite — or maybe because of — his raised eyebrow at the $20 price. The wine’s velvety texture was draped over a firm backbone of tannin and tart cherry. Mark ordered the Zenato Valpolicella ($13). It was lighter and lovely, but he agreed the Barolo was better.

We also agreed on starting with the Anchovy & the Rose pizza ($24), topped generously with the little cured fishes, tomato “petals” and two cheeses, including freshly grated ricotta salata. (If you, too, fancy salty, briny anchovies, finding a partner who shares your appreciation is promising.) Now baked in three minutes in a new deck oven imported from Italy, the pizza has an almost-fluffy, pleasantly chewy crust. Pies come whole with a pair of pizza scissors, a novel and fun twist that Davis introduced after some recent trips to Italy.

Pascolo has always made its pastas in-house, and they are reliably well cooked and sauced. We went for a couple of classics: rigatoni Bolognese ($28) and spaghetti vongole ($28). The meat sauce boasted local beef and pork and was deliciously savory with a low hum of chile heat and touch of sweetness. The clam sauce was lively with white wine and garlic, and the shellfish plentiful if a tad chewy, especially the four presented decoratively in the shell.

The sleeper hit of the meal was the eggplant Parmigiana ($24), which comes with either a side of spaghetti pomodoro or garlic broccolini. Rather than heavy, soggy slabs of eggplant smothered in cheese and sauce, Pascolo’s version layered thin, crisp eggplant slices with seasoned ricotta and sauce under a restrained throw blanket of melted fresh mozzarella. The sauce and cheeses complemented but did not overwhelm the eggplant.

kitchen was anchored by a wood-fired pizza oven. The wall was built, the oven removed and its venting system decommissioned during the space’s brief eight months as an outpost of Riko’s Pizza, a regional chain. Other than that notable loss, Pascolo looks and tastes very much the same, with a

For dessert, a pair of cannoli ($9), with ends dipped in chocolate chips and pistachios, came crisscrossed on the plate like a kiss. We happily crunched through their crisp shells filled with lemon-scented ricotta and inscribed Pascolo redux onto our list of go-to date-night spots. M.P.

Rigatoni Bolognese, eggplant Parmigiana and a Sweet Tart mocktail at Pascolo Ristorante

Anchovy & the Rose pizza, a Whiskey & Wine cocktail and a Sweet Tart mocktail

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food+drink

SIDEdishes

and TYLER, 24, make Neapolitan-style pizza in an oven imported from Italy. He said his third son, MAX, 25, may soon join the crew.

Penzo said he’s “done a million things.” Those include being the drummer for Boston-area alternative-rock band Tribe, which released two albums with Slash Records/Warner Bros. Records. Penzo got into cooking in the early ’90s after the band started to “fall apart,” he said.

Penzo Pizza established its ﬁrst brick-and-mortar restaurant in early 2023 at 147 Main Street in Montpelier, where the family moved from Essex Junction to run the business. The 120seat venue o ered table service with a full bar and large menu that expanded beyond pizza to appetizers, pastas and desserts.

“We gave that a shot for three years,” Penzo said, noting that challenges with ﬂooding “didn’t help.” The decision to return to Essex Junction was partly about coming home and partly about scaling back, he said: “It was time to refocus on what we did best: pizza.”

M.P.

Crumbs: El Gato

Cantina Opens at Smugglers’ Notch; Drink Closes in Burlington

Essex Junction’s EL GATO CANTINA has a new seasonal spot at Smugglers’ Notch. Owner JAVIER ZIRKO, who bought the Mexican restaurant and its associated food truck biz last summer, said the outpost will operate through

April with the potential to set up permanently.

Zirko said El Gato’s food truck had made the trip to Je ersonville for several events last summer. From there, the resort’s team struck up a conversation about a winter pop-up. Zirko said, “This is the ﬁrst time SODEXO,” which is contracted to run the various cafeterias and food operations at Smuggs, “has agreed to have someone there alongside [them].”

Located inside the FunZone 2.0 building’s ReFuel Café, El Gato serves lunch and dinner Thursday through Sunday. Takeout is available (call 6441287), as are drinks from the bar.

“Now, parents can have a margarita and some nice food while their kids are playing at the arcade,” Zirko said.

In Burlington, longtime cocktail bar Drink has closed and is for sale. A social media post on Friday, January 22, said the closure was “e ective immediately.”

First opened as Wine Works in 1999, the bar at 135 St. Paul Street rebranded to Drink in 2007. With the change came a popular menu of mojitos and house-infused liquors, including one made with Jolly Rancher candies.

Drink got a fresh look with a renovation in 2020, and it recently hosted weekly entertainment — including trivia, open mics and live music — as well as daily beverage specials such as $5 Long Island iced teas on Friday and Saturday.

“The journey was incredible and the people truly made the place special,” the social media announcement read.

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SERVING UP FOOD NEWS « P.37

Luke and Tyler Penzo of Penzo Pizza

All Aboard

eater review: Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express, Vermont Stage

BY ALEX BROWN • alex@sevendaysvt.com

As a train dashes across Europe and into a snowstorm, a murder takes place in the first-class carriage. A moving train is a di cult setting to create in a theater, but Vermont Stage has produced a stylish production worthy of Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express. Thanks to the neat structure of Ken Ludwig’s adaptation and this show’s lush staging, the 1934 murder mystery sweeps viewers onto a train and into another era.

The crime is a perplexing one and a classic closed-circle mystery in which suspects, victim and detective all remain together until the puzzle is solved … or the killer strikes again. Luckily, the brilliant detective Hercule Poirot (John Nagle) is on board.

The play’s characters arrive on the train platform with handsome hand luggage and no shortage of quirks. Because it’s a murder mystery, each idle remark or snippet of background is ripe for scrutiny. Is that Russian princess (Alex S. Hudson) hiding secrets as dark as her elegant black overcoat? Why does her maidservant (Hayley Ryan) seem so nervous and scream so often?

Who is that secre tive businessman (William Wilder) with the limp? What’s giving his personal secretary (Ian Walls) jitters — his innocence or guilt?

Is the unflappable spinster (Marielle Rousseau) also a femme fatale? She has certainly captivated the Scottish colonel (Wilder). Could the e cient train conductor (Caleb Roman) have a motive to match his passkey means? Why does the brash American widow (Chris Caswell) need to be the center of attention? Will the scientifically trained countess (Abby Maurice) help solve the mystery or obscure the truth? For that matter, is Poirot too captivated by her to appraise her character? And though the train executive (Cael Barkman) is above suspicion as a colleague of Poirot’s, will she bollix his casework by deflecting any blame from her company?

In creating this pool of people, including one perfectly deserving murder victim, Ludwig eliminates some of Christie’s characters to make the play manageable and fuses a few to assign all the plot points. To ﬁt so many people into a brisk play, he has to construct thin characters, but he makes up for it by emphasizing their comic

idiosyncrasies. The dialogue is studded with zingers.

Director Jordan Gullikson has coaxed a delightful comic lightness from the whole cast. The actors primarily convey the elegance of a life lived in ﬁrst class, even those who spend their time serving. These characters face the murder as crime connoisseurs, eager to show their heightened sensibilities while preserving an antiseptic distance from real gore. Gullikson dials up the entertainment each eccentric character can deliver.

Nagle gives Poirot a shining curiosity, brushing away other characters’ admiration of his fame to get down to his fascination with other people, which means peering clearly at each suspect even before the crime. Most ﬁ ctional detectives have a little too much of the author’s mind powering them, and Poirot’s snappy reveal has some holes, but we overlook them for the elegance of the result and for Nagle’s grand precision in announcing his conclusions.

Caswell is brilliant as the brazen American tourist, wringing all the naïve friendliness out of a Minnesota accent while

passing judgment on everyone. Barkman, playing the train executive, gets a little lost in her French accent but compensates with elegant movement and vivid comic reactions. Roman is just the stolid conductor one craves in an emergency, and he doubles as a perfectly imperial waiter.

The actors are ably supported by costume designer Sarah Sophia Lidz, who never overlooks a detail. Along with a magnificent mustache, Poirot sports multiple monocles and magnifiers tucked into a stylish vest. The brassy American’s loud mouth is amplified by her big patterns and bold strings of pearls. The romantic colonel is rendered proper by his well-fitted tweeds, and the talented countess dresses to impress. Every costume tells a story as rich as the dialogue.

Ludwig’s adaptation premiered in 2017. The ﬁrst movie version of the novel was released in 1974, so one might wonder why it took so long to bring such a crowd-pleaser to the theater. But the stage mechanics are daunting — what a book can do with description or a movie with editing, a play must put before our eyes. There’s no shortcut to creating a realistic train, and Vermont Stage provides a stunner.

To make the play e ectively theatrical, Ludwig sets scenes in multiple locations on the train. Here scenic designer Jeff Modereger and the full technical crew excel. The train’s lounge car is sumptuously appointed, from window details to antimacassars on gorgeous upholstery. A little quick change converts it into two of the first-class bedrooms, and a final flourish produces a train corridor. None of these settings relies on abstract hints; each is fully realized, from louvered doors to armchairs, and viewers get a real feel for riding in such luxury.

Agatha Christie mysteries are soothing little puzzles, and this production is ideal light entertainment. While offering no clues, this reviewer does promise that the solution is quite clever. But the real beauty of the show resides in its visual splendor, comedy, accents, costumes and all-out characters. It’s lavish fun to ride this kind of ﬁrst class. ➆

INFO

Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express, adapted by Ken Ludwig, directed by Jordan Gullikson, produced by Vermont Stage. rough February 22: ursdays through Saturdays and Wednesday, February 18, 7:30 p.m.; and Saturdays and Sundays, 2 p.m., at Black Box eater, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, in Burlington. $39-59. vermontstage.org

Cast members in Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express

Sex Educator and Comedian Jenna Emerson Hosts an IRL Dating Game

BY JORDAN ADAMS

for names of people with whom they don’t want to be matched. (Vermont’s a small world, after all.) en, with help from two nonpartisan out-of-state friends, she groups potential matches.

Who gets to be in the power position as the one doing the choosing at the end of the game? Emerson considers the broad power dynamics of app culture. For instance, studies have shown that Black women, Asian men and other marginalized identities consistently receive less attention, fewer responses and more rejection than other groups.

Some say Vermont is BYOB: e second B stands for “bae.” With a small and aging population, the Green Mountains can be an inhospitable place for people looking for love. And according to Burlington sex educator and comedian Jenna Emerson, dating app culture actually makes the search more complicated.

“ e biggest thing I hear is that people are on [dating apps] who are not genuinely looking for a relationship,” she said in a recent video chat. Rather, she continued, many turn to the likes of Hinge or Tinder for a quick self-esteem boost or to stave off boredom. “No one’s actually feeling good about themselves or wanting to meet up,” she said. “It’s just a horrible disaster.”

So last fall, she unveiled “Sex With Jenna: Dating Show,” a live, seated event inspired by the classic TV show “ e Dating Game.” On Friday, February 6, she’ll bring it to the Higher Ground Showcase Lounge in South Burlington. ( e event is sold out, but tickets will be available soon for her next installment on ursday, April 23, at Vermont Comedy Club in Burlington.)

Emerson’s show operates just like “ e Dating Game,” albeit heavily queercentered. A person sits on one side of a partition and asks questions of three people on the other side, then chooses one to go out with. Sounds simple, but Emerson explained that a lot of thought and work happens before anyone sets foot onstage.

After seeking applicants through social media and word of mouth, she distributes a questionnaire to ﬁnd out what people are looking for. Aside from the basics — name, age, gender, sexual orientation, preferred relationship structure — Emerson also makes sure to ask potential contestants

“I want to give [power] to people who [don’t] necessarily have a harder time but just face more discrimination,” Emerson said.

Emerson has seen all the dating shows, from “ e Dating Game” to “Singled Out” to “Love Is Blind.” She ﬁnds that they frequently play up rejection, something she’s actively working against.

“We’re here to celebrate vulnerability,” she said.

ough no one will be pulled up onstage from the crowd, there’s a bit of audience participation. Each show begins with a brief exercise to get people in the spirit of togetherness. is week, Emerson will lead a discussion about first kisses. Furthermore, audience members can potentially walk away with their own romantic connection. Attendees are given a “flirt card” at entry, upon which they can write a flirty message to anyone who catches their eye (provided that person consented to receiving them, also decided upon entry).

In Vermont, Emerson said, “ ere is more of a wholesome desire to meet people organically, in person.” ➆ INFO

“Sex With Jenna: Dating Show,” Friday, February 6, 7 p.m., at Higher Ground Showcase Lounge in South Burlington. 18+; sold out. highergroundmusic.com Learn more about Emerson at sexedwithjenna.com.

Jenna Emerson (far left) with contestants on “Sex With Jenna: Dating Show”

Black Artist Showcase Highlights Queen City Stories

BY ALICE DODGE • adodge@sevendaysvt.com

Though the Trump administration has tried to censor museum displays and curtail funding for programs that highlight diverse experiences, it is still Black History Month. In fact, 2026 marks 100 years since scholar Carter G. Woodson announced what was then

Vermont Home Vies to Win HGTV’s ‘Ugliest House in America’

BY KEN PICARD • ken@sevendaysvt.com

Brooklyn and Dylan’s three-story house in Vershire is a real head-turner — if you’re Linda Blair in The Exorcist. A three-story cacophony of color and dreadful design decisions, the 3,344-square-foot abode on stilts is what coowner Brooklyn described as “our nightmare” in Season 7, Episode 4 of the HGTV hit series “Ugliest House in America.”

“I showed it to [Dylan] as a joke initially, and he’s like, ‘I kinda like it!’” Brooklyn recalled in the episode.

“Once I saw the tree in the house, I was like, That’s pretty cool,” Dylan replied. So the twentysomething couple — whom HGTV identifies only by their first names — plunked down for the place, monkey-themed kitchen cabinets, wall-mounted swordfish and all. The real estate website Zillow cites its most recent sale price at $505,000.

Nicknamed the “Mishmosh Hodgepodge” by mononymous actor/comedian Retta, the show’s host, Brooklyn and Dylan’s hideous hideaway is one of five finalists vying this week to be crowned the Ugliest House in America. The, um, winner of that dubious distinction will receive a $150,000 renovation

called Negro History Week in February 1926, with the goal of teaching young people about Black history as a source of inspiration for the future.

Channeling that spirit, local poet Rajnii Eddins and photographer René Renteria present the Black Artist Showcase on Sunday, February 8, at the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington. The free event includes six young and adult poets and spoken-word performers, along with videos from the Vibrant Lives project, an oral history initiative also spearheaded by Eddins and Renteria.

The project connects teen interviewers with members of Burlington’s Black

by designer Alison Victoria, courtesy of HGTV. As Dylan put it on the show, “We definitely want to make it less circus-like.”

Indeed, the Mishmosh Hodgepodge, which was built in 2003 on 1.4 acres, has an interior blue-and-orange color scheme straight out of the New York Mets’ locker room, with a papier-mâché, bird-themed railing on the stairwell that is definitely not up to code. The sunken, pool-themed living room features seating made from lessthan-cushy material: concrete. Remarked Retta: “I look at your couches, and I think: hemorrhoids.”

Next on the tour of the ’70s-style swinger hideaway/hippie commune is the “party bathroom,” with its shards of mirrors glued to every surface, reminiscent of a fifth grader’s art project. Then it’s on to the main bedroom and bathroom, with their thatched-twig ceilings that allow spiders to drop in on a nightly basis. Ick!

While it’s fair to say Brooklyn and Dylan’s house might be not everyone’s cup of tea (or hemlock), it has a certain kitschiness that would appeal to some of Vermont’s more artsy types. The same cannot be said for the competition. In the pantheon of butt-ugly, Brooklyn and Dylan are up against some next-level grotesquerie.

They include the “Mirrored Mayhem” in Blanca, Colo., an “off-the-grid collage of chaos” with mirrors everywhere but where they’re needed (i.e., over the bathroom sink); the “Potpourri of Pastels” in Chicago, with glitter literally covering every surface;

community. “When you tell your story,” Eddins said, “a lot of how you tell it is who you’re telling it to.” In trying to foster those connections, he started close to home, with interviewers Amina Eddins, 14, and Nadia Frazier, 16 — Eddins’ daughter and niece, respectively. Both are also poets and will perform as part of the showcase with Anna Capelle, a University of Vermont sophomore who is the current Connecticut youth poet laureate. They will be joined onstage by Rajnii Eddins, spoken-word artist Omega Jade, and Dr. Jolivette Anderson-Douoning, who teaches about history and the Black experience at Saint Michael’s College.

The Vibrant Lives project will also be on view as an exhibition in the main reading room at Burlington’s Fletcher Free Library, starting February 28. It’s important to Eddins and Renteria that the project’s narratives — many of which highlight the ways Black Vermonters have built community bonds — be locally accessible and visible. The Fletcher Free exhibition will accomplish that through a display of 15 portraits of Black Burlingtonians, each printed on large fabric banners and accompanied by QR codes that lead viewers to the participants’ video interviews.

Watching the videos, viewers of any age may feel like young listeners — and that’s not a bad thing, since we could all use a little wisdom. Denise Dunbar, for instance, apologizes for the legacy that baby boomers are leaving young people. “This is your time, your world,” she says. “Run with it.”

The exhibition’s opening will kick off the fifth annual Black Experience, a suite of Burlington events also organized by Eddins and culminating with a keynote speech

by Howard University historian Ibram X. Kendi, author of How to Be an Antiracist, at the Flynn on February 28. The full lineup of activities will be announced soon.

All the events, Eddins said, highlight Black history and storytelling as fundamental aspects of American history. The Vibrant Lives project, he said, can help everyone — not just young people — learn “what our elders’ stories are, what they experienced before us, and how that speaks to and relates to today,” he said. The work can impact “even our understanding of who we are as human beings and what we’re capable of.”

Renteria added that he sees the Black Artist Showcase as an opportunity for people to meet their neighbors and learn about what we all have in common. “For a moment,” he said, “allow yourself a little space to feel a little joy in our community — in the Queen City — because we’re all trying to make it together here.” ➆

INFO

Black Artist Showcase, Sunday, February 8, 2 to 4 p.m., at First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington. Free; donations suggested. vibrantlivesprojectvt.org

The Vibrant Lives exhibition opens February 28 at the Fletcher Free Library in Burlington. fletcherfree.org

The Black Experience, Saturday, February 28, at various Burlington locations. Learn more at blackexperiencevt.com. For tickets to Ibram X. Kendi with musical guest Mumu Fresh ($2048.75), visit flynnvt.org.

the “Pit-Full Dingle-Dangle Row House,” a “bottomless pit of ugly” in St. Louis with dangling balls of wood in random spots; and the medieval knight-themed “D&D Castle” in Tucson, Ariz., with, inexplicably, a plaster

Rajnii Eddins performing at the Black Experience 2025

sculpture of a half-nude Marilyn Monroe jutting from one wall.

The winning home, and its renovation, will be featured in the season finale on Wednesday, February 4, at 8 p.m. on HGTV. ➆

The “Mishmosh Hodgepodge” house in Vershire, as seen on HGTV’s “Ugliest House in America,” Season 7

Italian Folk Singer

Beppe Gambetta to Play Benefit House Concert in

Essex

BY AMY LILLY • lilly@sevendaysvt.com

Pasta and pizza might be Italian immigrants’ most widely known contributions to American culture. But a less recognized one is their folk music. Think composer Nino Rota’s scores for the Godfather movies: songs played on acoustic guitar, mandolin or accordion in celebratory wedding-dance rhythms, or slower ones in minor keys accented with dramatic instrumental tremolos.

While not as deeply researched as other strains of American folk, such as Celtic and the blues, Italian American folk music is “an incredible phenomenon,” said Beppe Gambetta, an acoustic guitarist, singer and composer from Genoa, Italy. Gambetta, 70, specializes in reviving historical songs and presents an annual international festival of acoustic music in Genoa.

Named “Genoa Ambassador to the World” in 2019 by a former mayor of his hometown, the musician spends seven months a year in the U.S., touring on an O-1 visa, reserved for “artists with extraordinary ability,” according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Between stops in New York and California this year, Gambetta plays a house concert in Essex on Sunday, February 8.

“My art represents a bridge between the two cultures,” the Italian said by phone from his American home in Lambertville, N.J.

Singing in a range of Italian dialects and English, Gambetta performs songs by artists such as fellow Genoan Pasquale Taraffo — a master of the harp guitar and one of 4 million Italians who immigrated to the U.S. between 1880 and the 1920s — and pioneering jazz guitarist Eddie Lang, who was born Salvatore Massaro in Philadelphia to Italian immigrant parents.

The local concert is a fundraiser for a traveling exhibition coming in June to Winooski that celebrates another Italian export: the early childhood educational approach named for Reggio Emilia, a town in northern Italy. Invented by the town’s residents at the end of World War II to prevent future susceptibility to fascism, the municipal instruction system

encourages autonomy, independent thinking and a strong sense of community in its children, ages roughly 3 to 8. The method still thrives today and has spread internationally.

“Teachers and children are seen as co-researching together,” said Jeanne Goldhaber, 78, a former professor in the early education program at the University of Vermont, who directed the Reggio-inspired Campus Children’s Center for several years.

Though that center closed in 2020, Vermont currently has 25 Reggio-inspired classrooms and 63 instructors, according to Goldhaber, who lives in Burlington. (Unlike other educational programs, such as Waldorf and Montessori, Reggio has no prescribed curricula or certification.) The instructors’ network, Reggio Inspired Vermont Early Education Team, will host the exhibition in the black-box theater of the Winooski Educational Center from mid-June through mid-August.

Called “Mosaic of Marks, Words, Material,” the show features panels, video clips and artifacts made by pupils of the Italian school. It has been traveling around Canada and the U.S.; its Vermont appearance coincides with this year’s North American Reggio Emilia Alliance conference, which runs June 25 to 27 in Winooski. That event will feature two Italian educators from Reggio, plus their interpreter.

Gambetta grew up only a couple hours’ drive from Reggio Emilia. He didn’t learn about the educational approach until recently, but, he recalled, “We were aware of Reggio as a cultural avant-garde in Italy. It is a town that has more [than typical] examples of social consciousness and help to people in need in many fields. That has roots in the character of the people there. They are sort of special.”

Concert presenter Mark Sustic, 75, of Fletcher, comes from both the folk-music and Reggio worlds: He founded the nonprofit Young Tradition Vermont in 2010 to teach children traditional music and dance, and he taught as a lecturer for two decades in UVM’s early education program — of which Reggio was “a core piece,” he said. Landing Gambetta for the fundraiser made perfect sense as a bridge between the two forms of creativity.

“Italy has a pretty good record of generating artists,” Sustic commented wryly. “It’s a particularly unique success.” ➆

INFO

Beppe Gambetta house concert in Essex, Sunday, February 8, 2 p.m. $35 donation. Address provided with reservation. Email: mark.sustic@gmail.com.

Beppe Gambetta

on screen

Send Help ★★★★ REVIEW

Did someone finally notice that middle-aged women watch horror movies? Or maybe pop culture-savvy director Sam Raimi (the Evil Dead and Spider-Man trilogies) simply enjoys defying expectation. His new horror comedy, Send Help, gives center stage to the kind of person who’s typically the butt of Hollywood’s jokes: a single lady of a certain age with a beloved pet, a questionable wardrobe and a reality TV ﬁxation. Linda Liddle (Rachel McAdams) is more than a little reminiscent of Annie Wilkes in Misery, yet she’s the protagonist of this story. For cabin-fevered moviegoers, that’s undeniably refreshing.

The deal

Corporate drone Linda has spent years diligently pushing numbers for a boss who promised to promote her to vice president upon his departure. But when his son, Bradley (Dylan O’Brien), takes over as CEO, he promptly hands the VP job to his college golﬁng buddy (Xavier Samuel), who has a habit of taking credit for Linda’s work.

Disgusted by Linda’s lack of social graces, the suavely arrogant Bradley plots to exile her to a satellite branch. First, however, he allows her to tag along on a business trip to Bangkok, when nature intervenes: The company jet goes down over the ocean, killing everyone but Bradley and Linda, who wash up together on a desert island.

Roughing it in the wilderness just happens to be Linda’s hobby. On the plane, Bradley and his bros mocked her when they discovered her audition tape for “Survivor.” But when her know-how is all that can keep her boss alive to await rescue, he’s not laughing.

Will you like it?

A new twist on an old trope is always invigorating. And the desert-island role reversal is a very old one, dating back at least to J.M. Barrie’s popular 1902 play The Admirable Crichton, in which survival skills turn a butler into the master. More recent takes on the theme include Lina Wertmüller’s 1974 art-house darling Swept Away (remade in 2002 as a Madonna vehicle) and the Goldie Hawn/Kurt Russell rom-com Overboard.

In all those stories, a return to nature overturns the class structure while reafﬁrming the gender hierarchy. An upperclass woman learns to bow down to a

stronger, more resourceful proletarian — and falls in love with him. Only in 2022’s Triangle of Sadness (see sidebar) does that convention get reversed, too.

The premise of Send Help has strong similarities to that last film. But while Triangle of Sadness is an arch, high-toned satire, this is a broad, blood-spattered one. Send Help is a duel that plays out in paradise with maximum comic awkwardness, even before things get dark: Imagine the most mismatched “Survivor” ﬁnalists ever forced to await Tribal Council together.

The actors make it work, up to a point. One of the original Mean Girls , later rebranded as a rom-com sweetheart, McAdams has the versatility to convey both Linda’s likable underdog qualities and the uglier ones she displays once she’s in charge. Acting with his sloe eyes, O’Brien e ectively makes Bradley a jerk but not a fool. We see gears turning in his head as he tries to endear himself to Linda by painting himself as an emotionally deprived poor little rich boy.

The cringe is so strong with these two that it’s almost a relief when the story gets lurid and gross. Raimi leans into that aspect, making gleeful use of 3D format in all kinds of scenes involving pointy objects,

such as a wild boar hunt that leaves Linda and the jungle bloody. (“I think I liked that,” she muses.) Exaggerated camera work — extreme close-ups, dramatic drone swoops — adds to the general atmosphere of comic-book outrageousness. We never take the story too seriously, and we get the over-the-top ﬁnale we expect.

Whom are we even rooting for at that point, though? That’s basically up to us, because the screenplay by Damian Shannon and Mark Swift (Freddy vs. Jason) keeps switching perspectives without bringing certain aspects of the characters’ conﬂict into focus. Linda is attracted to Bradley, yet no reason is given for this other than her presumed desperation. (Whether they have sex remains so vague that one wonders if a scene was cut.) Send Help satirizes clichés of the “castrating female” without replacing them with much; we’re never sure whether Linda’s more sadistic moments are motivated by romantic disappointment or just general fed-upness with everything Bradley represents.

As a result, Send Help sometimes feels like an attempt to cash in on the “female rage” trend without zeroing in on what women like Linda might actually be mad about. There’s material here for a much

darker, more psychologically astute horror story than we get. Still, what we do get is wild enough to be entertaining, making this island a decent escape for a few hours of a gray February.

MARGOT HARRISON margot@sevendaysvt.com

IF YOU LIKE THIS, TRY…

TRIANGLE OF SADNESS (2022; Disney+, Hulu, Kanopy, rentable): If you can endure the fatuous model-inﬂuencers at the center of director Ruben Ostlund’s class war satire about an ill-fated cruise, you’ll savor the subversive shocks of its second half.

DRAG ME TO HELL (2009; HBO Max, rentable): In Raimi’s comically twisted horror fable, a young woman’s casual capitalist cruelty inspires a curse that imperils her soul.

RED EYE (2005; Pluto TV, Paramount+, Starz, YouTube Primetime, rentable):

Want more of McAdams in thriller mode, playing out a duel with a cunning male antagonist (Cillian Murphy) in a conﬁned space? The late, great Wes Craven directed this lean and mean suspense ﬂick, set mostly on a plane.

Dylan O’Brien plays a CEO stuck on a desert island with his justly disgruntled employee in Sam Raimi’s horror comedy.

NEW IN THEATERS

COME SEE ME IN THE GOOD LIGHT: A state poet laureate faces a terminal diagnosis with their partner in Ryan White’s Oscar-nominated documentary. (104 min, TV-MA. Savoy)

DRACULA: Luc Besson (La Femme Nikita) offers his take on the Bram Stoker tale, starring Caleb Landry Jones and Christoph Waltz. (129 min, R. Essex, Majestic)

SOLO MIO: Kevin James plays a jilted groom stranded in Rome in this rom-com directed by Charles and Daniel Kinnane. (100 min, PG. Capitol, Essex, Majestic, Star, Welden)

SOUND OF FALLING: The story of 20th-century Germany unfolds through those of three women who inhabit the same farm decades apart. Mascha Schilinski directed. (155 min, NR. Savoy)

THE STRANGERS: CHAPTER 3: The reboot of the home invader horror series continues, starring Madelaine Petsch and directed by Renny Harlin. (91 min, R. Essex, Majestic)

STRAY KIDS: THE DOMINATE EXPERIENCE: The K-pop group performs in Los Angeles in this concert doc. (146 min, NR. Majestic, Star, Welden)

THE VOICE OF HIND RAJAB: This Oscar-nominated docudrama tells the true story of efforts to save a 6-year-old Palestinian girl trapped in a car under fire in Gaza. (89 min, NR. Partizanfilm)

CURRENTLY PLAYING

28 YEARS LATER: THE BONE TEMPLEHHHH Residents of the quarantined UK continue to fight for their lives in Nia DaCosta’s horror sequel. (109 min, R. Stowe)

ALL THAT’S LEFT OF YOUHHHH1/2 Cherien Dabis (Amreeka) wrote, directed and stars in this acclaimed portrait of a Palestinian family through three generations. (145 min, NR. Partizanfilm; reviewed 1/28)

ARCOHHH1/2 A girl shelters a boy who has the power of time travel in this Oscar-nominated hand-drawn animation from France. (88 min, PG. Partizanfilm)

AVATAR: FIRE AND ASHHHH Pandora faces a conflict between Na’vi tribes. (195 min, PG-13. Bijou, Capitol, Essex, Majestic)

THE CHORALHHH A controversial choral director (Ralph Fiennes) must recruit teenage singers during World War I in this drama from Nicholas Hytner (The History Boys). (113 min, R. Catamount)

HAMNETHHHH/2 A couple (Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley) grapple with loss in the adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s novel. (125 min, PG-13. Big Picture, Capitol, Essex, Majestic; reviewed 12/10)

THE HOUSEMAIDHHH1/2 A young woman’s dream job has a dark side in this thriller. (131 min, R. Majestic)

IRON LUNGHH1/2 A convict explores a blood ocean in this postapocalyptic horror film from Mark Fischbach. (127 min, R. Essex, Majestic, Paramount, Star)

MARTY SUPREMEHHHH1/2 A young man (Timothée Chalamet) sets out to be a table tennis champion. (150 min, R. Capitol, Essex, Majestic, Marquis, Stowe; reviewed 1/7)

MELANIA 1/4H Brett Ratner directed this documentary about the First Lady. (104 min, PG. Majestic)

MERCYH1/2 A detective must prove to an AI judge that he didn’t kill his wife in this sci-fi thriller. (100 min, PG-13. Bijou, City Cinema, Essex, Paramount) NO OTHER CHOICEHHHH1/2 A laid-off manager (Lee Byung-hun) would literally kill for another job in this acclaimed dark satire. (139 min, R. Savoy; reviewed 1/14)

A PRIVATE LIFEHHH1/2 Jodie Foster plays a psychiatrist convinced her patient was murdered in this French psychological thriller, also starring Daniel Auteuil. (103 min, R. Partizanfilm)

THE SECRET AGENTHHHH1/2 This Oscar-nominated Brazilian drama follows a young dad fleeing political persecution in 1977. (161 min, R. Marquis)

SEND HELPHHH1/2 An employee and her obnoxious boss are stranded on a desert island in Sam Raimi’s horror thriller. (113 min, R. Bijou, Capitol, City Cinema, Essex, Majestic, Star, Stowe, Welden; reviewed 2/4)

SENTIMENTAL VALUEHHHH1/2 In this drama from Joachim Trier, sisters confront their estranged father. (133 min, R. Playhouse; reviewed 12/3)

SHELTERHH1/2 A hermit (Jason Statham) with a violent past is called back into action in this one-person-army flick. (107 min, R. Bijou, Capitol, City Cinema, Essex, Majestic)

SONG SUNG BLUEHHH Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson play a married Neil Diamond tribute band in this fact-based drama. (133 min, PG-13. Big Picture, Star)

THE TESTAMENT OF ANN LEEHHHH Mona Fastvold tells the story of the founder of the Shaker movement (Amanda Seyfried). (137 min, R. Savoy; reviewed 1/28)

ZOOTOPIA 2HHH1/2 Disney’s animated critters return for another mystery. (108 min, PG. Capitol, Essex, Majestic, Star)

OLDER FILMS AND SPECIAL SCREENINGS

THE BATTLE OF ALGIERS (VTIFF, Fri only)

BOY MEETS GIRL (Partizanfilm, Wed 4 only)

THE CHRONOLOGY OF WATER (VTIFF, Thu only)

GLORY (Catamount, Wed 4 only)

I AM CUBA (VTIFF, Sat only)

PRICKLY MOUNTAIN AND MY DESIGN/BUILD LIFE (Playhouse, Tue only)

THREE COLORS: BLUE (Catamount, Wed 11 only)

WARM BODIES (Catamount, Fri only)

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

CITY CINEMA: 137 Waterfront Plaza, Newport, 334-2610, citycinemanewport.com

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.

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

*PARTIZANFILM: 230 College St., Unit 13, Burlington, 276-4588, partizanfilm.org

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

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

THE SCREENING ROOM @ VTIFF: 60 Lake St., Ste. 1C, Burlington, 660-2600, vtiff.org

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

Offering Massage, Bodywork, and Health Coaching in the heart of Richmond. ADVANCEDWELLNESSHOLISTICHEALTH.COM

WANTED! BRAVE SOULS OF GOOD CHARACTER

Heart of Pine Street

SEABA Center celebrates love in its inaugural art show

BY ALICE DODGE

• adodge@sevendaysvt.com

Love is in the air this month at the new SEABA Center — or maybe it’s drywall dust. The South End Arts + Business Association has just completed its move to the 400 Pine Street space in Burlington, familiar to many as the former home of ArtsRiot. This Friday, February 6, the organization will inaugurate its new gallery space with the exhibition “From Vermont, With Love.”

SEABA executive director Christy Mitchell, 45, said that when the building became vacant last summer, she assumed that someone else would take it over as a restaurant or music venue.

Bob Wagner, Brian Nagle and Luke Awtry to handle music and event bookings; Kristen Eaton as outreach coordinator; Savanah Tebeau-Sherry as curator; Beth Robinson in administration; and grant writer Erin Bundock, who, when I visited, was painting gallery walls 10 feet up on a ladder.

Mitchell has been fundraising to support this endeavor, both through private donations and by organizing events such as a Halloween party and a New Year’s Eve celebration. Ticket proceeds went to refurbishing sound equipment donated by the former owners of Burlington’s Club Toast. In last weekend’s subzero temps, SEABA sta moved their o ce into the new space from its previous location around the corner at the Vaults. And amid all that, they’ve been renovating and painting the new gallery.

It all sounds daunting, but not for Mitchell. “I’m very overzealous. I think I can do anything,” she said. It’s the ﬁfth time, she added, that she has created an art space in some sort of warehouse. That includes founding S.P.A.C.E. Gallery in the nearby Soda Plant in 2009 and planning the Generator Makerspace, then in the basement of Memorial Auditorium, as its ﬁrst director, in 2014. This time around, she said, she considered removing walls but realized the current footprint will serve the SEABA Center well.

Mitchell envisions the lobby, once the Split Spirits tasting room, as a hub where visitors can hear about upcoming events, learn about the state-designated South End Arts District and SEABA’s mission, and ﬁnd information on local businesses, including through a touch-screen version of SEABA’s interactive South End map and directory.

In the former ArtsRiot Distillery, Mitchell plans monthly art exhibitions. Those will include juried shows such as “From Vermont, With Love,” as well as a ﬁber arts exhibition in March, a show of SEABA members celebrating the org’s 40th anniversary in April, and solo and twoperson presentations such as one in May by Katharine Montstream and her daughter Charlotte Dworshak.

“I didn’t even ever look at the space seriously,” she said. That is, she added, until August when she was “ﬁnding out how di cult it was to do a fashion show in the middle of the road.”

At the time, Mitchell was organizing STRUT!, the runway show that’s long been part of the annual South End Art Hop. SEABA is best known for organizing that event, which draws upwards of 35,000 visitors to Pine Street every September. Mitchell ﬁrst envisioned 2025’s STRUT! taking place on the street itself, but logistical challenges prompted her to text landlord James Unsworth to see if she could use the

ArtsRiot space. He gave her a yes within ﬁve minutes, she said. Following the event’s success, Mitchell thought the building’s location — in the heart of the South End — was too good an opportunity to pass up. By mid-October, Unsworth had accepted SEABA’s proposal to lease the entire 7,000-square-foot space and establish the SEABA Center as a new venue for art, music and other events. Since then, Mitchell and her team have been busy. “Our sta just doubled in the last month,” she said, to what she’s pretty sure is nine people plus volunteers — “I’m starting to lose track!” she joked. The crew includes

The gallery has a smaller room that can be used for auxiliary exhibitions or even as a green room for bands playing live events. Mitchell also wants to reopen the door to Speeder & Earl’s Coffee, so visitors can peruse the art as they wait for a latte. Gallery hours will be Thursdays through Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., but will likely be extended with warmer weather. The SEABA Center will also be open during the summer South End Get Down and farmers markets.

The gallery will participate, along with many Burlington venues, in First Friday Art Walks during the ﬁrst week of every month. Next to the gallery, the ArtsRiot stage will host live music alongside each

“We Go Together” by Dawn Mahar

First Friday opening, starting this week with Ali McGuirk. There will also be regular concerts and other events — look for a February 13 “Galentine’s Day” allfemale DJ set and an indoor Valentine’s artist market and block party on February 14. SEABA is building up a catering kitchen with donations of equipment from local businesses, which Mitchell says will allow them to host private parties and pop-up food events by aspiring chefs. Her goal is to have at least one show, one private rental and one “artsy” event in the space every week.

The first of those — the opening of “From Vermont, With Love,” — promises to be a banger. Mitchell asked her constituents for “any art talking about love in all of its forms” and received about 100 submissions. Some evoke the emotion with absurdity, such as Tonya Whitney’s charcoal redo of Alfred Eisenstaedt’s photo of a sailor kissing a nurse on V-J

Day: The image is the same, except that its protagonists are fish. Others convey love through color, such as Dawn Mahar’s “We Go Together,” in which a band of misfit creatures in shades of red traipses across a pink stripey background. For some, it’s story — perhaps most poignantly, longtime South End business owner Steve Conant’s collection of heart sculptures, which he makes every year as valentines for his wife.

Several works, among them Danyelle Wyman’s suite of seasonal images, express love for Vermont, or for natural places more broadly. Others, such as Colby Crehan’s simple but beautiful drawing of a life jacket waiting to be buckled, convey a welcome reminder that most people have a basic level of love and respect for any fellow human.

The show’s message can best be seen in the fact of the SEABA Center — a nonprofit occupying a desirable property in the heart of the arts district — becoming a reality. Mitchell said there are many ways SEABA has been feeling the love: support for the idea from its board of directors; flexibility and facilities help from Unsworth Properties; volunteers showing up to move offices and paint gallery walls; neighbors participating in events and donors pitching in.

“Everyone’s excited for us,” she said. “I think they know that this has to happen.” ➆

INFO

“From Vermont, With Love” on view February 6-28 at the SEABA Center in Burlington; reception Friday, February 6, 5-9 p.m. seaba.com

From left: Bob Wagner, Luke Awtry, Christy Mitchell, Erin Bundock and Brian Nagle

“Awkward Kiss” from the series “A Fish Out of Water” by Tonya Whitney

CALLS TO ARTISTS

CALL FOR INSTRUCTORS: Seeking instructors of all ages for Morristown Free University, a program of over 30 workshops offered to community members in Morristown and surrounding areas free of charge. Examples of past classes include sewing, pasta making, ballet, karate, appliance repair, fire starting and journal making. Classes are one to three hours and held at River Arts or Morristown Centennial Library. Apply online. River Arts, Morrisville. Deadline: February 15. Info, info@riverartsvt.org.

CREATION GRANTS: Now accepting applications for $5,000 grants to individual artists in all media (visual arts, writing, dance, theater, music, multimedia) and $10,000 awards for performing arts groups creating new work. Apply online at vermontartscouncil.org. Vermont Arts Council, Montpelier. Deadline: April 5. Info, 402-4602.

‘IRISH EYES’: Seeking submissions by artists of all ages on the theme in any and all media. Submissions should be wrapped and labeled with the artist’s name, address, phone number and bio and dropped off, Attn: Barbara, at the library’s main desk by the deadline. Works will be on display March 1-31. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington. Deadline: March 6. Info, 863-3403.

VERMONT PRIZE: A single $5,000 prize, administered collaboratively by the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center, Burlington City Arts, the Hall Art Foundation and the Current, awarded to a contemporary Vermont artist working in any medium. Apply at vermontprize. org. Deadline: March 31. Info, hello@ vermontprize.org.

OPENINGS + RECEPTIONS

E. GILMUTDINOV: “Graphites, Gorges & Glens,” an exhibition featuring works by the Connecticut-based artist, who is originally from Eastern Russia. His drawings and acrylic paintings take inspiration from local and European landscapes. Vermont State University-Castleton Bank Gallery, Rutland, February 5-April 4. Info, chrystal802@gmail.com.

‘SELECTIONS 2026’: A rotating exhibition of works by Eric Boyer, Mutsu Crispin, Liz Chalfin, Elaine de Kooning, Willem de Kooning, Eric Fischl, Gay Malin, Chuck Olson, Gene Parulis and Dan Welden. Mitchell Giddings Fine Arts, Brattleboro, ongoing. Info, info@ mitchellgiddingsfinearts.com.

SUZANNE REXFORD-WINSTON: “Change: An exploration through collage,” a first solo exhibition exploring themes of nature through the use of bold patterns and colors. Reception: Thursday, February 5, 4:30-6 p.m. CVMC Art Gallery, Berlin, through March 14. Info, kate.arslambakova@cvmc.org.

SHOW 71: A group show of works by all 23 of the gallery members, including Anne Cogbill Rose, Ned Richardson, Cheryl Betz and Glen Coburn Hutcheson. Reception: Friday, February 6, 4-8 p.m. The Front, Montpelier, February 6-March 1. Info, info@ thefrontvt.com.

Ticket to Ride

There may be no better place for an art exhibition about migration than a former train ticket office. Don’t miss Burlington artist Elliott Katz’s first museum solo show, “The Purpose of Your Trip,” at the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center’s Ticket Gallery. Katz has made subtle tweaks to the space, replacing drawer pulls on wood cabinets with cast-bronze versions of barber tools — replicas of ones his grandparents used in their New Jersey business before they were forcibly moved to a Japanese internment camp in 1942. Katz transforms items that speak to family, history, work and displacement, such as a pair of shovels twisted into a DNA-like double helix. Other objects — replicas of his son’s soccer ball, his U.S. passport — are damaged and repaired with gold using the Japanese technique called kintsugi. Those pieces reference the fear inherent in having a cross-border family today, especially one with inherited trauma. Katz articulates his history with a beautiful command of craft, effortlessly working wood and metal into story form. Though government policies may try to restrict free movement, Katz’s creativity is unfettered.

‘ELLIOTT KATZ: THE PURPOSE OF YOUR TRIP’

On view through March 6 at the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center. brattleboromuseum.org

JARED FRESCHMAN: “Easy Lovers,” a solo show by the New York City artist, who creates jewel-toned colored pencil drawings featuring dreamlike scenes that draw on queer imagery and decorative motifs. Reception: Friday, February 6, 4-8 p.m. Hexum Gallery, Montpelier, February 6-March 20. Info, hexumgallery@gmail.com.

MATTHEW AND MCKENNA DICKERSON: A show of photographs and paintings by the father-in-law and daughter-in-law, including images of wildlife in Alaska and Glacier National Park and close views of the abstract patterns and textures nature has to offer. Reception: Friday, February 6, 5-7 p.m. Jackson Gallery, Town Hall Theater, Middlebury, through March 14. Info, 382-9222.

STUDENT ART SHOW: A show of works by young artists chosen by art educators from Lothrop School, Otter Creek Academy, Barstow Memorial School, Neshobe School and Otter Valley Union Middle and High School. Reception: Friday, February 6, 5-7 p.m. Brandon Artists Guild, through February 28.

SCHUYLER GOULD AND TINA K. OLSEN: “Sky Lights/ Earth Bound 2026,” light fixtures sculpted from repurposed objects and paintings and drawings from life by the two artists. Reception: Friday, February 6, 5-8 p.m. 118 Elliot, Brattleboro, February 6-March 31. Info, 917-860-5749.

‘HELD TOGETHER’: A group exhibition of analog collage, featuring handmade works by 75 artists reflecting the care and patience intrinsic to the medium. Reception: Friday, February 6, 5-9 p.m. The S.P.A.C.E. Gallery, Burlington, February 6-March 20. Info, spacegalleryvt@gmail.com.

EVAN KENNEDY: “Eros II,” a senior capstone project featuring figurative works by the artist. Reception: Friday, February 6, 6 p.m. McCarthy Art Gallery, Saint Michael’s College, Colchester, through February 8. Info, bcollier@smcvt.edu.

‘NURTURING NATIONHOOD: ARTISTIC CONSTRUCTIONS OF AMERICA, 1790–1940’: An exhibition that explores how artists defined, perpetuated and nurtured ideas of nationhood in U.S. and Native American art in the 19th and 20th centuries. Hood Museum, Dartmouth College, Hanover N.H., February 7-August 29. Info, 604-646-2808.

CARIN PALSROK-LILLY: “Hold It (All),” a solo show by the Burlington artist. Reception: Saturday, February 7, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. ATM Gallery, Shelburne, February 7-28. Info, atmgallerydirector@gmail.com.

JOHN CLARKE-OLSON: “From Field to Village,” realistic views of quintessential Vermont, including barns, churches, farmhouses and bridges. Reception: Saturday, February 7, 1-3 p.m. Bryan Fine Art Gallery, Stowe, through March 29. Info, 760-6474.

‘MEMORY FIELDS’: An installation of objects from the permanent collection curated by Museum Anthropology students and exploring how memories and narratives intertwine to create an understanding of the past. Reception: Wednesday, February 11, 5-7 p.m. Fleming Museum of Art, University of Vermont, Burlington, through May 16. Info, 656-0750.

‘PHOTO-SECESSION’: “Painterly Masterworks of Turn-of-the-Century Photography,” an exhibition following the dreamy, evocative works of early 20th-century pioneers in the medium. Reception: Wednesday, February 11, 5-7 p.m. Fleming Museum of Art, University of Vermont, Burlington, February 10-April 18. Info, 656-0750.

ART EVENTS

‘NATURE DRAWING FOR ALL’: The first in a four-part virtual drawing series that explores the natural world through creative expression in a friendly and informative structure. Shelburne Museum, Wednesday, February 4, noon-1 p.m. Free; registration required. Info, 985-3346.

AFTERNOON WITH CURATOR JANET VAN FLEET: An afternoon of informal conversation and viewing

“Double Helix Shovels” by Elliott Katz

COURTESY

of “All Tall” with the sculptor, who curated the show in the Main Gallery. Note that gallery hours will be 12:30-3:30 p.m. on this day. Studio Place Arts, Barre, Thursday, February 5, 12:30-3:30 p.m. Free. Info, 479-7069.

LIFE DRAWING AND PAINTING: A drop-in event for artists working with the figure from a live model. T.W. Wood Museum, Montpelier, Thursday, February 5, 7-9 p.m. Free; $15 suggested donation. Info, 222-0909.

ARTIST CHAT: RACHAEL WELLS: The Waterbury jeweler, inspired by the Vermont landscape, demonstrates how she creates pieces that incorporate metal and stones. Artisans Hand Craft Gallery, Montpelier, Friday, February 6, 4-7 p.m. Free. Info, 229-9492.

MONTPELIER ART WALK: A self-guided arts tour through downtown featuring exhibitions, artist talks, receptions, workshops and live music. Downtown Montpelier, Friday, February 6, 4-8 p.m. Free. Info, info@montpelierartwalk.org.

GRAND REOPENING: A celebration on February’s First Friday, with catering by the Rooted Anchor. Long River Gallery, White River Junction, Friday, February 6, 5-7:30 p.m. Free. Info, art@longrivergallery.com.

CURATORIAL TALK: PHONG BUI AND ALEXANDER

NAGEL: The curator and art historian discuss the exhibition “Singing in Unison, Part 13: Homage to Meyer Schapiro.” Brattleboro Museum & Art Center, Saturday, February 7, 5:30 p.m. Free; registration recommended. Info, 257-0124.

FIGURE DRAWING: Artists at all levels of experience are invited to draw from a live model. Drawing boards and easels provided; participants bring drawing materials. 18-plus; preregistration required. Vermont Studio Center, Johnson, Sunday, February 8, 2-4 p.m. $15; $5 for current VSC residents. Info, 635-2727.

SOCIAL SUNDAY: An opportunity for children and caregivers to stop in and complete a 15- to 30-minute

activity during the two-hour workshop. Milton Artists’ Guild Art Center & Gallery, Sunday, February 8, 1-3 p.m. Free. Info, 891-2014.

PORTRAIT DRAWING AND PAINTING: A drop-in event where artists can practice skills in any medium. T.W. Wood Museum, Montpelier, Monday, February 9, 10 a.m.-noon. Free; $15 suggested donation. Info, 222-0909.

CARVING CIRCLE: A space for printmakers to carve, glue or incise blocks together. Studio tools available; no printing takes place. Two Rivers Printmaking Studio, White River Junction, Tuesday, February 10, 6-8 p.m. Free. Info, 295-5901.

EXHIBITION TOUR: ‘REVOLUTION RECONSIDERED’: A tour with exhibition cocurator Elizabeth Rice Mattison of “Revolution Reconsidered: History, Myth, and Propaganda,” which explores how visual representations of the American Revolution became, and remain, potent carriers of national history and identity. Hood Museum, Dartmouth College, Hanover, N.H., Wednesday, February 11, 12:30-1:30 p.m. Free. Info, 603-646-9660.

ASSETS FOR ARTISTS: ‘ESSENTIALS OF DIGITAL MARKETING’: A Zoom workshop with multidisciplinary artist and communications consultant Francesca Olsen outlining the basics of digital marketing, branding, audience building, social media and website best practices for artists. Register at assetsforartists.org/workshops. Vermont Arts Council, Montpelier, Wednesday, February 11, 2-4 p.m. Free. Info, info@vermontartscouncil.org.

SPRING 2026 KICKOFF PARTY: An opportunity to explore the new exhibitions, including one curated by students and a deep dive into turn-of-the-century photography, and enjoy free refreshments and parking. Fleming Museum of Art, University of Vermont, Burlington, Wednesday, February 11, 5-7 p.m. Free. Info, 656-0750. ➆

music+nightlife

As she took a seat across from a reporter in a Burlington co ee shop, winter sunlight catching her hair, Abbey Berger-Knorr admitted that speaking to others doesn’t come naturally to her.

It was a surprising confession from someone who has hosted multiple podcasts and radio shows, not to mention routinely gotten onstage to perform her own music — a delicate blend of breezy pop and heart-on-sleeve indie, as heard on her latest single, “Right Next to Me.” But Berger-Knorr has learned to get over her shyness, spurred by her curiosity about the creative endeavors of people — and artists in particular — around her.

“I was not a conversationalist when I was young,” said Berger-Knorr, 23, who performs under the moniker Abbey B.K. “I had to learn to be casual and build up the skill to be able to host a show.”

She did that after moving to Vermont in 2020 to attend Champlain College and subsequently joining Burlington’s Big Heavy World, initially as an intern. A nonproﬁt music foundation dedicated to promoting and preserving Vermont music, Big Heavy World o ered Berger-Knorr vital life experience. She soon started hosting its radio station’s local music program, “Rocket Shop,” formerly deejayed by Vermont Green FC announcer Tom Proctor and Burlington Free Press writer and music critic Brent Hallenbeck.

The experience gave her the confidence to launch her own podcast in 2022. Titled “Abstract VT,” the show features all kinds of Vermont creatives, from musicians to business leaders and beyond. Past guests have included fellow singer-songwriter and podcast host Troy Millette, visual artist James Merrill, sports photographer Sara Elizabeth, and journalist Ella Ruehsen. Berger-Knorr has her guests choose five di erent songs that serve as jumping-o points for sprawling, in-depth conversations. Unfortunately, after three decades, Big Heavy World was forced to close up shop in December, a consequence of the Pine Street studio being seriously behind on rent. Between the nonprofit organization’s significant debt and founder Jim Lockridge’s move to Arizona in 2023, the DIY operation became untenable. The closure has scuttled one of the longestrunning and most important resources in the Vermont music scene. And thus, Berger-Knorr has found herself a DJ without a station. Though the closure spelled the end of “Rocket Shop,” the future looks bright for “Abstract VT,” which is still available on major streaming services.

On the Air

BY CHRIS FARNSWORTH • farnsworth@sevendaysvt.com

She sat down with Seven Days recently to chat about the end of “Rocket Shop,” what’s next for “Abstract VT” and helping to document a local music scene.

Big Heavy World going under must have been a real gut punch. Oof. That one hurt, for sure. Losing Big Heavy was just so unfortunate. I learned so many things there and [by] hosting “Rocket

Shop.” It was such a safe, supportive space to pick up the kind of skills I needed to have in order to produce my own show.

As a musician and podcast host, are you concerned about the vacuum created by losing such an integral part of the local music scene? There’s been a lot of anxiety throughout the scene about it, just like with all the

venue closings going on. But I think Big Heavy World’s mission to document Vermont music goes on; I certainly view the podcast similar to that, in its way. I’ve only been doing “Abstract VT” since 2022, but it feels like it’s forming into a sort of historical document of Vermont creatives. I’d love if people 20 years from now were listening back to these episodes to study what the Vermont scene was like. That would be epic.

Is that the primary reason you started the podcast?

It certainly plays a part. If I psychoanalyze myself, I work in PR for my day job, so I spend most of my day trying to work out what will make a message resonate with the general public. I think that’s a part of it, as well. When I ﬁrst moved to Vermont, I felt so taken in by the creative community. I was so inspired by what everyone I met was working on, and I realized just how badly I wanted to talk about it with them. I knew it would be fun, but I didn’t expect to have this kind of passion for it, honestly. I want to use the show as something that can uplift the community in a time where a lot of the old systems seem to be breaking down.

I imagine that being a singersongwriter yourself — who performs and releases music in the community — must inform a lot of what you do on “Abstract VT.”

It deﬁnitely helps me have a pulse-check on what’s going on around the scene, though there can be a balancing act. Before I got so serious with the podcast, I was writing music just about every day. It’s funny, though: It was easier to write sad-girl folk when my life had more problems! But my 2026 goals involve a lot more music making.

Even though your guests aren’t always musicians, you have them bring ﬁve songs to listen to and talk about. Is that just about starting from a common point?

The music is a great way to connect with my guests, especially if I’m not that familiar with them already. I want to ﬁnd the spark in people’s eyes when I’m talking to them, and incorporating their music choices really helps open them up. Some people are less likely to talk about themselves until they get into a song that really resonates with them. It just makes sharing part of yourself less intimidating.

Abbey B.K.

On the Beat

Strafford’s own NOAH KAHAN casually dropped his new single and music video, “The Great Divide,” over the weekend. Just kidding, there was nothing casual about it. The singer-songwriter partnered with Mastercard to premiere the video during the broadcast of the 68th annual Grammy Awards, in keeping with Kahan’s general vibe of epicness and clever corporate sponsorship. (Have you sampled his black cherry Culture Pop soda? I enjoyed it more than the Stick Season candle he put out a while ago — too piney!)

The video features the singersongwriter strolling through a convenience store, reminiscing about a lost friendship over a mid-tempo, rootsrock arrangement.

“This song in particular is really

about two people who grew up together, but maybe didn’t know each other as well as they thought,” Kahan told People in a recent interview. “A lot of my life recently has been realizing the things I wish I could have said to people and the things I wish I could have done differently, and so this song is kind of just an expansion of that.”

The advance single is also the name of Kahan’s forthcoming record, The Great Divide, due out on April 24. It’s the follow-up to his massively successful breakout LP, Stick Season, released all the way back in 2022.

Check out “The Great Divide” on YouTube.

Speaking of southern Vermont musicians, KYLE THOMAS, aka KING TUFF, is back! And not just with new music — the indie-rock singer-songwriter and guitarist has moved back to the Green Mountain State after 14 years in Los Angeles. To celebrate his homecoming, the Brattleboro native dropped a new single and video, “Twisted on a Train,” that is about exactly what it sounds like: getting too fucked up on a train ride.

The track is a fuzzed-out rocker and represents something of a reset for Thomas, who launched his King Tuff career in 2008 with the heavy, psych-rock sounds of Was Dead. 2023’s Smalltown Stardust was a more exploratory affair, as was 2018’s The Other. “Twisted on a Train” and the forthcoming album MOO, dropping on March 27, see Thomas whipping out his

Barre

King Tuff

Noah Kahan

With Big Heavy World closing, the studio is also gone. RIP, “Rocket Shop”! But what does that mean for “Abstract VT”?

RIP, “Rocket Shop.” So sad! But I’m also really excited for what’s going on with the podcast. One of my big goals for this year was to take what I loved about doing “Rocket Shop” — having artists play live in studio — and bring that to “Abstract VT.” So, starting on February 22, I’m doing a monthly live version of the show at the Venetian Soda Lounge in Burlington. There’s going to be three acts, and I’ll interview each of them for about 15 minutes, followed by a 30-minute performance. It’s a ticketed show open to the public, and we’ll be recording video and audio. All the content will get shared across “Abstract VT” socials and other platforms. I honestly can’t wait.

I’D LOVE IF PEOPLE 20 YEARS FROM NOW WERE LISTENING BACK TO THESE EPISODES TO STUDY WHAT THE VERMONT SCENE WAS LIKE.

ABBEY BERGER-KNORR

Any dream guests for 2026?

Not really. I mean, I wouldn’t mind talking to someone like Noah Kahan, obviously. But my favorite episodes are always what I call the “hidden gem” episodes. Vermont is a place where all these highly creative people come and hide in the woods; you have to uncover them a little. There’s nothing cooler than having a conversation with someone and wondering, How did I not already know about this? If someone is doing some kind of cool, niche artistic thing, I’m like, I have to talk to you! ➆

This interview was edited for clarity and length.

INFO

Abbey

trusty Gibson SG and Marshall stack to bring the ruckus once more.

“I stopped caring if there were mistakes,” Thomas wrote about his new music in an email. “There’s not enough mistakes. I wish it sounded even worse. Rock & Roll is the music of rodents and bugs. It should sound like it crept from a decrepit trashcan or a crypt or a toilet.”

Hell, yes. Watch the video for “Twisted on a Train” on YouTube. Thomas has two homecoming shows scheduled to celebrate the new record: May 19 at the Higher Ground Showcase Lounge in South Burlington and May 23 at the Stone Church in Brattleboro.

Indie-soul and R&B duo DWIGHT + NICOLE announced their soon-to-drop record, Day or Night , back in December with an advance single release — a cover of ’80s synth-pop act YAZ ’s “Only You.”

It was an early indicator that the new album would see the band, which includes drummer EZRA OKLAN and keyboardist LEON CAMPOS , branching out sonically.

With the record due on March 20, Dwight + Nicole have shared another advance single: the title track.

The song was “an unusual composition,” according to vocalist and bassist NICOLE NELSON, who explained that she and DWIGHT RITCHER, her cowriter and partner, got inventive with the writing. “It started out as

Shows to Watch Out For

BY CHRIS FARNSWORTH

Listening In

(Spotify mix of local jams)

1. “BIRD IN A CAGE” by Swale

2. “COVERED BRIDGE”

three di erent song ideas that slowly combined into a single tune,” she said in an email.

“I found the process of creating Day or Night to be about looking inward,” she continued. “Reﬂecting my inner and not outer world.”

“Day or Night” is available now on major streaming services. Dwight + Nicole play an album-release show on March 20 at the Higher Ground Showcase Lounge in South Burlington. CHRIS FARNSWORTH

1. Nomfusi at Chandler Center for the Arts in Randolph, February 13; the Flynn in Burlington, February 14

2. Gogol Bordello at MTELUS in Montréal, February 19

3. Candlebox at Aura in Portland, Maine, February 25

4. Ilana Glazer at Vermont Comedy Club in Burlington, March 24. Sold out

5. Alton Brown at Paramount eatre in Rutland, April 12

7. King Tuff at the Higher Ground Showcase Lounge in South Burlington, May 19 Burlington,

6. Weedeater at the Stone Church in Brattleboro, April 20

by Greaseface

“HARD TRUTH” by Konﬂik, Reks

“FISH ON” by Flywlkr

“FREE MONEY” by Eric George

“POP STAR CLUB NIGHT” by Roost.World

by Grace Palmer

B.K. hosts “Abstract VT” live on Sunday, February 22, 7 p.m., at the Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge in Burlington. $10.

Dwight + Nicole

Nomfusi

Ilana Glazer

Candlebox

Job of theWeek HIGHWAY SUPERVISOR

Town of Lincoln, VT

Get the scoop on the Town of Lincoln’s position from town administrator Patricia Waugh

What are some speciﬁc challenges of this position and why is it important?

In the Town of Lincoln, the Highway Supervisor must combine strong team leadership with careful administrative oversight in a challenging rural and mountainous environment. e role requires supervising and supporting a small, dedicated crew—training, scheduling, and maintaining morale during long hours, winter storms, and emergency responses— while leading by example in the ﬁeld. At the same time, the supervisor is responsible for adhering to approved budgets, tracking expenditures, and ensuring compliance with grant requirements and reporting obligations. Balancing these administrative duties with hands-on supervision and daily operations is essential to keeping the department effective, accountable, and responsive to community needs year-round.

What is unique about working for the Town of Lincoln?

Working for the Town of Lincoln is unique because it offers the opportunity to serve a small, close-knit rural community where collaboration, trust, and adaptability are essential. Town employees work closely with one another and with residents, often wearing multiple hats and seeing the direct results of their efforts every day. Set in a beautiful but challenging Vermont landscape, the work is hands-on, meaningful, and community-focused, with a shared commitment to public service, problem-solving, and taking pride in keeping Lincoln safe, resilient, and running smoothly.

Apply for this great local job and many more: jobs.sevendaysvt.com

CLUB DATES

live music

WED.4

Big ief Night (tribute) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 8 p.m. $10.

Celtic Session (Celtic) at Bent Nails Roadhouse, Middlesex, 6 p.m. Free.

Jazz Mandolin Project (jazz fusion) at Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington, 7 p.m. SOLD OUT.

Jazz Night with Ray Vega (jazz) at Hotel Vermont, Burlington, 8:30 p.m. Free.

Jazz Sessions (jazz) at the 126, Burlington, 9 p.m. Free.

Ryan Sweezey (singersongwriter) at American Flatbread Burlington Hearth, 6 p.m. Free.

Skunk Sessions (Grateful Dead tribute) at Zenbarn, Waterbury Center, 7 p.m. $12.19.

THU.5

Bluegrass & BBQ (bluegrass) at Four Quarters Brewing, Winooski, 6:30 p.m. Free.

Eric George (folk) at the Skinny Pancake, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

James Shelley (covers) at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction, 6 p.m. Free.

moe. (jam) at Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington, 7 p.m. $48.28.

Seth Yacovone (acoustic) at Black Flannel Brewing & Distilling, Essex, 6 p.m. Free.

SPATTIK, Mother of Pearl (indie pop) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 8 p.m. $10.

e Tom Hamilton Band (singer-songwriter) at Pickle Barrel Nightclub, Killington, 8 p.m. $24.57.

Young Tradition Touring Group (folk) at Citizen Cider Press House Pub, Burlington, 5 p.m. Free.

Zach Nugent (Grateful Dead tribute) at Hugo’s, Montpelier, 7:30 p.m. Free.

FRI.6

e Balconiers (jazz, funk) at the Alchemist, Stowe, 4 p.m. Free.

Bare Bones (rock) at the Old Post, South Burlington, 8 p.m. Free. Coane, Rowell & Schabner (jazz) at Jericho Café & Tavern, 7 p.m. Free.

Colin McCaffrey & Friends (indie pop) at Hugo’s, Montpelier, 7:30 p.m. Free.

Dead Man Strumming (Grateful Dead tribute) at River Roost Brewery, White River Junction, 5 p.m. Free.

Eric George (folk) at Hotel Vermont, Burlington, 4 p.m. Free. Gary & Roland Clark, Carrie Cook (folk) at the Whammy Bar, Calais, 7:30 p.m. Free.

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.

Nico Suave & the Mothership (Led Zeppelin tribute) at Zenbarn, Waterbury Center, 8 p.m. $15/$18.

The Howling

Formed by three actual siblings in 2013, the WOLFF SISTERS started out as an acoustic trio, playing clubs and co eehouses around the Boston area. They took their sound to another level when they dropped Cahoon Hollow in 2018, adding drums and bass and establishing a gritty, rock-leaning type of folk. Pairing soulful, soaring harmonies and songwriting that channels both classic rock and gothic Americana, the group’s most recent album, Dark River, has equal parts Bruce Springsteen and Brandi Carlile in its DNA. The Wol Sisters play Zenbarn in Waterbury Center on Friday, February 6, with Burlington folkgrass act MARSH LIGHTS

Ghosts of Jupiter with Nate Wilson (prog rock) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 11:30 p.m. $15/$30. e Hitmen (covers) at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction, 9 p.m. Free.

Jaded Ravins (Americana) at Two Heroes Brewery & Public House, South Hero, 6:30 p.m. Free.

Joe Something, Danny & the Parts (rock, Americana) at Monkey House, Winooski, 8 p.m. $10.

Josh Panda (singer-songwriter) at Citizen Cider Press House Pub, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

Koanesce (indie) at 14th Star Brewing, St. Albans, 7 p.m. $10. KRAMBAM (rock) at Light Club Lamp Shop, Burlington, 7 p.m. $10.

Mean Waltons (bluegrass) at Poultney Pub, 6 p.m. Free. moe. (jam) at Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington, 7 p.m. $48.28.

Paul Webb (piano) at Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

Pink Talking Fish (covers) at the Stone Church, Brattleboro, 7 p.m. $34.99/$42.

Pulse (covers) at Pickle Barrel Nightclub, Killington, 8 p.m. $10.

Rap Night Burlington (hip-hop) at Drink, Burlington, 9 p.m. $5.

Satyrdagg (jazz, rock) at CharlieO’s World Famous, Montpelier, 8:30 p.m. Free.

Shane McGrath (acoustic) at Gusto’s, Barre, 6 p.m. Free.

Silver Bridget, Connor Young (jazz) at Foam Brewers, Burlington, 8 p.m. Free.

Tim Brick (covers) at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction, 5 p.m. Free.

Wild Pink, Dead Gowns (indie rock) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 9 p.m. $20/$25.

e Wolff Sisters, Marsh Lights (Americana) at Zenbarn, Waterbury Center, 7 p.m. $20/$25.

SAT.7

Bob and Mona (folk) at Jericho Café & Tavern, 7 p.m. Free.

Cheddar (jam) at the Alchemist, Stowe, 5 p.m. Free.

Clive, Cal Humberto (jam, rock) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 8:30 p.m. $10.

CombustOmatics (rock) at the Whammy Bar, Calais, 7:30 p.m. Free.

Dead Ahead (Grateful Dead tribute) at the Stone Church, Brattleboro, 7 p.m. $25/$31.

Dead Men Strumming (Grateful Dead tribute) at Tower Bar, Jay, 4 p.m. Free.

e Discussions, MOMDAD (jazz) at Monkey House, Winooski, 7:30 p.m. $10.

Evan David Warner (singersongwriter) at Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge, Burlington, 8 p.m. Free.

Evan Jennison (Americana, pop) at Afterthoughts, Waitsﬁeld, 8:30 p.m. Free.

Ghosts of Jupiter with Nate Wilson (prog rock) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 11:30 p.m. $15/$30. Green Mountain Sound (indie rock) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 7 p.m. $10.

HiFi (electronica, funk) at Hugo’s, Montpelier, 7:30 p.m. Free.

Justice 3 (covers) at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction, 9 p.m. Free.

Loose Monkeys (folk) at Switchback Beer Garden & Smokehouse, Burlington, 5:30 p.m. Free.

moe. (jam) at Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington, 7 p.m. $48.28.

New Lost Nation (bluegrass) at the Den at Harry’s Hardware, Cabot, 7 p.m. Free.

ok commuter (indie) at 1st Republic Brewing, Essex, 6 p.m. Free.

Old Friends Band (rock) at the Bullwheel Bar, Jay, 4 p.m. Free.

Outnumbered, Born Cursed, Low Tide, Migra Muerto, Airport Park (hardcore) at Burlington Odd Fellows Hall, 6:30 p.m. $10.

Portittor, Tabarnak, Cellar Door (emo, punk) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 7 p.m. $10.

Pulse (covers) at Pickle Barrel Nightclub, Killington, 8 p.m. $10.

Shane’s Apothecary (covers) at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction, 5 p.m. Free.

Shawn Young (rockabilly) at Charlie-O’s World Famous, Montpelier, 8:30 p.m. Free.

Switchel (bluegrass) at Two Heroes Brewery & Public House, South Hero, 6:30 p.m. Free.

Your Spirit Dies, Voices in Vain, Pure Bliss, Creedbratton (metal) at Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington, 7 p.m. $19.78.

SUN.8

Seth Yacovone (acoustic) at the Alchemist, Stowe, 4 p.m. Free.

Sunday Brunch Tunes (singersongwriter) at Hotel Vermont, Burlington, 10 a.m.

TUE.10

Big Easy Tuesdays with Jon McBride (jazz) at the 126, Burlington, 9 p.m. Free.

Bluegrass Jam (bluegrass) at Poultney Pub, 7 p.m. Free.

Dead Is Alive with Dobbs’ Dead (Grateful Dead tribute) at Einstein’s Tap House, Burlington, 8 p.m. $15.

Honky Tonk Tuesday with Wild Leek River (country) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 9 p.m. $10.

John Lackard Blues Duo (blues) at Lawson’s Finest Liquids, Waitsﬁeld, 5:30 p.m. Free.

WED.11

Compa, Cotter, & Chuck (jam) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 8:30 p.m. $10.

Jazz Night with Ray Vega (jazz) at Hotel Vermont, Burlington, 8:30 p.m. Free.

Jazz Sessions (jazz) at the 126, Burlington, 9 p.m. Free.

Paddy Reagan Trio (indie) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 6 p.m. $10.

djs

THU.5

DJ Two Sev, JP Black (DJ) at Red Square, Burlington, 8 p.m. Free.

Vinyl Night (DJ) at Poultney Pub, 6 p.m. Free.

FRI.6

Aidan, DJ Aras (DJ) at Red Square Blue Room, Burlington, 9 p.m. Free.

DJ LaFountaine (DJ) at Gusto’s, Barre, 9 p.m. Free.

DJ Taka (DJ) at Light Club Lamp Shop, Burlington, 11 p.m. $10/$15.

DJ Two Rivers (DJ) at Rí Rá Irish Pub & Whiskey Room, Burlington, 10 p.m. Free.

DJ Two Sev, Ron Stoppable (DJ) at Red Square, Burlington, 8 p.m. Free.

Friday Night at Specs (DJ) at Specs Cafe & Bar, Winooski, 7 p.m. Free.

SAT.7

DJ Collin Hagood (DJ) at Foam Brewers, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

DJ NewCity (DJ) at Rí Rá Irish Pub & Whiskey Room, Burlington, 10 p.m. Free.

DJ Raul, Chaston (DJ) at Red Square Blue Room, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

DJ Raul, DJ Chaston (DJ) at Red Square Blue Room, Burlington, 9 p.m. Free.

Erotic Electronic with Kate Kush (DJ) at Light Club Lamp Shop, Burlington, 10 p.m. $10.

Mr Cheng, DJ Chaston, DJ Aras (DJ) at Red Square, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

TUE.10

Bashment Tuesday (DJ) at Akes’ Place, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

open mics & jams

WED.4

Burlington Stands With Minneapolis: Open Mic Protest Music (open mic) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

Open Mic (open mic) at Moscow Mill Studios, East Calais, 6 p.m. Donation.

Open Mic (open mic) at Poultney Pub, 7 p.m. Free.

e Ribbit Review Open Mic & Jam (open mic) at Lily’s Pad, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

THU.5

Open Mic (open mic) at the Whammy Bar, Calais, 7 p.m. Free.

FRI.6

Red Brick Coffee House (open mic) at Red Brick Meeting House, Westford, 7 p.m. Free.

SUN.8

Olde Time Jam Session (open jam) at the Den at Harry’s Hardware, Cabot, noon. Free.

FRI.6 // THE WOLFF SISTERS [AMERICANA]

Jericho’s Erin Bentlage Wins ird Grammy

BY CHRIS FARNSWORTH • farnsworth@sevendaysvt.com

Several Vermonters had a chance to take home the top prize in music at the 68th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday.

Barre native Adam Tendler’s album Inheritances was nominated for Best Classical Instrumental Solo, marking the composer and pianist’s ﬁrst solo Grammy nod. Waitsﬁeld’s Grace Potter also snagged a nomination, her fourth, for her duet with Maggie Rose, “Poison in My Well,” which was up for Best Americana Performance. And Jericho native Erin Bentlage was hoping for a remarkable third Grammy win in three years with her Los Angeles group säje for Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals.

In the end, only Bentlage went home with the glory, as säje did indeed make it three for three. e a cappella group, formed by Bentlage, Sara Gazarek, Johnaye Kendrick and Amanda Taylor in 2019, won the Grammy for “Big Fish,” a collaboration with composer, producer and drummer Nate Smith. (Smith is set to play the Vermont Jazz Center in Brattleboro on Saturday, February 21.)

While Tendler and Potter didn’t come away with trophies — losing to Yo-Yo Ma and Mavis Staples, respectively — their nominations continue a strong run for Vermont artists, as the likes of Noah Kahan, Caroline Rose, Anaïs Mitchell and even U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) have been up for Grammys in recent years. ➆

Obi

this

the Voicegod, A.B.A.M II: No Way Through

(JIGGY VIBES ENTERTAINMENT, DIGITAL)

Album sequels are a long-standing tradition in rap music, but they seldom measure up to the originals. In fact, they’re often cynical disappointments attempting to convert nostalgia into quick cash. Yet when it works — think Dr. Dre’s 2001 (aka The Chronic 2001) or Jay-Z’s Blueprint2: The Gift & the Curse — the results can reshape the genre. (Well, at least for the next two years or so. Fashion is a ﬁckle thing.)

Which brings us to Castleton’s Obi the Voicegod, the Nigerian-born artist who has emerged at the forefront of Vermont’s new wave of hip-hop talent. His 2023 LP, African Born American Made, was a breakthrough release that honed all of his God-given talent and studio savvy into a remarkably mature album. His 2025 sequel, A.B.A.M II: No Way Through, is another knockout. This is a tight, cohesive collection of club-ready bangers elevated by Obi’s vision, voice and musicality.

bridge, it’s pure goose bumps. The hook is outstanding, too, and the shaky soprano of singer Wes makes a perfect counterpoint. Befitting a sequel, Obi brings back some collaborators from the first LP. “M.A.F (feat. rivan)” — that’s “Mad as Fuck” — closes with a showstopping verse from rivan, and “Fifa (feat. Fareedwontlose)” spotlights a hilariously brash verse from Fareedwontlose. Both performances smartly emphasize how laid-back and sly Obi’s confident delivery is by comparison.

That said, most of the best songs here Obi carries alone. The downbeat love ballad “Adam and Eve,” the brilliant slow burn of party anthem “Check It,” and the personal testimony on “Excuse Me” are all album highlights.

Oh, and his personality. From the jump, opening cut “Grizzly” reintroduces a young artist with an old soul — triumphant, worldweary and self-deprecating all at once. “So sick of attitudes even though I’ve got one too,” as he puts it in the second verse.

It’s a mighty strong single, but the next cut is even better. On “Zen Zone (feat. Wes),” Obi continues to explore the outer ranges of his distinctive baritone. When he harmonizes with the subwoofers on the

After a few spins of the new record, I obviously had to revisit the original — and I’m glad I did. It is impressive how similar the overall sound is on both albums: huge, bass-heavy mixes that sound deceptively sparse but never stop introducing new elements and ideas. No Way Through, then, is a clear continuation that ﬁnds the artist even more assured and experimental. The songs are catchy and familiar, but the details are delightfully surprising. As a music critic, I am contractually obligated to speculate about possible new directions for Obi the Voicegod, but the man doesn’t need to change a single damn thing. He’s found his lane and perfected his sound, and if A.B.A.M III is up next, I’ll be ﬁrst in line to check it out.

A.B.A.M II: No Way Through is available on major streaming platforms.

JUSTIN BOLAND

Erin Bentlage (front) with säje

MON.9

Monday Night Open Mic (open mic) at Pearl Street Pub, Essex Junction, 6 p.m. Free.

TUE.10

Doug’s Open Mic (open mic) at Two Heroes Brewery & Public House, South Hero, 6 p.m. Free. Open Mic Tuesdays with Dan and Dan (open mic) at Jay Peak Resort, 5 p.m. Free.

WED.11

Open Mic (open mic) at Poultney Pub, 7 p.m. Free.

comedy

WED.4

$5 Improv Night (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 6:30 p.m. $5. Standup Open Mic (comedy open mic) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 8:30 p.m. Free.

THU.5

Chris Higgins (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 6:30 p.m. $25. Live, Laugh, Lava: A Comedy Open Mic (comedy open mic) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

Strapped-In: A Queer Comedy Showcase (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 8:30 p.m. $15.

FRI.6

Chris Higgins (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 6:30 & 8:30 p.m. $25. Comedy Open Mic (comedy open mic) at the Den at Harry’s Hardware, Cabot, 8 p.m. Free.

SAT.7

Chris Higgins (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 6:30 & 8:30 p.m. $25.

TUE.10

All That Jazz Open Mic Comedy (comedy) at the 126, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

WED.11

$5 Improv Night (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 6:30 p.m. $5. Standup Open Mic (comedy open mic) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 8:30 p.m. Free.

trivia, karaoke, etc.

WED.4

Karaoke Friday Night (karaoke) at Park Place Tavern & Grill, Essex Junction, 8 p.m. Free.

Karaoke with Autumn (karaoke) at Monopole, Plattsburgh, N.Y., 9 p.m. Free.

Trivia (trivia) at Two Heroes Brewery & Public House, South Hero, 6 p.m. Free.

Trivia (trivia) at Alfie’s Wild Ride, Stowe, 7 p.m. Free.

Trivia (trivia) at Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

Trivia (trivia) at Rí Rá Irish Pub & Whiskey Room, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

THU.5

Country Line Dancing (line dancing) at Zenbarn, Waterbury Center, 7:30 p.m. Free.

Karaoke Friday Night (karaoke) at Park Place Tavern & Grill, Essex Junction, 8 p.m. Free.

Trivia (trivia) at Einstein’s Tap House, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

Trivia Night (trivia) at 1st Republic Brewing, Essex, 6 p.m. Free.

FRI.6

Boogie Bingo (bingo, DJ) at the Alchemist, Stowe, 5 p.m. Free.

Karaoke Friday Night (karaoke) at Park Place Tavern & Grill, Essex Junction, 8 p.m. Free.

The Bong Remains the Same

Seemingly cut from the stoner-comic cloth of Doug Benson and any assortment of Seth Rogen characters, Chicago comedian CHRIS HIGGINS has a sharper wit and edge than he lets on at first. His material ranges from documenting the daily challenges of being high in public to the absurdity of calling someone your “landlord.” His album Good Boy debuted at No. 1 on Apple Music in 2022, and his online sketch series “God & Angel” has amassed more than 1.6 million followers. Higgins brings his “Comedy Quest” tour to Vermont Comedy Club in Burlington for a five-set run this Thursday, February 5, to Saturday, February 7.

‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Viewing Party (watch party) at Einstein’s Tap House, Burlington, 8 p.m. Free.

Sex With Jenna: Dating Show (dating game) at Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington, 6:30 p.m. SOLD OUT.

Two nights of frosty festivities on February 27 and 28. See hotelvt.com/ice-bar-2026 for details and tickets.

MON.9

Fighting Game Community Biweekly with WNFC (gaming) at Lumière Hall, Burlington Beer, 4 p.m. $5.

Retro Game Night (gaming) at the Den at Harry’s Hardware, Cabot, 6 p.m. Free.

Trivia Monday (trivia) at Black Flannel Brewing & Distilling, Essex, 6 p.m. Free.

Trivia Monday with Top Hat Entertainment (trivia) at McKee’s Original, Winooski, 7 p.m. Free.

Trivia with Brain (trivia) at Charlie-O’s World Famous, Montpelier, 8 p.m. Free.

Trivia with Craig Mitchell (trivia) at Monkey House, Winooski, 7 p.m. Free.

TUE.10

Karaoke with DJ Party Bear (karaoke) at Charlie-O’s World Famous, Montpelier, 9:30 p.m. Free.

Taproom Trivia (trivia) at 14th Star Brewing, St. Albans, 6:30 p.m. Free.

Trivia Night (trivia) at Gusto’s, Barre, 6:30 p.m. Free.

Trivia Night: Olympic Edition (trivia) at Switchback Beer Garden & Smokehouse, Burlington, 5 p.m. Free.

Trivia Tuesday (trivia) at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction, 7 p.m. Free.

Tuesday Trivia (trivia) at Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

WED.11

Can’t Help Falling Love With WRUV Karaoke (karaoke) at Light Club Lamp Shop, Burlington, 8 p.m. Free.

Karaoke Friday Night (karaoke) at Park Place Tavern & Grill, Essex Junction, 8 p.m. Free.

SAT.7

Queeraoke with Goddess (karaoke) at Standing Stone Wines, Winooski, 9 p.m. Free.

SUN.8

Family-Friendly Karaoke (karaoke) at Old Soul Design

Sunday Funday (games) at 1st Republic Brewing, Essex, noon. Free.

Sunday Night Trivia (trivia) at the Lazy Goat Tavern, Essex, 6 p.m. Free.

Trivia (trivia) at Zenbarn, Waterbury Center, 5:30 p.m. Free.

Venetian Karaoke (karaoke) at Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

Karaoke with Autumn (karaoke) at Monopole, Plattsburgh, N.Y., 9 p.m. Free.

Trivia (trivia) at Alfie’s Wild Ride, Stowe, 7 p.m. Free.

Trivia (trivia) at Rí Rá Irish Pub & Whiskey Room, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free. ➆

THU.5-SAT.7 // CHRIS HIGGINS [COMEDY]

calendar

FEBRUARY 4-11, 2026

WED.4

activism

DISABLED ACCESS & ADVOCACY OF THE RUTLAND AREA MONTHLY ZOOM MEETING: Community members gather online to advocate for accessibility and other disability-rights measures. 11:30 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 779-9021.

VERMONT WOMEN’S MENTOR TRAINING: Mercy Connections facilitates this five-week program for prospective mentors seeking to provide guidance, encouragement and support to women affected by the criminal justice system. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Free. Info, 846-7164.

business

‘LEGAL STRATEGIES FOR SEPARATING BUSINESS & PERSONAL LIFE’: Experts from the Vermont Small Business Law Center at Vermont Law & Graduate School outline how to keep affairs in order using tools such as contracts and insurance. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 860-1417, ext. 112.

VERMONT WOMENPRENEURS BIZ BUZZ ZOOM: A monthly virtual networking meetup provides a space for female business owners to connect. 10-11 a.m.

Free; preregister. Info, 870-0903‬.

community

FARMERS NIGHT CONCERT SERIES: ‘STORIES FROM THE WOODS’: Listeners get carried away by a curated story hour focusing on the great outdoors. House Chamber, Vermont Statehouse, Montpelier, 7:30 p.m. Free. Info, 279-5558.

crafts

YARN & YAK: A weekly club for fiber fanatics of all skill levels makes knitting and crocheting more sociable. Milton Artists’ Guild Art Center & Gallery, 5-7 p.m. Free. Info, 999-0516.

YARN CRAFTERS GROUP: A drop-in meetup welcomes knitters, crocheters, spinners, weavers and other fiber artists. BYO snacks and drinks. Must Love Yarn, Shelburne, 5-7 p.m. Free. Info, 448-3780.

dance

‘DANCING UPHILL’: Dance program students take the stage for a stunning exploration of the rigor and collaboration that goes into choreography. University of Vermont, Cohen Hall for the Integrative Creative Arts, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $10-15. Info, theatreanddance@ uvm.edu.

These community event listings are sponsored by the WaterWheel Foundation, a project of the Vermont band Phish.

LIST YOUR UPCOMING EVENT HERE FOR FREE!

All submissions must be received by Thursday at noon for consideration in the following Wednesday’s newspaper. Find our convenient form and guidelines at sevendaysvt.com/postevent

Listings and spotlights are written by Rebecca Driscoll Seven Days edits for space and style. Depending on cost and other factors, classes and workshops may be listed in either the calendar or the classes section. Class organizers may be asked to purchase a class listing.

Learn more about highlighted listings in the Magnificent 7 on page 11.

Guild Hall, Burlington, 7-8:30 p.m. Free. Info, 318-4231.

etc.

CHAMP MASTERS

TOASTMASTERS CLUB: Those looking to strengthen their speaking and leadership skills gain new tools. Virtual option available. Dealer.com, Burlington, 6-7:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, cdmvt47@ yahoo.com.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section.

‘GONE GUYS’: The eye-opening documentary spotlighting the struggles of young men draws on Richard V. Reeves’ 2022 nonfiction book, Of Boys and Men. A community discussion follows. Bennington Theater, 6-8 p.m. Free; donations accepted; preregister. Info, 500-5500.

food & drink

COMMUNITY COOKING: Helping hands join up with the nonprofit’s staff and volunteers to make a yummy meal for distribution. Pathways Vermont, Burlington, 6-8 p.m. Free. Info, 777-8691.

CUPPA ON CAMPUS: Community members mingle over tea and coffee, swapping bright ideas for the property. The Creative Campus at Goddard, Plainfield, 8-10 a.m. Free. Info, 821-0741.

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.

DAD GUILD FITNESS NIGHT: Fathers stretch, exercise in a gamified fitness session, earn points as a group, then stretch again and talk about what hurts. Bring sneakers, exercise clothes and a water bottle. The

RECOVERY DHARMA: Folks struggling with addiction gather weekly for an evening of meditation, topical readings and open discussion in a supportive environment. First United Methodist Church, Burlington, 6-7 p.m. Free. Info, 825-1815.

holidays

SEEK THE LOVE SCAVENGER

HUNT: Citizens stroll the city’s historic streets to find hidden objects in Valentine’s Day-themed window displays at participating businesses, then collect prizes. Downtown St. Albans. Free. Info, 524-1500.

language

ELL CLASSES: Fletcher Free Library invites learners of all abilities to practice written and spoken English with trained instructors. 6:30-8 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, bshatara@ burlingtonvt.gov.

SPANISH CONVERSATION: Fluent and beginner speakers brush up on their vocabulario with a discussion led by a Spanish teacher. Presented by Dorothy Alling Memorial Library. 5-6 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, programs@damlvt.org.

music

ABLAYE CISSOKO & CYRILLE

BROTTO: A Senegalese griot master and a French accordionist take the stage for an uplifting concert melding the deep traditions of their different musical cultures. Haybarn Theatre, the Creative Campus at Goddard, Plainfield, 8 p.m. $39-49. Info, 821-0741.

APRIL VERCH & JOE NEWBERRY: A traditional music duo masterfully blends harmony singing, breathtaking instrumentals and dancing for a concert experience to remember. A vegetarian potluck is offered at 6 p.m. Treewild House Concerts, Shelburne, 7-9 p.m. $25. Info, treewild.inc@gmail.com.

ORPHEUS CHAMBER ORCHESTRA: Pianist Marc-André Hamelin joins the Grammy-winning ensemble for a bold program reimagining classics by Franz Liszt, Frédéric Chopin and Franz Schubert. Spaulding Auditorium, Hopkins Center for the Arts, Dartmouth College, Hanover, N.H., 7:30-9:30 p.m. $40-65. Info, 603-646-2422.

Desideraggio guides attendees in identifying local flora. Audubon Vermont Sugarhouse, Richmond, 10 a.m. $10-15; preregister. Info, info@citymarket.coop.

politics

WELCOME BACK LEGISLATORS

RECEPTION: Neighbors join chamber members, sponsors and state legislators for an evening of conversation, networking and community building. Capitol Plaza Hotel & Conference Center, Montpelier, 5-7 p.m. Free. Info, 229-5711.

sports

GREEN MOUNTAIN TABLE TENNIS

CLUB: Ping-Pong players block, chop and lob 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

NATURALIST JOURNEYS SERIES:

KASSIA RANDZIO & ERIN DE

VRIES: In “River Conservation in a Floodier Future,” two reps from Vermont River Conservancy offer a behind-the-scenes look at the science, mapping and stories behind protecting the state’s waterways. Virtual option available. North Branch Nature Center, Montpelier, 6:30-8 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 229-6206.

WINTER SPEAKER SERIES: KATE MASUR: A Northwestern University professor illuminates how constitutional changes of the Reconstruction era shaped aspects of our lives today in “The Surprising History of an American Founding Concept,” hosted by Vermont Humanities. 7-8:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 262-2626.

theater

‘THE WORLD IS NOT SILENT’: Northern Stage mounts Don Nguyen’s funny and poignant play exploring the profound ways in which language can both divide and unite us. Byrne Theater, Barrette Center for the Arts, White River Junction, 7:30 p.m. $10-80. Info, 296-7000.

words

THE HUMP DAY WRITING GROUP:

stories about its impact, and show support for requests to protect and strengthen it. Vermont Statehouse, Montpelier, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 865-0255.

cannabis

UNDERSTANDING CANNABIS WITH DR. RILEY KIRK: A Vermont State University-Castleton professor guides curious minds in personalizing their cannabis experience with excerpts from her new book, Reefer Wellness. Phoenix Books, Rutland, 6:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 855-8078.

crafts

KNIT FOR YOUR NEIGHBORS: All ages and abilities knit or crochet hats and scarves for the South Burlington Food Shelf. Materials provided. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 2-5 p.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

KNITTING GROUP: Knitters of every experience level get together to spin yarns. Latham Library, Thetford, 7 p.m. Free. Info, 785-4361.

WOODWORKING LAB: Visionaries create a project or learn a new skill with the help of mentors and access to makerspace tools and equipment. Patricia A. Hannaford Career Center, Middlebury, 5-8 p.m. $7.50. Info, 382-1012.

dance

‘DANCING UPHILL’: See WED.4.

environment

BTV CLEAN UP CREW: Good Samaritans dispose of needles, trash and other unwanted objects. BYO gloves encouraged. Top of Church St., Burlington, 7:30-10 a.m. Free. Info, 863-2345.

‘DECARBONIZING THE HOME YOU HAVE’: Vermont Energy Investment Corporation director of engineering Brian Just shares practical, budget-friendly steps to help improve the carbon footprint of existing abodes. Hosted by Vermont Green Building Network. Noon-1 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 735-2192.

etc.

FIND MORE LOCAL EVENTS IN THIS ISSUE AND ONLINE: art

Find visual art exhibits and events in the Art section and at sevendaysvt.com/art.

film

See what’s playing in the On Screen section.

music + nightlife

Find club dates at local venues in the Music + Nightlife section online at sevendaysvt.com/music.

= ONLINE EVENT

= GET TICKETS ON

ST. J BLUEGRASS JAM: Players and fans get together for some old-time picking and fiddling.

St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church of St. Johnsbury, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Free; donations accepted. Info, 748-2600.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT WINTER

MUSIC SERIES: MICHAEL CHORNEY & MIRIAM BERNARDO:

A multi-instrumentalist and a vocalist team up to perform a dynamic program of works by Paul Bowles, Sun Ra and Kurt Weill. The Tillerman, Bristol, 6:30-8 p.m. Free. Info, 643-2237.

outdoors

TREE ID & NATURAL HISTORY

TOUR: Naturalist Gene O.

Wordsmiths who delight in nonfiction convene for company, accountability and support in achieving their writing goals. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 2-4 p.m. Free. Info, nathaniel.eisen@gmail.com.

MILLENNIALS RUIN BOOK

CLUB: Voracious readers of a certain age hop on a casual Zoom meeting to share what titles they’ve been enjoying recently. Hosted by South Burlington Public Library. 5:30-6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

THU.5

activism

3SQUARESVT AWARENESS DAY: Community members celebrate this critical program, share

NIGHT OWL CLUB: Astronomers and space exploration experts discuss the latest in extraterrestrial news with curious attendees. Presented by Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium. 7 p.m. Free. Info, 748-2372. film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section.

‘ANIMAL KINGDOM 3D’: Audience members are guided through an exploration of stunning animal worlds, from frozen snowy forests to the darkest depths of the ocean. Dealer.com 3D Theater, ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, noon, 2 & 4 p.m. $3-5 plus regular admission, $20-23; free for members and kids 2 and under. Info, 864-1848.

‘THE CHRONOLOGY OF WATER’: Kristen Stewart’s 2025 directorial

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.4

CO-PARENTING DADS: Experiencing separation, divorce or long-term co-parenting? Fathers assemble virtually to connect, build community and share experiences in a supportive environment. Hosted by Dad Guild. 8-10 p.m. Free. Info, 318-4231.

burlington

‘CHAMP: AMERICA’S LAKE MONSTER’: Curious minds dive into the science and history of Vermont’s most iconic legend at this family-friendly exhibit featuring interactive games, a design studio, multimedia displays, a 30-foot sculpture and photo ops. ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Regular admission, $20-23; free for members and kids 2 and under. Info, 864-1848.

DINOSAUR SAFARI EXHIBIT: Young explorers take an unforgettable journey through a hands-on prehistoric world where life-size animatronic dinosaurs come to life. ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Regular admission, $20-23; free for members and kids 2 and under. Info, 864-1848.

LIBRARY LITTLES PLAYGROUP: A weekly program brings babies, toddlers and their caregivers together for songs, stories, play and community building in a nurturing environment. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 11-11:45 a.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

STEAM SPACE: Youngsters in grades K through 5 explore science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics activities. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

chittenden county

BABY TIME: Infants and their caregivers enjoy a slow, soothing story featuring songs, rhymes and lap play. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 10:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

GAME ON!: Kids take turns collaborating with or competing against friends using Nintendo Switch on the big screen. Caregivers must be present to supervise children below fifth grade. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 5-6 p.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

PLAY TIME: Little ones ages birth to 5 build with giant blocks and read together. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 10-10:45 a.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

WHIMSICAL WEDNESDAYS: Crafty kiddos create 3D heart cards to give to friends and loved ones. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

barre/montpelier

BABY & CAREGIVER MEETUP: Wiggly ones ages birth to 18 months play and

The Big Bang

Putney warms up with Sandglass Theater’s Winter Sunshine Series, a welcome break from shoveling the walkway (again!). The weekly respite from frigid temps begins with “Cardboard Explosion!” from Paper Heart Puppets, a fantastical all-ages experience that piques curiosity and delivers laughter in spades. Master puppeteer, builder and educator Brad Shur captains the whimsical production of never-before-seen stories, brought to life by the power of imagination and — you guessed it — cardboard. With some help from the audience, basic brown boxes transform into elaborate characters, then spring to life right before your eyes.

WINTER SUNSHINE SERIES: ‘CARDBOARD EXPLOSION!’ Saturday, February 7, 11 a.m.-noon and 2-3 p.m., at Sandglass Theater in Putney. $8-16 sliding scale. Info, 387-4051, sandglasstheater.org.

explore in a calm, supportive setting while adults relax and connect on the sidelines. Jaquith Public Library, Marshfield, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 426-3581.

FAMILY CHESS CLUB: Players of all ages and abilities test their skills with instructor Robert and peers. KelloggHubbard Library, 2nd Floor, Children’s Library, Montpelier, 3:30-5 p.m. Free. Info, 223-3338. mad river valley/ waterbury

TEEN QUEER READS: LGBTQIA+ and allied youths get together each month to read and discuss ideas around gender, sexuality and identity. Waterbury Public Library, 6-7 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 244-7036.

THU.5 burlington

‘CHAMP: AMERICA’S LAKE MONSTER’: See WED.4.

BABY & ME CLASS: Parents and their infants ages birth to 1 explore massage, lullabies and gentle movements while

discussing the struggles and joys of parenthood. Greater Burlington YMCA, 9:45-10:45 a.m. $10; free for members. Info, 862-9622.

DADS & KIDS: FLY-TYING WORKSHOP: An expert angler leads a workshop for fathers and their children that includes a hot dog dinner. The Guild Hall, Burlington, 5-7 p.m. Free. Info, 318-4231.

DINOSAUR SAFARI EXHIBIT: See WED.4.

GROW PRESCHOOL YOGA: Colleen from Grow Prenatal and Family Yoga leads kids ages 2 to 5 in songs, movement and other fun activities. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 11-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

TWEEN GROUP: A new program for queer and gender-creative youths ages 10 to 12 offers space to make new friends, join in fun activities and build community. Outright Vermont, Burlington, 4-6 p.m. Free. Info, 865-9677.

chittenden county

FIRST THURSDAYS: MUSIC & MOVEMENT WITH MISS EMMA: Little ones and their caregivers use song and dance to explore the changing seasons and celebrate everyday joys. South

stowe/smuggs

WEE ONES PLAY TIME: Caregivers bring kiddos under 4 to a new sensory learning experience each week. Morristown Centennial Library, Morrisville, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 888-3853.

mad river valley/ waterbury

BUSY BEES PLAYGROUP: Blocks, toys, books and songs engage little ones 24 months and younger. Waterbury Public Library, 10-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 244-7036.

northeast kingdom

ACORN CLUB STORY TIME: Youngsters 5 and under play, sing, hear stories and color. St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, 10:3011 a.m. Free. Info, 745-1391.

FRI.6

burlington

‘CHAMP: AMERICA’S LAKE MONSTER’: See WED.4.

DINOSAUR SAFARI EXHIBIT: See WED.4.

DROP-IN: An afterschool hangout space invites teens ages 13 to 19 to relax, connect, grab a snack or browse the nonprofit’s clothing closet. Outright Vermont, Burlington, 2:30 p.m. Free. Info, programs@outrightvt.org.

FRIDAY NIGHT HANGS: Local fathers and masc-identifying caregivers gather sans kiddos to play video games, watch sports and build community. The Guild Hall, Burlington, 7-9:30 p.m. Free. Info, 318-4231.

chittenden county

FRIDAY LEGO BUILDERS: Mini makers explore and create new worlds with stackable blocks. Recommended for ages 6 and up. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 3-4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

MUSIC TIME: Little patrons ages birth to 5 sing and dance with legendary local musician Linda Bassick. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 10:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 10:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

PRESCHOOL MUSIC WITH LINDA BASSICK: The singer and storyteller extraordinaire guides wee ones ages birth to 5 in indoor music and movement. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 10:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.

PRESCHOOL PLAY TIME: Pre-K patrons play and socialize after music time. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 11-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.

STORY TIME: Little ones ages 2 to 5 learn from songs, crafts and picture books. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 10-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

barre/montpelier

POKÉMON CLUB: I choose you, Pikachu! Elementary and teenage fans of the franchise — and beginners, too — trade cards and play games. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, 3:30-5 p.m. Free. Info, 223-3338.

STORY TIME: Kids and their caregivers meet for stories, songs and bubbles. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 2nd Floor, Children’s Library, Montpelier, 10:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 223-3338.

barre/montpelier

BASEMENT TEEN CENTER: A drop-in hangout session welcomes kids ages 12 to 17 for lively games, arts and crafts, and snacks. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, 2-8 p.m. Free. Info, 223-3338.

LEGO CLUB: Budding builders create geometric structures with snap-together blocks. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, 3:30-5 p.m. Free. Info, 223-3338.

STORY TIME & PLAYGROUP: Participants ages 5 and under enjoy themed science, art and nature activities. Jaquith Public Library, Marshfield, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 426-3581.

mad river valley/ waterbury

DINNER WITH WILLIAM ALEXANDER: A National Book Award-winning author reads from his acclaimed book A Properly Unhaunted Place then shares insights about his writing process over a shared meal. Inklings Children’s Books, Waitsfield, 6-7 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 496-7280.

Brad Shur

debut is a raw and unflinching portrait of survival, sexuality and self-invention based on Lidia Yuknavitch’s candid memoir. Film House, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington, 4 & 7 p.m. $6-12. Info, 660-2600.

CLASSIC FILMS SERIES: Cinephiles delight in weekly screenings of 1930s flicks newly in the public domain, including masterpieces All Quiet on the Western Front and Hell’s Angels. See stage33live.com for full schedule. Stage 33 Live, Bellows Falls, 6-8 p.m. $5. Info, 289-0148.

‘OCEAN PARADISE 3D’: Viewers travel to the far reaches of the Pacific Ocean for a glimpse into the pristine environments vital to our planet’s health. Dealer.com 3D Theater, ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, 11 a.m., 1 & 3 p.m. $3-5 plus regular admission, $20-23; free for members and kids 2 and under. Info, 864-1848.

‘SEA MONSTERS 3D: A PREHISTORIC ADVENTURE’: Footage of paleontological digs from around the globe tells a compelling story of scientists working as detectives to answer questions about an ancient and mysterious ocean world. Dealer.com 3D Theater, ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, 10:30 a.m., 12:30, 2:30 & 4:30 p.m. $3-5 plus regular admission, $20-23; free for members and kids 2 and under. Info, 864-1848.

‘SPACE: THE NEW FRONTIER 3D’: Astrophiles witness history in the making — from launching rockets without fuel to building the Lunar Gateway — in this 2024 documentary narrated by Chris Pine. Dealer.com 3D Theater, ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, 11:30 a.m., 1:30 & 3:30 p.m. $3-5 plus regular admission, $20-23; free for members and kids 2 and under. Info, 864-1848.

games

BRIDGE CLUB: A lively group plays a classic, tricky game in pairs. Waterbury Public Library, 12:304:30 p.m. Free. Info, 522-3523. CHESS FOR FUN: Players of all abilities select an opening gambit, go on the attack and protect their king in friendly competition. Cobleigh Public Library, Lyndonville, 5-8 p.m. Free. Info, lafferty1949@gmail.com.

DUPLICATE BRIDGE GAMES: Snacks and coffee fuel bouts of a classic card game. Burlington Bridge Club, Williston, 12:30 p.m. $6. Info, 872-5722.

FRIENDLY GAME OF BRIDGE: Strategic thinkers have a blast with the popular card game. Heineberg Senior Center, Burlington, 1-3 p.m. Free. Info, 233-4395.

PEER SUPPORT DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: Beginners wanted! Players get lost in the fantasyfilled tabletop role-playing game while focusing on teamwork, connection and community building. Morgan House, Burlington, 6-8 p.m. Free. Info, 777-6185.

WEEKLY CHESS FOR FUN: Players of all ability levels face off and learn new strategies. United Community Church, St. Johnsbury, 5:30-9 p.m. Free; donations accepted. Info, lafferty1949@gmail.com.

health & fitness

BLOOD DRIVE: Participants part with life-sustaining pints at this American Red Cross donation event. Catalyst Church, Jericho, 1-6 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 363-4586.

COMMUNITY

MINDFULNESS: Volunteer coach Andrea Marion guides attendees in a weekly practice for stress reduction, followed by a discussion and Q&A. 5:30-6:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, andreamarion193@gmail.com.

KEEPING HOPE ALIVE: A FOURDAY MINDFULNESS COURSE: Inspired by the Plum Village tradition of Buddhist ethics, participants discover daily practices that cultivate deeper meaning in dayto-day life. Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Upper Valley, Norwich, 6-8 p.m. Free; donations accepted. Info, 703-727-5208.

SEATED TAI CHI: Adina guides at-home participants — including those with limited mobility or difficulty standing — through a sequence of slow, connected movements. Sponsored by the Dorothy Alling Memorial Library. 1 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 878-4918.

holidays

SEEK THE LOVE SCAVENGER HUNT: See WED.4.

language

ENGLISH CONVERSATION GROUP: Practitioners make strides — and new friends — at a stress-free discussion circle. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

ITALIAN CONVERSATION GROUP: Parla Italiano? Language learners practice pronunciation and more at a friendly gathering. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, noon-1 p.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

MANDARIN CONVERSATION

CIRCLE: Volunteers from Vermont Chinese School help students learn or improve their fluency. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 11 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 846-4140.

lgbtq

POP-UP HAPPY HOUR: Locals connect over drinks at a speakeasy-style bar, hosted by OUT in the 802. Lincolns, Burlington, 5:30-7 p.m. Free. Info, 860-7812.

music

CÉCILIA: A Canadian trio brings musical worlds together with a performance of traditional, Celtic and Québécois tunes. Dibden Center for the Arts, Vermont State University-Johnson, 7 p.m. $10-25; free for VTSU community, families with children and students. Info, 748-2600.

FEB. 6 & 7 | FILM

Higher Calling

Every year for half a century, adventurers, fans and filmmakers have flocked to Banff, an unassuming little town at the foothills of the Canadian Rockies, to screen adrenalinefueled, soul-stirring outdoor-sports flicks before the showcase takes the rest of the world by storm. This week, the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour stops at the Flynn Main Stage in Burlington for two nights of jaw-dropping feats. Hosts Cassie Yahnian and Danielle LaRock from the “National Park After Dark” podcast emcee the action-packed cinematic display of first ascents, personal triumphs and inconceivable journeys that teeter on the edge of the impossible.

BANFF CENTRE MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL WORLD TOUR

Friday, February 6, and Saturday, February 7, 6:30-9:30 p.m., at the Flynn Main Stage in Burlington. $15-40. Info, banff@skirack.com, flynnvt.org.

FLOW SINGING: Singers both new and seasoned intertwine music and mindfulness while learning a sequence of five or six songs by ear. Heineberg Senior Center, Burlington, 7-8:30 p.m. Free. Info, patricia@juneberrymusic.com.

FRIGG: A sizzling Nordic septet blends Finnish traditions with American bluegrass to deliver a signature “Nordgrass” sound. Virtual option available. Next Stage Arts, Putney, 7-9 p.m. $1025. Info, 387-0102.

talks

PHILIP WERNER: In “Hiking the Long Trail Side-to-Side,” an avid hiker and author shares stories and advice for all abilities on how to experience side trails. Green Mountain Club Headquarters, Waterbury Center, 7-8 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 244-7037.

tech

TECH THURSDAYS: SMARTPHONE SERIES: Participants learn how to get the most out of their iPhone and Android mobile devices. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 10:30 a.m.-noon. Free; preregister. Info, 865-7217.

theater

‘FOOL FOR LOVE’: Shaker Bridge Theatre presents Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Sam Shepard’s psychological drama about an explosive, incestuous relationship between half-siblings. Briggs Opera House, White River Junction, 7-8:30 p.m. $25-45. Info, 281-6848.

‘MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS’: The world’s greatest detective searches for clues before the killer can strike again in Vermont Stage’s production based on the classic Agatha

Waterbury, 5 p.m. Free. Info, 244-1441.

FRI.6 crafts

FIRST FRIDAY FIBER GROUP: Fiber-arts fans make progress on projects while chatting over snacks. GRACE, Hardwick, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Free; donations accepted. Info, info@ruralartsvt.org.

dance

‘DANCING UPHILL’: See WED.4. ‘NOVEL FORMATS ON-SITE’: A new project by Rachel Bernsen and collaborators features a cycle of seven performance works that explore the nature of dance in conversation with forms outside itself. AVA Gallery and Art Center, Lebanon, N.H., 7 p.m. $25. Info, 603-448-3117.

etc.

DOWNTOWN LIGHTS: SNOW BALL: The marketplace comes to life with sparkling projections by Vanish Works, sets spun by DJ Amelia Devoid, snowball-throwing challenges, mini snowman making and loads of hot chocolate. Church Street Marketplace, Burlington, 5-7 p.m. Free. Info, 865-7166.

fairs & festivals

PEACHAM WINTER CARNIVAL: An annual celebration of the season features a blacksmith demonstration, a women’s logging workshop, horse-drawn wagon rides, Nordic skiing and other cold-weather activities. See peacham.org for full schedule. See calendar spotlight. Various Peacham locations, 9 a.m.8 p.m. Free; fee for some activities. Info, 592-3218.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section.

FOMO?

Christie whodunit. Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $39-59 sliding scale. Info, 862-1497.

‘THE WORLD IS NOT SILENT’: See WED.4.

words

DR. JAMIE L. BRUMMITT:

An associate professor of American religions discusses her new book, Protestant Relics in Early America, exploring how deathbed and relic practices related to broader trends in 19th-century mourning practices. Noon-1 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 479-8500.

JEFFREY AMESTOY: The former chief justice of the Vermont Supreme Court presents his new book, Winters’ Time, chronicling a captivating chapter in the state’s legal history that intertwines national celebrity with smalltown justice. Bridgeside Books,

Find even more local events in this newspaper and online: art

Find visual art exhibits and events in the Art section and at sevendaysvt.com/art.

film

See what’s playing at theaters in the On Screen section.

music + nightlife

Find club dates at local venues in the Music + Nightlife section online at sevendaysvt.com/ music.

Learn more about highlighted listings in the Magnificent 7 on page 11.

= ONLINE EVENT

= GET TICKETS

‘ANIMAL KINGDOM 3D’: See THU.5.

BANFF CENTRE MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL WORLD TOUR: Viewers explore the edge of believable with captivating stories from the highest peaks to the steepest slopes. See calendar spotlight. Flynn Main Stage, Burlington, 6:30-9:30 p.m. $15-40. Info, banff@skirack.com.

‘THE BATTLE OF ALGIERS’: Gillo Pontecorvo’s 1966 docudrama vividly re-creates a key year in the tumultuous Algerian struggle for independence from the occupying French during the 1950s. The Screening Room @ VTIFF, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington, 7 p.m. $6-12. Info, 660-2600.

‘OCEAN PARADISE 3D’: See THU.5.

PHROGS’ ‘CALIGARI’: The classic 1920 silent film The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari gets an update with live accompaniment by the beloved punk band. Junction Arts & Media, White River Junction, 6-9 p.m. $5-20. Info, 295-6688.

‘SEA MONSTERS 3D: A

PREHISTORIC ADVENTURE’: See THU.5.

‘SPACE: THE NEW FRONTIER 3D’: See THU.5.

food & drink

ADVENTURE DINNER COZY & CANDLELIT: VEGAN MUSHROOM NIGHT: FUNJ Shrooming brings the local bounty for an unforgettable multicourse feast. Adventure Dinner Clubhouse, Colchester, 6-9 p.m. $75. Info, sas@adventuredinner.com.

games

BRANDON BRAINS & BUCKS

BRAWL: Neighbors engage in a little friendly competition at this pay-to-win trivia night where cheating is encouraged. Brandon Town Hall, 6:30 p.m. $10. Info, 247-3635.

DUPLICATE BRIDGE GAMES: See THU.5, 10 a.m.

MAH-JONGG: It’s not just for old ladies! Tile traders of all experience levels gather for a rousing game. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 1-3 p.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.

health & fitness

GUIDED MEDITATION

ONLINE: Dorothy Alling Memorial Library invites attendees to relax on their lunch breaks and reconnect with their bodies. Noon-12:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, programs@ damlvt.org.

IN-PERSON MORNING

MEDITATION: Expert Zac

Ispa-Landa helps participants gain tools to quiet their minds, slow down and reset. Outright Vermont, Burlington, 8-8:45 a.m. Free. Info, 825-1815.

MINDFULNESS MEDITATION: Community members gather for an informal session combining stimulating discussion, sharing and sitting in silence. Pathways Vermont, Burlington, 1:15-2:15 p.m. Free. Info, 777-8691.

holidays

SEEK THE LOVE SCAVENGER HUNT: See WED.4.

lgbtq

RPG NIGHT: Members of the LGBTQ community get together weekly for role-playing games such as Dungeons & Dragons and Everway. Rainbow Bridge Community Center, Barre, 5:308:30 p.m. Free. Info, 622-0692. music

ANA GUIGUI: An acclaimed pianist and vocalist entertains listeners with a wide variety of styles and genres. The Brandon Inn, 7-8 p.m. Free. Info, 747-8300.

BENEFIT CONCERT: Indivisible Calais hosts an evening of community building through music, featuring the talents of local artists D. Davis and Marc Gwinn. Proceeds benefit People’s Health & Wellness Clinic. Unitarian Church of Montpelier, 7-9 p.m. By donation. Info, indivisiblecalais@ pm.me.

CHANGES IN LATITUDES: Fans of the Mayor of Margaritaville don Hawaiian shirts for a Jimmy Buffett tribute concert complete with conga lines and sing-alongs. Lebanon Opera House, N.H., 7:30 p.m. $30-40. Info, 603-448-0400.

DARK SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN: Wish you were here! A noteworthy tribute act celebrates the music of legendary psychedelic rock band Pink Floyd. Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center, Stowe Mountain Resort, 7 p.m. $63.8574.55. Info, 760-4634.

LANE SERIES: GADAN

FEATURING ENDA SCAHILL:

An Italian outfit deftly blends traditional Irish music and Americana to deliver a new genre aptly named “Celtgrass.” The University of Vermont Recital Hall, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $5-35. Info, 656-4455.

sports

OLYMPICS WATCH PARTY: Viewers get ready to cheer on Team USA at a live broadcast of the 2026 Winter Olympics’ opening ceremony. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 2-4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

talks

LEGACY & LINEAGE: A PUNK ROCK CONVERSATION WITH BOBBY HACKNEY SR. & BOBBY HACKNEY JR.: A live taping of “Homegoings” beckons audience members to an engaging conversation between the father-andson punk-rockers. Vermont Public, Colchester, 6-8:30 p.m. $20. Info, 540-6882. tech

MORNING TECH HELP: Experts answer questions about phones, laptops, e-readers and other devices in one-on-one sessions. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 846-4140. theater

‘FOOL FOR LOVE’: See THU.5.

‘MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS’: See THU.5. ‘THE WORLD IS NOT SILENT’: See WED.4.

SAT.7

activism

‘UNDERSTANDING ISRAELI

APARTHEID’: Host org ApartheidFree Community of Montpelier and guest speaker Hamed Bakir help Capital City residents understand the situation in Israel and the local impact of Article 13. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, 2-5 p.m. Free. Info, afcmontpelier@gmail.com.

agriculture

COMMUNITY SEED SWAP: Fat Loon Farm invites green thumbs to stock up on a variety of garden starters at this annual ag affair. Fletcher Room, Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 1-4:30 p.m. Free. Info, fatloonfarm@gmail.com.

business

LUNCH WITH LENDERS: Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity invites small-business owners to a virtual exploration of funding opportunities. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 860-1417, ext. 112.

community

SISTERHOOD CAMPFIRE: Women and genderqueer folks gather in a safe and inclusive space to build community through journaling, storytelling, gentle music and stargazing. Leddy Park, Burlington, 7-9 p.m. Free. Info, sisterhoodcampfire@gmail.com.

crafts

LANTERN MAKING WORKSHOP:

Teaching artist MK Monley guides community members in crafting an illuminated masterpiece to bring to the upcoming Cabin Fever Lantern Parade. Northfield Middle and High School, 10 a.m.-noon. Free; preregister. Info, 485-6448.

dance

BERLIN CONTRA DANCE: Dancers of all ages and abilities learn at a gathering that encourages joy, laughter and friendship. Bring clean, soft-soled shoes. See website for callers and bands. Capital City Grange, Berlin, 8-11 p.m. $520 sliding scale. Info, 225-8921.

DANCE PARTY WITH DJ BOB

THIES: A high-energy adults-only boogie session includes classic pop anthems, throwback dance tracks and nonstop nostalgia. Ages 21 and up. Next Stage Arts, Putney, 7:30-10 p.m. $10-15. Info, 387-0102.

‘DANCING UPHILL’: See WED.4, 2 p.m.

‘NOVEL FORMATS ON-SITE’: See FRI.6.

TOUR PREVIEW & SILENT

AUCTION: Contemporary Dance SAT.7 » P.64

and Fitness Studio’s Teen Jazz and Junior Company dancers offer a look at the pieces they’ll be taking on the road this spring. e Chapel of Vermont College, Montpelier, 7-9 p.m. By donation; preregister. Info, 646-400-5882.

fairs & festivals

CURDS & CURLING: POSTPONED. Players sweep a wheel of Jasper Hill cheddar across the ice while spectators enjoy cheesy treats, live music and warming ﬁres. Highland Center for the Arts, Greensboro, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. $5-12. Info, 533-2000.

PEACHAM WINTER CARNIVAL:

See FRI.6, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.

WINTER RENAISSANCE FAIRE: Merrymakers don period-piece garb and indulge in music, dance and ﬁght performances, as well as craft artisans and worldly treats.

Champlain Valley Exposition, Essex Junction, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $5-30; free for kids under 6. Info, info@vtgatherings.com.

ﬁlm

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section.

‘ANIMAL KINGDOM 3D’: See THU.5.

BANFF CENTRE MOUNTAIN FILM

FESTIVAL WORLD TOUR: See FRI.6.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH MOVIE

MARATHON: An all-day watch sesh kicks off with an animated superhero ﬂick for kiddos, followed by an ’80s comedy classic and a vampire horror ﬂick for grownups. See uvjam.org for details. Junction Arts & Media, White River Junction, 12:30-8 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 295-6688.

‘I AM CUBA’: Mikhail Kalatozov’s 1964 political drama unfolds in four explosive vignettes that capture Cuban life on the brink of transformation. e Screening Room @ VTIFF, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington, 7 p.m. $6-12. Info, 660-2600.

MET OPERA IN HD: ‘AMAZING ADVENTURES OF KAVALIER & CLAY’: e silver screen lights up with the Metropolitan Opera’s exhilarating adaptation of Michael Chabon’s novel following two Jewish cousins and their ﬁght against tyranny during World War II. Anderson Studio at Town Hall eater, Middlebury, 1 p.m. $10-24. Info, 382-9222.

‘OCEAN PARADISE 3D’: See THU.5.

‘SEA MONSTERS 3D: A PREHISTORIC ADVENTURE’: See THU.5.

‘SPACE: THE NEW FRONTIER 3D’: See THU.5.

food & drink

FRENCH CANADIAN SUPPER:

Diners pay homage to Vermont’s Québécois connection with a traditional feast of pea soup, meat pie, mashed potatoes and dessert. Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, Richmond, 5-6:30 p.m. $17 suggested donation; preregister. Info, 470-588-5515.

games

CHESS CLUB: 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.

D&D & TTRPG GROUP: Fans of Dungeons & Dragons and other tabletop role-playing games embark on a new adventure with a rotating cast of game masters. Virtual option available. Waterbury Public Library, 1-5 p.m. Free. Info, judi@ waterburypubliclibrary.com.

health & ﬁtness

BLOOD DRIVE: Participants part with life-sustaining pints at this American Red Cross donation event in memory of Addi Carroll. Founders Memorial School, Essex Junction, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, tammy.carroll@ bigbeautifullife.org.

GENTLE YOGA: Practitioners hit the mat for a slow-paced all-levels class focusing on breath work, stress reduction and mind-body awareness. BYO mat and props. Waterbury Public Library, 10:3011:45 a.m. Free. Info, 244-7036.

MEDITATION RETREAT: Burlington Dharma Collective hosts a family-friendly gathering ﬁlled with loving-kindness practices, movement, and opportunities for discussion and community building. Snacks provided. BYO lunch. Burlington Friends Meeting House, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. By donation; preregister. Info, 825-1815.

holidays

SEEK THE LOVE SCAVENGER HUNT: See WED.4.

music

ANA GUIGUI: See FRI.6.

CATAMOUNT BLUEGRASS NIGHT: AMY GALLATIN & STILLWATERS: e powerhouse vocalist helms this all-star New England band, featuring renowned resophonic guitarist Roger Williams, mandolinist JD Williams and bassist Bob Dick. Alexander Twilight eatre, Vermont State University-Lyndon, 7 p.m. Free; donations accepted. Info, 748-2600.

CULOMBA: A vocal sextet of veteran performers sings heavenly harmonies from the Renaissance, Balkan and American folk traditions. e Old Meeting House, East Montpelier, 3-5 p.m. $15-25 sliding scale. Info, 229-9593. DARK SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN: See FRI.6.

EAGLEMANIA: A premier Eagles tribute act faithfully reproduces the band’s greatest hits, as well as solo works by Glen Frey, Don Henley and Joe Walsh. Barre Opera House, 7:30 p.m. $42. Info, 476-8188.

KISHI BASHI: With violin in hand, an indie-rock artist stretches across boundaries, from symphonic folk to orchestral rock and Japanese pop. Spaulding Auditorium, Hopkins Center for the Arts, Dartmouth College, Hanover, N.H., 7:30-9:30 p.m. $25-45. Info, 603-646-2422.

MYRA FLYNN: A Vermont singer-songwriter performs

FEB. 6 & 7 | FAIRS & FESTIVALS

Snow Place Like Home

e Peacham Winter Carnival — a town-wide summoning of seasonal spirit — shines with a bevy of indoor-outdoor events. e eagerly awaited carnival kicks off on Friday with music by local talents Frank Miller and Chris Danielson at the Peacham Café, game night at the library, and a paint-and-sip with hot cocoa at the elementary school. On Saturday, a winter wonderland of activity awaits, from guided nature hikes and horsedrawn wagon rides to blacksmith demos and a “Women With Chainsaws” workshop. Nordic skiing, ice skating, fat biking and snowshoeing delight explorers of all stripes, while the “iKIDarod” sledding obstacle course promises red cheeks for the younger set.

PEACHAM WINTER CARNIVAL

Friday, February 6, 5-8:30 p.m., and Saturday, February 7, 9 a.m.-8 p.m., at various Peacham locations. Free; fee for some activities. Info, 592-3218, peacham.org/portfolio/winter-carnival.

original indie tunes that blend soulful vocals with supremely lyrical delivery. e Opera House at Enosburg Falls, 7 p.m. $25. Info, 933-6171.

RECYCLED PERCUSSION: e Granite State’s high-energy “junk rockers” deliver comedy, music and jaw-dropping drumming. Lebanon Opera House, N.H., 3 & 7 p.m. $4252. Info, 603-448-0400.

outdoors

IGLOO BUILD: Visitors witness ice blocks transform into sturdy structures at this long-running winter tradition. Montshire Museum of Science, Norwich, 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Regular admission, $18-21; free for members and kids under 2. Info, 649-2200.

KILLINGTON PEAK HIKE: Experienced hikers are rewarded with unbeatable vistas after a difﬁcult trek to the summit. Insulated boots, snowshoes and traction aids required. Email for start time. Bucklin Trailhead, Mendon. Free; preregister. Info, burlington@sectionhiker.com.

PENGUIN PLUNGE: Daredevils take a dip in Lake Champlain’s icy

depths to raise funds for Special Olympics Vermont. Waterfront Park, Burlington, 11 a.m. $25-50; preregister; free for spectators. Info, 863-5222.

STOWE PINNACLE HIKE: Adventurers join the Green Mountain Club for a moderately paced trek to the summit in pursuit of stellar views. Email for start time. Stowe Pinnacle Trail. Free; preregister. Info, gmc@gmcburlington.org.

seminars

NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION: Curious creatives and multimedia enthusiasts get a tour of the facilities and check out available gear. e Media Factory, Burlington, 1-3 p.m. Free; donations accepted; preregister. Info, 651-9692.

sports

UVM MEN’S BASKETBALL: Go, Cats, go! Fans of all ages root for the Vermont Catamounts as they take on New Hampshire’s Wildcats at this high-octane showcase of collegiate sportsmanship. University of Vermont Patrick

Gymnasium, South Burlington, 1:30 p.m. $20-28. Info, 656-3131.

talks

JIM BALLARD: In “Milton and the American Civil War,” a historian sheds light on topics such as enlistments, soldier statistics and president Lincoln’s call for volunteers to preserve the Union. Refreshments provided. Milton Public Library, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 893-4644.

PHIL HOLLAND: A writer shares the remarkable untold story of Sipp Ives, a Black soldier who fought and died alongside the Green Mountain Boys, in “ e Black Presence at the Battle of Bennington.” Bixby Memorial Library, Vergennes, 1-2 p.m. Free. Info, 877-2211.

theater

‘FOOL FOR LOVE’: See THU.5.

‘MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS’: See THU.5, 2 & 7:30 p.m.

VARIETY SHOW FUNDRAISER: A night of entertainment emceed by local comedian Jenna Emerson features unique performances

that remind attendees how good it feels to belong. Ages 18 and up. Proceeds beneﬁt Mosaic Vermont. Montpelier Performing Arts Hub, 7-9 p.m. $20. Info, 476-1388. ‘THE WORLD IS NOT SILENT’: See WED.4, 6:30 p.m.

words

USED BOOK SALE: Lit lovers peruse a wide array of like-new titles to replenish their “to read” stack. Proceeds beneﬁt Ilsley Public Library. Middlebury United Methodist Church, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free; cost of books; cash or check only. Info, 388-4095.

WRITE NOW!: Wordsmiths of all experience levels hone their craft in a supportive and critique-free

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.

See what’s playing at theaters in the On Screen section.

music + nightlife

Find club dates at local venues in the Music + Nightlife section online at sevendaysvt.com/ music.

Learn more about highlighted listings in the Magniﬁcent 7 on page 11.

= ONLINE EVENT

= GET TICKETS ON

environment. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, 10-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 223-3338.

SUN.8

community

BLACK ARTIST SHOWCASE: Art, ancestry and imagination come alive at an afternoon of performances, storytelling, interactive experiences and intergenerational sharing. First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington, 2-4 p.m. Free; donations accepted. Info, 862-5630.

crafts

LANTERN MAKING WORKSHOP:

See SAT.7, 1-3 p.m.

dance

DANCE, SING & JUMP AROUND:

Live traditional music by John and Fran Mallery energizes an afternoon of circle and line dances taught and called by Liz Benjamin. Capital City Grange, Berlin, 3-4:30 p.m. $5 suggested donation. Info, 223-1509.

etc.

PUPPY BOWL & SUPER BOWL

WATCH PARTY: Fans flock to a live showing of the big game — and its furry counterpart. Switchback Beer Garden & Smokehouse, Burlington, noon-8 p.m. Free; cost of food and drink. Info, 540-6965.

fairs & festivals

WINTER RENAISSANCE FAIRE: See SAT.7.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section.

‘ANIMAL KINGDOM 3D’: See THU.5.

‘OCEAN PARADISE 3D’: See THU.5. ‘SEA MONSTERS 3D: A PREHISTORIC ADVENTURE’: See THU.5.

‘SPACE: THE NEW FRONTIER 3D’: See THU.5.

food & drink

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

PANCAKE BREAKFAST: Hungry locals pile their plates with flapjacks, scrambled eggs, bacon and sausage at a morning of community building and heartfelt fellowship. Burlington St. Joseph’s Parish Hall, 9-11:30 a.m. $6-25. Info, 862-5109.

games

DUPLICATE BRIDGE GAMES: See THU.5, 1 p.m.

health & fitness

FREEZY CHEEKS 5K SERIES: SECOND SQUALL: RunVermont invites participants of all ages and abilities to tap into some midwinter motivation. Zero Gravity Beer Hall, Burlington, 11 a.m. $30; preregister. Info, 863-8412.

KARUNA COMMUNITY

MEDITATION: A YEAR TO LIVE (FULLY): Participants practice keeping joy, generosity and gratitude at the forefront of their minds. Jenna’s House, Johnson, 10-11:15 a.m. Free; donations accepted. Info, mollyzapp@live.com.

NEW LEAF SANGHA

MINDFULNESS PRACTICE: New

and experienced meditators alike sit together in the Plum Village tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh. Hot Yoga Burlington, 6-7:45 p.m. Free. Info, newleafsangha@gmail.com.

holidays

SEEK THE LOVE SCAVENGER HUNT: See WED.4.

lgbtq

CRAFT CLUB: Creative queer folks work on their knitting, crocheting and sewing projects. Rainbow Bridge Community Center, Barre, 10 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 622-0692.

music

LIEDER BY THE LAKE SERIES: ‘BURLINGTON SCHUBERTIADE’: Vocalists Len Torrie, Ryan Matos and Cole Marino join forces with pianist Eric Milnes to present

an inspired recital of art songs by Franz Schubert. College Street Congregational Church, Burlington, 4 p.m. $15-30. Info, 864-7704.

WINTER SUNDAY SERIES: D. DAVIS & MARC GWINN: A local dynamic duo brings an eclectic mix of covers, guitars and sterling vocals to the stage. Adamant Community Club, 3-5 p.m. Free. Info, 454-7103.

WINTERTIDE CONCERT SERIES: CHRISTINE TASSAN ET LES

IMPOSTEURES: A jazz manouche and swing music group from Québec mesmerizes listeners with a unique sound that is both timeless and contemporary. Town Hall Theater, Middlebury, 4 p.m. $15-35. Info, 382-9222. SUN.8 » P.66

YOUNG ARTIST SHOWCASE RECITAL: High school students throughout the region assemble for this concert by Vermont’s rising classical music stars. Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Burlington, 4 p.m. Free; donations accepted. Info, 864-0471.

tech

DROP-IN TECH SUPPORT: Techsavvy library staff provide oneon-one guidance and support in 30-minute sessions. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 4-6 p.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

theater

‘FOOL FOR LOVE’: See THU.5, 2:30-4 p.m.

‘MURDER ON THE ORIENT

EXPRESS’: See THU.5, 2 p.m.

‘THE WORLD IS NOT SILENT’: See WED.4, 2 p.m.

MON.9

community

VERMONT CAREGIVER LISTENING

TOUR: The Vermont Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association raises awareness about caring for people with dementia. St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, 10-11 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, 343-2604.

crafts

COLLAGE COLLECTIVE: Creatives of all experience levels cut, paste and make works of wonder. Virtual options available. Expressive Arts Burlington, 6:30-9 p.m. Free; donations accepted. Info, 343-8172.

FUSE BEADS CLUB: Aspiring artisans bring ideas or borrow patterns to make beaded creations. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, 3:30-5 p.m. Free. Info, 223-3338.

environment

‘RECYCLING PLASTIC FILMS & OTHER HARD TO RECYCLE ITEMS’: Ridwell hosts an info-packed session for community members looking to make an impact. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 10:30-11 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, joel.dashnaw@gmail.com. etc.

MEDIA MAKER MONDAY: Upper Valley creatives and their guests share projects, network with other artists and engage in peer feedback sessions. Junction Arts & Media, White River Junction, 6-7:30 p.m. Free. Info, 295-6688.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section.

‘ANIMAL KINGDOM 3D’: See THU.5.

‘OCEAN PARADISE 3D’: See THU.5.

‘SEA MONSTERS 3D: A PREHISTORIC ADVENTURE’: See THU.5.

‘SPACE: THE NEW FRONTIER 3D’: See THU.5.

games

BURLINGTON ELKS BINGO: Players grab their daubers for a competitive night of card stamping for cash prizes. Burlington Elks Lodge, 6 p.m. Various prices. Info, 862-1342.

MAH JONGG MONDAYS: Tile traders gather for friendly bouts of the ancient game of skill, strategy and luck. St. Albans Free Library, 1-3 p.m. Free. Info, 524-1507.

health & fitness

LAUGHTER YOGA: Spontaneous, joyful movement and breath promote physical and emotional health. Virtual option available. Pathways Vermont, Burlington, 1:15-2:15 p.m. Free. Info, 777-8691.

MONDAY NIGHT LIVE: The Burlington Dharma Collective

hosts an inspiring monthly talk, meditation and group discussion. Outright Vermont, Burlington, 7-8:30 p.m. Free; donations accepted. Info, 825-1815.

holidays

SEEK THE LOVE SCAVENGER HUNT: See WED.4.

language

GERMAN LANGUAGE LUNCH:

Willkommen! Speakers of all experience levels brush up on conversational skills over bagged lunches. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, noon-1 p.m. Free. Info, 223-3338.

music

ONION RIVER CHORUS

REHEARSAL: The non-auditioned community ensemble conducted by Richard Riley invites interested vocalists to join in spirited song. Bethany United Church of Christ, Montpelier, 7-9 p.m. Free. Info, 476-2541.

talks

ARMCHAIR TRAVEL TALKS: No passport is required for this biweekly speaker series from folks who have ventured as far afield as Namibia, Scandinavia and Manitoba. Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Free. Info, saddleshoes2@gmail.com.

words

READ LIKE A WRITER: New England Readers & Writers hosts a virtual reading group for lit lovers to chat about short stories, both contemporary and classic. 6:30-8 p.m. Free. Info, 372-1132.

SCRIPTWRITERS’ GROUP: Got a story to tell? Talented local writers swap techniques and constructive critiques. Junction Arts & Media, White River Junction, 5:30-7 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 295-6688.

TUE.10

business

CEDRR FEBRUARY MIXER: Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region members and friends eat, drink, bowl and win prizes at a catered shindig. Rutland Bowlerama, 5-7 p.m. Free; donations accepted. Info, 773-2747.

community

CURRENT EVENTS

DISCUSSION GROUP: Brownell Library holds a virtual roundtable for neighbors to pause and reflect on the news cycle. 10-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 878-6955.

crafts

ALL HANDS TOGETHER COMMUNITY CRAFTING GROUP: Marshfield spinning maven Donna Hisson hosts a casual gathering for fiber fans of all abilities to work on old projects or start something new. Jaquith Public Library, Marshfield, 4:30-6 p.m. Free. Info, 426-3581.

environment

‘RECYCLING PLASTIC FILMS AND OTHER HARD TO RECYCLE

ITEMS’: See MON.9. First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington, 10:30-11 a.m.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section.

‘ANIMAL KINGDOM 3D’: See THU.5.

‘DAUGHTERS OF THE DUST’: Julie Dash’s 1991 historical drama delivers a languid story of three generations of women living on the South Carolina Sea Islands in 1902. Film House, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free. Info, 540-3018.

‘OCEAN PARADISE 3D’: See THU.5.

‘SEA MONSTERS 3D: A PREHISTORIC ADVENTURE’: See THU.5.

‘SPACE: THE NEW FRONTIER 3D’: See THU.5.

games

CHESS TIME: Neighbors partake in the ancient game of strategy in an informal and supportive setting. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 5-6 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

health & fitness

COMMUNITY MEDITATION: All experience levels engage in the ancient Buddhist practice of clearing the mind to achieve a state of calm. First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington, 5:15-6 p.m. Free; donations accepted. Info, 862-5630.

TAI CHI: Practitioners get a feel for the Chinese martial art combining controlled breathing, meditation and slow, gentle movements. Ida Boch Park, Bradford, 10-11 a.m. Free. Info, 304-0836.

holidays

SEEK THE LOVE SCAVENGER HUNT: See WED.4.

language

ITALIAN LANGUAGE LUNCH: Speakers hone their skills in the Romance language over bagged lunches. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, noon-1 p.m. Free. Info, 223-3338.

PAUSE-CAFÉ FRENCH

CONVERSATION: Francophones and French-language learners meet pour parler la belle langue Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 5-7 p.m. Free. Info, 343-5493.

music

INTERPLAY JAZZ JAM NORTH: Instrumentalists tune in for a night of melodies, bringing six to eight copies of sheet music to pass around. Faith United Methodist

Church, South Burlington, 6:30-9 p.m. Free. Info, 578-8830.

RECITAL SERIES: SALLY PINKAS & FRIENDS: The center’s pianist-in-residence and special musical guests explore rich, emotionally expansive works by Johannes Brahms. Morris Recital Hall, Hopkins Center for the Arts, Hanover, N.H., 7:30-9:30 p.m. $3545. Info, 603-646-2422.

seminars

ESSENTIALS OF CAMERA OPERATION: An informative evening examines the critical elements of photography and videography, covering topics from exposure to depth of field. The Media Factory, Burlington, 6-8 p.m. Free; donations accepted; preregister. Info, 651-9692.

FINDING HOUSING WORKSHOP: Attendees build an apartment-search tool kit with guidance from the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity. 5-6 p.m. Free. Info, 660-3456.

sports

OPEN GYM BASKETBALL FOR DADS: Fathers and masc-identifying caregivers team up for a lowkey pickup game. Mater Christi School, Burlington, 7-9 p.m. Free. Info, 318-4231.

tech

AFTERNOON TECH HELP: Experts answer questions about phones, laptops, e-readers and other devices in one-on-one meetings. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 1-4 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 846-4140.

DROP-IN TECH SUPPORT: Library staff answer questions about devices of all kinds in face-to-face chats. Fletcher Free Library New North End Branch, Burlington, 12:30-2 p.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

TUE.10 » P.70

Please join us to raise awareness and support research at the University of Vermont Cancer Center

UVM Women’s Hockey vs Boston University

Thursday, February 5

6:00 pm

UVM Women’s Basketball vs University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Thursday, February 19

6:00 pm

UVM Men’s Hockey vs Providence

Friday, February 20

7:00 pm

UVM Men’s Basketball vs UMass Lowell

Thursday, February 26 7:00 pm

Tickets available at UVMathletics.com

Find out more about the University of Vermont Cancer Center at VermontCancer.org.

FAMI LY FU N

upper valley

STORY TIME: Preschoolers take part in tales, tunes and playtime. Latham Library, Thetford, 11 a.m. Free. Info, 785-4361.

northeast kingdom

PRESCHOOL STORY TIME: Youngsters and their caregivers delight in beautiful books, silly songs, creative crafts and unplugged play in the library’s cozy children’s room. Craftsbury Public Library, Craftsbury Common, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 586-9683.

SAT.7

burlington

‘CHAMP: AMERICA’S LAKE

MONSTER’: See WED.4.

DADS & KIDS: CARDBOARD

CITY: Dad Guild hosts fathers and their little ones for a morning of imaginative building using kid-friendly Chompshop saws, Makedo hand tools, duct tape and other materials. The Guild Hall, Burlington, 10-11:30 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, 318-4231.

DINOSAUR SAFARI EXHIBIT: See WED.4.

FAMILY PLAYSHOP: A range of themes and rotating activities promote school readiness and foster creativity. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 10-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

FÊTE DE LA GALETTE ET DU CARNAVAL: Francophone families make Mardi Gras crafts and enjoy a cake tasting at this seasonal celebration with the Vermont French Learning Hub. Alliance Française of the Lake Champlain Region, Burlington, 9-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 862-704-8990.

LEGO TIME: Mini makers ages 4 to 11 design and build original, colorful creations. Fletcher Free Library New North End Branch, Burlington, 11 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 863-3403.

chittenden county

DIY VALENTINES: Little patrons use a variety of art materials to create loving notes for friends and family. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 1:30-3 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

RUG CONCERT: Vermont Youth Orchestra enthralls its youngest concertgoers with an interactive morning of music making. Elley-Long

Music Center, Saint Michael’s College, Colchester, 11 a.m. $20; free for kids; preregister. Info, 655-5030.

SIBER SLED DOGS: Musher Milagro Turner and her team of friendly, fluffy huskies bring smiles to attendees of all ages. Essex Free Library, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 879-0313.

barre/montpelier

MEET TEDDY THE THERAPY DOG: Animal lovers pop by the library to make friends with a very good boy, learn about his therapy duties and see some of his astounding tricks. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 2nd Floor, Children’s Library, Montpelier, noon12:45 p.m. and noon. Free. Info, 223-3338.

mad river valley/ waterbury

CAITLIN MACLEOD-BLUVER: The Vermont Teacher of the Year entertains kiddos with a reading of Andrea Beaty’s Lila Greer, Teacher of the Year, followed by a discussion and a themed craft. Inklings Children’s Books, Waitsfield, 11 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 496-7280.

HIKE & STORY TIME: The Green Mountain Club hosts families for a fun-filled reading, followed by a guided trek of the center’s 0.7-mile trail. Green Mountain Club Headquarters, Waterbury Center, 10-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 244-7037.

SATURDAY STORY TIME: Stories and songs help children develop social and literacy skills. Waterbury Public Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 244-7036.

middlebury area

SNOWSHOE SAFARI: WINTER

WILDLIFE TRACKING: Animal lovers of all ages take a hike through the Moosalamoo Mountains to practice identifying signs of common Vermont mammals. Blueberry Hill Outdoor Center, Goshen, 1-3 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, rachel@maltvt.org.

upper valley

‘DISCOVERING MAGIC’: “Perceptual engineer” Andrew Pinard takes audience members on a tour of the impossible and the absurd at this jaw-dropping performance. Artistree Community Arts Center, South Pomfret, 11 a.m. & 6 p.m. $15-20. Info, 457-3500.

SUPERB OWLS: Families meet the center’s feathered ambassadors, take part in themed games, dissect pellets and hit the trails in search of wild winged counterparts. Vermont Institute of Natural Science, Quechee, 5-7

p.m. $17.50-20; preregister. Info, 359-5000.

WOODSTOCK AREA FAMILY MEETUP: A morning of funfilled activities keeps tots occupied while parents and caregivers receive information about the Family Place’s services and programs. Artistree Community Arts Center, South Pomfret, 10-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 649-3268.

brattleboro/ okemo valley

WINTER SUNSHINE SERIES:

‘CARDBOARD EXPLOSION!’: Puppeteer and educator Brad Shur’s whimsical, innovative and imaginative show invites plenty of audience participation. See calendar spotlight. Sandglass Theater, Putney, 11 a.m.-noon & 2-3 p.m. $8-16 sliding scale. Info, 387-4051.

SUN.8 burlington

‘CHAMP: AMERICA’S LAKE MONSTER’: See WED.4.

DAD GUILD PLAY GROUP: Fathers (and parents of all genders) and their kids ages 5 and under drop in for playtime and connection. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 3:305 p.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

DINOSAUR SAFARI EXHIBIT: See WED.4.

KIDS, WAFFLES & COFFEE: Dad Guild beckons families to a morning of community building over breakfast. Zero Gravity Beer Hall, Burlington, 8:30-10 a.m. By donation. Info, 318-4231.

SENSORY-FRIENDLY

SUNDAY: Folks of all ages with sensory processing differences have the museum to themselves, with adjusted lights and sounds and trusty sensory backpacks. ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, 9-10 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, kvonderlinn@ echovermont.org.

chittenden county

SOCIAL SUNDAYS: Families participate in fun and educational art activities with diverse mediums and themes. All supplies and instruction provided. Milton Artists’ Guild Art Center & Gallery, 12:30-2:30 p.m. Free. Info, 891-2014.

barre/ montpelier

GENDER CREATIVE KIDS: Trans and gender-nonconforming kiddos under 12 and their families build community and make new friends at this joyful monthly gathering. See outrightvt.org for full

schedule. Various locations statewide, 2-4 p.m. Free. Info, 865-9677.

MON.9

‘PARENTING TRANS YOUTH IN 2026’: Panelists from Outright Vermont and the University of Vermont Medical Center’s Transgender Youth Program offer insight about how to support young trans people during this challenging time. 6-7:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, amelia@outrightvt.org.

burlington

‘CHAMP: AMERICA’S LAKE MONSTER’: See WED.4.

DINOSAUR SAFARI EXHIBIT: See WED.4.

PRESCHOOL STORY TIME:

Bookworms ages 2 to 6 and their caregivers enjoy a funfilled reading session with an artistic twist. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

chittenden county

DESIGN A MUG: Students in grades 4 to 8 release their artistic energy using permanent markers, followed by a quick bake to seal their masterpiece. Materials provided. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 4:30-5:30 p.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

POKÉMON CLUB: Players trade cards and enjoy activities centered on their favorite strategic game. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 4-5 p.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.

SUPERB OWL CRAFT:

Teens create their own nocturnal predator at this beginner-friendly sewing session. South Burlington Public Library Art Wall, 4-5 p.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

mad river valley/ waterbury

TODDLER TIME: Little kids ages 5 and under have a blast with songs, stories, rhymes and dancing. Waterbury Public Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 244-7036.

upper valley

STORY TIME WITH BETH:

An engaging bookseller and librarian reads picture books on a different theme each week. The Norwich Bookstore, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 649-1114.

TUE.10

burlington

‘CHAMP: AMERICA’S LAKE MONSTER’: See WED.4.

‘RAISING BOYS & WHAT YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT’: Gender expert Kate Mangino and staff from Dad Guild lead this town hall-style discussion about why young men and boys are struggling with isolation, addiction and mental health issues in unprecedented numbers. The Guild Hall, Burlington, 7-8:30 p.m. By donation; preregister. Info, 318-4231.

BUILD IT BIG! RIGAMAJIG WORKSHOP: Budding engineers ages 7 to 12 work together to create towers, forts, vehicles and anything else they can dream up with the library’s building tool. Fletcher Room, Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 863-3403.

DINOSAUR SAFARI EXHIBIT: See WED.4.

MINECRAFT MEETUP: Fans of the sandbox game from ages 7 to 12 gather with fellow enthusiasts to play on the library’s private server. Snacks provided. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 5-6:15 p.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

SING-ALONG WITH LINDA BASSICK: Babies, toddlers and preschoolers sing, dance and wiggle along with the local musician. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 11-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 863-3403. chittenden county

CRAFTYTOWN: Kiddos express their inner artist using mediums such as paint, print, collage and sculpture. Recommended for ages 8 and up, or 6 and up with an adult helper. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 3-4 p.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

STORY TIME: Youngsters from birth to 5 enjoy a session of reading, rhyming and singing. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 10:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.

barre/ montpelier

BASEMENT TEEN CENTER:

See FRI.6, 2-6 p.m. THE NEST: Good Beginnings of Central Vermont hosts a baby-friendly space where prenatal and postpartum families can connect. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, 223-3338.

mad river valley/ waterbury

WATERCOLOR FOR KIDS: Artist Pauline Nolte leads little painters in grades 2 to 4 in exploration and expression. Waterbury Public Library, 3-4 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 244-7036.

northeast kingdom

LAPSIT STORY TIME: Babies 2 and under learn to love reading while singing and playing with their caregivers. Siblings welcome. St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, 10:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 745-1391.

PRESCHOOL STORY TIME: See FRI.6.

WED.11

burlington

‘CHAMP: AMERICA’S LAKE

MONSTER’: See WED.4.

DINOSAUR SAFARI EXHIBIT: See WED.4.

LIBRARY LITTLES

PLAYGROUP: See WED.4.

STEAM SPACE: See WED.4. chittenden county

BABY TIME: See WED.4.

GAME ON!: See WED.4.

HAFTY CRAFTY DAY: Kiddos ages 6 and up partake in a fun-filled hands-on art-making activity. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 1-2 p.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

PLAY TIME: See WED.4.

barre/ montpelier

BABY & CAREGIVER MEETUP: See WED.4.

FAMILY CHESS CLUB: See WED.4.

HOMESCHOOL BOOK GROUP: Kids ages 10 to 15 who learn at home bond over books. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, 1-2 p.m. Free. Info, 223-3338.

mad river valley/ waterbury

‘EQUAL PARTNERS: IMPROVING GENDER

EQUALITY AT HOME’: Author Kate Mangino encourages attendees to reflect on topics such as the societal expectations of men, division of labor and domestic roles at this info-packed seminar. Lawson’s Finest Liquids, Waitsfield, 6-7:30 p.m. By donation; preregister. Info, 318-4231.

upper valley

SENSORY STORY HOUR: WHEELS ON THE FARM: Young learners discover the shapes and colors of tractor and truck wheels through hands-on activities, including a wheelbarrow obstacle course. Billings Farm & Museum, Woodstock, 9:30-10:30 a.m. $10-12. Info, 457-2355. K

CURDS & CURLING

NEW DATE: FEB 21 | 11AM - 3PM

Grab your friends for a cheesy winter competition with a wheel of Jasper Hill cheddar as a curling stone in Vermont’s new version of this traditional sport.

LA BOHÈME

Opera Vermont brings Puccini’s beloved tale of love and heartbreak to the stage.

FEB 13 & 14 | 7PM

Featuring the WonderArts Holiday Market, this

Laser Treatments Neuromodulators • Peels

Tattoo Removal • Hair Removal Treat Sunspots & Redness

105 North Main Street, Ste 204, Barre, VT 802-858-5657 • vidavt.com

words

BURLINGTON LITERATURE GROUP: Over the course of five weeks, bookworms analyze Gustave Flaubert’s Madame Bovary, a landmark novel about a woman who escapes her provincial life through adultery. 6:30-8 p.m. Free. Info, info@nereaders andwriters.com.

PHILLIP MULLIGAN: Verse lovers join the local poet for a reading from his new book, Despite Gravity, a collection weaving together whimsy, personal history and an appreciation of the natural world. The Norwich Bookstore, 7-8 p.m. Free. Info, 649-1114.

etc.

BRAVE LITTLE STATE: Fans of the Vermont Public podcast enjoy a cozy midwinter hangout featuring trivia, a live voting round and an opportunity to ask burning questions about the show. Whirligig Brewing, St. Johnsbury, 5:30-7:30 p.m. $10; preregister. Info, events@vermontpublic.org.

TOASTMASTERS OF GREATER

BURLINGTON: Those looking to strengthen their speaking and leadership skills gain new tools. Virtual option available. Generator Makerspace, Burlington, 6-7:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 233-4157.

film

lgbtq

QUEER WRITERS’ GROUP: LGBTQ authors meet monthly to discuss their work, write from prompts, and give each other advice and feedback. Rainbow Bridge Community Center, Barre, 5:30-7 p.m. Free. Info, 622-0692.

music

FARMERS NIGHT CONCERT

SERIES: VERMONT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA & CHORUS: Andrew Crust directs the ensemble in riveting works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Claude Debussy, Randall Thompson and other luminaries for this year’s David M. Wilson Memorial Concert. House Chamber, Vermont Statehouse, Montpelier, 7:30-9 p.m. Free. Info, hello@vso.org.

3:53 PM

WRITING CIRCLE: Words pour out when participants explore creative expression in a low-pressure environment. Virtual option available. Pathways Vermont, Burlington, 4-5:30 p.m. Free. Info, 777-8691.

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section.

RECITAL SERIES: SALLY PINKAS & FRIENDS: See TUE.10.

politics

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS SPEAKER

WED.11

activism

‘BUILDING A FIREWALL FOR FREEDOM’: Vermont ACLU policy advocate Jordan Sauder informs citizens how to protect their civil rights and liberties. Maple Corner Community Center, Calais, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Free; donations accepted. Info, 229-6861.

VERMONT WOMEN’S MENTOR TRAINING: See WED.4.

business

VERMONT WOMENPRENEURS BIZ BUZZ BURLINGTON: A monthly networking meetup provides a space for female business owners to connect over coffee and snacks. Deep City, Burlington, 9:45-11:15 a.m. $10; preregister. Info, info@vtwomenpreneurs.com.

community

CULTURE & IDENTITY: AN INTERACTIVE COMMUNITY CONVERSATION: CrossCulture Connect hosts a guided dialogue focused on communication and building understanding through real-world perspectives. 5 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, director@ crossculturec.com.

CURRENT EVENTS: Neighbors have an informal discussion about what’s in the news. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 10:30 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 878-4918.

crafts

GREEN MOUNTAIN CHAPTER OF THE EMBROIDERERS’ GUILD OF AMERICA: Anyone with an interest in the needle arts can bring a project to this monthly meeting. Holy Family Parish Hall, Essex Junction, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, gmc.vt.ega@gmail.com.

YARN & YAK: See WED.4.

YARN CRAFTERS GROUP: See WED.4.

‘FROM EARTH TO EARTH: THE LOST ART OF DYING IN AMERICA’: This 2024 documentary short showcases the beauty and significance of natural burials, while exploring the contentious subject’s path to legalization in Vermont. A Q&A with Vermont Forest Cemetery founder Michelle Hogle Acciavatti follows. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 6-7:30 p.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

GREAT ART WEDNESDAY SERIES: ‘GOYA: VISIONS OF FLESH AND BLOOD’: David Bickerstaff’s 2015 documentary is a cinematic tour de force offering a look into the National Gallery’s exhibition, “Goya: The Portraits.” Anderson Studio at Town Hall Theater, Middlebury, 11 a.m. & 2:30 p.m. $15. Info, 382-9222.

MNFF SELECTS SERIES: ‘ASK E. JEAN’: Ivy Meeropol’s 2025 documentary explores the life of columnist E. Jean Carroll, from her early days as Miss Cheerleader USA to her rise as a trailblazing journalist. A virtual Q&A with screenwriter Ferne Pearlstein follows. Marquis Theatre & Southwest Café, Middlebury, 7 p.m. $14-16. Info, info@middfilmfest.org.

food & drink

COMMUNITY COOKING: See WED.4.

CUPPA ON CAMPUS: See WED.4.

health & fitness

CHAIR YOGA: See WED.4.

REAL TALK ABOUT SEX: ‘SEX IN AGING BODIES’: A monthly Zoom gathering facilitated by certified sexuality educator Sarah Goodrich allows for frank, respectful conversations about the topic. 7-8 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, sarah@ goodrichsex.com.

RECOVERY DHARMA: See WED.4.

holidays

SEEK THE LOVE SCAVENGER HUNT: See WED.4.

language

ELL CLASSES: See WED.4.

SERIES: THOMAS TAI: An attorney illustrates how gerrymandering — the drawing of unfair electoral district boundaries — can influence political power and affect representation. Hosted by Kellogg-Hubbard Library. 7 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 229-4737.

sports

GREEN MOUNTAIN TABLE TENNIS CLUB: See WED.4. TURNS FOR CHANGE: Snow sports enthusiasts head to the mountain for a community-building day of recreation, inclusion and mental health advocacy. Partial proceeds benefit Washington County Mental Health Services. Bolton Valley Resort, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Various prices. Info, kimberly. ead@wcmhs.org.

talks

WINTER SPEAKER SERIES: CARRIE TIRADO BRAMEN: In “American Niceness: From Plymouth Rock to Standing Rock,” an author explores the many roles that amiability has played in the social and political landscapes of the U.S. 7-8:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 262-2626.

theater

‘THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES’: Eve Ensler’s lusty and outrageous episodic play brings the laughs to benefit Planned Parenthood of Northern New England. Lost Nation Theater, Montpelier City Hall, 7-8:45 p.m. $5-44. Info, 229-0492.

‘THE WORLD IS NOT SILENT’: See WED.4, 11 a.m. & 7:30 p.m. words

BIANCA STONE: The Vermont poet laureate launches her latest collection, The Near and Distant World, featuring 51 stirring poems. Phoenix Books, Burlington, 7-8 p.m. $3; preregister. Info, 448-3350.

THE HUMP DAY WRITING GROUP: See WED.4. ➆

classes

THE FOLLOWING CLASS LISTINGS ARE PAID ADVERTISEMENTS. ANNOUNCE YOUR CLASS HERE FOR AS LITTLE AS $21.25/WEEK (INCLUDES SIX PHOTOS AND UNLIMITED DESCRIPTION ONLINE).

NEWSPAPER DEADLINE: MONDAYS AT 3 P.M. POST CLASS ADS AT SEVENDAYSVT.COM/POSTCLASS. GET HELP AT CLASSES@SEVENDAYSVT.COM.

arts & crafts

SATURDAY WORKSHOP

SERIES — ALYSSA DELABRUERE

STUDIO: Saturday art workshops for adults at Alyssa DeLaBruere Studio at Camp Meade in Middlesex! Feb. 7: Exploring Pastel Landscapes; Feb. 14: Intro to Collage; Feb. 28: Intro to Watercolor — Skyscapes. Register at alyssadelabruere.com/ middlesexclasses. Dates: Feb. 7, Feb. 14 & Feb. 28, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Cost: $125/workshop; materials incl. Location: Camp Meade, 961 Route 2, Middlesex. Info: 802-3233355, alyssadelabruere@gmail. com, alyssadelabruere.com.

PERFUME MAKING WORKSHOP:

Gather with friends and discover the art of botanical perfumery at this Bloom Lab botanical perfume blending event at Mirror Mirror! During this two-hour class, you will learn the basics of perfumery while creating your own custom botanical eau de parfum that is hand-blended to reﬂect your unique personality. It’s part art, part science, and a whole lot of fun and self-discovery! Perfect for anyone interested in perfumery or simply enjoying good company while trying something new. Date: Wed., Feb. 18, 6-8 p.m. Cost: $95. Location: Mirror Mirror, 5573 Shelburne Rd., Shelburne. Info: sevendaystickets.com.

BARN OWL NEEDLE-FELTING

WORKSHOP: Needle-felt a small barn owl while you celebrate both the Great Backyard Bird Count and Valentine’s Day! Skilled felter Grace Safford will lead

us in making a barn owl from wool. Materials provided. Date: Sat., Feb. 14, 1-3:30 p.m. Cost: $30. Location: Birds of Vermont Museum, 900 Sherman Hollow Rd., Huntington. Info: 802-4342167, sevendaystickets.com.

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, teens and adults. Join and restore your faith in humanity. Info: 802-425-2700, info@davisstudiovt.com, davisstudiovt.com.

LOCAL FIBER VT SPRING RETREAT: e weekend-long event will be based at the Norwich Inn. Participants choose from one of four ﬁber

arts sessions for the weekend: Knitting, Spinning, Felting or Dyeing. Retreat includes classes, all meals, local vendors, gift bags and more. Instructors for the weekend include Beth Brown-Reinsel (knitting), Jane Woodhouse (natural dyeing), Ellen Minard (hand-spinning) and Jan Stuart (wet felting). Dates: Mar. 27-29. Cost: $1,200; $995 early-bird price until Mar. 1. Participants also receive discounted room rate. Info, vermontfibershed@gmail. com, vermontfibershed.org/ local-fiber-vt-retreat.

business

IMMIGRATION, EMPLOYMENT & SMALL BUSINESSES: PROTECTING & PROMOTING WORKPLACE DIVERSITY IN UNCERTAIN TIMES: Hula invites the community, members and neighboring businesses operating in today’s fast-shifting legal, political and economic landscape to an interactive workshop on employment, discrimination, immigration and risk management. e workshop will ground participants in core legal concepts while centering real-world trade-offs faced by small employers, solo practitioners and growing teams in Burlington, Vt. Date: Wed., Feb. 11, 10 a.m. Cost: Free. Location: Hula, 50 Lakeside Ave., Burlington. Info: sevendaystickets.com.

food & drink

LOVE & LIBATIONS COCKTAIL

CLASS: Bring your valentine, your bestie or your favorite excuse to drink cocktails. Learn how to shake, stir and sip your way through two Valentine’s Dayready cocktails, made with our spirits. We’ll handle the recipes; you handle the fun. Light snacks included. Date: Feb. 12, 5:30-7 p.m. Cost: $35/person, plus tax & tip; 2 cocktails incl. Location: Mad River Distillers, 137 St. Paul

St., Burlington. Info: tinyurl. com/4wac8uky.

DATE NIGHT: BETTER-THANSTEAKHOUSE STEAK & POTATOES: In this hands-on class, you’ll learn how easy it can be to build a romantic steak-and-potatoes feast that rivals the restaurants. Along the way, you’ll gain the practical skills and clever techniques necessary to become a Kitchen Casanova. Date: Sat., Feb. 14, 6-8:30 p.m. Cost: $200. Location: Richmond Community Kitchen, 13 Jolina Ct. Info: 802-434-3445, sevendaystickets.com.

THE ULTIMATE CHOCOLATE TASTING: Indulge your senses in the ultimate chocolate tasting at the Lake Champlain Chocolates ﬂagship store on Pine Street in Burlington. Join a chocolate expert for a fun and interactive experience. Explore how chocolate is made, discover what goes into crafting high-quality chocolate and learn how to taste chocolate like a pro. en put your skills to the test as you enjoy a ﬂight of chocolate confections. Are you ready for the ultimate chocolate experience? Get your tickets today! Dates: Feb. 14 or Feb. 15, 2 p.m. Cost: $16. Location: Lake Champlain Chocolates, 750 Pine St., Burlington. Info: 802-864-1808, info@ lakechamplainchocolates.com, lakechamplainchocolates.com/ chocolate-tastings.

healing arts

REIKI TRAININGS AND ATTUNEMENTS: Come to the Lightheart Sanctuary to learn from a Reiki master/teacher with more than 35 years’ experience. She teaches First Degree, Second Degree and Reiki Master in a forest temple! Dates: First Degree by request; Second Degree by request & Tue., Feb. 10; Master by request and Fri., Mar. 27, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Cost: $175 for First Degree, $250 for Second Degree, $350 for Master; incl.

training, attunement, lunch, textbook & certiﬁcate. Location: Lightheart Sanctuary, 236 Wild Apple Rd., New Haven. Info: Maureen A. Short, 802-453-4433, maureenseventeen@gmail.com, lightheart.net.

martial arts

AIKIDO: THE POWER OF HARMONY: Beginners’ classes five days a week. Cultivate core power, aerobic fitness and resiliency. e dynamic, circular movements emphasize throws, joint locks and the development of internal energy. Join our community and find resiliency, power and grace. Inclusive training, gender-neutral dressing room/ bathrooms and a safe space for all. Visitors are always welcome to watch a class! Vermont’s only intensive aikido programs. Location: Aikido of Champlain

Valley, 257 Pine St., Burlington. Info: bpincus@burlingtonaikido. org, burlingtonaikido.org.

movement

NEW STAGE PLAYERS

THEATERLAB PERFORMANCE

WORKSHOP: rough targeted scene study work, this eightweek workshop series for adults and teens will help participants develop skills that will build conﬁdence, understand where your natural performance strengths lie, allow you to have fun and perform better at auditions, and deliver results when you are cast in a role. Date: Every Tue., Feb. 17Apr. 7, 6 p.m. Cost: $160. Location: Grange Hall Cultural Center, 317 Howard Ave., Waterbury. Info: sevendaystickets.com.

music

TAIKO TUESDAYS, DJEMBE

WEDNESDAYS!: Drum with Stuart Paton! New sessions each month. Community Taiko Ensemble Beginner’s Class, Mon., 5:30-7 p.m. Taiko on Tue.: Kids & Parents Taiko, 4-5:30 p.m.; Adult Intro Taiko, 5:30-7 p.m.; Accelerated Intro Taiko, 7-8:30 p.m. Djembe on Wed.: Intermediate Djembe, 5:30-7 p.m.; Beginner Djembe, 7-8:30 p.m. Drums provided. Cost: $92/4 weeks; 90-min. classes; $72 per person for Kids & Parents class. Location: Burlington Taiko, 208 Flynn Ave., Suite 3-G. Info: Stuart Paton, 802-448-0150, burlingtontaiko.org.

Find and purchase tickets for these and other classes at sevendaystickets.com.

Mark and Robin Twery have been married for almost 50 years. e retired Burlington residents have volunteered for the Friends of the Fletcher Free Library for more than a decade, and they are familiar faces at book sales. Seven Days’ Eva Sollberger visited the couple in their book-ﬁlled basement domain.

Buy & Sell »

ANTIQUES, FURNITURE, GARAGE SALES

Community »

ANNOUNCEMENTS, LOST & FOUND, SUPPORT GROUPS

Rentals & Real Estate »

APARTMENTS, HOMES, FOR SALE BY OWNER

Vehicles »

CARS, BIKES, BOATS, RVS

Services »

FINANCIAL, CHILDCARE, HOME & GARDEN

Musicians & Artists »

LESSONS, CASTING, REHEARSAL SPACE

Jobs » NO SCAMS, ALL LOCAL, POSTINGS DAILY

Laredo

AGE/SEX: 5-year-old neutered male

ARRIVAL DATE: January 6, 2026

SUMMARY: Laredo is a distinguished gentleman with a soulful, gray-muzzled sugar face and a heart that’s even sweeter. Loyal, affectionate and full of heart, Laredo thrives on human connection and is happiest when he’s included in daily life, whether it’s active adventures or relaxed evenings at home. Always eager to be with his people, this playful fella’s favorite activities include walks, exploring new sights and smells, or joining in on fun play sessions — especially fetch! If you’re looking for a loving, people-focused companion with a gentle disposition and just the right amount of playful spirit, Laredo could be your new best friend!

DID YOU KNOW?

February is Spay and Neuter Awareness Month! Spaying and neutering does more than just prevent unwanted litters; it’s also vital for keeping pets happy and healthy. Looking for an affordable option to spay or neuter your cat or dog? Check out HSCC’s Community Pet Clinic at hsccvt.org/clinic.

Buy y & Se

HOME & GARDEN

FIREWOOD FOR SALE

Hardwood cut +/- 16 in., incl. black walnut, white ash & cherry. Can deliver within 20 miles of Georgia. Price per cord, 4 by 4 by 8 feet. $290. Info, 802-238-7658.

PREPARE FOR POWER OUTAGES

Prepare for power outages today w/ a Generac Home Standby Generator. Act now to receive a free 5-year warranty w/ qualifying purchase. Call 1-866-3810627 today to schedule a free quote. It’s not just a generator. It’s a power move. (AAN CAN)

coaches. Info, blake@ aginginplacewithpets. org, aginginplacewith pets.org.

Communit y ommunit VOLUNTEERS

LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS FOR OUR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION

Hi, everyone! We’re Aging in Place With Pets. Our unique nonproﬁ t organization is dedicated to helping older adults & other vulnerable populations throughout our greater Burlington community to take care of, & keep, their pets. Our kind, compassionate & nonjudgmental volunteers (who we refer to as “coaches”) provide participants in our Tuesday & ursday Program w/ social, emotional & physical support to help them & their pets stay together. Please email our founder & director, Dr. Blake Randell, if you’re interested in & avail. to become one of our

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

MUSIC LESSONS

GUITAR INSTRUCTION

All styles/levels. Emphasis on building strong technique, thorough musicianship, developing personal style. Paul Asbell (Big Joe Burrell, Kilimanjaro, UVM & Middlebury College faculty, Seven Daysies winner). Info, 802-233-7731, pasbell@ paulasbell.com.

avail. for rent in the Old North End. Spacious BRs, large kitchen, lots of storage & full of natural light. 2 porches for plenty of outdoor enjoyment. Fantastic neighborhood w/ ﬁ rst-ﬂ oor living. Close to the bus line. Heat, HW & gas incl. Street parking. NS. Pets negotiable. 1st month’s rent & sec. dep. req. 1-year lease req. $1,800. Info, 802-318-6075, 86lafountainstreet@ gmail.com.

HOUSEMATES

SHARE LOVELY

S. BURLINGTON TOWNHOME

R R eal Estate ent als &

APARTMENTS & HOUSES FOR RENT

1-, 2- & 3-BR APTS. AVAIL. NOW

31 S. Willard St., Burlington. Unfurnished 1-BR, $900/mo. We pay cold water, haul trash & deal w/ driveway. 2-BR, $1,600/mo. Heated, off-street parking for 1 vehicle in driveway. We pay cold water; tenant pays other utils. Extra-roomy 3-BR, $1,700/mo. Heated. We pay cold water; tenants pay other utils. $1,700/ mo. Call Joe at 802-318 8916.

2-BR/1-BA APT. FOR RENT

86 Lafountain St., Burlington. Unfurnished 700-sq.ft. 2-BR, 1-BA

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

Attractive townhome to share w/ well-traveled senior woman who enjoys ﬁlm, volunteering, exercise & educational events. Hoping to ﬁ nd a housemate to cook a meal or 2 each week & enjoy dinner together! $650, all utils. incl. A small dog would be considered. Info, 802-863-5625 or homesharevermont. org for application. Interview, refs. & background checks req. EHO.

HOUSING WANTED

WE BUY HOUSES

We buy houses for cash as-is! No repairs. No fuss. Any condition. Easy process: Call, get cash offer & get paid. Call today for your fair cash offer: 1-877-9391331. (AAN CAN)

Some restrictions apply. Call 1-855-6064520. (AAN CAN)

WIRELESS HOME INTERNET

Free consultations. Over 450 positive reviews. Call 888-9601781. (AAN CAN)

Carly at 802-495-1954 or 802-891-1242 or email hopefulvt70@ gmail.com.

STOP OVERPAYING FOR AUTO INSURANCE

DENTAL SERVICE

PEST CONTROL

Seer ices

ELECTRONICS

AMERICA’S PREMIER MOBILE MEDICAL ALERT SYSTEM

MobileHelp, America’s premier mobile medical alert system. Whether you’re home or away. For safety & peace of mind. No long-term contracts. Free brochure. Call today! 1-877-667-4685. (AAN CAN)

All your entertainment. Nothing on your roof! Sign up for DIRECTV & get your 1st 3 mos. of Max, Paramount+, Showtime, Starz, MGM+ & Cinemax incl. Choice package, $84.99/mo.

Connect to the best wireless home internet w/ EarthLink. Enjoy speeds from 5G & 4G LTE networks, no contracts, easy installation, & data plans up to 300 GB. Call 855-873-2215. (AAN CAN)

AFFORDABLE TV & INTERNET

If you are overpaying for your service, call now for a free quote & see how much you can save: 1-844-588-6579. (AAN CAN)

FINANCIAL & LEGAL

TIME-SHARE CANCELLATION EXPERTS

Wesley Financial Group, LLC, time-share cancellation experts. Over $50 million in time-share debt & fees canceled in 2019. Get free informational package & learn how to get rid of your time-share!

A recent survey says that most Americans are overpaying for their car insurance. Let us show you how much you can save. Call now for a no-obligation quote: 1-833-399-1539. (AAN CAN)

GET DISABILITY BENEFITS

You may qualify for disability beneﬁ ts if you are between 52 & 63 years old & under a doctor’s care for a health condition that prevents you from working for a year or more. Call now: 1-877-247-6750. (AAN CAN)

HEALTH & WELLNESS

CAREGIVING

Retired nurse doing light caregiving. NS, no heavy lifting. Within Chittenden County. Part time, days & evenings. $20-25/hour. Contact

Dental insurance from Physicians Mutual Insurance. Coverage for 400+ procedures. Real dental insurance — not just a discount plan. Get your free Dental Information Kit w/ all the details! 1-866-4305905. (AAN CAN)

HOME & GARDEN

RESTORATIVE CLEANING SERVICE FOR RENTAL PROPERTIES

Has a tenant left your unit in an undesirable state? is is a “1-time” deep cleaning & restorative service exclusively for rental units. Very thorough work done & stellar refs. avail. upon request. Free estimates gladly offered! Please call Shawn at 802-660 -2645.

STOP HOME BREAK-INS

Protect your home from pests safely & affordably. Roaches, bedbugs, rodents, termites, spiders & other pests. Locally owned & affordable. Call for a quote, service or an inspection today: 1-833-237-1199. (AAN CAN)

Home break-ins take less than 60 seconds. Don’t wait! Protect your family, your home, your assets now for as little as 70 cents a day. Call 1-833-881-2713. (AAN CAN)

NEED NEW WINDOWS? Drafty rooms? Chipped or damaged frames? Need outside noise reduction? New, energy-efﬁ cient windows may be the answer! Call for a consultation & free quote today: 1-877-2489944. (AAN CAN)

Using the enclosed math operations as a guide, ll the grid using the numbers 1 - 6 only once in each row and column.

Sudoku

Show and tell. View and post up to 6 photos per ad online.

Complete the following puzzle by using the numbers 1-9 only once in each row, column and 3 x 3 box.

Open 24/7/365. Post & browse ads at your convenience. Extra! Extra! There’s no limit to ad length online.

WANT MORE PUZZLES?

Try these online news games from Seven Days at sevendaysvt.com/games.

Put your knowledge of Vermont news to the test. NEW ON FRIDAYS:

CALCOKU BY JOSH

REYNOLDS

DIFFICULTY THIS WEEK: HHH

Fill the grid using the numbers 1-6, only once in each row and column. The numbers in each heavily outlined “cage” must combine to produce the target number in the top corner, using the mathematical operation indicated. A one-box cage should be filled in with the target number in the top corner. A number can be repeated within a cage as long as it is not the same row or column.

crossword

SUDOKU BY JOSH REYNOLDS

DIFFICULTY THIS WEEK: HH

Place a number in the empty boxes in such a way that each row across, each column down and each 9-box square contains all of the numbers one to nine. The same numbers cannot be repeated in a row or column.

ANSWERS ON P.76 H = MODERATE H H = CHALLENGING H H H = HOO, BOY!

See how fast you can solve this weekly 10-word puzzle.

Legal Notices

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BID

TOWN OF COLCHESTER PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT

80 DICK MAZZA DRIVE, COLCHESTER, VT 05446

Sealed BIDS for the Bayside Park Hard Court Construction Project, retrofitting and construction of new tennis, pickleball and basketball courts on the existing sites. Bid Documents may be purchased from BluePrints, Etc., 20 Farrell Street, Suite 101, South Burlington, Vermont 05403, 802-865-4503, www.blueprintsetc.com

Bids will be received by: Derek Mitchell, Assistant Parks Director, Town of Colchester Parks & Recreation Department, 80 Dick Mazza Drive, Colchester, VT 05446 until 1:00pm on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, and then at said office publicly opened and read aloud.

Each BID must be accompanied by a certified check payable to the OWNER for five percent (5%) of the total amount of the BID. A BID bond may be used in lieu of a certified check.

A Performance BOND and a Payment BOND each in an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the contract price will be required. (40 CFR §31.36(h))

A non-mandatory pre-bid meeting for prospective bidders will be held at 9:00am on Wednesday, February 4th. Any bidder interested should come to the Bayside Activity Center, located at Bayside Park, 36 Blakely Road, Colchester, VT 05446. Questions regarding the Bid are due by end of day on February 18, 2026. All bidders must notify Greg Dixson, P.E., Krebs & Lansing Consulting Engineers of their intent to bid so they can be placed on a Bidders List to receive any issued addenda or other pertinent information. Please notify the Project Manager, Derek Mitchell, if email is not an acceptable method for receiving information and provide alternate means of contact.

STATE OF VERMONT SUPERIOR COURT PROBATE DIVISION CHITTENDEN UNIT DOCKET NO.: 25-PR-07886

In re ESTATE of Claire Thibeault

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

To the creditors of: Claire Thibeault, late of South Burlington, Vermont.

I have been appointed to administer this estate. All creditors having claims against the decedent or the estate must present their claims in writing within four (4) months of the date of the first publication of this notice. The claim must be presented to me at the address listed below with a copy sent to the Court. The claim may be barred forever if it is not presented within the four (4) month period.

Dated: Sunday, October 5, 2025

Signature of Fiduciary: /s/ Nancy Miner /s/ Karen Jordan

Executor/Administrator:

Nancy Miner & Karen Jordan

P.O. Box 66

Burlington, Vermont 05402

Phone number: (802) 865-6326

Email: acusick-loecher@sheeheyvt.com

Name of Publication: Seven Days Publication Date: 02/04/2026

Name of Probate Court: State of VermontChittenden Probate Division

Address of Probate Court: 175 Main Street, Burlington, VT 05401

STATE OF VERMONT

SUPERIOR COURT PROBATE DIVISION CHITTENDEN UNIT DOCKET NO.: 26-PR-00019

In re ESTATE of Phyllis E. Shaw NOTICE TO CREDITORS

To the creditors of: Phyllis E. Shaw, late of Burlington, Vermont

The claim may be barred forever if it is not presented within the four (4) month period.

Dated: January 6, 2026

Signature of Fiduciary: /s/ Phyllis Shaw Forbes

Executor/Administrator: Phyllis Shaw Forbes c/o 15 Mountview Court., Burlington, VT 05401

Phone number: 802-777-1872

Email: jeff@wickandmaddocks.com

Name of Publication: Seven Days Publication Date: 02/04/2026

Name of Probate Court: Chittenden Probate Court Address of Probate Court: 175 Main St , Burlington, VT 05401

CHITTENDEN SOLID WASTE DISTRICT NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

A Public Hearing will be held at 6:00 p.m. on February 25, 2026 at the Chittenden Solid Waste District Administration Office at 19 Gregory Drive in South Burlington, Vermont or via Zoom conference online. Registration is available in advance of the hearing on our website. A hearing is scheduled for the purpose of reviewing the Preliminary FY27 Budget for the Chittenden Solid Waste District (CSWD). Copies of the preliminary draft budget are available at the CSWD Administration Office. Income

In re ESTATE of Jonathan Paul Lavigne NOTICE TO CREDITORS

To the creditors of: Jonathan Paul Lavigne, late of Essex Junction, Vermont

Dated: 01/28/2026

Signature of Fiduciary: /s/ Dianne K. Lavallee

Executor/Administrator: Dianne K. Lavallee c/o Rachel K. Lafferty

Jarrett|Hoyt 1795 Williston Road, Suite 125 South Burlington, VT 05403 Phone Number: 802-864-5951 Email: rachel@vtelaw.com

Name of Publication: Seven Days Publication Date: 02/04/2026

Name of Probate Court: Vermont Superior Court Chittenden Probate Address of Probate Court: 175 Main Street Burlington, VT 05401

TOWN OF ESSEX ANNUAL TOWN MEETING OFFICIAL WARNING MARCH 3, 2026

THE LEGAL VOTERS OF THE TOWN OF ESSEX IN THE COUNTY OF CHITTENDEN ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED AND WARNED TO MEET AT ESSEX MIDDLE SCHOOL, 60 FOUNDERS ROAD, ESSEX, VERMONT ON TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2026, TO TRANSACT THE FOLLOWING BUSINESS BY AUSTRALIAN BALLOT. THE POLLS FOR SAID BALLOT SHALL BE OPEN FROM 7:00 AM UNTIL 7:00 PM AT WHICH TIME THEY SHALL BE CLOSED.

Article I.

Shall the Town adopt a budget for the fiscal year July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027 as recommended by the Selectboard in the amount of $17,189,166?

Article II.

Shall the Town of Essex vote to appropriate an amount equal to 1% of the General Fund Budget, as passed by voters, to the Essex Human Services Contributions Fund to support social service organizations, such amount being reasonably necessary and for the support of programs to benefit Town of Essex residents?

Article III. Shall the voters of the Town of Essex advise the Selectboard to continue overall progress on implementing the new municipal complex at 80-90 Upper Main Street, for which the Selectboard adopted a conceptual Master Plan in March 2025? (Advisory)

Article IV.

Shall the voters of the Town of Essex advise the Selectboard to complete public infrastructure design as the first step toward potential construction at 80-90 Upper Main Street, which was purchased in 2023 to serve a new municipal complex, and for which the Selectboard adopted a conceptual Master Plan in March 2025, under the following conditions (Advisory):

1. Only the following funding sources are eligible to cover Town costs: capital funds, impact fees, $500,000 in eligible grant funding and any other grant awards, donations, Reserve funds, approved fund balance assignments, and/or Local Option Tax revenue, should any local option taxes be approved by voters.

2. Construction of any portion of the new municipal complex project shall not occur without future voter input.

3. Costs for this infrastructure design phase of work, currently estimated at $1.5 million, do not exceed $2 million to come from the sources listed above.

Article V.

Shall the voters approve setting the number of Essex Development Review Board members to five (5), in accordance with 24 V.S.A. 4460(f)?

Article VI. Election of the following: Moderator, 1 vacancy (1-year term) Selectboard, 3 vacancies (two 3-year terms, one 1-year term)

The legal voters of the Town of Essex are further notified that voter qualification, registration and absentee voting relative to said annual meeting shall be in accordance with the Vermont Statutes Annotated.

Dated at Essex, Vermont, the 26th day of January 2026 by the Essex Town Selectboard.

Selectboard signatures:

Kendall Chamberlin, Vice Chair

Shannon Jackson, Clerk

Andrew J. Watts

Ethan Lawrence

Received for record this 26th day of January 2026 in the records of the Town of Essex.

Jennifer Booker, Acting Town Clerk

Posted at: Essex Town Office, Essex Free Library, Essex Public Works, Essex Post Office, Essex Middle School, Essex Town Website

CITY OF ESSEX JUNCTION

INVITATION TO BID

RAILROAD AVENUE NEW WATERLINE EXTENSION

RECEIPT OF BIDS: Sealed bids on forms prepared by the Engineer will be received on behalf of the City of Essex Junction at the City of Essex Junction offices, located at 2 Lincoln Street in Essex Junction, Vermont until 2:00 p.m. (local time) on February 27, 2026 for the Railroad Avenue New Waterline Extension project. The contract generally includes the following work items on Railroad Avenue in the City of Essex Junction:

1) Supply and Install 490 lf of 8” CL 52 Ductile Iron Waterline

2) Supply and Install seven 8” Ductile Gate Valves

3) Supply and Install two 8” x 6” Ductile Iron Mechanical Joint Reducer Fittings

4) Supply and Install one 8” x 4” Ductile Iron Mechanical Joint Reducer Fittings

5) Supply and Install two 8” x 8” Ductile Iron Mechanical Joint Tee Fittings

6) Supply and Install one Hydrant Assembly

7) Supply and Install six 8” Ductile Iron Mechanical Joint 45° Bend Fittings

8) Supply and Install two 8” Ductile Iron Mechanical Joint 11-1/4° Bend Fittings

9) Removal and Replacement of 65 lf of Granite Curbing

10) Supply and Install ±420 cy of New Gravel Subbase 11) Removal and Replacement of 55 sy of Cement

12) Replacement of ±180 tons of Bituminous Concrete Pavement

All work will be in accordance with Drawings, Specifications and other Contract Documents and information prepared by the City of Essex Junction, 2 Lincoln Street, Essex Junction, Vermont.

A Mandatory Pre-Bid meeting will be held on-site on February 19, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. (local time). Prospective Bidders are responsible for inspecting

the site and being thoroughly familiar with the Contract Documents.

OBTAINING CONTRACT DOCUMENTS: Digital Drawings, Specifications, and other Contract Documents may be obtained by emailing Jeffrey P. Kershner, P.E., President, Donald L. Hamlin Consulting Engineers, Inc. at jkershner@dlhce.com. Prospective bidders will be added to the Plan Holder List and will be provided with access to a digital Sharepoint site. All Drawings, Specifications, Contract Documents, Addendums, and other relevant project information will be available on the Sharepoint site free of charge. It is the responsibility of the Prospective Bidder to review relevant project information located on the Sharepoint site. Prospective Bidders must be on the Plan Holder List to receive access to the Sharepoint site and be eligible to submit a bid.

BIDS WILL BE PUBLICLY OPENED AND READ AT 2:00 p.m. (local time) on February 27, 2026 in the first-floor meeting room at the City of Essex Junction offices located at 2 Lincoln Street in Essex Junction, Vermont 05452.

BID GUARANTY: Each bid shall be accompanied by an acceptable form of Bid Guaranty in an amount equal to at least five percent (5%) of the amount of the Bid, payable to the City of Essex Junction, as a guaranty that if the Bid is accepted, the Bidder will execute the Contract and file acceptable Performance, Labor, and Material Payment Bonds within ten (10) days after the award of the Contract. Acceptable form for a Bid Guaranty is either a bid bond or certified check. No bidder may withdraw his bid within 30 days after the actual date of the opening thereof. The owner reserves the right to waive any informalities and to reject any or all bids.

CONTRACT TIME: If awarded the Contract, the Contractor agrees to complete the work in its entirety, as shown on the Contract Plans within 45 calendar days, commencing seven (7) days after the issuance of the Notice To Proceed. The anticipated contract start date for the project is May 15, 2026.

STATE OF VERMONT

SUPERIOR COURT CIVIL DIVISION

LAMOILLE UNIT CASE NO. 26-CV-00653

IN RE: ABANDONED MOBILE HOME OF ASHLEY WELLS

NOTICE OF HEARING

A hearing on Ship Sevin II, LLC’s Verified Complaint to declare abandoned and uninhabitable the mobile home of Ashley Wells located at the Pinecrest Mobile Home Park, Lot #44, 13 First Street in Morrisville, Vermont has been set for February 17th, 2026 at 8:30 a.m. You may participate in the hearing either in person at the Vermont Superior Court, Lamoille Unit, Civil Division located at 154 Main Street in Hyde Park, Vermont or remotely via WEBEX video. The WEBEX Login Information is as follows: App: Cisco Webex Meeting Website: https://vtcourts.webex.com Meeting Number: 2335 590 2963

Password: LamoilleCR1

If you do not have a computer or sufficient bandwidth, you may call (802) 636-1108 to appear by phone. (This is not a tollfree number). When prompted enter the meeting ID number listed above, followed by the pound symbol (#). You will be prompted to enter your attendee number (which you do not have). Instead, press pound (#). If you have technical difficulties, call the Court at (802) 888-3887.

Date: January 30, 2026

Ashley Harvey, Judicial Assistant Lamoille Unit

VERIFIED COMPLAINT FOR ABANDONMENT

PURSUANT TO 10 V.S.A. § 6249(i) (Uninhabitable)

NOW COMES Ship Sevin II, LLC (“Ship Sevin”), by and through its Counsel Nadine L. Scibek, and hereby complains pursuant to 10 V.S.A. § 6249(i) as follows:

1. Ship Sevin, a Vermont limited liability company with a principal place of business in South Burlington, County of Chittenden, State of Vermont, is the record owner of a mobile home park known as the Pinecrest Mobile Home Park (the “Park”), located in Morrisville, Vermont.

2. Ashley Wells (“Wells”) is the record owner of a certain mobile home described as a 1994 Skyline, 14’ x 72’, bearing serial number 6816-01576 (the “Mobile Home”) located at the Pinecrest Mobile Home Park, Lot #44, 13 First Street in Morrisville, Vermont

according to the Town of Morristown Land Records. See attached Bill of Sale.

3. Wells leased a lot in the Park from Ship Sevin pursuant to a written lease. Wells paid Ship Sevin a security deposit of $363.00. See attached Lease.

4. Wells’ last known mailing address is 13 First Street, Morrisville, VT 05661.

5. Wells was evicted from the Park for nonpayment of rent on or about August 19, 2025 by the Lamoille County Sheriff’s Department. The mobile home has been vacant since that time. The Court issued a Judgment and Writ of Possession to Ship Sevin on July 23, 2025. See Ship Sevin II, LLC v. Wells, Vermont Superior Court, Lamoille Civil Unit, Case No. 25-CV-02397. See attached.

6. The mobile home has been abandoned and is empty. The last known resident of the mobile home was Wells. All of Wells’ personal property is believed to have been removed from the mobile home and utility services have been terminated. On August 27, 2025, the Park’s Counsel communicated with Wells via regular mail and email with respect to her intentions with her mobile home. Ship Sevin has received no response from Wells. See attached.

7. The following security interests, mortgages, liens and encumbrances appear of record with respect to the mobile home:

a. Wells is in arrears on obligations to pay property taxes to the Town of Morristown, Vermont in the aggregate amount of $1,044.47, plus interest and penalties. Additionally, the Town of Morristown has filed a Notice of Lien on Real Property in the amount of $607.69 dated December 1, 2025 and recorded in Volume 363, Page 296 of the Morristown Land Records. See attached copy of Tax Bill, Delinquent Tax Statement and Notice of Lien on Real Property.

b. Wells is in arrears on obligations to pay electric bills to Morrisville Water & Light Department in the amount of $162.13.

8. Mobile home storage fees continue to accrue at the rate of $435.00 per month. Rent/ storage fees due Ship Sevin through January, 2026 total $5,615.00. Attorney’s fees and court costs incurred by Ship Sevin currently exceed $3,000.00.

9. Ship Sevin sent written notice by certified mail to the Town of Morristown on November 20, 2025 of its intent to commence this action. See attached.

10. The mobile home is uninhabitable. Cindy Whitham, Property Manager, will testify under oath as to the poor and unlivable condition of this mobile home at the abandonment hearing. WHEREFORE, Ship Sevin respectfully requests that the Honorable Court enter an order as follows:

1. Declare that the mobile home has been abandoned;

2. Transfer the mobile home which is unfit for human habitation to the Park owner without a public auction so that it may be removed and disposed of accordingly.

3. Order pursuant to 10 V.S.A. § 6249(j) that the mobile home and any security deposit paid be conveyed to the Park Owner in “as is” condition, and free from all liens and other encumbrances of record.

DATED January 29, 2026.

SHIP SEVIN II, LLC

BY: Nadine L. Scibek

Attorney for Ship Sevin II, LLC

I declare that the above statement is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief. I understand that if the above statement is false, I will be subject to the penalty of perjury or other sanctions in the discretion of the Court.

January 29, 2026

BY: Cindy Whitham

Duly Authorized Agent for Ship Sevin II, LLC

IN THE YEAR TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-SIX A REGULATION IN RELATION TO RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE TRAFFIC COMMISSION— SECTION 7; NO-PARKING AREAS.

Sponsor(s): Public Works Commission

Action: Approval

Date: 01/21/2026

Attestation of Adoption: Phillip Peterson, PE

Senior Transportation Engineer & Planner, Technical Services

Published: 02/04/26

Effective: 02/24/26

It is hereby Ordained by the Public Works Commission of the City of Burlington

as follows:

That Appendix C, Rule and Regulations of the Traffic Commission, Section 7 No-parking areas, designated of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Burlington is hereby amended as follows:

Section 7 No-parking areas.

No person shall park any vehicle at any time in the following locations: (1)-(4) As written. (5) Reserved On the north side of Barrett Street, starting at the midblock crosswalk in front of 50 Barrett Street and continuing fifty-five (55) feet east (6)-(591) As written.

** Material stricken out deleted.

*** Material underlined added.

CC: BCO Appx.C, Sec 7 01/21/26

CITY OF BURLINGTON IN THE YEAR TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-SIX A REGULATION IN RELATION TO RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE TRAFFIC COMMISSION— § 3; STOP SIGN LOCATIONS AND, § 4; LOCATION OF YIELD-RIGHT-OF-WAY SIGNS.

Sponsor(s): Public Works Commission

Action: Approval

Date: 1/21/2026

Attestation of Adoption: Phillip Peterson, PE Senior Transportation Engineer & Planner, Technical Services Published: 02/04/26 Effective: 02/24/26

It is hereby Ordained by the Public Works Commission of the City of Burlington as follows:

That Appendix C, Rule and Regulations of the Traffic Commission, § 3; Stop sign locations, and §4; Locations of yield right-of-way-signs of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Burlington is hereby amended as follows:

§ 3 Stop sign locations

(a) The following locations are hereby designated as stop sign locations:

(1)-(324) As written.

(325) Sixty (60) feet in advance of the east entrance to the one (1) lane Queen City Park Road Bridge causing westbound traffic on Queen City Park Road to stop.

(326) Sixty (60) feet in advance of the west entrance to the one (1) lane Queen City Park Road Bridge causing eastbound traffic on Queen City Park Road to stop.

§ 4 Location of yield-right-of-way signs. Yield-right-of-way signs are authorized at the following locations:

(1) Sixty (60) feet in advance of the east entrance to the one (1) lane Queen City Park Road Bridge.

(2) Sixty (60) feet in advance of the west entrance to the one (1) lane Queen City Park Road Bridge.

(3)-(19) As written.

** Material stricken out deleted.

*** Material underlined added. /CEM: BCO Appx.C, Section 3,4 1/21/26

CITY OF BURLINGTON IN THE YEAR TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-SIX

A REGULATION IN RELATION TO RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE TRAFFIC COMMISSION— §7; NO-PARKING AREAS. §23; DESIGNATION OF FIRE LANES.

Sponsor(s): Public Works Commission Action: Approval

Date: 01/21/2026

Attestation of Adoption: Phillip Peterson, PE

Senior Transportation Engineer & Planner, Technical Services

Published: 02/04/26

Effective: 02/24/26

It is hereby Ordained by the Public Works Commission of the City of Burlington as follows:

That Appendix C, Rule and Regulations of the Traffic Commission, §7 No-parking areas., §23

Designation of fire lanes., of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Burlington is hereby amended as follows:

Legal Notices

§7 No parking areas.

No person shall park any vehicle at any time in the following locations:

(1) – (237) As written.

(238) On the east side of North Champlain Street between Sherman Street and Peru Street beginning one hundred thirty-five (135) feet south of Peru Street and extending south forty (40) feet. (239) – (591) As written.

§23 Designation of fire lanes.

The following locations are hereby designated as fire lanes in which vehicles are prohibited from parking or obstructing:

(1) – (7) As written.

(8) On the east side of North Champlain Street beginning fifty (50) feet north of Pearl Street and extending north one hundred (100) feet.

ER/: BCO Appx.C, Sections 7 & 23. 01/21/26

CITY OF BURLINGTON

IN THE YEAR TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-SIX A REGULATION IN RELATION TO RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE TRAFFIC COMMISSION—

§9; FIFTEEN-MINUTE PARKING.

§12-1; NO PARKING EXCEPT VEHICLES LOADING OR UNLOADING.

Sponsor(s): Public Works Commission

Action: Approval

Date: 01/21/2026

Attestation of Adoption:

Phillip Peterson, PE

Senior Transportation Engineer & Planner, Technical Services

Published: 02/04/26

Effective: 02/24/26

It is hereby Ordained by the Public Works Commission of the City of Burlington as follows:

That Appendix C, Rule and Regulations of the Traffic Commission, §9 Fifteen-minute parking., §12-1 No parking except vehicles loading or unloading., of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Burlington is hereby amended as follows:

§9 Fifteen-minute parking.

(a) – (b) As written.

(c) No person shall park a vehicle longer than fifteen (15) minutes, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., Sundays and holidays excepted, in the following areas:

(1) – (6) As written.

(7) On the east side of North Champlain Street starting twenty-eight (28) feet south of North Street extending twenty (20) feet. Reserved.

(8) – (10) As written.

(d) As written.

§12-1 No parking except vehicles loading or unloading.

No person shall park a vehicle at the following locations unless engaged in loading or unloading the vehicle:

(1) – (13) As written.

(14) Reserved. On the east side of North Champlain Street beginning twenty (20) feet south of North Street and extending south for a distance of twenty-two (22) feet between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. (15) – (54) As written.

ER/: BCO Appx.C, Sections 9 & 12-1. 01/21/26

CITY OF ESSEX JUNCTION

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

PROPOSED FY27 BUDGET

FEBRUARY 11, 2026, 6:30 PM

A public hearing on the FY27 Budget and Capital Program for the City of Essex Junction will be held in person at 2 Lincoln Street, Essex Junction, VT, and online via Zoom on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at 6:30 pm. Join the Zoom meeting at www.essexjunction.org, or by telephone at 1(888) 788-0099 (enter meeting code 944 6429 7825, passcode 635787). The meeting will also be live-streamed

PLACE AN AFFORDABLE NOTICE AT: SEVENDAYSVT.COM/LEGAL-NOTICES OR CALL 802-865-1020, EXT. 142.

on Town Meeting TV. The public is invited to attend and offer comments regarding the proposed FY27 Budget and Capital Program.

STATE OF VERMONT

SUPERIOR COURT PROBATE DIVISION

CHITTENDEN UNIT DOCKET NO.: 25-PR-06388

In re ESTATE of Yahya Ikhmayyis

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

To the creditors of: Yahya Ikhmayyis, late of South Burlington, Vermont

Dated: 01/30/2026

Signature of Fiduciary: /s/ Norman C Smith, Esq.

Executor/Administrator: Norman C Smith, Esq. PO Box 24, Essex Junction, VT 05453

Phone Number: 802-288-9088

Email: norman@normansmithlaw.com

Name of Publication: Seven Days Publication Date: February 4, 2026

Name of Probate Court: Chittenden Probate Court

Address of Probate Court: 175 Main Street , Burlington, VT 05401

STATE OF VERMONT

SUPERIOR COURT PROBATE DIVISION CHITTENDEN UNIT DOCKET NO.: 25-PR-07672

In re ESTATE of Jennifer Fowler

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

To the creditors of: Jennifer L. Fowler, late of Williston, VT

Dated: 02/01/2026

Signature of Fiduciary: /s/ Dennis Fowler, Fiduciary, by David C. Buran, Esq.

Executor/Administrator: Dennis Fowler, Fiduciary, c/o David C Buran, Esq., 13 Apple Tree Ct, Milton, VT 05468 Phone Number: 802-878-8588 email: David@BuranLawOffices.com

Name of Publication: Seven Days Publication Date: 02/04/2026

Name of Probate Court: Vermont Superior Court; Probate Division, Chittenden Unit Address of Probate Court: 175 Main St Burlington, VT 05401

WARNING ANNUAL TOWN MEETING

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2026, 7:00 PM

VOTE BY AUSTRALIAN BALLOT

TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2026, 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM COLCHESTER, VERMONT

The legal voters of the Town of Colchester, Vermont are notified and warned to meet at the Colchester High School Auditorium, Laker Lane, in said Town on Monday, March 2, 2026, at 7:00 PM to act on the following articles not involving voting by Australian ballot (Articles 8-12):

ARTICLE 8

To choose a moderator, if elected moderator is not present.

ARTICLE 9

To act on reports of the Town Officers.

ARTICLE 10

To set compensation, if any, to be paid to the Selectboard.

ARTICLE 11

To transact any other business proper to come before said meeting.

ARTICLE 12

To adjourn said meeting and to reconvene at the Colchester High School, Laker Lane, in said Town on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, for voters in District 19 and District 20 to vote for Town Officers and to transact any other business involving voting by Australian Ballot with voting to begin at 7:00 a.m. and to close at 7:00 p.m. (Early voting information below.)

ARTICLE 13 - Town Municipal Services Budget

“Shall the voters of the Town of Colchester approve total general fund expenditures of Eighteen Million, One Hundred Sixty-Three Thousand, Seven Hundred Fifty-Six Dollars ($18,163,756) of which Fifteen Million, Two Hundred Seventy-One Thousand, Five Hundred Sixty-Six Dollars ($15,271,566) shall be raised by taxes and Two Million, Eight Hundred Ninety-Two Thousand, One Hundred Ninety Dollars ($2,892,190) by non-tax revenues for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027?”

ARTICLE 14 – Public Safety Capital Plan

“Shall the voters of the Town of Colchester reauthorize the Selectboard to maintain a reserve fund accumulating annually in the amount of Thirty Thousand, Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($30,750) for a period of five years, for the purpose of financing public safety equipment replacements and upgrades?”

Early/Absentee Voting: You may request a ballot be mailed to you through the Vermont’s Voter Registration system at “My Voter Page” at https:// mvp.vermont.gov/, pick one up at the Town Clerk’s Office, or request one by phone to the Town Clerk’s Office at (802) 264-5520. Completed ballots can be deposited into the drive up drop box or mailed using the provided return envelope. If mailing, be sure to allow time for postal transit! Ballots must be received in the Town Clerk’s Office by 12:00 PM or Drop Box by 4:30 PM on Monday, March 2, 2026, or brought to the polling location at Colchester High School on Election Day, March 3, 2026.

DATED AT COLCHESTER THIS 13th DAY OF JANUARY 2026

/s/ Pam Loranger, Chair /s/ Charlie Papillo, Vice Chair /s/ Jacki Murphy, Clerk /s/ Maureen P. Dakin /s/ Paul Pecor Colchester Selectboard

/s/ Julie Graeter, Town Clerk

TOWN OF ESSEX DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING FEBRUARY 19, 2026, 6:30 PM

Hybrid & In Person (Municipal Conference Room, 81 Main St., Essex Jct.) Meeting. Anyone may attend this meeting in person at the above address or remotely through the following options: Join Online: Zoom Meeting ID: 821 7131 4999 | Passcode: 754119 Join Calling (audio only): 888-788-0099

1. Sketch Plan Minor Subdivision – Robert Hill and Laura Shea are proposing a 3-lot subdivision of 835 Old Pum Road (Parcel ID 2-012-030-001) located I the Conservation (C1) District. Lot 1 is proposed to be +/10.54 acres spanning across the Jericho Essex town boundary with +/- 0.63 acres in Jericho, including the existing home, and the remaining +/- 9.91 acres in Essex. Lot 2 is proposed to be +/- 13.59 acres in Essex with access through Jericho and is proposed for future residential use. Lot 3 is proposed to be +/- 12.39 acres in Jericho.

Application materials may be viewed before the meeting at essexvt.gov/applications. Please call 802-878-1343 or email community-development@ essex.org with any questions. This may not be the final order in which items will be heard. Please view the complete Agenda, at https://essexvt.portal. civicclerk.com or the office notice board before the hearing for the order in which items will be heard and other agenda items.

OFFICIAL TOWN WARNING ANNUAL TOWN MEETING TOWN OF JERICHO

The legal voters of Jericho, Vermont, are hereby notified and warned to meet on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, to vote for Town Officers and to transact any business for the Annual Town Meeting involving voting by Australian ballot. Polls for voting by Australian ballot will be open on Tuesday, March Yd, 2026, at the Mount Mansfield Union High School from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., at which time the polls will close to vote on the following articles:

ARTICLE I Shall the voters approve the proposed fiscal year ending 2027 budget of $4,375,573, including spending unanticipated funds such as State and Federal grants and gifts?

ARTICLE II Shall the voters appropriate $607,205 of the total $1,084,585 Underhill Jericho Fire Department budget, to the department, for the purpose of providing fire protection/suppression, emergency response services, and certified first response services in the community 24 hours a day, 7 days a week during FY2027?

ARTICLE III Shall the voters approve allocating $200,000 to the Jericho Town Library, to be paid in installments of $50,000 annually for the next four years, for the purpose of assisting with their renovation project?

ARTICLE IV Shall the Town collect its taxes by its Treasurer in accordance with 32 VSA Section 4791?

ARTICLE V Shall the Town collect its taxes in equal installments due in the Town Offices on September 15, 2026, and March 15, 2027, with postmarks acceptable?

ARTICLE VI Shall the Town authorize the Selectboard to borrow money for the temporary needs of the Town?

ARTICLE VII To elect a Moderator for a one-year term

ARTICLE VIII To elect a Town Clerk for a one-year term

ARTICLE IX To elect a Selectboard member for one year of an unexpired two-year term

ARTICLE X To elect a Selectboard member for a two-year term

ARTICLE XI To elect a Selectboard member for a three-year term

ARTICLE XII To elect a Cemetery Commissioner for a three-year term

ARTICLE XIII To elect a Cemetery Commissioner for a two-year term of an unexpired three-year term

ARTICLE XIV To elect a Jericho Underhill Library District Trustee for a four-year term.

ARTICLE XV To elect a Jericho Underhill Park District Trustee for a three-year term

ARTICLE XVI To elect Mount Mansfield Unified Union School District Board of Directors for a three-year term (2 positions)

JERICHO SELECTBOARD

Dated this 23rd day of January, A.D., 2026 /s/ Erik Johnson /s/ Peter Booth /s/ Catherine McMains /s/ Amy Kapitan /s/ Laura Crain

Received for record this 27 day of January, A.D., 2026 /s/ Jessica R. Alexander Town Clerk

OPENINGS

BURLINGTON CITY COMMISSIONS/BOARDS

Chittenden Solid Waste District-alternate Term Expires 5/31/26 One Opening Housing Board of Review

Term Expires 6/30/28 One Opening Vehicle for Hire Licensing Board

Term Expires 6/30/28 One Opening

Applications may be submitted to the Clerk/ Treasurer’s Office, 149 Church Street, Burlington, VT 05401 Attn: Lori NO later than Wednesday, March 4, 2026, by 4:30 pm. If you have any

Questions, please contact Lori at (802) 865-7136 or via email lolberg@burlingtonvt.gov.

City Council President Traverse and Mayor MulvaneyStanak will plan for appointments to take place at the March 9, 2026 City Council Meeting/City Council With Mayor Presiding Meeting.

Support Groups

A CIRCLE OF PARENTS SUPPORT GROUPS

Please join our professionally facilitated, peer-led support groups 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. For more info or to register, please contact Heather at hniquette@pcavt.org, 802-498-0607, pcavt.org/ family-support-programs.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS

If you want to drink, that’s your business. If you want to stop, that’s ours. Call the Vermont statewide anonymous hotline: 802-802-2288. Alcoholics Anonymous holds daily meetings all over Vermont, both in person & online. For meetings & events throughout Vermont, see aavt.org.

ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION SUPPORT GROUPS

Support groups meet to provide assistance & info on Alzheimer’s disease & related dementias. They emphasize shared experiences, emotional support & coping techniques in care for a person living w/ Alzheimer’s or a related dementia. Meetings are free & open to the public. Families, caregivers & friends may attend. Please call in advance to confirm the date & time. The Williston caregiver support group meets in person on the 2nd & 4th Tue. of every mo., 5-6:30 p.m., at the Old Brick Church in Williston. Contact support group facilitators Molly at dugan@cathedralsquare.org or Mindy at moondog@burlingtontelecom.net. The Middlebury support group for individuals w/ early stage dementia meets on the 4th Tue. of each mo., 3 p.m., at the Residence at Otter Creek, 350 Lodge Rd., Middlebury. Contact is Daniel Hamilton, dhamilton@residenceottercreek.com or 802-989-0097. The Shelburne support group for individuals w/ early stage dementia meets on the 1st Mon. of every mo., 2-3 p.m., at the Residence at Shelburne Bay, 185 Pine Haven Shores, Shelburne. Contact is support group facilitator Lydia Raymond, lraymond@residenceshelburnebay.com. The telephone support group meets on the 2nd Tue. of each mo., 4-5:30 p.m. Preregistration is required (to receive dial-in codes for toll-free call). Please dial the Alzheimer’s Association’s 24-7 Helpline, 800-272-3900, or visit alz.org for more info. For questions or additional support group listings, call 800-272-3900.

ANXIETY RELIEF GROUP

Anxiety Relief Group is a safe setting for relaxing & exploring your feelings w/ others through gentle socialization & self-expression, building up what makes you centered & strong. Wed., 4-5:30 p.m. Both in-person & Zoom options avail. In-person meetings are held at the Fletcher Free Library’s Fletcher Room in Burlington. Email us for the Zoom link & more info: pvcc@pathwaysvermont.org.

BRAIN INJURY SUPPORT GROUP

Vermont Center for Independent Living offers virtual monthly meetings, held on the 3rd Wed. of every mo., 1-2:30 p.m. The support group will offer valuable resources & info about brain injury. It will be a place to share experiences in a safe, secure & confidential environment. To join, email Linda Meleady at lindam@vcil.org & ask to be put on the TBI mailing list. Info: 800-639-1522.

BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR DRAGON BOAT TEAM

Looking for a fun way to do something active & health-giving? Want to connect w/ other breast cancer survivors? Come join Dragonheart Vermont. We are a breast cancer survivor & supporter dragon boat team who paddle together in Burlington. Please contact us at info@dragonheartvermont. org for info.

BURLINGTON MEN’S PEER GROUP

Tue. nights, 7-9 p.m., in Burlington. Free of charge, 30 years running. Call Neils, 802-877-3742.

CONVERSATIONS ABOUT SUICIDE

Conversations About Suicide is a judgment-free & open space to talk about personal experiences of suicidal ideation. The group is facilitated by peer support staff w/ lived experience of suicidality. Thu., 4-5 p.m., at Vermont Wellness Collaborative, 125 College St., 3rd Floor, Burlington. Email us for more info: pvcc@pathwaysvermont.org.

DISABILITY SUPPORT GROUP

Our group is a space for mutual support, open to anybody who identifies as disabled, differently abled or having a disability. Whether your disability is visible, invisible, physical or cognitive, this group is for you! The group meets every Mon., 1:15-2:15 p.m., at Fletcher Free Library’s Pickering Room in Burlington & online on Zoom. Email us for the Zoom link & more info: pvcc@pathwaysvermont.org.

FCA FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP

Families Coping with Addiction (FCA) is an open community peer support group for adults (18+) struggling with the drug or alcohol addiction of a loved one. FCA is not 12-step-based but provides a forum for those living the family experience, in which to develop personal coping skills and to draw strength from one another. Our group meets every Wednesday, 5:30-6:30 p.m., live in person in the conference room at the Turning Point Center of Chittenden County (179 S. Winooski Avenue, Burlington), and/or via our parallel Zoom session to accommodate those who cannot attend in person. The Zoom link can be found on the Turning Point Center website (turningpointcentervt.org) using the “Family Support” tab (click on “What We Offer”). Any questions, please send by email to tdauben@ aol.com.

FOOD ADDICTS IN RECOVERY ANONYMOUS (FA)

Are you having trouble controlling the way you eat? FA is a free 12-step recovery program for anyone suffering from food obsession, overeating, under-eating or bulimia. Local meetings are held on Mon., 4-5:30 p.m., via Zoom. For more info & a list of additional meetings throughout the U.S. & the world, call 603-630-1495 or visit foodaddicts.org.

GRIEVING A LOSS SUPPORT GROUP

A retired psychotherapist & an experienced life coach host a free meeting for those grieving the loss of a loved one. The group meets upstairs at All Souls Interfaith Gathering in Shelburne. There is no fee for attending but donations are gladly accepted. Meetings are held on the 1st & 3rd Sat. of every mo., 10-11:30 a.m. If you are interested in attending, please register at allsoulsinterfaith. org. (More information about the group leader at pamblairbooks.com.)

HEARING VOICES SUPPORT GROUP

This Hearing Voices Group seeks to find understanding of voice-hearing experiences as real lived experiences that may happen to anyone at any time. We choose to share experiences, support & empathy. We validate anyone’s experience & stories about their experience as their own, as being an honest & accurate representation of their experience, & as being acceptable exactly as they are.

Tue., 2:30-4 p.m. Vermont Wellness Collaborative, 125 College St., 3rd Floor, Burlington. Email us for more information: pvcc@pathwaysvermont.org.

KINDRED CONNECTIONS PROGRAM OFFERED FOR CHITTENDEN COUNTY CANCER SURVIVORS

The Kindred Connections program provides peer support for all those touched by cancer. Cancer patients, as well as caregivers, are provided w/ a mentor who has been through the cancer experience & knows what it’s like to go through it. In addition to sensitive listening, Kindred Connections provides practical help such as rides to doctors’ offices & meal deliveries. The program has people who have experienced a wide variety of cancers. For further info, please contact info@vcsn.net.

LIVING THROUGH LOSS

The Volunteer Chaplaincy Program of Gifford Medical Center sponsors a weekly meeting of its “Living Through Loss” grief support group. Anyone who has experienced a significant loss over the past year or so is warmly invited to attend the free weekly meetings every Fri., 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For info, contact the Rev. Tim Eberhardt, Gifford’s spiritual care coordinator, at 802-728-2107.

MYELOMA SUPPORT GROUP

Area myeloma survivors, families & caregivers have come together to form a Multiple Myeloma Support Group. We provide emotional support, resources about treatment options, coping strategies & a support network by participating in the group experience w/ people who have been through

CONTACT CLASSIFIEDS@SEVENDAYSVT.COM OR 802-865-1020 EXT. 115 TO UPDATE YOUR SUPPORT GROUP

similar situations. 3rd Tue. of every mo., 5-6 p.m., on Zoom. Info: Kay Cromie, 655-9136, kgcromey@ aol.com.

NARCANON BURLINGTON GROUP

Group meets every Mon. at 7 p.m., at the Turning Point Center, 179 S. Winooski Ave., Suite 301, Burlington. The only requirement for membership is that there be a problem of addiction in a relative or friend. Info: Amanda H., 338-8106.

NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS

Narcotics Anonymous is a group of recovering addicts who live without the use of drugs. It costs nothing to join. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using. Held in Burlington, St Albans, Morrisville, Barre & Stowe. Info, 833-436-6166 or cvana.org.

NEW (& EXPECTING) MAMAS & PAPAS & EVERY

PRIMARY CAREGIVER TO A BABY

Drop-in play every day: The Children’s Room in Waterbury is open Mon.-Fri. for anyone w/children ages 0-6 to come & play. Check the TCR calendar for hours & school closure days. Caregiver & Baby Circle: Weekly drop-in on Mon., 11 a.m., at the Children’s Room. We are pleased to offer a weekly gathering for babies (0-18 mos.) & their caregivers, sponsored by Good Beginnings & hosted by the Children’s Room. Nature Explorations: Tue., 10-11:30 a.m., at various trailheads in the area. Get outside for some fresh air & fun! Every week we go to a different trailhead or natural area to explore. Ages 0-6; carriers are helpful for little ones. Email childrensroom@huusd.org to sign up; enrollment is always open. Music & Movement: drop-in, Wed., 10:30-11:30 a.m., at the Children’s Room in Brookside Primary School. We begin by singing songs & moving together & allow time at the end to play w/ instruments, as well as time for adults & kids to socialize. Ages 0-6. Exploration & Art Fridays: drop-in, Fri., anytime from 9 a.m.-noon at the Children’s Room in Brookside Primary School. We’ll be engaging in different hands-on explorations & using various mediums every week — sometimes combined. Come to TCR to explore, play & create! For info, email childrensroom@ huusd.org.

OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS (OA)

A 12-step program for people who identify as overeaters, compulsive eaters, food addicts, anorexics, bulimics, etc. No matter what your problem w/ food, we have a solution! All are welcome, meetings are open, & there are no dues or fees. See oavermont.org/meeting-list for the current meeting list, meeting format & more, or call 802-863-2655 anytime!

PARKINSON’S MUTUAL AID GROUP

For individuals & caregivers dealing w/ the challenges of Parkinson’s, we meet to share resources & practical ideas for improving quality of life. This in-person group is free & open to the public. Every 2nd Tue. of the mo., 2-3 p.m., at the Old Meeting House, 1620 Center Rd., East Montpelier. Please contact admin@oldmeetinghouse.org or 229-9593.

PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT GROUP

The Champlain Valley Prostate Cancer Support Group meets online on the 2nd Tue. of the mo., 6-7:30 p.m., via Zoom. Whether you are newly diagnosed, dealing w/ a reoccurrence or trying to manage the side effects of treatment, you are welcome here! More info: Andy Hatch, group leader, ahatch63@gmail.com.

RECOVERY DHARMA

Recovery Dharma uses Buddhist practices & principles to help people recover from all kinds of addictions & addictive behaviors. This peer led, non-theistic group offers opportunities to deepen understanding, explore personal inquiry & connect w/ others. We meet every Wed. from 6-7 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Burlington (the Red Door Church, 21 Buell St.). Enter through the administrative office door (at far left when viewed from Buell St.) We also meet on Thu., 1-2 p.m., at the Turning Point Center, 179 N. Winooski Ave., Burlington. No meditation experience required; all are welcome. Email rd.burlington.vt@gmail.com for more info.

SMART RECOVERY

We welcome anyone, including family & friends, affected by any kind of substance or activity addiction. SMART Recovery is an abstinenceoriented program based on the science of addiction treatment & recovery. Online: Sun., 5 p.m. Info: meetings.smartrecovery.org/meetings/1868. Face-to-face: Thu., 1:15 p.m., & Fri., 5:30 p.m., at the Turning Point Center of Chittenden County. Family & Friends online, Mon., 7 p.m. Info: meetings. smartrecovery.org/meetings/6337. Volunteer facilitator, Bert: 399-8754. You can learn more at smartrecovery.org.

SEX & LOVE ADDICTS ANONYMOUS 12-step recovery group. Do you have a problem w/ sex or relationships? We can help. Info: Visit slaafws. org or saa-recovery.org for meetings near you.

SEXUAL VIOLENCE SUPPORT

HOPE Works offers free support groups to women, men & teens who are survivors of sexual violence. Groups are avail. for survivors at any stage of the healing process. Intake for all support groups is ongoing. If you are interested in learning more or would like to schedule an intake to become a group member, please call our office at 864-0555, ext. 19, or email our victim advocate at advocate@sover. net. Visit hopeworksvt.com for more info.

STEPS SUPPORT GROUP

Steps offers a weekly support group w/ drop-in options for those who have experienced or who have been affected by domestic violence. Women’s Support Group meets virtually every Tue., 5-6:30 p.m. Gender Inclusive Support Group meets virtually every Thu., 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Both groups offer a safe, supportive & confidential place to connect w/ others, heal & recover. For more info, call us at 658-1996 or email steps@stepsvt.org.

STUTTERING SUPPORT GROUPS

We offer 3 monthly National Stuttering Association (NSA) stuttering support groups for adults, teens & school-age children (7-12). Meetings take place monthly at UVM & by Zoom. Contact burlington stutters@gmail.com for more information.

SUICIDE HOTLINES IN VT

Brattleboro, 257-7989; Montpelier (Washington County Mental Health Emergency Services), 2290591; Randolph (Clara Martin Center Emergency Service), 800-639-6360.

SUPPORT GROUP FOR WOMEN Group for women who have experienced intimate partner abuse. Facilitated by Circle (Washington Co. only). Please call 877-543-9498 for more info.

SURVIVORS OF SUICIDE: S. BURLINGTON

This group is for people experiencing the impact of the loss of a loved one to suicide. 1st Wed. of each mo., 6-7:30 p.m., at the Comfort Inn & Suites, 3 Dorset St., S. Burlington. Info: Bob Purvee at 922-4283 or ripurvee1@yahoo.com, or Aya Kuki at 881-3606 or ayakokuki@gmail.com.

THE ART OF BEING BORN

An art therapy support group for new moms seeking to process experiences of pregnancy, birth & postpartum through art, mindfulness & storytelling. No artistic skill or experience needed. Art materials incl. $40 per session; pre-crawling babies welcome. Info, 802-441-2141, carolyn@whirledtree.org, whirledtree.org/support-groups.

THE COMPASSIONATE FRIENDS SUPPORT GROUP

The Compassionate Friends international support group for parents, siblings & families grieving the loss of a child meets every 4th Tue. of the mo., 7-8:30 p.m., at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 160 Hinesburg Rd., S. Burlington. Call/email Alan at 802-233-0544, alanday88@gmail.com, or Claire at 802-448-3569.

TRANS PARENT GROUP

This support group is for adult family members & caregivers of queer &/or questioning youths. It is held on the 1st Mon. of every mo., 6-7:30 p.m., online; & on the 3rd Mon. of every mo., 6-7:30 p.m., at Outright Vermont, 241 N. Winooski Ave., Burlington. This group is for adults only. For more info, email info@outrightvt.org.

Currently seeking:

CDL Drivers for dump & trailer trucks

Laborers & Concrete workers

Iron Workers & Welders

Willing to train all construction trades. Pay is commensurate with experience, range $20-$30/hour.

Stop by our office or fill out an application online: ccsconstructors.com 2v-CCSConstructors012826.indd 1 1/23/26 1:55 PM

Plant Utilities Engineer 2

Accounts Payable & Travel Specialist

Facility Operations Assistant 1 (Multiple Positions)

Maintenance

Assistant OR Plant Utilities Assistant (NY Helps)

Please visit jobs.plattsburgh.edu and select “View Current Openings”

SUNY Plattsburgh is an AA/ EEO/ADA/VEVRAA committed to excellence through diversity and supporting an inclusive environment for all.

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

BETA Technologies Is Hiring — Apply Today!

Come build electric airplanes with us in Vermont.

At BETA Technologies, we’re growing our hands-on team of technicians, manufacturers, and assemblers—and we’re looking for people who love working with their hands and building something that matters. Every role at BETA is mission-critical, and you’ll be surrounded by smart, supportive teammates who care deeply about the work and each other. We offer competitive pay, equity for full-time team members, free flight lessons, onsite lunches, access to a health clinic, and a truly people-first culture. Starting at $26 per hour plus equity. Join us as we shape the future of aviation. Learn more and apply at beta.team/careers

HVAC & Plumbing Technician

The Facilities Department at Saint Michael’s College is inviting applications for a full-time HVAC and Plumbing Technician. The position supports the department in ensuring all campus HVAC and Plumbing systems are fully operational. The position is Monday-Friday, 7:00am-3:30pm with the need for overtime and working off hours/days at times. The salary range for this position is $25-$27/hr.

Please visit here for more information: 7dvt.pub/SMChvacPlumbing

NURSE EDUCATORS

Make real IMPACT. Teach. Mentor. Transform Nursing through Education at NVRH.

Make a meaningful impact at Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital (NVRH). We’re seeking an experienced and passionate Central Clinical Nurse Educator to support staff development, promote evidence‑based practice, and enhance patient outcomes across multiple clinical departments.

REQUIREMENTS: VT or Compact RN license; BLS (ACLS/PALS within 1 year); Master’s degree, or in progress or ability to complete within 2 years of hire; 3+ years recent acute care experience; strong mentoring and communication skills; evening availability.

PREFERRED: Curriculum development, simulation‑based learning, multi‑unit education, and experience with quality improvement and learning technologies.

Why NVRH? Competitive pay, loan repayment, tuition reimbursement, generous PTO, free gym membership, affordable insurance, 401(k) match, and a mission‑driven culture. Apply today at nvrh.org/careers

Vacation Ambassador

Compensation: $50k - $75K/Y plus beneﬁts

As a Vacation Ambassador, you will manage your own portfolio of luxury vacation homes and host hundreds of families who visit them. This is a groundﬂoor opportunity to learn the vacation rental industry inside-out while wearing many hats: concierge, media maker, manager of staff, and always a problem solver. You’ll have tons of responsibility and plenty of opportunities to grow with ﬁnancial upside. Who are you? You like people, are hardworking, can write well, are comfortable with technology, and aren't afraid of responsibility.

Please send your resume and a brief cover letter that answers these two questions: "What about this job excites you most?" and "What about you will excite us the most?" Please title the subject line "Vacation Ambassador position." Email your application to: Jolene at jwalker@vacationhospitality. Vacation Hospitality Inc. is an E.O.E. and is proud to be a veteran and LGBTQ-owned business.

PRODUCER

The Flynn seeks an experienced Producer to lead the creation of ambitious, artist-driven work on campus and across Vermont. With a strong focus on public-space and site-responsive projects, this role shapes meaningful connections between artists, audiences, and communities, ensuring work is realized with artistic integrity, production excellence, and deep public engagement. For complete job description and to apply, please visit: flynnvt.org/About-Us/Employment-and-InternshipOpportunities

phone calls, please. E.O.E.

Carpenter

Full time

The Facilities Department at Saint Michael’s College is inviting applications for a full-time Carpenter. This position supports the department by providing general repairs and maintenance to campus buildings.

The position is Monday-Friday, 7:00am-3:30pm with the need for overtime and working off hours/days at times.

The salary range for this position is $25.50-$27.50/hr.

Please visit here for more information: 7dvt.pub/SMCarpenter

Evernorth, Inc is seeking an experienced New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) Program Manager to lead the day-to-day execution of our NMTC program and advance high-impact community development projects across northern New England in either our Burlington, VT or Portland, ME office. In this role, you’ll manage the full lifecycle of NMTC investments—from pipeline development and underwriting through closing, compliance, and unwind. The ideal candidate brings 3+ years of direct NMTC experience (or strong related CDFI/ community development finance experience), expertise in complex financial modeling, underwriting, and compliance and a passion for mission-aligned work and strong relationship-building skills. Evernorth’s mission is to work with partners to connect underserved communities in the northern New England region with capital and expertise to advance projects and policies that create more inclusive places to live. Evernorth is an E.O.E.

To apply, go to evernorthus.org/careers

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Executive Director

Now HiringSEASONAL STAFF POSITIONS WITH KNOLL FARM

May 1 - October 11, 2026

Are you drawn to contributing to service, hospitality, and social change in a small-farm setting? We are hiring for multiple positions that contribute to supporting our community for the season. Our open positions include Retreat Chefs, Assistant Retreat Managers, and an Assistant Land Steward. We are seeking people who are passionate about hospitality in a mission-driven environment that centers diversity and caring for people and the land.

For more information and to apply, please visit: knollfarm.org/work-with-us

Central Vermont Council on Aging (CVCOA) is seeking a seasoned executive who will partner with the board and staff and lead the organizational change process to build on past accomplishments and further expand the impact of providing critical services to older Vermonters in CVCOA’s service area. Reporting to the board of directors, the executive director will provide leadership to the organization and manage its day-to-day affairs. The executive director will also be responsible for working closely with the community, cultivating financial and other support, managing the programs and overseeing paid and volunteer staff.

Salary range $108,000 - $120,000.

To apply, please email your resume and cover letter to cvcoaedapplication@gmail.com by February 22, 2026.

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HOUSING DIRECTOR

The Housing Director leads Vermont Housing & Conservation Board’s (VHCB) innovative affordable housing programs, managing state and federal funding initiatives, complex project underwriting, and strategic policy development. This senior leadership role oversees the full project lifecycle while championing housing affordability, community development, and Vermont’s non-profit housing delivery system. The position supervises program staff, ensures grant compliance, and drives organizational development support for regional partners. It represents VHCB with municipalities, state agencies, and federal intermediaries to advance housing policy and address Vermont’s diverse affordable housing needs.

VHCB is an E.O.E., and we strongly encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply. To learn more, visit vhcb.org/careers

17 to:

MHIR-Home Repair Technical Assistance Specialist

The MHIR-Home Repair Technical Assistance Specialist will primarily administer technical and application assistance to park owners and residents who have unmet needs that affect habitability leading to unsafe and unhealthy housing living conditions and/or displacement. This position requires supporting applicants through their financial assistance requests process including follow-up support, referral and reporting services as needed.

The Technical Assistance Specialist will provide application assistance to Mobile Home Parks owners and residents which may include connecting applicants to relevant translation services, and documentation gathering support. They will connect applicants to appropriate vendors or contractors to address their housing repairs needs and conduct outreach and distribution of communication materials and market the MHIR program to manufactured home park owners and residents.

Rate of Pay: $23.78 - $24.75 an hour

Please visit our company website to view the full job description and submit an application: cvoeo.org/careers

LEAD CARDIOPULMONARY

our Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab program!

This position is PART-TIME, Mon/Wed/Fri—no weekends. Accepting applications from Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, Exercise Physiologists, Respiratory Therapists, and Physical Therapists

For more information or to apply visit copleyvt.org/careers or contact Kaitlyn Shannon, Recruiter, at 802-888-8144 or kshannon@chsi.org.

Care Coordinator/ Case Management

Case Managers support older Vermonters in the community to stay as independent as possible in the environment of their choice by promoting health, rights, independence, and economic well-being.

This position is based in our Barre office, combined with in-home field visits. Staff are never asked to be on-call or work weekends.

Pay Range: $24-$26 per hour. Generous benefits including 401(k), health insurance, and paid time off.

For the full job description and to apply, please visit: cvcoa.org/employment

ATTENTION RECRUITERS:

“I feel more connected to the community doing this type of work, and we have a tight-knit team that works together to help each other, individuals in services, and our community.”

- Tyler Kronoff, Supported Employment Coordinator

EMPLOYMENT SPECIALIST

Be an Employment Specialist at an award-winning agency and help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities find and maintain meaningful employment.

Benefit package includes 29 paid days off in the first year, comprehensive health insurance with premium as low as $30 per month, up to $6,400 to go towards medical deductibles and copays, retirement match & so much more. And that’s on top of working at one of the “Best Places to Work in Vermont” for eight years in a row. Join our team today!

DEPUTY TOWN MANAGER

The Town of Colchester is seeking a Deputy Town Manager to provide day-to-day oversight of general operations and functions of the Town government, assist the Town Manager with special projects and assure the continuity of all services. In addition, the Deputy Town Manager will provide general management and business management; oversee budgeting, and coordinate public communications. The Town is engaged in long-range plans that balance economic development, respect the natural environment, community service, and physical improvements while being mindful of budgetary constraints and the impact on taxpayers.

The ideal candidate will be motivated, organized, with a desire to improve the operations of the Town government; should be an experienced municipal government professional with knowledge in general management, business management, budgeting, and have excellent communication skills. The ideal candidate will also have the ability to provide sound advice on business and policy matters to the Town Manager and Selectboard. Prior successful experience negotiating business and collective bargaining agreements is a plus. The successful candidate will be able to manage his/her own work while simultaneously leading others and overseeing tasks and projects.

Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree in relevant field or significant equivalent knowledge and experience, 10 years of progressively responsible management experience; excellent communication skills, written and public speaking; and strong interpersonal skills. Hiring range is $115,000 to $125,000 depending on qualifications and experience, plus a competitive benefit package.

Submit application, cover letter, resume, and references to Ruby Tetrick, Communications Coordinator, rtetrick@colchestervt.gov

The Town of Colchester is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

PHILO RIDGE FARM is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) working farm located in Vermont’s Champlain Valley. We are currently hiring:

Market Manager

To apply, please email a cover letter and resume to jobs@ philoridgefarm.com

For full descriptions, visit: philoridgefarm.org/join-our-team

Qualified candidates will be contacted directly. No phone calls

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Highway Supervisor

THE TOWN OF LINCOLN is looking for an experienced, hands-on Highway Supervisor to lead day-to-day operations of our Highway Department. This is a working supervisor role—perfect for someone who enjoys being in the field while also leading a team. What you’ll do:

• Supervise and support highway staff

• Oversee road maintenance, snow & ice removal, and infrastructure projects

• Operate and manage municipal vehicles and heavy equipment

• Coordinate contractors, capital projects, and grants

• Help manage the highway budget and report to the Selectboard

• Ensure safety, compliance, and quality service to the public Schedule:

• Full-time, generally Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

• Frequent overtime, nights, weekends, and holidays during winter storms and emergencies

Qualifications include:

• Supervisory experience

• Strong background in plowing, dump trucks, and heavy equipment

• CDL Class A preferred

• OSHA certification, clean driving record & solid leadership skills

Pay & Benefits:

• $35.00–$38.00/hour (based on experience)

• Overtime pay

• Health, dental & vision insurance

• Retirement plan

• Paid holidays, vacation & sick leave

• Training & certification opportunities

Interested? This is a great opportunity to serve your community and lead an essential department—apply today! See our website for additional details lincolnvermont.org/jobs

The Town of Lincoln is an E.O.E.

Cabinet Finisher/Painter Join our small team of dedicated craftspeople.

Requirements include:

• Positive attitude

• Ability to maintain a clean and organized workspace

• Team player

• Attention to detail

• Patience

• Ability to lift 50 lbs

Desired:

• Experience with spray finishing equipment or other detailoriented painting/finishing work

Send resumes to: ben@woodenhammer.net

THE GRIND GOT YOU DOWN?

Trusted, local employers are hiring in Seven Days newspaper and online. Browse 100+ new job postings each week.

See who’s hiring at jobs.sevendaysvt.com Follow us on Facebook /sevendaysjobs for the latest postings PERK UP!

Dispatcher

Saint Michael’s College is currently accepting applications for a full-time Dispatcher to manage radio call dispatching 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.

The salary range for this position is $20-$22/hr.

Please visit here for more information: 7dvt.pub/SMCdispatch

Development

The Children’s Literacy Foundation (CLiF) is seeking a full-time Development Manager. This role is responsible for planning and executing fundraising efforts that support the organization’s mission and long-term sustainability, including donor relations, grant writing, corporate sponsorships, and community engagement. This job is ideal for a highly organized, self-motivated professional who enjoys both relationship-building and handson administrative work in a small non-profit environment. 5+ years of experience in fundraising, strong writing skills, and familiarity with CRMs is required.

Apply at: laura@clifonline.org

Fulfillment Manager

Vermont Compost Company is seeking a Fulfillment Manager to oversee order fulfillment and packaging operations. The Fulfillment Manager leads a team of full and part time personnel to ensure timely completion of customer orders and shipments. This position is a member of the management team and must communicate effectively with other department managers. Success in this role will require the equivalent of at least 5 years of team leadership or management experience leading teams in a warehouse, fulfillment, or operations environment; excellent organizational skills; the ability to multi-task and lead under pressure; a willingness to work in various weather conditions; a sense of humor, and the ability to perform physical tasks such as lifting up to 60 lbs. Knowledge of compost making practices, organic growing, and experience operating heavy equipment such as front end loaders a plus.

This is a full-time position offering a pay range of $25 - $30 per hour plus overtime, as well as a full benefits package including health insurance, HRA, retirement account, and more. The position is based in Montpelier, VT and most work will be performed during regular business hours, Monday – Friday, although work outside of regular business hours may occasionally be required.

To apply, please submit your application materials (resume and cover letter) to jobs@vermontcompost.com, or mail to Vermont Compost Company, 1996 Main Street, Montpelier, VT 05602.

Grants Coordinator

Watersheds United Vermont (WUV) is seeking a full-time Grants Coordinator to play a key role in supporting watershed restoration e orts across the state. WUV administers multiple block grant programs that provide funding to watershed groups and partner organizations for the development, design and implementation of restoration projects as well as education and outreach and capacity building e orts. The Grants Coordinator will be at the core of these programs, supporting the administrative and ﬁnancial management of these grant programs while also contributing to communications that support the work. The Grants Coordinator is responsible for leading project and ﬁnancial tracking and will assist in all aspects of grant management work, including developing grant agreements and supporting documents, communication with subgrantees around grant invoicing, tracking and deliverables, and communicating with project funders around reporting and requirements. The Grants Coordinator will also guide WUV’s communications around both grants and other programmatic goals.

The Grants Coordinator is a full-time salaried position. The salary range for this position is $58,000-$62,000 per year, based on experience. Beneﬁts include vacation, sick and holiday leave, as well as an employer stipend towards both health insurance and retirement. The Grants Coordinator will work remotely from a home o ce. Candidate must be based in Vermont.

Send a cover letter, resume, and the contact information for two references to Lyn Munno, Director, Watersheds United Vermont, lyn@watershedsunitedvt.org by February 9, 2026.

Please visit here for the full job description: watershedsunitedvt.org/news-calendar/news

Town Manager

Town of Windsor Salary Range $145,000

ATTENTION RECRUITERS:

Vermonters for Criminal Justice Reform

OPERATIONS MANAGER

Help us create the operational foundation that will allow VCJR staff and programs to thrive. Lead operational systems development, support staff in day to day operations needs and steward operational readiness for growth.

Job Type: In person (Burlington, VT) with potential for hybrid.

Anticipated compensation: $45,000-$55,000/year plus benefits.

Please request a full job description or submit a cover letter and resume to Tom Dalton at tom@vcjr.org.

SERVICE COORDINATOR

Provide case management and related services for people living with substance use disorders. Some driving required with mileage reimbursement provided.

Job Type: Full-time in person (Burlington, VT).

Anticipated starting salary: $43,000 - $45,000 per year, plus benefits for full-time 40 hour per week employment.

Please request a full job description or submit a cover letter and resume to Jess Kirby via email at jess@vcjr.org.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

HOPE Works, Vermont’s oldest and largest 501c3 nonprofit serving survivors of sexual violence in Chittenden County, VT, is seeking an experienced, dynamic Executive Director to lead a small, dedicated group of staff and volunteers. The Executive Director is responsible for the internal operations of H.O.P.E. Works, while serving as the primary contact and spokesperson. The ideal candidate must have experience with budget development and management, knowledge of grant administration, and familiarity with financial statements. They must demonstrate experience with managing staff and volunteers, as well as developing relationships with community partners and the public. Understanding of sexual violence issues is required. A Master’s degree and/or equivalent experience is necessary. Knowledge of strategic planning and non-profit experience is helpful. Please see our website Internships and Employment — HOPE Works (hopeworksvt. org) for the full job description.

This position is a 32 hr/wk salaried exempt position. Starting salary range is $85k-90k annual salary with full health, dental, and vision insurance. HOPE Works offers generous paid time off, flexible hybrid work environment, as well as paid respite leave and ongoing professional development opportunities.

Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter to HOPE Works Board of Directors at board@hopeworksvt.org. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. People with diverse lived experiences encouraged to apply. H.O.P.E. Works is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Fine Gardening & Landscaping Assistant

Gardening assistant for a private residence with extensive perennial garden beds, a formal kitchen garden and substantial edible landscaping crops. We are in search of a fine gardener/ landscaping assistant to aid the property caretaker in the maintenance of these areas. The primary role of this position is as a gardener, however, the assistant may be asked to perform occasional property management and farming tasks. In addition to the primary residence, the gardening assistant will help in the care and maintenance of the landscape at a seasonal lakefront property. This is a part-time, seasonal position. The duration of the position is weather dependent, but anticipated to begin in mid-late April and run through mid-late November. This position is for 15-20 hours per week, however, additional hours are available doing trail maintenance or forestry work for the right candidate.

Skills and Qualifications:

• A strong interest in gardening.

• A minimum of 1 year of experience.

• Basic plant and weed ID and basic gardening skills.

• A desire to perform physical work outside, even in adverse conditions.

• Ability to stand, bend, stoop, squat for long periods and ability to lift up to 50lbs.

• Must be a quick learner and able to work well both independently and with a team.

Contact: Tacy Lincoln | Email: vtacy.lincoln@gmail.com

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Market Development Associate

Community Heart & Soul® is a national nonprofit organization whose namesake program engages residents and local leaders to shape the future of their communities. We’re looking for a talented market development professional to help expand our partnership base across the U.S.Basedin Shelburne, VT we seek candidates with strong business acumen who enjoy building relationships. This role works closelywith ourVP of Market Development to connectwith community foundations and local leaders across the countrywho want to bring the Heart & Soul process to their communities. Travel: About 30% nationally, mostly during spring andfall. You might be a great fit if you:

· Have experience in building partnerships in business or nonprofit work.

· Communicate clearly and comfortably with a wide range of people

· Enjoy representing an organization and its mission

· Have experience with HubSpot as a CRM and Marketing tool What we offer:

· Competitive salary, benefits and paid time off

· Support forlearning and professional growth Salary range based on experience: $70,000 to $85,000. Apply online: communityheartandsoul.org/careers

Disability Support Staff

Seeking compassionate and dependable individuals for a fulfilling position assisting a developmentally disabled gentleman. Part-time and substitute positions available.

Responsibilities vary by day and may include; providing support at place of employment, at home with daily living activities, community interaction, recreation, and assistance with medication. Dependable transportation and background check required. If interested in this rewarding position, e-mail letter of interest to: cvcsinfo@myfairpoint.net

You’re in good hands with...

“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

CLIENT SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATOR

This systems administration position is part of PCC’s Client Technical Services (CTS) team and focuses on maintaining our clients’ servers and network infrastructure. The position is integral to a dedicated, client-focused technical services team and requires technical expertise coupled with exceptional customer service and communication skills.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Troubleshoot and resolve client problems with PCC-provided hardware, operating systems, networks, and related products

• Coordinate, schedule, and perform server and other network hardware upgrades at client offices and/or remotely.

• Travel to client offices to install servers, networks, and perform necessary upgrades.

• Configure and ship physical servers and network hardware

• Provision and administer cloud-hosted servers on Google Cloud Platform and/or AWS

• Assist in administering warranty contracts on client hardware

• Perform preventative maintenance on client servers and networks

• Assist in receiving and shipping client hardware

• Provide friendly, professional technical support to PCC clients via phone, email, and support tickets.

• Support PCC Technical Specialists by handling escalated client tickets as needed.

• Assist clients in coordinating PCC and third-party vendor activities

• Advise clients in areas such as hardware selection, Internet and wide-area connectivity, remote office installations, and network planning

INTEGRATION DEVELOPER

PCC, a private, Winooski-based healthcare IT Benefit Corporation, seeks an Integration Developer to join our team. If you are interested in strengthening pediatric practices by connecting them to their care delivery partners throughout the healthcare ecosystem, we would love to hear from you. This is a versatile technical role with elements of software development (focused on API, web services, etc.), operations (deployment, monitoring, issue remediation), and project management (working with 3rd party technical teams to bring solutions from specification to production).

CORE TECHNICAL SKILLS:

• Unix/Linux environments including CLI experience for filesystem navigation, monitoring, and administration

• Familiarity with web and application communication protocols including TCP/IP, sFTP, REST, SOAP, ETL, etc.

• Familiarity with healthcare domain concepts and applications (either as a user, support, development, etc.)

• Experience on a technical team in either a development, operations, or systems administration capacity (or some combination thereof).

• Experience with any modern software development language/framework

• Document work activities via help-desk support tickets and PCC’s Tuleap project management application

• Maintain effective technical documentation for our staff and our clients by adding and updating our Intranet Wiki

• Ensure the confidentiality of sensitive and protected information

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE:

• Experience as a systems administrator of mission-critical systems

• Experience supporting and maintaining business-class network equipmentfirewalls, switches, wireless

• Solid understanding of TCP/IP networks and network services (DHCP, DNS, VLANs, etc)

• Desktop support experience and a good working knowledge of Windows and MacOS.

• A collaborative work style and the desire to be part of a team

• Positive, effective, written, and verbal communication with clients, coworkers, and leadership

• Appropriate sharing of knowledge and information

• Strong attention to detail

• Commitment to PCC’s mission and the mission of our clients

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE IS A PLUS:

• Administration of Linux servers, especially. Red Hat / CentOS / Rocky Linux

• Familiarity with Linux Bash, Perl, and/or Python scripting

• Experience with Proxmox virtualization and the ZFS filesystem

• Familiarity with Git version control

• Experience with any modern RDBMS

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS/ EXPERIENCE:

• Healthcare integration engine experience (Mirth Connect/Open Integration Engine, Corepoint, Rhapsody, Healthshare, etc.)

• Experience with clinical data exchange standards (HL7 v2, C-CDA, FHIR, eRx/NCPDP Script, etc.)

• Experience with API testing tools (Postman, SoapUI, cURL, etc.)

• Experience with one or more of the following languages/frameworks: Javascript, Java, Perl, shell scripting, php (Zend/ Laravel), Ruby on Rails, C++ (Qt), Python

• Experience with one or more of the following RDBMS: MySQL/MariaDB, PostgreSQL

• Experience with one or more of the following Version Control Systems: Git, Subversion

• Don’t worry if you don’t check all the boxes here; the most important factor is your ability to pick up new skills and seek out robust technical solutions for the challenges of healthcare interoperability. If this sounds like your realm, our team would love to meet you!

PCC’S BENEFITS:

In addition to health, dental, vision, 401k, and life insurance for employees, PCC offers medical insurance for domestic partners and civil union couples, as well as reimbursement for home internet, cellular plan, laser eye treatment, fitness and wellness expenses, charitable donation matching, AAA Plus membership, frequent catered lunches, and more. PCC supports families with an adoption assistance program, extended paid holiday time off, and paid family leave options.

PCCers currently enjoy a hybrid workplace model with the options of meeting remotely and on-site at PCC’s office in Winooski, Vermont. Applicants should expect to be based in Vermont, within commuting distance of Winooski.

No phone calls, please. AA/EOE

ATTENTION RECRUITERS:

WHERE YOU AND YOUR WORK MATTER

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

The Vermont Department of Health seeks a Web Director to lead strategy for HealthVermont.gov. This role sets the vision for a clear, accessible, user-friendly website, oversees web and accessibility initiatives, manages web contracts, and guides and trains web editors. The position represents communications at a senior level, supports emergency response, supervises staff, and collaborates with leadership and partners. Full-time, Waterbury, VT; at least 3 days/week in person. For more information, contact Katie Warchut at katie.warchut@vermont.gov. Location: Waterbury. Department: Health. Status: Full Time. Minimum Salary: $34.96. Maximum Salary: $54.82. Job ID #54139. Application Deadline: February 9, 2026.

Burlington Housing Authority (BHA)

Are you interested in a job that helps your community and makes a difference in people’s lives every day? Consider joining Burlington Housing Authority (BHA) in Burlington, VT to continue BHA’s success in promoting innovative solutions that address housing instability challenges facing our diverse population of low-income families and individuals.

We are currently hiring for the following position:

Co-Resident Manager at Decker Tower: Position requires living on-site and being on-call outside of regular BHA business hours to respond to resident requests, site-based emergencies, light maintenance, cleaning of common areas, and other duties as assigned. In exchange for these duties, Resident Managers receive a free apartment with utilities included. Please note this is an unpaid, non-benefited position.

Candidates must meet the physical requirements of the position including moving in different positions to accomplish tasks, ascending or descending stairs, adjusting or moving objects up to 50 pounds, and repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands, and fingers. This position also works in outdoor weather conditions.

For more info about these career opportunities please visit: burlingtonhousing.org

Interested in our career opportunity? Send a cover letter and resume to: humanresources@ burlingtonhousing.org

Human Resources 65 Main St, Suite 101 Burlington, VT 05401

Burlington Housing Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer

GO HIRE.

Job Seekers:

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Get a quote when you post online or contact Michelle Brown: 865-1020, ext. 121, michelle@sevendaysvt.com.

Learn more at: careers.vermont.gov

The State of Vermont is an Equal Opportunity Employer

WEB DIRECTOR – WATERBURY

5h-VTDeptHumanResources020426 1

Case Manager

Youth Coaches; Drop-In,

Shelter & Supported Housing positions

GlobalFoundries U.S. 2, LLC seeks a Semiconductor Device Characterization Engineer in Essex Junction, VT to lead advanced semiconductor device characterization and lab infrastructure development across multiple technology platforms. Master’s degree or foreign equiv in Electrical Engineering, Electronics, or rltd +2 yrs of exp. Salary Range: $135,096– $176,000. Apply online at www.gf.com/ careers/ # JR-2600413

Join our dedicated team and make a meaningful impact on the lives of Vermonters! Northeast Kingdom Community Action (NEKCA) is a leading organization in the Northeast Kingdom addressing poverty through education, partnerships, and community organizing. We are seeking dynamic, passionate, experienced professionals for the following key positions:

DIRECTOR OF FINANCE

Full Time/Exempt | St. Johnsbury, VT

$100,000 - $115,000 Salary

2v-ParkAdvertising(Globalfoundries)0204262v-ParkAdvertising(Globalfoundries)020426.indd 1 1/29/26 11:35 AM

DIRECTOR OF FINANCE

MONTPELIER, THE CAPITAL CITY OF VERMONT, is seeking a Director of Finance. The Director of Finance reports to the City Manager and has primary responsibility for financial management and information technology for the City of Montpelier. This position directly supervises 5 employees, oversees financial services contracts, and has responsibility for the complete budget. The City of Montpelier employees 121.2 FTEs and has a general fund budget of $16.1M.

BA/BS in Finance, Public Administration, or related fields is required. MA preferred. Significant experience in key administrative position within a public/non-profit agency with responsibility for budget. Direct experience in municipal government is preferred. Familiarity with Vermont municipal regulations/policies a plus.

The annual salary is $113,360, commensurate with qualifications. This is an exempt, salaried position and includes benefits in accordance with the City’s Personnel Plan. The position is open until filled, with initial résumé review beginning February 20, 2026. Pracademic Partners, an executive search firm, is assisting the City with this recruitment.

Additional information about the position, including a direct application link to apply, is available at pracademicpartners. com/current-recruitments. Questions, nominations, or recommendations should be directed to Gary Evans at gary@pracademicpartners.com. The City of Montpelier is an equal opportunity employer. A full job description can be found at montpelier-vt.org/Financedirector.

The Director of Finance will work closely with the Senior Management Team to advance NEKCA’s strategic goals and actively promote the agency’s core values, mission, and vision. The ideal candidate is a strategic and analytical thinker with strong independent judgment. This Director oversees all financial operations, ensures regulatory and grant compliance, and guides financial strategy to support the agency’s mission and long-term sustainability. The Director must demonstrate the ability to work autonomously and possess a deep understanding of the comprehensive programs and grant requirements that fund our nonprofit agency. The Director supervises the fiscal team and collaborates closely with the Executive Director, Board of Directors, agency auditors, funder grant managers, and NEKCA’s leadership team.

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT & COMMUNICATIONS

Full Time/Exempt | St. Johnsbury, VT

$70,000 - $78,000 Salary

The Director of Development & Communications leads NEKCA’s fundraising and communications strategies, with the goal of cultivating a strong community of supporters invested in funding and advocating for a Northeast Kingdom where all generations can grow, prosper, and thrive. This role plans and develops consistent, impactful touchpoints with external stakeholders throughout the year, building community trust and implementing marketing strategies that help meet agency fundraising goals—primarily charitable giving, but also program enrollment, anti-poverty advocacy, and more. This position has a strong focus on fundraising and is responsible for securing the resources necessary to advance NEKCA’s vision. The Director supervises the development team, serves as a member of the agency’s Senior Management Team, and oversees all strategies related to development and external communications.

View position descriptions & apply at: nekcavt.org/msm_mega_menu/work-at-nekca

NEKCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Provider.

ATTENTION RECRUITERS:

POST YOUR JOBS AT: SEVENDAYSVT.COM/POSTMYJOB

PRINT DEADLINE: NOON ON MONDAYS (INCLUDING HOLIDAYS) FOR RATES & INFO: MICHELLE BROWN, 802-865-1020 X21, MICHELLE@SEVENDAYSVT.COM

Scan QR code to apply.

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SUPER READER SINCE SEPTEMBER 2024

Welcome, new Super Readers!

ese wonderful people made their ﬁrst donation to Seven Days this week:

Elisabeth Barfod Todd Clason & Maeve McBride Ross Cleveland Anne & Peter Kreisel

Here are some of the repeat and recurring Super Readers who sustain us all year:

Lizabeth Burrell

Hana Cadieux

Thomas Chittenden

David Cray

Daniel Drorbaugh

Jasmine Easter

Heather Fitzgerald

Mary Kintner

Robert Kinzel

Sheila Liming

Bruce Lindwall

Eamon Penney

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Cynthia & Alan Rubin

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Susan & Ed Wells

Join these generous folks and other Super Readers who donate monthly to:

Make your contribution today! sevendaysvt.com/super-readers

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Need more info? Want to give from a donor-advised fund or through a qualiﬁed charitable contribution? Contact Gillian English at 865-1020, ext. 115 or superreaders@sevendaysvt.com.

fun stuff

“Wow! From here things don’t look quite so stupid.”

HARRY BLISS

JULIANNA BRAZILL

AQUARIUS

(JAN. 20-FEB. 18)

The coming weeks will challenge you to think with tenderness and feel with clarity. You’ll be called on to stay sharply alert even as you remain loose, kind and at ease. Your good fortune will expand as you open your awareness wider, while also firming up the boundaries that keep mean people from bothering you. The really good news is that cosmic forces are lining up to guide you and coach you in exactly these skills. You are primed to explore intriguing paradoxes and contradictions that have valuable lessons.

ARIES (Mar. 21-Apr. 19): I’m thrilled by your genius for initiating what others only dream about. I celebrate your holy impatience with fakery and your refusal to waste precious life force on enterprises that have gone stale. I’m in awe of how you make fire your ally rather than your enemy, wielding it not to destroy but to forge new realities from the raw materials of possibility. Everything I just described will be in your wheelhouse during the coming weeks.

TAURUS (Apr. 20-May 20): How do I love you? Let me count some of the ways. 1) Your patience is masterful. You understand that some treasures can’t be rushed and that many beautiful things require slow nurturing through your devoted attention. 2) You have a knack for inducing the mundane world to reveal its

small miracles and spiritual secrets. 3) You practice lucid loyalty without being in bondage to the past. You honor your history even as you make room for the future. 4) You know when to cling tightly to what needs to be protected and preserved, and you know when to gracefully loosen your grip to let everything breathe. In the coming weeks, all these superpowers of yours will be especially available to you and the people you care for.

GEMINI (May 21-Jun. 20): In carpentry, there’s a technique called “kerf bending.” It involves making a series of small cuts in wood so it can curve without breaking. The cuts weaken the material in one sense, but they make it flexible enough to create shapes that would otherwise be impossible. I suspect you’re being kerf-bent right now, Gemini. Life is making small nicks in your certainties, your plans and your self-image. It might feel like you’re being diminished, but you’re actually being made flexible enough to bend into a new form. Don’t interpret the nicks as damage. They’re preparation for adjustments you can’t see yet. Let yourself be shaped.

CANCER (Jun. 21-Jul. 22): In Irish folklore, “thin places” are situations or areas where the material and spiritual worlds overlap. They aren’t always geographical. A thin place may be a moment: like the predawn hour between sleeping and waking, or the silence after someone says “I love you” for the first time. I believe you’re living in a thin place right now, Cancer. The boundary between your inner world and outer circumstances is more porous than usual. This means your emotions may affect your environment more directly. Your intuitions will be even more accurate than usual, and your nightly dreams will provide you with practical clues. Be alert. Magic will be available if you notice it.

LEO (Jul. 23-Aug. 22): In traditional Korean jogakbo, scraps of fabric too small to be useful alone are stitched together into a piece that’s both functional and beautiful. Every fragment contributes to the whole. I encourage you to treat your current life this way, Leo. Don’t dismiss iffy or unfinished experiences as “wasted

time.” Instead, see if you can weave all the bits and scraps together into a valuable lesson or asset. Prediction: I foresee a lovely jogakbo in your future.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sep. 22): The Maori people of New Zealand practice mirimiri, a form of healing that works not by fighting disease but by restoring flow. The technique involves removing blockages so life force can move freely again. I think you need the equivalent of mirimiri, Virgo. There’s a small but nontrivial obstruction in your life. The good news is that you now have the power to figure out where the flow got stuck and then gently coax it back into motion. Let the healing begin! Here’s a good way to begin: Vow that you won’t hold yourself back from enjoying your life to the max.

LIBRA (Sep. 23-Oct. 22): In the coming weeks, I encourage you to prioritize mirth, revelry and gratification. For starters, you could invite kindred spirits to join you in pursuing experimental forms of pleasure. Have fun riffing and brainstorming about feeling good in ways you’ve never tried or even imagined before. Seek out stories from other explorers of bliss and delight who can inspire you to expand your sense of wonder. Then, with your mind as open as your heart, give yourself the freedom to enjoy as many playful adventures and evocative amusements as you dare.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): In the Inuktitut language of the Intuit people, the word ajurnamat is translated as “it can’t be helped.” It acknowledges forces at work beyond human control. Rather than pure resignation, it reflects an attitude of accepting what can’t be changed, which helps people conserve energy and adapt creatively to challenging circumstances. So for example, when hunters encounter impossible ice conditions, ajurnamat allows them to refrain from forcing the situation and notice what may actually be possible. I suspect you’re facing your own ajurnamat Scorpio. Your breakthrough will emerge as soon as you admit the truth of what’s happening and allow your perception to shift. What looks unnavigable from one angle may reveal

a solution if you approach it from another direction. Practice strategic surrender.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Your hunger for meaning is admirable! I love it. I never want you to mute your drive to discover what’s interesting and useful. But now and then, the hot intensity of your quest can make you feel that nothing is ever enough. You get into the habit of always looking past what’s actually here and being obsessed with what you imagine should be or could be there. In the coming days, dear Sagittarius, I invite you to avoid that tendency. Rather than compulsively pursuing high adventure and vast vistas, focus on the sweet, intimate details. The wisdom you yearn for might be embedded in ordinariness.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): In architecture, a “flying buttress” is an external support system that allows a massive building such as a cathedral to reach greater heights without collapsing under its own weight. Because the buttress is partly open to the air rather than solidly built against the wall from top to bottom, it appears to “fly,” which is where the name comes from. In the coming weeks, I encourage you Capricorns to acquire your own equivalent of at least one new flying buttress. Who or what could this be? A collaborator who shares the load? A new form of discipline that provides scaffolding? A truth you finally speak aloud that lets others help you? To get the process started, shed any belief you have that strength means carrying everything all by yourself.

PISCES (Feb. 19-Mar. 20): In alchemy, solve et coagula is a Latin phrase translated as “dissolve and coagulate.” It means that transformation must begin with the process of breaking down before any building begins. You can’t skip over the dissolving phase and jump straight into creating the new structure. I mention this, dear Pisces, because I believe you’re now in the dissolving phase. It might feel destabilizing, even a bit unnerving, but I urge you to stick with it. When the moment comes to construct the beautiful new forms, you will know. But that time isn’t yet. Keep dissolving a while longer.

WOMEN seeking...

SPONTANEOUS AND FUN

I would like someone to match my spontaneous personality! I’m a spontaneous, fun person. Spontaneous, as in, I could, on a dime, say, “Let’s get in the car and go!” Let’s go out to dinner. Let’s go dancing, bowling and so on. I enjoy dancing every weekend. Honesty and communication are important to me, as well as attraction. Aggie, 73 seeking: M, l

SEEKING JOYFULLY SOBER

BUTCH/MASC LESBIAN

I seek deep conversation that begins lightly. I live in the Adirondacks. I’m a writer, a hard worker, deeply engaged in my second career and volunteering. I love to be in new places. You are: confident, courageous, thoughtful, calm, compassionate, goofy, sensual, political. I just bought Andrea Gibson’s book You Better Be Lightning. Shall we meet for tea?

ADKpersephone, 58, seeking: W,TW, Q, l

WANNA JUMP IN THE RIVER?

I love being outside year-round, wandering the forests and wondering at their whimsy and beauty. Balancing that out with cozy time inside, I love a good cup of tea, a book, and attempting/collecting random craft projects, usually made with nature or textiles. Building intentional community is something I am very dedicated to and consider very important, especially right now. ForestFairy, 32, seeking: M, W, TM, TW, Q, NC, NBP, l

WANT TO RESPOND?

You read Seven Days, these people read Seven Days — you already have at least one thing in common!

All the action is online. Create an account or login to browse hundreds of singles with profiles including photos, habits, desires, views and more. It’s free to place your own profile online.

l See photos of this person online.

W = Women

M = Men

TW = Trans women

TM = Trans men

Q = Genderqueer people

NBP = Nonbinary people

NC = Gender nonconformists

Cp = Couples

Gp = Groups

POSITIVE, WELL-BALANCED

MUSICIAN

I’m positive, bighearted, kind and helpful to others. Music is my passion, along with my pets and especially Friesian horses. Would love to see more of Vermont, as its mountains are breathtaking. Love to meet new people here. So far it’s been quite a whirlwind for me in Vermont. Ask me, and I’ll tell you why. Pianofairy 73, seeking: M

MUST LOVE DOGS

I live on the New York side. My daughter went to UVM. I fell in love with Vermont. I hope to retire in five years. It would be wonderful to find a future partner in an area where I hope to move. Although I need to find a dog person: My favorite activity is hiking with my dog. ScaryLibrarian, 60, seeking: M, l

HOPEFUL ROMANTIC

Warm, grounded and quietly adventurous. I love nature, deep conversations, spiritual exploration and a good deadpan joke. I’m a hopeful romantic who values honesty, compassion, presence and intention. I’m happiest paddleboarding, hiking, wandering museums, traveling and discovering something new. Looking for a kind, emotionally aware, openhearted man romantic, grounded, curious, and ready to grow, explore and build something genuine. Grateful18, 51 seeking: M, l

FAMILY FIRST, DOGS, GRANDKIDS

To be honest, I have no idea how to write about myself. I worked in the music industry out of Nashville most of my life. Life has thrown me some hard curves the last four years, and I need a redo. I love my dogs and would like someone to start something casual with and see where it leads.

Jleemusic, 65, seeking: M, l

FUNNY, CONSIDERATE NATURE LOVER

I am looking for something that feels natural and effortless but keeps me coming back for more. I rarely take life seriously but also know when to be serious, if that tracks. I want happiness, peace and the company of someone who warms my soul! 98% content with my life, just missing my person. VTgirl06, 33, seeking: M, l

DANCING, CUDDLY, SEXY, FUN-LOVING

I am kind, helpful, like people, enjoy my job; am not willing to leave my family, friends or my job. I have a good sense of humor and like to laugh. I don’t want someone who is a downer. T1lc_ 69 seeking: M

FIT, GROUNDED, NOT DONE DANCING

Finishing grad school in mental health and currently working as a wellness coach. I’m 5’7”, fit, grounded and fun-loving, with a good life, close family and supportive friends. I enjoy hiking, XC skiing, gravel rides, dancing, cooking simple whole-food meals, and meditation, yoga and Qi Gong. Seeking companionship for adventure, deep conversation and easy time together. soulshine1975 50, seeking: M, l

WANT SOME COMPANIONSHIP?

Kind and nice. Looking for one special friend to enjoy the fun: There is so much to do. Share life’s journey. I look and feel years younger. Somehow, I got to be 75. Amazing. Maybe because I split my fantastic adventures between Vermont and South Florida. Road trip! Let’s explore. We need not be perfect, just perfect for each other. Companion4U 75 seeking: M

TRUTHFUL, CURIOUS WANDERER

SEEKING SAME!

I’m a caring, thoughtful person who loves to laugh. I like intelligent, stimulating conversations; enjoy nature, travel and learning new things. Hoping to find a nice companion to explore the world. I have only been to Italy once and want to go back and sip ripasso! daylily, 65, seeking: M

SEEKING FUTURE CO-PARENT

29-y/o woman seeking a man in his 20s or 30s who wants to raise kids. I’m an aspiring therapist (in grad school), farm worker, off-grid cabin dweller. Interests include: aikido, hide tanning, ritual gatherings, sewing, reading. Looking for someone who values authenticity, clear communication and reliability. Spirituality and carpentry skills a plus. I live in southern Vermont but could move north. WildFox, 29, seeking: M, TM, NBP, l

GREAT COFFEE DATE? MAYBE MORE?

I would like to meet a man for dating, possibly a partnership. I love to laugh; and my ideal person would be someone playful. I’m made happy by reading, socializing, hanging out at cafés or with dogs, walking, museum-ing, music, movies, No Kings! rallies, painting, gardening. Bonus points if you like to watch silent films or slow-paced, talky foreign ones. Pointer 69, seeking: M, l

FRIENDLY, CREATIVE AND FUN

Looking forward to more traveling. I like the outdoors but am not an athlete. Looking for a local, easygoing, like-minded guy who is in his 50s or 60s. Let’s enjoy playing cards with friends, dinners out, campfires, gardening, cooking together, a cruise, RVing (I don’t have an RV), cocktails on the porch (I do have a porch), road trips. ginger2468 61, seeking: M, l

PLAYING OUR WAY THROUGH

“The Playground:” Travel the world / Also the nation / Filters of fun / Deliberate Creation / Trust sweet / know we will meet / timing is fine / somewhere down the line / water the flower / acknowledge our power / With filters of joy / Knowing it’s all like a toy / played well with care / It’s all in the share / My happiness, my job / I’ll meet you there. TiaStar 65, seeking: M, l

EXCITEMENT WANTED IN LIFE

I am looking for friendship and companionship. I also want to show my partner that I will love and cherish him for the rest of my life. Would like to do some traveling or just staying at home, reading or doing my knitting, crocheting or playing cards or Wii bowling. Also like boating and fishing. Just want to be happy. DebbieSmith 82, seeking: M, l

MEN seeking...

LAID-BACK, HAPPY

I’m looking to spend some time doing things that we like. Any adult time, sitting in sun, by the water or just together. AdultCompanion, 59, seeking: W

LAID-BACK AND KIND

Proud dad of four wonderful adult kids. I lead with honesty, tenderness and emotional depth. I’m progressive in my values and guided by empathy for the world around us. For transparency, I’m currently separated and moving toward divorce. I’m hoping to meet someone warm, kind, and open to a meaningful, soulful connection rooted in shared values and mutual care. Hopeful42 62, seeking: W, l

EDUCATED, OPEN-MINDED ARTS LOVER

Sensitive, unique, well-rounded guy looking to meet intelligent, insightful, interesting women to befriend and date. Vermonter forever but traveler, humanist, and lover of the outside and the arts; and kids, old people, food, the water and the mountains. You are comfortable being yourself, enjoy the good life and are looking for an interesting sidekick with whom to find your way. 3baldman 54, seeking: W, l

YOUNG WRITER

Writer with a soft spot for doomed love stories, marginalia and conversations that accidentally last until 2 a.m. I split my time between literature, chemistry labs and overthinking sentences until they finally tell the truth. I believe romance should be intense but intelligent and that wanting meaning isn’t the same thing as being naïve. mentalis, 21, seeking: W, l

ONWARD AND UPWARD

I live a healthy life cooking nutritious food. Outdoor enthusiast, physically fit. I’m present, love to laugh; seeking same. Outwardbound 69 seeking: W, l

DISABLED, FUNNY, LOVING

I’m a laid-back guy. I have a dark sense of humor, and I often joke about my disability and health issues. I’m also a bit nerdy: I love horror, science fiction, fantasy and history. I’m hoping to find a fellow homebody to share my time with. (I also have muscular dystrophy, and I’m bedbound, FYI). dystrophydude 33 seeking: W, l

HUMORISTIC AND HYPERACTIVE LATINO

I like soccer (It’s called “football”), movies, being immature sometimes and Catan. I’m looking for some casual sex. Mine is six inches: I want to be honest. Jake3249 18, seeking: W

PEACEFUL

Life is good; just looking to find someone that will help make it even better. I have/had many interests: fusing glass, pottery, massage, fixing up houses. I also enjoy the outdoors: hiking, kayaking, concerts, exploring new places. I don’t take things to the extreme. I’m pretty laid-back. Also I’m financially and mentally stable; looking for the same. livnlife 56, seeking: W, l

CURIOUS

I recently decided to leave work, take a break, and see where my energy and interests take me. In the meantime, I would love to meet someone with similar interests who is open to wonder and is curious, interested in deeper meaningful conversations, as well as light banter and playfulness, travel, road trips here and abroad. better2b 69, seeking: W, l

BUSY FUN CARING

I’m looking for someone compatible to spend the rest of my time here on Earth with. Jammer 66 seeking: W

POLITICAL AND SOCIALLY ACTIVE

I love the pleasure of nature-working, gardening, birding, walking and sitting. I have a large swimming pond, pick fruit, make good things to eat and share. Music is crucial to me, and I sing in many wonderful groups. I love sports and follow it avidly. I am very political and involved in liberal causes. lowbass, 85, seeking: W

I AM A STRIDENT SEEKER

Looking for my mistress, my muse. DonQuixote 70, seeking: W

ACTIVE, SENSITIVE MAN

I am an active man who is comfortable in my own skin. Appreciate good conversation and women who value understanding, more so than judgement. I believe in second chances and living in the moment. Noonmark, 70, seeking: W, l

HAPPIEST IN SNOW

I’d really like to meet someone with common interests. We’d have a wonderful time together. I live in the mountains and love it. Travel, though: New York City and London are very important to me. French school in Québec City several weeks each year. And a sailing partner! Overnights sailing to Basin Harbor! Why do it alone? My hope is for a friend, maybe a partner. Blakely408 67, seeking: W, l

SINGING STRUMMING SAILOR

Widower, guitarist, singer and songwriter who still believes music is one of life’s great connectors. Educated, curious and happiest when there’s a good conversation, a shared laugh or a melody in the background. I’ve loved deeply, lost and learned how precious life is. I’m ready to share what’s ahead with someone who values warmth, laughter and a genuine partnership. SailWithMe 65, seeking: W, l KIND, THOUGHTFUL EMPATH, LOVES NATURE

I am a true spiritual seeker of the peace that arrives with nonduality. I love being outside, walking in nature. I live in a nice apartment, love writing and have published books. SpiritCoach 80, seeking: W, l

TRANS WOMEN seeking...

NERDY LADY SEEKING ESCAPADES

Nerdy trans lady looking for movie buddies and activity partners, maybe something more depending on chemistry. A work in progress, still taking shape thanks to the wonders of modern medicine. Single parent of three, so must be understanding of other demands on my time. Mostly interested in women, trans or gendernonconforming folks. stardustvt 53, seeking: W, TM, TW, Q, NC, NBP, Cp, Gp, l

ADVENTUROUS, WHIMSICAL AND SILLY Brand-new to Vermont living, from the West Coast! Looking for love in hopefully the right place. Always up for a good time and wanting to find someone who loves yacht rock, movies and going on the wackiest side quests. YachtRockGal, 28 seeking: M, W, TM, TW, NBP, l

COUPLES seeking...

CURIOUS COUPLE LOOKING FOR FUN Honest, hardworking married couple who love passion and soft touches. Looking for woman to fulfill lustful fantasy of woman-on-woman playtime. CplSeeking 41, seeking: W

KEEPING PACE

You: wicked running machine on the corner treadmill. Me: hufﬁng through the miles next to you. We exchanged a quick smile — you’ve got a great one. I noticed that we were keeping pace with each other. How about a run together — inside or out? When: Sunday, February 1, 2026. Where: Burlington YMCA. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916538

LADYBUG COLLECTIVE

Dylan, you felt so familiar, like we had seen each other so many times before. I was busy with some work calls and didn’t want to disturb anyone. When I returned, you and your friends were having such a good conversations. You were pretty and funny. I left without asking for a way to connect again. Find me here? —C When: Tuesday, January 6, 2026. Where: Ladybug Collective. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916537

GUTTERSON FIELDHOUSE

You: woman, purple socks, boots with good traction. Me: man, I have you by a few, a bit scruffy with light blue coat. We shared a smile and it felt nice. Would love to share a walk or coffee; if it was just a smile, that was lovely. When: Friday, January 23, 2026. Where: UVM hockey game. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916536

SKI SHOP GAL

You came into the ski shop where I work on Fridays. You were with your dad and looking for a used pair of XC skis for him. You are in the area for the winter, staying at your grandmother’s place. I couldn’t stop thinking about your smile all day. I’m hoping you’ll visit again some Friday. When: Friday, January 23, 2026. Where: small ski shop. You: Woman. Me: Woman. #916535

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

CORTADO IN MIDDLEBURY

I don’t want to compromise your privacy, since you’re dealing with the public, but you looked out the window and said, “ e sun’s out, but it’s snowing.” I was glad it was crowded; it gave me more time to enjoy your lovely smile. And yes, as you said, I did have a wonderful day, indeed. When: ursday, January 22, 2026. Where: Middlebury. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916534

CHATTED AT TRADER JOE’S

We have spoken a few times at TJ’s, ﬁrst over the summer and most recently on MLK Day. We talked about riding bikes in Burlington and how you work at a brunch place. You’ve got me curious. I’d like to hear more. How about a snowy stroll? When: Monday, January 19, 2026. Where: Trader Joe’s. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916533

CHEF’S MARKET, RANDOLPH

While having a cup of soup, I saw you and a young man take a table and have lunch. We made eye contact several times, and then I left. If you read this and would like to meet, please reach out. When: Wednesday, January 14, 2026. Where: Chef’s Market, Randolph. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916532

BEAUTIFUL MAN WITH BEAUTIFUL DOG

I spied you at River Cove Animal Hospital with your black dog. e vet tech called her Helen. You had a nurturing way with her that only real men do. You were clad in a gray sweatsuit with a Buc-ee’s beaver logo on it. I gazed at you longingly, dreaming of a day when you might explore my Buc-ee’s beaver. When: Friday, December 19, 2025. Where: Williston. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916531

GRIEVES

You try to kill me every time you mess up, because you don’t listen. e damage you’ve done may not be ﬁxable when your ﬁve-year time is up. Or is that the whole point? When: ursday, July 31, 2025. Where: Grieves. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916530

BIG SMILES ON PERU ST.

You were walking by as I brought in my recycling bin. We both had on ﬁtted blue puffy jackets; yours had orange, too. When we made eye contact, we both got big smiles. I hope to meet up and share more smiles! When: Wednesday, January 7, 2026. Where: Peru St. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916529

1 S. PROSPECT WAITING AREA

I noticed your mysterious eyes, high cheekbones and dark brown hair in the waiting area of the UVM phlebotomy lab. You wore a dark red ﬂeece vest and light shirt. I was the tall guy on the phone in a black puffy coat, salt-andpepper beard, winter hat. May I buy you a coffee? When: Monday, January 12, 2026. Where: 1 S. Prospect Street, UVM phlebotomy lab waiting area. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916528

WILLISTON FOLINO’S BENCHWARMERS

ey forgot to put yours in; they failed to tell me mine was ready. Your smile truly made my day, and it had been the kind of day that needed making. I hope you didn’t wait long for your pizza. If you ever need a smile, let me know. I owe you one. When: Friday, January 9, 2026. Where: Folino’s Pizza. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916527

I HOPE FOR YOU

You persisted, though I told you my heart was closed / but once you had my love, you let it languish / now you’ll take all I gave and give it to someone else / you lied and betrayed and you broke me / I hope for you the kind of heartbreak you left me with / because I will never love again. When: Tuesday, October 14, 2025. Where: for the last time. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916526

BRITISH COLUMBIA NUMBER

Texted me in the afternoon, and it went to spam. I only just found it yesterday. Who are you, and why did you say I was getting? Why can you not speak to me to my face? When: Tuesday, December 16, 2025. Where: spam folder. You: Group. Me: Woman. #916525

De

WE MADE EYE CONTACT VSF

You were the older brawny guy on the treadmill. I was also working out, right behind you. Truth be told, I was checking you out because those jeans looked very nice on you. After your workout, you looked at me, and you gave me this gesture like you were exhausted. You also smiled at me. I would like to get acquainted. When: Saturday, January 3, 2026. Where: Vermont Sport & Fitness, Rutland. You: Man. Me: Man. #916524

NEXT ROUND

So many near misses. He said it wouldn’t be easy. Since we never were, could we try to be this year? Too many have claimed to be who they’re not, causing more chaos and harm. I never went into the woods, and you never came to me. Marco Polo, never hide-andseek. When: ursday, December 31, 2026. Where: everyone else. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916523

THE OFFICIAL END

It’s time to face my fear. / I’ll never forget that early love you showed. / e look on your face where we ﬁrst met. / How you made me feel / you loathed my existence. / Nothing more than a body. / Life’s too short to stay in torture. / Please don’t try to pull me back. / You know I’d die for you a million times. When: Monday, October 13, 2025. Where: Cambridge. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916522

NYE — ECHO

Saw you at ECHO NYE around 9:30. You were near the front left of the stage. I was near the back wearing a brown checked coat. We caught eyes, but I had to leave. If you’re single, it’d be great to ﬁnd out more about you. When: Wednesday, December 31, 2025. Where: ECHO. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916521

FLY GIRL FLYING

You were in a Subaru, with a trout plate: FLYGRL, driving north on 89. Sensible haircut. Eating carrot sticks or some other sensible snack. I saw my best possible future flash before my eyes, embodied by the scene in your car. Teach me your sensible ways and also maybe your fly-fishing tips and tricks? Kindly, an aspiring fly girl. When: Sunday, December 28, 2025. Where: 89 North (Waterbury to Burlington). You: Woman. Me: Woman. #916518

BOLTON VALLEY LONG SHOT

It being the New Year and all, I ﬁgured I would take a long shot. On Labor Day 2025, I was trail running at Bolton Valley and met a fellow crazy person doing the same. We had a short conversation on the way down and in the parking lot. It would be great to reconnect. When: Monday, September 1, 2025. Where: Bolton Valley. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916520

KELLY, 58, SHELBURNE AREA?

Someone showed me your proﬁle. I’m wondering if you might be feeling adventurous? You’re super cute, and I’m super curious. When: Friday, January 2, 2026. Where: online. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916519

BTV NARROW CATCH!

is is a long shot for sure, but it may be worth a shot! We both barely made the ﬂight into BTV last night and were equally relieved. I had to catch my Uber, and you were working on yours. Hope you made it home safe. If you see this and remember, let me know! When: Sunday, December 28, 2025. Where: BTV Airport. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916517

SNAKE MOUNTAIN HIKER, TAKE TWO You: getting out of your car to hike with a friend and her dog. Me: ﬁnishing a hike with a friend. When: around noon. You said hello. I looked up, surprised, and said hi back. Your eyes made me want to ask you out right then, but I chickened out. Can we have a second chance? When: Saturday, December 27, 2025. Where: Snake Mountain. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916515

CANELÉS CO-OP ENCOUNTER

We met at the co-op’s baked goods. I was charmed. You gracefully accepted the suggestion to try a canelé. I got tonguetied. Would you be interested in a coffee? I am glad to be a friend. When: Monday, December 22, 2025. Where: by the canelés. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916514

LONG TIME NO SEE

It was early afternoon and I was leaving the store and you were heading in. We said, “long time no see!” and you wished me a Merry Christmas. I can’t remember where we ﬁrst met or if you are married, but if this sounds familiar and you wish to follow up, let me know. When: Saturday, December 20, 2025. Where: Milton Hannaford. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916512

I have had plenty of great relationships in the past, but I’ve been a happily single person for many years now. I am totally content, but it seems like my best friend doesn’t believe me. It doesn’t happen every time we hang out, but fairly often the conversation goes to if, when or whom I’m going to start dating. I usually play it off with a laugh, but it’s really starting to get on my nerves. How do I make her stop bringing it up?

Sally T ey,

Having a best friend with whom you can talk about anything is wonderful. Setting boundaries for subjects you want to keep off the table can be tricky, but it sounds like that’s what you need to do. e next time she starts talking about you dating, don’t brush it off so casually. You need to be serious about how much it bothers you that she keeps harping on the subject. Be honest and ﬁrm but not too brusque about it. Simply say that, while you appreciate her concern about your love life, it’s not her topic to bring up in conversation. Let her know that if you

ever do decide to get into the dating game, she’ll be at least the third person to know about it.

The Rev end De Rev end,

Hopefully, that will be enough for your pal to nix the dating questions. If you think she may slip, you could impose a penalty of some sort. Get her to agree that if she brings it up again, she has to take you out on a date and foot the bill.

Good luck and God bless,

What’s your problem? Send it to asktherev@sevendaysvt.com.

I’m a 72-y/o male seeking a female, 30-60. Looking for times together. Lunch, dinner, heels a plus at times. I can be a good listener; caring, sensitive. Phone number, please. #L1910

BiWM seeks steady blow job. Single, bi, gay, Black, married, trans. Age no problem. My place and private. Phone number. I’m horny. Women, apply! Good head! #L1909

Retired, healthy, active, ﬁt, fun-loving queer male seeking female friend to share merry minge, happipenis and much, much more. #1907

65ish woman seeking 65ish man. Friendship/dating. Wholesome, good-natured fun, laughter and conversations. Cribbage, other games. Attend music shows and events, leisurely walks. Sightseeing, café outings. Sound good? Drop me a line. I’m in the NEK. Namasté. #1906

Single woman, 61. Wise, mindful. Seeking tight unit with man, friend, love. Country living, gardens, land to play on. Emotionally, intellectually engaged. Lasting chats. Appreciation for past experience. Please be kind, stable and well established. Phone number, please. #L1908

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

I’m a 29-y/o woman seeking a man in his 20s or 30s who wants to start a family. My interests: aikido, hide tanning, fermentation, creative mending. I value authenticity, emotional awareness and intentionality. I’m in southern Vermont but could relocate. #L1905

I’m a 68-y/o woman seeking a 60- to 70-y/o gent. Must enjoy comedy movies, occasional deep conversations, deep thinking and cats. Must be located in the Northeast Kingdom. #L1904

I’m a 31-y/o man, ﬁt, 6’1” tall, dark skin, looking for a woman between 45 and 70. I like to work out, do outdoor activities, cook and craft, and learn new skills. I have a lot to teach. I’m independent and respectful. #L1899

If you are a gentle and kind man and would enjoy written intercourse for play and fun with a lady wordsmith, write! I have snail mail only. No strings attached! #L1901

Imagine all the wonderful things you could have spent that $5 on. Hmm, yeah, inﬂation. Might as well see what I’m all about. No sales tax. Seeking Y/O/U. #L1898

I’m a 72-y/o SWF seeking a 60- to 70-y/o man. I live in Woodstock, Vt. I want a serious relationship with a man. Phone number, would meet in person. #L1891

Int net-Free Dating!

Reply to these messages with real, honest-to-goodness le ers. DETAILS BELOW.

30-y/o lady ISO independent, slightly sarcastic, progressiveminded man. Someone who can entertain complex emotional and ethical thoughts. No boys necessary: Clean up your own mess. I’m a skier, thru-hiker and nature lover. #L1897

I am a 49-y/o woman seeking a 38- to 52-y/o man. I am ready to meet a life partner to grow a kind, conscious family with. Are you ﬁt, curious, ecologically and socially attuned? Let’s meet for tea, a pedal or hike. #L1896

I’m a 70-y/o male, 6’1”, 265 lbs., seeking a woman between 60 and 79 y/o who smokes cigarettes. I am looking for a long-term relationship. Drives, meals, cuddles, watching movies. #L1893

Open-minded SWM, 60s, 170 lbs., 5’8”, seeks similar for friendship and more. Openminded, intelligent, liberal, slim males into fun activities and exploring various types of fun. #L1894

Describe yourself and who you’re looking for in 40 words below: (OR, ATTACH A SEPARATE PIECE OF PAPER.)

I’m a

AGE + GENDER (OPTIONAL) seeking a

AGE + GENDER (OPTIONAL)

I’m a 65-y/o woman seeking a ﬁt, 45- to 70-y/o man. I am a woman with a lot of energy! Clean houses. Love the outdoors, swimming, rides and Maine. I’m 5’2”, 130 lbs. Love to laugh! #L1892

Very discreet bi guy loves the outdoors: camping, hiking, ﬁshing, etc. Looking for other guys with similar interests to share fun times and have good times with. Hit me up! #L1890

Male looking for female, age 59 to 69. I am disabled but still get around on my own. Looking for someone to hang with, since I am all alone and hate it. My partner passed from cancer. #L1888

I’m an 81-y/o woman seeking a male. I am a widow of ﬁve years. Looking for companionship. Love music, reading, knitting, crocheting and playing card games, etc. #L1887

Gracious, attentive, educated, humorous soul seeks a ﬁt, tender and unassuming female counterpart (58 to 68) for woodland walks, shared meals and conversation. #L1885

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THIS FORM IS FOR LOVE LETTERS ONLY. Messages for the Personals and I-Spy sections must be submitted online at dating.sevendaysvt.com.

'Gone Guys' Film Screening & Discussion

WED., FEB. 4

BENNINGTON THEATER

Late to the New Year Hip-Hop Show

FRI., FEB. 6

THE UNDERGROUND-LISTENING ROOM, RANDOLPH

Bob Marley B-Day Bash Featuring Mighty Mystic

FRI., FEB. 6

STOWE CIDER

Winter Renaissance Faire

SAT., FEB. 7

CHAMPLAIN VALLEY EXPO, ESSEX JCT.

Joe's Big Band Winter Burner

SAT., FEB. 7

ST. JOHN'S CLUB, BURLINGTON

Lieder by the Lake — Burlington Schubertiade

SUN., FEB. 8

COLLEGE STREET CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, BURLINGTON

Galentine's Flowers at Fig

SUN., FEB. 8

SHELBURNE FIG

Crafting Night for the Cupid Project

MON., FEB. 9

LADIES SOCIAL GROUP, ESSEX JCT.

Immigration, Employment, & Small Businesses: Protecting & Promoting Workplace Diversity in Uncertain Times

WED., FEB. 11 • HULA, BURLINGTON

RAR Deep Dive Series in Advanced Bicycle Care — for WTNB

WED., FEB. 11

OLD SPOKES HOME COMMUNITY WORKSHOP, BURLINGTON

WED., FEB. 11

RED POPPY CAKERY, WATERBURY

Beef Wellington and Chocolate Pot De Creme featuring Chef Jim McCarthy

Vintage Piping Cake Decorating Class

FRI., FEB. 13

RED POPPY CAKERY, WATERBURY

TURNmusic Presents Michael Chorney's Freeway Clyde w/ Sadie Brightman

FRI., FEB. 13

THE PHOENIX GALLERY & MUSIC HALL, WATERBURY

Barn Owl Needle Felting Workshop

SAT., FEB. 14

BIRDS OF VERMONT MUSEUM, HUNTINGTON

Declare Your Love – A Writing Workshop: Prose

SAT., FEB. 14

GRANGE HALL CULTURAL CENTER, WATERBURY

Declare Your Love--A Writing Workshop: Poetry

SAT., FEB. 14

GRANGE HALL CULTURAL CENTER, WATERBURY

Date Night: Better-Than-Steakhouse Steak and Potatoes

SAT., FEB. 14

RICHMOND COMMUNITY KITCHEN

(Share the) LOVE Fest: A Community Open Mic

SAT., FEB. 14

GRANGE HALL CULTURAL CENTER, WATERBURY, VT

Heartbeats Silent Disco: Move. Create. Connect. Feel Alive.

SAT., FEB. 14

DAVIS STUDIO, SOUTH BURLINGTON

HeartBreakers: Burlesque Valentine's Variety Show

SAT., FEB. 14

MONTPELIER PERFORMING ARTS HUB

9 - FEBRUARY 15

For Ages 21+. Cannabis has not been analyzed or approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For use by individuals 21 years of age and older or registered qualifying patient only. KEEP THIS PRODUCT AWAY FROM CHILDREN AND PETS. DO NOT USE IF PREGNANT OR BREASTFEEDING. Possession or use of cannabis may carry signiﬁcant legal penalties in some jurisdictions and under federal law. It may not be transported outside of the state of Vermont. The effects of edible cannabis may be delayed by two hours or more. Cannabis may be habit forming and can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. Persons 25 years and younger may be more likely to experience harm to the developing brain. It is against the law to drive or operate machinery when under the inﬂuence of this product. National Poison Control Center 1-800-222-1222.

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