Seven Days, June 3, 2026 by Seven Days

WEEK IN REVIEW

U.S. ED SECRETARY’S VISIT SPARKS PROTEST

More than 100 community members and students gathered outside the Center for Technology, Essex on Tuesday morning to protest a tightly choreographed visit by U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon.

e demonstrators convened on Educational Drive in Essex Junction at 9:30 a.m. Some members of the crowd held signs printed with a Party for Socialism and Liberation logo and the slogan “Linda McMahon: Hands Off Our Schools!”

Several homemade posters alluded to McMahon’s former job as CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment. “Listen Linda, DEI Raises the Bar. WWE Lowers the Bar,” read one.

McMahon’s appearance wasn’t publicly announced in advance. at appears to be a strategy the Trump administration is using to quell protests — at least in Vermont. Last Friday, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy visited South Burlington’s Beta Technologies. His visit was not announced until the following Monday.

When Vice President JD Vance came to Sugarbush Resort for a family ski vacation in 2025, Vermonters lined roads in protest, and the VP changed his accommodation plans.

McMahon’s tour was closed to the press, but she did answer questions for three reporters at the end of it. She praised the Center for Technology’s “incredible” and diverse offerings.

Outside the building, there was little praise for McMahon. During her tenure, the U.S. Department of Education has laid off thousands of employees and frozen civil-rights investigations related to raceand gender-based discrimination and sexual violence. McMahon has also been a vocal critic of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

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FLYING HIGH

Vermont towns will receive a free Betsy Ross 250th Anniversary ﬂag to place on the nearly 90 covered bridges in the state. Happy birthday, America.

20,970

Drive Electric Vermont says that’s how many EVs are registered in the state — a 12 percent increase over last year.

TOPFIVE

VIRTUAL DISASTER

Vermonters lost nearly $27 million to cybercriminals last year, a huge increase over the $11 million stolen in 2024, Vermont Public reported. Be wary.

NEW ADDITION

Lawmakers approved $12 million in the state budget for construction of UVM’s new athletic complex.

School o cials bill the venue as an economic driver for the area.

OPEN ROAD

The Burlington City Council voted to open the ﬁnal section of the Champlain Parkway at the end of June. A momentous mile marker.

1. “Staff Say Burlington Childcare Center Expanded Too Quickly” by Alison Novak. e suspension of ONE Arts Community School marks the latest blow to Burlington’s already fragile childcare ecosystem.

2. “Farmers & Foragers to Take Over the Café HOT. Spot in Burlington” by Jordan Barry. e Main Street space of the recently shuttered breakfast spot will soon be home to another local favorite as Farmers & Foragers heads downtown.

3. “Housing Planned for Property Near Burlington’s Pine Street Barge Canal” by Aaron Calvin. e proposal includes 112 units across two four-story buildings, along with commercial space on the ground ﬂoors.

4. “Earth Prime Comics, Quarterstaff Games Move to Burlington Square” by Chris Farnsworth. e longtime Church Street Marketplace ﬁxtures have merged into a single store and reopened on Bank Street in Burlington.

5. “La Casa del Sabor Serves Ecuadorian Menu in Former Pauline’s Café in South Burlington” by Melissa Pasanen. e family-run eatery also prepares dishes from Peru and Colombia.

TOWNCRIER

LOCALLY SOURCED NEWS

Proposed New Summer Market in Stowe Causes Stir

A proposal for a craft and food fair on Saturdays in Stowe has rankled the organizers of the long-running Stowe Farmers Market, who fear the new addition will take customers away from their vendors at the Sunday event, according to the Stowe Reporter. If approved, the new market would start later this month with food trucks, artist and maker booths, and acoustic music.

WAREHOUSE ON WHEELS

While out working as an animal control ofﬁcer in recent years, Stephanie Gingras would ask people whether they have enough food for their pets. A surprising number answered no.

Some owners couldn’t afford the food. For others, transportation was a hurdle. So Gingras would run out to the store and buy enough to tide them over.

“I just really realized there’s a need for this,” she said.

“ is” became the Mobile Pet Food

Shelf, which is now a nonproﬁt organization run by Gingras and a handful of volunteers. It began in December 2023, when Gingras distributed a load of pet food and supplies at the Motel 6 in Colchester; she’s the town’s animal control ofﬁcer. Now the volunteers make seven stops, from Burlington to St. Albans, on different days of the month.

She stocks her black minivan with dog and cat food and treats, hay for rabbits, and birdseed for parakeets, as well as cat litter, leashes, harnesses, beds and coats — even ﬂea and tick medication. First-time customers must register. It’s all free, and there is no qualifying income requirement.

“You can show up in a limo and a threepiece suit,” Gingras said.

e org relies on donations of cash and supplies. It holds fundraisers and bake sales to keep things running. In July, it’ll host a vaccination clinic over two days in Williston and St. Albans with free rabies and distemper shots.

e need, Gingras said, is what keeps the volunteers going.

“When we ﬁrst started doing it, I had a woman at the Motel 6 tell me, ‘ ank you so much. I don’t have to steal dog food anymore,’” Gingras recalled. “ ese are their kids; these are their heart and soul. Just because they’re in a hard situation doesn’t mean they don’t love their animals.”

For more info, visit mobilepetfoodshelf. weebly.com.

SASHA GOLDSTEIN

SASHA GOLDSTEIN & MATTHEW ROY

Champ visiting the Mobile Pet Food Shelf

NEWS HOUNDS.

Paula Routly

Cathy Resmer

Don Eggert, Colby Roberts

NEWS & POLITICS

Matthew Roy

Sasha Goldstein

Ken Ellingwood, Candace Page

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

ARTS & CULTURE

Dan Bolles, Carolyn Fox

Chelsea Edgar, Margot Harrison, Pamela Polston

Jen Rose Smith

Alice Dodge

Chris Farnsworth

Rebecca Driscoll

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

Alice Dodge, Angela Simpson

Elizabeth M. Seyler

& VIDEO

Eva Sollberger DESIGN

Don Eggert

Rev. Diane Sullivan

John James

Je Baron

MARKETING

Colby Roberts

Robyn Birgisson

Logan Pintka, Kaitlin Montgomery

Julia Maguire

Gillian Comito

HOT

TO GO? NO!

[Re “The Café HOT. to Permanently Close as Owners Return to NYC,” May 6]: From the day Travis and Allan Walker-Hodkin opened in the thick of the pandemic with just a takeout window, they brought quality food and service to Burlington with smiles and neighborliness. A special place, it was where I took first-time visitors as evidence of some of the best food and charm Burlington has to offer. I wish the brothers all the best and know they will bring their light to their next venture. It’s hard to say goodbye to such good neighbors.

Francesca Mihok BURLINGTON

WTF, UVMMC?

Gillian English

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Jordan Adams, Justin Boland, Alex Brown, Erik Esckilsen, Anne Galloway, Steve Goldstein, Rick Koster, Amy Lilly, Suzanne Podhaizer, Tori Preston, Jim Schley, Carolyn Shapiro, Rachel Stearns, Xenia Turner

CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS

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

FOUNDERS

Pamela Polston, Paula Routly

CIRCULATION: 35,000

Seven Days is published by Da Capo Publishing Inc. every Wednesday. It is distributed free of charge in greater Burlington, Middlebury, Montpelier, the Northeast Kingdom, Stowe, the Mad River Valley, Rutland, St. Albans, St. Johnsbury and White River Junction. Seven Days is printed at Quebecor Media Printing in Mirabel, Québec.

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[Re “UVM Medical Center Is Losing $460,000 Every Day,” April 17, online]: I don’t really know where to begin with this quote from Dr. Stephen Le er, University of Vermont Health’s CEO: “It is more than we can sustain at this pace, and it’s driving urgency to make changes quicker than we might do otherwise.” Vermont’s health care regulators are ﬁnally holding our largest health care deliverer to a cost structure rooted somewhere in the universe of reasonableness, and it is really putting pressure on its leadership.

Maybe we begin with: “What the fuck?” Over here in the cheap seats, we have been managing annual double-digit increases to health insurance costs for over a decade with seemingly endless wait times for service and provider and staff dissatisfaction (and comparative undercompensation).

Yes, doctor, it appears the time has come to shift focus from monopoly-enabled

CORRECTIONS

Last week’s cover story on Migrant Justice, “From Farm to Front Line,” incorrectly described the academic status of labor organizer Natalia Fajardo. She was an undergraduate student.

The news story headlined “Burning Question” misidentiﬁed where the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation conducted a prescribed burn this spring. It was in the Sandbar Wildlife Management Area.

revenue negotiation (pretty good work if you can get it) to the hard business of delivering a quality product on time at a reasonable cost.

The following are all excellent ideas: “boosting provider productivity and trimming administrative costs, including reducing sta ng redundancies. Scheduling changes were made to increase patient volume and reduce cancellations.” Why did it take so long?

Roger Brown RICHMOND

MISSING INFO

[“UVM Medical Center Is Losing $460,000 Every Day,” April 17, online] failed to mention the University of Vermont Medical Center’s $1 billion-plus in reserves. Did the reporter lack time to investigate how UVM Medical Center losses compare to the institution’s proﬁts in the $1.5 billion range over the past three to ﬁve years?

VT Healthcare 911, an organization advocating for health care regulatory reform, has produced useful information about UVM Medical Center’s operation. The org’s website has a piece titled “Turning the Ship Around Is Possible,” which provides ample data and history that could have rounded out the Seven Days story.

UVM Medical Center responded to its cumulative losses from Medicare in the $365 million range by pushing up profi ts from commercial insurance payers. The vhc911.org website explains that UVM Medical Center systematically cost-shifted losses into profits extracted from Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance payments, while Blue Cross Blue Shield did nothing to challenge hospital rates for services, and UVM Medical Center’s “commercial profi ts increased by over 500 percent between 2020 and 2024.” Commercial profits were used to support “growth of the Health Network’s centralized business operations and top-heavy management expenses and subsidized the losses at its New York hospitals” and accumulation of $1.5 billion in cash assets.

The additional information on this website will help everyone understand why employers and households are going broke from health care premiums. At the same time, House Speaker Jill Krowinski and House Health Care Committee chair Alyssa Black rejected requests to allocate funding in S.197 for a ﬁnancing and operations study to initiate a universal primary care plan in Vermont.

NOT JUST DOCS

I agree with Trine Bech’s letter to the editor in the May 13 edition that the salaries and benefits paid to medical professionals are “unconscionable and a national problem” [Feedback: “Some Docs Make Too Much”]. I want to expand on that notion and include education administrators and lawyers. I recently learned that some divorce attorneys in Vermont are charging as much as $350 to $500 an hour determined by task — e.g., a phone call versus court attendance.

Whatever the service, no person is worth this kind of money — no doctor, no lawyer, no educator. Our nation will not heal as long as greed continues to prevail over providing necessary services for reasonable compensation.

Dot Helling ADAMANT

EUROPE’S EXAMPLE

Right on, Trine Bech [Feedback: “Some Docs Make Too Much,” May 13]! Years ago I lived in Europe for several months after being warned, “You can’t easily change your doctors” and “They pay high taxes over there.”

When I was in the UK as a grad student, I saw that all this had a hollow ring. First of all, the citizens do pay high taxes, but look at what they get: national health care. Free college tuition. And there is a choice in doctors. My experience was that each patient could be issued a card that had a “Doctor A” line and a “Doctor B.” If you’re unhappy with “Dr. A” and want “Dr. B,” you simply fill in the line with the new doctor’s name and mail the card! It’s time for a change.

Tom MacDonald WINOOSKI

TALKING TURKEYS

[Re “Tick Tack,” May 20]: A relative of mine lives in southeast Massachusetts and has wild turkeys going through her yard all the time. They apparently eat up all the ticks. She never sees ticks — not even on her long-haired dogs.

Ted Quigley SOUTH BURLINGTON

‘LIFESAVING’ INFO ON TICKS

[“Tick Tack,” May 20] gave readers a broad overview of Vermont’s tick problem. It did not mention testing for tick-borne infections. Left untreated, tick-borne infections can be physically and mentally debilitating.

It is essential that you get accurate testing, both to confirm the presence of an infection and to identify which disease is present.

However, accurate testing in Vermont is not easy to obtain. Standard testing, referred to as two-tier Serologic testing, can miss active infections from multiple

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DOG DAZE

The Animal Issue will give you fuzzy feelings

We didn’t intend for the Animal Issue to be a sequel to March’s Money & Retirement Issue. But between inflation, the rising costs of gas, food and whatever else just spiked while you were reading this sentence, money and the economy are top of mind for most of us, perhaps more than usual. The financial crunch is even adversely affecting our pets, which is particularly cruel, since the whole point of owning pets is to have something cute and cuddly that makes you feel better about the world.

Like seemingly everything else, the COST OF PET OWNERSHIP is skyrocketing. Veterinary care costs have risen nearly a third in the past five years, forcing some families to make impossible choices in the face of insurmountable vet bills. In an essay, news editor Matthew Roy recounts a harrowing (and expensive) experience earlier this year when his dog, Cleo, needed spinal surgery (page 32).

Even routine pet expenses are proving prohibitive for some. That’s why a local group founded the MOBILE PET FOOD SHELF, which distributes pet products and services to those in need around Vermont (page 5). It’s also one reason DOG SHARING is a becoming a trend (page 38). By co-parenting a German shepherddachshund mix named Maple, two Hinesburg families have discovered that splitting her costs, care and snuggles is a perfect fit.

Dogs are pretty adaptable, but we doubt cat sharing will ever be a thing. Our finicky feline friends fare better living in one place — even if that place is a hardware store, such as Aubuchon Ace Hardware in Vergennes, home to BUBBLES THE STORE CAT (page 35). Perhaps the regional chain, which keeps cats at many of its stores, has room for the tabby an ASK THE REV letter writer is nervous about inheriting (page 93).

Bubbles is happy, healthy and well cared for, so he won’t draw the attention of LISA MILOT. She’s the Vermont Division of Animal Welfare’s first director and aims to reform how the state handles animal abuse complaints (page 15).

Nor should Milot have reason to trek

to Rocky Hill Farm in Westford, where a couple raise MEAT RABBITS on pasture (page 40). It’s likely the only farm in Vermont doing so on a commercial scale.

Canadian artist Jude Griebel might take an interest in the farm, however. His darkly funny “Elegy for the Consumed” is one of TWO BRATTLEBORO ART EXHIBITS prompting viewers to consider their relationships to animals (page 54). Griebel might also get a kick out of the annual Burlington TROUT PARADE, which celebrates the Sustainability Academy’s study of the fish and features puppets, music and the mayor (page 14). Finally, no Seven Days Animal Issue is complete without the BEST OF THE BEASTS PET PHOTO CONTEST (page 28). The four-page spread of impossibly adorable dogs, cats, farm animals and a freakin’ hedgehog is proof that whatever the cost, our furry, feathered and scaly friends are simply priceless.

NEWS+POLITICS 14

Fish Out of Water

Burlington students spend months learning about trout, then celebrate with a parade downtown

Burlington Clears O cers for Conduct at ICE Raid

‘Good First Steps’

Vermont’s new Animal Welfare Division director tries to reform a system on a shoestring budget

Senate and House Adjourn After Approving Education Overhaul

FEATURES 28

Care of the Dog

Veterinary treatments are getting more sophisticated — and expensive. I learned how much the hard way.

Why Do So Many Hardware Stores Have Cats?

ARTS+CULTURE

Double Feature

Two new Opera Company of Middlebury productions bring different worlds to life

Full Circle Theater’s ‘30Under60’ Puts the Audience in Control

Eagle Eye

A bald eagle family in Quechee gains an online following

Earth Prime Comics, Quartersta Games Move to Burlington Square

Food and Feathers

Two Brattleboro shows examine our complex relationships with animals

‘A Rare Bunch’

A guide to navigating all that jazz at the Burlington Discover Jazz Festival

Next Up

A new wave of talent keeps the Vermont jazz scene alive and

FOOD+ DRINK

Meat Cute

Westford’s Rocky Hill farmers hope others join them to meet chef demand for pastured rabbit Stamp of Approval

VT Creemee Passport promotes travel by cone

COVER DESIGN REV. DIANE SULLIVAN • ON THE COVER HAZEL (HUMAN: MEGAN LINDGREN)

ABOVE HENRY & JORDY (HUMAN: DAVID SCHWARTZ)

STUCK IN VERMONT

In Quechee, the Vermont Institute of Natural Science is live streaming a nest housing a family of wild bald eagles. Windsor, Dewey and their eaglet, V-2, are delighting viewers with their daily feedings. Seven Days Eva Sollberger climbed a 100-foot tree house at VINS to see them from a distance.

Dear Burlington,

Sweetwaters is back - and we couldn’t be more excited!

When the opportunity came to return to 120 Church Street, we knew we wanted to bring Sweetwaters back not just as it was, but as something even stronger. Together, we’ve worked to honor what made Sweetwaters a Burlington institution for more than 40 years while bringing fresh energy, new ideas, and a renewed sense of hospitality to the table.

We’re thrilled to have Chef Jessee Lawyer back in the kitchen alongside Chef Kyle Wescott, bringing both familiar flavors and fresh creativity to the menu. Leading the front of house, Jessie Littler (Managing Partner) and Elissa Eiring have helped create a kind, warm, welcoming experience that has always been at the heart of Sweetwaters. Together with our entire staff, we’ve built a space that feels familiar in all the right ways. And yes - the Almond & Corn Flake crusted chicken fingers with our Honey Mustard are still on the menu. Some things are sacred.

The timing couldn’t be better. Summer on Church Street is Burlington at its best. The Top Block Stage returns this year as part of Downtown Jazz at the Burlington Discover Jazz Festival, bringing four nights of free live music right outside our doors from June 3–6. Pull up a chair on the patio, order a drink, and let the music find you.

With Burlington Watches Together also bringing the world’s game downtown this summer, the energy on these bricks will be electric.

This is exactly the kind of season we imagined when we decided to bring Sweetwaters backvibrant, welcoming, and rooted in community.

Whether you’re joining us for an old favorite, a night out with friends, or simply a drink on the patio, we’re grateful to be part of Burlington again.

Come find us at 120 Church St. The patio is open, the kitchen is fired up, and Burlington’s best season is just getting started.

With gratitude,

The Sweetwaters Team

JUNE

UNA PASSEGGIATA

HAPPENINGS

Wednesdays, 5-8pm | May 20 - September 23

Shop, grab an aperitivo or ice cream, linger over dinner, and connect with your neighbors.

DOWNTOWN JAZZ

Wednesday, June 3 - Saturday, June 6

Four nights of free local music along the Marketplace during the Burlington Discover Jazz Festival.

BURLINGTON WATCHES TOGETHER

Thursday, June 11 - Sunday, July 19

The world’s soccer game takes center stage in downtown Burlington as local restaurants, bars, and public spaces fill with fans, excitement, and can’t-miss moments. Catch games downtown and in City Hall Park

Downtown Jazz is sponsored by Zero Gravity Brewery and High Noon. Burlington Watches Together is sponsored by Michelob Ultra and Farrell Distributing.

BUSINESS NEWS

NEW BUSINESSES

Public Vintage, 34 Church St | Vintage art, fashion, home, and decor

Sweetwater’s, 120 Church St | American fare: local ingredients and timeless flavors

COMING SOON

Amberli, 106 Church St | Natural health and beauty

PopUp Bagels, 42 Church St | Small batch bagels with flavored schmears

Sabah’s House, Church St Kiosk | Middle Eastern fare and American classics

FRIDAY 5 & SATURDAY 6

Court Jester

MAGNIFICENT

MUST SEE, MUST DO THIS WEEK BY REBECCA DRISCOLL

SATURDAY 6

PAWS FOR APPLAUSE

Animals and their humans march for praise and prizes at the 76th annual Pet Parade down St. Johnsbury’s main drag. e “Best in Show-Biz” theme inspires costume ideas from six attention-grabbing groups, including Movie Stars (think four-legged icons of the silver screen) and Celebrity Companions (Paris Hilton and her many Chihuahuas come to mind).

SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 69

Fun fact: Emmy Award-winning standup comic Michael Kosta — a frequent host of late-night television’s “ e Daily Show” — was once a professional tennis player. Now the court-to-comedy cutup brings his playfully cocky yet self-deprecating “white bro” humor to the stage at Vermont Comedy Club in Burlington, reminding locals why he traded his racquet for a microphone.

SEE CLUB LISTING ON PAGE 63

SATURDAY 6

Piano Man

Remember feeling all the feels when alt-pop earworm “Brick” by Ben Folds Five came on the radio? Ah, the ’90s. ree decades later, front man Ben Folds brings that raw emotionality to listeners at Paramount eatre in Rutland — sans band members. Expect familiar hits and deep cuts from his proliﬁc canon, which includes eight studio albums and 22 singles.

SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 70

SATURDAY 6

It’s a Gas

WEDNESDAY 10

Note Worthy

String sensations Greensky Bluegrass kick off another season of Ben & Jerry’s Concerts on the Green at Shelburne Museum. e Michigan quintet has mesmerized audiences and critics alike for more than two decades with a progressive sound self-described as

Psychedelic soundscapes collide with a state-ofthe-art laser light show when Pink Floyd tribute act Floydian Trip take over Chandler Center for the Arts in Randolph. Diehards delight in the outﬁt’s full-throttle retrospective tracing four decades of the legendary British rock band’s repertoire, from experimental sounds of the ’60s to explosive new heights in the ’90s.

SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 70

SATURDAY 6

I Chews You

and roll.”

North Country Animal League’s annual Open House Party in Morristown promises a pawsitively precious afternoon of fur-ﬁlled activities. Guests tour the shelter to get a feel for its lifesaving operations; meet the adorable — and adoptable! — dogs and cats; and indulge in live music, local brews, and mouthwatering eats from Aladdin and Pearl Street Pizza. Bone appétit!

SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 69

CLOSES SATURDAY 13

Fantastic Four

Personal histories intersect at Studio Place Arts’ introspective exhibit “Gayzing” in Barre. Artists Robert Perry, Joe John, James Rauchman and Larry Bowling — all gay men in their sixties and seventies — use diverse mediums and techniques to navigate complicated themes of sexuality, masculinity and aging in a heteronormative society.

SEE GALLERY LISTING AT SEVENDAYSVT.COM/ART

Sweet Pickles

When I feed our dog Pickles, a white, 50-pound pit bull mix, I have her sit a few feet away and make eye contact with me as I put her dish on the ﬂoor. Then I straighten up, staring into her big brown eyes, and pause. I make her wait a few seconds. She might squirm, or drool, but she doesn’t pounce until I say “go.”

Visitors are often surprised by how patiently she waits. Not as surprised as I am!

This week’s Animal Issue made me realize what a long way Pickles has come. As our writers went out to fetch stories about the creatures with whom we share our state, I couldn’t help but reﬂect on the tale of animal resilience that has been happening under my own roof.

In 2023, my wife, Ann-Elise, spotted Pickles on an Instagram feed called Strays and Gays, run by a lesbian couple who rescued stray dogs in rural Georgia. Pickles was abandoned on a roadside with siblings who were twice her size and apparently had been eating all the food. Her eyes bulged out of her malnourished body.

Ann-Elise’s maternal instincts kicked in. “She looked so sad and hurt,” my wife told me recently. “I wanted to help her.”

The aNimAl

The timing was right — Ann-Elise, a postpartum nurse, was on a six-week leave from her job, recovering from surgery. Our two teenagers needed us less and less. “I was ready for a project,” she said. Friends of Duke Rescue brought Pickles to Vermont a few days later, and Ann-Elise picked her up at the Chimney Corner park and ride. We gave Pickles a goofy name because she was a goofy-looking pup, with pointy, bat-like ears that were too big for her head.

iSsuE

At 8 weeks old, she weighed just 5 pounds. She wouldn’t climb the two stairs of our back deck. She wouldn’t walk on a leash. She startled easily.

Ann-Elise decided to hit the reset button on her puppyhood and treated her like a newborn, putting the dog on her chest and sleeping with her like that on the couch.

She built Pickles a scrap-wood ramp over the back stairs. She covered it with carpet, so her fur-baby wouldn’t slip, then led her up and down with treats. She coaxed Pickles on walks, trying to go a little farther each day. Once, Ann-Elise said, a truck blocked their path. “I spent 10 minutes talking to that truck and rubbing its fender to introduce it to her, so she could walk past it.” Eventually, she did.

Mealtimes were the biggest challenge. Despite the fact that Pickles ate three times a day, as soon as we’d pick up her bowl to ﬁll it, she would start screaming with desperation. I’ve never heard another animal make that noise.

We fed her in her crate, and she’d lunge toward the food, sending her kibble ﬂying. We couldn’t see her eat, but the plastic box would shake violently.

We already had a puppy when we got Pickles, a 1-year-old white-andto ee-colored Catahoula mix — another discarded Southern belle, this one from Louisiana. We named her Tomte, a Swedish endearment for a mischievous elf or gnome who guards the home. She does, in fact, have a strong herding instinct.

Tomte immediately embraced Pickles as part of our pack. They

THIS WEEK’S ANIMAL ISSUE MADE

snuggled together in one dog bed until Pickles got big enough to need her own.

Unlike Pickles’ real siblings, Tomte is a finicky eater who often turns up her nose at food, especially when it’s kibble from the bottom of the bag. We try to grab her bowl when that happens, but if Pickles gets to the chow first, she devours it.

Once we got rid of Pickles’ crate, we realized she was attacking her dish like a shark in a feeding frenzy. Sometimes she bolted the food so fast that she’d throw it up — then eat it again. Gross.

So Ann-Elise found a mazelike dish to slow her down and started training her to sit and wait for the command to eat. “It teaches her that she’s going to get fed even if she’s not frantic,” Ann-Elise explained. “And it shows her we control the food.”

After a few months, Pickles stopped shrieking. Today she’s playful, healthy, affectionate and walks confidently for hours. She and Ann-Elise just signed up to do the VT Dog Hiking Challenge. It’s amazing what food, love and consistent care can do.

Cathy Resmer

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Pickles and Tomte

Recent photo of Pickles

Baby Pickles

Burlington Clears Ofﬁcers for Conduct at ICE Raid

BY AARON CALVIN calvin@sevendaysvt.com

An internal investigation into the use of force by Burlington police at a March 11 federal immigration raid in South Burlington concluded that ofﬁcers’ actions were “objectively reasonable and proportional given the totality of circumstances.”

Burlington Mayor Emma MulvaneyStanak said in a statement on Monday that four substantive use-of-force allegations identiﬁed among the 120 reported were either “exonerated or unfounded.”

Fish Out of Water

Burlington students spend months learning about trout, then celebrate with a parade downtown STORY ALISON NOVAK | PHOTOS LUKE AWTRY

If one were to pick a creature synonymous with showiness, they might choose a peacock or flamingo, or perhaps a chameleon or zebra — not the humble brook trout. Yet that was the animal hundreds of schoolkids and community members gathered to celebrate in Burlington last Friday with the pomp and pageantry usually reserved for a major sporting event.

As they gathered outside the Flynn theater and then marched down Church Street, students from the Sustainability Academy chanted “We shout for the trout!” and “We love the trout, but we must let them out!” Homemade puppets depicting an array of animals — from bugs to birds to bears — bobbed up and down. A band of merry musicians banged rhythmically on buckets.

Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak marched alongside the kids. A pair of towering river goddess papier-mâché puppets transported from Glover by the

famous Bread and Puppet Theater troupe led the students, and whimsically dressed performers on stilts brought up the rear.

The two-hour event was the culmination of the students’ study of brook trout, the cold-water state ﬁsh. (The warm-water

state ﬁsh is walleye.) Their project kicked o in January when Tupperware containers ﬁlled with 100 eggs arrived from a state hatchery. Those eggs were carefully

City lawyers also determined that neither Burlington Police Department leadership nor rank-and-file police officers violated Vermont’s Fair and Impartial Policing Policy, which prohibits collaboration between local officers and federal immigration agents in most cases, or an executive order with similar requirements that MulvaneyStanak signed in February.

Per city policy, use-of-force investigations are conducted by the Burlington Police Department. e mayor’s ofﬁce and the city council-appointed police commission were able to weigh in, but interim Burlington Police Chief Shawn Burke made the ﬁnal decision.

Mulvaney-Stanak acknowledged that some may be “concerned” with the outcome but pledged it was “not the end of the conversation.” She said she agreed with the ultimate ﬁndings but felt “troubled by the gaps revealed in our existing policies that were not designed for the growing complexities we are seeing in federal immigration enforcement.” e city will conduct a review of police department policies and training procedures, she said.

Burlington’s report was publicly released some six weeks after South Burlington and Vermont State Police issued reports of their own, absolving their ofﬁcers of any wrongdoing related to that day.

In one video shared across social media, Burlington Cpl. Julian Gonzalez could be seen throwing two protesters to the ground. Winooski resident Gwendolyn Heaghney has said she suffered a concussion and pain in her neck, back and shoulders.

In the report, Gonzalez’s superiors determined he used “objectively reasonable levels of force,” though lessons could be taken from the incident to be better prepared for future large-scale demonstrations, they wrote. ➆

Burlington police on March

‘Good First Steps’

Vermont’s new Animal Welfare Division director tries to reform a system on a shoestring budget

BY KEVIN MCCALLUM • kevin@sevendaysvt.com

In January, Vermont lawmakers were handed a road map for a sweeping modernization of the state’s fragmented and ine ective animal welfare system.

They didn’t follow it.

Instead, they passed two modest bills making technical changes to existing animal welfare laws. One bans breeding dog/ wolf hybrids. The other makes it harder for someone convicted of animal cruelty to regain custody of their animals. Neither of the new laws comes with public funding.

“These are good first steps,” Milot said. “This is going to be an incremental, iterative process.”

The aNimAl

Lisa Milot, the state’s ﬁrst director of the Animal Welfare Division, authored the detailed report meant to address shortcomings in Vermont’s system. While lawmakers didn’t take up many of her suggestions, she said she’s not discouraged.

Instead, she took the passage of the modest bills as a signal that there is strong support for modernizing the state’s animal welfare system — just not the money to tackle the problems immediately.

Lawmakers established the Animal Welfare Division within the Department of Public Safety in 2024 in response to repeated complaints from residents and advocates that the state’s system for handling abuse complaints was confusing and disjointed. The legislation was prompted by media reports about the acute suffering of farm animals and pets. Cases included the deaths of several baby goats at a farm in Charlotte and the seizure, over two years, of 74 malnourished horses from a farm in Townshend.

Milot, an attorney and former professor at the University of Georgia Law School who specializes in animal welfare law, was hired in March 2025 to head the new division. She is its sole employee. Currently, Milot’s position is funded through a $2 surcharge per dog license, which generates about $128,000 per year.

DISCOVER THE PEACE OF MIND of being outside of the city in a neighborhood that oﬀers a rare blend of convenience and tranquility. Schedule your tour of Village at Autumn Pond and see why our residents love it here.

Lisa Milot visiting the Central Vermont Humane Society in East Montpelier

Senate and House Adjourn After Approving Education Overhaul

BY KEVIN MCCALLUM & ALISON NOVAK

The Senate and House passed legislation last Friday that will reshape how schools are funded and governed in Vermont. The plan includes provisions to encourage voluntary mergers of school districts as well as regional resource sharing — measures that lawmakers hope will ease pressure on property taxpayers.

Conference committees had worked late into last Thursday night to resolve differences between the House and Senate versions of the education bill and another measure known as the yield bill. Gov. Phil Scott is expected to sign both. Passing the hotly debated plan cleared the way for an orderly conclusion to the legislative session.

Lawmakers approved using $100 million from the state’s general fund to “buy down” education property taxes, which translates to an estimated average statewide property tax increase of around 3.5 percent.

In remarks to the legislature, Scott praised the body for turning what could have been a legislative showdown into a lesson in the power of compromise.

“I didn’t get everything I wanted, and neither did you,” Scott said. “But that’s the way compromise works. We made progress and agreed the status quo is not sustainable.”

In her final moments wielding the gavel before retiring, House Speaker Jill Krowinski (D-Burlington) congratulated her colleagues not just for their legislative accomplishments but also for the way they treated one another as they worked through their differences.

“At a time when political discourse across this country seems to reward division, we can show Vermonters that it is possible to govern and to do so through patience, collaboration and a willingness to listen,” she said.

Most celebrated the relatively early adjournment: the Senate shortly before 6 p.m. on Friday and the House shortly before 8 p.m. In recent years, end-ofsession discord has pushed lawmakers’ final session past midnight. ➆

Fish Out of Water « P.14

placed into a large fish tank in the school’s lobby. Fourth graders nurtured them and watched them hatch and grow from tiny, translucent creatures with yolk sacs attached to their bellies to independent swimmers called fry.

The hands-on learning experience started in 2021, when the school’s thenprincipal, Nina Oropeza, connected with national nonprofit Trout Unlimited, an organization dedicated to the conservation of cold-water habitats. Through the org’s Trout in the Classroom program, nearly 3,000 schools in 34 states raise fish and learn about life cycles, food chains and stream ecology.

WE LOVE THE TROUT, BUT WE MUST LET THEM OUT!

SUSTAINABILITY ACADEMY STUDENT CHANT

The monthslong study is intended to get students excited about how ecosystems work, explained Trout Unlimited’s youth programs manager, Cecily Nordstrom.

Teachers at the Sustainability Academy, one of two magnet elementary schools in the Burlington School District, see Trout in the Classroom as the perfect complement to the school’s overarching goals.

“The mission of ‘education for sustainability’ ... is really about, How do we function as an interdependent, diverse community in this place? How do we take care of one another?” said Kestrel Plump, the school’s education for sustainability academic coach. That work is done inside the classroom but also includes “our community ... the plants, the animals ... the earth we’re on.”

The trout parade was born in 2022, when Oropeza and Plump came up with the idea to have fourth graders carry the fish around the school in plastic tubs so students could say goodbye. For the first few years, students took a school bus that day to the Huntington River, where they released the silvery, spotted swimmers into their new home, adding to a thriving population of the fish in Vermont. Now, they release them a few days later.

Three years ago, Dave Paarlberg-Kvam, the school’s art teacher, suggested taking the event to the next level. Plump, who’d worked for several years with Philadelphia’s Spiral Q on its large-scale puppet events, was on board. Paarlberg-Kvam helped fourth graders make a giant adult trout puppet that required six people to maneuver. Before releasing the trout, they

looped around the school’s recreation field while students and staff cheered.

The next school year, staff from the Flynn learned about the parade and asked to get involved. The performing arts center paid visiting local artists Erik Gillard — also known as Uncle Erok — and Janice Walrafen to help students create animal puppets and banners. The Flynn also hosted events for people to make puppets and signs for the parade and provided

space for students to practice chants. Last year, the parade centered on the life cycle of the trout, with each grade representing the fish at a different developmental stage. It was “a huge success,” Flynn education programs manager Kat Rousseau said, and drew an estimated crowd of around 600.

“It’s just such a beautiful celebration of our community and the hard work these kids have been putting in for the whole

Kestrel Plump

Gov. Phil Scott

spring,” Rousseau said. “It’s a beautiful intersection of art and ecology.”

And it’s an event that creates the type of authentic student engagement that can be elusive in an increasingly virtual world that’s lacking in human connection, teachers say.

Light rain didn’t dampen the mood as the parade floated down Church Street, where workers and shoppers stopped to marvel at the scale and silliness of it all. Some looked befuddled, as if they were trying to remember a holiday they’d forgotten. Others clapped and cheered.

The procession wound its way through the streets of Burlington, then stopped at the Sustainability Academy to pick up more elementary students and younger kids from local childcare programs. The larger group headed down North Street to Battery Park, where more parents and community members were waiting.

“This is so absurd,” one of them said. “It’s so great.”

A short pageant highlighted other

animals that the young trout might meet once released. One by one, and as a harpist played in the background, each grade traipsed across the grass: trees, bugs, black bears, river otters, herons and ospreys.

“Enjoy the songbirds who build their nests along the banks and wake the forest every morning with their song,” one student narrator said, as a flock of kids fluttered by wearing wings and masks fashioned to resemble chickadees, cardinals and bluebirds.

Two adult trout puppets made from tie-dyed swaths of fabric, with large painted heads in the style of dancing Chinese dragons, filed across the grassy field, each powered by the feet of half a dozen students. Afterward, kids lined up for Ben & Jerry’s ice cream as the crowd dispersed.

It was a fitting ending to an event that brought a hearty helping of sweetness to a cloudy Friday afternoon.

“At its core,” Plump said, the parade is “just a love letter to the trout.” ➆

Vermont's Cartoonist Laureate

HIGHER GROUND

‘Good First Steps’ « P.15

After her $99,000 salary, little is left for anything else.

She’s charged with drafting a plan to develop and enforce animal welfare laws and to head up responses to animal abuse cases, including investigations. Her initial report to the legislature, submitted on January 20, does not paint a pretty picture.

She found that “preventable neglect is widespread” due to housing instability and lack of education, early intervention and access to veterinary care in rural areas. The state’s outdated animal welfare laws lead to “enforcement gaps and confusion,” she reported.

Investigating animal abuse complaints in Vermont falls to different state and local agencies, depending on the kind of animal involved and where the incident happened. People who try to make complaints can be frustrated by officials’ responses, she noted.

“An attempt to report may require calls to a Town Clerk, animal control officer, constable, Sheriff’s Department, local law enforcement agency, state police barracks, and game warden, each of which tells the caller to report it to a different agency,” Milot wrote.

A shortage of places to house any seized animals creates significant challenges for law enforcement and means many cases are not pursued. In 2024, Vermont State Police and the Fish & Wildlife Department opened 507 animal abuse cases. Only nine of them resulted in arrests, Milot’s report found.

Instead of relying on police to investigate animal neglect reports, she recommended a stronger civil response and focus on early intervention to prevent neglect. This includes improved education for animal owners, clearer animal care standards, and expanded access to affordable veterinarian clinics and boarding.

“The goal is not simply to respond to harm after it occurs, but to reduce preventable suffering, improve efficiency and coordination, and better allocate limited public resources,” she wrote.

She stressed, however, that the two bills that did pass, while modest, represent significant steps forward. Both await the governor’s signature.

H.578 will make it harder for people convicted of animal-cruelty offenses to get their animals back. Its sponsor, Rep. Emilie Krasnow (D-South Burlington), said she grew up in a home full of adopted animals and feels strongly that lawmakers need to look out for them.

“Animals, while they are not a voting constituency, I believe are our constituents as well, and we need to be their voice,” she said.

Krasnow said she was inspired by the story of “Bucky,” the nickname given to a dog from Derby who got his head stuck in a plastic bucket. The unlucky canine, whose real name was Chuck, wandered the woods around Lake Salem for 10 days before volunteers lured him into a trap with chicken nuggets.

THE GOAL IS NOT SIMPLY TO RESPOND TO HARM AFTER IT OCCURS, BUT TO REDUCE PREVENTABLE SUFFERING.

LISA MILOT

A number of the solutions Milot outlined require ongoing funding, but that wasn’t in the cards this year. By the time Milot filed her report to the legislature — two weeks into the second year of the biennium — most lawmakers had already submitted the bills they wanted to pursue, she said. Further, the state budget is tight amid concerns about affordability.

“It is hard to make the case that money should be spent on this when there is so much human need,” Milot said.

Renee Falconer, the animal control officer who helped rescue the unfortunate pooch, had to raise money to pay for his care and to try to find him a new home. Krasnow said she is aware of several cases in which the person suspected of abuse or neglect has been able to get their animal back. The bill will require owners to pay for the reasonable cost of care provided for their seized animals and allow humane officers to place a lien on the animals until payment is made. The measure also prohibits a person convicted of animal cruelty from owning

Chuck, aka “Bucky”

an animal for up to five years after a first offense and 10 years after a second. The restriction would only apply to farmers if they were convicted of cruelty to livestock. So, for example, a dairy farmer who mistreats his dog wouldn’t lose his right to own dairy cows.

To Milot, clarifying the rules around animal forfeiture is more important than tougher penalties. Legally speaking, animals are property and can only be taken away after specific processes are followed. That can leave animals in abusive situations or rescue shelters for far longer than necessary while a court determines their fate.

The bill speeds up the process. Instead of waiting for a state’s attorney to initiate forfeiture, the owner of the animal is given 14 days to request a hearing on the ownership of the animal; a judge’s decision is due 30 days later.

“If we can move animals through the seizure process much more quickly, we can start seizing many more of the animals that need to be seized, because we’ll have places to put them,” Milot said.

The bill updates laws to clarify that filming and uploading bestiality content to the internet is a crime. Lawmakers included the update after a Williston man was charged with sexually abusing a pit bull and uploading videos of it.

The other bill, H.841, requires dog/ wolf hybrids to be sterilized, which effectively outlaws breeding them, as many other states have done. Some 70 percent of wolf hybrids are put down by age 2 because they can be aggressive, Milot said.

“It’s problematic to produce animals that we know will have a short lifespan because they don’t make good pets, but they’ll be marketed as pets,” she said.

The bill includes a financing tool that may help expand spay and neuter ing programs without public dollars. Milot’s division doesn’t have the budget to create a program, but the measure allows her to create a separate fund that can accept charitable dollars to be used to reimburse veterinarians for spaying and neutering animals owned by lowincome Vermonters.

Rep. Chea Waters Evans (D-Char lotte), who sponsored the bill, said she accepts that in an era of “financial triage,” the division isn’t getting the funding it needs. But she noted that even with no staff, Milot has proven her ability to coor dinate responses to animal abuse, such as the seizure in March of 55 huskies from a Hyde Park barn.

Milot recruited the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, which enlisted 40 volunteers to docu ment the conditions in the leased barn. The group helped get the dogs treated, transported to a shelter in Ohio and adopted. The Lamoille County Sheriff’s Department investigation into the former owner of those dogs is ongoing.

The case was the kind of success story the division was set up to accomplish, and Waters Evans hopes it helps convince lawmakers to fund the division properly.

“I’m excited that we’re moving forward on this at all, even though it’s a little more slowly than I would like,” she said. ➆

Huskies rescued from a barn in Hyde Park in March

FEEDback

« P.7

species. It is also considered old technology, having been developed in the 1990s.

In my wife’s case, standard testing missed the fact that she had six di erent infections: Lyme, babesia, bartonella, tick-borne relapsing fever, Ehrlichia and anaplasmosis.

Babesia is a microscopic parasite that infects red blood cells. The other ﬁve infections are bacterial.

Recent research may yield a more effective and less expensive path forward — measuring emission samples from various surfaces in addition to the current protocol of testing air samples — beneﬁting school districts in Vermont and nationwide.

HAVANA

These six infections were only discovered after her doctor sent blood samples o to IGeneX labs in California. It was IGeneX’s multiple species testing that uncovered my wife’s tick-borne diseases.

Doctor-prescribed IGeneX testing is expensive. It may not be covered by insurance.

As an alternative, consider IGeneX’s AcuDart at-home test kits. The screening test panel covers multiple species of four tick-borne diseases. The kit is then sent o to IGeneX in Milpitas, Calif.

Please note: I don’t work for IGeneX. I want to pass along this information because it was lifesaving for my wife.

Wadi Sawabini SHELBURNE

‘REAL-WORLD CONSEQUENCES’

The House Education Committee’s proposal to halt testing ignored this new approach as a possible cost-saving option. Fortunately, the Senate rejected the House’s proposal, leaving the door open to further testing and creating a fund to help ﬁnance it.

Meanwhile, heading for trial is Vermont’s lawsuit against Monsanto, the sole manufacturer of PCBs, including proof that it knew about their toxic e ects but continued selling them. The Burlington School District is suing, too. By ignoring the science behind the PCB issue, the article authors have framed the issue as one more reckless mandate. However, had this law not been passed, 111 schools would not have learned that they are safe, while 46 would be still unaware of the risks within their walls.

Deborah Messing MONTPELIER

Anyone reading “Promises Too Steep” [May 13], speciﬁ cally the segment on PCB testing, could be forgiven for accepting the basic premise that the law was passed “without understanding its real-world consequences” — mainly excessive expenditures and disrupted learning. What this viewpoint ignores is the mounting scientiﬁc evidence of the harmful effects of PCB exposure.

FAVORITE

NADEL

Dr. Keri Hornbuckle, a leading PCB researcher, recently concluded that attending or working in schools with unsafe levels of PCBs represents the worst case for human exposure. Especially vulnerable are young people, pregnant women and any adult with long-term exposure.

Thank you for introducing us to illustrator Marc Nadel [From the Publisher: “Portrait of an Artist,” May 13]. You mentioned several of his spot-on characterizations of political figures and races but neglected to include my favorite. It was the February 11, 2015, issue featuring the House of LeMay — nominated again this year for the “best drag performer or group” Daysie — representing the League of Drag Queen Voters promoting the upcoming mayoral election as well as the 20th annual Winter Is a Drag Ball.

PCBs are known carcinogens, but newer research implicates even low levels of PCBs in neurodevelopmental disorders in children, including ADHD, learning disabilities, sensory defects and developmental delays.

Real-world consequences?

Marc captured each of the trio’s personalities with humor and ﬂair. It is said, “You can’t judge a book by its cover.” That may be true, but you can tell an award-winning newspaper by its eye-catching, gotta-pick-it-up front page.

Bob Bolyard (aka Amber LeMay) BURLINGTON

Downtown

Wednesday

June 3

Soule Monde with EVNGwear

Birdcode College St: 6–8 pm

Top Block Stage: 6–9 pm

June 5

The Steve Bredice Quartet City Hall Park: 12:30–1:30 pm

June 4 Thursday

Madaila with Andriana & The Bananas Top Block Stage: 6–9 pm

Trio Gusto with Mike Martin College St: 6–8 pm

Friday June 6 Saturday

Joe’s Big Band with the Andrew Richards Quartet

Top Block Stage: 6–9 pm

Geoff Kim’s Organ Trio College St: 6–8 pm

Alex Stewart & Friends City Hall Park: 12:30–1:30 pm

Tiffany Pfeiffer Quartet Los Songoros

All Night Boogie Band Top Block Stage: 4–9 pm

Randal Pierce Trio College St: 6–8 pm

lifelines

Jason Barney

JULY 10, 1975-MAY 4, 2026 ST. ALBANS, VT.

Historian, author and beloved teacher Jason Barney passed away unexpectedly on May 4, 2026, from complications of colon cancer. Easygoing, generous and funny, Jason was full of life and good energy, curious, creative, and bold in pursuing his dreams. His unique gifts and positive presence will be greatly missed by family, friends, colleagues and the Franklin County communities he loved.

Jason was born on July 10, 1975 in St. Albans, Vt., to Rand and Joyce Barney of Highgate, the middle child of five. He met the world with imagination and curiosity and was a prolific talker from a young age. At Missisquoi Valley Union High School, Jason played basketball, wrote for the school newspaper and performed in school musicals. He remained lifelong friends with Aeneas Janze and Matt Haugland, friendships forged over long hours of playing Risk, watching sci-fi shows and overnight trips to the hill, where Jay always started and tended the fire.

At the College of St. Joseph, Jay studied history, became student government president and developed an enduring fondness for Pink Floyd. In his senior year, he ran for the Vermont state legislature, winning and holding a seat from his home district of Highgate for three terms and serving as vice chair of the Education Committee.

Jason found his calling as a history teacher and, returning to his roots, taught for 23 years at MVU in Swanton. Jay was

Ernest Anthony Lesage

DECEMBER 14, 1955APRIL 17, 2026

WINTER HAVEN, FLA.

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Ernest Anthony Lesage, 70, of Winter Haven, Fla., formerly of Winooski, Vt., on Friday, April 17, 2026, following a brief illness. He was the son of the late Ernest and Albertine Lesage and was born in Burlington, Vt., on December 14, 1955. Ernest (Ernie), grew up in Winooski, Vt., and later

OBITUARIES, VOWS, CELEBRATIONS

a natural and charismatic teacher. He was beloved for his enthusiasm, humor, empathy and authenticity, and his students speak of his classroom as a place where they felt welcomed, respected and cared about. His pioneering work in local history introduced young people to the rich history and culture of Franklin County — and earned Mr. Barney a plethora of local, regional and national awards.

Over the last seven years, Jason published ﬁve books of local history. Even during cancer treatment, Jason continued his research and writing and ultimately produced ﬁve volumes: Northern Vermont in the War of 1812; Hidden History of Franklin County, Vermont; Northern Vermont in the Revolutionary War; Hidden History of Lake Champlain; and Grand Hotels & Resorts of Northern Vermont, which was released the month he died.

A self-proclaimed nerd, Jason was an avid reader of Stephen King, Tom Clancy and classic literature. He had a nearly complete collection of “Star Trek” novels and was a prolific contributor to an online “Star Trek” timeliners group. He loved tie-dye, obscure ’70s psychedelic rock, creating hosta gardens and growing shiitake mushrooms. He published several sci-fi short stories and worked on two novels.

Jay cared deeply about his community. As president of the Swanton Historical Society, he engaged young people to serve on the board. Jason spent several years documenting the history of the

moved to Fairfield, Vt. He was a graduate of Rice Memorial High School and attended trade schools for electrical

Earthworks Commune in Franklin, Vt., interviewing and creating lasting connections with several of its members. He cohosted election night analysis on public-access TV and was a popular speaker who brought down the house during one memorable event.

Jason treasured his time at home with Christine and Sam. As a husband, Jason was generous, affectionate, devoted and fun. He and Christine created a beautiful homestead together, keeping chickens and honeybees, gardening, and sugaring. As a father, Jason was loving, attentive and playful. Jason taught Sam to throw a football, shoot hoops, fish, play chess, and to love reading, writing and the New England Patriots. Over English muffin pizzas, they watched sports; talked history, politics and books; and shared hours of reading and writing. Jason thought the world of Sam and admired the man he’s grown into. Cats Wiggles and Fiona shared his early morning routine and fondness for cheese. Putting on a soundtrack to cook by, building a bonfire, making full moon tea or stargazing on clear nights, Jason made home a magical and happy place.

Jason is survived by his wife, Christine; son, Samuel; father, Rand Barney (Mary); mother, Joyce Barney Strauss (Brian); and his siblings and their families, Joe (Penny), Jeff (Andrea), Josh, and Jessica Larsen Blodgett (Jim). He stayed connected with extended family nearby and had especially close relationships with his cousin Armand Messier and paternal grandfather, George “Ken” Barney.

A celebration of Jason’s life was held on May 29, 2026, at the Highgate Manor. Donations in Jason’s memory may be made to the Swanton Historical Society or the Jason Barney Memorial Scholarship at MVU.

engineering. He worked as a longtime master electrician for several companies all the way up to his retirement. Upon his retirement, he spent some time in North Carolina before ﬁnally settling in Winter Haven, Fla. He had several hobbies that included hunting, ﬁshing, and donating to several charities that he held dear to his beliefs and personal faith. When he was able, he lent his time to helping out family, friends and coworkers alike and will be missed by all. His loss is being felt deeply by his surviving family members, including his sister

Blanche Boissy, sister Virginia Lesage, brother and sister-inlaw Andrew and Sandy Lesage, sister and brother-in-law Judy and Robert Mcgonis, sister Marie Lesage, sister-in-law Stephanie Lesage, brother-inlaw Gerry Martel, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by brothers Richard and Peter and sisters Pauline and Bernadette.

A mass will be held on June 6, 2026, 10:30 a.m., at St. Francis Xavier Church in Winooski, Vt.

In lieu of ﬂowers, please make a donation to your charity of choice in his name.

Paul Warren Cummings

FEBRUARY 14, 1947-MAY 23, 2026

BURLINGTON, VT.

Paul Warren Cummings, born on February 14, 1947, in Burlington, Vt., passed away peacefully on May 23, 2026.

Paul grew up in Burlington and was an accomplished athlete throughout his high school career. He married his high school sweetheart, Constance Cochones. Together, they raised three children, Elizabeth, Matthew and Lucas. Paul adored his granddaughters, and they affectionately called him Papa.

Paul worked for the Burlington Free Press for many years, selling advertising. He was well known around for his big smile and quick wit. He loved to swim, sail, and spend time with his family in the lake or backyard pool. Paul loved to help people and volunteered for Meals on Wheels for several years. He is survived by his children, Matthew; Lucas; and Elizabeth and Peter and their two daughters, Sara and Charlotte. He is also survived by his sister, Anne Riddell; brothers, Peter and Dick Cummings; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. We will all miss him dearly. ere will be a celebration of life for Paul at a later date. In lieu of ﬂowers, please make a donation to someone you’d like to help.

Jane Gail Chapman

NOVEMBER 25, 1938-MAY 11, 2026

WINOOSKI, VT.

Jane Gail Chapman, née McKenzie, 87, died in the quiet, peaceful early morning of May 11, 2026, at Our Lady of Providence in Winooski, Vt.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on June 10, 2026, 11 a.m., at St. Catherine of Siena in Shelburne, Vt.

In lieu of ﬂowers, please consider making a donation to the Our Lady of Providence Residential Care Community in Winooski, Vt., or plant a tree in memory of Jane.

Arrangements are in the care of Ready Funeral & Cremation Services. To send online condolences, please visit readyfuneral.com.

Captain John W. Weber III

JULY 12, 1961-MAY 25, 2026

FERRISBURGH, VT.

John’s passion for aviation began early and never left him. A sixth-grade book report on becoming a pilot marked the start of a lifelong dedication to flying. Known for his calm demeanor, sharp instincts, and deep understanding of aircraft and weather, Captain Weber built a remarkable aviation career spanning decades. Over the course of more than 38,000 flight hours, he safely guided countless passengers through the skies with skill, steadiness and professionalism.

John began his career as a flight instructor in Lincoln Park, N.J., before spending 12 years flying for regional airlines, including East Hampton Air and Business Express, which brought him to Vermont. He later flew one of TWA’s final routes before continuing with Northwest Airlines and ultimately Delta Air Lines, where he spent the final 28 years of his career. Above all else, John was

Michael J. Blanchard

DECEMBER 28, 1960MAY 18, 2026

BURLINGTON, VT.

It is with great sadness that we announce the loss of Michael J. Blanchard, a beloved and devoted father, son, brother and great friend who passed away after a long illness on May 18, 2026.

He was born on December 28, 1960. Growing up in the South End of Burlington, the seventh child of William and Claire Blanchard, Michael was a natural athlete, talented artist, writer and musician. He excelled in baseball, basketball, tennis, bowling and pretty much any sport he set his hand to. He was a graduate of Rice Memorial High School, class of 1979. He loved the music of Van Morrison.

devoted to his family. He shared 36 years of marriage with his beloved wife, Holly, and together they raised their daughters, Emily and Sydney, in a home filled with warmth, generosity and constant activity. John loved sharing the things that brought him joy, especially boating, rowing, cars and traveling with his daughters. Their home became a gathering place for Halloween hayrides, birthday parties, potluck dinners and lifelong friendships.

For the past eight years, John lived with terminal prostate cancer. During periods when treatment grounded him from flying, he found

He was a great conversationalist, witty, intelligent, funny and overall good company. Known as Blanch, Dash, Bean and the “cool” one in the family, Michael had a zest for living that came through in his personality, and anyone who met him felt the spark. Michael spent the majority of his working career at Burlington Electric Department, where he was

renewed purpose through the Vergennes Area Rescue Squad, where he poured his energy into serving others and eventually became president of the board. He also served with the Shelburne Fire Department beginning in 1993 and became a lifetime member. Whether in the air or on the ground, John was someone people trusted in difficult moments. John also quietly gave his time wherever it was needed. Through the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, he hauled pilot gigs through difficult winter conditions so local rowing teams could travel to compete in Boston. Before sunrise on snowy mornings, neighbors could count on seeing him out on his tractor clearing roads and driveways so others could start their day safely. John was disappointed to miss his ceremonial final landing into JFK, which would have marked the close of his aviation career. His family takes comfort in imagining him on one final approach, cleared for a visual landing onto Runway 13 Left, welcomed home by the fire trucks he loved and the skies that defined so much of his life.

a well-respected and loved coworker and mentor.

He studied art at Saint Michael’s College under Lance Richbourg, the “painter laureate of baseball.” Michael was a prolific artist, and his baseball paintings showcase his passion for the game. He was a huge New York Yankees fan. He sold scores of his paintings online over the past 25 years. He also painted landscapes, Vermont scenes, and portraits of local and historical icons. Later in life, he painted beautiful, colorful abstracts. He was also an avid collector of comic books, old books and vinyl records.

But mostly Michael was devoted to family. He was humble, hardworking, talented, loyal, funny, charismatic, charming, mysterious and, as he described himself, “just a man.”

He is survived by his devoted son, Ben Blanchard. Ben,

John will be remembered for his humility, kindness, steady presence and unwavering dedication to others. His legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched through every safe landing, every emergency answered, every neighbor helped and every moment shared with those he loved.

Captain John W. Weber III passed away at home on Memorial Day, May 25, 2026, surrounded by his family and an immense amount of love. The significance of the day felt fitting for a man who dedicated so much of his life to serving others. He is survived by his wife, Holly; his daughters, Emily and Sydney; Emily’s fiancé, Sam Catalano; Sydney’s partner, Hunter Baker; and his vast circle of friends in the emergency response community and beyond.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Vergennes Area Rescue Squad, an organization that became deeply meaningful to John throughout the later years of his life.

Celebration of Life: June 5, 2026, 3 to 6 p.m., at the Old Lantern, 3260 Greenbush Rd., Charlotte, VT.

also a natural athlete, was the pride and joy of Michael’s life. Michael is also survived by his brothers, William Blanchard Jr. (Valli) and Robert Blanchard (Linda); his sisters, Mary Jane Dion (Paul), Michele O’Neil (Michael), Anne Pratt (Richard), Martha Benoit (Lisa Wester), Denise Goldsborough (Brice) and Patricia Blanchard; and his nieces and nephews; as well as many, many friends.

Michael was predeceased by his parents, William and Claire Blanchard; and his nephews John Blanchard and Christopher Pratt.

There will be a celebration of Michael’s life to be announced at a later date.

We will really miss you, Michael. We love you forever.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the McClure Miller Respite House, 1110 Prim Rd., Colchester, VT 05446, in memory of Michael J. Blanchard.

IN MEMORIAM

Rita R. Bortz

1941-2025

A Celebration of Her Life service will be held on Saturday, June 13, 2026, 10 a.m., at the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington, 152 Pearl St., Burlington, VT. Friends and fellow volunteers are invited to join with her family to celebrate her life. Carpooling is recommended.

Please consider a donation in Rita’s name to the FUUSB or another service organization of your choice, such as the McClure Miller Respite House in Colchester, the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge or Age Well.

John Roger Floyd

1952-2026

A Celebration of Life for John Roger Floyd of South Burlington, Vt., will be held on Saturday, June 6, 2026, 2 p.m., at First Congregational Church, 38 S. Winooski Ave., Burlington, VT 05401. His family warmly invites friends and relatives to gather in his memory, with a reception to follow.

Ron J. Williamson Jr.

1961-2026

A Celebration of Life will be held on June 20, 2026, 11 a.m., at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Burlington, Vt., for Ron J. Williamson Jr., who passed away in February. Please visit awrfh.com to read Ron’s full obituary.

lifelines

Marian Pollack

AUGUST 25, 1947MAY 20, 2026

MONKTON, VT.

Marian Pollack, 78, passed away at home on May 20, 2026. She was born on August 25, 1947, in Paterson, N.J., to Rita and Charles Pollack. An only child, she was a voracious reader and keen follower of current events. On election nights, even as a young girl, she would keep a running tally of the incoming results, state by state, as they were called.

Upon graduating from Douglass College in 1969, she, like many of her generation, followed JFK’s words, “Ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country,” and chose to enter the world of social service.

But ﬁrst, the summer of ’69 beckoned, and she along with thousands of others headed

Joanne Louise “Little Joyce” Cooper

JUNE 23, 1952-MAY 26, 2026 NORTH FERRISBURGH, VT.

Joanne Louise “Little Joyce” Cooper of North Ferrisburgh, Vt., beloved mother, wife, grandma, sister and friend, passed away on May 26, 2026, shortly before her 74th birthday.

She was born on June 23, 1952, in Johnson City, N.Y., one of four children to omas and Janet Cooper. e family moved to Burlington, Vt., in 1966, and Joanne grew up there, attending Burlington High School and the University of Vermont, where she made lifelong friends, worked many odd jobs and met her future husband, Dana J. Lavigne, in 1972. Joanne found her passion in music.

to Woodstock for the festival of a lifetime.

In fall 1969, Marian ﬁrst worked as a probation ofﬁcer in New York City and then as a social worker. Taking a break from social work, she and a couple of friends, on a whim, ran a Mexican import store in Provincetown for two summers.

In 1976, Marian was living by herself in Massachusetts on a dirt road on the edge of a town forest. She was

She had an undeniable talent and shined bright in the local show-biz scene. In 1974, Little Joyce, Dana and bandmates hit the road and gigged all over the Northeast. Little Joyce was a powerhouse and had a soulful singing voice. She was an inspiration to others. She sang American folk, gospel, blues and jazz

working as a social worker in Greenﬁeld when she and Marjorie Susman went to the same Equal Rights Amendment meeting and their eyes met across a crowded room. And so began their life’s journey. Within the year, they started growing and preserving their own food, and making cheese with milk purchased from a local farmer, in their kitchen. ey dreamed of someday owning their own small farm — milking a couple of cows, making cheese, and growing beautiful vegetables for local restaurants and markets. It was then they realized Vermont was where they needed to be.

ey answered a helpwanted ad in the Burlington Free Press for a dairy farm job located in Monkton, Vt. ey moved to Vermont in 1980 into a rather dilapidated house as farmhands. And in 1981 they purchased the house, barn and farmland,

but could sing anything. She performed in many Burlington bands, such as Coyote, Secret Sam Band, the Movers, Rick Norcross Band, Wisper, Dreamland, Zoot Wilson’s Tremendous Johnson Big Band, Ellen Powell Trio, Unknown Blues Band, Little Joyce & the Sensations, the Relics, and others. She performed at the Flynn Theater (Discover Jazz), opening for the JB Horns with Maceo Parker, Fred Wesley and Pee Wee Ellis; at Memorial Auditorium, opening for Ray Charles; collaborating on Sen. Bernie Sanders’ album We Shall Overcome ; and countless other performances. Music led her on many adventures to places like Ryman Auditorium, the Florida State Fair, and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. She was

and their ﬁrst Jersey cow, Sultana, and named their farm Orb Weaver Farm after the industrious garden spider.

Marian had found her true calling. Along with Marjorie, they slowly increased their herd of Jersey cows, built a cheese room and cheese cave, and grew their market garden to three acres.

No one was happier than Marian when she was with her beloved Jerseys. Milking and feeding the cows was her absolute favorite time of day. It was hard for her to leave the barn at night because everyone needed just one more scratch under their chin.

As for cheesemaking, Marian only ever wanted to make a kid-friendly macand-cheese kind of cheese. No herbs, nothing fancy, just plain old Orb Weaver. e cheese became a local favorite with kids and cheese connoisseurs alike. And being

deeply inspired by the music in San Francisco, New Orleans and Nashville, as well as by singers such as her Aunt Patty Fay “Bunky” Mims, Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Tina Turner, Irma “the Soul Queen of New Orleans” Thomas and Sugar Pie DeSanto.

After years on the road, going where the music took them, Joanne and Dana settled back down in Chittenden County. In 1988, they got married and had twin girls, Anna Rae and Ava Kay. ree years later, the daughter trifecta was complete with Jolie Claire’s birth in 1991. Joanne kept music in her life and was a proudly devoted stay-athome mom, giving the most loving care to her husband and girls. Joanne prepared countless meals, helped on every school project and always put her family ﬁrst.

the ﬁrst small-scale artisanal cheese producers in the state really helped the cheese to shine in many cheese cases and restaurants across the state.

It was in the spring and summer that Marian’s organizational genius really blossomed. Her rows of vegetables were always straight, the lettuce arranged by color for additional beauty, and the trellised tomatoes carefully pruned.

For her entire life, Marian never wavered in her principles of doing good.

Marian passed away peacefully at home from heart failure following a few challenging years. Marjorie and dear friends were by her side. She was able to gaze on the beautiful longhorn cattle grazing her lush green ﬁelds until the very end. She was so loved by Marjorie, many dear friends and the community she helped feed for 40 years. As she

was passing, the sky blazed with a spectacular sunset of welcoming.

She is survived by her life partner of 50 years, Marjorie; her dogs, Ubu and Whimsy; and her besties Lauren Slayton, Justin Willis, Annie Claghorn, Catlin Fox and Cathy Hunter.

Marjorie and Marian could never have navigated Marian’s ﬁnal weeks without the incredible knowledge, wisdom and kindness of Sarah Frisch and everyone at Addison County Home Health & Hospice. A very special thanks goes to her amazing caregivers Gail Seraﬁn and Meg Langworthy and dear friend Rux Martin. ank you for the love.

A celebration of Marian’s life is being planned for later this summer.

Donations may be made in Marian’s memory to Addison County Home Health & Hospice, 254 Ethan Allen Hwy., New Haven, VT 05472.

Joanne had a profound interest in genealogical research and spent many years tracing out the rich history of her own family, Dana’s family and many friends’ families. is was a gift that she gave us all that will live on forever. Joanne was selﬂess and determined. She had wit and grit like no other. She loved spending time with her family, ﬁnding free-pile treasures, crafting with junk jewelry, enjoying milk chocolate treats and snuggling her pups. She was our queen of all things kitsch, bling and groovy. She was our bold soul sister.

Joanne is survived by her husband, Dana, and their three daughters, Anna Hall and her husband, Taylor Hall, and their children, Maia and Richard Hall; Ava Lavigne; and Jolie Lavigne and her husband, Zachary York. She is also survived by her three siblings and their immediate families; and two of her best pups, JoJo and Bandit. She joins her parents, many great friends and loving pets in the great beyond.

Joanne fought a long, hard battle against cancer. She showed tenacious courage and true strength until the very end. We would like to thank all of her friends and family for the unwavering love and support; and the amazing staff at UVM Medical Center, UVM Oncology, and Addison County Home Health & Hospice for their kindness and dedicated care. ere has been a private remembrance gathering with family. In lieu of ﬂowers, please consider a donation to the University of Vermont Cancer Treatment Center, Addison County Home Health & Hospice, or Passion 4 Paws.

David Bumbeck

1940-2026

MIDDLEBURY, VT.

Father, husband and artist David Bumbeck passed away peacefully at home among family on May 6, 2026, in Middlebury, Vt. He was 85 years old.

David was born in 1940 to parents Michael and Elizabeth in Framingham, Mass. As a young man, David took interest in drawing, painting and philosophy, graduating from Framingham High in 1958. He followed his passion for the visual arts to the Rhode Island School of Design, earning a bachelor of fine arts in 1962. In 1963

Richard “Dick” Edward Hart

SEPTEMBER 29, 1951MAY 4, 2026

SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT.

On May 4, 2026, a bright light departed this plane to return to everything.

Richard “Dick” Edward Hart of South Burlington, Vt., born on September 29, 1951, in Rochester, N.Y., passed unexpectedly following complications from open-heart surgery.

Dick leaves behind his beloved wife, Susan; his children, Erik (Helen), Kristy (Jon), Amanda (Dustin), Shanta (Josh), Heather (Jeff) and Josh (Mia); nine grandchildren, Lexi (James), Stella, Payton (Logan), Ramsey, Mackenzie, Jackson, Caroline, Liam and Genevieve; and greatgrandchildren Sophie and Will. He is the blessed younger brother to Tom, Janice and Patti and a deep and loving friend to countless others.

A 1969 graduate of Cardinal Mooney High School, Dick went on to graduate from Saint Michael’s College in 1973. After moving to the Boston area, Dad met his first wife, Cheryl. They eventually arrived in Colchester, Vt., where they raised their children and constructed a

he married Connie, his loving wife of 63 years. He graduated from Syracuse University with a master’s in fine arts and had his first oneman gallery exhibition in 1966. He taught printmaking, painting and drawing at the Massachusetts College of Art for the following two years.

In 1968 David accepted a position as assistant professor of art at Middlebury College. Along with teaching studio art, he directed the Christian A. Johnson Gallery and was influential in the establishment of the Friends of the Art Museum organization. He became a professor of art in 1973.

After 34 years of guiding hundreds of students and over 20 one-man

loving framework that grew as the family did. As times and relationships changed, so did Dad. In 1989, he was set up on a blind date by Shanta with her mother, Susan Minoli, whom he fondly called “Minoli, my one and only.” This began the era of the “Brady Bunch (without manners),” as they each brought three more children to the family. Susan morphed him from the cat-hissing, uptight head of the blended family dinner table to a garrulous host of the backyard grill and circus. The years between their meeting and marriage in 2003 were a love affair all of us still cherish. The presence of his parents, Jack and Gert, during those years brightened the blessings for all of us.

Dad was fearless, pivoting several times to embrace his dreams — from owning a bar in the Old North End

exhibitions, he retired as professor emeritus in 2002.

In retirement David found joy in the studio, immersing himself in a series of paintings, sculptures and collages that explored vibrant color and incorporated found objects, marking a departure from his earlier black-and-white printmaking works. He built on his extensive library of art books and catalog of classical music and continued his lifelong zeal and dedication to his art until the end.

David will be remembered as a loving father, devoted husband, influential educator and prolific artist who inspired creativity and greatness in his children, students, colleagues and friends. He cherished spending time with his grandchildren and loved traveling with Connie to visit friends and enjoy the ocean on the New England coast, stopping at antique stores, galleries, museums and flea markets along the way.

David was preceded in death by his mother, father and brother, Jack.

He is survived by his wife, Connie, and his children, Michael; Natasha and her partner, Johnny; and Stefan and his wife, Sue; and his grandchildren, Max and Charlotte.

His artwork is part of numerous public and private collections, including at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the New York and Boston public libraries, the Smithsonian, Carnegie Museum of Art, and the Library of Congress. The National Academy of Design nominated and named him a National Academician, and he served as a show juror and member of the Boston Printmakers International Association of Artists.

At his behest, a funeral will not be held. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 22, 2026, 1 to 3 p.m., at the Johnson Memorial Building in Middlebury, Vt. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in his name to Addison County Home Health & Hospice in New Haven, Vt., or directly to the charity of your choice.

and selling appliances in Burlington to completing a paralegal certification and spending a summer landscaping.

Dad sought out new ways to live while always having a warm smile and a cold beer for his friends and patrons at the Rotisserie, the Barnyard, the Old Post, Pour House, Vermont National, and Railroad & Main. If there is a licensed establishment in greater Burlington, Dad either poured beers or told stories there. You could never enter a restaurant without at least five patrons coming over to offer a joyful “Hullo!” His community support and decency are models to all who knew him.

To his family, Dick Hart was a man of boundless enthusiasm and support. Dad was always your biggest fan. He traveled the country to support his family — whether at graduations or

on transcontinental road trips — and was always fully invested in your success and would let you know. This love was a gift to everyone who knew him.

In his early forties, he took up running after Susan introduced him to power walking. He took to this sport with great passion, perseverance and joy. Over the next 30 years he logged thousands of miles, running 10 marathons, dozens of half marathons, and team relays, such as the 100 on 100 and Reach the Beach. He was thrilled when all of his children participated in the 5 of Harts relay for the Vermont City Marathon.

Dad was a voracious reader, a love he bequeathed to his children. Weekends almost always included a trip to a library, and most spare moments not working or golfing would find Dick with his nose in a book or his

IN MEMORIAM

Sylvia Holden

1929-2024

nook, Susan nearby reading on their patio.

While we wish we could have had many more years with him, we are so incredibly lucky to have all the memories of Richard, Ricky, Dick, Dickie, Dad and Papa to soothe our broken hearts.

“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of the intelligent people and the affection of children; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, or a redeemed social condition; to know that one life has breathed easier because you lived here.”

— Ralph Waldo Emerson By that measure, I don’t think we will ever meet a more successful man.

A ceremony of remembrance will be held on July 25, 2026, 1 p.m., at the Old Post, 733 Queen City Park Rd., South Burlington, VT. The family expresses deep thanks to the staff of the University of Vermont Medical Center ED/SICU/ MICU, Miller 5 and hospice teams. Your care was superlative and an enormous balm in a time of grief.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Classic Mike Loyer Foundation (theclassicmikeloyer.org) or your local animal shelter in the name of Dick’s remaining fur baby, Freda.

Her flitting ended on June 5, 2024. No more deliveries of cakes, cookies to friends. Flowers stopped appearing on porches, at front doors, with her kindness always accompanying. She would tell us to carry on. We have tried, but butterflies like Sylvia Holden are a hard act to follow!

Joel Senesac

1979-2019

Joel, we laid you to rest seven years ago, and you are still a part of our lives. The light you brought into this world has dimmed but will never be out. Your life was a gift and a blessing. The hole in our hearts can never be mended. Miss you more each passing year. With love from your family.

lifelines

OBITUARIES, VOWS, CELEBRATIONS

Kathryn DeSutter

JUNE 30, 1991-MAY 25, 2026

BURLINGTON, VT.

Kathryn (Kady) DeSutter of Burlington, Vt., passed away on Monday, May 25, 2026, from glioblastoma. She is survived by her husband, Brian Clow; daughter, Evelyn Clow (age 4); and son, Jonah Clow (age 2), in addition to her parents, Steve and Linda DeSutter, and sister, Sarah DeSutter.

Kathryn was born on June 30, 1991, in Mooresville, N.C. She spent her childhood exploring her backyard on beautiful Lake Norman and learning to sail a small Sunfish boat. She grew up surrounded by loving family, as well as wonderful friends and teachers at Cannon School. Kathryn enjoyed giving back to others and began volunteer work in high school at the Latin American Coalition in Charlotte, N.C., encouraged by her Cannon teachers and peers.

Kathryn was a lifelong reader who always had her “nose in a book,” even as a kid. She excelled academically through

Lawrence John Walsh Jr.

FEBRUARY 25, 1943MAY 26, 2026

BURLINGTON, VT.

Lawrence John Walsh Jr., born on February 25, 1943, in San Diego, Calif., passed away peacefully on May 26, 2026. He was the son of L. J. Walsh Sr. and Ruth McAuliffe. e family moved to Vermont in 1946. Larry grew up in Burlington and went to Rice Memorial High School and Champlain College. He married his college sweetheart, Constance Szymanski, in 1967. ey made their home in Burlington for over 50 years until a move to West Virginia

high school and continued her love of learning at Middlebury College, where she traveled abroad to practice Spanish in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Mandarin in Kunming, China, during her junior year. On campus, she created lifelong friendships, sailed across New England with the Middlebury sailing team, and served as editor-in-chief of the Middlebury Campus

As a young adult living in San Francisco, she spent Saturday mornings during tax season as a volunteer tax preparer for the VITA program at the Women’s Building in the Mission. rough a book club, she built lasting friendships that would stay

to be near their daughter and family.

After college Larry went to work for the company his grandfather, Patrick McAuliffe, founded with his brothers — the McAuliffe

with her long after she left the city.

After settling in Burlington, Kathryn treasured her time with friends and family, particularly hiking with Brian, Evelyn, Jonah and their dog, Maple, in the Green Mountains and along Lake Champlain. She found a deep and rewarding community from the friends she made through GROW’s pregnancy circles. She also met monthly with friends for yet another book club, taking turns hosting dinners at each other’s houses and treasuring time to talk deeply.

Kathryn loved the outdoors. She spent countless weekends exploring hiking trails and campsites across every corner of California, North Carolina and Vermont. She loved to bike and run, often while laughing with dear friends.

Although Kathryn was always honest that her job at PayPal was not her passion, she valued the flexibility to work from home, loved her colleagues and took pride in managing her retail clients to the best of her ability. Her job gave her financial flexibility and the opportunity to take

generous maternity leaves for both Evelyn and Jonah. She was enormously grateful for the privileges her job afforded and the wonderful people she met along the way.

Kathryn was successful, intelligent, empathetic, athletic, clever and worldly, but above all, she identified as a mother first. She loved Evelyn and Jonah deeply and fiercely, always giving her whole self to them. Her greatest hope was that they would grow up knowing how deeply they were loved and how much their mother delighted in them.

Friends and family are warmly invited to an open memorial gathering at our home on Friday, June 5, 2026, from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. — come as you are, stay as long as you like. A Celebration of Life will follow in the coming months. In lieu of ﬂowers, Kathryn asked that donations be made to the Janet S. Munt Family Room in Burlington, an organization that has helped our children and cares for the community that we love so much. For directions or questions, please reach out to the family at RememberingKady@ gmail.com.

Joella (Jody) Sweeney Horton

JULY 26, 1940-APRIL 20, 2026

WILLISTON, VT.

Joella (Jody) Sweeney Horton was a beloved mother, grandmother, aunt and friend to many! She passed peacefully in her sleep at home.

She was born in Derry, N.H., to the late Virginia and omas Sweeney. She graduated from Poultney High School in 1958 and then went on to the University of Vermont and Castleton College. She taught in the school systems in Vermont and Massachusetts, worked retail, and was employed for 25 years at IBM in Essex, Vt.

After her retirement from IBM, she worked in the Williston school lunch program for a few years. Jody was a very generous person and donated to charities that she believed in, throughout her life.

Jody was loved by so many who are too numerous to mention, but they know who they are. She loved time spent with family and friends and hosted many gatherings. She was a fantastic cook and also loved crafting, gardening, playing cards and traveling. One of Jody’s specialties was her homemade Kahlúa. Her infectious smile and contagious laugh, along with her sparkly outﬁts, could instantly light up a room upon entering.

Paper Company. He worked mainly in the company’s wholesale/commodities area in sales and for years was sales manager, covering a wide territory for the company. His coworkers (including his cousins) valued his leadership, his good humor, his knack for keeping customers happy and his dedication to the company. In addition to running the company, he also served on the boards of many local institutions, including Champlain College and the Ethan Allen Club. When he wasn’t working, Larry could be found out on Lake Champlain. He spent a lot of his time boating with Connie and other family and friends.

He is predeceased by his parents and son, Brett McAuliffe Walsh. He is survived by his wife, Connie; and his daughter, Beth, and husband Geoff Brown, and their four children, granddaughter Molly Shea and grandsons Patrick Brett, Kyle Matthew and Jake McAuliffe Brown. He is also survived by several cousins.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on June 5, 2026, 10 a.m., at Christ the King, with burial following at Resurrection Park in South Burlington, Vt.

In lieu of ﬂowers, memorial contributions can be made to Central Catholic High School, 75 14th St., Wheeling, WV 26003.

Her family meant everything to her. She was so proud when she became a grandmother and especially so when she became a great-grandmother. She is survived by her children, omas Horton of Williston and Eva and Anthony J. Pellegrino of Colchester; grandchildren, Anthony Pellegrino of Milton, Emily Horton Cardinal (Mason) of Belvidere, Ethan Pellegrino (Jaylin) of Essex and Ella Pellegrino of Somerville, Mass.; great-grandson, Wilder Cardinal of Belvidere; sister Linda Sweeney Jackson (Tony) of Columbus, Ohio; brother-in-law, Ronald Vaughn (Vicky) from Poultney; nieces and nephews, Lisa Lamarre (Jason) from Granville, N.Y.; Ryan Gorton of Rutland; and Ginger Vaughn (Denver) from Whitehall, N.Y.; and her lifelong canine companion, Chloe; plus numerous other extended family members.

She was predeceased by both parents; her former husband, Chesley Horton of Hinesburg, in 2002; and her sister Vicky Vaughn, from Poultney, in 2023. A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.

Want to memorialize a loved one in Seven Days?

Post your remembrance online and in print at sevendaysvt.com/lifelines. Or contact us at lifelines@sevendaysvt.com or 865-1020, ext. 10.

Bruce Logan Hewitt

JUNE 9, 1938-MAY 29, 2026

BURLINGTON, VT.

The light of our party has moved on to his next life.

Bruce Logan Hewitt, 87, of Burlington died peacefully at Respite House at sunrise — his favorite time of day — on May 29 from complications of multiple cancers he had survived through the years.

Born June 9, 1938 (Montclair, N.J.), to George F. and Nadine (“Happy”) Easter Hewitt, he was the middle child of three musical mischief makers. His brothers, Kent and Geof, were always his closest friends and coconspirators. He was known by his family as Guppy, Dad, PopPop and Babe. He graduated from Choate, then Cornell. During college summers he flew

Donald “Hot Dog” Bourque

as a steward on Pan Am.

But his great love was his men’s a cappella triple quartet, the Sherwoods of Cornell. That group became lifelong friends and have gotten together for 40 years, not only to sing at Cornell reunions but also during the year with spouses for a week of fun (and singing). He was actually planning to

SEPTEMBER 11, 1947-MAY 28, 2026 COLCHESTER, VT.

Donald “Hot Dog” Bourque, 78, passed away peacefully at his home in Colchester on the shores of Lake Champlain, surrounded by the people he loved most.

Affectionately known to family and friends as “Hot Dog,” Don lived life with a spirit that was larger than life itself. A successful entrepreneur, he rose from humble and often challenging beginnings to build a thriving business, Best Bingo Supplies, founded on trust, hard work, integrity and the relationships he cultivated along the way. His success was measured not only by what he achieved but by the respect, loyalty and admiration he earned from those who knew him.

join them this week at the Cornell reunion.

He met his first wife, Mary Van Vleck, at Cornell, and they moved to Puerto Rico, where he ran the Dorado Beach Hotel. Their son, Peter, was born there. Then he got a master’s at Columbia and in 1967 moved to Burlington, where he was dean of men at the University of Vermont and their daughter, Heather, was born.

After major back surgery he left UVM to teach geography at Frederick Tuttle Middle School. His love of geography led to his buying a Winnebago, strapping a motorcycle on the back and a kayak on top, grabbing the kids, and taking the family on a 35,000-mile, yearlong journey circumnavigating the U.S. and Central America. Once home, he returned to UVM as development director.

Don’s kindness, generosity, thoughtfulness and empathy were second to none. He gave freely of his time, his heart and his home. He was a wonderful father, grandfather and brother; a loyal friend; and a deeply caring man whose presence made life brighter for so many.

Don was a fun-loving, free-spirited soul who could light up any room. With his contagious laugh, quick wit and unforgettable sense of humor, he had a remarkable gift for making everyone feel welcome and at ease. Whether you were a lifelong friend, a family member or someone he had just met, Don treated you with warmth, kindness and genuine interest.

His greatest joy was spending time at his beloved home, fondly known as “Camp.” Camp was more than a place — it was the heart of countless memories. It was where bonfires burned late into the night, lobster boils and clambakes brought people together, and music echoed across the water. Friends and family will forever remember his famous porch fries, shared generously with anyone lucky enough to stop by.

He started in real estate in 1979 at Smith Bell, eventually becoming an owner. He loved selling houses, sharing his affection for the area and finding “home” for clients. He occasionally escorted them in his beloved 1958 Mercedes convertible, “Turtle.” After selling Smith Bell, he worked at Lang until retirement in 2011.

The true love of his life was Carol Hughes, whom he married in 1982. They shared a passion for music and travel. They loved many places, but mostly the Cotswolds, where, after their first visit in 1982, they returned many times. In 2005 they began 10 years of journeys around the globe, visiting 65 countries as Carol taught piano classes on Crystal Cruises. They loved Vermont, but not in February, and for many years went

to the Abacos and later to Rome.

Bruce loved sailing, and he loved Lake Champlain. He knew the lake like the back of his hand. He and Carol, family, and friends spent many lazy days and nights on his trawler, Kestral

He loved to sing and dance. He could play spoons and hambone with the best of them. A supporter of the arts, he attended countless shows, plays, concerts and museums wherever they went.

His spiritual life deepened after his first cancer (1999).

He was an active member of First Congregational, where he sang in the choir and served on numerous committees. He gave back to others by volunteering in the UVM Medical Center chemo infusion center, delivering Meals on Wheels and being a hospice volunteer.

Leslie J. Matthews, PhD, and Richard “Sandy” Hyde, PhD

JULY 12, 1961-MAY 7, 2026

OCTOBER 8, 1947-MAY 7, 2026 CALAIS, VT.

Don was predeceased by his beloved daughter, Kimberly Bourque; his brothers, Richard and James Bourque; his lifelong best friend, Ronald “Bobo” Brownell; and his dear friend Betty Day. He is survived by his loving daughters, Brenna Gonyo and her husband, Matt, and Michelle Blotsky and her husband, Brian; his devoted sister, Joan Frey; and stepchildren Dawn, James and Rick Fitzgerald and Kevin Lilley. He also leaves behind his cherished grandchildren/ step-grandchildren, Tyler Herd; Emma and Lily Gonyo; Kayla, Jake and Kelsey Snider; Sarah, Matthew and Joseph Blotsky; Will, Hayden, Stephanie and Katie Fitzgerald; Heath and Haley Walker; and Michaela Fuller; great-grandchildren, Sky, Wesley, Kip, Jade, Lucas, Kenzie, Logan, Stevie and Taylor; niece and nephew, Tracey Robinson and Steve Gardner; and Luis Betancourt, whom he loved like a son, and girlfriend, Nancy Langan. Though his passing leaves an immeasurable void, the memories he created, the lives he touched and the love he shared will endure forever. He will be deeply missed, forever remembered and always loved.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 13, 2026, 2 to 6 p.m., at the F.O. Milton Eagles Club. Family and friends are invited to join us in sharing stories, memories and laughter as we celebrate his life. All who knew and loved him are welcome to come tell a story, raise a glass and remember the good times. Please visit awrfh.com to share your memories and condolences.

Leslie Matthews and Sandy Hyde were longtime Vermont residents who wholeheartedly embraced the culture and environment of New England. Together for over 40 years, they hiked all the 4,000-footers of New England and most of Colorado’s 14,000-footers. Leslie knew Vermont lakes and ponds intimately through her work with the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, and Sandy mentored students as a physics professor at Norwich University and later served as chair of the department until his retirement in 2019.

Leslie’s love for farming and the outdoors started on a dairy farm. She earned her BS and MS in plant sciences from the University of New Hampshire, then focused on molecular biology, completing her PhD under Nobel laureate George Smith at the University of Missouri. Throughout those academic years, she was a fierce athlete, earning a black belt in tae kwon do and competing in triathlons and international bike races, yet always coming home to her gardens and chickens. At the age of 50, Leslie returned to a passion from her teenage years and became a competitive figure skater with the Champlain Valley Skating Club. Leslie lived a life of service and volunteered with the Vermont Workers’ Center, supported the Progressive Party, and served on the Vermont State Employees’ Association board of directors and the Northfield Conservation Commission. She was an ardent supporter

He leaves his wife, Carol; son, Peter Hewitt; daughter, Heather Main (David); stepson, Brett Hughes; stepdaughter, Lisa Hughes (Tod Gross); and five grandchildren: Hank Hughes, Jack and Parker Main, and Lindsey and Ben Hewitt; as well as brothers Kent (Myra) and Geof (Janet) and many nieces and nephews. This world will be a bit less bright without him lighting the way, but he’s left us his contagious joie de vivre and his love.

We all have huge gratitude for all of his medical caregivers over these years.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 20, 2026, 2 p.m., at First Congregational Church Burlington. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lake Champlain Committee or Craftsbury Chamber Players.

of the VWC’s “Health Care Is a Human Right” campaign.

Sandy was a lover of animals and the outdoors and a generous supporter of friends and the community. Born and raised in Ohio, he received his BS from the College of Wooster, served a year in Vietnam after graduation and, upon return, earned his PhD in physics from the University of Wisconsin. He was a skillful carpenter and cheerful volunteer with Habitat for Humanity and the Calais, Vt., Town Hall renovation project. He also volunteered with the Vermont Foodbank and the monthly Veggie Van Go. He was known to check in with elders and neighbors to lend a hand, lend an ear, share some garden veggies and a beverage, and be a friend.

Leslie and Sandy met while hiking Mount Monadnock in the 1980s. As true life partners, they stood by each other even when careers pulled them in different directions. Their shared passion for civil rights, environmental causes and local involvement kept them engaged and enraged. They both died of natural causes at home, within hours of each other, on May 7, 2026. Those who knew them well were not surprised at this unusual epilogue to their amazing lives. In many ways, it seems a gift. They had good lives, they did their best with their time here on Earth, and they left together.

Friends and family would like to thank Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice and Hands at Home Care Services for their professional support during Leslie and Sandy’s last weeks of life. There will be a celebration of their lives on Sunday, August 9, 2026, 2 p.m., at the Maple Corner Community Center in Calais, Vt. All are welcome. Contributions in their names can be made to the Vermont Workers’ Center and Central Vermont Habitat for Humanity.

FUzzY FOcus

Meet the 2026 Best of the Beasts

Pet Photo Contest winners

Seven Days relies heavily on reader input. Especially in the digital age, crowdsourcing is a great way to boost engagement, and it’s a handy tool for uncovering leads and story tips we might not otherwise ﬁnd. In the past year, we’ve asked readers about their experiences with weight-loss drugs and even to propose marriage on our front cover. Some e orts are more fruitful than others, but if there’s one gambit that never fails to inspire a massive response, it’s the annual Best of the Beasts Pet Photo Contest.

This year’s contest garnered a whopping 767 entries, among the most received in the 20ish years we’ve been running it. Seven Days readers simply can’t get enough of gawking at cute pet photos — or sharing their own with thousands of strangers, apparently. And this year’s litter doesn’t disappoint, from a devilish pug named Betty to crossword-solving cover cat Hazel to Doodle the hedgehog. Read on for the rest of the winners and some others who were just too dang cute to leave out. ➆

PurRfeCt

Left: Izzy (Human: Vicky Nelson) Above: Olivia (Human: Amber Bevins)

Winner: Hazel (Human: Megan Lindgren)

Hazel tackles the Sunday morning crossword puzzle.

Photo by Walt Emann.

Runners-Up

BesT dResSed

Winner: Betty (Human: KaLii Mehuron)

is is Betty. Betty hates Halloween but humors me with one costumed picture a year. She has minimal teeth, so she doesn’t smile much. She’s the best.

Runners-Up

Left: Buffy (Human: Barbara Martin)

Right: Rutabaga (Human: Olivia Buonanno)

DogGonE aDorAblE

Winner: Poco (Human: Debra Cherson)

Doggy bliss in full bloom: is is Poco, blissing out among the yellow ﬂowers in our Essex Town backyard last July.

Runners-Up

Below left: Miss Molly (Human: Linda Miller)

Below right: Murphy (Human: Paige Kaleita)

FOCUS

LADY & THE TRAMP

Winner: Henry & Jordy (Human: David Schwartz)

Henry the dog and Jordy the cat, chilling at home.

Runners-Up

Below left: Frida & Aminta (Human: Tia McCarthy)

Below right: Goats Fern & Gigi visit cats Pepper & Sky (Human: Mia Roethlein)

WILD CARD

Winner: Doodle (Human: Robin Wagner)

Doodle the hedgehog, wearing a nasturtium crown like the queen she is!

Runners-Up

Below left: Thorn (Human: Avi Waring)

Below right: Lady Snowball (Human: Isla Foster Hakala)

Care of the Dog

Veterinary treatments are getting more sophisticated — and expensive. I learned how much the hard way.

BY MATTHEW ROY • matthew@sevendaysvt.com

Our boxer, Cleo, sprawled awkwardly on the ﬂoor of an examination room while a veterinary technician reviewed the cost of her imminent surgery with my wife and me. I listened, but the numbers barely registered. In a building full of animals, our dog should have been wagging her tail and sni ng around enthusiastically. Instead, she lay quietly. Boxers always look worried. For once, Cleo’s expression seemed appropriate.

Muscular and fit, she had started having trouble walking just the day before, prompting a visit to her vet that March evening. At Qi Veterinary Clinic in Shelburne, after X-rays and a hands-on examination, Dr. Nathan Heilman suspected that inﬂammation around a back injury — we don’t know exactly what happened — was pressuring her spinal cord. He provided drugs and herbs to address swelling. If she wasn’t improving by morning, he warned, she might need surgery — and quickly.

The next day, Cleo could barely stand. When she took steps, she stumbled drunkenly. She couldn’t squat to relieve herself. Sta at Qi found a clinic with a neurologist who could see Cleo that day, and my wife and I drove three hours to Upstate Veterinary Specialties in Latham, N.Y., just outside Albany.

An MRI there showed that ruptured discs were putting pressure on Cleo’s spine. A neurologist was prepared to perform a complicated, hours-long procedure that very night. The vet tech delivered the punch line: Our bill, which included the MRI, drugs and an anticipated postsurgical stay of several nights, would run roughly $14,600.

My wife and I now faced a dilemma common to many families : a veterinary bill that once would have seemed unimaginable. The cost of vet care has shot up nearly a third in the past five years, according to one pet insurance company. It has significantly outpaced inflation.

One major factor is increasingly advanced care. Vets with specialties such as oncology, neurology and cardiology use expensive diagnostic equipment and advanced surgical techniques to extend the lifespans of family pets.

The lucrative industry is attracting private equity-backed owners, including in Vermont. For instance, Burlington Emergency & Veterinary Specialists, or BEVS, in Williston and Petit Brook Veterinary

Clinic in Colchester are now a liated with Rarebreed Veterinary Partners, a growing ﬁrm based in Portland, Maine, that has bought up dozens of independent o ces.

(In a “For Sellers” section on its website, Rarebreed addresses independent vets:

“You’ve poured your heart into your practice and made it something special. Your healthcare team is like family to you, and protecting their jobs is a top priority. It is for us too.”)

Earlier this month, VEG ER for Pets, a privately held, investor-backed company that operates more than 130 facilities, opened an emergency care practice in South Burlington.

Some elected o cials, including U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), allege that the consolidation of veterinary services has led to higher prices.

Dr. Britt Shorter, the medical director at Petit Brook, said its agreement with Rarebreed allows the practice to get help for administrative work such as bookkeeping while preserving its autonomy when it comes to patients. “We make our own medical and care decisions,” he said.

While costs may be up, he said, before the pandemic, vets had been billing so low that they were “eating costs” of care. He noted that training to become a vet is expensive, as are livable wages for sta ers and the necessary modern equipment.

Chauntel Cook, the hospital director at BEVS, said costs are rising across the

MY WIFE AND I NOW FACED A DILEMMA COMMON TO MANY FAMILIES: A VETERINARY BILL THAT ONCE WOULD HAVE SEEMED UNIMAGINABLE.

veterinary sector, not just at corporateowned practices. Rarebreed helps keep sta trained and equipped for cuttingedge care, she said, noting that before VEG ER opened, BEVS was the only 24-hour emergency clinic in Vermont.

Rarebreed did not respond to phone inquiries.

More Americans are turning to pet insurance in an attempt to manage the cost of care. While the number of insured pets more than doubled between 2020 and 2024, only about 5.5 percent of dogs and 2 percent of cats had coverage, according to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association.

Limited help is available to owners who can’t pay. The Humane Society of Chittenden County o ers aid to low-income families whose pets face life-threatening

tHe aNimAl iSsuE

conditions. Its Rainy Day Fund distributed $53,000 last year, according to Jess Wilson, the society’s executive director. One woman feared that she’d have to have her cat put down because she couldn’t a ord surgery for a stone in its bladder — until the fund stepped in.

Families are willing to shell out for expensive care even when it eats into household budgets. Consider the saga of Bob Marley, a mutt who lives on Fisher Brothers Farm in Shelburne, the home of Sisters of Anarchy Ice Cream.

When the dog ingested poison a few years ago, a vet at BEVS informed his family that the gravely ill canine would have a 50-50 chance of surviving if they decided to spring for what Sisters of Anarchy co-owner Becky Castle called a “fullbody blood transfusion.” The cost: $7,000.

Castle said her husband told their children that if they went ahead, the family would have to forgo vacations and dinners out for months. They green-lighted the treatment. Bob Marley recovered.

The dog has had other serious scrapes, according to Castle. He was once hit by a truck, and he survived a vicious ﬁght with another canine. He had surgery for a torn ACL. His misadventures, she said, have set them back “north of $35,000.”

“We jokingly call him our UVM education,” she said.

Why underwrite all that care?

“Our dog consistently brings joy into our house,” Castle explained.

By contrast, my dog ﬁnds joy in slipping o her leash or through an open gate and running exuberantly around Burlington’s Old North End with me in pursuit.

Cleo is our third boxer. She’s 7. Until recently, she’d never been seriously sick or injured.

Typical for her breed, she is strongminded and slow to obey any human who is not o ering her a treat. She despises cats. She has been skunked three times, which has not dimmed her enthusiasm for pursuing the animals. On walks, she enjoys

Cleo at Upstate Veterinary Specialties

menacing felines and foraging pizza crusts. Cleo is an excellent hiking companion and fond of naps. She is cute. She likes to curl up next to humans in winter. She has a lot of nicknames, including Puddin’, Vladimir Puddin’, Ms. Muddy Paws and the Notorious C.L.E.O.

We’ve never blinked at a vet bill for any of our dogs. We’ve paid for treatment, salves and surgeries to address torn ligaments, swallowed rocks, tapeworms and the consumption of pills prescribed for a human — and the bottle that contained them.

In 2010, we had a pacemaker implanted in our first dog, Sadie. It cost about $5,000, and she lived another year and a half thanks to the device. A lovely dog, she was worth every penny.

Still, that $5,000 was sitting in our bank account. This time around, my wife and I didn’t have the nearly $15,000 for surgery readily available, and we talked about options.

Situations such as this are pricing some families out of owning pets, according to findings in a LendingTree 2024 Pet Debt report. Many people surveyed by the lender said they wouldn’t own a pet again. And 12 percent of Americans reported giving away an animal they

could no longer afford. More than a third of pet owners indicated they had assumed debt for their animals; two out of three blamed an underlying medical emergency.

People are facing “impossible decisions,” Wilson said, and some who surrender animals to her organization cite the cost of medical care.

My wife and I signed a pledge to pay for Cleo’s surgery and plopped down a Visa card for a deposit. Later, following a tip from staff at Qi, we applied for a CareCredit card from

Synchrony, a company that offers credit specifically for pet care. It’s a zero-interest card — for now — and that’s how we ultimately paid.

A few days after Cleo’s surgery, we filled up our SUV again with wartime gas and headed to Latham to pick her up. The dog’s back was shaved; staples lined the nearly footlong incision. She was in a fog from drugs administered for pain and anxiety. She couldn’t walk without a sling, and her hind feet tended to curl involuntarily. Techs taught us how to “express” urine by applying pressure, but only if she couldn’t pee by herself.

It would be days or weeks before we knew how much function she would regain. She needed to be crated for eight weeks, we were advised.

For days, she mostly slept. She fouled her crate routinely. Our washer and dryer were full of dog blankets. She seemed morose, and I began to worry that she could no longer wag her tail.

Then, progress. One day, she wobbled to her feet. Later, her paws uncurled. Her

hind legs seemed to start remembering their role, and she demonstrated improved range of motion. She stopped relieving herself in the crate.

Six weeks after the procedure, we gassed up again and took her back to Latham for a follow-up with her surgeon, Dr. Christina Scanlon Isack. As Cleo strutted down a hallway in the practice, still a tad noodle-legged, her surgeon beamed. The dog wagged her tail. Her doctor informed us that we no longer needed to support her with the sling: Cleo could walk on her own again.

Scanlon Isack told us that she’d never performed this surgery on a boxer before Cleo; her patients were more likely to be, say, dachshunds. Cleo could continue to recover and become more sure-footed, she told us, but “might always have a little hitch in her giddyup.”

As we left the center, Cleo pranced happily on the lawn. She clearly didn’t miss her sling. She didn’t even seem to mind when a small dog with a graying muzzle yapped furiously at her on the way to a car with its owner. As the dog passed by, I couldn’t help but notice the diaper peeking out from under its jacket. ➆

Bob Marley

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Bubbles worked his usual shift at Aubuchon Ace Hardware in Vergennes on a sunny afternoon in late May, but he skipped the stations where he spends most of his time. He wasn’t near the rack of flower and vegetable seeds on a lawn chair. He wasn’t on the display of work pants near the front of the store, on a lawn mower seat or high on a ladder where his fellow employees were stocking shelves.

“He climbs up on the ladders and jumps,” said Lea Cassidy, one of Bubbles’ coworkers and his primary caretaker at the store. “He loves ladders.”

Instead, Bubbles took advantage of the nice weather and lounged in the grass near the outdoor garden display. Still, he was doing his job. He was delighting customers.

“Hello, sweet thing. I read about you,” said Charlotte Landon, an animal rescue volunteer who lives in Savannah, Ga., and had seen Bubbles on social media. While visiting her father in Middlebury, Landon stopped by the hardware store for some zinnia seeds and a huge pack of in-shell peanuts that her husband hand-feeds to chipmunks. “If a store has a cat or a dog,” she told a reporter, “I will shop there over one that doesn’t.”

While retailers of all kinds have resident animals — Bentley the golden retriever works at A Little Something, a clothing and gift shop in Shelburne; the Quirky Pet in Montpelier has a memorably dreadlocked Bergamasco sheepdog; and Bear Pond Books around the corner hosts a Russian desert tortoise named Veruca — hardware stores across Vermont have become unexpected feline habitats. We wondered: WTF is up with this purr-veyor pairing?

Why Do So Many Hardware Stores Have Cats?

Bubbles is one of about 100 cats employed by the W.E. Aubuchon chain of 144 hardware stores across Vermont and 11 other states. Based in Westminster, Mass., the family-owned company brought in the domesticated species about 20 years ago, initially in a distribution center to hunt and deter mice drawn by the animal feed. The practice then spread to rural stores, primarily in Vermont and Maine, that carried a lot of feed for nearby farms.

“The cats really exploded in stores,” said Ben Aubuchon, the company’s marketing manager and great-grandson of its founder. He did not mean that the animals combusted.

Seven Days followed our curiosity about the cats to the stores where Bubbles and his fellow felines serve as Aubuchon ambassadors as much as mouse hunters. Almond and Joy occupy the Aubuchon Ace Hardware in Montpelier. Charlie works in Morrisville. Aggie helps at the cash register in Jeffersonville. Many of the cats have their own Instagram accounts. They have clawed their way into the hearts and social media feeds of customers, to the point that some stop to visit the cats even when they don’t need garden hoses and hammers.

The Vergennes store adopted Bubbles four years ago from the Homeward Bound humane society in Middlebury. All of Aubuchon’s cats come from local animal shelters and typically have waited longer for placement, for various reasons, than pets snapped up by families, Ben Aubuchon said.

“We’re not, like, going to Petco and buying cats,” he said. “We say we’re looking for a cat, and we’re really not picky about it.”

Bubbles is nonetheless alluring. He has fluffy black-and-tan fur, a lush tail, pale green eyes that close during a chin scratch, and a peach-colored nose. Beige tufts poke out of his pointed ears. He seems to know he’s handsome, exuding an air of aloofness as he struts around the premises and perches on piled bags of potting soil.

“He let me pet him,” Emily Silman said when she found Bubbles outside. A former Charlotte resident who now lives in Atlanta but has rental property in Vergennes, Silman recalled a previous store visit when she sat in an aisle and Bubbles crawled into her lap. “You kind of have to earn his attention,” she said.

In the first-ever Hardware Store Cat Calendar, released for 2026, Bubbles is Mr. October, stretched out like a supermodel in front of a display of pumpkins and a big pot of yellow mums. The more than $36,000 in calendar sales went to the Aubuchon Foundation, which matches the money each store raises through a “round-up” campaign. (The stores ask customers to round up their payments to the nearest dollar, giving the excess money to a charitable organization that the staff chooses — often an animalrelated nonprofit.)

Customers demanded to know how

IF A STORE HAS A CAT OR A DOG, I WILL SHOP THERE OVER ONE THAT DOESN’T.

Aubuchon selected its calendar models, Ben Aubuchon said. It came down to the highest-resolution photos that would reproduce best when enlarged to calendar size. The marketing manager is already planning the 2027 calendar and expects the competition for the featured feline slots to be fierce, he said.

Another Vermont working cat, Grant from Bibens Ace Hardware in the New North End of Burlington, was Mr. April in this year’s calendar. (Aubuchon bought the Bibens stores in late 2024 and kept the old name.) A sand-colored tabby with a white nose and a sweet face,

in Burlington? Meet David.

Grant posed on the paint counter with a rainbow of color swatches behind him.

Photos of Grant plaster the Burlington store, all around the checkout area and even, sneakily, under boxes of candy near the cash registers. Signage on the front door lets customers know he’s inside and warns them to avoid bringing in dogs, a species Grant strongly dislikes. If a shopper ignores the sign and has a canine companion, Grant usually runs to the back office and doesn’t make a ruckus.

He’s a laid-back cat. One day late last month, he curled up on a low shelf amid the Craftsman tools, wearing a navy-blue bow tie with American flags on it. Sevenyear-old Gemma Goglia pointed to the sleeping feline as soon as she entered the store with her mother and brother.

“Oh, there he is!” exclaimed her mom, Lena Cannizzaro. “Good spotting.”

Gemma and her brother, Rocco, 9, sat on the floor to pet Grant, who barely budged. Bubbles stays cool with kids, too, said Chad Herschel, the Vergennes store manager. “He has a very calming, relaxing effect, to be sure,” he said.

That’s a professional requirement for hardware store cats, who encounter all types of chaos. When the Vergennes store underwent a renovation last winter, though, Bubbles went home with his coworker Cassidy to stay safe during the construction.

She also handles all of his vet and grooming appointments. To stay spiffy for the job, Bubbles gets a bath and his nails trimmed at Wag on Inn in Vergennes.

“He has a spa treatment next month,” she said. ➆

INFO

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot is an occasional series that aims to answer puzzling questions about life in Vermont. Got a head-scratcher we should look into? Send it to wtf@sevendaysvt.com.

Bubbles as Mr. October in the Hardware Store Cat Calendar

Bubbles camouflaged among stuffed animals

A Tail of Two Sitters

Want a dog but not all the responsibility? Try dog sharing.

BY STEVE GOLDSTEIN • sgoldstein@sevendaysvt.com

Mark and Jen Pendergrass didn’t particularly want a dog. Both had dogs growing up and were acutely aware of the work and responsibility that entailed. Now the couple had full-time jobs and two kids, ages 11 and 13, in school.

The kids had other ideas. Nora and her older brother, Gri n, poured their plight into the receptive ears of their Hinesburg neighbors across the road. Jim and Vicky Gelber, who are in their seventies, were retired with disposable time. So they were more than sympathetic: They wanted a piece of the pooch.

And that is how Maple, a 35-pound German shepherd-dachshund mix, became the beloved pet of two households.

While Maple’s arrangement may not pass the sni test for everyone, it’s not as far-fetched as you might think. Dog sharing — or perhaps co-pooching? Polywoofery? — appears to be a growing trend. A company called CoPuppy helps people in cities around the world, including more than 30 in America, share their pets or ﬁnd pets to share. The practice has lit up online forums, including a post a few months ago on the r/Burlington sub-Reddit written by a couple looking to share their 7-year-old black Lab mix, Millie. The post garnered more than 130 responses, ranging from curiosity to one commenter who called it “truly fucked up.”

Call it what you will, but given the rising costs of pet ownership (see “Care of the Dog,” page 32), the concept could have legs — four of ’em — given its practical advantages. Think of dog sharing as akin to coparenting following a divorce, minus the avarice and lawyers. The two parties split the responsibility and costs to maintain the dog’s health and share canine time 50-50.

That’s the theory, and it’s what the Gelbers and Pendergrasses were counting on. It greatly helped, Mark explained, that they were already very friendly and often socialized together. “Since my parents and Jenny’s parents live out of state, the Gelbers are like surrogate grandparents,” he told Seven Days

The Gelbers wanted to travel; the Pendergrasses are working sti s. Mark

The aNimAl iSsuE

is a middle school science teacher, and Jen works in the medical ﬁeld. If both couples were working, their schedules wouldn’t have aligned. The 200-foot walk between their homes across a dirt road was another plus.

So last summer, the search for the two-fur was on. They tried a number of Vermont animal shelters until their quest ended at the North Country Animal League in Morristown. A litter of four had just arrived from Alabama, the pups in an almost comical range of sizes, small to big, like matryoshka dolls designed for

nesting. Shelter sta approved the plan to coparent a puppy. With all members of the families present except Jim, they picked the second smallest and christened her Maple for no particular reason — though Jen was born in Canada, and the dog’s coloring in a certain light could be called dark amber. Mark related that he grew up with big dogs, as did his wife, so Maple — who most resembles a footrest with ears — requires lowered expectations. “I call her my quarter-dog, because she’s half the size of our half-dog,” Mark said with a chuckle.

e Pendergrass and Gelber families with Maple

BOTH PARTIES HAVE TO BE LOOKING OUT FOR THE DOG’S INTEREST, BUT IT CAN WORK.

DR. DAN HAMENT

Initially, Jen fretted about scheduling and making sure Maple’s stays were equally shared. “I didn’t know quite how the schedule would go and how that would look, and I didn’t know if we were gonna sort of write something up formally,” she explained. She noted that Jim is a lawyer, so “we were ready to sign whatever he suggested.” That proved unnecessary, she said: “I’m just really grateful for how smooth everything feels.”

Both families admitted to surprise at the speed with which Maple settled in at her two homes, commuting between them with little hesitation. “She doesn’t pull away from one house to go back to the other, or vice versa,” Jen said. “She’s just very comfortable and, I think, recognizes both as her homes.”

In addition to splitting all expenses evenly, including medical bills, the families trained Maple together. One adult from each household, plus Nora, accompanied the dog to a six-week training class. Maple’s sole instance of rebellion occurred when the Pendergrass kids went to pick her up at the Gelbers. They found her staring intently at the window of the oven. “I had put a chicken in to roast, and she wouldn’t budge,” Vicky said. Otherwise, Maple has adjusted, despite some inconsistent rules between

households. At the Gelbers, she is not allowed on the couches but is welcomed on their bed. At her other home, the couch is available at all times, but Mark and Jen’s bed is verboten.

Until his retirement a few months ago, Dr. Dan Hament of the Richmond Animal Hospital had Maple as his patient. He’s had no experience with dog sharing but did take part in a heated custody battle with his ex-wife over an 11-yearold German wirehaired pointer named Belle. The case won notoriety for reaching Vermont’s Supreme Court. In 2014, Hament was granted custody because Belle was accustomed to strolling to the veterinary office in the morning and spending the day there.

“If you start the dog young enough, it can be a little more adaptable,” Hament said of dog sharing. “The only real pitfall is if there’s any discontent between the two parties as to how much time they have with the dog.”

Plus, “the dog could get a little confused as to why it’s going from one place to the other,” the vet added. “Both parties have to be looking out for the dog’s interest, but it can work.”

Maple seems to agree. During her mornings at the Gelbers, she greets Vicky, checks out her food bowl and then jumps into bed with Jim, who likes to sleep late. At day’s end, Maple perks up when either Nora or Griffin comes to get her and trots jauntily back to the Pendergrass house. She seems to thrive on variety.

“Maple has a pretty good life,” Vicky said. “About the only thing that might make it even better is if we all got a second dog.” ➆

Maple

food+drink

Meat Cute

Westford’s Rocky Hill farmers hope others join them to meet chef demand for pastured rabbit

BY MELISSA PASANEN pasanen@sevendaysvt.com

When Kirsten Tyler and Elias Rosenblatt decided to farm rabbits on pasture in Westford, they anticipated selling the lean, sustainably raised meat to farmers market customers alongside the organic vegetables the couple also grow on their Rocky Hill Farm. They soon realized that was a bit naïve.

During Rocky Hill’s inaugural season in 2021, the couple found that most shoppers were unfamiliar with cooking rabbit. Furthermore, many were “weirded out” by the idea of eating Peter Rabbit or the Easter Bunny for dinner, Tyler recalled.

“We quickly learned about the ‘cuteness factor,’” she said with a grimace.

Even though Tyler and Rosenblatt believed they were producing a healthy meat humanely and ecologically by moving the rabbits to fresh pasture daily in tarp-shaded, wood-and-wire mobile structures, they were not up for trying to change “cultural beliefs,” Tyler said. Instead, they switched to selling to chefs, who proved to have such a hearty appetite for local grass-fed rabbit that Rocky Hill cannot satisfy it, even after expanding to produce about 400 rabbits this year. The farm is apparently the only

FOOD LOVER?

aNimAl iSsuE

it’s a “great niche” with opportunity for more farmers. “Rabbits are a low-input, sustainable protein source that do wonderfully on pasture,” St. Pierre continued. “I have seen Kirsten and Elias grow their operation … and put a lot of e ort into making their systems e cient while also providing their animals a high quality of life.”

By mid-May, Rocky Hill’s ﬁrst litters of the year have naturally weaned from the farm’s 19 Rex and New Zealand breeding does. On May 19, the 6-week-old rabbits had been out on pasture for just a couple of days when Tyler and Rosenblatt jumped into their truck bearing “No Farms No Food” and “I brake for butterﬂies” bumper stickers to drive seven minutes from their one-acre home farm to a 10-acre parcel that neighbors let them use.

Near a plot where Rocky Hill Farm will grow some of its half acre of vegetables, about 60 young bunnies hopped around and nibbled on the greenery under their paws in three 6-by-10-foot mobile structures.

one of its kind at commercial scale in the state. Tyler, 43, and Rosenblatt, 37, believe there’s room for others to join them and are eager to share their know-how. They see their approach as a sustainable form of animal husbandry and a promising, low-risk stepping stone into farming livestock.

The few meat-rabbit operations scattered around Vermont largely raise

animals in hutches or cages, the couple said. “We’re sort of busting open the mold and showing that this is absolutely a viable way to raise rabbits: more humane, less feed is being used, and they’re happier,” Tyler explained.

Lindsay St. Pierre of the Vermont Grass Farmers Association conﬁrmed that Rocky Hill Farm seems to be the state’s only pastured rabbit farm of scale. She thinks

The housing is secure enough that the farmers don’t worry about the future cucumbers and cabbage growing nearby — all ideal “rabbit fodder,” Tyler quipped. The couple followed building plans for mobile “chicken tractors” that are widely used for raising poultry on pasture, with one major di erence: Rocky Hill’s have a welded-wire mesh ﬂoor to give rabbits access to grass but prevent them from burrowing out and predators from getting in. Over ﬁve years, Tyler and Rosenblatt have not lost a single rabbit to wildlife attacks.

As the farmers stepped inside one “tractor” on May 19, young bunnies in shades of milky coffee, pearl gray, splotched black and white, and caramel and cream retreated cautiously to the corners. The ﬂu y piles aptly illustrated the term “fluffle,” a recently invented collective noun for rabbits that makes the couple smile.

Gradually, a few bunnies ventured closer to munch on freshly picked dandelions. Over the two months they spend on pasture, Rosenblatt explained, the rabbits will get more comfortable around the humans, who bring fresh water and the alfalfa pellets that account for about 50 percent of their diet.

Tyler and Rosenblatt earned PhDs at

Rabbits at Rocky Hill Farm

Kirsten Tyler and Elias Rosenblatt with their rabbits

SIDEdishes

SERVING UP FOOD NEWS

BY JORDAN BARRY • jbarry@sevendaysvt.com

Farmers & Foragers to Take Over the Café HOT. Spot in Burlington

Fans of the CAFÉ HOT. lined up for one last taste of chicken-fried eggs and “bonuts” over the weekend, as the Burlington breakfast place went out with a bang on its final two days of regular service. The space at 198 Main Street will soon become a downtown location of FARMERS & FORAGERS, cofounder SOLOMON BAYERPACHT confirmed last Friday.

The location will be a commissary kitchen to start, Bayer-Pacht said, while the team finalizes the new restaurant’s concept. Then it will join FARMERS & FORAGERS DOCKSIDE, a seasonal food truck on the Burlington waterfront, and

FARMERS & FORAGERS HILLSIDE at the OLD LANTERN EVENTS BARN in Charlotte.

Executive chef AVERY BUCK, who joined the Farmers & Foragers team from MAY DAY last month, now oversees its commissary kitchen and catering for weddings and events. Head chef RYAN BRIGANTE runs the Dockside truck, which opened for the season on May 23.

That staffing growth has driven Farmers & Foragers’ continued expansion, along with the need for a bigger prep kitchen to supply the various locations, Bayer-Pacht explained.

“Once I heard about that space [being available], I was like, Wait, I can’t envision anything else, and I hadn’t even seen the kitchen yet,” Bayer-Pacht said.

“I do think Burlington is going to come

A lobster roll at Farmers & Foragers

Dockside in 2021

From left: Ryan Brigante, Avery Buck and Solomon Bayer-Pacht of Farmers & Foragers

the University of Vermont, where they met in 2016. Both earn o -farm income as postdoctoral fellows in plant ecology and wildlife ecology, respectively. They have also worked on other local farms, and Tyler continues to do so.

The busy pair don’t have much time to hang with their rabbits, but when they do, “We call it bunny bathing,” Tyler said, a joking reference to forest bathing, the calming practice of immersing oneself in nature.

Rabbit-farming chores are not onerous, the couple said. Rosenblatt demonstrated how they pull the wheeled enclosures about 10 feet once a day to a fresh patch of grass. The young bunnies rode along inside on the wire-mesh ﬂoor, seemingly unperturbed that their home was on the move. The regular relocations refresh the rabbits’ salad bar and minimize the risk of disease spread from their droppings. The practice also allows bunny-grazed pasture to regrow, which protects and builds soil.

As the rabbits grow, the daily move becomes a bigger workout for the farmers, who pull the 60- to 70-pound enclosures

plus up to 100 pounds of rabbits. Each animal weighs about 5 pounds when it goes to slaughter, yielding 2.5 to 3 pounds of meat on the bone after processing.

When Tyler and Rosenblatt decided to try selling to restaurants, they joined the Vermont Fresh Network, a nonproﬁt that connected food producers and chefs for almost 30 years before quietly going dark earlier this year. Chefs, they learned, knew that rabbits make delicious eating and were not deterred by their nose-twitching cuteness.

out of the rabbits by carefully using every part: roasting bones for stock and using the meat more often in sauces and braises than in center-of-the-plate portions.

Once the couple found a rabbit slaughterhouse approved for restaurant sales, they were able to easily sell all they produced at a wholesale price of $12 a pound to a handful of Vermont chefs, plus one in Massachusetts.

“The chefs were psyched,” Rosenblatt said.

Bramble in Essex is Rocky Hill’s largest restaurant customer. It bought more than 100 rabbits last year to feature in dishes such as rabbit leg conﬁt; braised rabbit with fettuccine, cherry tomatoes and arugula; and rabbit Bolognese with bacon and cream over housemade pappardelle.

The restaurant’s executive chef/ co-owner, Colleen Hunt, said she’s always been a fan of rabbit and, as soon as she heard about Rocky Hill, “never thought twice about buying it.” Hunt gets the most

“It’s an awesome protein, especially when it comes only from seven miles away, and they’ve got such a very low carbon footprint for their quality meat,” Hunt said.

The chef would never consider using dry-cooking techniques for the lean meat. Rosenblatt recalled making that mistake when preparing his ﬁrst farmraised rabbit. He proudly served it grilled to family and friends, only to ﬁnd it had “turned to shoe leather.”

Hunt and her husband, Bramble co-owner Shawn Hyer, have taken groups of their employees to see how Rocky Hill raises rabbits, partly so that they

Rocky Hill Farm rabbit

Bolognese with housemade pappardelle at Bramble

Kirsten Tyler and Elias Rosenblatt preparing to move the rabbit enclosures COURTESY

Join us on board the Champlain Valley Dinner Train for a 3 hour round-trip scenic dining experience from Burlington to Middlebury; departing Burlington on weekends from July 11 - October 25

Enjoy a three-course meal cooked fresh on board the train – or, sip handcrafted cocktails in the lounge car with Cocktails on the Rails.

can answer customer questions. She acknowledged that “it might take a little education for our guests, but a lot of them are really receptive.”

In addition to selling to restaurants, Rocky Hill vends at the Westford and Milton farmers markets and from a seasonal on-farm stand. Last year, the farm made about $10,000 in gross revenue from rabbits and an equal amount from its organic vegetables. (The rabbits are not organic because the cost of organic alfalfa pellets would raise their price substantially, Rosenblatt said.) Sales have grown at least 30 percent annually since 2021, and the couple have invested all profits back into the business.

food+drink

one-acre Westford property they bought in 2022.

Tyler recently testified before the legislature as part of an effort to clarify and restore statewide municipal zoning exemptions for farming. She spoke in the wake of the Vermont Supreme Court’s 2025 Taft Street decision, which ruled that individual towns could impose limits on the number of some types of animals raised on small plots of land.

Recapping her argument, Tyler pointed out that the decision could produce a patchwork of inconsistent rules from town to town, creating uncertainty for beginner farmers, who are often obliged to move to find affordable land.

“Just because someone’s farming on a tiny piece of land doesn’t mean it doesn’t count as a farm,” she said. “We want more farms, right? So why are we basically raising the drawbridge?”

The couple aim to continue gradually growing rabbit production while encouraging other farmers to join them. They value the hands-on outdoor work as a balance to their research jobs. Tyler sees a day in the future when she will farm full time; Rosenblatt plans to keep his toe in science.

Tyler said she also loves growing good food for her community, in which she is deeply invested. “I want to give my whole town a big, huge hug,” Tyler said. She manages the Westford Farmers Market, serves on the town’s planning commission and chairs its conservation commission, of which Rosenblatt is also a member.

Their experience has shown them that pastured rabbits can be a low-investment way to try out raising meat animals. “You don’t need a lot of land. You don’t need big infrastructure, like a barn or fencing. You don’t need to haul a lot of water,” Tyler said. The breeding stock is relatively inexpensive, and rabbits are easy to handle, Rosenblatt added.

Another benefit for farmers just starting out, often on rented land, is that the whole operation can be relocated without much trouble. Since Rosenblatt moved in with Tyler and her two now-teenaged sons in 2019, they have uprooted the family and the rabbits twice before settling down on the

This year, the couple have embarked on their first big infrastructure project: building a simple cinder-block-foundation pole barn funded by a $23,000 Farm Service Agency loan and, they hope, a pending $8,000 Vermont Farm & Forest Viability Program grant. The barn will allow Rocky Hill to expand rabbit-breeding quarters and improve the vegetable wash-pack facility.

Even with the planned growth, Tyler and Rosenblatt believe Vermont’s farmto-table restaurants can provide a yearround market for their and other locally pasture-raised rabbit.

They might need to account for a few seasonal lulls, however. Hyer and Hunt of Bramble did note that they decided against putting rabbit on the menu for Easter. ➆ INFO

Getting stamps on your passport can be an expensive endeavor. This summer, all it takes is the cost of a creemee.

The new VT Creemee Passport encourages Vermonters to head out and grab a cone or cup — both are allowed within the official terms of use — at 163 documented creemee stands around the state. Its rules are strict: at least one creemee per outing. Toppings are encouraged but not required. Passport may become sticky. But its goal is a sprinkle of summer fun while highlighting small businesses and raising money for good causes.

Adam Rice, the project’s founder and head of the not-a-real-government-agency VT Dept. of Creemee, has received orders for more than 1,500 creemee-adorned green passports since its mid-April launch. Each $10 passport has pages for 20 stamps, with room for tasting notes and a rating scale on each.

They can be customized with the holder’s name and photo, or you can order a blank one if you don’t want to wait two to three weeks for a personalized version to ship. Currently, 50 businesses are official locations with custom stamps.

Rice, 38, got the idea after making a custom passport featuring local creemee spots for his father-in-law’s birthday at the end of March. The present was a hit, and his mother-in-law’s joke about making it a business stuck with him.

Building the web platform behind the Dept. of Creemee — and designing the passport and stamps — was an appealing creative challenge for Rice, a Middlebury College alum who returned to Vermont in 2021. He’s worked in tech, mostly on the sales side, for 15 years and is currently consulting while he’s in the market for a new full-time job.

It’s also a way for him stay up-to-date with the tools quickly taking over the tech industry. Rice started playing with Replit, an AI software for building apps and websites, and had a prototype in just three days. The site was live by mid-April, and within 48 hours people started buying passports.

Creemee stands started reaching out, too, including Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks in East Montpelier, Silver Lake Syrups in Barnard and the Creemee Window in Richmond.

Using AI tools to manage the “minutiae on the back end,” including organizing orders and sending pdfs to 802 Print in Vergennes, where all the paper passports are printed, lets Rice “do what I wanted to do,” he said. “I’m shaking people’s hands, picking up the phone, pressing the flesh and getting out there.”

Stamp of Approval

VT Creemee Passport promotes travel by cone

BY JORDAN BARRY • jbarry@sevendaysvt.com

IT’S PART OF OUR PUBLIC OBLIGATION TO EAT AS MANY CREEMEES AS POSSIBLE.

ADAM RICE

He and his wife, Darcy Cummings, 44, have eaten a lot of creemees in the past month and a half. Traveling from their New Haven home to ShireTown Marketplace in Middlebury, lu•lu in Vergennes and farther afield is “part of our public obligation to eat as many creemees as possible,” Rice said.

(Their dog, “official pup-cup inspector” Bernadette, is usually in tow and has a passport of her own. Others have ordered them for their pets and stuffed animals, too, Rice said.)

The passport has gotten early support from powerful fans of the cone, including creemee influencer Asa Waterworth (@creemeechronicles on Instagram) and

The other thing Tebbetts loves about the passport, he said, is how “it’s encouraging people to visit another part of Vermont that they may not have visited in a long time, or never visited.” Besides the creemee, they might discover a new downtown, farmstand or shop, he added. There are stands in all 14 counties, and official locations span the state, from April’s Maple in Canaan to the Sugar Shack in Arlington.

The state tracks creemee stands based on their frozen dessert licenses, which are required for businesses that make or sell ice cream and other frosty treats. The government has used that information to create maps of the state’s creemee stands in the past, “but this is going to the next level,” Tebbetts said — one that’s more easily handled by a private enterprise.

Businesses pay VT Creemee Passport $75 to become an official stop, for which they get a custom stamp with their logo and premium promo on the website and social media. From all of his outreach, Rice said, he’s gotten just “one informed ‘no,’” from a newer spot that’s not looking for more traffic at the moment.

With each order, the passport website also offers a donation option. Rice will give all proceeds from the initial $10 beyond printing and shipping costs to HOPE (Helping Overcome Poverty’s Effects), Vermont Community Foundation and Voices for Vermont’s Children at the end of the year. But he’s seen an additional 20 to 30 percent donation rate so far, raising more than $2,000 on top of that for the Open Door Access Program at Burlington’s ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, which will make its programming — and creemees at Champ’s Legendary Creemees outside, of course — available to local kids.

Vermont Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets Anson Tebbetts.

The passport celebrates “two iconic things we have in Vermont,” Tebbetts told Seven Days. “One is dairy, and one is maple. You combine those two with a maple creemee, that’s fabulous.”

The summer staple provides an important outlet for those agricultural industries. Maple producers have seen increased demand for late-season, very dark syrup as creemee stands look to amp up the maple flavor in their usually secret recipes, Tebbetts said. And creemees are “a sweet reminder” of the impact of Vermont’s $5.4 billion-a-year dairy biz.

There’s no prize for completing the passport’s 20 pages beyond bragging rights. But unofficial competitions are popping up. Tebbetts has encouraged his colleagues in Gov. Phil Scott’s cabinet to order passports of their own. Post-foliage, he’ll cook a pancake breakfast for the cabinet member who gets the most stamps.

“Our summers are very short in Vermont, so it’s a race to see how many creemee stands we can hit until the leaves come off,” said Tebbetts, who’s partial to a maple-black raspberry twist. Since cabinet members often find themselves traveling around the state, Tebbetts said, “why not sneak in and get a creemee along the way, get a stamp and support a local business?” ➆

INFO

Learn more and order VT Creemee Passports at creemeepassport.com.

“Official pup-cup inspector” Bernadette

Adam Rice and Darcy Cummings holding creemees COURTESY

Vermont Creemee Passport

ICE CREAM

food+drink

SIDEdishes

back strong, and I like the thought of being on Main Street as people come down.”

Brothers ALLAN and TRAVIS WALKERHODKIN opened the Café HOT. in the former MIRABELLES BAKERY space in September 2021. They made the decision to close reluctantly, they previously told Seven Days, to return to New York City and be closer to family and friends.

The Walker-Hodkins may open for additional “small ‘encore’ services” during the transition, according to a recent announcement on social media. Follow @thecafehot on Instagram for updates.

Melissa Pasanen contributed reporting.

The Bidwell Will Open in Waterbury This Summer

A trio of Waterbury locals plans to launch an all-day café, wine bar and ice cream counter in the former location of Stowe Street Café at 29 Stowe Street this summer.

KATYA D’ANGELO and CHRIS TRIOLO — owners of Bridgeside Books, also at 29 Stowe Street — have teamed up with restaurant pro RACHAEL BROWN to run the BIDWELL. They haven’t yet set an opening date, Brown said, and are busy transforming the 25-seat space “to make it feel like its very own thing.”

Brown, who had an extensive restaurant career in New York City before moving to Vermont, will be the Bidwell’s general manager. She helped

open the Waterbury outpost of STONE’S THROW in 2023 and spent the past year working at PROHIBITION PIG.

Chef TIFFANY CALDWELL, who previously worked at HEN OF THE WOOD and GALLUS HANDCRAFTED PASTA, will make seasonally rotating dishes for breakfast and lunch, including sandwiches with 5TH QUARTER meats and small plates such as beef carpaccio and tinned fish. The menu will be served all day, along with espresso drinks using beans from VERMONT ARTISAN COFFEE & TEA, beer, and wine.

“We all live right in Waterbury, and we’re trying to complement the existing restaurants and fill holes where things don’t exist, like coffee in the afternoon and a focused and fun wine program,”

Brown said.

The Bidwell will also be a permanent home for the UDDER GUYS, an ice cream tricycle that’s been a staple at events around town since 2017. This spring, d’Angelo — the Udder Guys’ original owner — bought the biz back from ELI GERMAN, who is off to college after spending his teen years pedaling and peddling cones. German’s mother, NICOLE GRENIER, owned Stowe Street Café and continues to own the building.

The Udder Guys will have a counter of its own within the Bidwell, adding affogatos and toppings such as hot fudge and Oreos to its lineup of Adirondack Creamery flavors. The tricycle will still head out for special events. ➆

CONNECT

From left: Katya d’Angelo, Rachael Brown and Chris Triolo of the Bidwell

OPERA culture

Double Feature

Opera Company of Middlebury’s La Traviata cast

Two new Opera Company of Middlebury productions bring different worlds to life

BY AMY LILLY •

The two fully staged operas that Opera Company of Middlebury is producing over the next two weekends couldn’t be less alike.

Giuseppe Verdi’s 1853 work La Traviata tells an enduring love story set in the 18th century and is one of the world’s most frequently staged operas. Xavier Montsalvatge’s Babel 46 explores the struggle for survival in a refugee camp after World War II and is the work of a Spanish composer whose operas are rarely performed in the United States. In fact, Opera Company of Middlebury’s production, performed by its young artists, will be the work’s American premiere.

The two operas do share one thing: a verismo style — a realism in the way the characters and their worlds are portrayed. To pull that o , the singers must also be e ective actors. The Middlebury opera’s founding artistic director, Doug Anderson, has a knack for spotting such performers, and they have helped account for the small company’s success over the past 23 years.

This year’s casts for both operas — the three principals in La Traviata and 10 young artists, all of whom will also sing in the Verdi production — were selected from

among 350 applicants. A May 24 “Meet the Singers” concert featuring 11 members of the group left no doubt that these artists are among the country’s most promising.

Voices aside, what to do with the everpopular La Traviata? One would think it impossible by this time to ﬁnd a new way to tell the story of high-society courtesan Violetta (sung by soprano Avery Boettcher), her lover Alfredo (tenor Jared Esguerra) and his father Giorgio (baritone Andrew Manea), who forbids the relationship. Anderson, of course, thinks otherwise. He’s moving the setting from circa 1700 to the 1920s.

“It’s about sex and a woman who uses her body to survive, so I was looking for a period that has a feel for her sexuality,” he said during a call. The roaring twenties, he continued, citing the New Woman and su ragist movements, “are the ﬁrst wave of American feminism, really. Women are smoking, drinking in public” — and they’re no longer restricted by cinched and heavily layered clothing. Costume designer Debby Anderson, Doug’s wife, designed “all these slinky dresses” for the production, he said. Anderson himself designed the set for the Town Hall Theater stage: a pergola,

language. Perhaps the only other example of multilingual extremity in opera is Kaija Saariaho’s Innocence, with nine languages, which premiered just ﬁve years ago.

Babel is not all linguistic confusion, though: The characters manage to convey something of their lives to each other, establishing identities and relationships in the conﬁned space of the camp. But when a voice comes over the speaker in French to announce their imminent repatriation and each person is faced with the reality of returning home, their stories begin to unravel.

Catalan composer Montsalvatge’s music is a favorite of Alejandro Roca, artistic director of the Young Artist Program. Roca, a native of Bogotá, Colombia, moved to the U.S. four years ago to take a job at Yale University as a lecturer in voice and opera. He once met Montsalvatge, then in his nineties, while earning a master’s degree in piano performance at the Liceu Conservatory in Barcelona. He also saw a production of Babel there.

Roca said Babel is perfect for the small Doug & Debby Anderson Studio, where it will be staged by Patrick Diamond, an opera professor and director of opera productions at University of Rochester’s Eastman School of Music. The space is “close, intimate and kind of claustrophobic,” Roca said. “It’s a refugee camp, so there’s the feeling of not being able to leave.”

which, he promised, is “so beautiful someone will want to buy it.” Built by technical director Buzz Kuhns, the white, rooﬂess, columned construction is based on outdoor structures that were a ﬁxture at roaring twenties parties, according to Anderson’s research.

Reached three days into rehearsals, Anderson was already focused on the minutiae of acting that will help convey the story’s heartbreak. Meanwhile, the music itself will do major emotional lifting. Its unforgettable melodies and lush orchestration are the province of music director Filippo Ciabatti and an ensemble of 23 musicians.

La Traviata has “more hit songs per square inch than any other opera,” Anderson quipped. “Every eight minutes, you go, Oh, yeah, I know that one.”

While Verdi’s opera is sung completely in Italian (Anderson will, as always, tweak the English supertitles to align with his production choices), Babel 46 is sung in the refugee characters’ own languages of Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, French, English, Hebrew, Ladino, Catalan and — accompanied by a clarinet — sign

Opera Company of Middlebury’s Young Artist Program, which Roca is directing for a second year, has become a coveted destination for singers needing stage experience between conservatory training and full-ﬂedged careers. Other similar programs are bigger — Santa Fe Opera, Merola Opera Program in San Francisco and Des Moines Metro Opera are among the best known — but “we try to create a tailor-made experience for each of the singers,” Roca said, whether they need more work with languages, technical ability, stagecraft or acting.

And they’ll be getting something unusual for young artist programs: a U.S. premiere to put on their résumés. ➆

INFO

Opera Company of Middlebury presents La Traviata by Giuseppe Verdi on Friday, June 5, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, June 7, 2 p.m.; ursday, June 11, 7:30 p.m.; and Saturday, June 13, 2 p.m., at Town Hall eater in Middlebury, with preshow talks an hour earlier. $50-100; free for those under 26. Opera Company of Middlebury Young Artists Program presents Babel 46 by Xavier Montsalvatge on Friday, June 12, 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, June 14, 2 p.m., at the Doug & Debby Anderson Studio, Town Hall eater. $3045. ocmvermont.org

Full Circle Theater’s ‘30Under60’ Puts the Audience in Control

BY MAX HANDELMAN

Leila Teitelman clasped her hands to her chest and stared up at the ceiling of a practice room at the University of Vermont’s Royall Tyler Theatre in Burlington. As she delivered a woeful monologue lamenting the rise of authoritarian power, Harley Winzenried sprinted and leapt across the room, grasping at the air with a look of dismay.

A third actor, Chris Caswell, watched the spectacle with a blank face — her expression left to be interpreted by the audience — as the scene from “People May Die” came to a swift end. The cast had finished the entire play in roughly two minutes.

“People May Die” is one of 30 original works that a six-member cast will attempt to perform in 60 minutes or less when Full Circle Theater Collaborative debuts its new show, “30Under60,” this weekend at Off Center for the Dramatic Arts in Burlington. But the breakneck pace won’t be the only challenge when the curtain rises: The actors won’t know the order in which the pieces will be performed. That’s up to the audience to decide, and it will change every night.

Full Circle cofounder Amy Halpin Riley developed and directs “30Under60.” Her goal for the unconventional show is to disrupt “passive viewing,” she said, by putting the onus on the audience to help create the drama.

“Our world and the human experience is needing a jolt of collective human expression and experience that we can share together,” Halpin Riley said.

Before the show, the numbers one through 30 will be hung from a clothesline, with each number corresponding to a different play. Written by the cast, the mini plays range from silent clown comedies to musical numbers to poems. Audience members will shout the numbers they want to see performed; the actors will

green-light the loudest number they hear. Once the title of the chosen piece is announced, the race against the timer begins. The cast dashes to gather props, set the stage and get into character. The process repeats for all 30 pieces. Once the hour is up, the stage will go black and the actors must stop exactly where they are in the performance, regardless of whether they’ve finished all 30 mini-plays.

“30Under60” is inspired by “Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind,” produced by the experimental Chicago theater group the Neo-Futurists. That show, which features a constantly changing selection of 30 two-minute plays, debuted in 1988 and ran until 2016 — the longest-running production in Chicago theater history.

Halpin Riley, a veteran local actor and member of the sketch-comedy group Stealing From Work, saw “Too Much Light” when she was living in Chicago in the late 1990s. She said she has long wanted to produce something similar in Vermont and hopes to turn “30Under60” into an annual production or series. She and other cast members noted how the show’s structure demolishes the fourth wall, the invisible barrier between cast and crowd, by inviting the audience to drive the narrative.

“The Neo-Futurists have a saying: ‘If you’ve seen the show once, you’ve seen the show once,’” said Caswell, one of the six cast members. “It speaks to theater in its most organic form.”

Halpin Riley said the show has a disheveled quality: Transitions are sometimes unclean, and performances can be frantic. But for the actors and audience alike, reveling in shared chaos is what makes “30Under60” compelling during a time of disconnection, she said.

“The frailty and messiness of it is where all the light comes from,” Halpin Riley said. “Having that experience with audience members and a collective of people sharing a part of themselves is really special.” ➆

INFO

“30Under60,” Friday, June 5, 7 p.m.; Saturday, June 6, 4 and 7 p.m.; and Sunday, June 7, 2 p.m., at Off Center for the Dramatic Arts in Burlington. $15-20. fullcircletheatervt.org, sevendaystickets.com

To celebrate the United States’ 250th birthday, the Vermont Symphony Orchestra hits the road with Summer Festival Tour: America 250 The state’s orchestra will perform beloved favorites like Morton Gould’s American Salute (based on When Johnny Comes Marching Home ) Aaron Copland’s Hoe-Down from Rodeo, a lively selection of music by John Williams and John Philip Sousa, and more

THE LEGENDARY COUNT BASIE ORCHESTRA

VERMONT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: AMERICA 250 Sunday, July 5th at 7:30pm Friday, July 17th at 7:30pm

The Count Basie Orchestra founded by legendary pianist and bandleader William James Count Basie, remains a global force in Jazz over 30 years after his passing Now led by Scotty Barnhart, the ensemble features musicians handpicked by Basie and boasts 18 Grammy Awards Their dynamic blend of swing, blues, and improvisation has captivated audiences in film, television, and on prestigious stages worldwide From Kansas City clubs to Carnegie Hall the orchestra continues to honor Basie’s vision and showcase Jazz’s timeless power and universal appeal

Trapp Family Concert Meadow

4T-spacc052726 1 5/25/26 12:58 PM

From left: Geeda Searfoorce, Maggie Maxwell, Seth Jarvis, Harley Winzenried, Leila Teitelman and Chris Caswell

JUNE 3

5:30pm DONOR & SPONSOR RECEPTION (Flynnspace)

7:30pm **TICKETED SHOW** SAVION GLOVER, JASON MORAN, AND CHRIS “DADDY” DAVE PRESENT THE BEAT BENEATH US

OPENING PERFORMANCE BY RONALD K. BROWN/EVIDENCE, A DANCE COMPANY PERFORMS MARY LOU WILLIAMS & MAX ROACH SUITE (Flynn Main Stage)

10pm DOMO BRANCH QUARTET LATE NIGHT RESIDENCY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER (Flynnspace) 11:15pm OPEN JAM (Flynnspace)

JUNE 4

7pm **TICKETED SHOW** MY HEART SINGS

JASON MORAN PLAYS DUKE ELLINGTON WITH THE VYOA JAZZ (Flynn Main Stage)

10pm DOMO BRANCH QUARTET LATE NIGHT RESIDENCY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER (Flynnspace) 11:15pm OPEN JAM (Flynnspace)

JUNE 5

5:30pm SOUL PORPOISE FEATURING PAUL ASBELL & DAVE GRIPPO (Waterfront Park)

6:50pm LAURA CWASS BAND (Waterfront Park) 8pm RUTHIE FOSTER (Waterfront Park)

9:20pm TANK AND THE BANGAS (Waterfront Park)

10pm DOMO BRANCH QUARTET LATE NIGHT RESIDENCY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER (Flynnspace) 11:15pm OPEN JAM (Flynnspace)

JUNE 6

1pm

JASON MORAN & THE BANDWAGON

PRESENT SKATE JAM!

(A. Dog Skatepark)

5pm ALL THE RIVERS (Waterfront Park)

6:30pm THE EDDIE PALMIERI EXPERIENCE (Waterfront Park)

7:50pm MAVIS STAPLES (Waterfront Park)

9:20pm PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ BAND (Waterfront Park)

10pm DOMO BRANCH QUARTET LATE NIGHT RESIDENCY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER (Flynnspace)

11:15pm OPEN JAM (Flynnspace)

JUNE 7

1pm COLDBLOODED, ON ICE

DIRECTED AND CO-PRODUCED BY ALICIA HALL MORAN

(Leddy Park Ice Arena)

7pm **TICKETED SHOW** CHRIS POTTER

PRESENTS THE WORLD PREMIERE OF A NATION LISTENS WITH SPECIAL GUESTS JULIAN LAGE , NATE SMITH, JAMES GENUS, RANE MOORE, MARSHALL GILKES, & SARA CASWELL

OPENING PERFORMANCE BY MARK TURNER PERFORMS REFLECTIONS ON: THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF AN EX-COLORED MAN (Flynn Main Stage)

SCHOOL BANDS ON THE CHURCH ST. MARKETPLACE

JUNE 3

11am SOUTH BURLINGTON HS JAZZ CLUB (Bottom of Church St.)

11am WESTSIDE JAZZ COMBO (Top of the Block)

11:40am SWEET TRANSITION (Middle of Church St.)

12:20pm SUSTAINABILITY ACADEMY’S BIG COMMUNITY BAND (Bottom of Church St.)

12:20pm HINESBURG JAZZ BAND (Top of the Block)

1pm MUMS JAZZ BAND (Middle of Church St.)

1pm CHARLOTTE CENTRAL SCHOOL JAZZ BAND (Top of the Block)

1:40pm LUHS JAZZ (Bottom of Church St.)

2:20pm THE COMMODORE JAZZ BAND (Middle of Church St.)

3pm CITY SCHOOL JAZZ BAND (Bottom of Church St.)

JUNE

11am NCCS JAZZ BAND (Bottom of Church St.)

11am CBMS JAZZ BAND (Top of the Block)

11am EDMUNDS ELEMENTARY CHORUS (City Hall Park)

11:35am EDMUNDS MIDDLE SCHOOL CHORUS (City Hall Park)

11:40am AUSABLE VALLEY JAZZ BAND (Middle of Church St.)

11:40am THE HIGHLAND JAZZ ENSEMBLE (Top of the Block)

12:05pm HUNT MIDDLE SCHOOL JAZZ BAND (City Hall Park)

12:20pm U-32 JAZZ BAND (Bottom of Church St.)

12:20pm THE HARWOOD ASSEMBLY (Top of the Block)

12:50pm EMS JAZZ! (City Hall Park)

JUNE 4 (CONT.)

1:40pm FAIRFAX JAZZ (Top of the Block)

2:20pm GEMS ALL-STAR JAZZ BAND (Middle of Church St.)

3pm EMS JAZZ BAND AND CHORUS (Bottom of Church St.)

3pm SHELBURNE COMMUNITY SCHOOL STAGE BAND (City Hall Park)

4:20pm CVU JAZZ BAND (City Hall Park)

JUNE

11am THE ST. JOHNSBURY MIDDLE SCHOOL JAZZ BAND (Bottom of Church St.)

11am BFA FAIRFAX 7/8TH GRADE BAND + BFA FAIRFAX JAZZ CHORUS (Top of the Block)

11:40am LELAND & GRAY HIGH SCHOOL JAZZ BAND (Middle of Church St.)

12:20pm RUTLAND TOWN MIDDLE SCHOOL JAZZ BAND (Top of the Block)

1pm WINOOSKI CHORUS (Middle of Church St.)

1:40pm BRATTLEBORO UNION HIGH SCHOOL JAZZ ENSEMBLE (Bottom of Church St.)

1:40pm MVU JAZZ ENSEMBLE (Top of the Block)

2:20pm WINOOSKI HIGH SCHOOL JAZZ ENSEMBLE (Middle of Church St.)

3pm CMS JAZZ BAND (Bottom of Church St.)

3:20pm ADL CHARGER JAZZ (City Hall Park)

4:20pm COLCHESTER HIGH SCHOOL JAZZ BAND (Bottom of Church St.)

4:20pm ESSEX JAZZ COLLECTIVE (City Hall Park) ALL NON-TICKETED SHOWS & EVENTS ARE

1pm FLYING TURTLES (Middle of Church St.)

1:30pm BHS JAZZ BAND BLUE & BHS BAND WHITE (City Hall Park)

1:40pm BRMS JAZZ BAND + LEAKY FAUCETS + MMUSIC MODERN BAND (Bottom of Church St.)

SCAN TO VIEW THE SCHEDULE, FAQ, & MORE:

Eagle Eye

Awatched as Windsor, the mom, protected V-2 during rainstorms.

The Eagle Cam has a Facebook fan page with more than 4,000 members; at any given moment, according to VINS, between 250 and 400 people are tuning in to see the eagle family in real time. In April, the New York Times named the cam No. 1 on “The Good List,” a weekly roundup of joy boosters.

In the latest episode of “Stuck in Vermont,” Seven Days senior multimedia producer Eva Sollberger traveled to VINS and climbed up the 100-foot-high tree house on its Forest Canopy Walk, which is 400 yards from the eagles’ nest. From across the forest, she saw Dewey feeding V-2 and Windsor soaring above. Hopefully, the pair will keep returning to this nest to raise more o spring in the years to come.

She spoke about ﬁlming the episode.

How was the climb up the tree house?

Climbing 100 feet up steep stairs was really di cult for me. I have a deep fear of heights. Halfway up, my legs felt like Jell-O, and I wasn’t sure if I could make it. But I thought of those tough eagles, and up I went. The tower sways in the wind — as does the eagles’ nest. My 280-millimeter camera lens allowed me to see Dewey’s small white head bobbing up and down as he fed V-2.

What should people know about visiting?

There is no shade at the top of the tower, so bring sun protection, water and binoculars. After two hours in the 85-degree sun, I was cooked. Seeing the eagles’ view of Dewey’s Pond and the Ottauquechee River in person was really special.

s we approach America’s 250th birthday, it’s an appropriate time to focus on the bald eagle, our national symbol, which can be seen on currency, o cial seals and stamps. The species was once endangered, but thanks to conservation e orts, there are now 71,000 nesting pairs in our country.

In Quechee, one of those nests — home to a family of three wild bald eagles — has an active fan base. The Vermont Institute of Natural Science

bald eagle family in Quechee gains an online following Seven Days senior multimedia producer Eva Sollberger has been making her award-winning video series, “Stuck in Vermont,” since 2007. New episodes appear on the Seven Days website every other ursday and air the following night on the WCAX evening news. Sign up at sevendaysvt.com to receive an email alert each time a new one drops. And check these pages every other week for insights on the episodes.

has an Eagle Cam live streaming footage from the nest, located in a white pine tree 100 feet above the forest ﬂoor.

After spotting two adult eagles, Windsor and Dewey, successfully raising an eaglet there last year, VINS sta mounted two solar-powered cameras, hoping to capture more action this year.

How did you hear about the eagles?

Who watches the eagles?

And, indeed, they have. Windsor and Dewey returned to the nest, and viewers around the world have tuned in to see the lovebirds mate and incubate an egg. Their eaglet, V-2, hatched on April 24. The pair take turns feeding their growing o spring, who has a ravenous appetite. Viewers

I ﬁ rst heard about the eagles through a Facebook group called Friends of VINS Live Eagle Cam. It is run by Lisa Levesque, who lives in Connecticut, and Colorado resident Marcy Hardin. These eagle enthusiasts watch the live feed obsessively and post informative and entertaining snippets from the family’s day. Some highlights include Windsor becoming a “mombrella” for V-2 in the rain and Dewey bringing some “breakﬁsh” for V-2. The eaglet is a voracious eater and is growing and changing daily, so there are many updates.

I posted on the fan page to ask where people were watching from and why. Amy Goodwin Robert at Homestead Senior Living in St. Albans wrote that the residents’ day wouldn’t be complete without checking in on the eagles. Stephanie Rhoad Murray posted that her ﬁrst graders at State Street School in Windsor tune in daily and are in awe of “the amazing growth and daily changes of eaglet behaviors.” The eagle family has a big fan base from across our state and beyond. We are so lucky to share the planet with these majestic birds. ➆

768: VINS Eagle Cam

Footage from the Eagle Cam

Earth Prime Comics, Quarterstaff Games Move to Burlington Square

BY CHRIS FARNSWORTH farnsworth@sevendaysvt.com

Longtime Church Street Marketplace fixtures Earth Prime Comics and Quarterstaff Games have moved a couple of blocks away, to the new Burlington Square development at 130 Bank Street. The comic book and gaming shops, started by the late Christine Farrell in the 1980s, will operate as a single entity called Quarterstaff Games and Earth Prime Comics.

Farrell, a noted comics collector, opened Earth Prime on Bank Street in 1983. The shop moved to the building Farrell bought at 154 Church Street in 1989. She opened Quarterstaff Games on the second floor that same year.

After Farrell died in 2024, former store manager Jordon Van Dyke took the reins of the two shops as owner-operator. Farrell’s estate decided to sell the building on Church Street earlier this year, prompting Van Dyke to combine the businesses and move them back to Bank Street. The new shop opened on May 16, across the street from Earth Prime’s original location.

According to store employee and social media manager Ross Johnston, the merger was a long time coming.

“It feels like a ‘at long last’ sort of thing,” Johnston said. “We’ve all worked together for years at this point, but now we can actually enjoy shifts together in the same store. No more running up and down the stairs between the two shops. It’s just so nice to be in one space finally.”

Johnston cited a variety of reasons for the move beyond the sale of the Church Street building.

“There were a lot of other factors that went into it,” he said — “a lot of things we

Ross Johnston at Quarterstaff Games and Earth Prime Comics

can do in this new space that we really couldn’t do at the Church Street location.”

Specifically, the gaming store’s second-floor location wasn’t accessible to people with disabilities. It also lacked event space, which made it impossible to host popular games such as Magic: The Gathering or Pokémon. The new shop can accommodate multiple gaming tables and is fully accessible.

Johnston said employees initially worried that leaving the Marketplace might curb customer traffic, but they’ve been pleasantly surprised by the neighborhood feel of Burlington Square. The store is located on the first floor of the mixed-use development, next to the new AC Hotel Burlington and Jitters Café and Lounge.

Johnston is hopeful the newly merged store will strengthen the local comics and gaming communities.

“There’s a real acknowledgment within this community these days about how much we really need each other,”

Johnston said. “It feels so important in this modern era of isolation to ... push for connection. And I think physical media like comics and games really help forge those bonds.”

Johnston added that the store is intended to be a local gaming hub and is in the process of becoming an official venue for Magic: The Gathering and Pokémon. Those developments should help attract customers to the new location. And if not, there’s always plan B.

While moving out of the Church Street location, Johnston and Van Dyke unearthed some decades-old advertising. “They were amazing hand-drawn flyers with the original Bank Street building, with an arrow pointing to Church Street,” Johnston said. “We’re thinking of updating them with an arrow pointing back to Bank.” ➆

INFO

Quarterstaff Games and Earth Prime Comics, 130 Bank St., Burlington, 802-863-3666, quarterstaffgames.com, Instagram @earthprimevt

THE WORLD’S GAME TAKES CENTER STA RESTAURANTS, BARS, AND PUBLIC SPAC EXCITEMENT, AND CAN’T-MISS MOMEN

on screen

Backrooms ★★★★ REVIEW

As Burlington High School students prepare to move into a brand-new building, some may cast nostalgic eyes on the downtown former Macy’s that housed them for five years. Not only did that sterile, ﬂuorescent-lit environment get the school featured in BuzzFeed, but it’s also eerily similar to the titular setting of last weekend’s box-o ce champion, Backrooms

That’s right: The nation’s current No. 1 grossing ﬁlm, beating the second week of a Star Wars movie, is a horror ﬂick inspired by a crowdsourced creepypasta, directed by a 20-year-old (Kane Parsons, maker of a YouTube series based on the concept) and set in what looks like a dead mall, department store or conference center of 1980s vintage. If you’re like me, you may already know this non-place from your recurring nightmares.

The deal

In California’s South Bay, 1990, business owner Clark (Chiwetel Ejiofor) can’t get over the failure of his marriage. He camps out in his cavernous furniture store, Cap’n Clark’s Ottoman Empire, watching old movies and mourning his dream of being an architect.

That’s how Clark notices periodic blackouts in the store, which lead him to a mysteriously malformed circuit board. In the basement, he follows a sliver of light through what appears to be a solid wall. Beyond is a windowless realm that seems to stretch out indeﬁnitely: corridors, rooms, stairways, ramps, all papered and carpeted in the same sickly yellow. Some rooms hold heaps of furniture, or chairs and sofas half embedded in the ﬂoor, or inverted commercial signs. All appear to be deserted.

Enthralled by his discovery, Clark ropes his young employees (Finn Bennett and Lukita Maxwell) into exploring. His therapist, Dr. Mary Kline (Renate Reinsve), doesn’t understand his ﬁxation — until she ventures into the Backrooms herself.

Will you like it?

If you’ve always found haunted houses more interesting than what haunts them, Backrooms is for you. Conversely, if you’re waiting for the appearance of something far more horriﬁc than endless ﬂuorescent ceiling panels, it may not be. This is placebased horror, where the décor is deranged and monsters dwell within.

That’s not to say nothing haunts the Backrooms. Ominous footsteps and shadows and a creepy, ambient score (by Parsons

The Backrooms’ outdated institutional vibe evokes both nostalgia and nausea. Furniture protrudes from the carpeting like ruins from desert sands — or memories from the morass of time. The vast halls appear made for convivial gatherings, yet everyone’s gone, leaving the characters — and us — with the uncanny sense that we’re the ghosts, trapped in patterns we can’t escape.

If this metaphor works on the visual level, it sometimes feels heavy-handed on the story level, largely because Will Soodik’s script doesn’t give the two main characters much individuality beyond grief and rage. It’s tough to root for Clark and Mary to escape the Backrooms when neither has the sort of scrappy energy that might make their plight tragic.

But that’s all right, because we lack the will to escape, too, mesmerized by all the ways the Backrooms feel weirdly relevant now. They’re the dead malls haunting our postindustrial landscapes and the ghastly facsimiles of humanity haunting our social media. (The ﬁlm’s inverted signs, in particular, recall the nonsensical text in the backgrounds of early AI images.)

and Edo Van Breemen) make it clear things lurk there, and sometimes we encounter them. The ﬁlm opens with a found-footage vignette of a hapless researcher that hits all the traditional scary beats. Ultimately, though, Backrooms isn’t about the primal terror of becoming prey — unless time itself can be considered a predator.

An early scene hints at precisely that. As a younger Mary (Ember Ambrose) presses her palm into wet cement beside her childhood home, the camera pans up to reveal an excavator looming in the sky, presaging its destruction. The surreal time jump suggests the juxtapositions of memory. And memory is central to Mary’s adult career, in which she hawks a book about the dangers of getting caught in outdated patterns, or “neural loops,” formed in childhood.

A shard of cement bearing the childhood handprint sits on Mary’s desk, telling us she isn’t so di erent from her patient, who’s all too eager to disappear into the “backrooms” of mindless repetition. Both she and Clark ﬁnd it tough to break free from remembered trauma and “open a window” (Mary’s inspirational motto) into the future.

Parsons uses his setting in an intuitive way to give physical reality to these ideas.

It’s no surprise that a society obsessed with disruption, automation and progress is also obsessed with obsolescence and being forgotten, or that young people ﬁnd those themes especially hard to shake. Sure, liminal spaces have been a horror trope forever — Backrooms has one obvious precursor in Mark Z. Danielewski’s cult novel House of Leaves. But the movie may be particularly disturbing because we’re all starting to feel a little liminal these days.

MARGOT HARRISON margot@sevendaysvt.com

IF YOU LIKE THIS, TRY…

THE BACKROOMS (22 videos, 2022-25; YouTube): Parsons’ animated shorts offer background on the origin of the Backrooms and the role of Async Research Institute, as well as well-crafted foundfootage scares.

“SEVERANCE” (two seasons, 2022-25; Apple TV): Dan Erickson, creator of this sci-ﬁ series about the ultimate form of workplace dissociation, has cited the Backrooms creepypasta as an inspiration for his Lumon Industries.

IF I HAD LEGS I’D KICK YOU (2025; HBO Max, YouTube Primetime, rentable): While its aesthetic diverges from Backrooms’ , Mary Bronstein’s borderlinesurreal drama about a woman (Rose Byrne) caring for her sick child underlines how trauma and isolation can make us feel as if we’re disappearing.

Chiwetel Ejiofor explores an apparent dimensional rift inside a furniture store in Kane Parsons’ horror ﬁlm based on his YouTube series.

NEW IN THEATERS

CAROLINA CAROLINE: A young woman (Samara Weaving) goes on the run with a con man (Kyle Gallner) in this crime thriller from Adam Rehmeier. (105 min, NR. Partizanfilm, Savoy)

MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE: Nicholas Galitzine plays He-Man in a new live-action adaptation of the Mattel sci-fi adventure franchise. With Camila Mendes and Alison Brie; Travis Knight directed. (132 min, PG-13. Bijou, City Cinema, Essex, Majestic, Paramount, Star, Welden)

POWER BALLAD: John Carney (Once) cowrote and directed this comedy-drama about an obscure songwriter (Paul Rudd) seeking credit for the tune that a boy-band idol (Nick Jonas) made into a hit. (98 min, R. Essex)

SCARY MOVIE: With plenty of fodder for parody in current horror cinema, the long-lived comedy franchise returns to the beginning. Michael Tiddes directed; Anna Faris and Regina Hall star. (95 min, R. Bijou, Capitol, Essex, Majestic, Star, Stowe)

STOLEN KINGDOM: Joshua Bailey’s documentary chronicles the history of crime at Walt Disney World Resort. (74 min, NR. Partizanfilm [Mon only], Savoy)

TUNER: A piano tuner (Leo Woodall) with extreme sensitivity to sound discovers he’s an ace safe cracker in this crime thriller from Daniel Roher, also starring Dustin Hoffman. (109 min, R. Savoy)

CURRENTLY PLAYING

BACKROOMSHHHH In Kane Parsons’ debut horror feature, an interdimensional portal appears to open beneath a furniture store. With Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve. (110 min, R. Bijou, Essex, Majestic, Paramount, Partizanfilm, Star, Stowe, Sunset, Welden; reviewed 6/3)

BLUE HERON: Sophy Romvari’s semi-autobiographical festival favorite explores the dynamics of a family on Vancouver Island. Eylul Guven stars. (90 min, NR. Catamount)

THE BREADWINNERH1/2 A man (Nate Bargatze) has to learn to be a stay-at-home dad in Eric Appel’s family comedy. (95 min, PG. Bijou, Capitol, City Cinema, Majestic)

THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA 2HH1/2 A journalist (Anne Hathaway) reunites with her one-time boss from hell (Meryl Streep) in David Frankel’s sequel. (119 min, PG-13. Majestic, Sunset; reviewed 5/6)

FIUME O MORTE!HHHH1/2 Igor Bezinovic’s fest-favorite docudrama retells a 1919 incident in which poet Gabriele d’Annunzio occupied a Croatian city. (112 min, NR. Partizanfilm)

I LOVE BOOSTERSHHH1/2 Shoplifters plot revenge on a fashion tycoon in the new surreal comedy from Boots Riley (Sorry to Bother You). (105 min, R. Partizanfilm, Savoy; reviewed 5/27)

MICHAELHH This drama from Antoine Fuqua chronicles the life of pop legend Michael Jackson (Jaafar Jackson). (127 min, PG-13. Majestic, Sunset)

OBSESSIONHHHH1/2 A young man makes the mistake of wishing on a charm that his crush would fall in love with him in Curry Barker’s horror film. (Essex, Majestic, Sunset; reviewed 5/20)

PRESSUREHHH1/2 Brendan Frazer plays Dwight D. Eisenhower in this period thriller about the 72 hours preceding D-Day, also starring Andrew Scott and Kerry Condon. (100 min, PG-13. Capitol, Essex, Majestic, Marquis)

PROJECT HAIL MARYHHHH A science teacher (Ryan Gosling) finds himself on a mission to save Earth. (156 min, PG-13. Majestic; reviewed 4/1)

THE SHEEP DETECTIVESHHH1/2 A flock sets out to solve the murder of their shepherd in this mysterycomedy-family flick. (109 min, PG. Big Picture, Bijou, Capitol, Essex, Majestic, Playhouse, Sunset, Welden)

STAR WARS: THE MANDALORIAN AND GROGUHH1/2 Pedro Pascal reprises his TV role as a bounty hunter adventuring with an unusual apprentice. (132 min, PG-13. Bethel, Big Picture, Capitol, City Cinema, Essex, Majestic, Marquis, Star, Stowe, Sunset, Welden)

TWO SEASONS, TWO STRANGERSHHHH1/2 Sho Miyake’s acclaimed drama is based on two manga about significant enounters by Yoshiharu Tsuge. (89 min, NR. Partizanfilm)

OLDER FILMS AND SPECIAL SCREENINGS

THE AMAZING DIGITAL CIRCUS: THE LAST ACT (Essex, Thu-Sun only)

BEST IN SHOW (Catamount, Thu only)

THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS (Savoy, Sun only)

THE BIRDCAGE 30TH ANNIVERSARY (Essex, Sun only)

BLUE FILM (Savoy, Sat only)

FUCKTOYS (Savoy, Fri only)

NATIONAL LAMPOON’S VACATION (Partizanfilm, Wed 3 only)

ROPE (Savoy, Mon only)

SECOND NATURE: GENDER AND SEXUALITY IN THE ANIMAL WORLD (Savoy, Sat only)

SUN RA: A JOYFUL NOISE (VTIFF, Sun only) THAT NIGHT’S WIFE (VTIFF, Wed 10 only)

OPEN THEATERS

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

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

*BIG PICTURE THEATER: 48 Carroll Rd., Waitsfield, 496-8994, bigpicturetheater.info. Closed through April 29.

BIJOU CINEPLEX 4: 107 Portland St., Morrisville, 888-3293, bijou4.com

CAPITOL THEATER: 93 State St., Montpelier, 229-0343, fgbtheaters.com

CATAMOUNT ARTS: 115 Eastern Ave., St. Johnsbury, 748-2600, catamountarts.org

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

ESSEX CINEMAS & T-REX THEATER: 21 Essex Way, Suite 300, Essex, 879-6543, essexcinemas.com

MAJESTIC 10: 190 Boxwood St., Williston, 878-2010, majestic10.com

MARQUIS THEATER: 65 Main St., Middlebury, 388-4841, middleburymarquis.com.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Power Ballad

Food and Feathers

Two Brattleboro shows examine our complex relationships with animals

BY ALICE DODGE •

adodge@sevendaysvt.com

BaNimAl iSsuE

uried in the annals of sketch-comedy history is a bit from “The State,” MTV’s 1990s take on the genre, in which a couple attending a dinner party inquire about the terriﬁc neon-blue meat they’re eating. “It’s muppet!” the hostess explains. The hosts then showcase their “Sesame Street”-informed hunting skills by loudly asking for someone to help them count to four. A green muppet swiftly appears, only to meet a quick and merciless end. Equal parts horrifying and hilarious, the sketch actually presents a new way of thinking about what — or whom — we eat.

HOW WOULD YOU KNOW IF A LOBSTER WERE IN EMOTIONAL DISTRESS?

Jude Griebel’s work is a more artistically nuanced, but also dark and funny, take on the subject. In “Elegy for the Consumed,” a solo show on view at the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center, the Canadian artist presents sculptures and paintings of the animals we eat and asks us to question our complicated relationship with them. In “Migrations,” a concurrent show in the adjoining gallery, Montréal artist Robin Crofut-Brittingham looks at how we observe and imagine birds. Both shows provoke a viewer to ask how artistic traditions inform the ways we think about animals.

Sarah Freeman, director of exhibitions at the art center, curated the two shows in the context of a programming season that reﬂects on the natural world. As these two came together, she said, she realized that “they’re both artists who are so technically accomplished and doing really interesting things with their materials,” as well as dealing with similar subjects. Crofut-Brittingham is “talking about the human/ non-human worlds colliding,” she said, “which is what Jude is doing in a very, very di erent way.” Griebel’s show begins with a parade of “Revenants” who process along a wide plinth that spans one side of the gallery. These are detailed sculptures of creatures ready to eat. A steamed clam strides boldly forward on spindly, humanlike legs. It’s followed by lobsters that hold ﬂags aloft

despite their rubber-banded claws; a mustard-covered bratwurst that walks on legs made of other sausages, eerily reminiscent of a dachshund; a 3-foot-tall prawn, garnished with parsley and holding a lemon wedge; and a 6-foot-tall roast chicken, bearing a sprig of rosemary on its shoulder like a soldier with a riﬂe in a Memorial Day parade.

The scene is both jaunty and unsettling. These sculptures are made from a variety of materials — wood and

wire internal armatures, resin, and air-dry clay — and exquisitely painted to look like the real thing. The chicken’s skin appears crispy and crunchy even as its legs seem to be in motion; the lobsters’ shells are speckled and glossy, as though they were just pulled from a restaurant’s live tank. The scale is wrong enough to throw a viewer o -balance. Neither the sausages nor the clam have eyes, exactly, but seem to be looking right at you nonetheless.

In other works, Griebel references 19th-century European servingware styles in which foods were presented on dishes depicting the animals themselves — platters shaped like fish or milk pitchers shaped like cows. In “Fish Farm,” a 27-inch-high ceramic sculpture, a school of fish almost jumps out of a fishing net shaped like a fisherman’s boot decorated with red floats.

Griebel, who is based in Calgary and New York City, created the work at an artist’s residency with the Kohler home-goods manufacturing company in Wisconsin. He clearly made smart use of its industrial production resources. He glazed the fish with a mirror finish, with painted details that look like penand-ink. While reminiscent of kitschy decorative sculptures that idealize, say, a fisherman’s boot, the scale and masterful craft in the work lend it seriousness and pathos.

Griebel’s animals don’t all seem upset about their fate, though a few hold signs proclaiming “Disaster Looms.” But then you find yourself asking: How would you know if a lobster were in emotional distress? Griebel’s work doesn’t necessarily ask us to stop eating creatures but clearly wants us to feel less comfortable about it. “He’s trying to give the things that are about to be consumed some sort of agency,” Freeman said. “There’s a consciousness there.”

Crofut-Brittingham’s gorgeous watercolor illustrations, which she created for The Illuminated Book of Birds, deal not with how we consume animals but with how we envision and categorize them. The compositions are all in the same format, 32-by-24-inch works on paper featuring groupings of birds from di erent regions of the world. Crofut-Brittingham researched each species extensively, and her images are informed by not just scientiﬁc information, such as which birds share

“Birds of Chinese Gardens” by Robin Crofut-Brittingham

a habitat, but also by their mythological and cultural signiﬁcance.

“Birds of Chinese Gardens,” for instance, includes the golden pheasant, which many believe to be related to a phoenix, and the Mandarin duck; in the text of her book, Crofut-Brittingham tells the folktale recounting the birds’ origin.

Alongside those illustrations, the artist presents works that are no less beautiful but much weirder. Some are multipart drawings shaped like stained-glass windows or altarpieces, and they borrow the narrative sensibility — often absent of explanation — found in religious art. These are intricate forest landscapes populated by birds, tapirs, leopards and lemurs, as well as tattooed humans with elaborate bird masks. Gold leaf accents and delicately drawn jungles add to the sense of strange wonder in these pieces, which are reminiscent of Hieronymus Bosch’s creations but set in paradise rather than hell.

INFO

The paintings are informed by 19th-century botanical and naturalist illustrations. But, as Griebel does with decorative servingware, Crofut-Brittingham manages to combine an appreciation of the art form with an acknowledgment of the real harms done to animals, even by those who admire their beauty; some of the species she paints are now extinct.

Both shows o er visitors an intriguing vision of an animal kingdom in which humans no longer ignore the consequences of our actions. Or, as Crofut-Brittingham puts it in her artist statement, “the reemergence of nature in the aftermath of collapse.” ➆

“Jude Griebel: Elegy for the Consumed” and “Robin Crofut-Brittingham: Migrations,” on view through July 5 at Brattleboro Museum & Art Center. Crofut-Brittingham gives an artist talk on Saturday, June 6, 5:30 p.m. brattleboromuseum.org

From top: “Revenant Chicken”; “Fish Farm” by Jude Griebel

OPENINGS + RECEPTIONS

MICHAEL V. SARDINA: A show of large-scale photographs on canvas by one of the restaurant’s employees, showcasing his interests in landscape, brewing and inevitable decay. Parker Pie, West Glover, through July 7.

KIRSTEN DEIRUP: An exhibition of oil paintings and works on paper that update the memento mori stilllife tradition for the current age. The Mill, Westport, N.Y., June 4-June 4, 2027.

PHOEBE WASHBURN: “Sacred Love (call me by my tool name),” a site-specific installation by the artist featuring structures and assemblages that span two galleries and incorporate sound, energy and movement. The Mill, Westport, N.Y., June 4-June 4, 2027.

2026 JURIED EXHIBITION: A biennial exhibition, juried by Jamie Franklin, director of collections and exhibitions at the Bennington Museum, offering a survey of original regional works; four award winners receive an offer of a 2027 solo show and a stipend. Reception: Friday, June 5, 5-7 p.m.; juror tour, 4 p.m.; awards presentation, 6 p.m. AVA Gallery and Art Center, Lebanon, N.H., June 5-July 18. Free.

MARIANNE NEALY: “Green Mountain Living in Pastel,” a show reflecting the Colchester artist’s 30 years of exploring landscape using the medium. Reception: Friday, June 5, 4-7:30 p.m. Vermont Natural Resources Council, Montpelier, June 5-August 14.

‘SHADOWLAND’: A group exhibition bringing together 13 artists from the United States and Canada working in black-and-white drawing, painting, and sculpture, following a loosely imagined narrative drawn from a winter walk through the quarries at Millstone Hill in Barre. Closing reception: Friday, June 5, 4-8 p.m. Hexum Gallery, Montpelier, through June 5.

‘GROUP SHOW 73’: A show of works by all members of the collectively run gallery. Reception: Friday, June 5, 4-8 p.m. The Front, Montpelier, June 5-28.

‘ART IN MOTION’: An exhibition celebrating railroad history, presented in collaboration with the Rutland Railway Museum, Rutland Railroad Historical Society, Community Train Enthusiasts and member artists. Also on display are works by 160 seventh- and eighthgrade students learning stone carving with support from the West Rutland Carving Studio and Vermont Handcrafters Association. Reception: Friday, June 5, 5-7 p.m. Chaffee Art Center, Rutland, June 5-July 17.

‘OUT OF THE BOX’: Works by 10 printmakers who each responded to the challenge of creating an artwork based on a randomly selected box of objects assembled by another participating artist. Reception: Friday, June 5, 5-7 p.m. Two Rivers Printmaking Studio, White River Junction, through June 30.

‘THE SILENT TYPE’: A group exhibition of artists and designers whose work examines how patterns, structures and processes found in nature are translated into typography, sculpture, projection, materials and spatial interventions. Reception: Friday, June 5. 5:30-7 p.m. The Gallery at Mad River Valley Arts, Waitsfield, June 5-August 27.

‘PORTALS: NEW PERSPECTIVES’: An exhibition of photos, juried by Ann Jastrab, that explore thresholds, transitions and ways of seeing. Featuring artists from around the world, the show includes 35 works in the gallery and 40 online. Reception: Friday, June 5, 4-7 p.m. PhotoPlace Gallery, Middlebury, June 5-27.

CAROLYN SHAPIRO AND DEB FLEISCHMAN: “Sea Wonders,” a two-person show celebrating connections to the ocean, including 16 textile collages by Shapiro and Fleischman’s installation “Kelpy,” an immersive ribbon display simulating a kelp forest. Reception: Friday, June 5, 5-7:30 p.m.; artist talk, 6 p.m. T.W. Wood Museum, Montpelier, through July 24.

ART RESOURCE ASSOCIATION MEMBERS’ EXHIBIT:

A selection of works by members of the organization, which has been supporting the arts for more than 50 years. Reception: Friday, June 5, 5-7:30 p.m.; artist talk, 6 p.m. T.W. Wood Museum, Montpelier, through July 24.

CREATIVE COMPETITION: A collection of works entered by artists to win a $500 grand prize after

Extinction-Level Event

The current sixth mass extinction, one of the biggest and most devastating problems of our time, can be difficult to envision. Seven Vermont and New Hampshire artists — Heidi Broner, Susan Bull Riley, Linda Mirabile, Adelaide Murphy Tyrol, Susan Parmenter, Gabriel Tempesta and Ann Young — do so admirably in “A Critical Balance,” a traveling exhibition currently on view at North Branch Nature Center in Montpelier. The show features paintings of birds found in Amboseli National Park in Kenya, all of which are endangered or threatened. Each artist renders the avians in their own style, but all pay close attention to realistic detail, down to the feather. Many of the pieces are life-size, and the creatures portrayed — from Egyptian vultures to a secretary bird to a saddle-bill stork — aren’t gone yet but look downright Cretaceous. Information about each species accompanies the art, and visitors are encouraged to learn more through the Biodiversity Research Institute, which conducts research and conserves wildlife in Amboseli.

‘A CRITICAL BALANCE’

On view through June 26 at North Branch Nature Center in Montpelier. northbranchnaturecenter.org

visitors vote for their favorite pieces at the opening. Reception: Friday, June 5, 5-9 p.m. The SEABA Center, Burlington, June 5-27.

‘WORKING THEORY’: Works by Elizabeth Budington, Gayle Robertson and Leonard Ragouzeos, curated by G. Robertson, that offer insights into the artists’ creative process and practice. Reception: Friday, June 5, 6:30-8:30 p.m. 118 Elliot, Brattleboro, June 5-29.

MATHEW PARDUE: An exhibition of works including oil paintings, mixed-media watercolors and hand-printed linocuts. New work is on view every Saturday, when visitors are also invited to meet the artist. Cucina Antica Bistro, Shelburne, Saturday, June 6, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., through October 3.

DAVID UTIGER: “Bending Light,” the artist’s first solo show as a new addition to the gallery. Reception: Saturday, June 6, 1-4 p.m. Bryan Fine Art Gallery, Stowe, June 3-August 2.

JANET VAN FLEET: “Curious Lifeforms,” a show of sculpture made from found and manipulated materials and featuring figures and faces by the central Vermont artist, whose work often references political, environmental and social issues. Reception: Saturday, June 6, 3-5 p.m. The Tunbridge General Store Gallery, through July 13.

‘DEEP SEATED: CHAIRS AND THE STORIES THEY TELL’: An exhibition examining the many connotations of furniture, from rocking chairs to thrones to the electric chair. Reception: Saturday, June 6, 3-6 p.m. The Museum of Everyday Life, Glover, June 6-May 31, 2027.

critique sessions and discussions. First Congregational Church of Essex Junction, Thursday, June 4, 9-11 a.m. Free; $25 annual dues after two free meetings.

ARTIST TALK: AMBER PARIS: A discussion about socially engaged art with the artist, whose fiber installation “This Dreaming Earth” is currently on view, followed by a participatory grief circle led by Mel Dawson. Brattleboro Museum & Art Center, Thursday, June 4, 7 p.m. Free; registration recommended.

LIFE DRAWING AND PAINTING: A drop-in event for artists working with the figure from a live model. T.W. Wood Museum, Montpelier, Thursday, June 4, 7-9 p.m. Free; $15 suggested donation.

2026 CREATIVE SECTOR CONVENING: An event bringing together creative professionals for learning and connecting through workshops, panels, performances and networking. Produced by the Vermont Creative Network and held in conjunction with the Downtown and Historic Preservation Conference on June 4. Register at vermontartscouncil.org. Downtown St. Albans, Friday, June 5, 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Sliding scale with free option.

EXHIBITION TOUR WITH JAMIE FRANKLIN: An exploration of this year’s biennial juried exhibition with the juror, who is the director of collections and exhibitions at Bennington Museum, prior to the evening reception and awards ceremony. AVA Gallery and Art Center, Lebanon, N.H., Friday, June 5, 4-5 p.m. Free.

HILARY GLASS: An opportunity to talk with the Northfield artist during Montpelier Art Walk, where she shares her narrative, whimsical illustrations of real and imagined creatures. Artisans Hand Craft Gallery, Montpelier, Friday, June 5, 4-7 p.m. Free.

MONTPELIER ART WALK: A bimonthly self-guided arts tour through downtown featuring exhibitions, artist talks, receptions, workshops and live music. Downtown Montpelier, Friday, June 5, 4-8 p.m. Free.

COMMUNITY-CREATED MURAL UNVEILING: A celebration of the new mural at the Basement Teen Center, created by Montpelier teens in collaboration with SafeArt youth artist mentor Jasper Wilder, displayed alongside digital artworks, linocuts, artist trading cards and other artworks. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, Friday, June 5, 4-8 p.m. Free.

SEASON OPENING: Self-guided tours of the sculpture park, which includes monumental works by artist David Stromeyer. Cold Hollow Sculpture Park, Enosburg Falls, Saturday, June 6, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free.

ARTIST TALK: ROBIN CROFUT-BRITTINGHAM: A discussion with the artist about the detailed watercolor renderings of rare birds from around the world that she created for her recent book The Illuminated Book of Birds, currently on display in the exhibition “Migrations.” Brattleboro Museum & Art Center, Saturday, June 6, 5:30 p.m.

DONA ANN MCADAMS: “Troubleshooting: Making Photographs,” the inaugural exhibition at the Van Degna Gallery, spanning decades of the photographer’s work, including New York City’s downtown performance scene, protest movements, the Saratoga racetrack, and farms in and around Sandgate. Reception: Sunday, June 7, 3-5 p.m. Southern Vermont Arts Center, Manchester, June 7-January 3.

CHARLIE EMERS: “Patchwork by the Dozen: The Secret Life of a Baker (just what does a dough shaper do when the flour dust settles),” paintings by the Hardwick baker. Reception: Sunday, June 7, 4-7 p.m. White Water Gallery, East Hardwick, June 7-July 12.

‘A “FAIRLEE” GOOD ART SHOW’: A two-weekend show featuring works by Johns Hopkins, Pace Kendall, Wayne Burke, David Holmes, Lisa Kippen, Susan Smereka, Ria Blaas, Stacy Hopkins, Kevin Donegan, Mike Laundry and Antoinette Jacobson. Closing reception: Sunday, June 7, 4-7 p.m. 1985 Route 5, Fairlee, through June 7.

MONICA DIGIOVANNI: A collection of enso paintings exploring the intersection of meditative practice and visual expression. Closing reception: Wednesday, June 10, 4-6 p.m. Frog Hollow Vermont Craft Gallery, Burlington, June 3-10.

VISUAL ART EVENTS

ESSEX ART LEAGUE: A group of Vermont artists and enthusiasts who meet monthly for presentations,

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, June 7, 1-3 p.m. Free. ORTON COLLECTION GRAND OPENING: A ribboncutting and opening ceremony celebrating the new wing of the art center, which houses the Lyman Orton collection of paintings. Southern Vermont Arts Center, Manchester, Sunday, June 7, 3-5 p.m. Free.

PORTRAIT DRAWING AND PAINTING: A drop-in event where artists can practice skills in any medium. T.W. Wood Museum, Montpelier, Monday, June 8, 10 a.m.-noon. Free; $15 suggested donation.

CARVING CIRCLE: A space for printmakers to carve, glue or incise blocks together. Studio tools available; no printing takes place. Two Rivers Printmaking Studio, White River Junction, Tuesday, June 9, 6-8 p.m. Free.

CALL TO ARTISTS

‘ROCK SOLID’: An invitation to submit entries for the annual showcase of Vermont stonework, including 3D sculptures on pedestals and the floor, pieces in relief, assemblage, and artwork in other media depicting the qualities of stone. Exhibition runs from September to October. Submit work at studioplacearts.com. Studio Place Arts, Barre. Deadline: July 31. $10 nonmember applicants; free for members. ➆

“Egyptian Vulture” by Heidi Broner

music+nightlife

‘A Rare Bunch’

THE STEVE BREDICE QUARTET

Wednesday, June 3, 12:30 p.m., at City Hall Park. Free.

The main event on opening night is “The Beat Beneath Us,” a ticketed performance featuring dance legend Savion Glover at the Flynn Main Stage. But great shows abound all over town that day, too, including Burlington City Arts’ Downtown Jazz Summer Concert Series with the Steve Bredice Quartet. Composed of some of the area’s best players and teachers, the Vermont band often pulls from the Great American Songbook, performing jazz standards with equal parts mastery and passion.

BREATHWORK

Emerging from the cultural fusion of European and African music in the late 19th century, jazz is widely considered the ﬁrst uniquely American art form. A synthesis of cultures and sounds, the genre took the country by storm in the 1920s and ’30s before easing into an ever-changing niche over the years — simultaneously becoming both out of fashion and avant-garde at once.

Burlington Discover Jazz Festival, which runs this Wednesday to Sunday, June 3 to 7, on stages all across the city. Vermont’s biggest music festival features ﬁve days of world-class jazz, including ticketed concerts at the Flynn, free shows at Burlington’s Waterfront Park, the best of the local jazz scene at downtown nightclubs and restaurants, and dozens of school bands playing on the Church Street Marketplace.

“The best part of playing this kind of music is that you’re just rare,” composer and pianist Jason Moran said. “It’s a rare bunch, but you can see how much this music can shift culture — not just in the past but still today.”

Moran is the curator of the 43rd

Moran should know. He’s a MacArthur Fellow and was the artistic director of jazz at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., from 2011 until last year. He got his start playing with saxophonist Greg Osby and later formed the Bandwagon. NPR’s “All Songs Considered” named the trio’s 2001 album, Black Stars, one of “The 50 Most Important Recordings of the Decade.”

“I’ve watched this art form change so much, and people just keep coming back to it,” Moran said. “Anyone who comes to hear jazz, they’re not looking for an answer, you know? You go see pop music if you want to hear the thing that you already know. But this? It’s like, Can I show you something? Can you hear it? You’ll hear it when you get home. It’s a shared conversation that keeps going.”

If jazz is a conversation, Burlington will be a chatterbox this week. With the likes of soul legend Mavis Staples, an all-star tribute to Latinjazz luminary Eddie Palmieri, and dancer and choreographer Savion Glover topping the marquee, the only question is: Where to begin? Read on for a guide.

ursday, June 4, 11 p.m., at Radio Bean. $10. For all the big-time touring talent that swings through town for the jazz fest, the 802 jazz scene always comes correct. Burlington boasts some killer players, from established pillars Ray Vega, Paul Asbell and Marty Fogel to up-and-coming talent such as Janéa Hudson and Connor Young (see “Next Up,” page 60). One of the leading lights in the Queen City is the fusion trio Breathwork, featuring guitarist Xander Naylor, bassist Pat Markley and drummer Ethan Snyder. Jazz is just the launching point for Breathwork, whose jams soar from genre to genre.

TANK AND THE BANGAS

Friday, June 5, 9:20 p.m., at Waterfront Park. Free.

From winning the NPR Tiny Desk Contest in 2017 to taking home a Grammy last year, it’s been a whirlwind for New Orleans’ Tank and the Bangas. The group delivers a thrilling fusion of funk, hip-hop, soul and

Tank and the Bangas

Breathwork

Jason Moran

poetry, centered on front woman Tarriona “Tank” Ball. Her love of poetry helped drive their 2025 album The Heart, The Mind, The Soul, which won the Grammy for Best Spoken Word Poetry Album. The record also featured musician Robert Glasper, who helped the band delve into free-form jazz terrain.

Tank and the Bangas are joined by blues artist Ruthie Foster and local acts Soul Porpoise and the Lara Cwass Band at the waterfront on Friday night.

SKATE JAM!

Presented by Jason Moran and the Bandwagon, featuring Ron Allen and Chuck Treece

Saturday, June 6, 1 p.m., at Andy A_Dog Williams Skatepark. Free.

In what must surely be a jazz fest first, fans are encouraged to bring their skateboards to a jazz jam at the Andy A_Dog Williams Skatepark on Saturday. Curator Moran and the Bandwagon provide a live soundtrack to any and all who want to shred. They’re joined by Ron Allen, the first Black professional skateboarder, and Chuck Treece, who will both skate and play guitar. One assumes not at the same time, but it’s jazz fest, so who knows?

CHRIS POTTER & JULIAN LAGE: ‘A NATION LISTENS’

Sunday, June 7, 7 p.m., at the Flynn Main Stage. $38.36-101.28.

The jazz fest closes with a worldpremiere performance from avantgarde saxophonist Chris Potter and guitarist Julian Lage. The musicians

have composed a new piece in tribute to the abolitionist John Brown, who was executed by the Commonwealth of Virgina in 1859 for leading a raid on Harpers Ferry intended to start a slave revolt. Potter and Lage are joined by Newport Jazz Festival artistic director and drummer Nate Smith, “Saturday Night Live” bassist James Genus and Grammy-nominated vocalist Sara Caswell, among others.

The show opens with saxophonist Mark Turner presenting Reflections on: The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man, a piece he composed based on the 1912 James Weldon Johnson novel.

BIG JOE’S

Wednesday to Saturday, June 3 to 6, 10 p.m., at the Flynn Space. Free.

As has been true for the past several years, the late-night pop-up jazz venue Big Joe’s is the place to be for after-hours jazz fest jams. A tribute to the late, great Burlington saxophonist “Big Joe” Burrell, the club is located at the Flynn Space this year, after holding court at Vermont Comedy Club in festivals past.

Each night, Big Joe’s hosts the Domo Branch Quartet. Branch, a native of Portland, Ore., is both a bandleader and a talented drummer who has played with Wynton Marsalis. After a set with his quartet, he oversees another recent festival feature: the open jam, where the best of the Burlington jazz scene mingles with out-of-town counterparts. ➆

INFO

Burlington Discover Jazz Festival, Wednesday to Sunday, June 3 to 7, at various locations in Burlington. Most events are free. flynnvt.org

SEMI-FINALS • CHEER ON YOUR FAVORITES!

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10 The Returnables Bad Luck Bliss Peter Wayne Burton MOMDAD

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17 Antara + Chris Matt Goodell Julia Whitaker Vices, Inc.

WEDNESDAY • JUNE 24 • THE FINALS

Winner receives 2 days of recording at VT MUSIC LAB in Essex & their music played on the radio! 6-9 PM

SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT JUNE 10,17&24 PRESENTED BY

Domo Branch

music+nightlife

Next Up

BY CHRIS FARNSWORTH • farnsworth@sevendaysvt.com

The Burlington Discover Jazz Festival has brought world-class jazz to the Queen City every summer for four decades. But the city is suffused with jazz talent all year round and has been for ages, from the heady days of Kilimanjaro and “Big Joe” Burrell & the Unknown Blues Band to latter-day local lions such as Alex Stewart, Ray Vega, Brian McCarthy and Brian Boyes.

That lineage continues with the likes of Dan Ryan, Avery Cooper, Parker Shper and other upand-coming players who carry the Vermont jazz torch and help form an eclectic jazz ecosystem. Some of the most promising young artists in the scene will feature prominently at this year’s jazz festival, which runs Wednesday to Sunday, June 3 to 7. Here are some new names to know and where to catch them this week.

abilities as a songwriter, with six original compositions of erudite, tender jazz.

Ambaye joins festival curator Jason Moran at the Flynn Main Stage on Thursday, June 4, for a tribute to Duke Ellington titled “My Heart Sings.” If you miss her at jazz fest, she hosts her own show, “Imagined Reality,” on Monday, June 8, at the Phoenix in Waterbury.

Expect a blend of poetry and improvisational jazz.

CONNOR YOUNG

RACHEL AMBAYE

The South Burlington native and University of Vermont alum is one of the strongest jazz vocalists on the scene in recent memory. Possessed of a clear, powerful voice capable of hushed intimacy and soaring passion, Ambaye released her debut LP, Clockwise Motion, last year. The record, which included a stirring rendition of Thelonious Monk’s “Ruby, My Dear,” showcased Ambaye’s

Both a master of jazz trumpet and an accomplished folk singersongwriter, Connor Young brings a lot to the table. The Burlington musician first caught attention with his skillful and evocative trumpet playing on his 2023 debut, Flight of the Starlings, a proper jazz record that felt fitting from a former prodigy who started performing when he was just 12. His followup records, including 2024’s From Me to You Vol.1 and the sequel he released in January, have further stretched his sound.

Young’s calendar is often full, as he performs in local ensembles such as Saturn People’s Sound Collective and Alma Picante, on top of his solo shows and weekly jam sessions at area clubs. You can catch him multiple times during jazz fest, but we suggest his set on Saturday, June 6, at Burlington’s true jazz hot spot, the 126.

Burlington Discover Jazz Festival, Wednesday to Sunday, June 3 to 7, at various locations in Burlington. Most events are free. flynnvt.org

JANÉA HUDSON

A relative newcomer to the scene, vocalist Janéa Hudson started gigging around the Burlington area in 2022 after graduating from Northern Vermont University the previous year. With just a hint of grit beneath her smooth tones, Hudson can croon slinky, nightclub-ready jazz and belt out soulful R&B with equal prowess. Indeed, when she’s not singing jazz solo or with one of her ensembles, Hudson can be found fronting the soul-funk outfit Cheddar.

Hudson performs at the 126 on Friday, June 5. After the fest, catch her on Friday, June 12, with her band the Willistones at the Old Post in Burlington.

VERMONT YOUTH ORCHESTRA ASSOCIATION JAZZ

If you want a sneak peek at the shape of Vermont jazz to come, look no further than the Vermont Youth Orchestra Association’s jazz program. The VYOA launched it in 2023, led by director and musician Kyle Saulnier. Many of the students seen playing in high school bands on Church Street Marketplace during the jazz fest end up matriculating to the audition-based VYOA jazz program, which features a who’s who of Vermont jazz musicians as instructors. Those include trombonist Matt Avery, drummer Caleb Bronz, saxophonist Jake Whitesell and the aforementioned Connor Young, among others.

The VYOA jazz squad is set to back up festival curator Jason Moran on Thursday, June 4, at the Flynn Main Stage as part of the show “My Heart Sings,” a tribute to Duke Ellington. ➆

Rachel Ambaye

Connor Young

CLUB DATES

live music

WED.3

Alex Stewart Quartet (jazz) at Vermont Pub & Brewery, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

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

Dan Ryan Express (jazz) at American Flatbread Burlington Hearth, 5:30 p.m. Free.

Dead Sessions Lite (Grateful Dead tribute) at Zenbarn, Waterbury Center, 7 p.m. $10/$15.

Familiar Faces (funk) at Red Square, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

An Intimate Night of Jazz (jazz trio) at Stone Valley Arts, Poultney, 7 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.

Spacey Jane, TOLEDO (indie rock) at Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington, 8 p.m. $35.

TURNmusic Presents Wednesday Knudsen (experimental) at the Phoenix, Waterbury, 7:30 p.m. $30.

THU.4

Bebop Party (jazz) at Hotel Vermont, Burlington, 8:30 p.m. Free.

Blue Plate Special (folk, jazz) at Julio’s Cantina, Montpelier, 5 p.m. Donation.

Breathwork (jazz) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 11 p.m. $10.

Cancerslug, Grouch (metal) at the Stone Church, Brattleboro, 8 p.m. $20/$26.

Dan Ryan Express (jazz) at Foam Brewers, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

Folino’s Summer Concert Series on the Patio (live music) at Folino’s Pizza, Williston and Northfield, 6 p.m. Free.

Lincoln Sprague (blues, jazz piano) at Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge, Burlington, 5 p.m. Free.

The Maple Street Six (jazz) at American Flatbread Burlington Hearth, 5:30 p.m. Free.

Pale Green Pants (jazz) at Vermont Pub & Brewery, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

Rob Compa & Friends (jam) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 8:30 p.m. $10.

Steven Yardley & Friends (singer-songwriter) at Black Flannel Brewing & Distilling, Essex, 6 p.m. Free.

Strange Purple Jelly (funk, soul) at Red Square, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

FRI.5

Barbie N Bones (rock) at the Old Post, South Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

Find the most up-to-date info on live music, DJs, comedy and more at sevendaysvt.com/music. If you’re a talent booker or artist planning live entertainment at a bar, nightclub, café, restaurant, brewery or coffee shop, send event details to music@sevendaysvt.com or submit the info using our form at sevendaysvt.com/postevent.

All the Feels

With confessional lyrics that reflect a musician whose heart is firmly on her sleeve, Burlington singer-songwriter JESSE TAYLOR has one foot in the world of folk but is equally capable of going full-throttle rock goddess with her killer backing band. Taylor first caught local attention on her 2021 EP, ever-changing, a ’90s-loving collection of pop-punk and folk rock suffused with tenderness and raw energy. She and her band are finally back with a swaggering new LP, feel everything, which drops this Friday, June 5. Taylor and her band wrap up a tour in support of the record on Saturday, June 6, at Higher Ground Showcase Lounge in South Burlington. They’re joined by fellow Burlington rockers the LEATHERBOUND BOOKS and the EYETRAPS

The Blue Moon Band (jazz) at Vermont Pub & Brewery, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free. Boxcar Breakdown Bluegrass Band (bluegrass, folk) at Dick Wright Public House, Franklin, 6 p.m. $10.

BrattRock (talent show) at the Stone Church, Brattleboro, 6 p.m. $10-20.

Brooklyn Circle, MLS (jazz) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 8:30 p.m. $10.

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

Corey & Friends Band (rock, country) at the Rest Stop, South Hero, 6 p.m. Free.

D. Davis (singer-songwriter) at the Whammy Bar, Calais, 7 p.m. Free.

Dave Mitchell’s Blue’s Revue (blues) at Red Square, Burlington, 2 p.m. Free.

Dead Man Strumming (Grateful Dead tribute) at River Roost Brewery, White River Junction, 5 p.m. Free.

The Duncan MacCleod Band (rock, blues) at Two Heroes Brewery & Public House, South Hero, 6 p.m. Free.

Folderol (rock) at Afterthoughts, Waitsfield, 8:30 p.m. Free.

Forest Station (bluegrass) at Zenbarn, Waterbury Center, 8 p.m. $10.

Friedman & Capps Quartet (jazz) at Vermont Pub & Brewery, Burlington, 1 p.m. Free.

Jerborn (acoustic) at 1st Republic Brewing, Essex, 6 p.m. Free.

John Fealy, Joe Grabon, Gary Wade (acoustic) at Martell’s at the Red Fox, Jeffersonville, 6 p.m. Free.

Josh Dobbs Trio (jazz) at American Flatbread Burlington Hearth, 5 p.m. Free.

Los Songoros (Latin) at Santiago’s Cuban Cuisine, Burlington, 5:30 p.m. Free.

The Lost Faculty (indie) at Stowe Cider, 5 p.m. Free.

Matt Hagen’s Classy Boss (jazz, bossa nova) at American Flatbread Burlington Hearth, 2 p.m. Free.

Mean Waltons (bluegrass) at Poultney Pub, 6 p.m. Free.

Meet Me @ the Altar, Fluorescents (rock) at Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington, 8 p.m. $25.

Michael Louis-Smith & Friends (jazz) at Zero Gravity Beer Hall, Burlington, 4 p.m. Free.

Saturn People’s Sound Collective (jazz) at the SEABA Center, Burlington, 8 p.m. $25/$35. Satyrdagg, COOP (jazz) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 11 p.m. $10.

Shane McGrath (acoustic) at Gusto’s, Barre, 5 p.m. Free.

Trane and Miles’ 100th Birthday Latin-Jazz Tribute (jazz) at Hotel Vermont, Burlington, 8:30 p.m. Free.

Tyler Mast (folk rock) at Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

SAT.6

Bad Luck Bliss (blues, altcountry) at Afterthoughts, Waitsfield, 8:30 p.m. Free.

The Cold Creek Pickers (bluegrass) at Shelburne Vineyard, 6 p.m. Free.

Descarga Burlington (jazz) at Hotel Vermont, Burlington, 8:30 p.m. Free.

DNA (rock, pop) at Poultney Pub, 6 p.m. Free.

Downtown Sextet (jazz) at Vermont Pub & Brewery, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

The Edd, DJ Jime Time (jam band) at Einstein’s Tap House, Burlington, 8 p.m. $10.

Eric Hoh Trio (jazz) at Vermont Pub & Brewery, Burlington, 1 p.m. Free.

Ethan Snyder (jazz) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 9 p.m. $10.

HiFi (house) at the Alchemist, Stowe, 7 p.m. Free.

Horn of the Moon Orchestra (jazz) at Hugo’s, Montpelier, 7:30 p.m. Free.

Jeff & Gina (acoustic) at Two Heroes Brewery & Public House, South Hero, 6 p.m. Free.

Jesse Taylor Band, the Leatherbound Books, the Eyetraps (indie rock) at Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $12.

Junior Toots (Toots and the Maytals tribute) at Zenbarn, Waterbury Center, 8 p.m. $25/$30.

Left Eye Jump (blues) at Red Square, Burlington, 3 p.m. Free.

Matt Hagen’s Classy Boss (acoustic) at Black Flannel Brewing & Distilling, Essex, 2 p.m. Free.

Michael-Louis Smith & Brooklyn Circle (jazz) at American Flatbread Burlington Hearth, 5 p.m. Free.

MINC (soul, funk) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $10.

Moonboys (jazz) at American Flatbread Burlington Hearth, 1 p.m. Free.

Rachel Ambaye’s Imagined Reality (jazz) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 6 p.m. $10.

RadioDead (covers) at Monkey House, Winooski, 8 p.m. $10.

The Romans (jazz) at Zero Gravity Beer Hall, Burlington, 3 p.m. Free.

Skate Jam! Presented by Jason Moran and the Bandwagon Featuring Ron Allen & Chuck Treece (jazz, skate) at Andy A_Dog Williams Skatepark, Burlington, 1 p.m. Free.

Socially Problematic Children, Phantom Suns, Spaisekult, Astrocat, Champlain Shoregasm (rock) at 1st Republic Brewing, Essex, 7 p.m. $10.

Sylvie Courvoisier (piano) at the Mill ADK, Westport, N.Y., 8 p.m. $30.

Thursday, Tim Kasher, Old Canes (hardcore) at the Stone Church, Brattleboro, 7 p.m. $60.

The Trojan Horns Brass Band (jazz, funk) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 11 p.m. $10.

Troy & Matt (singer-songwriter) at the Den at Harry’s Hardware, Cabot, 7 p.m. Free.

SUN.7

The Beths, Squirrel Flower (indie rock) at Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington, 7:30 p.m. SOLD OUT.

Bluegrass Brunch (bluegrass) at Madbush Falls, Waitsfield, noon. Free.

The Dan Ryan Express (jazz) at Zero Gravity Beer Hall, Burlington, 3 p.m. Free.

Dead Men Strumming (Grateful Dead tribute) at Shelburne Vineyard, 1 p.m. Free.

Eric Hoh Trio (jazz) at Vermont Pub & Brewery, Burlington, 1 p.m. Free.

A Few Fine Gents, Technicolour LTD, Man Made Tragedies (rock) at Stage 33 Live, Bellows Falls, 7 p.m. $15/$20.

GRG Trio (jazz) at American Flatbread Burlington Hearth, noon. Free.

Keegan James Blood, the Heavy Nettles (indie) at Monkey House, Winooski, 7:30 p.m. $5/$10.

Nick Warner & Friends (jazz) at Vermont Pub & Brewery, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

Seth Yacovone (acoustic) at the Alchemist, Stowe, 4 p.m. Free.

Sunday Brunch Tunes (singersongwriter) at Hotel Vermont, Burlington, 10 a.m.

Switchel (bluegrass) at Lawson’s Finest Liquids, Waitsfield, 3 p.m. Free.

Tiffany Pfeiffer, Parker Shper, Rob Morse (roots, folk) at Shelburne Vineyard, 5 p.m. Free. Troy Millette (Americana) at Switchback Beer Garden & Smokehouse, Burlington, 1 p.m. Free.

Wine & Jazz Sundays (jazz) at Shelburne Vineyard, 5 p.m. Free. Wolfman Jack (Grateful Dead tribute) at the Stone Church, Brattleboro, 6 p.m. $18-26.

MON.8

TURNmusic Presents Rachel Ambaye’s ‘Imagined Reality’ (jazz, poetry) at the Phoenix Gallery, Waterbury, 7:30 p.m. $15-30.

SAT.6 // JESSE TAYLOR BAND [INDIE ROCK]

Live Music

EVNGwear, Family Night

(SELF-RELEASED, DIGITAL)

June

Hardscrabble

Jay’s

Maple Staples

The Hive Café / Maharaja Spice

Hangry Hogg

Chris and Erica Brew Wagon

Jerborn Hangry Hogg /

July

TBD

Maharaja Spice / Pizza Bottega / Big Mindy’s

Blake Matteson

Lloyd Tyler Band

C&M Concessions / Pizza Bottega/ The Hive Café

She Was Right

Ryan Sweezey

Jay’s Famous Cheesesteaks

Maharaja Spice / Pizza Bottega

Chris and Issy

King Me

Hangry Hogg / Pizza Bottega The Hive Café

Bethany Conner

Jerband

Big Mindy’s / The Hive Café

@maquambarnwinery

Not so long ago, sister venues Nectar’s and Club Metronome were an epicenter of collaboration for Burlington musicians. The ﬁrst- and second-ﬂoor clubs, which closed last year and still sit empty on Main Street, served as an uno cial clubhouse for the local jam band and Grateful Dead tribute community.

Back in 2010, bassist and then-Nectar’s general manager Alex Budney launched a weekly Monday open jam he dubbed Family Night, inviting a wide swath of local musicians to take the stage and play together. Over time, a particularly tasty combo emerged from the sessions, featuring Budney, drummer Ethan Snyder, guitarist Walker Allen and keyboardist Eric B. Maier. The four players realized they had the perfect makeup for a jazz-fusion act — with shades of funk and R&B for good measure — and called themselves EVNGwear.

bobbing-and-weaving bass line is slyly dynamic and utterly tasteful, moving like a conversation between old friends. When Maier wades into the jam with a cavalcade of notes from his keyboard, one can practically envision the writhing and shu ing crowd dancing at Metronome, lost in the groove.

“Break Out” kicks o with a gorgeous, sunny guitar ﬁgure, soon joined by Snyder on drums. He often functions on the record like a jazz version of Nick Mason, the Pink Floyd drummer who never played an unnecessary beat. Snyder’s reﬁned restraint is a highlight of Family Night, which makes moments when he lets the beast out — as he does on the jam in the middle of “Break Out” and album closer “Hot Dog” — all the more powerful.

After gigging in town for years, the band has ﬁnally gotten around to recording a debut LP, Family Night. While the name would have been apt based on the band’s history alone, it also signiﬁes the kind of album the fellas have crafted. This is a record brimming with near-telepathic interplay developed through countless live sets, a faithful re-creation of EVNGwear’s expansive, down-and-gritty live sound.

The band kicks o the album with a seven minute-plus rendition of the James Brown classic “Ain’t It Funky Now.” The interaction between Walker’s funk-infused guitar and Budney’s

EVNGwear are at their most intriguing when getting nasty with a groove, just on the edge of full funk. But they color in many shades. The pop-jazz of “Joy,” the sole number on the album to clock in at less than seven minutes, allows Walker’s elegant, reﬁned licks to shine. They get a little dirtier on the sprawling, nearly 10-minute-long “Red Baron,” which slips into the blues with hints of progressive rock, revealing rugged edges in the best way possible.

Family Night may be a debut, but these are musicians intimately familiar with one another, and the album reﬂects that bond. Give it a listen on major services and at evngwear.bandcamp. com. EVNGwear play the Top Block Stage on the Church Street Marketplace on Wednesday, June 3, 6 p.m., as part of the Burlington Discover Jazz Festival. CHRIS FARNSWORTH

live music

CONTINUED FROM P.61

TUE.9

e Bandit Queen of Sorrows, Strayhound, Connor Young (folk) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 6:30 p.m. $10.

Big Easy Tuesdays with Jon McBride (jazz) at the 126, Burlington, 9 p.m. Free.

Bluegrass Jam (bluegrass) at Poultney Pub, 7 p.m. Free.

Dead Is Alive with Dobbs’ Dead (Grateful Dead tribute) at Einstein’s Tap House, Burlington, 8 p.m. $15.

Evan Jennison, Matt Schrag (singer-songwriter) at Black Flannel Brewing & Distilling, Essex, 6 p.m. Free.

e Hip Abduction, Will Evans (indie pop, reggae) at Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $25.

Honky-Tonk Tuesday with Queen City Cut-Ups (bluegrass) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 9 p.m. $10/$15. Moonruner, Failure to Lunch, Lyco Ocha (indie rock) at Monkey House, Winooski, 7:30 p.m. Free.

Sap Line (folk) at Lawson’s Finest Liquids, Waitsﬁeld, 5:30 p.m. Free.

WED.10

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

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

Dino Gala, Hello Shark, Francie Medosch (indie rock) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 8 p.m. $15.

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.

Milton Busker (singersongwriter) at Two Heroes Brewery & Public House, South Hero, 6 p.m. Free.

WED.3

DJ Chaston (DJ) at Red Square, Burlington, 10 p.m. Free.

THU.4

DJ Two Sev, JP Black, Lucky Luc, Chaston (DJ) at Red Square, Burlington, 9 p.m. Free.

irsty ursday (DJ) at Rí Rá Irish Pub & Whiskey Room, Burlington, 10 p.m. Free.

Vinyl Night (DJ) at Poultney Pub, 6 p.m. Free.

FRI.5

DJ Chia (DJ) at Bent Nails Roadhouse, Middlesex, 8:30 p.m. Free.

DJ CRE8 (DJ) at Foam Brewers, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

DJ Taka (DJ) at Light Club Lamp Shop, Burlington, 11 p.m. $10/$15.

DJ Two Sev, Ron Stoppable, Aidan, Rubi (DJ) at Red Square, Burlington, 8 p.m. Free.

THU.4 // STEVEN YARDLEY & FRIENDS [SINGER-SONGWRITER]

Yard Work

Singer-songwriter, guitarist and storyteller STEVEN YARDLEY is a ubiquitous presence around the Burlington music scene. Whether he’s playing with indierock outﬁt the Pyros or bluegrass and folk band Sonic Steve’s Orchestra, or piloting his mobile stage, the Jammbulance, from site to site, Yardley is rarely far from the action. He does occasionally slow down just to play some good ol’-fashioned blues music — with a slide and harmonica, no less. He performs on Thursday, June 4, at Black Flannel Brewing & Distilling’s biergarten in Essex. He’ll be joined by a few friends for a set encompassing the very roots of blues, with some surprises thrown in for good measure.

Friday Night at Specs (DJ) at Specs Café & Bar, Winooski, 7 p.m. Free.

SAT.6

DJ Chaston, Aras, Raul, Matt P (DJ) at Red Square, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

DJ Collin Hagood (DJ) at Specs, Winooski, 7 p.m. Free.

DJ Fattie B (DJ) at Foam Brewers, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

DJ Liv & Friends (DJ) at Light Club Lamp Shop, Burlington, 10 p.m. Free.

DJ Two Rivers (DJ) at Gusto’s, Barre, 9 p.m. Free.

TUE.9

Bashment Tuesday (DJ) at Akes’ Place, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

open mics & jams

WED.3

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

Open Mic (open mic) at Poultney Pub, 7 p.m. Free.

e Ribbit Review Open Mic & Jam (open mic) at Lily’s Pad, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

THU.4

Open Mic (open mic) at the Whammy Bar, Calais, 7 p.m. Free.

FRI.5

Red Brick Coffee House (open mic) at Red Brick Meeting House, Westford, 7 p.m. Free.

SUN.7

Olde Time Jam Session (open jam) at the Den at Harry’s Hardware, Cabot, noon. Free.

MON.8

Bluegrass Etc. Jam with Ben Kogan (bluegrass jam session) at Ottauquechee Yacht Club, Woodstock, 6:30 p.m. Free.

Monday Night Open Mic (open mic) at Pearl Street Pub, Essex Junction, 6 p.m. Free.

TUE.9

Doug’s Open Mic (open mic) at Two Heroes Brewery & Public House, South Hero, 6 p.m. Free.

WED.10

Open Mic (open mic) at Poultney Pub, 7 p.m. Free.

Writers’ Bloc (prose, poetry open mic) at Light Club Lamp Shop, Burlington, 6:30 p.m. Free.

comedy

WED.3

Otto & Astrid (comedy, punk) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 6:30 p.m. $25.

Standup Open Mic (comedy open mic) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 8:30 p.m. Free.

e Unmentionables (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 7 p.m. $6.99.

trivia,

karaoke, etc.

WED.3

Karaoke Friday Night (karaoke) at Park Place Tavern & Grill, Essex Junction, 8 p.m. Free.

Karaoke with Cam (karaoke) at Monopole, Plattsburgh, N.Y., 9 p.m. Free.

Trivia (trivia) at Two Heroes Brewery & Public House, South Hero, 6 p.m. Free.

Trivia (trivia) at Alﬁe’s Wild Ride, Stowe, 7 p.m. Free.

Trivia (trivia) at Rí Rá Irish Pub & Whiskey Room, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

Trivia (trivia) at Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

THU.4

Country Line Dancing (line dancing) at Zenbarn, Waterbury Center, 7:30 p.m. Free.

Karaoke (karaoke) at Gusto’s, Barre, 8 p.m. Free.

Karaoke Friday Night (karaoke) at Park Place Tavern & Grill, Essex Junction, 8 p.m. Free.

Trivia (trivia) at Einstein’s Tap House, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

Trivia (trivia) at Four Quarters Brewing, Winooski, 6 p.m. Free.

THU.4

Comedy Open Mic Night:

Unﬁltered Summer Edition (comedy) at Frost Beer Works, Hinesburg, 7 p.m. Free.

Daniel Geneen (comedy) at the Mill ADK, Westport, N.Y., 8 p.m. $30.

FRI.5

Daniel Geneen (comedy) at the Mill ADK, Westport, N.Y., 8 p.m. $30.

Michael Kosta (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 9 p.m. $30.

SAT.6

Funny With Pride Comedy Show (comedy) at Pentangle Arts, Woodstock, 6:30 p.m. $25.

Michael Kosta (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 9 p.m. $30.

Vermont Comedy All-Stars Live Standup Comedy Showcase (comedy) at Next Stage Arts, Putney, 7:30 p.m. $12/$15.

TUE.9

All at Jazz Open Mic Comedy (comedy) at the 126, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

WED.10

Comedy Open Mic Night: Unﬁltered MoonDog Edition (comedy) at Moondog Tavern, Hinesburg, 7 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.9

Karaoke with DJ Vociferous (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.

Ted Lasso Trivia Night (trivia) at Switchback Beer Garden & Smokehouse, Burlington, 5 p.m. Free.

Trivia Night (trivia) at Gusto’s, Barre, 6:30 p.m. Free.

Trivia Tuesday (trivia) at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction, 7 p.m. Free.

WED.10

Karaoke Friday Night (karaoke) at Park Place Tavern & Grill, Essex Junction, 8 p.m. Free.

Karaoke with Cam (karaoke) at Monopole, Plattsburgh, N.Y., 9 p.m. Free.

Trivia (trivia) at Alﬁe’s Wild Ride, Stowe, 7 p.m. Free.

Trivia (trivia) at Rí Rá Irish Pub & Whiskey Room, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

Trivia (trivia) at Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free. ➆

Trivia Night (trivia) at 1st Republic Brewing, Essex, 6 p.m. Free.

Trivia Night (trivia) at McKee’s Island Pub & Pizza, South Hero, 6:30 p.m. Free.

Trivia Night with College (trivia) at Bent Nails Roadhouse, Middlesex, 7 p.m. Free.

FRI.5

Boogie Bingo (bingo, DJ) at the Alchemist, Stowe, 5 p.m. Free.

Karaoke Friday Night (karaoke) at Park Place Tavern & Grill, Essex Junction, 8 p.m. Free.

SAT.6

Queeraoke with Goddess (karaoke) at Standing Stone Wines, Winooski, 9 p.m. Free.

SUN.7

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.

Trivia (trivia) at Zenbarn, Waterbury Center, 5:30 p.m. Free.

MON.8

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.

Listening In

(Spotify mix of local jams)

1. “SPACE FROM ME” by Tyler

Scan to listen sevendaysvt. com/playlist

Mast

“FLOWERS FOR NO REASON” by Chad Hollister

“PALE RAGE (FOR J.G. BALLARD)” by Invisible Homes

“RUBY, MY DEAR” by Rachel Ambaye

5. “THE LOST SOUL” by Ruth Garbus

6. “HARD LUCK” by COOKED, Fifth World

7. “FLUNKORAMA” by Freddie Losambe, Coyote Reverie

calendar

JUNE 3-10, 2026

WED.3

activism

DISABLED ACCESS & ADVOCACY OF THE RUTLAND AREA MONTHLY ZOOM MEETING: Community members gather online to advocate for accessibility and other disability-rights measures. 11:30 a.m.-noon. Free.

agriculture

MED47 GARDEN SHOPPE:

Green thumbs revel in a jampacked pop-up sale of veggie plants, annuals, perennials, hanging baskets and décor. Proceeds benefit the Brendon P. Cousino Med47 Foundation. 3319 S. 116 Rd., Bristol, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Free; cost of plants.

business

VERMONT WOMENPRENEURS BIZ

BUZZ ZOOM: A monthly virtual networking meetup provides a space for female business owners to connect. 10-11 a.m. Free; preregister.

VERMONT WOMENPRENEURS

SUMMIT: Women and genderexpansive entrepreneurs convene for an evening of genuine community connection. Isham Family Farm, Williston, 5-8:30 p.m. $60.

community

CONNECTIONS CAFÉ: Those living with dementia or other cognitive disorders and their caregivers gather to make friends and have fun. Stowe Free Library, 10-11:30 a.m. Free.

PASSEGGIATA: Locals take to the streets for a communitybuilding stroll of the pedestrian promenade based on the Italian social ritual. Church Street Marketplace, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

PASSEGGIATA WATERBURY:

Neighbors adopt a timeless Mediterranean tradition of civic engagement and social bonding during an evening amble. Downtown Waterbury, 5-8 p.m. Free.

SCULPTURE INSTALLATION: Burlington City Arts invites locals to a celebratory parade escorting artist Nancy Winship Milliken’s 48-foot-long black locust tree sculpture, “Lakebone,” to its permanent spot on Main Street. Downtown Burlington, 9:30 a.m. Free.

crafts

FIBER ARTS NIGHT: Knitters, crocheters and weavers make progress on projects while soaking up creativity and connection. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, 5:30-7 p.m. Free.

YARN & YAK: A weekly club for fiber fanatics of all skill levels makes knitting and crocheting more sociable. Milton Artists’ Guild Art Center & Gallery, 5-7 p.m. Free.

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.

etc.

CHAMP MASTERS

TOASTMASTERS CLUB: Those looking to strengthen their speaking and leadership skills gain new tools. Virtual option available. Dealer.com, Burlington, 6-7:30 p.m. Free; preregister.

GUIDED TOURS: Guests get to know the personal histories of rescued farm animals at an educational walk-through highlighting the nuances of lifelong care. Merrymac Animal

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

Seven Days calendar writer

Rebecca Driscoll selects and writes calendar spotlights. To help process the hundreds of event submissions we receive each week, some listings are compiled with the help of AI. Driscoll reviews, edits and verifies every entry before publication.

Learn more about highlighted listings in the Magnificent 7 on page 11.

participants in gentle stretches supported by seats. 10 a.m. Free.

PEOPLE’S HEALTH & WELLNESS

FREE CLINIC: A monthly community social work and nursing clinic provides accessible support for locals in need. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, 3-5 p.m. Free.

Sanctuary, Charlotte, 2-3 p.m. $25.

MUSEUM TOURS: A guided tour charts a course through regional history, uncovering the archaeological secrets hidden beneath the waves. Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, Vergennes, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free.

food & drink

CHAMPLAIN ISLANDS

FARMERS MARKET: Talented artisans and vendors showcase their farm-fresh veggies, meats, eggs, flowers, honey and other goodies. South Hero St. Rose of Lima Church, 3-6 p.m. Free.

COMMUNITY COOKING:

Helping hands join up with the nonprofit’s staff and volunteers to make a yummy meal for distribution. Pathways Vermont Morgan’s Place Peer Support Center, Burlington, 6-8 p.m. Free.

CUPPA ON CAMPUS: Community members mingle over tea and coffee, swapping bright ideas for the future of the property. The Creative Campus at Goddard, Plainfield, 8-10 a.m. Free.

MARKET ON THE GREEN: Shoppers feast their eyes on fresh produce, prepared foods and artisanal goods while tuning into live local music. Woodstock Village Green, 3-6 p.m. Free.

health & fitness

BLOOD DRIVE: Participants part with life-sustaining pints at this American Red Cross donation event. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, noon4 p.m. Free; preregister.

CHAIR YOGA: Waterbury Public Library instructor Diana Whitney leads at-home

québec

FESTIVAL TRANSAMÉRIQUES:

Artists from across generations and continents converge in Montréal for two weeks of dance and theater shows. Various Montréal locations. Various prices.

RECOVERY DHARMA: Folks struggling with addiction gather weekly for an evening of meditation, topical readings and open discussion in a supportive environment. First United Methodist Church, Burlington, 6-7 p.m. Free.

language

LANGUAGE LOUNGE: Lunch breaks transform into global conversation circles as participants sharpen their multilingual skills. See kellogghubbard.org for details. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, noon. Free.

SPANISH CONVERSATION: Fluent and beginner speakers brush up on their vocabulario with a discussion led by a Spanish teacher. Presented by Dorothy Alling Memorial Library. 5-6 p.m. Free; preregister. lgbtq

THE ALL INCLUSIVE DYKETACULAR: A weekly get-together and listening party celebrates the LGBTQ+ community with feelgood tunes, dancing and drinks. Doma Bar, Burlington, 5-10 p.m. Free; cost of food and drink.

music

‘THE BEAT BENEATH US’: The Burlington Discover Jazz Festival kicks off with an energetic exploration of rhythm, movement and Black creative power featuring lauded artists Savion Glover, Jason Moran and Chris Dave. Flynn Main Stage, Burlington, 7 p.m. $25.60-67.60.

DOWNTOWN JAZZ: BIRDCODE: A local ensemble delivers diverse vocal and instrumental arrangements, from classic standards to fresh originals. College St., Burlington, 6-8 p.m. Free.

DOWNTOWN JAZZ: SOULE MONDE: An avant-funk duo taps into a telepathic musical connection at a performance of bold, syncopated improvisation and heavy grooves. Church Street Marketplace, Burlington, 6-9 p.m. Free.

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.

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

‘GROW’: Teenage twins swap their sheltered Amish upbringing for an unexpected entrepreneurial venture in cannabis growing in this bold new musical comedy. Sylvan Adams Theatre, Segal Centre for Performing Arts, Montréal, 1 & 7:30 p.m. $33-75.

seminars

‘IMPROVE YOUR IMPROV’:

Participants explore the fundamentals of improvisational theater at this playful, low-pressure class featuring games, storytelling and group exercises. Stowe Free Library, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Free.

sports

GREEN MOUNTAIN TABLE

TENNIS CLUB: Ping-Pong players block, chop and lob in singles and doubles matches. Rutland Area Christian School, 7-9 p.m. Free for first two sessions; $30 annual membership.

WHALEBOAT WEDNESDAYS:

Lake lovers embark on a unique aquatic adventure by rowing and sailing a traditionally rigged wooden craft across the water. Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, Vergennes, 4-7 p.m. $60 suggested donation.

talks

DEEP DIVES SERIES: Listeners plunge into the depths of local maritime history at a biweekly lecture series featuring illuminating presentations by archaeologists, educators and researchers. Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, Vergennes, 6-7 p.m. Free; preregister.

ERIN THOMPSON: In “Heist! How to Steal a Masterpiece (And Why You Probably Shouldn’t Try),” a professor of art crime unpacks the reality of museum security and the fate of stolen works. St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, 6 p.m. Free.

DOWNTOWN JAZZ: THE STEVE BREDICE QUARTET: Four veteran musicians lock into the pocket at an outdoor performance featuring sophisticated phrasing and creative improvisation. Burlington City Hall Park, noon-1 p.m. Free.

JAZZ CAFÉ: Fans of the genre savor a showcase of live tunes performed by professional and up-and-coming Vermont musicians in an intimate setting. Stone Valley Arts, Poultney, 7 p.m. Free.

ST. J BLUEGRASS JAM: Players and fans get together for some old-time picking and fiddling. St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church of St. Johnsbury, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Free; donations accepted.

whodunit. Worthen Library, South Hero, 6:30 p.m. Free; preregister. words

JASPER CRAVEN: A Northeast Kingdom native and freelance reporter launches his new book, God Forgives, Brothers Don’t, examining the toxic masculinity of military education. The Norwich Bookstore, 7 p.m. Free.

MICHAEL J. TOUGIAS: A New York Times best-selling author chronicles harrowing true stories from his nonfiction book, Extreme Survival: Lessons From Those Who Have Triumphed Against All Odds. Morristown Centennial Library, Morrisville, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Free.

THU.4 agriculture

MED47 GARDEN SHOPPE: See WED.3.

community

MEETUP FOR WOMEN, TRANS & NONBINARY TRADESPEOPLE & DESIGNERS: Underrepresented professionals in the trades swap jobsite stories and leadership strategies at an informal gathering. Refreshments provided. Mathes Hulme Builders, Brattleboro, 5-7 p.m. Free.

MONTPELIER RAMBLE: Locals take to the streets for a weekly community-building stroll of the Capital City’s pedestrian promenades. Downtown Montpelier, 5-7 p.m. Free.

OPEN MIC: An all-inclusive monthly showcase invites both seasoned and first-time acts to share their talents and connect with fellow artists. BYOB and food. Brookfield Old Town Hall, 6:30-8 p.m. Free.

PECHAKUCHA NIGHT: Participants in the Japanese storytelling phenomenon recount a tale through 20 images, with only 20 seconds to explain each one. Film House, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington, 7 p.m. $7-10.

GLENN FAY, JR.: The local educator and author shares little-known facts about Fanny Allen’s mother. Refreshments provided. Ethan Allen Homestead Museum, Burlington, 6:30-8 p.m. Free.

SARAH STEWART TAYLOR: The award-winning Vermont author pulls back the curtain on the art of crafting an atmospheric

TOWN BY TOWN: ‘VERMONT EDITION’: Vermont Public’s daily call-in news program takes the show on the road, inviting locals to share their perspectives and questions at a live broadcast. Latchis Hotel & Theater, Brattleboro, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Free; preregister.

conferences

DOWNTOWN & HISTORIC PRESERVATION CONFERENCE:

These community event listings are sponsored by the WaterWheel Foundation, a project of the Vermont band Phish.

An annual meeting of the minds brings together stakeholders to network and learn about pertinent topics such as community planning and revitalization.

Various St. Albans locations, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. $60; preregister.

crafts

KNIT FOR YOUR NEIGHBORS:

From clicking needles to looping looms, participants hook into a mission of goodwill by creating handmade winter wear for the South Burlington Food Shelf. Materials provided. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 2-5 p.m. Free.

KNITTING GROUP: Knitters of every experience level get together to spin yarns. Latham Library, Thetford, 7 p.m. Free.

WOODWORKING LAB: Visionaries create a project or learn a new skill with the help of mentors and access to makerspace tools and equipment. Patricia A. Hannaford Career Center, Middlebury, 5-8 p.m. $7.50.

environment

BTV CLEAN UP CREW: Good Samaritans dispose of needles, trash and other unwanted objects. BYO gloves encouraged. Top of Church St., Burlington, 7:30-10 a.m. Free.

etc.

NIGHT OWL CLUB: Astronomers and space exploration experts discuss the latest in extraterrestrial news with curious attendees. Presented by Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium. 7 p.m. Free.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section.

‘BACKYARD WILDERNESS 3D’:

Cameras positioned in nests, underwater and along the forest floor capture a year’s worth of critters coming and going. 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, $17-23; free for members and kids 2 and under.

‘DINOSAURS OF ANTARCTICA 3D’: Join scientists on a journey through a surreal world of bug-eyed giants and egg-laying mammals. Dealer.com 3D Theater, ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, 11 a.m., 1 & 3 p.m. $3-5 plus regular admission, $17-23; free for members and kids 2 and under.

‘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, noon, 2 & 4 p.m. $3-5 plus regular admission, $17-23; free for members and kids 2 and under.

‘SHARK KINGDOM 3D’: A highstakes investigation into the underwater realm reveals how humanity’s future hinges on the fate of the ocean’s toothiest inhabitants. Dealer.com 3D Theater, ECHO Leahy Center for Lake

FAMI LY FU N

Check out these family-friendly events for parents, caregivers and kids of all ages.

Plan ahead at sevendaysvt.com/family-fun

• Post your event at sevendaysvt.com/postevent.

WED.3

CO-PARENTING DADS: Experiencing separation, divorce or long-term co-parenting? Fathers assemble virtually to connect, build community and share experiences in a supportive environment. Hosted by Dad Guild. 8:45-10 p.m. Free.

burlington

‘CHAMP: AMERICA’S LAKE MONSTER’ EXHIBIT: Curious minds dive into the science and history of Vermont’s most iconic legend at this family-friendly exhibit featuring interactive games, a design studio, multimedia displays, a 30-foot sculpture and photo ops. ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Regular admission, $17-23; free for members and kids 2 and under.

‘DINOSAUR SAFARI’ EXHIBIT: Young explorers take an unforgettable journey through a hands-on prehistoric world

JUN. 4 | MUSIC

A Feast for the Senses

Looking for a field-good time? Beat a path to Barnard’s Fable Farm orchard, where BarnArts hosts its season-long outdoor music series, Feast & Field. This week, dig into a performance by Tommy Crawford and other original members of Vermont Farm Project, a homegrown indie-folk musical. Following last year’s world-premiere run at Northern Stage, the cast reconnects for a concert of songs from the award-winning work inspired by years of interviews with local farmers. Expect resonant tunes from the show, as well as new bluegrass jams and classic folk ditties ripe with heart.

FEAST & FIELD: TOMMY CRAWFORD & ‘VERMONT FARM PROJECT’ Thursday, June 4, 6 p.m., at Fable Farm in Barnard. $5-30. Info, 802-234-1645, feastandfield.com.

where life-size animatronic dinosaurs come to life. ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Regular admission, $17-23; free for members and kids 2 and under.

barre/montpelier

BABY & CAREGIVER MEETUP: Wiggly ones ages birth to 18 months play and explore in a calm, supportive setting while adults relax and connect on the sidelines.

Jaquith Public Library, Marshfield, 10:3011:30 a.m. Free.

FAMILY CHESS CLUB: Players of all ages and abilities test their skills with instructor Robert and peers. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 2nd Floor, Children’s Library, Montpelier, 3:30-5 p.m. Free.

mad river valley/ waterbury

TEEN QUEER READS: LGBTQIA+ and allied youths get together each month to read and discuss ideas around gender, sexuality and identity. Waterbury Public Library, 6-7 p.m. Free; preregister.

upper valley

‘CREATIVIDAD SILVESTRE/WILD

CREATIVITY’ EXHIBIT: Aspiring innovators examine biological designs of the natural world to better understand and solve human engineering challenges. Montshire Museum of Science, Norwich, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Regular admission, $18-21; free for members and kids under 2.

STORY TIME: Early literacy takes center stage as infants and toddlers engage in a melodic mix of books and songs. Norwich Public Library, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free.

THU.4 burlington

‘CHAMP: AMERICA’S LAKE MONSTER’ EXHIBIT: See WED.3.

‘DINOSAUR SAFARI’ EXHIBIT: See WED.3.

BABY & ME CLASS: Parents and their infants ages birth to 1 explore massage, lullabies and gentle movements while discussing the struggles and joys of parenthood. Greater Burlington YMCA, 9:45-10:45 a.m. $10; free for members.

GROW PRESCHOOL YOGA: Colleen from Grow Prenatal and Family Yoga helps toddlers and their caregivers find their flow through a playful blend of song, movement and stretching. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 11-11:30 a.m. Free.

TWEEN GROUP: A new program for queer and gender-creative youths ages 10 to 12 offers space to make new friends, join in fun activities and build community. Outright Vermont, Burlington, 4-6 p.m. Free.

chittenden county

FIRST THURSDAYS: MUSIC & MOVEMENT WITH MISS EMMA: Caregivers and their tiny charges boost early literacy through a rhythmic regimen of singing, dancing and motor-skill

development. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 10:30-11 a.m. Free.

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.

PRESCHOOL PLAY TIME: Pre-K patrons play and socialize after music time. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 11-11:30 a.m. Free.

barre/montpelier

POKÉMON CLUB: I choose you, Pikachu! Elementary and teenage fans of the franchise — and beginners, too — trade cards and play games. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, 3:30-5 p.m. Free.

STORY TIME: Kids and their caregivers meet for stories, songs and bubbles. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 2nd Floor, Children’s Library, Montpelier, 10:30-11 a.m. Free.

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.

mad river valley/ waterbury

BUSY BEES PLAYGROUP: Blocks, toys, books and songs engage little ones 24

Champlain, Burlington, 10:30 a.m., 12:30, 2:30 & 4:30 p.m. $3-5 plus regular admission, $17-23; free for members and kids 2 and under.

food & drink

BEER & CHEESE PAIRINGS: Reps from Hill Farmstead Brewery and Jasper Hill Farm deconstruct the flavor profiles of local brews and artisanal wedges at a deep dive into the craft of the two regional producers. Hill Farmstead

months and younger. Waterbury Public Library, 10-11:30 a.m. Free.

upper valley

‘CREATIVIDAD SILVESTRE/WILD CREATIVITY’ EXHIBIT: See WED.3.

northeast kingdom

‘CARDTOPIA’: The center’s studio space transforms into a giant interactive cardboard building, complete with secret chambers, tunnels and a ball run. Highland Center for the Arts, Greensboro, noon-4 p.m. Free.

ACORN CLUB STORY TIME: Youngsters 5 and under play, sing, hear stories and color. St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, 10:30-11 a.m. Free.

outside vermont

‘HADESTOWN: TEEN EDITION’: Young performers mount an age-appropriate version of Anaïs Mitchell’s acclaimed folk opera following Orpheus’ mythical quest to overcome Hades. Depot Theatre, Westport, N.Y., 7 p.m. $28.

FRI.5

burlington

‘CHAMP: AMERICA’S LAKE MONSTER’ EXHIBIT: See WED.3.

‘DINOSAUR SAFARI’ EXHIBIT: See WED.3.

Vermont Farm Project

Brewery, Greensboro, 6-8 p.m.

$30; preregister.

FLATBREAD FRIDAY: A rotating soundtrack of live local music sets the tone for this weekly fresh-air feast for all ages. The Wheeler Homestead, South Burlington, 4-6:30 p.m. Various prices.

games

BRIDGE CLUB: A lively group plays a classic, tricky game in pairs. Waterbury Public Library, 12:304:30 p.m. Free.

CHESS FOR FUN: Players select an opening gambit, go on the attack and protect their king in friendly competition. Cobleigh Public Library, Lyndonville, 5-8 p.m. Free.

DUPLICATE BRIDGE GAMES:

Snacks and coffee fuel bouts of a classic card game. Burlington Bridge Club, Williston, 12:30 p.m.

$6.

FRIENDLY GAME OF BRIDGE:

Strategic thinkers have a blast with the popular card game. Heineberg Senior Center, Burlington, 1-3 p.m. Free.

PEER SUPPORT DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: Beginners wanted!

Players get lost in the fantasyfilled tabletop role-playing game while focusing on teamwork, connection and community building. Morgan House, Burlington, 6-8 p.m. Free.

SOLARPUNK BOOK CLUB & GAME

NIGHT: Neighbors dream up a socially conscious, ecological future with readings and a short round of Solarpunk Futures. Peace & Justice Center, Burlington, 5-6:30 p.m. Free.

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.

health & fitness

‘AYURVEDA & CIRCADIAN MEDICINE: THE TIMING OF NUTRITION FOR HEALTH & LONGEVITY’: Experienced wellness practitioner Monika Jaeckle bridges ancient natural medicine and modern science to show how the strategic timing of meals plays a vital role in digestion. Precision Chiropractic, Williston, 6:30 p.m. Free; preregister.

BLOOD DRIVE: Participants part with life-sustaining pints at this American Red Cross donation event. Catalyst Church, Jericho, 1-6 p.m. Free; preregister.

COMMUNITY

MINDFULNESS: Volunteer coach Andrea Marion leads a weekly practice for stress reduction, followed by a discussion and Q&A. 5-6 p.m. Free; preregister.

SEATED TAI CHI: Adina guides at-home participants — including those with limited mobility or difficulty standing — through a sequence of slow, connected movements. Sponsored by the Dorothy Alling Memorial Library. 1 p.m. Free; preregister.

language

ITALIAN CONVERSATION GROUP: Parla Italiano? Language learners practice pronunciation and more at a friendly gathering. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, noon-1 p.m. Free.

LANGUAGE LOUNGE: See WED.3.

MANDARIN CONVERSATION

CIRCLE: Volunteers from Vermont Chinese School help students learn or improve their fluency. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 11 a.m.-noon. Free.

SPANISH CONVERSATION

GROUP: Conversationalists of all levels practice the Romance language in a welcoming environment. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 4:30-5:30 p.m. Free. lgbtq

POP-UP HAPPY HOUR: Locals connect over drinks at a speakeasy-style bar, hosted by OUT in the 802. Lincolns, Burlington, 5:30-7 p.m. Free.

music

DOWNTOWN JAZZ: MADAILA WITH ANDRIANA & THE BANANAS: A high-energy double bill features irresistible psych-pop and indie dance-rock tunes by the beloved local outfits. Church Street Marketplace, Burlington, 6-9 p.m. Free.

DOWNTOWN JAZZ: TRIO GUSTO AND MIKE MARTIN: An ensemble channels a suave, French-lounge feeling with a swinging performance blending classic standards with hot club rhythms and European chanson. College St., Burlington, 6-8 p.m. Free.

FEAST & FIELD: TOMMY CRAWFORD & ‘VERMONT FARM

PROJECT’: Rooted in real-life interviews with local farmers, a new indie-folk musical sows a night of stories, bluegrass jams, classic folk songs and original tunes. See calendar spotlight. Fable Farm, Barnard, 6 p.m. $5-30.

HARD SCRABBLE: The popular local acoustic band blends traditional bluegrass with blues covers while attendees enjoy fare from local food trucks. Maquam Barn & Winery, Milton, 6-8 p.m. Free; cost of food and drink.

HIGHER GROUND PRESENTS: MT. JOY: An acclaimed five-piece indie-rock band performs original songs that NPR says “unfold like good political speeches.” Midway Lawn, Champlain Valley Exposition, Essex Junction, 8 p.m. $66.50; free for kids 12 and under.

MADISON THOMPSON: Centuries of musical history resonate through the church’s 150-year-old pipes as a visiting organist performs the works of artists ranging from classical masters to pioneering symphonists. St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Middlebury, 12:15-1 p.m. Free.

‘MY HEART SINGS’: Grammynominated pianist Jason Moran, vocalist Rachel Ambaye and the Vermont Youth Orchestra Jazz Ensemble blow listeners away with a celebratory performance reimagining the work of legendary composer Duke Ellington.

It’s, Like, Totally Tubular

It’s time to tease up your hair and your expectations, because JAM Pride Prom is back for a fifth year of LGBTQ fabulousness at Junction Arts & Media in White River Junction. An ’80s theme throws it back to the days of powder-blue tuxedos and bad braces, so break out those shoulder pads and get ready to bust a move. High school can be tough no matter the decade, but this evening of live music, dancing, photo ops and the crowning of gender-neutral prom royalty might heal some wounds. Whether you channel your inner Material Girl or rock metallic Hammer pants, the retro affair promises a substance-free high.

JAM PRIDE PROM

Friday, June 5, 6 p.m., at Junction Arts & Media in White River Junction. $5-20 suggested donation. Info, 802-295-6688, uvjam.org.

Flynn Main Stage, Burlington, 7 p.m. $26.98-75.82.

québec

FESTIVAL TRANSAMÉRIQUES: See WED.3.

‘GROW’: See WED.3, 7:30 p.m.

sports

VERMONT LAKE MONSTERS: Green Mountain State batters step up to the plate while sports fans of all ages root, root, root for the home team. Centennial Field, Burlington, 6:35 p.m. $7.50-19.50.

tech

TECH HELP: Users with digital dilemmas seek expert guidance about everything from smartphone settings to e-book downloads. Norwich Public Library, 1-4 p.m. Free.

theater

‘THE SEARCH FOR SIGNS OF INTELLIGENT LIFE IN THE UNIVERSE’: An eccentric, sharp-witted street philosopher acts as a cosmic guide through a rich tapestry of human stories in this award-winning dramedy. Lost Nation Theater, Montpelier City Hall, 7:30 p.m. $15-44.

words

COOKBOOK CLUB: Home chefs tackle a recipe from one of Alison Roman’s titles, then convene to share and discuss the end result. Norwich Public Library, 5:30-7 p.m. Free; preregister.

FRI.5 agriculture

MED47 GARDEN SHOPPE: See WED.3.

bazaars

BOOK & PLANT SALE: Green thumbs and bookworms get their fill of gardening goodies and gently used titles. Proceeds benefit the Essex Free Library. Essex Memorial Hall, 4-8 p.m. Free.

community

CAREGIVER TEA: Folks caring for others trade the heavy lifting for a china cup at this restorative social hour complete with a spot of self-care. Central Vermont Council on Aging, Barre, 2-3 p.m. Free.

conferences

CREATIVE SECTOR CONVENING: Artisans, performers and other arts professionals get hands-on at a statewide gathering focused on turning creative skills into community solutions. Various St. Albans locations, 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. $25-75; preregister.

crafts

FIRST FRIDAY FIBER GROUP: Fiber-arts fans make progress on projects while chatting over snacks. GRACE, Hardwick, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Free; donations accepted.

etc.

MUSEUM TOURS: See WED.3.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section.

‘BACKYARD WILDERNESS 3D’: See THU.4.

‘DINOSAURS OF ANTARCTICA 3D’: See THU.4.

‘SEA MONSTERS 3D: A PREHISTORIC ADVENTURE’: See THU.4.

‘SHARK KINGDOM 3D’: See THU.4. food & drink

FLATBREAD FRIDAY: See THU.4. 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. games

ADULT RUMMIKUB: Strategists gather to test their mental agility with this classic numbersbased tabletop challenge. Essex Free Library, 1-3 p.m. Free.

DUPLICATE BRIDGE GAMES: See THU.4, 10 a.m.

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

Wolf Girlz at last year’s JAM Pride Prom

HELP US KEEP AN EYE ON IMMIGRATION.

Reporter Lucy Tompkins joined the Seven Days newsroom on July 7, 2025. Her beat? Covering immigration, the northern border and refugee communities in Vermont.

She’s had a very busy year.

It started with a scoop about the Winooski schools superintendent, a U.S. citizen, who was detained and questioned for hours while returning from a visit to Nicaragua. She’s documented numerous accounts of Vermont residents detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, as well as the e orts — sometimes successful — to release them. She’s talked with immigrant parents who, fearing arrest, have assigned guardians for their kids, and she’s ridden along with U.S. Border Patrol agents policing the boundary between Vermont and Canada.

Fluent in Spanish, Lucy has cultivated sources on all sides of the issues. She digs deep to find stories that would otherwise stay hidden and, with clear-eyed, rigorous reporting, tells them with care — and context. She wrote the definitive account of what went down on March 11 in the South Burlington stando between ICE and local protesters. More recently, she analyzed hours of bodycam footage from the city’s top cop that day to show the conflicts he faced trying to keep the peace.

Now we need your help to keep her on the beat.

Report Local, the nonproﬁt behind Report for America, will once again partially fund this crucial coverage, but we need readers like you to chip in for the rest.

We’re hoping to raise $40,000 during our two-week crowdfunding campaign. Can you contribute?

Make a tax-deductible gift in support of our immigration coverage at: sevendaysvt.com/rfa

Want to send a check?

Make it out to “Report Local,” put “Seven Days/RFA” in the memo and include a note with your contact info (address/phone/email). Send the check and note to: Seven Days c/o Immigration Coverage, PO Box 1164, Burlington, VT 05402

Want to give through a donor-advised fund or qualiﬁed charitable contribution?

All contributions to Report for America are tax-deductible. Contributions do not inﬂuence editorial decisions.

MAH-JONGG: It’s not just for old ladies! Tile traders of all experience levels gather for a rousing game. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 1-3 p.m. Free. health & fitness

GUIDED MEDITATION

ONLINE: Dorothy Alling Memorial Library invites attendees to relax on their lunch breaks and reconnect with their bodies. Noon-12:30 p.m. Free; preregister.

LAUGHTER YOGA: Spontaneous, joyful movement and breath promote physical and emotional health. Virtual option available. Iyengar Yoga Center of Vermont, Burlington, 4:30-5:30 p.m. Free.

WEEKLY MEDITATION: Expert Zac Ispa-Landa shares tools to quiet the mind, slow down and reset.

Outright Vermont, Burlington, 8-8:45 a.m. Free.

language

LANGUAGE LOUNGE: See WED.3.

lgbtq

JAM PRIDE PROM: All ages and identities dust off their shoulder pads for an ’80s-themed celebration featuring live bands and the crowning of gender-neutral prom royalty. See calendar spotlight. Junction Arts & Media, White River Junction, 6 p.m. $5-20 suggested donation.

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.

music

5 FRIDAYS CONCERT SERIES:

DWIGHT + NICOLE: A beloved local duo brings the blues and soul vibes — with a little Americana sprinkled in for good measure. Town Hall Theater, Middlebury, 5 p.m. Free; cash bar.

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.

THE BREAKERS: A dedicated tribute band delivers a high-voltage, hit-packed celebration of Tom Petty’s timeless rock anthems. Lebanon Opera House, N.H., 7:30 p.m. $30-45.

DOWNTOWN JAZZ: ALEX

STEWART BAND: An accomplished saxophonist pulls from his résumé of global festivals and elite orchestra tours to helm a world-class performance. Burlington City Hall Park, 12:301:30 p.m. Free.

DOWNTOWN JAZZ: GEOFF

KIM’S ORGAN TRIO: Classic meets modern at a performance blending straight-ahead rhythms with rock-infused funk and blues. College St., Burlington, 6-8 p.m. Free.

DOWNTOWN JAZZ: JOE’S BIG BAND WITH ANDREW RICHARDS

QUARTET: A powerhouse double bill features a swinging 17-piece from Burlington and an energetic ensemble helmed by the critically acclaimed vocalist and composer. Church Street Marketplace, Burlington, 6-9 p.m. Free.

MONTPELIER COMMUNITY

GOSPEL CHOIR: In “I Don’t Feel No Ways Tired,” the singers take the stage for a stirring program of traditional spirituals and contemporary classics. The Old Meeting House, East Montpelier, 7 p.m. $15 suggested donation.

québec

FESTIVAL TRANSAMÉRIQUES:

See WED.3.

sports

OPEN

DINGHY SAILING: Skippers with previous sailing knowledge celebrate the end of the week with a nautical adventure. Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, Vergennes, 4-7 p.m. $40 suggested donation; preregister.

VERMONT LAKE MONSTERS: See THU.4.

tech

MORNING TECH HELP: Experts answer questions about phones, laptops, e-readers and other devices in one-on-one sessions. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Free; preregister.

Pretty Fly

Embrace the swarm at the Adamant Blackfly Festival, a buzzing bash at the town’s central co-op honoring the insect we love to hate. Why the blackfly, you ask? Why not! After a long winter, Vermonters should celebrate all aspects of the outdoors. The family-friendly affair kicks off with a guided nature walk and a build-a-bug workshop for young environmentalists. General mayhem ensues by late morning with live music, grilled eats, and an interactive show-and-tell with an entomology expert. A legendary parade, fashion show and bloody delicious pie contest complete the beloved annual pestival.

ADAMANT BLACKFLY

FESTIVAL

Saturday, June 6, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., at the Adamant Cooperative. Free. Info, 802-223-5760, adamantcoop.org.

theater

‘30UNDER60’: Six quick-witted performers race against the clock to stage 30 two-minute plays in less than an hour at this interactive theatrical sprint where the audience dictates the order. Off Center for the Dramatic Arts, Burlington, 7 p.m. $15-20.

‘BODY OF WORK: A PLAY ABOUT SEX & WORK’: A PhD candidate balances her experimental cancer research with work as a high-end escort in Rigel Harris’ thought-provoking exploration of labor, morality and identity. Briggs Opera House, White River Junction, 7 p.m. $30-60.

‘DEAR EVAN HANSEN’: Borderline Players raises the curtain on the

In Quechee, the Vermont Institute of Natural Science is live streaming a nest housing a family of wild bald eagles. Windsor, Dewey and their eaglet, V-2, are delighting viewers with their daily feedings. Seven Days’ Eva Sollberger climbed a 100-foot tree house at VINS to see them from a distance.

Tony Award-winning smash hit that the Washington Post called “one of the most remarkable shows in musical theater history.”

Haskell Free Library & Opera House, Derby Line, 7 p.m. $10-25.

‘LA TRAVIATA’: Opera Vermont’s production of Giuseppe Verdi’s timeless masterpiece reimagines the tragic tale of Violetta and Alfredo in the roaring twenties. Town Hall Theater, Middlebury, 7:30 p.m. $50-100; free for attendees under 26.

‘THE SEARCH FOR SIGNS OF INTELLIGENT LIFE IN THE

UNIVERSE’: See THU.4.

SUMMER SERIES: ‘THE CITY THAT SLEPT’: Tom Tuke of Paloma Puppet Theatre creates a dazzling, dreamlike tableau of New York City with large-scale marionettes and floating shadow and lantern puppets. Sandglass Theater, Putney, 7 p.m. $20 suggested donation.

SAT.6

agriculture

MED47 GARDEN SHOPPE: See WED.3.

PLANT SWAP: Cultivators exchange garden starters from fruits to flowers at this horticultural happening hosted by the Swap Sisters. Caledonia Grange,

East Hardwick, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free.

TENDING ROCK POINT SERIES:

SCYTHE SCHOOL & SHEEP

CARE: Eager volunteers learn how to swap modern machinery for traditional hand-mowing techniques to cultivate nutritious silage for local flocks. Rock Point School, Burlington, 9 a.m. Free; preregister.

bazaars

BOOK & PLANT SALE: See FRI.5, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

MAKERS 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.

community

MENOPAUSE CAFÉ: All ages and genders gather to explore the physical, emotional and hormonal changes associated with the monumental life change at this monthly community discussion. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, noon. Free.

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.

dance

‘ALICE IN WONDERLAND’: Moving Light Dance takes audience members down the rabbit hole with a ballet adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s classic coming-of-age story. Barre Opera House, 7 p.m. $18-30.

BERLIN CONTRA DANCE: Dancers of all ages and abilities learn at a gathering that encourages joy, laughter and friendship. Bring clean, soft-soled shoes. See capitalcitygrange.org for callers and bands. Capital City Grange, Berlin, 8-11 p.m. $5-20 sliding scale.

environment

POLLINATOR CELEBRATION DAY: Conservation organizations and native plant suppliers join forces for keynote speeches and handson workshops focused on tackling urgent threats to local butterfly and bee populations. Coach Barn at Shelburne Farms, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Free; add $30 for lunch; preregister.

etc.

GUIDED TOURS: See WED.3.

NAULAKHA ESTATE & RHODODENDRON TOUR: History buffs take in the spectacular lodgings, flower gardens and newly

rehabilitated horse stable of author Rudyard Kipling. Naulakha, Dummerston, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $25.

OPEN HOUSE: Curious folks learn about living options in a supportive environment where residents enjoy personalized care and community connection. Mansfield Place, Essex Junction, noon-2 p.m. Free; preregister.

OPEN HOUSE PARTY: An annual celebration invites the public to explore shelter operations, cuddle adoptable dogs and cats, and learn how local programs keep pets with their families.

North Country Animal League, Morristown, 2-6 p.m. Free; preregister.

PET PARADE: Humans and their furry, feathery or scaly friends get ready to walk, scurry and slither in the 76th annual procession of animal companions. Various St. Johnsbury locations, 10 a.m. Free; preregister.

fairs & festivals

ADAMANT BLACKFLY FESTIVAL:

Revelers of all ages celebrate the bug we love to hate with a nature walk, a parade, a pie contest, live music and tasty grub. (No, not that kind!) See calendar spotlight. The Adamant Cooperative, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free.

RIDGEFEST: Cycling enthusiasts hit the trails in guided group rides before gathering for a volunteer

appreciation cookout and potluck. BYOB and a dish to share.

Pittsfield Town Hall, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free; donations accepted.

SUMMER STREET PARTY: A community celebration launches the sunny season with local artisan booths, retail discounts, family-friendly activities and live entertainment. Downtown Rutland, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section.

‘BACKYARD WILDERNESS 3D’:

See THU.4.

BOLTON OUTDOORS FILM NIGHT:

Rock climbing and mountain biking enthusiasts enjoy an evening of documentary films highlighting the incredible recreation happening right in our backyard.

Smilie Memorial School, Bolton, 6:30 p.m. By donation.

‘DINOSAURS OF ANTARCTICA 3D’:

See THU.4.

‘SAXOPHONE COLOSSUS’: Robert Mugge’s highly acclaimed 1986 music documentary profiles legendary jazz tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins. A Q&A with the filmmaker and Saint Michael’s College professor William L. Ellis follows. The Phoenix, Waterbury, 6 p.m. $20; preregister.

‘SEA MONSTERS 3D: A PREHISTORIC ADVENTURE’: See THU.4.

‘SHARK KINGDOM 3D’: See THU.4. food & drink

BURLINGTON FARMERS MARKET: Dozens of stands overflow with seasonal produce, flowers, artisanal wares and prepared foods to the tune of live local music. 345 Pine St., Burlington, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Free.

CHAMPLAIN ISLANDS FARMERS MARKET: Talented artisans and vendors showcase their farm-fresh veggies, meats, eggs, flowers, honey and other goodies. Grand Isle St. Joseph’s Church, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free.

COVERED BRIDGES HALF

MARATHON PASTA SUPPER: An all-you-can-eat feast fuels runners and community members alike with local ingredients, homemade desserts and live music. Saskadena Six Ski Area, South Pomfret, 5-8 p.m. $10-22; preregister.

NOODLES FOR BURMA: Foodies get a taste of Southeast Asia with takeout meals for a cause. Proceeds benefit people in need in Myanmar. First Baptist Church of Burlington, 4:30-7:30 p.m. By donation; preregister.

GALLERY HOURS: Wednesday - Saturday: 10AM – 4PM Sunday: 11AM – 4PM or by appointment

NORTHWEST FARMERS

MARKET: Locavores stock up on produce, preserves, baked goods and other treasures to the beat of live music. Taylor Park, St. Albans, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Free.

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.

SUMMER CHEESE FARMER’S

RAR

Spring

Tune-Up Series for WTNB

WED., JUN. 3

OLD SPOKES HOME COMMUNITY WORKSHOP, BURLINGTON

TURNmusic Presents Wednesday

Knudsen + Alex Homan

WED., JUN. 3

THE PHOENIX GALLERY & MUSIC HALL, WATERBURY

FOTW Trail Clinic

WED., JUN. 3

BOMBARDIER PARK TRAILS, MILTON

PechaKucha Night | Volume 43

THU., JUN. 4

MAIN STREET LANDING PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, BURLINGTON

30Under60

FRI., JUN. 5-SUN., JUN. 7

OFF CENTER FOR THE DRAMATIC ARTS, BURLINGTON

Saturn People’s Sound Collective

FRI., JUN. 5

SEABA CENTER, BURLINGTON

Martial Arts Workshop for Kids: Aikido and the Way of Harmony

SAT., JUN. 6

AIKIDO OF CHAMPLAIN VALLEY, BURLINGTON

Saxophone Colossus: Film Screening & Q+A With Director

SAT., JUN. 6

THE PHOENIX GALLERY & MUSIC HALL, WATERBURY

TABLE DINNER: Foodies indulge in a multicourse farm-to-table feast showcasing a premium lineup from Blue Ledge Farm and a pop-up produce stand. Adventure Dinner Clubhouse, Colchester, 6 p.m. $75.

games

CHESS CLUB: Proficient players of all ages face off and learn new strategies. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 11 a.m. Free.

D&D & TTRPG GROUP: Fans of Dungeons & Dragons and other tabletop role-playing games embark on a new adventure with a rotating cast of game masters. Virtual option available. Waterbury Public Library, 1-5 p.m. Free.

health & fitness

MARTIAL ARTS WORKSHOP:

AIKIDO AND THE PATH OF RESILIENCY: Practitioners discover how circular, flowing movements can cultivate core strength and harmony. Wear loose, comfortable clothing. Aikido of Champlain Valley, Burlington, 12:30-1:45 p.m. Free.

WALK FOR ANIMALS: The Central Vermont Humane Society invites supporters to move their paws for a cause at an annual amble to raise critical funds for local animals in need. Vermont Statehouse lawn, Montpelier, 9:30 a.m.-noon. Free; preregister.

lgbtq

MADE WITH PRIDE CRAFT FAIR: A colorful and inclusive bazaar showcases the talent and unique perspectives of the LGBTQ+ and allied community. Woodstock Village Green, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free.

PRIDE OF WOODSTOCK DRAG

BRUNCH: Guests tuck into a chef-curated buffet while a multi-act showcase of six talented performers dazzles the crowd. The Woodstock Inn & Resort, noon. $99.

PRIDE OF WOODSTOCK HIGH

HEEL RACE: In a flash of speed, style and stilettos, sprinters pound the pavement down Elm Street while spectators cheer from the sidelines. Woodstock History Center, 9:30-11 a.m. $40; preregister.

music

ANA GUIGUI: See FRI.5.

BEN FOLDS: The Emmynominated pop piano man reflects on his decades-long career with a concert of past hits and innovative new compositions.

Paramount Theatre, Rutland, 7 p.m. $79-149.

CANTABILE: MUSIC FOR WOMEN’S VOICES: Here comes treble! The all-female chorus marks a quarter-century of harmony with show tunes, folk literature and sacred classics. Norwich Congregational Church, 4 p.m. By donation.

DOUGLAS PERKINS & PATRICK

ROSS: Two seasoned players engage in a musical dialogue that bridges old-time energy, newgrass nuance and Celtic tradition. The Frank Suchomel Memorial Arts Center, Adamant, 6 p.m. Free; donations accepted.

DOWNTOWN JAZZ: RANDAL

PIERCE TRIO: An accomplished pianist and music director draws on his formal conservatory training to anchor an evening of sophisticated, collaborative playing. College St., Burlington, 6-8 p.m. Free.

DOWNTOWN JAZZ: TIFFANY

PFEIFFER TRIO, LOS SÒNGOROS AND ALL NIGHT BOOGIE BAND: Three back-to-back sets by Green Mountain stalwarts fill the afternoon with award-winning rhythms and grooves. Church Street Marketplace, Burlington, 4-9 p.m. Free.

FLOYDIAN TRIP: Listeners step into a musical time machine and transport through the decades at an electrifying note-for-note Pink Floyd tribute. Chandler Center for the Arts, Randolph, 7 p.m. $1045; free for kids.

FOREST STATION: A Vermont bluegrass group takes the stage for a captivating performance of originals packed with improvisational playing. Old Round Church, Richmond, 6-9 p.m. $15 suggested donation.

GAMELAN SULUKALA: A dynamic orchestra featuring instruments ranging from gongs to tiny flutes highlights delightful Javanese works. Bethany United Church of Christ, Montpelier, 7 p.m. $10-20; preregister.

MICHELE CHOINIERE: An award-winning vocalist delivers traditional Franco-American folk songs, jazz standards and original compositions. Meeting House on the Green, East Fairfield, 5-7 p.m. $10; free for kids under 12.

outdoors

INSECT POLLINATOR WALK: Equipped with nets, cameras and binoculars, nature enthusiasts examine diverse bug habitats and contribute their findings to real-world data atlases. Rock Point School, Burlington, 10:30 a.m. $5-10 suggested donation; preregister.

WEEKLY BIRD WALK: Featheredfriend seekers join expert Lachlan Ziegler for a morning trek to sharpen their identification skills. Rock Point Center, Burlington, 8-10 a.m. Free; preregister.

québec

FESTIVAL TRANSAMÉRIQUES: See WED.3.

‘GROW’: See WED.3, 7:30 p.m.

seminars

HERBAL FIRST AID: Instructor

Erin Narey teaches participants how to stock their home medicine cabinets with salves, sprays and extracts from common summer plants. Morristown Centennial Library, Morrisville, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Free; preregister.

LUNCH & LEARN: PERSONAL LOANS: Experts in the field answer questions about credit, home and auto loans, and shared equity through Champlain Housing Trust. Hosted by Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Free; preregister.

NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION: Curious creatives and multimedia enthusiasts tour the facilities and check out available gear. The Media Factory, Burlington, 1-3 p.m. Free; donations accepted; preregister.

sports

VERMONT LAKE MONSTERS: See THU.4, 6:05 p.m. tech

EDUCATION & AI SUMMIT: Vermont educators and administrators explore the potential concerns and benefits of using artificial intelligence in the classroom. Hula, Burlington, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. $40; preregister. theater

‘BODY OF WORK: A PLAY ABOUT SEX & WORK’: See FRI.5. ‘DEAR EVAN HANSEN’: See FRI.5. ‘THE SEARCH FOR SIGNS OF INTELLIGENT LIFE IN THE UNIVERSE’: See THU.4. SUMMER SERIES: ‘THE CITY THAT SLEPT’: See FRI.5. words

AUDIOBOOK WALKING CLUB: Enjoying a good book becomes

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.

a collective aerobic activity as bibliophiles hit the pavement for a synchronized listening experience. Phoenix Books, Rutland, 11 a.m. Free; preregister.

NER ALUMNI READING: Lit lovers flock to the school’s reunion weekend to hear six New England Review writers share stirring works. Axinn Center, Starr Library, Middlebury College, 1-2:30 p.m. Free.

USED BOOK SALE: Readers scout for literary treasures at a budget-friendly sale where every purchase benefits Ilsley Public Library programming. Middlebury United Methodist Church, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free; cost of books; cash or check only.

WRITE NOW!: Wordsmiths of all experience levels hone their craft in a supportive and critique-free environment. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, 10 a.m. Free.

SUN.7

agriculture

MED47 GARDEN SHOPPE: See WED.3.

community

MY DENTIST’S SON: Community members share tales about their mystical, magical experiences. Ferrisburgh Town Office & Community Center, 3-4:30 p.m. Free.

dance

‘ALICE IN WONDERLAND’: See SAT.6, 2 p.m.

etc.

BRICK HOUSE & BUBBLY: Guests step into history and splendor at this rare opportunity to explore the home of iconic museum founder Electra Havemeyer Webb. The Brick House, Shelburne Museum, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. $40-50; preregister.

fairs & festivals

TASTE OF SUMMER: Locavores launch the season with a jampacked day of vendors and exhibitors, food truck offerings, live music, and a history-themed art show. Ferrisburgh Union Meeting Hall, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section.

‘BACKYARD WILDERNESS 3D’: See THU.4.

‘DINOSAURS OF ANTARCTICA

3D’: See THU.4.

‘SEA MONSTERS 3D: A

PREHISTORIC ADVENTURE’: See THU.4.

‘SHARK KINGDOM 3D’: See THU.4.

‘SUN RA: A JOYFUL NOISE’: Robert Mugge’s 1980 music documentary follows the visionary jazz legend through interviews, behind-the-scenes rehearsals, performances and poetry readings. A Q&A with the filmmaker follows. The Screening

Room @ VTIFF, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington, 3 p.m. $6-12.

food & drink

ROYALTON FARMERS MARKET:

Twenty local vendors offer everything from fresh produce to prepared foods to artisan goods while kids’ activities, live music and workshops build community. South Royalton Town Green, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Free.

STOWE FARMERS MARKET: An appetizing assortment of fresh veggies, pasture-raised meats, milk, berries, herbs, beverages and handcrafted wares tempts shoppers. Stowe Farmers Market, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free.

WINOOSKI FARMERS MARKET:

More than 25 area growers and bakers offer local and global fare against a backdrop of live music and activities. Winooski Falls Way, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free.

games

DUPLICATE BRIDGE GAMES: See THU.4, 1 p.m.

health & fitness

COMMON GROUND 5K: Runners and walkers lace up for a morning of good-spirited competition featuring a moderately challenging timed 5k and an all-ages 1K. Common Ground Center, Starksboro, 9:30 a.m.-noon. $1030; preregister.

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.

NEW LEAF SANGHA

MINDFULNESS PRACTICE: New and experienced meditators alike sit together in the Plum Village tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh. Hot Yoga Burlington, 6-7:45 p.m. Free.

NEW MINDFULNESS

MEDITATION GATHERING: Certified instructors lead hourlong sessions of the ancient contemplative practice rooted in compassion and generosity. North Star Community Hall, Burlington, 5:30-6:30 p.m. By donation.

music

THE APHASIA CHOIR OF VERMONT: Individuals with the language disorder due to stroke or traumatic brain injury assume the spotlight for an inspiring concert. Colchester High School, 2 p.m. Free.

CANTABILE: MUSIC FOR WOMEN’S VOICES: See SAT.6. First Congregational Church, Lebanon, N.H., 4 p.m.

‘A NATION LISTENS’: The Burlington Discover Jazz Festival closes with the world premiere of a work inspired by the legacy of abolitionist John Brown, featuring saxophonist Chris Potter and guitarist Julian Lage. Flynn Main Stage, Burlington, 7 p.m. $25.60-67.60.

PET PROJECT: A Vermont trio plays classic soft-rock tunes while attendees enjoy fare from local food trucks. Maquam Barn & Winery, Milton, 2:30-4:30 p.m. Free; cost of food and drink.

outdoors

EARLY BIRDERS MORNING

WALK: You know what they say ... Now get that worm! New and experienced avian admirers take a stroll to observe the area’s flying, feathered friends. BYO binoculars. Birds of Vermont Museum, Huntington, 7 a.m. $5-15 suggested donation; preregister.

NAULAKHA ESTATE & RHODODENDRON TOUR: See SAT.6.

québec

FESTIVAL TRANSAMÉRIQUES: See WED.3.

‘GROW’: See WED.3, 2 & 7:30 p.m. tech

DROP-IN TECH SUPPORT: Techsavvy library staff provide oneon-one guidance and support in 30-minute sessions. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 4-6 p.m. Free.

theater

‘DEAR EVAN HANSEN’: See FRI.5, 3 p.m.

‘LA TRAVIATA’: See FRI.5, 2 p.m.

‘THE SEARCH FOR SIGNS OF INTELLIGENT LIFE IN THE UNIVERSE’: See THU.4, 2 p.m.

MON.8

agriculture

MED47 GARDEN SHOPPE: See WED.3.

crafts

COLLAGE COLLECTIVE: Creatives of all experience levels cut, paste and make works of wonder. Virtual options available. Expressive Arts Burlington, 6:309 p.m. Free; donations accepted. FUSE BEADS CLUB: Aspiring artisans bring ideas or borrow patterns to make beaded creations. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, 3:30-5 p.m. Free. etc.

MEDIA MAKER MONDAY: Upper Valley creatives and their guests share projects, network with other artists and engage in peer feedback sessions. Junction Arts & Media, White River Junction, 6 p.m. Free; preregister.

MUSEUM TOURS: See WED.3.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section.

‘BACKYARD WILDERNESS 3D’: See THU.4.

‘DINOSAURS OF ANTARCTICA 3D’: See THU.4.

MON.8 » P.72

Job of theWeek EVENTS

MANAGER/DIRECTOR OF HOSPITALITY

Lawson’s Finest Liquids

‘SEA MONSTERS 3D: A PREHISTORIC ADVENTURE’: See THU.4.

‘SHARK KINGDOM 3D’: See THU.4.

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.

MAH-JONGG MONDAYS: Tile traders gather for friendly bouts of the ancient game of skill, strategy and luck. St. Albans Free Library, 1-3 p.m. Free.

health & fitness

MEDITATION: Beginners and veteran practitioners gather to quiet mental chatter and boost physical well-being at a weekly mindfulness session. KelloggHubbard Library, Montpelier, 6 p.m. Free.

TUE.9

agriculture

MED47 GARDEN SHOPPE: See WED.3.

business

JUNE MIXER: Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region members and friends eat, drink and win prizes at a catered shindig. Pittsford Village Farm, 5-7 p.m. Free; donations accepted.

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.

crafts

ALL HANDS TOGETHER

COMMUNITY CRAFTING GROUP:

Marshfield spinning maven

power of music. Chapel of Saint Michael the Archangel, Saint Michael’s College, Colchester, 7 p.m. Free.

québec

FESTIVAL TRANSAMÉRIQUES: See WED.3.

‘GROW’: See WED.3, 7:30 p.m. seminars

TENANT SKILLS WORKSHOP: The Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity brings renters up to speed on the fundamentals of tenant rights and responsibilities. Noon-1:30 p.m. Free; preregister.

sports

DAD GUILD OPEN GYM

BASKETBALL: Local fathers hit the hardwood for weekly sessions of full-court exercise and casual competition. Mater Christi School, Burlington, 7-9 p.m. Free.

Get the scoop on this position from Kitchen Manager and Chef Jenny Rodriguez Welch

What are some speciﬁc challenges of these positions and why is it important?

e challenges a Director of Hospitality might face at Lawson’s Finest are balancing the different audiences we serve — including our large après-ski crowds, summer tourists and weekly locals — and making sure each walks away with the ﬁnest hospitality experience. It’s important to keep it fresh and innovative while stewarding in a new chapter of our business. at means responding to what people expect when they’re planning a meaningful event in the Mad River Valley, working with a highvolume kitchen/taproom that is still open to the public during event hours, and expanding our event programming.

MONDAY NIGHT LIVE: The Burlington Dharma Collective hosts an inspiring monthly talk, meditation and group discussion. Outright Vermont, Burlington, 7-8:30 p.m. Free; donations accepted.

language

VERMONT LAKE MONSTERS: See THU.4.

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, 6-7:30 p.m. Free.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section.

tech

What is unique & rewarding about working for Lawson’s Finest Liquids?

We are paying living wages to our team! is allows us to suggest that our guests donate their gratuity to the local nonprofits we feature in our Sunshine Fund, which serves as a catalyst for giving to important local causes and creating equitable opportunities for employees. What I find most rewarding about Lawson’s Finest is that our menu features as many local farmers and artisan producers as possible. Currently around 67 percent of our ingredients are locally sourced. Collaborating and creating with Vermont’s finest and freshest ingredients as well as sustaining a healthy local economy is where it’s at.

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

GERMAN LANGUAGE LUNCH: Willkommen! Speakers of all experience levels brush up on conversational skills over bagged lunches. KelloggHubbard Library, Montpelier, noon-1 p.m. Free.

LANGUAGE LOUNGE: See WED.3.

music

ONION RIVER CHORUS

REHEARSAL: The non-auditioned community ensemble conducted by Richard Riley invites interested vocalists to join in spirited song. Bethany United Church of Christ, Montpelier, 7-9 p.m. Free.

québec

FESTIVAL TRANSAMÉRIQUES: See WED.3.

‘GROW’: See WED.3, 7:30 p.m. words

ANIME GROUP: Fans of Japanese animation and comics convene weekly to swap ideas, read stories and connect over shared interests in hand-drawn media. Pathways Vermont Morgan’s Place Peer Support Center, Burlington, 6-8 p.m. Free.

READ LIKE A WRITER: New England Readers & Writers hosts a virtual reading group for bibliophiles to chat about short stories, both contemporary and classic. 6:30-8 p.m. Free.

‘BACKYARD WILDERNESS 3D’:

See THU.4.

‘DINOSAURS OF ANTARCTICA

3D’: See THU.4.

‘SEA MONSTERS 3D: A PREHISTORIC ADVENTURE’: See THU.4.

‘SHARK KINGDOM 3D’: See THU.4.

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.

TAI CHI: Practitioners get a feel for the Chinese martial art combining controlled breathing, meditation and slow, gentle movements. Ida Boch Park, Bradford, 10-11 a.m. Free.

language

LANGUAGE LOUNGE: See WED.3.

ITALIAN LANGUAGE LUNCH: Speakers hone their skills in the Romance language over bagged lunches. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, noon-1 p.m. Free.

PAUSE-CAFÉ MARDI: Francophones and Frenchlanguage learners meet pour parler la belle langue Burlington Bay Market & Café, 5-7 p.m. Free.

music

VERMONT’S FREEDOM & UNITY CHORUS: Singers come together for a weekly rehearsal inspiring positive change through the

AFTERNOON TECH HELP: Experts answer questions about phones, laptops, e-readers and other devices in one-on-one meetings. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 1-4 p.m. Free; preregister.

DROP-IN TECH SUPPORT: Library staff field questions about devices of all kinds in face-to-face chats. Fletcher Free Library New North End Branch, Burlington, 12:30-2 p.m. Free. words

BURLINGTON LITERATURE GROUP: Over the course of nine weeks, readers analyze the works of father-and-son authors Kingsley and Martin Amis, two influential

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

British novelists of the postwar era. 6:30-8 p.m. Free.

JESS TURNER: A local author celebrates the release of The Only Catch her new romance novel set on a remote island off the coast of Maine, with games, a Q&A, and themed snacks. Bear Pond Books, Montpelier, 7 p.m. Free.

READING GROUP: A four-part community discussion breaks down Molly Crabapple’s new book, Here Where We Live Is Our Country, exploring Bundism, a Jewish socialist movement that emerged in Europe in the late 19th century. Peace & Justice Center, Burlington, 6-7:30 p.m. Free; preregister.

WRITER’S CIRCLE: Creative sparks fly as participants tackle curated prompts and read their latest drafts aloud in a collaborative environment. Virtual option available. Pathways Vermont Morgan’s Place Peer Support Center, Burlington, 4-5:30 p.m. Free.

WED.10 agriculture

BEEF-ON-DAIRY

EDUCATIONAL EVENT: Vermont Cattlemen managing partners Kevin Channell and Roger Osinchuk share facts about growing a regional dairy beef supply chain. Hosted by the Working Lands Enterprise Initiative. 10 a.m. Free; preregister.

MED47 GARDEN SHOPPE: See WED.3.

community

CANADIAN ENTRANCE

INAUGURATION: Community members mark the library’s milestone addition and look to the future at an inspired morning of speeches, connection and a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Haskell Free Library & Opera House, Derby Line, 11 a.m. Free.

CURRENT EVENTS: Neighbors have an informal discussion about what’s in the news. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 10:30 a.m.-noon. Free.

PASSEGGIATA: See WED.3.

PASSEGGIATA WATERBURY: See WED.3.

crafts

GREEN MOUNTAIN CHAPTER OF THE EMBROIDERERS’ GUILD OF AMERICA: Anyone with an interest in the needle arts can bring a project to this monthly meeting. Holy Family Parish Hall, Essex Junction, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Free.

YARN & YAK: See WED.3.

YARN CRAFTERS GROUP: See WED.3.

etc.

GUIDED TOURS: See WED.3.

MUSEUM TOURS: See WED.3.

TOASTMASTERS OF GREATER

BURLINGTON: Those looking to strengthen their speaking

and leadership skills gain new tools. Virtual option available. Generator Makerspace, Burlington, 6-7:30 p.m. Free; preregister.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section.

VTIFF MUSICAL SILENTS: ‘THAT NIGHT’S WIFE’: A live improvised score by Matt Hagen enriches this screening of Yasujiro Ozu’s 1930 crime drama about a desperate man who commits robbery to help his sick daughter. The Screening Room @ VTIFF, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington, 7 p.m. $10-20.

food & drink

CHAMPLAIN ISLANDS FARMERS MARKET: See WED.3. COMMUNITY COOKING: See WED.3.

CRÊPE NIGHT: Foodies enjoy sweet and savory French pancakes picnic-style at this monthly community meal benefiting local nonprofits. Scott Farm Orchard, Dummerston, 5:30-7:30 p.m. $12-25.

CUPPA ON CAMPUS: See WED.3.

DANVILLE FARMERS MARKET: Villagers connect over live music and family-friendly activities at a weekly gathering featuring fresh Northeast Kingdom produce, artisan wares and culinary creations. Danville Town Green, 3:30-7 p.m. Free.

MARKET ON THE GREEN: See WED.3.

health & fitness

CHAIR YOGA: See WED.3. RECOVERY DHARMA: See WED.3.

language

ITALIAN CONVERSATION GROUP: Practitioners sharpen their skills and connect with neighbors at a bimonthly morning meetup facilitated by a native speaker. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 10-11 a.m. Free.

LANGUAGE LOUNGE: See WED.3.

lgbtq

THE ALL INCLUSIVE DYKETACULAR: See WED.3.

QUEER WRITERS’ GROUP: LGBTQ authors meet monthly to discuss their work, write from prompts, and give each other advice and feedback. Rainbow Bridge Community Center, Barre, 5:30-7 p.m. Free.

music

ART AMPLIFIED: OTTER CREEK AND IVA MAE: Gallery strollers mingle over drinks while an acoustic ensemble weaves together roots, folk and bluegrass traditions. BCA Center, Burlington, 5-8 p.m. Free.

BEN & JERRY’S CONCERTS ON THE GREEN: GREENSKY

BLUEGRASS: A seasoned band of musical brothers celebrates

two decades on the road with a high-energy performance of originals. Shelburne Museum, 7 p.m. $51; free for kids under 12.

SUMMER CONCERT SERIES:

SKYLARK: The trailblazing Vermont string quartet performs a selection of jazz, classical, American folk and Celtic tunes. Burlington City Hall Park, 12:30-1:30 p.m. Free.

outdoors

NATURE JOURNALING: Artist and naturalist Lorna Dielentheis teaches participants how to slow down and observe the natural world through sketching and writing, followed by an optional group reflection. Rock Point Center, Burlington, 10 a.m.-noon. By donation; preregister.

québec

FESTIVAL TRANSAMÉRIQUES:

See WED.3.

‘GROW’: See WED.3.

seminars

SUSTAINING THE RENT WORKSHOP: The Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity helps tenants financially prepare and access resources to meet their housing needs. 5-6:30 p.m. Free; preregister.

sports

GREEN MOUNTAIN TABLE

TENNIS CLUB: See WED.3.

INTRODUCTION TO FLY

FISHING: Anglers learn the basics of knots, rods, flies and casting at a hands-on course for all ages. Equipment provided. Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, Vergennes, 1-4 p.m. Free; preregister.

VERMONT LAKE MONSTERS: See THU.4.

WHALEBOAT WEDNESDAYS: See WED.3.

theater

‘B*TCH EAT DOG’: Feminist theory, classical texts and a parade of puppets collide in an avant-garde sketch show for adults. Plainfield Town Hall Opera House, 7 p.m. $20.

‘RING OF FIRE: THE MUSIC OF JOHNNY CASH’: More than 30 iconic songs fuel a musical tribute celebrating the enduring legacy of the rebellious country music legend. Weston Theater at Walker Farm, 7:30 p.m. $61-89.

‘THE SEARCH FOR SIGNS OF INTELLIGENT LIFE IN THE UNIVERSE’: See THU.4.

words

ALEX MYERS: A local author reads from his new novel, While We Were Silent, and discusses his previous title, Revolutionary, in conjunction with the 250th anniversary of the U.S. The Norwich Bookstore, 7 p.m. Free.

JASPER CRAVEN: See WED.3. St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, 7 p.m. ➆

BURLINGTON FNG: Self-identified LGBTQ+ and questioning youths ages 13 to 19 gather weekly to socialize in a supportive environment. Outright Vermont, Burlington, 6:30-8 p.m. Free.

DROP-IN: An afterschool hangout space invites teens ages 13 to 19 to relax, connect, grab a snack or browse the nonprofit’s clothing closet. Outright Vermont, Burlington, 2:30 p.m. Free.

FAMILY FRIDAY WITH LINDA BASSICK:

Caretakers and wee ones enjoy a weekly morning mashup of muffins and music played by the local legend. Pingala Café North Avenue, Burlington, 9-9:30 a.m. Free.

chittenden county

MUSIC TIME: Little patrons ages birth to 5 engage with live performance and movement at a high-energy gathering led by veteran area musician Linda Bassick. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 10:30-11 a.m. Free.

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.

LEGO CLUB: Budding builders create geometric structures with snap-together blocks. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, 3:30-5 p.m. Free.

STORY TIME & PLAYGROUP: Participants ages 5 and under enjoy themed science, art and nature activities. Jaquith Public Library, Marshfield, 10:30 a.m. Free.

middlebury area

STORY TIME: Lake-centric stories, coloring and crafts anchor little ones at a weekly maritime-themed reading circle. Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, Vergennes, 11 a.m.-noon. Free.

upper valley

‘CREATIVIDAD SILVESTRE/WILD CREATIVITY’ EXHIBIT: See WED.3.

STORY TIME: Preschoolers take part in tales, tunes and playtime. Latham Library, Thetford, 11 a.m. Free.

northeast kingdom

‘CARDTOPIA’: See THU.4.

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.

SAT.6

burlington

‘CHAMP: AMERICA’S LAKE MONSTER’ EXHIBIT: See WED.3.

‘DINOSAUR SAFARI’ EXHIBIT: See WED.3.

MARTIAL ARTS WORKSHOP: Participants ages 7 to 12 discover how flowing, circular movements cultivate core strength and resilience. Aikido of Champlain Valley, Burlington, 10-11 a.m. Free; preregister.

SING-ALONG WITH LINDA BASSICK: Early learners and their guardians make memories at a monthly rhythmic residency with the local musician and educator. Fletcher Free Library New North End Branch, Burlington, 11-11:30 a.m. free.

SPLASH DANCE: WILLVERINE: Kids and their caregivers soak up some serious summer fun at a DJ-fueled dance party amid the park’s interactive fountain. Burlington City Hall Park, 1-3 p.m. Free.

barre/montpelier

MEET TEDDY THE THERAPY DOG: Animal lovers pop by the library to make friends with a very good boy, learn about his therapy duties and see some of his astounding tricks. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 2nd Floor, Children’s Library, Montpelier, noon-12:45 p.m. Free.

OUTFRONT EDUCATORS THINK TANK: LGBTQ+ and allied Washington County teens ages 13 to 19 help design Outright Vermont’s new peer-to-peer leadership program. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, 1-4 p.m. Free; preregister.

stowe/smuggs

LAMOILLE FAMILY FEST: A 50th anniversary celebration for Lamoille Family Center includes live tunes, tractor exploration, art activities and car seat inspections. Morristown Elementary School, Morrisville, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. mad river valley/ waterbury

GUIDED HIKE & STORY TIME: Budding explorers celebrate National Trails Day with a reading of Pete Oswald’s book, Hike,

followed by a trek of the center’s Short Trail. Green Mountain Club Headquarters, Waterbury Center, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free; preregister.

SATURDAY STORY TIME: Stories and songs help children develop social and literacy skills. Waterbury Public Library, 10:30 a.m. Free.

middlebury area

DAD GUILD LIBRARY PLAYGROUP: Fathers and their kids connect over Legos and shared experiences at a drop-in social sesh designed to build bonds. Bixby Memorial Library, Vergennes, 10:30 a.m.noon. Free.

upper valley

‘CREATIVIDAD SILVESTRE/WILD CREATIVITY’ EXHIBIT: See WED.3. northeast kingdom

‘CARDTOPIA’: See THU.4. outside vermont

‘HADESTOWN: TEEN EDITION’: See THU.4, 2 & 7 p.m.

SUN.7 burlington

‘CHAMP: AMERICA’S LAKE MONSTER’ EXHIBIT: See WED.3.

‘DINOSAUR SAFARI’ EXHIBIT: See WED.3.

FAM JAMS MUSICAL PLAYGROUP: Families drum up connections at a morning of collaborative music making with early childhood educator and musician Alex Baron. The Guild Hall, Burlington, 9:30-11 a.m. Free.

chittenden county

SOCIAL SUNDAYS: All ages participate in fun and educational art activities with diverse mediums and themes. Supplies and instruction provided. Milton Artists’ Guild Art Center & Gallery, 12:30-2:30 p.m. Free. mad river valley/ waterbury

SUMMER READING KICK OFF

CELEBRATION: Story times, photo ops for costumed kids and a community mural painting activity launch the season with a literary splash. Inklings Children’s Books, Waitsfield, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Free.

upper valley

‘CREATIVIDAD SILVESTRE/WILD CREATIVITY’ EXHIBIT: See WED.3.

northeast kingdom

‘CARDTOPIA’: See THU.4.

outside vermont

‘HADESTOWN: TEEN EDITION’: See THU.4, 3 p.m.

MON.8

burlington

‘CHAMP: AMERICA’S LAKE MONSTER’ EXHIBIT: See WED.3.

‘DINOSAUR SAFARI’ EXHIBIT: See WED.3.

chittenden county

POKÉMON CLUB: Players trade cards and enjoy activities centered on their favorite strategic game. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 4-5 p.m. Free.

mad river valley/ waterbury

TODDLER TIME: Little kids ages 5 and under have a blast with songs, stories, rhymes and dancing. Waterbury Public Library, 10:30 a.m. Free.

upper valley

‘CREATIVIDAD SILVESTRE/WILD CREATIVITY’ EXHIBIT: See WED.3.

STORY TIME WITH BETH: An engaging bookseller and librarian reads picture books on a different theme each week. The Norwich Bookstore, 10 a.m. Free.

TUE.9

burlington

‘CHAMP: AMERICA’S LAKE MONSTER’ EXHIBIT: See WED.3.

‘DINOSAUR SAFARI’ EXHIBIT: See WED.3.

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.

chittenden county

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.

barre/montpelier

BASEMENT TEEN CENTER: See FRI.5, 2-6 p.m.

THE NEST: Good Beginnings of Central Vermont hosts a baby-friendly space where prenatal and postpartum families can connect. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Free.

mad river valley/ waterbury

WATERCOLOR FOR KIDS: Artist Pauline Nolte leads little painters in grades 2 to 4 in exploration and expression. Waterbury Public Library, 3-4 p.m. Free; preregister. upper valley

‘CREATIVIDAD SILVESTRE/WILD CREATIVITY’ EXHIBIT: See WED.3.

LEGO TUESDAYS: Youth architects tackle construction challenges or follow their own blueprints at a creative building session complete with snacks. Norwich Public Library, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Free.

northeast kingdom

LAPSIT STORY TIME: Babies 2 and under learn to love reading while singing and playing with their caregivers. Siblings welcome. St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, 10:30-11 a.m. Free.

PRESCHOOL STORY TIME: See FRI.5.

WED.10

burlington

‘CHAMP: AMERICA’S LAKE MONSTER’ EXHIBIT: See WED.3.

‘DINOSAUR SAFARI’ EXHIBIT: See WED.3.

chittenden county

NATIONAL FROSTED COOKIE DAY: A hands-on celebration invites kids of all ages to satisfy their sweet tooth while decorating baked goodies. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 3-4 p.m. Free.

barre/montpelier

BABY & CAREGIVER MEETUP: See WED.3. FAMILY CHESS CLUB: See WED.3.

HOMESCHOOL BOOK GROUP: Kids ages 10 to 15 who learn at home bond over their favorite titles. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, 1-2 p.m. Free.

upper valley

‘CREATIVIDAD SILVESTRE/WILD CREATIVITY’ EXHIBIT: See WED.3. STORY TIME: See WED.3. K

This fun summer civics project for K-8 students is back — with a new set of 25 activities.

HERE’S HOW IT WORKS Participants do an activity and submit the evidence at goodcitizenvt.com to earn stars. Each star is an entry into drawings to win prizes including $50 gift cards to Phoenix Books, and the grand prize — a trip to Washington, D.C. The deadline is Labor Day, September 7.

Students who complete all 25 activities will earn the title of “Distinguished Citizen” — and will be honored at the Statehouse. Submit activities as you go to win weekly prizes!

• Go to a Concert, Performance or Art Exhibit

• Use it Up, Wear it Out, Make Do or Do Without This year’s new activities include:

• Design a New “I Voted” Sticker

• Take a Break from Screens

classes

THE FOLLOWING CLASS LISTINGS ARE PAID ADVERTISEMENTS. ANNOUNCE YOUR CLASS HERE FOR AS LITTLE AS $21.25/WEEK (INCLUDES SIX PHOTOS AND UNLIMITED DESCRIPTION ONLINE).

NEWSPAPER DEADLINE: MONDAYS AT 3 P.M. POST CLASS ADS AT SEVENDAYSVT.COM/POSTCLASS. GET HELP AT CLASSES@SEVENDAYSVT.COM.

arts & crafts

materials provided. Location: e Nest: Off-Grid, 1911 Beaver Meadow Rd., Roxbury. Info: Dug North, dugnorth@gmail.com, dugnorth.com.

spirituality

APPRENTICESHIP IN

DAVIS STUDIO ART CLASSES: Stay connected to your creative practice this summer. Seasonal camps, classes and workshops offer ﬂexible, supportive ways for art making full of joy and inspiration! Come as you are and use the time to reset, focus and have fun. Now enrolling youths, teens and adults. Info: 802-4252700, info@davisstudiovt.com, davisstudiovt.com.

food & drink

courses or an engaging option: French Club for Beginners, La Chute by Albert Camus or one of our fun magazine clubs. Sign up soon to reserve your spot! Dates: Classes start the week of Jun. 29 or Jul. 6, mostly evenings & afternoons. Cost: $215 for 7 weeks; 90 min. classes; $194 for AFLCR members. Location: AFLCR. 43 King St., Burlington or online. Info: Alliance Française of the the Lake Champlain Region, 802-777-9365, education@aﬂcr. org, aﬂcr.org.

CORNISH PASTIES: Summer time means meals on the go, and we love filling our picnic hamper with Cornish pasties! is traditional hand-held pie, which was originally created as a portable meal for miners to carry down the Cornish tin mines, is baked in a flaky crust filled with well-seasoned steak and vegetables. In this class, we’ll make the pastry, prepare the filling and construct our own pasties. While they bake, we’ll whip up a colorful, zesty pickleback slaw to enjoy as a side dish. Date: Sat., Jun. 20, 1:303:30 p.m. Cost: $75. Location: Richmond Community Kitchen, 13 Jolina Ct. Info, 802-434-3445, sevendaystickets.com.

BETTER THAN STORE-BOUGHT (A CLASS FOR KIDS + A GROWNUP): is class is designed for kids ages 6-12 with a mom, dad, grandparent, caregiver, etc. We will make three things from scratch that you usually buy in the supermarket: Goldﬁsh crackers, Pop-Tarts and ice cream sandwiches. Our recipes use less sugar and more wholesome ingredients than the store-bought versions, but they will taste a lot better! Together, kids and their grown-ups will measure and stir, use a mixer, and practice using a rolling pin. We’ll taste everything in class, and you’ll have all the recipes to take home so you can make them again and again! Date: Sat., Jun. 27, 1:303:30 p.m. Cost: $75 for 1 adult and 1 child age 6-10. Location: Richmond Community Kitchen, 13 Jolina Ct. Info: sevendays tickets.com.

language

AFLCR FRENCH LANGUAGE AND CULTURE CLASSES: Don’t let the summer pass without taking a French class! Choose from our traditional language and culture

music

TAIKO TUESDAYS, DJEMBE

WEDNESDAYS!: Drum with Stuart Paton! New sessions each month. Community Taiko Ensemble Beginner’s Class, Mon., 5:30-7 p.m. Taiko on Tue.: Kids & Parents Taiko, 4-5:30 p.m.; Adult Intro Taiko, 5:30-7 p.m.; Accelerated Intro Taiko, 7-8:30 p.m. Djembe on Wed.: Intermediate Djembe, 5:30-7 p.m.; Beginner Djembe, 7-8:30 p.m. Drums provided. Cost: $92/4 weeks; 90-min. classes; $72 per person for Kids & Parents class. Location: Burlington Taiko, 208 Flynn Ave., Suite 3-G. Info: Stuart Paton, 802-448-0150, burlington taiko.org.

nature

BUSHCRAFT & FRICTION FIRE

SKILLS WITH DUG NORTH OF THE HISTORY CHANNEL SHOW ‘ALONE’: Join Vermonter Dug North from Season 12 of the History Channel’s survival show “Alone” for a full day of wilderness skills training in Roxbury, Vt. Learn to use a knife safely, the essentials of ﬁrecraft, and the fundamentals of the bow drill method for creating ﬁre using friction. No tools or prior knowledge required. Ages 16 and up. Date: Sat., Jun. 27, 10 a.m. Cost: $180;

SHAMANISM : A rare opportunity to apprentice locally in a shamanic tradition beginning Sept. 25-27, St. Albans. For ﬁve weekends over the course of a year, enter the heart of a living Earth with the Pachakuti Mesa Tradition. e PMT, designed by don Oscar Miro-Quesada, offers a rich tapestry of Andean ancestral wisdom and global resonance, weaving a shamanic tradition that serves the needs of the current day. Realign soul with cosmos, self with community and spirit with nature. Are you ready to answer the call to heal? Dates: Sep. 25, 6:30-9:30 p.m.; Sep. 26, 9 a.m.-9 p.m; Sep. 27, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Cost: $1375.00/5 3-day weekend sessions. Scholarship support available. Location: Northwest TV access station. Franklin Park West, St. Albans City. Info: omas Mock, 802369-4331, thomas.mock1444@ gmail.com, heartofthehealer. org/event/the-pachakuti-mesatradition-foundationalapprenticeship-withthomas-mock.

sports & ﬁtness

MARTIAL ARTS WORKSHOP FOR ADULTS: AIKIDO AND THE PATH OF RESILIENCY: Discover the dynamic martial art of aikido. is workshop is open to adults and focused teens. Learn about the philosophy of aikido and develop core power, resiliency and grace. Aikido emphasizes circular throwing and pinning techniques, rather than linear blocks and strikes. Wear loose, comfortable clothing and be prepared to move! is event is free. Date: Sat., Jun. 6, 12:30 p.m. Cost: Free. Location: Aikido of Champlain Valley, 257 Pine St., Burlington. Info: sevendaystickets.com.

MARTIAL ARTS WORKSHOP FOR KIDS: AIKIDO AND THE WAY OF HARMONY: Discover the dynamic, ﬂowing martial art of aikido and learn how aikido teaches kids to become centered, resilient and focused. For youths ages 7-12; parents are also welcome to join the workshop. is event is free! Date: Sat., Jun. 6, 10 a.m. Cost: Free. Location: Aikido of Champlain Valley, 257 Pine St., Burlington. Info: sevendaystickets.com. Find and purchase

for

and other classes at

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

Floki

AGE/SEX: 5-year-old neutered male

ARRIVAL DATE: March 31, 2026

SUMMARY: Conﬁdent, smart and loyal, Floki carries that classic German shepherd presence wrapped in an affectionate personality! He bonds quickly with his people and is happiest when he’s close by. In his foster home, Floki has settled in quickly and beautifully. He’s been described as calm, adaptable and easy to have around. He enjoys social time, is curious about visitors and likes being right in the middle of the action in his own steady, grounded way. Floki is looking for an adopter who will appreciate his intelligence, loyalty and affectionate nature — someone ready for a true “heart dog” experience. Could fantastic Floki be your new best friend?

DOGS/CATS/KIDS: Floki is seeking a home where he can be the only pet. He may be happiest in a home without young children.

Visit the Humane Society of Chittenden County at 142 Kindness Court, South Burlington, Tuesday-Wednesday 1-5 p.m., ursday-Friday 1-6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Call 862-0135 or visit hsccvt.org for more info.

of Chittenden County

DID YOU KNOW?

June is National Foster a Pet Month! Whether you can foster for a few weeks or just a weekend, opening your home to a pet in need is an irreplaceable gift. Learn more about becoming a foster parent at hsccvt.org/foster.

Buy y & Se

GARAGE & ESTATE SALES

WEEKLY FRI. AUCTION

Live auction Fri. night:

4 p.m. preview, 6 p.m. start. All items sold as is. Cash/check/ credit card. 18% buyer’s premium. 107 Rte. 12, Randolph, between Shaw’s & Dollar General. See all the pictures at rumorhasitvt.com. Online bidding avail. & left bids accepted.

NEIGHBORHOOD YARD SALE

88-home development, many participants.

Near Essex Alliance

Church on Fox Run Rd., Weathersﬁ eld Bow, istle La. & Pomfret La. Sat., Jun., 8 a.m.-2 p.m., rain or shine.

Online S. Burlington estate sale through Wed., Jun. 17. Pickup: Sat., Jun. 20, 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. BMW, Mercedes & Subaru automobiles; tons of tools/equipment; gorgeous Oriental rugs; outdoor furniture; John Deere riding mower; ﬁ shing stuff; TV w/ surround sound; wooden American ﬂ ag, beautiful Ethan Allen furniture; sterling silver; estate jewelry; sign-making tools; Adirondack chairs. Info, estatesalesofvermont.com orestatesales.net/vt/ south-burlington/05403/ marketplace/82156.

HUGE RED ROCK RD. YARD SALE

1 stop, hundreds of items! Everything must go. More than 10 homes on Red Rock Rd. in Colchester combining forces for the ultimate Sat. treasure hunt. Furniture, electronics, clothing, sports gear, tools, home goods, kids’ stuff. Cash & Venmo. Sat., Jun. 6, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Rain date: Sat., Jun. 13.

Very large neighborhood w/ many residents participating. Location: Countryside Dr. in Essex Junction & adjoining streets. Sat., Jun. 6, 8 a.m.-3 p.m., rain or shine.

HOME & GARDEN

JOHN DEERE MOVER, WOODWORKING TOOLS

Online S. Burlington estate sale through Wed., Jun. 17. Pickup: Sat., Jun. 20, 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. BMW, Mercedes & Subaru automobiles; tons of tools/equipment; gorgeous Oriental rugs; outdoor furniture; John Deere riding mower; ﬁ shing stuff; TV w/ surround sound; wooden American ﬂ ag, beautiful Ethan Allen furniture; sterling silver; estate jewelry; sign-making tools; Adirondack chairs. Info, 802-238-9574, reedobrien@aol.com, estatesalesofvermont. com.

PETS & SUPPLIES

PUPPIES & KITTENS

Corgi & corgipoo pups: shots, dewormed, health guarantee. $675. Ready late Jun. Himalayan snowshoe Siamese kittens: shots, dewormed. $375. Ready Jun. 5. Contact 802-595-5345.

SPORTING GOODS

2 KAYAKS FOR SALE

Two 12-foot-long Eddyline kayaks, Sandpiper models. Excellent condition, used only a few times. $1,000 for 1; $1,800 for both. Info, 802-373-3220, s.jtrubisz@comcast.net.

VEHICLES

2013 AIRSTREAM INTERNATIONAL SIGNATURE 23D

Get away in style in this beautiful Airstream,

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

recently serviced & ready for travel! Lots of upgrades, w/ a good history & only 2 prior owners! Stored indoors in climatecontrolled environment every winter since new. View listing on RV Trader here: tinyurl.com/2ykfdc9x. Private link to high-res photos as well. $57,000, negotiable. Info, 802-233-0334, vtwildebeest@proton.me, tinyurl.com/3xh96sfr

MUSIC LESSONS

PIANO, VOICE, TROMBONE, SONGWRITING LESSONS

Awarded for lifetime achievement from Who’s Who in America, Scott omas Carter is avail. for lessons at Music & Arts on Wed. & Sun. Call 802-651-1013.

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

SUMMER PIANO LESSONS

ANNOUNCEMENTS

ARTIST RETREAT FOR WRITERS & PRINTMAKERS

Chaga Woods on Green Hill Artist Retreat offers writers & printmakers a comfortable & supportive environment immersed in nature w/ uninterrupted time & quiet space to work. Private room & studio space, nourishing home-prepared meals, walking trails. Nestled in the northern Taconic Mountains of southwest Vermont. Info, 802-3252603, lawlorschmidt@ icloud.com, artistretreatchagawoods.com.

SLAVIC LIFE

e Slavic Life Movement is an organization dedicated to the preservation & evolution of Slavic culture.

Play on a beautiful baby grand in the South End of Burlington. All ages, kids through adults. All abilities & genres of music. Info, randal. pierce@gmail.com, randalpiercemusic.com/ about.

GUITAR INSTRUCTION

All styles/levels. Emphasis on building strong technique, thorough musicianship, developing personal style. Paul Asbell (Big Joe Burrell, Kilimanjaro, UVM & Middlebury College faculty, Seven Daysies winner). Info, 802-233-7731, pasbell@ paulasbell.com.

comfortable & stylish living space in the heart of N. Hero Village. Enjoy beautiful lake views & abundant natural light through skylights that brighten the entire home. Features incl.: full kitchen w/ modern appliances; W/D for added convenience; luxurious BA w/ a jacuzzi tub & walk-in shower; plenty of storage throughout the apt.; skylights providing natural light & scenic views. Conveniently located just a short walk from the public library, North Hero House, Hero’s Welcome General Store, & Kraemer & Kin brewery, this apt. offers easy access to local amenities. Perfect for long-term living w/ modern comforts & a touch of lakeside charm. $1,500. Info, 802-372-1795, andy@ champlainislands.com.

3-BD, 2-BTH Home on 0.26 Acres LIVE AUCTION: Tues., Jun. 16 @ 2PM (home is occupied, please respect tenants) 183 Railroad Street Williamstown, VT 05679

The home offers an open layout with flexible living space and a manageable lot size. Conveniently located with access to nearby amenities and regional routes, this property may appeal to investors, renovators, or buyers looking for an affordable homeownership opportunity.

APARTMENTS & HOUSES FOR RENT

1898 HISTORIC CHARM IN WINOOSKI, VT., PRIVATE ENTRANCE, 2ND FLOOR

AUDITIONS & CASTING

AUDITION FOR NEW MUSICAL, ‘HATCHFORD HOTEL,’ W/ SHELBURNE PLAYERS! Welcome to the Hatchford Hotel. It’s strange. It’s speciﬁ c. It’s moving fast. Try to keep up. Auditions: Mon., Jun. 15, or Tue., Jun. 16 (pick 1), 6:30-8 p.m., at the historic Shelburne Town Hall. Performances: Oct. 2-10. Info, 802-343-2602, theshelburneplayers@

85 E. Spring St., Apt E. Unfurnished 500 sq.ft. 1-BR, 1-BA. Cozy 1-BR apt. nestled on 2nd ﬂ oor of historic Queen Anne brick building in Winooski. Private entrance & porch. HDWD, 3/4 BA. Heat, HW, snow removal & rubbish collection incl. Off-street parking. Close to UVM, St. Mike’s & CCV. On bus line. I-89 & downtown nearby. Also, near a welcoming full-service laundry. No pets, NS. Storage unit may be avail. for fee. (Note: 1 owner is a licensed real estate agent.) $1,600/mo. Contact 802-343-7707, edesany@hotmail.com.

N. HERO LAKESIDE LOFT APT. 3501 Route 2. Unfurnished 1-BR, 1-BA, 761 sq.ft. is large 1-BR loft apt. offers a

S. BURLINGTON 3-BR TOWNHOME FOR RENT Unfurnished 1,780-sq.ft. 3-BR, 2.5-BA. Beautiful, cozy 3-BR townhome for rent. Sunny, south facing. Close to newly developed S. Burlington downtown, 10 min. to downtown Burlington & UVM Medical Center. Eco green fl ooring, gas fi replace, private patio area, ceiling fans + air, etc. Bonus room on 1st fl oor great for a home offi ce + garage. Large basement for storage & more! Main BR has en suite BA. Best school district in Vermont. Extra parking space + snow & trash removal, lawn care & more. (No roommate situations according to HOA rules.) Utils. not incl. NS, please. 1-mo. sec. dep. $3,400/mo. Info: kerinrosestudio@gmail. com.

COMMERCIAL SPACE FOR SALE

CENTRAL VERMONT SCREEN-PRINTING SHOP FOR SALE

Custom screen-printing & embroidery business avail. for purchase. Located in central Vermont, company has strong, well-established customer base from Vermont, New Hampshire & beyond. Great turnkey opportunity for aspiring entrepreneur/small business owner. Current owners will provide transition support & training as needed. Contact biz4salevt@ gmail.com for more info.

COMMERCIAL & OFFICE RENTALS

INDOOR BOAT, CAMPER, VEHICLE, EQUIPMENT STORAGE IN RYEGATE, VT.

Now taking reservations for winter storage (2 bays left). Indoor storage bays avail. for boats, campers, trailers, vehicles & equipment. 34 feet long by 9.5 feet wide by 10.5 feet high. Dry gravel-ﬂ oor bay. Covered indoor storage. Lockable bay doors. Easy access from paved road. Level/spacious area for access into bay. Seasonal or year-round storage. Info, 802-4176432, karynbjilk@yahoo. com.

HOUSEMATES

IF YOU LOVE CAMPING & FISHING

Share a neat & tidy mobile home in Milton w/ an active man in his 60s who enjoys volunteer work, antiquing, camping & ﬁ shing. $650 + utils. 22 mins. to Burlington. No pets. BR can be furnished or unfurnished. Private BA. Call 802-863-5625 or visit homesharevermont. org for application. Interview, refs. & background checks req. EHO.

WALK TO NWMC IN ST. ALBANS 5-min. walk to Northwestern Medical Center. Active retiree

in her 60s who is busy with her church & volunteering offering 2 rooms & private BA in comfortable home w/ spacious, modern kitchen. $650/mo. + small utils. share. A cat would be considered. BR can be furnished or unfurnished. Call 802-863-5625 or visit homesharevermont. org for application. Interview, refs. & background checks req. EHO.

12v-hirchakbrothers060326.indd 1 5/29/26 12:03 PM

HOUSING WANTED

ST. ALBANS TO MORRISVILLE: SEEKING ANIMAL-FRIENDLY HOUSING

Single female therapist seeks animal-friendly housing. Great longterm refs. for myself, 2 cats & 2 dogs. Willing to consider anything, from owner ﬁ nancing (2-year balloon, premium paid) to roommates or large house to get roommates to an efﬁ ciency. Most details negotiable. Call 802-878-5169.

CREATIVE

Se e ces

BULLSHITFINDER.FYI 146 ways people lie to you. Enhanced. Check it out. Live, real. Info, bullshitﬁ nder.fyi.

Using the enclosed math operations as a guide, fill the grid using the numbers 1 - 6 only once in each row and column.

ELECTRONICS

AV CREW NEEDED FOR 1-DAY SEP. HUDSON VALLEY, N.Y., EVENT

Seeking experienced AV & live stream team for Sep. nonprofit event in Hudson Valley, N.Y.

Scope: mics, podium, house sound, projection, slide support, 2-cam-min. live stream, recording & delivery of high-res files. Send experience, equipment list, refs. & quote by Jun. 15 to jenny@real organicproject.org.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

SLIDING-SCALE COMMUNITY ACUPUNCTURE

$25-50: You decide!

Acupuncture can help a variety of issues, such as pain anywhere in the body, menstrual problems, stress, insomnia & more. We have helped thousands of people feel better. Learn more or schedule on our website: casobu.org. Email: info@casobu.org.

FOOD COACH

Confidential conversations on all things food & your health goals. Together, we create a

strategic plan & work toward a pleasurable new mindset. Simple yet powerful food journaling, sound menu planning & our coaching sessions offer steady support & guidance. Info, 802-488-5286, coty@ touchstonekitchen. com, touchstonekitchen.care.

HOME & GARDEN SERVICES

CLEAN CUTS LAWN CARE

Messy lawns? We can help maintain the perfect lawn. Leave the mowing to us. A high-quality lawn without the high price. Free quotes. Over 24 years’ experience. Email skyhorse205@yahoo. com or call or text 802-355-4099.

POTWIN EPOXY

Put a new surface on that old cement floor. Call 802-236-6189.

CALCOKU

BY JOSH REYNOLDS

DIFFICULTY THIS WEEK: HHH

Fill the grid using the numbers 1-6, only once in each row and column. The numbers in each heavily outlined “cage” must combine to produce the target number in the top corner, using the mathematical operation indicated. A one-box cage should be filled in with the target number in the top corner. A number can be repeated within a cage as long as it is not the same row or column.

crossword

PUZZLING PERJURY

the following puzzle by using the numbers 1-9 only once in each row, column and 3 x 3 box.

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.80

NOTICE OF SELF STORAGE LIEN SALE MALLETTS

BAY SELF STORAGE, LLC 115 HEINEBERG ROAD, COLCHESTER, VT 05446

Notice is hereby given that the contents of the self- storage units listed below will be sold at public auction by sealed bid. Name of Occupant James Messier Storage Unit #139. Said sales will take place on 6/6/26 beginning at 10:00 a.m. at Malletts Bay Self Storage, LLC, (MBSS, LLC)115 Heineberg Rd., Colchester, VT 05446. Units will be opened for viewing immediately prior to auction. Sale shall be by sealed bid to the highest bidder. Contents of entire storage unit will be sold as one lot. The winning bid must remove all contents from the facility at no cost to MBSS, LLC on the day of auction. MBSS, LLC reserves the right to reject any bid lower that the amount owed by the occupant or that is not commercially reasonable as defined by statute.

NOTICE OF SELF STORAGE LIEN SALE MALLETTS

BAY SELF STORAGE, LLC 115 HEINEBERG ROAD, COLCHESTER, VT 05446.

Notice is hereby given that the contents of the self- storage units listed below will be sold at public auction by sealed bid. Name of Occupant Jeffrey Whitcomb Storage Unit #13. Said sales will take place on 6/6/26 beginning at 10:00 a.m. at Malletts Bay Self Storage, LLC, (MBSS, LLC)115 Heineberg Rd., Colchester, VT 05446. Units will be opened for viewing immediately prior to auction. Sale shall be by sealed bid to the highest bidder. Contents of entire storage unit will be sold as one lot. The winning bid must remove all contents from the facility at no cost to MBSS, LLC on the day of auction. MBSS, LLC reserves the right to reject any bid lower that the amount owed by the occupant or that is not commercially reasonable as defined by statute.

STATE OF VERMONT

SUPERIOR COURT, CIVIL DIVISION

CHITTENDEN UNIT CASE NO. 26-CV-00934

Hutton Dart, Jason Andreasson and Christopher Andreasson

Plaintiffs

v. 27-29 Mercier Dr., LLC, 28-30 Mercier Dr. LLC, 221-223 Macrae Road LLC, 295-297

Macrae Road LLC c/o Donald W. Voight, Sr., Hella and Christopher Benitt, Abdelilah Benjaa and Megan Jean Benjaa, Nathan Carp, Gary W. Chambers, Jr. and Cheryl A. Chambers, Nadezhda Donnell, Tanner Faucett, Sherree Harvey, Richard C. Kirby, Vinh T. Lai and Nhi H. Nguyen, Brian Little and Melissa Dinh, Michael Quigley, Carolyn Shamel, Evan Stainman, Whitney and Brian Tummings

Defendents

SERVICE BY PUBLICATION OF COMPLAINT TO QUIET TITLE FOR 0 MERCIER DRIVE, COLCHESTER, VT

Plaintiffs, Hutton Dart, Jason Andreasson and Christopher Andreasson, by and through their attorney, Joseph F. Obuchowski, Esq. filed a Complaint to Quiet Title for property located at 0 Mercier Drive, Colchester, Vermont and mailed a copy of the Complaint with a request for Waiver of Service of Summons, a Notice of Appearance and Answer form to all of the lot owners who may have an deeded easement or an interest under a common development scheme in Plaintiffs’ property. The above-named Defendants did not respond by either waiving service of summons or filing with the Court a Notice of Appearance and Answer. After a showing by Plaintiffs of due diligence in trying to service the Complaint, the Court ordered, in an Order dated May 13, 2026, publication of the Complaint at least seven days apart for two or more weeks in Seven Days. Each of the above lot owner(s) shall be sent a copy of the Court’s Order.

Notice is hereby given that failure to respond to the Complaint within twenty-one (21) days from the date of publication may result in a default judgment or summary judgment against you.

Publication Date: May 27, 2026 and June 3, 2026 Joseph F. Obuchowski, Esq. P.O. Box 8551 Burlington, VT 05402 802 658 5368 jobuchowski@btvlaw.com

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS: EDEN CENTRAL SCHOOL BUSES

Lamoille North Supervisory Union

For Lamoille North Modified Unified Union School District - Eden Elementary School

The Board of School Directors of the LNMUUSD School District invites sealed proposals for the lease or purchase of two new 77-81 passenger school buses in 2026, preferred delivery by August 15, 2026.

For more information and to receive a full copy of the proposal request, please email dclark@lnsd.org, or call (802) 851-1161.

Lamoille North Supervisory Union and its School Districts are an Equal Opportunity Employer

ACT 250 NOTICE

MINOR APPLICATION 4C0114-1

10 V.S.A. §§ 6000 – 6111

Application 4C0114-1 from Brian C. LeDuc, 8 Robbins Mountain Road, Richmond, VT was received on May 7, 2026, and deemed complete on May 21, 2026. The project is generally described as the construction of a replacement wastewater system for an existing single-family home on “Lot 2” of an existing residential subdivision. The project is located at 8 Robbins Mountain Road in Richmond, 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 “4C0114-1.”

No hearing will be held and a permit may be issued unless, on or before June 17, 2026, 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 Quin Mann at the email address or telephone number below.

Dated this May 26, 2026.

By: /s/Quin Mann

Quin Mann

District Coordinator 111 West Street Essex Junction, VT 05452 802-661-8041

Quin.Mann@vermont.gov

IN ACCORDANCE WITH VT TITLE 9 COMMERCE AND TRADE CHAPTER 098: STORAGE UNITS 3905.

Enforcement of Lien, Champlain Valley Self Storage,LLC shall host a private auction of the following units on or after June 28, 2026.

Contents: household goods

Location: 2211 Main St Colchester VT 05446

Steve Lefkovitz: #804, #784, #766, #803, #802 Angie Bell: #535

Jessie Flemings: #539

Location: 78 Lincoln St. Essex Jct, VT 05452

Marcel Clark: #184

Auction pre-registration is required, email info@ champlainvalleyselfstorage.com to register. CVSS,llc reserves the right to reject any bid lower than the amount owed by the occupant or that is not commercially reasonable as defined by statute. 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.

ACT 250 NOTICE

MINOR APPLICATION 4C0331-45

10 V.S.A. §§ 6000 – 6111

Application 4C0331-45 from Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport, Attn: Nic Longo, 1200 Airport Drive, South Burlington, VT 05403 and City of Burlington, Burlington International Airport, 1200 Airport Drive, South Burlington, VT 05403 was received on May 15, 2026 and deemed complete on May 22, 2026. The project is generally described as expansion of a cargo apron and relocation of the vehicle service road (VSR) located just east of Runway 1-19. The project will result in 4.275 acres of total impervious area, comprised of the following: 2.088 acres of existing impervious area, 0.449 acres of redeveloped impervious area, and 1.738 acres of new impervious area. The project is located at 1200 Airport 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 “4C0331-45.”

No hearing will be held and a permit may be issued unless, on or before June 16, 2026, 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 May 27, 2026. By: /s/ Stephanie H. Monaghan

Stephanie H. Monaghan

District Coordinator 111 West Street Essex Junction, VT 05452

802-261-1944

stephanie.monaghan@vermont.gov

NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS STATE OF VERMONT

June 6th, 2026,

Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development Grace Vinson, Environmental Officer 1 National Life Drive Montpelier, Vermont 05620 (802) 622- 4336

Request for Release of Funds

These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the Vermont Housing Conservation Board and the State of Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development (Agency).

On or about June 22nd, 2026 the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development will submit a request to HUD for the release of Community Project Funding (CPF) funds under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (P.L 117-328), to undertake a project known as The North Avenue Co-op Infrastructure Project for the purpose of upgrading drinking water, wastewater and storm water infrastructure to help preserve affordable housing. The project is located at 4 Avenue A Burlington, VT 05408. The total estimate cost of the project is approximately $7MM, which includes $1,302,000 (ARPA HH), $250,000 (VHCB HUD Community Project Funding, B-23-CP-VT-1500), $250,000 (VHCB), $415,000 (Burlington Housing Trust Fund), $15,726 (ARPA 3 Acre Permit Obtainment Assistance), $1,800,000 (EPA-Congressionally Directed Spending), $882,298 (VT Drinking Water SRF) and $1,115,203 (HUD PRICE funding, B-23-PR-25-0002).

There are no mitigation factors.

Finding of No Significant Impact

The Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development, has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR), which will be made available to the public for review either electronically or by U.S. mail. Please submit your request by U.S. mail to Environmental Officer, Department of Housing and Community Development, National Life Building, One National Life Drive, Davis Building 6th floor, Montpelier, Vermont 05620 or via email at Grace. Vinson@vermont.gov.

Public Comments

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the Agency, Attn: Environmental Officer, Agency of Commerce and Community Development, Department of Housing and Community Development, One National Life Drive, Davis Building, 6th Floor, Montpelier, Vermont, 05620 or via email at grace.vinson@vermont.gov. All comments received by June 21, 2026, will be considered by the Department prior to authorizing a request for release of funds. Comments must specify which Notice they are addressing—the Finding of No Significant Impact or the Request for the Release of Funds.

Environmental Certification

The Agency is certifying to HUD that Ann Kroll, in their official capacity as Director of Federal Programs, consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental

review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the Vermont Housing Conservation Board to use the CPF funds.

Objections to Release of Funds

HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and the Agency’s certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer, Ann Kroll, Director of Federal Programs; (b) the Agency has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality.

Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) by email at CPDRROFBOS@hud.gov or by mail at Thomas P. O’Neill, Jr. Federal Building, 10 Causeway Street, 3rd Floor Boston, MA 02222. Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Responsible Entity Certifying Officer: Ann Karlene Kroll, Director of Federal Programs, Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development

STATE OF VERMONT

SUPERIOR COURT PROBATE DIVISION

CHITTENDEN UNIT DOCKET NO.: 26-PR-02379

IN RE: ESTATE OF LYNDA URIS

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

To the creditors of Lynda Uris, late of Burlington, Vermont

I have been appointed to administer this estate. All creditors having claims against the decedent or the estate must present their claims in writing within four (4) months of the date of this publication of this notice. The claim must be presented to me at the address listed below with a copy sent to the Court. The claim may be barred forever if it is not presented within the four (4) month period.

Dated: May 27, 2026

/s/Josephine Leavitt, Executrix c/o Harry C. Parker, Esq. 38 Community Lane, Suite 4 South Hero, VT 05486 802-372-6904 harry@parkerlawvt.com

Name of Publication: Seven Days

Publication Date: 06/03/26

Probate Court: Chittenden Probate Court 175 Main Street, Burlington, VT 05401

STATE OF VERMONT

SUPERIOR COURT

CIVIL DIVISION

CHITTENDEN UNIT CASE NO. 26-CV-03058 IN RE: ABANDONED MOBILE HOME OF JASON RICHARDS NOTICE OF HEARING

A hearing on The Housing Foundation, Inc.’s Verified Complaint to declare as abandoned and uninhabitable the mobile home of Jason Richards located at the Birchwood Manor Mobile Home Park (1966 Atlantic FK, 54’ x 10’, Serial No. 2598) on Lot #24, 148 Dewey Drive in Milton, Vermont, to authorize the transfer without public auction, so it may be removed and disposed of, has been set for June 18,

2026 at 11:15 a.m. in person at the Vermont Superior Court, Chittenden Unit, Civil Division located at 175 Main Street in Burlington, Vermont.

Date: May 28, 2026

Nancy L. Bean, Judicial Assistant Chittenden Unit

VERIFIED COMPLAINT FOR ABANDONMENT

PURSUANT TO 10 V.S.A. § 6249(i) (Uninhabitable)

NOW COMES The Housing Foundation, Inc. (“HFI”), by and through its Counsel Nadine L. Scibek, and hereby complains pursuant to 10 V.S.A. § 6249(i) as follows:

1. HFI, a Vermont non-profit corporation with a principal place of business in Montpelier, County of Washington, State of Vermont, is the record owner of a mobile home park known as the Birchwood Manor Mobile Home Park (the “Park”), located in the Town of Milton, Vermont. The Park is managed by the Vermont State Housing Authority.

2. Jason Richards (“Richards”) is the record owner of a certain mobile home described as a 1966 Atlantic FK, 54’ x 10’, bearing Serial #2598 (the “Mobile Home”) located at the Birchwood Manor Mobile Home Park, Lot #24, 148 Dewey Drive in Milton, Vermont according to the Town of Milton Land Records. See attached Vermont Mobile Home Bill of Sale.

3. Richards leased a lot in the Park from HFI pursuant to a written lease. Richards paid a security deposit in the amount of $308.00 to HFI. See attached Lease.

4. Richards’s last known mailing address is 148 Dewey Drive, Milton, VT 05468.

5. The last known resident of the mobile home was Richards. Richards vacated the Mobile Home on or about January 24, 2026. The mobile home has been unoccupied/abandoned since that time.

6. Richards indicated to HFI via email on January 21, 2026 that he was moving to Florida and he was planning on demolishing the mobile home. HFI”s Counsel attempted to contact Richards via email with respect to his intentions regarding his mobile home. HFI has received no response from Richards. Richards has stopped communicating with HFI. See attached correspondence.

7. The following security interests, mortgages, liens and encumbrances appear of record with respect to the mobile home:

a. Property taxes to the Town of Milton are current according to the Town Clerk. However, current year taxes in the amount of $220.92 are due May 15, 2026. See attached Tax Bill and email from Town of Milton.

b. Richards is in arrears on obligations to pay water/ sewer bills to the Town of Milton, Vermont in the aggregate amount of $1,374.04, plus interest and penalties. See attached email from Town of Milton. 8. Mobile home storage fees continue to accrue at the rate of $436.00 per month. Rent/ storage fees due HFI through May, 2025 total $2,600.63. Attorney’s fees and court costs incurred by HFI currently exceed $900.00.

9. HFI sent written notice by certified mail to the Town of Milton on April 13, 2026 of its intent to commence this action. See attached.

10. The mobile home is uninhabitable. Property Manager Tyler Willis will testify under oath as to the poor and unlivable condition of this mobile home at the abandonment hearing.

WHEREFORE, HFI respectfully requests that the Honorable Court enter an order as follows:

1. Declare that the mobile home has been abandoned;

2. Transfer the mobile home which is unfit for human habitation to the Park owner without a public auction so that it may be removed and disposed of accordingly.

3. Order pursuant to 10 V.S.A. § 6249(j) that the mobile home and any security deposit paid be conveyed to the Park Owner in “as is” condition, and free from all liens and other encumbrances of record.

DATED May 26, 2026.

THE HOUSING FOUNDATION, INC. BY:

Nadine L. Scibek Attorney for HFI

I declare that the above statement is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief. I understand that if the above statement is false,

I will be subject to the penalty of perjury or other sanctions in the discretion of the Court.

May 26, 2026 BY: Tyler Willis Duly Authorized Agent for HFI

CITY OF ESSEX JUNCTION

DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD

PUBLIC HEARING

THURSDAY, JUNE 18TH, 2026 6:30 P.M.

This meeting will be held in person at Lincoln Hall, 2 Lincoln Street in the Meeting Room and remotely via Zoom. The meeting will be live-streamed on Town Meeting TV. • JOIN ONLINE:Visit www.essexjunction. org/DRB for meeting connection information. • JOIN BY TELEPHONE: Dial 1(888) 788-0099 (toll free) Meeting ID: 839 2599 0985 Passcode: 940993

Public hearing

Preliminary Plan review for a seven-lot subdivision for future residential development at 11 Meadow Terrace in the R1 District by Center for Technology Essex, owners.

This DRAFT agenda may be amended. Plan documents will be available on www. essexjunction.org/DRB five days prior to the meeting. Any questions re: above please call Chris Yuen or Terry Hass – 802-878-6944

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING – SETTING COMMON AREA FEES FY27

MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2026, NO EARLIER THAN 6:00 PM BURLINGTON CITY HALL

A public hearing will be held during the regular meeting of Burlington City Council on Monday, June 15, 2026, no earlier than 6:00 pm, in person at Contois Auditorium, Burlington City Hall, 2nd floor, 149 Church Street, Burlington, Vermont 05401 or by video conference, accessible by link on the City’s website, to be posted no less than 48 hours prior to the hearing on the standards to aid in the determination of common area fees and on the annual common area fees for properties in the Church Street Marketplace District proposed by the Church Street Marketplace Commission.

The Marketplace Commission is proposing a continuation of the current standards, which includes a per-square-foot cost based on the building’s ground floor square footage and maintaining the per-square-foot cost for FY27 of $3.02 per square foot for all properties. These properties and their measurements were audited by the City Assessor in FY25:

FY27 Common Area Fees by Taxable Parcel can be found here: http://churchstmarketplace.com/ marketplace-commission

The provisions applicable to common area fees can be found in the Burlington City Charter, Title VIII, Section 326, which can be located on the City website.

Any assessed party who feels aggrieved by this proposal may appeal the assessment to the City Council by delivering the appeal, in writing, to the City Clerk at City Hall, 149 Church St., Burlington, Vermont. The written appeal may be delivered by any means but must be received by the City Clerk prior to the public hearing to be considered. Following the public hearing, the Council will make a final determination of the common area fees to be assessed.

For further information please contact: Samantha McGinnis Director, Church Street Marketplace smcginnis@burlingtonvt.gov 802-735-5572

ATTENTION RECRUITERS:

POST YOUR JOBS AT: JOBS.SEVENDAYSVT.COM/POST-A-JOB PRINT DEADLINE: NOON ON MONDAYS (INCLUDING HOLIDAYS) FOR RATES & INFO: GILLIAN COMITO, 802-341-3060 GCOMITO@SEVENDAYSVT.COM

Administrative Assistant

Bowman has an opportunity for an Administrative Assistant to join our team in Williston, VT. At Bowman, we believe in creating opportunities for aspiring people to thrive and achieve ambitious goals. That’s why a career at Bowman is more than a job. It is an opportunity to be part of a diverse and engaged community of professionals, to be treated as a respected and valued member of a motivated team and to be empowered to do exceptional work that advances the best interest of everyone involved. We recognize the importance of creating a work environment that is both rewarding to our employees and supportive of our unwavering commitment to provide unparalleled service to our clients. Apply: selena.garcia-torres@bowman.com

Why not have a job you love?

Make a career out of making a difference at an award-winning human services workplace. Benefit package includes 29 paid days off, comprehensive and affordable health insurance package with up to $6,400 to go towards medical deductibles and copays, retirement match, flexible work environment, and so much more. Both full and part time shifts available. Vote CCS for Best Nonprofit in the Seven Daysies and join one of Vermont’s Best Places to Work today!

Full -time Mechanic & Heavy Equipment Operator

CSWD is seeking a skilled, hands-on Mechanic and Heavy Equipment Operator to join our compost program. In this dual role, you’ll spend a portion of your time leading mechanical diagnostics, preventative maintenance, and repairs to ensure our equipment stays running safely. The remainder of your time you’ll safely operate heavy equipment in maintaining daily operations.

We’re looking for proven experience including two years of mechanical equipment repair and two years of heavy equipment operation. $30-$35/hour (depending on experience and certifications) with excellent benefits, including a generous paid time off package.

For more information on the position and CSWD, visit https://cswd.net/aboutcswd/job-openings/ Submit application or resume to human resources (humanresources@cswd.net). This position is open until filled.

Lead & Assistant Teachers

For more information & to apply:

1t-aginginplacewithpets050626.indd 1

Woodstock, VT - (FT/PT) $21-26/hr HS & College Grads welcome, training provided. director@ rainbowplayschool.org 6/1/26 1:09 PM

Hiring

Shelburne Farms Inn: Breakfast & Dinner Line Cooks, Dishwashers, Reservationist shelburnefarms.org/

Shelburne Farms is an education nonprofit on a mission to inspire and cultivate learning for a sustainable future through its programs, place and products. 1611 Harbor Road - Shelburne, Vermont

4t-ShelburneFarms042226.indd 1 4/23/26 2:10 PM

The Vermont Program for Quality in Health Care (VPQHC) is an independent nonproﬁt organization dedicated to improving healthcare quality, patient safety, and outcomes through collaboration, training, data-driven improvement, and statewide initiatives. Our work is mission-driven, partner-focused, and centered on creating meaningful impact across the healthcare system. We’re currently hiring for four opportunities:

- Administrative & Operations Assistant (Full-Time)

- Project Coordinator (Full-Time)

- Quality Improvement Advisor (Full-Time)

- Accountant (Part-Time)

If you’re passionate about healthcare improvement, collaboration, and purpose-driven work, we’d love to hear from you! Learn more and apply here: vpqhc.org/employment-opportunities.

Staff Attorney

DRVT is seeking a full-time Staff Attorney to join our legal team. This position is ideal for an attorney interested in meaningful public interest work that combines legal advocacy, systems change, collaboration, and community engagement.

The Staff Attorney will work on a wide range of disability rights issues, including discrimination, access to services and supports, reasonable accommodations, abuse and neglect investigations, victims’ rights advocacy, and broader systemic reform efforts.

Salary: $68,000 – $75,000

See job description & apply: disabilityrightsvt.org/careers

Executive Director

Seeking a dynamic, entrepreneurial, and community-minded leader to serve as the founding Executive Director of a brand-new organization promoting adult and youth mentoring throughout Lamoille County.

This is a unique opportunity for a visionary professional with strong skills in administration, marketing, fundraising, relationshipbuilding, and program development to build an organization from the ground up and make a lasting impact on the lives of local youth. Hybrid role with office in Morrisville.

To apply, please visit: lamoillementoring.org

Early Childhood Educator

Pine Forest Children’s Center (PFCC) has provided high-quality, play-based early childhood education in Burlington’s South End since 1988. We are currently hiring for multiple positions, including licensed preschool teachers (full-time or part-time) and early childhood educators to join our infant–preschool teams. At PFCC, we value imagination, curiosity, and integrity, and believe children learn best through emergent, play-based experiences connected to their community and natural world. Our teachers collaborate to design engaging, child-led curriculum, partner closely with families, and receive strong professional development support to grow in the ﬁeld.

Pay: $20–$26/hour plus a $1,000 sign-on bonus

Beneﬁts include: health savings account, dental, vision & life insurance, retirement plan, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, ongoing training, and more.

To apply, send your resume and cover letter to Julie LaFountaine: julie@thepineforest.org. PFCC is an equal opportunity employer.

Now Hiring....Early Childhood Educators

Kids & Fitness is seeking nurturing, energetic Classroom Teachers

Some ECE coursework required — we’ll support continued education for the right candidate!

$18–$25/hr. to start depending on position and full/part time

Apply online or send your resume to: kids@edgevt.com

PALS Facilitator

The Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired is looking for someone to run our bi-weekly support groups for our blind and visually impaired clients in Chittenden and Franklin Counties as well as our statewide virtual support group. The Program Facilitator emphasizes independence, skills training, and emotional support to people coping with a visual impairment.

This is a part-time position 10-15 hours per week, with a starting pay of $27.07 per hour. Interested applicants must be able to work well in a group setting and have a Bachelor’s Degree in either Psychology, Counseling, Human Services, or the equivalent.

Experience with blindness is preferred. Please visit our website for more information: vabvi.org Email dnorris@vabvi.org to apply.

Hazardous Waste Facility Operator

Come do good work with a great team!

Full-time, $26.06 – 33.80/hr + generous benefits (paid leave, retirement plan with match, 100% medical/dental/vision for employee & family).

Location: Berlin, VT

See CVSWMD.org for details.

FLOAT CERTIFIED MEDICAL ASSISTANT

Want variety?

Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital (NVRH) is hiring a Float Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) to support multiple outpatient practices. Provide clinical and front‑office support, including intake/vitals, medication review, point‑of‑care testing, rooming, documentation in the EHR, assisting with procedures, and helping with scheduling, phones, referrals, and prescription coordination. Float where needed while partnering with care teams to deliver safe, compassionate care. Required: HS diploma/equivalent, active CMA/CCMA/RMA, and AHA BLS. Benefits: competitive pay, student loan repayment, tuition reimbursement, generous PTO, complimentary gym membership, health/dental/vision options, 401(k) match, and more.

Apply today at NVRH.org/careers

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ATTENTION RECRUITERS:

Chittenden County Restorative Services Coordinator

The CJC is growing! The Restorative Services Coordinator is part of a team responsible for coordinating and delivering restorative justice services across a range of referrals, from precharge diversion through post-conviction reparative processes. This position will be based out of Williston.

Working with both responsible and impacted parties, this role centers accountability, meaningful support, equity, and community impact. The Coordinator prepares participants for dialogue processes, facilitates restorative conferences, develops and monitors agreements, and ensures all participants are treated with dignity and respect.

This position requires strong relationship-building skills, a traumainformed approach, and the ability to hold both accountability and compassion. The Coordinator collaborates with community partners, justice system stakeholders, and internal staff to promote equitable access to restorative processes and strengthen community-based responses to harm.

This position is paid at $63,398.40 - $70,657.60 Annually and comes with a comprehensive benefits package.

The City of Burlington is an equal opportunity employer and we encourage applicants who can contribute to our growing diversity. To learn more and to apply: 7dvt.pub/restorative

5v-CityofBurlingtonCommunityJusticeCenter060326.indd 1

SCHOOL NURSE

Randolph Union Middle and High School, Randolph, VT, is seeking a compassionate, organized, studentcentered School Nurse to support the health and well-being of students grades 7–12 in Central Vermont. Responsibilities

• Provide direct nursing care to students

• Develop, implement, & monitor individualized healthcare plans

• Effective communication skills to clearly communicate student health needs with instructional staff and families

• Administer medications and maintain accurate health records

• Complete DITEP assessments and cessation efforts

• Collaborate with families, healthcare providers, and school staff

• Monitor and manage communicable diseases

• Ensure compliance with immunization requirements

• Promote health education: wellness, prevention, and healthy decision-making

• Support students experiencing mental health concerns

• Maintain a safe and sanitary health office environment

• Participate in crisis response and school safety planning

Qualifications

• Current RN license in Vermont (or be qualified to apply for and receive one), Vermont Educator License with School Nurse Endorsement (or be able to qualify for a provisional license)

• Experience in pediatric, adolescent, or school nursing preferred. CPR/AED and First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain)

Competitive salary -- $54,730 - $93,041 dependent upon experience.)

Excellent benefits -- health, dental, life, insurance; retirement, tuition reimbursement and more.

Interested candidates may see a more detailed job description or apply at SchoolSpring and orangesouthwest.org/job-openings

Program Advocate

Provide coordinated advocacy and support services to people impacted by domestic and sexual violence. Build trusting relationships with survivors and collaborate with community partners to ensure comprehensive, survivorcentered care.

Assess needs, provide resources and referrals, and empower survivors. Help survivors understand their experiences, recognize the impacts, and articulate their needs. When survivors have advocates, they’re not alone.

Email cover letter/resume to peggy.oneil@wiseuv.org or apply online at: wiseuv.org/how-to-join/careers

ATHLETIC & ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR

Mt. Abraham Union Middle/High School

Mt. Abraham Union Middle/ High School, serving 550 students in grades 7–12 from four Addison County towns, seeks a highly motivated Athletic & Activities Director to lead our athletic and cocurricular programs.

Our picturesque campus includes outstanding athletic fields, renovated facilities, and an indoor pool, providing exceptional opportunities to support students in their important “third space.”

Apply: 7dvt.pub/schoolspring

Questions may be directed to Principal Shannon Warden: shannon.warden@mausd.org 802-453-2333.

VET TECH ASSISTANT

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We are seeking a full-time vet tech assistant to join our team of dedicated animal care providers in Shelburne. We are the only holistically focused, full service veterinary clinic in the area offering holistic nutrition, herbal medicine, acupuncture, chiropractic, surgery, dental care, digital radiography, ultrasound, laser therapy, and more.

We are seeking a driven individual with animal care experience and an interest in holistic medicine. Our vet tech assistants aid in the following functions:

• Routine patient visits from check-in to check-out

• Inpatient care of hospitalized and surgical patients

• Outpatient treatments: both routine and urgent

• Hospital equipment care and maintenance

• Client care and coordination

Applicants must:

• Be comfortable with animal holding and restraint

• Possess strong communication skills, both verbal and written

• Be comfortable using computer programs and must be able to type

We offer a competitive wage, commensurate with experience, as well as a generous benefits package in a small but fast paced clinic setting. A perfect opportunity to learn and enhance all your technical skills.

Client Relations Specialist

Cheeks Luxury Skin Clinic is seeking a Client Relations Specialist to join our high-end skin clinic. We’re looking for someone who brings warmth, professionalism, and a polished presence to every interaction, with a proven ability to attract and cultivate new clients. This role includes prospecting and business development, such as cold calling, door-to-door outreach, and building connections within the community. We're excited to meet a dynamic, self-motivated, conﬁdent, and results-oriented professional. Someone who excels at creating meaningful client relationships and contributes the day-to-day operations of our clinic. A passion for skincare and the beauty industry is appreciated. This part-time position o ers hourly pay plus commission, along with in-clinic discounts.

Send your resume to: concierge@cheeks.cc

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Salary: $18-$24/hour, based on experience

Benefits:

• 40 hours paid personal/sick time per year

• 80 hours paid vacation time per year

• 52 hours paid major Holidays per year

• $2600 contribution towards healthcare premium per year

• Simple IRA with matching up to 3%

• Paid lunches 2-3 times/week & paid lunch breaks

Schedule: Full-time, 4 x 10 hour shifts. Work

Location: In person

To apply: Please craft a cover letter that tells us a little about yourself and outlines your animal care experience, training, and if you have any experience/interest in holistic healthcare.

This, along with your resume, can be submitted to Thérèse Fafard at therese@qivet.com

Scan QR code to apply.

Join the Finest Team!

We’re hiring for two hospitality-based positions in our Waitsﬁeld, Vermont Taproom:

Director of Hospitality:

We’re on the hunt for a hospitality rockstar to lead our amazing team, grow our hospitality enterprise and enhance the guest experience from our taproom & events to food, beverage, and retail. Base Comp: $120,000$150,000/year.

Events Manager:

We’re looking for someone who can take our taproom experiences to the next levelfrom seasonal events, unique destination experiences to private gatherings and every celebration in between. Base Comp: $70,000/year.

lawsonsﬁnest.com/ about-us/careers

Automatic Screen Printer

We’re hiring! Looking for an experienced, part-time Automatic Screen Printer to join our team in Colchester.

• Pay is dependent on production and experience with a range of $20-$27.

• Flexible hours available Monday – Saturday.

Ideal Candidates should be:

• Reliable and detail-oriented

• Comfortable working in a fast-paced production environment

• Experienced with automatic screen printing equipment

Please email aubrey@joannsuniforms.com with your experience and availability for more information. For questions: 802-862-0290

Wedding & Event Sales Consultant

The Event Consultant plans and coordinates events by analyzing customer needs, suggesting solutions, and working with customers to create their ideal event. The Event Consultant handles customers’ inquiries promptly and efficiently in a fast-paced team oriented environment. The successful candidate must close sales and provide excellent customer service.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Establish relationships with clients/Nurture existing client relationship. Our goal is to guide clients through an amazing experience with our company.

• Create event proposals. Create visuals for the client

• Finalize the sale

• Perform administrative responsibilities

• Work with team members

Company Benefits:

• PTO, Health, Dental and Vision Insurance

• Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability, Life Insurance

• 401k Profit Sharing Plan with company match

Send resume, cover letter & salary requirements to: jobs@vttent.com. No phone calls, please.

Front Desk Associate

Job Summary: Join our team at Optical Expressions and help create a positive, welcoming experience for every patient who walks through our doors or reaches out to our office. We are looking for a friendly, organized, and dependable front-desk professional who enjoys helping others, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and takes pride in keeping daily operations running smoothly. In this role, you will play an important part in supporting both patients and providers through scheduling, communication, insurance verification, payment processing, and accurate recordkeeping.

What You’ll Do:

· Create a warm first impression by greeting patients and visitors with professionalism, kindness, and a helpful attitude.

· Support a smooth check-in experience by confirming patient information, collecting forms and insurance cards, and verifying coverage details accurately.

· Help patients complete their visit successfully by reviewing charges, collecting payments, submitting insurance information, and scheduling follow-up appointments or referrals.

· Be a reliable point of contact by answering and routing phone calls, taking clear messages, responding to urgent needs appropriately, and confirming appointments through phone, text, or email.

· Keep the office running efficiently by maintaining accurate records in the EHR, assisting with records requests, handling mail and faxes, supporting patient notifications, and helping with daily closeout and office supply tasks.

What We’re Looking For:

· High school diploma or equivalent, strong customer service skills and a genuine passion for helping others.

· Confidence using computers, phones, and standard administrative tools in a busy office setting.

· Excellent communication, professionalism, organization, and attention to detail, with the ability to balance multiple priorities successfully.

· Comfort with basic math and payment balancing, along with a strong commitment to accuracy, confidentiality, and HIPAA compliance. Apply: mleipert@oeberlin.com

ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER

Salary: $125,000 / year

Full-time – Exempt

Open May 28, 2026 –Closes June 18, 2026

Montpelier is the nation's smallest state capital — and one of its most resilient. Having navigated a major flood and a global pandemic, the city is entering a new chapter of vitality and opportunity. We're looking for a strategic, collaborative leader to step into a pivotal role alongside the City Manager and help shape Montpelier's future.

This is a rare chance to work at the intersection of housing, economic development, infrastructure modernization, public safety, and good governance — in a community that genuinely cares.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

The Assistant City Manager serves as a trusted strategic partner to the City Manager and a core member of the city's leadership team. This position provides operational oversight, drives cross-departmental initiatives, supports the Montpelier City Plan and City Council's Strategic Plan, and steps in as Acting City Manager during the Manager's absence. The role also leads public engagement, guides policy development, stewards financial resources, and champions a workplace culture of excellence and accountability.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Strategic leadership: Partner with the City Manager on leadership, governance, and operational oversight. Serve on the City Leadership Team and act as City Manager when needed.

• Community engagement: Represent the city to partners, the State Legislature, and the public. Build relationships with residents, businesses, and regional agencies. Lead public engagement on Council priorities.

• Operational oversight: Foster an accountable, inclusive organizational culture. Champion cross-department collaboration, remove barriers, and mentor direct reports.

• Policy development: Develop data-informed proposals for Council consideration. Guide department heads on policy implementation and lead state-level advocacy efforts.

• Budget stewardship: Support long- and shortterm financial planning. Write grants, manage RFPs, oversee procurement compliance, and advocate for funding approvals.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in public administration, policy, business, or related field

• 7+ years in government, public management, or financial administration (equivalency considered)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree in a related field

• Extensive municipal government experience; Vermont knowledge a strong plus

• Thorough knowledge of the principals of municipal government administration

• Demonstrated ability to handle confidential records, bid proposals & negotiating positions

• Proven success leading diverse teams, managing budgets, and implementing policy matters of significance

LEADERSHIP QUALITIES WE VALUE

• Integrity, transparency, and respect for subject matter experts

• Clear, effective communication with staff, elected officials, and the community

• Commitment to equitable service delivery, good governance, and ethical behavior

• Professional composure in complex political situations and a lifelong learning mindset

BENEFIT

• Generous Paid Vacation and Sick Leave plans

• 12 Paid Holidays

• VMERS Pension + 457(b)

• Health, dental & vision insurance

• Short & long-term disability

• City-provided life & AD&D insurance

• Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) with generous city contribution

• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

• Limited remote work considered

E.O.E.: Montpelier welcomes applicants regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, political affiliation, or citizenship status. We comply with Vermont & federal fair employment law. Please email resume and cover letter no later than 6/18/2026 to HR Director, Tanya Chambers, tchambers@montpelier-vt.org View full description at: 7dvt.pub/montpelier

Carpenter Apprentice

Enjoy working outside?

Like working with a small crew? Willing to learn and apply your knowledge?

Attention to detail with good communication skills?

Come and learn residential construction and be rewarded for your hard work.

Non-smoker, needs transportation and will work Monday to Thursday schedule with 3 days off.

E-mail resume and cover letter to davidcone211@gmail.com for consideration. 2v-DCConstruction060326.indd

EDUCATORS

Join our team! VEEP/NHEEP is seeking enthusiastic energy educators to bring programs to schools across VT and NH. This is a great job for someone who is passionate about making education accessible to all and inspiring our communities to make changes for greater climate resilience. If you love talking to all kinds of people, tinkering with equipment, and helping make the invisible visible, this is the job for you!

For full job description and to apply: 7dvt.pub/veep

engineering, engineering management, and director roles. Apply at energyhub.com/careers

Start or continue your construction career with a job of variety. We work all over Vermont, installing various waterproofing products on many different job sites, from single family homes to large commercial buildings. Training is provided and good experience is rewarded. Apply: eberry@green mountainwaterproofing.com

1 6/1/26 3:46 PM Hoff & Company LTD in Richmond is looking for a new team member to join our small and very busy office!

This is a 30-40 hour per week in-office position based in Richmond. This position interacts with clients and members of the public on a regular basis. Responsibilities may include: fielding and directing incoming phone calls; opening and closing client files; communication with financial institutions, other law offices, and real estate agents; preparation of a wide variety of legal documents; assisting with the administration of real estate closings; client communications; and generally assisting with all that needs to be done to keep a small office running.

Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment, multi-task, and keep things moving forward in an organized and positive manner!=Previous experience preferred in a law office, or in banking, municipal government, real estate, or a similar field. Willing to train and willing to tailor job responsibilities to suit the experience and goals of the right candidate.

Please email cover letter and resume to info@hoffcoltd.com

AOP Student exPerience & FirSt-GenerAtiOn cOOrdinAtOr

Visit jobs.plattsburgh.edu & select “View Current Openings”

SUNY Plattsburgh is an AA/EEO/ADA/VEVRAA committed to excellence through diversity and supporting an inclusive environment for all.

Advanced Practice Clinician (NP/CNM/PA)

POSITION TITLE: Advanced Practice Clinician

LOCATION: Rutland, VT

HOURS: Part Time, 6 hours/week (Friday 8am-2pm ) , Hourly (Non-Exempt)

UNION MEMBERSHIP: AFT union

POSITION PURPOSE: Advanced Practice Clinicians (APC) provide patientcentered, personalized health care to clients. APCs along with Health Center support sta create a safe, non judgmental environment for people of all genders to access high quality reproductive & sexual healthcare.

YOUR DAY-TO-DAY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provides exceptional patient-centered care, in a manner that ensures compliancewith current PPNNE e ciency and productivity standards.

• Assesses patient's health status and prescribes appropriate contraceptive methods, treatments for GYN problems

• Counsels/educates patients regarding general reproductive health care; all FDA-approved methods of birth control, including emergency contraception; pregnancy options including abortion, adoption as well as Gender A rming Hormone Therapy

• Provides health care that is culturally and linguistically appropriate to PPNNE patient populations.

• Performs appropriate physical exams, with focus on the reproductive system, including standard initial and annual exams, and screening procedures

• Refers patients to physicians and other health or social services as appropriate

• Responsible for accurately coding for medical services provided, in support of the organization’s overall revenue cycle.

COMPENSATION/BENEFITS:

• Pay Range is based on years of relevant work experience. Candidates with 0-5 years of experience can expect to earn between $45.46/ hr- $50.20/hr. As experience increases, so does the rate of pay: candidates who have 17 or more years of direct experience earning up to $72/hr.

• Paid time o earned on accrual basis & Prorated holidays

• 403b retirement account; Employee referral bonuses

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Master’s degree and completion of an accredited Nurse Practitioner or PhysicianAssistant program

• Broad based clinical GYN knowledge and skills

• Familiarity with & ability to comfortably discuss all services provided by PPNNE

• Excellent counseling/teaching skills

Interested applicants please submit a cover letter and resume by visiting our website at jobs.lever.co/ppnne

Theatre Artistic Director

Artistree, a nonproﬁt community arts center located in South Pomfret, VT, is looking for a Theatre Artistic Director for the Grange Theatre. The Theatre Artistic Director position will work in collaboration with the Theatre Educator, Programming Director, and Artistree programming sta to ensure that the Artistree Theatre program realizes its objectives: a full year-round calendar; a diverse array of educational programming; artistic excellence; community collaborations; audience engagement; and ﬁnancial sustainability.

ticketing, front-of-house support, concessions, and production calendars

• Serve as Artistree’s primary liaison with Actors Equity for professional productions

The Artistic Director role is a full-time position at our South Pomfret, VT campus, reporting to our Executive Director. The role is typically Monday through Friday during business hours, with some weekend and evening activities as required. The salary range for this position will be $60,000 to $65,000 per year, based on experience.

General Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Executive Director to shape and implement the Grange Theatre’s artistic and educational vision

• Develop and oversee year-round theatre programming, including productions, workshops, Artist-in-Residence programs, and ACT/ACT Jr. o erings

• Work with programming sta to create engaging youth, adult, and family theatre classes and educational experiences

• Recruit, support, and manage directors, teaching artists, performers, designers, and production sta

• Oversee productions in the Grange Theatre, including scheduling, sta ng, technical needs, and production budgets, as well as theatre rentals, community partnerships, and visiting artist opportunities

• Manage theatre operations including

• Collaborate with marketing, ﬁnance, development, and programming teams to support promotion, budgeting, sponsorships, and organizational goals

• Act as a public advocate and spokesperson for Artistree’s theatre programming within the community and broader arts network

Qualiﬁcations

• Minimum 5 years of experience in theatre, arts education, or performing arts management

• Experience managing theatre productions, programming, or a performing arts venue; experience with Actors Equity or Equity theatre is a plus

• Bachelor’s degree in theatre, arts administration, or a related ﬁeld preferred

• Strong leadership, communication, and collaboration skills; ability to work with a wide range of people, from youth participants to professional artists

• Organized, adaptable, and detail-oriented with strong problem-solving abilities

• Experience managing budgets and balancing artistic goals with ﬁnancial sustainability

• Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed for rehearsals and performances

• Passion for community arts, education, and creative engagement

Please send an application, including resume, cover letter, and contact information for three professional references to lnfo@artistreevt. org. Please visit our website at artistreevt. org to learn more about us.

SENIOR LABORATORY MANAGER

LOCATION: Barre, VT

HOURS: Part Time, 22.5 hours/week, Salaried (Exempt)

POSITION PURPOSE:

The Senior Laboratory Manager oversees daily lab operations to ensure testing is accurate, timely, and meets all safety and legal requirements. This role provides support & guidance to lab staff while ensuring equipment, supplies, and systems are well managed for the lab to run smoothly and efficiently. The Sr Lab Manager maintains quality standards, updates procedures, and continuously improves services to help ensure the lab delivers safe, high-quality care that supports PPNNE’s mission.

YOUR DAY-TO-DAY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Leads the day-to-day work of the laboratory to ensure testing is safe, accurate, and meets all required standards.

• Supports and guides lab staff, creating a respectful, learning-focused environment where everyone can do their best work.

• Maintains quality and compliance by following regulations, reviewing processes, and addressing issues openly to improve outcomes.

• Ensures lab systems, equipment, and supplies are managed effectively so operations run smoothly.

• Monitors performance, budgets, and key goals, and makes improvements to strengthen efficiency and reliability.

• Partners with teams across the organization to support patient care and advance the mission through safe, high-quality lab services.

COMPENSATION:

• Pay Range - The budget for this part time position ranges between $47,000 - $55,000/ yr and where candidates fall within this range is based on years of relevant work experience.

BENEFITS:

• Paid Time off & Paid Holidays

• Paid Parental Leave

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance

• PPNNE Funded Health Reimbursement Account to cover portion of medical deductible costs

• 403b retirement account and 2% employer match eligibility

• Employee Assistance Program (confidential counseling and resources)

• Employee referral bonuses

• Employer Paid Short Term Disability & Life Insurance

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Bachelor’s degree in medical technology, clinical laboratory science, or a related science field required.

• Professional certification (such as ASCP or CLS) required or obtained within the first year.

• At least 5 years of hands-on experience performing high complexity laboratory testing.

• At least 5 years of leadership or management experience in a clinical lab setting (required)

• Knowledge of lab regulations, inspections, and quality programs is required.

• Experience with CLIA inspections and proficiency testing programs (required).

• Budget management, vendor management, and/or LIS administration experience (preferred).

• Experience implementing new tests, including validation and LIS build (preferred).

Interested applicants please submit a cover letter and resume by visiting our website at https://jobs.lever.co/ppnne.

PARALEGAL

Norwich Technologies is seeking a Paralegal with overall corporate as well as renewable energy project speciﬁc responsibilities:

• On the project level you will help streamline the details of developing, ﬁnancing, constructing, and maintaining renewable energy projects.

• You will route, review and record all necessary documents – including titles, surveys, and ﬁnancing related documents such as SNDAs.

• At the corporate level, you will contribute to company goals by maintaining form libraries, drafting documents, conducting due diligence, and coordinating with stakeholders to facilitate the development, acquisition, sale, construction, ongoing ownership, operations and maintenance of renewable energy projects.

• You will maintain trackers for key dates such as annual tax filings, contract expirations and renewals, project regulatory and compliance filings, and annual corporate entity maintenance and filings.

Qualiﬁcations: 3-6 years’ experience working as a corporate, real estate or energy law paralegal and understanding renewable energy, land use, and title/survey review.

This is a hybrid position. Norwich Technologies has o ces in White River Junction and Montpelier. Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to careers@norwichsolar.com. No phone calls please.

Development & Communications Coordinator

The Joint Urban Ministry Project/ JUMP manages an Outreach Center that assists thousands of Vermont households and individuals in need each year in practical, thoughtful ways.

This role supports JUMP fundraising initiatives, donor communications and social media presence to help achieve annual fundraising goals while helping to build strong relationships with faith communities, donors, and community partners.

Part-time, 20-25 hr/wk; $25/hour

Benefits: Semi-flexible schedule, professional development opportunities, paid time off. For full job description & to apply: bit.ly/jumpjobopen2026

Guest Services

Join Country Walkers and VBT Bicycling Vacations; an award-winning, Vermontbased active travel company and be part of our high performing, international team. We offer smallgroup bicycling and walking tours around the world with an emphasis on local connections and culture. Positively impacting people's lives through active travel experiences is what we’re all about!

We’re searching for enthusiastic Guest Service professionals with a passion for travel to support our busy Call Center. Check us out and learn why we're a Best Place to Work in Vermont!

Send resumes to: nvoth@vbt.com

3v-JUMP060326.indd 1 5/29/26 11:16 AM

Trusted, local employers are hiring in Seven Days newspaper and online. Browse 100+ new job postings each week.

fun stuff

HARRY BLISS

JULIANNA BRAZILL

JEN SORENSEN

PHIL JOHNSON

GEMINI

(MAY 21-JUN. 20)

Neurologist Oliver Sacks said, “I am haunted by the density of experience.” He meant that every moment contains far more richness than we can fully register or remember. This observation will be especially relevant for you in the coming weeks. Your mind (and heart!) will be flooded with an abundance of stimuli, ideas, feelings and impressions. It might initially feel overwhelming but will ultimately be a boon — especially if you prepare yourself for the intensity and abundance. Imagine yourself standing next to a fountain and feeling cheerful about getting soaked.

ARIES (Mar. 21-Apr. 19): You are often the best possible remedy for stale, unoriginal thinking that’s festering in your vicinity. And you are especially so these days. Others might have the gall to disrupt the deadening status quo, but you have the charm to do it without scorching every bridge and laying waste to the land. So I invite you to step into the role of cheerful troublemaker. Unleash your iconoclastic sparks with the intention of making life friskier and more imaginative, not more tangled and irritating.

TAURUS (Apr. 20-May 20): In many farming cultures, including parts of India, growers speak or sing to their crops as they walk through the fields. It’s a gesture of

personal care that mirrors growing scientific interest in how plants respond to sound and vibration. Some studies suggest that plants exposed to sustained speech and song may grow more vigorously. Your assignment in the coming weeks, Taurus, is to speak to the growing things in your life with similar devotion. Talk to your projects. Sing to your relationships. Tell jokes to your dreams. The universe is extra responsive to your sweet voice.

CANCER (Jun. 21-Jul. 22): You have superpowers that hardened hearts and tough guys can’t fathom. Receptivity is a key part of your genius, for example. Emotional fluency is at the root of your intelligence. Your ability to feel so much and so deeply makes you dangerous to status quos managed by people who overthink everything. Wait! There’s more. You can nurture without smothering and protect without imprisoning. You wield the powers of memory without being enslaved by nostalgia. You make home a verb, not a noun, as you build shelter for yourself and your tribe. I hope you will express these gorgeous talents to the max in the coming weeks and months.

LEO (Jul. 23-Aug. 22): An astrologer rooted in older traditions might claim that now is an ideal time to promote your personal agenda through sly, gossipy maneuvering. But since I am devoted to building a new culture grounded in compassionate values that nourish the soul, my message is different. I’m pleased to tell you that the coming weeks will be a potent phase to engage in elevating gossip that serves the greater good, to celebrate unsung heroes and to call attention to everything that is thriving. For practical dreamers like you and me, carelessly speaking ill of others undermines our own aspirations. One of the most effective ways to expand our own possibilities is to use the power of language to boost other people’s chances for joy and success.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sep. 22): The ancient Library of Alexandria contained over half a million scrolls. If you devoted eight hours a day to reading, you could finish about 5,000 books over the course of your life. The librarians back then knew they would never read all the texts they managed and protected. Their job wasn’t

to consume all knowledge but to be stewards of abundance. They’re good role models for you, Virgo. The wonderful fact is that you don’t have to master every single thing that attracts your attention. Your far more relaxing task is to curate with care and wisdom. Your growing edge is to know what to preserve and what to release. One of your noblest projects is to commune pleasurably with the intriguing mysteries that life brings you, not obsess on them.

LIBRA (Sep. 23-Oct. 22): Libra psychologist Carol Dweck distinguishes between fixed mindsets (“I’m not smart enough”) and growth mindsets (“I can become smarter”). When you have a fixed mindset, obstacles weigh you down. With a growth mindset, they motivate you to develop. What determines your trajectory isn’t your current skill level but how you relate to your edge. With this in mind, Libra, I invite you to monitor your self-talk as you encounter challenges. Are you prone to thinking that limitations are permanent, or do you see them as temporary states you can use as opportunities? You now have a good chance to instill the latter as a root habit.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): What’s something you wish you could change about yourself? Is it a trait, pattern, fear or story about your body? And what exactly tells you that this can never change? Is it loyalty to old expectations or a rotting prophecy someone laid on you? Consider the possibility that maybe the “can’t” is really a “won’t” or a “don’t know how yet” or “I’m afraid of who I’d be without this.” Then imagine that you don’t have to transform this thing instantly but, for starters, need only shift it by 10 percent in the direction of mercy and freedom. What small, specific action would generate that 10 percent?

SAGITTARIUS

(Nov. 22-Dec. 21):

What’s your most vital relationship? I dare you to surprise each other in the coming weeks. Refresh your bond with playful experimentation. Here are adventures you two could explore: 1) Take a walk together with no destination in mind, letting curiosity guide you. Talk about the paths you have not yet taken in life but might like to. 2) Describe the most beautiful future you can imagine for each other.

Share practical steps you could take to make these scenarios happen. 3) Choose a food treat you both love, speak a blessing over it, then eat it slowly together as you name what you are most grateful for in your connection.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Chess masters and accomplished musicians practice differently from amateurs. They focus most intensely on their weak points, less so on rehearsing what they already do well. It’s uncomfortable to confront inadequacy, but they’re better for it. In my astrological opinion, Capricorn, you should specialize in a similar courage during the coming weeks. I invite you to direct your generous attention toward your shakiest skills and most uncertain territories. Glorious growth will happen at the edge of your competence.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Be more like a lightning storm over a green meadow and less like a porch light attracting moths. Be more like a spiritual riddle in an ecstatic poem and less like a slogan printed on a T shirt. Be more like a Miles Davis improvisation and less like a tune played note for note from the sheet music for a formulaic pop song. Can you stretch yourself into more fertile wildness, Aquarius? Will you expand your future with adventures that thrill your imagination? I believe you can and should. For bonus magic, be more like a dream of wandering in a rowdy paradise and less like the old version of yourself. Trust the frontier signals that make your pulse quicken, and speak less about the obvious truths that make everyone nod in agreement.

PISCES

(Feb. 19-Mar. 20): Are you ready to assess the state of your emotional pain? Every few years, I invite you to take stock. I ask you to reflect on how well you’ve been cultivating meaningful stress while avoiding useless pain and misery. So, how’s your progress since our last check-in? Have you improved at sidestepping dull torments you’ve relived a thousand times? Are you less vulnerable to being wounded by ignorant or thoughtless people? Can you more swiftly shake off the sting of minor troubles? Most importantly, are you increasingly magnetized to the intriguing dilemmas that challenge you to grow wiser and more resourceful?

ALIVE AT 85

You’re how old? Thanks, Mom, for your longevity genes. I am fortunate to be healthy and fit for my age and hope to connect with a woman who can share my enthusiasm for sunrises, sunsets and the hours in between to enjoy life, explore, and make Vermont and our communities better places. Gaiya13 84, seeking: W, l

FUN, AFFECTIONATE, THOUGHTFUL LISTENER

WOMEN seeking...

THOUGHTFUL, INDEPENDENT AND SLIGHTLY FERAL

Lawyer, mom and recovering peoplepleaser. I love good conversation and people who don’t take themselves too seriously. Equal parts deep conversations and dumb jokes. Usually spending time with my daughter, hanging out with my dogs or enjoying a quiet weekend at home. Bonus points if you can make me laugh and take a joke. Eastcoastgal 43 seeking: M, l

OPEN TO ASTONISHMENT

I’m a city kid now living in small-town Vermont next to a covered bridge. I’m the kind of person who shows up for Town Meeting and enjoys it. I laugh hard, like considering knotty questions and love reading. I enjoy live music, long walks in nature, putzing in the garden, finding secret swimming holes and chatting with neighbors. VermontyLibrarian, 51 seeking: M, l

WHOLESOME LAUGHTER AND FUN

Seeking kind, considerate and conscious companionship. Friends first, then who knows? I’m easygoing, downto-Earth and open-minded to the unseen energies and amazing creative possibilities of the entire universe/ world. I like country walks, labyrinths, cribbage, thrifting, family games and playing country/bluegrass music with friends. Maybe you are like-hearted? RoseAngel 67, seeking: M, l

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W = Women

M = Men

TW = Trans women

TM = Trans men

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NBP = Nonbinary people

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Gp = Groups

THOUGHTFUL DAHLIA

Kind explorer who is thinking about art and literature. Also, how to do better with this world (Aquarius). Openminded and community oriented. Friendly, social, extroverted introvert. Loves nature, animals, quiet as well. Willow18 44, seeking: M, l

SEEKING KIND M FOR COMPANIONSHIP

80-plus-year-old woman feels like 16. Seeking a companion for fun, interesting activities: dining in or out, watching wellreviewed movies, thoughtful Scrabble games, sharing books. Must like felines. Foodie a plus. Cora, 85, seeking: M, l

OVERFLOWING CREATIVITY

My day begins with coffee; feeding the dogs and birds; then letting life’s journey choose its course. I had a very busy career, and now that I have retired, I have trained myself to walk through my days casually. Not an easy transition, but I love this stage of life. Becky, 68, seeking: M, l

LOOKING FOR SOULMATE

Hello, I am a very spiritual woman — you could call me an empath. I desire to meet a gentleman who could possibly be a true Renaissance man. Honesty and loyalty and kindness are what I seek. Plumerea 68 seeking: M, l

WISE WOMAN WISHES FOR COMPANIONSHIP

Seeking a positive, honest person who is confident, independent, kind, loves the outdoors and being active, but also appreciates music of many genres, people from other cultures, likes to explore new places and ideas, is creative, is environmentally friendly and kind to creatures big and small. Floralgirl, 68 seeking: M, l

HOPELESS ROMANTIC LOOKING FOR LOVE

Looking for something tangible. Someone who is understanding of chronic health issues, who doesn’t define me. I live pretty modestly. I love hard and fast as long as the vibe is right. I’m not into long distance or a man that wants me to pay for everything or has any addiction issues. I have adult children who live with me. Lostandlonley, 51, seeking: M, l

LAID-BACK, OLD SCHOOL, SLOW

I am a woman looking for a man. tytyty 52 seeking: M

LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED

I am easy to talk to and grounded. I like simple living and honest love. I keep my circle small. I am here to build one strong bond. jeholmez 57, seeking: M

WARM, CURIOUS, ENJOYS LIFE

Insightful, kind and a lifelong learner. Retired registered nurse, widow, and proud mom and grandmother. I’m looking for a genuine man to enjoy life with — someone who appreciates connection, conversation and shared experiences. I love music, travel (recently enjoyed the art and culture of Oaxaca), cooking, entertaining, and the simple joys of sunsets, beautiful views and beach walks. bluehydrangea, 83 seeking: M, l

SUNSHINE IN VERMONT

I’m looking for someone with the same values. I love to laugh and have a lot of fun. I like camping, traveling, playing cards and board games, watching movies, and having campfires in my backyard. I love to entertain and am a very happy person. I’m honest, loyal, loving and caring. Carolyn, 72, seeking: M, l

HERE FOR LAUGHS AND LOVE

I’m the kind of person who laughs easily, shows up when it matters, and believes the best connections feel natural — not forced. I love good conversations, spontaneous plans and quiet moments that actually mean something. If you’re genuine, kind and ready for something that could turn into more, say hi. Let’s see where it goes. dawniegolucky, 50, seeking: M, l

CHILLING IN NATURE

Hola. I am a kind, gentle animal lover who is looking for a friendship that will blossom naturally (no pressure.) This will happen if you are also kind, open-minded and care about what is happening in the world. You are laid-back but not opposed to protesting an ICE facility. Must love cats! Eddy, 54, seeking: M, l

YOUTHFUL OLD SOUL, TENDER HEART

Relatively whole woman living a full, happy life in service with wonder and gratitude. Inquisitive, playful, kind, adventurous, generous with discerning orientation practicing equanimity, conscious communication, and emotional intelligence. Walking on the sunny side of the street in honor of my ancestors to nurture, nourish, regenerate the garden. Welcoming companionship, collaboration, playmatehood, and conscious partnership at the speed of trust. youthfuloldsoul 50, seeking: M,l

FUN, FIT, FRIENDLY

I am a former flower child who likes music, dancing, laughing; and, when I’m not: reading, walking in nature and creating. Looking for someone in the Burlington area with similar interests who could be a friend, traveling companion (been to Ireland and Japan), dinner and movie date, and possibly more. Finding a group of like-minded friends is my heart’s desire. wythu 74, seeking: M, l

OUTDOORSY, ATHLETIC, INTRIGUING, OUTGOING, DEEP

Classy lady seeks gentleman for companionship and outdoor adventures. Building in Waitsfield, Vt. Avid equestrian and love to horseback ride, hike and swim in the emerald-green waters of the Mad River. Windsurfed and have sailboarded as well as figure skated. Seeking a man who can “whoa” and take it slow and see where things might go. Lavenderlady19 66, seeking: M, l

MEN seeking...

HONEST, DEPENDABLE MAVERICK

I’m not saying I’m glad you’re single, but I’m happy you’re here. I promise I’m more interesting in person. ptink 57, seeking: W, l

Looking for a friend, lover, life companion. Honest and authentic with myself and others. Enjoy dancing, singing and fun adventures. Also relaxing with a book and music. Love walks in the woods. Romantic and affectionate. Patient listener. Kind, empathetic, value human rights and dignity of all. Resonate with this description? Send me a message. I’d love to connect with you! Autumn63, 62, seeking: W, l

HIKER, READER, DOG LOVER

Professional with an active life and a thoughtful temperament seeks a genuine connection. I spend my time running, hiking, climbing, reading and exploring with my dog. Equally happy in the mountains, at a bookstore, or sharing long conversations over coffee. I’m looking for someone kind, curious, grounded and interested in building something real together. ARK, 30, seeking: W, l

INTELLIGENT, KIND, YOUNG AT HEART

ISFP enjoys walks, biking, camping, hiking and baseball. Prefer going to versus watching sports on TV. Kind, honest, funny, faithful, loving and romantic. Love books, NPR, TV, movies, plays, art in general. A work in progress. Looking for a woman with similar qualities for social interaction and then seeing where it leads. Father of two daughters and a son. Animal lover. Homebody, yet a traveler. fireinthehole 58, seeking: W, l

NEW TO VT, SEEKING YOU!

Hello. Denver native here and new to Vermont. Seeking a long-term companion, but whatever happens ... happens. Prefer to meet first, not endless emails. I seek a connection, be it an activities partner, karaoke, pool, sports, live music, dance, BBQs at home... johnp, 56, seeking: W

OUTDOOR LOVER

I enjoy being outdoors, whether it be walking, hiking or working in the woods. Going to the beach and hiking in the mountains are two of my favorite things to do. During the winter you’ll find me snowshoeing, hiking or cross-country skiing. I love cooking and gardening. I am looking for someone who shares the same interests. Hikerplus 67, seeking: W, l

SMOKIN’ ON THE PORCH

Originally from Maine. Settling in southern Vermont. I’m a conspiracy, cryptid and paranormal enthusiast. Latest hobbies are wood carving and soccer-golf. I’m a chef by trade. I know I have a baby face. I am truly 38. JayFromMaine 38, seeking: W, l

FIT, FUNNY, OUTDOORSY

Road and gravel bicycler, hiker, vegetable gardener, cross-country skier, snowshoer, reader, music listener, not a TV-er. Warm and loving to the right person. Searching for a woman who enjoys similar things, who can be warm and open. Hiker48 77 seeking: W, l

ADVENTUROUS, FUN AND PASSIONATE

I am a middle-aged divorcé with brown hair and blue eyes. I enjoy cooking, gardening, hiking and kayaking. I gave up alcohol 12 years ago but enjoy near-beers. I am looking for someone adventurous, honest and kind to write the next chapter of my life with. Let’s meet up for coffee or a hike; when are you free? stwbll 44, seeking: W

COMPASSIONATE, LOYAL, ATHLETIC, CURIOUS

Longtime Buddhist. Practical (some say to a fault). Financially secure, emotionally intelligent, sensitive and kind. I love poetry as much as engineering. Irrepressibly curious learner and adventurer. Happiest when I’m outside. Long-distance trail runner and lover of all bikes. Starting a new chapter and looking for someone to share adventures and maybe more after a foundation. Buddhistbuilder 58, seeking: W, l

NERDY ANIMAL LOVER SEEKING SAME

I’m vegan for the animals! Once you know, you know. I’m a friendly, well-read and informed guy who is seeking an affectionate, attractive and caring partner for the years we have left to share life. I’m open to most people as long as our values are aligned. Veg1965 60, seeking: W, l

ADVENTUROUS, CARING, FUN GUY!

New to Vermont and wanting to explore! Well-traveled metal artist seeks openminded, grounded companion for adventures including regional travel, music, hikes and creemee sampling. I am active, fit (not a gym rat), creative and capable. I love cycling, motorcycling, kayaking, hiking, good music and conversation. I’m interested mostly in companionship but open to more. (I’m not in a rush for anything.). Mdenney, 69 seeking: M, W, TW, Cp, Gp, l

GOING WITH THE FLOW

Twenty-one and just moved back with my folks. Organizer, professional dumbass, CEO of silly geese. I’m from Boston. Unfortunately, I was allegedly too silly and on house arrest on bail. Consequently, I’m bored as fuck and would love to find someone to talk to while I’m here. If you’re into politics/organizing, funny and looking for someone to talk to/more, HMU. APTTP, 21, seeking: W, l

SWEET HEART, LOYAL AND OPTIMISTIC I am just me. It’s been difficult to set up this site. I just did correct it now, plus, I am pretty new to this. I am very simple, hardworking and sweet, as well. Evergreen201, 58 seeking: W, l

COUPLES

seeking...

ENJOY MY BEAUTIFUL WIFE

Looking for a gentleman to lay some pipe to my beautiful wife. We are a happily married couple of 18 years and are eager to live out our fantasy. We will be staying in the Stowe area June 26 and 27 and are hoping to find another guy to help me give her an encounter she will never forget. Tommy2tonevt, 41, seeking: M, l

ENJOYING FRIENDSHIP WITH OTHERS

We are older, experienced, in love. Our search is for other experienced people, older or younger, who enjoy becoming friends. Benefits are lovely, but friends are nice also. We kiss well, but we need to converse before our lips touch. Men, women, couples, please introduce yourselves. DandNformen, 70, seeking: M, W, TM, TW, Q, NC, NBP, Cp, Gp, l

STARFISH HAIR CLIP

I was tall with a blue running jacket; your white starﬁsh hair clip reminded me of the coast. I kick myself for not saying hello. Last Friday night in May. Interested in getting a coffee? When: Friday, May 29, 2026. Where: Specs, Winooski. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916597

‘CAN’T HAVE NICE THINGS’

You: behind me in the “15 items/less” line at Colchester Shaw’s. You: petite, 40ish cutie that caught me off guard. We: both annoyed at the lady with full-size cart loaded with groceries in the express line. You rolled your eyes when I turned to you — I turned back around too quickly! Me: black shirt and jeans. Tried to restart the conversation with, “ is is why we can’t have nice things.” When: ursday, May 28, 2026. Where: Shaw’s, Colchester. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916595

WATERFRONT HIDE-AND-SEEK

I was down at Perkins Pier on Memorial Day around 5:30pm. I was playing a ukulele and wearing a hat with the Norwegian ﬂag on it. You and your daughter listened to me and watched me play, then invited me to look for sea glass and play hide-and-seek with you. It was great! Meet up at Perkins Pier for a picnic? When: Monday, May 25, 2026. Where: Perkins Pier. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916594

I LOOKED LIKE YOUR EX

I sat on the rocks of Perkins Pier watching the late sunset fade into night, your running steps coming up behind me. Passing me, you stopped. “Lua?” you excitedly inquired, then, “I’m sorry, you just look so much like my ex-girlfriend from high school.” I am, unfortunately, not your ex-girlfriend from high school, but maybe I could be your next. When: Friday, May 22, 2026. Where: Perkins Pier. You: Woman. Me: Trans woman. #916593

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

SPANKED PUPPY

Hello. It was 6:30; I was getting takeout. From the door, you were second from the end on the other end of the bar. Me: old bald guy, blue coat. When: Friday, May 29, 2026. Where: Spanked Puppy. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916596

SUPER MODEL IN CAMO TANK

You were in a black Crosstrek; I was in a white van. We locked eyes at the light in front of Lowe’s in Essex. Gosh dang, you’re a supermodel. I’d love to take you out and get our chat on. When: Monday, May 4, 2026. Where: Lowe’s, Essex. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916591

CURLY-HAIRED CARPENTER

I spy a carpenter. You were chopping wood on a porch in a white T-shirt. I slowed down for a closer look, but I didn’t want to drive by twice in case you noticed me. Your curls caught my eye, and I’ve always had a thing for handymen. Can we take a walk sometime? When: Tuesday, May 12, 2026. Where: on Lime Kiln Road in Charlotte. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916590

I HOPE YOU’RE HAPPY

I don’t wish you any ill will; I’m glad you cut things off. / It’s something I couldn’t do myself. / But I still think of you every single day. / I miss the girls, too. / When you think of me, please remember the good stuff. / It’s getting easier instead of harder / To live without you. / Be well, my long-lost werewolf. When: Sunday, May 17, 2026. Where: Cambridge. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916589

WAKE ROBIN BLONDE

You were leaving Wake Robin in a Black Tacoma. I watched you in my rearview through Shelburne Village. What’s your story? When: Tuesday, May 19, 2026. Where: Shelburne. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916592

My aunt is terminally ill, and I’ve promised to take care of her cat after she passes. He’s 10 years old and has been allowed to go outside his whole life. I don’t have any cats currently, but when I did, I always kept them inside. So I plan on doing that when he lives with me. I’m a little worried about transitioning him to indoor living, and I’m wondering if I should talk to my aunt about it while I still can.

SHOPPER SEEKING SHOPPER

We were at Shaw’s near closing time. You apologized sweetly for stepping near my cart, though it was absolutely ﬁne. Your look was kind and open. I smiled. We passed each other later, but I was out of gas from the week and couldn’t speak (and was starstruck from our ﬁrst encounter). Can we shop together? When: Friday, May 1, 2026. Where: Shaw’s, Randolph. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916588

TANGLED AT THE BARRE RESOURCE

While shopping, we encountered each other three times, with you continuously excusing yourself. I responded, “You’re ﬁne,” and you quipped it was “because you worked out.” “I like your cattitude,” I responded. I looked you in the eyes and saw your very nice hair, and you were holding a large assortment of tangled yarn skeins. Extremely curious about you. Friend? When: Monday, May 4, 2026. Where: Barre ReSOURCE. You: Man. Me: Man. #916587

COSTCO SHARED GLANCES

You were the pretty lady sitting in the eye care department. I was the guy checking you out (when I wasn’t checking out big-screen TVs). Pretty sure I caught you checking me out, too. You looked familiar. Have you seen me before? If you’re not another stalker, reply here and tell me your name. When: Wednesday, April 29, 2026. Where: Costco. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916586

PRETTY LADY AT CROW BOOKSHOP

I went to Crow Bookshop to see if they were hiring. While there, I was left speechless at how pretty you were. I awkwardly complimented your sweater and hastily left. I wish I was able to get to know you a little better, either romantically or just as friends. When: ursday, April 16, 2026. Where: Crow Bookshop. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916584

CLADDAGH

In the café around 10:30 a.m., you were sitting by the windows sharing a bit of food with a young girl companion (a daughter, maybe?). I caught an intriguing detail that sparked my curiosity: a claddagh ring worn in a rather intentional way. I should have inquired. Maybe you’ll grant a chance to amend my error. When: Wednesday, April 22, 2026. Where: City Market South. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916583

De Faye Lines,

Bullying and verbally assaulting your disabled child and disabled neighbor was intentionally malicious, indefensible and lacking integrity, as was spreading untrue gossip throughout the building. e impulsive choice you made to immediately ﬁle a police report — despite not having witnessed the situation — rather than having a simple conversation with me was irresponsible and damaging. In the words of Stormzy, do better! When: Friday, April 24, 2026. Where: Winooski. You: Woman. Me: Woman. #916585

You missed me you’d ﬁnd a way to be near me again. You wouldn’t weaponize me or love. And you’d allow me to move on. You’ve slept with enough other people and done enough deplorable actions. I got the hint the ﬁrst time. You wouldn’t have “a suitable replacement.” When: Wednesday, April 1, 2026. Where: somewhere.

You: Man. Me: Woman. #916582

IT’S FRIDAY NIGHT!

You know what that means. Here’s to (at least) 16 more years spending copper to build suboptimal, non-synergistic decks ﬁlled with curses, estates and safety duchys. We’ve got long to go before that third supply pile runs out. Either way, I’ll have more victory points. When: Friday, April 17, 2026. Where: in the hinterlands.

You: Woman. Me: Man. #916580

MALLETTS BAY AREA

Just moved to the area! I keep seeing the same girl: short, blond, mesmerizing eyes and a smile to die for! Spotted you at Malletts Bay Price Chopper, again on a hike and pretty sure downtown! I’m starting to think it’s not a coincidence but we’re actually meant to meet. Maybe we can get Chunky Monkey ice cream sometime? My favorite! When: Friday, April 10, 2026. Where: all over area. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916581

WOMAN IN PLAID

You: black-and-white ﬂannel. Me: used to have the same ﬂannel, but with a hood. I meant to ask if you wanted to be thrifting buddies, but too shy to ask for your number. When: Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Where: Hardwick Village Restaurant. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916579

GRATEFUL AT THE ZENBARN I admired you in your sexy white knit dress from short distances (was I too obvious?). You were with a small group of three or four adults and a couple of kids. I’m an older gentleman with gray hair/beard and was wearing a creamcolored shirt. Hope to see you there again on a DSP night as the weather warms up. When: Wednesday, March 18, 2026. Where: Zenbarn, Waterbury. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916578

SCOUT, TOWN MEETING DAY COUPLE

I saw this beautiful couple at Scout in the Old North End with insane chemistry on Town Meeting Day. Sparks were ﬂying. I had butterﬂies just lookin’ at them. Man looked smitten like a kitten toward his li’l lady. Like Clark Kent and Lois. Wishing y’all the best. Can I get an invite to the wedding? When: Tuesday, March 3, 2026. Where: Scout ONE. You: Couple. Me: Woman. #916576

MARY JANE SHOP IN MONTGOMERY

Around 4:15, you were saying goodbye to the owner just as I was walking in. We made eye contact for a moment, then again as you walked out. You: slim, down-to-earth-looking woman, gray hair, 60s? Me: similar age and height, longish gray hair and mustache. Hope we can see what drew us both. When: ursday, April 2, 2026. Where: Mary Jane shop, Montgomery. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916574

COSTCO BEAUTY

Early afternoon, I entered and went to grab a shopping cart. You were tall and beautiful, and you looked me in my eyes, gave me a beautiful smile and waved. I smiled and waved back. I hoped to bump into you while we shopped, but I never saw you again. Message me if you ﬁnd this. When: Saturday, April 4, 2026. Where: Costco. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916575

HALF MARATHON, FULL AWESOME

You: ﬁt and fun school counselor who speaks Hungarian(?). Me: running buddy at mile eight, until you took off. Are you out there? Let’s get a drink! When: Saturday, April 11, 2026. Where: Half Marathon Unplugged in Burlington. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916577

Your aunt is nearing the end of her life (my condolences), so it may be best not to give her any reason to worry about the future care of her pet.

I’m sure she’s very relieved that he’ll be going to a good home, and that’s what matters most. But she knows her cat better than anyone, and you know your aunt better than I do, so use your best judgment.

I imagine you’ve already gotten the lowdown on the food he eats, his vet and all that nittygritty. If your aunt is feeling up for conversation, it can’t hurt to get more details. Ask her about his favorite toys and how he likes to play. Does he have any goofy quirks that only she knows? Talking about her best bud is a great way to gather information and keep her mind on happy things.

lives with playtime, things to climb and scratch, and window views. You may want to try harness training or, if possible, adding a catio to your house. Both are great options for safe outdoor time. is cat will be coming to you with the stress of having lost his person and home. Be sure to bring a blanket or clothing that belonged to your aunt — familiar smells can help a cat feel comfortable. You can ﬁnd all sorts of helpful information online, but I’d recommend starting with cat behaviorist Jackson Galaxy’s website, jacksongalaxy.com.

Transitioning a free-roaming cat to a strictly indoor life can be frustrating, but it’s absolutely possible. Since you’ve had indoor cats in the past, you know how to enrich their

Here’s hoping the two of you will help each other through this rough patch and have a lovely, long life together.

Good luck and God bless,

What’s your problem? Send it to asktherev@sevendaysvt.com.

We are a 68-y/o bi couple looking for one or two goodlooking , friendly male friends, 50-plus, with adequate physical assets to help rock my wife’s world individually or collectively. Discreet ﬁrst meeting to determine compatibility is very important. No creepy people, please. #L1942

42-y/o female time traveler, house builder, plant tender, sequin wearer with two young companions seeks affectionate, nimble, energized and conﬁdent male, 35-50, up for woods roaming, swimming, porch sitting, hard manual labor and cracking up with nothing more than what’s in our pockets.#L1941

I’m a 65-y/o single white male, 5’8”, 200 lbs., looking for female 50 to 65 who is white, slender, a good looker, ﬁt, in good health; likes outdoor fun, camping, car rides, and plenty of foreplay and sex. #L1940

I’m a SWM, 73, seeking a female. I am creative, smart, clean and good looking. Seeking a woman 70-plus who wants to play once or twice a week. #L1939

DWM, 71, looking for female to start a relationship with. I enjoy dining in as well as out, country drives. Looking for fun and honest people. I’m retired and happy, just something missing. Phone number, please. #L1937

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I’m a SWM, late 60s, 5’7”, 165 lbs., seeking slim males, 18 y/o and up, who are quick comers for oral sex and a rim job. Body hair a plus. Phone number, please. #L1938

Trans man looking for someone to go on adventures with. Big fan of reading, writing and video games. I look forward to long-form letters and heartfelt romance. Let’s see where the wind takes us. #L1936

Male, 23. Super into Asians. Already have a girlfriend but looking for something casual on the side. I like going out for fruity cocktails and playing golf. Hope you’re OK with my pants being tighter than yours. #L1935

Ambitious guy who loves business, travel and living life differently. Big on loyalty, laughs and connection. Looking for a girl who’s affectionate, wild, supportive and ready to run off to a Mexican dream life. No clothes needed, just avocados and mangoes. #L1932

All-smooth M, mid-50s, twinkish youthful appearance, seeking avid butt muncher to use mouth, ﬁngers, toys for long sessions. Very responsive to erotic sensual play, open-minded, curious to explore turn-ons, kinks, fetish, fantasies. Seeking M or F. #L1931

Male unicorn seeking maiden for sharing fantasies in the magical kingdom. #L1934

Int net-Free Dating!

I’m a 31-y/o man, tall, dark, long hair, very athletically toned. I like to dance, create music, enjoy Mary Jane and all of the culture’s movies. I am a fan of the expression of love, and I am just looking for my person. Hopefully a short female who takes care of herself well and is willing to take me on as a challenge. #L1928

I’m a gay male, mid-60s, seeking a gay male in his 70s and uncut. Trimmed, passionate, virgin. Enjoy nude activities together, nature walks, cuddling, etc. for intimate times. Let’s talk and hopefully meet. #L1930

I’m a gay male, 70 y/o, seeking an 18-plus male or males. I’m 180 lbs. and 5’9”. I’m into spanking and wearing and using adult diapers. Looking for the same. #L1933

I’m a 21-y/o male seeking a 20-plus but preferably 45-plus woman. She must like a little weed. Have to be funny and smart; anything else a plus. Six-foot goddesses, please reach out. I like plants and hanging out. #L1927

Describe yourself and who you’re looking for in 40 words below: (OR, ATTACH A SEPARATE PIECE OF PAPER.)

I’m a

I’m a SWM, 73, active, ﬁt, settled, living the good life. Seeking fun girl 65-75 y/o. A cat lover is a plus. Race or disability not important. Phone and picture are. #L1929

I’m a 68-y/o man seeking a 66to 70-y/o female. Looking for an old-school redneck female who’s looking to enjoy the simple things in life. I enjoy auto racing, outdoor events, bonﬁres, boating, camping, road trips and friendship. #L1926

SWF, 72 y/o, seeking a man 60 to 80 y/o. I live in Woodstock, Vt. Looking for a serious relationship with a man. Phone number, please. #L1919

I’m a 44-y/o male seeking a female. Part-time homesteader in Newport and W. Mass. Outdoors, skinnydipping, gardening, hiking, snowshoeing, kinky, ice skating. I love campﬁres with a beer and reading a book with a glass of wine. 420-friendly. What are you reading? #L1922

AGE + GENDER (OPTIONAL) seeking a AGE + GENDER (OPTIONAL) Required conﬁdential info:

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