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V ER MON T’S INDE P ENDE NT V O IC E OCTOBER 21-28, 2026 VOL.32 NO.7 SEVENDAYSVT.COM

• Beta’s wingspan reshapes South Burlington PAGE 14

• Real talk with deepfake expert Hany Farid PAGE 30

• AI meets absurdity in VT’s political ads PAGE 15

• Woodstove monitoring app sparks interest PAGE 35

• In for a shock: Rising electric rates PAGE 18

• Tech billionaires hit the big screen PAGE 50

THIS SATURDAY. GUIDE INSIDE!

W H AT V E R M O N T TA S T E S L I K E

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Cannabis has not been analyzed or approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For use by individuals 21 years of age and older or registered qualifying patient only. KEEP THIS PRODUCT AWAY FROM CHILDREN AND PETS. DO NOT USE IF PREGNANT OR BREASTFEEDING. Possession or use of cannabis may carry significant legal penalties in some jurisdictions and under federal law. It may not be transported outside of the state of Vermont. The effects of edible cannabis may be delayed by two hours or more. Cannabis may be habit forming and can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. Persons 25 years and younger may be more likely to experience harm to the developing brain. It is against the law to drive or operate machinery when under the influence of this product. National Poison Control Center 1-800-222-1222. 4

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WEEK IN REVIEW OCTOBER 14-21, 2026

FILE: ANNE WALLACE ALLEN

COMPILED BY SASHA GOLDSTEIN & MATTHEW ROY

Vermont Information Processing in Colchester

HEADING OUT Vermont Green FC head coach Chris Taylor announced he’ll step down after back-toback national titles during two undefeated seasons. Quite a run.

SKI LIFT

A VT Company Embraced AI. Then Came the Layoffs. A Colchester software company laid off workers on Tuesday, just a month after announcing plans to expand its use of artificial intelligence. Vermont Information Processing, which employs about 600 people in the state, announced the cuts in a series of staff meetings. It’s not clear how many jobs were eliminated. However, the move appears to be an example of the way companies — particularly tech firms — are replacing employees with AI. Founded in 1972, VIP helps beverage distributors manage inventory and improve sales and tracking data. Last year, private equity firm Warburg Pincus purchased the employee-owned firm in what Reuters reported was a $1 billion deal. Workers who were enrolled in an

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employee stock-ownership plan got windfall checks; some received as much as $10 million. In April, the company hosted an “AI Week” that it said was intended to help employees “gain skills in AI software and prompting.” In recent months, VIP has pushed employees to “teach different AI tools how to do your job,” an employee told Seven Days. Last month, VIP acquired Encompass Technologies, an AIfocused beverage industry software firm headquartered in Colorado. The employee said the meeting that they attended on Tuesday included a presentation by CEO Andrew Criezis that lacked specifics such as how many people were losing their jobs. Criezis referred to making the

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company more efficient and “product oriented,” said the employee, who asked not to be identified. “They kind of made it seem like there were too many cooks in the kitchen and they wanted a streamlined approach where AI was front and center,” the employee recalled. In a statement on Tuesday afternoon, the company told Seven Days that the move was for business reasons and acknowledged the “difficult decision to reduce the size of certain teams.” It added, “We are grateful for the contributions of our impacted colleagues and are supporting them through this transition.” Read Kevin McCallum’s full story — and keep up with developments — at sevendaysvt.com.

Killington Resort’s new local ownership group plans to invest $280 million in the ski area over the next decade. Talk about the Beast of the East.

BEAR’S-EYE VIEW A mama bear and two cubs drew a crowd after climbing up a tree in downtown Middlebury. Eventually, they scampered off.

improvements to the Western Corridor rail line in Vermont. It’ll upgrade crossings and infrastructure.

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Solo shows at Dartmouth and St. Mike’s consider screens, nature and understanding in a new era of tech SUPPORTED BY: When Tamara Jordan moved to Vermont in 2020, she didn’t buy warmer clothes — she learned to knit her own. Jordan sells her knitting patterns online, and Starcrossed Knits has more than 100,000 followers on social media. Seven Days’ Eva Sollberger met up with Jordan for a new sweater reveal.

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COURTESY

LOOKING FORWARD

MAGNIFICENT MUST SEE, MUST DO THIS WEEK BY RE BE CCA DRISCOL L

FRIDAY 23

Harry Situation The Hollywood, VT Series continues at Latchis Theatre in Brattleboro with a live script reading of Alfred Hitchcock’s 1955 black comedy The Trouble With Harry. Top talents with local ties — including “Wait Wait ... Don’t Tell Me!” panelist Tom Bodett — reanimate the offbeat story of a small Vermont village turned upside down when a corpse is discovered in the woods. SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 69

FRIDAY 23

A HAPPY MEDIUM

FRIDAY 23

“America’s Got Talent” contestant Peter Antoniou astounded judges (yes, even the famously steely Simon Cowell) with his razorsharp wit and psychic skills in 2021. Now the British entertainer hits up New Hampshire’s Lebanon Opera House with his next-level mind-reading, awe-inspiring illusions and improvisational comedy.

Viva la Vega Trailblazing ’90s folk-pop sensation Suzanne Vega — whose commercial success paved the way for female artists such as Tracy Chapman and Shawn Colvin — charms listeners at the Barre Opera House with her distinct, conversational singing style. Known for her role as the first headliner at Lilith Fair, the Grammy winner continues to impress with a robust repertoire spanning 40 years.

SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 68

SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 69

FRIDAY 23-SUNDAY 25

Novel Graphics At Randolph’s historic Playhouse Movie Theatre, the Visual Effects Film Series hosts five screenings of the work and inspirations of Academy Awardwinning FX master Greg Butler. Before each flick, Butler himself regales movie buffs with behind-thescenes tales from his storied career, which includes The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Jurassic Park and 1917. SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 68

COURTESY OF ELIZABETH DE LA PIEDRA

CLOSES SUNDAY 25

Flying Solo Now is the time to catch Johnson artist Joseph Salerno’s solo exhibit “Singularity” at Highland Center for the Arts in Greensboro. Moody, atmospheric oil paintings rendered in unusual color palettes pull viewers into what Salerno describes as “a singular moment ... A place when the reality of the world meets the reality of the painting.” SEE GALLERY LISTING AT SEVENDAYSVT.COM/ART

SUNDAY 25

Soul Purpose Legendary vocalist and civil rights activist Mavis Staples blows the roof off Paramount Theatre in Rutland with her peerless powerhouse pipes. At 87 years old, the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner — who rose to fame as the lead singer of her family’s gospel group in the late 1940s — sparks joy with a concert of inspirational classics that confront the grim state of the world. SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 71

WEDNESDAY 28

Into the Woods Genre-busting Vermont outfit Cricket Blue & Friends lock in to spooky season with a performance of “Over the Garden Wall” — featuring covers of songs from the cult-classic Cartoon Network miniseries — at Higher Ground in South Burlington. Helmed by singers Laura Heaberlin and Taylor Smith, a cast of local music veterans summons witchy woodland harvest vibes with story-driven folk tunes. SEE CLUB LISTING ON PAGE 61

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Last week tech billionaire Elon Musk unveiled the prototype for an electric sports car that flies, like a rocket. Meanwhile, I’m still figuring out how to operate our new Toyota RAV4 plug-in hybrid. The vehicle my partner, Tim, and I bought six weeks ago came with more gadgets than I can handle while responsibly operating a moving vehicle — so many, in fact, that the dealership offers a separate insurance policy just to cover the car’s electronics. Fixing those parts apparently requires special training that few mechanics have, so, more often than not, they just get replaced, at jaw-dropping expense. Until I understand it better, or at least develop a reliance on the Toyota’s fancy tech, I’m more comfortable behind the wheel of our 13-year-old manual Ford. The pace of technological change can be unsettling, but as a newspaper publisher, I know hiding from it is not the answer. That’s one reason Seven Days organizes the Vermont Tech Jam every year and writes about the subject in this anticipatory preview edition. Our research for the event uncovers world-class companies right here in our state that are producing all manner of inventions, from semiconductors to electric planes. Beta Technologies was contained in a single hangar at Burlington International Airport and employed just 21 full-time people when Ken Picard first reported on it in 2018. A few days later, founder Kyle Clark made his first appearance at the Vermont Tech Jam, explaining the engineering goals of his electric aviation company to a general audience in a cramped room at the Champlain Valley Exposition. Before Burlington’s Hula campus was built and became our event partner, the tech showcase moved to

PHOTOS AND ILLUSTRATIONS: SARAH CRONIN; COURTESY; JOHN JAMES; SCREENSHOT

a different Chittenden County location every year, some of which have either disappeared or transformed into something else: an empty Borders bookstore, MyWebGrocer’s HQ at the Champlain Mill, Champlain College, Memorial Auditorium, the Sheraton Hotel and Conference Center, Main Street Landing, the Expo. Like many tech ideas that fly under the radar in Vermont, Beta was not necessarily looking to be found — least of all by a local media outlet like Seven Days. What compelled the company to return our calls was simple: the need for employees. Top-secret sketches could only take a Vermont startup so far; Beta needed talent — and, when it was ready to start building, lots of it. Vermont tech companies recruit skilled workers from all over the world, but there is no substitute for human interactions with local folks who live, study, teach, create and seek new opportunities here.

At this year’s Jam, taking place this Saturday, October 24, we’re doubling down on that “IRL” theme in numerous ways. For example: the importance of making physical things. A representative from Beta will explain what manufacturing its high-tech equipment entails in a panel discussion with two other Vermont companies: Williston’s Rigorous Technology, which makes robotic systems for midsize manufacturers, and Hazelett of Colchester, a worldwide leader in continuous casting metal technology. The digital world is less tangible. “The World’s Leading Deepfake Expert No Longer Trusts His Own Eyes” is how the New York Times headlined a story about computer scientist Hany Farid. Reading the June 14, 2026, piece, an astute Seven Days editor noticed that the professor was in the process of moving from the University of California, Berkeley back to Dartmouth College and had purchased land in Vermont. Asked via email if he would speak at the Tech Jam, he agreed. Hannah Bassett interviewed him for a story in this week’s paper, and their conversation will continue live during his Saturday presentation. Even political ads in Vermont don’t look like they used to. Colin Flanders reported on

THE PACE OF TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE CAN BE UNSETTLING, BUT HIDING FROM IT IS NOT THE ANSWER.

Hany Farid ROB STRONG

some egregious examples of AI slop in “Artificial Influence.” This week’s Tech Issue is full of stories about local companies and individuals wired for innovation. Some will exhibit at the Tech Jam — such as Oru, the Hinesburg company that built a woodstove monitor; it sells a lamp that lights and changes color according to the temperature. We’re checking in on $4.2 billion Beta, too, to see how big it’s grown on the ground in Vermont. Mostly, though, our coverage — of grid-sensitive electricity prices; an app that can help restaurant owners; an art exhibit featuring images, audio and video of wildlife gathered using tech tools — is not tied to the event. It’s just, well, interesting. Find the full details of the Jam itself — including exhibitor bios — in the Tech Jam guide inside this issue. When it’s over, I’m hoping someone can explain my new car, from the complicated console to the driver-monitoring system that knows when I’m drowsy. High tech, indeed.

Paula Routly If you like Seven Days and can help pay for it, become a Super Reader! Look for the “Give Now” button at the top of sevendaysvt.com. Or send a check with your address and contact info to: SEVEN DAYS, C/O SUPER READERS P.O. BOX 1164 BURLINGTON, VT 05402-1164

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SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 21-28, 2026

news

MORE INSIDE

ELECTION 2026

CHARGING THOSE GADGETS COSTS MORE AND MORE

Janoo Leads Gov. Scott in Fundraising in Home Stretch

PAGE 18

Beta Technologies’ growing electric aviation business is reshaping a section of South Burlington B Y A A RON CA LV I N • calvin@sevendaysvt.com

eta Technologies, Vermont’s homegrown electric airplane company, has spent about $22.6 million snatching up at least 13 properties around its base of operations at the Burlington International Airport over the past year. And this summer, the company announced a plan that would more than double its footprint in that part of South Burlington, to 100 acres, over the next decade. If this master plan is green-lit by the city’s Development Review Board, the company would begin renovating some buildings, tearing down others and constructing new ones. What’s emerging in this eastern 14

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 21-28, 2026

section of South Burlington along Route 2 could effectively be called “Betaville.” Fueling the massive expansion is the $1 billion the company raised by going public last November. Founder and CEO Kyle Clark said Beta will double its local workforce, adding about 1,000 employees by the middle of next year as it competes to bring its innovative electric aircraft to market. Local, state and federal officials have cheered on the company, which is bringing high-paying jobs and an entrepreneurial spirit to the Green Mountain State at a time when its population growth has plateaued

or even shrunk. The company has workers in other places, including Québec and North Carolina, where officials have been courting the aviation industry. But Clark, a Vermont native, has committed to expanding in the Burlington area. “Vermont has created a business environment that has enabled Beta to grow,” said Nat Bol, a company spokesperson. Business and political leaders have invested time into understanding Beta’s needs and helping the company scale up, she added. SPREADING ITS WINGS

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SARAH CRONIN

Spreading Its Wings

B Y A LI S O N NO VA K alison@sevendaysvt.com

Campaign finance disclosures released last week show that Democratic/ Progressive gubernatorial candidate Amanda Janoo continued to maintain a strong base of grassroots support in her quest to unseat Gov. Phil Scott, a Republican who has led Vermont for almost a decade. Between September 29 and October 12, Janoo raised $181,670 — bringing her fundraising total to $888,000. Janoo had $307,000 on hand as her campaign entered the final weeks before Election Day. Individuals who donated $100 or less accounted for $150,000 of Janoo’s total. The first-time candidate has not accepted any corporate donations. Her latest filing showed she received $3,000 from the Windham County Democratic Committee, $500 from the Washington County Democratic Committee, $950 from the Vermont State Labor Council, and an assortment of donations from other Democratic statewide candidates. Scott, meanwhile, raised $175,406 during the same period. His fundraising total this campaign season was $590,000, and he had $202,000 left on hand. Donations from businesses and organizations — including an assortment of real estate, construction and automotive companies — accounted for $110,000 of the governor’s haul. Individuals who donated $100 or less comprised $40,000 of Scott’s total. Scott’s campaign is also benefiting from $400,000 that the Republican Governors Association donated to an independent-expenditure PAC, A Stronger Vermont, which is running television advertisements criticizing Janoo and praising the governor. In a fundraising email to supporters, Janoo’s campaign noted that the Republican Governors Association counts Elon Musk, Miriam Adelson and David Koch among its top donors. The Vermont Democratic Party condemned the influx of outside money. “National Republicans don’t spend almost half a million dollars to help keep a governor in office without a reason,” party chair Lachlan Francis wrote. “When Donald Trump’s allies show up with a checkbook, Vermonters should ask why. Phil Scott owes voters an answer.” ➆

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AI-created imagery is proliferating in Vermont this election season. It’s readily apparent, though, that the images are fake B Y CO L I N FL A ND ER S • colin@sevendaysvt.com .

A screenshot from an AI-assisted advertisement for Suzanne Seymour, who’s running for the U.S. House

ne advertisement draws inspiration from Austin Powers, portraying U.S. Rep. Becca Balint (D-Vt.) as Dr. Evil and Molly Gray, a Democrat running for lieutenant governor, as Mini-Me. Another video, based on Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, depicts an independent challenger of Balint ducking arrows and boulders while running through the “Temple of Two Parties.”

OUR POLITICS ARE BORING.

WE WANT TO SHAKE IT UP A LITTLE BIT. CU R T I S HI ER

A third includes a parody of N.W.A’s song “Straight Outta Compton” that features rap verses recorded by a trio of Republicans running for the state Senate in Washington County. The spots are proof that AI-assisted political advertising has arrived in the Green Mountain State. So far at least, the Vermont version of this national trend looks somewhat different — more

obviously fake and much, much sillier — than many experts had feared. Earlier this year, Vermont’s lawmakers moved overwhelmingly to curb “deepfake” political videos — that is, those intended to trick viewers into believing that they are seeing actual events. The legislators’ concern was that deceptive content could unfairly sway an election. Instead, what has emerged in the run-up to the November midterms is a campy mix of cartoonish attacks and pop-culture rip-offs that appear intended to provoke more than to deceive. In Vermont, those using AI in the political arena tend to be long-shot candidates and conservative commentators who say the tech offers a cheap, DIY way to churn out compelling content. “AI, like many technologies, is a tool and, like any tool, can be used to harm people or help them,” said Suzanne Seymour, a 64-year-old massage therapist and stand-up comedian who used AI to create the Indiana Jones-themed video — one of two she has made in support of her independent candidacy for Vermont’s lone U.S. House seat. In her second AI-assisted ARTIFICIAL INFLUENCE

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news COURTESY OF BETA TECHNOLOGIES

Spreading Its Wings « P.14 That expansion, though, is gobbling up an established, affordable neighborhood, once home to an RV dealership, auto shops and residences. South Burlington has experienced this before, when the Federal Aviation Administration bought up and leveled modest family homes beside the airport as part of a noise-mitigation program before the arrival of the F-35 jets. In 2020, Beta scooped up a handful of condos on Lily Lane that were once slated for demolition; the company wanted homes for employees. During this year’s property shopping spree, Beta paid a little more than $2 million for four homes on Shunpike Road, a residential neighborhood tucked between Route 2 and Kimball Avenue. Beta has been renting them to employees who have relocated to Vermont for lucrative and specialized jobs with the company and have yet to find permanent housing. That’s changed the neighborhood, according to Shunpike Road resident Dani Fisette, who spoke up at an October Development Review Board meeting. “As you contemplate the 100-acre master plan for them … it puts our one street of South Burlington residents right in the middle of it,” Fisette warned. Beta’s big plans come during a good year for the company. In a quarterly earnings call with investors in August, Beta reported $14.7 million in revenue, more than double the previous year’s amount — and exceeding the company’s own projections. By the end of the fiscal year, Beta executives predict the company could bring in as much as $50 million. But without aircraft, its most valuable product, on the market, the company posted a net loss of $148.8 million. The results were good enough for the ExportImport Bank of the United States, which announced in August that it would extend Beta’s financing by $1 billion to give the company an even longer financial runway. Beta continues to test the capabilities of its Alia aircraft for uses such as rural medical transport and expects initial approval from the FAA for specific hardware, such as its engines, sometime next year. Full approval of its vertical-takeoff aircraft could come in 2028. The U.S. military has become an increasingly important patron for Beta, too. The company has received at least $100 million to develop technology for the U.S. Air Force, industry publication Aerospace America reported last December. In July, Beta unveiled a new autonomous electric cargo plane, no human pilot needed, developed with GE Aerospace and a subsidiary of defense contractor Lockheed Martin. 16

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 21-28, 2026

A map showing Beta’s planned expansion in South Burlington

Clark said in previous public filings that he expects “multiple military branches” to eventually make use of Beta’s electric aircraft. “We’re in conversations with all of the services and with the Pentagon to talk about how we can integrate our aircraft in their fleets,” Bol said. Beta’s stock price has fallen back to Earth since its debut at $36 per share last November. It reached a nadir of $13.61

Beta Technologies will exhibit at the Vermont Tech Jam on Saturday, October 24, 10 a.m.3 p.m., at Hula in Burlington. Preregister for the free event at techjamvt.com. in March before rebounding after the second-quarter earnings call. It currently hovers at $18.56, and most analysts still see it as a desirable stock to purchase. In the months after Clark’s company went public last year, he sold off a chunk of his Beta stock in a series of smaller transactions for $9.3 million, according to U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings. Beta declined to comment on the purpose of this stock-to-cash conversion. As the company reaches new heights, Clark has repeatedly said he’s committed to keeping it headquartered in his home state of Vermont, and Gov. Phil Scott and his administration have been enthusiastic Beta boosters. When Scott hosted the

New England governors and Eastern Canadian premiers at Shelburne Farms in August, Clark was on hand for a live demonstration. Beta hasn’t limited its expansion efforts to Vermont, however. Clark made an appearance at the Raleigh Executive Jetport alongside North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein last month to demonstrate the latest in Beta technology. Clark told Axios Raleigh that his company will open another section of its engineering office and is “exploring manufacturing” in North Carolina. On the August earnings call, Clark said the company has a backlog of 1,001 aircraft on order, which is valued at $3.9 billion. The company’s planned build-out is all about keeping its manufacturing in-house and even selling parts to other electric plane producers, but it’s not yet mass-producing the planes. “We’ll reach a limit of how big we can grow in Vermont, and the conversations about North Carolina are still very preliminary,” Bol said. “But our team is always on the lookout for opportunities to expand as this grows and as our [production] backlog grows.” So far, the Scott administration is not worried about geographic competition. Lyle Jepson, commissioner of the Vermont Department of Economic Development, thinks there’s plenty of Beta to go around. “We’re pretty excited and proud of the fact that Beta is a Vermont company, that it’s based in Vermont, that the founder is indicating that it will always be in Vermont,” Jepson said. “It makes absolute

sense that they will scale, to a certain extent, outside our borders.” The company is certainly investing in its Vermont operations as if it will be here for the long haul. Its 100-acre master plan is separated into three development zones, according to maps submitted to the South Burlington Development Review Board. The largest is the 61 acres around its “airside operations and production” at BTV and to the immediate south. Another 22 acres to the south would be dedicated for “mixed-use and manufacturing.” Beta plans to build out “support services and specialty manufacturing” on 17 acres on the southern side of Route 2. The plans are a boon for the airport, according to its director of aviation, Nic Longo. The company has paid to develop areas of the airport and has directly contributed to its commercial growth, he said. Beta has a 75-year lease at the airport and pays $1.7 million annually, plus more for smaller spaces. Beta won’t technically pay on this lease for years, however, after earning an $11.5 million credit by funding infrastructure improvements the airport otherwise wouldn’t have been able to afford. “Actually witnessing and watching the development of electric aviation right here at this airport, right here in this region, is something that’s going to be talked about for the next 100 years of the aviation industry,” Longo gushed. Beta’s expansion has been anticipated for years, according to city manager Jessie Baker. It’s become a cornerstone of South Burlington’s economic planning efforts and seen as a vital part of its plans for growth. “These kinds of homegrown businesses are the kinds of businesses that I think are going to help Vermont realize our climate and population goals,” Baker said. Beta has generously compensated some of the owners of land needed for its expansion. The company paid $8 million in 2025 to acquire Pete’s RV Center, a parcel by the airport that was appraised at $2.2 million in 2021. Other property acquisitions left some tenants in the lurch. The Other Paper, South Burlington’s weekly community newspaper, reported last winter that two auto repair shops had been forced out after Beta acquired buildings they were renting. One, the Auto Shoppe on Gregory Drive, was a long-established small business that ultimately moved to a much smaller location in Williston. Jason Marshall, owner of Marshall Tire Group, is holding out. His father started the company at the warehouse on Palmer Court in 1988, and Marshall has worked at the industrial tire dealer for 27 years. The

COURTESY OF BETA TECHNOLOGIES

owner of the building directly adjacent to his sold to Beta in April, and Marshall’s property is now nearly surrounded by land that the aviation company will eventually develop. Beta has tried to buy Marshall’s property and even offered to help him relocate, he said. A warehouse with enough space and loading docks to support his business is hard to find in Vermont, Marshall said, but “nothing’s off the table.” Beta’s South Burlington operations aren’t confined to its master plan, either. The company began leasing space just south of its airport-adjacent facilities at the Technology Park campus, where it plans a $4.5 million renovation. The company also owns warehouses in nearby Williston and operates a battery production facility in St. Albans. Across

Lake Champlain, Beta conducts flight tests and demonstrations at the Plattsburgh International Airport, where there are fewer FAA restrictions than at the busier Burlington airport. Last week, the company opened a paint booth for its airplanes in Plattsburgh. Beta keeps offices in Washington, D.C., and Montréal as well. Beta’s plans for South Burlington could be approved within the next few months. City zoning regulations require at least 10 percent of developable space within the plan be set aside as “civic space” that benefits the entire community. The company is also asking the city to share the costs for the infrastructure improvements the project requires. The plan will require a new electrical substation, pump house and utilities. At the October Development Review Board meeting, only Fisette stood up to share her concerns about Beta’s rapid expansion in the neighborhood. Fisette, 50, formerly worked in the real estate industry and lives in the house she grew up in. She described a tight-knit neighborhood. Earlier this year, she said, a quarter of the homes on her street

became transitional rental housing for Beta workers. “I can’t see how our property values are not going to diminish because of this massive project, particularly when Beta owns so many houses on our street,” Fisette told the board. She said the homes should be rented on yearlong leases rather than the shorter-term leases now in place. Baker, the city manager, said Beta has been proposing changes to the area to manage the traffic increase. She also noted that South Burlington has continued to add new housing to accommodate the population growth spurred by companies such as Beta. “South Burlington aspires to be a very welcoming community, and that means being welcome to anyone who wants to

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come and join us,” Baker said. “I hope our neighbors are willing to welcome new neighbors to their neighborhoods as well.” In a written response to questions, a Beta spokesperson said the company was trying to be “mindful of the impact our growth has on the neighborhood” but could not commit to long-term leases for the homes it owns on Shunpike Road. Beta representatives have previously said just 10 percent of their growing workforce will come from out of state. At October’s meeting, Beta’s head of facilities and real estate, Alex Gagnon, offered his own experience after moving here for the job. “There’s a housing crisis in Vermont. It’s really hard to find a house when you get here,” Gagnon said. “This housing provides employees with a place to land when they get to Vermont just to take away some of the anxiety around what is a challenging housing market.” Fisette was unmoved. As the company’s current plans take shape, she’s worried there will be no room for her or her neighbors in Betaville. ➆

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news

Rate Shock

Electricity costs are rising in Vermont, and there’s no end in sight B Y K E V I N MCCAL L UM • kevin@sevendaysvt.com

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 21-28, 2026

Lineman Cody Crowe upgrading a Green Mountain Power line in Eden

Since 2010, the 17 utilities in Vermont have asked regulators to let them raise rates a total of 90 times, and more than half of those requests came during the past four years, according to data from the Department of Public Service, the state agency that advocates for ratepayers.

WHEN ELECTRICITY BECOMES THE PRIMARY SOURCE OF HEAT AND POWER, RATE INCREASES ARE NO LONGER MARGINAL —

THEY ARE EXISTENTIAL. LORI B E R NIE R

The rationale, put simply, is that the costs to buy power, move it across the grid and deliver it to customers have all gone up in the past several years, explained Kerrick Johnson, the department’s commissioner. “I’m not sure there has ever been a time, except maybe when the grid was being put together, that we’ve had these three cycles moving in sync, all with rising costs,” Johnson said.

FILE: KEVIN MCCALLUM

hen Lori Bernier learned that Vermont’s largest power utility wanted to raise her electricity rates again this year, the 62-year-old Graniteville resident was livid. She fired off a letter to regulators at the Public Utility Commission and urged them to reject Green Mountain Power’s request for a 7.5 percent increase. Environmentally conscious people such as Bernier tried to do the right thing by switching from dirty fossil-fuel home-energy sources to cleaner electric ones. Now they are paying the price, she said. “Households that answered the call to electrify are now locked into rising electric costs with no alternative,” she told regulators. “When electricity becomes the primary source of heat and power, rate increases are no longer marginal—they are existential.” Dozens of ratepayers beseeched regulators not to grant the utility’s request. Rates only go up, never down, some noted, and seniors on fixed incomes are particularly vulnerable. Others argued that regulators should force GMP to work harder to cut its costs, including by restricting profits enjoyed by the Canadian-owned utility’s investors. Regulators said they were acutely aware of ratepayers’ struggles but needed to balance that against the utility’s financial health, which also is strained by inflation and its effects. “The inflationary costs that are hitting all Vermonters — higher health care, fuel, and other expenses — are also affecting companies, including GMP,” they wrote. Those greater operating costs, combined with the need to harden the grid against fiercer storms driven by climate change, convinced the three-member panel to approve an increase, though a smaller one than the utility wanted. In late August the regulators approved a 5.5 percent rate bump, the latest in a series of hikes that have made GMP’s total power prices the highest in Vermont. Every power utility in the state is paying higher costs for expenses such as transformers, tree trimming and employees’ dental insurance, and they’ve been passing those costs on to ratepayers as never before.

The result has been sharply higher power costs. The average monthly residential electric bill has increased 39 percent since 2019, according to data from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Average monthly bills in Vermont rose from $97.25 in 2019 to $135 in 2026. Vermonters increasingly heat their homes, drive and even mow their lawns using electricity. So, 10 percent of the increase comes from the simple fact that residents are using more power. But the bulk of the increase stems from a 29 percent rise in rates over that period, which outstripped the 26 percent increase in consumer prices overall, the study found. Vermonters using the same amount of electricity today as they did in 2019 are paying an annual average of $342 more for that power, or $28.50 per month, the study found. Some people have experienced steeper hikes. Hyde Park residents are forking over 35 percent more this year as their local utility tries to dig itself out of debt that accumulated during years of mismanagement. One woman told regulators her total costs had gone up so much that she had to “un-retire” and go back to work, Johnson recalled. “It’s gut wrenching,” he said. It’s also

not over. The department predicts that statewide rates will increase another 25 percent by 2030. The Hyde Park case is something of an outlier. The Lamoille County municipal utility had for years avoided asking for rate increases to cover needed costs and instead borrowed money to make ends meet, explained its interim general manager, Scott Johnstone. The utility is “not the only one that has built up debt, but this is extraordinary,” he said. To restructure and pay down the $4.5 million it owes, the utility asked for a 20 percent rate increase, plus an additional 15 percent to address higher operating costs, Johnstone explained. Had that 35 percent increase been spread out over many years, the utility ’s 1,400 ratepayers could have acclimated to the rising costs, Johnstone said. But instead, “it all happened overnight, basically,” he said. Swanton ratepayers are also facing sharply higher rates because of unforeseen circumstances. The utility is asking for a 30 percent increase in rates following the failure of a key portion of its hydroelectric dam at Highgate Falls. An inflatable rubber bladder that increased the height of the dam by 15 feet tore last year. A fix will take years, according to Swanton Village Manager Bill Sheets. In the meantime, the utility needs to purchase power from elsewhere, a potential hit of up to $2 million per year. This comes on top of the recent $7 million expense to build a new headquarters and unrelenting increases in the cost of materials. “Every piece of equipment — every transformer, every pole, every crossarm, every insulator — it does not matter,” Sheets said. “Nothing goes down in price, and some go up exorbitantly.” The Village of Jacksonville Electric Company, which serves fewer than 800 customers at the southern edge of the state, is enduring a spate of particularly acute increases. Its rates have

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soared 55 percent over three years, a consequence of myriad factors, from higher storm and tree-trimming costs to raises for staff to the need to boost reserves, general manager James Weber explained. Many customers are retirees on fixed incomes, and some have been “straightup outraged” by the increases, he said. Others understand. “The majority of people, when you explain it to them, they’re not happy, but they get it,” Weber said. The Department of Public Service has encouraged utilities to boost cash on hand, said Shawn Enterline, its chief of finance and economics, who analyzed utilities’ balance sheets and concluded that some were woefully undercapitalized. “They were so frugal that they had actually made themselves financially weak,” Enterline said.

The department is encouraging larger, financially stronger utilities to spend prudently, he said. That’s why the department looked askance when Green Mountain Power requested $341 million in upgrades to the grid over four years as part of its “zero outages initiatives.” Reinforcing the system against storm damage and power restoration costs is expensive but should lead to savings over time, said Josh Castonguay, chief innovation officer at GMP. Nevertheless, the department concluded — and regulators agreed — that GMP’s proposed upgrades were too aggressive. The PUC ultimately approved only $113 million in upgrades. That will cover improvements such as stronger power lines able to withstand falling tree branches and burying lines to protect them from storm damage. Regulators also tightened the rate of return that the utility’s investors wanted on the upgrades, reducing it from 10 to 9 percent. Balancing affordability with the need for responsibly sourced, reliable power is a huge challenge and one the state takes very seriously, Johnson said. “It is incredibly frustrating, though, when there are some costs over which the department has no control,” Johnson said. It’s also frustrating for ratepayers such as Bernier. After switching to electric heating appliances to benefit the planet, she still has to use her oil-burning furnace during exceptionally cold periods. With heating oil now much more costly because of the war with Iran, Bernier is bracing to pay some painful utility bills this winter. “As much as we care about the environment,” she said, “you gotta be able to live.” ➆

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news Artificial Influence « P.15 spot, Seymour saunters into a saloon to challenge her opponents to a “duel of words.” Balint is shown as a blazer-clad donkey with a bob cut and the Republican nominee, retired U.S. Army officer Gerald Malloy, as an elephant in military uniform. Filming such a video on a real set would have cost Seymour far more than the couple hundred bucks she said she paid a content creator for each of the two AI-assisted videos. Still, while the tools are giving people a colorful new way to make political statements, they also can be employed to produce the type of elaborate personal attacks that experts worry could deepen the nation’s political polarization. Curtis Hier, a retired history teacher who runs a Facebook page called Flip Vermont Red, has posted more than three dozen AI-generated memes targeting Democratic candidates. The crudely made posts tend to depict the incumbents in an unflattering light, rolling around in a pile of money or literally kicking a can down a road. Hier, who previously worked on Republican campaigns in New York State, where biting attack ads are routine, said AI is helping him inject some sting into Vermont’s electoral scene. “Our politics are boring,” Hier said. “We want to shake it up a little bit.” Hier sees himself as part of a long American tradition of political provocateurs. He points to Thomas Nast, the 19th-century cartoonist whose pointed anti-corruption drawings helped topple the political machine of New York City’s Boss Tweed. “I can’t draw, and I can’t produce videos — I’m not trained in that,” Hier said. “But I do have a vision for messages I want to get out, so I use AI.” Manipulated imagery has long been a part of American politics, from cartoons to photos or footage altered in ways that make candidates look better — or worse. “It’s not that we’ve never had Photoshop,” said Scott Babwah Brennen, director of New York University’s Center on Technology Policy. What has changed, Brennen and other experts say, is how easy it has become to produce these images and how pervasive they are becoming as a result. “We’re seeing a lot more as these tools become more accessible,” said Michael Franz, a professor at Bowdoin College who codirects the Wesleyan Media Project, which tracks political ad spending across the country. The project has identified more than 220 AI-generated political advertisements nationwide so far during the midterm election cycle. As in Vermont, the bulk of 20

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 21-28, 2026

A screenshot from an AI-assisted advertisement for U.S. House candidate Suzanne Seymour

the ads nationally have come from conservative sources: More than 80 percent were produced by Republican campaigns or Republican-aligned political action committees, and more than $137 million has been spent promoting them, according to the New York Times. Franz said his team likely only caught a portion of the ads circulating across the country, as some can be hard to detect. Although 30 states now have laws requiring the disclosure of the use of AI in campaign ads, most of those measures,

accused its creator of trying to trick voters. “Fabricating my voice and image to put words in my mouth is a new low,” she said. Soon after, Attorney General Charity Clark notified Poitras that he was under investigation for potentially violating the state’s new AI law. Her office offered to drop the probe if Poitras uploaded the video again, but this time bearing a disclosure that it relied on AI. Instead, he sued on free-speech grounds, and a federal judge ultimately

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including Vermont’s, apply only to deepfake videos and include exemptions for satire or parody. The limits of regulating AI ads became clear this summer when an AI video targeting Balint began circulating online. It was posted by Hank Poitras, a combat vet who has gained notoriety for filming arrests in Brattleboro and posting them online under the moniker “Planet Hank.” The video portrayed an AI-generated version of Balint issuing arrogant-sounding, made-up statements in front of the Vermont Statehouse. They included, “Straws are banned, and if those farmers don’t like it, they can leave.” The video concludes with Mark Coester, a logger from Westminster who at the time was seeking the GOP nomination for Balint’s seat, using a backhoe to drop her into a dumpster while she screams. Balint responded to the video with a real one of her own, in which she

blocked the probe, ruling that the video would likely qualify for the satire exemption. Poitras, who did not respond to a request for comment, has since posted several other AI-generated videos depicting Balint, including the one casting her as Dr. Evil. In that video, Poitras, dressed as Austin Powers, bursts into Dr. Evil’s lair and stuffs Molly Gray — Mini-Me — into a sack that he then smashes against the ground. Hier, the retired high school teacher, followed the Planet Hank case closely and said he agreed with the judge’s ruling. But he said he also supports the intention behind Vermont’s AI law — to protect voters from deception — and takes care to design his AI-generated posts so that they are obviously fake. “Deepfakes are morally wrong, and in Vermont they’re legally wrong,” he said. “I’m careful to comply with it.”

Although Hier’s posts may be legal, that doesn’t mean they’re harmless, argues state Sen. Ruth Hardy (D-Addison), who was the lead sponsor of the AI law. Hardy herself is one of Hier’s most frequent targets, featured in more than a dozen of his AI-assisted posts. He has depicted her in a variety of unbecoming scenes: flying over Addison County, witchlike, on a broom; setting money on fire; and weeping on the Senate floor. Hardy has avoided looking at most of the posts but hears about them from others. She said she has noticed a pattern in the AI content circulating in Vermont: conservative men targeting Democratic women, often with a misogynist bent. Five of the six incumbent lawmakers Hier has targeted are women. They include Sen. Becca White (D-Windsor), whom Hier has denigrated for using profanity in a TikTok video and for posting selfies online. Hardy said AI makes it easy for people to create imagery that they might otherwise hesitate to create on their own. She worries that even visibly false depictions could rile up someone enough to push them beyond online criticism and to real-life harm. Hier denies singling out women for attack, noting that he’s supporting a female Republican candidate who is running in Windsor County, White’s district, where there’s an open seat. He has also gone after Dave Wolk, a former Castleton State College president who is running as an independent to represent Rutland County in the state Senate. Brennen, of NYU, said many of the AI advertisements airing across the U.S. this election cycle contain “quite nasty attacks,” and that could deepen the hostility that many voters already feel toward the opposing party. Although such animosity long predated AI, “that doesn’t mean it isn’t contributing to the problem,” he said. Whether the AI vogue is politically effective is another question. Negative ads have always been unpopular in Vermont. Pairing them with fake imagery — at a moment when concerns over AI are growing — seems unlikely to change that. Even Hier concedes that his posts have generated considerable blowback from those who see his content as little more than “AI slopaganda.” His favorite target — Hardy — said the negative AI ads mainly seem to have rallied supporters to her side. “What I have heard from people is, ‘This is awful, this is unfair, this is gross, and I’ve got your back,’” she said. ➆

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VOTE NOW THROUGH NOVEMBER 3.

P.7

TOUGH CHOICES

Election Day, November 3, is right around the corner. We’re publishing as many related letters as possible before the polls close. Here’s this week’s selection, some of which are responding to the Seven Days Voters’ Guide, inserted in last week’s paper.

Matt Wormser

SHELBURNE

[Re: “Home Stretch: Gov. Phil Scott Has Handily Defeated Opponents for a Decade. But Political Newcomer Amanda Janoo Is Mounting a Credible Challenge,” October 14]: I liked Phil Scott as governor during the pandemic. He communicated. He made us feel connected in a time of great fear. That was then. This is now. Now we are in decline. We have a housing crisis, an affordable health care and

Joe Patrissi

SOUTH BURLINGTON

Patrissi is a former commissioner of corrections and former deputy commissioner of economic services. [Re “Rural Reckoning: A Grassroots Group Convinced the Legislature to Roll Back Land-Use Rules. Can It Influence Elections This Fall?” September 23]: I was encouraged reading about the grassroots conservative movement in rural Vermont. I’ve lived in Burlington for 43 years, and since the Progressives and Democrats have been in charge, the city’s social climate and financial standing has gone from good to bad to worse. We’ve been brainwashed into believing the Dems and Progs are on the side of the working class while the Republicans are on the side of the rich. In Vermont, however, the opposite is true. The Dems and Progs tax us, regulate us, raise our cost of living, stifle business, and coddle those who would steal, harm and harass us. Republicans are the ones who want to keep taxes low, remove overburdensome regulations, lower our cost of living, bring in businesses and jobs, and get tougher on crime. For years, we told Montpelier that school taxes were becoming unbearable. The Dems and Progs just dragged their feet, confident we’d reelect them and their jobs were safe. But when more Republicans were added to the legislature a few years ago, then they took notice and “heard” us.

[Re “Home Stretch,” October 14]: Amanda Janoo can get the job done, and Vermont deserves real progress — not just talk — on affordability, health care, housing, jobs and energy. For too many election cycles, Gov. Phil Scott’s reelection has been a foregone conclusion. He may be a nice guy, but it’s time for a change. Notably, too, he is the nominee of a party that nationally has abandoned its once-reputable principles and driven American democracy to the brink. To his credit, Scott is among the rare Republicans in office who have not kowtowed to President Donald Trump. Neither does he claim — as Trump has — that the affordability crisis is a hoax. In fact, Scott for many years has harped on affordability but done just about nothing about it. In 2024 he used affordability to reduce the Democratic majority in the legislature — with the assistance of Americans for Prosperity/Koch brothers’ dark money. This helped him politically but left many Vermonters struggling still — or even more — to make ends meet. Undeniably, Vermont over the past decade under Scott has grown less and less affordable. An incumbent who has done the job well deserves reelection. An incumbent who repeatedly has not delivered does not deserve the benefit of the doubt yet again. Maintaining the gubernatorial status quo is making things worse and worse for more and more Vermonters. Amanda Janoo understands — as U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders does, too — that we have the

resources for the changes we need to make — and that we’re all in this together. Michael Long

BURLINGTON

ROB DONNELLY

Chittenden County State’s Attorney Sarah George was effectively reelected to a third term in the Democratic primary, and my sincere congratulations go out to her. While she was outspent by her opponent, he was likewise a candidate about whom many of us had tremendous concerns regarding managerial effectiveness, which were well documented in the Seven Days article on the race [“Pleading Their Case: Bram Kranichfeld Says He Should Be Chittenden County’s Next State’s Attorney. Reform-Minded Incumbent Sarah George Objects,” July 1]. I hope George also notes that she lost the progressive center of Chittenden County — Burlington — whose citizens feel most adversely impacted by her prosecutorial decisions, especially around tolerance for low-level narcotics trafficking. While our leaders cite a declining opioid-related death rate as evidence that their approach is working, in my mind the data point in the exact opposite direction. Looking at 2024 Kaiser Family Foundation data, Vermont still has the fifth-worst death rate in the nation, with seven of the 10 worst states being so-called “blue states.” Compassion without more aggressive enforcement is not working. George is not the root cause of narcotics problems in Burlington. Yes, there are court backlogs. Yes, there are insufficient treatment resources. Yes, there is a lack of effective state enforcement. Yes, our gun laws contribute. But it’s likely that her prosecutorial decisions can make this issue better or worse, and the jury is very much out in that regard. Good leaders have the courage to change course when the people they serve demonstrate their disagreement with their policy direction. My hope is that our state’s attorney has the courage to do likewise.

Voters’ Guide

access crisis. We have an aging demographic. We have declining school enrollment. Many people who find jobs here can’t find affordable hous2026 ing. Vermont has the fifth-highest per-capita homeless population in the country. In some media ads, Scott blame-shifts our state of affairs on the supermajority in the Statehouse. In others, he says he works across the aisle and is bipartisan. In any case, he is the executive. The legislature works part time and has little staff depth. Scott works full time and has multiple administrators CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTIONS TEEN SEEKS HOUSE SEAT Q&A WITH THE CANDIDAT and thousands of state employees. ES He has the leadership wheel and staff capacity but has not put forth an affordable, integrated, comprehensive There’s an old saying: “If nothing system design to move the needle on these changes, nothing changes.” We need the issues. courage to change our voting habits, or We have an opportunity with Amanda we’ll end up with the same people who Janoo. A Vermonter with an international created the problems in the first place. economist background. A visionary. A We need leaders who will allow us the leader who has stepped up. Someone who freedom to succeed. can see what Scott can’t and do what he Doug Hoffman hasn’t done. Time for a change. BURLINGTON

[Re “Home Stretch,” October 14]: As you look to the November elections, please join me in voting to reelect Gov. Phil Scott. Why, you might ask? Because in our current world of overwhelming uncertainty and surging costs, we need Gov. Scott to continue to provide steady, safe and sound leadership to navigate these troubled waters. He’s been doing it for a long time in his many roles — and he’s trusted and gets results — even when he has to thread the proverbial needle. That’s also known as finding the middle ground, which isn’t easy when Democratic politicians are more interested in controlling the narrative rather than listening to Vermonters and addressing our affordability issues and safety concerns. When we reelect Gov. Scott and legislators who will bring balance to governing and addressing Vermonters’ needs, we will be on the right track to rebuild the state that works for all of us. Isn’t that what we all want and need? Paul Clifford

RUTLAND CITY

[Re “Prop Drop: Voters Will Decide This Fall Whether to Enshrine Labor Rights and Antidiscrimination Measures in the Vermont Constitution,” Voters’ Guide, October 14]: Finally! On Election Day, Vermonters have the opportunity to vote to add a long-overdue equal rights amendment to our Vermont Constitution. Both the Vermont House and Senate have voted in favor of the equal rights amendment over the past two biennia, enabling it to go before the voters of Vermont on Election Day this year. This past legislative session, it was passed by the Vermont Senate with a unanimous vote of 29-0, while the House passed it by a commanding majority vote of 128-14. What a wonderful expression of bipartisan solidarity by our state legislature! As a state that values all people, regardless of their particular identities, Vermont should specifically include equal civil rights in our constitution. I sincerely hope that the citizens of Vermont will agree and vote in support of Article 23 on November 3. Susan Sussman

MIDDLESEX

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[Re “Prop Drop,” Voters’ Guide, October 14]: What do Kansas, Texas and Utah state constitutions have in common? An equal rights amendment. Same with New York, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and most other not-southern states. What gives, Vermont? Vermont’s Article 7 Common Benefits Clause is inadequate. It does not adequately address unfair nor unjust discrimination. Fill this historical gap by ensuring that our laws do not create nor perpetuate the legal or social inferiority of any class of people. Vote yes on Proposal 4. We can no longer count on the Supreme Court or government to afford justice or protection from unfair and unjust discrimination. Voting yes protects us all. It’s time to update 1777’s good intentions. It’s time to enshrine the strongest legal protections for our collective, comprehensive and inclusive equal protection. Voting yes on Prop 4 makes it clear that our founding document stands for everyone who calls Vermont home. Roberta MacDonald

SHELBURNE

I listened to and then watched the Vermont Public debate on October 6 between lieutenant governor candidates Molly Gray and John Rodgers. I did both because I wanted to see the candidates’ faces in the moments when Rodgers asked questions designed for soundbites, questions meant to leave Vermonters with an unfavorable impression of Gray’s character. As Kevin McCallum recently reported [“Fighting Words: Lt. Gov. John Rodgers, Behind in the Polls and Cash, Takes Off the Gloves Against Challenger Molly Gray,” October 7], Rodgers has embraced a new strategy of going on the attack against Gray. I’m not naïve to the fact that punches and low blows are often part of campaigning. But with the standards of public political discourse so low right now, I’m paying as much attention to the conduct of the people asking for my vote as I am to their policy positions. Later in the debate, Gray asked Rodgers to reflect on a mistake he’s made as lieutenant governor. He immediately replied that he “can’t think of any mistakes.” His answer, lacking depth or

reflection, was deeply disappointing to me and, in my opinion, may prove to be a mistake he regrets. Throughout this debate and her campaign, Gray has shown that she is the kind of person who will lead respectfully, intelligently and humbly. With so many unknowns and complexities in the political battles ahead, she possesses the qualities we need in a leader right now. Ann Graham

MANCHESTER

[Re “Fighting Words,” October 7]: In the race for lieutenant governor, incumbent John Rodgers has been working to undermine Molly Gray’s credentials and her commitment to the needs of rural Vermonters. As an attorney who has practiced in Vermont for over 40 years, I have witnessed human and constitutional rights in peril, particularly in our rural communities. I am confident that Gray is the best candidate to address the threats these communities face. Through my work as an attorney, I have represented numerous small, rural school districts. Since state-mandated

school district mergers went into effect in 2019 and we started closing small, rural elementary schools to supposedly save money, we now have a school system with 82 fewer classroom teachers but 800 more employees —doing harm to rural communities, rural students and taxpayers statewide. Additionally, I have seen the increasing damage that the lack of affordable housing is doing to small, rural communities in Vermont. In the Northeast Kingdom, we have an opportunity to grow a new, emerging agricultural economy, but without more affordable housing, that opportunity will die aborning. Rural Vermont needs a stronger agricultural economy — not data centers. Gray is the kind of leader we need in Montpelier right now. I know Molly well. As an attorney, she has committed her career to defending human rights. Having grown up on a farm, she knows rural Vermont. As lieutenant governor, she will be the voice we need for rural Vermont and a thriving agricultural economy. David Kelley

GREENSBORO

VOTING ON PROP 3 IN N NOVEMBER? OVEMBER? THIS ISN’T A LAW THAT CAN BE CH CHANGED H ANGED LATER. IT’S THE CONSTITUTION. PROP 3 MEANS:

LESS CHOICE

LESS FLEXIBILITY LESS CERTAINITY FOR TAXPAYERS.

FOR EMPLOYERS.

Prop 3 gives union leadership more protection while limiting choices for individual workers.

Prop 3 hands unions control over public employees’ pay and benefits, with no way for lawmakers to rein in costs to protect taxpayers.

Prop 3's broad language may conflict with existing labor law, meaning expensive litigation, uncertainty for employers, and added costs for taxpayers.

VOTE NO ON PROP 3.

Workers W Wo rkers r rs deserve a choice. Taxpayers T Ta x xpayers r rs deserve a break.

FOR WORKERS.

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OBITUARIES, VOWS, CELEBRATIONS

OBITUARIES Janet J. Daigle

DECEMBER 2, 1936-OCTOBER 15, 2026 SHELBURNE, VT. Janet J. Daigle, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend, passed away peacefully at the Arbors in Shelburne, Vt., on October 15, 2026, at the age of 89. Born on December 2, 1936, in Winooski, Vt., Janet was the cherished daughter of Joseph and Donna Poplawski. She was predeceased by her son Steve Daigle and loving grandson Benjamin DeFrancesco. Janet’s life was a testament to love, friendship and dedication. After graduating from Winooski High School, where she ranked third in her class, she married her high school sweetheart, Richard Daigle, on August 13, 1955. They shared a 71-year marriage, filled with many adventures and the joy of raising a family. Together they nurtured their six children in South Burlington and Jonesville, Vt. In Jan’s early years, she worked as an office representative at Dupont in Wilmington, Del., while supporting her husband during his military

career. Upon returning to Vermont, she dedicated herself to her family before reentering the workforce. Janet began her career at Smith Bell & Thompson and later as a commercial insurance underwriter for Hackett Valine & MacDonald and then Coburn Insurance Agency, where she was known as “Big Rig Mama.” Janet’s professional leadership was recognized when she became president of the National Association of Insurance Women, an accomplishment of which she was quietly proud. Janet’s life was enriched by her many interests and hobbies. She enjoyed the camaraderie of her Monday-night bowling league, found peace and joy in gardening, and loved the simple pleasures of watching movies and reading books. The latest edition of the National Enquirer could always be found on the coffee table. She cherished sharing a glass of wine with her treasured friends and family, creating countless memories filled with a lot of laughter and love. Janet enjoyed traveling to Maine, New York, Florida and California, visiting friends and families, with always a good

Mahlon Wayne Conner

story to recount later after her travels. Janet had a special gift for making children feel loved and welcomed; they naturally gravitated towards her warmth and kindness. Janet is survived by her devoted husband, Richard L. Daigle; and children: Dave Daigle and wife Donna, Cathy Daigle-Bradley and husband Scott, Deb DeFrancesco and husband Joe, Rick Daigle and wife Terese, and Jim Daigle. She leaves behind five grandchildren, Jeremy, Krista, Jeff, Lauren and Christian; as well as her brother, Michael Poplawski; sister, Helen Boucher; many nieces and nephews; and her dear friend Bernadette Fischer. A wake to honor and celebrate Janet’s life will be held on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at LaVigne Funeral Home in Winooski, Vt. Visiting hours are 5 to 7 p.m. A private interment will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Arbors Associate Holiday Fund, or a charity of your choice, in memory of Janet’s generous spirit. The family expresses deep gratitude and appreciation to the nurses on Miller 6 at the University of Vermont Medical Center and the entire staff at the Arbors for the compassionate care that Janet received during her residency and final days. Janet’s legacy of love, strength and kindness will forever remain in every heart of those who knew and loved her.

NOVEMBER 25, 1946SEPTEMBER 16, 2026 VERO BEACH, FLA.

Mahlon Wayne Conner, affectionately known as Wayne, was born on November 25, 1946, and passed away peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at VNA Hospice House in Vero Beach, Fla., at the age of 79. Wayne grew up in Burlington, Vt., where he graduated from Burlington High School in 1964 before attending the University of Vermont, where he earned a bachelor’s degree. Following college, he taught school before beginning a career in engineering. His career eventually brought him to Wichita, Kan., where he and his family lived while he worked at Boeing for 20 years before retiring. Wayne and his spouse, Barbara, were married on July 29, 2005, in Wichita, Kan. After retirement, Wayne and Barb enjoyed traveling between Florida and Vermont, visiting family and friends. He especially enjoyed visiting his

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grandkids in person or via FaceTime. He is survived by his wife, Barbara, of Micco, Fla.; son, Scott (Nola), of Alcester, S.D.; daughter, Beth (Jon) Marteney, of Augusta, Kan.; stepdaughters, Stacie and Erica Rose, of Vermont; grandchildren, Abby, Molly, Luke, Emmy, Cameron, Carter and Logan; and sisters, Marcia Conner, Cheryl (Doug) Stafford and Alison (Peter) Joyce. Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, Mahlon and Joyce Conner. The family plans on having a time of remembrance later this summer at one of his favorite places, Lake Champlain in Vermont.

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OBITUARIES Barbara Baker MAY 3, 1927OCTOBER 9, 2026 SHELBURNE, VT.

After nearly 99 and a half years of an incredibly full, rich and varied life, we sadly announce that our mother, grandmother, aunt, friend and mentor, Barbara Baker of Shelburne, Vt, has passed away. We would probably use up all the internet space that exists by listing all of her accomplishments, hobbies and general points of interest about her that made her an absolute true one-of-a-kind. But let’s try. Life began for her on May 3, 1927, in Chicago. Soon after, her family moved to Ridgewood, N.J., where she spent her childhood years. Her father then made the brilliant decision to follow some relatives to Charlotte, Vt., where he instantly recognized the unparalleled beauty of the area. They built some of the original summer cottages on North Shore Road (Thompson’s Point), where she and generations to follow spent the warmer months starting in the 1930s and which remained one of her favorite places anywhere until the end. The love of the area was so encompassing that after some years in Baldwinsville and Albany, N.Y., she and her husband, Richard Jensen, moved to Charlotte full time on Greenbush Road in the 1960s. Her thirst for knowledge led to the beginning of a lifetime of learning. After high school she earned her

first degree from Smith College in math, unusual for a woman in the 1940s. Then, throughout her life she took many classes from the University of Vermont and Champlain and earned another degree (accounting) from Trinity College in Burlington. She and Richard owned and operated Colonial Distributors, starting with its flagship store on St. Paul Street in Burlington, then growing to three other locations in Barre, Rutland and Plattsburgh, N.Y. A true family was developed within this business, with many employees making a career out of working there. Sadly, after over 20 years, it came to an end. Between a brutal recession in the ’80s and her divorce, it was time to move on to other endeavors. She spent another almost 40 years working as an accountant for Vermont Legal Aid, the Winooski Park District and her son Karl’s business. Barb was a true original.

To her kids, it was as if she invented organic foods. It felt like no one else in the ’70s had even heard of that term, but somehow, from some place, she’d bring home the food that only our family ever seemed to eat. She subscribed to Organic Gardening magazine. Who else did that? We were eating whole-wheat everything, brown rice, brewer’s yeast, unidentifiable grains for breakfast. The kitchen counters were full of jars of homegrown sprouts, homemade yogurt, even a couple of weeds from the lawn waiting to be worked into our dinner. True story. Meanwhile our friends were all eating bologna sandwiches on white bread with cookies for lunch. The nitrate-preservativeadditive-free foods seemed like they came from another universe. An unwelcome one at that. Her idea of a “cheat” food would be honey. We thought perhaps she also invented vitamins. Only our family seemed to take them. All of this, along with her huge vegetable gardens, made for a refrigerator and cupboards seemingly designed to make sure none of us ever overate. It worked. A footnote to Mom — it also worked that now all of your kids eat this way, too. You did it. You were in the vanguard of what is now common, everyday behavior. We’ve just scratched the surface of her. Hobbies and fitness of course were important, starting with tennis at her summer camp

as well as Twin Oaks in the winter. Jogging, skiing (both downhill and cross-country), waking up each morning to her doing the Jane Fonda workouts. In other pursuits she was the consummate outdoorswoman, an avid environmentalist who in any weather would be out on a nature trail, a mountain, a bog, a lake, a field, all in pursuit of something she hadn’t yet seen. She kept a lifelong bird list, documenting every new bird she saw, with its precise location and date. She did this with trees, leaves, mosses — you name it. Often these trips were inside the four corners of Vermont as well as traveling around the U.S. and sometimes out of the country to add to her lists. She was an avid baseball fan, first the Yankees, then the Expos, and spent many nights at the Lake Monster games, with scorecard in hand. Continuing on, she had a great love and appreciation for the arts, in all forms. She was a huge reader; Dickens and Shakespeare were among her favorites and lots of news: the New York Times, the New Yorker and all of the local newspapers. Also, a huge fan of movies, particularly smaller independent films you may not have heard of, and music, including classical, opera, folk, older rock such as Simon & Garfunkel, Gordon Lightfoot and Bob Dylan. She also played the cello in a small orchestra. Multiple trips were made

to see theater on Broadway and nearly every theater in Vermont many times over. In later years, mah-jongg, canasta and bridge were weekly groups she was a part of. It should be noted that many, many of these trips and events were done with her sister and best friend, Jinny McLoughlin. Things changed for Barbara at age 94 with a series of falls and broken hips, as well as congestive heart failure that was manageable but did limit things for her. It was decided she could no longer live alone. Her fervent wish was that she be able to live out her remaining years in her home in Shelburne, no nursing homes, no hospitals. Barbara’s three sons, Lee, Eric and Karl, made this possible by taking turns moving in with her for the past five years. Being her caregiver was a life-changing experience for all of us. Mom’s life became our life. The sacrifices that not only we made but also our spouses, partners and kids made would be hard to overstate. This was an act of love like no other. We are very proud that we were able to keep this promise for her; up until her last minute she was at home. Her final days were quiet and peaceful. Barb up until the end maintained the positive energy that sustained her throughout her life and carried her to 99. If she were reading this, she’d insist we had her age wrong; she refused to believe she was as

old as she was. On her 99th birthday she insisted she was only 25. Yes, even if that meant her kids were older than she was. Right now it’s hard to imagine life without her; she was such a huge part of it. The hope is that someday the wonderful memories of her will overtake the current sadness. She is survived by her three sons; Lee (wife Yvonne, children Alexandra and Victoria) , Eric (partner Lani, children Heather and Corey) and Karl (wife Lori, children Chloe and Holden); and daughter, Kim. She also had six great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her sister, Jinny; her former husband, Richard; and her parents, Lester and Dorothy. There will be two celebrations of her life (she needs at least that many), on Sunday, November 1, 2026, 1 to 4 p.m., at the Charlotte Senior Center and another at a date to be announced next summer at her beloved Charlotte camp. If you wish to make a contribution in her name, any Vermont environmental group would thrill her, as would a host of other causes dear to her: Planned Parenthood, COTS or a local food shelf. So, this is where the love letter to Barbara ends. You won’t find a more accomplished, smarter, feisty, more interesting person anywhere. We hope if you never got the chance to meet her you feel like you know her a little bit better now.

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SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 21-28, 2026

OBITUARIES Clement “Ted” Meunier

APRIL 6, 1937-OCTOBER 12, 2026 FRANKLIN, VT. Clement “Ted” Meunier, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully on October 12, 2026, with his devoted wife by his side. Born on April 6, 1937, in Burlington, Vt., Ted was the adored son of the late Clement Meunier and Edith Allen Meunier. Ted’s life was a testament to love, commitment and adventure. On June 22, 1957, he married the love of his life, Margaret “Peggy” Patton. Together, they shared an extraordinary 69-plus-year journey filled with laughter, love and countless cherished memories. As devoted parents, they raised three wonderful children: Wendy Meunier Wood, Linda Meunier Cota and Melanie Meunier. A proud graduate of Burlington High School in 1955, Ted soon dedicated his service to the U.S. Naval Air from 1955 to 1959, continuing in the reserves and retiring after 20 years of honorable service. His professional life included a

fulfilling career as a computer analyst at IBM, where he worked for 19-plus years before embarking on various entrepreneurial ventures. Ted’s endeavors included North Country Oil & Construction, fixed base operator of the Franklin County State Airport in Highgate, and Meunier Real Estate. Ted was an active participant in community service wherever they lived. He was a member of the Masons, served on the Fairfax School Board and served on the selectboard in Franklin. He was the president of the Underhill Rod & Gun Club and the Vermont delegate to the National Skeet Shooting Association, where his passion for skeet shooting flourished. He was a skeet shooting instructor for Remington, and he also taught his wife to be a competitive shooter and shared his love for the sport with his children and grandchildren, creating treasured family memories. Ted was actively involved with skiing, boating, golfing and hunting with the entire family. In pursuit of his dream of flying, Ted became a pilot and flight instructor and earned his mechanics license — sharing the skies

Frank Carl Laba

Peter D. Chiacchieri BURLINGTON, VT.

Peter D. Chiacchieri of Burlington, Vt., passed away at home on Monday, June 15, 2026, of natural causes. Visitation is on Sunday, October 25, 2026, 2 to 4 p.m., in Elmwood Meunier Funeral Chapel, 97 Elmwood Ave., Burlington. Interment will be in Resurrection Park, South Burlington.

OCTOBER 6, 1941-SEPTEMBER 22, 2026 SHELBURNE, VT. Frank Laba passed into the arms of our Lord in Burlington, Vt., just two weeks shy of his 85th birthday. Of full-blooded Ukrainian ancestry, he was born into a loving family of eight children in Syracuse, N.Y. Like several of his siblings, he ventured west to Southern California to seek opportunities and worked for his sister and brother-in-law, learning the drapery business. He then went out on his own with a successful custom drapery business, “Draperies by Frank.” On a job one day he met the love of his life, Judith, a renowned interior designer. They were united in marriage in Pasadena in 2003 and moved out to the low desert of the Coachella Valley. Frank and Judy traveled extensively to the far corners of the globe and left

with his family. He and Peggy traveled the country, finding joy and adventure at skeet shoots and the cockpit, inspiring a love for flying in the future generations. Ted’s life was characterized by his quiet demeanor, yet his robust laugh and zest for life were unmistakable. He approached each day with enthusiasm, pursuing dreams and nurturing his family’s shared adventures. Ted is lovingly survived by his wife, Peggy; children, Wendy (Jonathan Wood), Linda (Kerry Caldwell) and Melanie; grandchildren, Christopher Cota (Ashley Cota), Emily Cota Dallier, Curtis Cota (Jessica Cota), Julia Nuzzo (Chris Campbell) and Isobel Nuzzo; and great-grandchildren, Autumn and Ryleigh Dallier and Ella, Cavin and Ciara Cota. A service to honor Ted’s remarkable life will be held on Sunday, October 25, 2026, 1:30 p.m., at the Fairfax United Church in Fairfax, Vt. Following, there will be a military remembrance held at the Underhill Rod & Gun Club (located off Allen Irish Road), refreshments provided, starting at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly suggests donations be made to the Underhill Rod & Gun Club, in memory of Ted’s generous spirit and love for his community. The family wishes to thank the staff of Our Lady of the Meadows Ave Maria Community Care Home and Bayada Hospice for their thoughtful and compassionate care.

quite a photographic legacy of their adventures together. With Judith originally from the Rangeley Lakes Region of Maine, they eventually came back East and settled in the coastal West Penobscot Bay area. They found a historic house in need of care and made its rehabilitation the subject of their professional expertise in their retirement. After Judith’s unfortunate passing in 2018, Frank remained in Warren, Maine, for a time and eventually moved to Shelburne, Vt., to be close to family. Frank is survived by his brother, Gary; two sisters-in-law; 11 nieces and nephews; and many friends who all miss him dearly. No formal services were requested, but he would be honored by anyone who wishes to raise a glass of sauvignon blanc in his remembrance.

Nicole Lucier Gagné MAY 15, 1936OCTOBER 10, 2026 ESSEX, VT.

Nicole Lucier Gagné, age 90, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at Our Lady of Providence in Winooski, Vt. Born on May 15, 1936, in St. Jacques le-Mineur, Québec, she was the daughter of the late Cecille and Jean-Paul Lucier. Nicole lived a life defined by devotion to her family, a sharp wit and a generous heart. For 59 years, she was the beloved wife of the late Marcel Gagné, with whom she built a beautiful life filled with love, laughter and shared adventures. After beginning their family in Champlain, N.Y., Marcel and Nicole made their home in Essex Center, Vt., where they raised their three sons and created a lifetime of treasured memories. Their neighborhood became much more than a place to live; many of their neighbors became lifelong friends and an extension of their family. Together, they were active supporters of the Boy Scouts of America and fostered a warm and welcoming home where family, friendship and community were always at the heart of daily life. Outside the home, Nicole enjoyed working at the Ben Franklin store and in the Essex Town school hot lunch program. As her family grew, she embraced what would become her most treasured role: grandmother and greatgrandmother. She was the proud grandmother of seven grandchildren: Matthew (Agnieszka), Nicholas (Olivia Gifford), Allison (Pete Elliot), Alyssa Pizzuti (Nick), Bryan (Rachel Kennedy), Brigitte and Joseph (Aliana); and the great-grandmother of 10

(Simon, Caroline, Malcolm, Eloise, Josie, Nolan, Juniper, Marigold, Ruth and Harriet) — with an 11th great-grandchild expected next month, a continuation of the legacy she leaves behind. She never missed a birthday, loved family gatherings and holidays, and instilled in her family the importance of staying close. She is survived by her three sons and their spouses, JJ Paul (Peg), Robert (Mary) and Ronald; her seven grandchildren; 10 greatgrandchildren; sister Celine Lucier; and brother Andre and his wife, Therese. She was preceded in death by her husband, Marcel Gagné; her sister Carmen Derome; and her brother Claude Lucier. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, beginning with visitation at 10 a.m., followed by an 11 a.m. Mass, at the St. Pius X Church, Essex Center, Vt. Burial will be immediately following Mass at Holy Family Cemetery, Essex, Vt. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of Providence, 47 W. Spring St., Winooski, VT 05404, or University of Vermont Home Health & Hospice, 1110 Prim Rd., Colchester, VT 05446. Arrangements are in the care of Ready Funeral & Cremation Services. To send online condolences, please visit readyfuneral.com.

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OBITUARIES, VOWS, CELEBRATIONS

OBITUARIES

Charles Everts Love Jr.

graduated from Brighton High School in 1958. A quiet, reserved person in high school, he blossomed at Hobart College in Geneva, N.Y., where he was junior Phi Beta Kappa and graduated summa cum laude with highest honors in philosophy. He started several campus organizations and was a Druid and the editor of the college newspaper, the Herald. He also engineered the merger of the Hobart and William Smith yearbooks and was coeditor. He did graduate work in philosophy at Princeton University with a Woodrow Wilson Fellowship. He later taught there and then went to Antioch College on a Danforth Fellowship that paid half his salary so he could investigate

new modes of teaching. In addition to traditional philosophy courses, he also co-taught courses with professors in several disciplines, many including multimedia presentations or staged performances. In 1973, he was invited to return to his alma mater to become dean of Hobart College, a unique position that included oversight over both campus life and academic progress. He assembled a dean’s committee of several faculty and a student to advise him on decisions that often involved asking a student to leave for a year or permanently. He was also a member of the president’s cabinet which, among other things, made the ultimate decision on faculty tenure. When he left Hobart in 1982, the yearbook devoted an entire page to him, saying: “Charles Love is a fair, gentle man whose dealings with us as human beings have made Hobart a warm place to be part of. Hail and Farewell, Dean Love, your departure leaves an emptiness here that may never be filled.” Charlie and his wife, Wendy, and their two sons, moved to Ithaca, N.Y., in 1982, where Charlie pursued new opportunities. He formed a relationship with

her career in North Carolina, then finished her career at Skyworks in Massachusetts. She retired in 2022, then returned to Vermont, where she lived her final years

where she could be closer to her family. Kim was predeceased by her parents, Phyllis and Harry McEntee, and her brother Scott, who passed in 1976. Kim is survived by her siblings John McEntee (Caroline Koehler), Kris McEntee and Beth McEntee Brod (Charles Brod); along with her siblings’ children, Jesse McEntee (Rachel Krasnow, Ella and Levi), Wesley McEntee (Sarah Winget), Lily Brod, Grace Brod, and Mac Brod. Kim was surrounded by her family when she passed. Remembrances can be sent to McClure Miller Respite House in Colchester, Vt.

OCTOBER 9, 1940SEPTEMBER 9, 2026 ESSEX, VT.

Charles Everts Love Jr. died peacefully on September 9, 2026, at the Arbors at Shelburne, Vt., surrounded by his loving family. He was one month shy of his 86th birthday. Although Charlie only moved to Vermont in 2003, his direct ancestor John Evarts was deputed in 1761 by a group of men in Salisbury, Conn., to go to uncharted territory in New Hampshire (now Vermont) to make exact surveys in order to obtain charters for two new townships. Finding there was sufficient land in the tract, he laid out three towns, calling them New Haven, Middlebury and Salisbury, named from his own state. He himself never lived on this tract, but he had sons who did. He is named in local historical accounts as the person obtaining the charters for these three towns in 1762. Charlie was born October 9, 1940, in Binghamton, N.Y., where his father was head of the IBM sales school. After several moves, they settled in Rochester, N.Y., where he

Kim Eileen McEntee

JUNE 6, 1956OCTOBER 16, 2026 SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT. Kim Eileen McEntee was born on June 6, 1956, in Plattsburgh, N.Y., to Harry and Phyllis McEntee. Kim grew up in upstate New York and later Shelburne, Vt. Kim was beloved by many and is remembered for her infectious laugh and for her kindness. Kim spent her career as a computer chip design engineer, beginning her career in Vermont at IBM. She lived and worked for some of

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 21-28, 2026

the Philosophy of Education Department at Cornell, where he took some graduate courses, taught some courses and published several articles in the field. A lifelong Boy Scout, he held every single position as an adult volunteer in the Baden Powell Council: He started a one-day training program for commissioners that included councils from most of upstate New York and lasted for over 25 years; he chaired a national committee revising Cub Scout leadership materials; he was invited several times to teach adult training programs at Philmont Ranch in New Mexico; he was staff on the national pilot course revising “ Wood Badge,” an elite adult leadership training program. He led the Baden-Powell Council to be the first in the nation to challenge the anti-gay scout/ leader policy of the national organization. While in Ithaca, he also revived his love of photography that he had developed in Yellow Springs, Ohio, as a teaching aid. He was invited to participate in several regional galleries and won several regional and national prizes for his landscape and abstract photographs. He was an early member of the State of the Art Gallery in Ithaca, where, for many years, he organized a national juried photography show. He also served for many

years on the Advisory Board of the Lehman Alternative Community School and on the Committee on the Ministry at the Unitarian Church of Ithaca. In 2003 he gave up all of his activities in Ithaca to follow his wife to Vermont, where she was hired as the executive director of the Vermont Commission on Women. Soon after their arrival he was elected to the board of the BSA Green Mountain Council of Vermont and then was elected president of the Council from 2004 to 2008. He led the Council to approve the admission of girls to scouting. He chaired the Distinguished Citizen Dinner honoring Bernie Sanders. He did not pursue his photography in Vermont, partly because he preferred the sharp contrasts found in cibachrome printing, a process that had been recently discontinued, but also because he was not inspired by the Vermont landscape, which he described as “one pretty postcard after another.” He was asked to join the board of the newly incorporate Bryan Memorial Art Gallery in Jeffersonville, Vt. He was quickly elected president and led a successful capital campaign to create an administrative space at the Bryan. Charlie had a lifelong love of music. He was all-state

at NYSSMA his senior year of high school as a percussionist and played in the orchestra at Hobart as well as the ROTC marching band. He was a self-taught, avid Appalachian-style autoharp player and maintained a friendship over many years with George Orthey, a leading autoharp builder. During his later years he spent many hours playing his autoharp and listening to music of all kinds. One of his favorite things for the last two years of his life was attending Thursday night jazz at the 126 in downtown Burlington. Despite his advanced dementia, he routinely toured the room urging patrons to support jazz at the 126. He is predeceased by his parents, Charles Everts Love and Louise C. Cornman, and his brother, David Farnsworth Love. He is survived by his devoted wife of 62 years, Wendy Anne Snow Love, of Essex Junction, Vt.; son Andrew E. Love and daughter-in-law Jessica Love of Salt Lake City, Utah; son David W. Love and daughter-in-Law Esther Acosta of New Haven, Conn.; and his beloved grandchild, RZ Love, of Salt Lake City. A celebration of his life will be held next summer in Hector, N.Y., where his ancestors first settled in 1796 and where his ashes will be interred in an old family cemetery dating from that era.

READ, POST, SHARE + COMMENT: sevendaysvt.com/lifelines

PAULA ROUTLY

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SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 21-28, 2026

11/21/23 6:28 PM

Seeing Is Deceiving

Dartmouth digital forensics pioneer Hany Farid is racing to expose ever more realistic AI-generated fakes ROB STRONG

B Y H ANNA H BASSET T • hbassett@sevendaysvt.com

Hany Farid

y 6:30 a.m. most mornings, Hany Farid is already hard at work. It’s early in Vermont, but Europe and the Middle East have been awake for hours. Conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza and Iran are generating a steady stream of footage — some authentic, some fabricated — and much of it is increasingly difficult to verify. From his sparely furnished home office in the Upper Valley, the Dartmouth College computer science professor and

Seven Days reporter Hannah Bassett will moderate a Q&A with Hany Farid following his presentation, “Totally Unreal: How Deepfakes Are Changing Everything,” at the Vermont Tech Jam on Saturday, October 24, 1 p.m., at Hula in Burlington. Preregister for the free event at techjamvt.com. 30

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 21-28, 2026

digital forensics expert fields requests from journalists, technology companies and others who want him to determine what’s real. Some need answers within hours. By midmorning, he often makes the short commute to the Dartmouth campus with his wife, neuroscientist and fellow professor Emily Cooper, if the work hasn’t taken him farther afield. Wherever he goes, the inquiries continue to pile up, through meetings and into the evening. Fourteen-hour workdays have become the norm. For more than two decades, Farid has developed tools to identify manipulated images and address some of the internet’s most troubling problems. After spending seven years at the University of California, Berkeley, he recently returned to Dartmouth, where he helped pioneer digital forensics in the early 2000s. Now artificial intelligence has transformed the work. Digital fabrications proliferate at unprecedented speed and scale, and with increasing sophistication that makes them harder to detect. His

expertise has never been more in demand, even as the limits of what he can discern have become increasingly clear. When Farid first arrived at Dartmouth in 1999, digital photography was becoming more accessible, and software was making it easier to alter images without leaving obvious telltale signs. While experimenting with Adobe Photoshop to put a friend’s face on a tennis pro’s body, he realized that resizing the image left traces. Few researchers were studying how to detect those changes. Farid began looking for clues invisible to the naked eye: subtle patterns in pixels, inconsistencies in lighting and other marks that could distinguish real from fake. His work helped lay the foundation for a field of research that would become increasingly important as images spread across the internet and shaped public discourse. Devin Balkcom, now chair of Dartmouth’s computer science department, remembers Farid as a generous mentor and a researcher drawn to important questions before others thought to ask

them. For Farid, that meant more than publishing research. He wanted to turn his findings into tools that could address real-world harm. He made one of his most consequential contributions in 2009, when he worked with Microsoft to develop PhotoDNA, a tool that creates digital fingerprints of images so that copies of known child sexual abuse material can be identified even after they’ve been altered. The technology generates digital fingerprints that allow participating organizations to identify copies of previously identified child sexual abuse material, including some altered versions, and take steps to remove them. Project Arachnid, an initiative of the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, uses PhotoDNA to proactively detect such material online and seek its removal. Farid has volunteered his expertise for years. A few years ago, PhotoDNA helped Project Arachnid identify a young woman who was being sexually abused. By matching images of her to copies circulating online, the technology helped investigators piece together clues that contributed to locating and rescuing her. After learning about PhotoDNA’s role, the woman sent Farid a video thanking him. At the end, she lifted her sleeve to reveal a tattoo of Project Arachnid’s spider logo. “It was really tear-jerking, emotional, gut-wrenching,” Farid recalled. He got the same tattoo on his forearm, adding wings representing the goddess Isis, who is associated with protection, in a nod to his Egyptian heritage. Farid sent a video of his tattoo back to the young woman. “You won’t find someone with a bigger heart than him,” said Lloyd Richardson, the center’s director of technology. Farid also investigates questionable footage from wars, elections and breaking news, often collaborating with his wife, Cooper, whose expertise in how the human brain works complements his knowledge of technology. Many of the inquiries come through GetReal, an eight-person company he cofounded to detect digital deception. Its revenue comes largely from products that protect large businesses against AI-powered fraud, including impersonation during video calls. GetReal’s investigations for journalists and researchers typically operate at a loss, but Farid said they were a driving reason he started the company.

Topnotch Fall Spa Specials Demand for that work has surged, from roughly one inquiry a month to several a day. The volume oscillates with world events, but the trend is unmistakably upward. When questionable footage is already circulating online, every minute or hour spent investigating it gives a potential falsehood more time to spread. Earlier this week, Farid examined footage purportedly showing a building being blown up in Ukraine. It appeared authentic, but he couldn’t establish when it had been recorded. Farid said

THE FAKES ARE HARDER TO SPOT,

AND THE ALGORITHMS WE BUILD HAVE TO BECOME MORE AND MORE SOPHISTICATED. S A R A H BA RR INGT ON

Russian disinformation campaigns increasingly use recycled footage, false attribution and subtle alterations to genuine images rather than creating outright fabrications. Even when footage passes every forensic test, Farid is wary it may have been fabricated using methods those tests cannot detect. Finding no evidence of manipulation is not the same as proving something is real. “I would much rather say, ‘I don’t know,’ than be wrong,” Farid said. As AI content becomes increasingly sophisticated, he finds himself saying it more often than ever. His assessments can influence national security decisions, news coverage and court cases. Last week, he met with federal judges and lawyers in Boston to discuss evidence rules that must guard against convincing fakes without excluding legitimate evidence. Farid doubts Vermont’s law regulating AI-generated political content (see story, page 15) will do much to curb deception, particularly when misleading material can spread rapidly across state lines. But

he doesn’t fault lawmakers for trying. Other states have struggled with the problem, he said, and stronger restrictions risk running afoul of the First Amendment. While Farid supports disclosing when political videos are fabricated, he cautions against laws that could restrict people’s right to criticize elected officials, even through manipulated imagery. He said the law is unlikely to do any harm, “but let’s not pretend that it’s actually going to help us that much.” Farid has seen how misinformation erodes trust in journalists, scientists and other institutions that might correct the record. That distrust leaves people more susceptible to falling for additional falsehoods, fueling what he calls a “death spiral” — even in the United States, where reliable information is readily available. Sarah Barrington, a PhD candidate at Berkeley whom Farid continues to advise, has watched the technological changes fueling those concerns unfold firsthand. Since she began studying under Farid in 2021, AI has transformed digital forensics. She now uses the technology almost daily in her research. While AI has made many tasks easier, detecting manipulated images and videos has become more difficult. “The fakes are harder to spot, and the algorithms we build have to become more and more sophisticated,” she said. Barrington has seen the strain take a toll on Farid over the past five years, but she said it hasn’t diminished his “silliness” or generosity as a mentor. Earlier this month, he invited her to the University of Oxford for discussions organized by human rights lawyer Amal Clooney. He also found time to browse Paddington Bear souvenirs, inspired by his love of the movie Paddington 2. When difficult cases or research setbacks frustrate them, Barrington said, they joke around to keep each other going, occasionally marking a breakthrough with a celebratory cigar. Farid and Cooper had long discussed returning to Vermont. A sabbatical in Grand Isle settled the question: California was beautiful but lacked the peace they missed. Now, on 100 acres in the Upper Valley, they have both. SEEING IS DECEIVING

» P.32

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ROB STRONG

Seeing Is Deceiving « P.31 Farid can step away from his computer between meetings to chop wood or walk through the forest. He rides his bicycle and Harley-Davidson motorcycle along the area’s quiet roads in warmer weather and just recently started planning a network of mountain bike trails through their property. At Dartmouth, where he is spending this academic year establishing his lab, he is getting to know a new generation of students. The quieter surroundings and distance from Silicon Valley haven’t softened his criticism of the technology industry, particularly social media. Farid argues that companies and policy makers need to address AI’s risks before harmful content spreads rather than relying on tools or forensic experts to assess the damage afterward. Despite those criticisms, Farid works with social media companies to respond to incidents involving questionable content. He draws a distinction between their executives and the employees who turn to him for help verifying material. The

FARID’S ASSESSMENTS CAN INFLUENCE NATIONAL SECURITY DECISIONS, NEWS COVERAGE AND COURT CASES.

latter, he said, are often smart, dedicated people trying to do the right thing. He believes it’s their bosses who have failed to invest adequately in protecting users, in part because removing harmful content can work against the companies’ financial interests. “Computer scientists going out there have to stop asking themselves, What can I do?, and they have to start asking themselves, What should I do?” Farid said. But that change has yet to come. Farid still spends many of his days confronting the consequences of technology that has outpaced efforts to control it. Recently, he and Cooper spent part of a Sunday at home analyzing footage purportedly showing military operations abroad. They checked the shadows, aircraft markings and geography. Nothing they found suggested the footage was fake. But neither could say with certainty that it was real. When they finished, it was nearly dinnertime. By morning, there would be another inbox full of questions, and Farid would be back at his desk, doing what he can to bring a fractured world closer to a shared sense of reality. ➆

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‘Extraordinary’ ‘Gripping’ ‘In-Depth’ Seven Days brought home six Publick Occurrence awards from the fall conference of the New England Newspaper & Press Association in Sturbridge, Mass. — more than any other media outlet. The contest recognizes the finest journalism in New England. Congratulations to Hannah Bassett, Colin Flanders, Mary Ann Lickteig, Alison Novak and Lucy Tompkins, who won two.

PUBLICK OCCURRENCES AWARDS —JUDGES’ COMMENTS SPELLING IT OUT What’s in the new ed bill?

GEN ZERO: IMMIGRANTS

news

HOME MAKERS

PAGE 15

Restrictions slow the flow of young people to Vermont

Fall Nest inside!

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A young man’s battle with mental illness led to a spasm of violence in Milton BY CO L I N FL ANDERS, PAGE 28

ROTTEN NEWS

PAGE 22

Gardener’s Supply files for bankruptcy

FROM THE HEARTH

PAGE 38

Firing up the Montpelier farmers market

NICE ADDITION

PAGE 44

Town Hall Theater fêtes new wing

BUSINESS END

PAGE 18

Examining the Gryphon’s closure

FARM FOCUSED

PAGE 38

Meet the new chef at Philo Ridge

WITHOUT A NET

PROMISED LANDS PAGE 45

PAGE 15

Public property considered for housing

WINTER WARMER

PAGE 30

Two years after apprehensions on Vermont’s northern border reached historic highs, fewer people are making the perilous trek. But not all is quiet. BY LUCY TOMPKINS, PAGE 24

DESKS

ICE JAM

ICE at the Doorstep

A federal immigration raid in South Burlington would lead to a violent, daylong confrontation with protesters and the detention of three immigrants. Here’s what happened. S T O RY L U C Y T O M P K I N S & SA SH A G O L D ST E I N | P H O T O S D A R I A B I SH O P

BY ALISON NOVAK, PAGE 26 • PART 1 OF “GEN ZERO” — A NEW SERIES

WHAT’S THE SKINNY?

Weekly dinner and brunch at the Old Lantern

LAW ENFORCEMENT

Enrollment in Vermont’s K-12 schools is dropping at an alarming rate. Communities are on their own to deal with the problem.

PAGE 14

Vermont insurers drop GLP-1 coverage

KEFIR FACTOR

PAGE 34

Inside Burlington’s Fermentation Club

BOOTS AND CATS

PAGE 50

A primer on the BTV EDM scene

PAGE 44

Did Phish mock feds on NYE?

s suburban South Burlington residents were heading to work and school on the morning of March 11, a federal deportation officer was watching a small, single-story home at 337 Dorset Street. Parked outside it was a blue Toyota Camry registered to a man named Deyvi Daniel Corona Sanchez. He’d been deported years ago to Mexico and had allegedly reentered the United States without permission. In January, he was charged in Middlebury for driving under the influence. When two men got into the car around 7:30 a.m., the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer thought one of them was Corona Sanchez. As the Camry headed south on Dorset Street along a stretch between a typically bustling retail area and the city’s high school, the 14

Protesters in front of the house

agent fell in behind and turned on his lights and siren. The driver pulled into an apartment complex’s parking lot but didn’t stop. When other ICE agents tried to box in the Camry, the driver rammed two federal vehicles. Then he drove through woods near the high school, got back on Dorset and hit two more cars. Two people hopped out of the Camry and ran into the small house that they had just left. ICE agents surrounded the place. Inside were 18-year-old José Estrada Jerez, a U.S. citizen, and his uncle, Christian Humberto Jerez Andrade, along with a second family: Camila and Johana Patin Patin, sisters from Ecuador, and Johana’s 4-year-old daughter. ICE agents yelled for them to come out. Fearing arrest, they didn’t.

HIVE MINDED

Champlain Valley Apiaries’ next generation PAGE 38

ARIA EXCITED? Opera star Denyce Graves plays Burlington

IN THE T

PAGE 44

AIR

INDIE INFERNO Robber Robber’s new record is lit PAGE 58

An accident and near bankruptcy forced Circus Smirkus to cancel its Big Top Tour. Can the Greensboro youth circus bring it back? B Y M A RY A N N L I C K T E I G , PA G E 3 0

SEVEN DAYS MARCH 18-25, 2026

Circus Smirkus fears bankruptcy

ABOUT “WAYS AND MEANS” BY HANNAH BASSETT Profiling freshmen legislators has been done before, but rarely with the in-depth reporting and elegant writing that Hannah Bassett accomplished in the series “Ways and Means,” tracking two rookie lawmakers in Vermont, one Republican and one Democrat. The reader sees them grapple with hope, disappointment, party leaders that take umbrage over outreach to the other side… Along the way the reader learns about how things get done in the state legislature, and can marvel with idealism still lives in politics. Congratulations on a fine series! ABOUT “I’M NOT WELL” BY COLIN FLANDERS This extraordinarily well-written story is a riveting exploration of the effects of mental illness. on an individual, a family, the community, and the limitations in dealing with these situations. Colin Flanders avoided a “good guy” / “bad guy” dichotomy and went deeper for a compassionate portrayal that can lead to understanding.

Hannah Bassett

EMPTY

VE RMONT’S IND E PE ND E NT VOIC E APRIL 22-29, 2026 VOL.31 NO.33 SEVENDAYSVT.COM

V E RM O NT’ S I NDE P E NDE NT V O I C E JANUARY 21-28, 2026 VOL.31 NO.20 SEVENDAYSVT.COM

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PAGE 15

TEA COZY

Winter Nest inside!

Colin Flanders

ABOUT “DIVIDING LINE” BY LUCY TOMPKINS Solid reporting. This coverage shows how border patrol officers are, in many ways, an accepted part of the communities. ABOUT “EMPTY DESKS” BY ALISON NOVAK Good reporting, sensitive coverage, and clever graphics illustrate the urgency of the issue. Excellent work by reporter Alison Novak. ABOUT “ICE AT THE DOORSTEP” BY LUCY TOMPKINS This gripping, minute-to-minute story follows an immigration standoff in South Burlington. This Seven Days story provides a closeup look at the drama, tension, disagreements, behavior and uncertainty inherent in these situations happening all across the country ABOUT “UP IN THE AIR” BY MARY ANN LICKTEIG Well told and remarkable tale about the fraught nature of young acrobats in a traveling troupe.

Lucy Tompkins

Alison Novak

Mary Ann Lickteig

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SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 21-28, 2026

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10/20/26 2:01 PM

On Fire

A Hinesburg inventor’s woodstove monitor allows users to track stove temperatures from anywhere B Y M ARY A NN L I CKTE IG • maryann@sevendaysvt.com MARY ANN LICKTEIG

Neil Shah

Oru will exhibit at the Vermont Tech Jam on Saturday, October 24, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., at Hula in Burlington. Learn more at getoru.com. Preregister for the free event at techjamvt.com.

SHAH HAS CREATED A JETSONS SOLUTION

TO A FLINTSTONES PROBLEM.

into its 2026 cohort and awarded him the year’s $15,000 grand prize. Kickstarter and Google tapped Oru for their Next Wave Fund, a program that gives Shah free training, marketing and promotional support and a $10,000 pledge to his Kickstarter fundraising campaign. That campaign launches on October 27 and, thanks to the Next Wave Fund, will immediately meet its $10,000 goal. The crowdfunding platform gave Oru yet another boost by naming it a Kickstarter “Project We Love.”

COURTESY

n 2024, Hinesburg software engineer Neil Shah was working in his secondfloor home office, frustrated by the fact that he had to go downstairs every 30 minutes to check on the home’s two woodstoves. A city kid who had never lived with wood heat before, he suffered from “woodstove anxiety.” He didn’t want the house to get cold. More importantly, he didn’t want to burn it down. To maintain a safe and efficient burn — and to minimize his work interruptions — Shah magnetically attached a temperature sensor to his stovepipe and wired it to a Raspberry Pi, a tiny, inexpensive computer. The resulting tool sent texts to his phone: “Your stove is cooling, it might be time to reload” or “Your stove has reached it’s [sic] optimal temperature” or “ALERT: Your stove’s temperature is rising really fast.” Soon, his friends wanted their own copies of the gadget. Then his wife, Kate DiMercurio, asked for another feature — a device she could glance at instead of pulling out her phone. So Shah built a lamp that glows amber when the fire is burning optimally and yellow when the fire is getting too low. It pulses bright red if the stove gets too hot. Now, 11 months after he built that first lamp, Shah’s woodstove monitor is in mass production. He has named it Oru, which means “come home” in Gujarati, his parents’ native language. Oru’s sensor connects to the lamp over Wi-Fi and to an app via the cloud, allowing the app to deliver information when the user is away from home. While Oru sends a myriad of details about a burn and can even tell users where to find a local chimney sweep, it does not function as a smoke or carbon monoxide detector, Shah said, and woodstove owners should use both. The first 500 Orus roll out in November, with another 500 expected by year’s end. Each sells for $209 (rising, in increments, to $299 in January), and hundreds of people have put down a $25 deposit. The free app does not require a subscription. Shah has created a Jetsons solution to a Flintstones problem, and the maker world has seen its promise. LaunchVT, Lake Champlain Chamber’s business accelerator program, accepted Shah

An Oregon man who owns one of the 57 prototypes that Shah built by hand at Generator Makerspace in Burlington said Oru has given him peace of mind and convenience. Carlos Camarena told Seven Days in an email that he’s a relatively new woodstove owner who learned that everything about safe operation depends on fire temperature. Other monitoring tools require being in the same room as the stove, he said. “Even working from home, it became a chore walking across the house to keep an eye on the fire,” he said. “Pointing a little wifi camera at the stove was an early

rudimentary solution, but having friends and family over also meant explaining the ‘fire camera’; it was just awkward.” Oru, he said, brings “just enough connectivity” to an otherwise analog operation. For the first 36 years of his life, Shah never thought about woodstoves, nor did he build hardware. A software developer raised primarily on Long Island, he lived in San Francisco and New York City before moving to Vermont in 2023 with his wife, a Bristol native. That June, she was thrilled when they bought a house with two woodstoves. Shah considered them ornamental, until winter arrived. The stoves are the home’s primary source of heat, and Shah was “terrified” of them, he said. Indeed, heating and cooking fires are the leading cause of house fires in Vermont, the state with the highest percentage of homes heated with wood. Wet wood or a fire that’s not hot enough allows creosote to accumulate in the chimney. That tarlike residue is highly flammable. Shah’s neighbors were chill about firing up their wood heat, while he filled his house with smoke, turned the flue red-hot and cracked the stone behind one of the stoves. Kate was pregnant at the time, he recalled on “Start Here,” a podcast produced by the Vermont Center for Emerging Technologies. “I’m about to be a dad, and I’m filling up the house up with smoke,” he said. “It was not a good scene.” A chimney sweep further stoked his fears, “telling me about all these things I need to worry about.” Desperate for help, he turned to the “woodstoving” community on the social network Reddit. Two years later, members of that community became his first customers. Shah, now 40, had started and sold another business before Oru. A company he and a partner founded to develop software tools for integrative health practitioners was acquired within a year by health care technology company Fullscript. Shah was working remotely for Fullscript in early 2024 when he built that monitor using a Raspberry Pi. He had left the Ottawa, Ontario, company and was casting about for a new venture last fall when DiMercurio, a former product manager, suggested he ON FIRE SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 21-28, 2026

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An Oru lamp

On Fire « P.35 develop the lamp, augment it with an app and try to sell it. With woodworking help from a neighbor, he built a more aesthetically pleasing lamp with a walnut base, milled from a tree on his property. He also built an app to deliver temperature, burn history, push notifications and alerts. Once again, he turned to Reddit. In January, he posted a photo of the sleek cubeshaped lamp and asked his community if they’d use a system like his and what features they would like. “Duuuude this is incredible,” one member replied. “WILL buy,” another said. Before he had committed to selling them, 1,700 people signed up for his email list. When Shah decided to produce prototypes, he contacted the first 100 to ask if they’d buy one at cost and sold 57 — but he didn’t know how to make anything out of wood. At Generator, he learned to run a planer, a jointer, a variety of routers and saws, and a computer numerical control — or CNC — machine, which carries out a sequence of programmed tasks. He cut, sanded and oiled each base (the first 23 came from his walnut tree), built every circuit board, made each lamp lid on a 3D printer, and completed all 57 by the end of March. He dispatched them around the country, from Maine to Alaska. He refined the app as users provided feedback. A very early iteration featured a flame icon named Burnie who popped up on phone screens to give users updates, saying things such as “Good burn!” or “It’s been three days since your last burn.” Users didn’t like hearing from Burnie, Shah said. “People who got the first version of the app were like, ‘Please get rid of this.’” Shah handled every component in those 57 prototypes. “I loved being in

the weeds, learning everything about my product,” he said. But that method didn’t scale. Sanding a single lamp base took him an hour and a half. For assistance, he turned to Sam Holland, a Colchester mechanical engineer who cofounded Informal, a company that supports people developing physical goods. Holland helped Shah redesign Oru for mass production and find vendors — all in China — to build, assemble and package his product. Each lamp still has a walnut base. Even with tariffs that account for 37.5 percent of his materials cost, producing Oru overseas is far cheaper than making it in the U.S., Shah and Holland said. Quality, particularly when it comes to injection molding, is better in China, Shah added. “I wanted to make them here,” he said, but “it’s exceedingly difficult to make products in the United States.” The retail price would at least triple. Shah has self-financed his venture so far with the help of investors and a loan from the Vermont Economic Development Authority. He will use the money he raises on Kickstarter to help cover his costs and repay his loan. Shah so impressed Sarah Kearns at LaunchVT’s Demo Night in June that she and her husband, David, invested in Oru. The idea is brilliant, Sarah said, and she found Shah smart, humble and hardworking. The irony is, she doesn’t need an Oru. She grew up in New Hampshire with a woodstove and hated it. It would go out during the night, she said: “I could see my breath in the morning.” When she and David moved to Middlebury 20 years ago, she said, “First thing I did was I took the woodstove out of my house.” Woodstoves are hard to manage, she said. Shah “has really identified a problem that so many people have.” ➆

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PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: JOHN JAMES

MAJC trading cards of chefs Steve Iadevaia, Matt Jennings and Erika Bongort

A MAJC Bullet?

With his new app that combines AI and human intel, chef Matt Jennings hopes to help restaurants and their workers BY ME L IS S A PAS ANE N • pasanen@sevendaysvt.com

ike many restaurant pros, Boston native Matt Jennings began his career as a teenager in the dish pit. After graduating from Montpelier’s now-shuttered New England Culinary Institute, he opened two lauded restaurants, Farmstead in Providence, R.I., and Townsman in Boston; and penned an award-winning 2017 cookbook, Homegrown: Cooking From My New England Roots. Also like many in his industry, Jennings — now 50 and living in Shelburne — struggled behind the scenes. Even as accolades rained down, the chef found himself hiding in Townsman’s walk-in freezer, “sweating through my kitchen shirt, anxiety pumping, and wondering why I felt so hollow inside,” he disclosed in a 2025 Food & Wine article. That nadir prompted Jennings to get sober, lose 200 pounds, close his restaurant, and become a hospitality consultant and coach. These “major life changes,” as he

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described them to Seven Days, included a 2019 move to Vermont with his family. They also planted the seeds of his latest project, MAJC (pronounced “magic”), an AI-powered restaurant workforce platform that launched in February. Developed in partnership with Andy Coughlin, a former Townsman regular and tech industry veteran, MAJC is billed as a tool for hospitality workers to find jobs, training and career guidance; and for operators to more effectively hire and support employees, furthering their own success. In the post-COVID-19 era, Jennings noted, restaurateurs grapple daily with a three-headed hydra of existential threats: relentlessly rising food costs and overhead expenses, workforce shortages and churn, and shifting consumer demand. The former restaurant owner knows any seemingly

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nonessential new expense is a tough sell — especially yet another platform to add to the already-teetering tech stack. But Jennings sees MAJC as providing an essential service that the restaurant sector has ignored for too long. “Hospitality is known for taking care of everyone,” he said, “but nobody takes care of the people doing the work.” When Jennings was reevaluating his professional priorities, Coughlin asked him what he still enjoyed doing. “I love to build teams. I love to encourage people to find their career path,” the chef recalled saying. “I want to find people’s superpowers and amplify them.” For Coughlin, pairing his tech know-how with Jennings’ deep knowledge, experience and industry network was a no-brainer. “Andy’s solution was technology,” Jennings said. “That’s how you scale those ideas.” A MAJC BULLET?

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» P.40

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Open rain or shine! Live Music! Kids Activities!

Somali rice and chicken with samosas at Kismayo Kitchen

Kismayo Kitchen Reopens in BTV on Riverside Avenue — for Now

for Kismayo Kitchen. Abdirisak said he hopes to find a location with at least 24 seats and space for an employee break room in Burlington or one of the surrounding towns. The small restaurant has gone After more than a month closed, KISMAYO through several closures since 2023, when Omar, Kismayo’s founding chef KITCHEN, the Somali American restaurant and owner, died unexpectedly at the founded by the late Ahmed Omar, has age of 36. Earlier this year, reopened with new operators Mohamed announced at 505 Riverside Avenue plans to sell the business in Burlington. Omar’s to a Burlington couple widow, ANISA MOHAMED, originally from and her new business Sudan; they ran it for partners, siblings a few months, but MARYAN and ABDIRISAK the deal was never MAALIN, decided to finalized. continue running Mohamed, who the restaurant on now lives in Minnesota the property, even with her two young though it has qualified daughters, returned to for a Federal Emergency Maryan Maalin and Burlington to help the Management Agency hazard Anisa Mohamed Maalins reopen Kismayo mitigation grant buyout. The COURTESY over the weekend of October building will eventually be 10. All three are originally from Somalia, demolished and the property converted and the two women have known each to green space, most likely in 2027, other for many years. according to Scott Gustin, Burlington’s Abdirisak, 43, works as an accounprincipal planner and zoning division tant and will be responsible for many of manager. the business aspects of the restaurant Mohamed and Abdirisak both emphasized that they are actively seeking a new Chittenden County home SIDE DISHES » P.42

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food+drink Funded by an initial investment round of $2 million, MAJC has signed up about 2,000 users so far, according to Jennings. The platform is free for workers who join individually. Pricing for restaurant operators has gone through several iterations since launch, but Jennings said it will soon be $99 monthly per location. That fee includes memberships for all employees, whose learning activities are visible on an operator dashboard. “MAJC gives every restaurant worker a personal AI agent in their pocket. A career coach, if you will, that supports them and helps them grow,” Jennings said. Once a user inputs their work history, strengths and goals — which become part of a dynamic “trading card” — the app matches them with appropriate job openings, learning modules and career advice. Annual fees of $1,200 may seem steep in the context of ever-thinner margins, but Jennings believes that if MAJC can help retain even one employee, it pays off. Restaurants average a 70 percent workforce turnover annually, and “every employee they replace costs them $6,000” in hiring and training costs, Jennings said, citing data from Cornell University and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. MAJC’s AI-assisted job-matching algorithm highlights opportunities based on fit and skills, while dozens of “academy” learning modules cover topics from de-escalating a difficult customer interaction to mastering point-of-sale systems. With those tools, Jennings said, “We have this opportunity to support our people better in hopes that they stick around longer.” Jennings emphasized that MAJC’s educational and training content is informed by thousands of hours of conversations with his network of industry friends and colleagues, who range from household names such as Food Network chef Tyler Florence to CEOs of successful quick-service restaurant groups. “This is not just coming from the open internet,” he said. “This is a proprietary thing we’ve built.” Beyond helping operators retain and cultivate talent, MAJC aims to build an engaged network of colleagues nationwide with whom they can trade ideas, tips and strategies. The goal is to provide both workers and operators with “a place to go, to feel connected to their peers, so that nobody feels like they’re on an island, doing it alone,” Jennings said. 40

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COURTESY OF MATT KEIDAISCH

A MAJC Bullet? « P.38

HOSPITALITY IS KNOWN FOR TAKING CARE OF EVERYONE,

BUT NOBODY TAKES CARE OF THE PEOPLE DOING THE WORK. MAT T J E NNINGS

Steve Iadevaia, executive chef and partner in two restaurants in Punta Gorda, Fla., heard about MAJC from Jennings’ Instagram, where he has about 57,400 followers. Iadevaia said he appreciates connecting on MAJC with other “restaurant nerds,” with whom he can discuss anything from equipment recommendations to menu promotions to mental health management. “It’s

kind of like Facebook meets Reddit,” he said — but with qualified participants and sometimes a star moderator such as Jennings. Iadevaia is in the process of hiring for his busy season, during which he’ll employ about 75 people at River City Grill and Italia at River City. He hasn’t yet used MAJC to find employees but said he might if it builds critical mass in his area. Mostly,

he tries to hire by word of mouth, he said, but the platform would “kind of give you a bigger mouth.” The executive chef acknowledged that smaller, independent restaurants such as his “are pretty notorious for being frugal … Paying for a service to help develop people or find more people is sometimes a bit of a hard sell.” At the same time, Iadevaia said, he’d like to help valued employees build skills and industry knowledge to show them the bigger picture. “I don’t always have time to sit down and explain all the nuances of food and labor costs and insurance,” he said, “but if they understood more, that could be a good thing.” He has run through a number of MAJC’s learning modules himself to check them out. “It’s very intuitive and something you can do on your phone,” he said. “Everyone’s on their phones anyway. They might as well be doing that.” For a two-restaurant group such as his, Iadevaia said, MAJC could provide a small competitive advantage when hiring. “We’re not in a position to give dental, but we could roll it into a benefits package as a way to continue to grow your skill set,” he said. Hospitality veteran Erika Bongort also learned of MAJC by following Jennings on social media; they share NECI as an alma mater. Currently a cheesemonger for the Central Market group in Austin, Texas, Bongort has also taught culinary skills in that city. She recommends the platform to former students as a way to upskill themselves. Over her 30-year career of working for hotels, independent restaurants and even a few chains, Bongort said, she’s noticed that very few employers have designated trainers or training resources. What she’s seen so far in MAJC’s learning modules looks promising to her. Compared with generic job-search sites, Bongort sees potential in a platform that is customized to the field and, in her words, “speaks culinary.” She has suggested that former students try MAJC to find better matches for their credentials and goals. “The culinary industry as a whole has become ‘warm body, plug in’ when it comes to jobs,” she said. “That’s why employees wind up leaving.” With a touch of MAJC, Jennings hopes to change that. ➆

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Mad River Donuts to Move to Montpelier From Waitsfield About 2.5 years after opening MAD RIVER DONUTS at 6163 Main Street in Waitsfield, owner KYLE WHITE confirmed he will move the business to Montpelier by the end of this year. White said he loves the Mad River Valley but sees room for expansion in Vermont’s Capital City with more consistent customer traffic and a larger space. White, 39, has signed a lease on 45 State Street, which most recently housed Chico’s Tacos & Bar for less than a year before that restaurant closed in August. He hopes

Kyle White of Mad River Donuts

COURTESY

while his 40-year-old sister, who has worked in food production, manages the kitchen. He said they will maintain the popular mix of Somali and American dishes, from samosas and goat curry to Philly cheesesteaks, but plan a slight price increase to manage spiking ingredient costs. The business partners are setting up new social media accounts and a website. In the meantime, Kismayo Kitchen can be reached at 802-448-3032. The restaurant is currently open Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, noon to 8 p.m.; and Friday, 2:30 to 9:30 p.m.

to open there in December and will keep running his Waitsfield shop for now. In the meantime, he plans to introduce himself to his new community by selling doughnuts made in Waitsfield in Mad River Donuts’ future location, Sundays from noon to 2 p.m. White will announce dates on social media. The chef started working in kitchens as a teenager and earned a culinary degree from Johnson & Wales University in his native Rhode Island. He moved to Vermont in 2019 to work at the PITCHER INN in Warren and then at the WARREN STORE from 2022 to early 2024, before leaving to launch Mad River Donuts. White works alone with some help from his girlfriend, RIN MERRICK. He said he focuses mostly on classic flavors, such as Boston cream, maple-glazed and vanilla frosted with sprinkles, using a base brioche dough. His old-fashioned buttermilk doughnuts are based on an heirloom family recipe from NEILL FARM in Waitsfield. At his original spot, White shares kitchen space with BACKCOUNTRY BAGELS and offers sandwiches made with those organic, hand-rolled sourdough bagels as well as espresso drinks. He hopes to do both when he gets up and running in Montpelier. He’d also like to continue serving the Mad River Valley with regular doughnut deliveries. M . P.

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Vermont Tortilla Is Back Open in a New Essex Facility

Vermont Tortilla organic corn tortillas

Papa estimated that the business currently operates at 50 percent of the total annual sales it had when he and West bought it. To help rebuild, they’ve focused on direct-to-consumer online sales — including new boxes of frozen tortillas that can be shipped nationwide — in addition to distribution to area stores and restaurants. The new Essex facility is not open for walk-in sales, but customers can pick up preordered tortillas by appointment.

COURTESY

It’s been a whirlwind first year for new VERMONT TORTILLA co-owners LEYLAND PAPA and LINDSEY WEST, who bought the 10-year-old organic corn tortilla biz from founders April and Azur Moulaert in June 2025. The local business partners knew they had to relocate from Vermont Tortilla’s longtime Shelburne spot when their lease was up in August 2025. But, like many food manufacturers in Vermont, they found their search for a suitable facility both frustrating and costly, Papa said. Monthslong plans for a space in Hinesburg were derailed by the town’s water allocation limits, he explained, which didn’t allow for the 500 gallons per day they’d requested for the tortilla-making process. Vermont Tortilla’s eventual home, at 30 Boston Court in Essex, came with the same “exhausting” — and expensive — permitting process to increase its water allocation from 200 to 450 gallons per day, Papa said. He had hoped to open there on July 1, but the staff of three ended up returning to production at the end of August. “This isn’t some unique thing for me,” Papa said of the long process. “This is the crux of what is going on when they say, ‘We need to fix small business’ or ‘Why are businesses leaving?’”

JO R D A N B A R RY

El Gato Cantina Reopens as El Bar in Essex Junction The Essex Junction location of EL GATO CANTINA is back. Four months after it closed to move to South Burlington, the biz has reopened at 4 Park Street — albeit in a slimmed-down form.

Javier Zirko in the El Gato Cantina food truck in 2025

Owner JAVIER ZIRKO told Seven Days that he had signed a lease on the former Silver Palace location on Williston Road, but “contractors and inspectors kept

food+drink finding issues with the building structure and systems.” South Burlington’s fire marshal informed Zirko that the building — which has been vacant since the long-running pan-Asian restaurant closed in 2022 — would require major repairs to operate legally. “After receiving no response from the landlord, we decided to pull out of the deal,” Zirko said. While he’s still looking at other South Burlington options, he reopened in Essex Junction “due to funds lost during the attempted move and the general economic pressures on local businesses,” he said. The restaurant’s new concept, EL BAR, offers limited dining service. The “sports cantina” has a full bar, pool table, darts and other bar games. Regular events include comedy shows, open mic nights, DJ sets, drag shows and karaoke, Zirko said. A smaller staff serves a simplified menu, including new items such as tamales and chiles rellenos. Plans for the former Lincoln Inn building to be torn down prompted El Gato’s initial end-of-May closure. Zirko said there’s still no timeline for its demolition, but he expects to receive 90 days’ notice. Zirko also operates the EL GATO CANTINA FOOD TRUCK and two brick-andmortar locations in Jeffersonville: a year-round restaurant and bar at 208 Main Street and a seasonal spot in the FunZone 2.0 building at Smugglers’ Notch, which will reopen for ski season in mid-December.

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culture

Freedom Writers

The Flynn premieres a free daylong reading of new plays on the state of American democracy BY K E N P IC AR D • ken@sevendaysvt.com

COURTESY OF ADRIAN VAN STEE

COURTESY OF TESS MAYER

COURTESY

From left: Beth Henley; Heidi Schreck; Lauren Gunderson

he writing prompt was deceptively simple yet vast in scope: Compose a new 10-minute play that answers the question “What is the current state of democracy in America?” The deadline: two months, preposterously short for one playwright, let alone 34 with busy careers in professional theater and national, if not global, reputations. On Saturday, October 24, the Flynn in Burlington will host a free daylong reading of all 34 plays, collectively titled Women+ on the Edge of Democracy, penned by some of the most accomplished writers in American theater and beyond. Those invited to submit were all winners or finalists of the prestigious Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, the oldest, largest and one of the most prestigious awards for women, trans and nonbinary playwrights in the English language. Their ranks include Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winners; the actors who will perform the plays include Tony winners and finalists as well. Similar readings, performances and discussion groups will happen around the country and worldwide in the two weeks leading up to the U.S. midterm elections on November 3. Women+ on the Edge of Democracy was the brainchild

THEATER

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 21-28, 2026

of Flynn executive director Jay Wahl and Shelburne stage director and educator Leslie Swackhamer, who is also executive director of the Blackburn Prize. Given the precarious state of American democracy, “Both of us were banging our heads against the wall trying to figure out: How do we use our art form ... to make the world a better place?” Swackhamer said. Though Wahl said he initially expected only six or seven playwrights to sign up, he knew they had tapped into something special when their number exceeded 30. “This election is an opportunity for us to think about what kind of democracy we have, what does it mean to us and what it can look like,” Wahl said. The star-studded lineup of playwrights includes Lynn Nottage, the only woman to have won two Pulitzers for drama; Beth Henley, a Pulitzer winner and Tony nominee; Heidi Schreck, a Pulitzer and Tony finalist; and Lauren Gunderson, the most produced playwright in the U.S. “We didn’t want it to just happen at the Flynn,” Swackhamer added. “We were like, ‘Listen to all these voices. This can be a wonderful vehicle for communities to gather around this theme, to talk, to discuss and to bond right before the midterms.’” More than 100 groups in 40 states have agreed to

perform Women+ on the Edge of Democracy events, including in Alabama, Mississippi, Texas and Alaska. Town Hall Theater in Middlebury will present a free, one-hour version on Sunday, November 1. Other venues include town halls, high schools, colleges and Carpenters’ Hall in Philadelphia. Performances are also scheduled in Tasmania, Australia, and Glasgow, Scotland, as well as the Isle of Eigg, a Scottish island with a population of about 100. All will be held between October 24 and November 3, aka U.S. Election Day. Women+ on the Edge of Democracy will likely run for 12 hours; at the Flynn it’s scheduled from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. with frequent pauses and a dinner break. As Wahl explained, its marathon duration is part of the point, capturing the effort of listening to others to maintain a healthy democracy. “This asks something different of an audience,” he said. “This asks you to sit with these questions together, with people you don’t know, for a full day, which is in the spirit of how Vermonters work together.” Though the production had the potential to be 12 hours of crushingly depressing theater, Swackhamer insisted that themes run the gamut from heartbreaking to humorous and satirical to uplifting. Paula Cizmar’s

COURTESY

“The Betsy Ross Book of the Dead” imag- about their resilience, hope, tenderness ines the Revolutionary War upholsterer and self-reflection. in the underworld sewing an American “There is a point of entry for every flag while in conversation with her AI human being who cares about this assistant. Another play, by British play- issue,” Salame added. “People will recogwright Elizabeth Kuti, features the ghost nize themselves — and each other, and of a Hungarian their families and Jewish woman who communities — in survived the Holothese plays.” caust by becoming Swackhamer an ostrich. Schreck, likened the show to who wrote the the “Pieced Centencritically acclaimed nial Flag Print autobiographiQuilt” in Shelburne cal play What the Museum, an antique Constitution Means bedcover made to to Me, penned an commemorate the ZEIN A SAL AME addendum to that 1876 U.S. Centennial play, in which her mother chides her for International Exhibition in Philadelphia. her omissions from the original script. “Every piece had a different focus and Other plays feature a monologue with a emphasis and flavor,” she said. “But then clown, dolls that come to life and a story you put them all together, and it was a about bees. Costumes, sets and props collective portrait of America at that will be “extremely minimalistic,” Swack- moment. That’s what I feel this is.” hamer said. The show’s logo was designed, pro In all, the production involves the bono, by Paula Scher, one of the most work of five dramaturges, five directors influential graphic designers in the world. and 20 actors, plus stage and lighting crew Scher is known for her work for Tiffany & who number in the hundreds. In keeping Co., Citibank, Disney, Coca-Cola, Swatch with the show’s democratic themes, Wahl and CNN. said, all involved are being paid the same All 34 plays will be published later as amount, and tickets are free. an anthology and offered to anyone who Despite the varied artistic approaches, wants to use them in their community. the shows feature some recurring themes, The only caveat: The readings or perforsaid Zeina Salame, an associate professor mances must be free to the public. ➆ and resident director at the University of Vermont who serves as a dramaturge and INFO director of six of the plays. Many, she said, Women+ on the Edge of Democracy, involve people wrestling with the grief of Saturday, October 24, 11 a.m., at the Flynn in what is being taken from them, families Burlington; and Sunday, November 1, 3-4 p.m., being torn apart by different points of at Anderson Studio, Town Hall Theater, in view and people struggling to recover Middlebury. Free, but tickets required. from profound loss. But the plays are also flynnvt.org, townhalltheater.org

PEOPLE WILL RECOGNIZE THEMSELVES

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— AND EACH OTHER, AND THEIR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES — IN THESE PLAYS.

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culture

Seven Things I Think I Think Stray thoughts on political ads, online bullies and traffic patterns. Plus, a Vermont arts news roundup. BY D AN BO L L E S • dan@sevendaysvt.com

COURTESY OF VERMONT AGENCY OF TRANSPORTATION

CULTURALLY

relevant

— or couldn’t — tell you: I think it looks like it was designed by GEORGIA O’KEEFFE, or at least the renderings do. Not picking up what I’m putting down? Consider the nickname coined by South Burlington resident JANET UHAL and brought to my attention by a Seven Days colleague. She calls it: the Colchester Coochie.

I think the new “diverging diamond” interchange at Exit 16 in Colchester is pretty slick. I’ve driven it a few times in the past month, and, once you get over feeling like you’re in the figure-eight race at the Champlain Valley Fair, the first-of-its-kindin-Vermont traffic pattern is fairly intuitive. It’s also effective. According to MIKE LACROIX, traffic design project manager at the Vermont Agency of Transportation, the unusual intersection follows a similar principle as traffic circles, where the idea is to eliminate left-hand turns and keep traffic flowing. In my trips through, it seems to do just that. Ain’t engineering cool? Now, in the dog-eat-dog, first-is-best world of Vermont journalism, I’m obligated to note that our pals at WCAX-TV beat me to assessing the joys of the new intersection last week. But here’s what they wouldn’t

Speaking of new traffic patterns, for all the decades of rancor around the Champlain Parkway, I think it’s … fine? I’m not sure it’s actually any faster than white-knuckling it down Shelburne Road at rush hour. But as someone who travels between Route 7 and Burlington’s South End often, it at least feels swifter than the stop-and-go traffic radiating out from the Interstate 189 interchange as you zip past the South End City Market and the World’s Tallest Filing Cabinet. (I wonder what Janet’s nickname for the World’s Tallest Filing Cabinet is?)

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I think I’m glad I live in Vermont during election season. For the past couple of weeks, I’ve been inundated with political ads from New Hampshire on certain streaming services — which, presumably, like most non-New Englanders, fail to realize that Vermont and New Hampshire

COURTESY

football column might seem an odd inspiration for one about Vermont arts and culture. But a great gimmick is a great gimmick. So let’s borrow a page from the fine NFL writer PETER KING with a Seven Days-ified take on his classic “10 Things I Think I Think.”

COURTESY OF JOHN MINIHAN

Job of theWeek

Clockwise from left: A rendering of the diverging diamond intersection; Greg Delanty; Greg Freeman’s All Set the Bone

I’M GLAD I LIVE IN VERMONT

are, in fact, not the same state. But, man, are those campaigns ugly and dumb, red and blue alike. If I were a Granite State voter, I’m not sure I’d happily cast a ballot for anyone — though I would of course still vote, as should you. Let’s keep it classy down the home stretch, Vermont pols.

DURING ELECTION SEASON.

I think the losers commenting shitty things on “STUCK IN VERMONT” host EVA SOLLBERGER’s recent short and very sweet Facebook video with her mom deserve every bit of karma coming their way. (As do the hundreds of fans who rallied to Sollberger’s defense.) I think it’s lovely that PARTIZANFILM, the

IN OTHER NEWS… Speaking of VTIFF, Vermont filmmakers are well represented. One selection with local ties I’m particularly intrigued to check out is MARK DURAND’s Her Game Is Hardball, about the history and importance of women in baseball. Durand is a respected filmmaker who cowrote and developed the national TV series “This Week in Baseball” and worked on ESPN’s “30 for 30” documentary series. He lives in Schenectady, N.Y. So what’s the local connection? His daughter is JOHNNIE DAY DURAND, musical saw virtuoso and founder of the Burlington band SILVER BRIDGET. Catch Her Name Is Hardball at VTIFF on Thursday, October 22. Moving on to spooky-season news: After 21 years of scaring the bejeezus out of fright fans young and old, NIGHTMARE VERMONT is taking a hiatus. The haunted house event at the Champlain Valley Exposition in Essex Junction won’t happen this year so that organizers can come up with fresh new ways of terrorizing Vermonters next fall. Or maybe they just figured election season is scary enough on its own.

Burlington microcinema, chose the week of the

DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR Intervale Center

VERMONT INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL to close and

upgrade its heating and cooling systems — and directs cinephiles to check out the fest on its website and social media. What’s that saying about rising tides? Partizanfilm reopens on October 30. I think LILY SEABIRD’s Lightspheres on Their Way and GREG FREEMAN’s All Set the Bone are two of the best Vermont records in decades. I think writing a column again is a lot of fun. I hope you enjoy it. And thanks, PAULA ROUTLY, for the nudge. ➆

If Burlington feels a little more lyrical at the moment, you’re not imagining things. The Fletcher Free Library, along with Saint Michael’s College professor GREG DELANTY, kicked off QUEEN CITY POETRY on October 1. All month long, works by more than 30 Vermont poets grace the storefronts of business throughout downtown. Selected poets include former Vermont poet laureate CHARD DENIORD, RAJNII EDDINS, MARIAN WILLMOTT and the late, great REUBEN JACKSON. Miss you, RJ. Finally, NOAH KAHAN fans take note: Vergennes ice cream shop LU•LU is offering a promotion that Busyheads with a sweet tooth will find hard to resist. Scoop Season is a mini collection of nine new ice creams inspired by Kahan songs. Highlights of the sampler pack include My Best Friend Dan, a vanilla ice cream with a Miller Lite-infused caramel ripple (yes, really); End of August, a corn bread-infused honey ice cream with blackberry; and Drunk Dial, cola ice cream spiked with whiskey and tart cherry. I can take or leave Kahan’s music, but for my money, there’s no better ice cream shop in Vermont than lu•lu.

Get the scoop on this position from Donor Stewardship Manager Gabby Makatura.

What are some specific challenges of this position, and why is it important? The variety of responsibilities, which is also one of the things that makes this role so exciting, will be one of its biggest challenges! The Intervale Center’s Development Coordinator supports everything from fundraising campaigns and our behind-the-scenes donor systems to more outward-facing work like coordinating volunteer groups and supporting our vibrant community events. It requires someone who is organized, adaptable, and comfortable juggling different projects and priorities. Our donors, volunteers and community partners are essential to our work, and this position helps us nurture those connections while also helping maintain our essential fundraising administrative systems.

Tell us something unique about the Intervale Center. One of the most unique things about the Intervale Center is that we’re located on a 360-acre campus of farmland, trails and natural areas, just minutes from downtown Burlington! On any given day, you might find volunteers harvesting fresh vegetables for families experiencing food insecurity, runners and families exploring our trails, farmers growing food that ends up in our local grocery stores, neighbors tending to their community garden plots, or folks participating in mushroom cultivation workshops and tree plantings. There’s something special about being able to see the impact of our work all around us, rather than just reading about it in a report. And in a development role, getting to build relationships with the donors, volunteers and community partners who make it all possible is equally rewarding! Apply for this great local job and many more: jobs.sevendaysvt.com

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culture

Raising Voices

Acclaimed singer Dashon Burton celebrates trailblazing Black vocalist Paul Robeson at Middlebury College B Y A M Y L I L LY • lilly@sevendaysvt.com

COURTESY OF HUNTER HART

COURTESY OF GORDON PARKS/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

CLASSICAL MUSIC

ashon Burton, a bass-baritone and founding member of the acclaimed vocal ensemble Roomful of Teeth, came to Middlebury College a couple of years ago to perform with the Massachusetts-born group. While there, the director of the college’s Performing Arts Series, Allison Coyne Carroll, approached him with an idea: Could Burton do a tribute concert to another bass-baritone, Paul Robeson, who sang in the series 80 years ago? Burton was intrigued. He and the famous singer-actor-athlete-activist — Robeson was the definition of a Renaissance man — were both Black, and both sang spirituals as well as classical repertoire. “Tell me more,” he said to Coyne Carroll. That proposal led to this Friday’s concert at the college, “Dreaming in the Light: Remembering Paul Robeson,” a recital by Burton with accompaniment by Sharon pianist Annemieke Spoelstra McLane. The event is a one-off; to Coyne Carroll’s knowledge, Burton isn’t repeating it anywhere else. It is also a chance to hear Burton’s “enormous, thrilling” voice (Wall Street Journal), noted for its “nobility and rich tone” (New York Times), singing a program that includes five selections Robeson sang at the college decades ago. That Robeson even gave a concert at Middlebury, on December 4, 1946, is surprising: Then 48 years old, the man was a legend. Certainly, he fit into the remarkable performance series, which has included the likes of cellist Pablo Casals and guitarist Andrés 48

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Segovia and continues to feature some of the most notable classical acts of today. Coyne Carroll, who combed the archives to create a list of every concert in the series since 1919, said she was “about 99 percent certain” that Robeson was invited by Alan Carter, a Midd music-faculty member and the founding director of the Vermont State Symphony Orchestra, now the Vermont Symphony Orchestra. The invitation was timely. “This was a very precarious time in [Robeson’s] career: He was being criticized for his communist beliefs,” Middlebury professor emeritus of music Larry Hamberlin said. Hamberlin will give a talk before the concert on the evolution of the Black spiritual tradition and its introduction into the classical genre. Robeson, whose father was an escaped slave, was born in Princeton, N.J., in 1898. He attended Rutgers College on an academic scholarship and was the third Black student in the school’s history. He became a football star — a two-time All-American player — and the class valedictorian. He then earned a law degree from Columbia Law School while playing two seasons in the National Football League for the Akron Pros and then the Milwaukee Badgers. Repelled by racism in the legal world, Robeson turned to acting, landing lead roles in Eugene O’Neill plays in a career that would take him to London stages, Broadway and film. He was the first Black actor to have a leading role in a Hollywood film — The Emperor Jones, a 1933 movie of O’Neill’s play

— and to play Othello in a U.S. performance of William Shakespeare’s play. Robeson never had formal voice training. His singing career was launched during the Harlem Renaissance after he performed a few concerts of spirituals with a friend on piano accompaniment; the result was a recording contract with Victor Records. Over his career, he recorded hundreds of songs of all types and performed worldwide. Show Boat composer Jerome Kern is said to have written “Ol’ Man River” after hearing his voice. The injustice of American racism increasingly fueled not just Robeson’s artistic choices but also his far-left politics. Outspoken support of communism led to his being blacklisted in 1950, deprived of a passport for eight years, and officially erased — from Rutgers’ valedictorian records, NFL records and American living rooms in general. “People stopped talking about Paul Robeson,” Hamberlin noted. “Before the blacklisting, he was one of the most famous African Americans in the world. We’re still reinstating him.” Burton’s concert is part of that effort, as well as a celebration of the country’s 250th anniversary through “voices that haven’t always been celebrated,” Coyne Carroll said. To Hamberlin, the two bass-baritones sound remarkably similar, with “very deep” voices “that can also go up fairly high.” (Compare Burton’s YouTube channel videos with Robeson’s version of “Water Boy,” a

From left: Dashon Burton; Paul Robeson

spiritual Robeson sang at Middlebury that Burton will reprise.) The difference is that Burton is highly trained: He earned a bachelor’s degree in music from Oberlin College & Conservatory and a master’s at Yale University’s Institute of Sacred Music. He has won three Grammys — two for Roomful albums and one for his album of Dame Ethel Smyth’s The Prison, a little-known work for bass-baritone, soprano, chorus and orchestra. He also teaches at Vanderbilt University and performs with major orchestras around the U.S. Like Robeson at his Midd appearance, Burton will open with classical pieces by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Aaron Copland and others before presenting traditional spirituals. “The idea that you can sing [spirituals] in the language of classical music — that’s a political message,” Hamberlin said. “It’s a message of connection, that the Black American tradition and the European tradition are connected. And, frankly, it’s one we still need to hear today.” ➆

INFO Dashon Burton and Annemieke Spoelstra McLane perform “Dreaming in the Light: Remembering Paul Robeson,” Friday, October 23, 7:30 p.m., at Robison Concert Hall, Mahaney Arts Center, Middlebury College. $5-30. Larry Hamberlin gives a free introductory talk at 6:15 p.m. middlebury.edu/ events

Projections by Silence_Castor

FESTIVALS

Night Watch Fest Shines Light Into the Darkness BY CECILIA LUCE

COURTESY

The sun will set in Burlington at a disheartening 5:53 p.m. on Saturday, October 24. But 67 minutes later, lasers and projections on Lake Street will become a beacon in the darkness for the inaugural Night Watch. The outdoor light art festival was conceived by Seven Days cofounder Pamela Polston and Alex Reeves, founder of the local “experience design” studio Vanish Works, whose installations have been seen from Lincoln Center to the Church Street Marketplace. For one night only, building façades, courtyards and copses of birch trees will become backdrops for works by light artists from Vermont and Montréal. Local musical acts soundtrack the event. Night Watch happens a week before Halloween and, for more literal-minded folks, the end of daylight saving time on November 1. The festival is also 10 days before the midterm elections on November 3. “There’s so much darkness in the news and strife among neighbors,” Reeves said, adding that a goal of Night Watch is to “lift people’s spirits and show that there’s hope and resistance.” Night Watch producer Polston, who lives in Burlington and retired as Seven Days visual art editor in 2024, said she hopes audiences will consider broad meanings of the event’s tagline: “Artists Dispel the Darkness.” As she noted, “There’s a lot of ways to interpret darkness.” Reeves, the festival’s creative director, said many of the

installations are abstract and invite a variety of understandings. They are also designed to be interactive and sometimes ask viewers to become part of the work. One example is the piece Reeves is creating, inspired by the history of radar technology. Other exhibits include a fire organ performance by Derek Rice, who will play an instrument that shoots flames to accompany each note, and works by Liggy Lights, Aromatic Designs and Natalie Jones. Musical sets by Roost.World, Amelia Devoid and missandri will take place inside Fluffy the bus, a multifloor interactive art car that was designed for the Burning Man event in Nevada. Foam Brewers will serve as festival headquarters and a hub for food and drinks.

Night Watch might be an illuminating commentary on the state of the world. But that might also be beside the point. “It has been said that every work of art is an act of resistance, and I don’t know if that’s literally true. But there’s something magical about bringing light to the darkness,” Polston said. “It’s why we like fireflies.” ➆

INFO Night Watch, Saturday, October 24, 7-11 p.m., at various locations on Lake Street in Burlington. Free. nightwatchfest.com

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COURTESY OF SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT

on screen

Jeremy Allen White plays journalist Jeff Horwitz and Mikey Madison is Facebook engineer Frances Haugen in Aaron Sorkin’s fact-based drama.

REVIEW

The Social Reckoning ★★★

ith technology increasingly controlling every aspect of our lives, it’s no surprise that fall brings a new crop of anxious tech-themed movies. There’s a four-hour documentary about Elon Musk (see sidebar); a much-touted Elizabeth Holmes doc, You Can See Everything (look for that locally on Friday); and Luca Guadagnino’s Sam Altman biopic, Artificial (slated for Christmas release). Meanwhile, Aaron Sorkin revisits the subject of his Oscar-winning screenplay for The Social Network in another drama inspired by tech history. While the 2010 film depicted the origins of Facebook, with Jesse Eisenberg playing founder/CEO Mark Zuckerberg, The Social Reckoning takes us to 2019 and beyond to explore the consequences of a social platform wielding a disturbing amount of cultural power.

The deal

What happens when a disgruntled Facebook employee meets a technophobic Wall Street Journal reporter who’s eager to dig up dirt on Facebook? On paper, anyway, data engineer Frances Haugen (Mikey Madison) and journalist Jeff Horwitz (Jeremy Allen White) are the perfect platonic match. Haugen joined the social giant’s Civic Integrity team because she actually believes in civic integrity. Her disillusionment begins with a Facebook video in which an acquaintance of hers (Portia Doubleday) drunkenly shouts racial slurs at highway patrol. Wondering how her formerly progressive friend became this person, Haugen learns how Facebook nudges the politically disenchanted toward right-wing 50

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extremism. She gathers internal documents suggesting that, by promoting engagement above all else, the social network helped transform U.S. political discourse into a seething stew of conspiracy theories and rage-bait — just in time for a pandemic. Horwitz wants the story, but Haugen is a skittish source: She won’t go on the record, insists on meeting him in odd places (hiking trails, Puerto Rican tiki bars) and mocks his tech illiteracy. By 2021, however, their collaboration will bear fruit, forcing Zuckerberg (Jeremy Strong) into damage control mode as he prepares to testify before a U.S. Senate committee.

Will you like it?

Sometimes you can tell from the first scene that a movie is not going to work. With Disclosure Day, it was that opening at a pro wrestling match — why? The Social Reckoning begins with a too-long prologue that seems designed to rage-bait the audience, as we watch Doubleday’s character goad two polite and exemplary cops. The point about political radicalization is valid, but it already feels belabored before the real story starts. We never learn anything about the troubled psyche of this particular “white girl wasted” (as she’s described), who’s simply a stand-in for the worst person in every comments section. We never learn much about Horwitz, Haugen or Zuckerberg, either. Sorkin’s script paints them in broad strokes: The reporter is dogged; the tech worker is socially awkward; the tech CEO has a robotic affect and cares only about maximizing his company’s value. (Strong does a solid impersonation of Zuckerberg, but

gone are the human aspects that made Eisenberg’s portrayal so engaging.) As The Social Reckoning cuts between Horwitz’s pursuit of the story in 2019 and 2020 and Zuckerberg’s internal prep session in 2021, everyone takes on a clear role in the morality play: Billy Magnusson is Haugen’s cherubically evil boss; Wunmi Mosaku, the amorally competent crisis handler; Bill Burr, the unheeded voice of reason. Though The Social Reckoning is less lecture-driven than some of Sorkin’s work, it’s never less than crystal clear where our sympathies should lie. The film’s saving grace is Madison’s central performance. The Best Actress Oscar winner for Anora doesn’t play Haugen’s quirks for easy laughs, and she makes the cutesy banter with Horwitz entertaining. The intelligence of her line readings gives the whistleblower’s conflict genuine pathos, even as we may roll our eyes at Haugen’s belief that Facebook should be a force for good. Granted, we viewers have watched social media deteriorate since 2021. If Sorkin’s attempts to illustrate the evil effects of Zuckerberg’s products on ordinary Americans feel stagy and ridiculous, that’s partly because we don’t need convincing. While Sorkin can be blamed for his clumsy reenactment of the U.S. Capitol attack of January 6, he can’t be held responsible for a problem inherent to tech movies. It’s extremely tough to dramatize the subtle, long-term interactions of brain and algorithm. Netflix’s “Adolescence” did a decent job of showing how social media can warp a teen’s thinking. But metaphors work even better: Movies such as The Drama and

Obsession resonate because they obliquely address our anxieties about social media pile-ons or incel culture. If nothing else, The Social Reckoning brings more attention to the real Horwitz’s series of exposés in the Journal. And it pinpoints a real problem: When tech billionaires defend their platforms as politically neutral public bulletin boards, as Zuckerberg does in the film, they’re conveniently not mentioning their quest for monetized monopolization of our eyeballs. This weekend, try watching a filmmaker’s tech takedown instead of feeding the online rage cycle. MARGO T HARRI S O N margot@sevendaysvt.com

IF YOU LIKE THIS, TRY… MUSK (2026; at Essex Cinemas as of 10/21): Alex Gibney, maker of such documentaries as The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley (about Holmes) and Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room, offers his take on the billionaire political power broker. Don’t expect it to be flattering. THE SOCIAL NETWORK (2010; Fandango, MGM+, Tubi, YouTube Primetime, rentable): David Fincher directed the multiple Oscar winner that chronicles the start of Facebook, with some fictionalized elements. THE SOCIAL DILEMMA (2020; Netflix): Destined forever to be confused with the two similarly titled dramas, Jeff Orlowski’s documentary tackles the dark side of social media. Watch it for the interviews with real experts, not the cringe-worthy skits featuring actors.

NEW IN THEATERS CLAYFACE: A Hollywood actor (Tom Rhys Harries) becomes the subject of a disturbing experiment in this horror thriller based on the DC Comics character. James Watkins directed. (108 min, R. City Cinema, Essex, Majestic, Marquis, Paramount, Star, Sunset, Welden) WICKER: In a small village, a lonely fisherwoman (Olivia Colman) gets herself a very special husband (Alexander Skårsgard) made of … wicker in this fantastical comedy from Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson. (105 min, R. Essex, Majestic) WILDWOOD: In acclaimed studio Laika’s new fantasy animation, a young girl (voice of Peyton Elizabeth Lee) seeks her missing brother in the wilderness. Travis Knight directed. (132 min, PG-13. Essex, Majestic, Star) YOU CAN SEE EVERYTHING: Maverick filmmaker Nathan Fielder interviews convicted tech fraudster Elizabeth Holmes on her way to prison in this documentary, codirected with Lance Oppenheim. (174 min, R. Essex, Majestic, Savoy)

CURRENTLY PLAYING ANGEL AND THE BADMAN: An injured outlaw (Zachary Levi) tries to start a new life in this remake of the 1947 Western. (105 min, PG-13. Big Picture) CRAWLERS: Spiders terrorize an apartment complex in Ángel Gómez Hernández’s horror flick, starring Matilda Lutz. (81 min, R. Sunset) DIGGERHHH1/2 In this satire from Alejandro G. Iñárritu (Birdman), Tom Cruise plays the world’s most powerful man facing a catastrophe of his own making. (128 min, R. Majestic; reviewed 10/7) FORGOTTEN ISLANDHHH1/2 Two friends get trapped in a world that steals their memories in this DreamWorks animation. (109 min, PG. Majestic) HEART OF THE BEASTHHH1/2 A Special Forces officer (Brad Pitt) and his dog must survive in the Alaskan wilderness in David Ayer’s adventure drama. (101 min, PG-13. Capitol, Majestic, Sunset, Welden) INSIDIOUS: OUT OF THE FURTHERHH1/2 A young mom (Amelia Eve) discovers she has a disturbing connection to the spirit world in this horror sequel. (106 min, PG-13. Sunset) LATE FAMEHHHH An obscure, working-class poet (Willem Dafoe) finds himself unexpectedly celebrated by a group of hipsters in Kent Jones’ comedy-drama. (96 min, NR. Catamount) OTHER MOMMYHH An 8-year-old (Arabella Olivia Clark) has a nice mom and a monstrous one (both Jessica Chastain) in this adaptation of Josh Malerman’s supernatural horror novel. (93 min, R. Bijou, Essex, Majestic, Sunset) PRACTICAL MAGIC 2HHH Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock reprise their roles as sister witches in Susanne Bier’s legacy sequel. (110 min, PG-13. Capitol; reviewed 9/16)

STREET FIGHTERHH Two estranged fighters reunite for a dangerous tournament in this martial-arts action flick based on the video games. (119 min, PG-13. Bijou, City Cinema, Essex, Majestic, Paramount, Star, Stowe, Sunset, Welden) VERITYHH1/2 An author (Dakota Johnson) uncovers sinister doings in Michael Showalter’s adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s thriller. (114 min, R. Bijou, Capitol, Essex, Majestic, Star) WHALEFALLHHH When a grieving diver (Austin Abrams) is swallowed by a whale, he has just one hour to escape in this survival thriller. (106 min, PG-13. Bijou, Capitol, City Cinema, Essex, Majestic, Sunset)

OLDER FILMS AND SPECIAL SCREENINGS AVENGERS: ENDGAME (Big Picture) LIGHTWORKERS (Playhouse, Tue only) THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW (Majestic; Welden, Fri only) SPECIAL VISUAL EFFECTS SERIES WITH GREG BUTLER (Playhouse): SUPERMAN: THE MOVIE (Fri), JURASSIC PARK (Sat), STARSHIP TROOPERS (Sat), THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING — EXTENDED VERSION (Sun), 1917 (Sun) TOY STORY 5 (Welden) VERMONT INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (VTIFF, through Sun) ZOMBIE FUN RUN AND HALLOWEEN FAMILY MOVIES UNDER THE STARS (Sunset, Thu only)

(* = upcoming schedule for theater could not be confirmed at press time) *BIG PICTURE THEATER: 48 Carroll Rd., Waitsfield, 496-8994, bigpicturetheater.info. Closed through 8v-your.indd 2 April 29.

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*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, 8782010, 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. Closed through October 29. PLAYHOUSE MOVIE THEATRE: 11 S. Main St., Randolph, 728-4012, playhouseflicks.com

RESIDENT EVILHHHH Cowriter-director Zach Cregger offers his cinematic take on the zombie horror game franchise. (90 min, R. Essex, Majestic, Sunset; reviewed 9/23)

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

THE SOCIAL RECKONINGHH1/2 Aaron Sorkin wrote and directed this fact-based story of a Facebook engineer (Mikey Madison) who brings the company’s secrets to the press. (112 min, R. Capitol, Essex; reviewed 10/21)

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Streaming on CLASSICHITSVERMONT.com SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 21-28, 2026

Screen Time

art

Solo shows at Dartmouth and St. Mike’s consider screens, nature and understanding in a new era of tech BY A L I CE D O DGE • adodge@sevendaysvt.com

COURTESY PHOTOS

he word “screen” is one of those with deliciously juicy intersections of meaning. It’s a device on which to watch video, read text or do work; it’s also a filter, a barrier that blocks out imperfections and lets the good stuff through. Two shows currently on view — Chris Sollars’ “The Neighbors” at Dartmouth College in Hanover, N.H., and Sebastian Alvarez’s “The Completion Office” in the McCarthy Art Gallery at Saint Michael’s College in Colchester — consider how we use screens and other tech to understand the current moment in ways that also play with multiple meanings. Sollars investigates the natural world surrounding his rural home; Alvarez contemplates the era we’re entering, what will persist and what will get screened out.

CHRIS SOLLARS: ‘THE NEIGHBORS’ On view through November 8 at 0102 Gallery, Black Family Visual Arts Center, Dartmouth College, in Hanover, N.H. Closing reception Saturday, November 7, 4-7 p.m. studioart.dartmouth.edu

Perhaps one of the most striking things about the rural landscape, for a former city dweller, is its loudness. In May, the frog chorus sounds like some kind of deafening experimental synth project. In January, 52

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 21-28, 2026

the air is quiet enough to hear the beat of a passing crow’s wing. With “The Neighbors,” Sollars has created an unusual yet familiar experience of landscape, in part through his ample use of sound. The trill of spring peepers emanates from a rusted steel oil drum the artist found in a creek near his home, tipped over as though discarded on the gallery floor. Field recordings of birdsong play through a speaker made from a forked maple branch. Perhaps strangest of all, a wall-mounted device resembles an analog clock. In place of numbers, a smattering of insects is pinned to its face: ticks pulled from humans and dogs. Nearby, a speaker amplifies the clock’s ticking, overlaid with the slightly sickening sound of the evil creatures’ chomping. Sollars devotes each side of the gallery to a different season. Photos tacked directly to the walls portray flora and fauna, such as a mouse snuggled in the snow, shelves of bright orange mushrooms, a painted turtle. Two crumpled sculptures made from discarded porch screening are mounted high on the walls, as though the barrier between inside and outside has evaporated into clouds. The centerpiece of the exhibition is a four-channel video installation, with a 65-inch TV screen leaning against each of the walls, propped up off the floor by Styrofoam packaging. The effect is to make

Installation view of “Nests” by Chris Sollars

ART SHOWS

Host your next gathering in the Community Room at BCA Studios Perfect for holiday parties, weddings, performances, film screenings, meetings, concerts, and more. Every event supports BCA and our local arts community! Scan for rental rates and details or visit burlingtoncityarts.org From left: A still from “The Neighbors”; “St. Robin” by Chris Sollars P: Renée Greenlee and Michelle Ramirez

the space seem like a living room we’ve just moved into — perhaps a reference to Sollars’ 2024 relocation to the Green Mountain State from San Francisco, where he resided for 20 years. The monitors present seasonal footage from wildlife cameras Sollars installed around his property, which borders protected forestland. In a written statement, the artist says the impulse behind making the piece was “to get to know his new home and neighbors.” What that means — what it is to get to know somewhere and how technology mediates that knowledge — becomes the central question of the show. Visitors watch the videos while sitting on stools made from birch logs. The low vantage and placement of the monitors make it feel as though you’re crouched in a hollow or a duck blind, surveying the terrain. Animals make surprising appearances: A black bear ambles past; a groundhog pops into the frame; a wild turkey vamps, fanning his feathers for the camera. The landscape itself is never still. We see wind whipping snow off branches and rain spreading over a pond. Black-and-white night footage offers ghostly portraits of deer families, a lone coyote, a raccoon with glowing eyes. The videos also carry sound, from chirping robins to crunching fall leaves, which

layer over each other and the other pieces, reinforcing a sense of the outdoors. The accumulation of observations paints an intimate portrait of the place, made possible through the trail cams. A person observing this landscape from within it would likely miss most of what’s going on. Flat as the screens may be, mediating that observation through technology ironically allows for a broader, richer experience of the natural world. The balance between mediation and information also comes through in “Nests,” a sculptural installation of cardboard boxes, each one supporting a found bird’s nest. Looking closely at the boxes’ shipping labels, one realizes that in place of the standard codes and addresses, they carry species names, nest sizes and weights, the bird’s range and habitat, and a QR code for access to more species specifics. The contrast between the ubiquity of shipping boxes and the birds’ unique constructions conveys both the abundance of the nests and their preciousness. One piece in the show tries to use technology to provoke action. A site-survey marker, stuck in a bucket of earth, is engraved with the open-ended question SCREEN TIME

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NEW! Night Protocol at the Seven Daysies party JEB WALLACE-BRODEUR

YOU’RE JUST

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SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 21-28, 2026

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ALICE DODGE

art OCT. 21-28 1 Nat i on al Life Dr. , M on t p el ier VT,

CRAFT

FAIR

OCTOBER 24,

2026

9 A.M.–3 P.M.

Detail of “Relic in Mineral Light” by Elena Ward

T R E AT S , G IF T S , DECOR, ART, S OA P , & MORE

“What’s at Stake?” Visitors are invited to answer it by speaking their thoughts into a cassette field recorder — though what will happen to the comments isn’t immediately clear. According to a student gallery sitter, very few visitors have given it a go. Using tech to observe the environment is, after all, a lot easier than using tech to take the next step toward fixing it.

FREE ENTRY

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COURTESY

SCREEN TIME

SEBASTIAN ALVAREZ: ‘THE COMPLETION OFFICE’ 8v-NationalLife101426.indd 1

TRUE TO THE CONSUMER. TRUE TO THE FARMER. TRUE TO THE ART. 132 Church Street, upstairs

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802.540.1420 Cannabis has not been analyzed or approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For use by individuals 21 years of age or older or registered qualifying patient only. KEEP THIS PRODUCT AWAY FROM CHILDREN AND PETS. DO NOT USE IF PREGNANT OR BREASTFEEDING. Possession or use of cannabis may carry signiﬁcant legal penalties in some jurisdictions and under federal law. It may not be transported outside of the state of Vermont. The effects of edible cannabis may be delayed by two hours or more. Cannabis may be habit forming and can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. Persons 25 years and younger may be more likely to experience harm to the developing brain. It is against the law to drive or operate machinery when under the inﬂuence of this product. National Poison Control Center 1-800-222-1222.

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 21-28, 2026

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Detail of “Computation as Origin” from “Three Regimes of Computation” by Lidia Serra

On view through October 30 at the 9/30/26 10:12 AM McCarthy Art Gallery, Saint Michael’s College, in Colchester. mccarthygallery. smc-artanddesign.space

7/3/23 5:21 PM

Saint Michael’s College was founded by the Edmundites, a Catholic order of brothers with a social justice focus. Today, the Society of St. Edmund has, according to its website, “entered its ‘completion’ phase,” meaning it is no longer accepting new candidates and will eventually die out with the last of its members, who are still attempting to fulfill their mission without ever finishing it. Sebastian Alvarez, a Peruvian artist who lives in Fontecchio, a village in Abruzzo, Italy, takes that idea of completion as his jumping-off point for an exhibition that swirls around the current moment. It’s a show of conceptual works that touch on technology, ecology, institutions and the idea of continuity amid radical change. A four-page curatorial pamphlet provides descriptions and bios of each piece and artist and is wholly necessary for understanding the show. In the center of the gallery, “L’albero morto della conoscenza (The Dead Tree of Knowledge)” is the trunk of an apple tree, suspended above a series of 12 forensic markers — the numbered yellow plastic tent cards that populate crime scenes — printed with text. The piece, which Alvarez attributes to forensic botanist Giulio Ferretti, likens the tree’s structure

to artificial intelligence, asking, according to the pamphlet, “what survives when the structures that carry knowledge become separated from the practices that renew it.” The forensic marker texts pointing out different aspects of this resemblance are quite poetic, making observations such as “AI can continue a sentence without sharing the vulnerability from which the need to speak arose.” The digital and botanical recombine many times in the show, including a series of illustrations by Lidia Serra that incorporate views of a microchip, a circuit board and a Neuralink brain implant with plants and fungus that mirror how they function — parasitically, in the case of the Neuralink. Another work presents the covers of literature foundational to how people who work in Silicon Valley think, laser-etched into blocks of wood. (Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged, R. Buckminster Fuller’s Operating Manual for Spaceship Earth and Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring are among them.) A piece attributed to media archivist Elena Ward considers screens as archaeological objects. “Relic in Mineral Light” runs a video on an LCD screen encased in a glass vitrine. Part animation, part text, the video points out how interactions with

screens are becoming ever more frictionless even as we fail to address the power imbalances and fundamental flaws of the capitalist structures serving up information on them. As one frame points out, “The more complete the image becomes, the easier it is to forget what is missing.” All the works in the show, especially when taken together, prompt the viewer to consider how technology doesn’t always present a full picture. At the very end of the curatorial guide, viewers should read (Shouldn’t we always?) the small-print Terms and Conditions section. In it, the reader is told that the artists to whom the work in the show is attributed are either wholly fictional or amalgamations of existing people and their practices. Alvarez, who claims ultimate responsibility for the works, has done this as a way of acknowledging the many voices, hands and influences on which any studio endeavor ultimately depends, dispelling the myth of the solitary artist in favor of a new way of thinking for a new era. “The distinction between what is invented and what is factual,” he writes, “is therefore not a puzzle to be solved, but part of the exhibition’s inquiry into how authorship, expertise, evidence, and authority are constructed and transferred.” ➆

FIND ALL ART SHOWS + EVENTS AT SEVENDAYSVT.COM/ART

CALLS TO ARTISTS ‘PERFECTLY SQUARED’: An invitation to artists working in all mediums to submit up to four works for a holiday exhibition and sale celebrating creativity and benefiting the organization. Artwork must measure 12 by 12 inches, including any frame, and be ready to hang and priced at $250 or less; artists receive 70 percent of sale price. Deadline: November 1. River Arts, Morrisville. Free. ‘SMALL WORKS’: Now accepting submissions of up to six works of art per artist for the annual holiday exhibition of artwork measuring 12 inches or less. All works accepted. Submit via the online form at spacegalleryvt.com. Deadline: October 25. The S.P.A.C.E. Gallery, Burlington. $6 per piece; $5 for members.

OPENINGS + RECEPTIONS CHAMPLAIN VALLEY QUILT GUILD: A show of works by members of the guild, which has been active for 46 years, at all levels of experience and using various techniques including patchwork, appliqué, and machine- and hand-quilting. Emile A. Gruppe Gallery, Jericho, through November 15.

NATHAN CATLIN: “Fever Dream,” works inspired by comic books, tattoo art and classical paintings. Reception: Friday, October 23, 5-6:30 p.m. Extra Special With Cheese, Burlington, October 23-November 28.

ARTIST TALK: RACHEL AND JIM JORDAN: A conversation between the two painters, who share a studio and a monthly critique group but arrive at painting from opposite directions. AVA Gallery and Art Center, Lebanon, N.H., Thursday, October 22, 5:30 p.m. Free.

‘WARP & WEFT’: Works in fiber by members of the collective, as well as several looms on display in the gallery. Reception: Friday, October 23, 4-6 p.m. Memphremagog Arts Collaborative, Newport, October 23-December 31. VERMONT STATE UNIVERSITY FACULTY EXHIBITION: The inaugural exhibition from faculty at the Castleton, Johnson and Lyndon campuses, featuring work in a range of media including drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, mixed media, video and ceramics. Reception: Saturday, October 24, 1-3 p.m. Vermont State UniversityCastleton Bank Gallery, Rutland, through December 12.

VISUAL ART EVENTS OPEN STUDIO: A guided meditation followed by an hour of art making in any medium and concluding with a share-and-witness process. Many art materials available. In person and online. Expressive Arts Burlington, Thursday, October 22, 12:30-2:30 p.m. By donation. ARTIST TALK: BIRA VANARA: “The Narratives of Nature,” a Howard E. Woodin Environmental Studies Colloquium Series talk by the mixed-media artist, who discusses the way we perceive our relationship to the natural world. Franklin Environmental Center

GET YOUR ART SHOW LISTED HERE AND ONLINE!

PROMOTING AN ART EXHIBIT? SUBMIT THE INFO AND IMAGES BY THURSDAY AT NOON AT SEVENDAYSVT.COM/POSTEVENT OR ART@SEVENDAYSVT.COM.

PORTRAIT DRAWING AND PAINTING: A drop-in event where artists can practice skills in any medium. T.W. Wood Museum, Montpelier, Monday, October 26, 10 a.m.-noon. Free; $15 suggested donation.

at Hillcrest, Middlebury College, Thursday, October 22, 12:40-1:30 p.m. Free.

LIFE DRAWING AND PAINTING: A drop-in event for artists working with the figure from a live model. T.W. Wood Museum, Montpelier, Thursday, October 22, 7-9 p.m. Free; $15 suggested donation. ‘NIGHT WATCH’: An outdoor light art festival featuring 10 artists from Vermont and Montréal who dispel the darkness with a showcase of light projections, installations and videos. Also featuring Fluffy (a Burning Man artcar); music by Roost.World, Amelia Devoid and Missandri; and food at and between Main Street Landing and Foam Brewers on Lake Street. Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington, Saturday, October 24, 7-11 p.m. Free. 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, October 25, 1-3 p.m. Free.

But wait, there’s more!

Additional art listings are on view at sevendaysvt.com/art. Find all the calls to artists, ongoing art shows and future events online.

MINDFUL ART MAKING SERIES: An opportunity to play and explore a variety of art materials or continue working with your own practice with new art-making techniques. No experience needed; all supplies are provided. Montgomery Center for the Arts, Sunday, October 25, 1-3 p.m. $15.

VISUAL ART IN SEVEN DAYS:

EXQUISITE CORPSE WORKSHOP: A collaborative surrealist game, hosted by art history professor Sarah Parrish and held in conjunction with the exhibition “A Place Visited Only in Dreams”, in which participants add to hidden drawings. AVA Gallery and Art Center, Lebanon, N.H., Wednesday, October 28, 4-6 p.m. Free; donations accepted. ➆

ART LISTINGS ARE WRITTEN BY ALICE DODGE. LISTINGS ARE RESTRICTED TO ART SHOWS IN TRULY PUBLIC PLACES.

= ONLINE EVENT OR EXHIBIT

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music+nightlife

Burial Woods

S UNDbites News and views on the local music + nightlife scene B Y CHRI S FARNS W O RT H • farnsworth@sevendaysvt.com

Vermont’s Electronic Heart: Circuits in the Woods Festival Returns to Brattleboro

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 21-28, 2026

COURTESY

I had this dream once — though it may have been an elaborate acid flashback that coincided with a nap — where I was trying to find my way out of Burlington’s Centennial Woods, following my late grandfather’s dog Fritz. I had lost my way in the forest, and it was dark out, with a sky full of stars blinking like annoying Christmas lights, but I was sure Fritz knew the way back to the parking lot. It was hard to concentrate on the path: The trees were pulsing with neon colors and issued a drawn-out, sonorous B-minor chord that eased into an unrelenting F-sharp major. It felt like I was living inside a RYUICHI SAKAMOTO composition, with the sounds turning to colors and bleeding into the dirt and leaves around me. The synthetic world was merging with the natural one, a dream version of the Anthropocene. I awoke with an odd sense of discovery and said as much to my therapist later that day. “I think I was hearing what Vermont actually sounds like,” I told her. “Vermont sounds like BEATRICE DILLON, a little bit.” My therapist is over hearing this kind of stuff. I can tell because she makes this weird clicking sound in the back of her throat whenever I bring up things like acid house music or my theory that, in a better timeline, the debut TRAVELING WILBURYS album would have ended the concept of war.

Emergency Group

“Remember when I asked you to refrain from mentioning obscure bands and then acting shocked when I don’t know who you’re talking about?” she replied. “Beatrice Dillon, though?!”

“Yeah, so this is what I’m talking about.” “TANGERINE DREAM, then. Maybe ULTRAVOX?” “Please stop naming things. Let’s talk about your grandfather’s dog.”

“Right, but Beatrice Dillon makes electronic music, super spatial, lots of computer sounds and polyrhythms, and I’m, like, 90 percent sure that my dream was confirming that if we as people could actually hear the vibrations and sounds of the physical land of Vermont, it would sound very much like ‘Basho’ by Beatrice Dillon.” She just made the clicking sound again, but louder. While my therapist didn’t agree with my interpretation of the dream, I can tell you someone who does dig my theory: WENDY M. LEVY. “I’ve never liked this notion that Vermont is some kind of anachronistic place full of hicks,” Levy said. “In actuality, there are a lot of times when Vermont is actually so far ahead of the curve, no one knows what to make of us. Our relationship and history with electronic music is a perfect example.” Levy would know. She’s a longtime DJ and the president of Bellows Falls. (More towns need lofty positions like this, in my opinion. I would make an excellent duke of Colchester, just saying.) She’s also a journalist who has written for the Brattleboro independent paper the Commons, where she helped uncover Vermont’s somewhat obscure role in the history of electronic music. And she’s curating the second annual Circuits in the Woods festival this Saturday, October 24. The all-day celebration of the Green Mountains’ electronic sounds takes place across downtown Brattleboro, at the Marigold bar and café, the Wonky Press screenprint shop, Turn It Up! record store, and Tavernier Chocolates. The big lineup of electronic, experimental, ambient and psych-rock music features experimental hip-hop duo DÄLEK, noise rockers EMERGENCY GROUP, Burlington darkwave artist BURIAL WOODS, electronic artist NIGHTMOTHER, psych-folk act SUNBURNED HAND OF THE MAN and many more. “When we launched Circuits in the Woods last year, a lot of people thought it was maybe an EDM festival,” Levy said. “It’s not — the common denominator is that the artists are using electronics somewhere in their performance. But I’m a free-form radio DJ; I know how many shades and genres there are. So I wanted to highlight as many corners of this world as I could.” Through her reporting, Levy had already learned of the area’s role in the advent of electronic music. She’s written about HARALD BODE, a German engineer who moved to Brattleboro in 1950 to work at the Estey Organ Company and invented the first modular synthesizer; SOUNDBITES

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GOT MUSIC NEWS? MUSIC@SEVENDAYSVT.COM

Kevin Barnes

On the Beat It was a bit of a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it cameo, but OF MONTREAL’s KEVIN BARNES briefly lived in southern Vermont. While he wasn’t there long enough to make a record as a Green Mountain resident, the indie-rock chameleon moved to the Marlboro area in 2024 with his thenfiancée, musician CHRISTINA SCHNEIDER, aka LOCATE S,1. Barnes wasn’t about that Vermont life, though, judging by the songs on his latest LP, aethermead. He said adios to Vermont at the beginning of 2026, following his split with Schneider, and embarked on what the press release for the album, his 20th, calls his “Brooklyn era.” “I tried to make it out there, but it’s difficult if you’re not made from the right stock,” Barnes wrote in the press release, describing his time in Vermont. “I couldn’t really function.” He was less kind on the aethermead track “Dismissal Mosaics,” a forlorn breakup tune. “Surely, you knew me well enough to know / that I’d want to be a star in New York, not a hick in Vermont,” he sang. When I listened to the track, I got flashbacks to the VACANT LOTS’ 2011 interview in which the band said, “Fuck you, Burlington” before departing for New York, much like Barnes. Am I overreacting? Probably. Barnes was hardly here, and his album is a breakup record, so bitterness is sort of the default mood. But look, man, if you can’t find your artistic place in the super-

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Listening In (Spotify mix of local jams)

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10/20/26 10:26 AM

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vibrant Brattleboro music scene, you don’t really know how to look. Local pride aside, aethermead is a decent breakup record. It just wasn’t meant to be between Vermont and Barnes. I guess us hicks will have to make do with our absolutely killer music scene. Speaking of which... ON THE BEAT

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NOVEMBER 7, 7:30

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music+nightlife Soundbites « P.56 and JON APPLETON, a Dartmouth College professor and inventor who helped develop the Synclavier in the early 1970s. But her inspiration for Circuits in the Woods came from a pair of back-to-back shows highlighting local electronic artists at Stage 33 Live in Bellows Falls and Nova Arts in Keene, N.H. “There were so many incredible electronic and experimental musicians from here,” she said. “I thought to myself, We need to do something with all of this talent and all of this history.” With the help of volunteers, including Nova Arts programming director ERIC GAGNE, Levy launched the festival in 2025. For her first attempt at producing a music fest, she kept her expectations low.

“I told myself last year that if things to see the performance by YOU DON’T NOMI, went well, people showed up and it a tribute to the late German singer and didn’t actually drive me insane, well, performance artist KLAUS NOMI. we’d have to do it again,” she said. “And “We’ve got heavy psych. We’ve got that’s what happened! We sold out, we power pop, yacht rock, serious ambient didn’t lose money, stuff, experimental, everything even freak folk ... A started on time, person would be and folks seemed hard-pressed to to really love it.” not find something This year’s to intrigue them,” highlights include Levy said. the return of the I mentioned my popular Synth dream-inspired Petting Zoo, theory of Vermont’s W E ND Y M. L E VY organized by beating electronic Rockingham musician TREVOR ROBINSON heart, and, indeed, Levy had my back. at Turn It Up! records. People can try Who needs a therapist? (Me, actually. If out a range of electronic instruments you read this, Dana, don’t dump me. I and maybe awaken their own inner value your work.) ambient producer. Levy is also excited “There is some serious juju at work

A PERSON WOULD BE HARD-PRESSED TO NOT FIND SOMETHING TO INTRIGUE THEM.

in the area,” Levy said, pointing out the possible geographical advantages of southern Vermont. “The Abenaki knew how important it was. Any spot like Brattleboro that sits at the confluence of two rivers, like the Connecticut and the West River, there’s going to be something in the air.” Whether you’re interested in Vermont’s decades-long history with electronic music or simply want to see some industrial darkwave in an artisan chocolate shop, there’s nothing out there quite like Circuits in the Woods. ➆

INFO Circuits in the Woods, Saturday, October 24, 1-11:30 p.m., at various locations in downtown Brattleboro. $40 festival pass; individual tickets at each venue are pay what you can. circuitsvt.org

A slew of new singles from Vermont artists hit my inbox in recent weeks. First up is Burlington indie-rock outfit the EYETRAPS. On October 13, the band released “Every Word,” a crunchy yet dreamy piece of power pop that falls somewhere between a rocker and a ballad, with shifting dynamics and jagged stabs of distorted guitars. The song is an early look at the band’s debut full-length, due out later this year, and follows its excellent 2025 selftitled EP. Give it a listen at theeyetraps. bandcamp.com. Singer-songwriter SEAN HOOD, aka

single, “This Is It,” released on Sunday. The tune finds the Winooski troubadour in full ’70s AM Gold heartbreak mode, and I’m here for it. “Nobody told me that a heart could break,” Hood sings. “On second thought, they did. / I’ve heard it told so many ways, / I’m certain this is it.” It’s the first glimpse at the forthcoming Eastern Mountain Time record, produced by fellow singer-songwriter ERIC GEORGE at the Underground in Randolph and mastered by MADAILA’s JER COONS at his studio in Jericho. “This Is It” is streaming now at easternmountaintime.bandcamp.com.

LUKE AWTRY

EASTERN MOUNTAIN TIME, is back with a new

On the Beat « P.57

The Eyetraps

C HR I S FA R N S WO R T H

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Blaque Dynamite at Nectar’s in June 2025

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B Y CH RI S FARN S W O R TH • farnsworth@sevendaysvt.com MATTHEW THORSEN

The space that hosted legendary Burlington music venue Nectar’s for nearly 50 years might open its doors again soon. Whether it will do so under the name Nectar’s remains to be seen. As reported by WCAX-TV last Thursday, businessman and nightclub owner Shawn Cliche has submitted zoning applications for a new business at 188 Main Street, the building that was once the epicenter of the Queen City music scene. Nectar’s permanently closed last summer after months of speculation about its future. Its owners cited a combination of factors, including downtown construction, high rent and a changing live-music ecosystem. Cliche said he hopes to “activate all three floors” of the building to bring live music back to the place that helped launch the careers of Phish and Grace Potter. That would be a welcome relief to the Burlington music scene, which has lost several notable venues in recent years, most recently Radio Bean in September. “It’s all still very early in the process,” Cliche said by phone, preaching patience. “It’s been great to see how much excitement and energy there is around bringing something back to that space, but we’ve got a ways to go still. I really hope we can do something special.” Cliche has opened and operated multiple venues in several states over the past 30 years, including a controversial South Burlington strip club called Club Fantasy in 1995. He still awaits zoning approval for the new venture and does not own the Nectar’s brand — nor does building owner Joe Handy. The club was last owned and operated by concert

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Kick off your day in rockin’ style with Greg & The Morning Buzz—New England’s #1 weekday morning show. Jam out with Betty B’s Lucky Lunch, then let House & Hammer ride shotgun on the drive home!

Chill

promoter Ed Maier and a silent partner, but Maier stepped away in early 2025. Former Nectar’s general manager Tyler Nettleton told Seven Days last year that he and the owners were looking at several options to bring back the club in some form, but there’s been no news on that front. While Cliche said “it would be great” to bring the Nectar’s brand back to downtown Burlington, it’s too early to know the likelihood of acquiring the name. The brand’s current owners declined to comment. ➆

Hits

Ease back and sing along.

Start the day smiling with The TJ Show, then settle into the Champlain Valley’s handpicked diverse mix of feel-good hits from the ’80s to today.

Listen Anywhere!

APPLE

ANDROID

2V-GreatEastern100726.indd 1

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 21-28, 2026

10/6/26 1:43 PM

PHOTOS: LUKE AWTRY

AUDITIONS NOW OPEN! YOUTH TALENT SHOW FOR

VERMONT’S RISING STARS

Calling all budding performers! Do you know a singer, dancer, magician, comedian or other showstopper?

SPONSORED BY

It’s time to audition for the 13th annual Kids VT Spectacular Spectacular! The top 20 acts will perform in a live showcase on Sunday, December 6, at Higher Ground in South Burlington. Performers must be between the ages of 5 and 16 and live in Vermont. DEADLINE: Upload 2-minute audition videos by 10 p.m. on October 25 at sevendaysvt.com/talent-show.

WITH MEDIA SUPPORT FROM

QUESTIONS? Contact Julia Maguire: 802-865-1020, ext 110 or julia@sevendaysvt.com.

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 21-28, 2026

1T-SpecSpec093026.indd 1

10/20/26 9:48 AM

music+nightlife

CLUB DATES live music WED.21

Beatrice Anne, Odin Scott Coleman, Danny & the Parts (indie) at Monkey House, Winooski, 8 p.m. $10. Bluegrass Nights (bluegrass) at Foam Brewers, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free. The Can Handlers (folk rock) at the Tunbridge General Store, 5 p.m. Free. The Dulce Duo (folk) at Four Quarters Brewing, Winooski, 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.

Tapping Season Fretboard fanatics have been losing their

TURNmusic Presents: Jake Whitesell Quartet (jazz) at the Phoenix, Waterbury, 7:30 p.m. $15-$30.

a teenager. After picking up a six-string when he was just 13 years old, the British

Wild Leek River (country, bluegrass) at Foam Brewers, Burlington, 8 p.m. Free.

Columbia native went on to win first place at the Canadian Fingerstyle Guitar

SAT.24

minds over Canadian fingerstyle guitar virtuoso CALUM GRAHAM since his debut as

Calum Graham (fingerstyle guitar) at the Community Room at BCA Studios, Burlington, 8 p.m. $25.

Competition in 2010. A few years later, Acoustic Guitar magazine put Graham in the spotlight once again as part of its “30 Under 30” list of the world’s top guitarists. With dazzling technical skill, Graham employs a percussive style of playing that

Circuits in the Woods (electronic) at Marigold, Brattleboro, 1 p.m. $40.

incorporates elements of folk, world music, blues and soul. He performs at BCA Studios in Burlington on Saturday, October 24.

The Cold Creek Pickers (country, bluegrass) at Shelburne Vineyard, 6 p.m. Free.

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

D. Treut’s Gates at the Mill ADK, Westport, N.Y., 7 p.m. $25.

Organ Fairchild (Grateful Dead tribute) at Zenbarn, Waterbury Center, 7 p.m. $12.

DJ Kanga, Mavstar, Big Homie Wess, DJ Gata (hip-hop, reggaeton) at Sabor 593, Winooski, 8 p.m. Free.

We’re Here! to Kill, Eevie Echoes and the Locations, Psych Ward Disco, Burly Girlies (punk) at Burlington Odd Fellows, 7 p.m. $10. Will Evans (singer-songwriter) at Field Guide Lodge, Stowe, 5 p.m. $35-$75. Zack DuPont (singer-songwriter) at Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge, Burlington, 8 p.m. Free.

SUN.25

Carsie Blanton, the Burning Hell (folk) at Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $35. Chicky Stoltz (folk, blues) at Lawson’s Finest Liquids, Waitsfield, 3 p.m. Free. Dead Men Strumming (Grateful Dead tribute) at Shelburne Vineyard, 1 p.m. Free.

Django Soulo (folk) at Moogs Place, Morrisville, 8 p.m. $10.

Evan Honer, Zach Seabaugh (singer-songwriter) at Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington, 8 p.m. $26.

East Nash Grass (bluegrass) at Zenbarn, Waterbury Center, 8 p.m. $20/$25.

Haggis X-1 (Celtic, rock) at Stone Church, Brattleboro, 6 p.m. $31/$36.

Charlie Schramm (singersongwriter) at Shelburne Vineyard, 6 p.m. Free.

Ella Aslin, Eireann & Tarin of Glam Cowboys (folk, pop) at Clubhouse Commons, Montpelier, 7 p.m. $10.

In Good Company (jazz) at Shelburne Vineyard, 5 p.m. Free.

CombustOmatics (rock) at Black Flannel Brewing & Distilling, Essex, 6 p.m. Free.

Jesse Agan (covers) at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction, 5 p.m. Free.

Dana and Alden, Alex Amen (jazz) at Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $25.

Justice 3 (covers) at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction, 9 p.m. Free.

Skeleton Crewe (Grateful Dead tribute) at Stone Church, Brattleboro, 8 p.m. $44/$55.

THU.22

Carsie Blanton, the Burning Hell (folk) at Stone Church, Brattleboro, 8 p.m. SOLD OUT.

Lamplight, hemlock & Fowl (indie folk) at Monkey House, Winooski, 8 p.m. $10.

Dead Gowns, Helenor, Paper Castles (indie) at Monkey House, Winooski, 7 p.m. Free.

Lewis Franco (folk) at the Whammy Bar, Calais, 7 p.m. Free.

Funk Jam (funk) at the 126, Burlington, 9 p.m. Free.

Lost Ape (rock) at Switchback Beer Garden & Smokehouse, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

Gaelic Storm (Celtic) at Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $29.

Mario Giordano (indie) at CharlieO’s World Famous, Montpelier, 8:30 p.m. Free.

Laura Fedele-Rasco (covers) at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction, 6 p.m. Free. Lincoln Sprague (piano) at Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge, Burlington, 5 p.m. Free.

Mario With the Blue Eyes (singer-songwriter) at Charlie-O’s World Famous, Montpelier, 8:30 p.m. Free.

SAT.24 // CALUM GRAHAM [FINGERSTYLE GUITAR] COURTESY

Rusty K Boose (bluegrass) at Shelburne Vineyard, 6 p.m. Free. Samuel Mobio (indie) at CharlieO’s World Famous, Montpelier, 8 p.m. Free. Tom Cleary, Allison Mann, John LaRouche (jazz) at Haybarn Restaurant and Lounge, Plainfield, 6 p.m. Donations.

FRI.23

Beck David Collective (rock) at Shelburne Vineyard, 7 p.m. Free. Blake Matteson (singersongwriter) at 1st Republic Brewing, Essex, 6 p.m. Free. Blue Northern (blues) at the Alchemist, Stowe, 4 p.m. Free. Bow Thayer: Album Release for Ninevah (live music) at the SEABA Center, Burlington, 7 p.m. $15/$20.

Breanna Elaine (singersongwriter) at Poultney Pub, 6 p.m. Free.

Haunting Titans (psych rock) at Charlie-O’s World Famous, Montpelier, 8:30 p.m. Free.

Shane Murley Band (folk) at Two Heroes Brewery & Public House, South Hero, 6 p.m. Free.

Chartarum, Skinhynger, Germanic Iron (metal) at Burlington Odd Fellows, 7 p.m. $10.

The Jeff Salisbury Band (blues) at Jericho Café & Tavern, 7 p.m. Free.

Shanty Rats (sea shanties) at the Whammy Bar, Calais, 6 p.m. Free.

Dead Man Strumming (Grateful Dead tribute) at River Roost Brewery, White River Junction, 5 p.m. Free. Driftwood, the Mallett Brothers Band (Americana, folk rock) at Zenbarn, Waterbury Center, 8 p.m. $20/$25. The EDD, Liquid Light, Jime Time (jam) at Stone Church, Brattleboro, 8 p.m. $21/$26.

John Prine Tribute Concert (tribute) at Unitarian Church of Montpelier, 7 p.m. $10.

Sibling Reverie (covers) at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction, 5 p.m. Free.

Kyle Stevens (acoustic) at Gusto’s, Barre, 6 p.m. Free.

Sift, Clive, Moondogs (jam) at Einstein’s Tap House, Burlington, 8 p.m. $10.

The Lost Faculty (folk) at Stowe Cider, 5 p.m. Free.

Sweet Val (rock) at the Old Post, South Burlington, 8 p.m. Free.

Mario With the Blue Eyes (singer-songwriter) at the Wild Fern, Stockbridge, 7 p.m. $20.

Told Slant, h.pruz, Francie Medosch (indie rock) at Monkey House, Winooski, 8 p.m. $12/$15.

McMaple (covers) at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction, 9 p.m. Free.

Night Watch (electronic) at Foam Brewers, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free. Nik Parr & the Selfless Lovers (roots rock) at Stone Church, Brattleboro, 8 p.m. $25/$31. Oktoberfest with Inseldudler (singer-songwriter) at Two Heroes Brewery & Public House, South Hero, 6 p.m. Free. Phillip Hyjek Trio (jazz) at Jericho Café & Tavern, 7 p.m. Free. Ramblin’ Dan Stevens (singersongwriter) at the Den at Harry’s Hardware, Cabot, 7 p.m. Free. Ryan Sweezey (singersongwriter) at Stowe Cider, 4 p.m. Free. The Soggy Po Boys (folk) at Afterthoughts, Waitsfield, 8 p.m. $10.

Mowgli Giannitti (folk, jazz) at Foam Brewers, Burlington, 1 p.m. Free. Political Prom with Amanda Janoo, Hammydown, Marxist Jargon, DJ Zamphere (indie, fundraiser) at Monkey House, Winooski, 6:30 p.m. $10. Seth Yacovone (acoustic) at the Alchemist, Stowe, 4 p.m. Free. Sunday Brunch Tunes (singersongwriter) at Hotel Vermont, Burlington, 10 a.m. Wine & Jazz Sundays (jazz) at Shelburne Vineyard, 5 p.m. Free.

TUE.27

Allison Russell, Autumn Nicholas (folk) at Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington, 7 p.m. $31. Big Easy Tuesdays with Jon McBride (jazz) at the 126, Burlington, 9 p.m. Free. Brass Against (rock, brass) at Stone Church, Brattleboro, 8 p.m. $25/$31. Bruce Sklar (jazz) at Lawson’s Finest Liquids, Waitsfield, 5:30 p.m. Free. Dead Is Alive with Dobbs’ Dead (Grateful Dead tribute) at Einstein’s Tap House, Burlington, 8 p.m. $15.

WED.28

Bluegrass Nights (bluegrass) at Foam Brewers, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free. Cricket Blue & Friends Play ‘Over the Garden Wall’ (folk, tribute) at Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington, 7 p.m. $15. Dobbs’ Dead (Grateful Dead tribute) at Zenbarn, Waterbury Center, 7 p.m. $10. LIVE MUSIC

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 21-28, 2026

» P.63 61

music+nightlife

REVIEW this We’re Here! to Kill, God Hates We’re Here! to Kill (SELF-RELEASED, CD, DIGITAL)

Here’s something that feels incredibly fitting: The first track on an album from a band called We’re Here! to Kill has the refrain “We all deserve to die!” That rager, titled “Glory,” kicks off a ferocious collection of punk and alt-rock bangers that make up the Burlington band’s wonderfully chaotic debut. It might sound like a “no duh” kind of sentiment, but God Hates We’re Here! to Kill is a seriously pissed-off record. Sure, punk is rarely sunny, but this is an album brimming with fury. The band takes on late-stage capitalism on “Worth It,” with covocalist Teagan Cook bellowing, “You built a monument to your father’s father’s dream / A man who wanted to keep kids in factories.” “Guillotine” is pretty much exactly

what you’d expect, an anthem for lopping off fascist heads, all set to churning power chords from guitarists Fisher Wagg and Emma Rossignol and pounding, explosive drums from Riley Rae Burridge. Cook and Wagg trade lead singer duties, often mid-song. The contrasting tones and styles link up seamlessly, with both able to alternate between melody and screaming rage. The band mirrors that relationship sonically, moving from more lighthearted pop-punk terrain on tunes such as “In Advance” to the surfy-camp style of the Cramps on “With Hammers” to more hardcore-adjacent riffage on “Presidents Day.” While it’s not unusual for a punk band to channel multiple influences and substyles of the genre, not many do it this well. We’re Here! to Kill encapsulate

many of the best traits of good punk — laser-tight dynamics, anthemic choruses, big guitars and snarling politics married to a sense of humor — in one raging, screaming package. If God Hates We’re Here! to Kill were just a testament to political rage, it would still be a good listen. But the band doesn’t take itself too seriously. “With Hammers” features such lyrics as “Things have gotten bad this week / I’ve started drinking my own urine” and “You like Huey Lewis and the News? I’m into murder and executions mostly.”

“Water Under the Bridge” opens with a massive guitar riff before Cook describes a host of situations that drive her to murderous thoughts, such as a fantasy of drowning her boss after he bragged about his wealth. “Instead of pulling myself up by my bootstraps, all I can imagine is dragging him into the river with me, man. / But I guess it’s all just water under the bridge.” We’re Here! to Kill have announced themselves to the scene with a strong, cohesive debut record capturing their many punk sides. The album drops on Saturday, October 24, on major streaming services. It’s also available on CD, which can be purchased at the release show the same day at Burlington Odd Fellows. CHRIS FARNSWORTH

GET YOUR MUSIC REVIEWED: ARE YOU A VT ARTIST OR BAND? SEND US YOUR MUSIC! DIGITAL: MUSIC@SEVENDAYSVT.COM; SNAIL MAIL: MUSIC C/O SEVEN DAYS, 255 S. CHAMPLAIN ST., SUITE 5, BURLINGTON, VT 05401

A H T I W T S I L A PLAY

. W E I V F O POINT From today’s discoveries to the songs you’ve loved for decades, The Point brings together alternative, singer-songwriter, indie, Americana and classic rock. No boundaries. No boxes. Just great music, chosen for people who listen.

A LT E R N AT IV E

SINGER-SONGWRITE

A M ER IC A N A

IN D IE

C LA SS IC R O C K

WNCS / 104.7

VERMONT INDEPENDENT RADIO

Stream at PointFM.com

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 21-28, 2026

2H-ThePoint102126.indd 1

10/15/26 11:40 AM

live music

comedy

WED.28 CONTINUED FROM P.61

WED.21

$5 Improv Night (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 7 p.m. $5.

Halloween on the Rocks with the VSO (classical) at Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge, Burlington, 7 p.m. $15.

THU.22

Sam Jay (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 6:30 p.m. $25.

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

FRI.23

Justin Martin (singer-songwriter) at Two Heroes Brewery & Public House, South Hero, 6 p.m. Free.

Bob Marley (comedy) at Paramount Theatre, Rutland, 7:30 p.m. $40/$45.

Michael Perry (singer-songwriter) at Four Quarters Brewing, Winooski, 7 p.m. Free.

Pet Store: A Live Sitcom (comedy) at Off Center for the Dramatic Arts, Burlington, 7 p.m. $10.

The Theta Waves Trio (rock) at the Tunbridge General Store, 5 p.m. Free.

Sam Jay (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 6:30 p.m. $25.

Tyler Daniel Bean, Jack M. Senff & the Heartland Mission, Yabai! (rock) at Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $12.

SAT.24

Improv Night (comedy) at Grange Hall Cultural Center, Waterbury Center, 7:30 p.m. $10.

djs

Natasha’s Brian’s Nic’s Little Treasures Halloween Show (comedy) at Standing Stone Wines, Winooski, 7 p.m. Free.

THU.22

Thirsty Thursday (DJ) at Rí Rá Irish Pub & Whiskey Room, Burlington, 10 p.m. Free.

Sam Jay (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 6:30 & 8:30 p.m. $25.

Two Sev, JP Black, Rubi, Chaston (DJ) at Red Square, Burlington, 8 p.m. Free.

TUE.27

All That Jazz Open Mic Comedy (comedy) at the 126, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

Vinyl Night (DJ) at Poultney Pub, 6 p.m. Free. Vinyl Thursdays (DJ) at Hotel Vermont, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

FRI.23

DJ Taka (DJ) at Standing Stone Wines, Winooski, 11 p.m. $10. Ecstatic Dance Vermont (DJ) at Capital City Grange, Berlin, 7 p.m. $10 donation. Friday Night at Specs (DJ) at Specs Cafe & Bar, Winooski, 7 p.m. Free.

COURTESY

DJ 2Rivers (DJ) at Gusto’s, Barre, 9 p.m. Free.

FRI.23 // WILD LEEK RIVER [COUNTRY, BLUEGRASS]

The Grass Is Always Bluer The Vermont music scene has a

long legacy of all things twangy. The Green Mountains are alive with the sound of fiddles and banjos and boot-stomping bluegrass, and one of the modern leading lights in the genre

Two Sev, Lucky Luc, Ron Stoppable, Burly Bear, Xavier (DJ) at Red Square, Burlington, 5 p.m. Free.

outlaw country and breezy Americana, making for a rollicking live show. The band was a

SAT.24

fixture at Radio Bean’s popular Honky Tonk Tuesday series before the Burlington venue

Burlington Blackout (EDM) at Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $23. Cheetatah’s Haunted Jungle Dance Party (DJ) at the Big Picture Theater & Café, Waitsfield, 8 p.m. $10. Crypt Goth Night (goth DJ) at Bent Nails Roadhouse, Middlesex, 8 p.m. Free. DJ Big Dog (DJ) at Thingz From Yaad, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free. DJ OH-J Freshhh (DJ) at Gusto’s, Barre, 9 p.m. Free. Spooky Perreo (DJ) at Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington, 9 p.m. $20.

TUE.27

Bashment Tuesday (DJ) at Akes’ Place, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free. Local Dork (DJ) at Foam Brewers, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

Trivia Night (trivia) at 1st Republic Brewing, Essex, 6 p.m. Free.

are WILD LEEK RIVER. The northern Vermont quintet has a classic roots sound woven with

closed, but you can catch its members back in the Queen City on Friday, October 23, at Foam Brewers. WED.28

DJ Blanchface (DJ) at Foam Brewers, Burlington, 5:30 p.m. Free.

open mics & jams WED.21

Jazz Jam (jazz) at the 126, Burlington, 9 p.m. Free. Jazz Jam with Nina Towne (jazz) at the Phoenix, Waterbury, 6 p.m. $10. Open Mic (open mic) at Poultney Pub, 7 p.m. Free. Open Mic (open mic) at Bent Nails Roadhouse, Middlesex, 7 p.m. Free.

Poetry Open Mic (open mic) at Standing Stone Wines, Winooski, 7 p.m. Free.

THU.22

Open Mic (open mic) at the Whammy Bar, Calais, 7 p.m. Free.

SUN.25

Olde Time Jam Session (open jam) at the Den at Harry’s Hardware, Cabot, noon. Free.

MON.26

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.

Open Mic (open mic) at Stone Corral, Richmond, 7 p.m. Free. Open Mic Variety Extravaganza (open mic) at the Hive on Pine, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

TUE.27

trivia, karaoke, etc.

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. Karaoke with Lucy Goosey (karaoke) at Afterthoughts, Waitsfield, 9 p.m. Free. Pole 2 Pole with Emoji Nightmare (drag) at Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington, 8 p.m. $26.50.

SAT.24

Queeraoke with Lizzie Murderz (karaoke) at Standing Stone Wines, Winooski, 9 p.m. Free.

SUN.25

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.26

Retro Game Night (gaming) at the Den at Harry’s Hardware, Cabot, 6 p.m. Free.

Trivia Monday with Top Hat Entertainment (trivia) at McKee’s Original, Winooski, 7 p.m. Free.

WED.21

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.22

Country Line Dancing (line dancing) at Zenbarn, Waterbury Center, 7:30 p.m. Free. Karaoke (karaoke) at Gusto’s, Barre, 8 p.m. Free.

Doug’s Open Mic (open mic) at Two Heroes Brewery & Public House, South Hero, 6 p.m. Free.

Karaoke Friday Night (karaoke) at Park Place Tavern & Grill, Essex Junction, 8 p.m. Free.

WED.28

Karaoke in the Alley (karaoke) at Red Square, Burlington, 8 p.m. Free.

Open Mic (open mic) at Poultney Pub, 7 p.m. Free.

FRI.23

Trivia Monday (trivia) at Black Flannel Brewing & Distilling, Essex, 6 p.m. Free.

Bluegrass Jam (bluegrass) at Poultney Pub, 7 p.m. Free.

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

Trivia Night with College (trivia) at Bent Nails Roadhouse, Middlesex, 7 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.

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.27

Karaoke 101 with Tenacious T (karaoke) at Two Brothers Tavern, Middlebury, 9 p.m. Free. 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. 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.28

Trivia (trivia) at Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free. ➆ SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 21-28, 2026 63

calendar O C T O B E R

WED.21

agriculture

WEDNESDAYS WITH FARMER FRED: The site’s resident farmer and storyteller demonstrates historical agricultural tools and techniques, including sheep shearing, rye harvesting and cider pressing. President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site, Plymouth, noon-2 p.m. Regular admission, $4-12; free for kids under 6.

business

JUMPSTART SPEAKER SERIES: ANDREW SAVAGE: In “Innovation at Scale: Growing a Business for Impact,” a founding team member of Lime — the world’s largest micromobility operator — discusses the risks, setbacks and choices that shaped the company into what it is today. Generator Makerspace, Burlington, 5:30 p.m. Free; preregister.

community

COFFEE & CONVERSATION: Licensed therapist Sarah Morrison Yates hosts a weekly opportunity for neighbors to chat over a cup of joe. Coffee and snacks provided. St. George Historic Schoolhouse, 10 a.m.-noon. Free. MONTHLY ZOOM CHECK-IN FOR DADS: Dad Guild hosts a casual monthly drop-in for Vermont fathers to bring to the table topics they’d like to unpack with their peers. 8:45-10 p.m. Free. VERMONT WOMEN’S MENTOR TRAINING: Offering a steady hand and a fresh start, volunteers step up to pair with formerly incarcerated individuals and help navigate the road to community reentry. Mercy Connections, Burlington, 5:307:30 p.m. Free.

2 1 - 2 8 ,

crafts

YARN & YAK: A weekly club for fiber fanatics of all skill levels makes knitting and crocheting more sociable. Milton Artists’ Guild Art Center & Gallery, 5-7 p.m. Free. 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.

dance

SQUARE DANCE CLUB: Swing your partner ’round and ’round! The Cast Off 8’s club leads the way at an introductory session in an inclusive setting. Lothrop Elementary School, Pittsford, 6:30-8 p.m. $7.

education

ALL IN VERMONT LOCAL HISTORY WORKSHOP: Educators learn about a statewide, place-based learning opportunity for students that encourages the study of community lore in partnership with local historical societies. Pittsford Congregational Church, 9 a.m.-noon. Free; preregister.

environment

AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES WEBINAR: Environmental scientist Kimberly Jensen shares important details about water chestnut prevention, control and removal in Vermont. Hosted by the Lake Champlain Committee. Noon-1 p.m. Free; preregister. ‘SCIENCE MATTERS!’: Experts in environmental science, chemistry and engineering discuss the facts and concerns surrounding leachate discharge in the Memphremagog watershed. North Country

2 0 2 6

Union High School, Newport, 6:30 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. OCTOBER COMMUNITY CONVERSATION: Cirkus Smirkus invites neighbors to share their feedback and thoughts about the organization’s future. 7 p.m. Free; preregister.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section. ‘THE AIRWAVES BELONGED TO THE PEOPLE: WBCN AND THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION’: An award-winning documentary by director Bill Lichtenstein chronicles the profound impact of Boston’s legendary underground rock radio station from 1968 to 1974. Hall Art Foundation, Reading, 6 p.m. By donation. ALBERTINE FILM FESTIVAL: ‘SOUNDTRACK TO A COUP D’ETAT’: Jazz and decolonization are entwined in filmmaker Johan Grimonprez’s 2024 documentary zooming in on musicians Abbey Lincoln and Max Roach and their protest against the murder of Patrice Lumumba. Twilight Auditorium, Middlebury College, 7:30 p.m. Free. GREAT ART WEDNESDAY SERIES: ‘JAMES MCNEILL WHISTLER’: Director David Bickerstaff’s new “Exhibition on Screen” film highlights the American painter’s influence as a pioneer of modernism. Town

Hall Theater, Middlebury, 11 a.m. & 2 p.m. $15. VERMONT INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL: Cinephiles keep their eyes glued to the big screen at this annual showcase of international, independent and local flicks. See vtiff.org for full schedule. Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington. $6-12.

food & drink

COMMUNITY COOKING: Helping hands join up with the nonprofit’s staff and volunteers to make a yummy meal for distribution. Outright Vermont, 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.

games

DADS & DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: New and experienced dad-venturers try their hand at the riveting tabletop role-playing game. Premade characters and extra dice available. Guardian Cards & Comics, St. Albans, 6-9 p.m. Free.

health & fitness

CHAIR YOGA: Waterbury Public Library instructor Diana Whitney leads at-home participants in gentle stretches supported by seats. 10 a.m. Free. CREATING CALM AMIDST CHAOS: Practitioners bring a journal and a yoga mat to this evening recharge complete with guided practices and reflections. The Sanctuary for Healing and Liberation, Burlington, 7 p.m. $60; preregister. MIDWEEK DHARMA: Spiritual seekers enjoy some solo meditation time, then gather round to delve into topics relating to Buddhist philosophies and practices. Shambhala Meditation Center, Burlington, 5:30-7 p.m. Free; donations accepted. RECOVERY DHARMA: Individuals 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.

holidays 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.

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 21-28, 2026

FIND MORE LOCAL EVENTS IN THIS ISSUE AND ONLINE: art Find visual art exhibits and events in the Art section and at sevendaysvt.com/art.

film See what’s playing in the On Screen section.

QUEEN CITY GHOSTWALK: WICKED WATERFRONT TOUR: Stepping through Burlington’s salty past, a local history stroll for adults dredges up rail, sail and scandalous tales on Lake Champlain while unearthing the shore’s spectral lore. Union Station, Burlington, 7 p.m. $25.

language

= ONLINE EVENT

LANGUAGE LOUNGE: Lunch breaks transform into global conversation circles as participants hone their multilingual abilities. See kellogghubbard.org for details. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, noon. Free.

= GET TICKETS ON SEVENDAYSTICKETS.COM

SPANISH CONVERSATION: Fluent and beginner speakers brush up on their

music + nightlife Find club dates at local venues in the Music + Nightlife section online at sevendaysvt.com/music.

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. ‘STORIES FROM THE QUEER ARCHIVES’: Curator Meg Tamulonis shares historical items and what they represent about the history of Vermont’s LGBTQ community and gay-rights movement Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 6 p.m. Free.

EastRise Credit Union, Williston, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Free. ‘SCAMS & AI: DEEPFAKES, CHATBOTS & MORE’: Reps from Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity dish out defensive tactics to help community members spot the latest digital and financial ploys. 4-5:30 p.m. Free; preregister.

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.

talks

FALL SPEAKER SERIES: Local experts construct a picture of Vermont’s historic preservation landscape with interesting case studies and anecdotes. See yestermorrow.org for details. Yestermorrow Design/Build School, Waitsfield, 6:30 p.m. Free.

music

MANIA: THE ABBA TRIBUTE: Mamma mia! An international touring act covers the legendary pop group’s smash hits until audiences say “Thank You for the Music.” Flynn Main Stage, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $29.75-87.

ROBERT JONES: The Ysbrydoliaeth Curiosity Shop owner guides listeners on an evocative journey into the myths, legends and folklore that define the region. St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, 7 p.m. Free.

ROBERT LUDWIG: An organist performs an uplifting program of music spanning four centuries on the college’s 3,100-pipe instrument. Middlebury Chapel, 12:15 p.m. Free.

‘SAMUEL WORCESTER AND THE CHEROKEE NATION: FROM PEACHAM TO THE SUPREME COURT’: Expert presentations illuminate the life of the Peacham-born missionary who became a central figure in the landmark Supreme Court case Worcester v. Georgia. Peacham Congregational Church, 2-5 p.m. Free.

outdoors

THE AMAZING CORN MAZE: Five full acres of puzzling twists and turns challenge families’ directional skills, followed by a sweet reward of maple creemees. Silloway Maple, Randolph Center, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $10.

québec

words

‘THE SECRET CHORD: A LEONARD COHEN EXPERIENCE’: Toronto theater company Soulpepper mounts its tribute concert showcasing the unparalleled artistry, lyricism and introspection for which Cohen was known. Sylvan Adams Theatre, Segal Centre for Performing Arts, Montréal, 1 & 7:30 p.m. $38-80.

BOOK DISCUSSION: Lit lovers share their read on Tillie Walden’s new graphic novel, Charity & Sylvia, about an openly lesbian couple in 19th-century Vermont. Ilsley Public Library, Middlebury, 6-7 p.m. Free. ETHAN TAPPER: An acclaimed Bolton author draws from his work as a forester to discuss the importance of caring for ecosystems in his new book, The Forest Year: Finding Hope in a World Worth Saving. York Street Meeting House, Lyndon, 6 p.m. Free.

seminars

FAMILY-TO-FAMILY CLASS: NAMI Vermont hosts an informative weekly seminar for individuals with a loved one who is struggling with mental health. 6-8:30 p.m. Free; preregister. ‘NAVIGATING MEDICARE WITH CONFIDENCE’: Experts break down health care coverage basics, from enrollment periods to supplemental insurance choices.

HELEN WHYBROW: The Vermont author, editor and farmer celebrates the paperback release of her 2025 book, The Salt Stones: Seasons of a Shepherd’s Life, detailing the challenges and rewards of farm life. Ira Allen

These community event listings are sponsored by the WaterWheel Foundation, a project of the Vermont band Phish.

LIST YOUR EVENT FOR FREE AT SEVENDAYSVT.COM/POSTEVENT

Chapel, University of Vermont, Burlington, 5 p.m. Free.

Career Center, Middlebury, 5-8 p.m. $7.50.

ROBERT MELLO: A retired Vermont Superior Court judge and author shares his new book, When the Trees Came Back: The Great Battle to Save Vermont’s Forests, exploring the long campaign to reverse the deforestation that decimated the state in the 1700s. Joslin Memorial Library, Waitsfield, 6 p.m. Free.

environment

RYAN LA SALA & DON MARTIN: Two Green Mountain Book Awardnominated authors read thrilling selections from their respective works, then field audience questions. Morgan Room, Aiken Hall, Champlain College, Burlington, 6:30 p.m. Free; preregister.

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section.

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

‘SEEDING CHANGE: FARMING BEYOND NEONICS’: Director Ben Willis’ 2026 documentary explores what cultivating a future without the world’s most widely used insecticide could look like as bans take effect. A discussion follows. Coach Barn at Shelburne Farms, 5:30 p.m. Free; preregister. ‘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. ECHO 3D Theater, Burlington, noon, 2 & 4 p.m. $3-5 plus regular admission, $17-23;

FAMILY FUN 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.21

DADS’ NIGHT IN: JACKBOX GAMES: Fathers log on for a virtual game night hosted by Dad Guild. 8:45-10 p.m. Free.

burlington

‘WILD RESCUE 3D’: Dedicated wildlife rehabilitation teams rescue and release injured and orphaned animals back into nature in this heartwarming documentary short. ECHO 3D Theater, 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.

‘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

food & drink

THE HARVEST DINNER: Apples, pork, chicories and Riesling are on the menu at this multicourse family-style meal celebrating the season’s bounty. Philo Ridge Farm, Charlotte, 6-9 p.m. $175.

games COURTESY

crafts

‘SEA OTTERS: A WILD FAMILY ADVENTURE 3D’: First-time mom Bella teaches her pup how to survive on the wild British Columbia coast in this unforgettable cinematic journey. ECHO 3D Theater, 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.

KNIT FOR YOUR NEIGHBORS: Crafters of all skill levels spin yarn into community warmth by stitching hats and scarves for the South Burlington Food Shelf. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 2-5 p.m. Free.

VERMONT INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL: See WED.21.

film

business

RUMBLE IN THE KINGDOM: Northeast Kingdom entrepreneurs outline their business ideas for a live audience and judges in a “Shark Tank”-style competition to bring their visions to life. Catamount Arts Center, St. Johnsbury, 5:30 p.m. Free.

OCT. 23 | MUSIC

BTV CLEAN UP CREW: Good Samaritans collect and dispose of needles, trash and other unwanted objects. BYO gloves encouraged. Top of Church St., Burlington, 7:30-10 a.m. Free.

‘PENGUIN ISLAND 3D’: Shot on the dramatic, uninhabited sub-Antarctic Crozet Archipelago, this thrilling documentary short zooms in on a lone male suitor seeking his special someone among a colony of rivals. ECHO 3D Theater, Burlington, 11 a.m., 1 & 3 p.m. $3-5 plus regular admission, $17-23; free for members and kids 2 and under.

THU.22

Dom Flemons

free for members and kids 2 and under.

Roots Cause At the University of Vermont Recital Hall in Burlington, the Lane Series strums on with a fiery performance of roots music by American Banjo Museum Hall of Fame inductee Dom Flemons and his new project, the Traveling Wildfires. The Grammy-winning multiinstrumentalist and ethnomusicologist leads the supergroup — including former members of Old Crow Medicine Show, New Dangerfield and Gangstagrass — through a blend of gospel, Piedmont blues, string-band and minstrel traditions. Expect a meticulously researched, historically rich program spotlighting more than a century of marginalized and overlooked African American music, played on old-timey instruments such as rhythm bones, fife, quills and jugs.

LANE SERIES: DOM FLEMONS & THE TRAVELING WILDFIRES Friday, October 23, 7:30 p.m., at the University of Vermont Recital Hall in Burlington. $5-35. Info, 802-656-4455, uvm.edu/laneseries.

p.m. Regular admission, $17-23; free for members and kids 2 and under. MAGNA-TILE MASTERPIECES: Budding builders ages 3 and up snap together colorful, magnetic toys to engineer custom structures. Fletcher Free Library New North End Branch, Burlington, 10 a.m. Free. STORIES & SONGS FOR LIBRARY LITTLES: Tots get their bodies moving and brains firing with books, music and unstructured social time. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 11-11:30 a.m. Free. ‘VERY ERIC CARLE’ EXHIBIT: Young bookworms revel in colorful hands-on installations that transform the beloved author’s stories into interactive journeys of discovery. 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.

chittenden county

BABYTIME: Lullabies and lap play set a gentle rhythm as infants and their caregivers sing, rhyme and connect. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 10:30-11 a.m. Free. CHILDREN’S STORY TIME WITH CHRISTINE: Young bookworms wiggle, sing and turn pages at an interactive

session led by a former early childhood educator. Wild Meadows Books & Café, Williston, 10:30 a.m. Free. KIDS PUZZLE SWAP: Young strategists trade their completed cardboard conquests for fresh challenges. 24 to 300 pieces only. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 2-5 p.m. Free.

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. 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, 2-6 p.m. Free.

rutland/killington

DADS & KIDS LIBRARY PLAYGROUP: Fathers and caregivers build community while kiddos burn off energy at this monthly social session. Gilbert Hart Library, Wallingford, 4-5:30 p.m. Free.

upper valley

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.22

burlington

BABY & ME CLASS: Parents and their infants ages birth to 1 explore massage, lullabies and gentle movements while discussing the struggles and joys of parenthood. Greater Burlington YMCA, 9:45-10:45 a.m. $10; free for members. ‘CHAMP: AMERICA’S LAKE MONSTER’ EXHIBIT: See WED.21. MINECRAFT MEETUP: Fans of the sandbox game from ages 7 to 12 gather with fellow enthusiasts to play on the library’s private server. Snacks provided. Fletcher Free Library New North End Branch, Burlington, 5-6:15 p.m. Free. ‘VERY ERIC CARLE’ EXHIBIT: See WED.21.

chittenden county

MUSIC & PLAY TIME: Youth librarian Bella leads children ages birth to 5 in lively interactive tunes, followed by an

CHESS FOR FUN: Sharp minds select an opening gambit, go on the attack and protect their king in friendly competition. Cobleigh Public Library, Lyndonville, 5-8 p.m. Free. DADS’ NIGHT OUT: BOARD GAME NIGHT: Rad dads show up ready to play at this spirited evening of friendly competition and fun hosted by Dad Guild. Guardian Cards & Comics, St. Albans, 5:30-7 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 THU.22

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opportunity to dive into the library’s toy bins. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free. TEEN PICKLE AUTOPSY: A jarring crime has been committed! Sleuths ages 13 to 18 examine the briny crime scene to flesh out what happened. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 4-5 p.m. Free. TODDLERTIME: Little wigglers enjoy a storytime with catchy songs and rhythmic fingerplays. For ages 1 and up with an adult. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 9:15-9:45 & 10:30-11 a.m. Free.

barre/montpelier

BASEMENT TEEN CENTER: See WED.21. 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.

THU.22 SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 21-28, 2026

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calendar THU.22

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wanted! Players get lost in the fantasy-filled 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

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.21.

lgbtq

QUEER OWL BANDING: LGBTQ+ nature enthusiasts nerd out over the capture and release of pintsize northern saw-whet owls. North Branch Nature Center, Montpelier, 8-9:30 p.m. Free; donations accepted.

THE AMAZING CORN MAZE: See WED.21.

québec

‘THE SECRET CHORD: A LEONARD COHEN EXPERIENCE’: See WED.21, 7:30 p.m.

seminars

LIGHTING ESSENTIALS: It’s time to set the scene! An info-packed workshop helps media buffs make motivated, intentional lighting choices that bring new depth to their work. The Media Factory, Burlington, 6-8 p.m. Free; donations accepted; preregister.

talks

AMNA NAWAZ: The broadcast journalist and “PBS NewsHour” coanchor sits down with Vermont Public’s Mitch Wertleib for an intimate, wide‑ranging conversation about the stories shaping our world. Lebanon Opera House, N.H., 7 p.m. $15-45. ‘CONFLICT OF INTEREST LIVE!’: Montpelier media host Kevin Ellis migrates his podcast to the stage to interview national and local guests about hot-button topics including housing, culture, education and politics. Montpelier Performing Arts Hub, 7 p.m. $10. MEET THE FOUNDERS: NICK DONOWITZ & MATT CHEROUNY: The Coulair cofounders discuss how their company is building a new class of heavy-lift autonomous aircrafts designed to operate without runways, chargers or fixed ground infrastructure. Lunch provided. Hula, Burlington, noon. Free; preregister.

tech

‘AI 102’: Town of Essex IT director Steve Roque demystifies artificial intelligence by showcasing various programs in action and teaching attendees how to craft precise prompts for optimal results. Essex Free Library, 6-7:30 p.m. Free. TECH HELP: Users with digital dilemmas seek expert guidance about everything from smartphone settings to ebook downloads. Norwich Public Library, 1-4 p.m. Free.

theater

music

LIVE MUSIC: A rotating cast of local musicians, unbeatable sunset views, locavore pours and tasty treats make for a memorable time at the vineyard. See maquambarnandwinery.com for lineup. Maquam Barn & Winery, Milton, 6-8 p.m. Free; cost of food and drink.

‘NORTHANGER ABBEY’: Sheltered Catherine Morland’s world is widened when she leaves her family to join high society in Bath in Shaker Bridge Theatre’s playful reimagining of Jane Austen’s coming-of-age novel. Briggs Opera House, White River Junction, 7 p.m. $25-45.

PAUL WINTER: In “This Glorious Earth,” the soprano saxophonist — joined by pianist Henrique Eisenmann — blends his sound with recorded voices of the wild in a sonic tapestry celebrating Mother Nature. Chandler Center for the Arts, Randolph, 7 p.m. $20-55.

10-MINUTE PLAY FESTIVAL: The Parish Players raise the curtain on seven short plays ranging from hilarious to heartwarming. Eclipse Grange Theater, Thetford, 7 p.m. $10-25.

OCT. 23 & 24 | DANCE

COURTESY OF OWEN LEAVEY PHOTOGRAPHY

BLOOD DRIVE: Participants part with life-sustaining pints at this American Red Cross donation event. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, noon-4:30 p.m. Free; preregister.

outdoors

‘CONTROL TOP’: Unzipping the hidden pressures stitched into women’s wardrobes, Vermont playwright Carole Vasta Folley’s original stage comedy pulls back

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 21-28, 2026

Destiny’s Children It’s written in the stars: Something wickedly divine is brewing at 208 Flynn Avenue in Burlington. Murmurations Aerial invites visitors of all ages to step inside “The Tarot House,” an atmospheric, multisensory four-part journey throughout the historic postand-beam building. The immersive experience offers future seers and seekers inflight entertainment on aerial fabric, rope, sling and lyra, performed by “living tarot” archetypes (think: the Fool and the Magician). Mystical moments continue on terra firma with interactive art installations, music, circus arts and eye-popping dance choreography. Parents, beware: Though this show is family friendly, some moments might be too spooky for sensitive kiddos.

‘THE TAROT HOUSE’ Friday, October 23, 6 & 8 p.m., and Saturday, October 24, 2, 4, 6 & 8 p.m., at 208 Flynn Ave. in Burlington. $20-30 sliding scale. Info, nicole@murmurationsaerial.org, murmurationsaerial.org. the curtain on body politics with unfiltered, heart-to-heart humor. Ages 13 and up. Lost Nation Theater, Montpelier City Hall, 7:30 p.m. $20-28. ‘THE WILLISTON ONE ACTS’: Vermont Repertory Theatre presents two weekends of fresh, fast-paced storytelling that celebrates the creative spirit of local talent. The Rep, Williston, 7 p.m. $20.

words

BMAC READS: ‘LONELY CROWDS’: Readers discuss Stephanie Wambugu’s 2025 debut novel set amid the competitive art world of 1990s New York City, then enjoy refreshments and the museum’s current exhibits. Brattleboro Museum & Art Center, 5:30-7:30

OCTOBER BOOK CLUB: Lit lovers dissect Emma Cline’s new novel, Switzy, about a wealthy retired business executive experiencing cognitive decline due to Alzheimer’s disease. Wild Meadows Books & Café, Williston, 6-8 p.m. Free.

FRI.23

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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.

p.m. $10; free for members; preregister.

Books, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free; preregister.

CREATIVE WRITING SERIES: Expert Marguerite Dunlop hosts a weekly opportunity for aspiring wordsmiths to hone their craft, swap constructive feedback and pick up fresh techniques. Refreshments provided. Haskell Free Library & Opera House, Derby Line, 1-3 p.m. Free; preregister.

M.T. ANDERSON: The National Book Award-winning author treats lit lovers to a reading and discussion of his latest nonfiction, Stealing Saint Nick. Shelburne Town Hall, 7 p.m. Free.

film

NER ULYSSES READING SERIES: National Poetry Series winner Christopher Kondrich, International Latino Book Award winner Gloria Estela González, educator Diana Whitney and Middlebury College student Nikita Rodov demonstrate the breadth and complexity of the current literary moment. Refreshments provided. Humanities House, Middlebury College, 7 p.m. Free.

Find club dates at local venues in the Music + Nightlife section online at sevendaysvt.com/ music.

MELISSA H. CRONIN: An author and former neonatal intensive care nurse shares her book, The Peach: A Memoir of Trauma, Survival and Forgiveness, chronicling her experience being struck by an out-of-control vehicle at the Santa Monica Farmers Market in 2003. Phoenix

See what’s playing at theaters in the On Screen section.

music + nightlife

Learn more about highlighted listings in the Magnificent 7 on page 11.

= ONLINE EVENT = GET TICKETS ON SEVENDAYSTICKETS.COM

DRIVEN DRIVENTO TOEXHAUSTION! EXHAUSTION! Understaffing at Vermont’s correctional facilities 8QGHUVWDI¿QJ DW 6SULQJ¿HOG¶V &RUUHFWLRQDO )DFLOLW\ LV D is a disaster waitingtotohappen... happen... disaster waiting Vermont’s prisons are at a BREAKING POINT. If action isn’t taken NOW, it is only a matter of time before an emergency occurs. Prison staff are: • Forced to work 16-hour shifts day after day • Missing their kids’ birthdays and other once-in-a-lifetime events, destroying families • Falling asleep on their drives home from work

Call Governor Scott and tell him to take action NOW to fix his staffing crisis: (802) 828-3333 Paid for by the Vermont State Employees’ Association 1t-VSEA102126 .indd 1

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 21-28, 2026

10/20/26 6:17 PM

calendar « P.66

FRI.23 activism

‘FROM VERMONT TO PALESTINE: BUILDING GLOBAL SOLIDARITY’: A panel discussion with local activists and informative tabling by community groups help attendees find ways to get involved in solidarity work. Silver Maple Ballroom, Dudley H. Davis Center, University of Vermont, Burlington, 4:30-6:30 p.m. Free.

bazaars

RUMMAGE SALE: Deal seekers browse a treasure trove of secondhand scores. Richmond Congregational Church, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Free.

dance

BURLINGTON CONTRA DANCE: No partner or experience is necessary when Quena Crane calls the steps and Red Dog Riley provide the tunes. Bring clean, soft-soled shoes. A beginner lesson is offered at 6:45 p.m. Burlington St. Anthony’s Parish Hall, 7-10 p.m. $5-12 cash or check; free for kids under 12. ‘THE TAROT HOUSE’: A multisensory “living tarot” experience produced by Murmurations Aerial fills the historic post-and-beam building with circus arts, music, and aerial and floor dance. See calendar spotlight. 208 Flynn Ave., Burlington, 6 & 8 p.m. $2030 sliding scale.

etc.

JANE AUSTEN WEEKEND: ‘PERSUASION’: A leisurely weekend of literary-inspired diversions includes carriage rides, English tea, a Regency-style dinner party, Sunday brunch, a book quiz and talks. The Governor’s House in Hyde Park. Various prices. MOONLIGHT MAGIC: Shoppers stroll between local businesses while taking in lively street performances, including spectacular fire arts performances by Vermont troupe Cirque de Fuego. Downtown Montpelier, 5-9 p.m. Free. PETER ANTONIOU: A psychic comedian astounds with his razor-sharp wit and stunning ability to read minds. Lebanon Opera House, N.H., 7:30 p.m. $30-40.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section. GREEN MOUNTAIN CHRISTIAN FILM FESTIVAL: Audience members enjoy a variety of faith- and family-based flicks, as well as an opening night standup routine by comedian Reno Collier. The Baptist Fellowship of Randolph, noon. Free; add $40 for standup performance. ‘JOSEPHINE’: After an 8-year-old girl witnesses a crime, adults are helpless to console her in Beth de Araújo’s harrowing 2026 thriller. Film House, Main Street

Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington, 4 p.m. $6-12. ‘LOOK BACK’: Two manga artists develop a bond in Hirokazu Koreeda’s heart-wrenching 2026 drama based on the single-volume manga by Tatsuki Fujimoto. Film House, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington, 7 p.m. $6-12.

COURTESY

THU.22

OCT. 24 | MUSIC

‘PENGUIN ISLAND 3D’: See THU.22. ‘SEA OTTERS: A WILD FAMILY ADVENTURE 3D’: See THU.22. ‘SHARK KINGDOM 3D’: See THU.22. VERMONT INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL: See WED.21. VISUAL EFFECTS FILM SERIES: Cinephiles flock to a stacked weekend of modern-day masterpieces featuring VFX by Academy Award-winner Greg Butler, who introduces each movie with behindthe-scenes tales from his storied career. Playhouse Movie Theatre, Randolph, 7:30 p.m. $7-35. ‘WILD RESCUE 3D’: See THU.22.

food & drink

WITCH’S APOTHECARY ADVENTURE DINNER: Gettin’ witchy with it! Seasonally garbed gourmets are transported to a haunted mansion where a multicourse feast by chef Eric Hodet has been bubbled and brewed to perfection. Adventure Dinner Clubhouse, Colchester, 6-9 p.m. $75.

games

DUPLICATE BRIDGE GAMES: See THU.22, 10 a.m.

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. MINDFULNESS MEDITATION: Community members gather for an informal session combining stimulating discussion, sharing and sitting in silence. 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.

holidays

HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL & JACKO’-LANTERN HIKE: Costumed visitors stroll through the trails to admire hundreds of frightful and delightful carved pumpkins. Edward F. Kehoe Green Mountain Conservation Camp, Castleton, 6-8 p.m. Free.

Fusion Frenzy Pioneering Polish Colombian guitarist Stash Wyslouch lights up Chandler Center for the Arts in Randolph with bluegrass, jazz and thrash-metal energy. You might now be thinking, “Bluegrass and what?” But have faith in the boundary-breaking musician’s delightfully zany vision. The intimate concert features the talents of bass virtuoso Noah Harrington and pushes the limits of bluegrass music “by doing things that just don’t seem possible on acoustic instruments,” according to genre superstar Billy Strings. Listeners can look forward to Stash’s signature restructurings of traditional folk and Americana tunes, as well as wildly inventive original compositions.

STASH WYSLOUCH Saturday, October 24, 7 p.m., at Chandler Center for the Arts in Randolph. $15-40. Info, 802-728-9878, chandler-arts.org.

then emerge for a reward of tarot card readings, crafts and seasonal treats. Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium, St. Johnsbury, 6:309:30 p.m. $15-25. MED47 HAUNTED FOREST: Spooky seekers wander through a freaky labyrinth of tricks and treats throughout the property. 3319 S. 116 Rd., Bristol, 4-8 p.m. Free.

HALLOWEEN HORSEBACK ADVENTURE: Saddle up for a spooky trot through decorated trails before warming up with post-ride cocoa, pony petting and apple bobbing. Better Days Ranch and Equine Services, Vergennes, 5:30-9 p.m. $60.

PITTSFORD HAUNTED HOUSE: A classic community tradition features a torch-lit wagon ride through creature-inhabited woods, a guided walk to various spooky scenes and live music. Proceeds benefit the town’s volunteer fire department. Ages 6 and up. Pittsford Haunted House, 6-9 p.m. $10-15.

HAUNTED MUSEUM: Brave visitors trek through the museum’s ghost-filled Victorian basement,

QUEEN CITY GHOSTWALK: DARKNESS FALLS TOUR: Paranormal historians highlight

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 21-28, 2026

spooky happenings throughout Burlington at this perennial favorite hailed by Yankee Magazine as one of New England’s best haunted walks. 199 Main St., Burlington, 7 p.m. $25; preregister.

language

LANGUAGE LOUNGE: See WED.21.

lgbtq

RPG NIGHT: Members of the LGBTQ community get together weekly for role-playing games such as Dungeons & Dragons and Everway. Rainbow Bridge Community Center, Barre, 5:308:30 p.m. Free.

music

ANA GUIGUI: An acclaimed pianist and vocalist entertains listeners with a wide variety of

styles and genres. The Brandon Inn, 7-9:30 p.m. Free. DASHON BURTON & ANNEMIEKE MCLANE: A three-time Grammywinning bass-baritone joins forces with a classical pianist to perform selections from late singer and athlete Paul Robeson’s 1946 Middlebury College recital. Mahaney Arts Center, Middlebury College, 7:30 p.m. $5-30. LANE SERIES: DOM FLEMONS & THE TRAVELING WILDFIRES: The Grammy Award-winning cofounder of the Carolina Chocolate Drops fronts this string band supergroup in a concert of toe-tapping roots music. See calendar spotlight. The University of Vermont Recital Hall, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $5-35. DRUM CIRCLE WITH JEAN JACQUES MAURY: From mastering basic techniques to building

a shared rhythmic vocabulary, an all-abilities music-making session taps into a deep mind-body connection. Jaquith Public Library, Marshfield, 6-7 p.m. Free. KRONOS QUARTET: In “Three Bones,” the adventurous fourpiece presents a multimedia concert experience in honor of America’s 250th anniversary. Spaulding Auditorium, Hopkins

FOMO? Find even more local events in this newspaper and online:

art Find visual art exhibits and events in the Art section and at sevendaysvt.com/art.

film See what’s playing at theaters in the On Screen section.

music + nightlife Find club dates at local venues in the Music + Nightlife section online at sevendaysvt.com/ music. Learn more about highlighted listings in the Magnificent 7 on page 11.

= ONLINE EVENT = GET TICKETS ON SEVENDAYSTICKETS.COM

LIST YOUR EVENT FOR FREE AT SEVENDAYSVT.COM/POSTEVENT

Center for the Arts, Dartmouth College, Hanover, N.H., 7 p.m. $40. LIVE FROM THE MEADOW: MUSIC FRIDAYS: A new weekly music series invites community members to spend a relaxing evening listening to live tunes by talented local artists. Wild Meadows Books & Café, Williston, 6:30-8 p.m. Free. SCOTT POOL & EK DUO: A bassoonist joins forces with the longtime avant-chamber music twosome to present unexpected and off-the-beaten-path works by Louis Andriessen, Billie Eilish and others. York Street Meeting House, Lyndon, 7 p.m. $15-20; free for students. ‘THE SHOWMAN’: Burlington music-scene stalwart Josh Panda channels the emotional power and raw energy of rock’s greatest front men, from Jim Morrison to Freddie Mercury. Spruce Peak Arts, Stowe Mountain Resort, 7 p.m. $26.40. SUZANNE VEGA: A pioneering singer-songwriter known for her literate folk-pop performs a career-spanning concert of nostalgic hits such as “Tom’s Diner,” “Luka” and “Marlene on the Wall.” Barre Opera House, 8 p.m. $29-195.

outdoors

THE AMAZING CORN MAZE: See WED.21.

talks

EDUCATION & ENRICHMENT FOR EVERYONE FALL LECTURE SERIES: GAIL ROSENBERG, MELINDA MOULTON & ELISE GUYETTE: The Burlington History and Culture Center cofounders illuminate the Queen City’s fascinating untold stories for curious listeners. Faith United Methodist Church, South Burlington, 2 p.m. $8 cash or check; free for members. LARRY HAMBERLIN: A professor emeritus offers context and insight into baritone Dashon Burton’s program at aa preconcert lecture. Mahaney Arts Center, Middlebury College, 6:157:15 p.m. Free. NATHAN PHILLIPS: An expert shares his yearslong research on the North Montpelier Woolen Mill and its important role as an employment hub for many Marshfielders in the early 19th century. Jaquith Public Library, Marshfield, 6:30 p.m. Free.

theater

10-MINUTE PLAY FESTIVAL: See THU.22.

Flynn — assume the spotlight for a screenplay reading of Alfred Hitchcock’s 1955 dark comedy, filmed on location in Vermont. Latchis Theatre, Brattleboro, 7 p.m. $20-50.

‘BUDDHADEVA’: Actor Akaina Ghosh creates a tender solo performance in conversation with their great-grandfather, prolific Bengali writer Buddhadeva Bose, in this intimate meditation on language and lineage. Virtual option available. Next Stage Arts, Putney, 7:30 p.m. $10-25.

‘NORTHANGER ABBEY’: See THU.22.

‘CONTROL TOP’: See THU.22.

‘TWO TENTS’: Set in a campground in summer 2015, Canadian playwright Ross Murray’s comedy digs into relationships, the great outdoors, and the danger and allure of midlife nostalgia. Haskell Free Library & Opera House, Derby Line, 7 p.m. $25.

‘CRIME AND PUNISHMENT, A COMEDY’: Essex Community Players takes on Fyodor Dostoevsky’s turn-of-the-century masterpiece, reimagined as a 90-minute romp with five actors playing more than 50 zany characters. Essex Memorial Hall, 7:30 p.m. $23-25. ‘THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK’: Lamoille County Players presents the Tony Award-winning theatrical adaptation of The Diary of a Young Girl, recounting the Frank family’s years in hiding during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. Hyde Park Opera House, 7 p.m. $15-20. HOLLYWOOD, VT SERIES: ‘THE TROUBLE WITH HARRY’ LIVE SCRIPT READING: Top talents — including voice actor Tom Bodett and singer-songwriter Myra

JAKE CHESSUM/THE NEW YORK TIMES

BORDERLANDS: ‘CALYPSO AND ODYSSEUS’: This immersive

outdoor theater event reimagines Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey with shadow puppetry and projected imagery tucked among the trees. Coach Barn at Shelburne Farms, 6 p.m. $15-25.

‘SPIRITS OF ROKEBY: THE IMPENDING CRISIS’: Actors re-create séances based on historical transcripts and real-life accounts of Victorian spiritualism. Rokeby Museum, Ferrisburgh, 5-9:30 p.m. $20-25.

‘THE WILLISTON ONE ACTS’: See THU.22.

words

TRISH ALLEY: An author shares Defining Grace: Showing Up With the Gift of Divine Mischief, her new memoir told through intimate vignettes and poetry, in conversation with local nonprofit leader Robin Turnau. Coach Barn at Shelburne Farms, 2:30 p.m. Free; preregister.

SAT.24

music and stargazing. Leddy Park, Burlington, 7-9 p.m. Free.

agriculture

COMMUNITY SEED CLEANING: Hands-on helpers pitch in at the greenhouse to husk, sort and process the season’s seed harvest. Landry Park, Winooski, 9 a.m.-noon. Free; preregister.

bazaars

CRAFT SALE: Shoppers browse homemade treats, handcrafted goodies, a “let’s make a deal” table and fall raffle baskets to benefit Waterbury Area Senior Center. Wesley United Methodist Church, Waterbury, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. RUMMAGE SALE: See FRI.23, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

community

KAREN KITZMILLER MEMORIAL COAT DRIVE: Good Samaritans drop off clean, gently used winter gear for an annual community initiative dedicated to distributing cold-weather items for neighbors in need. Montpelier City Hall, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., and Community National Bank, Barre, 9 a.m. -noon. Free. SISTERHOOD CAMPFIRE: Women and genderqueer folks gather in a safe and inclusive space to build community through journaling, storytelling, gentle

dance

THE LONELY DAYS ARE GONE: COMMUNITY SQUARE DANCE TOUR: Dancers kick up their heels to traditional tunes played by Dorset fiddler and singer Ida Mae Specker and her all-star band. Chester Town Hall, 5-7 p.m. Free. ‘THE TAROT HOUSE’: See FRI.23, 2, 4, 6 & 8 p.m.

etc.

‘GO HOME, GUY CARLTON’: A guided walk to the site’s “horseshoe battery” commemorates the defensive strength that convinced a British fleet to return to Canada for the winter in October 1776. Wear comfortable shoes. Mount Independence State Historic Site, Orwell, 1-3 p.m. Regular admission, $1-8; free for children under 6. AGING IN PLACE WITH PETS VOLUNTEER DAY: Helping hands provide elderly or disabled program participants with the emotional and physical assistance necessary to help them keep their pets. 345 Pine St., Burlington, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Free; donations accepted.

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Support your local newspaper:

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Send checks to: Seven Days c/o Super Readers, PO Box 1164, Burlington, VT 05402. Info: superreaders@sevendaysvt.com, 802-866-1015, ext. 115

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SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 21-28, 2026

10/20/26 5:48 PM

calendar SAT.24

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ART NIGHT BENEFIT: Avian enthusiasts support the museum’s Birding Without Barriers project at this celebratory fundraiser featuring one-of-kind originals by emerging and established artists. Birds of Vermont Museum, Huntington, 6 p.m. $50; preregister. JANE AUSTEN WEEKEND: ‘PERSUASION’: See FRI.23. ‘KENNY FOR MAYOR’ PUB CRAWL: Locals take to the pubs for a town-wide celebration of friendship, community and two beloved residents: Kenny and Jenny Gardner. Prohibition Pig Brewery, Waterbury, noon-6 p.m. $50; preregister. NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM POP-UP: Dig into two centuries of earth science at this celebratory open house featuring guided forest walks, researcher expedition stories, and encounters with prehistoric fossils and holograms. Perkins Museum of Geology, University of Vermont, Burlington, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free.

fairs & festivals

movement uniting American moms to demand systemic support. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 2 p.m. Free. ‘PENGUIN ISLAND 3D’: See THU.22. ‘THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW’: Hot patootie! Costumed fans have a rocking good time at this interactive screening of the bawdy 1975 cult classic about a newly engaged couple’s encounter with an unconventional scientist. Props provided. Film House, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington, 9:30 p.m. $6-12. ‘THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW’: Festive folks dress to the nines and belt out their favorite songs at this interactive “shadow cast” screening of the 1975 musical comedy. The Opera House at Enosburg Falls, 8 p.m. $25. ‘SEA OTTERS: A WILD FAMILY ADVENTURE 3D’: See THU.22. ‘SHARK KINGDOM 3D’: See THU.22. VERMONT INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL: See WED.21. VISUAL EFFECTS FILM SERIES: See FRI.23, 2 & 7:30 p.m.

END OF SEASON HARVEST PARTY: Fall revelers bask in the glory of the season at an afternoon of music and activities, including nature-driven crafting, henna tattooing, tarot readings, and flower crown and wand making. The Tillerman, Bristol, 3-9 p.m. $32.50-65; free for kids 5 and under.

‘WILD RESCUE 3D’: See THU.22.

film

BURLINGTON FARMERS MARKET: Live local music lends flair to dozens of stands overflowing with seasonal produce, flowers, artisanal wares and prepared foods. 345 Pine St., Burlington, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Free.

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section. ‘THE BAT’: Composer Jeff Rapsis plays a live score for this rarely screened 1926 silent thriller about a masked criminal who terrorizes guests at an old mansion. Brandon Town Hall, 7 p.m. Free; donations accepted. ‘THE DAWNLAND KITCHEN’: The Vermont Commission on Native American Affairs hosts a screening of the 2026 documentary short zooming in on local chef Jessee Lawyer, an enrolled citizen of Abenaki Nation of Missisquoi. Capitol Theater, Montpelier, 4 p.m. Free. ‘FATHERLAND’: Paweł Pawlikowski’s 2026 docudrama centers on the relationship between German writer Thomas Mann and his daughter Erika as they embark on a road trip across a country in ruins. Film House, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington, 7 p.m. $6-12. GREEN MOUNTAIN CHRISTIAN FILM FESTIVAL: See FRI.23. MET OPERA IN HD: ‘COSÌ FAN TUTTE’: The Metropolitan Opera’s vibrant production sets Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s satirical comedy of fickle young love at a boardwalk amusement park. Town Hall Theater, Middlebury, 1 p.m. $10-24. ‘NO COUNTRY FOR MOTHERS’: Raeshem Nijhon’s 2026 documentary tracks a growing grassroots

food & drink

BOWLFEST: Diners enjoy delicious meals from more than 30 local restaurants, served in one-of-akind ceramic bowls to take home. CraftStudies Studio & School, White River Junction, noon-2 & 5-7 p.m. $35-50.

CHAMPLAIN ISLANDS FARMERS MARKET: Talented artisans and vendors showcase their farm-fresh veggies, meats, eggs, flowers, honey and other goodies. St. Joseph’s Church, Grand Isle, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. JANE AUSTEN TEA: Regency revelers jam out at a Victorian-style tea party while learning about the teatime traditions of the writer’s era. The Governor’s House in Hyde Park, 2 p.m. $48; preregister. NORTHWEST FARMERS MARKET: Browsers 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. WITCH’S APOTHECARY ADVENTURE DINNER: See FRI.23.

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 SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 21-28, 2026

embark on a new adventure with a rotating cast of game masters. Virtual option available. Waterbury Public Library, 1-5 p.m. Free. MAH-JONGG LESSON: Players flex memory and patternrecognition skills in this fastpaced Chinese tile game. Faith United Methodist Church, South Burlington, 1:30 p.m. $5.

health & fitness

OOKY SPOOKY 5K: All ages and abilities sport their creative costumes and get moving for a cause. Proceeds benefit COTS. Rock Point School, Burlington, 9-10:30 a.m. $15; preregister.

holidays

CANDLELIGHT: ‘A HAUNTED EVENING OF HALLOWEEN CLASSICS’: Illuminated by hundreds of candles, Listeso String Quartet performs iconic holiday hits such as Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” and Camille Saint-Saëns’ “Danse Macabre.” Ages 8 and up. First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington, 7 p.m. $35.50-49.50. HALLOWEEN HORSEBACK ADVENTURE: See FRI.23. HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR: A family-friendly monster bash delights with trunk-or-treating, themed displays, seasonal activities, and local food truck fare. 802 Cars, Berlin, noon-4 p.m. Free. HAUNTED HOMESTEAD TOURS: Creep seekers tour the museum’s historic sites, officially designated as “haunted” by a real paranormal investigation. Ethan Allen Homestead Museum, Burlington, 6-9 p.m. $25. HAUNTED MUSEUM: See FRI.23. KARVING FOR KAY: Halloween revelers carve or paint pumpkins to be displayed in memory of beloved resident Kay Santamore. The Funny Farm, Barre, noon-5 p.m. Free. MED47 HAUNTED FOREST: See FRI.23. PITTSFORD HAUNTED HOUSE: See FRI.23. PUMPKIN CARVING & SOCK HOP: Spooktacular fun awaits all ages at this annual Halloween party complete with a costume contest, a “Thriller” dance lesson, classic games and a cozy movie screening with popcorn. Contemporary Dance & Fitness Studio, Montpelier, 5-7:30 p.m. $10 suggested donation. QUEEN CITY GHOSTWALK: DARKNESS FALLS TOUR: See FRI.23.

lgbtq

DRAG STORY HOUR: Local drag queens Katniss Everqueer and Emoji Nightmare read inspiring stories centered on individuality, activism, gender and social responsibility. Phoenix Books, Burlington, 3 p.m. Free; preregister.

music

ANA GUIGUI: See FRI.23.

‘CIRCUITS IN THE WOODS’: A music festival celebrating Vermont’s role in the invention of the analog synthesizer includes performances, lectures, workshops and a synth petting zoo. Various Brattleboro locations, 1-11:30 p.m. $40; preregister. DAYNA KURTZ: The decorated vocalist enchants listeners with a rich potpourri of jazz, folk, pop and blues tunes. Proceeds benefit Democratic candidate for governor Amanda Janoo’s campaign. Vergennes Opera House, 7:30 p.m. $30. HUB’S GOT TALENT: ‘DEMOCRACY IN PERFORMANCE’: Local acts share music from the Great American Songbook exploring civic voice, freedom, dissent and hope. Montpelier Performing Arts Chapel, 7:30 p.m. $10-25 sliding scale. MAIDEN VERMONT: Central Vermont’s all-female barbershop chorus sings a range of crowd-pleasers from past hits to contemporary chart-toppers in “Music Can Change the World.” Town Hall Theater, Middlebury, 7 p.m. $10-20. MYRA FLYNN: A self-proclaimed “songwriter on purpose and a singer by accident” performs original indie tunes that blend soulful vocals with supreme lyricism. Highland Center for the Arts, Greensboro, 7 p.m. $5-25. SCOTT POOL & EK DUO: See FRI.23. Unitarian Church of Montpelier, 5 p.m. By donation; free for students. STASH WYSLOUCH: One of bluegrass music’s most influential pioneers mixes elements of thrash metal, jazz and old‑timey tunes into deeply soulful originals, accompanied by virtuosic bass player Noah Harrington. See calendar spotlight. Chandler Center for the Arts, Randolph, 7 p.m. $15-40. TAB BENOIT: A Grammynominated guitarist and wetlands activist brings the house down with his gritty, Cajun-influenced brand of Louisiana swamp-blues. Lebanon Opera House, N.H., 7:30 p.m. $42-53.

outdoors

ACCESSIBLE BIRDING: Avian aficionados with disabilities and other health concerns celebrate “Birdability Week” with guided walks, a stationary bird watch, ASL interpretation, quiet spaces and snacks. North Branch Nature Center, Montpelier, 1-4 p.m. Free; preregister. THE AMAZING CORN MAZE: See WED.21. FALL TO WINTER FORESTS GUIDED HIKE: Nature enthusiasts trek through fading foliage to investigate seasonal shifts, animal behaviors and the transition into stick season at this guided hike of the center’s Short Trail. Green Mountain Club Headquarters, Waterbury Center, 11 a.m.-noon. Free. ‘THINK LIKE A SQUIRREL!’: Visitors take to the property’s pathways to discover how forest foragers find, collect and dissect

wild nuts, then harvest their own specimens using provided field tools. Rock Point Center, Burlington, 10:30-11:45 a.m. Free; 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.

in a supportive and critique-free environment. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, 10 a.m. Free.

SUN.25 etc.

JANE AUSTEN WEEKEND: ‘PERSUASION’: See FRI.23.

québec

film

‘THE SECRET CHORD: A LEONARD COHEN EXPERIENCE’: See WED.21, 2 & 7:30 p.m.

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section.

talks

‘PENGUIN ISLAND 3D’: See THU.22.

ILLUSTRATING VERMONT HISTORY PANEL: Vermont comic artists Dan Nott, Daryl Seitchik and Tillie Walden share insights into their creative processes and discuss how art and storytelling can deepen our engagement with history. Ilsley Public Library, Middlebury, 1-3 p.m. Free. BOBBY LEWIS: A Colorado-based Christian Science practitioner, lecturer and former educator discusses the religion’s values and teachings. First Church of Christ, Scientist, Burlington, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free.

tech

VERMONT TECH JAM: Seven Days hosts an annual affair for techies to find new jobs and rub shoulders with industry professionals. Hula, Burlington, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free; preregister.

theater

10-MINUTE PLAY FESTIVAL: See THU.22. BORDERLANDS: ‘CALYPSO AND ODYSSEUS’: See FRI.23. ‘CRIME AND PUNISHMENT, A COMEDY’: See FRI.23. ‘THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK’: See FRI.23. ‘NORTHANGER ABBEY’: See THU.22, 2:30 & 7 p.m. ‘SPIRITS OF ROKEBY: THE IMPENDING CRISIS’: See FRI.23. ‘SPOOKY TALES: HAUNTED PHOTOGRAPHS’: A fully scripted performance by Kathryn Blume and Mark Nash brings to life six hair-raising short stories written by local authors. Cider and doughnuts provided. Waterbury Congregational Church, 7 p.m. $16. ‘TWO TENTS’: See FRI.23. ‘THE WILLISTON ONE ACTS’: See THU.22. ‘WOMEN+ ON THE EDGE OF DEMOCRACY’: Thirty-six original short works take the stage in a 12-hour marathon event probing the current state of American democracy. Flynn Main Stage, Burlington, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Free.

words

THE POETRY EXPERIENCE: Local wordsmith Rajnii Eddins hosts a supportive writing and sharing circle for poets of all ages. Pickering Room, Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 1-3 p.m. Free. WRITE NOW!: Wordsmiths of all experience levels hone their craft

‘SEA OTTERS: A WILD FAMILY ADVENTURE 3D’: See THU.22. ‘SHARK KINGDOM 3D’: See THU.22. VERMONT INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL: See WED.21. VISUAL EFFECTS FILM SERIES: See FRI.23, 1 & 7:30 p.m. ‘WILD RESCUE 3D’: See THU.22.

food & drink

SUNDAY WINE TASTING: Oenophiles swirl and sip their way through a rotating selection of vinos while learning about the producers and regions behind the pours. Bar Renée, Burlington, 1-4 p.m. $5-8. 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.22, 1 p.m.

health & fitness

BURLINGTON INSIGHT MEDITATION COMMUNITY: Certified instructors lead hourlong sessions of the ancient contemplative practice rooted in compassion and generosity. Hood

FOMO? Find even more local events in this newspaper and online:

art Find visual art exhibits and events in the Art section and at sevendaysvt.com/art.

film See what’s playing at theaters in the On Screen section.

music + nightlife Find club dates at local venues in the Music + Nightlife section online at sevendaysvt.com/ music. Learn more about highlighted listings in the Magnificent 7 on page 11.

= ONLINE EVENT = GET TICKETS ON SEVENDAYSTICKETS.COM

2638 RT 7 NEW HAVEN, VT

LIST YOUR EVENT FOR FREE AT SEVENDAYSVT.COM/POSTEVENT

GREENHAVENGARDENSANDNURSERY.COM GREENHAVENGARDENSVT

(802)453-5382

Plant, Burlington, 5:30-6:30 p.m. By donation.

Bridge Community Center, Barre, 1-6 p.m. Free.

DAD GUILD RUN CLUB: Fathers hit the pavement — rain or shine — at this weekly 3.5-mile morning jaunt through the Queen City. Burlington Greenway, 7:30 a.m. Free.

CRAFT CLUB: Creative queer folks work on their knitting, crocheting and sewing projects. Rainbow Bridge Community Center, Barre, 10 a.m.-noon. Free.

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. SHE BRAVELY RETURNS: An intimate, immersive women’s wellness and writing experience brings together four local facilitators to illuminate for attendees different pathways to well-being. Chace Mill, Burlington, 1 p.m. $97-125; preregister. SARAH RAMSEY STRONG 5K: Runners of all ages and abilities get moving along the city’s scenic bike path to benefit the namesake fund. Switchback Brewing, Burlington, 10 a.m. $2035; preregister.

holidays

BURLINGTON HALLOWEEN ROLL & STROLL: Hundreds of costumed participants embark on a joyful community ride through Queen City streets, ending in a holiday bash at Old Spokes Home. Burlington City Hall Park, 1:30 p.m. Free; preregister. HALLOWEEN AT THE WINOOSKI FARMERS MARKET: Festive folks throw on costumes for a frightfully fun fête featuring guest vendors, themed games and pumpkin painting. Winooski Falls Way, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. HALLOWEEN BARN: Revelers sport spooky-season attire for an afternoon of pony rides, themed activities, tricks and treats. Livery Horse Farm, Hinesburg, 1-3 p.m. Free; donations accepted. MED47 HAUNTED FOREST: See FRI.23. READ BETWEEN THE VINES: EXTRA SPOOKY EDITION: Grown-up bibliophiles lean into their Scholastic Book Fair nostalgia at this sale dedicated to harrowing horror, witchy romance and all things Halloween. Putnam’s vine/yard, White River Junction, 11:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Free. QUEEN CITY GHOSTWALK: FRIGHT BY FLASHLIGHT: Author and historian Thea Lewis helps adventurous attendees become experts in vintage ghost-hunting techniques and scholars of paranormal lore. Lakeview Cemetery, Burlington, 6 p.m. $25; preregister.

lgbtq

BOARD GAME DAY: LGBTQ+ tabletop fans bring their own favorite games to the party. Rainbow

QUEER READS BOOK CLUB: Lovers of LGBTQ+ literature lead a colorful discussion of Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu’s 1872 gothic novella, Carmilla, one of the earliest works of vampire fiction, predating Bram Stoker’s Dracula by 26 years. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 1:30-2:30 p.m. Free; preregister.

music

COUNTERPOINT AND OPERA COMPANY OF MIDDLEBURY: The ensembles join forces to present “Patria Oppressa,” a powerful program of operatic laments over oppression and protests against tyranny. St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Middlebury, 7:30 p.m. $10-40. DIANA FANNING: A decorated pianist tickles the ivories in a stirring repertoire of works by Ludwig van Beethoven, Leoš Janáček and Frédéric Chopin. North Universalist Chapel Society, Woodstock, 2 p.m. Free; donations accepted. HINESBURG ARTIST SERIES: Listeners revel in diverse musical works performed by the Hinesburg Community Band and the South County Chorus. Champlain Valley Union High School, Hinesburg, 4 p.m. Free; donations accepted. MAIDEN VERMONT: See SAT.24, 2 p.m.

region 250 years ago in backto-back presentations. Mount Independence State Historic Site, Orwell, 1-4 p.m. Regular admission, $1-8; free for children under 6.

theater

10-MINUTE PLAY FESTIVAL: See THU.22, 2 p.m. BORDERLANDS: ‘CALYPSO AND ODYSSEUS’: See FRI.23.

‘NORTHANGER ABBEY’: See THU.22, 2:30 p.m. ‘TWO TENTS’: See FRI.23, 3 p.m.

dance

FULL MOON ECSTATIC DANCE: A free-form boogie session allows Untitled-4 1 participants to let loose in a safe outdoor space around a crackling fire. Dreamland, Worcester, 7-9 p.m. $10-20.

sports

FOOTBALL ON THE BIG SCREEN: Gridiron fans score with NFL action, pit-smoked meats and locally brewed pints. Switchback Beer Garden & Smokehouse, Burlington, noon-9 p.m. Free. SUNDAY POLO MATCH: Pack a tailgate picnic and prepare to experience the fast-paced thrill of the traditional equestrian team sport. Amdez Polo Club, Shelburne, 3 p.m. $10-20.

talks

‘CHOOSE YOUR TALK’: Come for one, stay for all! Experts share fascinating facts about life in the

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FALL CLEANUP DAY & LUNCHEON: Volunteers prepare the exhibits and grounds for the winter closure, then connect over a shared meal. Rokeby Museum, Ferrisburgh, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free; preregister.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section.

‘WILD RESCUE 3D’: See THU.22.

‘THE SECRET CHORD: A LEONARD COHEN EXPERIENCE’: See WED.21, 2 p.m.

thanks for anoth

rea er g

FallHours: MoN-Sat8-4 ClosedSundays

MON.26

WEISS KAPLAN STUMPF TRIO: Three masterful artists perform chamber music gems by Gabriel Fauré, Dmitri Shostakovich and Antonín Dvořák. South Church Hall, St. Johnsbury, 3 p.m. $6-20.

québec

Saturday oct.244

‘THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK’: See FRI.23, 2 p.m.

‘PENGUIN ISLAND 3D’: See THU.22.

THE AMAZING CORN MAZE: See WED.21.

finale

‘CRIME AND PUNISHMENT, A COMEDY’: See FRI.23, 2 p.m.

MAVIS STAPLES: One of the most enduring figures in American music lends her powerful pipes to an expansive and soulful repertoire. Paramount Theatre, Rutland, 7 p.m. $55-85.

outdoors

Season

‘SEA OTTERS: A WILD FAMILY ADVENTURE 3D’: See THU.22. ‘SHARK KINGDOM 3D’: See THU.22.

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

FULL MOON SOUND BATH: Healing arts practitioner Bridget Stone encourages relaxation, reflection and a sense of calm through the use of resonant instruments. The Sanctuary for Healing and Liberation, Burlington, 7 p.m. $40; preregister.

language

LANGUAGE LOUNGE: See WED.21.

music

ONION RIVER CHORUS REHEARSAL: The non-auditioned MON.26

» P.73 SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 21-28, 2026

calendar FAMILY FUN THU.22

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WILLIAM ALEXANDER: A National Book Award-winning children’s author reads from his acclaimed works and shares insights about his writing process. Stowe Free Library, 7-8 p.m. Free.

mad river valley/ waterbury

BUSY BEES PLAYGROUP: Blocks, toys, books and songs engage little ones 24 months and younger. Waterbury Public Library, 10-11:30 a.m. Free.

FRI.23

burlington

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. ‘CHAMP: AMERICA’S LAKE MONSTER’ EXHIBIT: See WED.21. 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. ‘VERY ERIC CARLE’ EXHIBIT: See WED.21.

chittenden county

LEGO BUILDERS: Creative minds stack, connect and build their way to structural masterpieces using interlocking blocks. Recommended for ages 8 and up, or 6 and up with an adult helper. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 3-4:30 p.m. Free. PERLER BEAD OPEN STUDIO: Crafty kids ages 7 and up mix, match and fuse beads to create their own designs or follow a pattern. Essex Free Library, 10:30 a.m.12:30 p.m. Free.

barre/montpelier

BASEMENT TEEN CENTER: See WED.21., 2-8 p.m. STORY TIME & PLAYGROUP: Tots ages birth to 6 stretch their imaginations and legs at this weekly offering of storytelling, sing-alongs, crafting and open play with youth librarian Sasha McGarvey. Jaquith Public Library, Marshfield, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free.

upper valley

SPOOKY SCIENCE: Families don their finest vampire teeth for tricked-out exhibits, live demos, hands-on learning stations and a jack-o’-lantern trail. Montshire Museum of Science, Norwich, 5:30-7:30 p.m. $12-16; free for kids under 2. STORY TIME: Preschoolers take part in tales, tunes and playtime. Latham Library, Thetford, 11 a.m. Free.

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 21-28, 2026

northeast kingdom

PRESCHOOL STORY TIME: Youngsters and their caregivers delight in beautiful books, silly songs, creative crafts and unplugged play in the library’s cozy children’s room. Craftsbury Public Library, Craftsbury Common, 10 a.m. Free.

brattleboro/okemo valley

‘THE PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH’: A bored boy finds a mysterious toy tollbooth in his bedroom in this whimsical stage adaptation of Norton Juster’s classic children’s novel. New England Youth Theatre, Brattleboro, 7 p.m. $15-20.

SAT.24

burlington

‘CHAMP: AMERICA’S LAKE MONSTER’ EXHIBIT: See WED.21. FAMILY ART SATURDAY: Families get creative at a drop-in activity inspired by works featured in the center’s current exhibitions. BCA Center, Burlington, 1-3 p.m. $10 suggested donation; preregister. FAMILY PLAYSHOP: Youngsters boost early literacy and school readiness through hands-on activities, songs and storytelling. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 10-11:30 a.m. Free. LEGO TIME: Mini makers ages 4 to 11 design and build original, colorful creations. Fletcher Free Library New North End Branch, Burlington, 11 a.m.-noon. Free. SPOOKY SCIENCE: A hair-raising day of discovery includes a spectacular chemistry magic show that’s guaranteed to get a reaction. ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Regular admission, $17-23; free for members and kids 2 and under. ‘VERY ERIC CARLE’ EXHIBIT: See WED.21.

chittenden county

ABENAKI CAMPFIRE WITH CHIEF DON STEVENS: Songs, stories, drumming and artifacts broaden families’ knowledge of Abenaki culture. Recommended for ages 6 and up. Shelburne Farms, 5:45-7 p.m. $5; preregister. FIRE SAFETY STORY TIME: Fire prevention coordinator Michelle Collins entertains little patrons with special tales, followed by a show-and-tell of her gear. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 11-11:30 a.m. Free. INTERGENERATIONAL BOOK CLUB: Families with children in fifth through eighth grades read and discuss Erin Entrada Kelly’s 2017 Newbery Medalwinner, Hello, Universe, following four kids whose lives intertwine through an unexpected accident. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, noon. Free.

champlain islands/ northwest

DADS & KIDS LIBRARY PLAYGROUP: Fathers and caregivers build community while kiddos burn off energy at this monthly morning social session. St. Albans Free Library, 10:30 a.m.-noon. Free.

upper valley

HALLOWEEN AT VINS: Seasonal excitement takes flight at this festive

celebration for families, featuring a themed scavenger hunt, raptor programs and spooky crafts. Vermont Institute of Natural Science, Quechee, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Regular admission, $17-20; free for members and kids 3 and under. MICHAEL J. CADUTO: An author launches his new children’s book, The Day the Pond Flew South, about a group of birds who invent an ingenious plan to save their trapped friend. The Norwich Bookstore, 2 p.m. Free.

northeast kingdom

COMIC BOOK CLUB: Young minds work together to create their own comic book at this weekly program encouraging collaboration and creativity. Haskell Free Library & Opera House, Derby Line, 1-2:30 p.m. Free.

brattleboro/ okemo valley

‘THE PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH’: See FRI.23, 2 & 7 p.m.

SUN.25

burlington

BAM! COMICS LAB FOR KIDS: Expert Jon Chad teaches budding illustrators ages 8 to 12 how to turn blank pages into panel-by-panel stories in this six-part series. Fletcher Room, Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 3:30-5 p.m. Free; preregister. BANANA SPLIT PLAYGROUP: Coparenting, single-parenting and blended families of all shapes and sizes scoop up connection at a welcoming play session, followed by a stroll down the street for free ice cream. The Guild Hall, Burlington, 10 a.m.-noon. Free. ‘CHAMP: AMERICA’S LAKE MONSTER’ EXHIBIT: See WED.21. MUSIC TIME: Local musicians Jessie and Lisa guide families through a morning jam session, followed by opportunities for open-ended play and community connection. The Guild Hall, Burlington, 11 a.m.-noon. Free. ‘VERY ERIC CARLE’ EXHIBIT: See WED.21.

chittenden county

CHILDREN’S STORY TIME WITH CHRISTINE: See WED.21. SOCIAL SUNDAYS: Families participate in fun and educational art activities with diverse mediums and themes. All supplies and instruction provided. Milton Artists’ Guild Art Center & Gallery, 12:30-2:30 p.m. Free.

rutland/killington

PUMPKIN PARTY & TRUNK-OR-TREAT: A costume-filled Halloween happening summons ghosties and ghoulies of all ages for frightfully fun activities. Pittsford Recreation Area, 11 a.m. Free.

upper valley

SBOOKY LIBRARY: Costumed kiddos navigate haunted stacks before descending to the children’s area for an afternoon of lighthearted Halloween activities and treats. Norman Williams Public Library, Woodstock, 3-5 p.m. Free.

northeast kingdom

HALLOWEEN KIDS PARTY: Littles unleash their inner monster with pumpkin carving, seasonal stories, spooky

tunes and games. McIndoes Academy Community Center, McIndoe Falls, 2-4 p.m. Free; donations accepted.

brattleboro/ okemo valley

‘THE PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH’: See FRI.23, 2 p.m.

MON.26

burlington

‘CHAMP: AMERICA’S LAKE MONSTER’ EXHIBIT: See WED.21. STORIES & CRAFTS: ANIMAL ANTICS: Children ages 2 to 6 and their caregivers unleash their inner creature at a handson story session spotlighting a new critter each week. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 11-11:45 a.m. Free. ‘VERY ERIC CARLE’ EXHIBIT: See WED.21.

chittenden county

MIDDLE GRADE MOVIE: ‘HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON’: Viking Hiccup and his scaly friend Toothless develop an unlikely bond and take flight in this 2025 live-action adventure flick. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 4 p.m. Free.

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. WINDS AND BRASS NIGHT: Vermont Youth Orchestra invites student musicians across the state to participate in an evening of fun, no-pressure readthroughs. Elley-Long Music Center, Saint Michael’s College, Colchester, 6:30 p.m. Free; preregister.

barre/montpelier

BASEMENT TEEN CENTER: See WED.21. 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. STORY TIME: See THU.22.

rutland/killington

SPOOKTACULAR DANCE: Boils and ghouls ages 5 to 10 wiggle like silly monsters and tiptoe through pumpkin patches at this Halloween-themed movement and music session. Stone Valley Arts, Poultney, 6-7 p.m. Free.

upper valley

barre/montpelier

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.

mad river valley/ waterbury

northeast kingdom

upper valley

PRESCHOOL STORY TIME: See FRI.23.

BASEMENT TEEN CENTER: See WED.21.

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.

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.

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.

WED.28

burlington

ACORN CLUB STORY TIME: Youngsters 5 and under play, sing, hear stories and color. St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, 10:3011 a.m. Free.

BIPOC FAMILY DINNER: Multiracial and blended families gather for an evening of connection, shared food and community-building hosted by the Vermont Professionals of Color Network and Dad Guild. The Guild Hall, Burlington, 5-7 p.m. Free.

TUE.27

‘CHAMP: AMERICA’S LAKE MONSTER’ EXHIBIT: See WED.21.

‘VERY ERIC CARLE’ EXHIBIT: See WED.21.

burlington

STORIES & SONGS FOR LIBRARY LITTLES: See WED.21.

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

‘VERY ERIC CARLE’ EXHIBIT: See WED.21.

barre/montpelier

chittenden county

CRAFTYTOWN: Youngsters hone their artistic chops by making unique creations in a variety of mediums, from painting to printmaking to sculpture. Best for ages 8 and up, or ages 6 and up with an adult helper. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 3-4 p.m. Free. KNITTING WORKSHOP FOR MIDDLE GRADE STUDENTS: Youths in grades 5 through 8 turn yarn into cozy winter hats complete with custom pompoms or buttons. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 4-5:30 p.m. Free; preregister.

BABYTIME: See WED.21.

CHILDREN’S STORY TIME WITH CHRISTINE: See WED.21.

BABY & CAREGIVER MEETUP: See WED.21. BASEMENT TEEN CENTER: See WED.21.

upper valley

STORY TIME: See WED.21. K

LIST YOUR EVENT FOR FREE AT SEVENDAYSVT.COM/POSTEVENT

MON.26

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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.

outdoors

THE AMAZING CORN MAZE: See WED.21.

theater

‘MYSTIC PIZZA: A NEW MUSICAL’: A music-driven stage adaptation of the iconic ’80s film follows three friends as they navigate the complexities of relationships, all while slinging slices at a small-town joint. Flynn Main Stage, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $32.85-96. SHAKESPEARE OUT LOUD: Thespians, language lovers and listeners gather to give voice to tragic star-crossed lovers in an unstructured, open-role script reading of the Bard’s Romeo and Juliet. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 4-5:30 p.m. Free.

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. ‘A COURT OF SPLINTERED HARMONY’ MIDNIGHT RELEASE PARTY: Fans of romantasy author Sarah J. Maas come together for an activity-filled celebration of the long-awaited sixth book in her A Court of Thorns and Roses series. Light refreshments provided. The Double E Lounge at Essex Experience, 10 p.m. $46; preregister; cash bar. 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. VERMONT BOOKSHOP: DR. GALIT ATLAS: An internationally renowned psychoanalyst shares her profound and deeply human book Come Closer: Childhood Wounds, Adult Love and the Secrets of Emotional Intimacy. Town Hall Theater, Middlebury, 6 p.m. $10.

TUE.27

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 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. WATERCOLOR DROP-IN: Painters bring their own supplies to a weekly, instruction-free session to brush up on their skills in a communal setting. Waterbury Public Library, 10:30 a.m. Free.

environment

AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES WEBINAR: Community scientist and volunteer Annie D’Alton discusses the results of a pilot study on manual phragmite control at Nichols Pond. Hosted by the Lake Champlain Committee. Noon-1 p.m. Free; preregister. MINI CLEAN UP CREW: Good Samaritans turn their morning routine into civic pride by tidying up and refreshing the city’s much-loved green space. BYO gloves encouraged. Burlington City Hall Park, 8-8:30 a.m. Free.

etc.

JAMES O. JOSEPH JR.: The self-proclaimed “Unintentional Psychic” wows audience members with his intuitive abilities. Fair Haven Free Library, 6 p.m. Free. ‘REAL VERMONTERS DON’T MILK GOATS’ CELEBRATION: Locals flock to the 43rd-anniversary edition tour of the best-selling book of humor by Frank M. Bryan and the late Bill Mares. Phoenix Books, Rutland, 6 p.m. Free.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section. ‘THE EXORCIST’: A 12-year-old girl is possessed by an evil entity in this 1973 cult-classic horror flick starring Linda Blair and Ellen Burstyn. Film House, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free. MIDDLEBURY CLASSIC FILM CLUB: Cinephiles watch and bond over groundbreaking ’90s flicks such as Clueless and The Truman Show. See ilsleypubliclibrary.org for lineup. Ilsley Public Library, Middlebury, 1 p.m. Free. ‘PENGUIN ISLAND 3D’: See THU.22. ‘SEA OTTERS: A WILD FAMILY ADVENTURE 3D’: See THU.22.

help practitioners cultivate agility through a contemporary sequence of quintessential martial arts postures. Virtual option available. Unitarian Universalist Church, Springfield, 10-11 a.m. Free. 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.21. PAUSE-CAFÉ MARDI: Francophones and Frenchlanguage learners meet pour parler la belle langue. Fletcher Free Library, 5-7 p.m. Free. SPANISH CONVERSATION: ¿Hablas español? Conversationalists of all levels practice the Romance language in a stress-free environment. Pickering Room, Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 4:30-5:30 p.m. Free.

music

TOAD THE WET SPROCKET: The 1990s alt-rock icons knock listeners’ socks off with reimagined acoustic versions of their most beloved songs, including “All I Want” and “Walk on the Ocean.” Lebanon Opera House, N.H., 7:30 p.m. $72.50-206.50. VERMONT’S FREEDOM & UNITY CHORUS: Singers come together for a weekly rehearsal inspiring positive change through the TUE.27

» P.74

FOMO? Find even more local events in this newspaper and online:

art

‘WILD RESCUE 3D’: See THU.22.

Find visual art exhibits and events in the Art section and at sevendaysvt.com/art.

games

film

‘SHARK KINGDOM 3D’: See THU.22.

BLOOD ON THE CLOCKTOWER: Katharine Bodan leads players in a thrilling social deduction game of lies and logic, in which no one is ever truly ruled out. Waterbury Public Library, 6-8 p.m. Free. BOARD GAMES FOR ADULTS: Locals ages 18 and up enjoy the library’s collection or bring their own to share with the group. Light refreshments provided. Essex Free Library, 6-7:30 p.m. Free.

health & fitness

BEGINNER TAI CHI: Weight transference and mindful breathing

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.

SEVEN DAYS IS A FIRST-CLASS PUBLICATION!

– Katharine Hutchinson, St. Albans SUPER READER SINCE JUNE 2020

Welcome, new Super Readers!

These wonderful people made their first donation to Seven Days this week:

Sylvie Desautels

Emily Oglesby

Kathy Parsonnet

Eve Wrigley

Here are some of the repeat and recurring Super Readers who sustain us all year: Peter Booth Ed Carroll Martha Dallas Ruth Fuller Kris Hillen Thomas Hyde Gene Kadish

Karen Fryer Michael Monte Bonnie Pease Alan Quackenbush Maryanne Roberts Alan Rubin Cynthia Rubin

Patricia Sampson James Scott Susan Sharp John Sharp Katharine Stockman Rosemary Zamore Peter Zamore

Join these generous folks and other Super Readers who donate monthly to:

Make your contribution today! sevendaysvt.com/super-readers Or send a check w/note to: Seven Days c/o Super Readers, PO Box 1164, Burlington, VT 05402. Need more info? Want to give from a donor-advised fund or through a qualified charitable contribution? Contact Sarah at 802-865-1020, ext. 115 or superreaders@sevendaysvt.com.

= ONLINE EVENT = GET TICKETS ON SEVENDAYSTICKETS.COM 2v-SRthanks102126.indd 1

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 21-28, 2026

10/20/26 8:07 AM

calendar THU.27

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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.

power of music. Chapel of Saint Michael the Archangel, Saint Michael’s College, Colchester, 7 p.m. Free.

outdoors

EZ BREEZY BIKE RIDES: Cyclists gain confidence at this funfilled, casual group loop around the Queen City. Local Motion, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

THE AMAZING CORN MAZE: See WED.21.

seminars

BASICS CLASS: NAMI Vermont hosts an informative weekly seminar for individuals with a loved one who is struggling with mental health. 6-8:30 p.m. Free; preregister.

tech

AFTERNOON TECH HELP: Experts answer questions about phones, laptops, e-readers and other devices in one-on-one meetings. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 1-4 p.m. Free; preregister.

theater

FOMO?

‘MYSTIC PIZZA: A NEW MUSICAL’: See MON.26.

Find even more local events in this newspaper and online:

words

BURLINGTON LITERATURE GROUP: Over the course of nine weeks, readers analyze Mircea Cărtărescu’s 2015 surrealist novel, Solenoid, about a high school teacher in 1970s Communist Romania who records his nightmarish daily life in a diary. 6:30-8 p.m. Free.

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.

EVENING BOOK GROUP: Bibliophiles share their read on Michelle Porter’s 2023 fiction debut, A Grandmother Begins the Story, the story of a fractured family told through a chorus of voices. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 6-7 p.m. Free.

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.

EXPLORING IRISH LITERATURE: Bookworms dissect the wit and grit of the Emerald Isle through monthly discussions of titles spanning ancient mythology to modernity. Norman Williams Public Library, Woodstock, 10:30 a.m.-noon. Free.

= ONLINE EVENT = GET TICKETS ON SEVENDAYSTICKETS.COM

GORDON MACFARLAND: The Senior Runner founder and

author shares Staying With It, his evidence-based guide to the enduring rewards of running, in conversation with local physical therapist Dr. Karen Westervelt. Phoenix Books, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free; preregister.

crafts

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.

THE QUEEN CITY SQUARE DANCE: Swing your partner round and round! Live music by Jenny Monfore, Chris Hollis and Sarah Gibson soundtrack an evening of sashaying for all abilities. A beginner lesson is offered at 6:30 p.m. The SEABA Center, Burlington, 7-9 p.m. $10-20; preregister.

YARN & YAK: See WED.21. YARN CRAFTERS GROUP: See WED.21.

dance

SQUARE DANCE CLUB: See WED.21.

WED.28 WEDNESDAYS WITH FARMER FRED: See WED.21.

business

‘HIRING YOUR FIRST EMPLOYEE’: A panel of Vermont Law & Graduate School professors and students explains ways to navigate the complexities of employment, from onboarding to handling taxes. A Q&A follows. 10 a.m.-noon. Free; preregister. HULA STORY SESSIONS: ‘A PEEK BEHIND THE SEVENTH GENERATION CURTAIN’: Cofounder and former CEO Jeffrey Hollender shares the personal and professional journey behind the sustainability-focused company’s growth. Hula, Burlington, 4 p.m. Free; preregister.

community

COFFEE & CONVERSATION: See WED.21. CURRENT EVENTS: Neighbors have an informal discussion about what’s in the news. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 10:30 a.m.-noon. Free.

BRAVE LITTLE STATE MIXER: Fans of the people-powered Vermont Public podcast mix, mingle, ask their burning questions and take part in a live voting round to select a future episode’s topic. The Miller’s Toll Dinner Club & Lounge, Bennington, 5:30-7:30 p.m. $10. ‘THE MOUNT’S FINEST DAY’: History buffs commemorate a pivotal moment on October 28, 1776 — when the Northern Army’s garrison sent general Guy Carleton’s fleet back to Canada for the winter — at a celebratory day of trail walks and expert-led talks. Mount Independence State Historic Site, Orwell, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Regular admission, $1-8; free for children under 6. 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.

VERMONT WOMEN’S MENTOR TRAINING: See WED.21.

‘NOSFERATU’: Filmmaker and Duxbury resident Scott Tuft introduces a screening of the bone-chilling 1922 silent German expressionist horror flick based on Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Duxbury Historical Society, South Duxbury, 6 p.m. By donation; preregister.

food & drink

COMMUNITY COOKING: See WED.21. CUPPA ON CAMPUS: See WED.21.

etc.

agriculture

‘NO COUNTRY FOR MOTHERS’: See SAT.24. Greenway Campus, Montpelier, 6 p.m. Free; preregister.

VEGAN IN VERMONT: Those following a plant-based diet connect with others, explore recipes and listen to guest speaker Mateo Block, owner of Prophecy Chocolate in Morrisville. Fletcher Free Library New North End Branch, Burlington, 6-8 p.m. Free; preregister.

games

‘THE PRICE IS RIGHT LIVE!’: Randomly selected contestants “come on down” at an interactive, live stage version of the legendary television game show. Paramount Theatre, Rutland, 7:30 p.m. $49-69.

health & fitness CHAIR YOGA: See WED.21.

MIDWEEK DHARMA: See WED.21. RECOVERY DHARMA: See WED.21.

Association hosts an evening for speakers — both beginner and native — to practice the language of love. Pearl Street Pizza, Barre, 5-8 p.m. Free; preregister.

lgbtq

THE ALL-INCLUSIVE DYKETACULAR: See WED.21.

outdoors

THE AMAZING CORN MAZE: See WED.21.

politics

MIDTERM ELECTION FAIR: At this pivotal moment before the Nov. 3. vote, community members hear directly from local candidates. Barstow Memorial School, Chittenden, 1-2 p.m. Free.

seminars

FAMILY-TO-FAMILY CLASS: See WED.21.

sports

GREEN MOUNTAIN TABLE TENNIS CLUB: See WED.21.

talks

FALL SPEAKER SERIES: See WED.21. SOCIAL JUSTICE SPEAKER SERIES: KENNETH S. STERN: The Bard Center for the Study of Hate director joins virtually to present on “Antisemitism Definitions and Free Speech.” Ohavi Zedek Synagogue, Burlington, 5:30 p.m. Free. ➆

language

ITALIAN CONVERSATION GROUP: Practitioners sharpen their skills and connect with neighbors at a bimonthly meetup facilitated by a native speaker. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 10-11 a.m. Free. LANGUAGE LOUNGE: See WED.21. PARLIAMO ITALIANO: The Vermont Italian Cultural

Home For The Holidays Lighting Showroom Sale

October 17th-24th, 2026

Barre, Vermont Lighting Showroom

Up To

20% OFF Decorative Lighting

Free gift with purchase!

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 21-28, 2026

3h-GraniteCityElectric093026 1

Stop by our Barre, Vermont lighting showroom in October to get your home ready for the Holiday season! 802-476-0280 • 900 US-302, Barre, VT • Monday - Friday 9AM - 5PM • Saturday 9AM - 2PM Scan The QR Code To View Our Showroom Website & Locations Valid in MA, RI, and VT Lighting Showrooms only. Valid towards in-store purchase of decorative lighting. Cannot be combined with any other offers. Clearance items excluded. Expires 10.24.26

9/23/26 12:25 PM

ai179252867610_1t-BurgerWeek102126.pdf

10/20/26

4:37 PM

Put on your patty pants and bite into Seven Days Burger Week! coming…

november 6-15 During Burger Week, participating restaurants are serving up specials that you’ll really flip for. Think breakfast burgers, triple-deckers, veggie burgers and, of course, good ol’ beef patties. The biggest burger fanatics will win epic prizes for sharing photos of their adventures. Always remember: Calories don’t count during Burger Week!

2 02 6 b u r g e r h e r o e s ( s o fa r ) * = New to Burger Week

Archie's Grill, Shelburne

Juniper Bar & Restaurant, Burlington

Backyard, Stowe

Leunig's Bistro & Café, Burlington

Backyard Bistro, Charlotte

Park Squeeze, Vergennes

Barkeaters, Shelburne

Piecasso Family Pizzeria, Stowe

Bent Nails Roadhouse, Middlesex*

Postive Pie, Montpelier*

Black Flannel Brewing & Distilling Company, Essex*

Ranch Camp, Woodstock

Butter Bar & Kitchen, Burlington

Shelburne Tap House, Shelburne*

Church Street Tavern, Burlington Copper at Dorset, South Burlington Déco Restaurant and Bar, Warren* The Farmhouse Tap & Grill, Burlington & Williston* Fire & Ice Restaurant, Middlebury Four Quarters Brewing, Winooski Grazers, Williston The Harborvale, Burlington*

it’s not too late to ketchup!

Idletyme Brewery & Restaurant, Stowe

get your restaurant on the list: burgerweek@sevendaysvt.com

Schaefer's, Richmond* The Skinny Pancake, Burlington Switchback Beer Garden & Smokehouse, Burlington Three Penny Taproom, Montpelier Tourterelle, New Haven Two Heroes Brewery & Public House, South Hero* Whirligig Restaurant, Brewery & Bar, St. Johnsbury* Windjammer Restaurant and Upper Deck Pub, South Burlington Worthy Burger, South Royalton*

Jericho Country Store, Jericho

B U R G E R s p e c i a l s d r o p p i n g da i ly at b u r g e r w e e k v t.c o m .

brought

you

AND

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 21-28, 2026

MORE CLASS LISTINGS ONLINE AT: SEVENDAYSVT.COM/CLASSES

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 DAVIS STUDIO ART CLASSES: Discover your happy place in one of our weekly classes. Making art boosts emotional well-being and brings joy to your life, especially when you connect with other art enthusiasts. Select the ongoing program that’s right for you. Now enrolling youths, teens and adults. Join and restore your faith in humanity. Info: 802-4252700, info@davisstudiovt.com, davisstudiovt.com. MASK MAKING WITH HEART HeART, Mind and Soul: An onoging collaborative series presented by local artist Tabbatha Henry and Kripalu meditation teacher Nicole Grenier. This series blends journaling, art and meditation for relaxation, emotional healing and self-discovery. Date: Sat., Oct. 24, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Cost: $150. Location: shared upon registration. Info: chasemountainwellness@gmail. com, sevendaystickets.com. CRAFT AND CREATE ART FAIR: This event combines a craft fair with art class options so people can holiday shop and create their own gifts at the same event. Preregistration for classes is strongly encouraged! This is a fundraising event for the nonprofit Creative heART Inc., which offers healing art opportunities to the community through classes, events and camps. Learn more and sign up for classes at the Facebook event page link below. Date: Nov. 14; craft fair, 9

AIKIDO: THE WATERCOURSE WAY Adult basics/youth classes begin on Nov. 3; beginners’ classes five days a week. Cultivate core power, aerobic fitness and resiliency. The dynamic, circular movements emphasize throws, joint locks and the development of internal energy. Join our community and find resiliency, power and grace. Inclusive training, gender-neutral dressing room/ bathrooms and a safe space for all. Visitors are always welcome to watch a class! Vermont’s only intensive aikido programs. Location: Aikido of Champlain Valley, 257 Pine St., Burlington. Info: bpincus@burlingtonaikido.org, burlingtonaikido.org. a.m.-4 p.m.; classes, 9:30 a.m., noon & 2:30 p.m. Cost: Craft fair is free; classes, $20-50. Location: Missisquoi Valley Union High School, 175 Thunderbird Dr., Swanton. Info: thecreativeheart inc.events@gmail.com, tinyurl. com/4pwna29m.

food & drink NEW THANKSGIVING SIDES & SNACKS: In this class, we’ll make creative and easy snacks and sides to share with your loved ones this Thanksgiving! This class is hands-on, and you will leave with at least a few new skills. Learn the foundations of some great snacks and side

NEW TAI CHI BEGINNERS CLASS IN BURLINGTON: Long River Tai Chi Circle is the school of Wolfe Lowenthal, student of professor Cheng Man Ching and author of three classic works on tai chi chaun. Patrick Cavanaugh is a longtime student and assistant of Wolfe’s and a senior instructor at Long River Tai Chi Circle in Vermont and New Hampshire and will be teaching the class in Burlington. Dates: Starts Oct. 7, ongoing on Wed. mornings, 9-10 a.m. Registration will remain open until Oct. 28. Cost: $65/ mo. Location: Saint Anthony’s Catholic Church (in the gym), 305 Flynn Ave., Burlington. Info: Patrick Cavanaugh, 802-490-6405,

Supported by:

Watch at: sevendaysvt.com/stuckinvt SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 21-28, 2026

4H-Stuckinvt101426.indd 1

sports & fitness

martial arts

Eva Sollberger’s

Location: Burlington Taiko, 208 Flynn Ave., Suite 3-G, Burlington. Info: Stuart Paton, 802-448-0150, burlingtontaiko.org.

dishes that can be infinitely customized for unique tastes and preferences. All dishes are vegetarian, but we will discuss techniques and upgrades to fit into your gathering. Date: Sat., Nov. 14, 4 p.m. Cost: $60. Location: Richmond Community Kitchen, 13 Jolina Ct. Info: 802-434-3445, sevendaystickets.com.

patricklrtcc@gmail.com, longrivertaichinewengland.com.

movement BEGINNING SWING DANCE CLASSES: A four-week series of beginning jitterbug dance lessons offered by Vermont Swings. No partner necessary. Park on nearby streets and walk to the hall, but bring clean dance shoes to protect the wood dance floor. Dates: Nov. 3, 10, 17 & 24, 7 p.m. Cost: $15/class; $50 for series. Location: North Star Community Hall, 20 Crowley St., Burlington. Info: Terrill Bouricius, 802-3101034, terrybour@gmail.com, vermontswings.com/events/ category/classes.

music

WINTER WORKSHOPS: INTRO TO WHEEL BUILDING: Students will work hands-on throughout the two-day workshop, learning the principles of bicycle wheel design and building using professional bicycle-specific tools and equipment. Each student will build their own complete set of DT Swiss wheels from individual components and take the finished wheelset home at the end of the workshop. This is an advanced class that involves working with small components and precise measurements. No previous wheel-building experience is required, but students should be comfortable working with bicycle components and tools. Maximum of 1 student per class. Dates: 1st classes, Nov. 7 & 8, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. See website for additional dates. Cost: $995/student, incl. a complete DT Swiss wheelset valued at approximately $800. Location: Elevation Cyclery at Sleepy Hollow Ski & Bike Center, Huntington. Info: jason@elevationcyclery.com, sevendaystickets.com. BIKE BASICS: An expanded version of our popular single-evening bicycle care clinic, Bike Basics is a three-week series for folks who would like a little more time,

TAIKO TUESDAYS, DJEMBE WEDNESDAYS!: Drum with Stuart Paton! New sessions each month, starting the weeks of Oct. 22, Nov. 24 and Jan. 5. 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/ person for Kids & Parents class.

detailed instruction and hands-on experience. You’ll learn how to fix a flat tire, clean your drivetrain, adjust your brakes, adjust your shifting, check your bearings and more! With a 3-to-1 student-to-instructor ratio, this class is designed to empower participants by helping them understand and care for their bicycles. Dates: Nov 4, 11 & 18, 6-8 p.m. Cost: $115-175. Location: Old Spokes Home Community Workshop, Burlington. Info: 802-863-4475, sevendaystickets.com. RAR BIKE BASICS (WOMEN/ TRANS/ENBY) This class is a collaboration with the local Radical Adventure Riders chapter and is for students who identify as women, trans or nonbinary. An expanded version of our popular single-evening bicycle care clinic, Bike Basics is a three-week series for folks who would like more time, detailed instruction and hands-on experience. You’ll learn how to fix a flat tire, clean your drivetrain, adjust your brakes, adjust your shifting, check your bearings and more! With a 3-to-1 student-to-instructor ratio, this class is designed to empower participants by helping them understand and care for their bicycles. This class will be taught by Sequoia (they/them) and Quinn (they/them). Dates: Nov. 5, 12 & 19, 6-8 p.m. Cost: $115-175. Location: Old Spokes Home Community Workshop, Burlington. Info: 802-863-4475, sevendaystickets.com.

Find and purchase tickets for these and other classes at sevendaystickets.com.

= TICKETED CLASS

WATCH HER LATEST VIDEO! When Tamara Jordan moved to Vermont in 2020, she didn’t buy warmer clothes — she learned to knit her own. Jordan sells her knitting patterns online, and Starcrossed Knits has more than 100,000 followers on social media. Seven Days’ Eva Sollberger met up with Jordan for a new sweater reveal.

10/12/26 5:33 PM

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

Humane

Society

Chewey AGE/SEX: 7-year-old spayed female ARRIVAL DATE: September 22, 2026 SUMMARY: This darling girl has stolen the hearts of all our staff

and volunteers, and if you meet her, you’ll see why! It’s impossible not to fall in love with her sweet doe eyes or give in to her persistent pleas for belly rubs. She is endlessly affectionate and just needs a soft bed to lie on and some people to love her. At heart, she is a young and spunky girl who thrives on quality time spent with her people. Physically, she is looking for a home that is dedicated to supporting her medical needs as she begins to slow down. But make no mistake, she has so much life and love left to give. Being loved by Chewey is a profoundly heartwarming experience, and she deserves to receive that back tenfold.

of Chittenden County

DID YOU KNOW?

One of the many perks of having an older pet is that they don’t need as much training and supervision as their younger counterparts. Plus, there’s nothing like the life-changing love of an older dog! Consider opening your heart to an older dog like Chewey.

Sponsored by:

DOGS/CATS/KIDS: Chewey is looking for a home where she can be

the only pet. She may do well with older kids who can be respectful of her medical needs and potential physical discomfort. Visit the Humane Society of Chittenden County at 142 Kindness Court, South Burlington, Tuesday-Friday, 1-5 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Call 802-862-0135 or visit hsccvt.org for more info.

Jobs »

NO SCAMS, ALL LOCAL, POSTINGS DAILY

NEW STUFF ONLINE EVERY DAY! PLACE YOUR ADS 24-7 AT SEVENDAYSVT.COM/CLASSIFIEDS. SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 21-28, 2026

Post ads by Monday at 3 p.m. sevendaysvt.com/classifieds Need help? 802-865-1020, ext. 143 classifieds@sevendaysvt.com

PETS & SUPPLIES Buy y & Sell e

YELLOW LABRADOR RETRIEVER PUPPIES 4 yellow female Lab puppies. $1,500. Contact 802-291-2995, soossmiles1111@gmail. com.

FURNITURE ESTATE SALE; COMPLETE HOUSEHOLD & LOTS OF GOOD WOODWORKING TOOLS Essex estate online sale though Wed., Oct. 21. Beach décor; wicker furniture; Shaf, Adleta & ShopMaster woodworking tools; loads of Shopsmith Items; artwork; kitchen items; Christmas décor; Jason telescope; power tools; Craftsman rolling toolbox; Craftsman yard machine; generator; & much more! Visit estatesales.net/vt/ essex-junction/05452/ marketplace/85084. Info, 802-238-9574, reedobrien@aol.com, estatesalesofvermont. com.

Musicians M cians Community & Ar Artists ts

MUSIC LESSONS LEARN PIANO ON A STEINWAY GRAND Piano lessons avail. for beginner through advanced players. All ages & all genres of music. I have 20 years’ teaching experience & am at a new South End piano studio. Be in touch! Info, randal. pierce@gmail.com, randalpiercemusic.com.

CLASSIFIEDS KEY appt. appointment apt. apartment BA bathroom BR bedroom DR dining room DW dishwasher HDWD hardwood HW hot water LR living room NS no smoking OBO or best offer refs. references sec. dep. security deposit W/D washer & dryer

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, gender identity, age, marital status, disability, presence of minor children in the family, receipt of public assistance, citizenship, immigration status, or status as a victim or survivor of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or a discrimination. The newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for

Rentals R e als & R al Est Real Estate Esta

APARTMENTS & HOUSES FOR RENT COZY 1-BR APT. FOR RENT IN WINOOSKI Unfurnished 1-BR apt. for rent w/ enclosed porches front & back. Large fenced-in yard. Gas heat. Very clean. NS. Private parking. HDWD, new windows. Pictures upon request. $1,500. For more information, call, text or email: 802-355-4099, skyhorse205@yahoo. com. S. BURLINGTON CITY CENTER 3-BR, 1-BA APT. FOR RENT 195 Hinesburg Rd., S. Burlington. Unfurnished, 3-BR, 1-BA, 1,000 sq.ft. This unique, fully renovated older apartment incl. a large eat-in, fully applianced kitchen & W/D. Among the unique features is a large 3-season porch, spacious backyard & covered parking for 2 vehicles. Th e location is very convenient & walkable to S. Burlington amenities incl. schools, shopping & restaurants. Rent incl. trash, recycling, water/ sewer. $2,400/mo. Avail. Nov. 1. Contact mnealy16@gmail.com, 802-735-7860. BURLINGTON SOUTH END COZY CAPE, FURNISHED 1-BR, 1-BA, study, backyard, great light, cul-de-sac, great neighborhood. Close to UVM, groceries, lake. $1,950, incl. most utils. Off-street parking. Avail. Nov. 1. Info, 802-302-4500,

real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. Any home seeker who feels they have encountered discrimination should contact: HUD Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity 10 Causeway St., Boston, MA 02222-1092 1-800-669-9777 hud.gov/reporthousingdiscrimination — OR — Vermont Human Rights Commission 12 Baldwin St. Montpelier, VT 05633-0633 800-416-2010 human.rights@vermont.gov

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 21-28, 2026

Buy & Sell, Community, Musicians & Artists, Vehicles 1-week combo: $12 All print combos include 2-week combo: $22 30 days free online! 4-week combo: $42

gkgottfried@gmail.com, furnishedfinder. com/property/365342_ 1?moveDate=(“in”: ”2026-10-24”).

no contracts, easy installation, & data plans up to 300 GB. Call 855-873-2215. (AAN CAN)

HOUSEMATES

ALL YOUR ENTERTAINMENT Nothing on your roof! Sign up for DIRECTV & get your 1st 3 mos. of Max, Paramount+, Showtime, Starz, MGM+ & Cinemax incl. Choice package, $84.99/mo. Some restrictions apply. Call DIRECTV 1-855-606-4520. (AAN CAN)

LIVE W/ A UVM HOOPS FAN! S. Burlington: Upbeat woman in her 80s who loves UVM basketball games & going to restaurants w/ friends seeks housemate to share light support & companionship; maybe find a favorite TV show to enjoy together! $500, all incl. Shared BA. A little dog would be considered. Call 802-863-5625 or visit homesharevermont. org for application. Interview, refs. & background checks req. EHO.

SUBLETS FURNISHED ROOM IN BEAUTIFUL 2-BR WILLISTON HOME Queen bed, dresser, nightstand, closet. Private BA. All utils. incl.: heat, water, gas, electric, A/C, internet. W/D in home. Parking avail. in garage w/ an EV charger. $1,650. Info, 917-650-7024, gbibens@icloud.com.

Services rv es

COUNSELING YOUR BELIEFS. YOUR QUESTIONS. YOUR JOURNEY. Discover spiritual direction: a confi dential, contemplative relationship for exploring life’s transitions. For persons grounded in or moving between faith traditions, questioning inherited beliefs, or seeking meaningful spiritual growth outside organized religion. Welcoming LGBTQ+ persons or those hurt, rejected or excluded by religious communities. Info at johnpalensd.com, john.g.palen@gmail. com.

ELECTRONICS HOME INTERNET Connect to the best wireless home internet w/ EarthLink. Enjoy speeds from 5G & 4G LTE networks,

FINANCIAL & LEGAL WILLS, TRUSTS, ESTATES & PROBATE ATTORNEY Blitz Law, PLC is a small law firm specializing in wills, trusts, estates & probate law. We pride ourselves on promptness, clear communication, comprehensive drafting & thorough plainlanguage explanations of the law. We are located at 86 Lake St., #305, Burlington, VT. Info, Th orin Blitz, Esq., 802-216-3826, blitz-law.com. STRUGGLING W/ CREDIT CARD DEBT? If you owe $10,000+, we can help you become debt-free in 24-48 mos. Make 1 monthly affordable payment. Get help now! Call 1-877-895-5782. (AAN CAN) TAX WORRIES? End your tax worries today. Let us make your tax problem our priority. Scared, stuck w/ high tax amounts? Our A+ tax professionals can help. Call for a free consultation. Call Priority Tax now: 1- 855496-0514. (AAN CAN)

HEALTH & WELLNESS ELDERLY CARE AVAIL. Elderly care avail. in my Bristol, Vt., home. 1st-floor private BR & shared BA. Shared living space w/ home-cooked meals & family-centered care. 16 years’ experience w/ all aspects of elderly care. Private pay; price depends on care needs. Info, 802-274-8410, gracierebecca@ yahoo.com. CAREGIVING Retired nurse avail. for private in-home light caregiving. NS & no heavy lifting. $30/hour, negotiable. Overnights, weekends & on call.

Rentals & Real Estate 1-week combo: $25 2-week combo: $45 4-week combo: $85

Services 1-week combo: $15 2-week combo: $25 4-week combo: $45

Please call 802-4951954 & leave message. INDIVIDUAL & GROUP LEADERSHIP COACHING Lead better: 2 leadership coaching pilots. Gold Brook Leadership Coaching is launching 2 pilot programs for leaders who want to grow w/ an ICF-trained coach who also works as an HR executive. Both are deeply discounted in exchange for your candid feedback to help shape the programs. Group coaching: $149. 4 weekly sessions w/ a small peer group, Wed. at 7 p.m. starting Nov. 4. 1:1 coaching: $450. 5 private sessions, every other week over 3 mos. Spots are limited in both programs. Info, goldbrookleadership@ gmail.com, paperbell. me/goldbrook leadership.

Antiques, Art & Collectibles (1773)

AUCTION CLOSES: TUES. | NOV. 3 | 10AM PREVIEW: WED. | OCT. 28 | 11AM-1PM ITEMS LOCATED: Williston, VT

Online Auction featuring antique and vintage furniture, fine art, mid-century modern furnishings, Oriental and Persian rugs, decorative arts, fine porcelain, pottery, sterling silver, historical collectibles, and estate treasures.

THCAuction.com  802-888-4662 AUDIEN HEARING Th e world’s 1st hearing aid w/ touchscreen controls. No tiny buttons, 12v-hirchakbrothers102126 1 10/19/26 12:08 PM apps or prescriptions. 45-day risk-free trial. Free shipping. Lifetime support. More than 1.5 million happy customers. Call Audien: 1-833-689-4423. (AAN CAN)

HOME & GARDEN POTWIN EPOXY Tired of that old cement floor? Let Potwin Epoxy put down a new finish on it. Call Tyler Potwin for details & options: 802-236-6189.

Your paper. Your community. Your choice. Support the businesses who support our work.

HOME BREAK-INS take less than 60 seconds. Don’t wait! Protect your family, your home, your assets now for as little as 70 cents a day. Call 16t-your.indd 2 1-877-864-3209. (AAN PROFESSIONAL CAN) TRANSPORT Markoski’s Hauling POWER OUTAGES? provides professional Prepare for power transport for cars, outages today w/ a boats, campers & Generac Home Standby powersports. Fully Generator. Act now to insured & licensed receive a free 5-year to haul throughout warranty w/ qualifying New England & purchase. Call 1-866Upstate New York. To 381-0627 today to request service, visit schedule a free quote. It’s not just a generator. markoskishauling.com (an extension of our It’s a power move. (AAN parent company, CAN) Markoski’s Move and Haul). HOME SERVICES Repairing or replacing GOT AN UNWANTED appliances & home sysCAR??? DONATE IT TO tems such as heating & PATRIOTIC HEARTS cooling can be costly. A Fast, free pickup. home warranty plan can Patriotic Hearts’ prohelp. Start saving & get grams help veterans 30 percent off any plan find work or start their today. Workmanship own business. Call 24-7: guarantee incl. Terms 1-877-318-7973. (AAN apply. Call Cinch Home CAN) Services: 1-844-4151477. (AAN CAN)

VEHICLE

7/9/24 5:24 PM

Vehicles

CARS & TRUCKS 1997 BMW 328 IC Black, 2-door, 140K miles. 1997 BMW 328iC convertible, automatic. Runs & drives well; no warning lights. Top operates & seals, occasionally needs manual assistance. Good looking for its age. Selling as is: Mechanic advised underbody/suspension/ brake work, including rust repair, needed to pass Vt. inspection. $4,000/OBO. Contact allensherpa@gmail.com, 802-341-8073.

LEGALS »

Show and tell. Sudoku View and post up to

Calcoku SEVENDAYSVT.COM/CLASSIFIEDS »

Using the enclosed math operations as a guide, fill the grid using the numbers 1 - 6 only once in each row and column.

2÷

14+

3 2

6 9 1

30x

8 4 7 3 2

Difficulty - Hard

WANT MORE PUZZLES? Try these online news games from Seven Days at sevendaysvt.com/games.

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 2 1 3 4 6 5 3

Put your knowledge of Vermont news to the test.

Difficulty: Hard

SUDOKU

BY JOSH REYNOLDS

DIFFICULTY THIS WEEK: HHH

There’s no limit to ad length online.

NEW ON FRIDAYS:

CALCOKU

7 1 8 5 4 6 3 8 6 5

2÷

numbers 1-9 only once in each row, column and 3 x 3 box.

9 2÷

Extra! Extra!

Post & browse ads Complete the following puzzle by using the at your convenience. 6 photos per ad online.

40x 6x

120x

Open 24/7/365.

BY JOSH REYNOLDS

DIFFICULTY THIS WEEK: HHH

See how fast you can solve this weekly 10-word puzzle.

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 2 6one3to nine. 5 The 7 same 9 numbers 1 8 4 cannot be repeated in a row or column.

7 9 1 8 6 4 2 5 3 ANSWERS ON P.80 5 8 4 2 1 3 6 9 7 H = MODERATE HH = CHALLENGING HHH = HOO, BOY! 6 5 2 4 3 8 7 1 9 9 4 8 7 2 1 5 3 6 TITLEHOLDERS 1803» 7 6 9 5 8 4 2 ANSWERS ON P. 3 2 9 1 5 6 4 7 8 4 1 6 9 8 7 3 2 5 8 7 5 3 4 2 9 6 1

say you saw it in

mini-sawit-white2024.indd 1

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 21-28, 2026

7/31/24 4:41 PM

Legal Notices STATE OF VERMONT SUPERIOR COURT PROBATE DIVISION WASHINGTON UNIT DOCKET NO.:26-PR-04942 In re ESTATE of Richard Alexander Hyde NOTICE TO CREDITORS To the creditors of: Richard Alexander Hyde, late of Calais, Vermont. I have been appointed to administer this estate. All creditors having claims against the decedent or the estate must present their claims in writing within four (4) months of the date of the first publication of this notice. The claim must be presented to me at the address listed below with a copy sent to the Court. The claim may be barred forever if it is not presented within the four (4) month period. Dated: 10/8/2026 Signature of Fiduciary: /s/ Marilyn Hyde Executor/Administrator: Marilyn Hyde, Administrator Mailing Address: c/o Stackpole & French Law Offices PO Box 819, Stowe, Vermont Phone Number: 802-253-7339 Email: marlene@stackpolefrench.com Name of Publication: Seven Days Publication Date: 10/21/2026 Name of Probate Court: Vermont Superior Court, Washington Probate Unit Address of Probate Court: 65 State St, Montpelier, VT 05602 STATE OF VERMONT SUPERIOR COURT PROBATE DIVISION WASHINGTON UNIT DOCKET NO.:26-PR-03070 In re ESTATE of Roland Ahlstrand NOTICE TO CREDITORS To the creditors of: Roland Ahlstrand, late of Roxbury, Vermont

PLACE AN AFFORDABLE NOTICE AT: SEVENDAYSVT.COM/LEGAL-NOTICES OR CALL 802-865-1020, EXT. 121.

I have been appointed to administer this estate. All creditors having claims against the decedent or the estate must present their claims in writing within four (4) months of the date of the first publication of this notice. The claim must be presented to me at the address listed below with a copy sent to the Court. The claim may be barred forever if it is not presented within the four (4) month period.

To make special arrangements for individuals with disabilities or special needs please call or write the contact person listed below as soon as possible.

Dated: 10/15/2026 Executor: Karen Ahlstrand Signed: Claudia I. Pringles, Esq., representing Karen Ahlstrand 81 River St, Ste 206 Montpelier, VT 05602 802-223-0600 claudia@pringleslaw.com Name of Publication: Seven Days Publication Date: 10/21/2026 Vermont Superior Court, Washington Unit (Probate Div.) 65 State St Montpelier, VT 05602 NOTICE OF SELF STORAGE LIEN SALE, JERICHO MINI STORAGE 25 NORTH MAIN STREET, JERICHO, VT 05465. The contents of the following self storage unit will be sold at public auction, by sealed bid, on November 2, 2026 at 12:00 PM. Mason Young #131. Units will be opened for viewing for auction, sale by sealed bid to the highest bidder, cash only. Contents of entire storage unit will be sold as one lot. PROPOSED STATE RULES By law, public notice of proposed rules must be given by publication in newspapers of record. The purpose of these notices is to give the public a chance to respond to the proposals. The public notices for administrative rules are now also available online at https://secure.vermont.gov/ SOS/rules/ . The law requires an agency to hold a public hearing on a proposed rule, if requested to do so in writing by 25 persons or an association having at least 25 members.

To obtain further information concerning any scheduled hearing(s), obtain copies of proposed rule(s) or submit comments regarding proposed rule(s), please call or write the contact person listed below. You may also submit comments in writing to the Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules, State House, Montpelier, Vermont 05602 (802-828-2231). ----Newborn Screening Program Rule. Vermont Proposed Rule: 26P033 AGENCY: Agency of Human Services, Department of Health CONCISE SUMMARY: The purpose of these regulations is to provide standards for screening for certain diseases in newborn children where early identification and treatment may prevent severe disability and/or death by assuring timely initiation of treatment services. These screenings are part of the early case-finding program for chronic diseases. This rule applies to all health care providers for newborn infants. This rulemaking does the following: 1) Adds three new diseases (Mucopolysaccharidosis type II, Guanidinoacetate Methyltransferase Deficiency, Infantile Krabbe disease) to the condition list for dried bloodspot testing to align with the Recommended Uniform Screening Panel (RUSP); 2) Non-substantively amends existing conditions on the conditions list for dried bloodspot testing to align with the RUSP; 3) Updates terminology and improves clarity; 4) Updates the Rule to align with current standards of practice among health care providers and the Department of Health. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: Jessica Schifano, Policy Director, Agency of Human Services - Vermont Department of Health, 280 State Drive Waterbury, VT 05671-8300 Tel: 802-798-6756 E-Mail: AHS.VDHRules@vermont. gov URL: https://www.healthvermont.gov/ laws-regulations/laws/proposedhealth-rules. FOR COPIES: Meg McCarthy, Policy Advisor, Agency of Human Services - Vermont Department of

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SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 21-28, 2026

Health, 280 State Drive Waterbury, VT 05671-8300 Tel: 802-904-9319 E-Mail: AHS.VDHRules@ vermont.gov. -----Regulations for Lead Control. Vermont Proposed Rule: 26P034 AGENCY: Agency of Human Services, Department of Health CONCISE SUMMARY: The rule provides the requirements for work practices, licensing, and training for lead-based paint activities and renovation, repair, painting and maintenance activities to prevent the creation of lead hazards that cause lead poisoning. This rulemaking proposes the following changes: 1) Amends items to be consistent with federal law, including amending the definition of “dust lead hazard” and lowering the dust lead post-abatement clearance levels, meaning lowering the amount of lead that can remain in dust on floors, window sills and window troughs after a lead paint abatement occurs. 2) Amends the experience and education requirements for licensees to be consistent with federal requirements and requirements in surrounding states to allow for ease of reciprocity for lead-based paint contractors. 3) Makes other minor changes to be consistent with current practice and improve clarity. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: Meg McCarthy, Policy Advisor, Agency of Human Services, Vermont Dept. of Health 280 State Drive, Waterbury, VT 05671 Tel: 802-904-9319 E-Mail: ahs.vdhrules@vermont.gov URL: https:// www.healthvermont.gov/laws-regulations/laws/ proposed-health-rules. FOR COPIES: Jessica Schifano, Policy Director, Agency of Human Services, Vermont Dept. of Health 280 State Drive, Waterbury, VT 05671 Tel: 802-798-6756 E-Mail: ahs.vdhrules@vermont.gov. NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE 14312 ROUTE 116 IN HINESBURG, VERMONT By virtue and in execution of the power of sale contained in a certain Mortgage from CNE Property Services LLC. (“CNE”) to Vermont Federal Credit Union (“Lender”) dated October 7, 2021 and recorded in Book 279, Page 91 of the Town of Hinesburg Land Records, as well as a Mortgage from CNE to Lender dated October 7, 2021 and recorded in Book 279, Page 107 of the Town of Hinesburg Land Records, conveying to Lender, with power of sale, certain property known as 14312 Route 116 in Hinesburg, Vermont and more particularly described in the Mortgage (“Property”), of which Mortgages Vermont Federal Credit Union is the present holder: TIME AND PLACE OF PUBLIC SALE: For breach of the conditions of and for the purpose of foreclosing said Mortgages, the Property will be sold at Public Auction on November 5, 2026 at 11:00 am at 14312 Route 116 in Hinesburg, Vermont. The Public Auction may be adjourned one or more times for a total time not exceeding 60 days by announcement of the new sale date to those present at each adjournment or by posting notice of the adjournment in a conspicuous place at the location of the sale. Written notice of the new sale date shall also be given by first class mail, postage prepaid, to any person who received notice of the sale pursuant to 12 V.S.A. § 4965. PROPERTY DESCRIPTION: The Property being sold is all and the same lands and premises described in said Mortgages, to wit: Being all and the same land and premises conveyed to CNE Property Services LLC by Warranty Deed of Frost Properties, LLC dated October 7, 2021 and recorded at Book 279, Page 89 of the Hinesburg Land Records. Being all and the same land and premises, together with improvements thereon, conveyed to Frost Properties, LLC, by Warranty Deed of Reginald L. Blaise and Brenda F. Blaise, dated November 18, 2003, and of record in Book 167 at Page 152 of the Town of Hinesburg Land Records. Being all and the same land and premises, together with improvements thereon, conveyed to Reginald L. Blaise and Brenda F. Blaise by Warranty Deed

SEVENDAYSVT.COM/CLASSIFIEDS of Robert F. Beauregard and Eileen B. Beauregard dated March 1, 1982, and of record in Book 47, Pages 512-514 of the Town of Hinesburg Land Records, and being therein partially described as follows: All and the same land and premises conveyed to the within grantors by warranty deed of William V. Mallow and Ina Mae Mallow dated June 1, 1976, and of record in Volume 39, Page 45, of the Hinesburg Land Records, and described therein as follows: Being a parcel of land, with combination dwelling house and store, pool and all other improvements thereon, said property located adjacent to and westerly of Vermont Route 116, so-called, where said Route 116 intersects with the HinesburgHuntington Road, said property equaling 1 1/8 acres, more or less. Being all and the same land and premises conveyed to the within Granters by Warranty Deed of William H. and Gladys Mallow dated the 12th day of September, 1962 and of record at Volume 31, Page 59A of the Town of Hinesburg Land Records, and being the land conveyed to within grantors dated the 18 day of May, 1964 by one Casey of record at Volume 31 Page 242 of the said town land records. Included in this conveyance are any pumps, pipes, tanks and easements and rights of way thereto, as reserved in a deed to the State of Vermont dated June 17, 1952 and recorded in Volume 29 at Page 190 of the Hinesburg Land Records. Without making any warranty with respect thereto, the hereby conveyed parcel of land is believed to be bounded as follows: Northerly by land now or formerly of Royden Layn and Muriel Layn; Easterly by the right-of-way of Vermont Route 116; and Southerly and Westerly by land now or formerly of Francis L. Casey and Grace C. Casey. Reference is hereby made to the above-mentioned instruments, the records thereof, the references therein made, and their respective records and references, in further aid of this description. The description of the Property contained in the Mortgages shall control in the event of a typographical error in this publication. TERMS OF SALE: To qualify to bid, prospective bidders must tender to the Auctioneer before the sale the amount of $10,000.00 (the “Bid Qualifying Deposit”) in cash, certified funds, bank check, or other primary bank obligation, unless the parties agree on some other amount. The Property shall be sold to the highest bidder, and the high bidder’s Bid Qualifying Deposit will be held as a non-refundable deposit, and will be considered reasonable liquidated damages if the highest bidder fails to close on the purchase of the Property. All other bidders’ Bid Qualifying Deposits shall be returned to the unsuccessful bidders who supplied them. The successful bidder will be required to sign a “no contingency” purchase and sale agreement at the conclusion of the Public Auction. The sale is “AS IS, WHERE IS,” subject to all liens, encumbrances, unpaid taxes, municipal assessments, and other matters which take precedence or priority over the Mortgages. The closing shall be held, and the balance of the purchase price shall be due and payable in cash, certified funds, bank check, or other primary bank obligation, upon the delivery of a Foreclosure Deed to the purchaser within forty-five (45) days after the sale, unless such date is mutually extended by the parties. The mortgagor and all junior lienholders are hereby notified that at any time before the foreclosure sale, the mortgagor and all junior lienholders have a right to petition the Civil Division of the Superior Court for the county in which the Property is situated, with service upon the mortgagee, and upon such bond as the Court may require, to enjoin the scheduled foreclosure sale. Failure to institute such petition and complete service upon the foreclosing party, or the party’s agent conducting the sale, prior to sale shall thereafter bar any action or right of action of the mortgagor or any junior lienholder based on the validity of the foreclosure, the right of the mortgagee to conduct the foreclosure sale, or compliance by the mortgagee with the notice requirements and other conditions

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of 12 V.S.A. §§ 4961 et seq. An action to recover damages resulting from the sale of the Property on the date of the sale may be commenced at any time within one year following the date of the sale, but not thereafter.

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STATE OF VERMONT SUPERIOR COURT PROBATE DIVISION CHITTENDEN UNIT CASE NO.:26-PR-03499

The mortgagor is entitled to redeem the Property at any time prior to the sale by paying to the mortgagee the full amount due under the Mortgages, including the costs and expenses of the sale.

Following the completion of the public hearing, the legal voters of the Town of Essex in the county of Chittenden are hereby notified and warned to meet at Essex Middle School, 60 Founders Road, Essex, Vermont on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, to transact the following business by Australian Ballot at a special town meeting. The polls for said ballot shall be open from 7:00 AM until 7:00 PM at which time they shall be closed.

Other terms to be announced at the Public Auction. Inquiries may be made with the Thomas Hirchak Company, 1878 Cadys Falls Road, Morrisville, VT 05661. Telephone: 802-888-4662. Email: info@ THCAuction.com

Question 1. Shall the Town assess a one percent (1%) tax on retail sales, pursuant to 24 V.S.A 138(B), with fifty percent (50%) of process of such sales tax being dedicated exclusively to offset Town municipal property tax rates?

VERMONT FEDERAL CREDIT UNION Date: 9/1/26 By: /s/ Addie Cusick-Loecher Addie Cusick-Loecher SHEEHEY FURLONG & BEHM P.C. (802) 865-6323

Question 2: Shall the Town assess a one percent (1%) tax on meals and alcoholic beverages, pursuant to the 24 V.S.A 138(b), with fifty percent (50%) of proceeds of such sales tax being dedicated exclusively to offset Town municipal property tax rates?

TOWN OF JERICHO – PLANNING COMMISSION NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Pursuant to 24 V.S.A. § 4444, the Jericho Planning Commission will hold a Public Hearing on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at 6:30 pm in the Jericho Town Hall, 67 VT Route 15, Jericho, Vermont, to hear public comment regarding proposed amendments to the Jericho Land Use and Development Regulations. SUMMARY OF AMENDMENTS TO REGULATIONS STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: The primary purposes of the proposed amendments are to make it easier to build homes, support housing affordability, allow a greater variety of housing types, and direct growth to areas planned for development while maintaining protection of rural areas. REGULATION SECTION AFFECTED: The amendments include changes to Section 2: General Definitions, Section 3: Zoning Districts, Section 4: Zoning Uses, Section 5: Dimensional Standards, Section 10: Permit and Review Procedures, and Section 11: General Development Standards. GEOGRAPHIC AREA AFFECTED: The proposed amendments affect the Commercial, Village, LowDensity Residential, Rural Agricultural/Residential, and Forestry Districts, as well as town-wide provisions relating to definitions and Planned Unit Developments. The Open Space District is not affected. PLACE WHERE FULL TEXT MAY BE EXAMINED: The complete text of the proposed amendments may be found at https://www.jerichovt.gov/400/ Bylaw-Amendment-Enable-Housing. Alternatively, a full-text copy may be examined in the Planning and Zoning office, Jericho Town Hall, 67 VT Route 15, Jericho, Vermont. PERSON TO CONTACT: Additional information pertaining to these proposed amendments may be obtained by contacting Chris Shaheen, Town Planner, at the Jericho Town Hall by calling (802) 899-2287 x 103 during regular office hours. TOWN OF ESSEX NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING AND SPECIAL TOWN MEETING OFFICIAL WARNING NOVEMBER 3, 2026 The residents of the Town of Essex are hereby notified and warned to meet in-person and remotely at the Essex town offices, 81 Main St., Essex Junction, VT on Monday, November 2, 2026 at 6:30 P.M. for an informational meeting to hear and discuss proposed assessments of a one percent (1%) local option sales tax, and a one percent (1%) local option rooms tax, to be collected and administered by the Vermont Department of Taxes. Join Zoom Meeting: http://zoom.us/j/98785691140?pwd=WENgeFhITG VDS0QblROdkhuS3RkZz09 Zoom Meeting ID: 987 8569 1140 | Passcode: 032060 Join Calling: (toll free audio only): (888) 788-0099

Question 3: Shall the Town assess a one percent (1%) tax on rooms, pursuant to 24 V.S.A. 138(b), with fifty percent (50%) of proceeds of such sales tax being dedicated exclusively to offset Town municipal property tax rates? The legal voters of the Town of Essex are further notified that voter qualification, registration and absentee voting relative to said special meeting shall be in accordance with the Vermont Statutes Annotated. Dated at Essex, Vermont, the 12th day of October 2026 by the Essex Town Selectboard. Selectboard signatures: /s/ Shannon Jackson, Chair /s/ Ethan Lawrence, Vice Chair /s/ Meg Zimmerman, Clerk /s/ Kendall Chamberlin /s/ Andrew J. Watts Received for record this 13th day of October, 2026 in the records of the Town of Essex. Attest: /s/ Tatsiana Bussiere Tatsiana Bussiere, Town Clerk Posted at: Essex Town Office, Essex Free Library, Essex Public Works, Essex Post Office, Essex Middle School, Essex Town Website STATE OF VERMONT SUPERIOR COURT PROBATE DIVISION CHITTENDEN UNIT DOCKET NO.:26-PR-05754 In re ESTATE of Pamela J. Parent NOTICE TO CREDITORS To the creditors of: Pamela J. Parent, late of Williston I have been appointed to administer this estate. All creditors having claims against the decedent or the estate must present their claims in writing within four (4) months of the date of the first publication of this notice. The claim must be presented to me at the address listed below with a copy sent to the Court. The claim may be barred forever if it is not presented within the four (4) month period. Dated: Tuesday, October 13, 2026 Signature of Fiduciary: /s/ Timothy Parent Executor/Administrator: Timothy Parent, Executor Mailing Address: c/o Langrock Sperry & Wool, LLP 210 College Street, Suite 400 Burlington, VT 05401 United States Phone Number: 802-864-0217 Email: hpopick@langrock.com Name of Publication: Seven Days Publication Date: October 21, 2026 Name of Probate Court: Chittenden Probate Court Address of Probate Court: 175 Main Street, Burlington, VT 05401

In re the ESTATE of: Cheryl B. Thompson NOTICE TO CREDITORS To the creditors of: Cheryl B. Thompson, late of Hinesburg, Vermont

Dated: October 14, 2026 /s/ Heather Thompson Heather Thompson, Administrator c/o Kohn Rath, LLP PO Box 340 Hinesburg, VT 05461 Name of Publication: Seven Days Publication Date: October 21, 2026 Name of Probate Court: Vermont Superior Court, Chittenden Unit - Probate Division Address of Probate Court: 175 Main Street, Burlington, VT 05401 BURLINGTON DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2026, 5:00 PM PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE Hybrid & In Person (at 645 Pine Street) Meeting Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83225696227? pwd=SGQ0bTdnS000Wkc3c2J4WWw1dzMxUT09 Webinar ID: 832 2569 6227 Passcode: 969186 Telephone: US +1 929 205 6099 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 669 900 6833 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799 1. ZAP-26-14; 485 South Union Street (RM, Ward 6) Elise Tarbi / Alexander Garlick Appeal of administrative decision of ZPF-24-63 for which side of the fence is finished for permit closure. Participation in the DRB proceeding is a prerequisite to the right to take any subsequent appeal. Please note that ANYTHING submitted to the Zoning office is considered public and cannot be kept confidential. This may not be the final order in which items will be heard. Please view final Agenda, at https://burlingtonvt.portal.civicclerk.com/ or the office notice board, one week before the hearing for the order in which items will be heard. The City of Burlington will not tolerate unlawful harassment or discrimination on the basis of political or religious affiliation, race, color, national origin, place of birth, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, veteran status, disability, HIV positive status, crime victim status or genetic information. The City is also committed to providing proper access to services, facilities, and employment opportunities. For accessibility information or alternative formats, please contact Human Resources Department at (802) 540-2505. The programs and services of the City of Burlington are accessible to people with disabilities. Individuals who require special arrangements to participate are encouraged to contact the Zoning Division at least 72 hours in advance so that proper accommodations can be arranged. For information call 865-7188 (TTY users: 865-7142). DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD MEETING AGENDA OCTOBER 28, 2026, AT 6:00-9:00 PM THIS IS A HYBRID MEETING WITH ON-SITE/REMOTE ACCOMMODATIONS.

LEGALS » SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 21-28, 2026

Legal Notices [CONTINUED] Join In Person: 3rd Floor Room A, 203 Bridge Street, Richmond, VT 05477. Join Electronically via Zoom: https://us02web. zoom.us/j/82489539866. Join by Phone Call: +1 (646) 931-3860 (US) // Meeting ID: 824 8953 9866. Materials: https://www.richmondvt.gov/calendar/ meeting/development-review-board-10-28-26. DISCUSSION ITEM: 1. Executive Session. DRB Training on Permit Amendments and Appeal. STATE OF VERMONT SUPERIOR COURT PROBATE DIVISION CHITTENDEN UNIT DOCKET NO.:26-PR-01262 In re ESTATE of KEVIN PALLAS NOTICE TO CREDITORS To the creditors of: KEVIN PALLAS, late of Milton, VT I have been appointed to administer this estate. All creditors having claims against the decedent or the estate must present their claims in writing within four (4) months of the date of the first publication of this notice. The claim must be presented to me at the address listed below with a copy sent to the Court. The claim may be barred forever if it is not presented within the four (4) month period. Dated: 10/16/2026 Signature of Fiduciary: /s/ Executor/Administrator: Paul R Morwood Mailing Address: 3 Lakeview Lane So. Burlington, VT 05403 Phone Number: 802-862-2135 Email: morwood.paul@gmail.com Name of Publication: Seven Days Publication Date: 10/21/2026 Name of Probate Court: Chittenden Probate Court Address of Probate Court: 175 Main Street, Burlington, VT 05401 VARIOUS RFP’S FOR ESSEX WESTFORD SCHOOL DISTRICT Essex Westford School District is seeking bid proposals for Premium Gasoline Delivery, Waste Removal Services, Snow Removal Services and Landscaping Services. All proposals shall be emailed to Krista Luchini, kluchini@ewsd.org, or delivered to our office by 3pm on Friday, October 30th, 2026.

PLACE AN AFFORDABLE NOTICE AT: SEVENDAYSVT.COM/LEGAL-NOTICES OR CALL 802-865-1020, EXT. 142.

Interested Vendors may request a walkthrough for any of the RFP’s by emailing Krista Luchini, kluchini@ewsd.org.

civicclerk.com or the office notice board before the hearing for the order in which items will be heard and other agenda items.

For additional information about the RFP’s and the bid process, please refer to EWSD’s website at https://www.ewsd.org/page/purchasing-bids

STATE OF VERMONT SUPERIOR COURT PROBATE DIVISION CHITTENDEN UNIT DOCKET NO.:26-PR-04573

NOTICE OF SELF STORAGE LIEN SALE - WHITE OAK SELF STORAGE - 27 & 38 LEE COURT, COLCHESTER, VERMONT 05446 - AN ONLINE SALE/AUCTION FOR THE FOLLOWING STORAGE UNITS ON OCTOBER 31, 2026 AT 12:00 PM EST

In re ESTATE of BRENDA BECK

Notice is hereby given that the contents of the self-storage units listed below will be sold at an online auction. This sale is being held to collect unpaid storage unit occupancy fees, charges, and expenses of the sale. The entire contents of each self-storage unit listed below will be sold, with the proceeds to be distributed to White Oak Self Storage for all accrued occupancy fees (rent charges), late payment fees, sale expenses, and all other expenses in relation to the unit and its sale. White Oak Self Storage will be having an online sale/auction on October 31, 2026 at 12:00PM EST. The auction will occur online at www.storagetreasures.com. The highest bidder on the storage unit must remove the entire contents of the unit within 48 hours after notification of their successful bid. Purchase must be paid in advance of the removal of the contents of the unit. White Oak Self Storage reserves the right to accept or reject bids. The contents of the following tenant’s self-storage units will be included in this sale: Unit 1 - Eric Lindholm - Contents of Storage Unit 1 Unit 40 - Eric Lindholm - Contents of Storage Unit 40 Unit 17 - Kevin Foerster- Contents of Storage Unit 17 Unit 33 - Kevin Foerster- Contents of Storage Unit 33 TOWN OF ESSEX DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOVEMBER 5, 2026, 6:30 PM Hybrid & In Person (Municipal Conference Room, 81 Main St., Essex Jct.) Meeting. Anyone may attend this meeting in person at the above address or remotely through the following options: Join Online: Zoom Meeting ID: 821 7131 4999 | Passcode: 754119 Join Calling (audio only): 888-788-0099 1. CONDITIONAL USE – Dino May is requesting a review of a short-term rental at 55 Catella Road (Parcel ID 2-015-022-003) in the Agricultural Residential (AR) District. Application materials may be viewed before the meeting at essexvt.gov/applications. Please call 802-878-1343 or email community-development@ essex.org with any questions. This may not be the final order in which items will be heard. Please view the complete Agenda, at https://essexvt.portal.

Support Groups A CIRCLE OF MEN The ManKind Project (MKP), a 4-decade-old international organization focused on self awareness, personal growth & community service, holds space for men in meetings online, in person, & at trainings & events. Founded in 1984, MKP is nonreligious, nonpolitical, & aims to help men of all backgrounds live with integrity, authenticity & accountability. Info, 802-770-2664, runninghungrydog@gmail. com, mankindproject.org. A CIRCLE OF PARENTS SUPPORT GROUPS Please join our professionally facilitated peer-led support groups designed to share our questions, concerns & struggles, as well as our resources & successes! Contribute to our discussion of the unique but shared experience of parenting. For

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 21-28, 2026

more info or to register, please contact Heather at hniquette@pcavt.org, 802-498-0607, pcavt.org/ family-support-programs. ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS If you want to drink, that’s your business. If you want to stop, that’s ours. Call the Vermont statewide anonymous hotline: 802-802-2288. Alcoholics Anonymous holds daily meetings all over Vermont, both in person & online. For meetings & events throughout Vermont, see aavt.org. ANXIETY RELIEF GROUP Anxiety Relief Group is a safe setting for relaxing & exploring your feelings w/ others through gentle socialization & self-expression, building up what makes you centered & strong. Wed., 4-5:30 p.m.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS To the creditors of: Brenda Beck, late of Bolton, Vermont. I have been appointed to administer this estate. All creditors having claims against the decedent or the estate must present their claims in writing within four (4) months of the date of the first publication of this notice. The claim must be presented to me at the address listed below with a copy sent to the Court. The claim may be barred forever if it is not presented within the four (4) month period.

may be viewed at the Jericho Planning and Zoning Office during regular business hours. Chris Flinn Zoning Administrator cflinn@jerichovt.gov VERMONT SELF STORAGE LIEN AUCTIONS THE CONTENTS OF STORAGE UNIT 01-03670 located at 28 Adams Drive , Williston, VT, 05495 will be sold on or about the 7th of November 2026 to satisfy the debt of David Clark. 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. THE CONTENTS OF STORAGE UNIT 01-01326 located at 28 Adams Drive , Williston, VT, 05495 will be sold on or about the 7th of November 2026 to satisfy the debt of Sherry & Sean Provost. 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.

Dated: 10/19/2026 Signature of Fiduciary: /s/ Nanita Lafont Executor/Administrator: Nanita Lafont Mailing Address: 401 Water Tower Circle, Ste 101 Colchester, VT 05446 Phone Number: 802-863-5538 Email: rstaudinger@vtlawoffices.com

THE CONTENTS OF STORAGE UNIT 01-03514 located at 28 Adams Drive , Williston, VT, 05495 will be sold on or about the 7th of November 2026 to satisfy the debt of Michael Straight. 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.

Name of Publication: Seven Days Publication Date: October 21, 2026

THE CONTENTS OF STORAGE UNIT 01-03105 located at 28 Adams Drive , Williston, VT, 05495 will be sold on or about the 7th of November 2026 to satisfy the debt of Danielle Bean. 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.

Name of Probate Court: Vermont Superior Court, Chittenden Probate Unit Address of Probate Court: 175 Main Street, Burlington, VT 05402 TOWN OF JERICHO- DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING The Jericho Development Review Board will hold the public hearing at 7:00 pm on WEDNESDAY November 11, 2026, at the Jericho Town Hall to consider the following applications • A request by Simpson High Meadow LLC For a final plat approval to amend a previously approved minor subdivision to include and amend a two-lot subdivision. The parcel is located at 55 Bentley Lane which is located in the Rural Agricultural Residential & Forestry Zoning District. • A request by Rober Hill & Laura Shea for final plat approval of a minor subdivision. The parcel is located at 835 Old Pump Road which is located in the Rural Agricultural Residential Zoning District. • A request by Siegchrist Family Trust for final plat approval of a minor subdivision. The parcel is located at 140 Barber Farm Road which is located in the Rural Agricultural Residential Zoning District. All interested persons may appear and be heard. Additional information related to this application

THE CONTENTS OF STORAGE UNITS 02-00310, 02-00318 & 02-00319 located at 48 Industrial Avenue, Williston, VT, 05495 will be sold on or about the 7th of November 2026 to satisfy the debt of Torrey Allard. 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. THE CONTENTS OF STORAGE UNIT 02-00238 located at 48 Industrial Avenue, Williston, VT, 05495 will be sold on or about the 7th of November 2026 to satisfy the debt of Theresa Bither & Keith Sampere. 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. THE CONTENTS OF STORAGE UNIT 02-00211 located at 48 Industrial Avenue, Williston, VT, 05495 will be sold on or about the 7th of November 2026 to satisfy the debt of Moruthane Mashobane. 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.

CONTACT CLASSIFIEDS@SEVENDAYSVT.COM OR 802-865-1020 EXT. 115 TO UPDATE YOUR SUPPORT GROUP

Online. Email us for the Zoom link & more info: morgansplace@pathwaysvermont.org. BRAIN INJURY SUPPORT GROUP Vermont Center for Independent Living offers virtual monthly meetings, held on the 3rd Wed. of every mo., 1-2:30 p.m. The support group will offer valuable resources & info about brain injury. It will be a place to share experiences in a safe, secure & confidential environment. To join, email Linda Meleady at lindam@vcil.org & ask to be put on the TBI mailing list. Info: 800-639-1522. BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR DRAGON BOAT TEAM Looking for a fun way to do something active & health-giving? Want to connect w/ other breast cancer survivors? Come join Dragonheart Vermont. We are a breast cancer survivor & supporter dragon

boat team who paddle together in Burlington. Please contact us at info@dragonheartvermont. org for info. CHARLOTTE ALZHEIMER’S CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP Free. No registration req. Are you caring for someone w/ Alzheimer’s? Do you know someone who is? Please join us for our monthly Caregivers Support Group at the Charlotte Senior Center, 212 Ferry Rd., on the 2nd Wed. of each mo., 3-4 p.m. The meetings provide a safe place for caregivers, family & friends of persons w/ dementia to meet & develop a mutual support system. For additional information, please contact Louise Fairbank: louisefairbank67@gmail.com.

83 OCTOBER 21-28, 2026

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

JOBS.SEVENDAYSVT.COM/POST-A-JOB NOON ON MONDAYS (INCLUDING HOLIDAYS) GILLIAN COMITO, 802-341-3060 GCOMITO@SEVENDAYSVT.COM

YOUR TRUSTED LOCAL SOURCE. JOBS.SEVENDAYSVT.COM Field Producer

Network Coordinator

Video production experience for municipal meeting coverage. Part Time, Weekday Evenings. Contact: sheron@cctv.org

Join our passionate wilderness team! Northeast Wilderness Trust seeks a Network Coordinator to be a connector and organizer of a multi-organization effort focused on forests and natural climate solutions and the science of wildlands ecology.

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FOOD PREP, COOK, BAKER

Free season pass and discounts resort wide!

WE’RE HIRING FOR:

Snow Makers Up to $25/hour

Full-time position

Are you looking for hands-on work that makes a real difference in our community? 10/15/26 3:28 PM

Up to $21/hour

Vehicle Mechanic

NURSING BEYOND HOSPITAL WALLS

Why Join SBSD? • Supportive colleagues and leadership • Strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion

Up to $22/hour

• Professional growth and advancement

Snow Groomer

• Comprehensive benefits

Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice offers paid training to help you become a home health RN in your community.

• Meaningful work that impacts students daily Full description and to apply: sbschools.schoolspring.com?jobid=5540047

Up to $30/hour

Head Chef $50,000·$55,000/year

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For more information and to apply visit boltonvalley.com/ the-resort/employment.

10/20/26 10:33 AM

CSWD is seeking a highly motivated individual to join our amazing Hazardous Waste Program. You’ll assist with our innovative paint program and with the collection and processing of household and small business hazardous waste at the Environmental Depot & Rover. The ideal candidate will be self-motivated, enjoy working with the public and be able to work independently in a physically demanding setting. This is a 40-hour a week position (Tues-Sat, 7:30-3:30) with a starting pay rate at $26.39/hour and an excellent benefit package.

For more information on the position and CSWD, visit cswd.net/aboutcswd/job-openings. Submit application or resume to Human Resources: At South Burlington School District, we believe in supporting humanresources@cswd.net. This position is open until filled. the whole employee—inside and outside the workplace. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes amazing, competitively priced health insurance, dental coverage, sick time, professional time and other leaves. Additionally, we offer a 4t-CSWDHazard102126.indd 1 10/15/26 12:48 PM robust retirement plan which for educators is through VT State Teachers Retirement; and for other staff consists of a 403b plan with up to 6% provided by the district. Position Summary: Under the general direction of a supervisor and consistent with department protocols and standards, assists in the preparation and serving of quality food to students and staff in a quick and pleasant manner. Assists in the clean-up process and cooperates with others to maintain district safety, sanitation, and hygiene standards.

Resort Maintenance

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Hazardous Waste & Latex Paint Operator

Visit newildernesstrust.org/about/employment to learn more.

• Up to 12 months paid training • Supervised care delivery • Flexibility and work-life balance

10/15/26 1:16 PM

Apply today to invest in your success and advance your career! This project is supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $195,053,740.44 with 100% funded by CMS/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CMS/HHS, or the U.S. Government.

5v-CVHHH102126 1

10/19/26 12:09 PM

YOUR JOBS AT JOBS.SEVENDAYSVT.COM FOR FAST RESULTS, OR ATTENTION RECRUITERS: POST CONTACT GILLIAN COMITO: GCOMITO@SEVENDAYSVT.COM

84 OCTOBER 21-28, 2026

Full-Time Registered Nurse The Registered Nurse’s primary responsibility is to provide oversight and the management of the physical health needs of True North clients. The Nurse coordinates the medical care, including management and dispensation of medications for all clients. Some additional responsibilities include: daily/weekly supervision of client overall health, teaching classes on health based topics, supporting insurance billing, and supporting each client’s therapeutic process via ongoing health/medical record updating. The Nurse works closely with the Medical Director, clinicians, Admissions Department, and office and program staff to coordinate these efforts. Education and Licensing Requirements: • Minimum of 21 years of age

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• A four-year college degree is required. A degree or certification in a medical field is preferred but not required. • A nursing license (RN) is required Competitive salary based on experience. Extensive benefits including retirement, health insurance, paid time off. Apply: nate@truenorthevolution.com

10/20/26 11:44 AM

BARTENDER FULL-TIME YEAR ROUND $9hr + TIPS

Got the Write Stuff?

We do not pool tips! The bar has 29 seats, with the bartender also being responsible for making all alcoholic drinks for tables. Seeking a candidate with 2+ years of bar/serving experience, knowledge of Toast POS is a plus! Must have full availability - nights, days, weekends. Night shifts end between 9:30-11. Must be around during the holiday time (we are closed Thanksgiving Day & Christmas Day).

Seven Days is seeking freelance writers to contribute to our award-winning Vermont journalism on an as-needed basis. We’re looking for expertise in several areas:

Freelance Culture Writers

Love to write about events, theater, dance, books, visual 5v-TrueNorthEvolution101426.indd 1

10/12/26 11:59 AM arts, music, interesting people and more? We want to talk

Carpenters, Manager, Equipment Operator Vermont Heavy Timber is seeking experienced carpenters, a project manager, and an equipment operator. We are a timber framing company that focuses on historic preservation, working on covered bridges, churches, steeples, meeting houses, and barns. PROJECT MANAGER: Knowledge of carpentry is required, willingness/ability to flex hours in the shop (hands on) is preferred. Good communication and organizational skills are essential. Preferences include experience with grant funding, excel spreadsheets, GANTT charts, and SketchUp. Ability to work from home part time and opportunities to learn a specialized craft. CARPENTERS: Carpentry experience is necessary, timber framing experience is not. This is a full time, year round position. We are flexible about time off, and really want our employees to be happy, learn and grow. We are looking for lead carpenters who can run a crew, experienced joiners, and riggers. Ability to run heavy equipment, and experience with window, door and trim restoration a plus. If you are passionate about this trade but don’t have the necessary experience, reach out anyway. EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: Seeking someone to run and work on heavy equipment, including our Woodmizer sawmill, telehandler, tractor, and excavators. Locations range from job-sites doing excavation work, to our shop running the sawmill and doing equipment maintenance, to hauling material with our 550 & gooseneck trailers.We have an 8 ton Kubota excavator (KX080) and a 10 ton Mecalac excavator with a tiltrotator (10MCR). CDL highly preferred. Please send an email detailing why you’d like to work with us and a resume to miles@vermontheavytimber.com.

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to you! You must be an excellent writer with reporting experience and a unique voice, a passion for the arts, a sense of humor and curiosity about Vermont’s creative sectors. Responsibilities include finding and contributing lively stories in the form of arts news, features, previews, reviews or interviews. Tell us your location, your availability and how you think you can contribute to Seven Days. Please email your résumé, cover letter, two story ideas you’d like to pursue for us and at least three published articles (web links are acceptable) to culture@sevendaysvt.com by Friday, October 30.

Must apply in person. Ken’s Pizza & Pub, 71 Church St, Burlington.

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10/20/26 10:39 AM

Freelance Kids VT Contributors

Are you always looking for family-friendly activities and Vermont destinations that the kids in your life will love? Are you a person who recommends the best places to shop for kids’ clothes, toys, books or school supplies, or sends parenting-related video clips and other tips to your friends on the group chat?

YOUR TRUSTED LOCAL SOURCE.

Kids VT, Seven Days’ parenting publication, is looking for you! We’re seeking writers, photographers and content creators of all kinds to help fill our pages and add to our website and other channels. Tell us your location, your availability and what you think you can bring to Kids VT. Please email your résumé, cover letter, three topics you’d like to explore and the format you’d use to approach them (article, email newsletter, video, etc.) to cathy@sevendaysvt.com by Friday, October 30.

No phone calls or drop-ins, please.

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JOBS.SEVENDAYSVT.COM

9/28/26 10:14 AM

NEW JOBS POSTED DAILY! JOBS.SEVENDAYSVT.COM

85 OCTOBER 21-28, 2026

Therapeutic Supports Senior Manager Youth Shelter Coordinator, St Albans Youth Coaches:

St. Albans Drop-In Center St. Albans & Burlington Supported Housing Full & part time shifts available

Young Adult Peer Navigator

Provide clinical leadership, supervision, and therapeutic consultation to a team of Service Coordinators supporting individuals with developmental disabilities. In this role you will serve as a key team leader to develop, plan and implement comprehensive, person centered services for individuals with developmental disabilities. The ideal candidate will have strong knowledge of clinical supports for people receiving services, familiarity with Vermont’s developmental services system and demonstrated leadership, supervision & team building skills. Lead a team. Strengthen services. Make a lasting impact. Join our team.

10/20/264t-CSWDDOC102126.indd 9:59 AM 1

Seeking Big Hearts to Shape Little Minds

Respite Staff Scan QR code to apply.

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Planning & Zoning Assistant 10/16/26 1:01 PM

Store Manager Lead a Store with Purpose! Do you have a passion for creating systems, improving processes, and helping teams thrive? We are seeking a handson, mission-driven Store Manager to lead the daily operations of the COVER Store in White River Junction. You’ll be leading a dynamic team of staff and volunteers, managing store donations, and diverting items from the landfill – while generating profits to support COVER’s home repair program. For details, please visit: coverhomerepair.org/ about/jobs Please include a cover letter & resume. No phone calls or in-person inquiries please.

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THE CAPITAL CITY OF MONTPELIER, VERMONT (pop. 8,000) is seeking a responsible and independent individual to provide permit assistance to the public, administrative work for the Department of Planning & Community Development, and to manage small programs for the City. This person will report to the Director of Planning and Community Development and work closely with the Planning and Zoning Administrator, Community & Economic Development Specialist, and the Building Inspector. A detailed job description is available at montpeliervt.org/Jobs.aspx?JobID=85&CommunityJobs=False&UniqueId=108. The P & Z Assistant handles administrative support for the permit process, manages the departmental operations, and performs other duties such as being the City’s E-911 coordinator and FEMA- CRS (Community Rating System) Coordinator. The position involves regular contact with the general public, department personnel, and staff in other City departments. Having experience in a position working with the public is important. A degree in land use planning or related field and/or demonstrated experience in land use related issues is preferred. Having the ability to read plans and drawings related to construction projects is also important. This is a full-time, classified position (Grade 5) within the City with a starting pay rate between $28.69/ hour to $30.14/ hour with an excellent benefits package. Please submit a cover letter and resume to Mike Miller, Director of Planning & Community Development, City Hall, 39 Main Street, Montpelier, VT 05602-2950 or email same to mmiller@montpelier-vt.org by Friday, October 30th at 5:00PM. Montpelier is an equal opportunity employer.

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CSWD is seeking a highly motivated individual to work at various busy Drop-Off Centers. Schedule is Tuesday-Saturday from 7:45am-3:45pm. Must enjoy interacting with the public, have the ability to operate a point-of-sale system (training provided) and be able to keep cool under pressure. Moderate physical effort is required as is the ability to work outdoors. Customer service experience a plus. Self-starters and those with a passion for reducing waste, recycling, and composting, are strongly encouraged to apply. $22.18 per hour with an excellent benefits package. For more information and to view the full job description go to cswd.net/about-cswd/job-openings. Send a resume or a completed job application to humanresources@cswd.net. Position is open until filled.

ccscareers.org

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Drop-Off Center Operator

10/20/26 5:19 PM

Are you the person who can turn a cardboard box into a spaceship? Do you believe that “why?” is the most exciting question in the world? If you’ve got patience for days and a laugh that’s contagious, we want to meet you! VIP’s Roots Early Education Center has immediate openings for PRESCHOOL AND INFANT/TODDLER LEAD and ASSISTANT TEACHERS to join our team and make a real difference in the lives of our littlest explorers. Why You’ll Love It Here: • The Best Coworkers: They’re all under four feet tall, incredibly creative, and always happy to see you • Growth Opportunities: We value your expertise and provide the tools and environment for you to refine your craft and take your career in early childhood education to the next level • Play with a Purpose: Your “office” is a world of art, stories, and adventures • Competitive Perks: Health insurance, paid time off, 401k contributions, paid parental leave, and on-site fitness centers, health clinic and cafe Compensation begins at $21.00 - $25.00/hour What You’ll Do: • Create a safe “home away from home” environment • Lead hands-on activities that spark curiosity (think: finger painting, music, and science experiments) • Be a hero to parents by providing peace of mind and daily updates • Navigate the highs (first words) & the lows (spilled milk) with grace & a smile Are You The One? We aren’t just looking for a resume; we’re looking for a vibe. You’re a great fit if: • You have a genuine love for early childhood education • You’re a master at multitasking (and snack-dispensing) • You’re dependable, kind, and ready to get a little messy • You’re CPR Certified, background check-ready, enjoy professional development and love to work in a positive team environment Ready to join the fun? Don’t just take a job, start a journey. Apply here: vipinsights.com/company/careers. Questions? careers@vtinfo.com “A person’s a person, no matter how small.” — Dr. Seuss

10/15/26 6-VTInfoSeekingBigHearts102126.indd 2:11 PM 1

10/16/26 1:09 PM

YOUR JOBS AT JOBS.SEVENDAYSVT.COM FOR FAST RESULTS, OR ATTENTION RECRUITERS: POST CONTACT GILLIAN COMITO: GCOMITO@SEVENDAYSVT.COM

86 OCTOBER 21-28, 2026

Assistant Professor, Hydrology Financial Operations Coordinator

CASE MANAGER

Development 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.

Transportation Planning Engineer Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission (CCRPC) is seeking to hire a full-time, early career Transportation Planning Engineer to assist with a variety of transportation planning and traffic engineering related tasks and projects.

The Intervale Center seeks a dynamic, mission-driven Development Coordinator to support our mission of strengthening the food system. As a member of the development team, this position provides administrative and coordination support across donor relations, fundraising, business partnerships, events, and communications. Full job description and to apply please visit intervale.org/join-our-team

We have an opening for an experienced Case Manager to join our fun and caring team by serving the Lamoille and Northeast Kingdom region. Reliable vehicle is a must. Position is full-time with excellent benefits and flexible schedule and $26/hr salary. Learn more at HomeShareVermont.org. Send cover letter and resume to connor@ homesharevermont.org. E.O.E.

2v-Intervale101426.indd 1 10/9/26 2v-HomeShareVermont100726.indd 10:42 AM 1 CCRPC is the regional planning agency for the greater Burlington, VT region. Our offices are in downtown Winooski along the river in a great walking environment with a variety of restaurants, services, and businesses. CCRPC is committed to fostering a supportive, flexible, human-centered working environment and a healthy work/life balance. Pay: $30.00 - $50.00 per hour

Residential HVAC Installer

Transportation Planning Engineers at CCRPC work on a diverse suite of projects in topic areas including: intersection capacity analysis, traffic signal optimization, road safety audits, speed limit evaluations, walk/bike improvement planning, region-side plans, and scoping and corridor studies. Our transportation program is closely coordinated with land use planning while addressing other topics such as stormwater, climate change resilience, achieving our housing targets, and increasing opportunities for everyone to participate in the planning process. The individual selected must have: initiative; the ability to work independently; a foundational knowledge of transportation and traffic engineering; familiarity with transportation planning concepts; strong written and verbal communication skills; and a willingness to learn new things. Experience with presenting and public speaking is also highly desired in addition to working with municipalities, partner agencies and organizations. Some night meeting attendance is expected. A valid driver’s license is required. The salary ranges from $68,400 to $85,400 and is dependent upon qualifications. Please send a letter of interest and resume (with references and contact information) in one pdf to Charlie Baker, Executive Director at: cbaker@ccrpcvt.org. We will begin reviewing resumes as soon as November 9th. This position will remain open until filled. A job description can be found at ccrpcvt.org/about-us/news/jobs. CCRPC believes a diverse and culturally proficient staff are essential to creating an environment free of inequities. Accordingly, CCRPC seeks to provide our membership and community with services enhanced by the professional contributions of culturally competent representatives of different races, socioeconomic backgrounds, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, physical ability, age, and sexual orientation. Successful candidates must be committed to working effectively with diverse community populations and expected to strengthen such a capacity if hired. CCRPC is an E.O.E.

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COOK

FULL-TIME, YEAR ROUND $23/hr + TIPS

10/20/26 12:46 PM

PARALEGAL The American Civil Liberties Union of Vermont (ACLU-VT) seeks experienced applicants for a full-time Paralegal position. The Paralegal will help advance civil liberties and civil rights in Vermont by managing a range of litigation support projects, in both state and federal court, at all stages of litigation – from initial pleadings to appeals.

We are looking for qualified individuals to join our service and install teams. We offer an excellent compensation package. You will have a four day work week with local travel, great pay, paid vacation, medical and dental insurance, retirement plan with employer match and a tool & training account.

Preference given to those in possession of Natural Gas, Propane, or S Type Plumbing licenses.

Must apply in person. Ken’s Pizza & Pub, 71 Church St, Burlington.

10/5/262v-KensPizzaLineCook102126.indd 1:57 PM 1

Vermont Energy is a Williston based HVAC company established in 1984. We are an industry leader in heat pump technology installation and service. VTE is a full service provider of heating, air conditioning, and ventilation systems. Our primary markets are residential clients and light commercial properties.

If you have experience with installation or service of heat pumps, boilers, furnaces and air conditioning systems we want to talk with you.

Work in a first floor, big bright kitchen. Must have full availability - nights, days, weekends. Night shifts end between 9:30-11. Must be around during the holiday time (we are closed Thanksgiving Day & Christmas Day).

For full job description and to apply: acluvt.org. ACLU of Vermont is an EOE.

LOOKING FOR A COOLER OPPORTUNITY?

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10/12/26 11:52 AM

Job Type: Full-time Benefits: • Short & Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance • 401(k) 3% Match, 401(k) matching • Dental insurance, Health insurance • Paid time off • Tuition reimbursement • Paid state apprentice program through Vermont State University Experience: • HVAC service: 1 year (Required) • Work Location: In person Application email: mtouchette@vtenergy.com

1 10/20/266-VTEnergy101426.indd 9:53 AM

jobs.sevendaysvt.com 10/12/26 1:01 PM

NEW JOBS POSTED DAILY! JOBS.SEVENDAYSVT.COM

87 OCTOBER 21-28, 2026

SEE THE HEART OF THE MATTER

Transportation Fiscal Analyst Legislative Counsel Attorney The Legislative support offices are currently hiring. The nonpartisan offices are an interesting, challenging, and exciting place to work.

Echocardiographer at Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital (NVRH)

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10/16/26 2:10 PM

Director Of Stewardship & Public Relations The Director of Stewardship & Public Relations plans, supervises, and executes the membership, fundraising, grant-writing, stewardship, public relations, and marketing functions of the Vermont Historical Society, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. This is an exempt, full-time, permanent position reporting to the Executive Director. Salary equivalent to Vermont State Pay Grade 27 (starting $74,000) with full benefits, including definedbenefit pension. Bachelor’s degree or equivalent training with at least six years’ progressive experience in a professional fundraising setting. Knowledge of Salesforce software and history/cultural organization experience preferred. To apply, send cover letter, resume, and three references as one pdf to director@vermonthistory.org.

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The Finance Director steers the financial engine behind Vermont Housing and Conservation Board’s statewide affordable housing and conservation work. Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer and serving as their strategic backup, you’ll direct daily fiscal operations, supervise and mentor the finance team, and ensure the integrity of multi-fund revenue streams, including major federal awards. You’ll lead the annual audit cycle, shape organizational budgeting and financial modeling, oversee a substantial loan portfolio, and liaise with banking partners and state financial systems. Requires CPA or equivalent and deep knowledge of nonprofit or governmental fund accounting, GAAP, and federal Uniform Administrative Guidance, with a track record of clean audits and confident team leadership. Based in Montpelier with some remote flexibility. Applications due November 9, 2026.

Qualifications: RDCS or RCS certification required • BLS required • Minimum of one (1) year of echocardiography experience required Why NVRH? Excellent benefits • Competitive pay • Student loan repayment Tuition reimbursement • Generous PTO • 401(k) match

Send resume and cover letter to jobs@vhcb.org. Applications reviewed on a rolling basis. To learn more, visit vhcb.org/careers | VHCB is an E.O.E.

Apply today: nvrh.org/careers

You will be part of a highly professional 4t-NVRH072926.indd 1 collegial team that is proud of, and enthusiastic about, the mission of the state legislature. To apply, please go to ‘Career Opportunities’ legislature.vermont.gov

Finance Director

Help patients see the full picture of their heart health while building a rewarding career in the heart of Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom. NVRH is seeking an Echocardiographer to join our Diagnostic Imaging team. Perform diagnostic cardiac ultrasound studies, collaborate with physicians and care teams, and make a meaningful impact on patient care every day.

7/24/26 11:10 AM

Apprenticeship Program

Commercial Lines Processing Agent

• Guaranteed paid employment on day one of training

T.S. Peck Insurance is one of the largest locally owned independent insurance agencies in Vermont, serving personal and commercial clients from its local office in South Burlington. Founded in 1869, the agency has a long history of understanding the unique Vermont business market and acting as a local advocate for policyholders. T.S. Peck provides a flexible & supportive work environment for its team. The Commercial Lines Processing Agent is a part-time, hybrid role based in South Burlington, VT. This position is responsible for supporting the commercial lines team by processing new business, renewals, endorsements, cancellations, and policy changes accurately and within established timelines. Day-to-day tasks include data entry into agency and carrier systems, preparing and issuing certificates of insurance, handling billing and policy document requests, and maintaining complete and organized client files. The agent communicates with carriers and internal staff to resolve discrepancies, obtain missing information, and ensure policies reflect correct coverage details. This role also assists with basic client service inquiries, follows agency procedures for compliance and documentation, and contributes to smooth office operations and a positive client experience. Salary/Benefits: • Salary starting at $55k/year • Full health, dental, vision, disability benefits • 401K match/profit sharing Application Email: jakehynes@tspeck.com.

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• Team environment • Full Benefits

INVEST IN YOURSELF Our apprenticeship program is a paid opportunity to become a Sterile Processing Technician with no experience required.

• Dedicated support during the 8-week program & remainder of the apprenticeship

APPLY NOW jobforward.org/ sterileprocessingtech REGISTRATION DEADLINE Wednesday, Nov. 11th, 2026

Questions? Call or Email 802-497-6968 lida.hope@jobforward.org

University of Vermont Health (“UVMH”) will not discriminate against apprenticeship applicants or apprentices based upon their age (40 and older), ancestry, color, disability, gender identity, marital status, national origin, place of birth, race, religion, genetic information, sex, and sexual orientation. UVMH will take affirmative action to provide equal opportunity in apprenticeship and will operate the apprenticeship program as required by Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations, part 30; Title 21 Vermont Statutes Annotated, Labor, Ch. 13, Apprenticeship, and the Vermont State EEO Plan. This workforce product was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA). The product was created by the recipient and does not necessarily reflect the official position of DOL. DOL makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it.

10/15/266-VTHitTechUVM10212026.indd 2:41 PM 1

9/18/26 10:31 AM

YOUR JOBS AT JOBS.SEVENDAYSVT.COM FOR FAST RESULTS, OR ATTENTION RECRUITERS: POST CONTACT GILLIAN COMITO: GCOMITO@SEVENDAYSVT.COM

88 OCTOBER 21-28, 2026

VERMONT PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION IS HIRING! POLICY DIRECTOR Interested in working on utility-related economic and policy issues for a small, dynamic State agency? The Vermont Public Utility Commission seeks to fill the vacant Policy Director exempt position. Issues decided by the Commission include, among others: utility rates and other financial matters; renewable energy, energy efficiency, and telecommunications policies; and siting of utility facilities and nonutility renewable generation facilities. The Policy Director position offers a unique chance to participate in Vermont’s regulatory process that implements major policy decisions that often have statewide, regional, and national significance. The Policy Director supervises a team of six analysts; each of the analysts and the Policy Director preside over contested cases as a quasi-judicial hearing officer, with responsibility to identify significant issues; conducting thorough hearings in a fair, professional, judicious manner; preparing comprehensive proposed decisions that resolve all critical issues; and assisting the Commission in evaluating the proposed decisions. Additional specific duties include reviewing utility ratemaking and other economic regulatory filings and assisting other hearing officers with their reviews of such filings; drafting proposed rules; initiating recommendations and assisting in the development of Commission policy on utilityrelated matters; assisting in drafting proposed legislation and providing information and testimony to legislators. The Policy Director trains and advises the Commission’s analysts and serves on the Commission’s management team.

and retain a diverse workforce, and we are committed to creating an equitable and inclusive environment for all employees. Applicants are welcome to list their personal pronouns in their application materials.

DEPUTY CLERK The Vermont Public Utility Commission seeks to hire a Deputy Clerk. The Public Utility Commission is a quasi-judicial agency that regulates electric, energy efficiency, natural gas, telecommunications, and water utilities in Vermont. The Deputy Clerk position offers a unique chance to participate in Vermont’s regulatory process, which implements policy decisions that often have statewide, regional, and national significance. The Deputy Clerk works under the supervision of the Clerk of the Commission. Specific functions, duties, and responsibilities as assigned by the Clerk of the Commission may include: records management; serving as acting clerk in the Clerk’s absence; regulatory support including reviewing documents, scheduling, issuing orders, and processing dig safe cases; serving as the Commission’s lead staff person/product manager on all matters related to the Commission’s electronic case management system (‘ePUC”), including support, development, implementation, and liaison with product developer; and public and customer service including responding to inquiries, interacting with consumers facing disconnection, and assisting with use of ePUC.

Excellent analytical, quantitative, and oral and written communication skills and a judicial temperament are required. A strong candidate will have experience in utility ratemaking, utility regulation, or related areas, including the energy industries, and supervisory experience within the last five years.

A strong candidate will have a demonstrated ability to work independently and perform effectively in a time-sensitive and high-pressure environment. The Commission also highly values experience using electronic case management systems in a judicial or quasi-judicial environment.

Candidates for the Policy Director position must be located in, or willing to relocate to, Vermont. Candidates typically have a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree and at least 10 years’ professional experience in accounting, public or business administration, economics, finance, environmental studies, natural resources, land use planning, geography, political science, public policy, or public administration. Graduate work in related fields may be substituted for the required experience on a semester-forsix-months basis. While legal training is not required and may not substitute for the required experience, candidates with law degrees may apply.

Candidates for the deputy clerk position must be located in, or willing to relocate to, Vermont. Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree and either two years or more of experience assisting with the management of operations, customer service, and employee relations of a public or private organization or six years’ prior court or related legal experience involving duties such as case flow management, case processing, customer service, maintaining court records, and electronic case system use. Additional experience may be substituted for education.

Salary for the Policy Director position is commensurate with the applicant’s education and experience in accordance with the Public Utility Commission’s pay plan. The State of Vermont offers many benefits as part of total employee compensation. To apply, submit resume, cover letter, and writing sample, and list of references via email to puc.businessmanager@vermont.gov by November 20th, 2026. The State of Vermont is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Commission seeks to attract

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Salary for the deputy clerk position is commensurate with the applicant’s education and experience in accordance with the Public Utility Commission Pay Plan. The State of Vermont offers many benefits as part of total employee compensation. To apply, submit resume, cover letter, and list of references via email to puc. businessmanager@vermont.gov by November 20th, 2026. The State of Vermont is an E.OE. The Commission seeks to attract and retain a diverse workforce, and we are committed to creating an equitable and inclusive environment for all employees. Applicants are welcome to list personal pronouns in their application materials.

10/16/26 1:47 PM

NEW JOBS POSTED DAILY! JOBS.SEVENDAYSVT.COM

89 OCTOBER 21-28, 2026

Burlington Housing Authority (BHA) We are currently looking for a Maintenance Technician within our Building Operations. This is an excellent opportunity to join the Housing Retention Services team, where you can gain a deep understanding of our business , make a difference in people’s lives every day, and advance your career. Who We Are: Burlington Housing Authority serves the greater Burlington community with housing that is affordable, rental assistance, and support services. Our mission is to provide low-income, vulnerable members of our community access to safe, affordable housing and retention support services in ways that encourage stability, improve quality of life, end homelessness, and foster vibrant neighborhoods. BHA serves a diverse population of tenants and partners with a variety of community agencies. To most effectively carry out our vision of delivering safe and affordable housing to all, we are committed to cultivating a staff that reflects varied lived experiences, viewpoints, and educational histories. Therefore, we strongly encourage candidates from diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals, and women to apply. Multilingualism is a plus! Position Overview: The Maintenance Technician performs general maintenance work in BHA owned and managed properties. This includes building exteriors, common areas, apartments, building systems, fixtures, and grounds. Our Building Operations Techs are required to participate in the on-call rotation, which covers night and weekend emergencies. Current rotation is once every 6-7 weeks. Work Location and Other Requirements • This position is an in-person in Burlington, VT. • A valid driver’s license is required to carry out the duties of this position Qualifications: While all applicants need to demonstrate a passion for supporting our residents and helping advance Burlington Housing Authority’s mission, we recognize that some applicants may not possess all qualifications listed. We are willing to consider individuals who demonstrate comparable life experience and education in lieu of specific requirements, and/or the will, ability, and initiative to grow into new areas of responsibility. Knowledge and Experience • Qualified candidates should have a minimum of two years of work in general building maintenance or building trades. The ideal candidate would have a demonstrated proficiency in building trades including carpentry, electrical, painting, plumbing, grounds keeping, and snow removal. • The physical activities for this position include squatting, ascending and descending ladders, scaffolding, and stairs, working in small or confined spaces, twisting and lifting up to 100 pounds, often repeating motions with wrists, fingers, and hands. This position works in all environmental conditions. • Technicians must be detail oriented, efficient, be able to work within time sensitive parameters, and able to work independently, as well as part of a team. • Having strong interpersonal skills and being sensitive to the needs of the elderly, disabled, and very low-income households is a must. • Completed high school or equivalency, or any equivalent trade school along with a combination of training and maintenance experience. • Must have the ability to perform painting and janitorial work, perform minor electrical and plumbing repairs, and to get along well with fellow employees and Residents. Physical Requirements Occasionally: • Ascends and descends ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles and the like • Remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time Constantly: • Moving self in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments including tight and confined spaces • Moving to accomplish tasks or moving from one job site to another • Adjusting or moving objects

• Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands, and/or fingers • Operating machinery / heavy equipment and/or power tools • Operating motor vehicles • Assessing the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned • Communicating with others to exchange information Environmental Conditions Occasionally working in: • Low and high temperatures • Outdoor elements such as precipitation and wind. • Noisy environments • Hazardous conditions • Poor ventilation • Small and/or enclosed spaces Physical Demands: Occasionally: • Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting and/or standing • Light work that includes moving objects up to 20 pounds • Medium work that includes moving objects up to 50 pounds • Heavy work that includes moving objects up to 100 pounds or more Total Compensation Base wages Pay range is between $24.00 - $26.00 per hour. PLUS, a $1,500 sign on bonus – paid in two installments. This is a full time position with benefits. Benefits • Health Insurance (BHA covers between 80% to 83% of the premium for employees) or a $6,000 opt-out payment in lieu of BHA health insurance. (To qualify for the OptOut, proof of health insurance is required.) • Health Reimbursement Account. BHA pays 90% of the deductible as the insurance is being used. That’s up to $2,880 for single enrollment and up to $5,760 for twoperson and family • Flexible Spending and Dependent Care Accounts • Dental and vision insurance (Voluntary plans offered at a discounted group rate.) • Short and long term disability coverage (BHA pays 50% of discounted group rate) • Basic life insurance and accidental death (provided at no cost to employees) • Retire plan is a defined contribution plan. BHA makes annual contribution equal to 10% of base wages • Section 457 plan. BHA employees can contribute to this retirement plan • Employee Assistance Plan • Generous time off policy including 12 days of paid time off and 12 days of sick time in the first year. In addition to the paid time off, BHA recognizes 13 (paid) holidays and 2 (paid) floating cultural holidays • Annual Performance Bonus Interested in this career opportunity? Send a cover letter and resume to: humanresources@burlingtonhousing.org. Human Resources, Burlington Housing Authority 65 Main Street, Suite 101, Burlington, VT 05401 Find more info about these career opportunities at burlingtonhousing.org. BHA is an E.O.E.

YOUR JOBS AT JOBS.SEVENDAYSVT.COM FOR FAST RESULTS, OR ATTENTION RECRUITERS: POST CONTACT GILLIAN COMITO: GCOMITO@SEVENDAYSVT.COM

90 OCTOBER 21-28, 2026

Office Administrator We are a tax preparation business in Shelburne seeking a full-time office administrator. Ideal candidates will have strong attention to detail, excellent interpersonal and written communication skills, and be able to take initiative and work independently. Prior administrative and tax/ financial experience a plus. Compensation is $28/hour. Please send resume and cover letter outlining what you would bring to this position to admin@birchtreetax.com.

We're Hiring! Dry Cleaning Machine Operator Shift: 5:30am - 1:30pm Location: 63 Creek Farm Plaza, Colchester Pay: $18.00 - $20.00 No experience necessary: we will train! Send Resume to: diana@gadues.com

SERVER

GIV is hiring two Institute Director roles this summer.

Technology and Design Institute Director ($6,000) Global Issues & Youth Action Institute Director ($6,000) Various dates and locations; see details and apply at: giv.org/jobs

FULL-TIME, YEAR ROUND $7.21/hr + TIPS We do not pool tips! Prior serving experience is preferred, but not required. Knowledge of Toast POS is a plus! Must have full availability - nights, days, weekends. Night shifts end between 9:30-11. Must be around during the holiday time (we are closed Thanksgiving Day & Christmas Day). Must apply in person. Ken’s Pizza & Pub, 71 Church St, Burlington.

U.S. Probation Receptionist

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GO HIRE. Job Recruiters: • Post jobs using a form that includes key info about your company and open positions (location, application deadlines, video, images, etc.). • Accept applications and manage the hiring process via our applicant tracking tool.

10/20/26 10:47 AM

• Easily manage your open job listings from your recruiter dashboard.

United States Probation Receptionist District of Vermont at Burlington (CL-23/24/25) $41,170 - $81,903

Job Seekers: • Search for jobs by keyword, location, category and job type. • Set up job alert emails using custom search criteria. • Save jobs to a custom list with your own notes on the positions. • Apply for jobs directly through the site.

Full Time Permanent United States Probation in Burlington, Vermont, is seeking an energetic individual to provide receptionist duties, clerical and procurement support to our office. High school diploma, two years of general experience, proficiency with WORD, data entry, report generation and strong interpersonal skills are required. A background investigation and fingerprinting are mandatory before appointment. Starting salary range is from $41,170 - $66,971 with promotional potential to CL-24 (Probation Support Technician) and CL-25 (Probation Services Assistant).

Get a quote when you post online or contact Gillian Comito: 865-1020, sevendaysvt.com.

jobs.sevendaysvt.com

For further information and application instructions visit vtp.uscourts.gov/career-opportunities. Deadline for complete applications is the close of business October 30, 2026. 12-jobsgohire-bike23.indd 1 4t-USProbationOffice100726.indd 1

10/5/26 5:23 PM

5/5/26 1:46 PM

NEW JOBS POSTED DAILY! JOBS.SEVENDAYSVT.COM

91 OCTOBER 21-28, 2026

NEKCV Is Hiring for Multiple Roles! ABOUT: NEKCV (dba NEK Broadband and CVFiber) is a community-driven organization whose mission is to ensure high-speed broadband internet service is available to the most rural and underserved communities in the Northeast Kingdom and the Central Valley. Founded in 2020 as a Communications Union District, we began network construction in 2021. We’re a small company of fewer than 30 employees, which means there’s lots of room for growth and learning. Here at NEKCV we are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where all employees feel welcomed, valued, and supported.

COMMUNITY HUB & DIGITAL EQUITY COORDINATOR

MANAGER OF SALES – NEKCV (dba NEK Broadband and CVFiber)

NEKCV is seeking a community-focused Community HUB & Digital Equity Coordinator to manage the Groton Connectivity HUB located in Groton, Vermont. The preference is for a full time role of 40 hours per week, but we are willing to consider applicants with less than 40 hours available per week.

NEKCV is seeking an experienced and motivated Manager of Sales to lead customer acquisition and community outreach efforts across the Northeast Kingdom and Central Vermont. This position will oversee sales strategy, manage field sales representatives, and help drive subscriber growth as broadband service expands throughout the region. The Manager of Sales will play a key role in building relationships with residents, businesses, community organizations, and local stakeholders while developing and implementing effective outreach and sales initiatives. This position requires a strong combination of leadership, communication, and organizational skills, along with a passion for community-focused work.

HR GENERALIST The HR Generalist is responsible for supporting the full range of human resources functions for the organization. This position serves as a trusted resource to employees and managers and helps ensure that HR practices are consistent, legally compliant, equitable, and aligned with the organization’s mission and culture. The HR Generalist will manage day-to-day HR operations, including recruitment, onboarding, employee relations, benefits administration, personnel records, performance management, policy implementation, training, and employment compliance. This position requires strong organizational skills, sound judgment, confidentiality, and the ability to work effectively with employees at all levels of the organization.

BEAD PROGRAM MANAGER The BEAD project is a $106 million federal grant project awarded to NEKCV to bring fiber-optic broadband internet service to the remaining unserved addresses in our 72 town district. The Program Manager will lead NEKCV’s Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD Program) initiatives, overseeing planning, execution, compliance, and reporting for federally funded broadband expansion across the Northeast Kingdom and Central Vermont. This role should serve as the Executive Director’s strategic partner—providing operational leadership, supervising program staff, coordinating contractors, and ensuring NEKCV meets all NTIA, federal, state, and local requirements.

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The Community HUB & Digital Equity Coordinator will be the welcoming, on-the-ground presence at the Groton Connectivity HUB, helping connect residents with digital resources, community programs, and opportunities to build digital skills. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working with people, building relationships, organizing activities, and helping a community space thrive. The coordinator will be responsible for being present at the HUB during open hours, coordinating use of the space with community partners, maintaining the public calendar, and organizing volunteers as needed.

WAREHOUSE MATERIAL HANDLER/ INSTALLATION TECHNICIAN (FULL-TIME) NEK Broadband is seeking a Warehouse Material Handler. The successful candidate for this position will be someone who embraces the NEK Broadband mission and thrives in a fast paced, "startup" environment, while bringing the organizational skills necessary to ensure that the construction teams have the necessary materials and equipment, while working safely and efficiently. The Warehouse Material Handler must be able to be licensed on a forklift, will be responsible for material handling daily tasks, assisting management with daily inventory, and assisting with the deployment of materials to our contractors.

TELECOM FIELD SALES REPRESENTATIVE – NEKCV

(dba NEK Broadband and CVFiber)

NEK Broadband and CVFiber are seeking seasonal and full-time Sales Representatives to conduct direct customer outreach throughout our 72-town service area across the Northeast Kingdom and Central Vermont. This role involves engaging with residents and businesses to promote broadband services and expand community connectivity. Compensation includes a combination of hourly pay, daily rates, commission opportunities, and mileage reimbursement for personal vehicle use at the current State of Vermont reimbursement rate. This is an excellent entry-level opportunity to gain experience in the telecommunications and broadband industry while developing customer service, sales, and community engagement skills. For more information on each description and to apply: nekcv.org/careers

10/15/26 3:24 PM

YOUR JOBS AT JOBS.SEVENDAYSVT.COM FOR FAST RESULTS, OR ATTENTION RECRUITERS: POST CONTACT GILLIAN COMITO: GCOMITO@SEVENDAYSVT.COM

92 OCTOBER 21-28, 2026

Burlington Housing Authority (BHA) We are currently looking for a Housing Retention Specialist within our Housing Retention Services department. This is an excellent opportunity to join the Housing Retention Services team, where you can gain a deep understanding of our business, make a difference in people’s lives every day, and advance your career. Who We Are: Burlington Housing Authority serves the greater Burlington community with housing that is affordable, rental assistance, and support services. Our mission is to provide lowincome, vulnerable members of our community access to safe, affordable housing and retention support services in ways that encourage stability, improve quality of life, end homelessness, and foster vibrant neighborhoods. BHA serves a diverse population of tenants and partners with a variety of community agencies. To most effectively carry out our vision of delivering safe and affordable housing to all, we are committed to cultivating a staff that reflects varied lived experiences, viewpoints, and educational histories. Therefore, we strongly encourage candidates from diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals, and women to apply. Multilingualism is a plus! Position Overview Housing Retention Specialist: Provides assistance to residents who have barriers to maintaining housing and/or subsidy. The Housing Retention Specialist works with residents in Chittenden County for the most part and will occasionally provide support to neighboring regions. The Housing Retention Specialist works collaboratively with community service agencies and providers in addition to Section 8, Property Management and Inspection Staff and reports to the Director of Housing Retention and Services. Permanent Supportive Housing Specialist: Provides assistance to community members within Chittenden County who are without housing and have significant medical/mental health barriers to locating and securing housing in Burlington Housing Authority’s service area. Work Location and Other Requirements These positions are in person in Burlington, VT. A valid driver’s license along with reliable personal transportation, with vehicle insurance and registration, is required to carry out the duties of this position Qualifications: While all applicants need to demonstrate a passion for supporting our residents and helping advance Burlington Housing Authority’s mission, we recognize that some applicants may not possess all qualifications listed. We are willing to consider individuals who demonstrate comparable life experience and education in lieu of specific requirements, and/or the will, ability, and initiative to grow into new areas of responsibility. Knowledge and Experience • Bachelor’s degree in social work (or related field) with two to five years of direct service experience, including experience with mental health and substance use supports. • Must have experience with diverse and vulnerable populations. • Effective verbal and written communication and knowledge of the social services network in the greater Burlington area. • Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and internet navigation preferred. • Excellent organizational skills required. • Must be adept at fostering positive and collaborative relationships with staff, residents, vendors and community agencies

• Must have a patient and compassionate approach to working with the most vulnerable populations Total Compensation This is a full time position with benefits Base wages Housing Retention Specialist: $24.00 - $26.00 per hour PLUS $2000 SIGN ON BONUS Permanent Supportive Housing Specialist: $26.00 - $27.00 per hour PLUS $2000 SIGN ON BONUS Benefits • Health Insurance (BHA covers between 80% to 83% of the premium for employees) or a $6,000 opt-out payment in lieu of health insurance • Health Reimbursement Account. BHA pays 90% of the deductible as the insurance is being used. That’s up to $2,880 for single enrollment and up to $5,760 for two-person and family. • Flexible Spending and Dependent Care Accounts • Dental and vision insurance (Voluntary plans offered at a discounted group rate.) • Short and long term disability coverage (BHA pays 50% of discounted group rate)

Assistant to the Sergeant at Arms We are seeking an organized, service-minded professional to assist the Sergeant at Arms with keeping operations running smoothly, providing non-partisan support to members and the public and handling essential administrative functions in support of the Vermont General Assembly. The anticipated pay for this fulltime position will be between $58,955.00 - $88,433.00 with a comprehensive benefits package.

To apply, please go to 'Career Opportunities' at

legislature.vermont.gov.

• Basic life insurance and accidental death (provided at no cost to employees) • Retire plan is a defined contribution plan. BHA makes annual contribution equal to 10% of base wages • Section 457 plan. BHA employees can contribute to this retirement plan • Employee Assistance Plan

THE GRIND GOT YOU DOWN?

• Generous time off policy including 12 days of paid time off and 12 days of sick time in the first year. In addition to the paid time off, BHA recognizes 13 (paid) holidays and 2 (paid) floating cultural holidays. • Annual Performance Bonus Interested in this career opportunity? Send a cover letter and resume to: humanresources@burlingtonhousing.org. Human Resources Burlington Housing Authority 65 Main Street, Suite 101

Perk up!

Burlington, VT 05401

Browse 100+ new job postings from trusted, local employers.

Find more info about these career opportunities at burlingtonhousing.org. BHA is an Equal Opportunity Employer X @SevenDaysvt

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CALCOKU & SUDOKU (P.79) CROSSWORD (P.79)

fun stuff JULIANNA BRAZILL HARRY BLISS

“Hey, I heard something downstairs! You’re the dog.”

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 21-28, 2026

fun stuff JEN SORENSEN

PHIL JOHNSON

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 21-28, 2026

FREE WILL ASTROLOGY BY ROB BREZSNY REAL OCTOBER 22-28

LIBRA (SEP. 23-OCT. 22)

I admire your ability to stay outside the conflict and offer detached, incisive commentary. I respect your preference for avoiding small-minded camps and partisan skirmishes. But in the coming days, I hope you’ll step directly into the muck and bring the passionate contributions of a devotee who’s invested in the outcome. Put the grand ideas aside and stir up good trouble in service of practical justice. Clever sidestepping won’t do; what’s needed are honest tests of what actually works. Be a pragmatist who makes soulful things happen through tender focus on the concrete tasks.

ARIES (Mar. 21-Apr. 19): The 18th-century Aries watchmaker John Harrison solved one of the great scientific problems of his time: how to determine longitude at sea. Many learned astronomers failed to crack the puzzle, yet Harrison, largely self-taught, persisted for decades to refine the method. His breakthrough transformed navigation and enhanced the safety of sea journeys. I nominate Harrison to be your inspirational role model in the coming weeks, Aries. Persistence combined with ingenuity and a trust in your hunches will be more important to your success than your mastery of the way things have always been done.

TAURUS (Apr. 20-May 20): A greenhouse can coax flowers to open ahead of their natural timetable. I recommend applying a similar approach to the fears taking root in you. Rather than letting them spread gradually and feed you a stream of low-grade dread, push them toward an immediate peak. Let every concern become enormous and fully formed as quickly as possible. Invite the anxieties to arrive all at once. Then meet them in a decisive confrontation, exhaust their drama and clear space for adventures that will give you deep, sweet pleasure. Set a date for your worrygasm, the grand finale of your fretting, for no later than 48 hours from now. GEMINI (May 21-Jun. 20): Gemini-born physicist Richard Feynman was famous not only for his brilliance but also for his refusal to pretend he understood things he didn’t. He routinely asked childishly simple questions in rooms full of experts. “But why does that happen?” was one of his favorites. Those naïve inquiries often cracked open problems the specialists had stopped seeing. He distrusted jargon and prized the ability to explain a complex idea in plain words. If you can’t explicate it simply, he suggested, you don’t really understand it. I invite you to adopt this as your strategy in the coming weeks, Gemini. Your superpowers will be to pose obvious questions everyone else is too proud or numb to ask and to insist on answers you can actually understand. CANCER (Jun. 21-Jul. 22): Cancerian dancer and choreographer Anna Halprin lived to 100 and danced to the end. She taught the idea that movement could heal. Our bodies, given permission to move freely and expressively, know how to release grief, summon joy and restore wholeness. She once danced through her own cancer diagnosis as a form of medicine and lived for decades longer. Her lesson for you: Your body has its own intelligence, and you can enhance your ability to access it. In the coming weeks, let it lead. Dance, stretch, walk, sway. Trust what your flesh knows that your mind hasn’t figured out yet. LEO (Jul. 23-Aug. 22): In at least one way, Leo, you’ll be coming home during the coming weeks. Perhaps you will discover a sanctuary that brings out your best: a power spot where

you feel unguarded and authentic. Or you may gather (or stumble into) the community you’ve always imagined, or link up with a web of allies and resources that once felt out of reach. You might dream of journeying to the land where your ancestors loved and labored for generations, or consider a pilgrimage to a storied place that holds the key to a mystery you’re hungry to resolve.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sep. 22): Renaissance astronomer and astrologer Tycho Brahe spent decades collecting precise measurements of planetary motion. He never developed a final theory to explain the data, and he harbored mistaken theories about how the solar system worked. But his observations enabled his assistant Johannes Kepler to discover the laws of planetary orbits. You could play a similar role, Virgo. Your careful attention to details can lay the groundwork for important realizations, whether by you or someone working in collaboration with you. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Are there

parts of the past you’re in bondage to? Maybe some shackles are even beloved to you, like a comfortable old belief, a protective habit, or a story about who you are that once helped you but now confines you. If you’re like most of us (me included!), you have fond memories that unfortunately impose limits on your future. Whatever they may be, dear Scorpio, now is an excellent time to disengage from their hold on you. To begin, make one small but potent gesture of liberation. As you do, say this aloud: “I am no longer chained to outdated versions of myself.” Alternate version, if you’re feeling extra fiery: “I am no longer &^%$@# chained to any *%#@&+ outdated versions of myself.”

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): The

Supreme Ministry of Astrological Myth has agreed to my request to temporarily give you a new designation. For the next four weeks, you are authorized to refer to yourself as the Contemplative Adventurer or the Meditative Rambler or the Pensive Pathfinder — or all three, if you like. In bestowing these titles, I’m encouraging you to free up heroic energy for use in your inner realms. One good way to capitalize on this blessing will be to relax in a comfy chair and negotiate truces with your

demons. Another recommended activity: Ask the spirits of nature and the songs of birds to heighten your intuition about your future as you take long walks.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): In 2029, I predict you’ll get nanotech implants to fight the aging of your body, ensuring that you’ll live well past 100. In 2032, you’ll begin downloading your nightly dreams into a digital medium, allowing you to study them at length and bolster your ability to learn from their coded messages. In 2037, you and a loved one will be able to take advantage of technology that allows you to merge telepathically. In 2043, you’ll take a vacation on the moon, where you’ll dance exuberantly in low lunar gravity. But in 2027, your task will be simpler. You’ll learn to love yourself better and treat yourself with more tender kindness than ever before. Now’s a great time to get started! AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Many cel-

ebrated chefs insist that acidity is an underestimated element that transforms good food into memorable food. A squeeze of lemon or a splash of vinegar awakens other flavors already present. Consider what the equivalent might be in your own life, Aquarius. What’s the seemingly simple ingredient that could enliven everything else? More playfulness or more walking? More music, more honesty or more sleep? The astrological omens are clear that now isn’t the time to overhaul your entire existence. Instead, identify one or two subtle additions that make your existing gifts brighter.

PISCES (Feb. 19-Mar. 20): Nothing is the same as what it appears to be, but neither is it the opposite of what it seems to be. Life isn’t fair, yet we’d be wrong to say it’s unfair. You should be on the lookout for the words that are NOT being said. Assume that every question has a hidden complication. Be skeptical if anyone tells you the current mysteries are unsolvable and be eager to discover the deeper riddle buried inside each superficial riddle. But now here’s the good news. The maddening complexities will ultimately prove to be fun and helpful if you’re diligent in untangling them. The key to success: Be tender as you explore uncomfortable thoughts and frustrating feelings.

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 21-28, 2026

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Respond to these people online: dating.sevendaysvt.com WOMEN seeking... FUNNY, DRIVEN SUNSHINE LOVER I love to laugh and wish I did it more. I like tennis, taking art classes, being outside. I ski in the winter, am learning to sail in the summer. I am career driven, and it occasionally takes over until I rein it back in. I’m looking to meet some smart, funny, kind people. Sunnyand75, 51, seeking: M QUIET OUTDOORS LOVER Retired from a retail environment. Am quiet until I’m comfortable around someone. Love to hike and walk trails and roads, both winter and summer. Like to be outdoors. Like to be busy. Looking to spend time with someone just doing and sharing simple things — making meals, chores, a laugh, a hug, a kiss; learning, but also getting time independently. Spud, 69, seeking: M, l CREATIVE AND EMPATHETIC CONNECTOR I value the environment and kind treatment of all people. I enjoy traveling, writing, casually making art and spending time in nature (especially stopping to look at interesting plants/ critters). I love fostering human connection through hosting gettogethers (such as game and movie nights) but also deeply appreciate chill time alone (or with people who don’t drain me, maybe you!). TreeHugger24, 25, seeking: M, l

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You read Seven Days, these people read Seven Days — you already have at least one thing in common! All the action is online. Create an account or login to browse hundreds of singles with profiles including photos, habits, desires, views and more. It’s free to place your own profile online. photos of l See this person online. W = Women M = Men TW = Trans women TM = Trans men Q = Genderqueer people NBP = Nonbinary people NC = Gender nonconformists Cp = Couples Gp = Groups

ECLECTIC EDUCATOR SEEKS FUNCTIONAL COMPANIONSHIP Looking for company in my efforts to stave off the Void (the ever-encroaching primordial ooze of unfulfillable yearning, existential dread, etc.). That sounds dark, but in reality this consists largely of swimming, camping, collecting rocks/ bugs and annual Lord of the Rings viewings. More concretely, I want a house in a field with chickens, sheep, and a mean goose or two. cloverthistle, 33, seeking: M, TM, Q, NC, NBP, l WEIRD, QUEER, KINDHEARTED LEFTY I love chopping it up with just about anyone. I like listening to and telling stories. I enjoy the company of people who are both sharp and kind. Generosity, community, good food and silliness are very important to me. I love digging around in the dirt. Looking for people to love. word_girl, 22, seeking: M, W, TM, TW, Q, NC, NBP, l MULLET BABE SEEKING TRUE LOVE Trimmed my mullet today, and it put me in a good mood. Looking for a man who looks exactly like me but with facial hair. Must be gentle. I enjoy gossip, roadkill, light beer, reading memoirs and charming snakes. I’d like to learn new skills. If you have a truck or a bike rack, I’ll be there. slopjoe, 21, seeking: M, l LAID-BACK FUNNY GIRL I’m a curvy girl who enjoys cuddly but confident men. I enjoy reading, hiking and cooking. I love lazy mornings with a hot cup in my hand and a cozy blanket. Looking for someone to be the big spoon to my little spoon. Bookbunny, 39, seeking: M KIND HEARTS, ACTIVE MINDS ONLY My happiest moments are spent with family, my Labs and people I care about. I love warm sunny days, swimming, the ocean, beautiful sunrises and sunsets, live music, sports, and plenty of laughter. With retirement on the horizon, I’m excited to travel, try new adventures, and hopefully meet someone kind, affectionate, easygoing and fun to share them with. njoylife, 58, seeking: M, l RETIRED ANTHROPOLOGIST, UNRETIRED CURIOUSITY Field notes from a life well traveled. Decades in East Africa taught me to listen closely and question my assumptions. Now I’ve traded savanna for Vermont forest — and pursue off-the-beaten-path adventures wherever I can. Avid reader and serious Nordic noir fan. Looking for someone not afraid of a woman who asks “Why do people do that?” for a living. RiftValleyRambler, 64, seeking: M, l CURIOUS WANDERER, COLLECTS EXPERIENCES I like to gather passport stamps, weird hobbies and conversation topics that go one layer deeper. Looking for someone who’d rather dig into a new idea than talk about the weather and who considers exploring new places a routine activity. Bonus points if you’re a lifelong learner and love to swap stories. LuceStellare, 40, seeking: M, W, TM, TW, Q, NC, NBP, l

SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 21-28, 2026

GRACEFUL AGGIE I’m an active, well-educated woman seeking a kind, honest, intelligent man for companionship and fun. I’m a writer and editor working in regenerative agriculture. I love to dance, deejay, hike and garden, and my silly side appreciates dad jokes, board games, dogs and cats, concerts, plays, other languages, new foods, and sitting around doing nothing. Want to join me? Graceful_Aggie, 64, seeking: M, l ENERGETIC, HEARTFELT, POSITIVE CUP I believe in nature, connections, laughter, hugging, hugging a lot, colors, textures and patterns, working hard, witty conversations, me. I am strong, feminine, funny and talkative. I like most sports and outdoor activities. I sew, crochet, paint. I like card games. I own a cabin, an ATV, a brush hog. I love music and dancing. I love my family. Cabingirl, 70, seeking: M, l VILLAGER LOOKING FOR A VILLAGE I moved to Burlington in 2023 and am looking for new connections. I’m seeking activity partners who can help plan a hiking trip or festival date. I like to be toward the front at a live music show, wander the woods or catch a play. Dimothy, 38, seeking: M, W, TM, TW, Q, NC, NBP, Cp, Gp, l ECHOLOCATION Single, kind, funny, real. Looking for a meaningful, sustainable connection. I like movies, theater, comedy, music, books, and effortless conversations, both deep and stupid. You, too? Let’s go for a walk to see if we vibe. firewatcher3000, 53, seeking: M OUT OF THE BOX Looking for a “thinker” who is not afraid of “doing.” My two favorite lines from an old Apple TV show (“Ted Lasso”) are “Be a goldfish” and “Be curious.” SPS, 64, seeking: M BECOMING A HERMIT Strong and independent but would love to share my life with a like-minded soul who values music, nature, rivers, reading on porches, building, adventures into the mountains or the hills. Not a city girl. Seeking someone who can resonate, listen, speak from the heart and see eye to eye. Also wrassle, play, jump off rocks and then eat yummy food. tea_time, 37, seeking: M, l

MEN seeking...

FREE SPIRIT LOOKING FOR LOVE I’m a cross between hippie, country, and rock and roll! I live my life like every day could be my last, and I don’t take anything or anyone for granted! I’m focused on positivity and being a good human being. I spend as much time as possible in the woods hiking, skiing, hunting, fishing and snowmobiling. Searching for my soulmate. Treeman42, 42, seeking: W, l COFFEE AND A CHAT? I’m going to keep this simple for now. I like to enjoy the moment. Staying fit is important and keeping chaos and stress to a minimum. I’m often told that I act much younger than I am. I miss feeling a natural connection. daybyday, 61, seeking: W LIVING A LIFE OF GRATITUDE Living my dream in the hills of Vermont, playing and writing music. Gardening and landscaping is a constant. Looking for an authentic lover that “goes on, and on, and on, and on, and on ... ’till the end of time.” Mahalo, 76, seeking: W, l SENSITIVE, CARING, KIND Just a kid from Connecticut who fell in love with Vermont when I came here for college. I love gaming of all types but mostly video games and board games. I love anime and make time each year to work for Anime Boston. I’ve been working out more now that I have a workout buddy, but I wouldn’t mind another. Reeb0kNinja, 35, seeking: W, l I AM PASSIONATE I am looking for a person who is clean, takes care of himself and wants to spend quiet time together. Who has passion and love to give, as well as receive; everybody has problems. Everybody has struggles to deal with, and sharing them is what makes a person. Jcumman, 63, seeking: M, W, TM, Cp, Gp RGT48 Live, laugh, love. RGT48, 75, seeking: W, l WHO DARES, WINS Chivalrous, energetic, patient, emphatic, smart, modest(?), 64-y/o young man, from the Upper Valley of Vermont and New Hampshire, who knows what he wants. Seeking connection with two women interested in each other and in him. A dynamic built on trust, respect, mutual desire and complete communication. Shows up fully. Discreet when called for, otherwise unabashed in life. Aircool, 64, seeking: W, l

RELATION AU MARIAGE Je suis africain sympa et honnête. J’ai 36 ans. Je cherche une femme pour me marier, fonder une famille, vivre une vie stable simplement. Josephh, 36, seeking: W, l

OLDIE BUT A GOODIE! ROCK I have lived in Vermont since 1991. I wanna find someone to be with until I pass away. I’m 61 and looking for someone who can appreciate companionship and sex, on occasion! eatmydots69, 61, seeking: W

STAY ‘TIL THE JOB’S DONE Seeking affection — literally starving for affection. I have so much to give. Big on massages: feet, back, shoulders, whatever. And beyond that, I love foreplay and anything up to the act of sexual intercourse, which I do not prefer. If you want it, I am happy to provide, but play is preferred. Just want to feel appreciated. PressureTransducer, 42, seeking: W

OLD-WORLD HIPPIE, COMPASSIONATE SURVIVOR Mediator; nature lover; cynic, but pretty funny and never cruel. Laughing matters, especially at myself if I get pretentious. Love talking about the universe (me, you, us, everything connected). Ever seeking to slow down and take it, and me, less seriously — it’s an eternal journey. Bergamo, 73, seeking: W, l

HI Let’s get to know each other. Adventure10, 48, seeking: W BRUNCH? Let’s enjoy some company. Dirtfarmer, 64, seeking: W, l LOVING, CARING AND LONELY! I am hoping to find a man who has the same interests as me! Hiking, cooking, going to new places and walking hand in hand. Looking for honesty, loyalty and a good lover! Marcey, 68, seeking: M WIDOWER LOOKING FOR WHAT’S NEXT I lost my soulmate and partner in life of 43 years this year. She made me promise not to go on lonely and heartbroken, so here I am, looking to the future. I have always been an optimist, so I’m hoping that I can find that special lady who’s looking for a clean, caring, honest, patriotic American firefighter. FDRoofman250, 69, seeking: W, l

TRANS WOMEN seeking... LOVING, GIVING, OPEN Hi! I am a fit, attractive, sexy, non-op (so far) transsexual woman. 60 but look 50. Looking for similar physical attributes in a partner for dating, FWB and maybe more. Would love to hear from you and exchange pictures to see if there is any spark. Susan123, 61, seeking: M, W

NONBINARY PEOPLE seeking... SCRAPPY BUT SWEET — HI Hairy and awesome, I like to fight with sticks at the river and ride mopeds and eat yummy food. I like my friends, dancing and music. I’m looking to meet cool people and do fun adventures or whatever. Life is life, and love is wonderful. Just getting lunch is cool, too. LuckyDragon, 22, seeking: W, NBP, l COOL, CARING, CRUNCHY BUTCH A jacked butch with a big heart. I’m a great conversationalist who will cook you dinner, change your oil and bring you flowers. I’m a homebody, but I’m equally happy cruising in my convertible. Most evenings you’ll find me in my garden or practicing martial arts. I’m looking for the Scully to my Mulder. Are you up for an adventure? little_car, 25, seeking: W, l

COUPLES seeking... RED-RUMPED WEASEL Lonely old couple got ghosted by our longtime third wheel. Looking for a friend for outdoor adventures, movie nights, apple bobbing, stairwell dodgeball. Must love fluffy cats. Please no hungry hole hogs. chilibean_and_the_noff, 40, seeking: M, W, TM, TW, Q, NC, NBP, Cp, Gp DOWN-TO-EARTH ESTABLISHED COUPLE Looking for an open-minded woman or couple to join us in a new chapter of life. Both are early sixties, active, love the outdoors, forestry, gardening, dogs and the right moment to chill. He’s straight; she is bi but hasn’t been with a women for a while. Looking for someone with similar interests to enjoy adult entertainment and lifestyle dating. Muffy, 64, seeking: Cp, l LOOKING FOR FUN PEEPS Fun, open-minded couple seeking playmates. Shoot us a note if interested so we can share details and desires. Jackrabbits, 62, seeking: W, Cp ENJOYING LIFE Seeking adventurous encounters with open-minded, respectful people. sunshines, 49, seeking: M, W, Cp

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CANS IN MILTON You and I spoke very briefly at Rene’s in Milton while standing at the bottle and can redemption doorway. You: a blonde with a white pickup; me: a dude with a bag of cans and a white beard. I’d sure like to talk to you. Please? I sure do hope so! When: Friday, October 9, 2026. Where: Rene’s in Milton. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916679

I THOUGHT IT WAS YOU Two Friday nights ago, I sat on bench near the bottom of Church St. with a soda. (Slurpee place was closed.) But when I saw you walking by with your two friends, it seemed like why I was there! Out of context, I wasn’t sure it was you. Next time I’ll sneeze so big it echoes down the block. When: Friday, September 25, 2026. Where: Church St. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916676

HOT OR ICED? For weeks, you provided me with delicious recommendations outside of my norm but also provided me with beautiful latte art atop my “oacha.” Your presence is missed — hope you come back to the OG location. When: Thursday, October 1, 2026. Where: behind the coffee bar. You: Woman. Me: Woman. #916678

ART TEACHER WITH RETROFITTED VOLVO Your 2019 Volvo 270 pulled us into the St. Albans car meet this weekend. I pointed out that rebuilding a car has a degree of art to it. I think it would be fun to hear more. When: Saturday, October 3, 2026. Where: St. Albans car meet. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916675

LEATHER JACKET CUTIE To the cutie I spotted wearing an all-brown outfit with an analog camera draped over them: I wanted to say hi when we passed each other outside at City Market/Zabby’s, but we both had earphones in, and I didn’t want to disturb your peace. Wanna disturb mine? When: Friday, October 9, 2026. Where: S. Winooski Ave. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916677

HOTTIE ON CLARA BOW? I was desperately lost on the Clara Bow trail when your bright red hair pulled me in like a beacon. You shared your warm meal with me and let me sit in your chair, reluctantly. I don’t remember your name, but I think you had a friend named Norman. Same time, same place next week? When: Tuesday, September 29, 2026. Where: Clara Bow Trail. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916672

SALAD BANTER AT TRADER JOE’S You tossed me a question in the salad section: “What are you getting?” I confessed I was a top-shelf kind of gal. I went for red butter lettuce; you went for little gems. Respect. I liked your energy and support making life’s hardest decisions. I was tired and grotty, otherwise I would’ve asked, “Want to eat salad together sometime?” When: Saturday, October 3, 2026. Where: South Burlington Trader Joe’s. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916674

EXIT WITH A SPARKLING SMILE You, attractive blonde in blue outfit and sensible shoes, made a quick visit to the rest area and smiled as you entered the building. As you departed, you exited a different door. I, one of the state employees, pointed to the exit you desired and couldn’t help wonder if I should have at least said hello and introduced myself. When: Thursday, September 24, 2026. Where: Sharon Welcome Center. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916671

Ask REVEREND 

Irreverent counsel on life’s conundrums

Dear Reverend,

Every day there’s something in the news about how artificial intelligence is going to be the end of humans. It’s brought on an existential dread in me, and I can’t stop worrying about it. Meanwhile, everyone I know is using it to write emails and make goofy images for social media. When I try to talk about the dangers of AI, I’m told that “it’s just a tool.” Are we living in a sci-fi nightmare, or am I being an alarmist?

Anna Log

(WOMAN, 37)

HEY RAHWEY He told you my name is / Molly like the drug / But you know that isn’t true / I was quiet / mostly listened / The guy I was with / Last night is not Ok / He may not be humane / We sleep together / But sometimes if I / Try to get too close / He kicks me out / Of bed and puts / Me in a cage When: Friday, October 2, 2026. Where: Ake’s Place. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916673 MAYBE YO-YOING IS A FLEX? We joked around at the toy store, and you impressed me with your yo-yo skills. We were both with our kids, so I felt too shy to ask for your number. Want to hang out sometime? When: Saturday, September 19, 2026. Where: Montpelier. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916669 HERE COMES THE AIRPLANE Trans diva who queened out with me during my STI appointment: When you asked if I needed a countdown for taking my blood, I said no, but you could pretend it was an airplane. You were game and even made noises. Adorable. When: Friday, September 18, 2026. Where: Planned Parenthood of Burlington. You: Genderqueer. Me: Trans woman. #916668 SILVER FOX AT CITY MARKET You: pulling a turquoise BMW out of the downtown parking lot at 2:20. Me: the CR-V that waited to let you leave. Your firm wave of thanks indicated good manners. That, plus a well-groomed beard and presumptive good taste in food, is all I need to see. If you’re looking, I’m looking at you. When: Tuesday, September 15, 2026. Where: City Market downtown. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916667 MIDDLEBURY CO-OP, SO MANY SMILES You were gorgeous dressed in all black as we exchanged multiple big smiles and eye contact. I saw you drive away in a white Mazda. I tried talking to you on your way out, but perhaps you were shy, too, as opposed to involved with someone else? Would love the opportunity to have a real conversation and connect again. When: Sunday, August 30, 2026. Where: Middlebury Co-op. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916660

Dear Anna Log,

SOUTH END CITY MARKET We passed in an aisle, said hi, exchanged nice smiles. I found you striking! You have long gray hair and a nose piercing — maybe you’re around my age, early forties? I have shortish curly brown/ gray hair, glasses, was wearing a shirt with lemons on it. We didn’t have a chance to talk, but I’d love to know you! When: Sunday, September 13, 2026. Where: South End City Market. You: Woman. Me: Woman. #916666 HOTTIE AT MARIA’S BAGELS Younger lady with a killer body who couldn’t resist flirting while we were waiting. When: Wednesday, September 16, 2026. Where: Maria’s Bagels. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916670 TREKKINGCOUPLE WHAT’S UP? Hey there, I got your flirt and inadvertently deleted it. (Easy to do with one wrong move — poof!) I found your profile pretty vague. Can you give me a little more on what you are looking for? Not sure how this will go, so I will leave it at that. When: Thursday, September 10, 2026. Where: Seven Days Flirts. You: Couple. Me: Man. #916665 AS YOU WISH Hurts more now than when it did two years ago, when this all started. Who knew so many were seeking what could’ve been theirs, in their own way, but they demanded it be from someone else? When: Monday, August 17, 2026. Where: in the paper. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916664 MYSTICAL MUSIC FAN I spied you over my shoulder as we took in Sierra Ferrell’s performance. We had a chance for small talk, and you said you would be crossing the lake for another visit Thursday. You had a sweet smile, long hair and a clear backpack with pink trim. I wanted to say more, but you slipped away into the starlit night. When: Friday, September 4, 2026. Where: Shelburne Museum concert. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916663

EYE CONTACT GAVE ME BUTTERFLIES You: in line in front of me at a brewery. You ordered and told the guy your name was John. I think you had a green polo on. Me: standing behind you in line. I felt you looking at me while I was looking at the menu. When: Thursday, September 3, 2026. Where: Burlington Beer. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916661 SHELBURNE QUEEN CITY CONTRA DANCE Met you last night at the Shelburne Queen City Contra Dance. You are an architect in Burlington. We talked about design, writing and sailing. I taught you how to waltz. Would you like to get a cuppa coffee? I regret not finding you before you departed. When: Friday, August 28, 2026. Where: Shelburne Queen City Contra Dance Hall. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916659 PEACH PURSE AT BREAD AND PUPPET Exchanged big smiles as you were walking up the aisle. Beautiful red/ brown hair; there with your parents and friend? You had a little brown purse with a peach. I grow peaches! Tried to find you after, to no avail. I was there with my mom, too. Would you want to connect and talk political activism, art and hanging with our parents? When: Friday, August 28, 2026. Where: Flynn Theater. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916658 YOU ARE SO VERY HANDSOME You came straight toward me; I was awestruck with your physique. Your gray shirt fit you perfectly. I couldn’t help but push my glasses up. I had things in my hands and realized too late that I used my middle finger. My mind was like, Oh, no, for many reasons. I know you saw me clearly. Clearly vulgar! No offense. When: Wednesday, August 26, 2026. Where: Hannafords NNE. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916656

ON THE BACK ROADS TO WORK … in your maroon Toyota, you said you were hoping to see me again. You asked the time; I, glancing at my watch, said, “What time should it be to sit and talk?” My attempted teasing only turned more obtuse and borderline LUNCH LADY OF MY DREAMS rude. I’m sorry for souring a sparkly I miss having the chance to see you moment and betraying your intuition, during lunch at school. School’s back in session — let’s get together and talk about but thank you for taking a chance. what’s on the menu? When: Monday, June When: Sunday, August 16, 2026. Where: between Marshfield and Montpelier. 1, 2026. Where: school. You: Woman. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916655 Me: Gender nonconformist. #916662

Humans have been freaked out by technological advances since they learned how to harness the power of fire. In ancient Greece, Socrates argued that the invention of written text would ruin human thought and memory. In the 15th century, the printing press caused a panic. From mechanical looms to mainframe computers, we’ve always been scared that some machine would lead to human obsolescence. But we’re still here. There are real-world implications of AI that are certainly concerning, such as environmental impact and workforce displacement. But perhaps the most frightening thing is the speed with which it’s developing. And we just have to trust that there are good humans at the helm. I’ve been leery of AI since the advent of virtual assistants like Alexa. Those have always given me the creeps. I recently watched The AI Doc: Or How I Became an Apocaloptimist, and I highly recommend it for any AI worriers. In it, the

expectant father/filmmaker interviews bigwigs on both sides of the AI fence and comes away with some interesting conclusions. I won’t ruin it for you, but by the end, you may feel a little better. For now, maybe take a break from mainstream media. Sensational headlines, such as robots taking over the planet and destroying humankind, are designed to get attention and can ratchet up your anxiety. If you just can’t pull yourself away, at least remember to think beyond the perils of AI and to the positive possibilities, such as scientific discovery and medical advancements. Better yet, step away from the screens entirely: Ground yourself in nature or with some old-fashioned hands-on hobbies and human connection. Good luck and God bless,

The Reverend

What’s your problem? Send it to asktherev@sevendaysvt.com. SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 21-28, 2026

I’m a 21-y/o slender man seeking a gentleman between the ages of 30 and 75 for something casual. I would love to play the piano for you and share my favorite Russian poems. Open to driving to meet. Send me a letter! #L1985 Single woman, 67, seeks an adventurous, respectful man of similar age and positive outlook to share outdoor activities, movies, concerts. Primary desire is friends first. Middlebury area. Hike, bike, travel, share meals. I’m an active, artistic, friendly introvert and thoughtful, intelligent Vermonter. #L1983

I’m a 32-y/o female seeking a male, TBD. Thoughtful, registered independent, sensitive. Yes: Seeking open mindset, inquisitive friendship. #L1987 I’m a 70-y/o male seeing a 60- to 75-y/o male in the NEK. Seeking guys for man fun. Relaxed adventure in making all have pleasure and fun. #L1988 I’m a F, 23, Virgo, seeking conversation, companionship. Love of USPs, minor cinephile, musician, cook or artist of some sort. Warm, outgoing, probably under 35, so it’s not weird. #L1989

60-something, silly, smart, social and sexy female ready to fall in love again. I am outdoorsy, creative and energetic. Love music, travel, comedy and good food. My family and friends mean everything to me. If you are a healthy, active and educated man between the ages of 55 and 70; have a great sense of humor; love adventure; are financially secure; and are looking for a best friend, lover and partner in crime, I’d enjoy hearing from you. #L1986 I’m a 73-y/o SWF, seeking a 60- to 70-y/o man. I live in Woodstock, Vt. I’m looking for a serious relationship. Phone number. Meet in person. #L1984

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SEVEN DAYS OCTOBER 21-28, 2026

I’m a female in my early 70s seeking a male, 60-plus. I’m a retired teacher. I like to go on long walks, love coffee and love to travel. I like to sketch and sometimes paint, read a lot, watch Netflix, and love to eat out, but I can cook. I love to listen to music and visit museums. #L1980 69-y/o lesbian NS/ND Buddhist enjoys humor, dogs, cats, birds, yoga, walks/hikes, day road trips, nature, bakeries and Louise Penny novels. Seeking 63- to 73y/o lesbian for occasional social outings. #L1981 I’m a nice, white guy seeking a Black girlfriend. I want to make love to your feet and paint your toe nails red. Must have small, slim and sexy little feet. No sex. Phone number. #L1982

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Reply to these messages with real, honest-to-goodness letters. DETAILS BELOW. I am looking for fun or something serious; someone I can spend time with and get to love. I want someone real. I love hard: I’ve got magic fingers. Come find out — LOL — let’s get physical. #L1979

I’m a 67-y/o man seeking a M/F couple between 40 and 80. I would like to explore new dynamics and experiment in the bedroom. Please contact ASAP if you are interested. Thank you. #L1976

I’m a 45-y/o bi male seeking a male or female between the ages of 35 and 70 to have sex with on a regular basis. No judgment there, just good, clean fun. Anything goes. Call or text. #L1978

Tall, thin, cuddly nerd looking for someone to share my passions with, whether wrapped in a blanket or on a nature walk. #L1970

We are three guys, two gay, one bi. One in his 50s, two in their 60s. Clean, sane and professional. Meet in Burlington at my place for man fun. Looking for another mate to four us. If interested, drop a line with phone number. #L1977 I’m a 75-y/o handsome man seeking a fairly attractive, mature woman, 70s to 80s, still sexually active. I’ve slowed down; love to cuddle nude on the couch. Love to pleasure you with oral sex. I’m full of passion and desire. Phone number, please. #L1972

I’m a 60-y/o male looking for a woman aged 55 to 65 for a fun-filled threesome. Looking for someone looking for an adventure and some cuddling. Love to connect. #L1973 NEK woman, 67. Seeking 60-ish to 70-ish man to share easygoing, respectful conversation/companionship. Join me in cheerful, kindhearted, authentic charisma! My interests include country music, café dining, card games. #L1974

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Creating Calm Amidst Chaos

Buttercream Masterclass

WED., OCT. 21 1 MILL ST SUITE 208, BURLINGTON

SAT., OCT. 24 RED POPPY CAKERY, WATERBURY

Kenny for Mayor: A Pub Crawl to Benefit Kenny and Jenny Gardner

Troy Millette & the Fire Below WED., OCT. 21 UPPER PASS BEER CO, BURLINGTON

SAT., OCT. 24 PROHIBITION PIG - BREWERY, WATERBURY

Queen City Ghostwalk: Ghosts and Legends of Lake Champlain Tour

Mahjong Lesson

Bow Thayer: Album Release for 'Ninevah'

Drag Story Hour

SAT., OCT. 24 FAITH UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, SOUTH BURLINGTON

WED., OCT. 21 UNION STATION, BURLINGTON

FRI., OCT. 23 SEABA, BURLINGTON

SAT., OCT. 24 PHOENIX BOOKS, BURLINGTON

Pet Store: A Live Sitcom

FRI., OCT. 23 OFF CENTER FOR THE DRAMATIC ARTS, BURLINGTON

LOW TIX

The Joy of Improv! (A Workshop) SAT., OCT. 24 GRANGE HALL CULTURAL CENTER, WATERBURY

TURNmusic Presents Jake Whitesell Quartet

Art Night Benefit for the Birds of Vermont Museum

FRI., OCT. 23 THE PHOENIX GALLERY & MUSIC HALL, WATERBURY

Sea Turtle One-Day Woodcarving Workshop SAT., OCT. 24 BIRDS OF VERMONT MUSEUM, HUNTINGTON

SAT., OCT. 24 COMMUNITY CHURCH OF HUNTINGTON

SOLD OUT

The Soggy Po Boys SAT., OCT. 24 AFTERTHOUGHTS, WAITSFIELD

Vermont Tech Jam 2026

She Bravely Returns: An Immersive Women's Wellness & Writing Experience

SAT., OCT. 24 HULA, BURLINGTON

SUN., OCT. 25 SOUTH BURLINGTON PUBLIC LIBRARY'S QUIET READING ROOM

Instant Headshot Lounge at Vermont Tech Jam 2026

Halloween Roll & Stroll SUN., OCT. 25 CITY HALL PARK, BURLINGTON

SAT., OCT. 24 HULA, BURLINGTON

Mask Making with HeArt

Shaun Booher Live in Burlington

SAT., OCT. 24 WATERBURY CENTER

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10/19/26 5:11 PM