Seven Days, July 23, 2025 by Seven Days

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WEEK IN REVIEW

JULY 16-23, 2025

Leah Beckhoff holding a sign during a rally outside the Essex town ofﬁces on April 3

TRUMP DUMP

U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) estimated that some 45,000 Vermonters will lose health care coverage under President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill.” Not so pretty, actually.

JUST A TRICKLE

$214,400

That’s how much National Life Group’s Do Good Fest in Montpelier raised for the Vermont Foodbank.

TOPFIVE

ESSEX TO AMAZON: NOPE

before they can break ground, delayed a decision last month, citing a need for more information.

Only eight property owners out of 264 applicants have received buyout money from FEMA related to the July 2023 ﬂoods, VTDigger and Vermont Public reported.

PUBLIC MATTER

3. “Green Mountain Transit Searches for Cash — and Its ‘Soul’” by Derek Brouwer. Amid declining ridership and service cuts, GMT is trying to ﬁgure out whom it serves.

4. “Rene Kirby, Actor, Gymnast and Skier With Spina Biﬁda, Dies” by Mary Ann Lickteig. e gregarious Burlington man danced with Gwyneth Paltrow in the 2001 Farrelly brothers’ comedy Shallow Hal. He was 70. See story on page 51.

5. “Essex Rejects Amazon’s Plans to Build a Warehouse” by Colin Flanders. See story on this page. Amazon’s attempt to expand into Vermont hit a snag last week when the Town of Essex denied its proposal to construct a distribution facility in the Saxon Hill Industrial Park.

e 4-2 decision from the town’s Development Review Board followed months of debate over whether Amazon’s promise of new jobs and faster delivery times justiﬁed the potential impacts to trafﬁc, the environment and the local economy.

Company officials said the project, which would have built Amazon’s first facility in Vermont, would have resulted in one or two tractor trailers arriving there each hour between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. to deliver packages from bigger warehouses. Workers would then sort the packages and load them into a fleet of Amazon-branded vans to be delivered to homes and businesses in a 70-mile radius.

e company submitted a study showing that the trafﬁc generated by the warehouse would conform to local zoning regulations. But residents cast doubt on the projections, and the review board, which must sign off on projects

It was not immediately clear what swayed the decision. Prior to its vote last ursday night, the review board entered a closed-door session, citing a desire to speak freely without interruptions or fear of reprisal. Board members and some of their family members had been contacted about the proposal on their personal cellphones in recent weeks, according to chair Ian Carroll.

“As a security piece, I think it would be best to have private deliberations,” Carroll said.

He added that the board would explain its reasoning in writing after its seventh member, who missed the meeting, had a chance to weigh in. But he stressed that the verdict had nothing to do with Amazon’s reputation.

In a statement, Amazon spokesperson Steve Kelly said the company was disappointed and would determine next steps once it had a chance to review the rationale for the denial.

Read Colin Flanders’ full story at sevendaysvt.com.

Lt. Gov. John Rodgers has sued the Town of Glover, arguing that he, not the town, should own the road he lives on. Rut-row.

CONNECTION CASH

Vermont will receive nearly $23 million in federal funding to repair and replace the Winooski River Bridge. Let’s hope the feds don’t change their minds.

TOWNCRIER

LOCALLY SOURCED NEWS

Stowe Teen Trains for a Different Race Dean Roy, 14, is collecting signatures to run for Vermont governor next year, according to the Stowe Reporter. What started as a joke has gotten more serious, he says. Roy doesn’t think he’ll beat Gov. Phil Scott, but he sees the run as an opportunity to get involved in politics. Vermont doesn’t have an age requirement to run for ofﬁce. Read more at vtcng.com/stowe_reporter.

KLEPPER-MANIA

While it remains to be seen whether Burlington’s newly named Rue Canada will encourage Québec residents to visit Vermont, the splashy stunt seems to have drawn at least one welcome tourist downtown.

e pedestrian boulevard formerly known as Church Street served as a backdrop over the weekend for “ e Daily Show” correspondent and host Jordan Klepper, who came to Burlington with a Comedy Central ﬁlm crew to interview locals about the state of U.S.-Canada relations.

Klepper stopped by the Vermont Brewers Festival along the waterfront last Friday and cruised Church Street to talk to business owners at Outdoor Gear Exchange, Belleville Bakery and elsewhere.

“It was kind of fun to have them in town,” said OGE cofounder Marc Sherman, who could be seen grinning alongside Klepper in a photo his company later posted to Instagram.

Sherman said he used his face time with one of the country’s most recognizable television shows to emphasize that he doesn’t support President Donald Trump’s trade policies or rhetoric toward Vermont’s northern neighbor — and that “we really miss the Canadians.”

“The Daily Show” arranged its appearance at the Vermont Brewers Festival weeks ago, according to Vermont Brewers Association executive director Emma Arian. Producers wanted to highlight festival organizers’ efforts to attract Canadian beer lovers, including with discounted ticket prices, she said.

Klepper also interviewed festival at-

tendees, attracting notice in the process. “ ere were lots of selﬁes,” Arian said. Burlington resident Karen Chickering had initially ignored a producer’s voicemail about doing an interview. “ is can’t be the ‘Daily Show,’” she told herself. But when the producer mentioned Klepper, “It was like, Oh, shit,” Chickering recalled. “I know that name. I don’t watch TV, but my brother sends me clips from there.”

Producers had read a Seven Days story from March about Chickering’s visit to Canada to apologize for Trump and try to mend relations at a personal level. Klepper interviewed her last Friday in what Chickering described as a “friendly, silly” style.

A few locals whom Klepper interviewed over the weekend were told the segment would either air sometime before August 1 — or not until September.

DEREK BROUWER

Jordan Klepper interviewing Emma Arian

ALL CONNECTED.

Paula Routly

Cathy Resmer

Don Eggert, Colby Roberts

NEWS & POLITICS

Matthew Roy

Sasha Goldstein

Ken Ellingwood, Candace Page

Hannah Bassett, Derek Brouwer, Colin Flanders, Courtney Lamdin, Kevin McCallum, Alison Novak, Lucy Tompkins

Sam Hartnett

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

Katherine Isaacs, Martie Majoros

Madeleine Kaptein

& VIDEO

Bryan Parmelee

Eva Sollberger

Je Baron DESIGN

Don Eggert

Rev. Diane Sullivan

John James

Je Baron SALES & MARKETING

A SHORT-TERM RENTAL IS ‘NOT A HOME’

[Re “Burlington Short-Term Rental Fight Will Continue in Environmental Court,” June 10]: So, once again, a group of people who operate short-term rentals and do not live there — which a City of Burlington regulation passed in 2022 makes illegal — are stalling. Keep that money ﬂowing in! Owners, investors and LLCs lobbied for and got an extra year of bookings in 2022, but that wasn’t enough. It looked like a win for the city when the Vermont Supreme Court recently decided in the city’s favor: no short-term rental unless the owner lives there.

Colby Roberts

Robyn Birgisson

Michelle Brown, Logan Pintka, Kaitlin Montgomery ADMINISTRATION

Marcy Stabile

Matt Weiner

Andy Watts

Gillian English

Anthony Cinquina 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, Bear Cieri, John James, Matt Jenkins, Tim Newcomb, Jeb Wallace-Brodeur FOUNDERS

Pamela Polston, Paula Routly CIRCULATION: 35,000

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Now we read the short-term rental owners and investors and their lawyer are taking the city to yet another court; this will be the third time trying to ﬁnd a way to keep the money flow going. Housing shortage? Negative impact on neighborhoods? Meanwhile, there is no enforcement, no ﬁnes. And who pays each time the city has to go to court to uphold this law? Taxpayers: you and me.

Such an illegal short-term rental house is on our street. Out-of-state cars ﬁll the driveway on weekends. The house looks abandoned during the week; no one lives there. A gap in the caring neighborhood. No one to help each other out. Might as well have dollar signs written all over it. It is not a home.

When will owners and investors stop?

PORTRAITS OF HUMANITY

Thank you for alerting the community to the gathering that featured an outdoor exhibit of portraits of some of our unhoused community members, along with some examples of their art [“Being Seen: An Artist Created Portraits of Homeless People Who Live Around Burlington. She Found Both Strength and Vulnerability — and Artists in Their Midst,” June 25]. Many who greeted us and helped out are regulars at “the Share,” a gathering that provides food and companionship late each Sunday afternoon at the First United Methodist Church. On this beautiful Sunday afternoon on the church lawn, we marveled at the portraits and accompanying stories and enjoyed conversations, music and refreshments. Notably, more than a few

Diana Carlisle BURLINGTON

of the Share participants entertained us with flute, guitar and song and gave moving testimonials. The portraits do indeed capture the strength, vulnerability and humanity of these neighbors. I hope the exhibit will find other venues around Burlington to showcase them.

Carol Jean Suitor SHELBURNE

QUESTIONABLE EXPOSURE

[Re “Being Seen: An Artist Created Portraits of Homeless People Who Live Around Burlington. She Found Both Strength and Vulnerability — and Artists in Their Midst,” June 25]: I love your paper and most of your content but have concerns about this article, as it fails to take into consideration all the community members and families that have tried and continue to try to help. I am sure some were surprised to see their relatives and friends in this article. Those of us who are local see them daily. Bonding with the homeless can take place unfortunately almost everywhere these days. Not sure putting their photos on display is an asset to them.

Mary McMahon BURLINGTON

GOOD SCHOOLING

Thank you for such an excellent and informative piece of reporting [“Learning Curve: As They Revamped the State’s Education System, Vermont Legislators Navigated the Long-Standing Conflict Between Public and Independent Schools,” July 2]. As the Vermont House and Senate struggled with education reform, I found it impossible to follow

expected inmate spoke English, in which case no interpreter was needed, or what prevented one from being there if they were needed.

The article accurately outlines the challenges faced by Vermont courts and corrections due to understaffing and increased immigration-related work. Nevertheless, the possibility that poor performance and lax oversight might also be a challenge deserves further investigation. Flanders might want to google both Hanlon’s razor and Dannemora.

Carl Wermer ESSEX JUNCTION

TIME FOR A NEW STATE HOSPITAL

the proceedings. My frustration was exacerbated by the fact that I had previously served three terms in the House and believed I understood the process. Reporters Hannah Bassett and Alison Novak made sense of a cloudy situation. Although I am not happy that so many details have been left unresolved, at least I feel that I am better prepared for understanding what lies ahead. For that, the authors have my gratitude.

Robert L. Walsh SOUTH BURLINGTON

SURE ABOUT INTENT?

Colin Flanders’ story [“Wrong Prisoner Is Brought to Court, Derailing a Hearing,” July 8, online] detailed the complications that arose when the wrong inmate, who only spoke Spanish, was brought to a court hearing without an interpreter. The attorney for the expected inmate attributed the mistake to racism, while Chittenden County State’s Attorney Sarah George expressed concern about the implications for people of color. Only after presenting their perspectives did the article reveal that the officers involved only confirmed the inmate’s last name before the transport, despite the procedural requirement to verify both first and last names. The article does not clarify whether the

CORRECTION

Last week’s story headlined “Brave New Weed” mischaracterized how vitamin E acetate got into black-market vape cartridges. Some producers deliberately added it as a filler.

[Re “In a Swift About-Face, Burlington Drops Parking Plan for Homeless,” July 3]: “The City of Burlington does not have the resources or staff capacity to address the need for shelter or services to respond to the crisis of unsheltered homelessness,” according to city official Joe Magee.

And, once again, Burlington, like cities and towns throughout the state, is reiterating its perennial request for more help from the state legislature and Gov. Phil Scott.

According to the Housing & Homelessness Alliance of Vermont, our state had 3,458 unhoused people on one census night last year. Of these, 855 had “serious mental illnesses”; another 400 had “substance abuse disorders.” That’s 1,255 people caught in a vicious cycle of unending pain and delusion, stress and despair, exacerbated by potent street drugs, selfdestructive behavior and violence.

To date, Vermont has spent hundreds of millions of dollars to house homeless people. The expenditures pay off for people who are down on their luck and need a helping hand.

Such is not the case when dealing with serious mental illnesses and addictions.

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We’ve been open just about a year and we’re very happy with the reception we have gotten from the community.

We are a Roman-style café serving big, fluffy pies that are modeled after Rome’s Pizza El Taglio. They are focaccia-like slices with different toppings. We have many sandwich options both vegetarian and non-vegetarian.

During a recent trip to Italy, we stopped in a few of these types of restaurants, they are little neighborhood places where people meet and eat. We are re-creating that experience here, with a bit of nostalgia, blended with comfortable seating in a very laid-back, easygoing vibe.

Next time you’re in downtown, stop by and check us out. We are open Wednesday to Saturday from 11:30 till 10 PM.

PULLING THREADS

The Connections Issue ties it all together

Seven Days publishes a lot of theme issues. We have our annual standbys — the Money Issue, Love & Marriage, the Tech Issue. And we typically embrace a few pop-up themes, too, such as our Food Issue this June and the Death Issue in 2023. We once did a Mini Issue about things that are really, really small. But we’ve never attempted anything quite like the Connections Issue.

Most of the time, we take the theme quite literally. But for this one, we invited our writers to riff on every meaning of the word — making, well, connections that might not be so obvious. Among the first stories pitched was a Vermontified version of the Kevin Bacon Game. That one didn’t pan out, but many others did. So in addition to stories about community, relationships and phones — topics that play straight with the theme — you’ll find some surprises.

For example, did you know that Vermont has a long and storied history of mediums and fortune tellers working in the state? There’s still a robust network of practitioners in the Green Mountains serving those who seek PSYCHIC CONNECTION (page 28).

In these divided times, it might be nice to have some idea of what’s gonna happen next — or maybe not, depending. But at least one group, BRAVER ANGELS, is working to bring together Vermonters of differing political views (page 15). Perhaps they could find some common humanity in a wordless realm like HŪMNET, a new app that strives for a kinder, more meditative form of online interaction (page 46).

It’s worth remembering that the internet can still be used for good. A modernized website has helped Burlington’s Intervale Center revamp its VERMONT LAND LINK program, which matches aspiring farmers with landowners (page 38).

Of course, even in the age of FaceTime, there’s no substitute for actually meeting with friends and neighbors face-to-face. That’s one reason the ODD FELLOWS have seen a resurgence in Burlington, where the quirky fraternal order has become a community hub (page 48). It’s also why, decades after its last ride, the commuters

of the APGAP VAN rideshare still let the good times roll (page 32).

Long before smartphones, pay phones were a crucial part of keeping in touch. But Vermont cell service can be spotty, so a Randolph engineer has created free INTERNET-POWERED PAY PHONES for Green Mountain dead zones (page 14). They might be a hit in a town such as MIDDLETOWN SPRINGS , which still publishes a phone book (page 17).

Few Vermonters have embodied the spirit of connection like NATHAN SUTER. The Montpelier artist, nonprofit leader, and track-and-field coach died in May and is remembered for handily creating community (page 35).

Normally, intros like this one overview every story related to the issue’s theme. But here’s another way the Connections Issue differs: There are simply too many stories to name-drop them all. So consider this a challenge to flip through sections of the paper you might not typically read. Whether you’re into mountain biking, jam bands, food trucks or weird stains, we think you’ll find something to connect with in the pages ahead.

DAN BOLLES

NEWS+POLITICS 14

Can You Hear Me Now?

A Randolph engineer retools old pay phones to ﬁll gaps in cell service around central Vermont

Researchers Sound the Alarm on Microplastics

Green Mountain ‘Angels’

Vermonters from both sides of the political aisle are fostering respectful conversations about the issues

Wheel Deal

Cycling enthusiasts rally to build Burlington’s ﬁrst-ever bike park

School Superintendent, Congolese Woman Detained at U.S. Borders

Scott, Housing Advocates

Celebrate Passage of Infrastructure Bill

FEATURES 28

Above and Beyond

Seeking your higher self? A chat with the dead? Vermont’s psychics offer otherworldly connections.

Van Life

More than two decades after the retirement of the ApGap commuter van, some of its riders are still friends

‘Nathan’s Superpower Was Connecting People’

ARTS+CULTURE 44

Mad About Comedy

Actor Paul Reiser returns to his standup roots with a new act at Rutland’s Paramount eatre

Things That Make You Go Humn

A Brattleboro developer’s new app links people through good vibrations Hi, Society

Burlington Odd Fellows reclaims its role as a community hub in the New North End

Vermont Poet and Photographer Communes With Nature to Confront Cancer in New Book

FOOD+ DRINK 38

Cultivating Connection

With a newly modernized website, Vermont Land Link pairs farmers with landowners Game, Truck, Match Food Trucks of Vermont plays matchmaker for vendors and events

Whoops!

In last week’s edition of Seven Days, we ran Burlington Better Vibe Coalition’s ad without final approval from The Café HOT.

We offer sincere apologies, while Seven Days and The Café HOT. continue to celebrate BBVC’s dedication to giving love and attention to our downtown businesses.

Go visit The Café HOT. Downtown @ 198

Mon., Thurs. and Fri. 8AM - 1PM Sat. and Sun. 9AM - 1PM

Life Stories: Nathan Suter February 14, 1973-May 13, 2025 COLUMNS

e Johnson Transfer Station is a social hub for locals who affectionately call it “the dump” — although it is no longer a landﬁll. Seven Days’ Eva Sollberger visited her hometown and saw some familiar faces, including Kyle Nuse, who loves the dump, and site attendant Keith Bradley.

Rene Kirby — Actor, Gymnast and Skier With Spina Biﬁda — Has Died Out, Damned Spots!

Stains have staying power at the Museum of Everyday Life

Under the Sea at the S.P.A.C.E. Gallery

Heady History

Author Mike Ayers tracks the origins and effects of the ’90s jam band explosion, including Burlington’s role DJ, Musician and Writer Robert Resnik Dies at 72

MAGNIFICENT

MUST SEE, MUST DO THIS WEEK COMPILED BY REBECCA DRISCOLL

SATURDAY 26

CHARLOTTE’S WEB

Abandoned-animal haven Merrymac Farm Sanctuary hosts An Evening at the Sanctuary in Charlotte. e date night-approved event offers a tantalizing tasting of four Shelburne Vineyard vinos married with different ﬂavors of vegan cheesecake by Vermont Cheeseless. Post-pairing, the barn doors open for attendees to meet rescued critters of all shapes and sizes and learn their stories.

SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 68

ONGOING

You might shudder to read this in mid-July, but back-to-school season is right around the corner. Studio Place Arts embraces the inevitability with its “Sharpen Your Pencils!” exhibit in Barre. e dynamic show centered on (you guessed it!) the humble pencil features drawings and assemblages by more than 25 artists, including Miriam Adams, Sonja Olson and James Secor.

SEE GALLERY LISTING AT SEVENDAYSVT.COM/ART

THURSDAY 24

Gimme the Lute

BarnArts’ Feast & Field summer music series continues with Pakistani group Khumariyaan at Fable Farm in Barnard. e ﬁve-piece, whose name means “intoxication” in Pashto, performs the traditional folk music of its country but with a jamband twist. Expect instruments you don’t typically hear in Vermont, such as the zerbaghali — a singleheaded, goblet-shaped hand drum.

SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 66

FRIDAY 25 & SATURDAY 26

Redemption Road

Susan Edsall stuns in her tour de force solo show Buen Camino at Phantom eater’s home at Edgcomb Barn in Warren. e piece packs 23 compelling characters into one powerhouse performance, shepherding viewers along a 540mile pilgrimage on Spain’s Camino de Santiago. rough rain, pain and self-discovery, Edsall’s moving tale drives home the inherent freedom found in surrendering to the universe.

SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 68

SATURDAY 26

Spell Bound

Magical creatures, polish your wands for Highland Center for the Arts’ Vermont Fairy Festival in Greensboro! Fae, trolls, pixies and gnomes try their hand at spell casting, ﬂying, potion making and other fairy-dusted delights, while the center’s kitchen and local culinary wizards conjure otherworldly fare. New and not to be missed: a black light mermaid ocean, perfect for pulling guests into the mystical abyss.

SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 68

SATURDAY 26

Geared Up

Church Street Marketplace anchor Outdoor Gear Exchange invites revelers to its 30th Anniversary Block Party in downtown Burlington. e recreation retailer transforms its storefront corner into a vibrant festival featuring an impressive lineup of local acts — including sets by the staff band — as well as mouthwatering food options and opportunities to connect with outdoors-focused nonproﬁts.

SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 68

SUNDAY 27

Have a Heart

Here’s a sobering fact: Heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death in the U.S. e Rotary Club of St. Albans takes actionable steps to help with the Cardiac Champ Challenge at Kill Kare State Park. Twenty-one teams in 18-foot inﬂatable boats paddle against each other to beneﬁt expanded cardiac care at Northwestern Medical Center, while spectators party with ice cream, food truck fare, exercise programs and family-friendly activities.

SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 71

"Pencil and Paper" by Miriam Adams

Pen Pals

Ruth Anne “Ruthie” Furman of Jericho never used email, so for ﬁve years I typed her handwritten missives into my computer so we could publish them in Seven Days. Every few months I’d receive a handaddressed envelope containing a few pages of note-size yellow paper covered in her distinctive handwriting. She favored a black felt-tip pen.

At least one of the sheets was always a letter to the editor about an article we’d written: Her first, on November 6, 2019, was a defense of the controversial “Everyone Loves a Parade!” mural on Burlington’s Church Street, which had been defaced. “Vandalism in any form is a pathetic protest,” Furman wrote. Later she weighed in on topics ranging from a local rally against a Midwestern oil pipeline to the confirmation of Vermont Education Secretary Zoie Saunders. She was definitely a Democrat but a conservative one who regularly called bullshit.

I could never guess what local events would move Furman to write, but her correspondence almost always included an encouraging personal note to me and a $50 check for Seven Days. Between November 2019 and April 2025, we published 15 letters to the editor penned by Furman. Since the start of the pandemic, she made 25 small donations to the paper totaling $1,166.

She wrote most of her own obituary, too. When her name popped up in my inbox on June 27, I thought for a second that she had changed her mind about email. Once I realized what it was, I felt a pang of regret that has become all too familiar over the years. The world has one less remarkable person in it — someone with whom I had a relationship but never really got to know.

Furman and I had talked on the phone a few times in the early years, when I called to conﬁrm her letters. Reading her death notice, I wished I’d asked more questions during our conversations. With humility and gratitude, she accounted for her 84 years of life, from a farm in LaPrairie, Minn., to summer camps, marriage and stepchildren. For years she worked as an art teacher at Champlain Valley Union High School.

“I have loved politics, writing, and Airedales,” she wrote of herself. “My vocation was my avocation, and teaching art gave me so many wonderful people in my life.”

A good number showed up on July 13 at the Williston Federated Church for her memorial service, during which multiple eulogies ﬁlled in the rough self-sketch of her obituary. Her family, friends and

COURTESY

Ruth Furman

A handwritten personal note from Ruth Furman to Paula Routly

THE WORLD HAS ONE LESS REMARKABLE PERSON IN IT — SOMEONE WITH WHOM I HAD A RELATIONSHIP BUT NEVER REALLY GOT TO KNOW.

colleagues described a loyal, fun-loving conﬁdant who knew how and when to reach out; a beloved camp counselor who led multiday canoeing trips in Minnesota’s Boundary Waters; a mom who brought “joy and excitement” to her stepchildren and also knew how to control their very tall and intimidating Russian dad. It probably didn’t hurt that she had a voice like Lauren Bacall.

“Ruth kept in touch with everyone she ever knew,” her stepson, Geo rey Furman, recalled. She’d sit at the kitchen table with a “bottle of wine, cigarette in hand, writing letters all night.” Furman hated social media as much as she loved animals.

Her CVU colleague Sue Frederick called her a “collaborator.” A longtime friend from Minnesota, John Ritter, described her as a “connector.” That is to say: Furman’s generous, expansive reach, and her sphere of inﬂuence, extended beyond the ripples she could see from her vantage point — as I can attest.

As we worked on this special Connections Issue, which looks at the threads that tie us all together, I wanted to recognize a quiet master of the art.

Paula Routly

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Can You Hear Me Now?

A Randolph engineer retools old pay phones to ﬁll gaps in cell service around central Vermont

STORY & PHOTOS BY SAM HARTNETT • hartnett@sevendaysvt.com

We’ve all been disconnected: dropped calls, voices cutting out, stalled texts. It can happen often in central Vermont, where the hilly rural landscape doesn’t lend itself to consistent cell reception. In some spots, such as the tiny village of North Tunbridge, your phone becomes a paperweight — no connection at all.

Except: On the porch of the North Tunbridge General Store, next to a board covered with ﬂyers for farmers markets and bluegrass shows, hangs a 20th-century black box — a pay telephone. Not only is it a working pay phone, but it’s also free, no coins needed. A push-button device that’s now as uncommon as a black-andwhite TV o ers villagers or those passing through a way to call for a tow or check whether bread is on the shopping list.

“Oh, sure. Every day, usually at least one person uses it,” store proprietor Lois Gross said from behind the register one day last month.

Researchers Sound the Alarm on Microplastics in Lake Champlain

STORY & PHOTO BY SAM HARTNETT hartnett@sevendaysvt.com

Microplastics are a rising concern in the environment, polluting our land, water and even our bodies. But how do they end up in Lake Champlain? Seven Days joined a coalition of researchers last week aboard the University of Vermont’s research vessel, Marcelle Melosira, to take a look at the type of plastic that gets into the water — and how we can stop it.

Aboard the ship, scientists, environmentalists and activists from six different organizations showed reporters different forms of plastic waste, including fragments, ﬁbers, foam and something called “nurdles.”

Nurdles are preproduction plastic beads that are melted and molded to create other plastic products.

Plants in Vermont and New York mold plastic using the beads — and some have made their way into the lake.

The phone’s vintage exterior is misleading. Its innards connect to the internet to make calls, all thanks to Patrick Schlott, a Randolph electrical engineer who repurposes old pay phones to bridge the gap in rural communication. At a time when pay telephones have all but disappeared from the U.S., Schlott’s company, RandTel, offers a grassroots alternative for connection in a smartphone-driven world.

“We still have a certain population of people who reside in a place with no cell service,” said Hunter Thompson, director of telecommunications and connectivity for the state Department of Public Service. “I think what Mr. Schlott is doing is wonderful.”

Schlott, 31, is just old enough to have used the pay phones in downtown Montpelier when he was growing up. He created RandTel, his one-man operation, with his own money and as a hobby — an outgrowth of his fondness for tinkering and old-school technology.

A couple of years ago, Schlott came across a telephone handset in his parents’ garage, most likely a relic from his uncle’s days working at AT&T, when the Bell telephone system ruled American telecommunications. It was a space-saver phone without a dial, designed for receiving calls on a factory ﬂoor or other such duties. Schlott realized he had all the

“ e Lake Champlain Basin is over 8,000 square miles, so there’s a lot of area for trash to be deposited,” UVM research interns Molly Moening and Erika Talley told members of the press during the July 16 event. “It could be on the top of Mount Mansﬁeld, and you drop a piece of plastic, and it ends up in Lake Champlain.” e Lake Champlain Basin Marine Debris Coalition has launched a “debris tracker” app where citizens can report the kinds of washed-up junk they ﬁnd. e data help scientists to understand where pollutants are coming from so they can make policy suggestions.

One major pollutant comes from chunks of the uncontained Styrofoam that keeps docks aﬂoat. e pieces can break off and become smaller and smaller until they’re nearly impossible to remove.

Vermont’s Flood Safety Act, passed in 2024, bans the sale and repair of docks that use uncontained Styrofoam. But some older camps may still have them.

One solution is encasing the foam in more plastic, which prevents it from crumbling into the water. Another option is to use air-ﬁlled ﬂotation devices for docks.

Foam is the most abundant pollutant in Lake Champlain, according to the researchers. Some 2.3 million tons of polystyrene foam end up in landﬁlls every year, with only 1 percent or less actually recycled. ➆

Patrick Schlott with one of his free phones in Randolph

Green Mountain ‘Angels’

Vermonters from both sides of the political aisle are fostering respectful conversations about the issues

BY SAM HARTNETT • hartnett@sevendaysvt.com

Agroup of Vermonters wants to tone down the combativeness that has become part of talking politics with neighbors. Connections across the political divide have frayed as the country has become more and more polarized. Some feel ostracized. Some feel as if they live in an echo chamber. Some just want to be able to connect with the other side.

are kept confidential, and a facilitator is responsible for keeping things on track.

Rather than refer to themselves as liberals, conservatives or independents, Angels use colors: blue, red or purple.

Enter the Braver Angels. Members of the group are part of a national organization that in 2016 started local alliances aimed at disarming political discourse through respect, active listening and understanding. About 120 chapters exist nationwide. The name comes from Abraham Lincoln’s first inaugural address, when he called on the “better angels of our nature” to mend a country on the brink of civil war.

Vermont’s first group, in St. Albans, formed in 2016, but is now dormant as it seeks new leaders. Chittenden County has an active chapter that organized in 2023 and has since held 13 meetings, about once every two months. The mission: to “bring Americans together to bridge the partisan divide and strengthen our democratic republic.”

At the gatherings, the goal is for Angels to explain their views, not convince others they’re right; it’s not about changing anyone’s mind. Everyone represents and speaks for themselves, not groups or political parties. They follow strict etiquette: Don’t interrupt, pay attention and ensure that quieter members have a chance to speak. Lastly, the discussions

“It can feel a little more open and less specific in terms of people’s associations,” statewide organizer Lincoln EarleCenters said.

New members first reach out to a cochair; there is one for each color. They attend their first meeting as observers to see how the conversations play out and get a sense of the rules. The Chittenden County Braver Angels meet next on September 4 at the South Burlington Public Library. Organizers say the chapter skews blue, so they’re hoping to level things out.

The concept is catching on. Wayne Maceyka of Hinesburg wants to create a Braver Angels chapter in his town.

“People would take to Front Porch Forum and, you know, vent their spleen. You might feel good because you’re able to yell into the void, but it does nothing,” Maceyka said.

Hinesburg residents recently traded heated messages about the “political messaging” at the town’s Fourth of July parade, Maceyka said. He saw the kerfuffle as an opportunity to help neighbors connect on political issues and discuss them respectfully rather than criticize one another.

“I find that when you kind of cut

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parts needed to put together an analog phone. Then, he learned from a friend about an analog-to-digital phone adapter.

RandTel has installed three resurrected phones so far — the others are in Thetford and Randolph — each using an internet connection to make calls through an adapter that converts POTS (plain old telephone service) signals into digital ones. Schlott pays for the calls at a cost of less than a penny a minute. He also sta s an operator line through his personal cellphone, from which he can redirect calls and help people ﬁnd the information they need. Dial “0” from a RandTel phone if you’re looking to get in touch.

His research on resurrecting pay phones led him to a pair of innovative free calling services: Philadelphia-based PhilTel and Futel in Portland, Ore., two collectives that install and operate similar phones in their cities. Unhoused residents are often the users, as Futel intended, because denial of phone service “has long been a tactic used against undesirable populations, and our devices will counteract that,” the organization’s website says.

Schlott’s phones are located in rural areas and will likely see less use than those in urban centers. But he thinks they o er an important value to the community. The only other traditional pay phones registered in Vermont are located in a select few state parks.

“It’s getting harder and harder, if not already impossible, to exist in modern society without having a smartphone,” he said. “It’s expected that you have something that can provide you communication, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.”

“What I’m doing is attempting to bridge the communications gap for, let’s say, lessthan-privileged populations,” Schlott said. “The urban areas are more likely to get high-speed connectivity these days than the rural areas, and they’re left behind.”

There’s a di erent kind of access challenge in the village of Thetford. The local middle/high school, Thetford Academy, was one of the ﬁrst Vermont schools to ban cellphones for students during the school day.

Some parents, who had heard about RandTel from local news coverage, approached Holly Lague, director of the nearby Latham Memorial Library, to see if one of the phones could be installed there for kids who needed to call home. They didn’t want their kids to grow up with their faces buried in a screen but still wanted to keep in contact with them. Soon, Schlott

had installed a repurposed pushbutton pay phone on the library’s back porch.

“There was a kid over here from one of the summer camps or another that called his dad from the phone this morning,” Lague said as she sta ed the circulation desk one afternoon last month. “It’s really nice to know that word has gotten out and it’s been useful for people.”

The librarian said she appreciates the novelty of a pay phone for younger users. Many of them are interested in how the old technology works and enjoy showing their friends.

The phone with push-button numbers has also revealed a gap in kids’ knowledge — they haven’t memorized phone numbers, since their cellphones store them. So the RandTel phone o ers a learning opportunity, Lague said: “It’s really good to teach them certain numbers that are important for you to know.”

for a relatively small number of residents who live in signal-blocking terrain, such as the area surrounding North Tunbridge.

Lois and Mike Gross reopened the village’s nearly 200-year-old general store in 2022, after it had sat idle for four years. One summer morning, they arrived to ﬁnd a woman across the road sleeping on a picnic table. She had gotten in a ti with her partner while camping in nearby Royalton and was attempting to walk to her home more than 20 miles north. The Grosses let her use the store’s phone to call for a ride. When Schlott approached the couple the next summer with the idea for installing the ﬁrst RandTel phone, the

The library has a backup generator that can keep the Wi-Fi on for six hours during a power outage. Lague recalled one person who was headed to a meeting when she got a ﬂat tire and found she had left her cellphone at home. The library was closed, but the RandTel phone was there for her.

“Our daughter has used it quite a few times, like if she plans to stay at the library until 4 but wants to come home earlier,” said Audrey Leitao, a Thetford parent.

The Thetford RandTel phone lets kids stay away from screens while maintaining the safety of being one phone call away, according to Schlott.

“It’s there 24 hours a day, any time that kids need to make a call for whatever reason,” he said. “I think one of the kids there ordered a pizza with it.”

COUNTRY COMMUNICATION

Even as the nationwide cell network has grown, many service providers don’t have an economic incentive to build cell towers

Grosses recalled that situation and ﬁgured it could help in similar ones.

Schlott replaced the original instruction card on the 1990s-era pay phone with one tailored to RandTel and the area. It displays numbers for a local towing business and the post o ce, along with instructions for using the phone (for those who don’t remember how).

“The main reason it’s here is not for the store; it’s for the community,” Mike Gross said. “Sometimes people need to call if they’ve broken down.” The Grosses provide the phone with electricity and internet, and Schlott handles the rest.

A few miles to the west of North Tunbridge, just o Exit 4 on Interstate 89 in Randolph, an unsta ed information booth sits on the greenbelt of a McDonald’s parking lot. Inside, a visitor can ﬁnd tourist pamphlets and Schlott’s most striking relic: a telephone with a rotary dial straight out of the 1950s.

Lift the phone receiver to your ear and a dial tone hums nostalgically. The rotary

Can You Hear Me Now? « P.14

e RandTel phone at Latham Memorial Library in etford

A list of helpful numbers on a RandTel phone

e RandTel phone at the North Tunbridge General Store

dial is as smooth as ever, elegantly gliding back to its original position after each number. But there’s no nostalgia in the guts of the phone: The lockbox where coins would drop so many years ago now houses technology turning analog calls to digital, powered by a solar panel atop the booth.

Although the area does have cell service, this phone still sees use, Schlott said, primarily by people leaving the interstate to visit Randolph or nearby towns.

The White River Valley Chamber of Commerce, which runs the booth, sees value in the public telephone — in part as a tourist attraction — that might inspire other such phones.

“I hope it grows. I hope he is inspired to go mainstream or public and do more of them,” said Andrea Easton, a member of the Chamber’s board of directors. “It’s good for emergencies, of course, and it opens up the idea that these things can be reused.” Easton said she and a friend were willing to be operators should RandTel install more phones.

Schlott can’t easily do that. In addition to managing RandTel’s current phones, he has a day job as a manufacturing engineer at Beta Technologies, and he and his wife recently had a baby.

Nevertheless, Schlott said he’s

IN MIDDLETOWN SPRINGS, RESIDENTS STILL LET THEIR FINGERS DO THE WALKING

thinking about how to scale up RandTel if he can, putting more phones in places such as libraries and general stores, where the devices might be most useful to the surrounding communities.

I’M FIGHTING BACK AGAINST THE SOCIETY THAT FORCES US TO OWN SMARTPHONES AND THEN BE ADDICTED TO SOCIAL MEDIA.

PATRICK SCHLOTT

His motivation hasn’t ﬂagged. “I’m fighting back against the society that forces us to own smartphones and then be addicted to social media and stu as a side e ect,” he said.

“It’s cool to be able to use these things to maybe hint at the idea of building a world where we don’t need to have smartphones,” he added. “That’s a pretty lofty goal. But, I mean, this is a start.” ➆

Editor’s note: Sam Hartnett’s work is supported by the University of Vermont’s Community News Service summer reporting program.

A print phone book might seem useless nowadays. But Middletown Springs, in Rutland County, still creates a town phone book — a cherished project that solidiﬁes neighborly connections on paper.

e Middletown Springs Telephone & Business Directory: 10th Edition is organized into three sections: residents’ phone listings; businesses’ operating hours and contact information; and paid advertisements — around $100 for a full page, and $50 for a half page — that fund the project.

“It has emergency numbers, town numbers and hours of operation. ose themselves are quite handy,” said Maria Riley, who volunteers her design skills for the book.

In the early days, the phone book was simpler. With landlines, everyone had the same ﬁrst three digits after the area code. Residents were only listed by their last four numbers. e advent of cellphones, with variable numbers, called for a slight redesign.

“To get everybody, when we started out, our postmistress would go through the directory and help us with our names,” said Leslie Silver, a member of a town planning commission subcommittee. “And a lister knew everybody in town; we would use people who knew people who moved to town.”

Silver and fellow subcommittee member Kimberly Bushnell started the project in 2000. A new edition of the book comes out every few years; 2022-2024 was the 10th edition, and another is in the works.

Each household in town, population 800, is mailed a copy of the 34-page pamphlet. Silver and Riley haven’t encountered anyone who objects to being included. “We’ve got just about everybody in town we can ﬁnd,” Silver said.

Many residents use the business section daily for things such as checking the hours of the post ofﬁce or the library.

“Other towns over time had asked us about it, someone in Chittenden, and I think Wallingford,” Silver said. But the town’s neighbors have yet to follow through with their own phone directories.

SAM HARTNETT

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Green Mountain ‘Angels’

through all that, you end up with a lot in common,”he said.

To find out what it’s like making connections across the political divide, Seven Days spoke with three members of the Chittenden County Braver Angels chapter who self-identify as red, blue and purple. Their responses have been lightly edited for length and clarity.

DAN FELICIANO

62, Essex

Occupation: Business strategy consultant; former Libertarian candidate for governor, GOP candidate for state auditor

Political afﬁliation: Red Member since: 2023

What made you want to become involved with Braver Angels? Was there a speciﬁc event in your life or in the media?

I was really frustrated by the lack of conversation and understanding between the reds and the blues. I hear the reds bashing the purples and the blues, and vice versa. There needs to be a better way to have a conversation. It doesn’t have to be so ugly. My wife actually heard about it on the radio, and I said, “Hey, I’d love to go to one of these meetings to learn more about it and see if this was actually real, that you can get people from di erent political leanings and perspectives to actually have a good conversation without name-calling and stu like that.”

Do you think people who would normally identify as red in Vermont say they’re purple to avoid criticism? I think Vermont has a massive independent voice. You just look at elections and how many split tickets [there are], and especially at the Braver Angels, there’s no need to mask that. As a matter of fact, we

had a woman at one of the meetings who was blue, went purple and is now red, just from having the open conversation.

What were politics like in your home growing up?

We discussed it more when I was a kid going to Puerto Rico and staying with my grandfather. It was an open conversation. We’d read the paper and literally my grandfather would say, “All right, I’m going to take this side. You take that side. Now we’re going to ﬂip sides.” So, it was something not to hide from. [Politics] wasn’t a bad word. It’s part of life.

How did you develop the ideas you hold today?

I really believe in agency. And you have to realize, you know, I was 17. I came from a broken Puerto Rican family. I dropped out of high school, joined the Navy, right? And I always had this stoic philosophy of agency, that this is what you know: I did this to myself, and I can correct this. I never blamed anyone for my situation. And this might be unfair to say, but I’m going to tell you anyway: I believe that on the Democrat side, it was more like, “This victim, this victim, feel this way,” and I never wanted to be perceived that way. I’m a proud person. I’ve made some bad decisions, but I’ve managed to navigate them.

When was the last time you changed your mind? Are there any examples of how you may have changed one of your opinions since taking part in the club?

In one of our initial meetings, we had to write up stereotypes about our parties, our beliefs. One of the stereotypes was that the Republicans love the Constitution, and we want to protect it. [Blues said] we do love the Constitution as well, and we do want to protect it, but we know that the Constitution, as created by our forefathers, was intended to be updated and changed with time, and we believe it’s more of an aspirational document. Now, when you

hear that, it may not mean anything to you, but to me, I was like, Yeah, I see that.

NANCY SUGARMAN

73, South Burlington Occupation: Retired teacher Political afﬁliation: Blue Member since: 2016 (started in St. Albans; now the facilitator for the Chittenden County group)

Are there any examples of how one of your opinions has changed after taking part in the club?

I feel like when my friends come in and talk about the “Trumpers,” I’m not comfortable hearing that. I want to hear about the person and what their interactions were and what they said and how they feel. It’s changed my behavior with my neighbors.

I had a really interesting conversation with a neighbor. We had very, very different views on religion. And I was really curious, genuinely curious, about his views. And it was really interesting, staying in that place of curiosity, but also realizing that I needed at some point to share how I felt, or else it felt a little like a gotcha.

Why can changing your opinions feel like losing a battle?

I think it’s always hard to change. On some level, there’s a sense of loss: It’s not true what I believed, or I’m not who I thought I was, or I’m wrong. So that’s why I really like cognitively deciding to be in a place of curiosity, because then there is no wrong or right. It’s just, That’s interesting and Wow, I never thought of it that way.

What is the goal of the Chittenden County alliance?

When I ﬁrst joined, I felt like, Well, we can’t just sit around and talk all the time. We’ve got to be taking action in the community or something. But I came over time to realize just being able to have this space could

be really powerful. I try to do that every time I can, [tell people] “Do you know there’s a group that actually talks to each other across this divide, and it’s possible to do?” Because I’ve met many people who wouldn’t do it, can’t do it, can’t imagine it. And so just opening that door to me is very powerful.

Are we beyond hope?

Oh, I hope not. But that’s an important question. I had friends for dinner last night, and one of them mentioned she found a prayer to say before you read the news. I knew it in Hebrew, but the interpretation was, “Take care of me before I read the news.” And I love that. I just thought, Yeah, we all need that because I don’t think we should be hiding our heads in the sand.

PETER STRAUBE

68, Monkton Occupation: Home inspector Political afﬁliation: Purple Member since: 2023

How did you develop the political ideas you hold today?

When I was [teaching] at Champlain College, there was an incident. Somebody taped a piece of paper on [a statue] that said, “It’s OK to be white.” And it caused a ﬁrestorm. If we’re going to have an open community here, there’s no room for somebody saying, “It’s OK to be white”? There was a student event that evening scheduled in the auditorium. They canceled it because they were afraid of what might happen if people wanted to talk about that. And I thought, This is an institution of higher learning who,

you know, professes to teach critical thinking, and they’re making it absolutely unacceptable to even say “It’s OK to be white”? I thought that was a moment when I said, “I can’t be blue anymore. That’s not inclusive, the opposite of inclusive.”

How do you see polarization in Vermont?

I do remind people that one out of three Vermonters voted for Trump. When people do the blue/red state thing and you look at the last presidential election, I would say the extremes are like 45 percent to 55 percent, and we represent it as 100 percent blue. I think, journalistically, that’s a big mistake that doesn’t reflect [reality]. The state lines are so arbitrary anyway, as cultural and political stuff goes. It’s the binary thing. The binary is a big problem in this country.

What single piece of advice would you offer to U.S. political leaders to reduce tensions?

The first thing that pops to my mind is acknowledge other people’s perspectives. You know, the Democrats lost in the presidential election. I think you could chalk that up to sticking to the tribe. And it would have been very easy to just come out and make a few statements about, you know, “We need to get this border thing under control.” That’s all you have to say. You don’t even have to have policies. You don’t have to agree with any Republican thing but acknowledge that there are lots of working-class people of all races who are struggling.

What were politics like for you growing up?

My own experience has been that the blue side has gone far extreme. It wasn’t that way when I was growing up. I don’t recall that we talked about political parties much. My parents, I think they voted Republican, but there was a point when I remember my mom, it’s not like her, but she said that Reagan was an idiot.

How is today’s political environment different?

I was a little kid when Vietnam was spinning out of control. [Then] we had a nice little coasting for about 30 to 40 years or so. Some people would say that what we’re going through right now is not as bad as, you know, Kent State. Kids were getting shot on college campuses. I mean, now we have people being whisked off streets by masked [federal agents], you know, but back then, they were actually getting shot.

What makes you mad about politics or brings out emotion?

I see so many politicians who are clearly out for their own benefit, and they take a position in order to stay in power. It’s about power. It’s about dominance. It’s about influence. It’s about financial benefits, all those things. In theory, they’re supposed to be representing us. And my anger is that they’re not. ➆

Editor’s note: Sam Hartnett’s work is supported by the University of Vermont’s Community News Service summer reporting program.

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Attendees at a 2024 Braver Angels event in Thetford

Wheel Deal

Cycling enthusiasts rally to build Burlington’s ﬁrst-ever bike park

BY COURTNEY LAMDIN • courtney@sevendaysvt.com

In 2015, Sean Melinn had a job refurbishing bikes at Old Spokes Home in Burlington when he noticed an interesting trend. Kids would buy BMX bikes, ride them for a bit and then give up the hobby.

An avid mountain biker, Melinn wondered if the kids just needed a place to ride. The closest dirt track was in Essex, about a 20-minute drive away. So he set about creating one in town himself.

Today, after navigating regulatory hurdles and fundraising challenges, Melinn and his supporters are preparing for the fall opening of the Burlington Bike Park at Leddy Park.

What started as one guy’s observation turned into a true community e ort, with college students, city o cials and cycling enthusiasts joining forces to take an underused slice of land and turn it into a destination for bikers of all ages.

“If it was just me, I’d just build this thing in my backyard and be done with it,” Melinn said. But in a community bike park, “you’ll get to know everybody. That’s the thing that I saw that was lacking.”

Back in 2015, Melinn soft-launched the idea on Facebook and received some enthusiastic responses. He linked up with a friend at bike advocacy group Local Motion and a professor at the University of Vermont, who taught a course that sends students to work on projects with community organizations. The undergrads helped the nascent Burlington Bike Park Coalition write a mission statement and map out a park proposal.

It took time to find the right spot. Early on, the cyclists considered spaces near the waterfront and at the former city landfill in the Intervale, but the city rejected the first idea, and contaminated soils complicated the latter one. Then, in 2019, the coalition met with o cials at the Burlington Parks, Recreation & Waterfront Department, who identified Leddy Park as a possible location.

The city eventually incorporated the bike track into a master plan for the park, a 75-acre tract in the New North End that’s home to a beach, athletic ﬁelds and the Gordon H. Paquette Ice Arena. Conveniently, it also connects to the Burlington Greenway, part of the Island Line Trail that brings bikers from Burlington’s South End out onto the Colchester Causeway in Lake Champlain.

Fundraising, particularly during the pandemic, delayed the project. But the group got creative. They recruited Outdoor Gear Exchange to ask customers to round up their bills to support the campaign.

A pop-up bike park in the Old North End, with handmade wooden ramps, drummed up interest and created an opportunity to ask for cash. The coalition also ra ed o a bike. The winner’s last name, in a ﬁtting twist, was Leddy. The group eventually raised more than $146,000.

After years of surveys, outreach and planning, the city’s Development Review Board unanimously approved the ﬁrst phase of the bike park on July 1. Construction can begin in late July, after the permit’s 30-day appeal period expires, with a goal to open by October.

The bike park will occupy a slice of wooded land between Leddy Park Road and the nearby Lakewood Parkway neighborhood. Plans call for 2,070 linear feet of trails, including a “jump line” with ramps and berms and a “ﬂow trail,” a smoother downhill course.

To build it, crews will use an excavator to dig up dirt and create the jumps and berms. The parks department has also been stockpiling soil there in anticipation.

Because part of the fun is weaving around trees, only four mature ones will be removed to create the trails, which will be accessible from both the Leddy Park entrance on North Avenue and the bike path.

The majority of the $125,000 cost will be covered by grants, with $15,000 in city funds coming from the Penny for Parks tax.

So far, the bike park has been better received than a previous proposal for the site. In 2009, a group of disc golfers pushed for an 18-hole course on the wooded lot. The proposal rankled neighbors who worried that the discs would damage trees and hit walkers on the area’s wellestablished footpaths. Their advocacy eventually torpedoed the plan.

One of the opponents was Mark Barlow, a Democrat who now represents Burlington’s North District on the city council. Barlow said that unlike the disc golfers,

BurlingtonBikePark

BEACHCRESTDR.

BURLINGTON GREENWAY LAKEWOOD

the cyclists did a lot of outreach and have considered the impacts of their project. The trails, for instance, will be built north of the walking paths to prevent collisions.

Still, Barlow has mixed feelings about the plan.

“Do I want to see the wooded area used in the park? I don’t know,” he said. But “there’s always concern when there’s change. My sense is this has been well planned, and there’s been a good process around this for a while now.”

New North End resident Renée Lauber, for one, can’t wait for the park to open.

A longtime rider, Lauber said she looks forward to taking her two daughters, ages 6 and 9, to trails in their neighborhood instead of in Essex or Richmond. She envisions future summer camp programs at the park.

“It’s also great for the community at large just to have another opportunity for kids to move their bodies together and have fun,” Lauber said.

As part of the Burlington park system, the bike park will be owned and managed by the city. The bike coalition will stay

Source: OpenStreetMap

involved in an advocacy role, including fundraising, while the nonproﬁt Fellowship of the Wheel will help with daily maintenance.

Max Madalinski, an associate project manager in the city parks department, said he’s been surprised by the range of people who have expressed interest in the bike park. He’s heard from “young dudes,” middle-aged women, and parents of both schoolkids and college students.

“There’s a huge number of people in our city who are mountain bikers,” he said. “It’s really exciting to build something that you know is going to get a lot of use.”

Melinn, the coalition founder, hopes the park can expand someday. The Leddy Park plan calls for several more trails, ranging from beginner to expert level, that would cost upwards of $1 million to build. For now, he’s grateful for what’s in the works — his passion brought to life.

“Mountain biking and being on bikes, it’s always been my therapy, my church, whatever you want to call it,” he said. “It’s great just seeing other people get excited about it, too.” ➆

Burlington Greenway

JOHN JAMES

LEDDY PARK

Appletree Bay

School Superintendent, Congolese Woman Detained at U.S. Borders

BY LUCY TOMPKINS • lucy@sevendaysvt.com

Winooski schools superintendent Wilmer Chavarria was detained by immigration agents and questioned for five hours on his way home Monday from a visit to Nicaragua with his husband.

Chavarria was eventually released, but not before he’d missed a connecting flight, and he and his husband spent the night in an airport. His situation, as well as the recent arrest and imprisonment of a Congolese woman from Burlington at the Canadian border, highlights the perils that foreign-born legal residents face when they cross borders now.

Chavarria was detained at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston as he tried to get through security using Global Entry, which allows prescreened travelers to get expedited clearance when entering the U.S. He said he had used the program many times without issue. This time, he was pulled aside and taken by Customs and Border Protection agents to an interrogation room.

Chavarria, who grew up in Nicaragua and has been a U.S. citizen since 2018, told Seven Days that immigration officials seized his phone and computer, separated him from his husband, and prevented him from speaking to anyone he requested to contact.

“They falsely stated that I, a U.S. citizen, have no Constitutional rights at a point of entry, and officers became increasingly agitated as I continued to assert my rights regardless,” Chavarria wrote in an email informing school district leaders about the incident.

Immigration agents expressed doubt about Chavarria’s relationship to Cyrus Dudgeon, his partner of 15 years and a teacher at Essex High School, and suggested that he was making up his role as a superintendent, Chavarria said. They never gave him a reason for why he was being detained; Dudgeon was not stopped.

Authorities told Chavarria that he had no right to legal counsel and interrogated him in four different rooms. At one point, four officers were questioning him at once, he said. The experience, he wrote, was “nothing short of surreal and the definition of psychological terror.”

Chavarria was born in a Honduran refugee camp, grew up in Nicaragua and

began learning English in high school. He attended college in Indiana and went on to earn two master’s degrees, including one from Harvard University. He has led Vermont’s most diverse school district since July 2023.

“You think it’s less likely to happen when you’re a full U.S. citizen,” Chavarria said. “That’s why I was so shaken by the whole thing.”

Earlier this month, Esther Ngoy Tekele, a 23-year-old Burlington resident from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, was heading home from a wedding in Canada when she was detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. She spent 11 days in a Vermont prison until she was granted bond last week.

Tekele had crossed back and forth from Canada numerous times since she settled in the U.S. in 2021. She’s a legal permanent resident with a green card and a clean criminal record, her lawyer, Nathan Virag, said.

He said she was single when she received her visa but was married by the time she immigrated to the U.S. — and that officials flagged what they considered a discrepancy in her marital status.

It took more than three days for Virag and other lawyers from the nonprofit Association of Africans Living in Vermont, with help from the office of U.S. Rep. Becca Balint (D-Vt.), to find out that Tekele was being held by U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement at the Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility in South Burlington.

Meanwhile, Tekele’s mother was left to care for Tekele’s 2-year-old son. Her brother, Coco Ngoy, said their mother has a history of strokes and has been unwell since she lost her husband to COVID-19 a few years ago.

The government is still seeking to deport Tekele, who has another hearing on July 31. ➆

Lucy Tompkins covers immigration and the border 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.

Esther Ngoy Tekele

Cyrus Dudgeon and Wilmer Chavarria

CAMP

Socialization and Training for pups under 17 weeks

Scott, Housing Advocates Celebrate Passage of Infrastructure Bill

STORY & PHOTO BY KEVIN MCCALLUM • kevin@sevendaysvt.com

Gov. Phil Scott and housing advocates celebrated the passage of a key housing infrastructure bill last week by visiting a weed-covered former racetrack in Fair Haven that could one day be the site of dozens of new homes.

At the July 16 event, Scott praised lawmakers for working with his administration to pass S.127, the Community and Housing Infrastructure Program, or CHIP.

The program promises to help cities and towns finance up to $2 billion worth of roads, sidewalks, and water and sewer lines that are often cost-prohibitive for housing developers to build themselves.

Municipalities will soon be able to use a streamlined version of tax increment financing, or TIF, to pay for infrastructure upgrades up front and pay off the investments over time with the higher property taxes that result from new housing.

“This is a really big deal for Vermont,” Commerce Secretary Lindsay Kurrle said.

Expected to open for applications in early 2026, the program was one of the most contentious and consequential adopted this past session. Its size — $200 million per year through 2035 — grew dramatically at the end of the session. Lawmakers initially sought to keep it modest but became convinced more bold action was needed.

“CHIP allows for smaller, more rural communities with fewer resources than bigger cities and towns to leverage the TIF model for projects in their communities,” Scott said.

Fair Haven town manager Joe Gunter praised state officials for giving municipalities such as his a “powerful tool” to help build housing. The ceremony was on the former site of the Fairmont Speedway, a dirt motor track that operated until the 1960s. The site has been “fallow for decades” and contributes “nothing to the town,” Gunter said.

The property is owned by Reed and Vanessa Hampton, who bought it in 2007 hoping to relocate their lighting fixtures business, Hubbardton Forge, there but never did. The company is now under new ownership in Castleton.

Gunter said the property is a perfect site for single-family homes aimed at middle-income people.

“This is where the market has failed us,” Gunter said. “The cost to build a home doesn’t match what the market will support in our area. This is where government can step in, and to their credit, they did step in. They stepped up to help our working-class families.”

Reed Hampton said he doesn’t have a developer lined up for the site, let alone a clear sense of how many homes it could support or what permits would be required.

Gunter said a development of single-family homes on half-acre lots makes sense, but it would all depend on permitting and the CHIP process, which could take two years or more.

Getting such homes built as quickly as possible is vital for businesses to be able to attract and retain workers, said Maria Mullen, CEO of Hubbardton Forge, which employs about 200 people.

“The housing shortage is not just a humanitarian concern; it is a business problem,” Mullen said.

The racetrack is about a mile from downtown Fair Haven and outside its designated village center. Some lawmakers had wanted to limit projects that could be eligible for the CHIP program to designated areas.

The idea was to leverage public infrastructure dollars where the state has tried to focus growth in order to prevent sprawl. Such provisions were stripped from the bill to make it more expansive and easier for more small towns to use.

State Sen. Kesha Ram Hinsdale (D-Chittenden-Southeast), a strong advocate for the expansive version of the bill, said removing that restriction was the right call. It will ultimately allow more projects and will help more cities and towns control their own destinies, she said.

“We will not be self-sustaining without housing, and we will not have housing unless we have infrastructure,” she said. “It’s as simple as that.” ➆

Gov. Phil Scott reenacting the signing of the bill

FEEDback

Health care professionals and social workers concur: You simply cannot place a severely impaired person in a motel room or temporary shelter and expect a good outcome.

Based on mountains of empirical data and the united opinion of medical, legal and law enforcement officials, it is clear that Vermont needs to make a longtime capital investment in opening and professionally staffing a new state hospital. Only there do people caught in a tragic cycle of ruinous behavior and recidivism stand a chance of recovery.

Jack Scully COLCHESTER

TRIAGE TIME

[Re “In a Swift About-Face, Burlington Drops Parking Plan for Homeless,” July 3, online]: Since Gov. Phil Scott’s veto in March, we had a strong indication that the motel program would end on June 30, 2025. So, Sarah Russell and the City of Burlington’s position that offering Perkins Pier parking to former motel residents was an “emergency” plan feels like an excuse for inaction.

She could have been triaging with motel residents for months, making household moving plans for July 1.

It’s more of the quick-fix-first and no-plan-second city policy that doesn’t solve our homelessness or addiction crises.

Steph Holdridge BURLINGTON

250 WORDS YET?

[Re “Burlington Will Allow People to Stay in Cars at Perkins Pier,” July 2]: “Comments are closed.” No encouragement for people to vent, to express themselves freely, even in an alternative weekly. Then there’s a “maximum of 250 words” for letters to the editor. I suppose

it doesn’t matter, what with so few people who write anymore anyway. Why encourage anybody to write?! And then there’s the Tories gutting public education and higher learning.

Things just don’t look good anymore, and there’s hardly a one who won’t say the same. At the very least, there’s no sense of hope — not coming from where it should be coming from, anyway! America is definitely coming to a low point, and it didn’t happen overnight! Am I over 250 words yet?

Charlie Stehlin WHITEHALL, N.Y.

Editor’s note: Seven Days discontinued online commenting in 2020, at the beginning of the pandemic. We still get plenty of signed letters to the editor from people of all persuasions and publish them weekly. You can say a lot in 250 words, and most people don’t want to read more than that.

WTF, GLOBALFOUNDRIES?

[Re “GlobalFoundries Adds Billions to Investment Announced Last Year,” June 5, online]: As a very minor shareholder of GlobalFoundries, I was not happy with the article in which CEO Thomas Caulfield thanks President Donald Trump for his leadership and vision in announcing a $16 billion federal investment, when $13 billion was actually part of president Joe Biden’s 2022 CHIPS and Science Act. Only $3 billion was added by the Trump administration, and the money is not going toward improvements to the Essex Junction factory.

This comes shortly after the Trump administration cut funding that would have turned Burlington into a tech hub in which the University of Vermont, GlobalFoundries and other players would have worked to develop next-generation gallium nitride chips, but I guess that’s

not happening anymore [“Burlington Area Selected as Semiconductor ‘Tech Hub,’” October 25, 2023]. Really seems to me that Caulfield is kissing Trump’s ass, and we are getting screwed in the deal. What GlobalFoundries really is doing is investing in robots that will replace factory workers. The GlobalFoundries statement says “the investment is a strategic response to the explosive growth in artificial intelligence” and that AI is designed to replace humans so the factory can run and money can be made, but it all goes to the shareholders. And who are the biggest shareholders? The CEO, of course, and the board of directors.

So, it kinda pisses me off that reporter Kevin McCallum filled the article with gobbledygook and garbage that obfuscates what’s really going on and making it seem like all this will benefit us. I guarantee it will not.

Melyssa Bailey ST. ALBANS

‘ANY IMPACT HERE IS ‘UNDUE’’

Thanks to Seven Days for covering the battle at Lake Willoughby over the siting of a 153-foot radio tower [“Communication Breakdown: A Proposed Tower Near Scenic Lake Willoughby Riles the Tiny Town of Westmore,” June 25]. I’ve observed friends and neighbors navigate a complex, convoluted “baffle ’em with bullshit” process, with a multiplicity of agencies, commissions, departments, boards, divisions, etc. attempting to dissuade the Public Utility Commission from granting a certificate of public good to Industrial Tower and Wireless, a wellheeled, lawyered-up corporate behemoth that, at best, marginalized and, at worst, denied their testimony.

However, despite the procedure being onerous and lengthy with innumerable

hearings, meetings, testimonies and briefs, the outcome has been the finding of one man. That man is Michael Buscher, the sole arbiter of the aesthetic impact of the tower. He is a paid consultant of the Department of Public Service who, according to the evidentiary hearing, had never been to Willoughby before, came here one day and made his declaration. That being: Although the tower would have an “adverse” impact aesthetically, it would not rise to the level of “undue” impact.

“Adverse,” “undue”: semantics, opinions. I, and many others, disrespectfully disagree with that “opinion.” If the impact isn’t “undue” here, where would it be? A National Natural Landmark, the “Lake Lucerne of North America,” a matchless scenic treasure! Any impact here is “undue”!

My family bought property here in 1917. I lived at one time within a few feet of the proposed site. Lived in the area 50 years; have come here for 70-plus. Landscape painter and photographer; nature lover. Please don’t desecrate this magnificent place I love.

James Hudson GLOVER

ROAD WORRIER

Thanks for featuring Middlebury in one of your recent issues [True 802: “Middlebury’s Palette,” July 2]. However, it paints an overly rosy picture of the roads down here. While I find the rainbow sidewalks a bit tacky, I’m basically indifferent to the project. But I am a bit frustrated that town officials are patting themselves on the back for spending an extra 28 percent on paint. Meanwhile, roads in Middlebury are some of the worst in the state. That, along with exceptionally high taxes, should be more of a concern than the color of the sidewalks.

Alyth Hescock MIDDLEBURY

lifelines

Richard Ely Hearn

MAY 10, 1936-JULY 10, 2025

BURLINGTON, VT.

Richard Ely Hearn, known affectionately as “Dick” to his friends and “Apa” to his grandchildren and a longtime Burlington resident, passed away peacefully on July 10, 2025, in Burlington, Vt. Born on May 10, 1936, in Hartford, Conn., he was the cherished son of the late George and Dorothy (Frost) Hearn and brother of the late Dorothy Elizabeth Pratt. A survivor of the tragic Hartford Circus Fire of 1944, Richard carried that early resilience with him throughout a life rich in learning and in love. He studied at Yale University — spending time between his freshman and sophomore years to serve two years in the U.S. Navy — and later earned an MBA from MIT.

OBITUARIES, VOWS, CELEBRATIONS

with Raytheon and the Department of Defense, and later served as CEO of Capital City Press, based near Montpelier, Vt. But Richard’s greatest passions lay beyond his résumé: family, travel, gardening, cooking and the joy of sharing good food with those he loved.

Richard married four times and was known — fondly — as a great lover of wine, women and song. He taught his children and extended family to ﬁnd happiness in life’s everyday treasures: a great meal, a beautiful beach, a well-told story or the deeper meaning in song lyrics. With an unforgettable smile and an unﬂagging sense of humor, he approached every moment with a sense of fun and delight.

He began his professional journey in management consulting, working

William Edward Maksym

JULY 12, 1957-JULY 11, 2025

GRAND ISLE, VT.

William (Bill) Maksym was born in Freeport, N.Y., on July 12, 1957. He was the youngest son of the late Benjamin and Dolores Maksym and stepson of the late Ruth Maksym.

Bill attended Freeport High School and went on to graduate with an associate’s degree in architectural technology from SUNY Farmingdale. He had a strong work ethic, and from a young age, he sought opportunities to learn and grow. While cooking in seafood restaurants or building glass shelving for department stores all over the country, Bill always found time to further his education and perfect his drafting and computer skills. In 1987, he found his way to Vermont, where he began his career in CAD design.

He is survived by his wife, Sybil Hindes Hearn, of Burlington, Vt., and his ﬁve daughters, Merryn Hearn (daughter of the late Kathryn Watchorn) of Seattle, Wash.; Jennifer Hearn Puntonio (John) (also Kathryn’s daughter) of

built around the community. Notably, Bill helped design the Burlington Bike Path and numerous roadways and housing developments in the area. Later in life, he worked for several contractors at IBM Essex, doing facilities design both during IBM’s tenure at the site and after its acquisition by GlobalFoundries.

In 1993, Bill met his beloved wife of 29 years, Martha (Campione). In 1996, they married, moved to Grand Isle and quickly settled into their rural lifestyle. A son, Benjamin, was born in 1998, and the family was complete.

Bill held positions at engineering consulting ﬁrms in Chittenden County and was very proud to see his designs

Bill found great joy and peace in working on his property in Grand Isle: planting and tending to the vegetable gardens in the summer, cutting and splitting wood in the fall, and sugaring in the spring. To him, these were life-giving acts, solitary and deeply meaningful.

He also loved to invent and create and had a reputation among his friends and family as someone who could ﬁx anything or answer any question. “Just ask Bill” was a constant refrain. He always had a project: something to do or make or repair. In

Medﬁeld, Mass.; Alison Hearn (Kate) (daughter of the late Marian Aveson) of Scituate, Mass.; and Jessica Hearn (daughter of Katherine Lyons) and Amanda Hearn (Dan) (also Katherine’s daughter) of Burlington, Vt. He also leaves behind his stepchildren, Donald, Jerry and Tara (children of Katherine Lyons) and Eric (son of Sybil Hindes); his grandchildren, Ben, Anna, Arrow, Aspen, Christopher and Kai; his niece, Nina Pratt Fleming, of Blue Hill, Maine; his nephew, Alex Pratt, of Willimantic, Conn.; and many other family members. Whether through philosophical conversations, impromptu guitar tunes, meaningful words of empowerment or heartfelt laughter, Richard encouraged those around him to embrace their dreams, curiosity, joy and meaningful connection. His legacy will live on in every meal savored, every story shared, every beach explored and every smile remembered.

Services will be held on August 1, 2025, 10:30 a.m., at the Louisa Howard Chapel, Lakeview Cemetery, Burlington, VT. Reception to follow. Contact Jessica Hearn with condolences or ﬂowers: 31 Chase St., Apt. 1, Burlington, VT 05401. We love you, Dad!

the off hours, he was a voracious reader, consuming biographies and nonﬁction books on history and technology.

Retired in 2017, Bill spent his last years with his faithful black Labrador retriever, Mellow, deeply content in the home he and Martha had created. He took immense pride in his son Ben’s ﬂourishing career as an actor, playwright and video-game developer.

A quiet and private man to the end, Bill died on July 11, 2025, surrounded by those he loved, after a courageous battle with neuroendocrine cancer. He was buried on July 15 in the Grand Isle Cemetery.

In addition to Martha and Ben, Bill is survived by brothers Richard and wife Pam; and Tom and wife Linda. He is also survived by stepsiblings Neil (Clare), Brian and Jack (Barbara) Toohey, and Ellen (Chuck) Johnston, and by Martha’s sisters, Annis Campione, Cathy (Joel) Stein and Christine Collins. He also leaves many cherished nieces and nephews. His quiet humor, steadfast loyalty to his family, and constant curiosity and interest in the natural world around him will be deeply missed by us all.

Bill’s family has asked that any donations in his memory be directed to the Champlain Islands Food Shelf, whose mission is one that Martha and Bill hold very dear: champlainislandsfood shelf.org/donate-now.

Jay Allen Sheperd

APRIL 11, 1939-JULY 14, 2025

ENOSBURGH, VT.

Jay Allen Sheperd, 86, died peacefully on July 14, 2025, following a brief illness. He was born to James and Viola (Halliday) Sheperd in Mount Vernon, N.Y. Jay and his sister, Penny (Wright), grew up in Enosburgh, Vt., and on Lake Carmi. He graduated from Enosburg Falls High School and the University of Vermont.

Jay was a music teacher in the Bradford and Enosburgh schools, owned Windemere Farm, and, after retiring from farming, did carpentry work throughout Franklin County. When Jay traded teaching for farming, he maintained an active role in education by serving on the Enosburgh School Board and, especially, by being a mentor to many young people who were employed on the farm where he raised veal calves and Highland cattle and always had a Great Dane by his side.

Music was part of Jay’s whole life; he was a member of the Vermont Music Educators Association, served as state secretary, and was selected to serve on the Professional Rights and Responsibilities Committee of the Vermont Education Association. In addition to teaching band and vocal music, he was a bass soloist in the Champlain Chorus and North Country Chorus, the music minister at the United Methodist Church, and director of the Enosburgh Community Chorus. He found great enjoyment in arranging choral music and then hearing the arrangements performed. He and Martha fell in love with bluegrass later in life. ey passed many happy winters touring to bluegrass festivals throughout Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana in their ﬁfth-wheel camper, making new friends and kayaking the creeks, rivers and bayous as they traveled.

Jay was a member of the Green Mountain Club and maintained much of the northern section of the Long Trail. He loved boats and spent his summers on the water swimming, water-skiing, sailing, canoeing and kayaking. He taught swimming and sailing at 4-H camps, and many friends and family learned to water-ski behind his boat on Lake Carmi. Jay was also a competitor in the Great Race Triathlon in St. Albans Bay for 25 years, taking on the canoeing portion of the race for his team, the “Bay Day Originals.”

Jay married Barbara Williams in 1967, and they had three children, Anne, Sarah and Jonathan. In 1984 he married Martha Gehrke and gained two more children, Jody and Amie. Jay loved spending time with family and was a beloved grandfather to Nathan, Sam, Mariah, Javin, Avery, Paige, Hunter, Nicholas, Will, Micha and Phoebe and greatgrandfather to Carter, Cade and Desmond.

Jay will be remembered for his integrity and kindness and for being a champion at “resting his eyes” in his favorite chair.

A celebration of Jay’s life will be held at the convenience of the family. In lieu of ﬂowers, donations may be made to the Green Mountain Club or Vermont Public Radio. Condolences, photos and favorite memories may be shared through gossfs.com.

Stephen C. Terry

OCTOBER 2, 1942JULY 19, 2025

MIDDLEBURY, VT.

Stephen C. Terry of Middlebury, a lifelong, iconic Vermonter, died on July 19, 2025, in his 1799 home, surrounded by his beloved family and his library and memorabilia from the many Vermont organizations that he helped lead over the years. A longtime reporter, editor and executive at Green Mountain Power, Stephen was a valued political adviser to many Vermont politicians.

In 2014 he was named Vermont Citizen of the Year by the Vermont State Chamber of Commerce.

He was 82 when he died of cancer.

Stephen loved and was loved by three exceptional women and their children: his ﬁrst wife, Sandra Wells, and their children, Megan and Joshua; his second wife, the late Sally West Johnson, and their son, Will; and, last, his wife, Faith Terry, who was by his side during his later years.

Stephen was born in Windsor, Vt., on October 2, 1942, to Charles and Patricia Terry, as the eldest of his four siblings, John, Ellen, Tom and Margaret. His lifelong interest in journalism was sparked as a sports reporter in high school for a local weekly.

After graduating from the University of Vermont, he and Sandra were married, and Stephen was hired by the Rutland Herald and BarreMontpelier Times Argus. He covered state politics, the reapportionment of the Vermont legislature and the tenure of governor Phil Hoff.

“Phil Hoff forever changed the State of Vermont,” Stephen told the New York Times in 2018. Later, he coauthored the book Philip Hoff: How Red Turned Blue in the Green Mountain State Stephen detoured into politics in 1969 when senator George Aiken recruited him to work as a legislative aide in the U.S. Senate, and he became Aiken’s lead staffer for the Senate Foreign Relations and Agriculture committees. Later, he authored the book Say We Won and Get Out, which details how Aiken became a leading critic of the War in Vietnam.

In Vermont, Stephen opened the Burlington Bureau of the Rutland Herald and Times Argus newspapers, then became founding editor of their Sunday editions. In 1977, he

was named the managing editor of the Rutland Herald e Herald thrived during that period and was recognized as one of the best small-city dailies in the country. “Under his leadership … the Herald became the newspaper that state ofﬁcials, politicians, and civic leaders turned to for information about state affairs,” wrote Robert Mitchell, publisher.

In 1980, he met Sally W. Johnson, a promising journalist who became a longtime reporter and editor. ey married and over their 30 years together shared an enduring love of journalism and politics, prior to her death in 2010. Steve joined the leadership of Green Mountain Power (GMP) in 1985. “I learned early on that Steve is motivated by spearheading actions that beneﬁt Vermont,” said Dotty Schnure, longtime GMP colleague. During his tenure there, he facilitated the importation of hydroelectric power from Québec, championed the state’s very ﬁrst commercial wind farm in Lowell and advanced GMP’s acquisition of Central Vermont Public Service (CVPS) in 2012.

Stephen actively engaged in community leadership, including the Vermont Community Foundation, Governor’s Council of Economic Advisors, Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce, UVM’s Center for Research on Vermont, Snelling Center for Government, Vermont Press Association, Vermont Historical Society, Vermont Journalism Trust, Vermont Food

Bank and the UVM Aiken Lecture Series. He initiated the Vermont Writers’ Prize and served on the Middlebury Planning Commission and as chair of the board of trustees of the Porter Medical Center, leading negotiations as they joined the UVM Health Network.

rough his civic engagement, years earlier, he had ﬁrst met Terry Faith Weihs. Faith, a champion of the arts and creative economy, and her late husband, Gerald, an attorney, lived in downtown Vergennes and were proactive in guiding the town’s revitalization.

Stephen and Faith reconnected and entered upon a loving relationship, an unanticipated gift for both of them, that continued until his passing. Prior to their wedding, Faith bought Stephen his ﬁrst heritage-breed Belted Galloway cow, which eventually turned into a small, beloved herd of cows he would visit daily.

Stephen’s home ofﬁce, on the foundation of an old chicken coop, provided a creative sanctuary where he spent inspired days writing about Vermont history and politics. He could also be found on WCAX-TV as a Democratic political analyst as election days approached.

As a recipient of the 2014 Vermont Citizen of the Year award, Stephen’s colleagues had written enumerable letters of recommendation. “His

Stephanie Weiss

JANUARY 18, 1958-JULY 9, 2024

ESSEX JUNCTION, VT.

Stephanie Phyllis Weiss passed away unexpectedly but peacefully on July 9, 2024. Born to Jerome and Renee Freiling on January 18, 1958, in New York City, she grew up in Livingston, N.J. Stephanie graduated from Livingston High School and Rutgers University, subsequently obtained an MBA in ﬁnance from New York University, and spent a career working in ﬁnance and marketing in health care.

Stephanie lived a full and passionate life and was ﬁercely devoted to family, many close friends and animals of all stripes, for all of whom she maintained open ears, kind thoughts and a warm embrace. She was a generous and giving person, always thinking of and working to help others and always putting their needs above her own. Her love was and remains steadfast, concrete, enduring and kind.

knowledge of Vermont is extraordinary, as is his dedication to the people of the State of Vermont,” wrote former governor Howard Dean. e Pulitzer Prize-winning editor from the Rutland Herald, David Moats, stated: “It was Steve’s great quality as a citizen of Vermont that, no matter whom he was representing, the good of the state was always the backdrop of our conversations.”

Stephen’s love for his home state was evident in nearly everything he did. He leaves Vermont a better place, the result of his political savvy and intuition, his hard work ethic, and his devotion to the place where he was born and built a fulﬁlling and meaningful life.

Stephen will be greatly missed by his family; his friends; his many colleagues from Vermont journalism, business and politics; and by his community.

Stephen will be buried in the West Cemetery in Middlebury. e Vermont community is invited to help celebrate his life on October 9, 2025, 5:30 p.m., at the Town Hall eater in Middlebury.

Contributions in his memory can be made to the Addison Independent or the Vermont Journalism Trust, a nonproﬁt organization he helped to create. It supports the digital publication VTDigger.

A lover of cultures, tastes and ideas from across the globe, she enjoyed traveling and reveled in seeing much of the world with her family and friends. She enjoyed many happy memories by the lake and ocean and, later on, in the snow and mountains of Vermont. She found joy in tranquility and quiet moments, often being found eyeing produce at farmers markets, working in her garden or kitchen, or walking (while simultaneously reading the New York Times) around neighborhoods or bodies of water, trailed by doting dogs and cats. A voracious reader with a brilliant mind, she was always looking for articles to clip out for others or new recipes to try as a means of creative expression. A true chef with an always-overﬂowing fridge and kitchen, she often found a way to feed dozens at the drop of a hat, serving up gourmet love from backyard to campsite and beyond. She was an omnipresent and calming force at her children’s games (albeit watching every soccer header or rugby tackle with bated breath) and her husband’s concerts, and she relished every opportunity to enjoy theater, from the Flynn to Broadway.

Stephanie was predeceased by her parents and leaves behind her husband of 35 years, Dan; son Kevin and his wife, Shannon; daughter Sarah and her partner, Craig; brother Mark and his wife, Virginia; brothers- and sisters-in-law Tony, Tara, Michael and Jennifer; as well as nieces and nephew Anna, Giuliana, Julie and Alex. She had a rich spectrum of dear friends from all aspects of her life in New York, New Jersey, Michigan, Washington and Vermont and will be deeply missed by all.

ese written words cannot do her justice or fully catalog her rich presence — she will be dearly missed and always remembered by all whose lives she touched. Her values, character and life will remain embodied by the countless individuals who were privileged to have known her; she was everything to everyone and brought the best of life out of so many. Mom — we are who we are today only through the love that you built for us, your generosity, your zest and your spirit. PS: Don’t worry, no other whale watch will come close to yours.

Donations in Stephanie’s memory can be made to your local humane society. A celebration of her life will be held in the fall.

Stephen working at the Times Argus

Stephen writing the book on senator Aiken

Stephen with his beloved Belted Galloway cows

OBITUARIES

James A. Weston

OCTOBER 15, 1939-JULY 14, 2025 WINOOSKI, VT.

On July 14, 2025, James A. “Jimmy” Weston, 85, longtime resident of Winooski, passed away peacefully after a lengthy battle with cancer at the McClure Miller Respite House with his family at his side.

He was born on October 15, 1939, in Burlington, Vt., and moved with his family to Winooski, Vt., in 1950. He was a proud graduate of Winooski High School and earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Vermont and graduate degree from the University of Southern California.

Jim was a member of the Vermont National Guard for 20 years and worked more than 40 years at IBM.

Mary Scully (Kevin), Susan Martelle (Pierre) and Patricia Cianci (Fred), and his brother Mark Weston (Joan). He also leaves many nieces, nephews and in-laws.

Jimmy was predeceased by his parents, Clyde and Catherine (Brown) Weston, and his brother omas Weston. e family would like to thank all of Jim’s health care team, especially Dr. Melissa Brandes of Green Mountain Internal Medicine; Dr. Steven Ades, Janet Ely and Amanda Millette of the University of Vermont Cancer Center; and Kathleen Ouma, Sarah Carter and Chelsea Chalfant with the University of Vermont Home Health & Hospice team.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Rita (Companion); and their children, Michael (Wendy) of Burlington; Paul of Edinburg, N.Y.; and Carol (Patrick) of Williston, Vt. He is the proud Papa of Molly and Ethan Duncan and Isabella, McKenna and Sullivan Weston. Jim leaves behind his sisters, Jeanne McGauran,

Gerald E. Allen

NOVEMBER 26, 1947-JULY 16, 2025 ESSEX JUNCTION, VT.

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, Gerald E. Allen, known to many as “Gerry,” who passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones.

He met the love of his life, Barbara “Bobbie” Kehaya, in high school. e two married in 1974 and shared more than ﬁve decades of love and partnership. Together they raised two children, Justin Allen of Winooski, Vt., and Katherine Branon of East Greenbush, N.Y., with her husband, Shaun Branon II. Gerry was a proud and devoted grandfather to Shaun Michael Branon III, Samuel Allen Branon and Abigail Barbara Branon, who brought him endless joy.

A mass of Christian burial was held on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, 11:30 a.m., at St. Francis Xavier Church in Winooski. In lieu of ﬂowers, donations can be made to the University of Vermont Home Health & Hospice, 1110 Prim Rd., Colchester, VT 05446.

“How lucky we are to have had something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” — A.A. Milne

and wife Debbie, and Kevin Allen. He was predeceased by his sister Laurel Allen. He was equally cherished by Bobbie’s family and leaves behind alia Swinyer and husband Len, Dick Kehaya and wife Jean, Steve Kehaya, Jason Kehaya and wife Sue, and Damon Kehaya and wife Shelia, as well as many loving nieces and nephews. Gerry’s circle of love extended to dear friends in his wonderful Essex Junction neighborhood and the many four-legged companions who made daily visits for special treats at his home.

e family wishes to thank Ron Leggett, friends from St. Francis, Father Royer from St. Francis, Roland Rabidoux, Paul Rabidoux, hospice nurse Sandra Harms, Julie Jacob-Ochs and the compassionate team from the University of Vermont Hospice.

Robert Harry Whyte

DECEMBER 11, 1937JULY 4, 2025

WILLIAMSBURG, VA.

Robert “Bob” Harry Whyte of Williamsburg, Va., passed away peacefully on July 4, 2025, surrounded by family. Bob was born to Harry and Lorraine (Sunderwirth) on December 11, 1937, and was preceded in death by his parents and his younger brother, Bill.

Bob attended WilbrahamMunson Academy and Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), graduating in 1960. He started his career at Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey.

Following a snowstorm, he stopped to help the two ladies from across the street and met his wife of 63 years, Marian Alice Lowe, a transplant from Tennessee and the owner of a white 1957 underbird.

After getting married in August 1961 and serving two years in the Signal Corps of the U.S. Army, he embarked on his next life adventure, having two children: John Michael (July 1965) and Sharon Lynn (December 1967). Following Sharon’s birth, they moved to a 100-year-old farmhouse in Vermont and a new career with General Electric. ere were many years of July 4th

barn dances for their local and out-of-town friends, sailing on Lake Champlain, and ﬁxing old cars, especially his favorite, a 1937 Buick.

Sailing was his passion, and he and Marian could always be found on a boat.

Starting with a partial ownership with friends in New Jersey to racing J boats and spending months on his boat in the British Virgin Islands, they were happiest around water. When it was too cold to sail, they sought out good skiing on the East and West Coasts, eventually moving full time to Colorado so they could sail in the summertime and ski all winter, both of which they did into their eighties.

Another constant in his life was his work as an aeroballistician, helping to design multiple weapons systems for the Department of Defense, ﬁrst with GE and then with Arrow Tech

Associates, which he started in 1987 with the late Bud Stearns. He loved his time with all of his work colleagues, but he truly loved his friends that joined him at Arrow Tech, especially his wife and son, John. He pioneered the “3:30 company happy hour” and always could be counted on for a smile and a beer, no matter where he was. His work was recognized multiple times throughout his career, but he was especially proud to receive the Robert F. Goddard Award from WPI in June 2011, joined by his family (John ’87 and Sharon ’89), lifelong friends from college, and his two grandsons, Jacob and Colin. He continued to work on small projects into his eighties and was always happy to talk about his work! roughout his life, he could be counted upon to be serious when he needed to be but happy and joking otherwise. He lived life to the fullest and loved his family and friends ﬁercely. He will be missed by all who knew him but especially his family, Marian, John, Sharon (Paul), and his nieces and nephews, Jill (Cliff) Gookin of Lexington, Ky.; Jennifer (Kevin) Mclaughlin of East Longmeadow, Mass.; and Jeffrey Whyte of Hamden, Mass.

A celebration of life will be scheduled in the fall in Vermont. Details to follow.

Gerry is also survived by his siblings: Karen Decoteau and husband Earl, Mary Slattery and husband Jack, Susan Hunkins, Ron Hunkins and wife Patty; Reginald Allen

A mass of Christian burial will be held on Saturday, July 26, 2025, 10:30 a.m., at St. Francis Xavier Church in Winooski. For the full obituary, visit gregorycremation. com.

Sandra Ducharme

AUGUST 7, 1951JULY 18, 2025

CABOT, VT.

Sandy Ducharme was born on August 7, 1951, in St. Johnsbury, Vt. She was the oldest daughter of Ruth Stuart LaPoint and Avery LaPoint and one of six children. She graduated from Cabot School in 1969. Sandy married her high school sweetheart, Richard Ducharme, also of Cabot, on May 22, 1971. They have resided in Cabot ever since. She is survived by her daughters, Christina Ducharme (Cabot, Vt.) and Stephanie Ducharme (Vass, N.C.), and her beloved grandson, Nathaniel MunroDucharme (Montpelier, Vt.).

Sandy lived a full and varied life. She loved the arts, walking, nature and being of service. She was involved in community arts from the time her daughters were small children through to the end of her life. In the ’80s, you could find her making hats and sculpted dolls. In the ’90s, she made

Jyll Margaret “Peg” Allen

MAY 5, 1978-JULY 18, 2025 ESSEX, VT.

Jyll Margaret “Peg” Allen, 47, passed away on July 18, 2025, at Green Mountain Nursing and Rehabilitation in Colchester, Vt.

Jyll was born on May 5, 1978, in Burlington, Vt., along with their twin sister, Elizabeth, to Richard and Lucille Allen. Graduating from Essex Junction Educational Center in 1996, they obtained a BA in English from Hamilton College in 2000 and a master’s in disability studies from the University of Vermont in 2003. They worked in education for decades, including as a paraeducator in South Burlington schools, an afterschool aide for Burlington Parks and Recreation, and a tutor for Vermont Adult Learning.

Compassion, intelligence and activism defined Jyll’s life. Born with cerebral palsy,

costumes, arranged hair and did makeup for all of the high school musicals. In fact, she began making costumes and clothing for her siblings as a very young girl. As an adult, she expanded into creating and selling floorcloths and eventually became known for her fabulous hooked rugs. Sandy loved rug hooking. She created several masterpieces that won internationally judged shows and was regularly featured in rug hooking magazines. Sandy loved to share her joy of art through teaching, and her classes were in high demand.

Nature was the inspiration for all of her art. She could be

Jyll was a wheelchair user who developed assertive self-advocacy techniques early on. Unafraid to speak up for themselves and their needs, Jyll used these same skills to promote social justice. Their recent volunteer work for Mercy Connections, Local Motion and VTDigger exemplified their passion for creating and nurturing the local community.

Jyll was a creative person with a wry sense of humor who loved Bill Watterson’s comic strip, “Calvin and Hobbes.” A

seen walking miles a day in her neighborhood, watching for birds, noticing baby foxes and texting photos of each sunrise. She was also an avid flower gardener. Richard and Sandy ran Hillcrest Nursery for 10 years and loved the people and the plants.

Sandy fell on July 16, 2025, and suffered catastrophic injuries to her spinal cord and was paralyzed from the neck down. Her final days were spent surrounded by loved ones and making us laugh with her facial expressions, which spoke volumes. She made the choice to come off of life support on July 18, 2025. Sandy passed in a circle of loved ones sharing stories and favorite moments. She was a gem in our community and will be sorely missed. Memorial services will be held on August 9, 2025, noon, at Richard and Sandy’s home at 849 Ducharme Rd., Cabot VT. Parking for the memorial service is located in the field behind the house, courtesy of Under Orion Farm. Condolences and memories of Sandy may be shared with her family at dgfunerals.com.

lover of words and language, they collaborated on serial “chapters” with Elizabeth when the two were young. Jyll published some of their writing in The Green Mountains Deep: Fiction about Disabled Vermonters by a Disabled Vermonter. A sticker on their transfer lift saying, “Where there’s a Jyll, there’s a way,” epitomized their punny humor and cleverness.

Jyll is survived by their parents, Richard and Lucille Allen of Essex, Vt.; sister, Elizabeth Allen, of Colchester, Vt.; brother, Daniel Allen, of Colorado Springs, Colo.; extended family members; and friends.

Jyll was predeceased by maternal grandparents Reginald and Gretchen Vosburgh; paternal grandparents Fuller and Margaret Allen; and aunts Joyce Vosburgh and Carol Allen.

A celebration of Jyll’s life will be scheduled for later in the year. Please visit awrfh. com to share your memories and condolences.

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Above and Beyond

BY MARY ANN LICKTEIG • maryann@sevendaysvt.com

Shortly after Kim Pratt’s 26-yearold son, Tyler Carter, died of a drug overdose in 2016, the idea of seeing a psychic or a medium popped into her head. She had never considered it before. She didn’t know a thing about them. But she and her sister learned the name of a medium in Milton, and Pratt, reeling from her son’s death, asked her sister to go for her.

Even now, Pratt can’t say exactly what she was seeking. “I just wanted my son,” she said in a recent interview.

The medium told Pratt’s sister that he saw Tyler repeatedly hold up his hand, palm forward, ﬁngers splayed. A handprint Tyler had made in elementary school had hung in a corner in his family’s living room for years. That morning, Pratt recalled, “I had gone up to it and laid my hand over it, just missing him.”

The medium’s message, Pratt said, was the ﬁrst of “hundreds” of validations she has received from mediums telling her that Tyler lives on. “I’ve always believed in God, always believed that there was an afterlife,” said Pratt, who lives in the town of Georgia. She watched Tyler ﬁght addiction for 10 years and when he died, she said, “I knew he was OK.” Still, she grieved, and mediums have provided comfort.

“I feel like it helped me more than a psychiatrist, more than therapy, more than anything,” Pratt said. “Knowing that my son is still around, still near me — I can connect with him — helped me survive.”

Bridging the gap between the living and the dead is an intrinsic human desire. For centuries, mediums have claimed the ability to communicate with the deceased, while other practitioners have purported to predict the future, channel spirits and read the energy of those who sit before them. For just as long, skeptics have doubted, criticized and condemned — whether on religious grounds, charges of exploitation or both.

Vermont’s colorful history with psychics includes a 19th-century set of brothers whose reputation for conjuring full-body manifestations in their Chittenden farmhouse earned their hometown the moniker “Spirit Capital of the Universe.”

(See sidebar on page 27.)

Carter

Present-day Vermonters seeking supernatural solace and guidance still turn to mediums and psychics who claim to tap into the metaphysical world in order to transmit messages from deceased loved ones and o er insights into clients’ true selves. Seers of all stripes will gather at the third annual Vermont Psychic Expo at the Champlain Valley Exposition in Essex Junction next month.

Psychics and mediums are not licensed

is a longtime client of psychics, including one in Vermont. “There are also good ones.” She has consulted psychics for 40 years, she said.

Vermont psychics researched for this article charge between $95 and $222 for an hourlong session. “If any psychic or medium asks you to give them money to

KNOWING THAT MY SON IS STILL AROUND, STILL NEAR ME — I CAN CONNECT WITH HIM — HELPED ME SURVIVE.

KIM PRATT

or regulated by the state, and there is no easy way to determine how many of them practice here. Although the Vermont Consumer Assistance Program has not received any complaints about such practitioners for at least six years, some people are quick to call them charlatans.

“There are some that are, just like there are bad doctors and there are bad lawyers,” said Shivan Sarna, an author who produces health-education courses and

lift a curse — run,” Sarna said. “That is not how this works.” Sarna and others who seek metaphysical connections say it has helped them to access the wisdom of their spiritual guides, navigate relationships and career decisions, understand what’s going on with their children, affirm their own intuition, and, yes, connect with deceased friends and relatives. Vermont practitioners range from those who read palms, auras and tarot cards to Ava Orah, a Royalton trance channeler who says she allows beings who reside in the Pleiades star cluster to speak through her, o ering guidance and wisdom.

Lincoln psychic medium Rebecca Freedner senses the energy of her clients and their close associates, living and dead. “I don’t know how it works,” Freedner said. “It took me many years to learn or understand that I receive and perceive

Kim Pratt; her late son, Tyler

MEET A FEW HISTORIC VERMONT PSYCHICS

e late 19th and early 20th centuries were the heyday for American psychics and spiritualists. Several spiritualist societies incorporated in Vermont during that time. ey include the Vermont State Spiritualist Association, which bought 50 acres to use for summer camp meetings in what is now South Burlington’s Queen City Park. Active for decades, the association even had its own post ofﬁce for a time, former state archivist Sally Blanchard-O’Brien wrote in a 2017 article for the Burlington Free Press. Fire destroyed 13 buildings in the park in 1939, and the group dissolved in 1951.

Elsewhere around the state, Vermonters dabbled in the metaphysical world. Here, courtesy of research provided by Blanchard-O’Brien and writer Joseph Citro, are a few of those practicing in the 19th century: Calais-born LUCY AINSWORTH COOKE, known as “Sleeping Lucy,” diagnosed diseases and prescribed treatment while in a trance. Directories listed her as a “clairvoyant physician.”

Plymouth Notch’s ACHSA SPRAGUE drew and painted while blindfolded and delivered trance lectures on topics she had never studied.

THOMAS POWER JAMES attended a séance in 1873, where he learned that the late Charles Dickens had selected him to complete his unﬁnished novel, e Mystery of Edwin Drood. Night after night, James, a printshop worker from Brattleboro, scribbled furiously while in a trance and completed the book in time for Christmas. A copy of Part Second of e Mystery of Edwin Drood “by the spirit-pen of Charles Dickens, through a medium,” is in the local history room at Brattleboro’s Brooks Memorial Library.

Brothers WILLIAM AND HORATIO EDDY became world-famous when they conjured full-body materializations of the deceased from the “spirit cabinet” in their Chittenden farmhouse. eir Rutland County town became known as the “Spirit Capital of the Universe.” State law required “fortune tellers” to be licensed for a time. Act 34, passed in 1937, mandated that seers of any kind pay an annual $5 “privilege tax,” no proof of powers required. e law was enacted primarily for tax purposes, BlanchardO’Brien wrote. It was repealed in 1978. M.A.L.

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a lot more information than the average person.” It’s like being an antenna, she said, and she has honed an ability to tune in to and understand the energy radiating on both sides of the veil. “I just know how to interpret the information in this ‘field of infinite potential,’ as I call it.”

Anyone can do this, she said, though not everyone is meant to. “It’s kind of like we all, as human beings, have muscles in our bodies,” she said. “Some of us are athletes, and some of us are couch potatoes. Most of us are somewhere in between. And I find it’s the same with intuition. We all have it. Some of us are really obtuse to it. Some of us work in it, like I do, and most of us are somewhere in between.”

Sitting under the sloped roof of the second-floor guest room in her 200-yearold farmhouse, Freedner, 49, rests her left forearm on a long, rectangular crystal as she works. She sees clients almost exclusively on Zoom and prefers to know nothing beforehand about them or their reason for calling. She doesn’t know how a session will unfold, she said, and tells her clients, “I trust whatever is going to come through is what you’re needing right now.”

During an opening meditation with a client a couple of months ago, Freedner said, “I was so overwhelmed by the presence of this woman’s mother that I could almost not complete the meditation.” She asked her client if her mother had died recently. Last week, her client replied.

“The presence of her mother was so profoundly joyful, and we both felt it,” Freedner said. “We almost just laughed the whole time.” Connecting with dead people has never been frightening or unpleasant, she said.

Williston psychic medium Maya Liotard traces her ability to her childhood in Oakland, Calif., when she could tell her mother that the phone was about to ring. She had started taking classes at the Berkeley Psychic Institute when, in 2005, her 16-year-old daughter, Tara, was killed in a gang-related shooting. “I really thought that was the end of my life, the end of my world,” Liotard said. Desperate to know that Tara was OK, she went to mediums. “I wanted to test them,” she said. At the time, she and her older daughter had recently moved, but Liotard was too depressed to set up house. They lived amid unpacked boxes, with Liotard’s mattress on the floor.

She consulted a medium she had never met. “All I told her was that my daughter passed. I didn’t tell her how. I didn’t tell her her age, nothing. And I just said, ‘I just want to connect with her.’”

The medium told her that Tara wanted to ask her a question: “Why are you still sleeping on the floor?”

“I just fell apart,” Liotard said. “I just started weeping because I thought, There’s no way she knew that.”

Liotard tested other mediums. “And every time, it was just like they brought through her personality. They brought through how she looked.” And, Liotard recalled, they brought messages from Tara: “‘Mom, I’m fine, really. I’m not in pain. I’m not suffering anymore … There’s no reason for you to live in that past.’”

It got to the point, Liotard said, where “I would get done with these readings, I would be laughing and just feeling like she was sitting right in the room, just like her old self. She was a character.”

After Tara died, Liotard joined the Compassionate Friends support group for people who have lost a child. “You pass the pillow, and you give your story, and it’s a hard hour and a half,” Liotard said. “After going to meeting after meeting and listening to all these parents, I thought, Wow, if I could just tell one of them that their kid is still alive, innocence is back, all of their innocence, their joy, their peace, and that they’re not blaming their parents. I just feel like that would be worth giving my whole life to doing that.”

Kim Pratt, the Georgia mother who lost her son, is grateful for people like Liotard. She shared a tight bond with Tyler, who

Pratt offered her lunch, with chocolate chip cookies for dessert.

Tyler, through the medium, had mentioned homemade mac and cheese and cookies, her sister told Pratt. He also said something about Pepsi. His aunt had one in her purse. He talked about a flamingo, which meant nothing at first until his aunt remembered that they had visited Las Vegas together and stayed at the Flamingo.

Pratt didn’t get as many validations when she visited the same medium but felt compelled to consult a second Milton medium, Michele Nappi. On a Monday morning, she set out for Nappi’s shop, but she was scared and so went grocery shopping, she said, “and then something made me go back to her shop.” She went in to ask Nappi about making an appointment, “and she’s like, ‘Well, there’s a young man with you right now, and he’s laughing because he dragged you in here.’”

was born when she was 20 years old. She raised him as a single mom for five years, until she remarried and had a second son. Tyler was brave and adventurous, Pratt said. He liked to snowboard, fish and do archery. He was a kid who helped new students acclimate to school.

When he was 14 or 15, he and his friends started experimenting with OxyContin, Pratt said. Tyler progressed to heroin. He got clean, then relapsed multiple times, but he always talked with Pratt. “Mom,” he told her one time, “you don’t ever see any old drug addicts.”

“Doesn’t that scare you?” she asked him.

“Not in the moment.”

After treatment in California, he returned to Vermont in December 2015. A year later, he died of a fentanyl overdose in his grandmother’s bathroom in Essex. Pratt did not see his body after he died, a fact she struggled with later.

The day she sent her sister to the medium, Pratt made macaroni and cheese from scratch. When her sister returned,

Messages continued to pile up. Pratt and her sister had tickets to see Theresa Caputo, star of the TV show “Long Island Medium,” at the Flynn in 2017. Pratt tried to give away her ticket but was unsuccessful. “OK, Tyler, you better come through,” she said aloud before they left for the theater. And she directed her deceased, boisterous grandmother to bring him.

When Caputo said someone in the audience had lost a son, Pratt said nothing, figuring several people had lost a son. Then Caputo said there was a young man there with his grandmother and that someone in the audience was wearing his ashes. Tyler’s ashes were in the pendant of the necklace his aunt was wearing. Caputo told Pratt that she didn’t see Tyler’s body after he died and then relayed Tyler’s message: “You weren’t supposed to see me when I passed. You would never get that image out of your mind.”

Secure in the knowledge that Tyler remains with her, Pratt doesn’t consult mediums as often anymore, she said. Sometimes, though, she treats herself to a reading for her birthday. ➆

INFO

Vermont Psychic Expo at the Champlain Valley Exposition in Essex Junction, Saturday & Sunday, August 9 and 10, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. $2030; free for kids under 12. vtgatherings.com

Maya Liotard

Rebecca Freedner

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Van Life

More than two decades after the retirement of the ApGap commuter van,

some of its riders are still friends

STORY & PHOTOS BY KEN PICARD • ken@sevendaysvt.com

When Larry Masterson hosted 10 longtime friends and acquaintances at his Lincoln home last month, they spent a cool Sunday afternoon doing something that was once wholly uncharacteristic of them as a group: They went nowhere. For 26 years, starting in the mid-1970s, these now-retired, mostly state employees prided themselves on getting to work on time every day, regardless of the weather or road conditions.

That may seem like a trivial boast. But the group commuted by white Dodge passenger van from Lincoln and Bristol, over the Appalachian Gap, to their o ces in Waterbury and Montpelier, a trip of about an hour and 15 minutes in good weather. The Appalachian Gap commuter van — or ApGap van for short — wasn’t run by the state or a transit authority, but a bunch of former farm boys who knew how to keep a 15-seat passenger van on the road in snow, fog and freezing rain.

For the passengers, some of whom feared doing the white-knuckle drive alone through the Green Mountains in the dead of winter, the ApGap van was a lifesaver, one that forged lasting friendships. During its more than quarter century of operation, about 100 passengers rode in it, including, for a brief time, then-secretary of state Jim Douglas.

More than two decades after it was discontinued, in 2002 — by then, nearly all of the regulars had retired — some of the riders reunited at Masterson’s house to share funny and occasionally harrowing tales of their daily excursions. While a few hadn’t seen each other in years, others have been friends since, meeting twice a month for breakfast at Snap’s Restaurant in Bristol.

“I thought everybody was going to be early, because it’s the ApGap van and no one was ever late,” joked Trish Hanson, one of the early arrivals at the Lincoln reunion. A now-retired entomologist, Hanson rode the van to the state laboratory in Waterbury every winter from 1994 to 2001, because she wasn’t comfortable driving in the snow.

Today, ride sharing is fairly common. As of May, 18 vanpools were operating in Vermont with a combined daily ridership of

83 people, according to the Vermont Agency of Transportation. In the 1970s, however, vanpools were virtually nonexistent. Then, in 1973, the Arab oil embargo created gasoline shortages and sent prices soaring in the U.S., from 36 cents per gallon in 1973 to 59 cents in 1976. Because the typical American car in those days averaged just 12 miles to the gallon, carpooling caught on as a cost-e ective alternative.

Masterson, 84, is a former state director of financial operations who cofounded the vanpool in April 1976 with six other state employees, all of whom lived in or near Lincoln. For the first two years, the group leased a van through the state energy o ce. But when that became burdensome, Masterson recalled, “We took the bull by the horns” and formed a nonprofit: Appalachian Gap Commuters. They purchased a Dodge van, charged passengers $2 per day, and asked everyone to jot down their schedules in a spiral notebook to coordinate ride times.

From 1976 until 2002, Masterson served as operations manager. That’s a fancy way of saying he drove the van most days, changed the oil, installed the snow tires, and, when necessary, donned overalls and applied the tire chains. On especially slippery trips, when the chains didn’t provide enough traction for the rear-wheel drive van to make it over the mountain, Masterson would ask his passengers to move into the rear seats for added traction.

On one such snowy trip through the mountains, Hanson remembers the song that was playing on the radio as they crested the Gap: Jan and Dean’s “Dead Man’s Curve.” “That commute was unusually exciting,” she said.

With Mount Abraham visible behind them, the guests at Masterson’s Lincoln house nibbled on cut veggies and dip, though no one wanted to be the ﬁrst to cut into the ApGap cake that Masterson’s wife, Christine, had baked, using cupcakes for wheels. The reunion was actually her idea, prompted by her discovery of a box of vanpool ﬁles in the attic and remembering the stories Larry and his friends often told about it.

Bill Norton, 82, who worked in the state auditor’s o ce and was among the original riders, remembers one near disaster. Just as they came over the pass, “The van just took o ,” he said. It slid o the pavement, up a steep embankment and nearly rolled over.

“I was riding shotgun, and all I could see out my window was sky,” Norton said. Somehow, Masterson managed to steer the van back onto the pavement and continued safely down the mountain.

On another trip, a large bull moose bolted in front of the van near the Long Trail, then trotted down Route 17 in front of the van for several hundred yards before darting into the woods.

Karen Lueders started riding the ApGap van in 1986, after she got a job with the Vermont Supreme Court. Soon thereafter, she got pregnant, and morning sickness made her commutes uncomfortable. Another passenger who usually rode shotgun relinquished his seat so Lueders wouldn’t get carsick.

When brothers Don and Dave Lathrop, both of Bristol, showed up at the reunion, the group greeted them warmly, though a few guests admitted that they still couldn’t

tell the twins apart. The “Lathrop boys,” as they were known, often boarded the van dressed in similar shirts, hats and jackets, as if they’d coordinated their wardrobes the night before. Fortunately for the reunion guests, some of whom hadn’t seen them in years, the brothers weren’t dressed alike.

“I always remember you guys sitting together, and you talked like you hadn’t seen each other for months,” Lueders said.

“And it was every morning.”

“I don’t remember that,” Don said.

“I don’t remember that, either,” Dave added.

More stories emerged as the afternoon rolled on. No one could remember the name of the rider who often fell asleep on the shoulder of a neighboring passenger and once fell out of his seat. But everyone was certain it was the same guy who spilled a jar of pickled beets in the van, to general chagrin.

Al Karnatz of New Haven arrived late for the reunion, because he had bicycled there.

“Hello! It’s been a few decades,” he announced with a smile when he walked in.

Clockwise from top: Eleven of the daily commuters who rode the ApGap vanpool to Montpelier from 1976 to 2002; a cake from their party; the van’s last license plate and commuter log

Karnatz, who rode the van during the seven years he worked for the Vermont Agency of Agriculture in the 1980s, would commute to Montpelier in the morning with his bicycle strapped to the back so he could pedal home in the afternoon.

“I remember seeing him in the rearview mirror,” Lueders said. In some spots, “He was almost as fast as the van.”

In the thousands of miles the commuters traveled over the decades, the ApGap

van logged only one speeding ticket, in Waitsﬁeld, while Masterson was trying to make up for lost time after a particularly slow drive through the mountains. Norton remembers pointing out the cop as they passed him, but Masterson just nodded and sped on. The police cruiser had trouble catching up to the van because it kept sliding all over the road.

“I thought he was going to run into the back of us,” Norton said.

Another time, the van got stopped by a state trooper in Middlesex, though not for a moving violation. One of its usual passengers, a woman from Bristol, had missed her pickup for the commute home. Evidently, she knew the trooper, ﬂagged him down and convinced him to pull the van over so she could hop in.

Mostly, the group remembered minor mishaps. Norton recalled riding through Lincoln one bitterly cold morning when, he said, “I heard a bang and thought someone was shooting at us. And then I heard one or two more,” he said. He realized the popping sounds were exploding bottles from the case of beer they kept in the van for passengers to share on their ride home.

Though nearly all the riders worked in state government, no one in the group could recall any conversations about politics. Which is not to say they didn’t have strong opinions.

“We were coming home one time, and there was a certain politician walking along the road. Something happened to his car, and we held a vote whether to stop for him,” Hanson said, to peals of laughter. “We picked him up.”

Despite the group’s diligence about running on time, the ApGap commuters sometimes had a very casual attitude about their schedule. Hanson remembers one trip when the van stopped at the top

of the Appalachian Gap because the International Space Station was visible in the sky.

Another time, after the van dropped Peter Ryan, a Department of Education employee, at his house, Norton asked the remaining passengers if he could run inside and get a quick haircut from Ryan’s wife, Pat, a hairdresser. They agreed.

Ryan, one of the group’s founders, didn’t make it to the reunion. Pat had died of cancer the night before.

Vermonters who drive to work alone each day may ﬁnd it hard to understand why these people stayed in touch so many years after their last commute. Even the riders acknowledge that most of their commutes were uneventful, and almost none remembers anything they talked about. But as several explained, their bond was about more than just the 15 hours they spent together each week.

“It was a really big deal for all of us. It surely changed my life,” said Hanson, who still exchanges holiday cards with a fellow commuter who moved away years ago.

And, as Ryan put it later, “We had a common cause and purpose — and it was a good one.” ➆

To learn more about carpools and vanpools in Vermont, visit connectingcommuters.org.

Nathan Suter, February 14, 1973-May 13, 2025

BY ALICE DODGE • adodge@sevendaysvt.com

Nathan Suter was always in motion. As a teenager, he’d often run from his house in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., to his friend Shawn’s, 10 or 12 miles away. He’d stop in and hang out as he made and ate two or three peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and then run on to visit another friend.

On May 13, at age 52, Nathan was running with a group of friends when he su ered a fatal heart attack. One week

“Life Stories” is a series proﬁling Vermonters who have recently died. Know of someone we should write about? Email us at lifestories@ sevendaysvt.com.

later, the receiving line for visitors at Guare & Sons funeral home in Montpelier wrapped around the block. All the way down St. Paul Street, high schoolers, still in their jerseys after a track meet, hugged and cried and shared stories about their coach. City leaders, nonproﬁt organizers, migrant workers, teachers, artists, colleagues, neighbors, family and friends did the same. Everyone was shocked that Nathan was gone, but no one was surprised by the length of the line.

Nathan seemed to know everyone. Montpelier parents and students saw him as an engaged and caring track-and-field coach; artists remember him from his time as executive director of the Helen Day Art Center (now the Current) in Stowe. Still others witnessed his commitment to the community in his roles with the Peace & Justice Center in Burlington, Migrant Justice and in Montpelier’s flood recovery. As an organizational consultant, he helped Vermont nonprofits and businesses plan for the future. What struck many friends and acquaintances was that despite all the demands on his attention and all the connections he had, Nathan was always deeply present.

He was born in 1973 in the Panama Canal Zone, where his father, Bob Suter, was a medic with the U.S. Air Force. The family soon moved back to Indiana and, in 1977, to Poughkeepsie, where Bob was a professor of biology at Vassar College

for more than 30 years. Nathan’s mother, Val, taught high school physics and chemistry. Bob spent decades studying the behavior of spiders; Val was renowned for physics field trips to Great Adventure amusement park.

Bob and Val were deeply committed to Quaker values. Nathan’s sister, Katherine Fisher, described the Bulls Head-Oswego Friends meeting they attended as a community of people who cared for each other, listened and “really saw the importance of recognizing the humanity in everyone.” That upbringing was foundational for both of them, she said, and informed how Nathan interacted with the world.

‘Nathan’s Superpower Was Connecting People’

HE BECAME PART OF THE FABRIC OF WHEREVER HE WAS. KATHERINE FISHER

Nathan loved travel and the outdoors. One summer while he was in college, he took a research job with one of his dad’s colleagues. He collected plant samples from Hawaii’s volcanic slopes while also making friends with locals and learning to surf and cook. Nathan was well over six feet tall and slender, with long hair and a tanned complexion, blending in easily in the islands. Because he was genuinely interested in getting to know them, Katherine said, people quickly started treating him like one of their own.

“That’s the story of who he was,” she said. “Everywhere he went, he listened — and he became part of the fabric of wherever he was.”

In 1998, Nathan and his childhood friend Michelle Nijhuis trekked through Mexico and flew to Cuba — forbidden

by U.S. policy at the time. His luggage was filled with medical supplies to bring to the island. “He didn’t just travel,” Nijhuis said. “He made sure that service was part of it.” Even though his Spanish wasn’t yet perfect, “Nathan just had this incredible fearlessness about approaching other people.”

Many of his acquaintances talked about Nathan’s knack for maintaining friendships over time and distance — the way he would call, check in and pay attention to what was going on in their lives. He often introduced people to each other. According to JK Connor, who taught English to Nathan’s daughter, Amani, at Montpelier High School, “Nathan’s superpower was connecting people in this seemingly e ortless way. And his ability to do that just

transcended spaces — really any space he was in, whether it was the Peace & Justice Center or a track meet.”

Nathan was an accomplished longdistance runner and track athlete in high school and at Haverford College in Pennsylvania, where he is still a top-10 record holder for the 3,000-meter steeplechase. By his sophomore year, he was already captain of the cross-country team when Gavin Boyles joined him for a run as a 16-year-old prospective student. Even on that ﬁrst run, Nathan stood out. “He had this long, ﬂowing ponytail and was just a

Clockwise from left: Nathan Suter at an Oz-themed Helen Day Art Center gala in 2015; Nathan on the steeplechase course at Haverford College, c.1995; Nathan with his family in Costa Rica in April 2020

real free spirit,” Boyles said. “He was very welcoming, and the team culture reflected that.” Boyles’ daughter Thea, now also 16 and a student at MHS, echoed the sentiments: Nathan coached her in track and field for six years.

Nathan graduated from Haverford in 1995 with a fine arts degree in photography, then earned a master’s degree at the San Francisco Art Institute. He met Mitch Temple in a critical theory class. Where Temple was quiet, Nathan was “infallibly gregarious,” at ease expounding on French philosophers Michel Foucault and Jacques Lacan. Temple didn’t like his classmate at first, but that didn’t matter: Nathan had an ability to ignore petty slights in favor of getting to the heart of people’s ideas, a quality Temple admired as they became close friends.

During that time, Nathan’s artwork was expanding beyond photography. Temple described one installation as 12 fans arranged in two rows and blowing to support a single piece of twine, which floated in the air as though drawn there with a pencil. “That was Nathan at his best,” Temple said. “It was just so elegant. It was so conceptual. It was so practical.”

While still students, Nathan, Temple and their friend Dennis McNulty started the nonprofit Root Division in San Francisco in 2002. Working against the Bay Area’s affordability crisis, the organization offered subsidized studios to artists, who would then lead classes or curate exhibitions. Nathan, always eager to teach himself new skills, was adept at both the big visioning and the nitty-gritty details of nonprofit management, such as strategic planning and budgeting. According to longtime executive director Michelle Mansour, he was instrumental in setting the inclusive, equitable culture of the place, which is still going strong almost 25 years later.

He brought those skills with him to Vermont. Nathan met his wife, Morgan Lloyd, while she was still a Haverford

student and he was working there after graduation; they married in 2001. Morgan grew up in Burlington, and they moved back to be closer to family when they were expecting their first child, Amani, in 2006. They settled in Winooski and then Burlington before moving to Montpelier when Morgan started teaching at Union Elementary School. Their son, Asa, was born in 2008.

Soon after arriving in Vermont, Nathan was hired as the executive director of the Helen Day Art Center, a position he held for a decade until stepping down to start his own consulting firm, BUILD, in 2016. During his time at the Helen Day, Nathan doubled the art center’s educational programming; when he left, it was serving more than 500 students a year.

Nathan also set a new, forward-looking direction for the art center, according to current executive director Rachel Moore, whom Nathan hired as a part-time curator and assistant director in 2011. “He gave big, crushing hugs,” she recalled, and “wanted to do so much good in the world.” Nathan organized exhibitions on topics such as surveillance and masculinity, challenging the status quo and sparking discussions about social justice within the art community.

Seven Days described one such exhibit

in 2010, featuring Iraqi American artist Wafaa Bilal, as “arguably the most provocative exhibit the Stowe gallery has ever hosted.” Bilal had been working with an image of a traditional Iraqi morgue where bodies are washed before burial and was unsure how to incorporate it into the exhibition. Nathan surprised him by building an entire site-specific installation, re-creating the morgue in the gallery. As an artist, Bilal said on a recent phone call, it doesn’t often happen that “you have a person who not only gives you space to find your inspiration but to empathize with you — to see what you really want to communicate with your audience.”

Two years later, Bilal asked Nathan to help him re-create one of his pieces from Stowe at the Jakarta Bienniale in Indonesia. Over meals of the spicy street food Nathan loved, they strategized how to get components for the installation — including a large, potted ficus tree — without a truck. Nathan told him not to worry, Bilal recalled, and headed out into the busy city. “He came back, carrying a tree, on a bike.”

Nathan’s generosity and ingenuity extended to his community organizing. “Any time we had a resource, he was will ing to share it,” Morgan said, “and that was

especially his time and his love.” Through his work on the board of Migrant Justice, he was able to connect families from Latin America with the resources they needed to settle in Vermont. When Burlington’s Peace & Justice Center considered shutting its doors in 2011, Nathan stepped up, becoming a board member for more than a decade and volunteering countless hours to help revitalize the organization.

And after Montpelier’s 2023 floods, Nathan became an integral member of the city’s Commission for Recovery & Resilience. According to commission member and Montpelier Alive executive director Katie Trautz, “He always had a thousand questions, which inevitably led us in the right direction.”

Of all the roles Nathan played, one of the most meaningful was coach. Starting at Main Street Middle School in 2019 and moving on to the high school two years ago, Nathan put in many hours and hard work to grow the Montpelier-Roxbury track-and-field program from a handful of kids to more than 90 on the combined middle and high school teams today. Many of them remembered his joyful attitude, his sense of humor, his ability to be everywhere at once and the way he met each student at their own level.

“He didn’t just care about the team as a whole,” MHS senior Jay Borland said. “He cared about every single person on the team.”

Earlier this year, sophomore Anna Wetherell was struggling to improve her time in the 3,000 meters; Nathan knew how nervous she was about qualifying for the state championships. Then came a race where, she said, “I was flying.” She looked to Nathan on her last lap to see if she would make her time. When he realized she would, he whooped, jumped in the air and ran across the infield toward the finish line.

“I was so, so happy, but I think he was happier,” Wetherell said. “He supported me at my worst, and he supported me at

Nathan Suter with a sculpture he made for “Exposed 2008” at the Helen Day Art Center

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

Submit entries all summer to qualify for prize drawings every Thursday on “Channel 3 This Morning” — you could win a $50 gift card to Phoenix Books or a Vermont State Parks pass!

Complete all 25 activities to be honored as a “Distinguished Citizen” at the Vermont Statehouse.

FINAL DEADLINE: September 1

TRIP DRAWING: SEPTEMBER 4

Cultivating Connection

With a newly modernized website, Vermont Land Link pairs farmers with landowners

BY SUZANNE PODHAIZER

Before you draft a profile on a matchmaking website, it’s crucial to decide what you’re looking for and your deal-breakers. Once you connect with a potential match, questions inevitably arise: Are you more interested in suburban or rural living? Do you own a tractor? Would you rather have goats, sheep, cows or all three?

OK, these may not be the queries you’d encounter on a Tinder or Hinge date. But you might if you strike up a conversation through Vermont Land Link.

Founded in the early 2000s under the auspices of University of Vermont Extension, the program was designed to match growers and producers seeking property

with landowners who wanted their acreage to be used for agriculture or forestry, whether through a long-term lease or outright sale.

Former UVM Extension employee Ben Waterman took charge of the project in 2005. Originally, said Waterman, who is no longer involved with Land Link, the service was managed laboriously by hand. Its ﬁrst coordinator, Debra Heleba, took detailed paper notes during interviews with land seekers and personally made phone calls to prospective matches.

a long-awaited upgrade in January, funded by a Working Lands Enterprise Initiative grant from the state. The new site, which allows proﬁles to be more expansive and intricate, will better meet the changing needs of farm seekers and property owners.

Or that’s the hope of Intervale Center farm business director Sam Smith, who recently found himself in charge of Land Link after Nikki Lennart, a farm business specialist who was instrumental in build-

I CAN’T IMAGINE FARMING AND NOT HAVING THIS SUPPORT NETWORK AROUND ME.

MARGARET AIKEN

ing the new site, left the Intervale. In the 10 years he’s held his role at the Intervale, Smith said, he’s noticed “a shifting in the type of land access opportunities” folks are seeking. Increased land values and “challenges around access and capital” have made it harder for farmers to buy land outright, as have the di culties of “making a livable income out of farming.”

When he took the project’s helm, Waterman recalled, “It became pretty clear that we were overwhelmed with inquiries and we weren’t able to do all of the work to make the matches.” The solution? Go digital, automating portions of the cumbersome process. With funding and support from the Vermont Farm Access Network, Tamarack media cooperative built the original Vermont Land Link website.

These days, the website is managed by Burlington’s nonproﬁt Intervale Center, which took the reins from UVM in 2016 and launched

Without charging a penny, Vermont Land Link serves a wide range of potential land users and owners, from a group looking to set up long-term communal arrangements to someone studying how working dogs communicate with herds to someone who wants a medicinal herb garden. By allowing users to consider alternative arrangements beyond leases and sales, Smith explained, the new version of Vermont Land Link will better assist farmers, whether beginners or those with more experience, as well as folks who have land to share.

Margaret Aiken with her goats

SIDEdishes

As Kona Beachside, Burlington’s North Beach Tiki Bar

Goes Hawaiian

Burlington’s North Beach has had a bar right on the edge of the sand since 2018. This month, it o cially became KONA BEACHSIDE, a Hawaiian-inspired tiki bar and grill with pineapple-garnished tropical cocktails; chipotle huli huli chicken tacos with mango-pineapple pico de gallo; haupia coconut pudding; and poke bowls with ahi tuna, seaweed salad, crispy fried garlic and coconut rice.

Owner SANDI PASAGIC, 29, said it’s a “fresh vibe” for the concession stand that his father has owned for years, right o the bike path on Burlington’s biggest public beach. Customers can expect an opened-up patio for better Lake Champlain views, entirely wildcaught seafood, and more of a focus on drinks, including mai tais, piña

coladas, blue Hawaiians and the Kona Painkiller.

than anything,” said Pasagic, who grew up in the Queen City. “I want to enjoy it as much as possible while I can, and I want to be on the beach.”

CHEESESTEAKS his “easy, fun, quick but quality” approach to Kona, he said. The menu also includes “North Beach classics” such as burgers, chicken tenders, cold-brew co ee, local beer, cider and creemees.

“We’re just trying to make everyone’s beach day better,” he said.

Kona Beachside is open noon to 7 p.m. daily through mid-September, weather permitting. ➆

CONNECT

BYJORDAN BARRY

patio at Kona Beachside

Cultivating

“We conducted a really intensive survey of the users of the former site before we put the [new] site together and integrated that feedback into it,” Smith said.

After a great deal of thought, Smith noted, and in an effort to avoid outdated information, the work group decided to wipe existing Land Link listings before launching the new site. A farmer who was seeking space 10 years ago and already discovered their heart’s desire might never have removed their old profile. Now, every listing represents a current searcher — around 15 landowners and nearly 30 farmers as of press time.

Farmer Vince Foy, 67, who owns Badger Brook Meats in Danville with his wife, Deb Yonker, is in the process of working up a new listing. It will detail ways in which the couple are open to sharing their land, the management of an on-site farm store, their longtime customer list and, potentially, some labor.

The modernized Land Link profile builder, Foy said, allows for added flexibility and more in-depth explanations than its previous incarnation. In addition to cataloging how many barns the property holds and which pieces of farm equipment he’s willing to let others use, Foy noted, the new site has room for nuance.

For instance, he can express his interest in having someone help with his beef, pork and lamb operation as a learning opportunity; start their own, complementary animal project on the land; or do something entirely different, such as grow vegetables. With 482 acres to work with — some leased but most owned by Foy and Yonker — there’s plenty of space to go around and ample room for creativity.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the state in Charlotte, experienced farm manager Ian Johnson is using Land Link as a farm seeker. Though he recently accepted a job outside his field, he’s still casually looking for opportunities that might arise nearby.

After going through UVM’s Farmer Training Program in 2016, interning at the Farm & Wilderness Foundation in Plymouth, making cheese at von Trapp Farmstead, and working in other grazing and management-related jobs, Johnson feels ready to helm his own large-scale meat business, but he hasn’t been able to make it happen.

“For me, the biggest obstacle as far as starting a farm is financial … that’s really been the biggest hurdle,” he explained.

Vermont Land Link, he went on, “provides an alternative for land access,

From left: Tiny Sikkes, Margaret Aiken and Roelof Boumans

Vince Foy of Badger Brook Meats in Danville

Margaret Aiken with her goats

SUZANNE PODHAIZER

which is really attractive. I think it’s a great goal that they have, but lightning has to strike.”

That is to say, for any given farmer, the likelihood of finding a specific arrangement of land and infrastructure, in a part of the state that is workable for them and their family, is statistically improbable. Nevertheless, it does happen.

Margaret Aiken, 47, owner of Flower Gap Farm and goat dairy in Charlotte, is one of the lucky ones. Through the previous incarnation of Vermont Land Link, she learned that Roelof Boumans and Tiny Sikkes, owners of a 14-acre property just down the road from where she was living, were seeking a steward to cohabitate, maintain their pastures and use their 10,000-square-foot barn.

Aiken had purchased Nigerian dwarf goats when she lived in Virginia and brought them with her to Vermont in 2017. During the pandemic, she sold yogurt and cheese from a fridge in her garage and watched her sales double every year.

She knew her business had potential, but purchasing a suitable farm property outright was out of the question, and she’d need a facility that met strict requirements for her products to be U.S. Department of Agriculture Grade A certified. In 2021, she’d connected with another property owner on Land Link and worked with her extensively before their agreement imploded, leaving her discouraged.

When she found Boumans, 68, and Sikkes, 66, she said, she had little hope that things would pan out. “I don’t think I’ll ever be able to afford property in Vermont,” Aiken said. “This was kind of a last-ditch effort. I was very skeptical.”

The couple, who are originally from the Netherlands, placed a listing on Vermont Land Link in the hopes of “bringing back the energy” of sharing their home and farm with others, Boumans said.

They’d spent 2004 to 2014 involved in the extensive project of raising a 10,000-square-foot, eco-friendly straw bale home while also working and producing nearly all of their own food. The build involved hosting a series of friends, helpers and interns to aid with construction.

In 2014, when Sikkes was diagnosed with colon cancer, the couple slowed down, but they missed having people around. Since they don’t have children, they began to think about who would maintain their beloved home into the future.

“We were hoping to find somebody with a heart and soul who would want

food+drink

to take care of the land,” Boumans said. “Someone who would have a good eye on how to manage it, how to get all of the products and the fertility and care for the trees we planted and the pastures we nurtured into the next generation.”

Just two months after they posted their Land Link listing, in March 2024, Aiken reached out, Boumans recalled. Three months later, she moved in.

For Aiken, Boumans and Sikkes, the hardest part of crafting the Land Link agreement was dealing with money details and creating legal protection for both parties in the case of complex or unforeseen circumstances.

Aiken, who spent her own money to renovate the barn into a legal goat dairy, will become the land’s trustee if Boumans and Sikkes die. For now, she’s not a property owner, although she does have a longterm lease on the barn.

That barn holds Aiken’s new USDA-inspected milking parlor and processing plant, which includes refrigeration, pasteurization equipment and a place to incubate yogurt. She sells her products at the Burlington Farmers Market, on-site at a farmstand and at nearby Philo Ridge Farm, whose owners are her former employers.

The 28 goats in Aiken’s herd produce milk higher in butterfat than most goats’ milk, with a more delicate flavor. She hopes eventually to increase the herd to 60 or 80 head and, through scaling up, be able to hire help.

Although Land Link allowed Aiken to create a business that might otherwise never have existed, the new professional farmer still faces plenty of challenges. For instance, she’s working 100 to 120 hours per week.

“That’s down from kidding season,” she noted. “There’s no work-life balance right now.”

Nevertheless, Aiken is delighted that she overcame her fears and took a second look at Vermont Land Link. “I feel so good about where I landed,” she said. “Now, I can’t imagine farming and not having this support network around me. If I’d been closed off to the idea, I never would have ended up here.”

Boumans, who began building the straw bale house after a devastating fire destroyed the land’s original farmhouse, shared a similar sentiment: “You need collapse before you can build something new.” ➆

Game, Truck, Match

Food Trucks of Vermont plays matchmaker for vendors and events BY

JORDAN BARRY • jbarry@sevendaysvt.com

If you have a question about a food truck in Vermont, Max and Louie Orleans are the guys to ask. Since 2022, the twin brothers have run the South End Get Down, a weekly block party on Pine Street in Burlington. On any given summer Friday, they’ll have 16 to 20 of the coolest mobile food vendors in the state parked in their Coal Collective lot, slinging everything from arepas to Yemeni kebabs.

They get a lot of those questions, it turns out — at least three or four a week — and they’ve launched a new side business to help answer them. With Food Trucks of Vermont, the Orleans brothers are playing matchmaker between their network of more than 100 food vendors and event organizers around the region who have hungry people to feed. Since its o cial start on May 1, Food Trucks of Vermont has booked 27 vendors at 15 events, from small corporate catering to full-on festivals. More requests are rolling in each week.

The idea took form a year and a half ago when Max and Louie, 35, recognized that event organizers often struggled to reach food vendors or wondered who was available. Those vendors are busy folks, and while many big dogs of the food truck world are dialed into the festival circuit, smaller or newer vendors may lack time and budget for marketing. The brothers didn’t want to play favorites when organizers requested recommendations, so they asked them to send a paragraph about the event, which they’d relay “to everyone we know,” Max said.

“It got to be a lot of work, and pretty unorganized,” he continued. During his paternity leave this spring, Max built out a basic Squarespace website to manage the ﬂow. They didn’t tell anyone about it — no Instagram, no advertising. Two days later, the event requests started rolling in. They had ﬁve or six “almost immediately,” Max said. When Waking Windows needed a last-minute vendor the day of the festival, the brothers hooked them up with Winooski’s Le Bon GoûT. Expecting a couple of food vendors to respond to each request, they were thoroughly surprised when 30 submitted quotes for a wedding. The process has remained simple:

FOOD TRUCKS OF VERMONT HAS BEEN A BOON TO SOME OF THE AREA’S NEWEST AND SMALLEST FOOD BUSINESSES.

Event organizers ﬁll out a web form with the location, time and type of event they’re hosting, along with the expected number of attendees, desired number of food vendors and cuisine preferences. Once they’ve collected a few requests, usually weekly, the Orleans brothers send the opportunities out to their entire roster of vendors and set a deadline to reply.

To protect the process, they keep details

vague. Vendors see a “fundraiser in Johnson,” a “corporate event in Burlington” or a “festival in Ticonderoga, N.Y.” Vendors click a button to submit their application — with either customer-facing prices or a catering quote, depending on the type of event — to Max and Louie, who then compile all the bids to share with the organizer. The organizer selects from the list and handles details directly

with the vendor from there, making the brothers just middlemen and not day-of coordinators.

It’s a lot of spreadsheets, Louie said. But so far, Food Trucks of Vermont has been a boon to some of the area’s newest and smallest food businesses. Seham Alsakkaf, who owns Burlington catering biz Yalla Eats, has booked seven or eight events through the Orleans brothers, some through the website and others at the Get Down.

When Alsakkaf started Yalla Eats last year, “it was a failure,” she said. Without a strong community network, she struggled to ﬁnd events and get the word out about her Yemeni cuisine, which she makes in her certiﬁed home kitchen in addition to working a full-time job. This spring, Johanna Schneider, the City of Burlington’s small business support specialist, connected Alsakkaf with Louie and Max.

“That’s all I needed,” Alsakkaf said. Now, four or ﬁve event opportunities show up in her inbox every week. If her schedule allows, she submits a quote.

“They just keep sending them, keeping us in the loop of what’s out there,” she said. “That’s what small businesses actually need. Without the great resources Max and Louie are providing and the community around them, I would have quit a long time ago.”

Instead, she’s been catering events such as the spring sta gathering at Lund, a Burlington child and family services nonprofit. By making that connection, Food Trucks of Vermont “provided a practical, people-centered and community-focused” partnership that helped the organization support a local business, said Mychaella Devaney, Lund’s people and culture generalist.

Food Trucks of Vermont isn’t a huge moneymaker for the Orleans brothers — and they don’t mean it to be, Louie said.

MATT JENKINS

They charge event organizers a small fee, which varies with the complexity of the event and the amount of support organizers are seeking. Food vendors who book through the service pay 4 percent of that event’s sales, unless the organizer charges them to be there.

“Our joke is ‘As long as we make money to cover the website,’” Louie said. For the No Kings protest at Burlington’s Waterfront Park, they coordinated eight food trucks that fed thousands of people and brought in several hundred bucks.

By making enough of those connections, Food Trucks of Vermont might end up engineering its own obsolescence. Nothing stops an event organizer from rebooking directly with its chosen vendor, or revisiting the list for future events.

“We can’t lose sleep over that,” Max said. But some organizers are already returning to the service, booking events for 2026. And the landscape of vendors is always changing, given the low barrier to entering the world of food trucks and catering. Many new food businesses try going mobile for two seasons before closing or opening a brick-and-mortar spot.

Alsakkaf hopes she’ll join the ranks of restaurant owners soon with Yalla Eats. When she does, Max and Louie will no doubt find another cool small food biz ready to meet its match. ➆

Learn more at foodtrucksofvermont.com.

Max and Louie Orleans

Mad About Comedy

Actor Paul Reiser returns to his standup roots with a new act at Rutland’s Paramount eatre

BY KEN PICARD •

ken@sevendaysvt.com

It’s a sign of staying power in the entertainment industry when a new generation of fans is completely unaware of a celebrity’s early body of work.

That’s been the case for actor, writer and comedian Paul Reiser. Most of his Gen Z fans know the 69-year-old as Dr. Sam Owens in the hit Netﬂix series “Stranger Things.” A tiny subset of those has likely seen him in the 1990s NBC sitcom “Mad About You,” let alone in James Cameron’s 1986 sci-ﬁ thriller Aliens or the Beverly Hills Cop movies.

But it’s Reiser’s breakout role as a wisecracking friend in Diner, Barry Levinson’s 1982 coming-of-age movie, that offers the clearest hint of his ﬁrst love: standup comedy.

“You know what word I’m not

comfortable with? ‘Nuance.’ It’s not a real word,” his character, Modell, says in the ﬁlm. “Like, ‘gesture.’ Gesture’s a real word. With gesture you know where you stand. But nuance? I don’t know.”

A New York City native, Reiser got his start at Catch a Rising Star, a now-defunct Manhattan club that launched the careers of many successful comedians, including Jerry Seinfeld, Bill Maher, Eddie Murphy and Chris Rock.

Though Reiser said he’s always seen himself as a comedian, his most recent TV special, 2024’s “Life, Death and Rice Pudding,” was his ﬁ rst ﬁ lmed standup show in two decades. Why did he wait so long?

“I like to spread them out and not ﬂood the marketplace,” he joked.

Reiser spoke to Seven Days by phone from his home in Los Angeles in advance of performing his new act this Thursday, July 24, at Paramount Theatre in Rutland.

A lot of comedians return to standup after years of success in movies and television. What brought you back? Actually, I’ve been back doing standup for 10 years, but I hadn’t done a special in about 20 years, since before “Mad About You,” because I was busy doing other things. There are comics who thought of standup as a launchpad: I’ll do this and get discovered and then go do TV. But for me, it’s always been about standup. The ﬁrst time I went onstage, I was 18 and my goal was to someday get on “The Tonight Show.” It was my love of standup. That’s

what I always wanted to do. As fate would have it, I just got distracted and busy. When I ﬁnally did get back, it was so joyful and exciting. There are not a lot of things you can do in your sixties that feel like your twenties. Standup is one. It felt just as exciting and nerve-racking as when I ﬁrst went up. As much as the world has changed and the landscape has changed, standup hasn’t changed. It’s still you and what you have to say and people sitting in chairs looking at you.

I heard an interview in which you talked about seeing George Carlin, Richard Pryor and Robert Klein in Greenwich Village as a teen. Did you model your comedy after theirs? They were huge inﬂuences on me — Klein for sure. I remember seeing George Carlin and Robert Klein in the Village in what were probably 80- to 100-seat clubs, so it must have been before Carlin got big. I’m gonna guess 1970 or ’71. My friends were going to Led Zeppelin, and I was going to George Carlin. Our paths were diverging.

Who else were your comedic heroes?

Mel Brooks was certainly a big inﬂuence. So much of my mental process was inﬂuenced by Mel Brooks, just his leaps and how his mind works. I must have listened to that “2000 Year Old Man” record, with Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner, hundreds of times.

Did you ever get to work with either of them?

Both of them, actually. Mel Brooks was a guest star on “Mad About You” about ﬁve times. It was sort of a dream come true. The ﬁrst time he was on, I was useless because I was laughing so hard. It was like staring at the sun — it was so intense. I was like every kid in a fourth-grade Thanksgiving play, turning my back so they didn’t see me laughing.

What’s different about doing comedy in your sixties versus your twenties? I’m not smart enough to make anything up, so I only talk about what just happened in my house. Luckily, it’s funny. But what happens in your twenties is different from your sixties. In your twenties, you’re leaving your parents’ house and getting your ﬁrst apartment. In your sixties, you have children and marriage and health issues. So the material changes.

But, mostly, I’ve been doing this for so long, if the audiences are coming to see me, it’s not by accident. They know me, and

Paul Reiser

Ages 21+

THERE’S NOTHING IN “STRANGER THINGS” THAT MAKES YOU THINK, MAN, I BET THAT GUY IS FUNNY.

PAUL REISER

there’s a presumption that they like me. It always has this great feeling of getting together with old friends.

In “Life, Death and Rice Pudding,” you tell a lot of jokes about family members. How do they feel about that?

I have a very good filter, so I don’t do anything that would embarrass anyone. But my older son had never seen me do standup until the taping of that special. For some reason he’d been avoiding it. He said, “I’m afraid I’ll laugh.” I go, “You’re supposed to laugh!” “But I might laugh at an inappropriate time.”

The truth is, when you talk about things that are personal, invariably they turn out to be universal. So when you talk about an argument with your wife, everyone goes, “Ugh, yeah!” That was the secret to “Mad About You.” People would go, “Oh, man! We just had that argument in our house yesterday.” So when you identify something and you share it, people are relieved to find out they’re not the only ones going through these things.

Do you still get nervous before you go onstage?

No, I get excited. I’ve heard this from other comics, as well. Even if you’re feeling under the weather or you’ve got a headache, you step onstage and it’s gone. Maybe it’s just adrenaline, but you never feel bad onstage — unless you’re dying. There’s something comforting and invigorating about it.

You’ve done TV, movies, standup. You even played piano onstage with Michael McDonald of the Doobie Brothers and wrote a best-selling book together. What’s left to do? A podcast? A Broadway show?

[ Laughing. ] A podcast and Broadway could not be further apart. No, I never had a checklist of things I wanted to do. Everything sort of comes up, and it’s like, Gee, that’d be fun.

It’s always surprising when things like “Stranger Things” come out of the blue. I didn’t go after that. They called me. And the Mike McDonald book, that was a strange thing. We had become friends, and it was during COVID, and neither of us had anything to do. I kept asking him questions and finally said, “Why don’t you write a book so I don’t have to ask you all these questions?” He said, “I don’t know how to write a book.” So it was born out of opportunity.

I’ve never felt like an out-of-work actor because, to me, all the acting was a bonus.

In my head, I was first and foremost a comedian, even if I hadn’t been going out on the road. But that’s what I do. Now, because of “Mad About You” and “Stranger Things,” there are people who go, “I didn’t know that guy does standup.” There’s nothing in “Stranger Things” that makes you think, Man, I bet that guy is funny.

At 69, do you plan on working for as long as you can?

What else am I going to do? I have no skills in any other arena. George Carlin used to say, “I work for free. You just gotta pay me to go through the airport.” Invariably, I’ll be at the airport and I’m like, Why am I doing this? This is not fun. And then I get onstage and go, Oh, yeah. I love this. ➆

This interview was edited for clarity and length.

INFO

Paul Reiser, Thursday, July 24, 7:30 p.m., at Paramount Theatre in Rutland. $35-40. paramountvt.org.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20

5:30–8 PM

Tickets on sale now

You are invited! Come check out all the new updates to ECHO’s permanent exhibits and spaces — including the newly-renovated Into the Lake exhibit and three ﬂoors of Champ: America’s Lake Monster exhibit — with the best views of the sunset on the Waterfront.

Music by A House on Fire. Refreshments and cash bar available. Ages 21+.

Things That Make You Go Humn

A Brattleboro developer’s new app links people through good vibrations

BY MADELEINE KAPTEIN • kaptein@sevendaysvt.com

America is in the midst of a loneliness epidemic. Roughly half of all Americans reported experiencing loneliness even before COVID-19 isolated us, according to a 2023 report by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The trend of people spending less time together stretches back decades.

The irony is that in the age of smartphones and social media, humanity is more connected than ever. Yet both data and lived experience tell us that actual human connection has never been scarcer — and that our devices and online social networks are the prime culprits.

But if Darren Mark succeeds, you may soon be able to virtually “feel” the presence of friends, neighbors and strangers, even from thousands of miles away.

The 58-year-old Brattleboro entrepreneur is the founder of hūmNET, a new app he believes will be responsible for “revolutionizing modern human connection,” according to the startup’s PR copy. HūmNET promises a remedy for loneliness through its very perpetrator: smartphones. Mark says the app will allow users to connect over “what they’re hoping for, praying for, struggling with, synchronously, in real time,” all without ever saying or typing a word.

While “connective” online platforms such as Instagram and Hinge assume short attention spans and rely on the constant exchange of words and images, hūmNET is all about making time for steady, shared silence.

The basic idea is that users will convene in themed virtual events called “humns.” Participants are supposed to think about the theme and trace a ﬁnger around a glowing orb on the screen. As more people join, the orb grows brighter, accompanied by a vibrating hum.

The app is still in the development stage but is available to download for Android and iOS. Curious about how it works — and whether it actually forges human connection — I downloaded hūmNET to give it a try.

Opening it, I found a sliding menu of humns I could join, including “A Few Minutes for Gratitude,” “Healing the Healers” and “Together in Recovery.” I picked “Peace in the World.”

As if celebrating my choice, my phone commenced a low vibration and emitted a droning noise that sounded like something out of a sci-fi film. Mark later told me that he DIY-ed the audio by hooking up his daughter’s old Yamaha keyboard to his laptop with “a tangle of cables from a shoebox” and playing some chords.

A purple circle appeared with “peace in the world.” at its center, along with three planet Earth emojis showing di erent faces of the globe. A smaller orb traveled at a steady pace around the circle’s perimeter. I traced this moving

target with my ﬁnger, reading and rereading the abruptly punctuated words it surrounded.

The bottom of the screen informed me that 133 people were “here” with me, but Mark clariﬁed later that due to a glitch, the count currently represents the number of people who have ever entered this particular humn. Once the app is fully developed, it will display the actual number of people tracing the circle at the same moment.

Imagining 133 others swirling their ﬁ ngers and staring at those little Earth emojis along with me was sort of

AS MORE FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS JOIN THEIR VOICES, YOU CAN REALLY VISUALIZE WHO’S THERE WITH YOU.

DARREN MARK

comforting. At least we’d all look somewhat silly — apart, but together. For Mark, that wordless unity is part of the point.

When Mark’s mother was diagnosed with lung cancer a couple of years ago, he received a ﬂood of kind, inquisitive text messages. But what he really needed was thoughtful but unimposing company.

“I would just get emojis … hug emojis, heart emojis. And instead of it being soothing or helpful or calming, it just created more stress and anxiety,” Mark said. “The truth is that sometimes it’s not really about the words; you just need to be held.”

He designed hūmNET to provide that feeling. The app has been in the works since 2022, having evolved through rounds of troubleshooting and pilot testing. In its ﬁnal format, which Mark envisions will be complete in January, each humn will feature a map with the locations of fellow participants.

The developed version will also request a voice sample from users, which it will then merge with the voices of every participant in a humn to create a unique sound, replacing the sci-ﬁ noise.

“[It’s] kind of like monks chanting,” Mark said. “As more family members and friends join their voices, you can really visualize who’s there with you.”

Anyone can start a humn, Mark

JEFF BARON

explained, whether for just two users or a larger community, such as a church congregation or an addiction recovery group. He is working on a notification system that will invite volunteers — other users signed up to be on standby — to join a humn when someone in their community signals a need for virtual company.

Humns can also offer a haven for strangers with shared passions, Mark said. He envisions groups of protesters continuing their solidarity on hūmNET after the in-person event is through.

“Instead of just going home with your soggy sign and feeling good about yourself, there [could be] a weekly humn for a few minutes that was like a virtual rally until the next real one,” Mark said. “There’s a way to keep the momentum going so that instead of all that collective energy dissipating, it builds.”

Rallying for human rights IRL isn’t enough anymore — you’ve got to keep it up when you’re at home, too. To save the world, just keep on tracing.

Craig R. Westling, associate dean for health sciences education at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College and a hūmNET adviser, said that from a public health perspective, the app is useful because it shifts how we use our phones. Instead of searching for meaningless approval in Instagram likes, we could find genuinely supportive communities. He called it a mindfulness app.

“There’s both a sound and a feeling,” Westling said. “As you’re moving your thumb and you’re rotating it, that taps into something that helps you relax and be present.”

Westling has only used the app to test it out. But he believes it would have been useful in past situations when he felt lonely.

“Like when my mother-in-law died, I can imagine, with family spread all around, that there’s an opportunity for family to have a group humn,” he said.

Trying to heal loneliness that’s partially caused by our smartphones with yet another app does seem ironic, and skeptics may wonder how tracing a humming circle solves the problem. But knowing that our phones aren’t going away anytime soon, skipping out on doomscrolling through TikToks in favor of some meditative good vibes on hūmNET is probably worth a shot. ➆

Hi, Society

Burlington Odd Fellows reclaims its role as a community hub in the New North End

BY ADELLE MACDOWELL

When most people think of secret societies, they picture flowing robes, archaic symbols and dark incantations chanted in Latin. What they probably don’t think about is crafting. On a stormy Thursday night in July, the Burlington Odd Fellows’ Queen City Lodge buzzed not with spooky rituals but a warm, welcoming energy.

About a dozen people of all ages sat around folding tables, engaged in various art projects — sewing, knitting, collaging. It was Craft & Skillshare Night at the lodge. Folks drifted in and out throughout the evening, and the few who hadn’t met each other before were quick to introduce themselves. This inviting scene has lately become a familiar one at the New North End lodge.

The Burlington Odd Fellows, a social order similar to the Elks and the Eagles, have been around since 1845. The organization they belong to, the International Order of Odd Fellows, dates back to 1819 with even earlier roots. With a mission of community betterment and service to those in need, the group’s motto is “Friendship, Love, and Truth.”

For years, the Odd Fellows’ membership in Burlington and across the country has been dwindling in numbers and prominence. But recently, the Queen City Lodge has seen remarkable growth and is beginning to reclaim its role as a community center.

Ryon Frink, 38, a product manager at Vermont Oxford Network, joined the Burlington Odd Fellows in 2021 and is the current state secretary for the international order. He was drawn to the organization through his involvement with the North End Food Pantry, which operates out of the Queen City Lodge basement. He had been searching for a social group such as the Odd Fellows to join because he recognized that the decline

of civic organizations has contributed to people living in greater isolation.

At the time, the Burlington chapter of the Odd Fellows was largely inactive, composed of ﬁve or six members. The upstairs portion of the lodge was used for storage, and the food pantry in the basement was the only activity in the building. But Frink immediately saw potential in the space.

“Especially after the COVID lockdowns, and just given the state of general anxiety in the world, people are looking for ways to get out of the house and interact with their neighbors in a real place,” Frink said. “That’s a thing that these organizations used to provide.”

Frink and other new members worked to “get the word out,” he said. They commissioned a mural that transformed the lodge into a New North End landmark and helped raise awareness of the organization. The colorful artwork, which features a banner with the Odd Fellows’ motto and iconography, was done by local artist group Anthill Collective.

Over the past three years, the lodge has grown in membership from six to

55 members, including Burlingtonians and others who live up to an hour away.

Members pledge friendship to each other and all who belong to the international order, which encompasses 60,000 people in 30 countries.

As part of the initiation for new members, the Odd Fellows perform secret rituals, which Frink compared to “community theater performances.”

During these ceremonies, members don antique costumes ranging from 100 to 150 years old and put on plays that teach “some of the speciﬁc principles of the Odd Fellows as an organization,” Frink said. People have a lot of fun with the tradition, which contributes to the “secret society” aspect of the Odd Fellows, he said.

Alongside their mission of public service, the Odd Fellows maintain a tightknit community built on trust, providing a safe, welcoming and private space for members to be themselves during meetings.

Ash MacKenzie works in digital services for the State of Vermont and is a newer Odd Fellows member who was inducted last year. The 31-year-old

emphasized the importance of maintaining a non-performative space in the age of social media.

“There’s no audience of people that you don’t know. Everybody who’s there had to have been inducted into our organization,” MacKenzie said. “The idea is that we are here to be friends with each other.”

Although member meetings are private, most events at the lodge are open to the public. “We aren’t just focused on the internal club,” Frink said. “We’re focused on building community at large.”

Along with supporting the North End Food Pantry, which operates independently but maintains close ties with the Odd Fellows, the Burlington lodge puts on a variety of community programming, from games for kids on Sundays to plant swaps to live music.

The lodge has a history as a music venue. In the early 2000s, the Odd Fellows rented the space to bands for live shows, which “got way too chaotic,” Frink said. “But now, there’s a lot of folks in town who very fondly remember coming to shows here in their youth … and are now wanting to help it be a more sustainable experience.”

The local punk scene in particular has embraced the lodge. On July 5, Odd Fest! featured eight local bands and a craft and ﬂea market. The event drew more than 300 people and raised $2,700 in donations for the food pantry.

All Odd Fellows programming is free or by donation. Alcohol and drugs, including nicotine, are strictly prohibited. MacKenzie said the group by no means condemns the use of substances in other settings, but “it’s just not part of who the Odd Fellows are.”

Another thing that stays outside the lodge? Discussion of politics or religion. “It’s one of our more important ground rules that allows us to pull this o ,” Frink said. “You pretend [politics] doesn’t exist while you’re inside the building so that you can all just kind of hang out and be together. And, you know, the next weekend you might be on opposite sides of a protest. And so be it.” ➆

INFO

Learn more at burlingtonoddfellows.com and northendfoodpantry.org.

JOHN JAMES

e Anthill Collective mural on Burlington Odd Fellows’ Queen City Lodge

CONNECTIONS ISSUE

Vermont Poet and Photographer Communes

With Nature to Confront Cancer in New Book

BY TRACY BRANNSTROM

On a winter morning in early 2022, just before dawn, Julia Skonicki slipped out of bed; wrapped herself in layers; called her dog, Rizzo; and stepped out into the woods near the Hyde Park home she shares with her wife. With snowshoes strapped to her feet, she moved through the silence — anxious, sleepless and newly diagnosed with breast cancer.

“I went to the woods to shed fear / To embrace unease and release it,” she later wrote in an untitled poem that appears alongside roughly 70 others in her recently self-published book, Awakened: a journey in poetry and photos. e book chronicles how Skonicki, 44, connected with nature by turning to poetry and photography — always “my preferred avenues for processing,” she said — as a way to navigate her experience with cancer.

At the time of her diagnosis, Skonicki had already spent the previous two years grieving: the deaths of two close friends, then her father, who lived with cancer for the last three years of his life. “I went to the darkest place in my mind,” she said of her own cancer diagnosis. “I really thought I was going to die.”

But morning after morning that winter, she kept going on walks, passing snowdrifts and half-frozen stretches of river, contemplating questions such as What’s my purpose in this world? and If my life is almost over, what can I enjoy and learn while I’m here?

Nature, she said, began to speak back.

“I swear, the universe would present me with answers, no matter what I was going through,” she said. On one morning, when seeking guidance about how her cancer journey was evolving, she recalled that a towering pine offered a quiet reminder — one

that became a poetic fragment displayed in her book: “‘Remember,’ said the tree, ‘it’s a long game.’”

Skonicki’s treatment and recovery process unfolded over two years, including two major surgeries, constant medical appointments, and an initial period of shifting diagnoses and second opinions that she referred to as “pretty messy.”

“ at really changed my life a lot, being under the microscope for so long,” she said of her experience as a patient. roughout, she kept walking in the woods, carrying her phone to document what she saw — plants, sunsets and bodies of water. Later, at home, she wrote poems to process what she felt.

Many of those poems explore a gnawing sense of worry and provide reﬂections on loss and change. An untitled poem written on the last day before beginning a long-term course of Tamoxifen, a hormone therapy often prescribed to breast cancer patients, reads,

“Last day without this drug / For the next ﬁve to ten years // Last day of no side effects / Last day of fertility / Last day of a natural body / Last day of this chapter.”

Other poems express feelings of gratitude and courage and a newfound awareness of her body:

e Pain is a Gift

Reconnects my soul to my vessel

My heart to my body

My mind to my presence

All of my Being Aligns Pulsing, robbing Slowly shifting Striving to reconvene the complex corporal composition

Initially, Skonicki, who works as the director of development and communications at Lamoille Family Center, didn’t intend to share her poetry or photos. “It was just my personal therapy,” she said. But one day she started

posting them to her Instagram page, and the response surprised her.

“People ﬂooded my inbox, saying ‘I can relate to this,’ and ‘I’m so glad you shared,’ and ‘Your vulnerability is helping me be vulnerable,’” she said.

e messages inspired her to compile her poems and images into a book, much of which she did while resting in bed, feeling somewhat healed but still fatigued. At a book launch at Stowe’s Northwood Gallery last month, dozens of people approached her after the reading to share stories of their own hardship, grief and recovery.

In another untitled poem in Awakened, Skonicki writes that her experience with cancer “allows me to seek connection in painful vulnerability.”

“Everyone we know has basically experienced cancer through their own health or through someone else, and it’s something we don’t talk a ton about,” she said.

She’s learned that many people don’t know how — or when — to open up about their pain. “You don’t want to ruin someone’s day when they look like they’re having a good time,” she said. “But for someone like me, that doesn’t ruin it — it makes it better. I love that type of connection. I’m always looking to talk about the hard things.” ➆

INFO

Awakened: a journey in poetry and photos by Julia Skonicki, LoveLightConnect, 149 pages. $40.

Julia Skonicki

Rene Kirby —

Rene Kirby

Actor, Gymnast and Skier With Spina Bifida — Has Died

BY MARY ANN LICKTEIG • maryann@sevendaysvt.com

Rene Kirby, who skied, canoed, won gymnastics competitions, remodeled houses and danced with Gwyneth Paltrow in a 2001 Farrelly brothers movie — despite having no use of his legs due to spina bifida — has died. He was 70.

Kirby had been hospitalized for two months with infections as well as problems with his esophagus, kidneys and bladder, his brother Jon Kirby said on Monday. Rene, whose name was pronounced “Reen,” died at the University of Vermont Medical Center on July 11.

Rene was born with more than a foot of his lower spine missing. His spine was detached from his pelvis, his legs never developed, and he couldn’t bend his knees, according to Jon. “He was L-shaped and really couldn’t lay flat,” he said.

The gregarious Burlington man became a fixture around town, maneuvering his threewheeled bike with a hand crank. He walked and skied on his hands.

In a 2008 episode of “Stuck in Vermont,” he told Seven Days senior multimedia producer Eva Sollberger that, as a young person, he couldn’t tolerate handicapped people who pitied themselves. “Life’s too short to be doing that,” he said. He called himself “a gimp without a wimp.”

“Walking on my hands is just all I’ve ever known,” he told Sollberger. “I’ve never thought of myself as disabled.”

Walking through Burlington’s Red Square bar on a summer night in 1999, Rene literally bumped into Hollywood director Peter Farrelly, who was in town shooting Me, Myself & Irene, starring Jim Carrey. Farrelly bought him a beer. The two talked, and, by the end of the night, Farrelly had decided to cast Rene in his next film.

“He’s got a zest for life that is contagious, and he’s extremely funny,” Farrelly told the

Burlington Free Press in 2001. “He grasps the world and runs with it.”

Farrelly wrote a part for Rene in Shallow Hal, a comedy film about looking beyond physical appearances. Rene “epitomizes inner beauty, so it made sense to put him in it,” Farrelly said. Rene had dialogue with Jack Black and Jason Alexander and, with the help of crutches, danced with Paltrow.

Rene’s spin through Hollywood also included a role in the 2003 film Stuck on You He appeared in one episode of the TV show “Carnivàle.”

Rene was the second of Don and Janet Kirby’s seven children. His parents rejected doctors’ recommendations to use instruments to stretch Rene’s legs, the Free Press reported. Rather than put him in a brace when he was 9 months old, his mother propped him up with pillows and set his bottle just out of reach. He learned to get it, and he was walking on his hands by the time he was 1. An Essex machinist built the bike for him when was 10, and he used it for the rest of his life.

He and his siblings grew up in Burlington, Essex and South Burlington. Rene won state titles in gymnastics in high school and swam across Shelburne Bay as a young man. He and Jon remodeled several houses together. Rene worked for IBM for 20 years and, more recently, enjoyed online stock trading, Jon said.

Rene survived throat cancer, his sister Cheryl St. Amour said. But treatment included removal of his larynx a few years ago, so he lost his ability to talk.

He hadn’t ridden his bike since last fall, Jon said: “He had gotten to the point where he really couldn’t get up on it anymore.”

But throughout his life, Jon said, Rene “showed me that there’s no limitations on what anyone can do.” As Rene liked to say, “You don’t have to stand up to stand out.” ➆

Win a Summer Adventure

on screen

Eddington

Somebody had to make the ﬁrst high-profile, award-bait movie about 2020. Appropriately, it was Ari Aster, best known for his work in the horror genre (Hereditary, Midsommar).

Think of it this way: We could have gotten another Crash, only with everybody wearing masks. No doubt we will eventually see a batch of preachy pandemic dramas, and they will win many Oscars. But meanwhile, we have Eddington Word to the wise: Walk-outs happened at the screening I attended. If Pedro Pascal is your main draw to this movie, consider Materialists instead.

The deal

It’s May 2020, and the small desert town of Eddington, N.M., is locked down. County sheri Joe Cross (Joaquin Phoenix) doesn’t have much to do, other than complain about mask requirements and expel a muttering vagrant (Clifton Collins Jr.) from the bar where smooth-talking incumbent mayor Ted Garcia (Pascal) is holding a council meeting in deﬁance of social distancing rules.

Ted is about to sign a deal with a tech company called SolidGoldMagikarp to build a data center in town. He’s mi ed but far from intimidated when Joe launches a rival mayoral campaign, plastering a cop car with slogans like YOUR [sic] BEING MANIPULATED.

It doesn’t help that Ted used to date Joe’s now-wife, Louise (Emma Stone). At home, Joe clumsily tries to reach out to the distant Louise, hoping she’ll consider starting a family. But she’s too busy being radicalized by a QAnon-adjacent movement led by a handsome grifter (Austin Butler).

The murder of George Floyd spurs the town’s youths to protest and divides Eddington in new ways, pushing Joe’s already-thin patience to its limits. When he snaps, everything goes haywire.

Will you like it?

Maybe it’s still too soon for Eddington — not because 2020 seems distant or because people would prefer to repress it but precisely because we’re still living in the world it built. While masks and social distancing protocols may be vintage details, the powder-keg tensions depicted

in the movie haven’t cooled o . Like Robert Altman’s ﬁlms of the early 1970s, or I Heart Huckabees in the wake of 9/11, Aster’s dark comedy captures a moment of cultural ferment when it’s still too early to feel like we have a handle on it.

Maybe that’s why I found myself watching with an eerie sense of dissociation. Compared with Aster’s previous ﬁlm, the surrealist paranoid fantasy Beau Is Afraid, Eddington is downright realistic in its portrayal of small-town politics and love triangles, building its narrative detail by telling detail. Only toward the end does it verge into hallucinatory territory, and even then, everything can be “rationally explained” (scare quotes because nothing in the age of viral conspiracy theories feels rational).

Yet the movie infects us with a strange feeling that the real action is always happening just off-screen, beyond our reach. Sounds keep bleeding in from elsewhere. We seem to be forever over the characters’ shoulders, peering at their screens, which o er a nonstop parade of half-glimpsed anger and brutality. When violence erupts, we flinch at the effect before the cause appears.

Aster disorients us, much as Joe is increasingly disoriented. If we want someone to root for in the large cast, we’re out of luck. This is no Joker or ode to the forgotten

man; Joe’s haplessness and cluelessness are played more for comedy than tragedy, and he’s less sympathetic the longer we know him.

Likewise, we may expect the conﬂict between Joe and Ted to become an iconic clash of values that brings us to a dialectical resolution. But we don’t get that, either. While Aster’s screenplay takes potshots at both sides — including a very funny portrait of an opportunistic teenage social justice warrior (Cameron Mann) — it doesn’t push centrism or an agenda of laying aside our di erences. These characters are too far gone even to contemplate such a possibility. Instead of communicating, they yell or whisper past one another, each drawing inspiration from their handheld sources of rage and despair.

Eddington opens with the town vagrant ranting in the wilderness. By its midpoint, Joe is ranting just as incoherently, the law’s representative leading a march to anarchy. Trying to justify his actions, he insists that “We’re in the middle of it. In the middle of history.” He’s right, but that doesn’t mean he’s in control. The dominant narrative of the town’s rift keeps changing, and Aster suggests that the real masterminds are always out of sight.

Someday, Eddington may be considered a classic — or just a historical curiosity. For now, it’s a tough movie to watch because it

has no moral center, and it withholds the catharsis that even the darkest horror ﬁlms o er. You want to laugh at its absurdity, but then you realize you’re still living it.

MARGOT HARRISON margot@sevendaysvt.com

IF YOU LIKE THIS, TRY…

FARGO (1996; MGM+, Pluto TV, Tubi, Roku Channel, YouTube Primetime, rentable): Imagine the Coen brothers’ drama with William H. Macy’s character as the sheriff instead of Frances McDormand’s beloved Marge Gunderson, and you’re starting to feel Eddington’s vibe.

BO BURNHAM: INSIDE (2021; Netflix): Few pieces of contemporaneous media sum up the pandemic era as well as the comedian’s musical special, which he created in isolation. For another time capsule, check out Homemade (2020; Netflix), an anthology of shorts from filmmakers in quarantine.

POP. 1280. is 1964 Jim ompson novel about a politically ambitious small-town sheriff, a blistering satire of fascist demagoguery, feels like an inﬂuence on Eddington. It inspired the ﬁlm Coup de Torchon (1981; HBO Max), and Yorgos Lanthimos reportedly has been tapped to adapt it.

Joaquin Phoenix plays a small-town sheriff who’s coming apart at the seams, much like the town he’s supposed to be protecting.

NEW IN THEATERS

Brad Pitt in F1: The Movie

THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS: The Marvel superhero quartet gets a second reboot set on an alternate Earth with a retro vibe, starring Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby and Ebon Moss-Bachrach. Matt Shakman directed. (115 min, PG-13. Bijou, Capitol, Essex, Majestic, Marquis, Playhouse, Star, Sunset, Welden)

SORRY, BABY: This Sundance and Cannes Film Festival hit, written and directed by and starring Eva Victor, follows a young college professor in the aftermath of a sexual assault. With Naomi Ackie. (103 min, R. Savoy)

CURRENTLY PLAYING

EDDINGTONHHHH This drama from Ari Aster (Midsommar) follows the rivalry between a smalltown sheriff (Joaquin Phoenix) and mayor (Pedro Pascal) in May 2020. (148 min, R. Essex, Majestic, Savoy; reviewed 7/23)

ELIOHHH1/2 An 11-year-old boy (voice of Yonas Kibreab) finds himself serving as Earth’s ambassador to aliens in this Pixar family animation. (99 min, PG. Majestic)

F1: THE MOVIEHHH1/2 A retired Formula One racer (Brad Pitt) returns to the track and mentors a rookie in this sports drama, also starring Kerry Condon and Javier Bardem. Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick) directed. (155 min, PG-13. Bethel, Capitol, Essex, Majestic, Sunset)

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGONHHH DreamWorks Animation gets into the live-action-remake business with this new take on its 2010 hit about a Viking lad (Mason Thames) who makes an unexpected friend. (125 min, PG. Capitol, Essex, Majestic)

I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMERHH Lois Duncan’s 1973 thriller about teens facing the consequences of a big mistake gets an update for Gen Z horror fans. Jennifer Kaytin Robinson directed. (111 min, R. Bijou, Essex, Majestic, Paramount, Sunset)

JURASSIC WORLD: REBIRTHHH1/2 In the seventh installment, a pharmaceutical research team seeks out the surviving dinosaurs on a remote island. Gareth Edwards directed; Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey and Rupert Friend star. (134 min, PG-13. Bijou, Capitol, City Cinema, Essex, Majestic, Star, Stowe, Sunset, Welden; reviewed 7/9)

M3GAN 2.0HH1/2 An all-too-protective robot is resurrected to fight her pirated counterpart in this sequel to the horror comedy hit. (119 min, PG-13. Sunset)

THE PHOENICIAN SCHEMEHHH Wes Anderson turns his pastiching energies on midcentury capers in this comedy about a tycoon (Benicio Del Toro) who wills his estate to his devout daughter (Mia Threapleton). (101 min, PG-13. Catamount; reviewed 6/11)

SMURFSH1/2 Is Smurfette (voiced by Rihanna) a girl boss? In this musical reboot of the animated family series, she leads a mission to rescue Papa Smurf. Chris Miller directed. (92 min, PG. Bijou, Capitol, City Cinema, Essex, Majestic, Star, Stowe, Sunset, Welden)

SUPERMANHHHH The DC Comics superhero gets another reboot, this time directed by James Gunn (Guardians of the Galaxy) and starring David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan and Nicholas Hoult. (129 min, PG-13. Bethel, Bijou, Capitol, City Cinema, Essex, Majestic, Marquis, Paramount, Star, Stowe, Sunset, Welden; reviewed 7/16)

OLDER FILMS AND SPECIAL SCREENINGS

THE EMPEROR’S NEW GROOVE (Catamount, Tue only)

ERA OCULTA (VTIFF, Sat only)

EVERYBODY LOVES TOUDA (VTIFF, Fri only)

A FACE IN THE CROWD (Welden, Tue only)

FAMILIAR TOUCH (VTIFF, Thu only)

THE LIFE AQUATIC WITH STEVE ZISSOU (Catamount, Wed 23 only)

MONSTERS INC. (Catamount, Thu only)

MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO (Essex, Wed 23 only)

PETE SEEGER: THE POWER OF SONG (Catamount, Wed 30 only)

SUNDAY SINGALONG: PITCH PERFECT (Welden, Sun only)

THUNDERBOLTS* (Sunset)

WHO LET THE DOGS OUT (Savoy, Wed 23 only)

OPEN THEATERS

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

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

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

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

SAVOY THEATER: 26 Main St., Montpelier, 2290598, 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

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

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

Healthy volunteers ages 18-55 needed for a dengue fever investigational treatment study.

Up to 7-month-long study that includes screening, 2 dosing visits and 15 follow-up visits.

Compensation up to $2100 if all visits are completed.

To learn more please scan or call 802-656-0013 Email UVMVTC@UVM.EDU or visit UVMVTC.ORG

art

Out, Damned Spots!

Stains have staying power at the Museum of Everyday Life STORY & PHOTOS BY PAMELA POLSTON • ppolston@sevendaysvt.com

Conceptually, stains cover a lot of ground. You can stain your pants or your reputation or even, some believe, your soul. An abhorrent politician or policy can stain the integrity of an entire nation. The very deﬁnition of the word implies something that is dicult or impossible to remove. Witness the plethora of products that claim to destain fabric, teeth, a crime scene. Then again, some staining is purposeful, from resplendent cathedral windows to groovy tie-dye T-shirts. Dropped on cell samples, stains can reveal microscopic marvels.

The latest exhibition at the Museum of Everyday Life in Glover thoughtfully considers all this and more. Visitors to “Evidence, Residue, Memory: Stains” are likely to contemplate the blots they have themselves encountered, caused or tried to scrub away and to wonder whether therapy is in order.

Just inside the barn’s former milking parlor — MoEL’s space for current shows — a threadbare, paint-splattered shirt and pants present the stain as a badge of honor. The clothes are hung so as to suggest someone standing there, maybe a docent. A papier-mâché head instantly signals this character’s provenance: Bread and Puppet founder and “cheap” artist Peter Schumann. Signage explains that he lives by the eco-mantra “Use it up, wear it out, make do or do without.” Schumann’s “graciously loaned” work duds are meant to show how the accumulation of stains over time can literally hold an outﬁt together. (Insert metaphor for relationships here.)

Smudging and soiling are standard outcomes in certain occupations; in a cheeky “American Gothic” installation assembled by Vermont dairy farmer, librarian and artist Theresa Peura, two ﬁgures are clad in jeans and T-shirts amply adorned with “cow manure, iodine, oil, sweat, and other ﬂuids and e uents.” Keep this peerless commitment in mind next time you dig into, say, a bowl of Phish Food ice cream. Most stains on clothing, however, are unintentional and unwelcome. The museum o ers plenty of examples, from the wholesome “Kid’s Jeans with Grass Stained

Knees” to the heartbreaking “Stained Underwear, Note.” The latter contribution, from Emily Kate Hannapel, pairs a joyful message she wrote to her husband — “We made a baby!” — and the underpants she was wearing when she began to miscarry. “As many as one in four pregnancies end in spontaneous miscarriage,” the signage informs. “For Emily, the pain, the cramping, and the quantities of blood were both physically and emotionally devastating.”

No self-respecting exhibit on stains could ignore the big one — blood. But why do we find this essential fluid so icky outside the body? Case in point:

periods. The display of reusable menstrual pads created by Elyse Glück will resonate with every female visitor over the age of 12. The menstrual stain is “one of the most complex, emotionally laden and evocative,” the signage begins, “encompassing a multitude of narratives — of coming-ofage, of public shame and embarrassment,

of feminist reclamation, of menopausal rage.” The MoEL crew takes a stand on this: “We ... imagine a world in which these innocent stains get knocked down a peg or two, becoming just a thing that happens, no big deal.”

Blood loss resulting from injury or fatality is far from innocent; it’s horriﬁc,

Clockwise from top left: “Vermont Dairy Farmer Clothing — ‘American Gothic,’” by eresa Peura; “Chart of Divination Symbols” by Lydia Flood; “Vita Toothguide” display; Ada Byrnes’ wedding dress, courtesy of Cecile Harrison

mirror-image markings that have something in common with the exhibition’s Rorschach samples nearby.

Paradoxically, divination and interpretation can give practitioners a sense of “expert” agency, even mystical power; they can be quite conﬁdent their reading is correct. Who can be certain it is not? But when is a stain just a stain?

There is no mystery in the wedding dress of one Ada Byrnes of Westﬁeld, N.J., but there is a good story. Described as a “spirited girl,” Ada insisted on sipping a cup of co ee prior to her nuptials. But some mishap caused the brown beverage to splatter down the entire front of her dress. Like, it’s a really big stain. But Ada marched down the aisle anyway, a deﬁant act that must have engendered humorous recollections over her 70-year marriage. The dress, on loan from Ada’s great-granddaughter Cecile Harrison, became a family legend.

even to inured “CSI” fans. Happily, the museum’s curators did not see ﬁt to stage a homicide, settling instead for two vintage pamphlets titled Blood Pattern Interpretation and Forensic Analysis of Blood Stained Soils ingly, the signage tells us, American courts began to accept expert testimony regarding blood stains in 1957, and pattern analysis became commonplace after 1970. However, the practice eventually was overruled due to “discrepancies in interpretations and the lack of empirical data.”

“Stained Dress, 1967” comes with a story of a di erent kind: one that didn’t happen. Meg Fisher purchased the creamcolored muslin “hippie dress,” writing that she felt “a physical longing to possess it and all of its certain romance.” But the frock hung unworn in her closet for years, then was sealed away in a box. When she recently unpacked it, she discovered a small brown stain on the dress — not the result of any actual living, but rather a stain “born of folded-up dreams, of waiting,” Fisher wrote. To this evocative telling, MoEL’s signage adds that “home remedies abound” for so-called storage stains.

A pregnant woman, for example, means coming change. An owl indicates approaching insight. And if you ever see a stain shaped like a little man with ﬁsts raised, victory will be yours. MoEL’s informative signage teaches us more fun words: Tasseography is the reading of co ee stains in a cup; hematomancy interprets blood stains. Other fortunetelling methods, it reads, involve stains on tablecloths and diapers (!) and the blobs produced by spitting betel or areca nut juice.

Even less science-y is stain divination. (Raise your hand if you knew the word for this is “e usography.”)

An inviting gallery installation includes a small table, a stool and a large wall chart featuring 17 symbols — that is, suggestively shaped stains and what they portend.

Next to the divination area, ﬁttingly, is the Shroud of Turin. Well, not the 14.5-foot-long original; it’s a half-size o set print of the celebrity stain, on loan from Mary O’Donahue. For centuries, true believers have maintained that Jesus Christ was wrapped in this cloth following his cruciﬁxion. Even in the print, a faint shadow of a man can be detected, along with repetitive,

An American flag might seem an odd entry in the exhibit, but this one earns its place with visible mud and grass stains. Invisibly, it holds the fervor of a young Vietnam War vet in the 1960s and ’70s. No name is given, but signage indicates that the Chicago-based soldier-turned-activist chose to carry his flag to protest marches — not because flag desecration was a crime, but because he believed the peace movement was just as “American” as supporting the war. In 1990, MoEL explains, in United States v. Eichman, the Supreme Court struck down the earlier Flag Protection Act. It ruled that “the government’s interest in preserving the flag as a symbol does not outweigh the individual’s First Amendment right to disparage that symbol through expressive conduct.”

True to form, the museum has chosen an “everyday” topic and plumbed its depth: the irrevocable and the erasable, the accidental and intentional. “Stains” is by turns informative, humorous, pensive and wholly human. ➆

“Evidence, Residue, Memory: Stains,” on view through May 2026 at the Museum of Everyday Life in Glover. museumofeverydaylife.org

EXHIBITION

Under the Sea at the S.P.A.C.E. Gallery

BY ALICE DODGE • adodge@sevendaysvt.com

When we talk about mental health at all, it’s often with the phrase “sank into a depression,” as though the disease were an ocean. The condition touches ideas we associate with the sea: isolation, pressure, darkness, becoming a lost soul. It’s a naturally occurring metaphor.

It’s all the more impressive, then, when an artist does something new, surprising and emotionally complex with the concept, as Niki Frankenstein has with “From the Depths,” currently on view at the S.P.A.C.E. Gallery in Burlington. The exhibition is almost a solo show. Frankenstein’s sculptures and installation are the main act, with paintings by her husband, Jim DuVal, and Barre artist Dierdra Tara Michelle as a kind of backing band.

The show’s titular installation is a 1970s-era child’s bed, set at an angle from a corner of the gallery. It is bright green and encrusted with shells, pearls and rhinestones, as though it were a coral reef sprouting sparkly barnacles. A flowing, seaweedy crocheted afghan, also embedded with gems, unfurls across its surface and onto the floor. Spangles creep from the corners of a well-indented pillow and green sheets and decorate a hospital gown and dining tray left on the bed.

Nearby, two additional sculptures made from some of the same materials add to the scene. “Home Movie” looks like a Super 8 projector, likewise encrusted in straggly, kelp-like yarn, growing organically from a swampy bed of cattails and projecting a ’70s-style home movie onto the wall. “Lost & Found” is a half-deflated life preserver, mildewed with sparkles, washed up in a snarl of driftwood, yarn and netting. DuVal’s dark, oceanic paintings and a splash of blue light further set the underwater scene.

Frankenstein, 53, said the work comes from a deeply personal experience overcoming her challenges with depression. “I had a very traumatic childhood,” she said. “I think that a lot of times when people go through that, they will do anything to not confront it.”

For her, that meant always working two jobs, having three kids, striving for perfection and blaming herself for not

CALL TO ARTISTS

RETHINK RUNOFF STORM DRAIN MURAL: The Rethink Runoff program seeks artist proposals for a storm drain mural in front of the former ArtsRiot building on Pine Street, to be painted during the South End Art Hop. The mural will promote the Adopt-a-Drain program, which educates residents about the risks of pollution runoff. Stipend available. Email proposals with an intro, mural idea and link to images of past work.Deadline: August 4. Info, lucas@ winooskinrcd.org.

devoting time to her art while doing those things. She put tremendous pressure on herself, she said, and when her job in health care management became increasingly stressful in 2019, “everything kind of fell apart,” leading her to attempt suicide.

Following Frankenstein’s hospitalization, her husband stepped up to support her, and she has been able to focus on recovery and on making art. She has been working on this installation for more than a year, she said, drawing on research about mental health as well as her own family history and childhood — the home movie is of her and was posted online by a sibling she hasn’t seen in decades.

Frankenstein’s dad was in the military, and she grew up in Hawaii, Guam and Bermuda — her childhood bedroom overlooked the Sargasso Sea. She used to paint seashells and bury them as treasure for others to find.

That magical, innocent quality truly comes through in the work, where such sparkly treasures abound. The bed itself, and the trappings of depression and hospitalization, have been so thoroughly overtaken by Frankenstein’s baroque decoration that the sculpture conveys buoyancy and growth as much as downward pressure. If this is an underwater hospital ward, it’s the one where the Little Mermaid has gone to recover her voice.

Frankenstein wants the work to undo stigma and convey that there is a path forward from even the worst crisis. “Art, for me, has been so healing,” she said. “I’m just excited to keep going.” ➆

If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, dial 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or text VT to 741741 for the Crisis Text Line. Trained counselors are available 24-7.

INFO

“From the Depths” by Niki Frankenstein, Jim DuVal and Dierdra Tara Michelle, on view through August 1 at the S.P.A.C.E. Gallery in Burlington; closing reception Friday, August 1, 5-8 p.m. spacegalleryvt.com,

OPENINGS + RECEPTIONS

ART AT CITY HALL: KELLY O’NEAL: A series of painterly photographs that rely on the camera’s movement to capture colors and shapes that evoke the feeling of a place. Burlington City Hall, through September 24. Info, 865-7296.

‘BIRDS AND MYTH’: A group exhibition of works centered on birds as myths, meanings, metaphors and guides. Reception: Thursday, July 24, 3-5:30 p.m. Birds of Vermont Museum, Huntington,

GET YOUR ART SHOW LISTED HERE AND ONLINE! PROMOTING AN ART EXHIBIT? SUBMIT THE INFO AND IMAGES BY THURSDAY AT NOON AT SEVENDAYSVT.COM/POSTEVENT OR ART@SEVENDAYSVT.COM.

through October 31. Free with museum admission. Info, sevendaystickets.com.

‘HEART OF BARRE: CREATING COMMUNITY AFTER THE FLOODS’: A multimedia art installation by painter Dierdra Michelle and poet/community organizer Shawna Trader honoring the strength and resilience of Barre residents in the face of back-to-back floods. A series of 20 portraits in the street-facing window of Nelson’s Ace Hardware in Barre are accompanied by poetry, interviews and audio recordings. Reception: Thursday, July 24, 4 p.m. Downtown Barre, July 24-September 1. Info, heartofbarre@gmail.com.

ARTIST TALK: ‘THESE COLORS KILL FASCISM’: A discussion with artists presenting works in the exhibition, focused on how art creates community in difficult political times. 118 Elliot, Brattleboro, Thursday, July 24, 6:30 p.m. Info, 118elliot@gmail.com.

BARRIE FISHER AND SUSIE CONRAD: “Fluid Impressions,” an exhibition about evidence of change on the page. Reception: Friday, July 25, 5-7 p.m. Camp Meade, Middlesex, July 25-September 12. Info, info@campmeade.today.

‘REVERIE’: An exhibition of paintings by Peter Wallis, Sage Tucker-Ketcham and Edward Holland

Clockwise from lower left: Detail of “Home Movie,” “Lost & Found,” and “From the Depths” by Niki Frankenstein; “Untitled” by Jim DuVal

that evoke dreams, investigate color theory and build on the geometry of constellations.

Reception: Friday, July 25, 5-7 p.m. Chaffee Art Center, Rutland, July 25-September 5. Info, 775-0356.

WINKIE KELSEY: A collection of paintings and early stone sculpture by the Fairlee artist, educator and benefactor, all proceeds from the sale of which will be donated to the art center.

Reception: Friday, July 25, 5-7 p.m. AVA Gallery and Art Center, Lebanon, N.H., July 25-September 20. Info, 603-448-3117.

‘THE FLOWER FESTIVAL’: An exhibition of botanical-themed works, vases and vessels by area artists. Reception: Friday, July 25, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Artistree Community Arts Center, South Pomfret, July 25-August 23. Info, 662-6282.

LEAH BENEDICT: An exhibition of egg tempera icons of dogs, each of which is paired with a representative saint. Reception: Saturday, July 26, 2-4 p.m. Northeast Kingdom Artisans Guild Backroom Gallery, St. Johnsbury, through August 23. Info, ragsburdock@hotmail.com.

BILL BROVOLD: “Little Sculptures,” an exhibition of tiny paintings and clockwork sculptures by the visual and sound artist. Reception: Friday, August 1, 5-7:30 p.m.; artist talk, 6 p.m. T.W. Wood Gallery, Montpelier, July 26-September 20. Info, 262-6035.

‘FOURTH ANNUAL PRINTMAKING INVITATIONAL’: An open-call exhibition showcasing the work of local and regional printmakers, curated by Phillip Robertson and Newton Gallegos. Reception: Friday, August 1, 5-7:30 p.m.; artist talk, 6 p.m. T.W. Wood Gallery, Montpelier, July 26-September 20. Info, 262-6035.

ED KOREN: “Neighbor Ed,” an exhibition honoring the late New Yorker cartoonist by the Brookfield Historical Society. Reception and ice cream social: Sunday, August 10, 2-4 p.m. Marvin Newton House, Brookfield, through September 30. Free; donations welcome. Info, curator@bhsvt.org.

MICHAEL AND CAROLINA ELLENBOGEN:

“The Collaboration Series,” an exhibition of mixed-media works that layer painting over a photographic background. Ellenbogen Gallery, Manchester, ongoing. Info, 768-8498.

ART EVENTS

ASSETS FOR ARTISTS WORKSHOPS: Free professional development workshops for artists. This season’s workshops are all online and include topics such as project management, quarterly taxes, website design and project portfolios. Register online at assetsforartists.org/ workshops. Vermont Arts Council, Montpelier, through July 31. Free. Info, info@ vermontartscouncil.org.

‘FINDING HOPE WITHIN’ PANEL DISCUSSION: A conversation with the artists and curators of “Finding Hope Within,” an exhibition showcasing artworks created within Vermont’s carceral system, followed by a gallery tour. Henry Sheldon Museum of Vermont History, Middlebury, Wednesday, July 23, 12:30-1:30 p.m. Free. Info, 388-2117.

OPEN STUDIO: A guided meditation followed by an hour of art making in any medium and concluding with a share-andwitness process. Many art materials available. In person and online. Expressive Arts Burlington, Thursday, July 24, 12:30-2:30 p.m. By donation. Info, 343-8172.

LIFE DRAWING AND PAINTING: A drop-in event for artists working with the figure from a live model. T.W. Wood Gallery, Montpelier, Thursday, July 24, 7-9 p.m. Free; $10 suggested donation. Info, 262-6035.

PAINTING PEACE: COMMUNITY ENSO PAINTING AND MEDITATION: A peace meditation led by Monica DiGiovanni, followed by the opportunity to contribute to a large community Zen circle painting, which will be displayed in Waterbury.

Zen circle painting meditation instruction offered every 20 minutes on a first come, first served basis. Jack’s Alley, Waterbury, Saturday, July 26, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, monica@ monicadigiovanni.com.

ARTIST TALK: LEONARD RAGOUZEOS: A discussion of two distinct bodies of work: large representational black ink drawings and small abstract watercolors. CX Silver Gallery, Brattleboro, Sunday, July 27, 1-3 p.m. Free. Info, 257-7898.

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, July 27, 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 Gallery, Montpelier, Monday, July 28, 10 a.m.-noon. Free; $10 suggested donation. Info, 262-6035.

SUMMER WATERCOLOR SERIES: A class suitable for novice and experienced painters, taught by Pauline Nolte. Supplies provided for beginners. Waterbury Public Library, Tuesday, July 29, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, judi@ waterburypubliclibrary.com. ➆

music+nightlife

Ayers

Looking back on the musical movements and big moments of the 1990s, a lot of milestones jump out: the rise of grunge music and Kurt Cobain’s suicide; Britpop, Blur versus Oasis, and the eventual ascension of art rockers such as Radiohead and Björk; gangsta rap, Biggie and Tupac. 1999 even saw the debut of Britney Spears, presaging the packaged pop of the early 2000s.

Yet the ’90s also witnessed the eruption of the jam scene. Roaring out of college markets in the early years of the decade, groups such as Phish, Widespread Panic, moe., the String Cheese Incident and the Disco Biscuits rode a wave of sprawling jams, liberal amounts of drugs, and everexpanding fan bases who didn’t care that their favorite bands were never on MTV or the radio.

That moment is the focus of author Mike Ayers’ latest book, Sharing in the Groove: The Untold Story of the ’90s Jam Band Explosion and the Scene That Followed. The 49-year-old author talked to everyone from Phish guitarist Trey Anastasio to the Spin Doctors to promoters, managers, roadies, label heads and tons of fans, all to help paint this singular scene. What he discovered were a string of connections linking cities such as Burlington and bands like Phish with a burgeoning jam world.

Ayers, a veteran music journalist who lives in New Jersey, has written for Rolling Stone, Relix and the Village Voice, among other publications. He’s worked at MTV, not to mention a sweet gig as a backstage prep cook for Phish back in the day. Now he celebrates the release of his second book with an appearance on Monday, July 28, at Phoenix Books in Burlington. He’ll be joined in conversation by local musician and recently minted Goose drummer Cotter Ellis.

Ahead of the event, Seven Days chatted with Ayers by phone about the ’90s jam scene and Burlington’s rather central role in it.

It seems like you were there on the ground ﬂoor of the jam explosion in the ’90s. What got you so into that world?

It all felt sort of gradual at the time. In high school, everyone was already gravitating towards the Grateful Dead, and I remember buying [Phish’s ﬁfth album] Hoist at a Tower Records in Virginia in ’94. But once I went to Virginia Tech later that year, it all sort of clicked.

community-oriented and knew that’s what he wanted to build with Phish.

What was it about the community these bands built that seemed to pull in so many young fans?

There was deﬁnitely part of the whole Grateful Dead world to it, but when I saw Phish for the ﬁrst time at the Patriot Center at George Mason [University] in 1994, it was such a di erent kind of energy. I love the Dead, but the audience was so much older. At that point, Phish were all in their twenties, and the fans were, too. The energy at the shows was so high. I hadn’t seen anything like it.

I saw them a year later when I went to Vermont for the ﬁrst time, up at Sugarbush. I was a 19-year-old kid on this kind of pilgrimage to see a place coded with meaning around this band and culture I was getting into. We camped next to a nudist colony that was just, like, there. It was the sort of thing we’d read about in the ’60s that didn’t happen anymore. But it still happened there, in that world.

Heady History

At the time, universities were forerunners for providing internet access. If you paid tuition, you got an email address and access.

So the internet was pretty crucial in spreading the jams.

Oh, for sure — it had to be. Radio and MTV weren’t touching most of it. I was

Author Mike Ayers tracks the origins and effects of the ’90s jam band explosion, including Burlington’s role in it

BY CHRIS FARNSWORTH • farnsworth@sevendaysvt.com

always on Usenet boards, talking and trading tapes with Phish fans. It was so DIY.

Trey [Anastasio] told me when we talked that he saw Fugazi play in Burlington back in the ’80s and said to himself, “ That’s the model I want. ” He saw a band with a tightly knit and highly organized fan base that was completely

It’s fascinating to read about how bands such as Phish and Widespread Panic fed off each other’s regional success to spread their fan base. Was that intentional?

It’s funny, but back then, there was this sort of Mason-Dixon divide in the jam world. In the south, Widespread Panic was the thing. Up north, it was Phish. And they didn’t tour together much, but they would play together; I still have a few tapes.

The two bands were really smart about trading o shows with each other back when promoters didn’t know much about them. And, of course, the mailing list was so important then.

ere’s a focus on cities and scenes in your books: Princeton, N.J., and Blues Traveler and the Spin Doctors. Athens, Ga., and Widespread Panic. And Burlington, home of Phish. Was there something in common about these places that explains why bands moving outside the mainstream could ﬁnd success?

There are certainly similarities, but they all were unique. As far as Burlington, I think a lot of fans my age went up there searching

Mike

DJ, Musician and Writer Robert Resnik Dies at 72

BY CHRIS FARNSWORTH • farnsworth@sevendaysvt.com

Sad news out of Burlington as musician, writer, DJ and all-around great guy Robert Resnik died on Monday at age 72, following a variety of health struggles in recent years, including Parkinson’s disease.

Resnik’s voice graced Vermont airwaves for more than half a century, starting when he moved to Burlington in 1970 to attend the University of Vermont and joined WRUV-FM. His long-running and locally beloved folk music program “All the Traditions” launched on Vermont Public Radio in 1996, where Resnik educated and entertained listeners with his encyclopedic knowledge of folk and traditional music, not to mention playlists full of obscure and lesser-known gems. He’d spin everything from Canadian folk singer Stan Rogers to local faves such as Hana Zara.

“The secret to being a good DJ, I think, is to not stay in the same place,” Resnik told me in 2023, when he was inducted into the Folk Alliance International’s Folk DJ Hall of Fame. “If you don’t like what I’m playing, just wait 10 minutes because the next set will be completely different.”

Resnik, who was awarded the 2019 Herb Lockwood Prize in the Arts for his lifetime contributions to local music and culture, also had a long, rich performing career. He played on countless records with folk musicians such as Gigi Weisman and Marty Morrissey and released his solo debut, Playing Favorites, in 2012. He performed everywhere from Burlington’s Fletcher Free Library — where he worked for 28 years, including as codirector — to coffeehouses and street corners, bringing his multi-instrumentalist skills and witty charm wherever he went. He also penned a 2013 book about Queen City history titled Legendary Locals of Burlington — a term that absolutely describes Resnik.

We’ll write more soon about Resnik and his outsize legacy in the Green Mountain music scene, as well as his truly staggering collection of instruments, which he hoarded with glee. For now, put on an old record and tip your glass to one of the great DJs as he signs off for the last time. Godspeed, Robert. ➆

Mark Daly Folk Band

Robert Resnik

Knoll Farm Summer Concert Series

music+nightlife

On the Beat

Any regular readers of this section know that the Burlington area is dealing with a bit of a venue problem at the moment. Nectar’s, ArtsRiot and Despacito have all closed in recent months, and venues such the Monkey House in Winooski have reduced their live music o erings due to a variety of factors, including soaring insurance rates.

A silver lining to the story is that so many other spots are stepping up to help fill the void. Whether it’s Einstein’s Tap House and the Skinny Pancake launching live music nights for the Grateful Dead heads or e orts such as ROOST.WORLD’s pop-up raves, there are plenty of people in the Queen City fighting the good fight.

The latest example are the ﬁne folks over at Burlington Odd Fellows. The social order in the New North End has stepped up and starting booking more concerts at its Queen City Lodge — particularly of the heavier variety, as many punk and metal bands have found it especially di cult to ﬁnd gigs of late. Like 242 Main before it, Odd Fellows is all ages and substance-free. Entry is by donation, and the venue employs the “no one turned away for lack of funds” model — because life’s too short not to let people mosh.

The next show is on Friday, August 1, featuring local punk and indie acts DOG WATER, the WAR TURTLES, the LEATHERBOUND BOOKS and FRANK ERICKSON. Later in the month, catch locals WE’RE HERE! TO KILL, VIOLET CRIMES

Eye on the Scene

Last week’s highlights from photographer Luke Awtry

MADAILA AT MIDDLEBURY FESTIVAL ON THE GREEN, FRIDAY, JULY 18: MADAILA front man and namesake MARK DALY is like one of those paintings where the eyes always seem focused solely on you, no matter where in the room you are. He’s an engaging performer and no stranger to being the center of attention. After the original Madaila disbanded in 2018, he carried on the name as a solo-ish act before reconstituting the group with a new lineup last year. e members are all seasoned Vermont musicians, including longtime recording partner, original bandmate and fellow Middlebury native JER COONS sharing lead vocal and guitar duties, ZANE GUNDERSEN on synth, BEN LIVELY on ﬁddle, JOSH WEINSTEIN on bass, STEVE HADEKA on drums, and CAPT. TONY NAPLES on pedal steel. Madaila headlined the Middlebury Festival on the Green’s Friday slate, taking to the stage after the charming folk group BUFFALO ROSE — not an easy act to follow! ere were concerns that Madaila might be too loud for the mellowed-out crowd, but these pros knew exactly how to rock the 46th iteration of the hometown fest.

and the BURLY GIRLIES. Odd Fellows is even hosting touring acts — don’t sleep on RICK MCGUIRE of PILE playing on Thursday, August 7. Pop over to burlingtonoddfellows.com for more info. Or better yet, turn to Adelle MacDowell’s Connections Issue story about Odd Fellows on page 48.

Southern Vermont Arts Center in Manchester has launched a brand-new summer concert series. Titled SOUNDS

for a little piece of the band. Some people even went to UVM because they wanted to be in the scene that launched Phish, like Jon Trafton from Strangefolk. But by then, Phish weren’t really there; they were touring the country and getting bigger all the time. Trey was actually saying that it’s not like Burlington was some sort of hippie mecca in the ’90s. It was a super-eclectic music scene with great indie rock and jazz and funk. He said that if you were an artist and wanted to be creative, it was a good city with a lot of stages back in those days. But yeah, it wasn’t this jam band haven some fans imagine it was.

Phish and their contemporaries are famous for throwing their own festivals and big, fan-speciﬁc events such as the Clifford Ball or Big Cypress, drawing massive crowds. What effect did those shows have on the music industry?

They laid the groundwork for the modern festival scene we have today. Before things like the Cli ord Ball, we didn’t see a lot of music fests here in the U.S. That was really more of a UK thing with Reading and Glastonbury. But a band from Burlington with no radio hits or much in the way of

GOOD: Friday Nights Live at SVAC, the weekly event is free, family-friendly, and located in a gorgeous and scenic location at the Arkell Pavilion.

“We created SOUNDS GOOD to bring people together through music in a setting that’s already so inspiring,” SVAC executive director Amelia Wiggins wrote in a press release. “This series is a celebration of community, creativity, and summer in Vermont.”

Things kick o this Friday, July 25,

record sales, drawing 70,000 fans to an Air Force base in New York? That just wasn’t normal.

I found in my research that a lot of the crew from the ﬁrst Phish fest ended up being part of the group that launched Bonnaroo. So it’s really a direct line to the start of that whole scene.

irty years after the explosion, the jam band world seems to be thriving, with Phish still selling out across the country and plenty of new blood, like Goose, who just sold out Madison Square Garden. Is this still the same explosion, or are we in a new wave of jam?

When I was ﬁrst talking with my publisher about three or four years ago and ﬁrst pitching the book, I pointed out that the scene was thriving with new up-and-coming acts. Yes, there’s a lot of Gen Xers and millennials who grew up in the ’90s who would want to read this, but there is a real youthful scene percolating. I’m sort of politely saying, “I told you so” to [my publishers] now.

Look, if you would have told me 15 years ago that a jamgrass band with no drummer would be selling out arenas, like Billy Strings, I absolutely would not have believed you. It’s like if Béla Fleck was selling out amphitheaters back in the ’90s.

Listening In

(Spotify mix of local jams)

1. “DOWN WITH DISEASE” by Phish

2. “FLY TERRY FLY” by Lazy Bird

3. “THINGS THAT FLY (LIVE)” by Strangefolk

4. “BOOTCH MAGOO” by Raq

5. “CORNWALIS (RUSTY NAIL IN STOWE, VT DEC 15TH, 2018)” by Swimmer

6. “YES I AM” by All Night Boogie Band

7. “ORLANDO’S” by Twiddle Scan to listen sevendaysvt. com/playlist

with a performance from Brattleboro indie-rock band THUS LOVE. Future highlights include HOWARD FISHMAN AND THE BITING FISH BRASS BAND on August 1, jazz musician JONATHAN WHITNEY with TACONIC MUSIC on August 8, and Americana act SAINTS AND LIARS with IDA MAE SPECKER on August 29.

Visit svac.org/performances for the full schedule.

CHRIS FARNSWORTH

What do you think is fueling this latest wave of jam fans? And is it paralleling the scene in the ’90s? I don’t want to sound too lofty, but I honestly think it’s a reaction to all the algorithms and things like Spotify dropping AI music. Live music in general is so hyped right now, which obviously favors the jam scene. People are craving real, authentic music played right in front of their faces, and that’s what you get with these bands.

There was a period around 2009, when Phish came back from their hiatus, when I thought the scene was maybe aging up and out. But I think younger fans are looking for something that feels both authentic and di erent from the mainstream, just like we were 30 years ago. ➆

This interview was edited for clarity and length.

INFO

Sharing in the Groove: An Evening With Mike Ayers, Monday, July 28, 7 p.m., at Phoenix Books in Burlington. $3. phoenixbooks.biz

Sharing in the

and

Groove:

Untold Story

the ’90s Jam Band Explosion

the Scene at Followed by Mike Ayers, St. Martin’s Press, 416 pages. $31.

Heady History « P.58

CLUB DATES

live music

WED.23

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

The Butterfields (folk) at North Hero House Inn & Restaurant, 5:30 p.m. Free.

Charlie Uffelman, Audrey Pearl (singer-songwriter) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 8:30 p.m. $10.

Cheddar (funk, R&B) at the Alchemist, Waterbury, 5 p.m. Free.

DJ Blaine (DJ) at Bent Nails Bistro, Montpelier, 5 p.m. Free.

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.

The Motet, Telula (funk) at Stone Church, Chester, 7 p.m.

$33.03/$39.12.

She Was Right (folk) at Blue Paddle Bistro, South Hero, 6 p.m. Free.

Souls of Mischief (hip-hop) at Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington, 8 p.m. $37.24.

The Spring Chickens (folk) at Two Heroes Brewery Public House, South Hero, 6 p.m. Free.

Wednesday Night Dead (Grateful Dead tribute) at Zenbarn, Waterbury Center, 7 p.m. $10. When the Deadbolt Breaks, Savage Hen, Lungbuster, Spaisekult (metal) at 1st Republic Brewing, Essex, 7 p.m. $10.

THU.24

Alex Stewart & Friends (jazz) at the 126, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

Ali T (singer-songwriter) at Shelburne Vineyard, 6 p.m. Free.

Bent Nails House Band (jazz, rock) at Bent Nails Bistro, Montpelier, 8 p.m. Free.

Burlington Electronic Department with Barbie A.I., Gloorp, Gove the Florist, Lather, Polkarobics (electronic) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 8 p.m. $10/$15.

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

Danny & the Parts (Americana) at Black Flannel Brewing & Distilling, Essex, 6 p.m. Free.

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

Familiar Faces Funk Jam (funk, jazz) at the 126, Burlington, 9 p.m. Free.

Frankie & the Fuse (indie pop) at Red Square, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

Grace Palmer (singer-songwriter) at Two Heroes Brewery Public House, South Hero, 6:30 p.m. Free.

Junestar (Americana) at CharlieO’s World Famous, Montpelier, 8 p.m. Free.

WED.23 // SOULS OF MISCHIEF [HIP-HOP]

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.

To Infinity and Beyond

Part of the Bay Area hip-hop collective Hieroglyphics, Oakland, Calif.’s’s SOULS OF MISCHIEF hit the scene in 1993 when they dropped the classic 93 ’til Infinity, one of the most influential albums in rap. The quartet mixed a sense of sophistication and intellectual hip-hop into its sound, in a similar vein as acts like De La Soul and A Tribe Called Quest, and continued pushing artistic boundaries as its career progressed. Souls of Mischief are now an institution, hip-hop veterans of more than 30 years with a diverse catalog. Though their last release, There Is Only Now, dropped more than a decade ago, that hasn’t slowed down their live show. The group performs at the Higher Ground Ballroom in South Burlington on Wednesday, July 23.

Live Music Series (live music series) at Folino’s Pizza, Northfield, 5 p.m. Free.

Nora Brown, Stephanie Coleman (folk) at Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $29.53.

Old Time Jam (open jam) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

Rob Ashley (Americana, alt-country) at the Den at Harry’s Hardware, Cabot, 7 p.m. Free.

Three Piece Meal (funk, jazz) at Foam Brewers, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

Vermont Jazz Trio (jazz) at Hugo’s, Montpelier, 7:30 p.m. Free.

FRI.25

Better Angels (covers) at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction, 9 p.m. Free.

Bluegrass & BBQ with Mama Tried (bluegrass) at Shelburne Vineyard, 5:30 p.m. $10.

Bonny Light Horseman, Al Olender (indie) at Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $37.24.

Brandon Terzakis Quartet (jazz) at the 126, Burlington, 9 p.m. Free.

The Bressetts (acoustic) at Gusto’s, Barre, 6 p.m. Free.

The Cobras (rock) at the Old Post, South Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

Dan Parks (singer-songwriter) at 1st Republic Brewing, Essex, 6 p.m. Free.

Dancin’ in the Streets with Local Strangers (Grateful Dead tribute) at the Skinny Pancake, Burlington, 8 p.m. Free.

Danny & the Parts (Americana) at Foam Brewers, Burlington, 9 p.m. Free.

Dave Mitchell’s Blue’s Revue (blues) at Red Square, Burlington, 2 p.m. Free.

The E-Block (R&B) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 10:30 p.m. $10/$12.

Electrostatic Cats (rock) at Poultney Pub, 6 p.m. Free.

Geoff Kim Organ Trio (jazz) at Hugo’s, Montpelier, 7:30 p.m. Free.

JJ Booth (singer-songwriter) at Bent Nails Bistro, Montpelier, 8 p.m. Free.

Joshua Glass (singer-songwriter) at Bleu Northeast Kitchen, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. Free.

June Star, REDadmiral (indie rock) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 6 p.m. $10.

Leddy Moss, Julia Randall (folk, jazz) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 8 p.m. $10.

Left Eye Jump (blues) at Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge, Burlington, 8 p.m. $10.

Liz Beatty (acoustic) at the Whammy Bar, Calais, 7:30 p.m. Free.

Organized Dead (Grateful Dead tribute) at Two Heroes Brewery Public House, South Hero, 6:30 p.m. Free.

Rap Night Burlington (hip-hop) at Drink, Burlington, 9 p.m. $5.

Ras Moshe, Peg Tassey & the Loud Flowers, Hissy Fit (rock) at Charlie-O’s World Famous, Montpelier, 6 p.m. Free.

Sarah Bell Band (singersongwriter) at Bent Nails Bistro, Montpelier, 6 p.m. Free.

Shane Murley Band (folk rock) at Jericho Café & Tavern, 7:30 p.m. Free.

Sibling Reverie (covers) at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction, 5 p.m. Free.

The Stevenson Ranch Davidians, Happy Spangler (indie rock) at Light Club Lamp Shop, Burlington, 9 p.m. $15.

Tony Trischka (bluegrass) at Zenbarn, Waterbury Center, 7 p.m. $37.12 - $43.70.

Wheeland Brothers, Anthony Michael (reggae, pop) at Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $26.42.

SAT.26

Audrey Pearl (singer-songwriter) at Shelburne Vineyard, 6 p.m. Free.

Bad Luck Bliss (folk rock) at Bent Nails Bistro, Montpelier, 9 p.m. Free.

Bruno John Quartet (jazz) at the 126, Burlington, 9 p.m. Free.

Cami & Ry (acoustic) at the Den at Harry’s Hardware, Cabot, 7 p.m. Free.

Caring Less, Summer Arachnid, Reid Parsons (indie) at Monkey House, Winooski, 8 p.m. $10.

Cat Crash, Cricket!, Burly Girlies, Rangus (punk) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 4:30 p.m. $10.

Charlie Limousine (soul) at the Whammy Bar, Calais, 7:30 p.m. Free.

Chris Peterman (jazz) at Bleu Northeast Kitchen, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. Free.

The Croaks, Jane Don’t, Asher White, Fowl (folk) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 10:30 p.m. $15.

Dan Tepfer/J.S. Bach: Inventions/Reinventions (classical) at the Mill, Westport, N.Y., 7:30 p.m. $30.

Donna Thunder Trio (country) at von Trapp Brewing Bierhall, Stowe, 5:30 p.m. Free.

Electrostatic Cats (rock) at 1st Republic Brewing, Essex, 6 p.m. Free.

Greg Bauman (singer-songwriter) at Bent Nails Bistro, Montpelier, 7 p.m. Free.

Jahriffe & New Awakening Band, This Is Dub (reggae) at Zenbarn, Waterbury Center, 8 p.m. $19.51/$22.81.

John Daly Band (folk rock) at Jericho Café & Tavern, 7:30 p.m. Free.

Left Eye Jump (blues) at Red Square, Burlington, 2 p.m. Free. Magnetic Horse (covers) at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction, 9 p.m. Free.

Matt Hagen’s Classy Boss (acoustic) at Shelburne Vineyard, 1 p.m. Free.

Nicole Atkins (rock) at Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $26.42. Osage Orange, the Shady Trees (indie, folk) at Foam Brewers, Burlington, 9 p.m. Free.

Sad Turtle, Phantom Suns (indie rock) at Charlie-O’s World Famous, Montpelier, 9 p.m. Free.

Snack Break (folk) at Two Heroes Brewery Public House, South Hero, 6:30 p.m. Free.

Tony Grassi (singer-songwriter) at Poultney Pub, 6 p.m. Free. TURNmusic Hosts ‘Play On!’: A Cabaret Showcase (jazz) at the Phoenix, Waterbury, 1 p.m. $15-30; free for kids under 18.

SUN.27

81355, Big Homie Wes, Kanganade (hip-hop) at Foam Brewers, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free. Argo and the Violet Queens, Lunch, Victoria Fearn (indie) at Monkey House, Winooski, 7 p.m. $10.

Jack Caron (rock) at Vermont Pub & Brewery, Burlington, 1 p.m. Free. Jeffrey Lewis & the Voltage, the Grasping Straws, Trevor Robinson (indie rock) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $20/$25.

Mike Mac (rock) at Lawson’s Finest Liquids, Waitsfield, 3 p.m. Free.

Robert Lester Folsom (singersongwriter) at Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $32.06. Seth Yacovone (acoustic) at the Alchemist, Waterbury, 4 p.m. Free. Sunday Brunch Tunes (singersongwriter) at Hotel Vermont, Burlington, 10 a.m. Vermont Cello Duet (classical, pop) at Foam Brewers, Burlington, 1 p.m. Free.

Saint Albums, Before You Still

(SELF-RELEASED, DIGITAL)

On Saint Albums’ latest record, Before You Still, creator Bay Campbell steps away from the electronic trappings of Luminous Crush, her long-running “bluegrass outlaw country post-punk psychedelic fusion indie dream pop searing rock metal and whatnot” project with Laura Molinelli. (Indeed, I’m pretty sure that across Luminous Crush’s six albums released since 2016, the pair have checked o every genre in that mouthful.)

A completely analog pop-rock-folketc. album, Before You Still touches on one of the most famous koans of Zen Buddhist practice: the sound of one hand clapping. A thought experiment that has no precise resolution, it explores nonduality, a state of being that uniﬁes all dual entities, such as self/ other and body/mind.

Campbell seems to ponder this on “Morse Code Solo,” a shrouded groove with slinky synth and bass winding around the lyrical idea that “Maybe it’s all the same thing.” She investigates her own songwriting as a way in, questioning her use of “the same chord and a melody,” tuning (“E A D G B E”), and frequency.

“Maybe it’s all been laid out in front of me / One hand clapping out a tempo / One hand clapping out a Morse code solo,” she sings, perhaps ironically, in two-part harmony.

edges, adds synth, and lands somewhere near the earnest and slightly unhinged territory of Australian weirdos Architecture in Helsinki.

As an eclecticist , Campbell balances tried-and-true pop sensibilities with experimentation. This makes her projects a little hard to pin down, and the tracks on Before You Still are as varied as anything from her canon.

Opener “Glide” blends whispery vocals, acoustic guitar and stubbed beats, a little bit like Pinback or something else out of the late ’90s/early aughts indie boom. Subsequent cut “Nebraska” ups the energy, sharpens the

Some of Before You Still has a raw quality sometimes present on Luminous Crush records. Tracks such as “I Do” brim with immediacy and an in-the-room quality, as if you’re hearing it just as Campbell is creating it. She gives the drums a little bit of slack, a synth snakes through with an air of spontaneity, and Campbell’s vocals sound like they’re coming from just down the hall.

Campbell told Seven Days via email that “music for me is like trying to swim for shore.” She didn’t elaborate beyond that, but we can imagine that the shore is a feeling of completion or safety, a focal point, something to which you must strive while set adrift.

Maybe the waves and the sandy beach upon which they crash are all the same thing.

Before You Still is available at saintalbums.bandcamp.com and on major streaming services.

JORDAN ADAMS

Yumi Kurosawa Trio

CONTINUED FROM P.61

MON.28

Cold Glock, Set the Bar Low, Dead Solace (hardcore) at 1st Republic Brewing, Essex, 7 p.m. $10.

TUE.29

Big Easy Tuesdays with Jon McBride (jazz) at the 126, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

Bluegrass Jam (bluegrass) at Poultney Pub, 7 p.m. Free.

Bob Recupero (blues, rock) at Lawson’s Finest Liquids, Waitsfield, 5 p.m. Free.

Bobby Shmurda, Mysunderstood, Ferragamo Face, Real Ricky, Abizo (hip-hop) at Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington, 8 p.m. $48.02.

Dale and Darcy (Americana) at the Alchemist, Waterbury, 3 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.

King Me (rock) at Black Flannel Brewing & Distilling, Essex, 6 p.m. Free.

Little Wings, Silver Tree (singer-songwriter) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 7 p.m. $15.

WED.30

Anna Laura Quinn, Liz Beatty, Django Soulo (jazz, indie) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 8 p.m. $10.

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

The High Breaks (surf rock) at the Alchemist, Waterbury, 6 p.m. Free.

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.

Millions of Birds (folk) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 6:30 p.m. $5/$10.

Wednesday Night Dead (Grateful Dead tribute) at Zenbarn, Waterbury Center, 7 p.m. $10.

THU.24

DJ Chaston (DJ) at Red Square Blue Room, Burlington, 10 p.m. Free.

DJ JP Black (DJ) at Red Square, Burlington, 8 p.m. Free.

DJ Paul (DJ) at Red Square Blue Room, Burlington, 9 p.m. Free.

DJ Two Sev (DJ) at Red Square, Burlington, 11 p.m. Free.

Local Dork (DJ) at Foam Brewers, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

Vinyl Night with Ken (DJ) at Poultney Pub, 6 p.m. Free.

Vinyl Thursdays (DJ) at Hotel Vermont, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

FRI.25 // TONY TRISCHKA [BLUEGRASS]

Finger Pickin’ Good

Bluegrass and banjo legend TONY TRISCHKA is one of the most influential and highly regarded players in his field. In his early work with the band Breakfast Special, he wove elements of jazz and the avant-garde into bluegrass, even as he toured with icons such as Peter Rowan. Heralded as the “father of modern bluegrass” by the New York Times, Trischka is an ambassador for the banjo. He’s written numerous instructional books and launched an online banjo school in 2009, which draws students from around the world. His most recent project is the Grammy-nominated album Earl Jam, a tribute to his hero Earl Scruggs. Trischka will perform music from that record at Zenbarn in Waterbury Center on Friday, July 25.

FRI.25

Burly Bear, DJzdcode (DJ) at Red Square Blue Room, Burlington, 8 p.m. Free.

Dark Entries: ’80s Goth Club Night (DJ) at Standing Stone Wines, Winooski, 8 p.m. Free.

DJ CRE8 (DJ) at Red Square, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

DJ Noahles (DJ) at Double E Performance Center’s T-Rex Theater, Essex, 9 p.m. Free.

DJ Taka (DJ) at Light Club Lamp Shop, Burlington, 11 p.m. $10/$15.

DJ Two Rivers (DJ) at Gusto’s, Barre, 6 p.m. Free.

Fattie B (DJ) at Monkey House, Winooski, 9 p.m. Free.

NasteeLuvzYou (DJ) at the Alchemist, Waterbury, 5 p.m. Free.

SAT.26

DJ Eric LaFountaine (DJ) at Gusto’s, Barre, 9 p.m. Free.

DJ Raul (DJ) at Red Square Blue Room, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

DJ Taka’s 10th Anniversary Party (DJ) at Light Club Lamp Shop, Burlington, 8 p.m. $10.

Malcolm Miller (DJ) at the Alchemist, Waterbury, 5 p.m. Free.

Matt Payne (DJ) at Red Square Blue Room, Burlington, 10 p.m. Free.

Molly Mood (DJ) at Red Square Blue Room, Burlington, 8 p.m. Free.

open mics & jams

WED.23

Lit Club (poetry open mic) at Light Club Lamp Shop, Burlington, 6:30 p.m. Free.

Open Mic with Danny Lang (open mic) at Poultney Pub, 7 p.m. Free.

THU.24

Open Mic Night (open mic) at Parker Pie, West Glover, 6 p.m. Free.

Open Mic with Artie (open mic) at Whammy Bar, Calais, 7 p.m. Free.

FRI.25

Open Mic (open mic) at Afterthoughts, Waitsfield, 6 p.m. Free.

SUN.27

Olde Time Jam Session (open jam) at the Den at Harry’s Hardware, Cabot, noon. Free.

VT Synth Society Meetup (synth open jam, discussion) at Community of Sound, Burlington, 5 p.m. Free.

MON.28

Bluegrass Etc. Jam (bluegrass jam) at Ottauquechee Yacht Club, Woodstock, 6:30 p.m. Free.

TUE.29

Open Mic Night (open mic) at Monkey House, Winooski, 7 p.m. Free.

WED.30

Open Mic with Danny Lang (open mic) at Poultney Pub, 7 p.m. Free.

comedy

WED.23

$5 Improv Night (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 7 p.m. $5. Standup Open Mic (comedy open mic) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 8:30 p.m. Free.

THU.24

Paul Reiser (comedy) at Paramount Theatre, Rutland, 7:30 p.m. $48-$55. Tom Thakkar (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $25.

FRI.25

Next Stop Comedy (comedy) at 14th Star Brewing, St. Albans, 7:30 p.m. $10.

Trivia Thursday (trivia) at Einstein’s Tap House, Burlington, 8 p.m. Free.

Tuesday Trivia (trivia) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

FRI.25

Karaoke Friday Night (karaoke) at Park Place Tavern & Grill, Essex Junction, 8 p.m. Free.

Karaoke with DJ Big T (karaoke) at McKee’s Original, Winooski, 9 p.m. Free.

SAT.26

Queeraoke with Goddess (karaoke) at Standing Stone Wines, Winooski, 9 p.m. Free.

SUN.27

Family-Friendly Karaoke (karaoke) at Old Soul Design Shop, Plattsburgh, N.Y., 5 p.m. Free.

Sunday Funday (games) at 1st Republic Brewing, Essex, noon. Free.

Venetian Karaoke (karaoke) at Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

MON.28

Tom Thakkar (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $25.

SAT.26

Tom Thakkar (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 7:30 & 9:30 p.m. $25.

TUE.29

Open Mic Comedy with Levi Silverstein (comedy open mic) at the 126, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

WED.30

Standup Open Mic (comedy open mic) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 8:30 p.m. Free.

trivia, karaoke, etc.

WED.23

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 Alfie’s Wild Ride, Stowe, 7 p.m. Free.

Trivia Night (trivia) at Parker Pie, West Glover, 6:30 p.m. Free.

Trivia Night (trivia) at Dumb Luck Pub & Grill, Winooski, 7 p.m. Free.

Trivia Night (trivia) at Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

THU.24

Karaoke Friday Night (karaoke) at Park Place Tavern & Grill, Essex Junction, 8 p.m. Free.

Line Dancing and Two-Step Night (dance) at Zenbarn, Waterbury Center, 6 p.m. Free.

Trivia (trivia) at Four Quarters Brewing, Winooski, 6 p.m. Free.

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.29

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 Tuesday (trivia) at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction, 7 p.m. Free.

WED.30

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 Alfie’s Wild Ride, Stowe, 7 p.m. Free.

Trivia Night (trivia) at Parker Pie, West Glover, 6:30 p.m. Free.

Trivia Night (trivia) at Dumb Luck

Pub & Grill, Winooski, 7 p.m. Free.

Trivia Night (trivia) at Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free. ➆

calendar

JULY 23-30, 2025

WED.23

agriculture

‘THE FUTURE OF VERMONT’S FOOD & FARM ECONOMY: TRENDS & PREDICTIONS FROM THE FIELD’: Intervale Center executive director Travis Marcotte moderates a panel discussion about how agriculture businesses are deeply interconnected with Vermont’s economy, culture and land use. Hosted by Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility. Intervale Center, Burlington, 5 p.m. $25; preregister; free for VBSR members and legislators. Info, 455-8398.

business

QUEEN CITY BUSINESS

NETWORKING INTERNATIONAL GROUP: Savvy businesspeople make crucial contacts at a weekly chapter meeting. BCA Center, Burlington, 11:15 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, 829-5066.

community

CURRENT EVENTS: Neighbors have an informal discussion about what’s in the news. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 10:30 a.m.noon. Free. Info, 878-4918.

WEEKLY PASSEGGIATA: Locals take to the streets for a community-building stroll of the pedestrian promenade based on the Italian social ritual.

Church Street Marketplace, Burlington, 5-8 p.m. Free. Info, churchstmarketplace@ gmail.com.

crafts

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.

environment

BUTT LITTER CLEANUP: Helping hands come together to dispose of discarded cigarettes. Franklin County Industrial Park, St. Albans, 9-11 a.m. Free. Info, 524-1296. etc.

MEMORABLE TIMES CAFÉ

SUMMER SOCIAL: People living with mild to moderate memory loss and their care partners convene for an afternoon of casual fun, live music and refreshments. Mad River Valley Senior Citizens Center, Evergreen Place, Waitsfield, 1:30-3 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, basen@cvcoa.org.

TOASTMASTERS OF GREATER BURLINGTON: Those looking to strengthen their speaking and leadership skills gain new tools. Virtual option available. Generator Makerspace,

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.

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.

Burlington, 6-7:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 233-4157.

fairs & festivals

BARRE HERITAGE FESTIVAL & HOMECOMING DAYS: Arts, culture, music, food and history join forces at this celebration of the unstoppable Granite City’s past and present. See thebarrepartnership.com for full schedule. Various Barre locations, 10 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Various prices. Info, 477-2967.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section.

‘LOST NATION’: History buffs watch local filmmaker Jay Craven’s Revolutionary War drama about Ethan Allen and Lucy Terry Prince, set in the early upstart Republic of Vermont. Oakes Hall, Vermont Law School, South Royalton, 7 p.m. $15. Info, 748-2600.

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.

games

BOARD GAME NIGHT: Game lovers enjoy an evening of friendly competition with staples such as Catan, Dominion, chess and cards. KelloggHubbard Library, Montpelier, 5:30 p.m. Free. Info, 223-3338.

SUMMER FUN LAWN GAMES: Competitors of all ages find seasonal fun at an outdoor jubilee featuring pickleball, badminton, 9 Square, corn hole, bocce and croquet. Jaquith Public Library, Marshfield, 6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 426-3581.

lgbtq

DYKE MOVIE NIGHT SERIES: ‘PARIAH’: Dee Rees’ 2011 feature debut follows a Brooklyn teenager in a desperate search for sexual expression. Pickering Room, Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 6-8 p.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

WRJ PRIDE: A week of rainbow revelry includes a dance party, karaoke, a movie night, a parade and queer trivia. Various White River Junction locations. Free. Info, 356-2776.

music

THE ALBANY SOUND: A local band plays a rich combination of country, folk and rock originals, paired with renditions of rarities by John Prine, Bobby Charles and other noteworthy names. The Tillerman, Bristol, 5-8 p.m. Free; cash bar. Info, 643-2237.

BCA SUMMER CONCERT SERIES: LONE QUAIL: A genre-busting California singer fuses elements of doo-wop, experimental pop, psychedelia and post-punk. Burlington City Hall Park, 12:301:30 p.m. Free. Info, 829-6305.

CLASSICAL ENCOUNTERS:

CHAMBER MUSIC RECITAL: Advanced fellows and staff of the Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival grab listeners’ attention with a dynamic program. Ages 10 and up. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 1:15-2:15 p.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

CRAFTSBURY CHAMBER PLAYERS: The classical music ensemble performs diverse music by an array of composers from various eras. Elley-Long Music Center, Saint Michael’s College, Colchester, 7:30 p.m. $10-25; free for kids 12 and under. Info, 586-0616.

HUNGER MOUNTAIN CO-OP

Info, middlesexbandstand@ gmail.com.

TAYLOR PARK SUMMER

CONCERT SERIES: Local bands take the stage weekly to perform dynamic grooves while listeners enjoy green grass, refreshments and an evening breeze. See downtownsaintalbans.com for lineup. Taylor Park, St. Albans, 5:30-8 p.m. Free. Info, 524-1500, ext. 263.

WEDNESDAYS ON THE WATERFRONT: MAL MAÏZ: A psychedelic Latin outfit captivates audience members with a blend of traditional and modern Central and South American tunes. Newport Waterfront, 6 p.m. Free. Info, 748-2600.

outdoors

CABOT CHEESE-E-BIKE TOUR:

Cyclists roll through a pastoral 20-mile trail ride, then enjoy artisan eats, including Vermont’s award-wining cheddar. Lamoille Valley Bike Tours, Johnson, noon4 p.m. $120. Info, 730-0161.

seminars

ESSENTIALS OF AUDIO

RECORDING: An informative evening hosted by the Media Factory examines the latest audio techniques and equipment, from microphones to boom poles. The Media Factory, Burlington, 6-8 p.m. Free; donations accepted; preregister. Info, 651-9692.

sports

BIKE BUM RACE SERIES:

Mountain bikers of all ages tackle the trails solo or in teams, then cool down at an athlete after-party. Killington Resort, 2-5 p.m. $20-200; preregister. Info, 800-734-9435.

DRAGON BOATING WITH MALIA RACING: Interested athletes learn the basics and commands on land, then take to the water with coaches for an hour of paddling instruction. Gear provided; BYO water bottle. Community Sailing Center, Burlington, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, manager@ maliaracing.com.

River Junction, 7 p.m. $30. Info, 281-6848.

‘IRVING BERLIN’S WHITE CHRISTMAS’: Audience members feel the cheer at this stage production of the classic 1954 flick following of group of entertainers who unite to save a struggling Vermont inn. Weston Theater at Walker Farm, 2-4:30 p.m. $55-92. Info, 824-5288.

‘JELANI REMY: THIS IS MY MOMENT!’: A lauded Broadway performer with credits the likes of The Lion King and Back to the Future takes audience members on a journey through his musical theater career. Monument Arts & Cultural Center, Bennington, 7-8:30 p.m. $20 cash or check. Info, 318-4444.

‘KIN: A NEW MUSICAL’: Workaround Theatre presents the American premiere of a hopeful musical about moving on without letting go. Black Box Theater, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $30. Info, workaroundtheatre company@gmail.com.

words

BOOK SALE: The library’s 40th annual summer sale offers hundreds of unique titles for kids, teens and adults. Proceeds benefit the Friends of the Stowe Free Library. Stowe Free Library, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. $2. Info, 253-6145.

JAMES SHEA: A local poet launches his new book, Last Day of My Face, in conversation with Vermont poet laureate Bianca Stone. Phoenix Books, Burlington, 7-9 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 448-3350.

THU.24

agriculture

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 SEVENDAYSTICKETS.COM

BROWN BAG SUMMER CONCERT SERIES: Live music by local talent comes to the heart of downtown Montpelier, showcasing a diverse mix of artists and genres throughout the season. Christ Episcopal Church, Montpelier, noon-1 p.m. Free. Info, 223-9604. OVER THE HUMP SUMMER MUSIC SERIES: RED HOT JUBA: A high-energy Vermont band plays blistering-hot countrified jazz and blues tunes. Huntington Recreation Field, 5:30-8 p.m. Free. Info, 434-4947.

SKYLARK: The trailblazing Vermont string quartet performs a genre-blending selection of jazz, classical, American folk and Celtic tunes. Charlotte Town Beach, 6 p.m. Free. Info, janekitt@ gmail.com.

SUMMER CONCERT SERIES: BUFFALO ROSE: A modern folk and Americana six-piece brings lively and charismatic music to Vermont listeners. Middlesex Bandstand, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Free.

GREEN MOUNTAIN TABLE

TENNIS CLUB: Ping-Pong players swing their paddles in singles and doubles matches. Rutland Area Christian School, 7-9 p.m. Free for first two sessions; $30 annual membership. Info, 247-5913.

talks

SUMMER SPEAKER SERIES:

RAY SUAREZ: The host of PBS’ “Wisdom Keepers” series examines the gap between American ideals and the reality experienced by immigrants in “America, Real and Ideal: Immigration and a Values Gut Check.” Worthen Library, South Hero, 6:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 372-6209.

theater

‘BUEN CAMINO’: Shaker Bridge Theatre presents Susan Edsall’s award-winning play that explores how grief can lead to surrender — and ultimately, freedom. Briggs Opera House, White

CROPS & SOILS FIELD DAY: The theme “Growing for Tomorrow” guides a farm tour and in-depth workshops on topics such as hemp, flax, dry beans and soil health. Borderview Farm, Alburgh, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. $25; free for farmers; preregister. Info, 656-7611.

business

GROW YOUR BUSINESS: Shelburne BNI hosts a weekly meeting for local professionals to exchange referrals and build meaningful connections. Connect Church, Shelburne, 8:30-10 a.m. Free. Info, 377-3422.

community

COMMUNITY PARTNERS DESK: Neighbors connect with representatives from the Burlington Electric Department and receive answers to questions about its services. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 3-5 p.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

STORY JAM: Community members recount an unrehearsed five-minute true story from their lives. Junction Arts & Media, White River Junction, 6-7:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 295-6688.

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 all experience levels 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 tools and equipment in the makerspace. Patricia A. Hannaford Career Center, Middlebury, 5-8 p.m. $7.50. Info, 382-1012.

education

‘PROVIDING A FREE APPROPRIATE PUBLIC

EDUCATION DURING STAFFING

SHORTAGES’: Vermont Agency of Education state director of special education Cassie Santo shares a comprehensive review of newly developed and existing guidance designed to support parents and families. Hosted by Vermont Family Network. 1-2 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 876-5315.

environment

FORESTED RIPARIAN BUFFER

REPAIR IN ACTION: Ecologist and educator Jess Rubin guides environmentally minded guests on a walk to view a previously degraded lakeside buffer that has been transformed through restoration strategies. Shelburne Farms, 5:15-7:15 p.m. $10-20; free for BIPOC. Info, 419-0083.

etc.

BLOOD DRIVE: Participants part with life-sustaining pints at this American Red Cross donation event. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, noon-1 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 846-4140.

fairs & festivals

BARRE HERITAGE FESTIVAL & HOMECOMING DAYS: See WED.23, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. 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, $16.50-20; free for members and kids 2 and under. Info, 864-1848.

‘FAMILIAR TOUCH’: Sarah Friedlander’s debut feature film tells the story of a woman who must come to terms with life in an assisted living facility. Film House, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington, 7-8:30 p.m. $6-12. Info, 660-2600.

‘OCEAN PARADISE 3D’: Viewers transport 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, $16.50-20; 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, $16.50-20; free for members and kids 2 and under. Info, 864-1848.

‘SPACE: THE NEW FRONTIER 3D’: Viewers witness history in the making — from launching rockets without fuel to building the Lunar

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.23

burlington

FAMILY PORTRAIT PAINTING: Mini artists ages 7 to 12 and their caregivers create painted masterpieces of each other, followed by a gallery walk to admire everyone’s hard work. Materials and snacks provided. Fletcher Free

OPENS JUL. 24 | THEATER

Fair Play

Lamoille County Players bring turn-of-the-century fun and fashion to audiences at Hyde Park Opera House with their heartfelt production of Meet Me in St. Louis. The book turned movie turned stage musical opens on the Smith family as they eagerly anticipate the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis, though high spirits quickly wane with the announcement of their father’s proposed promotion — uprooting the household to New York City. Throughout the year, trials, tribulations and G-rated romance abound in a series of seasonal vignettes, peppered with cherished tunes such as “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “The Trolley Song,” made famous by Judy Garland in the 1944 MGM blockbuster.

‘MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS’

Thursday, July 24, through Saturday, July 26, 7 p.m.; and Sunday, July 27, 2 p.m., at Hyde Park Opera House. See website for additional dates. $10-20. Info, 888-4507, lcplayers.com.

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, $16.50-20; free for members and kids 2 and under. Info, 864-1848.

Library, Burlington, 5:30-7 p.m. Free; preregister. 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.

KID CRAFTERNOON: TISSUE PAPER PAINTING: Youngsters get creative and make their own colorful bookmark or card. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 4:30-5:30 p.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.

food & drink

COMMUNITY PIZZA NIGHT: Foodies bring their favorite toppings then stretch, sprinkle and bake their pizzas on-site. Live music and drinks in the courtyard follow. Baking School at King

SUMMER CRAFTYTOWN: Kiddos express their inner artist using mediums such as paint, print, collage and sculpture. Recommended for ages 6 and up. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 1-2 p.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

TEDDY BEAR SLEEPOVER: Kiddos drop their plushy friends off at the library, then pick them up the next morning and learn what they got up to overnight. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

WATER PLAY: Tots ages birth to 5 get wet and wild at an outdoor fest of giant blocks, hoops, chalk, bubbles, sounds and splashes. BYO towel or change of clothes. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

barre/montpelier

BABY & CAREGIVER MEETUP: Wiggly ones ages birth to 18 months play and explore in a calm, supportive setting

PAELLA & TAPAS PRIX FIXE PARTY NIGHTS: Gastronomes rejoice in a themed menu featuring craft cocktails and mocktails, shareable small plates, and a classic Spanish rice dish. Adventure Dinner Clubhouse, Colchester, 5-9 p.m. $65. Info, sas@adventuredinner.com.

ST. ALBANS BAY FARMERS MARKET: Local vendors’ art and crafts, live music, and a wide array of eats spice up Thursday afternoons in the region. St. Albans Bay Park, 4:30-7:30 p.m. Free. Info, 524-7589.

VERGENNES FARMERS MARKET: Locavores delight in handmade products, live music, hot food and a new beer tent. Vergennes City Park, 3-7 p.m. Free. Info, vergennesfm@gmail.com.

games

CHESS TIME: Neighbors partake in the ancient game of strategy. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 3-4 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

DUPLICATE BRIDGE GAMES: Snacks and coffee fuel bouts of a classic card game. Burlington Bridge Club, Williston, 12:30-4 p.m. $6. Info, 872-5722.

LAWN GAMES FOR ADULTS: Folks ages 18 and up engage in some friendly competition with lawn darts, Tetris Tumble XL and other fun-filled offerings. Light refreshments provided. Essex Free Library, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Free. Info, 879-0313.

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

COMMUNITY

Arthur Baking, Norwich, 4:30-7 p.m. $10. Info, 649-3361.

FOOD TRUCK ROUNDUP: Epicureans enjoy live music, craft beer and fabulous fare from local purveyors at a weekly summer gathering. Retreat Farm, Brattleboro, 5-8 p.m. $5-8. Info, 490-2270.

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.

ROCKIN’ RON: Avast! The friendly pirate sets the stage for a fun, interactive and adventurous program that gets kids singing and dancing. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, 1-2 p.m. Free. Info, 223-3338.

northeast kingdom

ENCHANTED KINGDOM MINI GOLF: Putters of all ages hit the artist-designed course for some lighthearted competition, whimsy and thrills. Highland Center for the Arts,

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.

Greensboro, noon-8 p.m. $4-5. Info, 533-2000.

THU.24 burlington

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 (Burlington), 9:45-10:45 a.m. $10; free for members. Info, 862-9622.

GROW PRESCHOOL YOGA: Colleen from Grow Prenatal and Family Yoga leads kids ages 2 to 5 in songs, movement and other fun activities. Pickering Room, Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 11-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

Danielle Sweet, Julia Frohn, Alora Becker, Sofia VanDeMoortel and Sadie Leaker in Meet Me in St. Louis

VON TRAPP SUMMER TRAIL

SERIES: Athletes embark on a low-frills 5K race through the property’s stunning forests and soak up the area’s stellar views. The von Trapp Family Lodge & Resort, Stowe, 5:30-7 p.m. $5-10. Info, 253-5719.

lgbtq

WRJ PRIDE: See WED.23.

music

CRAFTSBURY CHAMBER

PLAYERS: The classical music ensemble performs diverse music by an array of composers from various eras. Hardwick Town House, 7:30 p.m. $10-25; free for kids 12 and under. Info, 586-0616.

FEAST & FIELD: KHUMARIYAAN:

An instrumental band from Pakistan captivates listeners with hyper-folk tunes and Pashtun jams. Fable Farm, Barnard, 6 p.m. $5-25. Info, 234-1645.

LAKE MOREY SUMMER CONCERT

SERIES: TRAMPLED BY TURTLES:

A bluegrass-influenced folk band from Minnesota pumps up the crowd with its high-energy, contemporary sound. Lake Morey Resort, Fairlee, 8 p.m. Free. Info, 748-2600.

LITTLE RIVER SUMMER MUSIC

SERIES: Sixteen weeks of dynamic performers, local food vendors, craft cocktails, beer and mingling offer the perfect escape after a hot summer day. See bluebirdhotels.com for lineup.

Tälta Lodge Bluebird, Stowe, 5-8 p.m. $10-15. Info, 253-7525.

MANCHESTER MUSIC FESTIVAL:

‘THE WORDLESS VOICE OF THE CLARINET’: Renowned chamber music instrumentalists team up for a rousing program of works by Sergei Prokofiev, Johannes Brahms, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Southern Vermont Arts Center Arkell Pavilion, Manchester Center, 7:30-9:30 p.m. $15-60. Info, 362-1956.

MAPLE TREE PLACE SUMMER

CONCERT SERIES: GARTH

LIVE: A high-octane tribute act captures the magic, spirit and sound of American country singer-songwriter Garth Brooks. Maple Tree Place, Williston, 6-8 p.m. Free. Info, jkelley@acadiarealty.com.

MUSIC IN THE VINEYARD SUMMER CONCERT SERIES: CAROL ANN JONES & THE SUPERCHARGERS: An energizing Vermont cover band gets toes a-tappin’ while local food trucks serve up tasty treats. Snow Farm Vineyard, South Hero, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Free. Info, 372-9463.

NOAH YOUNG TRIO: A threepiece band evokes the jazz-funk grooves of New Orleans, while attendees enjoy succulent fare from local vendors, a book sale and a bake sale. Jaquith Public Library, Marshfield, 6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 426-3581.

ON THE DOOR RADIO: A laid-back summer series features tantalizing food-truck fare and a rotating pair of local DJs backed by sunset cocktail vibes. Coal Collective,

Burlington, 5-9 p.m. Free. Info, info@thepineryvt.com.

SPRUCE PEAK UNPLUGGED:

RIPE: A Boston quintet pulls from its alt-rock collection of bluesy grooves to get listeners out of their chairs. The Spruce Peak Village Green, Stowe, 6 p.m. $1050. Info, 760-4634.

THURSDAYS BY THE LAKE:

SOULSHINE REVIVAL: New England classic rockers pay tribute to the Allman Brothers Band. Union Station, Burlington, 5:307:30 p.m. Free. Info, 540-3018.

‘WOODY GUTHRIE: A SONG

CELEBRATION’: Performers and speakers take the stage for an electrifying night of live music honoring the legendary folk troubadour. Proceeds benefit the American Civil Liberties Union. Williamsville Hall, Newfane, 7-10 p.m. $20. Info, 201-745-7807.

outdoors

E-BIKE & BREW TOUR: Pedal lovers cycle through scenic trails and drink in the views with stops at four local breweries. Lamoille Valley Bike Tours, Johnson, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. $85. Info, 730-0161.

seminars

WATERSHED SPECIES ILLUSTRATION WORKSHOP

& TRAIL HIKE: Artists of all abilities garner tricks and tips for creating naturalist drawings, then take to the trails for a halfmile hike to identify local flora and fauna. Green Mountain Club Headquarters, Waterbury Center, 10 a.m.-noon. Free; preregister. Info, 244-7037.

talks

HOT TOPICS SUMMER LECTURE SERIES:

STEPHANIE HANES: In “Animal Storytelling,” an environmental journalist shares how reporting and writing about nonhuman subjects creates unique challenges. Hosted by the Vermont Law & Graduate School’s Environmental Law Center. Noon-1 p.m. Free. Info, 847-529-1724.

theater

‘THE DROWSY CHAPERONE’: Local legend Taryn Noelle stars in this raucous and racy parody of American musical comedy in the 1920s. Lost Nation Theater, Montpelier City Hall, 7:30-9 p.m. $15-48. Info, 229-0492.

‘IRVING BERLIN’S WHITE CHRISTMAS’: See WED.23, 2-7:30 p.m.

‘KIN: A NEW MUSICAL’: See WED.23.

‘KING LEAR’: The Parish Players present William Shakespeare’s timeless tragedy about a ruler’s descent into madness. Eclipse Grange Theater, Thetford, 7-10 p.m. $15-25. Info, 785-4344.

‘MAN OF LA MANCHA’: Opera North mounts the Tony Awardwinning musical based on Miguel de Cervantes’ fictional masterpiece, The Adventures of Don Quixote. Blow-Me-Down Farm, Cornish, N.H., 7:30 p.m. $34-72. Info, 603-448-0400.

JUL. 25 | MUSIC

‘MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS’: The Lamoille County Players raise the curtain on the heartwarming stage musical based on the 1944 film of the same name, featuring memorable numbers such as “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “The Trolley Song.” See calendar spotlight. Hyde Park Opera House, 7 p.m. $10-20. Info, 888-4507.

‘RADIANT VERMIN’: Philip Ridley’s biting and fast-paced stage comedy prompts the question: How far would you go to get the house of your dreams? Depot Theatre, Westport, N.Y., 5-6:30 p.m. $2540. Info, 518-962-4449.

words

BOOK SALE: See WED.23.

BOOZY SUMMER BOOK FAIR: Nostalgia takes flight when lit lovers sip themed cocktails and mocktails and relive the “book fair buzz” of their childhood. Bailey’s Place, Rutland, 5:30 p.m. Free. Info, 855-8078.

FRI.25

bazaars

HERITAGE DAYS BOOK & JEWELRY SALE: Lit lovers stock up on titles to complete their summer reading lists, as well as gently used, sparkly treasures. Aldrich Public Library, Barre, 8

Mission Accomplished

Art-punk band Mission of Burma cofounder Roger Clark Miller flies solo for an innovative performance of new compositions at Brattleboro Museum & Art Center. The title of his latest album, Curiosity for Solo Electric Guitar Ensemble, might sound inherently contradictory; however, Miller’s fascinating process of music making includes multiple lap steel guitars, stomp boxes and a looper to generate a veritable orchestra of sounds. From his conductor cockpit, Miller pushes pedals, strums strings and locks in live loops until the sonorous evolution is complete, fully enveloping listeners in a dreamy ocean of layered instrumentation.

ROGER CLARK MILLER Friday, July 25, 7:30 p.m., at Brattleboro Museum & Art Center. $15-25. Info, 802-257-0124, ext. 101, brattleboromuseum.org.

a.m.-5 p.m. Free; cost of items. Info, 476-4185.

conferences

NATIVE AMERICAN ELDERS & YOUTH GATHERING: Indigenous leaders and scientists from around the world gather to care for each other and the Earth. Virtual option available. See sunray.org for full schedule. Sunray Peace Village, Lincoln. Various prices; preregister. Info, eldersgathering@sunray.org.

dance

ENGLISH COUNTRY DANCE: Leaders Barrett Grimm and Martha Kent introduce participants to a sprightly social dance popular in the 18th and 19th centuries. Richmond Free Library, 7-9 p.m. $5. Info, 355-8288.

SHELBURNE CONTRA DANCE: No partner or experience is necessary when Mary Wesley calls the steps and Fiona and Emmett Stowell provide the tunes. Bring clean, soft-soled shoes. Historic Shelburne Town Hall, free lesson, 6:45 p.m.; music, 7-10 p.m. $5-12 cash or check; free for kids under 12. Info, info@queencitycontras.com. etc.

24-HOUR TELETHON: Locals tune in for 24 hours of live, local programming, including community talk shows, music performances and an online auction — all to

help save the Center for Media & Democracy archives. See calendar spotlight. CCTV Channel 17 Studios, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free; donations accepted. Info, outreach@cctv.org.

fairs & festivals

BARRE HERITAGE FESTIVAL & HOMECOMING DAYS: See WED.23, 8 a.m.-midnight.

FLOW STATE: VERMONT MOUNTAIN BIKE FESTIVAL: Mountain Flyer magazine and Ascutney Trails Association cohost a stacked weekend featuring bike clinics, demos, guided rides, live music, and local food and beer. Ascutney Outdoors Center, Brownsville, 9 a.m.-9:30 p.m. $1099. Info, 917-1729.

JERRY JAM: A massive lineup of jam bands celebrates the life, music and good vibes of Jerry Garcia for a delighted crowd of Deadheads. 759 Mitchell Rd., Concord, 7 a.m.-11 p.m. $100. Info, info@jerryjam.com.

ST. J FINAL FRIDAYS: An epic street fair entices attendees with a gallery stroll, live music, food truck offerings and free activities. Downtown St. Johnsbury, 4 p.m. Free. Info, 748-8575.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section.

‘ANIMAL KINGDOM 3D’: See THU.24.

‘EVERYBODY LOVES TOUDA’: Nabil Ayouch’s 2024 musical drama follows a traditional Moroccan singer as she enacts a plan to gain recognition and ensure a better future for her son. The Screening Room @ VTIFF, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington, 7-8:40 p.m. $6-12. Info, 660-2600.

‘GONE GUYS’: Community members gather to watch a documentary film drawing on information from author Richard V. Reeves’ 2022 nonfiction book, Of Boys and Men. A discussion follows. Film House, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington, 6-8 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 540-3018.

‘LOST NATION’: See WED.23. The Big Picture Community Hub for the Arts, Waitsfield.

‘OCEAN PARADISE 3D’: See THU.24.

‘SEA MONSTERS 3D: A PREHISTORIC ADVENTURE’: See THU.24.

‘SPACE: THE NEW FRONTIER 3D’: See THU.24.

food & drink

MOOS & BREWS & COCKTAILS

TOO!: While sipping on local beer and craft beverages, guests cozy up to Jersey cows, have a go at shaking cream into butter and hop on a horse-drawn wagon ride. Billings Farm & Museum, Woodstock, 5:30-8 p.m. $20-25. Info, 457-2355.

PAELLA & TAPAS PRIX FIXE

PARTY NIGHTS: See THU.24, 5-6 p.m.

RICHMOND FARMERS MARKET:

An open-air marketplace complete with live music connects cultivators and fresh-food browsers. Volunteers Green, Richmond, 3-6:30 p.m. Free; cost of goods. Info, rfmmanager@gmail.com.

SOUTH END GET DOWN: Local food trucks dish out mouthwatering meals and libations while live DJs and outdoor entertainment add to the ambience. Coal Collective, Burlington, 5-9 p.m. Free; cost of food and drink. Info, 363-9305.

games

DUPLICATE BRIDGE GAMES: See THU.24, 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

health & fitness

THE ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION

EXERCISE PROGRAM: Pauline

Nolte leads participants in a low-impact, evidenced-based program that builds muscle, keeps joints flexible and helps folks stay fit. Waterbury Public Library, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, 241-4840.

FRIDAY RECHARGE: Guests get a health boost with sauna access and a cold plunge, paired with nonalcoholic recovery cocktails and live beats. Savu Sauna Lakeside, Burlington, 7:30-10 p.m. $35. Info, 448-0854‬.

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.

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.

language

FRENCH SOCIAL HOUR: The Alliance Française of the Lake Champlain Region hosts a rendez-vous over cocktails. Hilton Garden Inn Burlington Downtown, 5:30-7 p.m. Free; cash bar. Info, bbrodie@aflcr.org.

ITALIAN CONVERSATION:

Advanced and intermediate speakers practice their skills at a conversazione based on the “News in Slow Italian” podcast. Pickering Room, Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, noon-1:30 p.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

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.

WRJ PRIDE: See WED.23.

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.

ANNA GENIUSHENE: A silver medalist of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition brings fearless authenticity and world-class playing to local listeners. Haybarn Theatre, Goddard College, Plainfield, 7 p.m. Free. Info, 613-7525.

BCA SUMMER CONCERT

SERIES: HOUSE OF HAMILL: A Pennsylvania folk band plays compelling works with irresistible hooks and sophisticated arrangements while listeners enjoy a relaxing outdoor lunch. Burlington City Hall Park, 12:301:30 p.m. Free. Info, 829-6305.

BURGER NIGHT: PATUSCADA:

Diners gather outdoors for a homegrown meal and a danceable mix of axé, forró and samba. BYO chairs and blankets. Bread & Butter Farm, Shelburne, 4:307:30 p.m. $10-30. Info, events@ breadandbutterfarm.com.

CONCERTS IN THE COURTYARD: Music aficionados of all ages tune in to a weekly summer series featuring live outdoor performances by noteworthy talent. See benningtonmuseum.org for lineup. Bennington Museum, 5-7 p.m. Free. Info, 447-1571.

FRIDAY NIGHT MUSIC: New vinos, hopping live tunes, tasty food truck provisions and picnic blankets make for a relaxing evening among the vines. See lincolnpeakvineyard.com for lineup. Lincoln Peak Vineyard, New Haven, 6-8 p.m. Free. Info, 388-7368.

GREEN MOUNTAIN CHAMBER

MUSIC FESTIVAL: ARTIST

FACULTY SERIES: Listeners revel in a monthlong lineup of performances by internationally renowned musicians and distinguished guest ensembles. Elley-Long Music Center, Saint Michael’s College, Colchester, 7:30 p.m. $35-50; free for

FOMO?

Find even more local events in this newspaper and online: art

Find visual art exhibits and events in the Art section and at sevendaysvt.com/art.

film

See what’s playing at theaters in the On Screen section.

music + nightlife

Find club dates at local venues in the Music + Nightlife section online at sevendaysvt.com/ music.

Learn more about highlighted listings in the Magnificent 7 on page 11.

= ONLINE EVENT

students and kids. Info, info@ gmcmf.org.

LEVITT AMP ST. JOHNSBURY MUSIC SERIES: PHILLIP

MICHAEL SCALES: A Nashville singer-songwriter blends an indie-rock sound with the passion of the blues. Downtown St. Johnsbury, 7 p.m. Free. Info, 748-2600.

MUSIC IN THE ALLEY: NOAH YOUNG TRIO: A high-energy three-piece evokes the jazz-funk grooves of New Orleans. Jack’s Alley, Waterbury, 6-9 p.m. Free. Info, 578-5028.

ROGER CLARK MILLER: The acclaimed multi-instrumentalist of Mission of Burma and Alloy Orchestra performs compositions from his newest album, Curiosity for Solo Electric Guitar Ensemble. See calendar spotlight. Brattleboro Museum & Art Center, 7:30 p.m. $15-25. Info, 257-0124, ext. 101.

SKYLARK: The trailblazing Vermont string quartet performs a genre-blending selection of jazz, classical, American folk and Celtic tunes. Homer Knight Barn, Island Arts Center, North Hero, 7 p.m. $20-25. Info, 372-8889.

VILLAGE HARMONY: Youthful virtuosos offer a globally influenced program of tunes spanning from South Africa to the Balkans. Federated Church of Rochester, 7-9 p.m. By donation. Info, 279-2394.

outdoors

CABOT CHEESE-E-BIKE TOUR: See WED.23.

E-BIKE & BREW TOUR: See THU.24.

sports

BIENNIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT: Athletes tee off to raise funds for the Friends of the Enosburg Falls Opera House. Enosburg Falls Country Club, 9 a.m. $400 per team; preregister. Info, 933-6171.

FRIDAY NIGHT DINGHY RACING: Skippers with previous sailing knowledge celebrate the end of the week with some nautical competition. Bring or borrow a boat. Community Sailing Center, Burlington, 5-7:30 p.m. Free. Info, 864-2499.

NOT SO CHILLY GOLF

TOURNAMENT: A day of food, fun and friendly competition supports the Chill Foundation, which aims to make surfing, snowboarding and skateboarding more accessible to young people. Killington Resort, 9 a.m. $95-380; preregister. Info, 383-6920.

talks

CHRIS TROIANO & STEVE

GASIOROWSKI: Two Yankee Brass Band members discuss how music groups formed in the U.S. during the early 1800s and what their unique role was within American society. A Q&A follows. Bennington Museum, 4 p.m. Free. Info, 447-1571.

tech

TECH FREEBIES: SAVING MONEY WITH LIBRARY RESOURCES:

Folks looking to cut costs join up with a digital specialist to explore the variety of free online services that the library has to offer. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 1-2 p.m. Free. Info, 846-4140. theater

‘BUEN CAMINO’: Phantom Theater presents Susan Edsall’s award-winning one-woman show that explores how grief can lead to surrender — and ultimately, freedom. Phantom Theater, Edgcomb Barn, Warren, 8-9 p.m. $20. Info, tracy@madriver.com.

‘THE DROWSY CHAPERONE’: See THU.24.

FOOD & ART FRIDAY: ‘SCROLLING STORIES’: Cranky storytelling takes center stage, featuring performances by Sable Project alums Storm Welch and Maia Gilmour, as well as Sandglass Theater founders Eric and Ines Bass. Wood-fired pizza by Fat Dragon Farm completes the evening. BYOB. Sable Project, Stockbridge, 5-8:30 p.m. $5-20 suggested donation. Info, bex@thesableproject.org.

‘IRVING BERLIN’S WHITE CHRISTMAS’: See WED.23, 7:3010 p.m.

‘KIN: A NEW MUSICAL’: See WED.23.

‘KING LEAR’: See THU.24. ‘MAN OF LA MANCHA’: See THU.24.

‘MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS’: See THU.24.

‘OH YOU BEAST DESCENDANTS’: Audience members take in a brand-new, politically charged production of puppetry that evolves over the course of the summer. Bread and Puppet Theater, Glover, 7 p.m. $15. Info, 525-3031.

‘RADIANT VERMIN’: See THU.24.

words

BOOK SALE: See WED.23.

SAT.26

bazaars

HERITAGE DAYS BOOK & JEWELRY SALE: See FRI.25, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

MAKER’S MARKET: Shoppers discover unique, handmade goods and meet the talented people behind them at a weekly showcase of local artists, bakers, distillers and crafters. Addison West, Waitsfield, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free; cost of items. Info, 528-7951.

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.

conferences

NATIVE AMERICAN ELDERS & YOUTH GATHERING: See FRI.25.

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, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, 426-3581. etc.

24-HOUR TELETHON: See FRI.25, midnight-6 p.m.

30TH ANNIVERSARY BLOCK PARTY: Beloved retailer and marketplace cornerstone Outdoor Gear Exchange invites community members to a vibrant festival marking three decades of operation. Church Street Marketplace, Burlington, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Free. Info, 888-547-4327.

ACROSS THE STREET WALKING

TOUR: Museum curator Jamie Franklin leads guests on a guided exploration of the town’s historic structures. Bennington Museum, 10-11:30 a.m. $15-22. Info, 447-1571.

KITTY BADHANDS POP-UP SHOP: Visitors take home a piece of wearable, one-of-a-kind art in celebration of the museum’s current exhibit. Billings Farm & Museum, Woodstock, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free; cost of items. Info, 457-2355.

fairs & festivals

BARRE HERITAGE FESTIVAL & HOMECOMING DAYS: See WED.23, 7:30 a.m.-11 p.m.

COLBURN PARK TRAD MUSIC FESTIVAL: Music lovers flock to a weekend of playing, learning, dancing, jamming and live performances. Colburn Park, Lebanon, N.H., 9 a.m.-9 p.m. $40-125; preregister. Info, 603-448-1642.

FLOW STATE: VERMONT MOUNTAIN BIKE FESTIVAL: See FRI.25.

GLOVER DAY: A community-wide celebration boasts a historic reenactment of the “Runaway Pond Road Race,” a Bread and Puppet Theater retelling, a duck race, food truck offerings, and live music. Glover Town Green, 7 a.m.3 p.m. Free. Info, 802 525-7199.

JERRY JAM: See FRI.25.

MAPLE ROOTS FESTIVAL: Music fans congregate for a day of local food, craft beer, maple creemees, kids’ programming, and performances by the likes of Freeway Clyde and Jaded Ravins. Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks, Montpelier, noon-midnight. Free; preregister. Info, maplerootsfest@ gmail.com.

VERMONT FAIRY FESTIVAL: Fae, wizards, gnomes, pixies, trolls and other fantastical creatures gather for an enchanted afternoon adventure. Highland Center for the Arts, Greensboro, noon-4 p.m. $5-14; free for kids 3 and under. Info, 533-2000.

Turn On, Tune In

Community media supporters gathering to watch CCTV’s premiere broadcast in 1984

Library, 1-5 p.m. Free. Info, judi@ waterburypubliclibrary.com.

Since 1984, Burlington’s Center for Media & Democracy has functioned as Vermont’s history keeper. The nonprofit maintains and preserves local stories, from town meetings to concerts to protests, that would otherwise enter the void. Safely stored in the CCTV archives, the memories exist as VHS tapes — but those flimsy brown ribbons have already begun to deteriorate. To help preserve the irreplaceable archives, tune in virtually or in person for the 24-Hour Telethon, an epic fundraiser showcasing nonstop, community-created content. Eclectic segments include live music, an exploration of the archives, author talks, an auction and even a niche program titled “Drawing Pokémon From Memory.”

24-HOUR TELETHON

Friday, July 25, 6 p.m., through Saturday, July 26, 6 p.m., at CCTV Channel 17 Studios in Burlington and online. Free; donations accepted. Info, outreach@cctv.org, cctv.org.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section.

‘ANIMAL KINGDOM 3D’: See THU.24.

‘ERA OCULTA’: Audience members take in this 2024 Portuguese flick following a Rastafari artist whose portrait of a feminist becomes an activist symbol. The Screening Room @ VTIFF, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington, 7-8:20 p.m. $6-12. Info, 660-2600.

‘GONE GUYS’: See FRI.25.

‘LOST NATION’: See FRI.25.

‘OCEAN PARADISE 3D’: See THU.24.

‘SEA MONSTERS 3D: A PREHISTORIC ADVENTURE’: See THU.24.

‘SPACE: THE NEW FRONTIER 3D’: See THU.24.

food & drink

AN EVENING AT THE SANCTUARY: Animal lovers delight in scrumptious wine and vegan cheesecake pairings, followed by a tour and meet and greet with rescued critters. Proceeds support the sanctuary. Merrymac Animal Sanctuary, Charlotte, 6-8 p.m. $40. Info, 448-2377.

NORTHWEST FARMERS MARKET: Locavores stock up on produce, preserves, baked goods, and arts and crafts. Taylor Park, St. Albans, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Info, 242-2729.

ST. JOHNSBURY FARMERS MARKET: Growers, bakers, makers and crafters gather weekly at booths centered on local eats. Pearl St. & Eastern Ave., St. Johnsbury, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, cfmamanager@gmail.com.

games

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

MAH-JONGG: Tile traders face off in the ancient Chinese game often compared to gin rummy and poker. Waterbury Public Library, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, judi@ waterburypubliclibrary.com.

lgbtq

WRJ PRIDE: See WED.23.

FOMO?

Find even more local events in this newspaper and online: art

Find visual art exhibits and events in the Art section and at sevendaysvt.com/art.

film

See what’s playing at theaters in the On Screen section.

music + nightlife

Find club dates at local venues in the Music + Nightlife section online at sevendaysvt.com/ music.

Learn more about highlighted listings in the Magnificent 7 on page 11.

= ONLINE EVENT

= GET TICKETS ON SEVENDAYSTICKETS.COM

music

ANA GUIGUI: See FRI.25.

BANDWAGON SUMMER SERIES:

THE BLUE DAHLIA: A Brooklynborn singer-songwriter and ukulele player draws from her Eastern European roots to create music that blends reggae, ska, jazz and other genres. New England Center for Circus Arts, Brattleboro, 6 p.m. $22-25; free for kids under 12. Info, 387-0102.

CARILLON SUMMER MUSIC

SERIES: GEORGE MATTHEW: A lauded instrumentalist coaxes stunning sounds from the university’s 47-bell carillon. Norwich University, Northfield, 1 p.m. Free. Info, 485-2141.

COOLER IN THE MOUNTAINS

CONCERT SERIES: Top regional and national acts delight audience members of all stripes

at a weekly summer offering backed by unparalleled views. See killington.com for lineup. K-1 Lodge, Killington, 3-5:50 p.m. Free. Info, 800-621-6867.

THE DORSET BARBECUE

QUARTET: Four talented vocalists sing barbershop harmonies and other melodies from a bygone era. Stone Valley Arts, Poultney, 3-4:15 p.m. Free. Info, stonevalleyartscenter@ gmail.com.

HOLLAND DAY: Community members gather for an afternoon of smoked pizza and grilled burgers, made merrier by a stellar lineup of live music. Holland Community Center, noon-2 p.m. Free. Info, 323-1943.

MARC DALY FOLK BAND: The Madaila front man leads the group in original music drawn

from roots traditions, with layered instrumentation and heartfelt lyrics. Knoll Farm, Fayston, 6:3010 p.m. $30. Info, 496-5685.

MARLBORO MUSIC FESTIVAL: Pianists and artistic directors Mitsuko Uchida and Jonathan Biss present a series of classical concerts over five weekends. Persons Auditorium, Potash Hill campus, Marlboro, 8-9:30 p.m. $20-40. Info, 254-2394.

OTTER CREEK MUSIC FESTIVAL:

MAREN MONTALBANO &

THOMAS SCHUTTENHELM: In “Songs of the Quiet Hours,” a Grammy-winning mezzo-soprano and a lauded guitarist perform works by Frank Wallace and Tom Johnson, as well as originals. Chaffee Art Center, Rutland, 7:30 p.m. $15-35 sliding scale. Info, 775-0356.

SUMMER SOUNDS CONCERT SERIES: THE TRAVELING MIDDLEBURYS: Four longtime Addison County musicians join forces to capture the acoustic vibes and vocal harmonies of timeless songs from the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s. Town Hall Theater, Middlebury, 5:30-7 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 382-9222.

SUNDOWN SESSIONS: Burlington’s best local bands take the stage for idyllic summer-evening concerts backed by Barge Canal sunsets. See thepineryvt.com for lineup. Coal Collective, Burlington, 6-8 p.m. Free. Info, info@thepineryvt.com.

VILLAGE HARMONY: See FRI.25. South Hero Congregational Church, 4-5:30 p.m. By donation. Info, 318-0916.

outdoors

CABOT CHEESE-E-BIKE TOUR: See WED.23.

E-BIKE & BREW TOUR: See THU.24.

GUIDED NATURALIST HIKES AT

STARK MOUNTAIN: Wildlife guru Gene O. Desideraggio leads participants on a trek to explore local plant and animal life. Ages 5 and up. Mad River Glen, Waitsfield, 2-4 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 583-3536.

JULY BIRD MONITORING WALK: Early risers stroll the grounds to observe flying friends and bask in the beauty of the surrounding trails and forests. Birds of Vermont Museum, Huntington, 7:30-8:30 a.m. $10-15 suggested donation; preregister. Info, 4342167.

MOTH BALL: Night owls observe and identify the nocturnal insects around them on a guided forest canopy walk. Vermont Institute of Natural Science, Quechee, 9-10 p.m. $12-15. Info, 359-5000. SLOW BIRDING OUTING: “Bird Diva” Bridget Butler leads an outcome-free amble that focuses on getting to know our flying, feathered friends beyond their identifications. Cold Hollow Sculpture Park, Enosburg Falls, 9 a.m.-noon. $30; preregister. Info, birddiva@gmail.com.

theater

‘BUEN CAMINO’: See FRI.25. ‘THE DROWSY CHAPERONE’: See THU.24.

FAMI LY FU N

chittenden county

FAMILY STORY TIME: Little ones through age 5 and their caregivers love this lively, interactive storybook experience featuring songs, rhymes and finger plays. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 10:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

KALEIDOSCOPE OF STORIES:

Youngsters ages birth to 5 make merry with rhymes, songs and a colorful activity. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 10-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

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.

TEDDY BEAR SLEEPOVER: See WED.23, 10-10:30 a.m.

TEEN PAINT & SIP: Young artists ages 13 to 18 create their own masterpiece with instruction and refreshing beverages. All materials provided. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 4-5 p.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

barre/montpelier

POKÉMON CLUB: I choose you, Pikachu! Elementary and teenage fans of the franchise — and beginners, too — trade cards and play games. KelloggHubbard 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, Montpelier, 10:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 223-3338.

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.

middlebury area

BIRDING FOR KIDS: An Audubon Vermont educator enthralls the library’s little patrons with a morning of avian information, themed crafts and science. Starksboro Public Library, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, 453-3732.

SHIPWRECK TOURS: What lies beneath? Spectators view real-time footage of a sunken craft transmitted from a robotic camera. Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, Vergennes, 10

a.m.-noon. $25-45; preregister. Info, 475-2022.

northeast kingdom

ACORN CLUB STORY TIME: Youngsters 5 and under play, sing, hear stories and color. St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, 10:1510:45 a.m. Free. Info, 745-1391. ENCHANTED KINGDOM MINI GOLF: See WED.23.

outside vermont

ART’S IMPACT PROGRAM PERFORMANCE: A touring children’s theater troupe mounts a different fairy tale each week, with script, music and lyrics written by North Country Center for the Arts executive artistic director Joel Mercier. Court Street Arts at Alumni Hall, Haverhill, N.H., 10 a.m. $5. Info, 603-989-5500.

FRI.25

burlington

SPLASH DANCE: Kiddos soak up sunshine and fun in the fountain while DJs spin family-friendly tracks. Burlington City Hall Park, 4-6 p.m. Free. Info, eindorato@burlingtoncityarts.org.

chittenden county

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.

SCIENCE OF SOUND SERIES: INSTRUMENTS FROM RECYCLED

MATERIALS: Attendees transform everyday recyclables into musical marvels while discovering how shape, size and materials determine the unique sounds. Recommended for ages 6 to 11. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 3:305 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

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. KelloggHubbard 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

NAILED IT! BAD ART CHALLENGE: Budding artists let go of expectations and re-create Vincent van Gogh’s classic “Starry Night” painting using wacky mixed mediums. Waterbury Public Library, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Info, 244-7036.

middlebury area

‘JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT’: The Young Company presents Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s famed musical based on the Bible story of Joseph.

Town Hall Theater, Middlebury, 7 p.m. $10-25. Info, 382-9222.

northeast kingdom

ENCHANTED KINGDOM MINI GOLF: See WED.23.

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.

brattleboro/okemo valley

‘THE DUKE IS DEAD!’: Vermont Suitcase Company invites sleuths of all ages to a family-friendly murder mystery hour featuring suspicious characters, puppets and surprises. Next Stage Arts, Putney, 7-8 p.m. $512. Info, 387-0102.

SAT.26 burlington

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.

SPLASH DANCE: See FRI.25, 2:30-4:30 p.m.

chittenden county

KIDS CHESS CLUB: Young players ages 5 and up vie for their opponent’s king — without instruction! South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, nliuzzi@ southburlingtonvt.gov.

mad river valley/ waterbury

GILLIAN WYNNE GRIMM: A bicoastal author shares her charming new picture book, The Tail of Morris followed by a very special craft for little listeners. Inklings Children’s Books, Waitsfield, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free. Info, 496-7280.

middlebury area

‘JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT’: See FRI.25, 2 p.m.

northeast kingdom

ENCHANTED KINGDOM MINI GOLF: See WED.23.

SATURDAY STORY TIME: Tiny tots from birth to age 6 and their caregivers have fun with stories, songs, free play and crafts. St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, 10:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 745-1391.

SUN.27

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, 1-3 p.m. Free. Info, 891-2014.

barre/montpelier

CONCERTS ON THE GREEN: SLAPHAPPY JACK WITH VERMONT

SUITCASE COMPANY: Sleuths of all ages revel in a family-friendly murder mystery hour featuring suspicious characters, puppets and surprises, followed by a genre-busting performance of high-energy tunes. Camp Meade, Middlesex, 2-6 p.m. Free. Info, info@ campmeade.today.

middlebury area

‘JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT’: See FRI.25, 2 p.m.

randolph/royalton

‘THE BAFFO BOX SHOW: A COMPACT CARDBOARD COMEDY’: Performed in a one-of-a-kind suit-stage, this family-friendly show delivers classic hand puppetry, Dadaist ventriloquism and comedy with impeccable timing. Brookfield Old Town Hall, 1-3 p.m. Free. Info, abelisle2@comcast.net.

MON.28 burlington

ARTFUL GARDEN PARTY: Children ages 2 to 8 and their caregivers delight in a morning of themed stories and art making with flowers and other natural materials. Snacks provided. Fletcher Free Library New North End Branch, Burlington, 10-11 a.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

chittenden county

NATURE PLAYGROUP: Budding nature lovers ages birth to 5 and their caregivers trek the trails with an experienced educator. Green Mountain Audubon Center, Huntington, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 434-3068.

TEEN ZINE WORKSHOP: Adolescent artists and writers learn how to self-publish and make their voices heard. Supplies provided. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 3-4 p.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

mad river valley/ waterbury

TODDLER TIME: Little ones 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: A bookseller and librarian extraordinaire reads picture books on a different theme each week. The Norwich Bookstore, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 649-1114.

TUE.29

burlington

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 New North End Branch, 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

COLORFUL CRAFTERNOON: WIRE SCULPTURES: Older children and teens bend, twist and cut wires to create 3D art. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 3-4 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956. 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.25, 2-6 p.m.

upper valley

SUMMER MUSICAL THEATER INTENSIVE: ‘AMÉLIE’: Talented teens breathe life into a theatrical adaptation of the 2001 French film about a whimsical Parisian girl who finds love. Byrne Theater, Barrette Center for the Arts, White River Junction, 7:30 p.m. $19-29. Info, 296-7000.

northeast kingdom

LAPSIT STORY TIME: Babies 2 and under learn to love reading, singing and playing with their caregivers. Siblings welcome. St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, 10:15-10:45 a.m. Free. Info, 745-1391.

PRESCHOOL STORY TIME: See FRI.25.

WED.30

chittenden county

BABY TIME: See WED.23.

GAME ON!: See WED.23.

RACHEL KEYSER: An author shares her charming and music-filled children’s book, Violet’s Violin, followed by an instrument petting zoo for youngsters. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 1-2 p.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

SUMMER CRAFTYTOWN: See WED.23.

TEEN CRAFTERNOON: SQUEEGEE

PAINTING: Young artists get creative and turn blobs of paint into unique masterpieces. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 5-6 p.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.

WATER PLAY: See WED.23.

barre/montpelier

BABY & CAREGIVER MEETUP: See WED.23.

‘COLORS OF THE WILD’: The Vermont Museum of Natural History presents a fun and educational program exploring the differences in animals’ sight and how all kinds of creatures make use of color. Jaquith Public Library, Marshfield, 6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 426-3581.

FAMILY CHESS CLUB: See WED.23.

upper valley

SUMMER MUSICAL THEATER INTENSIVE: ‘AMÉLIE’: See TUE.29.

northeast kingdom

ENCHANTED KINGDOM MINI GOLF: See WED.23. K

‘IRVING BERLIN’S WHITE CHRISTMAS’: See WED.23, 7:3010 p.m.

‘KIN: A NEW MUSICAL’: See WED.23, 2 & 7:30 p.m.

‘KING LEAR’: See THU.24.

‘MAN OF LA MANCHA’: See THU.24, 5:30 p.m.

‘MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS’: See THU.24.

‘RADIANT VERMIN’: See THU.24. words

BOOK SALE: The Pawlet Public Library invites avid readers to a beloved local tradition featuring thousands of gently used titles, including rare and vintage finds. Mettawee Community School, West Pawlet, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Free; cost of books. Info, 325-3123.

BOOK SALE: See WED.23, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

THE POETRY EXPERIENCE:

Local wordsmith Rajnii Eddins hosts a supportive writing and sharing circle for poets of all ages. Pickering Room, Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 1-3 p.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

WORDS IN THE WOODS: ADRIE

KUSSEROW: Vermonters and visitors take in the state’s natural beauty while listening to a cultural anthropologist and poet share inspiring selections from her collections. Lake Shaftsbury State Park, 11 a.m.-noon. Free; preregister. Info, jpelletier@ vermonthumanities.org.

WRITE NOW!: Lit lovers of all experience levels hone their craft in a supportive and critique-free environment. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, 10 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 223-3338.

SUN.27

bazaars

MIDDLESEX ARTISAN MARKET:

A juried showcase of high-quality goods by artists and craftspeople offers something for every shopper’s interests. Camp Meade, Middlesex, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Free; cost of goods. Info, info@ campmeade.today.

conferences

NATIVE AMERICAN ELDERS & YOUTH GATHERING: See FRI.25.

crafts

YARN CRAFTERS GROUP: See WED.23, 1-3 p.m. etc.

BEST POOCH IN THE NOOSK: Pup enthusiasts flock to this celebration of all things canine, showcasing the cutest four-legged visitors of the farmers market. Winooski Falls Way, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Info, farmersmarket@ downtownwinooski.org.

fairs & festivals

COLBURN PARK TRAD MUSIC FESTIVAL: See SAT.26, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

FLOW STATE: VERMONT MOUNTAIN BIKE FESTIVAL: See FRI.25, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

JERRY JAM: See FRI.25. film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section.

‘ANIMAL KINGDOM 3D’: See THU.24.

‘OCEAN PARADISE 3D’: See THU.24.

‘SEA MONSTERS 3D: A PREHISTORIC ADVENTURE’: See THU.24.

‘SPACE: THE NEW FRONTIER 3D’: See THU.24.

food & drink

ROYALTON FARMERS MARKET: Local farms find support at a summerlong market celebrating the most abundant season of the year. South Royalton Town Green, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, royaltonfarmersmarket@ gmail.com.

VERSHIRE ARTISAN & FARMERS MARKET: Foodies, farmers and their friends buy and sell freshgrown produce and handmade treasures at this “teaching market” that provides youth vendors with essential business skills. Vershire Town Center, 12:30-3:30 p.m. Free. Info, 331-0434.

WINOOSKI FARMERS MARKET: Area growers and bakers offer ethnic fare, assorted harvests and agricultural products against a backdrop of live music. Winooski Falls Way, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Info, info@ downtownwinooski.org.

games

DUPLICATE BRIDGE GAMES: See THU.24, 1-4:30 p.m.

health & fitness

CARDIAC CHAMP CHALLENGE:

Twenty-one teams in 18-foot inflatable boats paddle against one another to raise funds for cardiac care at Northwestern Medical Center. Food trucks, exercise programs, ice cream, and fun-filled activities complete the day. Kill Kare State Park, St Albans City, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Various prices. Info, 782-9867.

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

practice together in the Plum Village tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh. Hot Yoga Burlington, 6-7:45 p.m. Free. Info, newleafsangha@ gmail.com.

YOGA FOR GRIEF & HEALING: Empty Arms Vermont hosts a special class for individuals who have experienced pregnancy or infant loss. Kismet Place, Williston, 7:308:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 232-2512.

lgbtq

BOARD GAME DAY: LGBTQ+ tabletop fans bring their own favorite games to the party. Rainbow Bridge Community Center, Barre, 1-6 p.m. Free. Info, 622-0692.

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.

LGBTQ FIBER ARTS GROUP: A knitting, crocheting and weaving session welcomes all ages, gender identities, sexual orientations and skill levels. Presented by Pride Center of Vermont. Noon-1 p.m. Free. Info, laurie@pridecentervt. org.

QUEER READS BOOK CLUB: LGBTQ+ literature fans gather to discuss a new handpicked title each month. Pride Center of Vermont, Burlington, Last Sunday of every month, 1:30-2:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 863-3403.

music

BCA SUNDAY CLASSICAL: STEVE KLIMOWSKI QUARTET: A beloved summer series showcases some of the state’s most gifted classical musicians while listeners enjoy their morning coffee outdoors. Burlington City Hall Park, 10-11 a.m. Free. Info, 829-6305.

BRAINTREE BLUEGRASS

BRUNCH: MATT FLINNER & JOE

K. WALSH AND MOUNTAIN DOG: A double bill brings high-octane

performances to local listeners, featuring a banjo and mandolin duo and an eclectic string band. Braintree Hill Meetinghouse, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free; donations accepted. Info, 728-9878.

BURLINGTON CONCERT BAND: Local music lovers bring lawn chairs and blankets to a weekly big-band blowout. Battery Park, Burlington, 7-8:45 p.m. Free. Info, burlingtonconcertbandvt@ gmail.com.

LEVITT AMP ST. JOHNSBURY

MUSIC SERIES: LARRY & JOE: An artist known for his Llanera music and a Grammy-nominated bluegrass musician team up to perform a fusion of Venezuelan and Appalachian folk tunes. Dog Mountain, St. Johnsbury, 5 p.m. Free. Info, 748-2600.

MANCHESTER MUSIC FESTIVAL: YOUNG ARTISTS CONCERTS:

Talented youth players perform a dynamic chamber music repertoire alongside their mentors. Southern Vermont Arts Center Arkell Pavilion, Manchester Center, 5-7 p.m. $15-30. Info, 362-1956.

MARLBORO MUSIC FESTIVAL: See SAT.26, 2:30-4 p.m.

OTTER CREEK MUSIC FESTIVAL: See SAT.26, 6 p.m.

SKYLARK: The trailblazing Vermont string quartet performs a genre-blending selection of jazz, classical, American folk and Celtic tunes. Charlotte Congregational Church, 10 a.m. Free. Info, janekitt@gmail.com.

VILLAGE HARMONY: See FRI.25. Unitarian Church of Montpelier, 4-6 p.m. By donation. Info, 279-2394.

WESTFORD SUMMER CONCERT

SERIES: ECLIPSE: A new band brings a unique blend of classic rock and improvisational jazz to local listeners. Westford Common, 6:30-8 p.m. Free. Info, 363-0930.

sports

PADDLETHON: Kayakers complete as many laps as they can in two hours, crushing personal goals while also raising money to support lake access for all. Community Sailing Center, Burlington, 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m. $50100; preregister. Info, 864-2499.

theater

‘THE DROWSY CHAPERONE’: See THU.24, 2-3:30 p.m.

‘IRVING BERLIN’S WHITE CHRISTMAS’: See WED.23.

‘KIN: A NEW MUSICAL’: See WED.23, 2 p.m.

‘KING LEAR’: See THU.24, 2-5 p.m.

‘MAN OF LA MANCHA’: See THU.24, 5:30 p.m.

‘MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS’: See THU.24, 2 p.m.

‘OUR DOMESTIC RESURRECTION REVOLUTION IN PROGRESS

CIRCUS’: Bread and Puppet’s spectacular summer show features colorful puppetry, stilt dancing and acrobatics, all backed by a riotous brass band. Bread and Puppet Theater, Glover, 3 p.m. $15 suggested donation. Info, 525-3031.

‘RADIANT VERMIN’: See THU.24. words

BOOK SALE: See SAT.26, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

MON.28 conferences

NATIVE AMERICAN ELDERS & YOUTH GATHERING: See FRI.25.

crafts

FUSE BEADS CLUB: Aspiring artisans bring ideas or borrow patterns to make beaded creations. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, MON.28 » P.72

coverage. It’ll hold you over until Wednesday.

SUBSCRIBE AT sevendaysvt.com/enews

Montpelier, 3:30-5 p.m. Free. Info, 223-3338.

dance

BEGINNER LINE DANCING: No partner or experience is necessary when Sid McLam teaches learners how to step in sequence. Brookfield Old Town Hall, 6:30-8 p.m. $10 suggested donation. Info, abelisle2@comcast.net.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section.

‘ANIMAL KINGDOM 3D’: See THU.24.

‘OCEAN PARADISE 3D’: See THU.24.

‘SEA MONSTERS 3D: A PREHISTORIC ADVENTURE’: See THU.24.

‘SPACE: THE NEW FRONTIER 3D’: See THU.24.

food & drink

COOKEE’S SUPPER CLUB: Foodies dazzle their taste buds at this pop-up, farm-to-table dining experience featuring a seven-course tasting menu and complimentary wine pairing. Blackbird Bistro, Craftsbury, 6-9 p.m. $100; preregister. Info, kathryn@ cookeesvt.com.

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.

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.

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.

lgbtq

QTPOC SUPPORT GROUP: Pride Center of Vermont facilitates a safe space for trans and queer folks of color to connect, share experiences, process current events and brainstorm ideas. 6:30-8 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 863-0003.

music

ST. JOHNSBURY BAND: The nation’s third-oldest community band regales locals with dynamic tunes during a weekly ice cream social. Caledonia County Courthouse, St. Johnsbury, 7:30 p.m. Free. Info, manager@ stjohnsburyband.org.

VERGENNES CITY BAND SUMMER

CONCERTS: Attendees get comfy on lawn chairs and blankets while

local instrumentalists ages 12 to 90 perform rousing works. Vergennes City Park, 7-8 p.m. Free. Info, sodaniel27@gmail.com.

outdoors

EYE ON THE SKY STARGAZING PARTY: Fairbanks Planetarium director Mark Breen and Vermont Public host Jane Lindholm answer questions about stars, planets and constellations, followed by lawn games, dancing, scrumptious fare and live music. Sugarbush Resort, Warren, 7-10 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 540-6882.

words

MIKE AYERS: A renowned music journalist launches his new book, Sharing in the Groove: The Untold Story of the ’90s Jam Band Explosion and the Scene That Followed, in conversation with Goose drummer Cotter Ellis. Phoenix Books, Burlington, 7 p.m. $3; preregister. Info, 448-3350.

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.29

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:

See SAT.26, 4:30-6 p.m. CRAFTERS DROP-IN: Community members converse and connect through knitting, crocheting, mending, embroidery and other creative pursuits. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 6-8 p.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

dance

SWING DANCE PRACTICE

SESSION: All ages and experience levels shake a leg in this friendly, casual environment designed for learning. Bring clean shoes. North Star Community Hall, Burlington, 8-9:30 p.m. $5. Info, 864-8382. etc.

MILTON FARMERS MARKET & MUSIC IN THE PARK: Local purveyors sell their goodies, bands bring the beats, and the lawn fills up with cornhole players and giant Jenga tournaments at a weekly outdoor offering. Bombardier Park West, Milton, 4-8 p.m. Free. Info, 893-1457.

fairs & festivals

ADDISON COUNTY FAIR & FIELD

DAYS: The beloved annual event offers classic summer fun, including racing pigs, livestock competitions, agricultural exhibits, midway rides, demolition derbies, music and magic shows. Addison County Fairgrounds, New Haven, 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Various prices. Info, 545-2557.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section.

‘ANIMAL KINGDOM 3D’: See THU.24.

‘KEY LARGO’: This 1948 film noir thriller follows a drifter who stumbles into the crime-packed world of a Chicago mobster and his gang. Film House, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free. Info, 540-3018.

‘OCEAN PARADISE 3D’: See THU.24.

‘SEA MONSTERS 3D: A PREHISTORIC ADVENTURE’: See THU.24.

‘SPACE: THE NEW FRONTIER 3D’: See THU.24.

games

DUPLICATE BRIDGE GAMES: See THU.24.

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.

language

FRENCH CONVERSATION GROUP: French-speakers and learners meet pour parler la belle langue Burlington Bay Market & Café, 5:30-8 p.m. Free. Info, 343-5493.

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.

music

CABOT ARTS SUMMER MUSIC

SERIES: A rotating cast of area musicians takes the stage for six weeks of sonorous entertainment, backed by mouthwatering food truck provisions. BYO lawn chair. See cabotarts.org for lineup. Cabot Town Common, 6-7:15 p.m. Free. Info, 793-3016.

MANCHESTER MUSIC FESTIVAL: ‘BIRDING BY EAR’: Composer Perry Goldstein sheds light on his musical collaboration with best-selling author and poet Richard Powers, while lauded instrumentalists provide musical illustrations of the themes explored. Manchester Community Library, Manchester Center, 5-7 p.m. Free. Info, 362-1956.

MUSIC WHILE YOU PICK: Local bands fill the air with feel-good tunes while guests pick their own blueberries and settle in for

a picturesque picnic. Owl’s Head Blueberry Farm, Richmond, 5-8 p.m. $14. Info, 434-3387.

ROCK ON: A New Hampshire classic rock cover band keeps listeners dancing from start to finish with crowd-pleasing jams by the Beatles and other legendary groups. Fairlee Town Common, 6:30-8 p.m. Free. Info, info@fairleearts.org.

sports

SENIOR NIGHTS AT CENTENNIAL FIELD: Sports fans ages 60 and up delight in special ballpark deals, including discounted seats and a free soft drink. Centennial Field, Burlington, 6:35 p.m. $6; $7.50-19.50 for guests under 60. Info, 655-4200.

talks

HOT TOPICS SUMMER LECTURE SERIES: DAVID

TALBOT: In “Carbon Pricing: Issues and Challenges,” a professor from École Nationale d’Administration Publique covers the evolution of carbon markets and taxes worldwide. Hosted by the Vermont Law & Graduate School’s Environmental Law Center. Noon-1 p.m. Free. Info, 847-529-1724.

theater

‘IRVING BERLIN’S WHITE CHRISTMAS’: See WED.23, 7:3010 p.m.

words

BURLINGTON LITERATURE GROUP: Bookworms analyze three short novels about life under the shadow of authoritarianism over the course of seven weeks. 6:30-8 p.m. Free. Info, info@ nereadersandwriters.com.

POETRY GROUP: A supportive drop-in group welcomes those who would like to share and listen to verse. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 11 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 846-4140.

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.

WED.30 business

QUEEN CITY BUSINESS NETWORKING INTERNATIONAL GROUP: See WED.23.

TAKE ME OUT TO THE JOB FAIR: Come for the careers; stay for the baseball! Curious individuals meet with prospective employers face-to-face, followed by free admittance to the Vermont Lake Monsters game. Centennial Field, Burlington, 5-7 p.m. Free. Info, 863-7676.

community

WEEKLY PASSEGGIATA: See WED.23.

crafts

YARN CRAFTERS GROUP: See WED.23.

dance

BARN DANCE: Seasoned pros and beginners alike hit the dance floor for an evening of two-steppin’ feet and beats by Better in Boots. The Barn at Boyden Farm, Cambridge, 5:30-9 p.m. $15; free for kids 10 and under; cash bar. Info, 598-5509.

fairs & festivals

ADDISON COUNTY FAIR & FIELD DAYS: See TUE.29.

ROYALTON OLD HOME DAYS:

Town pride runs high during four days of revelry, including historical storytelling, a parade, a food truck rally and a vendor market. South Royalton Town Green. Free; preregister. Info, 345-3523.

food & drink

COMMUNITY COOKING: See WED.23.

health & fitness

CHAIR YOGA: See WED.23.

language

PARLIAMO ITALIANO: The Vermont Italian Cultural Association hosts an evening for speakers — both beginner and native — to practice the language of love. Pearl Street Pizza, Barre, 5-7:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, vtitalianculturalassoc@ gmail.com.

music

BCA SUMMER CONCERT SERIES:

EMALOU & THE BEAT: An acoustic trio plays contemporary and classic folk, rock and pop tunes, with some originals mixed in for good measure. Burlington City Hall Park, 12:30-1:30 p.m. Free. Info, 829-6305.

BRETT HUGHES & THE HONKY

TONK CROWD: A lauded local singer-songwriter and guitar guru plays feel-good bluegrass tunes with the help of some talented friends. The Tillerman, Bristol, 5-8 p.m. Free; cash bar. Info, 643-2237.

CRAFTSBURY CHAMBER PLAYERS: See WED.23.

HUNGER MOUNTAIN CO-OP

BROWN BAG SUMMER CONCERT SERIES: See WED.23.

OVER THE HUMP SUMMER MUSIC SERIES: MAMA TRIED: An all-gal, foot-stompin’ string quartet plays bluegrass, country, folk and blues tunes. Huntington Recreation Field, 5:30-8 p.m. Free. Info, 434-4947.

SKYLARK: See WED.23.

SUMMER CONCERT SERIES:

NEON RAMBLERS: A musical project by members of the Grift takes classic ’80s pop tunes and morphs them into bluegrass favorites. Middlesex Bandstand, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Free. Info, middlesexbandstand@gmail.com.

TAYLOR PARK SUMMER CONCERT SERIES: See WED.23.

outdoors

CABOT CHEESE-E-BIKE TOUR: See WED.23.

seminars

INTRODUCTION TO STUDIO

PRODUCTION: Media enthusiasts walk through the process of conducting interviews on set while switching between cameras and utilizing chroma-keyed backgrounds. The Media Factory, Burlington, 6-8 p.m. Free; donations accepted; preregister. Info, 651-9692.

sports

BIKE BUM RACE SERIES: See WED.23.

GREEN MOUNTAIN TABLE

TENNIS CLUB: See WED.23.

GROUP MOUNTAIN BIKE RIDE: Fellowship of the Wheel hosts cyclists of all ages and abilities for an evening of camaraderie and outdoor exploration. Saxon Hill Trails, Essex, 5:30-8 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, info@ fotwheel.org.

VERMONT LAKE MONSTERS: See TUE.29.

theater

‘IRVING BERLIN’S WHITE CHRISTMAS’: See WED.23, 2-4:30 & 7:30-10 p.m.

words

BOOK & CAULDRON: Store staff lead bibliophiles in a lively discussion about Susanna Clarke’s 2020 speculative fiction novel, Piranesi Phoenix Books, Essex, 6 p.m. Free. Info, 872-7111.

SUMMER SPEAKER SERIES: MICHAEL TOUGIAS: A best-selling author shares harrowing episodes from his 2022 book, Extreme Survival: Lessons From Those Who Have Triumphed Against All Odds. Worthen Library, South Hero, 6:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 372-6209. ➆

FOMO?

Find even more local events in this newspaper and online: art

Find visual art exhibits and events in the Art section and at sevendaysvt.com/art.

film

See what’s playing at theaters in the On Screen section.

music + nightlife

Find club dates at local venues in the Music + Nightlife section online at sevendaysvt.com/ music.

Learn more about highlighted listings in the Magnificent 7 on page 11.

= ONLINE EVENT

= GET TICKETS ON SEVENDAYSTICKETS.COM

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

BLOCKPRINTING BOTANICALS AT HORSFORD GARDENS & NURSERY: Join us for an introduction to blockprinting with linoleum. Using images from the garden, we will draw onto the linoleum and learn to carve and print. You’ll make a series of prints with your new image and take home your linoleum block to continue your printing adventure! is is the fourth year that Jen has offered this workshop at Horsford Gardens & Nursery. e workshop is in a barn surrounded by the beauty of the gardens. If time allows, we will also print from natural materials. All materials provided. Sun., Jul. 27, 11 a.m. Cost: $80. Location: Horsford Gardens & Nursery, 2111 Greenbush Rd., Charlotte. Info: attherootvt.com.

dance

music

TAIKO TUESDAYS, DJEMBE

ensures a positive and effective learning experience. Join us and make a splash in your swim journey today! Group, private, and semiprivate lessons offered. Sundays beginning Sep. 7.

Location: Forbush Natatorium, 97 Spear St., Burlington. Info: UVM Campus Recreation, 802-6563070, campus.recreation@uvm. edu, uvmcampusrec.com.

wellness

LEARN TO HIGHLAND DANCE! Got a little who loves to move? Your kiddo will love hopping and burning off their extra energy through Highland dance! Find your place with us at Highland Dance Vermont. Now enrolling ages 4-plus. Mon. in Waterbury & Wed. in Hinesburg, starting Aug. 18. Info, highlanddancevt.com.

WEDNESDAYS!: Drum with Stuart Paton! New sessions each month (Aug. 5, Sep. 9). 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.

sports & ﬁtness

SWIM LESSONS AT UVM: Dive into fun and skill building with Vermont Swim School! Our instructors offer personalized swim lessons for all ages and skill levels, from toddlers to adults. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to reﬁne your strokes, our supportive environment

BLOOM LAB PERFUME MAKING CLASS: Learn the basics of perfumery while creating your own custom 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! For anyone interested in perfumery or simply enjoying good company while trying something new. A cash bar and light food will be available to enjoy throughout the workshop! Tue., Jul. 29, 6-8 p.m. Cost: $90. Location: Owl’s Nest Resort, 40 Clubhouse Lane, ornton. Info: Bloom Lab, bloomlabvt@gmail.com, sevendaystickets.com.

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

Spruce

AGE/SEX: 2-year-old neutered male

ARRIVAL DATE: July 9, 2025

SUMMARY: Spruce is a gentle soul with a heart full of love, looking for a cozy, comforting place to call home. Shy but sweet with everyone he meets, Spruce is the kind of dog who just wants to be close once he trusts you. He loves going for walks, hopping in the car for an adventure and, most of all, curling up next to you on the couch for some cozy snuggle time. He’s been through a lot of transitions, but he hasn’t lost his hope or his capacity to love. If you have a kind heart and a warm home where Spruce can feel safe, secure and cherished, come visit him at HSCC and see if he could be your new best friend!

DOGS/CATS/KIDS: Spruce is dog-selective and prefers to be the only dog in his home. We have no history of Spruce with cats or children.

Visit the Humane Society of Chittenden County at 142 Kindness Court, South Burlington, Tuesday through Friday from 1 to 4 p.m. or Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. Call 862-0135 or visit hsccvt.org for more info.

DID YOU KNOW?

Behavior that gets rewarded gets repeated! Training is all about bridging a communication barrier with your dog, and HSCC recommends positive reinforcement training. Using rewards such as treats, toys and attention is always the best way to help your dog learn!

STUDIOS & REHEARSAL SPACE

ARTIST STUDIO AVAIL.

Sat., Jul. 26, 11-11:30 a.m. Send inquires, w/ details about your interest/self, & I will respond w/ the address. $1,500. anks for your interest! Email maggieseverance@ gmail.com.

HOUSING WANTED

HOUSING WANTED: SUMMER 2026 RENTAL

car insurance. Let us show you how much you can save. Call now for a no-obligation quote: 1-833-399-1539. (AAN CAN)

Buy y & Se

GARAGE & ESTATE SALES

CHARLOTTE ESTATE

SALE

Online estate sale through 8 p.m. on Wed., Jul. 23. Ethan Allen furniture, area rugs, Pottery Barn furniture, great collection of original Sabra Field woodblock prints, Tiffany & Co. prints, inlaid furniture & more. Info, estatesales.net/ vt/charlotte/05445/ marketplace/74941, estatesalesofvermont. com.

WANT TO BUY

TOP CASH PAID FOR OLD GUITARS

Looking for 1920-1980 Gibson, Martin, Fender, Gretsch, Epiphone, Guild, Mosrite,

AUDITIONS & CASTING

‘MIDDLETOWN’ AUDITIONS

New Stage Players announces open auditions for its fall production of ‘Middletown’ by Will Eno, at the Grange Hall Cultural Center. Wed., Jul. 23; & Fri., Jul. 25, 6-7 p.m. or 7-8 p.m. Info, 802-244-4168 sevendaystickets.com.

Shelburne Pond Studios in Shelburne, VT. Come join this vibrant community of artists. Avail. Aug. 1. 27 x 17 ft., all utils., incl. 220 electrical service for a kiln. Nonresidential. 3 refs. req. $450/mo. Text Kathy at 802-999-4394 or email kastockman@ aol.com. Info, shelburne pondstudios.com.

BURLINGTON/CHURCH ST. DOWNTOWN LIVING AT ITS BEST!

131 Church St.

Unfurnished, brand-new 1- & 2-BR apts. for rent. Avail. Aug. 1. Amenities incl. A/C, keyless entry, W/D in unit & more. Efﬁ cient & cozy. $2,500-$3,500. Call 802-391-9089.

Retired couple seeking furnished 1-BR rental, 1st ﬂ oor, w/ laundry & parking. Dates: Mid-June to end of Aug. 2026. Location: Chittenden, Franklin or Grand Isle counties in VT. Quiet setting preferred; lakefront not req. Budget: up to $3,000/mo. NS, no pets. Excellent refs. avail. Please contact 802-343-9684 or dcantone45@gmail.com.

HOME & GARDEN

PEST CONTROL

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)

AUCTION CLOSES: Fri., Aug. 1 @ 11AM PREVIEW: Mon., July 28 from 11AM-1PM Northfield, VT 05663

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

COMMERCIAL & OFFICE RENTALS

24-7 LOCKSMITH

APARTMENTS & HOUSES FOR RENT

2-BR/1-BA IN WHITE RIVER JCT. 1691 Maple St., Hartford, VT 05047. Unfurnished

2-BR/1-BA, 900 sq.ft. Heat & trash incl. In-unit W/D. $2,250/mo., $4,500 deposit. Avail. Aug. 1. 4 mins. to VA & White River Junction, 9 mins. to Dartmouth College, 8 mins. to DHMC. Info, 802-3323775, newtownellc@ gmail.com.

BURLINGTON $1,500 SOUTH END 1-BR

Unfurnished, 1-BR, 1 BA, 579 sq.ft. Private, light-filled, 3rd fl oor, 1-BR apt. Located very close to downtown in the South End of Burlington. Seasonal lake views, wood fl oors, claw-foot tub, storage space, laundry hookups, on-street parking. Gas heat, electric, internet paid by tenant. No pets, NS: nonnegotiable. 1-year lease, renters insurance req. w/ lease, + 1-year security deposit. Open house on

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

WILLISTON VILLAGE SHARED OFFICE SPACE IN HEALING CLINIC

We have shared space for rent in our beautiful historic building. ere are a few different opportunities avail., pricing based upon your needs & use. A great place to be for therapists, bodyworkers, acupuncture, herbalists or like-minded looking for quiet ofﬁ ce space. Rooms avail. afternoons, evenings & weekends. ere is also an opportunity for a teaching space for classes. Rental price based on use. $475-$525. Info, 802-872-8898, info@ ayurvedavermont.com, ayurvedavermont.com.

S. BURLINGTON COMMERCIAL SUBLET AVAIL., FLEXIBLE START DATE

700-sq.ft. open-space room w/ new LVT ﬂ ooring & paint. Great location w/ free on-site parking. Perfect space for a yoga or pilates studio, physical therapist ofﬁ ce, or other studio space. $1,250/mo., incl. rent & common-area maintenance fees. Call 802-345-9552 or email jwddonahue24@ gmail.com.

HOUSEMATES

BURLINGTON GREAT SOUTH END LOCATION

Lovely South End home to share w/ professional in her 40s & elementary-aged son. Seeking a dog- & cat-friendly housemate to chip in around the house & perhaps help w/ childcare on occasion in exchange for minimal utils. share. Unfurnished BR. Shared BA. Application, interview, refs. & background checks req. EHO. Info, 802-863-5625, info@ homesharevermont.org, homesharevermont.org.

Online auction featuring over 150 lots of a wide selection of farm equipment, tools, trailers, lawn & garden gear, power tools, and rural lifestyle items. Whether you’re outfitting your homestead, hobby farm, or workshop, this sale offers quality equipment ready to work.

CREATIVE

ELEVATE YOUR LISTINGS W/ DRONE VT

Make your property stand out w/ FAA-certiﬁ ed drone photography & videography — perfect for realtors & for-saleby-owner sellers. Check our exclusive discounts. Serving Realtors & FSBO sellers throughout the region! View pricing & book online: dronevt. com/pricing.

ELECTRONICS

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

GET TAX RELIEF

Do you owe more than $10,000 to the IRS or state in back taxes? Get tax relief now! We’ll ﬁght for you! Call 1-877-7036117. (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)

STOP OVERPAYING FOR AUTO INSURANCE

A recent survey says that most Americans are overpaying for their

We are there when you need us for home & car lockouts. We’ll get you back up & running quickly! Also, key reproductions, lock installs & repairs, vehicle fobs. Call us for your home, commercial & auto locksmith needs: 1-833-237-1233. (AAN CAN)

 802-888-4662

CARS & TRUCKS

12v-hirchakbrothers072325 1 7/18/25 11:19 AM

AGING ROOF? NEW HOMEOWNER? STORM DAMAGE?

You need a local expert provider that proudly stands behind its work. Fast, free estimate. Financing avail. Call 1-888-292-8225. (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)

RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL SAUNA BUILDERS IN VERMONT

Peacock Design & Construction builds custom saunas, blending Finnish tradition w/ bold, modern craftsmanship. Each project is 1-of-a-kind, built by a local team that takes on 1 job at a time to ensure seamless communication, timely delivery & stunning results. Info, peacockindustriesllc. com.

PROTECT YOUR HOME 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.

BEAUTIFUL BATH

UPDATES

Beautiful bath updates in as little as 1 day! Superior quality bath & shower systems at affordable prices. Lifetime warranty &

professional installs. Call now: 1-833-4232558. (AAN CAN)

MOVING & HAULING

MOVING

Markoski’s has established a local reputation for being a team of friendly professionals who treat their customers like family. Based out of Chittenden County, we go across Vermont & out of state. Please inquire at markoskismoving.com.

GOT AN UNWANTED CAR?

Donate it to Patriotic Hearts. Fast, free pickup in all 50 states. Patriotic Hearts’ programs help veterans ﬁnd work or start their own business. Call 24-7: 1-855-4027631. (AAN CAN) RVS

Vehicles

BOATS

BOAT FOR SALE

Moonshot, 23-foot ﬁ berglass sailing trimaran & trailer. $2,800. Call 802-658-0269.

1978 VOLKSWAGEN BUS Brown, 5K miles. New motor in 2015, less than 5K miles. 2,000cc pancake, original VW circus tent w/ 2 sets of poles, 2 batteries. Runs great, inside 90 percent rebuilt. Canvas in great shape. Additional photos avail. Asking $22,000. Info, 802-760-7782, darcy.cahill64@ gmail.com.

2018 FOREST RIVER CHEROKEE M-274RK 34FT. CAMPER Camper is in excellent condition. Fireplace, stereo, 32-in. TV & much more. Comes w/ everything. $17,000. Info, 802-879-6052, kg6969@ comcast.net.

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.

1 6 4 2 3 5 6 1 5 4 2 3 3 2 1 5 4 6

SUDOKU BY JOSH REYNOLDS

DIFFICULTY THIS WEEK: HHH

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.78 H = MODERATE H H = CHALLENGING H H H = HOO, BOY!

See how fast you can solve this weekly 10-word puzzle.

Legal Notices

NORTHSTAR SELF STORAGE WILL BE HAVING A PUBLIC AND ONLINE SALE/AUCTION FOR THE FOLLOWING STORAGE UNITS ON AUGUST 7, 2025

AT 9:00 AM

Northstar Self Storage will be having a public and online sale/auction on August 7, 2025 at 9am EST at 205 Route 4A West, Castleton, VT 05735 (C58, C138), 130 Taconic Business Park, Manchester Center, VT 05255 (M203), 1124 Charlestown Road, Springfield, VT 05156 (Units CC18, S101, S50, S56), and online at www.storagetreasures.com at 9:00 am in accordance with VT Title 9 Commerce and Trade Chapter 098: Storage Units 3905. Enforcement of Lien

Unit # Name Contents

C58 Susan Chapman Household Goods

C138 Devin Bruno Household Goods

M203 Corey Hazelton Household Goods

CC18 Grace Prepost Household Goods

S101 Amy Carleton Household Goods

S50 Samuel Perez III Household Goods

S56 Helena Bundy Household Goods

ACT 250 NOTICE

MINOR APPLICATION

4C0519-4

10 V.S.A. §§ 6000 - 6111

Application 4C0519-4 from Amy Cooper and Taylor Harmeling, 3702 Mt. Philo Road, Charlotte, VT 05445 was received on July 3, 2025 and deemed complete on July 10, 2025. The project is generally described as a boundary line adjustment between non-jurisdictional Lot 1 and jurisdictional Lot 12 (Waller subdivision), along with approval of an on-site water supply and wastewater disposal system for Lot 12. The project is located at 3702 Mt. Philo Road in Charlotte, Vermont. The application may be viewed on the Land Use Review Board’s website (https://act250.vermont.gov/) by clicking “Act 250 Database” and entering the project number “4C0519-4.”

hearing. Any hearing request must be in writing, must state the criteria or sub-criteria at issue, why a hearing is required, and what additional evidence will be presented at the hearing. Any hearing request by an adjoining property owner or other person eligible for party status under 10 V.S.A. § 6085(c)(1)(E) must include a petition for party status under the Act 250 Rules. To request party status and a hearing, fill out the Party Status Petition Form on the Board’s website: https://act250.vermont. gov/documents/party-statuspetition-form, and email it to the District 4 Office at: Act250.Essex@ vermont.gov. Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law may not be prepared unless the Commission holds a public hearing.

For more information contact Stephanie H. Monaghan at the address or telephone number below.

Dated this July 15, 2025. By: /s/ Stephanie H. Monaghan Stephanie H. Monaghan District Coordinator 111 West Street Essex Junction, VT 05452 802-261-1944 stephanie.monaghan@vermont.gov

ACT 250 NOTICE

MINOR APPLICATION 4C1358-1

10 V.S.A. §§ 6000 – 6111

Application 4C1358-1 from Laurel Hill Apartments, LLC, 232 Mount Philo Road, Shelburne, VT 05482 was received on July 2, 2025 and deemed complete on July 11, 2025. The project is generally described as a change in use of a redevelopment project from a mixed-use building to a residential building. The original approval of commercial space with eleven (11) residential units, consisting of seven (7) 1-bedroom units and four (4) 2-bedroom units has been revised to no commercial space with thirteen (13) residential units, consisting of ten (10) 1-bedroom units and three (3) 2-bedroom units. The project is located at 4 Laurel Hill Drive in South Burlington, Vermont. The application may be viewed on the Land Use Review Board’s website (https://act250. vermont.gov/) by clicking “Act 250 Database” and entering the project number “4C1358-1.”

No hearing will be held and a permit may be issued unless, on or before August 6, 2025, a party notifies the District 4 Commission in writing of an issue requiring a hearing, or the Commission sets the matter for a hearing on its own motion. Any person as defined in 10 V.S.A. § 6085(c)(1) may request a hearing. Any hearing request must be in writing, must state the criteria or sub-criteria at issue, why a hearing is required, and what additional evidence will be presented at the hearing. Any hearing request by an adjoining property owner or other person eligible for party status under 10 V.S.A. § 6085(c)(1)(E) must include a petition for party status under the Act 250 Rules. To request party status and a hearing, fill out the Party Status Petition Form on the Board’s website: https://act250.vermont. gov/documents/party-status-petition-form, and email it to the District 4 Office at: Act250.Essex@ vermont.gov. Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law may not be prepared unless the Commission holds a public hearing.

For more information contact Stephanie H. Monaghan at the address or telephone number below.

Dated this July 15, 2025.

By: /s/ Stephanie H. Monaghan

Stephanie H. Monaghan

District Coordinator 111 West Street Essex Junction, VT 05452 802-261-1944

stephanie.monaghan@vermont.gov

ACT 250 NOTICE

MINOR APPLICATION 4C0528-11A-1

10 V.S.A. §§ 6000 - 6111

Application 4C0528-11A-1 from Catamount-Malone/ Hinesburg, LLC, PO Box 790, Burlington, VT 05402 was received on June 19, 2025 and deemed complete on July 15, 2025. This permit specifically authorizes a Tier 2 gravel wetland retrofit in place of the southwestern lagoon located on the project tract. Stormwater runoff will be redirected to the gravel wetland retrofit via a grass swale and new storm pipe. A diversion structure will direct runoff from the 1” storm pipe into the gravel wetland while

allowing larger storms to continue and discharge directly into the LaPlatte River. The project is located at 10516 Route 116 in Hinesburg, Vermont. The application may be viewed on the Land Use Review Board’s website (https://act250.vermont. gov/) by clicking “Act 250 Database” and entering the project number “4C0528-11A-1.”

No hearing will be held and a permit may be issued unless, on or before August 6, 2025, a party notifies the District 4 Commission in writing of an issue requiring a hearing, or the Commission sets the matter for a hearing on its own motion. Any person as defined in 10 V.S.A. § 6085(c)(1) may request a hearing. Any hearing request must be in writing, must state the criteria or subcriteria at issue, why a hearing is required, and what additional evidence will be presented at the hearing. Any hearing request by an adjoining property owner or other person eligible for party status under 10 V.S.A. § 6085(c)(1)(E) must include a petition for party status under the Act 250 Rules. To request party status and a hearing, fill out the Party Status Petition Form on the Board’s website: https://act250.vermont. gov/documents/party-status-petition-form, and email it to the District 4 Office at: Act250.Essex@ vermont.gov. Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law may not be prepared unless the Commission holds a public hearing.

For more information contact Kaitlin Hayes at the address or telephone number below.

Dated this July 15, 2025. By: /s/ Kaitlin Hayes Kaitlin Hayes District Coordinator 111 West Street Essex Junction, VT 05452 (802) 622-4084 kaitlin.hayes@vermont.gov

NOTICE OF SELF STORAGE LIEN SALE

JONNY ROGER STORAGE, LLC 637 ROUTE 7 SOUTH MILTON, VT 05468

Notice is hereby given that the contents of the self storage unit listed below will be sold at an online public auction.

Thomas Parah, Unit B32, 5x10 Contents appear to contain: Baby Accessories, Clothing, Stuffed Toys

Said auction will begin on July 31, 2025 at 8:00am at www.storageauctions.com, Auction ID 205342. The highest successful bidder must remove the entire contents of the unit within 72 hours. Payment must be made in cash or certified/cashiers check. Jonny Roger Storage reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids.

STATE OF VERMONT

SUPERIOR COURT CIVIL DIVISION CHITTENDEN UNIT DOCKET NO. 24-CV-05401

STEVEN MCCLURE AND LEAH MCCLURE, Plaintiffs, v. WT LLC, CHRISTOPHER K. CROWLEY, AND OCCUPANTS RESIDING AT 14 NORTON LANE, JERICHO, VERMONT Defendants.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE

By virtue and in execution of the Power of Sale contained in the certain Mortgage given by WT LLC dated May 9, 2024 and recorded in Volume 374 at Pages 89-90 of the Town of Jericho Land Records, which Mortgage, Steven and Leah McClure are the present holders, for breach of the conditions of said Mortgage and for the purpose of foreclosing the same, will be sold to the highest bidder at Public Auction at 14 Norton Lane, Jericho, Vermont at 11:00 a.m. on the 12th day of August, 2025, the premises described in said Mortgage, subject to any unpaid taxes and municipal assessments. The land and premises shall be sold in AS IS condition. The property is known as 14 Norton Lane, Jericho, Vermont.

Property Description: e property being sold is all the lands and premises described in the aforesaid Mortgage as follows:

Being all of the remaining lands and premises conveyed to WT L.L.C. by Warranty Deed of Dean C. Davis dated September 23, 2019 in Volume 346, Page 569 of the Town of Jericho Land Records with the exception of the following conveyances:

1) Warranty Deed from WT L.L.C. to the BeneventoMunroe Family Revocable Living Trust dated August 14, 2020 and recorded September 18, 2020 in Volume 354 at Page 66 of said land records;

2) Warranty Deed from WT L.L.C. to Katherine Schwartz and Ian A. Schwartz dated January 21, 2021 and recorded February 2, 2021 in Volume 357 at Page 688 of said land records; and 3) Warranty Deed from WT L.L.C. to Jan Aaldrik Muskee and Laura Beth Chamberlain dated December 14, 2021 and recorded December 17, 2021 in Volume 364 at Page 607 of said land records.

Being Lot 4, a parcel of 34.56 acres, more or less, as shown and depicted on a survey entitled, “Subdivision Plat of a Portion of Lands Owned by Dean C. Davis”, prepared by O’Leary Burke Civil Associates, PLC, dated August 21, 2019 and recorded in Map Slide 480B of the Town of Jericho Land Records.

e premises herein conveyed is subject to and beneﬁ tted by the Town of Jericho Development Review Board Finding of Facts, dated May 9, 2019 and recorded in Volume 344, Page 299 of the Town of Jericho Land Records and Vermont Wastewater System and Potable Water Supply Permit No. WW-4-4309-1, dated July 9, 2019 and recorded in Volume 345, Page 265 of the Town of Jericho Land Records.

Also included herein is all and the same lands and premises included in the Warranty Deed from Frances Begnoche-Boucher to WT L.L.C. dated September 23, 2019 and recorded in Volume 346, Page 567 of the Land Records of the Town of Jericho, which parcel contains 0.28 acres, more or less, as depicted on the aforementioned survey. Said parcel is subject to a right-of-way to be used in common and users are subject to the terms and conditions of a certain Roadway Agreement for Norton Meadows dated August 11, 2020 and recorded on September 18, 2020 in Volume 354, Page 68 of the Town of Jericho Land Records.

e description of the property contained in the Mortgage shall control in the event of a typographical error in this Notice.

Terms of sale: e purchaser at the sale shall pay cash or certiﬁed funds (or a combination thereof) in full at the time of the sale, OR $10,000 down (nonrefundable) at the time of sale and the remainder within ten (10) days of the Vermont Superior Court’s, Chittenden Unit, Civil Division, execution of the Order Conﬁrming Sale.

e public sale may be adjourned one or more times for a total time not exceeding thirty (30) days, without further court order, and without publication or service of a new Notice of Sale, by announcement of the new sale date to those present at each adjournment or by posting notice of the adjournment in a conspicuous place at the location of the sale.

e sale is subject to all liens, encumbrances, unpaid taxes, tax titles, municipal liens, if any, which take precedence over the said Mortgage above-described or have not been foreclosed.

e record owner is entitled to redeem the premises at any time prior to the sale by paying the full amount due under the Judgment Order, Decree of Foreclosure and Order For Public Sale dated May 15, 2025 and ﬁled on May 20, 2025, including the costs and expenses of sale.

Other terms to be announced at the sale or inquire at Bauer Gravel Farnham LLP, 401 Water Tower Circle, Suite 101, Colchester, Vermont 05446, (802) 863-5538.

Dated at Colchester, Vermont this 14th day of July, 2025.

BAUER GRAVEL FARNHAM LLP

By: /s/ Renee Staudinger Calabro

Renee Staudinger Calabro, Esq. 401 Water Tower Circle, Suite 101 Colchester, VT 05446

Tel. No.: (802) 863-5538

rstaudinger@vtlawofﬁces.com

ACT 250 NOTICE

MINOR APPLICATION 4C0844-5 10 V.S.A. §§ 6000 - 6111

Application 4C0844-5 from Champlain Valley School District, Attn: Chris Giard, 5420 Shelburne Road, Shelburne, VT 05482 was received on July 9, 2025 and deemed complete on July 15, 2025. e project is generally described as construction of three bioretention basins at Williston Central School: one along the sidewalk to the southwest of the school building, one in the parking/turnaround area to the southeast, and one near the parking lot to the northwest. e project is part of the Green Schools Initiative and is located at 195 Central School Drive in Williston, Vermont. e application may be viewed on the Land Use Review Board’s website (https:// act250.vermont.gov/) by clicking “Act 250 Database” and entering the project number “4C0844-5.”

No hearing will be held and a permit may be issued unless, on or before August 8, 2025, a party notifies the District 4 Commission in writing of an issue requiring a hearing, or the Commission sets the matter for a hearing on its own motion. Any person as defined in 10 V.S.A. § 6085(c)(1) may request a hearing. Any hearing request must be in writing, must state the criteria or sub-criteria at issue, why a hearing is required, and what additional evidence will be presented at the hearing. Any hearing request by an adjoining property owner or other person eligible for party status under 10 V.S.A. § 6085(c)(1)(E) must include a petition for party status under the Act 250 Rules. To request party status and a hearing, fill out the Party Status Petition Form on the Board’s website: https://act250.vermont. gov/documents/party-statuspetition-form, and email it to the District 4 Office at: Act250.Essex@ vermont.gov. Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law may not be prepared unless the Commission holds a public hearing.

For more information contact Stephanie H. Monaghan at the address or telephone number below.

Dated this July 16, 2025.

By: /s/ Stephanie H. Monaghan

Stephanie H. Monaghan District Coordinator 111 West Street Essex Junction, VT 05452 802-261-1944 stephanie.monaghan@vermont.gov

CITY OF BURLINGTON IN THE YEAR TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-FIVE AN ORDINANCE IN RELATION TO COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE SEID STORMWATER STANDARDS ZA-25-03

ORDINANCE 7.3

Sponsor: Ofﬁce of City Planning, Planning Commission, Ordinance Committee

Public Hearing Date: 07/14/25

First reading: 05/19/25

Referred to: Ordinance Committee

Second reading: 07/14/25

Action: adopted as amended Date: 07/14/25

Published: 07/23/25 Effective: 08/12/25

It is hereby Ordained by the City Council of the City of Burlington as follows:

at Appendix A-Burlington Comprehensive Development Ordinance of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Burlington be and hereby amends Section 4.5.6, South End Innovation District Overlay; Table 4.5.6-1, SEID Dimensional Standards & Density; and Section 4.5.6(C)1, Dimensions Standards & Density; thereof to read as follows:

Sec. 4.5.6 South End Innovation District Overlay (a) Purpose: e South End Innovation District Overlay (SEID) is intended to provide for a dense, vibrant and dynamic mixed-use district. e overlay is unique in its allowance for residential uses in an in that it limits the most intensive manufacturing and industrial uses allowed elsewhere in the district. e overlay permits arts, employment, and other non-residential uses intrinsic to an amenity-rich, convenient urban neighborhood.

Development is intended to be dense and highly sustainable. Lot coverage standards permit signiﬁcant development but require a high degree of permeable surfaces achieved through green stormwater infrastructure is encouraged. Buildings should range in height from one to eight stories, and should be constructed of materials and in manners that limit embodied carbon and achieve the highest possible energy performance permitted by the Vermont Building Code. Sites should incorporate ample public and private open spaces and include extensive networks of accessible paths that are free of cars. Streets should be constructed in a manner that allocates the majority of their space to pedestrians and cyclists. Buildings should be oriented to the public realm – streets, paths and open spaces, in a manner that creates a safe and inviting district. Site and building design should support public and ecological health to the highest possible degree.

***Remainder of Sec. 4.5.6(a) As Written.

(b) Areas Covered: As Written.

Table 4.5.6-1: SEID Dimensional Standards & Density

1. – 5. As Written.

6. At least 25% of the pervious area on a lot must include one or more of the following Green Stormwater Management (GSI) techniques: constructed wetland, suspended pavement planted with shade trees, or pervious pavement. No more than 50% of the required GSI area may utilize pervious pavement.

7 6. Setbacks are measured from the property line; however, buildings must be at least 15’ from the curb or edge of a public Right of Way if no curb exists.

8 7. Maximum building height in the E-SEID shall be further limited by Map 4.5.6-2: SEID Speciﬁc Height Area Map.

1. Dimensional Standards & Density

Within the SEID the standards set forth in Table 4.5.6-1 shall apply to new development and redevelopment, except:

Floors 7-8 may increase maximum size to 15,000 sq.ft. per ﬂoorplate for buildings constructed of Mass Timber consistent with currently adopted Building Code as contained under Chapter 8 of the City Code of Ordinances.

e maximum lot coverage may be increased by 10%, to a maximum of 90%, if the site is certiﬁed as Gold or Platinum under the SITES system, as administered by Green Business Certiﬁcation, Inc. (GBCI) or if all of the pervious area on the lot is constructed from one or more of the following Green Stormwater Management (GSI) techniques: constructed wetland, suspended pavement planted with one shade tree per 250 square feet of area, or pervious pavement. No more than 50% of the GSI area may utilize pervious pavement.

* Material stricken out deleted.

** Material underlined added. Ordinances 2025/ZA-25-03 SEID Stormwater Standards

CDO Sec. 4.5.6 (a), Table 4.5.6-1, Sec. 4.5.6(C)1 07/14/25

CITY OF BURLINGTON IN THE YEAR TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-FIVE AN ORDINANCE IN RELATION TO COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE IMPACT FEES ZA-25-08

ORDINANCE 7.5

Sponsors: Planning, Planning Commission, Ordinance Committee

Public Hearing Date: 07/14/25

First Reading: 05/19/25

Referred to: Ordinance Committee

Second reading: 07/14/25

Action: adopted Date: 07/14/25

Published: 07/23/25

Effective: 08/12/25

It is hereby Ordained by the City Council of the City of Burlington as follows: at Appendix A-Burlington Comprehensive Development Ordinance of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Burlington be and hereby amends Article 3, Applications, Permits, and Project Review, Part 3, Impact Fees, by amending Sec. 3.3.1, Purpose, and deleting Sections 3.3.2 - 3.3.11, thereof to read as follows:

Part 3: Impact Fees

Sec. 3.3.1 Applicability Purpose ese regulations are enacted to enable the city to require the beneﬁciaries of new development to pay their proportionate share of the cost of municipal and school capital projects which beneﬁ t them, and to require them to pay for or mitigate the negative effects of development in the community. Impact Fees shall be pursuant to the Administrative Regulations adopted under Burlington’s Code of Ordinance Section 21-41.

***Sec 3.3.2 to Sec. 3.3.11 deleted in its entirety. ***Entire amendment, including deleted language, available at: https://burlingtonvt.portal.civicclerk.com/ event/8181/ﬁles/attachment/10144

* Material stricken out deleted.

** Material underlined added.

Ordinances 2025/ZA-25-08 Impact Fees Secs. 3.3.1 – 3.3.11 7-16-25

CITY OF BURLINGTON IN THE YEAR TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-FIVE AN ORDINANCE IN RELATION TO COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE PLANBTV DOWNTOWN CODE PARKING SETBACKS ZA-25-06

ORDINANCE 7.4

Sponsor: Ofﬁce of City Planning, Planning Commission, Ordinance Committee

Public Hearing Date: 07/14/25

First reading: 05/19/25 Referred to: Ordinance Committee

Second reading: 07/14/25

Action: adopted

Date: 07/14/25

Published: 07/23/25

Effective: 08/12/25

It is hereby Ordained by the City Council of the City of Burlington as follows:

at Appendix A-Burlington Comprehensive Development Ordinance of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Burlington be and hereby amends Article 14, PlanBTV Downtown Code, Sec. 14.6.7, Parking and Circulation, subsection (f), Parking Lots and Parking Areas, thereof to read as follows:

Article 14: PlanBTV Downtown Code

Sec. 14.6.7 Parking and Circulation

a) – e) As Written

f) Parking Lots and Parking Areas

i. All parked vehicles, vehicle headlights, and interior lighting shall be screened from view from the street

Legal Notices

and adjacent properties any lot in a residential district or Civic Spaces by a Building or a landscaped area as follows:

a. A minimum 10-foot wide landscaped area, or a 36-inch high wall within a minimum 5-foot wide landscaped area, with a continuous row of trees and/or shrubs must be provided between the street and the parking lot within the First or Second Lot Layer, or at the perimeter of the parking in the case of the adjacency to a Civic Space or a residential district.

b. - c. As Written.

ii. All Parking Lots and Parking Areas shall be setback a minimum of 5-feet from any side or rear property line that abuts any lot in a residential district or Civic Space.

iii. As Written.

g) – j) As Written.

* Material stricken out deleted.

** Material underlined added.

Ordinances 2025/ZA-25-06 PlanBTV Downtown Code Parking Setbacks

CDO Sec. 14.6.7(f) 07/16/25

CITY OF BURLINGTON IN THE YEAR TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-FIVE AN ORDINANCE IN RELATION TO WATER RESOURCES AFFORDABLE RATE SETTING

ORDINANCE 7.6

Sponsor: DPW – Water Resources

First reading: 06/16/25

Referred to: TEUC

Second reading: 07/14/25

Action: adopted

Date: 07/14/25

Published: 07/23/25

Effective: 08/12/25

It is hereby Ordained by the City Council of the City of Burlington as follows:

That Chapter 26, Wastewater, Stormwater, & Pollution Control, of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Burlington be and hereby is amended by amending Sec. 53 (Wastewater rates and fees; charges) thereof to read as follows:

(a) Monthly wastewater rates and fees shall be in accordance with a schedule prescribed by the water resources division of the department of public works and approved by the city council in the city’s budget or otherwise, and charges shall be categorized as follows:

(a1) Fixed charge. Based on the size of the meter or meters.

a. A fixed meter charge may be temporarily waived in accordance with policies prescribed by the water division of the department of public works and as approved by city council as part of the water resources assistance program.

(b2) Volumetric charge. Based on the customer classification and the volumetric usage of wastewater upon the premises as measured by the city water meter or as estimated where appropriate by the water division of the department of public works. And that Chapter 26, Wastewater, Stormwater, & Pollution Control, of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Burlington be and hereby is amended by amending Sec. 56 (Abatements; credits; refunds), thereof to read as follows:

(a) Abatements, credits, and refunds of wastewater rates, fees and charges shall be in accordance with policies prescribed by the water division of the department of public works and approved by the city council. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this article, abatements, credits, and refunds of wastewater water rates and fees, including, without limitation, temporary waivers of fixed charges or rate reductions or waivers based upon income, shall be in accordance with policies prescribed by the water resources division of the department of public works and approved by the city council.

(b) Any premises to which city water is supplied for manufacturing, commercial, or irrigation purposes, in such a manner that a substantial portion of the same is not returned to the city sewersystem, shall be entitled, upon application

PLACE AN AFFORDABLE NOTICE AT: SEVENDAYSVT.COM/LEGAL-NOTICES OR CALL 802-865-1020, EXT. 142.

therefore, to such abatement in the wastewater charge, as the director shall determine to be equitable under the circumstances. Any person dissatisfied with such determination by the director may apply first to the public works commission for an adjustment thereof, and thereafter to the city council whose decision shall be final.

And that Chapter 26, Wastewater, Stormwater, & Pollution Control, of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Burlington be and hereby is amended by amending Sec. 171 (Establishment of stormwater user fees), thereof to read as follows:

(a) A user fee based on an impervious surface unit (ISU) shall be imposed on every owner of nonexempt developed property within the city. An ISU shall equal one thousand (1,000) square feet.

(b) The city council shall have the authority to set and modify the user fee rates so that the total revenue generated by said charges, and any secondary sources of revenue, shall be sufficient to fund the city’s stormwater program.

(c) The city council shall establish in the city’s budget or otherwise, by resolution the monthly rate for each ISU. The monthly user fee for a specific property is determined by multiplying the ISU rate times the number of ISUs on the property.

(d) The only exempt properties under this division are those included within the limits of a railroad track right-of-way (property on which railroad stations, maintenance buildings, or other developed land used for railroad purposes is located shall not be exempt) and those included within the limits of a public road right-of-way.

(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this division, abatements, credits, and refunds of stormwater user fee and charges, including, without limitation, rate reductions or waivers based upon income, shall be in accordance with policies prescribed by the water division of the department of public works and approved by the city council.

And that Chapter 31, Water, of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Burlington be and hereby is amended by amending Sec. 61 (Rates and fees; charges), thereof to read as follows:

(a) Monthly water rates and fees shall be in accordance with a schedule prescribed by the water division of the department of public works and approved by the city council in the city’s budget or otherwise, and charges shall be categorized as follows:

(1) Fixed charge. Based on the size of the meter or meters.

(2) Volumetric charge. Based on the customer classification and the volumetric usage of wastewater upon the premises as measured by the city water meter or as estimated where appropriate by the water division of the department of public works.

(3) Private fire protection charge. Based on the presence of private fire protection infrastructure, meaning a fire hydrant outside the right-of-way and a service line that feeds a fire protection system.

(4) Other fees and charges related to billing, and administrative and field services, including, without limitation, rates, fees and charges set by the State of Vermont.

(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this article, abatements, credits, and refunds of water rates and fees, including, without limitation, temporary waivers of fixed charges or rate reductions or waivers based upon income, shall be in accordance with policies prescribed by the water division of the department of public works and approved by the city council.

* Material stricken out deleted.

** Material underlined added.

ER/Ordinances 2025/Water Resources Rates

June 2025

TOWN OF WESTFORD DEVELOPMENT REVIEW

BOARD NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Pursuant to 24 V.S.A. Chapter 117 and the Westford Land Use & Development Regulations, the Westford Development Review Board will hold a public hearing

at the Westford Town Offices (1713 Route 128) & via ZOOM on Monday, August 11th, 2025 at 7:00 PM to review the following application:

Application: Site Plan/Conditional Use Review

Applicant: Westford Conservation Commission

Property Location: Misty Meadows Trails & ForestBrookside Road (approx. 83.4 acres)

Zoning District: Village, Rural 10, Water Resource Overlay, and Flood Hazard Overlay

The proposal is a request for Conditional Use approval to construct a bridge on the Riverside North Trail within the Water Resource Overlay.

Join Zoom Meeting:

Meeting ID: 969 2525 9251 - Passcode: 8s0Www (Or Dial +1 929 205 6099 - Meeting ID: 969 2525 9251 - Passcode: 938741)

For more information call the Town Offices at 878-4587 Monday–Thursday 8:30am–4:30pm & Friday 8:30am-1:00pm

PUBLIC HEARING

COLCHESTER DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD

Pursuant to Title 24 VSA, Chapter 117, the Development Review Board will hold a public hearing on August 13, 2025, at 7:00pm to hear the following requests under the Development Regulations. Meeting is open to the public and will be held at 781 Blakely Road.

a) PP-26-02 DAVID & CLAUDIA PRATT: Preliminary Plat application for a major Planned Unit Development in the General Development One (GD1) District. Application includes 1) Dissolution of Lot line between 541 Main Street and 567 Main Street; 2) Retention of Dwelling units at 541 and 567 Main Street and Commercial Unit at 531 Main Street; and 3) Construction of three duplex dwelling units (6 total dwellings) accessed via a new private driveway. Development to be served by a new in-ground wastewater system, municipal water connections, and on-site stormwater treatment. Subject properties are located at 541 and 567 Main Street, Account #25-004003-0000000 and #25-005003-0000000.

b) FP-26-03 BRIAN VORSE & SUSAN MANION: Final Plat application for a minor, two-lot subdivision in the Residential One District, with 1) Lot 1 to be 60,730 sf in size and retain the existing single-unit dwelling, and 2) Lot 2 to be 38,149 sf in size and contain a new 6-bedroom duplex dwelling. Both lots to be served by municipal water and on-site wastewater systems. A new driveway is proposed to serve Lot 2. Subject property is located at 26 Parsons Road, Account #06-027032-0000000.

c) CU-26-02 CHARLES PECCOLO & HANDY

INVESTMENT GROUP: Conditional Use application in conjunction with Site Plan Application SP-26-04 to place a Mobile Food Unit (Use 8.400) on a property located in the General Development One (GD1) District. Subject property is located at 25 Raymond Road, Account #16-008000-0000000.

July 23, 2025

TOWN OF ESSEX DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

AUGUST 7, 2025, 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: 426269

Join Calling (audio only): 888-788-0099

Public wifi is available at the Essex municipal offices, libraries, and hotspots listed here: https:// publicservice.vermont.gov/content/ public-wifi-hotspots-vermont

1. Continued from February 6, 2025 - Prelim Subdivision – Pinewood Manor Inc is proposing a Planned Unit Development-Residential (PUD-R) located at 18 & 30 Timberlane Drive (Parcel ID 2-084-001-000 & 2-085-001-001) in the Medium Density Residential (R2) District, consisting of 10 single family homes on individual lots. Single family lots will be accessed via 20’ wide shared private drives.

2. Site Plan and Master Plan Amendment – Rick Bove is proposing the construction of Buildings G, G1 and H at the Essex Town Center located at 3 & 10 Commonwealth Ave (Parcel ID 2-091-001-301 & 2-091-001-701) and 10 Carmichael Street (Parcel ID 2-091-001-010) in the Mixed Use DevelopmentCommercial (MXD-C) and Business-Design Control Overlay (B-DC) Districts. The completion of Carmichael Street as well as the initial work on the Town Green are also proposed. Buildings G and G1 will be comprised of 11 one-bedroom units and 4 two-bedroom units each. Building H will be comprised of 21 one-bedroom units, 9 two-bedroom units and 7,600 square feet of commercial space on the first floor.

Application materials may be viewed before the meeting at https://www.essexvt.org/182/ Current-Development-Applications. Please call 802878-1343 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.

STATE OF VERMONT AGENCY OF TRANSPORTATION NOTICE OF VERIFIED COMPLAINT

TRANSPORTATION PROJECT CABOT-DANVILLE FEGC F 028-3(26)C/3 CABOT

In accordance with the requirements of 5 V.S.A §652 and 19 V.S.A. §504(b)(2), the Vermont Agency of Transportation (“VT rans”) hereby gives notice that it has filed a verified complaint with the Vermont Superior Court, Washington Unit, Civil Division seeking a judgment of condemnation for the taking by the State of Vermont of certain lands and rights therein located in the Town of Cabot in Washington County for transportation purposes under the protections of 19 V.S.A. Chapter 5 (Condemnation).

The proposed transportation project is described as follows:

“Cabot-Danville FEGC-F 028-3(26)C/3 is Contract 3 of the Cabot-Danville corridor reconstruction to bring the roadway up to National Highway System Standards. This project consists of the full-depth reconstruction of approximately 1.307 miles of US Route 2 beginning East of Mack Mountain Road and extending to a point just East of West Shore Road. The roadway will be widened to include 12-foot lanes and 8-foot shoulders. In addition, three (3) concrete box culverts will be installed as well as many drainage features.

It is anticipated construction for this project will consist of two (2) full construction seasons.

A two-way detour will be designed as part of the project though it should be anticipated that there will be times of one-lane alternating traffic.”

On December 2, 1997, the Vermont Agency of Transportation (“VTrans”) conducted a 19 V.S.A.§502 public hearing at the Cabot Town Office. After considering the objections, suggestions, and recommendations received from the public at the hearing, VTrans has determined that there is a necessity for the Project, as the term is defined in 5 V.S.A. § 653 and 19 V.S.A. § 501(1).

VTrans believes that the following persons are the owners of, or have an interest in the land and/or rights to be taken:

• Mr. Craig Cook & Mrs. Barbara Cook I 590 US Rt 2, West Danville, VT 05873; and

• Mr. Peter Danneberg 179 Elm St, Cabot, VT 05647

• Ms. Alison Joyal I 64 7 Gore Rd, Barre VT 05641

• Ms. Stephanie Miller 19 Forest Drive, Albany, NY 12205

To the above persons and all other persons who may have an interest in the lands proposed to betaken:

1. THE STATE OF VERMONT IS PROPOSING TO CONDEMN PROPERTY IN WHICH YOU MAY HAVE AN INTEREST.

a. The state of Vermont, acting by and through VTrans, has filed a Verified Complaint in the Superior Court that affects your property.

2. IF YOU OBJECT TO THE VERIFIED COMPLAINT:

a. YOU MUST REPLY WITHIN 21 DAYS OR BY AUGUST

11, 2025 (WHICHEVER IS SOONER) TO PROTECT YOUR RIGHTS.

b. You must give or mail the Agency a written response called an Answer to the Agency’s attorney located at:

Assistant Attorney General Vermont Agency of Transportation 219 North Main Street, Suite 201 Barre, Vermont 05641

c. YOU MUST ALSO GIVE OR MAIL YOUR ANSWER TO THE COURT located at:Washington County Superior Court 65 State St, Montpelier, VT 05602

3. YOU MUST RESPOND TO EACH CLAIM. The Answer is your written response to the Agency’s Verified Complaint. In your Answer you must state whether you agree or disagree with each paragraph of the Verified Complaint. If you believe the Agency should not be granted the relief asked for in the Verified Complaint, you must say so in your Answer.

4. YOU WILL LOSE YOUR RIGHT TO BE HEARD IF YOU DO NOT GIVE YOUR WRITTEN ANSWER TO THE COURT. If you do not answer within 21 days or by August 13, 2025, you will lose your right to be heard on the Verified Complaint and the necessity of the taking. If so, the Court may decide against you, and grant the Agency the right to proceed with the acquisition of your property, and/or the acquisition of other easement rights to your property.

5. THE COURT WILL SCHEDULE A FINAL HEARING ON THE VERIFIED COMPLAINT FOR NECESSITY. The Court will schedule a final hearing on the Verified Complaint if timely Answers are filed denying the necessity of the proposed taking or the public purpose of the project. The purpose of this hearing is for the Court to determine the contested issues and to hear evidence from the Agency, municipal officials, and affected property owners regarding the agency’s need to acquire the land and rights described in the Verified Complaint for the transportation project.

6. THE FINAL HEARING FOR NECESSITY IS NOT ABOUT CHALLENGING COMPENSATION. The Final Hearing is not about challenging compensation. This hearing is for the Court to determine the contested issues and to hear evidence from the Agency, municipal officials, and affected property owners regarding the Agency’s need to acquire the land and rights described in the Verified Complaint for the transportation project.

7. IF THE COURT FINDS THE PROPOSED TAKING LAWFUL: If the Court finds the proposed taking lawful the Court shall issue a Judgment of Condemnation, declaring the right of the Agency to take the property by eminent domain and declaring that title to the property will be transferred to the Agency, once the Judgment of Condemnation is recorded, payment has been tendered or deposited, and a Notice of Taking has been issued to the

property owners and/or interested persons named in the Verified Complaint.

8. IF YOU DISAGREE WITH THE AMOUNT OF COMPENSATION OFFERED BY THE AGENCY.

Property owners who disagree with the amount of compensation offered by the Agency will have a later opportunity to be heard on the amount of compensation. A property owner who disagrees with a compensation award may appeal in the following manner:

a. If the owner’s demand exceeds the Agency’s offer of just compensation by $25,000.00 or less, the owner(s) may obtain a determination of damages by either:

i. Petitioning the Transportation Board, or ii. Filing a complaint or, if applicable, a motion to re-open a Judgment of Condemnation, in Superior Court

b. If the owner’s demand exceeds the Agency’s offer of just compensation by more than $25,000.00, the owner may obtain a determination of damages by filing a complaint or, if applicable, a motion to re-open a Judgment of Condemnation, in Superior Court. A property owner must file a petition, complaint, or motion under subdivision (1) or (2) no later than 90 days after the date of the Notice of Taking.

9. IF YOU DO NOT OBJECT TO THE VERIFIED COMPLAINT, you do not have to respond to the Verified Complaint.

10. LEGAL ASSISTANCE. You may wish to get legal help from a lawyer. If you cannot afford a lawyer, you should ask the court clerk for information about places where you can get free legal help. Even if you cannot get legal help, you must still give the Court and the Agency a written Answer to protect your rights or you may lose your right to be heard on the Verified Complaint and the necessity of the taking.

11. NOTICE BY PUBLICATION. The Agency will publish a notice of the Verified Complaint and the substance of the Summons in the Cabot Chronicle, a newspaper having general circulation in the town or towns in which the proposed project is located. The notice will be published once a week for three consecutive weeks on the same day of the week.

12. COPIES OF THE VERIFIED COMPLAINT AND RIGHT-OF-WAY PLANS. An interested person who wishes to obtain a copy of the Verified Complaint and the right-of -way plans pertaining to the land in which the person is interested may obtain copies by contracting the following:

Nick Wark

Right of Way & Utilities Program Manager

Vermont Agency of Transportation

219 North Main Street, Barre VT 05641

Dated at Montpelier, Vermont on this, the 21st day of July, 2025.

DocuSigned by: Joe Flynn

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. See burlingtonaa.org for meetings, news & events in Chittenden & Grand Isle counties. For meeting & 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

Secretary Vermont Agency of Transportation

CITY OF BURLINGTON: DEACCESSION AND REMOVAL OF CHIEF GREYLOCK SCULPTURE

After forty years, the City of Burlington is saying goodbye to Chief Greylock. This sculpture has been a much-loved presence in Battery Park for decades. Gifted to the City by artist Peter Toth as part of his Whispering Giants series, it was dubbed Chief Greylock by members of the state’s Abenaki community shortly before its unveiling in 1984. A recent structural analysis of the wood has shown significant rot in key weight-bearing areas of the structure. Unfortunately, a structural analysis concluded that to avoid potential harm to pedestrians, Chief Greylock should be permanently deaccessioned and removed from Battery Park. The City is working with the Artist on removal, but is prepared to complete removal independently if necessary to ensure a safe public space. The City is in conversation with Abenaki partners to ensure the site remains a place of shared meaning through the installation of future public art.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING

TOWN OF UNDERHILL DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD (DRB)

ACCESS, CONDITIONAL USE, AND VARIANCE APPLICATION, DRB DOCKET NO. DRB-25-05.

Site Visit & Hearing: On Monday, August 11, 2025, at 20 Waughbrook Lane, Underhill, VT, a site visit will commence at 5:30 PM followed by a hearing @ 6:30 PM at the Underhill Town Hall, 12 Pleasant Valley Road, Underhill, VT. Remote participation options will also be available, see below.

The Access, Conditional Use, and Variance Hearing is based upon an application submitted by Catherine & Matthew Cross regarding a preexisting nonconforming lot which is approximately 5.5 acres. The applicants are seeking improved access, which includes the rehabilitation of an existing bridge, and the construction of a new driveway which will serve a proposed single-family dwelling located at 20 Waughbrook Lane. Due to the lack of evidence of a 20-foot right-of-way, a variance will be required pursuant to 24 V.S.A. § 4412(3). The subject property is located partially in the Mount Mansfield Scenic Preservation Zoning District and the Soil & Water Conservation Zoning District.

Application submittals, including information to access the public meeting via the Go-To-Meeting platform or by telephone, may be obtained on the Town’s website calendar under August 11, 2025,

CONTACT CLASSIFIEDS@SEVENDAYSVT.COM OR 802-865-1020 EXT. 115 TO UPDATE YOUR SUPPORT GROUP

or by contacting the Zoning Administrator. The hearing is open to the public. Pursuant to 24 VSA § 4464(a)(1)(C) and 4471(a), participation in this local proceeding is a prerequisite to the right to make any subsequent appeal. If you cannot attend the hearing, comments may be made in writing, prior to the meeting, and mailed to: Maya Holmes, Acting ZA, P.O. Box 120 Underhill, VT 05489 or emailed to: zoning@underhillvt.gov

STATE OF VERMONT

SUPERIOR COURT PROBATE DIVISION FRANKLIN UNIT DOCKET NO.: 25-PR-02857

In re ESTATE of Richard M. Bashaw

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

To the creditors of: Richard M. Bashaw, late of St. Albans, 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: July 17, 2025

Signature of Fiduciary: /s/ Joann Foran

Executor/Administrator: Joann Foran, Fiduciary c/o Carol Y. Pfeiffer, Esq., Dinse PC, 209 Battery St., Burlington, VT 05401 Telephone Number: 802-859-7072 Email: cpfeiffer@dinse.com

Name of Publication: Seven Days Publication Date: 07/23/2025

Name of Probate Court: Vermont Superior Court, Franklin Unit Address of Court: 17 Church Street, St. Albans, VT 05478

CONTENTS OF STORAGE UNIT 212 The Contents of Storage Unit 02-00233 Facebook

Located at 37 Centre Dr. Milton, VT Will be sold on or about the 31st of July, 2025 to satisfy the debt of Tom Grabb. Any person claiming a right to the goods may pay the amount claimed due and reasonable expenses before the sale, in which case the sale may not occur.

& 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, 800-2723900, 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 Pathways Vermont Community Center at 279 N. Winooski Ave. 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 Pathways Vermont Community Center, located at 279 N. Winooski Ave. in 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 279 N. Winooski Ave. in Burlington & online on Zoom. Email us for the Zoom link & more info: pvcc@ pathwaysvermont.org.

ATTENTION RECRUITERS:

POST YOUR JOBS AT: JOBS.SEVENDAYSVT.COM/POST-A-JOB PRINT DEADLINE: NOON ON MONDAYS (INCLUDING HOLIDAYS) FOR RATES & INFO: MICHELLE BROWN, 802-865-1020 X121, MICHELLE@SEVENDAYSVT.COM

YOUR TRUSTED LOCAL SOURCE. JOBS.SEVENDAYSVT.COM

Histotechnician

Local histology laboratory seeks well trained histotechnician for immediate opening in a friendly small lab setting. Strong technical skills, good fund of knowledge and work experience are needed. Competitive pay commensurate with experience. Hours are ﬂexible.

Please email your letter/ resume to sevendaysvt. garment739@passmail.net Or call us at 802-316-8924. Apply today and meet our team!

Building Maintenance

Creative Microsystems in Waitsfield

Handy person for light construction, repairs, maintenance. Schedule vendors if needed. Familiarity with building systems, good with tools, good organizational skills. Flexible schedule, $30-50/hr, negotiable. creativemicro.com | hr@creativemicro.com | 802-496-6620

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Executive Director

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PROGRAM MANAGER

Community Sailing Center (CSC) is seeking a Program Manager to join our Programs team to help lead a team of sailing instructors and support staff to operate a diverse array of programs that help connect people in our community to Lake Champlain. This position requires a strong sailing work history and a US Sailing Instructor Certification. Work schedule is flexible and may require weekend availability during the summer season.

FULL TIME POSITION

Pay: Salaried, Pay commensurate with experience

Applicants should send a resume, cover letter, and 2 references to John Nagle at john@ communitysailingcenter.org

The Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired seeks a visionary Executive Director to lead our management team. Headquartered in So. Burlington, VT, VABVI is the only private, nonprofit, statewide agency providing training, services and support to infants, children and adults throughout Vermont. VABVI has an annual operating budget of $4.1 million. The successful candidate will possess a vision for the future and strive to fulfill a mission that encourages and assists blind and visually impaired people to achieve or maintain their independence and quality of life. Salary range is $120,000 to $150,000 depending on experience.

Complete details of the responsibilities and qualifications for this position, as well as the Application process is available at: Vabvi.org/careers

Application Deadline: August 31, 2025

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Massage Therapist Needed

Are you an enthusiastic, vibrant individual who loves massage therapy AND making excellent wages? We have the job for you! Planet Massage is now hiring full/part-time therapist(s) for shifts throughout the week and weekend.

Want to create change? The Vermont Progressive Party, the most successful third party in America, is seeking an Executive Director. For 25 years we have elected Progressives to the VT Legislature, the Burlington City Council, Vermont Lieutenant Governor and the Burlington City Mayor and provided support to winners of local select board and school board seats. The Executive Director carries out the Party’s priorities including candidate recruitment and support, fundraising, supporting the Progressive caucus during the Legislative session, some event planning and representing the Party before the public. Applicants should have experience in electoral politics or activist organizing. Desired skills include working with social and traditional media, fundraising and database management, knowledge of campaign finance, communication with members and overseeing committees. Total compensation starts at $56,000, inclusive of salary, health insurance stipend and travel reimbursement.

Please see full job description at progressiveparty.org/workforus. To apply, please send cover letter, resume and 3 references to: Anthony Pollina, Chair, Vermont Progressive Party at apollinavt@gmail.com. Applications are due September 1, 2025. We are open to training the right person. We are an E.O.E.

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Case Manager

A 5-Star company, rated one of the Top 3 Massage Therapy Companies in Vermont and a 7-Daysies Award Finalist, we are looking to add to our team of certified/licensed massage therapists.

We are a supporting team of therapists committed to health and wellness as a way of life. Must be able to provide deep tissue as well as relaxation treatments, and some alternating weekend (Fri. evening/Sat/Sunday) shifts.

Injury/medical massage experience a plus. Willing to train the right individual, so if this ad speaks to you, please contact us immediately so you can join our growing, positive-vibe business!

Planetmassagevermont@gmail.com

The Lamoille Family Center seeks an energetic, organized, and flexible individual to provide full-time case management and crisis intervention services to 12- to 24-year-old youth and young adults. This position works as part of the Youth & Young Adult team, has significant contact with schools, social service partners and the Dept. of Children and Families. An understanding of Positive Youth Development approaches is desired.

This is a rare opportunity to be part of a dynamic, supportive, and team-oriented agency which is committed to collectively integrating its core values of Integrity, Respect, Compassion, Inclusivity, Collaboration and Positivity into its work. Compensation starts at $43,500 plus $14,000 in benefits like vacation time, sick time, and single person health insurance. Qualifications: A bachelor’s degree and 1 year work experience with vulnerable youth and their parents/guardians is required. Qualified candidates will have a solid understanding of positive youth development, social work, ability to organize & manage documentation, strong communication skills, and an ability to collaborate with multiple community partners. Candidates should have a knowledge of various youth focused systems of care. Travel throughout the Lamoille Valley, occasional crisis / after hours response, and some evening work required. Since travel throughout the Lamoille Valley is required, a valid Driver’s License and reliable, insured transportation are necessary.

Please send cover letter and resume to: Lamoille Family Center

480 Cady’s Falls Road Morrisville, VT 05661 or jhunsberger@lamoillefamilycenter.org

Carpenters & Site Leads

We are looking for experienced carpenters with knowledge of old and new construction to join the Lewis Creek Builders, DesignBuild team! We are a passionate group of carpenters, designers, and construction management professionals working in a supportive, collaborative environment to manage every aspect of residential building and remodeling projects.

Flexible start date!

Great benefits package!

Apply online today: lewiscreekcompany.com/ employment

Or call 802.662.1630

Carpenter/Site Leader

Pay Range: $25.00-$40.00/hr

LEAD LINE COOK

We’re hiring a Lead Line Cook to join our growing kitchen team at The Big Picture Theater and Cafe. This is a unique opportunity to work closely with a passionate Chef who values mentorship, creativity, and sustainability.

We’re looking for someone who is eager to grow, excited to be part of a dynamic and supportive team, and ready to help execute thoughtful, highquality food in a fast-paced environment.

Experience: Prior kitchen experience is preferred, but not required. If you bring commitment and curiosity, our Chef is ready to teach, mentor, and support your growth.

Schedule: Evening and weekend availability required. Full-time and part-time positions considered

Email: Km7985@gmail.com Km7985@gmail.com

Supervisors and Cleaners

Janitronics, Inc. is now hiring full time and part time supervisors and cleaners in Brattleboro, Rutland, Cabot, Berlin, Shelburne, & Burlington! $16.50-$23/hr, nighttime & daytime shifts available.

Janitronics Facility Services is a family-owned and regionally based company headquartered in Albany, NY, with a legacy spanning three generations. Specializing in commercial cleaning services, Janitronics caters to a variety of environments, including office buildings, schools, and healthcare facilities, while maintaining a strong commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. Janitronics employs a dedicated team that is trained to ensure clean and safe spaces, promoting a healthy environment for clients and their surrounding communities.

Apply now at joblinkapply.com/Joblink/7079/Search/ SearchWithFilters or call 802 233 8001.

Special Educator

The Stern Center for Language and Learning is an education-focused nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding the power of learning. We are currently hiring special educators who are ready to make a difference at a new level in their career. If you thrive in an educational setting that shakes up the traditional school model, apply to join our team in the life-changing work of teaching reading. Work with students who need the support of caring educators who believe in them, in a context where social-emotional wellbeing and support is a critical part of the learning journey. Ideal candidates will have a BA/BS in education, 2+ years’ experience in Special Education, enthusiasm for one-to-one instruction, and knowledge of assessment and interpretation.

Experience with Orton-Gillingham, or similar qualifications a plus. This is a full-time, in-person position in Chittenden County, VT. The hiring range for this position is $55,000 - $57,000 annually. Interested candidates can send a cover letter and resume to hcastillo@sterncenter.org. The Stern Center for Language and Learning is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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Join the Flynn & be part of a team striving to make the community better through the arts. All backgrounds encouraged to apply. This is a temporary, hourly paid position.

RUNNER/DRIVER TEMPORARY

The Flynn is looking for a temporary runner/driver to safely transport visiting artists to various performance locations with use of a passenger van and run as needed errands with a personal vehicle. You must be 21+, able to pass a background check, have valid driver’s license, and clear driving record to be considered for this position. In consideration of applying, please review the complete job description on our website.

For more details, please visit: flynnvt.org/About-Us/ Employment-and-Internship-Opportunities

Email materials to: HResources@flynnvt.org

No phone calls, please. E.O.E.

Graduate Nurse Residency Program

Build your skills – with support.

Kickstart your nursing career with the support you need at our not-for-profit, rural critical access hospital.

Apply for our Summer 2025 program on the Medical-Surgical Unit. Receive hands-on training with experienced preceptors, exposure to diverse patient populations, and education on essential nursing skills in a mentorship-driven atmosphere. Why NVRH? Collaborate with a dedicated team, gain valuable experience, and enjoy work-life balance in a welcoming rural community while making a meaningful impact on patients’ lives.

Requirements: Enthusiastic new graduates with a Bachelor’s or Associate’s Degree in Nursing and eligibility for a Vermont or multi-state Compact RN license. Benefits Include: Competitive compensation, student loan repayment, tuition reimbursement, paid time off, and more. About Us: Located in St. Johnsbury, Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital serves over 30,000 people in a picturesque, bustling community. Apply Now! nvrh.org/careers.

ATTENTION RECRUITERS:

Join the Flynn & be part of a team striving to make the community better through the arts. All backgrounds encouraged to apply. This is a full-time, exempt, benefits eligible position.

OUTBOUND RENTAL & GROUP SALES MANAGER

For job details and to apply, please visit: flynnvt.org/About-Us/Employment-and-InternshipOpportunities

No phone calls, please. E.O.E.

RN or MA

Richmond Family Medicine is looking for an RN or a Medical Assistant to join our small, but busy practice. Job responsibilities include rooming patients, obtaining brief histories, performing point of care tests, administering immunizations, taking phone calls, prior authorizations, supporting our primary care clinicians in care coordination for patients, and helping to cover the front desk when needed. The position is full time 4 days a week, 27-36 hours per week. Flexibility in schedule is highly valued in a candidate to assist in vacation and sick coverage. If you're interested in joining us, please send a resume including references. If you have any questions regarding the position, please feel free to call us at 802-434-4123, option 1, & ask for the Practice Manager, Mary-Lynn. Richmond Family Medicine offers competitive pay & beneﬁts. Send resumes to: sarahknakal@richmondfamilymedicine.org For more info, email: kathleenhamilton@richmondfamilymedicine.org or sarahknakal@richmondfamilymedicine.org 4t-RichmondFamilyMedicine072325.indd

Program Advocate

Since 1971, WISE has provided crisis advocacy and support for people and communities affected by domestic violence, sexual violence, stalking, and trafficking within 23 towns of the Upper Valley of NH and VT.

Work directly with survivors of domestic and sexual violence, stalking and trafficking as well as the systems and communities around them. When survivors have advocates, they are not alone. Advocates help survivors understand what they have experienced, the impacts, how to articulate what they need to move forward. To apply, email cover letter & resume to peggy.oneil@wiseuv.org or apply directly on our website: wiseuv.org/how-to-join/careers

LPN Starting at $35/hr or RN Starting at $45/hr

Sign on Available! Valley Vista is seeking full-time, part-time, and per diem nurses (LPN or RN) for all shifts, to join our team and support our 80-bed facility as our patients move toward a life in recovery.

Job Duties:

• Provide appropriate nursing services and education to clients.

• Observe, record, and reports to the appropriate person any symptoms, reactions and changes in a client’s condition.

• Receives and transcribes physician order to client charts.

• Chart nursing notes in an informative and descriptive manner reflecting the care provided and the response to that care.

• Participate in report at shift change.

• Administer Mantoux upon admission.

• Complete scheduled weekly updates and chart audits.

Job Requirements: LPN or RN License, Interest in Behavioral Health and Chemical Dependency

Apply: bit.ly/ValleyVistaNurse

We’re Hiring! NURSING LEADERSHIP

Looking to be part of a tight-knit nursing leadership team that supports growth and collaboration?

• House Supervisor

Serve as a clinical resource to all departments across organization.

• OR Nurse Manager

Lead dynamic team through upcoming Operating Room expansion.

• PACU Nurse Manager Manage pre- and post-op care for a variety of surgeries.

For more information visit copleyvt.org/careers or contact Kaitlyn Shannon, Recruiter, at 802-888-8144 or kshannon@chsi.org.

Energy Navigator Community Organizer

The nonprofit Climate Economy Action Center seeks a passionate Community Organizer & Outreach Coordinator to help build a movement for home energy action across Addison County, VT and surrounding regions. This is a full-time position for someone who thrives in local communities and online — listening, building trust, identifying natural leaders, and turning interest into sustained action. You’ll represent the growing Energy Navigators community-based energy coaching program (https://www.energynavigators.org/), and your job is to connect with local champions and support them in spreading the word and helping neighbors access free, personalized energy guidance. This position blends grassroots organizing, strategic outreach, and creative communication. Additional duties include some administration work and conducting one-on-one Energy Navigations with residents when needed.

Woman/LGBT+ owned and operated. Seeking a badass CSR to join our team!

Send resumes to: jessie@ vermontawards.com

Immediate opening. Please submit applications by email to jobs@energynavigators.org. Applications should include a cover letter, resume, three references, and several work samples. More details are available at: ceacac.org/community-organizer 4t-ClimateEconomyAction072325.indd

Music Contact International/ American Expeditions, a leading tour operator providing international group travel to specialinterest groups, is seeking an O ce Administrator with administrative and customer service experience. On-site role, $22 hourly Part-time (est 15-20

For details and to apply, please visit: bit.ly/4kG4oBr

Zoning Administrator

Manage and enforce

Subdivision & Zoning Bylaws part-time for Fairfield, a beautiful, rural town in northern VT. Use your knowledge of municipal operations and state regulations to provide permit and zoning info. to the public; review applications for completeness; prepare materials and written summaries to the Planning & Zoning Board of Adjustment; plan and document meetings and serve as the E911 coordinator.

Part-Time, $25-$35/hr.

Email cover letter & resume to Cathy Ainsworth, Town Administrator: townadmin@ fairfieldvermont.us Visit fairfieldvermont.us for a full job description.

Summer Resort Staff

Looking for an outgoing, hard working, outdoorsy individual to join our summer staff beginning last week of July through August. Historic, lakeside resort with cabins, three meals a day and lots of outdoor activities. Staff live in shared cabins, are provided three meals a day, weekly salary and assist in serving meals, cabin maintenance, leading camp activities, etc. Great work environment. Apply online: timberlock.com/job-application

IMMEDIATE OPENINGS

• Wedding & Event Group Coordinator (Full-Time, Year-Round)

• Seasonal Event Manager

• Bell Staff

• Front Desk

• Servers & Bartenders

Apply at basinharbor.com/jobs or email jobs@basinharbor.com

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Inspire Giving. Strengthen Community. Join NCH as Our Next Development Officer.

North Country Hospital is hiring a Development Officer to help grow our Foundation’s impact. If you’re passionate about community, philanthropy, and making a difference, we want to hear from you!

• Designs and implements a philanthropic program that aligns with the Hospital’s strategy

• Cultivates relationships with current and potential donors across all constituencies, coordinates donor requests, and works with Corporate Accounting to assure proper transfer and recording of gifts

• Organizes and promotes special events designed to raise funds, broaden the donor base, and foster identity with North Country Hospital

• Plans and implements a comprehensive annual giving program, including an Annual Fund campaign and/or planned giving, capital campaigns as needed. Is responsible for the preparations of fundraising letters, brochures, proposals, solicitor support material and direct mail renewal/acquisition.

Interested candidates may apply online and see all opportunities at: www.northcountryhospital.org/careers

Email: tcole@nchsi.org Equal Opportunity Employer

NNCCHH

“I'm proud to say I found my purpose by joining CCS.”

– Melissa Viau, Direct Support Professional.

Great jobs in management and direct support at an award-winning agency serving Vermonters with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

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, generous sign on bonus and so much more.

And that’s on top of working at one of the “Best Places to Work in Vermont” for seven years in a row.

Join our team today! 5v-ChamplainCommServices072325.indd

Join our team and discover a fulfilling career with comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, PTO from day one, and more.

This is more than a job—it’s a meaningful opportunity to change lives, including your own.

ATTENTION RECRUITERS:

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Senior Product Lead

Operations Manager

HUNTINGTON is Hiring!

Front Porch Forum is seeking an experienced professional to lead our product development process. Check out this full-time, flexible, hybrid role. Apply by August 3, 2025.

Pay range: $85k-$130k.

Front Porch Forum is seeking an experienced operations lead to join our growing mission-driven team of two dozen Vermont staff. Full-time and remote + Burlington office hybrid. Help us fulfill our community-building mission.

Immediate & Interesting Full & Part-Time Job Openings Available.

Administrative Assistant (PT)

Highway Road Crew

Learn more and apply: frontporchforum.com/about-us/careers-at-fpf

Learn more and apply: https://frontporchforum.com/ about-us/careers-at-fpf

5h-FrontPorchForum072722 1 7/25/22 2:22 PM

Patient Service Center Representative Female

Seeking an outgoing, personable, and very reliable female to work in Champlain Toxicology Lab’s Patient Service Center in downtown Burlington, VT. Job responsibilities include patient check-in, various types of sample collections including unobserved and observed urine collections at both our facility and a local client location. Role also involves completion of requisition forms, performing data entry and general office work including answering phones, filing and packaging samples up for transport to the laboratory.

CDL Preferred + GREAT Benefits (FT)

More info. available under “notices” on the homepage at HuntingtonVT.org

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Ideal candidate will have a high school diploma at minimum, detail oriented and be comfortable using a computer. Experience with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel a plus. Should be comfortable learning new software programs. Strong interpersonal skills are a must as this is a client-facing role. Diplomacy may be required on occasion as patients/clients must always be treated with dignity and respect. This job will follow HIPAA regulations, confidentiality and discretion are paramount. Ability to work independently once trained is important. Personal vehicle is mandatory to travel to client locations, mileage will be reimbursed at the federal rate. Send resumes to: andrea@champlaintoxicologylab.com

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.

CONTRACTS & GRANTS ADMINISTRATOR - CHILD NUTRITION – MONTPELIER

The Agency of Education (AOE) is seeking a Grants and Contracts Administrator focusing on technology systems for our Child Nutrition Programs. This is a limited-service, federal grant-funded position with funding currently in place until 9/30/2028. Work will be primarily remote, with monthly in-person days required in Montpelier. The candidate should be located in Vermont or a neighboring state. For more information, contact Rosie Krueger at mary.krueger@vermont.gov. Location: Montpelier. Department: Education. Status: Full Time, Limited Service. Minimum Salary: $29.15. Maximum Salary: $45.58. Job ID #52974. Application Deadline: July 30, 2025.

Seasonal Job Opportunity

Looking for well rounded folks to join our small team at our retail garden center located in New Haven, VT! Ideal candidates excited to jump into all aspects of operations. Take on responsibility in your area of interest and/or expertise. Help us ﬁnish out the current season (through end of October) and return when we start up again in the spring. Long days on your feet and occasional heavy lifting. Weekend availability and experience in horticulture or retail/ customer service preferred. Pay commensurate with experience. Email plants@greenhavenvt. com for more info.

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Recovery Support Specialist

From $22 an hour - Part-time, Full-time

The role of the Recovery Support Specialist is to support program participants at the Jenna's Promise Recovery Residences on their paths to and in recovery. The Recovery Support Specialist will act as a role model, mentor, and motivator in order to promote long-term recovery for the participants within Jenna’s Promise Recovery Residence Program and support residents in their day-to-day lives. This is a full-time opportunity that might require weekend hours and evening hours with shi s ending at 9 PM. Shi s/hours will be determined in collaboration with the other recovery residence staﬀ.

Case Manager

From $24 an hour - Part-time

The Case Manager must support residents in numerous ways, including providing them with community and connection. The Case Manager will be given the opportunity to guide, support, and influence change on a personal, local, and statewide level, as well as the ability to influence healthy behaviors, create various house activities, and be a supportive and nurturing role model in the recovery community. The case manager will also support our team of peer recovery support specialists while working directly with the program leadership, our clinical team, and other staff.

For full descriptions and to apply, contact: April@jennaspromise.org

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PRINT DEADLINE: NOON ON MONDAYS (INCLUDING HOLIDAYS)

FOR RATES & INFO: MICHELLE BROWN, 802-865-1020 X121, MICHELLE@SEVENDAYSVT.COM

FINANCE DIRECTOR

City of Barre, Vermont (pop. 8,304)

The City of Barre, Vermont, is accepting applications for the position of Finance Director. This position will report directly to the City Manager and is responsible for day-to-day financial operations of the City with supervisory authority. This is a full-time, exempt salaried position. The City of Barre offers a competitive rate of pay commensurate with qualifications and experience beginning at $90,000 per year (negotiable based on experience) with a competitive benefits package and flexible work schedules.

apply.

Finance Director

Are you a finance professional looking for a flexible, half-time role supporting the arts and creativity in Vermont? Want to do mission driven work in a primarily remote environment with great coworkers? The Vermont Arts Council is hiring its next Finance Director to oversee financial operations. 20-hour/week role with a salary range of $48.08 – $52.88/hour.

Full job description and how to apply at: vermontartscouncil.org

Applications will be accepted until July 30, 2025 or until the position is filled. For a more detailed job description, visit the Barre City website, www.barrecity.org/hr

E-mail or mail a resume and three work-related references to Jeanne.Galiano@barrecity.org or mail to City of Barre - Attn: Jeanne Galiano, 6 N. Main St., Suite 2, Barre VT 05641.

Worker/Mental Health Therapist/Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

Mental health company is looking for licensed therapists to perform psychiatric therapy remotely for children and adults. Will assist candidate getting on insurance panels but work will start faster if already credentialed on panels. Work hours are flexible. Hours are Sunday to Friday , closed Saturday. Must be licensed as an LMHC, LICSW or PhD in psychology or APRN psychiatric nurse practitioner in mental health. Must be able to be licensed in Vermont and Massachusetts as there is a waiting list of patients. All work is remote via electronic medical records and telehealth portal. Work is fee for services and billing as well as secretarial services are provided. Supervision is also provided if needed. Please email if interested. We are looking for 4 candidates

Resumes: SLong835@gmail.com

OG Structured Literacy In-Person Instructor

The Stern Center in Williston is seeking a full-time, in-person instructor to join our highly experienced and collaborative team of teachers. If you’re a qualified educator with training and experience in structured literacy instruction, this rewarding role allows focus and impact, teaching one-on-one to make a positive difference every day.

Training in Orton-Gillingham and/or Wilson, and/or having a Special Education certification strongly preferred. Our ideal candidate will have exceptional communication and organizational skills, an understanding of research-based interventions, and experience in developing individualized learning plans. Specific duties include:

• Administer and interpret pre- and post-instructional assessments

• Create specific academic goals and objectives for each student

• Communicate with parents, schools, teachers, and special educators

• Strong progress monitoring and reporting skills

The non-profit Stern Center for Language and Learning is dedicated to learning for all as we recognize that all great minds don't think alike. We invite you to learn more about us at sterncenter.org

The starting salary range for this position is $55,000 to $57,000 annually. The Stern Center for Language & Learning is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

Join the Fire & Rescue Team

& Rescue Team

Pay ranges:

Fire/EMT: $24.63-$26.66

Fire/AEMT: $25.69-$27.81

Fire/AEMT: $25.69-$27.81*

Fire/Paramedic: $27.16-$29.40*

*May be higher based on qualifications and experience.

Robust benefit package: health and dental, paid leave, VMERS pension and more

Stowe Fire & Rescue is seeking a qualified candidate to join the team.

This position is responsible for performing fire suppression, emergency medical services, fire prevention, hazardous materials incidents, related training, maintenance of emergency vehicles and equipment and the public safety building, and other related functions/duties as assigned by a ranking officer or shift supervisor. This position also contributes to the support of the Police Department and Mountain Rescue Team relative to medical care and rescue operations.

Minimum qualifications include current Firefighter 1, Vermont EMT-Basic (with the ability to acquire an AEMT certification within two years of hire), and a valid driver’s license. Paramedic certification is desired. Additionally, a Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) certificate is required, or ability to obtain within 6 months of hire. Position currently requires day and night shifts on weekdays, weekends, and holidays — generally in 12-hour shifts — as well as attendance at trainings and meetings.

More information can be found at stowevt.gov/jobs. Submit cover letter and resume to recruit@stowevt.gov. Position open until filled.

OF STOWE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

Burlington Housing Authority (BHA)

Are you interested in a job that helps your community and makes a difference in people’s lives every day? Consider joining Burlington Housing Authority (BHA) in Burlington, VT to continue BHA’s success in promoting innovative solutions that address housing instability challenges facing our diverse population of low-income families and individuals. We are currently hiring for the following positions:

We are currently hiring for the following positions:

Leasing Specialist: Screens all applicants for program eligibility for HUD Multifamily & BHA owned properties. Gathers information for screening tenant’s suitability and lease ups. Works closely with the Property Managers, Rental Assistance department, and coordinates inspections for housing Choice vouchers. Pay $23.00 to $25.00 per hour.

Maintenance Technician: Performs general maintenance work in BHA owned and managed properties. This includes building exteriors, common areas, apartments, building systems, fixtures, and grounds. Our Building Operations Techs are required to participate in the on-call rotation, which covers night and weekend emergencies. Pay $24.00 to $26.00 per hour.

Offender Re-entry Housing Specialist: Provides support to men and women under the VT Department of Corrections supervision from prison back to living in Chittenden County. The ORHS focuses on high-risk men and women who are being released from jail and graduating transitional housing programs and in need of permanent housing. The ORHS provides intensive retention and eviction prevention services and works collaboratively with the Burlington Probation and Parole Office. Additionally, the ORHS works with various case workers, Re-Entry staff and the Administrative Staff from the VT Department of Corrections and the broad network of COSA staff, as necessary, throughout Chittenden County. Pay $25.00 to $26.00 per hour.

Permanent Supportive Housing Specialist: Provides assistance to community members within Chittenden County who are without housing and have significant medical/mental health barriers to locating and securing housing in Burlington Housing Authority’s service area. Pay $25.00 to $26.00 per hour.

Property Manager Administrative

Assistant: Serves as first point of contact for our customers in the Property Management office. This role greets applicants and the general public at the main office, collects rent payments, provides administrative support to the Leasing Specialist, the Property Managers, and the Director of Property Management. Pay $20.00 to $22.00 per hour.

Receptionist: Fields questions at the front desk and via the phone, while providing great customer service. This position also processes office mailings and provides administrative support. (This position works between 32 and 40 hours weekly.) Pay $20.00 to $23.00 per hour.

Rental Assistance Specialist

II: Processes the annual & interim recertifications for tenant and projectbased vouchers and grant-funded rental assistance programs. The RAS also provides help, when needed, with other rental assistance programs administered by the Burlington Housing Authority. Pay $20.00 to $24.00 per hour.

For more info about these career opportunities, our robust benefit package, and to apply, please visit: jobs.appone. com/burlingtonhousingauthority

Burlington Housing Authority Human Resources 65 Main Street, Suite 101 Burlington, VT 05401

BHA is an Equal Opportunity Employer

GO HIRE.

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Get a quote when you post online or contact Michelle Brown: 865-1020, ext. 121, michelle@sevendaysvt.com.

fun stuff

JEN SORENSEN

HARRY BLISS

“From this day forth, you will never remember why you looked at your phone in the first place!”

KRISTEN SHULL

MAT BARTON

LEO

(JUL. 23-AUG. 22)

I predict that your imminent future will be a ticklish and tricky but ultimately uplifting masterpiece. It will feature guest appearances by members of your private Hall of Fame, including one future luminary you have not yet fully appreciated. This epic series of adventures may begin when you are nudged to transform your bond with a key resource. Soon, you will be encouraged to explore frontier territory that offers unexpected help. Next, you will demonstrate your understanding that freedom is never permanent but must constantly be reinvented.

ARIES (Mar. 21-Apr. 19): In Hindu cosmology, the Sanskrit term lila refers to divine play. It’s the idea that all of creation is a sacred and artful amusement that’s performed by the gods with joy, sorrow, artfulness and flair. I hereby proclaim lila to be your theme of power, Aries. You have been so deep lately, so honest, so drenched in feeling. Now, life is giving you a big wink and saying, “It’s playtime!” You can start this fresh phase by making a list of all the experiences that bring you fun, recreation and entertainment. I hope you emphasize these pursuits in the coming weeks.

TAURUS (Apr. 20-May 20): In the high desert of Chile, astronomers work at observatories on mountaintops where the air is dry and the sky is clear. There, away from light pollution,

the universe reveals itself with astonishing intimacy. But even the most powerful telescopes can’t function during the day. I suspect you will be like those observatories in the coming weeks, Taurus: capable of seeing vast truths but only if you pause, quiet the ambient noise and look during the dark. This approach should embolden you to use your intelligence in new ways. Stillness and silence will be conducive to your deep explorations. Night will be your ally.

GEMINI (May 21-Jun. 20): Are you courageous enough to let go of sparkly clean but unfruitful fantasies so as to clear space for reality’s disorderly richness? Are you wild enough to relinquish naïve fears and hopes so you can see the raw truths blooming right in front of you? Are you cagey enough to discard the part of your innocence that’s rooted in delusion even as you bolster the part of your innocence that’s fueled by your love of life? Here’s my response to those questions, Gemini: Maybe you weren’t mature or bold or crafty enough to accomplish these heroic feats before, but you are now.

CANCER (Jun. 21-Jul. 22): Coral polyps are tiny, soft-bodied creatures. Over centuries, they assemble massive reef systems, turning their fragile exoskeletons into monumental architecture. These creatures can be a symbolic reminder that your sensitivity is not a weakness; it’s your building material. Keep that in mind during the coming weeks, when tender care and your nurturing ability can be primal sources of power. I invite you to start creating an enduring sanctuary. Generate a quiet miracle. Construct an elegant masterpiece. For best results, allow your emotional intelligence to guide you. You have the precise blend of aptitudes necessary to coax beauty to grow from vulnerability.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sep. 22): Sci-fi author Octavia Butler wrote, “All that you touch, you change. All that you change changes you.”

The coming weeks will be prime time for you to honor and celebrate that prayer, Virgo. You won’t be a passive dreamer, gentle traveler or contemplative wanderer. Rather, I predict you will be a tidal force of metamorphosis. Parts of your world are pliable and ready for reshaping,

and you will undertake that reshaping. But it’s important to know that the shift will go both ways. As you sculpt, you will be sculpted. As you bless, you will be blessed. Don’t be shy about riding along on this feedback loop. Do it with reverence and glee. Let the art you make remake you. Let the magic you give become the magic you are.

LIBRA (Sep. 23-Oct. 22): In certain Hindu traditions, the deity Ardhanarishvara is depicted as half-male, half-female — a divine fusion of opposites. They are not torn but whole in their duality. I invite you to be inspired by their symbolism in the coming weeks, Libra. For you, balance will not be about making compromises or pushing to find middle ground. It will be about embracing the full range of possibilities. Energies that some people may imagine are contradictory may in fact be complementary and mutual. Benevolence will coordinate well with fierceness and vice versa. Your craving for beauty will not just coexist with but also synergize an affinity for messy fertility. This is a time for sacred synthesis. Don’t dilute. Integrate.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): The medieval mystic Meister Eckhart wrote, “God is not found in the soul by adding anything, but by a process of subtraction.” Subtracting what? He wasn’t referring to losing something valuable, but rather to letting go of obstacles that obscure our direct experience of the divine. I invite you to make abundant use of this principle, Scorpio. Slough off layers of illusion, outmoded fantasies and self-images soaked in others’ longings. As you let go, do so not in bitterness but in a joyous quest for freedom.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): I’m hoping that the Season of a Thousand Feelings hasn’t confused you. I’m praying that you have maintained a measure of composure and aplomb while navigating through the richest emotional flow you’ve experienced in many moons. It’s true that in some ways this barrage has been draining. But I’m certain you will ultimately regard it as being highly educational and entertaining. You will look back at this bustling interlude as a gift that will take a while to harvest completely.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Greek myth tells us that Persephone didn’t just return from the underworld each spring; she ruled there half the year. Yes, she was taken there against her will, but she adapted, transformed and ultimately wielded great power in the depths. In the coming weeks, Capricorn, you will have the chance to navigate realms that other souls may not be brave enough to enter: taboos, unusual yearnings, ancestral memories. My advice is to go gently but with intense resolve. Don’t act like a tourist. Be a sovereign explorer, even a maestro of mystery. Claim your throne in the underworld. Use it to create healing maps for others. When your work is done and the right moment comes, you will rise again into the light.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): In my astrological opinion, you are ready to graduate from the University of Senseless Suffering. It’s time to get your diploma and treat yourself to a vacation. I’m not saying you will never again experience pain, of course. Rather, I’m telling you the good news that your dilemmas in the coming months will be more fully useful and redemptive. They will feel more like satisfying work than unpleasant ordeals. Congrats on the upgrade, Aquarius! You are forever finished with at least one of your arduous lessons.

PISCES (Feb. 19-Mar. 20): Ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus said you can’t step in the same river twice. Like everything else in nature, the river is in constant flux. It may appear to be the same, but the water is always flowing. What Heraclitus didn’t say is that you are never the same, either. Eternal change is your destiny. I invite you to ruminate eagerly on this truth, Pisces. Hopefully, it will help you let go of any hyper-perfectionist urges you might have. It will inspire you to see that the plan you made a while ago may need revision — not because you were wrong but because you have grown. So yes: It’s time to reassess and recalculate. The goal isn’t to stick to the blueprint but to build something that breathes with your becoming. Let the evernew version of you draw a fresh map. It will be wiser than the last.

Respond to these people online: dating.sevendaysvt.com

WOMEN seeking...

FUN-LOVING, INDEPENDENT, HONEST, FUNNY, GREGARIOUS

Healthy, active, semiretired. I enjoy trying new things and seeing new places. Many interests: back roads of Vermont or New England, a foreign cruise. Lakeside with family and friends, food, and a bonfire, or festivals, farmers market, music. Quiet dinner, a movie or Scrabble. I’m game. The friendship of an equal who’s fun-loving, honest and independent. Winter breaks to warmer climates, as it’s not my favorite season. Am I missing something? MsPaisley, 71, seeking: M, l

MASSIDIOT WHO LOVES THE 802

I hope that when people see my Mass. license plate, they don’t throw tomatoes at my car. My family lived in Vermont since the 1950s. Plans are in the works to relocate and retire here. Not an elitist arse. Grandfather a farmer, and me, a trash picker extraordinaire (in a Volvo!). Books, writing, laughs, pets fill my days. Let’s connect! Kiki 56 seeking: M, l

CREATIVE, DARK-HUMORED REALIST

I’m a fantastic storyteller, but it turns out describing myself here feels impossible (and a lot like torture). Meeting Vermont folks should be easy — I’m a creative looking to spend more time doing stuff outdoors with intelligent and kind people. So, here goes: getting outside my comfort zone to get closer to a life I’ve imagined for myself. GULP. itcantrainallthetime47 47, seeking: M, l

WANT TO RESPOND?

You read Seven Days, these people read Seven Days — you already have at least one thing in common!

All the action is online. Create an account or login to browse 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

HAVE A GOOD SENSE OF HUMOR

I am a good-looking woman who is looking for a man to spend the rest of my life with, to make him happy and to enjoy what time we have left. Life is too short to be alone in this world. Let’s talk and see how it goes. I am a high school graduate, retired, need a companion. DebbySmith, 81 seeking: M

ROAD LESS TRAVELED

I’ve lived a life outside the mainstream, guided by a belief in right-livelihood. Neurodivergent in the ADD kind of way; I am a curious, opinionated audiophile with a background as a librarian. I like to think I can laugh at myself (kindly) and look for the best in others. Looking for new friends: open to a potential long-term partnership. Kindred 58, seeking: M, W, TM, TW, Q, NC, NBP, l

INTELLIGENT AND CURIOUS

Don’t be discouraged by my age. I am mature, I enjoy meaningful and intellectual conversations, and I have always preferred the company of those older than myself. Invite me over, let me cook you dinner in your kitchen, and I’ll tell you that you’re pretty and ask you a million questions about your life story. kateausten 22, seeking: W

HAPPY, OPTIMISTIC, INTELLIGENT, CARING, ADVENTUROUS

I’m fun, healthy, outdoorsy. Love cooking, gardening, theater, wine, music, candles. Not perfect, but happy with who I am. Enjoy good, honest conversation, others’ perspectives about life. Sensitive, compassionate, attractive, very young at heart. Optimist: value others with positive energy. Appreciate the simple things in life. Looking for quality time with someone to evolve together into long-term relationship. Vizcaya7, 70, seeking: M, l

OPEN-MINDED, UNDERSTANDING AND COMPASSIONATE

Looking for a playmate to share adventures with. Someone who is positive and sees the glass as half full, or better yet, full. Someone who likes the outdoors and enjoys hiking, kayaking and, above all, laughter. And honesty is a must. Cynder, 76 seeking: M, l

SEEKING LAKE MONSTERS LOVER

I’ve got Lake Monsters season tickets, and I’m looking for a cute lady to join me for some summer fun at the ballpark. Don’t care if we make it to first, second, third or go all the way. I’m just looking for a gal who appreciates good seats, good humor and a guaranteed good time. Cracker Jack is on me. LakeMonsterLover, 37 seeking: W, l

DO YOU LIKE INNER STILLNESS?

Looking for someone with a similar lifestyle, not a tagalong. Someone desiring relationship as a life journey. I observe some who want to use another as escape or rescue from having a relationship with themselves, to avoid loneliness, to fit in, or just because it’s what they’ve always done. If that’s you, it’s not me you’re looking for.

NotOutOfTheWoodsYet 61, seeking: M

WOMAN LOOKING FOR WOMAN

35-y/o woman looking for a woman for my first experience. Horselover28 35, seeking: W, l

FINDING JOY AND LOVE

Opening my life and heart to experiencing the joy and love that exists in between the spaces of this troubled world. Looking for a partner for traveling to amazing places, communing with the forest fairies and mycelium networks, and playing in the water. Young at heart, embraces the wonders of this life, has compassion for the difficulties facing our planet and its inhabitants. Halfpint, 72, seeking: M, l

SMART FUNNY ROMANTIC SEEKS SAME

Are you an optimist? Enjoy an active, engaged lifestyle? Downhill skier a plus. Romantic, fun-loving person seeking someone who loves music, traveling, hiking, biking, concerts and comedy. I’m living a full life, but if it can be enhanced with a partner, I’m up for that. If you think the cup is half empty, do not apply! apresski711 69, seeking: M, l

WHY WE’RE HERE

Looking for friendship and joy. I’m a dogand cat-loving, independent, outdoorsy and indoorsy central Vermonter. I’m a busy volunteer. I love to hike, read, write, think, make things and help out. I am most comfortable with people who are confident, independent, liberal and very kind. Let’s go have some amazing adventures while we still have our marbles! FourSeasons 67, seeking: M, l

KIND, CUTE TRAVELING PUMPKIN

I am a kind person who cares deeply for those in my life. Family is very important to me. I love to cook. Take pride in taking care of my home. Love kayaking, camping. I want to find someone who loves to go on spontaneous adventures, stay up too late, get lost. I also love to travel, Netflix and chill. Rosebud47, 28, seeking: M, l

RELAXING FORMER MULTITASKER

Native Californian, Vermont resident for 10 years. Came to retire, found myself working at the college nearby. I live in a rural area outside Middlebury. Mom to two dogs. I like bird-watching. I revel in nature that is all around me on my little farmlet. Also enjoy the city, good restaurants, fine wine, nightclubs. Always happy traveling to distant lands. Chamois009 69, seeking: M, l

MEN seeking...

LAID-BACK MIND, ACTIVE BODY

I’m drawn to people with a zany sense of humor who are open to adventure. A bit of wild is attractive to me, though I’ll pass on crazy. If you are looking for a fun guy who dances to his own tune and is perhaps a standard deviation from the norm, I might be your guy. uppervalleyman 72, seeking: W, l

BACK TO BASICS

Looking for someone to share in life’s ups and downs and to enjoy each other along the way. kitzskier 68, seeking: W, l

IN BETWEEN THE DARK AND THE LIGHT

Grounded and dependable. A great sense of humor. A barrel of laughs. An excellent conversationalist. I love to meditate, practice yoga, work out, go to the beach, go for hikes, play guitar, listen to music, read and learn new things. I am hoping to meet a trustworthy and interesting person. Could it be you?

Let’s get together and feel alright.

Multidimensional, 55 seeking: W, l

ADVENTUROUS, INTELLIGENT SOUL SEEKS SAME

Curiosity is a defining trait of mine. I’ve recently moved to the area and am seeking a companion to share exploring, connection and almost anything outdoors — especially hiking and cycling. I’m an excellent cook and enjoy my own cooking. I’m a soccer fan, and checking out a Vermont Green FC game would be a fun date! I’m spiritual but not religious. Driver8 50, seeking: W, l

ALWAYS ON THE GO

Looking for some one who likes to go on road trips, travel to new places, and go boating on the ocean or the lake. I have large flower gardens I could show you. Get back to me, and I can tell you more. peter30 73, seeking: W, l

ALL ABOUT VIBES

All about the vibes. Papaflocka 42, seeking: W, TW, l

HONEST, SOCIAL, COMFORTABLE WITH ME

I enjoy nature and its balance. I am a friendly person, thankful for what I have. I am comfortable in my own skin, self-reliant and enjoy sharing. I like quiet time and do not feel uncomfortable being with someone and enjoying the shared space quietly. Good listener and respectful of others’ thoughts and beliefs, even though they are not mine. orion 72, seeking: M, Q, NC, NBP

WALK IN THE WOODS

Naked camping and piercings. intheshop 55 seeking: W

LOW-KEY

A laid-back guy who highly values open and honest communication. Searching for a deep connection. I like to live life with balance and I enjoy trying new things. I’m really dedicated to my career and enjoy learning about local ecology and how to incorporate that into our communities. eatsleepsitrepeat, 31, seeking: W, l

NICE, FUNNY, COOL

I am really nice and funny. Samfdcf, 20 seeking: W, TW

WORKIN’ MAN

Hi, I’m an attractive, compassionate, well-built bi man who’s worked hard all my life, and now it’s time to play. Looking for a good-looking man or couple who want to explore their sensual side. If we decide we like each other, we’ll go out for a drink first to see if we’re compatible and take it from there. Sound good? justlivinit, 67, seeking: Cp, l

SPONTANEOUS, ARTISTIC SOUTHERN GENTLEMAN

Honesty, right? I am a creative, intelligent, well-intentioned smart-ass, charming but not a narcissist. I am starting over at a very rough age. Own a TV but have no idea if it even works. I’ve never turned it on. Not a sugar daddy, not looking for a sugar mama, just someone sweet and fierce to hang out with. Onepiece 50, seeking: W, l

HAPPY, FUN-LOVING, ADVENTUROUS PHOTOGRAPHER

I am a fun, adventure-seeking man who appreciates the great outdoors. I also enjoy biking, boating, photography. I am a retired photojournalist and now have time for a new relationship in my life. I am a sensitive, caring and compassionate person. I have lots of positive energy and would like to meet someone looking for a long-term relationship. POBsmiles, 70, seeking: W, l

RELAXED, REAL, A PERFECT IMPERFECTION

I’m an easygoing guy looking to find adventure and fun, yet letting emotions have the lion’s share. I’m well adjusted, and I love doing anything together: that’s what counts in life. syncrowave 69, seeking: W, l

INTELLIGENT BROWN BI-GUY BOTTOM

I am a married man who is looking for a guy friend. I am doing this with my wife’s knowledge. She wants me to be happy and not miss out on being queer. We’re looking for an intelligent, kind person who is an enjoyer of bent-over brown guys, board games and movies. Are you the puzzle piece we’re looking for?

BrownBiGuy 47, seeking: M

IN THE WIND!

Looking to vibe, dance, make out ‘til we’re raw, eat, bounce and escape. Booney, 43 seeking: W

TRANS WOMEN seeking...

MUSICIAN/WRITER/DANCER SEEKS CONNECTION

I love writing, making music, dancing, being out in nature, understanding new things, stepping up, learning what other folks care about and trying to make a positive difference in the world. I’m an incorrigible optimist who predicts dire things, a gentle person with a steel core, an introverted social butterfly. Seeking creative, compassionate, joyful connection! Sylph 56, seeking: M, W, TM, TW, Q, NC, NBP, l

TRANS WOMAN LOOKING FOR NEW EXPERIENCES

Hello, trans woman looking for new experiences, sexually and as friends. Open-minded, bisexual but like women, trans women and shemales more than men. Want to try things and see what I like with clean, nice people. If a relationship or besties, our views would matter; otherwise, just being civil and not discussing our differences would be the way to make FWB work out. TransRebecca, 32 seeking: W, TW, l

NONBINARY PEOPLE seeking...

SEEKING COMMUNITY WITH MULTIGENERATIONAL LESBIANS OK, here’s the deal. I’m trying to figure out how to build friendships with lesbians who are older than me. The dream: Lesbians of all experiences swapping stories, cracking jokes, maybe sipping beverages and learning from one another. Interested? Let’s do it! Does a group like this already exist somewhere in VT? Can I get in on it? LMK. ilovelesbians 30 seeking: W, TM, TW, Q, NC, NBP, Cp, Gp

COUPLES seeking...

KNOTTEE COUPLE

Complicated couple looking for woman or couple for friends with benefits. We would like to boat and grab a beverage with like-minded couple or woman and see where it goes from there. knotteecpl 66, seeking: W, Cp

been

VERMONT GREEN FC YOUR EYES

Front row of the VTFC game on Friday. You, in a lululemon skirt, had the prettiest little face and were sitting with a friend. Me, in a Green jersey, walking past you and returning your eye contact all three times. Was chasing my kid so couldn’t respond with more than that sly smirk. Wanna know more of what’s hiding behind those eyes. When: Sunday, July 20, 2025. Where: Virtue Field. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916388

PICKING FLOWERS

You were beautiful — snipping ﬂowers at the Intervale, tucking them into a ceramic pot. I asked about your ﬂowers; you smiled and said, “Some small ones, some tall ones.” We both wished for more containers. We parted ways, but I kept sneaking glances. Want to pick up where we left off? When: ursday, July 17, 2025. Where: Intervale CSA. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916387

HONEY ROAD WONDERFUL

You: dinner out with your kiddo, sitting at the corner of the bar, fantastically beautiful. Me: nose deep in a book, caught your eye over a birthday(?) candle. Us: Let’s meet up when we’re kidless. When: Saturday, July 19, 2025. Where: Honey Road. You: Man. Me: Man. #916386

BREAD AND PUPPET JULY 2023

At the circus this last Sunday sitting under a shady tree, taking in the show. Reminiscing of sweet sunny Sunday kisses in the parking lot a couple of years ago. What a delightful moment in time that was. Like the Vermont summer, it was ﬂeeting, but it left delicious memories to reﬂect upon on a lazy afternoon. When: Sunday, July 30, 2023. Where: Bread and Puppet. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916374

WALKING YOUR DOG IN WINOOSKI

You were walking your black dog around Richards Park. You had red hair and sunglasses with a hat. I was walking my own dog, and we caught glances. I thought you were gorgeous. Coffee or a drink sometime? When: Friday, July 18, 2025. Where: Winooski. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916376

HG PARKING LOT

After the Record Company show. You were wearing a red shirt. I was in my car cranking the Record Company music. You said, “You’re still rocking!” I went alone. Did you? Want to see what else we have in common? When: Friday, July 18, 2025. Where: Higher Ground lot. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916385

NICO SUAVE LOVE AFFAIR

We met at the Nico Suave show and danced the night away. You wrote your number on my arm, but you are clearly not a very good speller. When: ursday, July 17, 2025. Where: Higher Ground Ballroom. You: Man. Me: Group. #916375

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION WORTHY BURGER

You were celebrating a birthday — mine was the next day. Hope Walter got some more burgers! Love to chat with you again. When: Sunday, July 13, 2025. Where: Worthy Burger. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916373

TIRE CHANGER ON ROUTE 116

You stopped and changed my ﬂat for me and my granddaughter. I’ve seen you in passing in Burlington, and I can’t get your smile and kindness out of my head. I wish to repay you for your sweetness by buying you a couple of drinks. Hope you see this and reach out. — Jill When: Saturday, June 28, 2025. Where: Route 116. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916371

An old friend of mine just passed away. We were best friends as kids and into our twenties, but he moved to a different town, life happened, and we lost touch. I hadn’t seen him in a long time, but he was a big part of my life and I want to go to the funeral. I dated his sister for a while many years ago, and we had a messy breakup. She will obviously be there, and I’m worried that my presence will make it awkward for her. What should I do?

GREEN RIVER RESERVOIR

Beautiful evening. You in a blue kayak, me in a black bathing suit on a paddleboard. Paddle sometime? When: Saturday, July 12, 2025. Where: Green River Reservoir. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916372

RESOURCE STORE TODAY

Regretting not introducing myself this morning while we waited for them to open. You were tall, with long hair and some funky Crocs on. I’d love to meet you. When: Tuesday, July 8, 2025. Where: ReSource store. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916370

SHAW’S COLCHESTER SELF-CHECKOUT

Saw you standing in front of me at self-checkout. You were dressed in a lightcolored sleeveless dress with blue heels. Any chance you’re single? When: Monday, July 7, 2025. Where: Shaw’s in Colchester. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916369

LET ME KNOW WHEN IT’S TIME

I tried to fool myself. / I’d just need time. / Nothing is working. / e distractions, the forced activities. / It’s just a waste. / We both said some things. / But the more time that goes by, the harder it is to deny. / I need you. / And you need me, too. / Broken pieces can be glued back together, made anew. / I still love you. When: Sunday, July 6, 2025. Where: Cambridge. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916367

BURLINGTON PD, HEALTH CARE AND FIRE

Chalk art in the parking lot. I do art for me and ? Two police ofﬁcers treated me with dignity and respect when they didn’t have to. Ease up. Your police, your nurses, and your EMTs. ey don’t do it for the money. ey do it even though they know the good they do will wash away in the rain. When: Monday, July 7, 2025. Where: Burlington ﬁre department. You: Nonbinary person. Me: Man. #916366

SAMANTHA GALLE’S ACHIEVEMENTS! Congratulations on being awarded the Vermont Honor Scholarship and the Winooski Education Association Scholarship! Wow! I know you’ll make a wonderful teacher and will inspire many people. Remember to party while you’re in college: it’s good for the soul, and life goes by too quickly to spend it all working. oughts from your much older and moderately wise cousin. When: Saturday, July 5, 2025. Where: the Winooski Newsletter. You: Woman. Me: Woman. #916365

De B. Reft,

It’s very kind of you to consider your ex’s feelings, but I think the importance of having her brother’s childhood best friend at his funeral will far outweigh any awkwardness she may feel. As you said, the breakup happened ages ago. It should hopefully be ancient history by now.

It’s absolutely appropriate for you to go to the funeral to pay your respects. However, if you want to be a little less conspicuous, you could sit toward the back at the service. If there is a receiving line with the family, you shouldn’t feel weird going through it to offer your condolences. Just keep it short and sweet with the sister. I’m willing to bet she may be happy to see you, but take care to

CORNER PEARL AND NORTH WINOOSKI

You drove by me outside the OP 21 years ago and I’ve thought about you every day since. You had bleach-blond hair, sun-kissed skin, tattoos and a tank top. “I like your hair” spilled out of my clumsy mouth. You laughed with the most beautiful smile I have ever seen. For 21 years I’ve seen seven and 11 everywhere. When: ursday, July 11, 2024. Where: corner of Pearl and North Winooski. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916364

GUY GOING INTO KESTREL

You were walking in as I was walking out of the bank and you had a great smile. I was the tall guy with mediumlength hair. Wish I had stopped to say hi or ask for your number but was on my way to an appointment. Would love to get Kestrel with you sometime, or run into you again! When: Wednesday, July 2, 2025. Where: Kestrel, Bank St. You: Man. Me: Man. #916363

CHARMING LADY AT RITTERBUSH POND

How delightful it was to meet you by chance on the rock that day. Still has me smiling. I’m intrigued and possibly enchanted! I’d love to spend some time: swim, sun, walk, coffee, a glass of something somewhere? I do hope we meet again, sooner than later. Let’s do fun stuff! When: Friday, June 27, 2025. Where: Ritterbush Pond. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916362

SAID HI AT CAPITOL GROUNDS

I saw you sitting at a table at Capitol Grounds. I ordered, and said hi to you. I’m writing to say that I regret not talking longer and introducing myself. I felt there was some kind of connection. I hope that you see this and that maybe we can meet up and talk further. When: Friday, June 27, 2025. Where: Capitol Grounds. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916360

FIVE SECONDS EXPIRED SHOW

We exchanged glances when I was just arriving. You seemed familiar. I was with friends. When I looked again, you were gone. Later, up front, were you the one who thanked me for guarding at the edge of the pit? Me: mock election shirt, boots, jeans, baseball cap. You: stunning. When: Saturday, June 21, 2025. Where: Higher Ground. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916359

BRANDON BEVERAGE CENTER

I was grabbing lunch; you were headed kayaking. We exchanged small talk. I should’ve given you my number — I like kayaking, too. When: Friday, June 20, 2025. Where: Brandon. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916361

77 RESIDENCES ROOFTOP TERRACE

You: long brown hair, somewhat curly. Me: short hair with sunglasses on my head, wearing a gray hoodie over rustcolored tee. I was hanging with friends. You came up with a woman who lives in the building and a blond woman. We exchanged a couple of glances and smiles. You all were heading to a comedy show. Single, I hope? When: Friday, June 20, 2025. Where: 77 Residences rooftop terrace. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916358

I SPY SILVER FOX

You were a silver fox, mid to late 40s in Colchester with a great smile who posted a personal ad back in April. I saw your ad, and it was gone before I had a chance to reach out. I hope you found someone special. If you are still searching for her, say hi! When: Tuesday, April 22, 2025. Where: Seven Days Personals. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916356

YOU SHOOK ME!

I heard you sing, I watched you move and listened to your soulful talent! I now have a Friday afternoon addiction to the alley. I was too smitten to introduce myself, as you seemed so absorbed! Mmm — coffee, possibly for a song? When: Friday, June 20, 2025. Where: Red Square. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916355

COWBOY AT MAPLEFIELDS

To the punk-woodchuck cowboy who bummed me a smoke in the parking lot of the gas station while his friend disapprovingly waited in his “shitbox” car: I should have just given you my number. Still want to hang out? I need a smoke. When: Sunday, June 1, 2025. Where: Mapleﬁelds. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916354

BIRTHDAY FLOWERS AT TRADER JOE’S

To the beautiful associate wearing blue eyeshadow and a radiant smile — thank you for the birthday magic! You made my daughter’s day. Now she wants to work at TJ’s just like you! When: ursday, June 19, 2025. Where: Trader Joe’s. You: Woman. Me: Woman. #916352

gauge her reaction so you know how to proceed through the rest of the day. ere will likely be a reception after the service, and you can use your best judgment on whether to attend. I imagine there will be other old friends to mingle with, but if it’s a small group of mostly family, it wouldn’t be rude for you to skip it.

You and the sister shared way more than a messy breakup: You both loved her brother. He deserves to be sent off on his next journey by everyone who cared about him. Don’t miss being a part of that.

Good luck and God bless,

Divorced white female, 66 y/o. Looking for a single male, 45-60, who is tall, not big. Who is loving, caring and fun to be with. I like being outdoors. I am disabled and use a wheelchair. I am loving, caring and honest and don’t play games. Like animals, and I am easy to get along with. I live in Winooski. Hope to hear from someone soon. #L1876

I’m 65 y/o and gay. Male, seeking my partner/lover and best friend. Gregarious and funloving. Laughter and a sense of humor are the cornerstones of my life. As Jimmy Buffet says, “If we couldn’t laugh, we would all go insane!” #L1875

I’m a SWF, 71 y/o, seeking a man 60-70 y/o. I live in Woodstock, VT. I want a serious relationship with a man. Phone number, please. Best to call after 6 p.m. Would like to meet in person. #L1874

Bist du mein B.G.G. (Big Gentle German)? 40, ehrlich, kreativ und naturluver. Suche liebevollen, bewussten DEU Mann für zweisprachiges Leben zwischen VT und DEU. Ich bin liebevoll, gesund und bereit. Du und Ich: Lass uns die Welt mit unserer Liebe verändern. #L1873

I’m a 74-y/o male looking for a mature woman in her 70s or 80s who would enjoy a sensual relationship. Phone number, please. #L1866

HOW TO REPLY TO THESE LOVE LE ERS:

Seal your reply — including your preferred contact info — inside an envelope. Write your pen pal’s box number on the outside of that envelope and place it inside another envelope with payment. Responses for Love Letters must begin with the #L box number.

MAIL TO: Seven Days Love Letters PO Box 1164, Burlington, VT 05402

PAYMENT: $5/response. Include cash or check (made out to “Seven Days”) in the outer envelope. To send unlimited replies for only $15/month, call us at 802-865-1020, ext. 161 for a membership (credit accepted).

PUBLISH YOUR MESSAGE ON THIS PAGE!

1 Submit your FREE message at sevendaysvt.com/loveletters or use the handy form at right.

I’m a 72-y/o Eastern European woman with a young lifestyle. Seeking a man, age not important. I am a writer, and I like studying foreign languages. I would like to meet a man from Germany, France or Spain/South America to practice language skills. I am not expecting romance; friendship would be sufﬁcient. #L1872

Spunky couple, 70s, adventurous, love domestic and international travel, camping, and anything on or near the water. We also enjoy the great array of music in VT. We’ve enjoyed some M and F singles and couples involving sensual, relaxed experiences. Interested? Let’s chat. #L1871

Single M, 60, youthful blond, blue-eyed appearance, wanting mutual attraction with F, 45 to 60, for connection/intimacy. Dinners, talks, walks, nature, TV, entertainment, day trips, overnights, spontaneity, hobbies, more. Ideally seeking BDSM kinky playmate, openminded, curious to explore kinky side and fantasies. #L1870

52-y/o male seeking a female, 40 to 50, who is lively, intellectually curious, passionate and an adventurous soul. ings I like: hiking, exploring new places, cycling, personal growth and cooking memorable meals. #L1869

Int net-Free Dating!

I’m an 81-y/o woman seeking companionship and romance. I am a widow of ﬁve years. I have one son (married). Love ﬁshing and travel. I’m good at cooking, knitting and sewing. #L1867

I’m a 68-y/o slender woman seeking a 62- to 73-y/o male. I’m a homeowner in a rural setting wanting companionship and a romantic partner to share my life and home. I work part time and enjoy many outdoor activities. #L1865

Retired male. Financially secure with stable housing and good transportation, healthy, active, and ﬁt. Seeking lively big game — female cat, lioness, tiger, black panther or cougar — for adventures in the jungle. #L1864

Beautiful woman looking for great guy, 60s-70s, to go away with. Maybe Greece or another new adventure together. Sincere gentlemen, sophisticated, intellectual and sweet only, please. Handsome a plus. #L1861

Describe yourself and who you’re looking for in 40 words below: (OR, ATTACH A SEPARATE PIECE OF PAPER.)

I’m a 68-y/o bi male seeking a 60- to 70-y/o man. Bi guy in NEK seeking like-minded guys for relaxing fun. Enjoy being nude, BJs, BBQs, drinks. Casual, easygoing, wanting to share being gay. #L1863

M, 61, fit, tall, compassionate, mission-driven and W/E who loves music, sports, film and writing ISO confident, fun-loving sensual soul F, 45 to 65, for texting and banter in anticipation of intense mutual pleasure romps (weekend lunchtime lovers). Discrete, drama-free, HWP and D/ DF. Please be same. #L1856

I’m a 40-y/o male seeking a kayaking, outdoorsy type for company and also to stay at home. I like to read, cuddle, walk, drive. Time together is important. I like a good cook, and I like to cook, by myself or together. #L1858

Woman of 28 seeking older woman of any presentation for our own proverbial Desert Hearts. Shy but good with words. Seeking acceptance, refuge and freedom, not explicitly “from” you, but with you. #L1857

I’m a AGE + GENDER (OPTIONAL) seeking a AGE + GENDER (OPTIONAL) Required conﬁdential info:

(MORE)

MAIL TO: SEVEN DAYS LOVE LETTERS • PO BOX 1164, BURLINGTON, VT 05402

OPTIONAL WEB FORM: SEVENDAYSVT.COM/LOVELETTERS HELP: 802-865-1020, EXT. 161, LOVELETTERS@SEVENDAYSVT.COM

THIS FORM IS FOR LOVE LETTERS ONLY. Messages for the Personals and I-Spy sections must be submitted online at dating.sevendaysvt.com.

Thursday Dinners at the Farm

THU., JUL. 24

367 MISSION FARM RD, KILLINGTON

Jerry Jam

THU., JUL. 24 & FRI., JUL. 25

759 MITCHELL RD, CONCORD

Reception for 'Birds and Myth' Art Show

THU., JUL. 24

BIRDS OF VERMONT MUSEUM, HUNTINGTON

'Gone Guys' Film Screening & Discussion

FRI., JUL. 25 & SAT., JUL. 26

MAIN STREET LANDING FILM HOUSE, BURLINGTON

Bloom Lab Perfumery Class & Spa Day

SAT., JUL. 26

TALTA LODGE, STOWE

July Bird Monitoring Walk

SAT., JUL. 26

BIRDS OF VERMONT MUSEUM, HUNTINGTON

TURNmusic hosts 'Play On!' a Cabaret Showcase

SAT., JUL. 26

THE PHOENIX GALLERY & MUSIC HALL, WATERBURY

Lumpia: Filipino Spring Rolls

SAT., JUL. 26

RICHMOND COMMUNITY KITCHEN

Eritrean and Ethiopian Cuisine Takeout

SAT., JUL. 26

O.N.E. COMMUNITY CENTER, BURLINGTON

Blockprinting Botanicals

Horsford Gardens & Nursery

SUN., JUL. 27

HORSFORD GARDENS & NURSERY, CHARLOTTE

TUE., JUL. 29 & THU. AUG. 7

OWL'S NEST RESORT, THORNTON, NH

Bloom Lab Perfume Making Class

Royalton Old Home Days

WED., JUL. 30

SOUTH ROYALTON GREEN

Group Ride at Saxon Hill

WED., JUL. 30

SAXON HILL TRAILS MAIN PARKING LOT, ESSEX JCT

Kraatz Carromato - Live Recording Session

THU., JUL. 31

TANK RECORDING STUDIO, BURLINGTON

Matilda, Jr.

FRI., AUG. 1

ESSEX HIGH SCHOOL

Piano Performance by Colin McQuillan with Guest Violist Elizabeth Reid

SAT., AUG. 2

RICHMOND FREE LIBRARY

Native Plants and Pollinators

SUN., AUG. 3

THE PHOENIX GALLERY & MUSIC HALL, WATERBURY

Bird-craft for Community & Conservation

SUN., AUG. 3

BIRDS OF VERMONT MUSEUM, HUNTINGTON

TURNmusic presents Rachel Ambaye Quartet

TUE., AUG. 5

THE PHOENIX GALLERY & MUSIC HALL, WATERBURY

Sunset Bird Walk

THU. AUG. 7

BIRDS OF VERMONT MUSEUM, HUNTINGTON

GET CREDIT FOR WHAT YOU KNOW.

At CCV, we know that college-level learning can happen outside the classroom. If you have knowledge and skills that you’ve gained on the job, in the military, or through community service or self-study, our Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) program can help you save time and money on your way to a college degree.

Prior Learning Assessment provides students with an opportunity to earn college credits e ciently and at a reduced cost.

• Monday, July 28 at 12:00 PM

• Tuesday, August 5 at 5:00 PM

• Wednesday, August 13 at 12:00 PM

• Thursday, August 21 at 5:00 PM

• Monday, August 25 at 12:00 PM