Seven Days, September 16, 2026

UNCERTAIN XX DEATH Xx

PAGE XX Chamber-folk duo Cricket Blue mull mortality on new album

VE RMO NT ’S IN DEPE NDEN T VO IC E SEPTEMBER 16-23, 2026 VOL.32 NO.2 SEVENDAYSVT.COM

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High Notes

From iconic dancers and musicians to literal high-wire acts, our Performing Arts Preview takes center stage! BY S E VE N D AYS S TAF F, PAGE 3 0

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WEEK IN REVIEW SEPTEMBER 9-16, 2026 COMPILED BY SASHA GOLDSTEIN & MATTHEW ROY

DELUGE OF CASH

FEMA approved some 90 buyout applications worth $33.2 million related to flooding in 2023 and 2024.

Relief at last for some Vermont property owners.

Dr. Stephen Leffler

NORTHERN ATTITUDE

UVM Health plans to eliminate approximately 199 positions in late October, the latest round of workforce reductions as Vermont’s largest health care provider confronts mounting financial pressure.

Affected employees were being notified on Tuesday and Wednesday, according to an email that UVM Health chief executive officer Dr. Stephen Leffler sent to staff Tuesday morning. The reductions span the health system and include both managers and other employees.

Roughly 55 positions will be replaced with newly structured jobs that will be posted at a later date, Leffler wrote.

Some clinical employees whose positions are eliminated may be able to find other jobs within the health system.

Laid-off workers will be offered severance pay based on their length of service.

The cuts were planned before state regulators approved hospital budgets on Monday, according to a UVM Health spokesperson. The Green Mountain Care Board voted to require that UVM Health’s three Vermont hospitals cut the prices they charge commercial insurers in the coming fiscal year, which begins October 1. UVM Medical Center in Burlington was ordered to reduce commercial reimbursement rates by 4.4 percent; Central Vermont

true802

HANNAH BASSETT

?? ? ? ??

Hey June owner Maria Brown

FILE: COLIN FLANDERS

STRONG MEDICINE

Medical Center in Berlin, 1.7 percent; and Porter Medical Center in Middlebury, 1 percent.

The workforce cuts are the latest in a series of staff reductions at UVM Health to rein in spending amid pressure from state regulators to make health care more affordable.

The health system is confronting a significant budget deficit and has been using its reserves to cover expenses, Leffler wrote. He noted that UVM Health has cut 17 percent of executive positions over the past year, done away with incentive compensation for leaders and decided against raises for its highest-ranking executives this year.

He warned more changes are coming.

“This is not the first or the last step we’ll need to take to make our health system more sustainable,” he wrote.

Hours after UVM Health announced its latest round of cuts Tuesday, Dartmouth Health announced it had eliminated 124 positions at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center and Dartmouth Hitchcock Clinics and canceled 303 open positions. The New Hampshire-based health system cited similar financial pressures, saying operating expenses had risen 12 percent amid delayed and decreasing insurance payments.

Read Hannah Bassett’s full story at sevendaysvt.com.

Amid Trump’s trade war with Canada, Vermonters visited a Montréal park over the weekend to stand in solidarity with Québécois.

Très bien!

BIPARTISAN APPEAL

U.S. Sen Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) joined forces with far-right podcaster Steve Bannon to urge regulation of artificial intelligence. Strange bedfellows, indeed.

FORECAST: DIRE

After publishing six editions, the nonprofit behind the Vermont Almanac says it won’t release a seventh. Another print product bites the dust.

England can save on UVM’s out-of-state tuition costs if they enroll in certain majors.

TOPFIVE

MOST POPULAR ITEMS ON SEVENDAYSVT.COM

1. “Kismayo Kitchen Closes in BTV; Property Gets FEMA Buyout” by Melissa Pasanen. The building, in an area known for landslides, houses the popular Somali American spot. It’s set to be demolished.

2. “Changes at Burlington’s City Hall Park Aimed at Disrupting Bad Behavior” by Aaron Calvin.

The downtown green space has been the focus of much attention during the ongoing public safety debate in the Queen City.

3. “Vermont Creemee Supply Disrupted by Immigration Enforcement” by Melissa Pasanen. Kingdom Creamery, the state’s largest maker of creemee base, is suffering “a severe labor shortage” after worker detentions, leaving customers to scramble.

4. “Is Any Town Willing to Host a 100-Bed Homeless Shelter?” by Colin Flanders. South Burlington pushed back on a proposal for a shelter on Williston Road. Now the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity is looking elsewhere.

5. “Mule Bar in Winooski to Expand Into Former Our House Spot” by Jordan Barry. The former bistro next door will become the bar’s attached dining room.

TOWN CRIER

L O C A L LY

SOURCED

NEWS

Rutland Fire Chief: City Lucked Out in Derailment Response Rutland officials had a stroke of good fortune last week when a train carrying a propane tanker derailed, the Rutland Herald reported.

Byron Breda, an expert in propane incidents from New Hampshire, just happened to be teaching a course at the Vermont Fire Academy in Pittsford. He was able to help, and the tanker was safely removed.

Read more at rutlandherald.com.

THAT’S SO VERMONT

SPECIAL DELIVERY At a little desk inside Richmond’s Hey June stationery shop and letterpress studio, you can put pen to paper and, with a little luck and a postage stamp, wind up with a pen pal in another corner of the world.

This summer, shop owner Maria Brown joined the Sunday Letter Project, an international network of stores known as “letter keepers” that helps people strike up handwritten correspondences.

Here’s how it works: A writer can send a general letter to any letter keeper in the network, where any

number of customers can pick it up and write back. If two writers hit it off, they can keep the correspondence going by addressing future letters to each other, care of their respective letter keepers — no home addresses required.

The result is part community mailbox, part old-fashioned pen pal club. Since Hey June became one of nearly 50 participating locations in the United States, Brown said, letters have arrived from around the country and as far away as England and Australia. The project has also attracted letter writers of all ages to the Richmond shop, with some inspired by the recent epistolary novel The Correspondent.

Despite the name, the program isn’t limited to Sundays. People can stop in throughout the week to compose a note or check the mail.

Brown said part of the delight is the glimpse each letter offers into the writer behind it: the stationery they chose, the stamp on the envelope, the color of the ink, the loops and slants of their handwriting. That physicality makes a letter feel more personal than its digital counterpart.

For a shop devoted to paper and ink, it’s a fittingly analog way of “finding that humanity again,” as Brown put it.

HANNAH BASSETT

SEVEN DAYS SEPTEMBER 16-23, 2026

5

Sounds from Around the World at the Hop

SHOW-OFFS.

 & --

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  Cathy Resmer   Don Eggert, Colby Roberts NEWS & POLITICS  Matthew Roy   Sasha Goldstein   Ken Ellingwood, Candace Page   Hannah Bassett, Aaron Calvin,

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Chelsea Edgar, Margot Harrison, Pamela Polston   Jen Rose Smith    Alice Dodge   Chris Farnsworth   Rebecca Driscoll   Jordan Barry, Mary Ann Lickteig, Melissa Pasanen, Ken Picard  Alice Dodge, Angela Simpson  

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D I G I TA L & V I D E O    Eva Sollberger DESIGN   Don Eggert   Rev. Diane Sullivan   John James  Jeff Baron

1/12

Claudia Acuña Quartet

SALES & MARKETING    Colby Roberts    Robyn Birgisson   Logan Pintka, Kaitlin Montgomery     Gillian Comito ,  &   Julia Maguire   &   Sam Hartnett

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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jordan Adams, Justin Boland, Alex Brown, Erik Esckilsen, Anne Galloway, Steve Goldstein, Rick Koster, Amy Lilly, Suzanne Podhaizer, Tori Preston, Jim Schley, Carolyn Shapiro, Rachel Stearns, Xenia Turner CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS Luke Awtry, Daria Bishop, Sean Metcalf, Tim Newcomb, Jeb Wallace-Brodeur

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FOUNDERS

Edmar Castañeda Quartet Elegance and ingenuity emanate from the scintillating strings of the virtuosic harpist and his jazz quartet.

Pamela Polston, Paula Routly C I R C U L AT I O N : 3 5 , 0 0 0 Seven Days is published by Da Capo Publishing Inc. every Wednesday. It is distributed free of charge in greater Burlington, Middlebury, Montpelier, the Northeast Kingdom, Stowe, the Mad River Valley, Rutland, St. Albans, St. Johnsbury and White River Junction.

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3/23 An Irish Celebration

Martin Hayes Quartet

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with Ye Vagabonds, pianist Thomas Bartlett & dancers A rollicking and rich journey through Irish traditional and folk music, brought to life by an exceptional cast of collaborators.

©2026 Da Capo Publishing Inc. All rights reserved.

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SEVEN DAYS SEPTEMBER 16-23, 2026

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SUPPORT FAMILIES

Thank you for including the issue of birth center closures around the state as part of your “Gen Zero” series [“Expecting Trouble: As Hospitals Close Birth Centers, Vermonters Are Traveling Farther — and Confronting What’s Lost When a Community Lacks Essential Care,” September 9].

While I very much understand the demographic problem here, many of us are tired of hearing that there aren’t enough young people, and that we aren’t having enough babies, while watching the support systems for youth and families disappear.

Last year my community lost our birthing center, our teen center, our youth summer recreation program and received a large cut to our public library, where many of our youth and families spend their time.

Meanwhile, as a parent and public librarian, I see a school that is filled with kids, a library that is bursting with youth in the afterschool hours, and a town with many families trying to raise kids and make this their permanent home. We are here, and we are trying to stay. But our personal health insurance premiums are rising — and we pay for the rising insurance premiums of our local and statewide workforce through our property taxes — while watching our leaders gut the programs that allow us to grow and support our families. If I was entering the housing market now, instead of 15 years ago, my family would never be able to afford our home.

I’d love to see us break out of this selfperpetuating doom cycle and rally behind the systems and programs that support our families. It truly benefits us all.

Maggie Cleary

MORRISVILLE

MIND-STEALING META

[Re “Vermont to Receive $92.7 Million in Settlement With Meta,” online, August 26]: Way to go, bringing to the forefront the giant that is stealing our children’s minds — so proud of the behind-the-scenes work to get this done! As a longtime educator I applaud this big deal. Thank you for this.

Carol Wray

WOODBURY

STOP SCHOOL TAKEOVER

[Re “‘Do Not Slow Down’ on Ed Reform, Gov Tells School Leaders,” online, September 7]: Gov. Phil Scott telling school boards “Do Not Slow Down”

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sounds a lot like President Donald Trump saying he is going to move fast. Why is he pushing this on school districts that have been very careful about their budgets after he appointed Education Secretary Zoie Saunders without Senate confirmation? This reeks of MAGA and should be resisted at every turn.

Consolidating school districts into CESAs and giving the state control of per-pupil spending is right out of the Republican playbook. Rural schools will be shortchanged and forced to close, and towns will lose the glue that keeps the community together. Write to your school boards and legislators to stop this takeover — and be sure to vote in November.

Melyssa Bailey ST. ALBANS

HELTER SHELTER

[Re “Nonprofit Pulls South Burlington Shelter Proposal,” online, September 4]: Geez, is anyone other than CVOEO executive director Paul Dragon surprised that the city of South Burlington wasn’t interested in having a homeless shelter in their town? Clearly the persons running the social services and shelters in Burlington care more for their clients’ well-being than the well-being of all the other residents in the city of Burlington. South Burlington has data they are using to inform their decision about the cost increase of providing these services in their community — disorder, community safety, strains on city services all add up to budget woes.

The fact that Mr. Dragon was “caught off guard” proves that he is either unaware of the damage caused to the city of Burlington (which I doubt) or

uninterested in mitigating the damage through the services that they provide.

Brooke Hadwen

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BURLINGTON

NOT THE TICKET

[Re “Safety in Numbers?: As Police Make Fewer Traffic Stops Nationwide, South Burlington Is Bucking the Trend,” August 26]: It sounds like the South Burlington Police Department wants more accountability for unsafe driving. That’s great. I agree that mitigating these behaviors is crucial to community well-being.

They don’t seem to connect that when a majority of drivers speed, this indicates that the design of the street and the posted speed limit are mismatched, not that every speeding driver is derelict and in need of reprimand.

Police Chief Bill Breault emphasizes a need for his officers to be “proactive” and not just “driving around and waiting to respond to calls.” Is Breault concerned with unsafe driving behavior in his FEEDBACK

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THE

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Cheese Champion

Three questions for Jasper Hill Farm’s Lilith Spencer, featured in the documentary The Big Cheese

44

30 COVER DESIGN REV. DIANE SULLIVAN • IMAGE COURTESY OF TITILAYO AYANGADE

The Trial of Jason Eaton

NEWS+POLITICS 14

The defendant listened as the Palestinian men he’s accused of targeting described getting shot without warning

Newbie Wave

At the Statehouse, some fresh faces from Burlington will replace ranking leaders after this fall’s election

Supreme Court Ruling on Mail Ballots a Relief for Officials Seeking Short-Timers

Vermont’s education secretary is telling school boards to hire only interim superintendents as potential mergers loom

STUCK IN VERMONT

ARTS+CULTURE 46 Star’s Turn

14 Brattleboro Memorial Reverses Plan to Close Birthing Center Burlington Aims to Disrupt Bad Behavior at City Hall Park Online Thursday

Vermont-born comedian Tina Friml comes home to record her long-awaited debut standup special

Philharmonic Feminism

Vermont Symphony Orchestra’s season-opening concert, “Charity, Sylvia & Cleopatra,” focuses on remarkable women

Fowl Play

A new musical comedy by two Vermont rockers bawks at the moon as a plague of werechickens afflicts a rural hotel

Lyric Theatre Launches Free Ticket Program

COLUMNS 11 Magnificent 7 13 From the Publisher 41 Side Dishes 54 Movie Review 66 Album Review 101 Ask the Reverend

SUPPORTED BY: The fourth annual Witches’ Walk, held on September 12 in North Pownal, drew a large crowd of costumed witches of all ages. The Pownal Historical Society organized the event to remember Margaret Krieger, a widow tried for witchcraft around 1785. Seven Days’ Eva Sollberger donned a witch hat and met some truly extraordinary women.

The Many Deaths of Cricket Blue

The Burlington chamber-folk duo’s new album is a 20-song meditation on what happens when we die

BurlinGton, VermonT

MON-WED 9:30AM-8:30PM TH-SAT - 9:30AM-9PM • SUN - 10AM-7:30PM 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.

BURLINGTONebikes

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SECTIONS 25 Life Lines 40 Food + Drink 46 Culture 54 On Screen 56 Art 60 Music + Nightlife 68 Calendar 80 Classes 81 Classifieds + Puzzles 97 Fun Stuff 100 Personals

Cultivating Discipline

Multimedia artist and composer Sean Clute explores the meanings of “practice” at Vermont State UniversityJohnson

CHURCH ST. MARKETPLACE, RED SQUARE ALLEY, 30 THORSEN WAY

We have

Featured in the new PBS documentary, From Rails to Trails, the Island Line Trail is the longest rail trail over water in the world. It is a must see!

We rent ebikes for the 10-mile-trip out to the Causeway.

We also offer Segway tours and Vermont gifts and souvenirs at our shop downtown or online at

AllThingsVermont.com

Find a new job in the classifieds section on page 86 and online at jobs.sevendaysvt.com.

BURLINGTONebikes.com 86 Main Street Burlington (802) 489-5113 SEVEN DAYS SEPTEMBER 16-23, 2026 8v-BuringtonSegway062426.indd 1

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SEVEN DAYS SEPTEMBER 16-23, 2026

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4/27/26 12:35 PM

COURTESY OF TANNER ABEL

LOOKING FORWARD

MAGNIFICENT

THURSDAY 17

Welcome to Our House Teach your children ... to love living folk-music legend Graham Nash. The two-time Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee — for his roles in British Invasion band the Hollies and landmark ’70s supergroup Crosby, Stills & Nash — enthralls fans at Spruce Peak Arts in Stowe with a career-spanning retrospective featuring timeless classics from his prolific songwriting catalog.

MUST SEE, MUST DO THIS WEEK

SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 70

BY RE BE CCA D RI SCOL L

FRIDAY 18 & SATURDAY 19

Foam Sweet Foam Hold on to your lederhosen — Oktoberfest Vermont is here! Pints and pretzels abound at Burlington’s Coal Collective, where the annual homage to Bavarian culture summons hopheads, brat buffs and kraut connoisseurs for carnival games, live entertainment, indulgent eats and, yes, lots of beer.

Flex those muscles: Friendly competitions include stein holding, ax throwing and keg tossing.

SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 71

SATURDAY 19

Latin Quarter

SATURDAY 19

SLAY RIDE

COURTESY OF MEREDITH TRUAX

Fans of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” know: Season 9 winner Sasha Velour puts on one hell of a show.

At New Hampshire’s Lebanon Opera House, the pop-culture paragon serves solo drag opera realness with “Travesty.” Hailed

by Broadway World as “one of the most outstanding performances presently on stage,” the tour de force traces queer history with seamless lip syncs and runwayworthy lewks.

SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 74

SUNDAY 20

Icelandic Provisions

Ándale! The Latin American Connection Celebration transforms the Queen City into a crosscultural collage bursting with traditional music and art. A peppy procession captained by Afro-Brazilian group Sambatucada steps off at noon, followed by a joyful gathering at Burlington City Hall Park with folkloric dancing, flavorful fare, and irresistible rhythms from live bands and DJs. SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 73

TUESDAY 22

Piano Man It might come as a surprise that early 2000s staple Five for Fighting isn’t a five-person band but rather the artistic moniker of one man: singer-songwriter John Ondrasik. Backed by a string quartet, the pianist and soft-rock icon charms listeners at Rutland’s Paramount Theatre — and Stowe’s Spruce Peak Arts on September 26 — with emotionally charged ballads such as “Superman (It’s Not Easy).”

SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 78

ONGOING

Magic Mountains

The Ben & Jerry’s Concerts on the Green series really outdid itself this year, y’all. An impressive outdoor lineup of world-touring acts wraps up with Icelandic indie folk-pop outfit Of Monsters and Men at Shelburne Museum.

Known for its infectious breakout hit “Little Talks,” the group delivers warm acoustic instrumentation, myth-infused lyrics and intricately layered harmonies.

Art and earth science collide at Middlebury College’s Johnson Exhibition Gallery, where the group show “You Are Here” grounds guests in local geography.

Landscape paintings of quintessential Vermont vistas (think Mount Abe and Camel’s Hump) by Jill Madden, Dorothy Punderson and Will Amidon pair with geological studies to illustrate the Green Mountain State’s majesty.

SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 74

SEE ART LISTING ON PAGE 58

BROWSE THE FULL CALENDAR, ART SHOWS, AND MUSIC+NIGHTLIFE LISTINGS AT SEVENDAYSVT.COM. SEVEN DAYS SEPTEMBER 16-23, 2026

11

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Image: Michelangelo Lovelace, Amerikkan Just-us, 1992, mixed media on wood panel, 53.5 x 52.5 in., ©Michelangelo Lovelace Estate. Courtesy of the estate and Fort Gansevoort, New York. Michelangelo Lovelace: Art Saved My Life is organized by the Akron Art Museum, Akron, Ohio. Generous support is provided by Art Bridges Foundation.

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9/14/26 3:12 PM

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Out and About GET IN OUR CALENDAR

Submit events to our free community listings at sevendaysvt.com/postevent.

GET IN THE KNOW • • •

Find our complete online calendar at sevendaysvt.com/events.

Sign up to receive staff picks in the Notes on the Weekend newsletter at sevendaysvt.com/newsletters.

Follow @sevendaysoutandabout on Instagram.

Some notable examples from last week include a Whoopie Pie Festival in downtown Rutland, a Bark & Brew at the Humane Society of Chittenden County, and DJ Craig Mitchell’s musical tribute to Yoko Ono as part of the Art Hop. For those seeking community on the 25th anniversary of 9/11, we noted that the Hubbardton Battlefield Site hosted a Day of Remembrance.

To spread the word beyond the print paper and online calendar, we recently launched an Instagram account all about standout Vermont events and ticket drops. Follow @sevendaysoutandabout to get in on the action.

For three years running, the WaterWheel Foundation, the charitable arm of the Burlington-born band Phish, has contributed generously to offset the cost of employing Rebecca. It’s one of the many ways the band is giving back to this place. Our calendar benefits all Vermonters — artists and audiences.

Your part in our cultural scene is just to show up.

STEVE MEASE

In our culture team meeting last week, Rebecca Driscoll made a rare announcement: In her two years of compiling and writing the community calendar for Seven Days, she had never processed so many events for a single issue.

Post-Labor Day Vermont is always crazy as we run around, like squirrels, trying to snatch what’s left of the summer. For a few FOMO-fueled weeks, outdoor events continue with a vengeance while colleges start up their public lectures and, of course, the region’s performing arts presenters launch their indoor seasons. This week’s issue previews their myriad offerings. One great way to prepare — and, yes, get excited — for winter is to make plans to attend some of these shows.

Because of her job, Rebecca lives seven to 14 days in the future. The concerts, festivals, protests and chair-yoga sessions she writes about every week have yet to happen when the issue drops every Wednesday.

But happen they do. As I write this on Sunday, I can hear the drumbeat of Friday night at the the Pride Vermont Parade South End Art Hop making its way from the bottom of Church Street to Battery Park, a few blocks from where I live in Burlington. Earlier in the day, I walked through the post-parade party setup.

On Saturday, my partner, Tim, and I went to the opening celebration of the annual art show at the Kents Corner State Historic Site in Calais — along with everyone I’ve ever known, it seemed.

Parked cars lined the roads that converge at that artful, unpaved intersection. When we rolled back into Burlington at 10 p.m., Pine Street was still packed with people — from the South End Art Hop. Last Thursday, I went to a benefit for the Vermont Symphony Orchestra at the Essex Resort & Spa. I sat next to a Super Reader who suggested that Seven Days should maintain a master calendar so that arts organizations don’t schedule events that compete with each other. Local presenters have been talking about the need for such a thing since I worked at the Flynn 43 years ago.

Our calendar is for you. And it doesn’t just happen. It takes hard work and discipline to find, verify and assemble the events of the week. In the early years of Seven Days, the notices came to us via the U.S. Postal Service. Now we have an online form. The most time-consuming part remains distilling the promotional material in a kick-ass sentence that is descriptive, accurate and engaging.

Rebecca does this all day, every week, to produce Vermont’s most comprehensive calendar of events. Add in our art, club and movie listings, and Seven Days is the best place to find out what is going on in the state.

Counting on Google for that? You’re missing half the fun.

SEVEN DAYS IS THE BEST PLACE TO FIND OUT

WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE STATE. Paula Routly

If you like Seven Days and can help pay for it, become a Super Reader!

Look for the “Donate” 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

Need more info? Want to give from a donor-advised fund or through a qualified charitable contribution?

Contact Sarah Sieber: 802-865-1020, EXT. 115 SUPERREADERS@SEVENDAYSVT.COM

SEVEN DAYS SEPTEMBER 16-23, 2026

13

ELECTION 2026

news

From left: Trang Do, Jeffrey Peterson and Kate Logan at Burlington’s Pride Parade

Supreme Court Ruling on Mail Ballots a Relief for Officials B Y K E V I N MC C A LLUM kevin@sevendaysvt.com FILE: JEB WALLACE-BRODEUR

Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas

COURTESY

Newbie Wave

At the Statehouse, some fresh faces from Burlington will replace ranking leaders after this fall’s election B Y A A RON CA LV I N • calvin@sevendaysvt.com

O

n the same night that Amanda Janoo clinched the Democratic nomination for governor, her communications director, Jeffrey Peterson, cruised to victory in a primary for a state House seat representing Burlington.

He’s a 28-year-old political strategist who has never held elected office and is a card-carrying member of the Democratic Socialists of America. Come January, Peterson will likely be one of at least six new Burlington representatives sworn in to serve in the legislature. The city boasts 11 total seats in the House.

Longtime Democratic leaders from the Queen City, House Speaker Jill Krowinski and Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Baruth (D/P ChittendenCentral), have opted not to seek reelection. Instead, a mix of socialists, former Burlington City Council members and office seekers with scant political track 14

SEVEN DAYS SEPTEMBER 16-23, 2026

records have stepped into the void — and will be called upon to lobby for Burlington at a particularly delicate time. The city’s requests for more state help with issues of homelessness and public safety have been met by a shrug from Republican Gov. Phil Scott.

Burlington is all but certain to enter the next legislative session with diminished political clout, regardless of who wins in the general election.

“We are fortunate that there are 11 of us, and that good fortune can’t be squandered on doing anything but supporting Burlington,” said Karen Paul, a former president of the Burlington City Council who is running unopposed for a South End district seat in the House. “It’s incumbent upon us to figure it out and do the best we can, and Burlington is

going to need all of us working in the same direction.”

For years, Burlington was represented in the upper echelons of the Statehouse. Baruth was elected president pro tempore of the Senate in 2023, and Krowinski has been House speaker since 2021. Baruth was widely lauded for using his perch to secure $16 million in state PCB cleanup funds to defray the cost of Burlington’s new high school. Krowinski pointed to funding for a new Burlington day shelter and efforts to overhaul the state’s homelessness response system as recent benefits she sought for the Queen City.

Also calling it quits: Rep. Kate Logan (P/D-Burlington), who served four years

2026

ELECTION

NEWBIE WAVE

» P.16

Vermont officials reiterated on Tuesday that the state’s voting system is safe and secure after the U.S. Supreme Court blocked the federal government’s plan to add new requirements for mail-in ballots ahead of the November 3 election.

Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas also expressed relief over the ruling, calling it “a win for all voters and for democracy.” The state remains on track to mail ballots to all eligible registered voters by October 1, she said.

“Vermonters can be assured that they will get their ballots via mail and can enjoy the convenience of voting securely from home,” Copeland Hanzas said in a statement.

Vermont was one of 25 states that sued to block the new rules, which were instituted by President Donald Trump in March as part of an executive order ostensibly intended to prevent fraud in the general election.

The group of attorneys general won a preliminary injunction preventing the postal rule from moving forward, and the Supreme Court on Monday let that injunction stand.

Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh wrote that allowing new rules so close to the midterm elections “would be arbitrary and capricious,” adding that local officials wouldn’t have time to implement the changes.

While President Trump sought to portray the changes as a way to clamp down on voter fraud, Copeland Hanzas framed it instead as an attempt “to sow doubt and confusion.”

Vermont law makes it abundantly clear that town clerks and Boards of Civil Authority keep and update voter rolls, not the federal government. The new federal rule would have required the state to upload its voter mailing list to the U.S. Postal Service, which would then decide whether to mail ballots to those addresses, Copeland Hanzas said.

“This is the federal government inserting itself between Vermonters and our ballots for no justifiable reason,” she said. ➆

Kingdom County Productions p r e s e n t s

Seeking Short-Timers Vermont’s education secretary is telling school boards to hire only interim superintendents as potential mergers loom

BY ALISON N OVAK • alison@sevendaysvt.com

E

ducation Secretary Zoie Saunders has instructed school districts searching for new superintendents to hire them only for interim, one-year positions because of the work under way to transform public education in Vermont.

The directive, some say, has the potential to destabilize and weaken school districts during a tumultuous time for the state’s education system. And it indicates that Gov. Phil Scott’s administration is doubling down on its push for schooldistrict consolidation — even though reform legislation passed earlier this year only calls for voluntary mergers and is already hitting some logistical snags.

The education secretary is “getting a bit ahead of her skis,” said Margaret MacLean, a steering committee member of the Vermont Rural School Community

I ENCOURAGE YOU TO RECRUIT AN INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT

WHO UNDERSTANDS THE DIRECTION OF THE TRANSFORMATION. E DU CAT I ON SECRETARY Z O I E S AUND ERS

Alliance, an advocacy group that counts more than 100 rural school boards and selectboards as members. “She’s acting as if the transformation process is a given, and nothing about this transformation is a given.”

Instead of assuming that mergers are a foregone conclusion, she said, the Scott administration should defer to the law.

Act 170 gives merger study groups and local communities the power to decide whether consolidating districts makes sense.

“The governor signed a compromise,” MacLean said. “He needs to lead the

compromise forward — not lead what he wanted [but] didn’t get.”

Over the summer, the Mountain Views Supervisory Union school board notified Saunders that it would be looking for a new superintendent because its long-term leader, Sherry Sousa, plans to retire next spring. Saunders told the board to hire for a one-year interim post and encouraged members to consider “the work that will need to be accomplished over the next year, including planning for potential mergers and other changes resulting from statewide education transformation.”

Her power to direct districts in such a way, Saunders explained, is contained in a state statute that says school boards may employ a superintendent “with the advice of a secretary.”

Limiting superintendent contracts while consolidation is on the table is also a practical decision, according to Toren Ballard, the Agency of Education’s director of policy and communications. Customarily, when superintendents are terminated before their contracts expire, they are eligible for a buyout, which can be costly.

“A newly formed district … should not be put into the position of being obligated to pay out one or more years of superintendent salary upon separation,” he wrote in an email. “The best time to begin this approach is this year, rather than waiting for various contract terms of 2, 3, or more years to expire.”

The secretary has “a statutory responsibility … to provide advice on superintendent appointments,” Ballard added.

“Achieving greater scale is an explicit component” of the new legislation, Ballard wrote, “which creates distinct considerations for district leadership during a period of statewide transformation.”

Ballard said there is precedent for Saunders’ instruction: In the aftermath

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SEVEN DAYS SEPTEMBER 16-23, 2026

15

8/28/26 9:57 AM

news Brattleboro Memorial Reverses Plan to Close Birthing Center FILE: KRISTOPHER RADDER

B Y H AN N AH B AS S E T T hannah@sevendaysvt.com

Birth center supporters marching Brattleboro Memorial Hospital reversed the decision to close its birthing center at year’s end, offering a reprieve for southeastern Vermont’s last hospital-based labor and delivery unit.

The hospital announced its board had “affirmed its commitment” to continuing obstetric and birthing services.

“The Board believes strongly that access to local maternity care is essential to the health and wellbeing of our community,” said Chloe Learey, chair of the hospital’s board of directors.

The reversal preserves a local option in Windham County at a time when hospital-based maternity care is disappearing across the state. Springfield Hospital stopped delivering babies in 2019, and Copley Hospital in Morrisville closed its birthing center last year. Had Brattleboro followed suit, both Windham and Windsor counties would have been left without hospital-based labor and delivery services.

Keeping the Brattleboro center open will require the hospital to solve the financial problems that prompted its board to vote for closure. The hospital reported a $15.8 million operating loss in fiscal year 2025. The birthing center and its obstetrics and gynecology clinic have been major money losers, posting a combined $3.8 million loss in 2025.

Administrators now say the hospital’s overall finances are improving. After initially budgeting for a $14.5 million operating loss this fiscal year, the hospital now expects to lose roughly $9.5 million. A hospital spokesperson told Seven Days that administrators have developed a plan identifying “the financial, operational and philanthropic factors” necessary to sustain obstetric and birthing services. ➆

16

SEVEN DAYS SEPTEMBER 16-23, 2026

Newbie Wave « P.14 and chaired the House’s Progressive caucus; and Tiffany Bluemle, a Democratic Burlington rep since 2021 and a ranking member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, which writes the state budget.

That leaves Reps. Brian Cina, a Progressive/Democrat, and Democrat Carol Ode as the two longest-serving Queen City representatives. Both won election in 2016.

Ode has the most prestigious committee assignment of any of the five Burlington incumbents who are running for reelection: House Ways and Means, which makes pivotal decisions around spending and taxation. In advocating for Burlington’s needs, Ode proposes pitching the city’s problems as Vermont’s.

She said that statewide, there’s a need for more money to address homelessness, substance-use disorder and mental health.

“It’s not Burlington versus the state,” Ode said. “Vermont’s not alone among states, and Burlington is not alone among urban areas or cities facing all of the same problems.”

Candidates interviewed by Seven Days agreed in general that affordability, health care access, homelessness and the opioid crisis are major issues. However, three Democratic Socialist candidates — Peterson, Trang Do and Adam Franz — said they are eager to pursue major systemic change, such as universal primary care.

Logan said having new blood at the Statehouse will be a boon for Burlington.

Elected officials in leadership roles have to keep the entire state in mind, she said.

“The speaker of the House and the Senate pro tem have to be working on bringing people together from every corner of the state to get them into agreement,” she said, “and they’re not there to represent their community.”

Queen City voters will recognize some of the new House candidates. Aside from Paul, who seeks an open South End seat, two other former city councilors are on the ballot: Ali Dieng, a Democrat, and independent Dave Hartnett, both of whom will compete with Ode for two seats in the New North End. Dieng served as an independent on the council and was often a swing vote on issues that divided the council’s Democrats and Progressives. He ran unsuccessfully for Burlington mayor in 2021. Earlier this year, Burlington Democrats passed over Dieng when he raised his hand as a potential candidate to replace Bob Hooper, a Democrat who

FILE: JEB WALLACE-BRODEUR

HEALTH

Jill Krowinski

resigned from the House amid allegations of sexual harassment.

In an interview, Dieng noted that he caucused with council Democrats and said he would be a team player in Montpelier.

“I think we need to organize the Burlington legislators and have a consistent communication and meetings with the mayor and put out a plan about how we’ll

BURLINGTON IS GOING TO NEED ALL OF US

WORKING IN THE SAME DIRECTION. K AR E N PAUL

make sure that the resources of the state are helping the city solve our problems,” Dieng said.

Asked what the departure of legislative leaders could mean for a city that has grappled for years with public safety issues, Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak, a former state rep, declined to comment.

City Council President Ben Traverse (D-Ward 5) expressed optimism.

“I do think it is hard to lose some of the really big voices that we’ve had in Montpelier the last few years. That said,

I’m excited by many of the new candidates that are running,” he said, referencing Dieng and Paul in particular. “I think that there’s a lot of importance in bringing fresh energy and new perspectives to the table.”

Of course that doesn’t happen right away. Newcomers in the Statehouse typically lack the political clout necessary to score wins for their hometowns. And they don’t often get the choicest committee assignments, which are key to getting a say on the big issues.

“Without seniority, legislators don’t have as much success in pushing legislation through and getting what they want done,” said Bert Johnson, a professor of political science at Middlebury College.

Just recruiting enough candidates for the 11 House seats has been a struggle for Burlington Democrats. Two candidates, Ben Boseley and Do, won their primary elections through write-in campaigns after no Democrats submitted signatures to get on the ballot in their districts. In another race in which only one Democrat, Franz, was on the primary ballot in a two-seat district, the Democratic party subsequently nominated Elizabeth Allen-Pennebaker to run. AllenPennebaker was the lone person to step forward.

“I offered myself as the backup of the backup of the backup,” she said in an interview. “If there is anybody else,

BURLINGTON CANDIDATES FOR THE VERMONT HOUSE Want to find your district?

Visit vote.vermont.gov/secure/ dashboard.

CHITTENDEN 13 • 2 REPS *Bram Kleppner (D) Karen Paul (D) CHITTENDEN 14 • 2 REPS Elizabeth Allen-Pennebaker (D) Aaliyah Davila (R) Adam Franz (P/D) CHITTENDEN 15 • 2 REPS Ben Bosley (D) *Brian Cina (P/D) *Troy Headrick (I) CHITTENDEN 16 • 2 REPS Trang Do (P/D) Christopher Haessly (I) Jeffrey Peterson (P/D) CHITTENDEN 17 • 1 REP *Abbey Duke (D) CHITTENDEN 18 • 2 REPS Ali Dieng (D) Dave Hartnett (I) *Carol Ode (D) *incumbent

I would defer to them, and there was nobody.”

She’ll face Franz and Aaliyah Davila, a University of Vermont student who was nominated by Republicans.

Allen-Pennebaker was initially a vocal opponent of a “just cause” eviction charter change that Burlington voters passed in 2021. The measure would require landlords to have a reason to evict a tenant, and, at the time, AllenPennebaker owned two properties. She worried the effort would make it difficult for her to evict problem tenants.

In the end, the legislature approved the charter change, but Gov. Phil Scott vetoed it in 2022.

In an interview last week, AllenPennebaker said she was remorseful about participating in the campaign and had changed her opinion on the policy.

In the years since, she sold one property and is planning to donate space in another to local nonprofits in an effort to be a “landlord for good,” she said.

Allen-Pennebaker has no political experience and described herself as an

“Austrian-style social democrat,” not a democratic socialist. She’s a former Champlain College professor who works as a cannabis industry consultant.

She takes inspiration from the Social Democratic Party of Vienna, which supports public housing, subsidized construction and capped rental costs.

She believes Burlington, and Vermont more broadly, needs to embrace these ideas to thrive.

If elected, the socialists in the mix may have a difficult time finding common cause with traditional Democrats in Burlington, let alone the more conservative members of the House.

But Franz and Do said they gained some political experience organizing a union at local grocer Healthy Living.

The socialists believe, particularly after Janoo’s win, that they are at the vanguard of rapid change to the political landscape.

“I’m a proud socialist, but most people in the world are not self-identified socialists,” Franz said. “If somebody disagrees with me on nine out of 10 issues, but we have that one thing that we can work on together, I would love to work with them on that.”

Peterson, meanwhile, has pitched himself as a young but experienced political strategist. He cut his teeth working in Washington, D.C., for longtime former senator Patrick Leahy before leading local nonprofits and eventually landing with Janoo.

Peterson calls himself a “fusion candidate” who wants to bridge the gap between Progressives and Democrats.

“I think people are really ready to get past the tired conversation of party politics and get to a working class-centered politics,” Peterson said.

“I think that has, frankly, tripartisan appeal, and that’s definitely the coalition that I want to help build and be a part of.”

Like Peterson, Do grew up in Vermont; her family emigrated from Vietnam when she was a child. She graduated from the University of Vermont and now lives in Burlington’s Old North End. Both Logan and Franz helped recruit Do to run her last-minute write-in campaign, and she’s made housing affordability and “tax fairness” central parts of her platform.

Regardless of who is elected, Johnson, the political science professor, said cohesion among Burlington lawmakers will be key. He pointed to studies that have backed that up.

“If every representative from the city agrees on what should be done, then the legislature is much more likely to do that,” he said. ➆ 2v-unionbank091626 1

SEVEN DAYS SEPTEMBER 16-23, 2026

17

9/9/26 1:54 PM

CELEBRATE FREE SPEECH AND PRESS FREEDOM IN HONOR OF U.S. CONSTITUTION DAY! Sunday, September 20, 1:30-3:00 pm Film House, Main Street Landing, 60 Lake St., Burlington Prominent speakers from independent media and the FCC will address First Amendment rights.

news BURLINGTON

Burlington Aims to Disrupt Bad Behavior at City Hall Park S TO RY & PHO TO B Y AARO N C A LV I N calvin@sevendaysvt.com

Free public event Details & registration:

6h-thirdactvermont090926.indd 1

9/8/26 11:11 AM

Along College Street

Burlington officials are installing a mobile surveillance camera, playing ambient music and scheduling coordinated cleanups at City Hall Park in an effort to curb illegal activity in the downtown green space — and make it more welcoming for all.

The park, where homeless people often congregate and use drugs, has been a focal point of the ongoing debate around housing and public safety. It’s one of Burlington’s “hot spots” for crime, and city officials are trying to counteract the troublesome scene there.

One way: Blocking several parking spots along College Street to “hopefully slow down or decrease drug related sales and activity,” Burlington City Councilor Laura Sánchez-Parkinson (P-Ward 3) said.

Additionally, the public works and parks departments will coordinate cleanings of the College Street sidewalk, which fills each day with piles of belongings. Any makeshift campsites will be cleared out “in accordance with city policies and applicable legal requirements,” Sánchez-Parkinson wrote in a statement.

The city also hopes that piping in calming music, similar to musician Brian Eno’s compositions for airports, will encourage a peaceful mood in the park. Burlington City Arts will curate the tunes.

A new mobile, 360-degree security camera will keep watch. The camera, which is not part of the notorious Flock network, is meant to “provide an added sense of security for those who spend significant time in the park and additional situational awareness for [the Burlington Police Department] when incidents occur,” SánchezParkinson wrote.

The department has already been giving the park renewed attention.

In August, officers arrested 11 people there for various low-level drug crimes. ➆

18

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Seeking Short-Timers « P.15

of Act 46, the 2015 law that incentivized school districts to merge, then-education secretary Rebecca Holcombe also recommended that new superintendents be hired under one-year contracts. As evidence, Ballard shared two letters Holcombe wrote to the Orange East Supervisory Union in 2017 and 2018 authorizing the board to hire an interim superintendent for one year.

Holcombe — now a Democratic state rep from Norwich who is not running for reelection — declined to comment. But Vermont School Boards Association executive director Sue Ceglowski told Seven Days that Holcombe’s letter to Orange East was prompted by unique circumstances in that district, as opposed to Saunders’ “blanket approach” now.

Education Secretary Zoie Saunders

Mark Oettinger, a lawyer who served as general counsel for the Agency of Education from 2007 to 2013, said that, in general, state statutes are often written to require the “advice and consent” of the executive branch. But, he added, “the consent part is notably missing” from the specific statute Saunders cited in justifying her directive to school districts.

Still, Oettinger said, he understands why the education agency would want to recommend parameters on superintendent contracts during such an uncertain period for the state’s educational system.

On Monday, Mountain Views school board chair Keri Bristow told Seven Days that, after consulting with her district’s lawyer, she doesn’t believe Saunders has the legal authority to dictate the terms of the superintendent’s contract. Mountain Views, Bristow said, would move ahead with advertising for a two-year position.

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Former superintendent Steven Dellinger-Pate at a Washington Central school board meeting last year

Meanwhile, Washington Central Supervisory Union — which is looking for a new superintendent after Steven Dellinger-Pate unexpectedly resigned in June — received a similar message from the state. The secretary warned the district against “locking into a long-term contract that would potentially not be sustainable based upon the state work,” board chair Diane Nichols-Fleming said.

Hiring a superintendent is the most important job a school board performs, according to Flor Diaz Smith, who serves on the Washington Central board and as president of the Vermont School Boards Association. Limiting the search to candidates who will accept a one-year position makes it harder to find high-quality candidates, she said.

Furthermore, she said, even if districts do decide to merge, Act 170 gives them until August 2029, which makes the rationale for a one-year-limit unclear.

Mark Koenig, the board chair of the Addison Northwest School District, made that point to Saunders in August, asking her in an email to let the district offer a twoyear contract. His district’s superintendent, Sheila Soule, plans to retire after this school year.

“If districts are expected to undertake thoughtful, good-faith merger studies and maintain high-quality educational services throughout that process,” Koenig wrote, “they need the ability to recruit leaders who are willing to commit to doing that work.”

Saunders denied the request, noting that school boards could renew a superintendent’s contract annually.

“I encourage you to recruit an interim superintendent who understands the direction of the transformation, is comfortable navigating uncertainty, and is prepared not only to lead the district as it exists today, but to help inform systemlevel change,” Saunders wrote.

While Saunders and the governor seem outwardly confident in transforming the education system, other signs point to a bumpier process. Under Act 170, approximately 20 merger committees are required to hold their first meetings by October 15. But trying to create those committees has already proven complicated.

While Act 170 recommends merger committee groupings, it also allows school boards to request a move to another committee — essentially letting them pick different potential merger partners. But the law does not specify how those requests should be handled.

Already, 11 school boards have requested to join a different group, according to lead merger study committee facilitator Dave Younce. He’s tasked with overseeing seven facilitators who will work with the merger groups to consider potential partnerships.

Younce said he was collecting board requests and hoped to finalize the groupings by the end of this week.

Harwood Unified Union’s school board voted unanimously on September 9 to request a move from a merger committee with districts including Barre Unified Union and Montpelier Roxbury to one made up of Champlain Valley and Mount Mansfield Unified Union.

Harwood superintendent Mike Leichliter said the situation shows that Act 170 left out key implementation details.

“The Legislature established an ambitious process on a very compressed timeline, and some of the practical and legal mechanics are being worked out as districts encounter them,” Leichliter wrote in an email to Seven Days. “There are simply places where the legislation does not provide a clear procedural roadmap.” ➆

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The Trial of Jason Eaton The defendant listened as the Palestinian men he’s accused of targeting described getting shot without warning

BY C O L IN F L AND E R S • colin@sevendaysvt.com

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SEVEN DAYS SEPTEMBER 16-23, 2026

PHOTOS: GLENN RUSSELL/VTDIGGER

O

n Monday in a Burlington courtroom, three Palestinian men described their encounter with a stranger who walked up and shot them without so much as a word, leaving one of the trio partially paralyzed.

Jason Eaton, 51, is standing trial on three counts of second-degree attempted murder for the November 25, 2023, shooting of Hisham Awartani, Kinnan Abdalhamid and Tahseen Ali Ahmad. The shooting, just weeks after Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, drew worldwide attention.

The outcome of the trial will hinge almost entirely on the testimony of psychiatric experts who have reached differing conclusions about whether Eaton was legally sane at the time of the crime.

Defense attorneys representing Eaton painted him as a man who believed that a shadowy government agency was using public radio to send him orders to kill.

First, though, prosecutors must prove Eaton pulled the trigger. Vermont law allows defendants to raise insanity defenses without admitting to the underlying actions.

Eaton, wearing a navy blue suit and white running sneakers, remained silent and paid close attention as prosecutors introduced nearly a dozen witnesses who provided testimony meant to establish the bare facts of the case.

Testifying from a wheelchair, Awartani described for jurors the day his life was forever altered.

He said he was visiting relatives in Burlington with Abdalhamid and Ali Ahmad, with whom he had grown up in the West Bank. The three 20-year-old men were walking along North Prospect Street around dusk when Awartani saw a skinny man with a gray beard step down from a nearby porch, walk toward them and, without speaking, pull out a handgun.

“I first heard a gunshot and then two more gunshots, and I fell to the ground,” Awartani said.

Awartani managed to pull out his phone and dial 911. Jurors listened to a recording of his plea for help.

“I think I’m gonna die,” he said with eerie calmness.

The dispatcher asked if anyone was applying pressure to the wound. Awartani replied that he wasn’t exactly sure where he’d been hit.

On Tuesday morning, jurors heard from a New York State trooper with expertise in tracking cellphones who placed Eaton around his home at the time of the shooting.

Prosecutors also called to the stand Bryan Smith, the co-owner of Powderhorn Outdoor Sports Center in Williston, who produced paperwork showing that Eaton purchased a .380-caliber Ruger pistol seven months before the shooting. That same pistol was found in Eaton’s dresser, along with hollow-point bullets that

WHAT PROSECUTORS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SHOW

IS A CLEAR MOTIVE FOR THE CRIME. Hisham Awartani testifying

Tahseen Ali Ahmad

Kinnan Abdalhamid

“I thought you said your chest?” the dispatcher replied.

“Yeah, but I can’t feel anything,” Awartani said.

Ali Ahmad, who was also shot in the chest, said he played dead. Abdalhamid, shot in the buttocks, said he ran away,

jumped a fence and asked a neighbor for help before realizing he’d been struck.

Jurors also heard from federal agents who knocked on Eaton’s door the day after the shooting. When Eaton answered, he said something to the effect of, “I’ve been waiting for you,” the agents recounted.

matched shell casings found at the scene of the crime, a Burlington detective testified.

An expert with the Vermont Forensic Laboratory testified that ballistics tests matched a spent bullet found at the scene to the pistol recovered from Eaton’s apartment.

What prosecutors will not be able to show is a clear motive for the crime.

The victims and their families believe they were targeted because they are Palestinian, pointing out that they had been speaking a mix of Arabic and English that evening. Two of the victims were wearing traditional Palestinian headscarves known as keffiyehs.

And yet prosecutors found no proof that the accused shooter harbored antiPalestinian views. As Seven Days previously reported, Eaton had posted messages on social media that seemed to express sympathy for the Palestinian cause.

The matter of identity nevertheless arose as the trial began when more than two dozen spectators entered the Burlington courtroom wearing keffiyehs in support of the shooting victims. Before bringing in the jury, Judge John Pacht ordered that the scarves be removed. He allowed the three victims to wear theirs on the witness stand.

“While I completely understand the desire to show support for folks here, I am equally concerned with how that might

impact a jury in terms of sympathies,” Pacht told the crowd. “Everything that is decided in this courtroom must be decided solely on the evidence.”

The prosecution rested its case by noon on Tuesday. The defense was to begin Wednesday morning, after which prosecutors will be able to call rebuttal witnesses, including their own mental health expert.

In his opening statement, public defender Josh O’Hara previewed a defense that will focus on Eaton’s state of mind at the time of the shooting. Without conceding that his client actually shot the men, O’Hara said Eaton was suffering

Downsize.

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The men were no longer in Eaton’s line of sight by then, O’Hara said. But in his “mind’s eye,” he saw them turn around and knew they would soon pass his apartment a second time.

Eaton believed that vision came “either from God or this intelligence group,” and he took it as confirmation “that he had to shoot,” O’Hara explained.

“He believed at that moment that he was doing something that was right,” the atidyplacevt.com defense attorney said.

Jurors heard a much different version from prosecutor Sally Adams, who, in her opening statement, acknowledged16t-ATidyPlace091626-bw.indd 1 the obvious question of motive by raising

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Jason Eaton during his trial

from a delusional disorder that made him incapable of understanding that what he did was wrong.

Those delusions manifested in the belief that he was receiving messages from the Central Intelligence Agency while listening to Vermont Public radio, O’Hara said.

At first, the messages were encouraging, and Eaton, who liked to “investigate” things in his free time, saw them as validation, according to O’Hara. But on the night in question, they took a sinister turn, encouraging him to kill.

Eaton, who had come to believe that he had a duty to watch over and protect a Jewish family that lived in an apartment across the street, suspected these darker messages were coming from a different agency, possibly one connected to Israel, according to O’Hara.

The messages seemed to suggest that he should act by a certain time that night, but Eaton wasn’t sure who the intended target was, O’Hara said — until he saw the three men walking down the street. Struggling to comprehend the message, Eaton started to pray for guidance.

a series of rhetorical questions — which she then quickly set aside. “‘Why are we here? How could this have happened? He has to be crazy to do this, right?’” she said. “That’s not the question you have to answer.”

What matters is whether Eaton understood what he was doing, Adams said. She told jurors to be skeptical of the defense expert’s claim that Eaton was too mentally ill to comprehend his actions.

“What facts did [the expert] rely on?

What data did they rely on? What records did they look at? Who did they talk to?” she said.

She encouraged the jury to consider what Eaton might have to gain by spinning his conspiracy-laden story. She said the evidence will show that Eaton suffered not from some psychotic disorder but rather an overinflated sense of importance and a belief that he is the smartest person in the room.

“He has a sense of entitlement, he takes advantage of others, he lacks empathy, and he’s arrogant,” she said. ➆ Editor’s note: Look for trial updates at sevendaysvt.com.

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FEED back « P.7

community, or is he concerned that his officers are wasting money burning gas when they could be bringing in ticket revenue?

If I were the police chief, I’d assess public safety data before creating a new initiative.

If I were concerned with racial disparities, I would be, to quote Breault, “proactive” by educating my officers on systemic racism, testing them on implicit bias and thinking of creative steps to prevent racial profiling in the first place.

Notably, law enforcement officers are consistently among the most prevalent offenders of traffic regulations. We all see cops speeding, parking illegally or distracted — typing on a laptop while driving.

If public safety is about enforcing the laws, then the overwhelming majority of drivers would regularly receive tickets. If traffic laws are about public safety, then police would not frequently and casually violate them. If the police department wants safer streets, they can start by leading by example.

Clayton Dykstra

BURLINGTON

GOOD RECOMMENDATION

[Re From the Publisher: “Vacation Mode,” September 2]: Thanks to Paula Routly for sharing her visit to that gem of Franklin County, Cold Hollow Sculpture Park, in Enosburg Falls. Despite living almost in its backyard, in East Fairfield, I only learned about the park after reading about it in Seven Days back in 2015, in an article by Amy Lilly.

I visited the next weekend and was smitten by the grandeur and playfulness of David Stromeyer’s work and the warm, instructive welcome from David’s wife, Sarah. I’ve been volunteering at the park ever since, greeting people in the Welcome Barn and helping to support visiting artists and speakers. The view from the “office” is amazing!

Harry Goldhagen EAST FAIRFIELD

MISSING CONTEXT

Several readers responded to Ken Picard’s “Dark Matters: A Haunting New ‘Disaster Comic’ Turns an Unflinching Eye to the Dehumanization That Fuels Genocides” [September 2]. Find more letters at sevendaysvt.com.

Ken Picard’s profile of Dana Walrath’s The Book of Genocides treats it as settled fact that Israel’s founding in 1948 was an act of genocide and “settler colonization.”

That’s not history; it’s opinion dressed up as fact.

Jews are indigenous to the land, with continuous presence there for thousands of years, predating both Islam and Arab settlement. Jews who later immigrated from Europe weren’t colonizers, they were descendants of that same population, exiled after Rome’s conquest and dispersed across Europe for centuries before returning.

The UN’s 1947 partition plan provided statehood to both Jews and Arabs. Jews accepted it; Palestinian Arabs and neighboring Arab states rejected it. The war that followed led to displacements on both sides — roughly 700,000 Arabs, some due to orders from their own leaders, who urged them out, promising a quick return once Arab armies won, and roughly 850,000 Jews forced out of countries across the Arab world, stripped of citizenship and

DIFFERENT TASTES

[Re “Diner Times: With Burl’s Downtown Kitchenette, a Burlington Diner Is a Diner Once Again” July 29]: My bride and I recently experienced breakfast at Burl’s Diner in Burlington. Our expectations were high, but we walked away disappointed. Will we go back? No.

property, erasing millennia-old Jewish communities.

Flattening this into a single word, genocide, doesn’t clarify history. It erases it. Arab population in Israel today is larger than it was in 1948, and Palestinian population in Gaza and the West Bank has grown for decades, not a pattern consistent with genocidal intent.

None of this is meant to make light of the deaths and suffering of Palestinians.

But retelling 1948 as a settler-colonial genocide, then extending that frame to today’s war, isn’t education, it’s biased advocacy.

Bill Kellner

CHARLOTTE

Ken Picard’s review of Dana Walrath’s The Book of Genocides presents one of the gravest accusations imaginable, that Israel has committed genocide since its founding, as though it were established fact. It is not.

Genocide has a precise legal meaning: prohibited acts committed with the specific intent to destroy a national, ethnic, racial or religious group. No international court has ruled that Israel has committed genocide; the case before the International Court of Justice remains unresolved. The 2025 UN Commission of Inquiry reached that conclusion, but it is not a court, and its findings are strongly contested.

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Seven Days nevertheless offered no competing legal analysis, historical perspective, or Israeli or Jewish voice.

Walrath’s claim that the alleged genocide began in 1948 is repeated without mentioning the UN partition proposal, its acceptance by Jewish leaders, its rejection by Arab leaders or the invasion of the new State of Israel by surrounding Arab armies.

The review similarly ignores the Hamas massacre and hostage taking of October 7 that precipitated the current war. It also omits evidence complicating the genocide accusation, including Israel’s humanitarian pauses that enabled approximately 559,000 Gazan children to receive polio vaccinations in 2024.

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CHARLOTTE

Samets is a board member of Shalom Alliance Vermont.

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OBITUARIES, VOWS, CELEBRATIONS

OBITUARIES William Michael “Mike” O’Brien JUNE 23, 1933SEPTEMBER 11, 2026 BURLINGTON, VT.

William Michael “Mike” O’Brien, 93, died peacefully on September 11, 2026.

Mike was born in Montpelier, Vt., on June 23, 1933, the eldest child of Madeline Massucco and Colonel William M. O’Brien (USMC).

Mike graduated from St. Michael’s High School in Montpelier and the University of Vermont and also served six years in the U.S. Army (active and reserve).

In 1959, after spending a day skiing on Stowe Mountain, Mike met Virginia Ann “Dee Dee” Ireland. They were married in September 1961 at St. Mark Church in Burlington, Vt. Together, they built their home and raised four children on Killarney Drive in the New North End. Killarney Drive was a special place of joy and pride for Mike, as it was developed by his father-in-law, Jack Ireland, and offered endless opportunities to take advantage of Lake Champlain and the adjacent green spaces of Rock Point and Leddy Park. Many a summer

night included a picnic dinner on Killarney Beach.

In his professional life, Mike was employed by IBM for over 25 years, working as a manager in the procurement department. He often remarked how a big part of his job was “recognizing and pushing young talent along at IBM.” For decades, he carpooled with other IBMers from the North End. Upon taking early retirement, Mike began a second “career” as a guide for the Shelburne Museum. This became one of his greatest joys in his later life, sharing his vast knowledge of Vermont history with visitors from all over.

The exhibit he loved most to talk about was the Ticonderoga. Each summer, Mike’s family would visit the Shelburne Museum. They took great pride in seeing their dad with arms draped over the steering wheel of the Ticonderoga, sharing the story of how that ship came to be.

Mike’s priorities for daily life focused on a few things: spending time with his beloved family, going to church at St. Mark with Dee Dee, offering himself in some volunteer capacity to his community, and being the biggest cheerleader for his 10 grandchildren through both their work opportunities and personal relationships. He was

able to see his eldest grandchild get married last September.

Mike loved Christmas morning at 150 Killarney Drive, sharing a drink and dinner at camp on Coates Island, and relishing in his great fortune to have raised a happy and healthy family with Dee Dee. Mike is survived by his wife, Dee Dee, of 65 years; his children and their spouses, Kathy (O’Brien) and David Houle, Mary (O’Brien) and Craig Brett, Sean and Nicole (Gilbert) O’Brien, and Chris and Jamie (Ha) O’Brien; and his grandchildren, Brian (Jen), Dan, Tommy (Annie) and Bridget Brett; Dylan and Jack Houle; Kiera and Finn O’Brien; and Lily and Ava O’Brien. He is also survived by his sister Patricia O’Brien Swanson and was predeceased by his sister Rosemary O’Brien Bennett.

Mike will be deeply missed, but that twinkle in his eye when he was having a good time and his incomparable smile will live on in his family’s hearts. His life was well lived and full of joy.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Saturday, September 19, 2026, 11 a.m., at St. Mark Church in Burlington.

Burial will be held privately with the family. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Shelburne Museum in Mike’s name.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Ready Funeral & Cremation Services. To share memories, photos and condolences with the family, please visit readyfuneral.com.

Jeffrey Wasserman 1950-2026 SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT.

Jeff Wasserman passed away on September 12, 2026, after a long illness. Born in the Bronx in New York City in 1950, Jeff will be remembered as a passionate, values-driven individual in both personal and professional pursuits. His roots go back to his beloved grandparents, who immigrated from Eastern Europe to the United States in the early 20th century. Their influence and values guided many of his beliefs throughout life. Jeff also found deep joy in birding and photography, often combining the two on long walks and travels in search of a great shot.

Jeff was active in social causes throughout his life, sometimes pushing the boundaries of accepted norms, from environmental and social action to institutional change in his work.

In recent years, he was deeply concerned about social injustice, the rise of anti-democratic actions at home, and the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.

Jeff’s entire professional life was spent as a health care executive.

He worked almost exclusively at

major academic medical centers.

He also consulted on institutional change and strategy at many of the nation’s most prestigious academic health systems. He was invited back to the University of Vermont Health Network in 2016 as executive director of the newly formed University of Vermont Medical Group, retiring in late 2020.

Just over 23 years ago, Jeff met and eventually married Bridget O’Brien in Burlington, Vt. Jeff considered Bridget to be his best friend and love of his life. Their new combined family included Jeff’s children, Marc and Emily, and Bridget’s children, Wickliffe and Caitlain. Jeff is also survived by five grandchildren, many other relatives, lifelong friends and professional colleagues.

Jeff will be buried in a private ceremony in Williston, Vt. Special thank-you to Dr. Jennifer Gilwee, Dr. Paul Unger and the McClure Miller Respite House. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the McClure Miller Respite House, 1110 Prim Rd., Colchester, VT 05446.

Arrangements are in care of LaVigne Funeral & Cremation Services. To send condolences to his family, please visit vtfuneralhomes.com.

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OBITUARIES, VOWS, CELEBRATIONS

OBITUARIES Eric Philip Franz

JUNE 7, 1968-JULY 31, 2026 BURLINGTON, VT. Eric Philip Franz — EPF — was a riddle, a little charm, and a mixture of spice and nice.

He was funny. Sarcastic.

Kind. Practical. Generous.

Sometimes exasperating.

Always quick to make you laugh. And deeply, deeply caring.

Eric was a giver. He had a remarkable instinct for knowing what someone needed and figuring out how to make it happen. Maybe it was bringing a portable A/C when someone was too hot, an extra pair of socks when someone was cold, taking someone to the airport, finding a hotel when a flight was canceled, making food, sharing a song, sending a ridiculous YouTube video, or simply showing up.

If he couldn’t reach someone by phone, he might get in the car and go find them. He took care of people — and he did it without making a big production of it. It was simply what you did when someone you loved needed you.

He especially treasured caring for his mom. Giving her love, time and care meant everything to him.

Eric was also a curious mind. He loved learning and wasn’t content to just know that something was true — he wanted to understand why. His education began in Vermont and took him to the University of Vermont, where he earned a bachelor’s degree with a double major in French and political science.

He went on to earn a master of arts in Teaching English as a Second Language/ Teaching English as a Foreign Language from Saint Michael’s College and continued graduate-level study at Temple University’s Tokyo campus in second-language acquisition, research and statistics.

Languages became one of the threads running through his life. Eric was fluent in French and took on Japanese as well. His curiosity about

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language eventually led him to Japan, where he spent years living and working in Tokyo, teaching English and French at Showa Women’s University. He didn’t just teach — he helped develop courses, served on the university’s entrance examination committee, and helped design, write, administer and analyze its English examinations.

He later worked as an English-language test developer, writing and editing questions for a nationwide standardized English test.

And he became an author and editor, too — coauthoring educational textbooks and contributing to a 12-month NHK radio English-language program. He was, in his own quiet way, a teacher. A writer.

A researcher. A problem solver.

His curiosity eventually carried him into the emerging world of the internet, where he worked in web content, marketing research, analytics, website usability and business intelligence. He seemed to have an unusual ability to keep absorbing new things, changing direction and figuring them out. There was always another subject to explore, another skill to pick up, another rabbit hole to disappear down.

And then there was Eric the kid — the mischievous one. The one who helped create the stories that families tell over and over because they’re too good ever to let go.

There was Rick’s Candy — his infamous briefcase enterprise at school. Playing

SEVEN DAYS SEPTEMBER 16-23, 2026

trucks in the middle of the night when we couldn’t sleep, with a “pickup” meeting spot in the upstairs bathroom. Waving stuffed animals at people passing by on long road trips. Pretending to be a PBS radio show host, using the button that turned the car seats down in the Rambler as a mic. Playing cops on our bikes with cap guns. Badminton until way past dark and then catching fireflies. Being “cute” so we wouldn’t get spanked.

Being pulled and tossed over on a sled behind his snowmobile. Building ski jumps in the front and back fields and pretending to be downhill racers on crosscountry skis. Building forts out of snow mounds. Eating all the cereal when Mom occasionally bought the sweet kind. Singing Beatles songs and recording them for Christmas presents. Riding our bikes all the way from Westford to the Essex Center pool. Swimming in the pond on the Milton-Westford Road and discovering the drop-off that made holding onto Eric seem like an excellent survival strategy.

There were so many. And there will be more. Because Eric’s life was not one story — it was thousands of little stories, moments that seemed ordinary at the time but became the things we would remember forever. That is how people stay with us.

Eric is inside all of us now.

He will remain around us— in our stories, our habits, our music, our food, our laughter, our memories, and in the unexpected moments when something happens and we know exactly what he would have said. We can see him daily and as often as we wish.

Many of us will understand how to do this. And when we wonder what Eric would do or say right now, there is one thing we can be sure of: He would make sure we were okay. Then, in classic Eric fashion, he would probably tell us to buck it up. “Don’t fret.”

He would want us to keep going — listen to music, make

good food, connect with people, look at the world — and even our own backyard — a little differently. He would want us to take care of one another. Because that is what he did.

And Eric loved golf. He loved the game, the challenge, the quiet stretches of a course, and — of course — the opportunity to spend time with people. Whether he was playing a great round or simply enjoying the day, golf was one of those things that made Eric happy.

Since Eric left us, stories have been coming from everywhere. Old friends. New friends. Neighbors. Family.

People who knew him for decades and people whose lives he touched in quieter ways.

The stories have something in common. They all come back to the same things: Eric showed up. Eric cared.

Eric made people laugh. Eric helped. Eric loved.

And the people who loved him would have done anything for him, just as he would have done for them.

There is heartbreak in losing someone who mattered this much. But there are also silver linings everywhere — in the people who come together, in the memories that suddenly surface, in the stories that make us laugh through the tears, and in the realization of just how many lives Eric touched.

We will carry him forward — with dignity, with love, with kindness, with practicality, and, of course, with sarcasm and humor sprinkled in. A recipe Eric and Mom would probably give five stars.

And then there are the conversations. The long ones.

The ridiculous ones. The important ones. The ones that somehow lasted hours and still ended with Eric saying: “Great to catch up.” And the answer: “I am a great listener.” And always: “I LOVE YOU.” “Love you too.”

With a little sarcasm.

Mushy. Not exactly Eric’s wheelhouse. But he said it.

And he meant it. So do we.

We love you, Eric. Don’t fret.

We’ve got it from here.

James Henderson

NOVEMBER 28, 1946-JULY 3, 2026 SHELBURNE, VT. James Henderson passed away peacefully on July 3, 2026, at the University of Vermont Medical Center, leaving behind a life marked by curiosity, resilience, and a deep appreciation for people and ideas.

James attended Moses Brown School in Providence, R.I., where he excelled in athletics, particularly basketball.

During his time there, he developed many lasting friendships that he cherished throughout his life.

He had a lifelong interest in politics, the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights and was known for his thoughtful discussions about history, government and law.

A frequent traveler, James spent time living in several states, including Rhode Island, New York, Massachusetts and California. Throughout his life, he pursued a career centered on helping others and took pride in the work he did.

James was predeceased by his wife. He is survived by his sister, Tanya, and his biological son.

Those who knew James will remember his intelligence, engaging conversations and his passion for his many interests. He enjoyed sharing stories from his travels and experiences, and his unique perspective on life left a lasting impression on those who knew him.

James will be remembered with respect, gratitude and affection by all who had the privilege of knowing him. May he rest in peace.

Ann Marie Kaigle

MARCH 11, 1930-SEPTEMBER 7, 2026 BURLINGTON, VT. Ann Marie Kaigle, 96, passed away peacefully on September 7, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.

Funeral services were held on Monday, September 14, 2026, 10 a.m., at St. Anthony’s Church in Burlington, followed by a burial at Resurrection Park in South Burlington.

A celebration of life occurred at Delta Hotels on Williston Road, immediately following the burial.

Arrangements were entrusted to the care of Ready Funeral & Cremation Services, South Chapel. To read the full obituary, share photos and memories, and leave online condolences, please visit readyfuneral.com.

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

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William Allen Lotz

MAY 26, 1932SEPTEMBER 8, 2026 ST. ALBANS, VT. Well, Bill finally kicked the bucket on September 8, 2026. For all of his 90-plus years, he tried to help people smile and laugh. His motto was “Healing with love and laughter.”

Bill was born in Hartford, Conn., on May 26, 1932. His parents and three siblings are all long gone now. He graduated from Bloomfield High School in 1950. Bill worked his way through the University of Miami (Florida) installing asbestos insulation and in February 1956 finally received his BS in mechanical engineering with a minor in race relations. Then he went four years at Ohio State University, studying philosophy and management. Bill married his high school girlfriend, and together they created a beautiful family consisting of Esther, Nelson, Seth, Valerie, Heather and Patrick.

Bill had various

engineering positions for Owens Corning Fiberglass, Kaiser Aluminum and IBM in Ohio and Vermont.

In 1974 Bill married Jacquie Banker, and they moved to Maine. They were together for 50 years.

Bill grew up an Episcopalian, but in 1966 he became a Unitarian Universalist. He was a member of the Unitarian Church in Burlington, Vt. When Bill was 12, his family moved to a small farm in Bloomfield, Conn., where his

father gave him a pair of baby goats for a birthday present.

This started his lifelong love of goats, cows and sheep.

Bill and Jacquie had a 50acre 1832-era farm in Acton, Maine, until recently. In 2021 Bill and Jacquie sold their farm in Maine and moved to St Albans, Vt. Bill was a singer, and he also dearly loved classical music. He opened the 1992 State Democratic Convention singing “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

Another love of Bill’s was cars. His first car (at age 13) was a 1933 Essex Terraplane coupe with a rumble seat.

By age 16 and with a driver’s license, it was a 1947 Buick super convertible (yellow), which he drove during high school and college. A 1956 Cadillac Sedan DeVille was the most beautiful car he owned. A 1987 Mustang convertible (yellow) was the fastest of his cars. The 1941 Packard 160 was the most elegant. He also owned a 1953 Plymouth.

Bill loved trains — large and small. He was a volunteer

host on Amtrak’s Downeaster and at the North Conway Model Railroad Museum. Bill and Jacquie had HO gauge model train layouts. For years Bill put on his red Santa suit and passed out candy canes on the Downeaster.

Bill’s father, John Lotz Jr., was a pioneering insulation contractor in New England from 1910 until 1947. His Lotz Asbestos Co. and Lotz Home Insulation Co. insulated 20,000 buildings and more steam pipes than any other contractor in the area. In 1962 Bill became the industry whistleblower, pointing out the link between asbestos and cancer.

Bill’s goal in life was to make the world a better place than when he arrived in 1932.

Bill has lectured from coast to coast in the U.S and Canada on insulation and energy conservation. His 300 papers and articles on every aspect of insulation have helped contractors, engineers and architects all over the world learn how to make insulation more effective.

It was late in life when he

finally met “twin sister,” Sallie Chandler. He cherished knowing Sallie and her husband, Arnold.

In 2020, Bill had a book published, Moisture Control in Building Systems and Chilled Water Pipes and Underground Pipes.

Since moving to Vermont, Bill has been welcomed with tremendous kindness by the St. Albans community.

In summary, Bill loved life; he loved people, especially Jacquie; he loved animals, Democratic Party politics and his consulting work. He was a lifelong student of life and he was blessed with wonderful children.

Bill showed tremendous courage recently when he arrived at the Northwestern Medical Center Emergency Department after a fall, and he told the doctors that there would be no medical procedures performed as, “I am 94. I have lived a full life.

I am going home to my dog, Sara, and my cat, Jasper.” And home to his cherished pets he went.

The family would like

to thank Bayada Hospice (bayada.com); Visiting Angels (visitingangels. com); the Richford Health Center (notchvt.org); Amcare Ambulance Service (amcare. org); and all of the family members, friends, relatives and neighbors who gave Bill and Sara and Jasper tremendous love, kindness and support in his final days and allowed Bill to die at home with his beloved pets, as he wished. We will never forget each of you and will forever be indebted to you.

Also, thank you to Dad’s Sunday-afternoon dominoes partner, Alex Hsieh, this last year. These games brought him a great deal of joy, and he eagerly awaited them each week.

There will be a celebration of life to be arranged and announced at a later date.

Donations in his memory can be made to any of the above organizations.

Assisting Bill’s family is the Heald Funeral Home, where messages of condolence are welcome at healdfuneralhome.com.

with Kathleen Lonsdale at University College, London, where she used X-ray diffraction to study the structure of macromolecules. Her research project failed, as she was attempting analysis that the technology of the time could not support, but she took heart that years later another researcher using more modern technology did very similar work and received a Nobel Prize for it.

(When asked whether she had any regrets in life, her response was “not getting the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.”)

She and Herb had a memorable time in England, returning with a strong belief in the virtues of central heating.

Herb then began a faculty position at Carnegie Tech

(later Carnegie Mellon) in Pittsburgh, while Beth took a research position in the Metallurgy Department, as Carnegie at the time would not hire women for faculty positions in science or engineering.

Herb and Beth, always adventurous, spent a sabbatical year in India with three young children, where Herb worked with UNICEF to start up a new engineering school. Beth and Herb made lifelong friends there, and their time in India made a deep impression.

Beth worked part time at the U. S. Bureau of Mines when the children were young. She also became very active in local politics, working with the League of Women Voters and with the Group Against Smog and Pollution (GASP). She played a key role in the successful campaign to stop construction of a destructive beltway around Pittsburgh. Later, she returned to full-time work doing research in a lab at Carnegie Mellon on such diverse topics as gallstones and coal slurries.

Beth was a lover of fiber art: an accomplished seamstress, knitter and weaver who gifted many people with

her intricate creations. She devoted many hours to the Weaver’s Guild of Pittsburgh and leaves an extensive collection of works.

The family took extended summer trips to Beth’s brother’s cabin at the base of Mount Robson in British Columbia, often with a whole pack of nieces, nephews and dogs. Beth and Herb were hikers and backpacked extensively in the Canadian Rockies. On one memorable trip — the 100-mile North Boundary trail — Beth came down with kidney stones and was evacuated on horseback.

She corrected the doctor who told her this was the worst pain one could suffer, pointing out that childbirth involves larger items than kidney stones. Upon returning from the backcountry, Beth and Herb were delighted to learn that Richard Nixon had resigned.

In 2008, after retiring, Beth and Herb bucked the norm of retiring south and instead moved north to Vermont, where they were near both their daughter and a son’s summer home. The family enjoyed many holidays and summer vacations together on Lake Champlain.

Beth was a brilliant,

beautiful, creative and independent woman who made an impression on all who knew her. She will be deeply missed. She leaves behind her three children, Helen Toor, John Toor and wife Margaret, and Will Toor and wife Mariella; grandchildren, Milo, Maren, Cead, Nicky and Misha; and many nieces and nephews of multiple generations.

The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at the Residence at Otter Creek for their kindness and care for Beth over the many years she lived there, especially during her time in assisted living, as well as the hospice team at Addison County Home Health & Hospice and the amazing Dr. Laura Weylman.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania; the Group Against Smog and Pollution (GASP) in Pittsburgh; or the caregivers at the Residence at Otter Creek (made out to the Residents’ Appreciation Fund, c/o Sasha Keck, 350 Lodge Rd., Middlebury, VT 05753). A celebration of Beth’s life will be held next summer around what would have been her 100th birthday.

Elizabeth Weir Toor JULY 20, 1927AUGUST 24, 2026 MIDDLEBURY, VT

Elizabeth Weir Toor died at age 99 on August 24, 2026, in Middlebury, Vt. Beth was a brilliant scientist, mother, wife, dog lover (particularly Irish and Gordon setters), passionate supporter of women’s choice and voting rights, and an activist for clean air.

She was an enthusiastic follower of women’s tennis, enjoyed a martini at the end of the workday, and loved her cigarettes, chocolates and mystery novels. She spoke her mind, did not suffer fools gladly and carried Kleenex in every pocket. In her younger days, she had flame-red hair and wore bright red lipstick with wild jewelry.

Beth was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta. Her mother taught French at a women’s college, while her father was the first dean of the law school at the University of Alberta. Beth remembered that her father “gave me the idea that I could be anything I wanted to be when I grew up,” making sure she was given the same opportunities as

her brothers. She passed that same philosophy on to her own children.

Beth was interested in science from an early age and started college at age 16. She studied at Stanford and the University of Alberta, graduating with a degree in chemistry. Although many colleges did not accept women into graduate programs in science, she was admitted into the PhD program at Northwestern University.

While there, she met Herb Toor in a Mathematical Methods in Physics class.

From this classically nerdy beginning they spent over 60 years together.

After graduating with a PhD, Beth took a postdoctoral research position

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lifelines

OBITUARIES, VOWS, CELEBRATIONS

IN MEMORIAM

OBITUARIES Keith G.W. MacDonald

SEPTEMBER 17, 1952SEPTEMBER 7, 2026 PEORIA, ARIZ. Keith G.W. MacDonald passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on September 7, 2026, in Phoenix, Ariz., following a courageous journey with heart failure. Born on September 17, 1952, in Newport, Vt., to Joan Hemingway MacDonald and Malcolm William MacDonald, Keith will be remembered for his strength, determination, deep devotion to family, adventurous spirit and love of sports, particularly the Yankees!

Keith studied business administration at Suffolk University in Boston and Tarrant County College.

After beginning his career in technology at the Harvard Coop, he discovered a passion for the restaurant industry. He

built a successful career in restaurant management, which took him across the United States, working in Boston, Florida, Texas, Northern and Southern California, Nevada, and Arizona. Known for his funfilled personality, Keith was loved by the employees he led. He brought dedication, experience and a sincere belief in helping others succeed. His commitment to creating opportunities for people with disabilities earned him the City of San

SEPTEMBER 30, 1984AUGUST 25, 2026 RICHMOND, VT.

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life took him, he made it an adventure. From a young age, Keith also excelled on the golf course, where his natural talent and love of the game remained a lifelong source of enjoyment.

Above all, Keith treasured his family. He is survived by his brother, John MacDonald, and his wife, Lise, of Swanton, Vt.; his sister, Heather MacDonald Greene, and her husband, Douglas, of Rancho Mirage, Calif., and Vancouver, Wash.; his niece, Katie MacDonald, and her husband, Dave Huffman, of Jericho, Vt.; and his nephew, Derek MacDonald, and his partner, Krista Evans, of South Burlington, Vt.; along with cousins in the UK and Canada.

Keith’s warmth, humor and willingness to help others will be deeply missed by his family, friends, colleagues, and all who knew and loved him.

A celebration of Keith’s life will be held in Vermont next summer.

Timothy Sean Coleman 1954-2026

A memorial service will be held for Timothy Sean Coleman on Saturday, September 26, 2026, 3 p.m., at the Charlotte Congregational Church at 403 Church Hill Rd., Charlotte, VT. A potluck reception will immediately follow.

Steve Oakland 1951-2026

Friends and family will gather to celebrate Steve’s life on Saturday, September 19, 2026, 2 p.m., at First United Methodist Church, 21 Buell St., Burlington, VT. A reception and time to share memories will follow.

Kristen Laure Charlebois

Robert Stockwell

It is with profound sadness that we have to announce the unexpected passing of our dear son, brother and friend Robert Stockwell, 41, of Richmond, Vt., on August 25, 2026.

Robert was born on September 30, 1984, in Burlington Vt., to Harland and Karen Stockwell. He grew up in Richmond, where he is known throughout the community for his kind, outgoing personality. He was ready to make a new friend with anyone who was lucky enough to interact with him while taking one of his RC cars for a walk, riding his bicycle or lawn mower around town, or standing at the river’s bank fishing. He could easily spark

Francisco’s Distinguished Employer Award.

Keith believed in giving back to his community and generously volunteered his time in several meaningful ways. He helped with dog adoptions, supporting efforts to find loving homes for dogs in need. He also volunteered at the Peoria Sports Complex during spring training, combining his love of baseball with his enjoyment of serving others.

In addition, Keith participated in scholastic internship programs for school children, sharing his time and encouragement with young people.

His adventurous spirit led him to train for skydiving, reflecting his courage, curiosity and willingness to embrace new experiences. He loved exotic travel, particularly his journeys in Southeast Asia.

Each relocation throughout his career brought him new places, people and experiences that he embraced with enthusiasm. Wherever

up a conversation with anyone while he was in the community or in line at Shaw’s.

Anyone who knew Robert will certainly remember his infectious, kind soul and willingness to help any neighbor, friend or customer in need.

Robert graduated from Mount Mansfield Union High School in 2002, after which he started his career at Shaw’s supermarket in

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Williston, Vt., where he worked with such pride and diligence for 23 years. If there was a job that needed to be done at Shaw’s, he could do it. On any given day throughout his career there you could count on him to say hello as you were passing through.

Robert also started a lawnmowing service as a teenager in the village of Richmond (Dashound Mowing), where he could be found on his mower pouring attention to detail into the service he gave his customers. At a young age Robert was known to show up at your house and mow your lawn without asking. It wasn’t long after that his business was born.

Robert was a master Lego builder, with countless hours and probably years of his life dedicated to building any and all builds. Many of his pieces were original builds

which any master craftsman would be proud of. Robert would find vintage sets from his childhood to reconstruct while reminiscing of days gone by, while still building new sets being released today. If someone was getting rid of Legos, they knew Robert would be more than happy to have them. He had rooms dedicated to his love of Legos.

Robert leaves behind his parents, Harland and Karen Stockwell of Richmond; sister, Joann Stockwell of Duxbury; and his dearest lifelong friends, Mark Brown, Kyle Suchman and Michael Gilbeau.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, September 26, 2026, 2:30 to 5:30 p.m., at the community space above the Richmond Free Library.

We look forward to seeing everyone there. Bring your favorite memories to share.

1978-1995

In Loving Memory of Kristen Laure Charlebois 1978-1995 Dear Kristy, Happy 48th heavenly birthday. We think of you so often, and we miss you more than words can say. You are forever in our hearts and forever loved.

All our love, Mom, Dad, Randy & Kate

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OBITUARIES

Marvin Robert Glickstein

mechanical engineering and began working for United Technologies at the Florida Pratt & Whitney plant as an aeroengineer, a career that spanned four decades. After retirement, Marvin started MRG Technologies, developing next-generation software technologies for the Air Force, NASA, and Pratt & Whitney.

Marvin and Patricia designed and built their dream home in North Palm Beach while Marvin continued to design jet engines, specializing in thermodynamics and heat transfer. He was awarded six patent awards from United Technologies.

Marvin developed an intense interest in marine fish and invertebrates. He began the challenge of maintaining many saltwater aquariums

at home. He and Pat became the founding members of the Marine Aquarium Society of the Palm Beaches. Becoming an avid scuba diver, Marvin also became a renowned conchologist, growing a massive shell collection that was well known throughout the shellcollecting community. Being an inventive engineer, Marvin devised a dredging system for his boat that was able to bring up shells from depths of 50 to 500 feet. Among those he collected are several species that had never been found before. They are now in the Smithsonian museum and have been named after him.

Marvin was blessed enough to find love a second time after his cherished wife passed away. He moved to South Burlington, Vt., as the partner of Barbara Rippa, originally from Braintree, Mass., and together they shared a love of music, gardening, photography and family. For the last 15 years, Marvin has been a devoted patron of the Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival and a congregant of Ohavi Zedek Synagogue.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Isador (Irving) and Sylvia Elprin Glickstein; his wife, Patricia Landfield

Glickstein; and his brother, Donald A. Glickstein.

Marvin is survived by his domestic partner, Barbara Frogel Rippa; daughter Linda Glickstein and grandson Brian Jones; great-grandchildren, Emma and Austin Ben-Haim; daughter Cheri Rhodes and son-in-law Randy Rhodes, as well as his granddaughter, Jennifer Rhodes; son, Robert Glickstein; Barbara’s daughter, Diane Rippa, her husband, David Rome, and their sons, Ben Rome and wife Rachel with children Layla and Simon, and Daniel Rome and wife Katie; and Barbara’s son, Joel Rippa, and his wife, Lori Rippa.

Marvin was cherished and will be dearly missed by his loving family.

A memorial service was held on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, 4 p.m., at Ohavi Zedek Synagogue, 188 North Prospect St., Burlington, VT. Marvin will be interred in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., at Star of David Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you honor Marvin’s love of the arts and his synagogue with a memorial donation either to Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival (gmcmf.org) or to Ohavi Zedek Synagogue (ohavizedek.org).

He was an accomplished skater both on ice and roller.

He was a national competitor and national-rated judge in roller skating. His friendships spanned across skaters, coaches, judges and rink owners.

A historical architect, he built and renovated many

houses, restaurants and commercial properties in Vermont, Massachusetts and beyond. His famous salad bar boat at the Windjammer in South Burlington, Vt., was the stuff of legend.

He started the Burlington Coffeehouse along with Rachel Bissex, where they created a welcoming atmosphere for everyone, from local musicians getting their first taste of performing to seasoned international performers. There, he channeled his coaching skills, supporting up-and-coming singer-songwriters along their journey.

Anyone who knew him knew he liked to tell endless stories of his younger days growing up near Buffalo, N.Y.; his days in the Air Force, living near Provincetown, Mass.;

and playing in bands, seeing concerts and volunteering at Club Passim.

There seemed to be a kind of “six degrees of separation” mystique about Jeff — anytime you mentioned someone, he would usually find a connection with them.

He also seemed to have been at the center of a multitude of cultural touchstone moments, like Woodstock and Newport when Dylan first went electric.

Long story short, Jeff was a kind and generous soul, and we all miss his larger-than-life presence. He touched countless lives with his generosity, wisdom and encouragement.

There will be a celebration of life on Saturday, November 7, 2026, 6:30 p.m., at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Burlington, Vt.

NOVEMBER 20, 1932SEPTEMBER 12, 2026 SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT.

Marvin Robert Glickstein, 93, of South Burlington, Vt., passed away peacefully at McClure Miller Respite House on September 12, 2026. He was a cherished partner, father, grandfather and friend.

Marvin was born in St. Augustine, Fla., on November 20, 1932. He spent part of his early childhood at Marineland of Florida, where his father ran the Dolphin Restaurant.

His family later moved to Jacksonville, Fla., where he grew up. He graduated from Landon High School and then attended the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., as a midshipman, where he received an honorable discharge after an extended illness. He subsequently attended the University of Florida, where he met his beloved wife of 56 years, Patricia Clara Landfield of Montgomery, Ala. He had his first child, Linda Marie, in Florida while he was working on his master’s degree, after which he had Cheri Ann and Robert Scott, when he was attending the University of Illinois.

Marvin received a PhD in

Jeffery Allan “Jeff ” Miller SEPTEMBER 13, 1946SEPTEMBER 1, 2026 WINOOSKI, VT.

Jeffery Allan “Jeff” Miller of Burlington, Vt., was a man surrounded with stories and mystery. He passed away on September 1, 2026, at the University of Vermont Medical Center after battling a long illness. Despite his health challenges, he accepted his days with a positive spirit and gracious heart.

Just when you thought you knew him, he would spin a story that opened a new world of possibilities. He was a man of many skills and talents: architect, brownie baker, open mic host, music producer, soundman, coach, builder, athlete and friend.

Carol (Lowell) Emmons MARCH 5, 1952-SEPTEMBER 4, 2026 HINESBURG, VT.

Carol (Lowell) Emmons, 74, of Hinesburg, Vt., passed away unexpectedly on September 4, 2026, in Burlington, Vt. She was born on March 5, 1952, in Burlington to Leslie and Mary (Russin) Lowell. She grew up in Hinesburg and graduated from Champlain Valley Union High School in 1972. Soon after, she married Francis Emmons, on October 20, 1972, at St. Jude Catholic Church in Hinesburg. Together, they shared over 53 years of marriage.

Though she held various jobs over the years, Carol’s true calling was her family. She was a devoted wife to Francis, a loving mother to Jared and Aneesia, and a natural caregiver who spent much of her life looking after her extended family. Above all, she loved them deeply, and she was an avid thrifter who always looked forward to hunting for hidden treasures with her kids.

Carol is survived by her husband, Francis; children, Jared and Aneesia; brothers Les, Stan and Roger; sisters Geraldine and Arlene; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Leslie and Mary Lowell; sister Joanne; and her brothers David and Wesley.

The family extends their sincere thanks to the local first responders for their compassionate care during the emergency.

Visiting hours were held on Monday, September 14, 2026, 4 to 6 p.m., at Gifford Funeral Home, 22 Depot St., Richmond, VT. The burial service took place on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, 11 a.m., at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Cemetery in Richmond, Vt.

Mark your family’s milestones in lifelines. sevendaysvt.com/lifelines SEVEN DAYS SEPTEMBER 16-23, 2026

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COURTESY OF TITILAYO AYANGADE

couple isn’t really sure or terribly concerned about setting a date — it will seat about 35 people. The cozy, low-ceilinged room next to a nail salon will largely cater to the growing local improv comedy and sketch scenes that have blossomed at the comedy club across the street. But if history is any indication, the new venue could have an outsize impact.

Vermont Comedy Club has been an incubator through several eras of local comedy, launching a number of comics who are now plying their trade on bigger stages — you can read about one of them, Tina Friml, on page 46. It’s also where you might have seen certain rising national acts before they graduated to the big stage up the street,

AN EMPTY STAGE ISN’T EMPTY AT ALL: IT’S FULL OF PROMISE.

High I Notes From iconic dancers and musicians to literal high-wire acts, Vermont’s 2026-27 performing arts season is in full swing BY SE VE N DAYS STA F F

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SEVEN DAYS SEPTEMBER 16-23, 2026

Imani Winds

t doesn’t look like much, not yet. And even when it’s done, when the walls are painted and lights are hung, when the seats are arranged and the stage is set, the tiny new Vermont Comedy Arts performance space still might seem, to the untrained eye, kinda underwhelming.

Don’t be fooled. As any performer knows, the magic lies precisely within such unassuming voids. An empty stage isn’t empty at all: It’s full of promise.

For Natalie Miller and Nathan Hartswick, the married couple and comedians who opened Vermont Comedy Club in Burlington a decade ago, their nonprofit Vermont Comedy Arts venture will operate on a very small scale. When the basement theater opens at 118 Main Street later this fall — maybe in October, maybe November; the

such as profane puppet Randy Feltface, who headlines the Flynn next month, or Lucas Zelnick and Maria Bamford later in the season. It’s not a leap to think Vermont Comedy Arts might one day pay similar dividends for comedy artists and fans — and, just maybe, other venues around the state.

In the following pages, you’ll read about dozens of artists of regional, national and international renown who are on their way to thrill audiences all over Vermont in the coming months. You’ll find iconic singer-songwriters and genre-smashing jazz players; a theater performance so moving it requires a decompression area after the show; dancers and circus artists redefining the limits of human athleticism and creativity. There’s also a purple puppet who swears a lot.

But here’s the thing: Every single one of them started on a stage that’s probably not so different from what awaits audiences in the basement of a defunct bar on Main Street in Burlington. In the past several years, following a pandemic and seemingly unending social and political strife, we’ve learned how fragile our institutions are. That’s especially true in the arts — just ask our friends in the Burlington music scene grappling with the closures of cornerstone venues Radio Bean and Nectar’s.

So when a new theater opens, even a tiny one — and even if it’s not entirely clear when it will actually open — it’s reason for celebration. Because to see the importance of those places, one need look no further than the marquees of our grandest ones and remember that everyone starts somewhere.

DAN BO LLE S

COURTESY

Performing arts preview Waterwell: The Ford/Hill Project

Wednesday, September 30, and Thursday, October 1, 7:30 p.m., at Wright Memorial Theatre, Middlebury College. $5-30. middlebury.edu/events

Art isn’t always pretty. It often entertains and amuses, but it can also present uncomfortable truths, as in the case of The Ford/Hill Project. Created by stage and screen actor Elizabeth Marvel and director/choreographer Lee Sunday Evans of New York City theater company Waterwell, the play juxtaposes the testimonies of Anita Hill and Christine Blasey Ford in the Senate confirmation hearings of U.S. Supreme Court Justices Clarence Thomas and Brett Kavanaugh.

Dialogue is drawn verbatim from the hearings. To augment authenticity, the four cast members wear earpieces that allow them to listen to the testimony and deliver their lines in tandem with the person they play. In 1991, Hill recounted claims of sexual harassment by her former boss, Thomas; in 2018, Blasey Ford testified that Kavanaugh had sexually assaulted her when they were in high school.

Listening to their testimonies side by side, Marvel told Vogue, “you see how many of the same players are in both hearings. You have the Lindsey Grahams, the Joe Bidens — so many people present in both. And then you realize so many of them are saying exactly the same thing.”

“The Ford/Hill Project,” writes website DC Theater Arts, “performs one of theater’s most noble and necessary functions: to shine a light on character itself, to attune the populace to how a person’s acts betoken who they are, and to prompt the polis to pay attention.”

A 30-minute conversation follows the 70-minute performance at Middlebury College’s Wright Memorial Theatre. In addition, the theater will offer a “professionally staffed decompression space.”

Samantha Bee: “How to Survive Menopause”

Friday, February 5, 7:30 p.m., at Lebanon Opera House in Lebanon, N.H. $42.50-52.50. lebanonoperahouse.org

Launched as an off-Broadway show in 2024, “How to Survive Menopause” is part standup comedy, part public service announcement — for the women who endure it and their loved ones who experience it vicariously through them.

Also try…

Also try…

All Things Equal: The Life & Trials of Ruth Bader Ginsburg: Michelle Azar stars as the Notorious RBG in this unconventional biographical play about the late Supreme Court justice. Thursday, September 24, 7 p.m., at the Flynn in Burlington. $37.75-63. flynnvt.org Tartuffe: Middlebury Acting Company plucks Molière’s iconic con man from 17thcentury Paris and drops him in present-day New England in a modern retelling of the comedic classic. Thursday, November 5, through Sunday, November 15, at Town Hall Theater in Middlebury. $15-39. townhalltheater.org

K E N PI C A R D

Sam Jay: For topical comedy with edge and empathy, don’t miss this Emmynominated former “Saturday Night Live” writer and host of “Pause With Sam Jay.” Thursday, October 22, 6:30 p.m.; and Friday, October 23, and Saturday, October 24, 6:30 & 8:30 p.m., at Vermont Comedy Club in Burlington. $25. vermontcomedyclub.com

George Emilio Sanchez and Patty Ortiz: To E Pluribus Unum, With Love: This multimedia theatrical work interrogates the ideal of America through conversations between an Indigenous character and historical figures ranging from Jesus to Abraham Lincoln to Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Thursday, January 21, and Friday, January 22, 7:30 p.m., at Daryl Roth Studio Theater, Hopkins Center for the Arts, Dartmouth College, in Hanover, N.H. $24-40. hop.dartmouth.edu Furlough’s Paradise: Inseparable as children, cousins reunite as adults and explore how their lives drastically diverged in Vermont Stage’s production of a.k. payne’s two-hander. Thursday, March 18, through Sunday, April 4, at Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center in Burlington. $34-54. vermontstage.org

Adam Conover: Appearing a week after the election, the creator of the Netflix docuseries “The G Word With Adam Conover,” about how the federal government works, will have some thoughts. Thursday, November 12, 6:30 p.m.; and Friday, November 13, and Saturday, November 14, 6:30 & 8:30 p.m., at Vermont Comedy Club in Burlington. $30. vermontcomedyclub.com Josie Leavitt, “Trigger Warnings: A Comedy About Death”: The matriarch of Vermont’s comedy scene debuts her new one-woman show on the most taboo subject of all.

Friday, April 16, and Saturday, April 17, 8 p.m., at Flynn Space in Burlington. $18.50-29.25. flynnvt.org Maria Bamford: The comic, best-selling author and voice actor is beloved for her idiosyncratic and deeply personal comedy. Saturday, May 8, 6:30 p.m., at the Flynn in Burlington. $42.50-96. flynnvt.org

MARY AN N LI C KT E I G

COURTESY OF EMILIO MADRID

When Samantha Bee was in her mid-forties, she started crying for no reason, chocolate tasted like cat turds, and whenever she went out in public without makeup, people asked if she had cancer.

She didn’t. Bee was perimenopausal, in the transition phase before menopause.

At the time, the Emmy Award-winning comedian, writer, producer and television host knew little about what she now calls “reverse puberty,” due to the cultural taboos and dearth of information surrounding the hormonal changes that women in their forties and fifties typically experience.

“There is so much practical advice out there for every problem you can imagine,” Bee says in her one-woman show “How to Survive Menopause.” “You can go online and find out how to survive tornadoes, zombie attacks, an erection that lasts more than four hours. But when it comes to menopause, everyone’s like, ‘I don’t know. Have you tried water?’”

Bee has had an impressive career of bringing her rapid-fire comedic insights to hard-to-joke-about subjects such as gun violence, abortion and immigration enforcement. She rose to fame in 2003 as a correspondent on Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart,” then left after 11 years to host her own series, “Full Frontal With Samantha Bee,” which ran seven seasons on TBS. Time magazine once listed her among its “Top 100 Most Influential People,” and the New York Times called her “fiery and fierce” for the agility with which she tackles hard truths and societal double standards.

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Friday, December 11, 7:30 p.m., University of Vermont Recital Hall in Burlington. $5-45. uvm.edu/laneseries

Since 2007, Boston’s Lorelei Ensemble have been one of the preeminent vocal groups in the country. Singing early music and newly commissioned classical works alike, the all-female choir of deeply accomplished singers champions a mission that extends well beyond the concert hall.

The ensemble’s repertoire of live and recorded material highlights the power and character of the female voice while speaking to broader cultural themes and moments — for instance, in composer Julia Wolfe’s Her Story, a setting of key texts from the history of the women’s rights movement. Lorelei’s deep roster of collaborators includes artists and thinkers from an array of genres and disciplines.

Most important of all, Lorelei aim to educate and inspire new generations of singers and artists with what the Boston

COURTESY OF EBRU YILDIZ

Lorelei Ensemble

Globe called “impeccable musicality and pure-voiced precision.”

For a December appearance at the Lane Series, Lorelei Ensemble present their winter solstice program, a secular seasonal celebration featuring a blend of traditional and contemporary works.

Also try…

D.B.

Maiden Vermont: Music Can Change the World: Specializing in close harmony, Middlebury’s 35-member female a cappella group presents a program of uplifting tunes.

Saturday, October 24, 7 p.m., and Sunday, October 25, 2 p.m., at Town Hall Theater in Middlebury. $10-20. townhalltheater.org Choir of Clare College, Cambridge: The renowned mixed-voice choir performs sacred choral music from around the world.

Thursday, December 17, 7 p.m., KCP Presents at Fuller Hall, St. Johnsbury Academy. $1849; free for students. catamountarts.org

traditions. Thursday, December 17, 7 p.m., at Chandler Center for the Arts in Randolph. $20-40; students, $10; free for ages 12 and under. chandler-arts.org

Windborne: Music of Midwinter: The New England vocal quartet presents seasonal music from U.S. and British Isles folk

Ndlovu Youth Choir: This South African ensemble grew out of an afterschool program for vulnerable children in 2009 and

Thursday, January 28, and Friday, January 29, 7:30 p.m., at Daryl Roth Studio Theater, Hopkins Center for the Arts, Dartmouth College, in Hanover, N.H. $12-40. hop.dartmouth.edu

Ananta is a Sanskrit word meaning “without end” or “infinite.” It can also refer to a number of figures and concepts across Hindu, Yogic and Jain traditions, from describing one of the four states of being to the snake on which Vishnu rests in the cosmic Ocean of Milk to the sneaky serpent who assumed human form and taught humanity yoga.

Got all that?

For Ragamala Dance Company, the multifaceted term is a guiding principle of its critically acclaimed show Ananta, the Eternal, which debuted in 2024 and began touring earlier this year. Through classical bharata natyam choreography as well as musical and physical improvisation, dancers and sisters Aparna and Ashwini Ramaswamy explore connections between the earthly and the celestial.

The show marks the sisters’ first duet with Ragamala, the South Indian dance company founded by their mother, Ranee, in 1992. The New York Times has called Aparna’s work “rapturous and profound,” while Ashwini “wove together, both fearfully and joyfully, the human and the divine” in a solo show. Mom is surely proud.

Also try…

D.B.

BalletX: The New York Times described this contemporary ballet as “three-dimensional dancing that you feel as you watch.” Sunday, October 4, 7 p.m., at the Flynn in Burlington. $24.75-63. flynnvt.org Noli Timere: Large-scale sculpture and choreography combine in this stunning aerial dance performance.

Friday, October 9, 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, October 10, 2 p.m., at the Moore Theater, Hopkins Center for the Arts,

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SEVEN DAYS SEPTEMBER 16-23, 2026

Dartmouth College, in Hanover, N.H. $35-55. hop.dartmouth.edu Dorrance Dance: MacArthur fellow Michelle Dorrance leads this groundbreaking tap-dance ensemble. Friday, November 6, 7 p.m., KCP Presents at Lyndon Institute Auditorium in Lyndon Center. $18-65; free for students. catamountarts.org Yaa Samar! Dance Theatre: The nuances of Arab male friendship inform the latest work from Palestinian American choreographer Samar Haddad King.

Friday, March 5, and Saturday, March 6, 7:30 p.m., at Mahaney Arts Center at Middlebury College. $5-30. middlebury.edu

COURTESY OF KYLE FLUBACKER

Ragamala Dance Company: Ananta, the Eternal

has inspired audiences around the world with its powerful music and choreography.

Saturday, April 24, 2 p.m., at Spaulding Auditorium, Hopkins Center for the Arts, Dartmouth College, in Hanover, N.H. $15-25. hop.dartmouth.edu. Sunday, April 25, 6 p.m., at the Flynn in Burlington. $22-63. flynnvt.org

COURTESY

Performing arts preview

Healthy volunteers aged 65-75 years needed for a research study on food and the brain.

Up to 3-month-long study that includes screening and a 4-week study. All food is provided and compensation up to $1000 if all visits are completed.

To learn more please email dietandbrain@uvm.edu.

Larner College of Medicine Clinical Neuroscience Research Unit 6h-UVMDeptPsych(Fatty65-70)081226.indd 1

Randy Feltface: “Gimmick”

Saturday, October 10, 7 p.m., at the Flynn in Burlington, $39.50-92. flynnvt.org.

Sunday, October 11, 7:30 p.m., at Lebanon Opera House in Lebanon, N.H. $38-58. lebanonoperahouse.org

Randy Feltface is what a Muppet would be like if he moved to Australia, got a dual degree in philosophy and comparative literature, then went sober and vegan and became a standup comic.

To the uninitiated, Randy Feltface, aka Randy the Purple Puppet, is created and voiced by Aussie comedian and puppeteer Heath McIvor. Despite his resemblance to a wide-eyed lavender turtle with a wrinkly neck and no nose, ears or eyebrows, Randy is remarkably expressive and lifelike.

“Some of you may have never seen me before. There’s probably a couple of you wondering what the fuck is going on right now,” Randy says at the beginning of “Randy Writes a Novel,” his 2018 standup special. “A couple of people up the back probably regretting smoking that spliff before they came in.”

But audience members catch on fast.

Randy’s three-minute summary of the life of Ernest Hemingway — “the quintessential antihero; the talented, charismatic, belligerent, suicidal, alcoholic genius that can’t keep his dick in his trousers, [who] still found time to write about 15 books!”

— is worth a YouTube search on its own.

Erudite, hilariously irreverent and brilliantly executed, Randy Feltface is emotive physical comedy with a message.

The Arts Desk declared his 2022 performance at Edinburgh Fringe “clever, inventive and thought-provoking as well as being snortingly funny.” The Scotsman

called him “gifted with manic muppet energy and colourful vocabulary.”

Needless to say, the purple plushie works blue, so this show isn’t recommended for children or the easily offended.

Also try …

K . P.

8/10/26 10:08 AM

WHO OWNS YOUR IT COMPANY? The answer may surprise you.

Over the past several years, many familiar Vermont IT companies have changed ownership. While the name on the building may still be the same, the people making the decisions may now be hundreds - or even thousands of miles away. At Technology Consultants, Inc. (TCI), We’ve chosen a different path.

WE’RE STILL PROUDLY VERMONT OWNED • Locally-owned and operated

Kendall Farrell: Before moving to New York City and writing viral jokes about the gender spectrum, the Vermont native cut his teeth on local stages. Thursday, October 15, and Friday, October 16, 6:30 p.m.; and Saturday, October 17, 6:30 & 8:30 p.m., at Vermont Comedy Club in Burlington. $15-20. vermontcomedyclub.com

• 40 years’ of service to Vermont businesses

Now Clap! Bob the Drag Queen’s on Tour: Don’t miss this Broadway star, New York Times best-selling author and “RuPaul’s Drag Race” winner, who describes himself as “hilarious, beautiful, talented, and humble.” Saturday, October 17, 6 p.m., at the Flynn in Burlington. $39.50-150.50. flynnvt.org

Set up a complimentary business IT consultation with our

• Local leadership and decision-making • Experienced local technicians • A company invested in Vt. communities

FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT, MICHAEL SERVIDIO. Whether you’re evaluating your current IT provider or simply planning for the future, this free, no-obligation conversation can help you gain clarity and confidence about your technology.

Peter Antoniou: Pretty Psychic Tour: We see hilarity in your future with this British comedian and psychic whose act melds standup and mind reading.

Friday, October 23, 7:30 p.m., at Lebanon Opera House in Lebanon, N.H. $30-40. lebanonoperahouse.org Matt Braunger: You’ve seen this veteran comedian and actor everywhere from “Mad TV” to “Garfunkel and Oates.”

Thursday, December 10, 6:30 p.m.; and Friday, December 11, and Saturday, December 12, 6:30 & 8:30 p.m., at Vermont Comedy Club in Burlington. $25. vermontcomedyclub.com

SCAN TO SCHEDULE

802.865.4409 • www.tcivt.net • info@tcivt.net 3v-TCITech081926.indd 1

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COURTESY OF PATRICK DONOVAN

Judy Collins: The Sweet Judy Blue Eyes Farewell Tour With the Vermont Symphony Orchestra Saturday, November 14, 7 p.m., at Paramount Theatre in Rutland. $70-175. paramountvt.org

It’s been a glittering six-decade career for folk musician Judy Collins. She’s left an indelible mark with songs such as her 1967 rendition of Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now,” which helped catapult both women to fame, and her massive 1975 hit “Send in the Clowns.”

Known for a gorgeous soprano voice that inspired poet Richard Fariña to describe her singing as “not terribly unlike the melodies you’d hear if jewels like amethysts could bloom,” Collins has also been a strong advocate for social justice and activism throughout her career. And she inspired the Crosby, Stills & Nash hit “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes,” written by her former lover Stephen Stills in an attempt to win her back.

The tribute failed to convince Collins, but it left a sweet enough memory for her to name her farewell tour after the song. The Sweet Judy Blue Eyes Farewell Tour is billed as the singer’s final romp on the road, though she hasn’t written off playing live again in the future. For the tour’s lone Vermont date, Collins is backed by the Vermont Symphony Orchestra.

CH RIS FARNSW ORTH

COURTESY OF SIMON MCCLURE

Gravity & Other Myths: Ten Thousand Hours

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Also try…

Ann Wilson: The founder and lead singer of iconic rockers Heart will go crazy on you if you miss this show.

Tuesday, October 6, 7:30 p.m., at the Flynn in Burlington. $52.75-105.25. flynnvt.org.

Lucinda Williams: On her new album, World’s Gone Wrong, the “Car Wheels on a Gravel Road” singer turns her formidable songwriting gaze to modern politics.

Thursday, October 8, 7:30 p.m., at Lebanon Opera House in Lebanon, N.H. $69.50-79.50. lebanonoperahouse.org Suzanne Vega: The “Luka” and “Tom’s Diner” singer tours behind her critically acclaimed 2025 album, Flying With Angels. Friday, October 23, 8 p.m., at Barre Opera House. $29-195. barreoperahouse.org Dom Flemons & the Traveling Wildfires: The Grammywinning Carolina Chocolate Drops founder leads a string-band supergroup with members of Old Crow Medicine Show, New Dangerfield and Gangstagrass in this Lane Series show. Friday, October 23, 7:30 p.m., at the University of Vermont Recital Hall in Burlington. $5-35. uvm.edu/laneseries

Tuesday, April 13, 6 p.m., at the Flynn in Burlington. $22-63. flynnvt.org.

Thursday, April 15, and Friday, April 16, 7:30 p.m.; and Saturday, April 17, 2 p.m., at the Moore Theater, Hopkins Center for the Arts, Dartmouth College, in Hanover, N.H. $21-60. hop.dartmouth.edu

and each other.” The Guardian is more succinct: There’s “a good bit with a trick shot of throwing a water bottle and getting it to land upright,” the UK paper writes.

“Then, of course, the troupe casually do the same thing with people.”

In his 2008 book Outliers: The Story of Success, Malcolm Gladwell popularized the idea of the 10,000-hour rule: Mastering any skill requires at least 10,000 hours of practice. Eight acrobats and a musician from Australian circus company Gravity & Other Myths pay homage to such dedication in Ten Thousand Hours.

The company started as “just a bunch of mates hanging out and playing” and doing circus training together as kids, founding member and director Lachlan Binns recalled in a video. When they graduated from training, they put together a show, and, in 2009, the troupe was born.

About four years later, members planned to disband and get on with their lives, but someone in a tiny audience in a tiny town had a connection to the Edinburgh Fringe.

So they went — and sold out shows. “Real jobs” remain on the back burner.

Ten Thousand Hours incorporates improv, audience participation and humor. In this family-friendly offering, writes Edinburgh magazine Fest, “the ensemble eschews gimmicks and clumsy plots for a series of displays that variously expose the workings behind the balances and bundles, occasionally exploding into intense choreographic sequences that suggest the levels of trust and confidence that the performers have in themselves

Also try…

M.A.L.

The Baffo Box Show: A Compact Cardboard Comedy: What’s in the box? Audiences of all ages will discover a heady mix of puppetry, comedy and Dadaist ventriloquism in this production from Vermont’s Modern Times Theater. Saturday, September 26, 3 & 7 p.m., at York Street Meeting House in Lyndonville. $10-15; free for kids 5 and under. catamountarts.org Cirque Alfonse: “La Noce”: Caribbean rhythms and Québécois folk music unite with ’70s vibes in the latest acrobatic romp from this Canadian circus troupe. Thursday, October 8, 7 p.m., at the Flynn in Burlington. $24.75-63. flynnvt.org Peking Acrobats: Chinese tradition meets modern athleticism when this internationally renowned company touches down in Vermont. Friday, March 26, 7 p.m., KCP Presents at Dibden Center for the Arts, Vermont State University-Johnson; and Saturday, March 27, 7 p.m., KCP Presents at Alumni Gymnasium, Vermont State University-Lyndon, in Lyndonville. $32-42. catamountarts.org HanUnder Arts Festival: Music, dance, theater, poetry and other performances that defy categorization highlight this annual three-day public festival. Thursday, April 29, to Saturday, May 1, at Hopkins Center for the Arts, Dartmouth College, in Hanover, N.H. Free. hop.dartmouth.edu

Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays + quiet Mondays / 10 am – 5 pm

Sept 11 – Oct 11, 2026

SEP 19 | THE LULLABY PROJECT

SEP 26 | BOB & SARAH AMOS BAND OCT 17 | VERMONT PHILHARMONIC

Patty Hudak, Kites and Darts 1, 2023

Kents’ Corner State Historic Site 7 Old West Church Road, Calais, VT

OCT 9 | BOB MARLEY

With media support from

OCT 24 | MYRA FLYNN

NOV 7 | THE LOGGER WITH PATRICK ROSS

Vermont writers present their work

Don’t Forget to Write Vievee Francis Matthew Olzmann

FALL 2026

Please visit kentscorner.org for more information

Reception to follow at the Throughlines exhibit OLD WEST CHURCH 758 Old West Church Road, Calais, Vermont

HIGHLANDARTSVT.ORG 4t-HCA091626 1

Photo: Mary Elder Jacobsen

Margarita Corporan

SEPTEMBER 20

9/14/26 3:31 PM

4t-VTStateCurator091626 1

4th ANNUAL

8/6/26 12:53 PM

CABOT CHEESE AND CULTURE FESTIVAL SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26TH 12-5PM, 2026

CABOT, VERMONT

Featuring VERMONT CHEESEMAKERS and PRODUCERS OF FERMENTED FOODS AND BEVERAGES

Come for the Cheese, Stay for the Culture!

FREE TO THE PUBLIC WWW.CABOTARTS.ORG 4t-girlsniteout091629 1

9/11/26 4:20 PM

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SEVEN DAYS SEPTEMBER 16-23, 2026

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Welcome to Night Vale: Murder Night in Blood Forest

Friday, December 4, 7 p.m., at Spruce Peak Arts in Stowe. $34.89-38.10. sprucepeakarts.org

Sometimes, a podcast nails the pop-culture moment so perfectly that its universe expands into other art forms. Such is the case with “Welcome to Night Vale,” an absurdist supernatural fiction podcast (turned novel turned stage show) from the super-brain of creative wizards Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor.

Hailed by the Guardian as “a place where a love of the bizarre meets a love of language,” the podcast captures imaginations with a simple but unique premise: We’re listening to a community radio broadcast for a fictional desert town in the American Southwest. In Night Vale, every kooky conspiracy theory and bone-chilling urban legend that’s ever entered the paranormal zeitgeist is real. (Think Bigfoot, UFOs, time travel … all those freaky subjects of which Rod Serling would surely approve.)

Since its 2012 inception, the podcast has evolved into nine distinct theatrical tours, totaling 400 individual live events globally — including its current production, Murder Night in Blood Forest. You don’t have to be a superfan to enjoy this stand-alone plot following a former teen militia member working to solve the mystery of a masked murderer bumping off carefree party people. As host Cecil Baldwin frequently reminds us, “If you see something, say nothing, and drink to forget.”

RE BE C C A DRI S C O LL

Also try …

Maryna Krut

Also try…

For as long as there has been folk music, it has documented the best and worst of humanity. No matter the era or origin, it is music of the people, chronicling love and loss, triumph and tragedy, struggle and transcendence.

For most of her career, Maryna Krut interpreted the centuries-old folk traditions of her native Ukraine with a step of remove, modernizing its music with an almost anthropological approach. Since the Russian invasion of her homeland in 2022, however, the singer and bandura virtuoso no longer merely preserves Ukraine’s folk music history. She’s become part of it.

Krut, 30, grew up steeped in music and drew early attention for appearances on the Ukrainian versions of “The X Factor” and “The Voice.” Armed with her bandura — a Ukrainian stringed instrument that resembles a zither or lute — she’s now something of a modern-day bard, traveling to the front lines to perform for Ukrainian troops and relating what’s happening in Ukraine to audiences around the world.

D. B. SEVEN DAYS SEPTEMBER 16-23, 2026

Manual Cinema: The 4th Witch: Shakespeare’s Macbeth inspired this fantastical production that fuses shadow puppetry, cinema techniques and innovative sound design. Friday, January 15, 7:30 p.m.; and Saturday, January 16, 2 p.m., at the Moore Theater, Hopkins Center for the Arts, Dartmouth College, in Hanover, N.H. $35-55. hop.dartmouth.edu

Ordinary Elephant: Rich storytelling, delicate harmonies and instrumental skill recommend this award-winning Americana duo — as do the likes of folk legends Mary Gauthier and Tom Paxton.

Friday, October 2, 7 p.m., at York Street Meeting House in Lyndonville. $15-20; free for students. catamountarts.org Stash Wyslouch: Fusing heavy metal, jazz and bluegrass, the Polish Colombian guitarist does “things that just don’t seem possible on acoustic instruments,” according to guitarist Billy Strings.

Saturday, October 24, 7 p.m., at Chandler Center for the Arts in Randolph. $20-40. chandler-arts.org Punch Brothers: Mandolinist extraordinaire Chris Thile leads this transcendent group that the Washington Post credits with taking “bluegrass to its next evolutionary stage.” Sunday, November 8, 7 p.m., at Paramount Theatre in Rutland. $59-99. paramountvt.org Stundom: With style, charm and uncommon skill, this Danish trio explores Scandinavian folk music tradition through a modern lens. Thursday, March 4, 7 p.m., KCP Presents at Highland Center for the Arts in Greensboro. $40; free for students. catamountarts.org COURTESY

Friday, November 13, 7:30 p.m., at Mahaney Arts Center, Middlebury College. $5-30. middlebury.edu/events

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Golden Girls: The Laughs Continue: Saucy seniors Sophia, Blanche, Rose and Dorothy are back — and somehow still alive in 2026 — in this riotous presentday drag tribute to the classic sitcom.

Friday, November 20, 7 p.m., at Lebanon Opera House in Lebanon, N.H. $38-58. lebanonoperahouse.org

Miss Holmes: Sherlock Homes and Dr. Watson are reimagined as Victorian women in this rousing Vermont Stage murder mystery. Thursday, January 28, to Sunday, February 14, at Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center in Burlington. $39-59. vermontstage.org The Getaway Driver: Northern Stage hosts the world premiere of this crime thriller based on a true story.

Wednesday, February 3, to Sunday, February 21, at Barrette Center for the Arts in White River Junction. $10-81. northernstage.org

CELEBRATION SERIES UNDERWRITER

The ROBERT CRAY BAND 9/19

BOH PRESENTS UNDERWRITER

The LIGHTFOOT BAND 10/10

PUPPY PALS LIVE 10/3

SAMANTHA FISH 11/13

JUSTON MCKINNEY 10/17

SUZANNE VEGA 10/23

VOICES OF IRELAND 11/14

GIBSON BROTHERS - 12/11

SOLAS 3/5

YELLOW BRICK ROAD 10/16

CHOIR! CHOIR! CHOIR! 11/7

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LA FAMILLE LEBLANC 4/2

BRONWYN KEITH HYNE5 2/6

SWEET CAROLINE 4/9

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SEVEN DAYS SEPTEMBER 16-23, 2026

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COURTESY OF PEDRO SÁNCHEZ

The Ivalas Quartet

Sunday, January 24, 3 p.m., Northeast Kingdom Classical Series at Grace United Methodist Church in St. Johnsbury. $6-20. catamountarts.org, nekclassicalseries.org

The Ivalas Quartet formed in 2017 with the aim to change the face of classical music and highlight the work of BIPOC composers past and present alongside the likes of, well, centuries-dead white guys.

The group’s CV would be the envy of many emerging string quartets: Following a residency under the tutelage of the Takács Quartet at the University of Colorado-Boulder, Ivalas was the graduate resident string quartet at the Juilliard School, studying with the Juilliard String Quartet.

The group was the first Fellowship Ensemble of the Kaufman Music Center in New York City and a resident ensemble of the New York Philharmonic’s Very Young Composers program. It works closely with public schools around the country through educational organizations such as the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and New Latin Wave, also in NYC. For its Northeast Kingdom Classical Series appearance, the Ivalas Quartet presents works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven — you’ve heard of them, right? — as well as a string quartet

by Venezuela’s Teresa Carreño (1853-1917), aka the “Valkyrie of the Piano,” who is regarded as one of the first South American composers of Hispanic descent.

D. B .

Also try…

Trio Bohémo: This young Prague trio is quickly becoming an international chamber music sensation. Friday, October 16, 7:30 p.m., Lane Series at the University of Vermont Recital Hall in Burlington. $5-40. uvm.edu/laneseries Kronos Quartet: Three Bones: Hearing the US: In a special commission, the famed quartet honors America’s 250th with a provocative multimedia performance of music, storytelling, video and visual art. Friday, October 23, 7 p.m., at Spaulding Auditorium, Hopkins Center for the Arts, Dartmouth College, in Hanover, N.H. $40-70. hop.dartmouth.edu

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Katarina Quartet: The New York City string quartet presents “The Rest Will Change,” an exploration of European, Asian and Québécois classical music.

Friday, November 6, 7:30 p.m., at Mahaney Arts Center, Middlebury College. Free. middlebury.edu Imani Winds: Through innovation and peerless skill, this Grammy-winning quintet redefines the boundaries of wind ensembles. With Stewart Goodyear, Wednesday, November 18, 7:30 p.m., at Mahaney Arts Center, Middlebury College. $5-30. middlebury.edu/events. Wednesday, April 7, 5 & 7:30 p.m. ($18-40); with BodyVox, Thursday, April 8, and Friday, April 9, 7:30 p.m. ($35-60); and KidsHop Family Show (free), Saturday, April 11, 11 a.m., at Hopkins Center for the Arts, Dartmouth College, in Hanover, N.H. hop.dartmouth.edu

Wednesday, February 3, 7:30 p.m., at Spaulding Auditorium, Hopkins Center for the Arts, Dartmouth College, in Hanover, N.H. $45-75. hop.dartmouth.edu

in 2019 and won the Banff International String Quartet Competition just three years later.

Pianist Billy Childs is one of America’s most decorated composers. Moving between Western neoclassical traditions and modern jazz, he has developed a style he’s dubbed “jazz/chamber.” Along the way, Childs has amassed 17 Grammy Award nominations and six wins, including Best Jazz Instrumental Album in 2024 for his record The Winds of Change.

He’s collaborated with everyone from cellist supreme Yo-Yo Ma to jazz master Chick Corea to rock stars such as Sting.

Now 70, Childs was a prodigy who started his career as a teenager in the 1970s Los Angeles jazz scene. He joined legendary trumpet player Freddie Hubbard’s band when he just 21, began releasing records on the hallowed Windham Hill Jazz label in the ’80s and never looked back. On the aptly named Triumvirate, his first trio album in 25 years, Childs revisits material from early in his career alongside imaginative covers of Miles Davis, Benny Golson and Thelonious Monk.

Past and present prodigies join forces when Childs’ Jazz Chamber Ensemble and New York City’s Isidore String Quartet perform at the Hopkins Center for the Arts. The members of the latter group met as students at the Juilliard School

Also try…

C .F.

House of Jazz Festival: John Pizzarelli’s tribute to the late Tony Bennett is a highlight of this inaugural three-day fest.

Friday, October 9, to Sunday, October 11, at Town Hall Theater in Middlebury. $10-250. townhalltheater.org Julia Keefe Indigenous Big Band: Hailed as a “songbird of a jazz vocalist” by the New York Times, Keefe celebrates the legacy of Indigenous musicians in jazz. Wednesday, October 14, 7:30 p.m., at Spaulding Auditorium, Hopkins Center for the Arts, Dartmouth College, in Hanover, N.H. $3045. hop.dartmouth.edu John Scofield’s ELECTROSPECTIVE: The three-time Grammy Award-winning jazz guitarist and composer revisits his popular fusion groove projects with an all-star band. Saturday, November 14, 7:30 p.m., at Lebanon Opera House in Lebanon, N.H. $69.50-79.50. lebanonoperahouse.org.

Wednesday, November 18, 7:30 p.m., at the Flynn in Burlington. $32-69.75. flynnvt.org House of Waters: Max ZT— aka the “Jimi Hendrix of the hammered dulcimer,” according to NPR — leads this innovative, Grammy-nominated jazz trio. Wednesday, April 7, 7:30 p.m., at Mahaney Arts Center, Middlebury College. $5-30. middlebury. edu/events

Real People. Real Jobs.

Meet employers, collaborators and recruiters face-to-face at the…

PRESENT

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24 • HULA, BURLINGTON • FREE CAREER+TECH EXPO: 10 A.M.-3 P.M. PRESENTATIONS: 11 A.M. & 1 P.M.

At the annual career and tech expo, talk with dozens of exhibitors who are looking for local hires with expertise in engineering, manufacturing, coding, digital marketing and more. Representatives from Vermont colleges and universities will offer a wide array of tech-related opportunities. Don’t miss a special presentation at 1 p.m. from Dartmouth professor Hany Farid, a leading expert on deepfakes recently featured in the New York Times.

NEED A PRE-JAM PEP TALK? FILE: DARIA BISHOP

Prepare to maximize your time on Tech Jam day by attending a free, virtual Tech Jam Boot Camp with career coach Sue Schlom of the Targeted Resume a week prior, on Friday, October 16, noon-1 p.m. Register online.

INSTANT HEADSHOT LOUNGE:

RESUME REVIEW:

Come camera-ready and get a professional profile pic by Storyworkz. Book by 10/23 for a discounted $15 session. Limited walk-ups.

At Tech Jam, drop in on the Targeted Resume for a free 15-minute session on your resume and job search.

EXHIBITOR LIST AND REGISTRATION:

techjamvt.com

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food+drink

More-Than-Safe Harbor PHOTOS: DARIA BISHOP

A hotel restaurant that could make waves opens in Burlington B Y J O R D AN BAR RY jbarry@sevendaysvt.com

H

otel restaurants are usually what the kids call a “liminal space,” somewhere meant for passing through. There’s food all day, and time means nothing.

At the Harborvale, which opened July 1 inside the renovated and rebranded hotel of the same name along Burlington’s Battery Street, food is served from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. But there’s at least one distinct time: sunset.

While the ritual is getting earlier and earlier, the Harborvale team doesn’t miss a night. As the sun slips below the Adirondacks, staff gather at a brass bell hung next to the bar and give it a ring. Briefly, the otherwise bustling dining room goes quiet.

Sometimes, people clap.

The restaurant’s view of Lake Champlain is somewhat obscured by trees this time of year, but the bell is just one way that the 161-room hotel has strengthened its connection to its surroundings — and its quality. Modeled after a grand lake house, the Harborvale is now part of the Autograph Collection, Marriott Bonvoy’s category for independent, upscale, boutiquey hotels. As with Hotel Vermont next door on Cherry Street, it’s locally owned and operated by Westport Hospitality.

The property was previously one of Marriott’s more basic Courtyard hotels, though it offered more amenities than most, including its sorta-fancy restaurant, Bleu Northeast Kitchen.

Bleu was no slouch. But dining at the Harborvale is a big step up. More than

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Pork belly, snap peas and violet mustard at the Harborvale

just good for a hotel, it’s one of the most interesting restaurants to open in Burlington this year. From the sunset bell to pork belly with electric-purple mustard artfully splattered on handmade ceramic plates, it’s a breath of fresh lake air.

Doug Paine, executive chef of Westport Hospitality, has been with the company for more than 13 years. The Northeast Kingdom native joined before Hotel Vermont opened and has been the chef-in-charge at both Bleu and Juniper Bar & Restaurant.

Rather than a specific restaurant concept, the Harborvale’s menu is defined, broadly, “by nostalgia,” Paine said. Most dishes have a story, often a personal one. In

Barista and bar lead Juliette Dill ringing the sunset bell

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Ahmed Omar in 2019

Kismayo Kitchen Closes in BTV and FEMA Buys Out Property Somali American restaurant KISMAYO

KITCHEN, founded by the late Ahmed

Omar, has closed at 505 Riverside Avenue in Burlington, although Omar’s widow, ANISA MOHAMED, said she is looking for a new home for the restaurant. Scott Gustin, the city’s principal planner and zoning division manager, confirmed that the small red building is slated for demolition, most likely next year, as part of a Federal Emergency Management Agency hazard mitigation grant buyout.

A geotechnical assessment showed that “the property includes an unstable slope and the building is at risk of slide,” Gustin said. The plot at the corner of Riverside Avenue and Intervale Road will be converted into green space.

Gustin already managed a similar buyout of 389 Riverside Avenue but said he has not heard of other potential buyouts on the stretch.

The property’s owner, Cheryl Strenio, bought 505 Riverside Avenue in 2016 and operated her Little Red Kitchen café there before renting it to Kismayo Kitchen’s late chef-owner in 2019. Strenio now makes CHEF CHERYL’S PARMESAN DIP on a limited basis and sells it directly and at PAUL MAZZA’S FRUITS AND VEGETABLES in Essex.

Serious erosion of the bank behind the Riverside Avenue building led Strenio to apply for the FEMA buyout program almost eight years ago. “The last few storms have really wreaked havoc,” she said. She declined to share

the amount of the buyout beyond describing it as fair market value.

Kismayo Kitchen was known as much for its owner’s warm, friendly energy and community involvement as it was for its Somali coconut chicken stew and Philly cheesesteaks. Three months after Omar died unexpectedly in his sleep on August 13, 2023, at the age of 36, Mohamed reopened the restaurant with the help of family and friends.

By May 2026, Mohamed had decided she needed to focus on her studies to become a pharmacist and on the couple’s two young daughters. She arranged to sell Kismayo Kitchen to husbandand-wife team Abbas Mohamed (no relation) and Mashaer Ebaid.

The couple operated Kismayo Kitchen for a few months, but “that didn’t go so well,” Strenio said. Anisa Mohamed confirmed by text from Minnesota, where she now lives, that the sale was never finalized and she still owns Kismayo Kitchen. She said she has new operators who might reopen temporarily at 505 Riverside Avenue, but together they are seeking a new Burlington restaurant space.

“Kismayo Kitchen is for Vermonters

by Vermonters. It’s here to stay,” Mohamed said. “It’s not about money, it’s about my husband’s legacy. As long as that name is in Vermont, it makes me happy.”

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On Instagram: Jordan Barry: @jordankbarry; Melissa Pasanen: @mpasanen.

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PHOTOS: DARIA BISHOP

putting those stories on a plate, he seems to be having more fun than ever.

It helps that Paine, 49, has assembled an all-star opening team. Joining him on the line are sous chef Max Baker, previously of the Farmhouse Group; Lahi Ibrahim, former chef de cuisine at August First; and longtime Burlington-area chef Phil Clayton, who’s back in the kitchen part time.

There’s a lot on offer at the Harborvale: morning barista service, breakfast, brunch, light fare for lunch, afternoon snacks, dinner, a bar menu available late night and room service all the while. Later this month, the team will launch a chef’s tasting menu in the private dining room, which seats up to 14 people.

I went for dinner at 7 p.m. on a Tuesday and was immediately shown to a table along the north wall, even though I was 15 minutes early for my reservation. (Roughly half of the restaurant’s 90 seats, including the bar area, are available for walk-ins).

There’s no better place to do nothing than a hotel restaurant, and I was secretly pleased when my dining companion texted that she was still on her way. As I watched and eavesdropped a bit from my plush banquette, a host ushered in a couple, saying, “Welcome back to your table.” They’d been the night before.

Elsewhere, my new-to-the-job but warm and enthusiastic server asked each guest, “Where are you traveling from?”

Roughly half of the Harborvale’s customers are local, Paine estimated. The restaurant can track the breakdown based on who charges dinner to their rooms, though it’s not a flawless system.

Feeling as if I were on vacation myself, I ordered a Seaside Vesper ($17), made with gin, vodka, Lillet Blanc and kombu. The promise of an umami kick from the dried seaweed drew me in, and I took my first sip as my friend sat down.

“This tastes like swallowing the gentlest mouthful of seawater while swimming in the ocean,” I said, encouraging her to order one, too. She opted for a glass of wine. (The Seaside Vesper has since been swapped out for the Ruby Waves, a mezcal Negroni.)

But the coastal cocktail helped us notice the Harborvale’s “light nautical” décor, as she put it. We decided it was Vermont-does-Maine — Noah Kahan’s Cape Elizabeth album, if you will.

The mast net hung above the bar and driftwood accents had us craving seafood.

When Bleu opened in 2014, fish was the focus; that shifted a bit in December 2020,

Clockwise from top left: Animal Farm butter and semolina bread, Jax Vineyard wine, bucatini with vodka sauce, a Shore Bird mocktail, cornmealcrusted calamari, and duck breast with pine-nut purée and evergreen tips

Doug Paine tossing cornmeal-crusted calamari

when it became Bleu Northeast Kitchen with a wider variety of dishes rooted in New England.

The Harborvale has a similar approach.

Paine doesn’t anticipate serving oysters regularly — he made an agreement with the hotel’s maintenance manager not to, because the sand that washes out as they clean the bivalves clogs the plumbing. But Paine’s mother’s side of the family is from Massachusetts’ South Coast, so he’s got a soft spot for seafood.

We settled on cornmeal-crusted calamari ($17), enticed by a purée at the

bottom of the dish — instead of dipping sauce — made with sweet corn at its sweetest from Pomykala Farm. While the calamari could have arrived slightly hotter, the dish was bright, not greasy.

That’s an homage to Paine’s near-decade at the now-closed Michael’s on the Hill in Waterbury Center, where he developed a foundation in European cuisine.

There, calamari was tossed with Champagne vinegar, diced tomato and red onion.

“It was like a light salad,” he recalled.

So is the Harborvale’s, thanks to the corn and lots of lightly pickled giardiniera,

which played with the traditional New England fried calamari-banana pepper combo.

We also ordered bread ($10), largely because it is served with butter from Shoreham’s much-lauded Animal Farm Creamery. A staple on menus at the French Laundry and other top restaurants across the U.S., the butter’s limited production has made it hard to find here in Vermont.

The Harborvale’s semolina loaf was a worthy vessel for the bright yellow slab of butter. It’s served as a whole demi baguette, without a bread knife — you break off pieces with your hands — in another move inspired by Michael’s on the Hill and by Emily Post, whose etiquette lessons played a big part in behind-thescenes prep for the hotel’s staff.

The Harborvale’s upscale touches aren’t stuffy, but they’re welcome. Lots of new restaurants are embracing nostalgia on their menus in 2026, as customers look for value and predictability. But most are doing it without a fine-dining spin, and the result, Paine thinks, is “a little too casual.”

All the burgers and “classic American” dishes the trend has spurred are a little safe, too. That’s why Paine’s pork belly ($16) stands out. It tastes familiar — a classic German pork-and-mustard pairing with seasonal snap peas — but with a good dose of whimsy. Does the mustard need to be purple? No. Did it delight me?

food+drink You bet. It reminded me, in the best way, of Heinz’s purple ketchup in the early 2000s.

Violet mustard is a traditional French ingredient that’s hard to find now, Paine said. The Harborvale’s is made in house with Dijon, crème de violette liqueur and butterfly pea flower to amp up the color.

The pork belly’s skin had a deeper sear on my friend’s first visit to the restaurant earlier this summer, she said, but it was still crisp on top and tender underneath.

Her earlier reconnaissance decided our next dish, too: We had to order pasta. The hotel sits in what was once Burlington’s Little Italy — the historical marker is across the street — and Paine used both that and his own Italian heritage to put a few red-sauce-style options on the menu.

Our ample pile of housemade bucatini with vodka sauce ($18) arrived twirled on a vintage china plate, its chintz a conscious departure from the modern Terrafirma Ceramics plates that everything else was served on.

“It tastes like adult SpaghettiOs,” my friend said. She meant that as a compliment. We agreed that it was among the best pasta we’ve had in Burlington, and significantly cheaper than most.

Unexpectedly, the dish was topped with grated Taliah, a clothbound sheepmilk cheddar from Fromagerie du Presbytère in Québec. Nearly half of the Harborvale’s cheeses come from north of the border, Paine said, and he deploys

them where you’d usually see Parmesan or pecorino Romano.

“For me, you don’t need imported ingredients from Italy to be Italian,” Paine explained. “Italian cuisine is about seasonality and quality, using the best ingredients you have where you are.”

That mindset gives Paine a lot of freedom and keeps the menu connected to the Harborvale’s main inspiration, Lake Champlain.

Our entrée for the evening, a perfectly cooked duck breast ($29), came from a homework assignment for staff during the hotel’s brand development: Read a book with a “nostalgic feeling of adventure,” Paine said.

He chose Walden by Henry David Thoreau.

As the chef worked through Thoreau’s winding prose, his mind wandered to ducks flying around a pine tree-lined pond and the scent of dry, midsummer woods.

“I was like, How am I connecting any of this to what we’re doing?” Paine recalled.

His answer was to plate the duck on a hearty pine-nut purée scented with evergreen tips, an accompaniment that lands somewhere between sauce and mashed potatoes.

Like the rest of the restaurant’s deeply considered dishes, it works with or without the story. ➆

MOST DISHES HAVE A STORY, OFTEN A PERSONAL ONE.

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A Maine lobster roll with caviar and Animal Farm butter, French fries and a Ruby Waves cocktail from the bar menu 4T-CHEEKS091623

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COURTESY OF OBSCURED RELEASING

Cheese Champion Three questions for Jasper Hill Farm’s Lilith Spencer, featured in the documentary The Big Cheese

BY ME L IS S A PAS ANE N pasanen@sevendaysvt.com

Lilith Spencer in The Big Cheese

I

n Lilith Spencer’s Hardwick household, it’s hard to say who loves cheese more: 37-year-old Spencer, who has worked in cheese since college, or Greta, the miniature dachshund.

Spencer is currently the cheesemaker responsible for aging Jasper Hill Farm’s washed-rind cheeses, including Winnimere, the American Cheese Society 2026 Best of Show winner. But the tiny, Holstein-splotched dog has her own Jasper Hill favorites. “She loves Willoughby and Whitney,” Spencer said.

“She will smell it across the house. She hears me opening the wrapper, and she’ll come downstairs.”

Spencer is one of dozens of passionate cheese lovers featured in a new documentary, The Big Cheese. (Greta, sadly, does not appear.) The movie follows a diverse group of U.S. cheesemongers as they dare to compete against the world’s top cheese experts in the Mondial du Fromage in France. It was released on major streaming platforms September 1 and will be screened on Saturday, September 19, at Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center in Burlington.

The evening includes a fondue reception and a question-and-answer session with Spencer and the documentary’s central character, Adam “Mister Moo” Moskowitz, a third-generation cheese importer, who founded the U.S. Cheesemonger Invitational. Greensboro’s Jasper Hill Farm is hosting the screening event as part of this year’s Vermont Cheese Week, which includes seven days of tastings, tours, restaurant specials and other public events from Brattleboro to 44

SEVEN DAYS SEPTEMBER 16-23, 2026

EVENTS Burlington, all leading up to the sold-out 14th Annual Vermont Cheesemakers Festival in Shelburne on September 20.

Spencer, who uses they/them pronouns, moved to Vermont to work at Jasper Hill Farm in 2018 and has participated in competitive cheesemongering as a winning contestant, judge and coach for more than 15 years. They won a 2025 Daphne Zepos Teaching Endowment, a prestigious honor in the world of cheese, with which they are studying the science and culture of washed-rind cheese brines around the world.

Seven Days chatted with Spencer about the comfort of melted cheese for dinner, the harm Velveeta has done to the reputation of American ’mongers — while still having its own value — and the cheese musical they’re writing.

How did you become a cheese champion?

I took a college course in nutritional anthropology, connecting science and history and people. The professor said, “Pick your favorite food. You’re going to write an anthropological research paper and a scientific research paper about a nutritional aspect.”

I picked cheese, because it’s always been my favorite food. I was pretty picky as a child. One of our easy, go-to dinners was fondue, those prepackaged kits made with real Gruyère. My mom would be like, “Cool, we’re just gonna eat melted cheese for dinner.”

I quickly realized that cheese was a huge topic that I could spend the rest of my life studying. That opened the gates for me.

When I was in college, a new co-op opened, and they were looking for someone to help run the cheese department. I started working at the cheese counter and fell in love with talking to people about cheese, cutting it nicely, taking care of it.

I heard about the Cheesemonger Invitational, the very first one in 2010. And my brain just went like, How do I do that? I’m an overachiever with imposter syndrome, so I feel the need to prove myself a lot. I remember thinking, Wow, you can win at cheese. Who knew?

Why is it important that American cheesemongers win the Mondial du Fromage?

Americans historically have been perceived as industrial, soulless cheese producers. One of the greatest food innovations that our country has made was Velveeta. It’s incredible that we figured out how to make something perishable nonperishable, something affordable that everyone could buy and eat. There’s a time

and a place for every cheese and, in my heart, for Velveeta as well: in a queso. One can of RO*TEL [diced tomatoes and green chilis], half a block of Velveeta, and you’re good to go.

But internationally, that’s not an amazing reputation when you’re looking at these traditional, old-school, hands-on cheesemakers, making cheeses that have been made for hundreds, maybe thousands, of years. Despite the fact that we have so many incredible artisan cheese producers here that are doing it “the European way,” [Europeans] still don’t believe it. They don’t think we make real cheese, so there’s no way we could be good cheesemongers.

It’s less about winning and more about showing the world that we do know what we’re talking about. I’m hoping that seeing how good we can be as ’mongers also opens up people’s minds to what we’re selling.

You’ve helped produce some Jasper Hill Farm music video parodies. You’re aiming to write and stage a full-length cheese musical, right?

I studied music composition in college, too, and I’ve been joking about writing a cheese musical for years. Then [[The Big Cheese] was getting made, and I was like, I Cheese think it’s story time. I think people are ready for this this.

The aim is to teach the audience some cool basics about cheese, but, secretly, it’s actually about mental health stuff and the beauty of our community.

Basically, cheese serves as an excellent metaphor for the human condition: Every wheel is a little different. Sometimes it’s ugly before it’s pretty. Different cheeses take different amounts of time to become their best selves. Sometimes, it’s about having the right pairings.

It will be all-original music. So far, there’s kind of a disco-vibe song, a couple really theatrical ballads, and I’m planning a Muppet microbe dream sequence. ➆ This interview was edited for clarity and length.

INFO The Big Cheese screening with fondue reception and Q&A, Saturday, September 19, 5 p.m., at Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center in Burlington. $29 for movie and cheese party; $59 with additional “big cheese bag to go.” bigcheesefilm.com Follow Lilith Spencer on Instagram: @thebrinedrind.

Learn more about Vermont Cheese Week at vtcheese.com.

food+drink Tomato, watermelon and burrata salad and cantaloupe and prosciutto with a baguette at Misery Loves Co.

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SIDEdishes « its former chef-owner, JIMMY KENNEDY, at the HAYBARN RESTAURANT & LOUNGE on the Creative Campus at Goddard.

After a test run in late August, the next breakfast buffet will be October 4, 7 to 11 a.m. The meal costs $27.50 per person, including tip. Kennedy said he “really, really wanted to do breakfast again for the community.”

As his busy summer schedule at JDK CATERING eases, he hopes to offer his Southern fare plus other River Run faves, such as buttermilk pancakes and veggie scramble, twice a month through the winter. Follow @haybarnrestaurant on Instagram for more information.

Starting this Wednesday, September 16, MISERY LOVES CO. at 46 Main Street in Winooski will expand its kitchen hours until 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. It will offer counter service for seated dining of plated soups, salad, sandwiches and an afternoon-into-evening menu of revolving “lite fare,” along with drinks.

Chef and co-owner AARON JOSINSKY said the vibe is According to a social “very casual, [like] going media announceto a friend’s house.” ment, Chico’s Customers can Tacos & Bar order “snacks and has closed a drink, or snacks permanently in and a bottle of Montpelier after something nice less than a year and some more in operation at substantial food.”

45 State Street.

Josinsky and Before its Capital his team quietly City incarnation, launched the new chef-owner Andrew small-plates menu, Lay ran his Southern served 3 to 7 p.m., a few California-style weeks ago on Fridays Jimmy Kennedy Mexican restaurant and Saturdays. The for nine months in Middlesex, across roster will change weekly. So far, it has from Camp Meade. featured dishes such as cannelloni with Chico’s menu featured big grilled peppers, zucchini and ricotta; a portions of overstuffed burritos, beet, peach and burrata salad; and castcornmeal-crusted Baja fish tacos, and iron-skillet meatballs with red sauce barbacoa made with slow-cooked short and mozzarella. rib and beef tongue. In August 2025, Lay told Seven Days that the larger Fans of Plainfield’s long-closed landMontpelier space suited his goal to “be mark River Run Restaurant can once not just a restaurant but a hangout, too.” again indulge in its classics, such as He did not respond to a request for jambalaya and biscuits with gravy, at comment on the closure. ➆ periodic Sunday-morning pop-ups by

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Tina Friml

COURTESY OF SARAH NELSON

Star’s Turn

of comedians with disabilities, her pal Farrell’s recent viral success and what she has planned for the next chapter of her career — including penning a memoir.

Vermont-born comedian Tina Friml comes home to record her long-awaited debut standup special B Y D A N BOL L ES • dan@sevendaysvt.com

T

ina Friml has had a pretty good few years. In April 2025, the Vermont-born comedian taped her second appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” At the time, it was the capstone of a two-year ascent that had established her as the most successful Vermont comedian ever and an international star.

Since then, the 32-year-old Middlebury native, who has cerebral palsy, has maintained a rigorous national touring schedule. She’s landed high-profile podcast, TV and festival appearances such as “What Now? With Trevor Noah,” Dropout’s “Crowd Control” and Netflix Is a Joke, which have boosted her social media following to more than 1 million across platforms.

She also drew the ire of an entire continent. This summer, Friml toured in Europe, an experience she said “opened up incredible doors.” But it also incited 46

SEVEN DAYS SEPTEMBER 16-23, 2026

“the rage of my Australian fans,” she said, who have been begging her to bring her offbeat, razor-sharp insights on dating and disability Down Under for years. That mollifying Aussies is even a concern speaks volumes about where her career is.

“It’s pretty metal,” she joked in an interview with Seven Days from her office in Cambridge, Mass., where she lives after moving from New York City last fall. “Who woulda thought?”

All her Vermont fans, to start.

Friml began doing standup 10 years ago after taking classes at Vermont Comedy Club in Burlington. Her talent was obvious.

“Tina arrived pretty fully formed,” New York City comedian Kendall Farrell told Seven Days last year. Another Vermont native, he’s one of Friml’s closest friends.

“She kind of burst forth,” Farrell went

on. “You know when a baby comes, like, two weeks after its due date and it already has teeth and hair? That’s how Tina came onto the scene.”

For all her accolades and accomplishments, the one thing Friml has yet to do is record a special.

That changes on Friday, October 16, when she’ll tape her debut one-hour special for production company 800 Pound Gorilla at Town Hall Theater in Middlebury, the hometown stage where she practically grew up and where her mother still works. (As it happens, Farrell will also return home that weekend to hit a career milestone: his first headlining run at Vermont Comedy Club, Thursday through Saturday, October 15 to 17.)

Friml spoke with Seven Days about why she’s finally recording her special now, her role in increasing the visibility

Years ago, you reached a level where most comics would have recorded a special. But you’ve maintained that you wanted to do it when you were really ready. So why do you feel ready now?

Two main reasons: One was that I’ve been touring this material for about three years now, and it really became obvious that I need to submit this to history, because I’m yearning to write more things. And I feel a hesitation to write anything new, simply because I cannot do a two-hour show.

But also, October is the 10-year anniversary of when I first began comedy.

I talk as if this was all completely planned out. It wasn’t. I got a call from my team back in April that 800 Pound Gorilla was wanting to film my special, and they were looking at October. I wish I could take all the credit, but it did just kind of happen.

Don’t knock serendipity. It must be pretty cool to do this at Town Hall Theater.

Oh, gosh, yeah. When I was trying to figure out where I’m filming, I was looking, obviously, at Vermont Comedy Club and also places out here in Cambridge. But then my

AND NOW I’M CERTAINLY NOT. T I N A FRI M L

Meanwhile, you’re also writing a memoir.

I am! Essentially, it’s focusing on my time in New York and sort of, you know, navigating that catapult into a whole lot of things, career-wise and personal-wise.

And it will obviously dip into my upbringing and the narratives that sort of affected all the above.

So, the weekend of your taping at Town Hall Theater, Kendall Farrell is doing his first headlining run at Vermont Comedy Club, which is a neat coincidence.

It is! Kendall was the first-ever person to book me on a show. So it’s too bad that the shows are exactly lined up. It’s just the way time and weekends work.

I think it also says something cool about Vermont comedy, though. I found myself filled with pride when his gender-spectrum joke went viral last month.

Kendall is one of those people that you never know what’s gonna come out of his mouth. Even just hanging out with him, he has that kind of brain. So I know what you mean — to see him go viral. I was like, “Oh, yes!” And I’m so glad to see him take that as a sign to put out more.

That’s sort of the path I took. I didn’t put anything online for a while, but, for better and for worse, the internet is a fantastic tool to get your comedy out there and also just figure out what works and what doesn’t.

I was definitely among the people who felt cool because we knew about Kendall before he was cool. And guess what?

Before he was cool, he was still cool. Now the world’s just catching up.

Speaking of comedy on social media, is it just me and my feed, or are comedians with disabilities really

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Like the book.

Like the book. And more sketch writing.

And I recently executive produced and starred in a short film called “Daffodil” that was shot in LA, and it’s now submitted into the festival circuit next year.

But I’d be lying if I didn’t also mention that it does make me look at what I’m doing and say, OK, well, now I’m not the only person. And what does that allow me to do? You know, I’m so used to being the only person with this particular card, and now I’m certainly not. So it’s a real mixture of inspiration and pride and also, like, a little bit of existential crisis.

So, when you take your final bow at Town Hall Theater next month and the special is done, what do you think you’ll feel? I’d imagine a mix of excitement and accomplishment but also maybe anxiety about what comes next?

I think you hit the nail on the head. It’s exciting, and it’s also terrifying, because basically next year I am going to begin writing and touring a new hour. It will be fewer dates than I have been doing in the last four years; I’m really just hitting my hot spots. But it will kind of feel like I’m stepping back five years. And the anxiety of writing new jokes — I definitely anticipate getting very reacquainted with that. ➆

SEPT

I’M SO USED TO BEING THE ONLY PERSON WITH THIS PARTICULAR CARD,

gaining visibility online? I see more and more of them every time I scroll Instagram.

One hundred percent. That’s not just you. And it’s really kind of awesome to see the goals start to be achieved that I had at first, which was to help bring disability into the main discourse with comedy and normalize it, so that someone facing a disabled person [at work or in other settings] is able to think back to this comedian that came across their feed. And it would hopefully change their assumptions about people with disabilities. Like, Oh, actually, I don’t need to be nervous. They probably are really cool.

So my initial reaction is just that I feel like I’m part of something really amazing.

I come from comedians like Josh Blue and Geri Jewell, and it’s sort of like a domino.

It also gives me, on a personal level, a bit more push and permission to venture past standup comedy into other creative things.

SEPT

mom called and was just like, “What about here? What about THT?” It was almost comically obvious, and I don’t know why I didn’t think of it. Because I’ve had so many significant life events there: I had prom there; I found out I got into college there.

So once the idea got planted, it was just like, Yep, OK.

Tickets on Sale

NOW

Tickets

This interview was edited for clarity and length.

INFO Tina Friml One-Hour Comedy Special Taping, Friday, October 16, 7 and 9 p.m., at Town Hall Theater in Middlebury. $35-45. townhalltheater.org 2v-Oktoberfest090926 1

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C

harity and Sylvia inspired a graphic novel, so why not an orchestral composition? Christopher Kaufman Ilstrup brought that idea to Vermont Symphony Orchestra two years ago, when he was working with Vermont’s then-cartoonist laureate Tillie Walden on a retelling of the story of Charity Bryant and Sylvia Drake, the lesbian couple who lived openly and ran a business together in 19th-century Weybridge.

Orchestra conductor and music director Andrew Crust and executive director Elise Brunelle proposed commissioning a new work about the women’s relationship; Kaufman Ilstrup, executive director of Vermont Humanities, agreed to help pay for it. The fruits of that collaboration, “Summerland,” will premiere this Friday, September 18, at the Flynn in Burlington as part of Vermont Symphony Orchestra’s season-opening concert, “Charity, Sylvia & Cleopatra.”

The piece, by composer Clarice Assad, imagines Drake and Bryant trying to find each other on an “ethereal plane” in the afterlife and remember their time together.

“I really like the way in which she can take a sort of standard story and make it modernist and avant-garde,” Crust said of Assad, a Grammy-nominated Brazilian American composer, vocalist and pianist.

“But at the same time, [she’s] making music that is very overtly emotional and easy to respond to as a listener.”

Vermont Humanities pledged $30,000 over three years to help the VSO cover commissioning expenses, Kaufman Ilstrup said. The National Endowment for the Humanities had approved federal money for the project, but by spring 2025, after the Department of Government Efficiency dismantled the funding and staff of the endowment and other federal agencies, “their priorities had changed,”

MAKING OVERTURES Can’t get enough Beethoven and Brahms?

Vermont’s vibrant classical music scene has your Bach. Here are seven can’t-miss series, festivals and concerts this season.

AURORA CHAMBER SINGERS: “SING WE AND CHANT IT”

Sunday, November 15, 4 p.m., at College Street Congregational Church in Burlington. Price TBA. aurorachambersingers.org For its fall concert, the mixed-voice chorus brings in the Champlain Consort and their period instruments to dig into selections from the English Renaissance.

Philharmonic Feminism

Vermont Symphony Orchestra’s season-opening concert, “Charity, Sylvia & Cleopatra,” focuses on remarkable women

BY C AR O LYN S H AP IR O

Clarice Assad

annual festival features renowned ensembles from Montréal, Boston and Burlington as well as international soloists.

BURLINGTON CHORAL SOCIETY “VOICES OF CHANGE: SONGS THAT SHAPED HISTORY”

Saturday, November 21, 7:30 p.m., at ElleyLong Music Center, Saint Michael’s College, in Colchester. Price TBA. bcsvermont.org Conductor, composer and educator Dr. James Stewart kicks off his tenure as the venerable choral society’s artistic director with a program spanning centuries of choral music.

BURLINGTON BAROQUE FESTIVAL

Thursday, September 17, to Sunday, September 20, at various locations in Burlington. Festival passes, $140-285; individual tickets, $10-80. burlingtonbaroque.org Spanning four days and three venues, the

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CAPITAL CITY CONCERTS

Season runs through April. capitalcityconcerts.org Married duo Jillian Reed and Tyler Emerson take the helm of Montpelier’s long-running

series for their first full season as artistic directors.

Don’t miss “A Fall Feast of Music and Poetry” on October 3 and 4, featuring Vermont singer-songwriter Henry

Jamison, plus Raine Songs, a musical treatment of Kathleen Raine poems by Burlington composer — and Henry’s dad — Don Jamison, performed by the Skylark Quartet, soprano Mary Bonhag and a chorus.

UPPER VALLEY BAROQUE

Season begins October 16 and runs through May. uppervalleybaroque.org Based in Hanover, N.H., the ensemble goes for baroque around the Upper Valley and in Rutland and Brattleboro, highlighted by a season-ending 300th anniversary fête of Johann Sebastian Bach’s St. Matthew Passion with two orchestras and two chamber choruses.

COURTESY OF MARCELO MACAU

culture

and the grant was canceled, he said. The Vermont Arts Council then kicked in another $10,000.

In choosing Assad, Brunelle and Crust wanted a female and preferably queer composer to tell the story of Bryant and Drake and write the libretto. Vocalists Nikola Printz, a San Francisco mezzosoprano and returning VSO soloist, and New York City soprano Danielle Buonaiuto will perform the piece.

For source material, the Vermonters pointed Assad to the vast archive of the couple’s documents at the Henry Sheldon Museum in Middlebury — the same collection that informed Walden’s graphic novel Charity & Sylvia, released earlier this year.

“There’s just so many ways into this story now that I think are really interesting,” Kaufman Ilstrup said, referring to Assad’s and Walden’s works, as well as a previous biography of Drake and Bryant by historian Rachel Hope Cleves. “They’re all basing the story on this series of letters and journals and grocery receipts that exist at the Henry Sheldon Museum.”

Crust built the rest of the concert program around the theme of remarkable women who transcended difficult circumstances. It includes portions of the Giuseppe Verdi opera Aida and Hector Berlioz’s La mort de Cléopâtre (The Death of Cleopatra). The orchestra will also play the overture from the 2000 film Dancer in the Dark, which starred Icelandic singer Björk as a visually impaired Czech immigrant living in rural Washington State and working in horrible conditions to provide a better life for her son. She composes and sings sweeping musical numbers instead of falling into despair.

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade from One Thousand and One Nights will anchor the second half of the program.

The suite’s titular character disarms her

THE VERMONT CHORAL UNION

Saturday, November 21, 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, November 22, 4 p.m., at College Street Congregational Church in Burlington. vtchoralunion.org The esteemed chorus’ fall concert, “The American Mercury,” explores the nation’s history through music by Aaron Copland, Irving Berlin and others.

VERMONT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA JUKEBOX: “JUKEBOX TURNS 10”

Thursday, November 12, 7 p.m., at St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, free. Friday, November 13, 7 p.m., at Burlington Beer, $15-30. Sunday, November 15, 4 p.m., at Paramount Theatre in Rutland. $15-30. vso.org The lively VSO string quartet celebrates 10 years of turning chamber music on its ear by emulating its namesake: Audiences will choose the program for each anniversary show.

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INFO Vermont Symphony Orchestra: “Charity, Sylvia & Cleopatra,” Friday, September 18, 7:30 p.m., at the Flynn in Burlington. $12-67. flynnvt.org.

Learn more at vso.org.

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murderous captor by weaving complicated tales. The solo violin represents Scheherazade’s voice, to be played by VSO concertmaster Katherine Winterstein.

“All of the composers write different emotions into the music, which kind of illustrate a complete picture of these women’s lives, from the sublime to the violent to everything that was happening to them,” Crust said.

Matt LaRocca, VSO artistic adviser and project conductor, hosts events each season to give audiences a peek behind the orchestra’s curtain. For the opening concert, he and Crust held a happy hour at the Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge in Burlington on Tuesday. On the afternoon of the Flynn concert, Assad and the soloists will join him at the University of Vermont Recital Hall for an informal chat and to answer questions. He also will collaborate with Vermont Humanities on a series of talks around the state.

“To find those moments where we can talk about the music and lean into it outside of the concert hall is great,” LaRocca said.

Later this year, the VSO’s Halloween concert will feature “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” from Disney’s Fantasia, as well as a suite from Jordan Peele’s movie Nope. In the spring, the orchestra will lean into Igor Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring.

With all of its programming, the VSO strives to reach a broad array of tastes, whether someone loves hardcore classical or creative contemporary music, Brunelle said. That’s especially true of “Charity, Sylvia & Cleopatra.”

“I want the audience to know that an orchestra concert is simply musical storytelling, that you’ve got so many incredible stories, human stories that can be told through music,” Brunelle said. “This one happens to focus on remarkable women.” ➆

Around 1785, Pownal widow Margaret Krieger was accused of witchcraft.

During a trial by water, she was thrown into the Hoosic River. The townsfolk assumed that if she floated, she was a witch being held up by the devil. She sank but luckily survived and lived five years after the ordeal. Hers is the only documented case of a witch trial in Vermont.

On Saturday, the Pownal Historical Society hosted the fourth annual Witches’ Walk at Strobridge Park in North Pownal. Treasurer Joyce Held had researched Krieger’s story for more than a decade and helped organize the event, honoring Krieger and all the “extraordinary women” like her — women considered, in 18th-century New England parlance, to be witches.

A social media video about the walk went viral and attracted a large crowd of costumed witches, Puritans, skeletons and even a dragon. In the latest episode of “Stuck in Vermont,” Seven Days’ senior multimedia producer Eva Sollberger donned a witch hat and met some truly extraordinary women, including Rutland County descendants of Margaret Scott and Martha Carrier, who were hanged during the Salem witch trials in 1692. “It’s obviously a solemn event,” Castleton resident Tammy Coltey said, “but it’s also a joyful event. We wanted to celebrate women empowerment.”

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FALL 2026

A new musical comedy by two Vermont rockers bawks at the moon as a plague of werechickens afflicts a rural hotel

BY CH R IS FARN S WO RTH • farnsworth@sevendaysvt.com

at the Off Center for the Dramatic Arts in Burlington.

After that, “we decided to do it for real,” Rabin said. He and Skillman shopped the play around until the Shelburne Players, um, “pecked” it up. Jonah Hagans directs the production, which stars Isaac Besso and Kitana Hudgens as the Elmores; Rabin is the musical director and oversees a score that has evolved with each production.

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hings are not going well for Warren Elmore. While on a mission to procure some choice organic eggs for his wife, Sunny, so she can make a perfect omelette to serve guests at the hotel they run, Warren is bitten by a werechicken.

It’s the last thing the innkeeper needs. He and his wife are already battling a dirty bank manager determined to force them to sell their hotel in the sleepy Vermont town of Hatchford, not to mention influencers who keep “forgetting” to pay for their rooms. Now Warren faces a game warden on a mission to kill every werechicken he finds, because “Werechickens are real ... and they are frickin’ unpleasant.”

So goes the tagline of Hatchford Hotel, a musical comedy written by Adam Rabin and Greg Skillman and produced by the Shelburne Players, which runs from October 2 to 10 at the Shelburne Town Center.

It’s the show’s first proper run with a full cast since it was workshopped at Vermont Comedy Club in Burlington.

“It started as a lockdown project for Greg and me,” Rabin said. He and Skillman

have been friends and musical partners for more than 30 years, playing together in bands such as Burlington prog-rock outfit Elephants of Scotland. Stuck in their homes with no gigs to play, the two began writing and indulging their funnier sides.

“We took one of these crazy ideas we’d been talking about and actually ran with it,” Rabin said.

Together, Rabin and Skillman crafted the story of a beleaguered couple from Burlington who move to a fictional Vermont town in the sticks to open a bed-andbreakfast. Supernatural hijinks ensue when Hatchford turns out to be a hub for werechickens — humans who morph into chickens and tend to create chaos wherever they go. To accompany the story, Rabin wrote a collection of stageready songs such as “Tree Fellin’ Gal” and “Here, Right Here.” Quirky and comedic, they dive into the characters’ lives and motivations.

The duo staged the first version of the play at Vermont Comedy Club in 2022 to a sold-out room and a standing ovation. In 2024, it had a radio play-style production

Having directors, producers, and a full cast and crew work on their play gave Rabin and Skillman a jolt of inspiration.

They rewrote whole sections, changed lyrics and collaborated with the actors — an eye-opening experience for Rabin.

“There’s this marvelous kind of feedback when you work with actors,” he said.

“We write something; the actor performs it and brings something extra we didn’t see at first. And then we want more of what they just did! We can tell the actors want more to chew on.”

Little by little, he and Skillman simplified the plot to make it better suited for the stage than a comedy workshop. Some of the cornier jokes were cut — though not all.

During a recent rehearsal at Trinity Episcopal Church in Shelburne, plenty of poultry puns flew around as cast members — some half in costume with chicken masks — ran through the production, squawking and breaking into laughter in equal measure.

Rabin watched from behind an open laptop with a look of concentration that occasionally gave way to outright glee.

He said later: “This is the most fun I’ve ever had on a creative project.” ➆

INFO Hatchford Hotel, produced by the Shelburne Players: Friday and Saturday, October 2 and 3, and Friday, October 9, 7 p.m.; Sunday, October 4, 2 p.m.; and Saturday, October 10, 2 and 7 p.m., at the Shelburne Town Center. $15-25. shelburneplayers.com, hatchfordhotel.com

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LAST MARKET OF THE SEASON! Lyric Theatre's 2026 production of Disney's Frozen

THEATER

Lyric Theatre Launches Free Ticket Program

BY MA RY AN N LICKTEIG • maryann@sevendaysvt.com

Lyric Theatre has no trouble selling tickets. The community theater company’s musicals, which feature elaborate sets, dazzling costumes, seasoned performers and live pit orchestras, routinely pack the Flynn. Its most recent production, Disney’s Frozen, sold out the 1,400-seat Burlington theater for all six of its performances.

But Lyric wants to expand its audience.

The company has teamed up with area nonprofits to distribute free tickets to people who may not be able to afford to buy them. Lyric for All launches this fall, when the theater company expects to give away between 200 and 300 tickets to its November show, Elf: The Musical, executive director Andrew Britt said.

Some Lyric for All participants may never have seen live theater before, Britt said. So along with free admission, they’ll have opportunities to learn about theater, such as tours of the creative spaces at Lyric’s South Burlington headquarters and workshops that explain costuming, poster design and scene staging. “Receiving a free ticket doesn’t necessarily mean that they will find a connection and develop a sense of belonging in the theater or in an arts organization,” Britt said, “so we’re hoping that these engagement experiences offer a more impactful and meaningful experience.”

Funded by grants and donations, Lyric for All has collected more than $50,000 so far, Britt said. Girls Nite Out Productions pledged the seed money. The nonprofit Burlington theater company is folding after 15 years and donating its remaining funds, along with additional money it is raising, to Lyric for All. Its estimated $30,000 to $40,000 gift will include proceeds from its finale, Farewell to GNOP: Celebrating the Magic We Made, playing

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on October 29 and 30 at Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center.

“Lyric is a very, very important theater community,” said Jennifer Warwick, who cofounded Girls Nite Out Productions with Janet Stambolian. She and Stambolian met at Lyric, and Warwick currently serves on its board of directors. “We decided that it would be a wonderful legacy for Girls Nite Out … to fund accessibility for people to see Lyric shows,” she said.

“I’m so grateful to them,” Britt said. “Even as their company closes down, their passion and their work can continue in another way.”

Other sizable contributions have come from Northfield Savings Bank, which bought 100 Elf tickets for distribution, and the Vermont Community Foundation, which awarded a $12,000 grant to support Lyric for All outreach and its engagement programs.

Lyric strives to keep ticket prices Andrew Brittxx affordable, Britt said. It offers 200 seats at every performance for $25 and nearly 400 for $39. Premium seats sell for $55 and $65. Lyric for All seats will be dispersed throughout the theater, he said.

Tickets will be distributed by the nonprofit organizations.

Lund and Mercy Connections are two of six potential partners Lyric for All has approached so far. Lund president and CEO Liz Gamache said she is grateful that her child and family support service organization is included. “For many people, going to a live performance is out of reach,” she said.

“We’re really happy to make it more accessible and also just to highlight how important it is to have an opportunity to have fun, joy, inspiration.”

Britt said he hopes to establish a reserve of funds and grow the program to include more nonprofits. At this point, Lyric won’t need to add performances to accommodate the additional theatergoers provided by Lyric for All, he added. “May we be so lucky that that ends up happening.” ➆

INFO

Learn more at lyrictheatrevt.org.

COACH THEM ON AND OFF THE FIELD. Make sure they understand the risks of underage drinking and other drug use.

Show young people you care by discouraging risky behaviors and talking with them about the dangers of drinking alcohol and using other drugs. For tips on how—and when—to begin the conversation, visit talktheyhearyou.samhsa.gov #TalkTheyHearYou PEP23-03-01-014

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on screen Practical Magic 2 ★★★

COURTESY OF WARNER BROS.

REVIEW

Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock reprise their roles as sister witches in Susanne Bier’s legacy sequel to the cult hit.

H

ow often do you see groups of women wearing witch hats in a movie theater at 1 p.m. — with Halloween still more than a month away? Since its 1998 release, Practical Magic, the witchy fantasy/dark comedy based on Alice Hoffman’s novel, has gathered a cult following. Nearly 30 years later, those fans returned on opening weekend for Practical Magic 2. Never mind that only about half that time has passed in the fictional world, and eerily youthful stars Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman now play characters significantly younger than they are. That’s the magic of Hollywood.

The deal

Sisters Sally (Bullock) and Gillian (Kidman) Owens inherited magical powers, an impeccable cottagecore Victorian in coastal Massachusetts and a curse that kills anyone they fall in love with. Sally has lost two husbands to the curse (bye-bye, first film’s love interest Aidan Quinn) and refocused on raising her daughters in ignorance of their witchy heritage. Party girl Gillian, whose poor romantic choices caused trouble when the sisters were younger, never settled down.

But danger looms on the horizon — Sally’s youngest, Kylie (Joey King), has fallen hard 54

SEVEN DAYS SEPTEMBER 16-23, 2026

for a college classmate. Luckily, the Owens sisters’ lovably odd aunts (Dianne Wiest as Jet and Stockard Channing as Franny) are on the case, albeit not both for long.

Just before her death, Jet discovers an arcane manuscript that might help the family break its curse. Before they can put it to use, an accident lands Kylie’s boyfriend (Xolo Maridueña) in a coma. The youngest Owens lights off to England in search of a magical cure, with Sally and Gillian on her heels.

Will you like it?

In 1998, I was a young film snob who avoided any movie with a gilded title font or a trailer lit like a Thomas Kinkade painting, so I didn’t see Practical Magic until a few weeks ago. And the two generations of Owens sisters won me over — their flowy attire, their intricately production-designed abode, their midnight margaritas, their comic bickering, and the simple opportunity to see mature divas Wiest and Channing ham it up and have a high old time.

Does the plot make sense? Not a lot! But it’s clear how Practical Magic found a following.

In adapting Hoffman’s 2021 sequel, The Book of Magic, director Susanne Bier

(“The Night Manager”) and writers Akiva Goldsman, Georgia Pritchett and Kelly Marcel have ladled on plenty of the cozy, quirky, sisterly ambience that made the first film beloved. Bullock and Kidman still have comedic chemistry; they may not look remotely like sisters, but they act like them.

The film’s overall look is more streamer and less spooky than that of Griffin Dunne’s original, but its lengthy coda is pure fan service — margaritas, fairy lights and all.

Before getting there, however, we must wade through a tiresome plot that takes the sisters to England in search of lovesick Kylie, featuring sparkly CGI magic more suited to the Harry Potter franchise. We learn new lore about the Owens ancestor who laid the family curse, but it simply muddies the relatability of the first film’s premise (a witch was dumped, so she swore off men). We never even get to find out if the curse applies only to men or to all romantic partners, surely a relevant consideration in 2026.

It doesn’t help that the new generation of Owens sisters never comes alive the way the earlier ones did, with their own foibles, quibbles and bad romances. King and Maisie Williams (as her older sister, Antonia) aren’t to blame; their characters are simply underwritten, sentimentalized

and sidelined, despite Kylie’s centrality to the plot. We never get a sense of what they lost by not growing up with their magical legacy; neither seems to miss it until romance comes into play.

At heart, Practical Magic 2 remains a vehicle for Bullock and Kidman. The scenes in the UK are fun mainly when we get to see the former flirting awkwardly with Lee Pace (as a sassy tattooed warlock) or the latter griping about the low ceiling in a medieval inn. After so many heavy-hitting dramatic roles, it’s refreshing to rediscover the stars’ silly sides.

To counterbalance those screwball aspects, it might have been nice to see more subtlety and maturity when the script gets into serious territory, especially regarding Sally’s new romance (which is absurdly rushed) and the plot’s tear-inducing resolution.

But let’s face it: Subtlety and maturity were never Practical Magic’s strong suit.

The original was more freewheeling, vibesdriven Gillian than sensible Sally, and so is the sequel. Revisiting Practical Magic, we can appreciate all the ways in which it prefigured pop-culture trends to come, from the small-town whimsy of “Gilmore Girls” to the rebirth of horror comedy.

Practical Magic 2 adds little to that legacy, but there’s still just enough grit under its sap to make even a cynical old critic smile now and then.

MARGO T HARRI S O N margot@sevendaysvt.com

IF YOU LIKE THIS, TRY… PRACTICAL MAGIC (1998; HBO Max, TBS, TNT, YouTube Primetime, rentable): The original is weird in ways that only presocial media films could be, lurching from sisterly sweetness to bloody murder and back within a few scenes.

BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE (2024; HBO Max, rentable): Tim Burton’s 1988 cozy horror fantasy got a similarly unnecessary “legacy sequel,” partially filmed in Vermont.

THE CRAFT (1996; HBO Max, YouTube Primetime, rentable): Witches fit the girl-power millennial zeitgeist, making this movie about spell-casting teens another cult hit. See also “Charmed” (Peacock, Pluto TV, Prime Video, YouTube Primetime, rentable), which ran for eight seasons starting in 1998.

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PAW PATROL: THE DINO MOVIEHH1/2 The team must save a dinosaur island in this family adventure. (88 min, PG. Bijou, Majestic) PRACTICAL MAGIC 2HHH Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock reprise their roles as sister witches in Susanne Bier’s legacy sequel. (110 min, PG-13. Big Picture, Bijou, Capitol, City Cinema, Essex, Majestic, Marquis, Playhouse, Star, Stowe, Sunset, Welden; reviewed 9/16)

The Uprising

NEW IN THEATERS HOPE: Something monstrous invades an isolated village in this sci-fi action thriller from Na Hong-jin (The Wailing), starring Hwang Jun-min, Zo In-sung and Michael Fassbender. (160 min, R. Partizanfilm) IF I GO WILL THEY MISS ME: A 12-year-old boy (Bodhi Dell) in Watts, Calif., dreams of flight in this lyrical coming-of-age drama from writer-director Walter Thompson-Hernandez, also starring Danielle Brooks.

(95 min, NR. Savoy) THE MARCHING BAND: In this comedy from France, a famous classical conductor (Benjamin Lavernhe) learns he has a musician brother in far humbler circumstances. (102 min, NR. Partizanfilm)

THE UPRISINGHHH Andrew Garfield and Jamie Bell star in this historical drama about England’s Peasants’ Revolt of 1381. Paul Greengrass (Captain Phillips) directed. (127 min, R. Capitol, Essex, Majestic)

OLDER FILMS AND SPECIAL SCREENINGS

SPY KIDS (Partizanfilm, Sat only)

BY ANY MEANSHH1/2 A mafia hit man (Mark Wahlberg) and an FBI agent (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) join forces in 1966 Mississippi. (107 min, R. Bijou) COYOTE VS. ACMEHHHH Looney Tunes’ Wile E. Coyote sues the Acme corporation in this live action/animated comedy. (101 min, PG. Bijou, Essex, Majestic, Savoy, Star, Stowe, Sunset, Welden) THE CYCLE OF LOVE: This documentary reenacts a street artist’s 6,000-mile bike journey to reunite with his beloved. (98 min, NR. Savoy) DON’T LOOK BACK IN ANGERHHHH This documentary chronicles the rise of the band Oasis and their Live ’25 tour. (122 min, R. Essex, Majestic) THE END OF OAK STREETHHH1/2 A family must cope when their suburban home lands in a monsterfilled dimension. (99 min, PG-13. Big Picture, Sunset; reviewed 8/19) HADESTOWN: THE MUSICALHHHHH Live recordings bring Anaïs Mitchell’s fusion of dystopia and Greek mythology to the screen. (141 min, NR. Catamount; reviewed 7/29)

make roomfor fall blooms!

FallHours: MoN-Sat8-4 ClosedSundays

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OPEN THEATERS (* = upcoming schedule for theater was not available at press time) *BIG PICTURE THEATER: 48 Carroll Rd., Waitsfield, 496-8994, bigpicturetheater.info. Closed through April 29. *BIJOU CINEPLEX 4: 107 Portland St., Morrisville, 888-3293, bijou4.com

say you saw it in

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

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

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

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

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

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

IT ENDSHHHH A highway becomes endless, trapping a pair of drivers, in this psychological horror film from Alexander Ullom. Phinehas Yoon and Akira Jackson star. (89 min, R. Partizanfilm)

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

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

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

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

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)

THE ODYSSEYHHHH Christopher Nolan takes on the Homeric epic of a weary warrior (Matt Damon) trying to return home. (180 min, R. Capitol, Essex, Majestic; reviewed 7/22)

GREENHAVENGARDENSVT

(802)453-5382

ATLANTIC CITY (Partizanfilm, Wed 16 only)

SHAUN THE SHEEP: THE BEAST OF MOSSY BOTTOM: An attempt to fix the farm’s pumpkin patch goes horribly awry in this stop-motionanimated twist on Frankenstein. With the voices of Justin Fletcher and John Sparkes. (80 min, PG. Capitol, Essex, Majestic, Marquis)

BUDDYHHH1/2 Kids must escape a deadly children’s TV show in this indie slasher. (95 min, R. Majestic, Paramount)

Learn more and register at vermontjumpstart.com

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SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAYHHH1/2 Can Peter Parker (Tom Holland) stay under the radar? (145 min, PG-13. Bijou, Capitol, Essex, Majestic, Star, Sunset)

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RUNNERHHH A cartel attack complicates a life-saving organ delivery in Scott Waugh’s action comedy, starring Alan Ritchson and Owen Wilson.

(97 min, PG-13. City Cinema, Essex, Majestic, Paramount, Star, Welden)

RESIDENT EVIL: Cowriter-director Zach Cregger (Weapons) offers his cinematic take on the zombie horror game franchise, starring Austin Abrams and Zach Cherry. (90 min, R. Essex, City Cinema, Majestic, Paramount, Star, Sunset)

THE WEIGHT: Ethan Hawke plays a desperate war vet hired to smuggle gold across the Depression-era U.S. in Padraic McKinley’s adventure drama, with Russell Crowe. (115 min, R. Capitol, Majestic)

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

SUNSET DRIVE-IN: 155 Porters Point Rd., Colchester, 862-1800, sunsetdrivein.com *WELDEN THEATRE: 104 N. Main St., St. Albans, 527-7888, weldentheatre.com

Visit FETCHTHELEASH.BIZ for more info • 85 Pearl St, Burlington 6h-FetchtheLeash091626.indd 1

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art

Cultivating Discipline Multimedia artist and composer Sean Clute explores the meanings of “practice” at Vermont State University-Johnson

AMY LILLY

B Y A M Y L I L LY • lilly@sevendaysvt.com

T

he spacious floor of the Julian Scott Memorial Gallery, at Vermont State University’s Johnson campus, currently holds a single, unexpected object: a raised garden bed. Strange things grow in its dirt: video screens, speakers, tiny plastic fans, 3D printouts of brains. Giant projections of shifting, heavily pixelated cloudscapes play across three walls. The sound of wind rises and falls unpredictably.

The installation, “10,000 Seeds and the Phantom Air,” is the work of Sean Clute, a multidisciplinary artist and composer who lives in Jericho. Clute, 50, teaches in Johnson’s fine and performing arts programs and directs the campus’ Media Arts Research Studio. The installation, which may strike visitors as an immersive sci-fi rendering of the natural world, is a very personal project for the artist.

Clute met Seven Days at the gallery

REVIEW

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for a few moments before heading out for “10,000 Seeds” after he’d mulled over to teach an introductory class on media the idea, he said. The tapes capture him arts. He sees the elements of his title as launching with arched back over a horiostensibly opposed, zontal pole. Those he explained. Seeds grainy images replay are “a physical, on three small video screens in the garden tangible thing,” he said, adding that the bed, their looping number represents suggestive of the countfor him a “milestone less hours of practice he J O H N K IL L AC K Y of achievement, like put in.

10,000 steps or hours of practice.” Air, Clute’s life has since taken unexpected meanwhile, is “intangible, unpredictable, turns — among them, neurological problems, he said. He likens these “uncertain maybe ghostlike in its presence.”

As a high school student in Peru, N.Y., elements” to the phantom air of his title.

Clute’s life was largely focused on the Such twists force him (and, the work physical world: He became an intensely implies, all of us) to “be intuitive and competitive high jumper. He went on to creative in our problem-solving and how join a Division 1 team at the University of we adapt.” Hours of practice no longer New Mexico. “At the time, it was my life,” eliminate uncertainty, as his artist’s he said. statement points out, but the capacRecently, at his mother’s house, he ity for discipline can help us adjust to discovered old VHS tapes of his high challenges. school meets, which became the catalyst Among the garden bed’s nests of wires

HE USES TECHNOLOGY, BUT IT COMES OUT AS VERY HUMANE WORK.

are 3D-printed models of brains in graduated sizes, which Clute made using scans of his own brain. Like all the objects in the bed, they are green, white and black.

Planted among them is an ad-hoc structure of spindly plastic bars and hoses — suggesting synapses — from which hang paper tabs. Each tab is colored with a black dot that represents a seed, as if the (intangible) mental and the (tangible) physical have joined forces.

But it is the sound of air, delivered by eight speakers in the bed, that best communicates the theme of adaptability amid uncertainty. Each speaker emits a different recording Clute created: the ambient sounds of his backyard, including birds, clouds and planes; his wind chimes in different combinations; the air itself.

The collective sound is run through a central computer — Clute creates his own software and hardware for his installations — and synchronized with the randomly generated cloudscapes. When the clouds

ART SHOWS

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COURTESY

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Video still (top) and installation views of “10,000 Seeds and the Phantom Air”

begin to congregate more heavily, the sounds intensify and become, in his words, “slightly more processed in an unnatural way — more synthesizedsounding, more reverberant, something not like the natural recordings.” The effect for a visitor is to feel immersed in an eerily otherworldly atmosphere.

Clute earned his master’s in electronic music and recording media at Mills College in Oakland, Calif., where he studied with Pauline Oliveros, a pioneer in the field. He often performs his work at local venues such as the Community of Sound and Generator Makerspace in Burlington. He has done residencies in music in Germany, won awards at French and Italian film festivals, and taught

electronic music and media courses at New York University’s Shanghai campus.

In a review of Clute’s 2026 album Passing Landscapes and Lingering Imprints, Seven Days music editor Chris Farnsworth noted that he finds “novel ways to create his sonic experiments,” including burying microphones in his garden.

“He uses technology, but it comes out as very humane work,” said John Killacky, an artist and former executive director of the Flynn. Killacky commissioned Clute to create the sound compositions for two of his works: “FLUX” (2022), a video work inspired by the 1960s Fluxus movement; and “CORPUS,” a video and installation created for the 2025 BCA Center show “Do We Say Goodbye? Grief, Loss and Mourning.”

For “FLUX,” Killacky recalled, “I told him I wanted a nonemotional sound score. He took a stick and dragged it in front of his house and manipulated the recording. It was perfect.” At the BCA show, he added, where Clute’s composition was broadcast ambiently in the room, it “fit with everyone’s work” and made the room into a “sound chapel.”

Phillip Robertson, gallery director at Julian Scott, observed that after the busy opening of Clute’s show, visitors have been coming in and sitting with the work, as if finding it a meditative space. That’s what Killacky did recently. His takeaway?

“I’m just wonderfully perplexed and grateful that someone’s making something that’s unique.” ➆

INFO Sean Clute, “10,000 Seeds and the Phantom Air,” on view through October 2 at Julian Scott Memorial Gallery, Vermont State UniversityJohnson. vermontstate.edu

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art SEP. 16-23 MICAH WOOD: “The Long Hidden Friend,” new mixedmedia works by the Montpelier artist. Extra Special With Cheese, Burlington, through October 10.

JANE DAVIES AND MARCIA CRUMLEY: “In Formation,” works by two artists who create distinctively colored and textured pieces based in an intensive approach to process and materials.

Edgewater Gallery at the Falls, Middlebury, through October 31.

KIA’RAE HANRON: “Hues and Saturation,” abstract paintings and digital art. Dwellness Shop, Winooski, through January 1.

‘CATALYST: ART AS INQUIRY’: An exhibition of recent works by University of Vermont studio art faculty whose practices demonstrate the power of creative inquiry. Reception: Wednesday, September 16, 5-7 p.m. Fleming Museum of Art, University of Vermont, Burlington, through December 12.

WOLF KAHN: CONVERSATIONS IN COLOR: An exhibition placing works by the artist in dialogue with that of his contemporaries — through the Hans Hofmann School, the New York art world and Vermont. Part of the Wolf Kahn 100 initiative. Reception: Wednesday, September 16, 5-7 p.m. Fleming Museum of Art, University of Vermont, Burlington, through May 22.

‘YOU ARE HERE’: A group show exploring aspects of Mount Abraham, Camel’s Hump, the Lake Champlain Basin and the Breadloaf Wilderness through the eyes of Jill Madden, Dorothy Punderson and Will Amidon. Reception: Thursday, September 17, 5-7 p.m. Johnson Memorial Building, Middlebury College, through September 25.

MICHELANGELO LOVELACE: “Art Saved My Life,” a major exhibition by the late Cleveland artist, whose folk-art-style depictions of American inner cities seek to balance scenes of crime and poverty with those of community and compassion. Reception includes remarks by the museum’s new director, Deborah Barkun. Reception: Thursday, September 17, 5-6:30 p.m. Middlebury College Museum of Art, through January 10.

‘UNPLOWED REALITIES’: An examination of smallscale agriculture at a breaking point, including farm animal portraits by Joan O’Neal, photographs of women farmers by JuanCarlos Gonzalez and writings by experimental farmer George Shenk.

Reception: Friday, September 18, 5:30-7 p.m.

Mad River Valley Arts Gallery, Waitsfield, through November 19.

‘THE SHOE SHOW’: Twenty artists explore footwear as art, from boots to ballet slippers, sneakers to stilettos, using found objects, wood, paint, papiermâché, fiber, photography and poetry. Reception: Saturday, September 19, 1-3 p.m. The Adamant Cooperative, through October 30.

‘ROCK SOLID’: An annual exhibition, run since 2000, of stone sculptures and assemblages by area artists and this year featuring a group of sculptures by the late John A. Matusz, who was a contributor for 14 years. On view in the Main Floor Gallery. Reception: Saturday, September 19, 4:30-6 p.m. Studio Place Arts, Barre, through October 24.

MACKENZIE KOVAKA: “Is That a Table Saw?,” an exploration of common woodworking tools presented in watercolor and created during the 2026 studio residency program. Reception: Saturday, September 19, 4:30-6 p.m. Studio Place Arts, Barre, through October 24.

MARK LORAH: “Incidental Objects,” dimensional wall work and sculptures by the Brookfield artist that employ materials and remnants of the human-made environment and explore our physical connection with the ordinary. On view in the Third Floor Gallery.

Reception: Saturday, September 19, 4:30-6 p.m.

Studio Place Arts, Barre, through October 24.

ROZ DANIELS: “At the Car Wash,” abstract photographs picturing the locale, on display in the Quick Change Gallery.

Reception: Saturday, September 19, 4:30-6 p.m.

Studio Place Arts, Barre, through October 24.

ROBERT LINDE: Works in pastel and oil pastel by the artist, who works improvisationally, finding unplanned relationships in each composition. Reception: Sunday, September 20, 1-3 p.m. Emile A. Gruppe Gallery, Jericho, through October 11.

VISUAL ART EVENTS FALL KICKOFF PARTY: A celebration of the museum’s reopening for the fall semester and a look at new exhibitions, with free parking during the event.

Fleming Museum of Art, University of

“Drill Press”

EXHIBITION

Tool Time A hammer. A table saw. A drill press. The assorted screws that accumulate in the bottom of a tool bag. These are the subjects of Mackenzie Kovaka’s delicate, diminutive watercolor paintings, on view in “Is That a Table Saw?” at Studio Place Arts in Barre. Kovaka, who just wrapped up her yearlong residency at the art center, has always known how to use tools. In her artist statement, she recalls learning to make things at a little workbench in her dad’s woodshop, pounding away with hammers from before she can even remember. When she started teaching her students at Barre City Elementary and Middle School to do the same, she was flummoxed by a lack of kid-friendly reference books to help them distinguish a speed square from a circular saw. So she decided to write one, illustrating equipment from pencils to routers in a friendly style that makes tools a little less intimidating, softening the drill bits and saw blades with colorful washes. Each is presented, naturally, in a custom frame Kovaka made herself. During her residency she also embarked on another project: parenthood. Her daughter, she writes, has inspired a second illustrated manual, this one titled “Woodshop for Babies.”

‘IS THAT A TABLE SAW?’ On view through October 24 at Studio Place Arts in Barre; reception Saturday, September 19, 4:30-6 p.m. studioplacearts.com

‘ART OFF THE WALL’: An art exhibition and benefit sale featuring works by southern Vermont artists and produced in collaboration with the Stone Village Art Guild. Half of proceeds from each sale are donated to the Whiting Library. Reception: Saturday, September 26, 4-6 p.m. Whiting Library, Chester, September 19-October 29.

KATE GRIDLEY: “Re/Collecting,” 29 works from the artist’s “Witness Marks” series of paintings displayed alongside items from the museum’s collection, offering insight into the connection between material objects and memory. Reception and artist talk: Thursday, October 1, 5-6:30 p.m. Henry Sheldon Museum of Vermont History, Middlebury, through January 2.

PROMOTING AN ART EXHIBIT? SUBMIT THE INFO AND IMAGES BY THURSDAY AT NOON AT SEVENDAYSVT.COM/POSTEVENT OR ART@SEVENDAYSVT.COM. SEVEN DAYS SEPTEMBER 16-23, 2026

‘FRACTURED, NOT BROKEN’: A community quilt designed, pieced and painted by incarcerated participants in a quilting workshop at Southern State Correctional Facility in Springfield, Vt., and stitched and completed by more than 100 community members throughout Windham County. Reception: Thursday, October 15, 5:30 p.m. Brattleboro Museum & Art Center, through November 1. Free.

‘A PLACE ONLY VISITED IN DREAMS’: A group show rooted in the legacy of surrealism and including works by 33 artists who are each interested in exploring the shifting terrain of the subconscious, where logic dissolves and imagination reigns. Reception: Friday, September 25, 5-7 p.m. AVA Gallery and Art Center, Lebanon, N.H., through November 14.

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PHIL LAUGHLIN: “Vermont Light,” landscapes by the Williston artist, whose works seek to balance illumination and shadow. Reception: Friday, October 2, 4-7:30 p.m. Vermont Natural Resources Council, Montpelier, through October 16.

ALICE DODGE

OPENINGS + RECEPTIONS

Vermont, Burlington, Wednesday, September 16, 5-7 p.m. Free.

ARTIST TALK: ZACHARY FABRI: A discussion with the interdisciplinary artist, who works across video, drawing and installation, often complicating the boundaries of studio research and performance.

Vermont Studio Center, Johnson, Wednesday, September 16, 8-9 p.m. Free.

ART HISTORY TALK: FELICITY RATTÉ: The Emerson associate professor of art history discusses the question “What Are Paintings For?” in conjunction with the exhibition of the same name by Mary Thérèse Wright and Ellen Cone Maddrey. 118 Elliot, Brattleboro, Thursday, September 17, 5:30-8 p.m. Free.

VISUAL ART IN SEVEN DAYS:

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

LIFE DRAWING AND PAINTING: A drop-in event for artists working with the figure from a live model. T.W. Wood Museum, Montpelier, Thursday, September 17, 7-9 p.m. Free; $15 suggested donation.

‘FREE SELF-EXPRESSION’: An open forum in which the public is invited to celebrate community by sharing performance, music, reading, speaking, dancing, and take-home art and writing. Canal Street Art Gallery, Bellows Falls, Friday, September 18, 5-8 p.m. Free.

‘ART AND STROLL FESTIVAL’: An arts festival in the Milton Shopping Plaza with dozens of artists, vendors, food trucks, live music and kids’ activities.

Milton Artists’ Guild Art Center & Gallery, Saturday, September 19, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free.

‘THE PAINTER’S FIRE: A FORGOTTEN HISTORY OF THE ARTISTS WHO CHAMPIONED THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION’: A discussion by Dr. Zara Anishanslin of the University of Delaware of art in the colonial era, with an emphasis on portraiture. Shelburne Museum, Saturday, September 19, 4 p.m. Free with museum admission.

ART SOCIAL: An opportunity to see the new shows on view and meet the artists, with live music by composer Susan Reid and members of the Vermont Fiddle Orchestra. At 5 p.m., Sonia Plumb Dance and Company leads “Dance a Sculpture,” a participatory performance on the front plaza open to people of all ages and abilities. Studio Place Arts, Barre, Saturday, September 19, 4:30-6 p.m. Free.

ARTIST TALK: ROB HITZIG: A discussion with the artist of his solo show “Mind Machines” and his practice of making paintings using traditional wood furniture finishing techniques. The Front, Montpelier, Saturday, September 19, 5 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, September 20, 1-3 p.m. Free.

PORTRAIT DRAWING AND PAINTING: A drop-in event where artists can practice skills in any medium. T.W. Wood Museum, Montpelier, Monday, September 21, 10 a.m.-noon. Free; $15 suggested donation.

CALLS TO ARTISTS ‘BODY HORROR: IMMORAL FEAST III’: Seeking works for an exhibition exploring body processes such as healing, failure, leakage, mutation, modification, decay, desire and rot; visceral materials such as organs, fluids, growths, scars, teeth, hair, skin; and themes of anatomy, pleasure, illness, disability, transhumanism, sexuality, gender, aging, reproduction, mortality, mutation, kinship, autonomy or any other interpretation in any medium. Deadline: September 21. Spiral House Art Collective, Burlington. Free.

‘LOCAL COLOR’: Seeking submissions of up to three works per artist for the annual fall exhibition by artists living in Vermont and New Hampshire. All media accepted. See artistreevt.org for guidelines and to submit work. Deadline: September 16. Artistree Community Arts Center, South Pomfret, $15.

‘NIGHT SHADES’: Seeking art that is dark in nature, dark in tones and color shades, dark in concepts, or commenting on dark topics politically and socially for an October exhibition. Deadline: September 23.

The SEABA Center, Burlington. $20 per selected artist. ➆

But wait, there’s more!

Additional art listings are on view at sevendaysvt.com/art

= ONLINE EVENT OR EXHIBIT

HENRY SIEBER

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music+nightlife

The Many Deaths of Cricket Blue

LUKE AWTRY

Cricket Blue

The Burlington chamber-folk duo’s new album is a 20-song meditation on what happens when we die B Y CHR IS FAR NS W O R TH • farnsworth@sevendaysvt.com

L

aura Heaberlin and Taylor Smith have been spending a lot of time lately thinking about each other’s death. The two longtime friends and bandmates in Burlington chamberfolk duo Cricket Blue even penned eulogies for each other on their forthcoming record, Sweet Animal. The songs “Tuesday I” and “Tuesday II” describe how each meets their future end.

“Taylor goes out in a mass-extinction event,” Heaberlin revealed in a recent conversation about the album’s core theme of mortality. “My death was much smaller and more intimate.”

Due out this Friday, September 18, Sweet Animal is a 20-song philosophical back-and-forth between Heaberlin and Smith focused on death, grief and the idea of an afterlife. Cricket Blue’s first album

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SEVEN DAYS SEPTEMBER 16-23, 2026

since 2019’s Serotinalia is also highly ambitious, featuring more than 20 guest musicians plucked from a vibrant local scene adding an orchestral and electronic veneer to their folk sound.

The duo spent years writing and recording the new record, during which they realized their differing views on the big sleep made for a rich field to mine as songwriters. Smith, 36, was raised in an evangelical Christian faith but left the church in college, coming to believe that there is no afterlife. In contrast, Heaberlin, also 36, grew up in an atheist household but over the years has come to reject the notion that, as she put it, “life turns off like a TV when your body expires.”

Rather than a debate or argument to be won, Sweet Animal is a comparison of perspectives on life’s greatest mystery. At

times, it’s intellectual; at others, hearts are on sleeves. But the depth and ease of the conversation that underpins the record displays the intimate bond the two friends have developed since meeting at Middlebury College as music students in 2010.

“We’re coming up on 20 years of knowing each other,” Smith said, looking somewhat surprised by his own admission. “Over that time, we’ve figured out how to preemptively incorporate the other one’s perspectives in an interesting way.”

As close friends and essentially business partners for so many years, the two have forged a profound rapport that allows them to delve deep as songwriters.

Sweet Animal views death as a materialist concern and simultaneously something

more supernatural. Heaberlin even penned a song attempting to square their differing views: “Bees III (On and On)” incorporates Smith’s belief that one’s life is defined by how they lived, rather than where they might be going.

“Go on, Taylor: when the bells are rung,” Heaberlin sings over an ascending acoustic guitar figure that builds into a triumphant elegy, with strings fittingly arranged by Smith. “Little pieces of you move in everyone you love.”

“Taylor grew up believing in eternal life,” Heaberlin explained. “The idea of giving up the afterlife felt hard for him.

So, I wrote a song about all the ways that Taylor influenced me and everyone else who loves him, and that we’ll continue to live with those experiences. Which, I think, is sort of what the afterlife is to him — the legacy you leave.”

Losing his religion didn’t just change the way Smith conceived of death.

“A belief in an afterlife colors your whole view of the world,” he said. “If this life is just a brief window into eternity, surely eternity matters more, right? After I de-converted, I started to realize that life is all that matters. There’s no consolation prize if you screw this one up, which I find motivating, really.”

That view materializes on a track that Smith wrote entitled “You.” The song lurches through time like something out of Slaughterhouse-Five: He flies through memories of friends, family and past loves, all seemingly occurring at once. The sound begins with the building power of an indie-folk anthem, not unlike a Fleet Foxes track, but detours into a stop-start rhythm as Smith’s conversational melody sprawls outward.

“You’re credentialed, shacking with your babydoll / You’re cut up by surgeons and I never call / You cover the floors with sawdust and clay / You know that I lied and will never explain,” Smith sings, presenting a sort of highlight reel of the emotional entanglements of a lifetime.

Heaberlin’s songs take a more spiritual view, particularly on the hauntingly gorgeous “Ella I,” a paean to her late grandmother.

“And you always call on Ella, though Ella isn’t here,” she sings in a hushed tone, over a rich orchestral score arranged by Smith. “On your side it is a mirror, on hers the glass is clear — / or is it just imagination that makes a sign appear?”

Despite their somewhat opposed ideas of what happens when the lights go out, the two are in agreement that Sweet Animal, as both a double album and a concept record, represents a leveling up of their craft. The duo tracked much of it THE MANY DEATHS OF CRICKET BLUE

» P.62

GOT MUSIC NEWS? MUSIC@SEVENDAYSVT.COM

AN EVENING WITH DAVID SEDARIS

Grace Potter

COURTESY

York Times #1 New BEST SELLER

On the Beat

Vermont’s festival season is winding down, but there are still outdoor parties on the horizon to look forward to, folks.

You might just bring a hoodie is all.

GRACE POTTER’s annual Grand Point North returns to Burlington’s Waterfront Park this weekend, September 18 to 20, and the Waitsfield native tops a pretty killer bill. In addition to headlining Friday and Saturday, Potter welcomes some big names, including legendary singersongwriter JACKSON BROWNE, indie-rock outfit PORTUGAL. THE MAN, folk rockers DAWES, roots act the DEVIL MAKES THREE and bluegrass band TRAMPLED BY TURTLES. The party carries on to Sunday, which features sets from GRATEFUL DEAD tribute act DARK STAR ORCHESTRA and New Jersey jam band DOGS IN A PILE. As in previous iterations of the fest, Potter made sure to include the local scene. This year’s homegrown lineup features the multicultural ensemble ALL THE RIVERS, indie rockers JESSE TAYLOR BAND, singer-songwriter FRANKIE WHITE and power trio ROSE ASTEROID. “Our goal is to show festival-goers that there’s more to our brave little state than great skiing and Instagram-worthy scenery,” Potter said in a press release.

For tickets and more information, visit grandpointnorth.com.

If you didn’t get enough jazz at the Burlington Discover Jazz Festival or the Stowe Jazz Festival, I have good news! Middlebury is getting in on the hepcat action. Town Hall Theater and Jazz Middlebury team up to present the inaugural Middlebury House of Jazz Festival.

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The three-day event goes down October 9 to 11 with a bill featuring Grammy-winning guitarist and vocalist JOHN PIZZARELLI, the MILES DONAHUE QUARTET, and MATHIS PICARD TRIO, as well as some local flavor courtesy of the LARA CWASS BAND and RAY VEGA’S AFRO-CARIBBEAN ENSEMBLE. “This festival is about experiencing exceptional jazz up close,” Town Hall Theater executive and artistic director of LISA MITCHELL said in a press release. “We want audiences to hear internationally celebrated artists in an ON THE BEAT

» P.62

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John Pizzarelli

On the Beat « P.61

Hip-hop producer and beatmaker RICO JAMES’ new project is an interactive love letter to music and the local scene in general. Nope, it’s not an LP or a mixtape — James has dropped a video game called Rico’s Vinyl Quest.

Set in a stylized version of Burlington, the pixel-art adventure sends players all over the city in an attempt to find rare records. That’s right, it’s a crate-digging game!

While searching for new sounds, players can engage with many challenges — think beat matching, pizza building and freestyle DJ scratching.

The best part, according to James, is that the game is a work in progress and still growing. He’s finished most of the first two levels, but there’s more to come. Hop over to ricojamesmusic.com to access and play Rico’s Vinyl Quest.

CHRI S FARNSW ORTH

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THERE’S A LOT OF CELEBRATION OF LIFE ON THIS RECORD.

Cricket Blue

TAY L O R S M I T H

The Many Deaths of Cricket Blue « P.60 at Heaberlin’s house and Big Lake Recording in Burlington and incorporated a huge swath of the local music scene: Goose drummer Cotter Ellis, guitarist Tom Pearo, trumpet player and singer-songwriter Connor Young, Couchsleepers’ Harrison Hsiang on piano, and bassist Kyle Saulnier of Saturn People’s Sound Collective, among others.

It all adds up to the band taking its previous intimate and often strippeddown sound and coloring it in with big, classical-leaning string arrangements and a touch of electronic music, courtesy of frequent collaborator Christopher Hawthorn, a Burlington expat.

The slew of collaborators shows how connected Cricket Blue are to the Burlington music scene, despite being stylistically unique. In a city chock-full of young indie-rock and jam bands, Smith and Heaberlin’s brand of progressive, lyrically hyper-literate chamber folk stands out.

“I truly feel molded by the Burlington

Sweet Animal by Cricket Blue

music scene,” Smith said. “I would have never even tried to take music this seriously were it not for the vibrancy of the scene and that feeling of being inspired and supported by other musicians. Quite simply, this record could not exist without the deep bench of the local scene.”

He and Heaberlin will draw on all that local talent at a release show for the new album on Friday, September 25, at the First Unitarian Universalist Society in

LUKE AWTRY

intimate setting, discover emerging talent, meet musicians, learn from them, and experience the extraordinary range and joy of jazz over one weekend.”

The festival will also feature workshops taught by some of the musicians, including “Mathis Picard Master Class: The Art of Creation & Creativity,” held on Sunday, October 11, on the Rothrock Main Stage.

To learn more and snag tickets, visit townhalltheater.org.

Burlington. The show will likely be their only live opportunity to capture the massive sounds of Sweet Animal: They’ll be joined by an 11-piece orchestra and a bevy of guest vocalists.

“It’s exciting to present the songs as fleshed out as we can for this show,” Smith said. “It’s fitting that we celebrate an album that actually isn’t as dour as a ‘death record’ might sound. There’s a lot of celebration of life on this record.”

Indeed, rather than finding the material grim, Heaberlin values how the record pushed her to reckon with death, including her own. She’s formed ideas about what she’d like to leave behind after she dies. Some are more tangible than others.

“I want a really spooky gravestone,” she said. “I want people to come find my grave, and I want it to feel like something out of the 1800s. I mean, I still want death to be spooky sometimes.” ➆

INFO Cricket Blue album release show, Friday, September 25, 7 p.m., at First Unitarian Universalist Society in Burlington. $16-45. cricketbluemusic.com

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At the frontline:

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A conversation with

Eric Lipton 64

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Four-time Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter at The New York Times, former Vermont journalist and UVM alum. vtdigger.org | sevendaysvt.com

9/14/26 3:42 PM

music+nightlife

live music WED.16

Lounge Act Australian singer-songwriter and

COURTESY

CLUB DATES

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.

indie weirdo ALEX CAMERON, formerly of the band Seekae,

Adirondack Jazz Ensemble (jazz) at Olive Ridley’s, Plattsburgh, N.Y., 7 p.m. Free.

launched his solo career with the 2013 album Jumping

Alela Diane (folk) at Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $20.

washed-up entertainer. Equal parts sleazy cheese and

the Shark, in which he took on the persona of a lascivious hook-laden synth pop and art rock, Cameron’s music has

Andy Frasco & the U.N., Dobbs’ Dead (rock) at Zenbarn, Waterbury Center, 8 p.m. $40/$50.

evolved along with his chameleonic persona, such that on his most recent LP, Late to Set, it’s hard to tell what’s

Bluegrass Nights (bluegrass) at Foam Brewers, Burlington, 6 p.m.

Free.

satire and what’s genuine expression. He’s set to tour with

Derek Burkins (singersongwriter) at the Tunbridge General Store, 5 p.m. Free.

Ground Showcase Lounge in South Burlington on Sunday,

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

provides support.

the Strokes but makes a headlining stop at the Higher September 20. Los Angeles indie rocker JOSH DA COSTA

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

John Craigie, Humbird (singersongwriter) at Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington, 8 p.m. $30.

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

Brandon Terzakis Trio (jazz) at Stowe Cider, 6 p.m. Free.

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

George Murtie (covers) at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction, 6 p.m.

Free.

Gooseberry, Girls Night (rock) at Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $15.

Hot Pickin’ Party (bluegrass) at Foam Brewers, Burlington, 7 p.m.

Free.

Jake McKelvie, A Box of Stars, riverbed, Izzy Jones (indie) at Monkey House, Winooski, 8 p.m. $10.

Modern Biology (experimental) at Stone Church, Brattleboro, 8 p.m. $37.

Summer Concert Series: Dan Parks (covers) at Folino’s Pizza, Williston, 6 p.m. Free.

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

Dead Is Alive with Dobbs’ Dead (Grateful Dead tribute) at Einstein’s Tap House, Burlington, 8 p.m. $15.

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

THU.17

Andy Frasco & the U.N., Cotter & Friends (rock) at Zenbarn, Waterbury Center, 8 p.m. $40/$50.

Raised by Hippies (rock) at Lost Nation Brewing, Morrisville, 8 p.m. $20.

Smoochie Boochie, Groovebox (hip-hop) at Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $23.

Rivers of Nihil, Pathogenic, Rotting in the Chapel (metal) at Stone Church, Brattleboro, 8 p.m. $28/$36.

Ali McGuirk (indie soul, R&B) at Hugo’s, Montpelier, 7:30 p.m. Free.

TUE.22

Shanty Rats (sea shanties) at Charlie-O’s World Famous, Montpelier, 8:30 p.m. Free.

Mikaela Davis, Johanna Samuels (Americana) at Foam Brewers, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $20/$25.

Abby Sherman (blues, folk) at Charlie-O’s World Famous, Montpelier, 8 p.m. Free.

Popebama, walks in the continuous field (experimental) at Community of Sound, Burlington, 8 p.m. $10.

SUN.20

Alex Cameron, Josh da Costa (indie) at Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $25.

SUN.20 // ALEX CAMERON [INDIE]

FRI.18

Amani Burnham (blues rock) at Stone Church, Brattleboro, 7 p.m. $31/$36.

The Bressetts (acoustic) at Gusto’s, Barre, 6 p.m. Free.

Bryan Bielanski (acoustic) at Two Heroes Brewery & Public House, South Hero, 6 p.m. Free.

Cal Humberto, DJ Kyling (jazz, DJ) at Einstein’s Tap House, Burlington, 8 p.m. Free.

Dueling Pianos (dueling pianos) at 14th Star Brewing, St. Albans, 8 p.m. $25.

EDW (rock) at Monopole, Plattsburgh, N.Y., 10 p.m. Free.

Kyle Chadburn & the Earthbound Spirits (folk rock) at Jericho Café & Tavern, 7 p.m. Free.

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

Lou McNally (folk) at Poultney Pub, 6 p.m. Free.

Connor Lin Frost (indie pop) at Shelburne Vineyard, 6 p.m. Free.

Quadra (rock) at the Old Post, South Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

The Dad Bods (rock) at 1st Republic Brewing, Essex, 6 p.m.

Free.

Side Hustle (covers) at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction, 5 p.m.

Free.

Daisychain, Repelican, Mooncusser (indie rock) at Monkey House, Winooski, 7:45 p.m. $10.

Tyler Mast (folk rock) at Hugo’s, Montpelier, 7:30 p.m. Free.

Dead Man Strumming (Grateful Dead tribute) at River Roost Brewery, White River Junction, 5 p.m. Free.

Devonian Hot Club (jazz) at the Whammy Bar, Calais, 7 p.m. Free.

Zach Dupont (singer-songwriter) at Hotel Vermont, Burlington, 4 p.m. Free.

SAT.19

90 Proof (rock) at Switchback Beer Garden & Smokehouse, Burlington, 5:30 p.m. Free.

Ariel Zevon and the Wolf (singer-songwriter) at Bent Nails Roadhouse, Middlesex, 7:30 p.m.

Free.

Dueling Pianos (dueling pianos) at 14th Star Brewing, St. Albans, 8 p.m. $25.

Duncan MacLeod Trio (blues) at Jericho Café & Tavern, 7 p.m. Free.

Hayley Jane Band, Organ Fairchild (rock, folk) at Stone Church, Brattleboro, 8 p.m. $32/$40.

Bloodroot Gap (bluegrass) at Lawson’s Finest Liquids, Waitsfield, 3 p.m. Free.

Daphne Gale (singer-songwriter) at Foam Brewers, Burlington, 1 p.m. Free.

Half Dead (Grateful Dead tribute) at Shelburne Vineyard, 1 p.m. Free.

Jensen McRae, Gretta Ray (folk) at Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington, 8 p.m. $27.50.

NRBQ, Jake Manzi (rock) at Stone Church, Brattleboro, 7 p.m. $37.

Seth Yacovone (acoustic) at the Alchemist, Stowe, 4 p.m. Free.

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

Free.

Sunday Brunch Tunes (singersongwriter) at Hotel Vermont, Burlington, 10 a.m.

Johnny Mountainside (singersongwriter) at the Whammy Bar, Calais, 7 p.m. Free.

Switchel (bluegrass) at Switchback Beer Garden & Smokehouse, Burlington, 1 p.m.

Free.

Katie Dobbins (singersongwriter) at the Den at Harry’s Hardware, Cabot, 7 p.m. Free.

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

Monachino, Jarrett & Stats (jazz) at Hugo’s, Montpelier, 7:30 p.m.

Free.

Wine & Jazz Sundays (jazz) at Shelburne Vineyard, 5 p.m. Free.

Big Easy Tuesdays with Jon McBride (jazz) at the 126, Burlington, 9 p.m. Free.

Filth (metal) at Stone Church, Brattleboro, 8 p.m. $25/$31.

Maggie Grace, Bennie, Lavendair (indie) at Monkey House, Winooski, 7 p.m. Free.

REDadmiral (rock, folk) at Lawson’s Finest Liquids, Waitsfield, 5:30 p.m. Free.

Violet Grohl, Suzy Clue (indie) at Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington, 8 p.m. $20.

WED.23

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

Bluegrass Nights (bluegrass) at Foam Brewers, Burlington, 6 p.m.

Free.

Bywater Call (roots rock) at Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $18.

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

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

Jim Yeager Duo (singersongwriter) at Four Quarters Brewing, Winooski, 7:30 p.m. Free.

Los Lorcas (folk) at the Tunbridge General Store, 5 p.m. Free.

Madison Cunningham, Julia Cumming (singer-songwriter) at Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington, 8 p.m. $30.

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

MON.21

Cheekface, Apes of the State (indie rock) at Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $25.

DJS SEVEN DAYS SEPTEMBER 16-23, 2026

» P.67 65

music+nightlife

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For the record: I don’t hate it when white people play reggae music.

Yes, it’s true that upon hearing it, I’ve publicly stated something to the effect of: “This is whiter than George Bush vomiting on the prime minister of Japan in 1992” — a real thing that happened, BTW. And did I start referring to white reggae as bushu-suru, after a Japanese slang term for puking in public? Guilty.

Notwithstanding what I said when I was drunk at a party and some dreadlocked dude named Chet played acoustic renditions of Bob Marley songs, I’m largely cool with A Flora Borealis, the new reggae-ish album from Hyde Park quartet the Shady Trees.

Most of the tracks on the record are closer to jam-band terrain mixed with aspects of funk and Southern rock, as on “Seasons” and album opener “North Country.” While the latter track veers into reggae-rock, the extended psychrock jam in the middle keeps it solidly in the realm of fusion.

Similar to other Caucasian lovers of Jamaican sounds, such as Sublime and Slightly Stoopid, the Shady Trees are less of a reggae act and more of a band that uses reggae to decorate rock music. If I were a purist about reggae, a genre that originated in Black culture as a reaction to systemic injustice and oppression, I might have some reservations. But I’m not. And besides, it hardly feels fair to hold the Shady Trees accountable for adopting something bands such as the Police, UB40 and 311 also did to sell millions of records.

Whatever influences shape the Shady Trees’ sound, the band has honed them to become a tight, harmony-driven machine. Despite a lean discography — A Flora Borealis is the band’s first proper studio album — its members have been playing together for 14 years, gigging around the state regularly. Brothers Jesse and Micah Sanguedolce have a near-telepathic link on guitars, trading licks and riffs and harmonizing with both their voices and their instruments.

Bringing up the rhythm section, drummer Zack Alario and bassist Jason Whipkey bob and weave with funkflavored zest but can flex into arena rock at the drop of a rastacap.

The record captures the band’s cultivated chemistry, as well as its highoctane live set.

Tunes such as “Payphone,” on which the band rides a sinuous groove packed with dynamic shifts, would be at home at a sold-out jam fest.

With fiery salvos of funk jams, “Full Circle” has shades of fellow Vermont jam-adjacent act LaMP. The doo-wop soul feel on “Long Way to Go” is a high point of the record. Over a moody guitar figure and bluesy lead, the Sanguedolce brothers harmonize on the chorus: “We got a long way to go / can’t stop that walk down the road.”

Closer “Big Black Car” is the exact kind of rock-reggae that once prompted me to utter some harsh words. Maybe I’m getting soft with age, or maybe the Shady Trees can just jam that hard, but in the end, the band — and the record — won me over.

Check out A Flora Borealis at theshadytreesvt.com and on major streaming services.

CHRIS FARNSWORTH

GET YOUR MUSIC REVIEWED: #HGVT

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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

highergroundmusic.com /highergroundmusic @highergroundmusic

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SEVEN DAYS SEPTEMBER 16-23, 2026

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THU.17

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

Two Sev, JP Black, Xavier, Chaston (DJ) at Red Square, Burlington, 9 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.18

DJ LaFountaine (DJ) at Gusto’s, Barre, 6 p.m. Free.

Swiss Army Band

Singer-songwriter ANDY FRASCO has been Los Angeles rocker and his backing band, the U.N., have been dropping new music that

strays from their usual blues-rock

SAT.19

EP Homesick (songs for younger me),

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

Frasco channels his love of emo and

SUN.20

and jam-funk terrain. On the new

Drag Brunch (drag) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 11 a.m. $20.

all things Warped Tour. Fans shouldn’t

Friday Dance Party with NasteeLuvzYou (DJ) at the Alchemist, Stowe, 4 p.m. Free.

an album of country and Americana tunes titled

Two Sev, Ron Stoppable, Aidan, Chaston (DJ) at Red Square, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

Karaoke with DJ Big T (karaoke) at McKee’s Original, Winooski, 9 p.m. Free.

Trivia Night (trivia) at the Den at Harry’s Hardware, Cabot, 8:30 p.m. Free.

get too comfortable with that sound,

GAYBAR (DJ) at Foam Brewers, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

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

Karaoke with DJ Party Bear (karaoke) at Charlie-O’s World Famous, Montpelier, 9 p.m. Free.

trying on different musical hats of late. The

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

djs

Family-Friendly Karaoke (karaoke) at Old Soul Design Shop, Plattsburgh, N.Y., 5 p.m.

Free.

however, as he plans to follow up the EP with

Sunday Funday (games) at 1st Republic Brewing, Essex, noon.

Free.

Kosher Cowboy. Frasco and his band swing through Zenbarn in Waterbury Center for a

Trivia (trivia) at Zenbarn, Waterbury Center, 5:30 p.m. Free.

two-night run on Wednesday and Thursday, September 16 and 17. Grateful Dead tribute

MON.21

band DOBBS’ DEAD and local jam supergroup

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

COTTER & FRIENDS open, respectively.

SAT.19

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

DJ Big Dog (DJ) at Thingz From Yaad, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

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

Aras, Raul, Matt P (DJ) at Red Square, Burlington, 5 p.m. Free.

DJ JP Black (DJ) at Einstein’s Tap House, Burlington, 10 p.m. Free.

WED.16 & THU.17 // ANDY FRASCO & THE U.N. [ROCK]

Trivia with Brain (trivia) at Charlie-O’s World Famous, Montpelier, 8 p.m. Free.

DJ Kanganade (DJ) at the Alchemist, Stowe, 4 p.m. Free.

DJ Skipipop (DJ) at Foam Brewers, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

Sparkomatik (EDM) at Monkey House, Winooski, 7 p.m. $10.

TUE.22

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

Local Dork (DJ) at Foam Brewers, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

open mics & jams WED.16

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.

THU.17

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

SUN.20

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

MON.21

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.

TUE.22

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

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

WED.23

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

comedy WED.16

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

Standup Open Mic (comedy open mic) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 8:30 p.m. Free.

THU.17

What Else, What Else? (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 7 p.m. $5.

FRI.18

Alex Kumin (comedy) at the Mill, Westport, N.Y., 8 p.m. $30.

Jamie Wolf (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 7 & 9 p.m. $30.

Mind Magic: A Night of Laughter and Astonishment ... Benefiting NAMI Vermont (comedy, magic) at Bennington Theater, 7:30 p.m. $35-$55.

SAT.19

Alex Kumin (comedy) at the Mill, Westport, N.Y., 8 p.m. $30.

Comedy Showcase (comedy) at Einstein’s Tap House, Burlington, 8 p.m. $5.

Good Clean Fun (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 5 p.m. $5.

Jamie Wolf (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 7 & 9 p.m. $30.

say you saw it in

SUN.20

Brad Williams: The Tall Tales Tour (comedy) at Flynn Main Stage, Burlington, 7 p.m. $32-$82.50.

Mind Magic: An Afternoon of Laughter and Astonishment (comedy, magic) at Barn Opera, Brandon, 2:30-4 p.m. $35-$55.

TUE.22

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

WED.23

Standup Open Mic (comedy open mic) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 8:30 p.m. Free.

trivia, karaoke, etc.

WED.16

Butt Trivia (trivia) at Old Soul Design Shop, Plattsburgh, N.Y., 7 p.m. Free.

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.17

Country Line Dancing (line dancing) at Zenbarn, Waterbury Center, 7:30 p.m. Free.

Don Mahogany Third Thursday Trivia (trivia) at Butter Bar & Kitchen, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

Karaoke (karaoke) at Gusto’s, Barre, 8 p.m. Free.

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

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

Free.

Trivia (trivia) at Four Quarters Brewing, Winooski, 6 p.m. Free.

Trivia (trivia) at Einstein’s Tap House, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

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

Free.

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

FRI.18

Trivia with Craig Mitchell (trivia) at Monkey House, Winooski, 7 p.m. Free.

TUE.22

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.23

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

Karaoke with Cam (karaoke) at Monopole, Plattsburgh, N.Y., 9 p.m. Free.

Trivia (trivia) at Alfie’s Wild Ride, Stowe, 7 p.m. Free.

Trivia (trivia) at Rí Rá Irish Pub & Whiskey Room, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

Trivia (trivia) at Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge, Burlington, 7 p.m.

Free. ➆

Boogie Bingo (bingo, DJ) at the Alchemist, Stowe, 5 p.m. Free.

SEVEN DAYS SEPTEMBER 16-23, 2026

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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.

COFFEE & CONVERSATION: Licensed therapist Sarah Morrison Yates hosts a weekly opportunity for neighbors to connect over a cup of joe.

Coffee and snacks provided. St. George Historic Schoolhouse, 10 a.m.-noon. Free.

strategies to reduce erosion, improve soil structure and safeguard local waterways.

North Branch Nature Center, Montpelier, 5:30-7 p.m. Free; preregister.

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.

PASSEGGIATA: Inspired by an Italian social ritual, locals take to the streets for a community-building stroll of the pedestrian promenade.

Church Street Marketplace, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

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.

S E P T E M B E R

WED.16

agriculture

GUIDED TOURS: Guests get to know the personal histories of rescued farm animals at an educational walk-through highlighting the nuances of lifelong care. Merrymac Animal Sanctuary, Charlotte, 2-3 p.m. $25.

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

CHAMBER MIXER: Central Vermont Chamber of Commerce invites the public to eat, drink and win prizes at this monthly business shindig.

Bolduc Metal Recycling, Middlesex, 5-8 p.m. Free; preregister.

HOBBY TO BUSINESS WORKSHOP: Attendees learn how to turn a passion project into a paycheck at this expert-led seminar outlining the logistics of a viable venture. Generator Makerspace, Burlington, 6-8 p.m. Free; preregister.

community

CHAMPLAIN VALLEY VEGAN COMMUNITY PASSEGGIATA: Folks following a plant-based diet embark on an evening stroll of the bricks, with stops for vegan food, beverages and desserts along the way. Church Street Marketplace, Burlington, 6-7:30 p.m. Free; cost of food and drink; preregister.

1 6 - 2 3 ,

PASSEGGIATA WATERBURY: Neighbors adopt a timeless Mediterranean tradition of civic engagement and social bonding during an evening amble. Downtown Waterbury, 5-8 p.m. Free.

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.

environment

‘HEALTHY SOILS, CLEAN WATERS: A WATERSHED APPROACH TO PROTECTING THE LAKE CHAMPLAIN BASIN’: The Composting Association of Vermont hosts an info-packed workshop highlighting practical

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.

68

food & drink

SEVEN DAYS SEPTEMBER 16-23, 2026

etc.

MUSEUM TOURS: A guided tour charts a course through regional history, uncovering the archaeological secrets hidden beneath the waves. Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, Vergennes, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Free.

fairs & festivals

PUPPETS IN THE GREEN MOUNTAINS: Acclaimed artists from around the world convene for five days of performances, public conversations, workshops and an exhibition. See puppetsinthegreenmountains. net for full schedule. Various Brattleboro and Putney locations, 7-8 p.m. Various prices.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the on screen section.

‘ANSELM’: Wim Wenders’ poetic 2023 documentary dives deep into contemporary German artist Anselm Kiefer’s life and work. Hall Art Foundation, Reading, 6 p.m. By donation.

JIM HENSON’S ‘LABYRINTH’: IN CONCERT: A live band rocks out to David Bowie’s original vocals as this cult-classic 1986 dark fantasy plays on the big screen for its 40th anniversary.

Lebanon Opera House, N.H., 7:30 p.m. $52.50-78.

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

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

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

= ONLINE EVENT = GET TICKETS ON SEVENDAYSTICKETS.COM

DANVILLE FARMERS MARKET: Villagers connect over live music and family-friendly activities at a weekly gathering featuring Northeast Kingdom produce, artisan wares and culinary creations.

Danville Town Green, 3:30-7 p.m.

Free.

MARKET ON THE GREEN: Shoppers feast their eyes on fresh produce, prepared foods and artisanal goods as they enjoy live local music. Woodstock Village Green, 3-6 p.m. Free.

VERMONT CHEESE ADVENTURE DINNER: A multicourse feast celebrates the products of 10 different Green Mountain State creameries, from enduring icons to hidden gems. Proceeds benefit the Vermont Cheese Council.

Shelburne Farms, 6-9 p.m. $180.

VERMONT CHEESE WEEK: Dairy lovers delight in seven days of creamery tours, cheddar sampling, cheesy feasts, a connoisseur camp and wine-pairing classes. See vtcheese.com for full schedule. Various locations statewide. Various prices.

WEDNESDAY WINE DOWN FARMERS MARKET: Folks uncork happiness while browsing local produce and products, sipping vino, and enjoying live music by noteworthy outfits. Shelburne Vineyard, 5-9 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.

FUNCTIONAL BALANCE WITH LYNNE: Personal fitness trainer Lynne Wells leads a class designed to help participants steady their steps, improve their agility and build everyday strength.

Brookfield Old Town Hall, 6-8 p.m. $10 suggested donation.

REAL TALK ABOUT SEX: ‘INITIATING SEX’: A monthly Zoom gathering facilitated by certified sexuality educator Sarah Goodrich allows for frank, respectful conversations about the topic. 7-8 p.m. Free; preregister.

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.

language

LANGUAGE LOUNGE: Lunch breaks transform into global conversation circles as participants hone their multilingual abilities.

GREAT VERMONT CORN MAZE: With a new design every year, this sprawling 24-acre labyrinth presents a fresh challenge for fall revelers. Great Vermont Corn Maze, Danville, 9 a.m.-noon.

Various prices; preregister.

See kellogghubbard.org for details. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, noon. Free.

SPANISH CONVERSATION: Fluent and beginner speakers brush up on their vocabulario with a discussion led by a Spanish teacher. Presented by Dorothy Alling Memorial Library. 5-6 p.m.

Free; preregister.

lgbtq

THE ALL-INCLUSIVE DYKETACULAR: A weekly get-together and listening party celebrates the LGBTQ+ community with feelgood tunes, dancing and drinks.

Doma Bar, Burlington, 5-10 p.m.

Free; cost of food and drink.

WINOOSKI PRIDE: The Onion City throws an activity-packed shindig celebrating LGBTQ+ rights and culture with music, activities, games and plenty of food options.

Rotary Park, Winooski, 5-8 p.m.

Free.

music

CANTRIP: An acclaimed Scottish band uses pipes, fiddles, guitar and vocals to tie traditional music to funk, metal, swing and klezmer.

Alexander Twilight Theatre, Vermont State University-Lyndon, 7 p.m. $10-25; free for VTSU staff, faculty and students.

LIVE IN THE ORCHARD: THE MEATPACKERS: The beloved local band serves up its signature brand of contagious bluegrass rhythms. Shelburne Orchards, 12:30-1:30 p.m. Free.

MUSIC ON THE HILL SUMMER CONCERT SERIES: Outdoor music lovers pack a picnic and revel in vibrant performances at this weekly celebration of seasonal sounds. See artistreevt.org for lineup. Artistree Community Arts Center, South Pomfret, 6:30 p.m.

Free.

SUMMER LIVE MUSIC SERIES: Weekly performances by top local acts, authentic tacos from Las Hermosas, summery bevvies and sweet treats make for the perfect hump-day capper. See thetillermanvt.com for lineup.

The Tillerman, Bristol, 5-8 p.m.

Free; cost of food and drink.

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.

HERBAL PLANT WALK: Seasoned experts guide budding herbalists on an info-packed trek through the sanctuary’s lush grounds.

White Dove Herbal Sanctuary, Montpelier, 5-6:30 p.m. By donation.

seminars

INTRO TO 3D MODELING: Digital artists learn the basics of opensource software Blender at this two-part introductory workshop.

The Media Factory, Burlington, 6-8 p.m. Free; donations accepted; preregister.

SUSTAINING THE RENT WORKSHOP: The Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity helps tenants financially prepare and access resources to meet their housing needs. Noon-1:30 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.

WHALEBOAT WEDNESDAYS: Lake lovers embark on a unique aquatic adventure by rowing and sailing a traditionally rigged wooden craft across the water. Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, Vergennes, 4-7 p.m. $60 suggested donation.

talks

MARTY PODSKOCH: An author and historian shares fascinating facts about Vermont’s Civilian Conservation Corps camps, with special attention paid to Montpelier and Middlesex.

Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 6:30-8 p.m. Free.

words

MEG REYNOLDS: A Vermont poet shares from her prizewinning new collection, Condition, an account of early motherhood during the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic. Phoenix Books, Rutland, 6:30 p.m. Free; preregister.

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

THU.17

agriculture

GUIDED TOURS: See WED.16.

business

HIRING2DAYVT VIRTUAL JOB FAIR: Time for a new gig? The Vermont Department of Labor offers a meet and greet with employers from around the state. 11 a.m.-noon. Free.

WOMEN BUSINESS OWNERS MASTERMIND: Femaleidentifying area professionals come together to troubleshoot real-world challenges through collaborative problem-solving and collective support. Ladies Social Group, Essex Junction, 3:30-5 p.m. $20; free for members and first-time attendees.

MONTPELIER RAMBLE: Locals take to the streets for a weekly community-building stroll in the heart of the Capital City.

Downtown Montpelier, 5-7 p.m.

Free.

STORY JAM: Upper Valley community members recount an unrehearsed five-minute true story from their lives. Junction Arts & Media, White River Junction, 6 p.m. Free; preregister.

conferences

VERMONT FOREST INNOVATION SUMMIT: Foresters convene for a full day of networking, speeches and learning sessions that explore developments in products, land-use planning, management and recreation. Burke Mountain Resort, East Burke, noon-8 p.m.

Various prices; preregister.

crafts

KNIT FOR YOUR NEIGHBOR: From clicking needles to looping looms, participants hook into a mission of goodwill by creating handmade winter wear for the South Burlington Food Shelf. Materials provided. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 2-5 p.m. Free.

KNITTING GROUP: Knitters of every experience level get together to spin yarns. Latham Library, Thetford, 7 p.m. Free.

SEP. 19 | MUSIC

fairs & festivals

MILTON ACTIVITIES FAIR: Families and community members fill up their fall calendars with sports, recreation, clubs and services offered by area nonprofits and organizations. Milton Middle/High School, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Free.

dance

‘SWAN LAKE’: The World Ballet Company presents its breathtaking rendition of the tragedy of Odette, Odile and Siegfried.

Lebanon Opera House, N.H., 7 p.m. $51.50-85.50.

PUPPETS IN THE GREEN MOUNTAINS: See WED.16, 5-9:30 p.m.

environment

TUNBRIDGE WORLD’S FAIR: The beloved annual tradition celebrates the kid in all of us with an array of food, farm animals, contests, ag displays and midway fun for everyone. Tunbridge World’s Fairgrounds, 7 a.m.-8 p.m. $11-51; free for children under 12.

‘EMERALD ASH BORER THREAT’: Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation invasive species coordinator Noah Hoffman outlines management strategies and action plans to help property owners stem the tide of the destructive beetles.

New Haven Town Offices, 7 p.m.

Free.

film

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.

etc.

CONSTITUTION DAY CELEBRATION: Students take the mic alongside Vermont poet laureate Bianca Stone to dissect the meaning of “freedom” through creative verse and readings from the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. Town Hall Theater, Middlebury, 1-2:30 p.m.

Free.

RIBBON CUTTING EVENT: A grand-opening ceremony marks the culmination of the opera house’s multiyear All Access Project with live music, remarks, refreshments and tours.

Vergennes Opera House, 2 p.m.

Free; preregister.

THIRD THURSDAY TWILIGHT SERIES: Shoppers stroll historic streets, explore local businesses, and connect with the makers, artists and entrepreneurs who bring creativity to the community. Various Vergennes locations, 4-7 p.m. Free.

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.16

Center, University of Vermont, Burlington, 5-7 p.m. $10-60.

COURTESY OF MCKENNA CHRISTINE POE

community

WOODWORKING LAB: Visionaries create a project or learn a new skill with the help of mentors and access to makerspace tools and equipment. Patricia A. Hannaford Career Center, Middlebury, 5-8 p.m. $7.50.

DADS’ NIGHT IN: JACKBOX GAMES: Fathers log on for a virtual game night hosted by Dad Guild.

8:45-10 p.m. Free.

Soul Sisters At Chandler Center for the Arts in Randolph, boundary-busting early music ensemble the Pandora Consort get to the heart of women’s lib with an impassioned performance of their new folk opera, The Fire Within Her. Protest anthems, Shaker hymns and shape-note tunes craft a sonorous quilt of civil rights history, from English-born Anne Hutchinson’s fight for religious freedom in 17th-century Boston to author Betty Friedan’s ignition of second-wave feminism in the 1960s. In these fraught times, artistic director Kendra Comstock reminds us to look to the future, because “someone might work for change her whole life and never see the results but hand off the torch to the next generation.”

THE PANDORA CONSORT Saturday, September 19, 7 p.m., at Chandler Center for the Arts in Randolph. Free; donations accepted. Info, 802-728-9878, chandler-arts.org.

VERMONT WOMEN’S FUND ANNUAL CELEBRATION: A keynote by School of Leadership,

burlington

‘CHAMP: AMERICA’S LAKE MONSTER’ EXHIBIT: Curious minds dive into the science and history of Vermont’s most iconic legend at this family-friendly exhibit featuring interactive games, a design studio, multimedia displays, a 30-foot sculpture and photo ops. ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Regular admission, $17-23; free for members and kids 2 and under.

chittenden county

BABY TIME: Nonmobile infants and their caregivers embark on a slow-paced social hour featuring songs, rhymes and restorative connection. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 10:30-11 a.m.

Free.

Afghanistan cofounder Shabana Basij-Rasikhand helps honor the state’s largest philanthropic

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, 2:30-5 p.m. Free.

SWITCH IT UP!: A weekly gaming session on the library’s Nintendo Switch engages elementary students in friendly competition. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 5-6 p.m. Free.

barre/montpelier

BABY & CAREGIVER MEETUP: Wiggly ones ages birth to 18 months play and

organization dedicated solely to women and girls. Dudley H. Davis

‘DINOSAURS OF ANTARCTICA 3D’: Join scientists on a journey through a surreal world of bug-eyed giants and egg-laying mammals. Dealer.com 3D Theater, ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, noon, 2 & 4 p.m. $3-5 plus regular admission, $17-23; free for members and kids 2 and under.

‘THE PASSION OF JOAN OF ARC’: A live improvised score

by Michael Chorney’s Freeway Clyde enhances this screening of the 1928 silent period drama about the 15th-century French heroine. Film House, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington, 7 p.m. $6-12.

‘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. Dealer. com 3D Theater, ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, 10:30 a.m., 12:30, 2:30 & 4:30 p.m. $3-5 plus regular admission, $17-23; free for members and kids 2 and under.

‘SHARK KINGDOM 3D’: A highstakes investigation into the THU.17

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upper valley

explore in a calm, supportive setting while adults relax and connect on the sidelines. Jaquith Public Library, Marshfield, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free.

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.

champlain islands/ northwest

See what’s playing at local theaters in the on screen section.

‘PLAYING FIELDS’: The Flynn presents a back-to-school celebration for students, families and neighbors, featuring a mesmerizing outdoor performance by famed French street theater company Plasticiens Volants. Georgia Elementary & Middle School, St. Albans, 6 p.m. Free.

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.17

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.16.

THU.17 SEVEN DAYS SEPTEMBER 16-23, 2026

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Memorial Library. 1 p.m. Free; preregister.

underwater realm reveals how humanity’s future hinges on the fate of the ocean’s toothiest inhabitants. Dealer.com 3D Theater, ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, 11:30 a.m., 1:30 & 3:30 p.m. $3-5 plus regular admission, $17-23; free for members and kids 2 and under.

language

‘WILD RESCUE 3D’: Dedicated wildlife rehabilitation teams rescue and release injured and orphaned animals back into nature in this heartwarming documentary short. Dealer.com 3D Theater, ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, 11 a.m., 1 & 3 p.m. $3-5 plus regular admission, $17-23; free for members and kids 2 and under.

MANDARIN CONVERSATION CIRCLE: Volunteers from Vermont Chinese School help students learn or improve their fluency.

South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 11 a.m.-noon. Free.

food & drink

CHEESE TASTING: Foodies gather round the farm table to explore the nuances of simple yet memorable local fromage and drink pairings. The Tillerman, Bristol, 5 p.m. $90; preregister.

VERGENNES FARMERS MARKET: Locals delight in fresh organic produce, artisan cheeses, meats, baked goods, crafts and live music. Vergennes City Park, 3-7 p.m. Free.

VERMONT CHEESE WEEK: See WED.16.

games

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.

DUPLICATE BRIDGE GAMES: Snacks and coffee fuel bouts of a classic card game. Burlington Bridge Club, Williston, 12:30 p.m. $6.

FRIENDLY GAME OF BRIDGE: Strategic thinkers have a blast with the popular card game.

Heineberg Senior Center, Burlington, 1-3 p.m. Free.

PEER SUPPORT DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: Beginners wanted! Players get lost in the fantasy-filled tabletop role-playing game while focusing on teamwork, connection and community building. Morgan House, Burlington, 6-8 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

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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.16.

COURTESY

THU.17

SEP. 19 | WORDS

music

BURLINGTON BAROQUE FESTIVAL: Eric Milnes directs the Burlington Baroque Festival Singers, Boston Renaissance ensemble Blue Heron and internationally acclaimed artists-in-residence L’Harmonie des saisons in a soaring program of diverse works.

College Street Congregational Church, Burlington, 7:30 p.m.

Various prices; preregister.

CANTRIP: See WED.16. Dibden Center for the Arts, Vermont State University-Johnson, 7 p.m.

FEAST & FIELD MUSIC SERIES: Farm-fresh foods and live tunes are on the menu at a weekly pastoral party in the orchard.

See barnarts.org for lineup. Fable Farm, Barnard, 6 p.m. $5-25.

FEAST & FIELD MUSIC SERIES: PRIDE NIGHT: Proud people boogie down at this lively event featuring locally sourced foods, original music by Montpelier vocalist Bemya Nymh and a queer dance party with DJ Kellarella.

Fable Farm, Barnard, 6 p.m. $5-25.

GRAHAM NASH: The legendary English American singer-songwriter performs crowd-favorite hits from across his six-decade career. Spruce Peak Arts, Stowe Mountain Resort, 7 p.m. $87.86-139.75.

HINDER: The multiplatinum rockers of “Lips of an Angel” fame deliver a high-octane performance of unforgettable power ballads.

Paramount Theatre, Rutland, 7:30 p.m. $45-55.

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.

PIZZA BY THE POND MUSIC NIGHTS: A wood-fired oven delivers all-you-can-eat pies while local musicians regale diners with irresistible toe tappers. BYOB. Blueberry Hill Inn, Goshen, 5-8 p.m. $23-34; free for kids 6 and under; preregister.

outdoors

THE AMAZING CORN MAZE: See WED.16.

GREAT VERMONT CORN MAZE: See WED.16.

SEVEN DAYS SEPTEMBER 16-23, 2026

Ethan Tapper

Call of the Wild

Eclipse Grange Theater, Thetford, 7 p.m. $15-25.

A timely theme of “Climate, Critters & Canopies” shapes this year’s Green Mountain Book Festival in Burlington, where — as the host org proclaims — “the wild world meets the written word.” The nod to all things nature and novel kicks off at Phoenix Books with an environmentally driven writing workshop led by Bolton author and forester Ethan Tapper. Next up: Three back-to-back panel discussions invite local naturalists, writers and researchers to weigh in on pertinent subjects, from forest ecosystems and climate change to environmental policy and civic action. Finally, biophiles and bibliophiles hop to Fletcher Free Library for an illuminating keynote capper by Tapper.

CREATIVE WRITING SERIES: Expert Marguerite Dunlop hosts a weekly opportunity for aspiring wordsmiths 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.

GREEN MOUNTAIN BOOK FESTIVAL Saturday, September 19, 10 a.m.-8:30 p.m., at Phoenix Books and Fletcher Free Library in Burlington. Free; preregister for individual events. Info, info@greenmountainbookfestival.org, greenmountainbookfestival.org.

talks

DR. MARC WATKINS: In “The Renewal of Human Agency for our Current Era,” the AI Institute for Teachers director explores the need to renew humanity’s sense of purpose, even as machine intelligence mimics human thought. A Q&A follows. McCarthy Arts Center, Saint Michael’s College, Colchester, 7 p.m. Free.

GRAHAM MONTAGUE: A snorkeler reveals the aquatic beauty that lies beneath the surface of Vermont’s lakes, ponds and rivers through stunning underwater

videos. Stowe Free Library, 6:30 p.m. Free.

downloads. Norwich Public Library, 1-4 p.m. Free.

WEEKDAY SYMPOSIUM SERIES: DR. HANNAH MILLER: A Vermont State University-Johnson professor shares what they’ve learned about community, democracy and civil rights from knitting in every public library in the state. Ilsley Public Library, Middlebury, 6:30 p.m. Free.

TECH MEET-UP: Franklin County digital devotees talk shop over specialty brews and artisanal pastries at this monthly networking opportunity. Catalyst Coffee Bar, St. Albans, 7:30-9:30 a.m. Free; preregister.

tech

‘GHOSTS’: The Parish Players present Henrik Ibsen’s timeless tragedy about a mother confronting the destructive legacy of her late husband’s secret immorality.

TECH HELP: Users with digital dilemmas seek expert guidance about everything from smartphone settings to ebook

theater

words

LIBBY CATALDI: An author celebrates the release of her new book, It Takes a Lifetime to Learn How to Live: An Italian American story of coming home, an intimate, multigenerational memoir immersed in the legacies of Southern Italy. Phoenix Books, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free; preregister.

MORNINGS, MUFFINS & MYSTERIES: Lit lovers link up to discuss the month’s twisty page-turner. St. Albans Free Library, 10:30 a.m. Free.

NO PRESSURE BOOK GROUP: Bibliophiles share whatever recs they like at this low-key Zoom hangout hosted by Waterbury Public Library. 7-8 p.m.

Free.

SHANTA LEE HONEYCUTT: An author, journalist and visual artist shares insights from her essay-in-progress, “Daughters

LIST YOUR EVENT FOR FREE AT SEVENDAYSVT.COM/POSTEVENT

of Lilith: The Monster as Liberation.” St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, 6 p.m. Free.

FRI.18

conferences

VERMONT FOREST INNOVATION SUMMIT: See THU.17, 7 a.m.-2 p.m.

WOMEN’S HEALTH & CANCER CONFERENCE: Patients, health care providers, researchers and caregivers gather for a day of learning, listening and supporting each other. Virtual option available. Dudley H. Davis Center, University of Vermont, Burlington, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Free; preregister.

dance

‘UNCONDITIONAL LOVE (OF MANGOES, DANCING AND ME)’: Rachel Frida Siegel’s anti-diet dance and theater performance gets to the root of eating disorders, patriarchy, capitalism and racism. Dance Theatre, Mahaney Arts Center, Middlebury College, 5 p.m. Free.

education

‘APPROACHES TO HOMESCHOOL’: Local author and longtime homeschooler Rebecca Rupp unpacks the pros, cons and curricular building blocks of home-based education. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free.

environment

CLEAN UP DAY: Volunteers sweep away litter and debris to eliminate potential triggers for neighbors in recovery while beautifying urban landscapes.

Landry Park, Winooski, 9:3011:30 a.m. Free.

SEPTIC FAILURE PREVENTION EVENT: An informative event hosted by Septic Education for Everyone offers hands-on activities, demonstrations, resource materials and practical information for homeowners.

Randolph Town Gazebo, 4-7 p.m.

Free; donations accepted.

etc.

CEMETERY & MAUSOLEUM TOURS: Laurel Glen Association experts lead a fun and educational excursion filled with secrets and stories about the area. BYO flashlight. Laurel Glen Mausoleum-Laurel Hall, Cuttingsville, 5-7 p.m. $10-20 suggested donation.

MUSEUM TOURS: See WED.16.

QUEEN CITY GHOSTWALK: DARKNESS FALLS TOUR: Paranormal historians highlight 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.

STURGEON GALA: SENSORY SCIENCE: The museum transforms into an immersive after-hours playground for curious

adults, with interactive experiences, live music, and fabulous food and drink options. ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, 6-10 p.m. $175.

fairs & festivals

BRITISH INVASION: From motorcars to lifestyle, all things British drive an annual bash boasting a Main Street block party, an auto show and a marketplace. See britishinvasion.com for details.

Various Stowe locations, 6-9 p.m.

Free; add $10-15 for auto show.

NORTHEAST STREET ROD NATIONALS: Commercial exhibitors, a swap meet, quilt displays, games and a coloring contest lend flair to the 32nd annual classic car show. Champlain Valley Exposition, Essex Junction, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. $6-45; free for kids 5 and under.

OKTOBERFEST VERMONT: Burlington’s Bavarian-themed fest features local eats, carnival games, competitions, prize giveaways and all those crisp pours.

Ages 21 and up. Coal Collective, Burlington, 5:30-10 p.m. $20-70; preregister.

PUPPETS IN THE GREEN MOUNTAINS: See WED.16, 9 a.m.9:30 p.m.

TUNBRIDGE WORLD’S FAIR: See THU.17, 7 a.m.-9 p.m.

VERMONT FOOD + MUSIC FESTIVAL: Contemporary Americana outfit Hiss Golden Messenger and other acclaimed artists set the tone for an unforgettable culinary experience among the leaves. Ascutney Outdoors Center, Brownsville, 4 p.m. $85-180.

JOIN THE FUN!

‘PENGUIN ISLAND 3D’: See THU.17.

‘WILD RESCUE 3D’: See THU.17.

food & drink

ADVENTURE DINNER CORN FEST POP-UP NIGHT: Foodies flip for a mouthwatering menu of favorites and creative flexes, from a classic creamy polenta to crafty cornflakes on fried chicken. Adventure Dinner Clubhouse, Colchester, 5-9 p.m. Free; cost of food and drink.

CORES & POURS: A FARMTO-CIDER TASTING EVENT: Locavores sip their way through Vermont’s thriving scene, including tastes from top artisanal producers such as Watson Wheeler Cider, Scott Farm and Wild Branch Cider. Ages 21 and up. Billings Farm & Museum, Woodstock, 5:30-7:30 p.m. $20-25.

RICHMOND FARMERS MARKET: An open-air marketplace complete with live music connects cultivators and fresh-food browsers. Volunteers Green, Richmond, 3-6 p.m. Free.

See what’s playing at local theaters in the on screen section.

‘DINOSAURS OF ANTARCTICA 3D’: See THU.17.

VERMONT CHEESE WEEK: See WED.16.

games

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

art

health & fitness

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

find us at M P @ChaseAway5K 4T-5KChaseAway091626.indd 1

To learn more, please scan code below

Help Advance a Vaccine Study for C. diff

DUPLICATE BRIDGE GAMES: See THU.17, 10 a.m.

MAH-JONGG: It’s not just for old ladies! Tile traders of all experience levels gather for a rousing game. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 1-3 p.m. Free.

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

• Preregister at runsignup.com/chaseaway5K or at the event • September 27, 2026 | 9 am start • Veterans Memorial Park, South Burlington • Friendly, leashed dogs welcome

CHEESE THE DAY: The marketplace turns into a cheese lover’s paradise with free tastings that showcase the incredible craftsmanship, creativity and community behind Vermont’s award-winning producers.

Church Street Marketplace, Burlington, 5-8 p.m. Free.

SOUTH BURLINGTON FARMERS MARKET: Locals stock up on fresh produce, score homemade goods and connect with neighbors at a brand-new trailside marketplace. Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport Recreational Path, South Burlington, 5-7 p.m. Free.

film

Run or walk at this year’s Chase Away 5K fun run to benefit Chase Away K9 Cancer.

‘SHARK KINGDOM 3D’: See THU.17.

CHAIR YOGA: Seated stretches stir mindful motion as students utilize acupressure and meditative techniques to cultivate a grounded mental state. Virtual option available. Springfield Town Library, 10-11 a.m. Free.

GUIDED MEDITATION ONLINE: Dorothy Alling Memorial Library invites attendees to relax on their lunch breaks and reconnect with their bodies. Noon-12:30 p.m. Free; preregister.

LAUGHTER YOGA: Spontaneous, joyful movement and breath promote physical and emotional health. Virtual option available.

Iyengar Yoga Center of Vermont, Burlington, 4:30-5:30 p.m. Free.

FRI.18

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9/9/26 10:58 AM

Adults Age 65+ Needed for a Vaccine Research Study!

Having frequent doctor’s visits, a recent hospitalization, or recent antibiotic use?

HELP IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF A VACCINE TO PROTECT AGAINST AN INTESTINAL BACTERIAL INFECTION •

3.5 year-long study that includes screening, at least 5 clinic visits, and 3 phone visits

•

Compensation is $1320 if all visits are completed

•

Additional compensation if more visits or activities are required

Call: 802-656-0013 • Email: uvmvtc@uvm.edu Visit: uvm.edu/larnermed/mmg/vaccine-testing-center 4t-UVMDeptMed(65+Study)081226.indd 1

SEVEN DAYS SEPTEMBER 16-23, 2026

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WEEKLY MEDITATION: Expert Zac Ispa-Landa shares tools to quiet the mind, slow down and reset.

Outright Vermont, Burlington, 8-8:45 a.m. Free.

language

LANGUAGE LOUNGE: See WED.16.

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.

BEN & JERRY’S CONCERTS ON THE GREEN: OLD CROW MEDICINE SHOW: Nashville grooves head north when the Grammy Award-winning string band delivers foot-stomping Americana originals to outdoor listeners. Shelburne Museum, 7 p.m. $47-52.50; free for kids 12 and under.

BLACKBERRY SMOKE: A decorated Southern-rock band reps its home state of Georgia with rootsy country bangers from its latest album, Be Right Here.

Paramount Theatre, Rutland, 7:30 p.m. $50-125.

BURLINGTON BAROQUE FESTIVAL: See THU.17. College Street Congregational Church, Burlington, 7:30 p.m.

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.

GRAND POINT NORTH: Three days of performances by world-renowned acts — including Jackson Browne, Portugal. The Man, Dawes and Vermont’s own Grace Potter — makes for an outdoor music extravaganza to remember. Partial proceeds benefit the Grand Point Foundation.

Waterfront Park, Burlington, 3 p.m. Various prices; preregister.

MARK SHELTON: A versatile Vermont entertainer known for his Elvis impersonations and dynamic rock and gospel shows transports listeners back in time with classic hits. Hedding United Methodist Church, Barre, 7 p.m. By donation.

MUSIC IN THE ART GALLERY: TOUSSAINT ST. NEGRITUDE: The local musician, composer and 2024 nominee for Vermont’s poet laureate gives a memorable performance on the bass clarinet, interspersed with his poetic recitations. St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, 1 p.m. Free.

SARASA ENSEMBLE: A collective of international instrumentalists and vocalists performs “Schrank II-Cabinet II,” featuring

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works discovered in a cabinet in Dresden, Germany, after 100 years of oblivion. Brattleboro Music Center, 7 p.m. $30.

COURTESY

FRI.18

Tenor Patrick Bessenbacher

SUMMER MUSIC AT GRACE: SARA GREY & MARK GREENBERG: Two traditional music stalwarts assume the spotlight to weave a tapestry of folk history through song. Grace Episcopal Church, Sheldon, 7 p.m. By donation.

VERMONT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: The acclaimed ensemble kicks off another stellar season with “Charity, Sylvia & Cleopatra,” featuring music inspired and created by powerful women, spanning epochs and subjects from the Persian Empire to 19th-century Vermont. Flynn Main Stage, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $12-65.

outdoors

THE AMAZING CORN MAZE: See WED.16.

GREAT VERMONT CORN MAZE: See WED.16.

sports

OPEN DINGHY SAILING: Skippers with sailing knowledge celebrate the end of the week with a nautical adventure. Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, Vergennes, 4-7 p.m. $40 suggested donation; preregister.

talks

EDUCATION & ENRICHMENT FOR EVERYONE FALL LECTURE SERIES: CHARITY CLARK: The Vermont attorney general dives into the subject of “Protecting Vermont and Defending Democracy.” Faith United Methodist Church, South Burlington, 2 p.m. $8 cash or check; free for members.

tech

MORNING TECH HELP: Experts answer questions about phones, laptops, e-readers and other devices in one-on-one sessions.

South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Free; preregister.

theater

‘GHOSTS’: See THU.17.

‘THE GUYS’: Adirondack Regional Theatre presents Anne Nelson’s powerful two-person play following the true story of a New York City fire captain who enlists a journalist to help him write eulogies for his men lost in the 9/11 attacks. Trinity Episcopal Church, Plattsburgh, N.Y., 7 p.m. $15 suggested donation.

words

TILLIE WALDEN: The New York Times best-selling author and former Vermont cartoonist laureate shares her new graphic novel, Charity & Sylvia, about an openly lesbian couple in 19th-century Vermont, in conversation with Henry Sheldon Museum executive director Coco Moseley. John Dewey Lounge, Old Mill Building, University of Vermont, Burlington, 3 p.m. Free; preregister.

SEVEN DAYS SEPTEMBER 16-23, 2026

STARTS SEP. 23 | MUSIC dance

Pièce de Résistance Opera Company of Middlebury’s Music in Troubled Times Festival brings two weeks of topical content and conversation to Town Hall Theater. Through thought-provoking performances, lectures and postshow talk-backs, the fest explores how music helps humans resist and survive amid the turbulence of extreme social shifts, oppression and war. At the heart of the happening is composer Ricky Ian Gordon’s Rappahannock County, an operatic song cycle with a spirit-lifting libretto by Pulitzer Prize-winning lyricist Mark Campbell. Inspired by Civil War-era documents, the work gives voice to more than 30 real soldiers, enslaved people and citizens portrayed by five singers.

MUSIC IN TROUBLED TIMES FESTIVAL Wednesday, September 23, 6:30 p.m., at Town Hall Theater in Middlebury. See website for additional dates. Various prices. Info, hello@ocmvermont.org, ocmvermont.org.

SAT.19

agriculture

GUIDED TOURS: See WED.16.

bazaars

MAKERS MARKET: Browsers discover unique, handmade goods and meet the talented people behind them at a weekly showcase of local artists, bakers, distillers and crafters. Addison West, Waitsfield, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free.

NORWICH ANTIQUES SHOW: Quality dealers from across New England showcase furniture, rugs, art and collectibles under tents on the lawn. Norwich Historical Society and Community Center, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. $5.

community

SISTERHOOD CAMPFIRE: Women and genderqueer folks gather in a safe and inclusive space to build community through journaling, storytelling, gentle music and stargazing. Leddy Park, Burlington, 7-9 p.m. Free.

WOODSTOCK REPAIR CAFÉ: Sustainability seekers trade the “toss-it” mentality for a tool kit at this collaborative workshop designed to revive broken household goods. Norman Williams Public Library, Woodstock, 11 a.m.2 p.m. Free.

conferences

WOMEN’S ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY CONFERENCE: U.S. Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.)

hosts area businesswomen for a day of workshops and presentations, with a keynote address

by Vermont entrepreneur and GameTheory founder Marguerite Dibble. Judd Hall, Vermont State University, Randolph Center, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Free; preregister.

crafts

VERY LAST LIBRARY EVENT: Local needle ninja Hannah K. Miller’s mission to knit in all of Vermont’s 185 public libraries concludes with a community celebration featuring drop-in crafting, doughnuts, an illustrated talk and a group photo op. Rutland Free Library, noon-4 p.m. Free.

BERLIN CONTRA DANCE: Dancers of all ages and abilities learn at a gathering that encourages joy, laughter and friendship. Bring clean, soft-soled shoes. See capitalcitygrange.org for callers and bands. Capital City Grange, Berlin, 8-11 p.m. $5-20 sliding scale.

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

‘FOREST’: Audience members stroll down a quiet dirt road to witness Hannah Dennison’s site-specific choreography and theatrical scenes blooming among the trees. Various Bradford locations, 11 a.m. & 2:30 p.m. $30.

‘SWAN LAKE’: See THU.17. Flynn Main Stage, Burlington, 7 p.m. $42.50-105.50.

environment

free lectures and a consignment boutique. Mount Anthony Union Middle School, Bennington, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. $10.

BRITISH INVASION: See FRI.18, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

ESSEX COMMUNITY FALL FESTIVAL: Town pride runs high at an all-ages celebration with hay rides, lawn games, food truck fare, dancing and live music.

Foster Road Park, Essex, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free.

‘GOT BATS?’: Vermont Fish & Wildlife small mammals biologist Alyssa Bennett guides an outdoor field trip through bat habitats and details how locals can help struggling populations recover.

Monkton Town Forest, 9 a.m. Free.

FALL FLY-IN: A family-friendly festival nodding to all things aviation invites attendees of all ages to soak up the unique atmosphere of the local airport.

Sugarbush Airport, Warren, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Free.

etc.

FIBER FAIRE: A celebration of threads includes an antique rug show, a stuffed animal repair hospital and educational demonstrations by skilled artists. Old Stone House Museum & Historic Village, Brownington, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. $10.

PUG SOCIAL: Green Mountain Pug Rescue hosts its 24th annual celebration, complete with pug-nacious contests, parades, races and more. Branbury State Park, Salisbury, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $515; free for kids under 3.

QUEEN CITY GHOSTWALK: DARKNESS FALLS TOUR: See FRI.18.

WALKING TOUR OF MIDDLEBURY: Locals learn about the town’s bustling history from the 1780s to the 1980s on this one-mile trek narrated by Todd Goodyear. Henry Sheldon Museum of Vermont History, Middlebury, 2-3 p.m. $12-20.

fairs & festivals

ADIRONDACK HARVEST FESTIVAL: A theme of “Bees & Honey” entices with expert-led workshops on mead making, DIY skincare, dipped wax candles, beekeeping and beyond. Essex County Fairgrounds, Westport N.Y., noon-5 p.m. Free.

APPLE & MAPLE WEEKEND: Sweet-toothed visitors press their luck bobbing for apples, savor caramel treats and show off their skills in a pie-eating contest.

Bolton Valley Resort, noon-4 p.m.

Free.

BENNINGTON QUILTFEST: Needle-and-thread enthusiasts find heaven at a patchwork party featuring more than 100 quilts, knowledgeable vendors,

GRANITE FESTIVAL: Rock steady!

Demonstrations, hands-on activities and exhibits round out a celebration of Barre and central Vermont’s stone heritage.

Vermont Granite Museum, Barre, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free; donation of nonperishable food items accepted.

GREEN COMMUNITY FESTIVAL: Recharge your eco-related knowledge at a day of efficiency demonstrations, local nonprofit exhibits, e-bike demos, face painting, live music and food truck fare. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Free.

LATIN AMERICAN CONNECTION CELEBRATION: Community members enjoy a vibrant day of Latin music, food, dance, culture and art in the park. Burlington City Hall Park, noon-9 p.m. Free.

LEBFEST: Life in the Upper Valley takes center stage at a jampacked day of activities, featuring crafts, raffles, live entertainment, and a mac-and-cheese competition for local restaurants. Colburn Park, Lebanon, N.H., 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Free.

NORTHEAST STREET ROD NATIONALS: See FRI.18, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

OKTOBERFEST VERMONT: See FRI.18, 4:30-9 p.m.

foods. 345 Pine St., Burlington, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Free.

PUPPETS IN THE GREEN MOUNTAINS: See WED.16, 11 a.m.9:30 p.m.

CHAMPLAIN ISLANDS FARMERS MARKET: Talented artisans and vendors showcase their farm-fresh veggies, meats, eggs, flowers, honey and other goodies.

Grand Isle St. Joseph’s Church, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free.

RAINBOW HARVEST FEST: Mosaic Vermont hosts a supportive celebration of the queer community, complete with interactive workshops, activities and joyous art making. Vermont Statehouse lawn, Montpelier, 10 a.m.-noon.

Free.

TUNBRIDGE WORLD’S FAIR: See THU.17, 7 a.m.-9 p.m.

VERMONT FOOD + MUSIC FESTIVAL: See FRI.18, 11 a.m.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the on screen section.

‘THE BIG CHEESE’: Sara Joe Wolansky’s 2025 indie documentary follows a scrappy team of competitive cheesemongers competing for first place at France’s Mondial du Fromage.

A “grazing table” and a panel discussion follow. Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington, 5-9 p.m. $59.

‘DINOSAURS OF ANTARCTICA 3D’: See THU.17.

‘PENGUIN ISLAND 3D’: See THU.17.

‘SHARK KINGDOM 3D’: See THU.17.

VERBEC FILM FEST: Seven locally focused documentaries by Vermont and Québec filmmakers spotlight everything from shed hunting to knife making to maple syrup production. Haskell Free Library & Opera House, Derby Line, 2:30-9 p.m. $10.

‘WILD RESCUE 3D’: See THU.17.

food & drink

BIERSTADT FEST: Named after German American artist Albert Bierstadt, this hoppy affair features craft beer samples from four Northeast Kingdom breweries. St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, 3-6 p.m. $50; free for folks not drinking alcohol.

BURLINGTON FARMERS MARKET: Live local music lends flair to dozens of stands overflowing with seasonal produce, flowers, artisanal wares and prepared

Eva Sollberger’s

Supported by:

Watch at: sevendaysvt.com/stuckinvt 4H-Stuckinvt091626.indd 1

MARSHFIELD FARMERS MARKET: Locavores find much to do at a weekly outdoor offering with live music, skill shares, vendors and community resource swaps.

Old Schoolhouse Common, Marshfield, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Free.

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.

VERMONT CHEESE WEEK: See WED.16.

games

CHESS CLUB: Proficient players of all ages face off and learn new strategies. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 11 a.m.

Free.

D&D & TTRPG GROUP: Fans of Dungeons & Dragons and other tabletop role-playing games embark on a new adventure with a rotating cast of game masters. Virtual option available.

Waterbury Public Library, 1-5 p.m.

Free.

health & fitness

AUTUMN EQUINOX NATURE MEDITATION: Mindful participants awaken their five senses by tuning in to the sights and sounds of the wild. BYO blanket or cushion. Milarepa Center, Barnet, 9-10:30 a.m. Free; donations accepted.

music

AFTERGLOW: An outdoor music festival shines a light on suicide awareness with a lineup of renowned tribute acts, including Best of the Eagles and Dirty

Deeds: The AC/DC Experience.

Hard’ack Recreation Area, St. Albans, 1:30-9 p.m. $10-35; free for kids 10 and under.

ANA GUIGUI: See FRI.18.

ANNIE AND THE HEDONISTS: The wonderfully whimsical four-piece band gives an outdoor performance rooted in vintage blues, gospel, jazz and Americana traditions. Meeting House on the Green, East Fairfield, 5 p.m. $10; free for kids under 12.

BURLINGTON BAROQUE FESTIVAL: See THU.17. Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Burlington, 2 p.m., and College Street Congregational Church, 7:30 p.m.

Various prices; preregister.

‘AN EVENING OF MUSIC BY COMPOSER ERIK NIELSEN’: Clarinetist Dan Liptak, violist Elizabeth Reid and cellist Michael Close perform soul-stirring chamber music works by the Brookfield composer, including two premieres. Adamant Community Club, 7 p.m. $15.

GONZALO RUBALCABA: A Grammy-winning pianist and pioneer in modern Afro-Cuban jazz tickles the ivories with peerless versatility. Vermont Jazz Center, Brattleboro, 7:30 p.m. $25-60 sliding scale.

GRAND POINT NORTH: See FRI.18, 2:15 p.m.

LIVE IN THE ORCHARD: TOURNESOL: The six-piece band enchants with vintage French and Italian classics, jazz manouche, and swing standards. Shelburne Orchards, noon-2 p.m. Free.

PARTY ON THE BRICKS: Each week, different Vermont outfits set the tone for an outdoor bash on the marketplace while listeners dig into local food and drinks.

Church Street Marketplace, Burlington, 3:30-6 p.m. Free.

THE ROBERT CRAY BAND: The Blues Hall of Famer and his funky friends play beloved tunes from half a century of hits. Barre Opera House, 7 p.m. $32-65.

STEVE OWENS: A flutist and composer expands traditional woodwind boundaries in this solo performance with electronic and microtonal elements. Calais Town Hall, 2 p.m. Free; donations accepted.

SUZY BOGGUSS: A country and folk singer-songwriter who found chart-topping success in the 1990s captivates listeners with her warm vocals and versatility.

Bellows Falls Opera House, 7:30 p.m. $35-46.50.

‘TOO BIG FOR THE BARN’: Opera Vermont mounts a one-night-only performance of songs plucked from productions known for their massive choruses, orchestras and stage logistics. Barn Opera, Brandon, 7:30 p.m. $50.

YOUNG MASTERS SERIES: BEN & ROMY MUNKRES: A gifted brother-and-sister duo takes the stage for a spirited performance of traditional music drawing from both sides of the Atlantic. Town Hall Theater, Middlebury, 7 p.m. $15-25 sliding scale.

outdoors

THE AMAZING CORN MAZE: See WED.16.

BIRD MONITORING WALK: New and experienced avian admirers take an outdoor stroll to observe flying, feathered friends. Green Mountain Audubon Center, Huntington, 7:30-9:30 a.m. Free; donations accepted.

GREAT VERMONT CORN MAZE: See WED.16, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

GUIDED SHORT TRAIL HIKE: Outdoor enthusiasts explore the fundamentals of local path maintenance and regional hiking history at an expert-led trek along a scenic wooded loop. Green Mountain Club Headquarters, Waterbury Center, 2-3 p.m. Free.

INSECT POLLINATOR WALK: Equipped with nets, cameras and binoculars, nature enthusiasts examine diverse bug habitats and contribute their findings to real-world data atlases. Rock Point Center, Burlington, 10:30 a.m. $5-10 suggested donation; preregister.

LONG TRAIL DAY: The Green Mountain Club’s annual hike-a-thon and peer-to-peer fundraiser for the continued care and maintenance of the trail system offers group hikes, trail magic and other celebrations around the state. Various locations SAT.19

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WATCH HER LATEST VIDEO! The fourth annual Witches’ Walk, held on September 12 in North Pownal, drew a large crowd of costumed witches of all ages. The Pownal Historical Society organized the event to remember Margaret Krieger, a widow tried for witchcraft around 1785. Seven Days’ Eva Sollberger donned a witch hat and met some truly extraordinary women.

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statewide, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Free, donations accepted; preregister.

SENSING THE SEASON: Nature lovers hone their observation abilities to study seasonal shifts at this guided outdoor stroll ending in shared discoveries. Rock Point Center, Burlington, 10:30 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.

politics

VERMONT AT THE MIDTERM MOMENT: A CONVERSATION WITH STATE LEADERS: Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas, Attorney General Charity Clark and other elected officials share the stage for a timely conversation about the issues shaping the state and the nation at this pivotal moment in politics. Town Hall Theater, Middlebury, 10:30 a.m.-noon. Free.

seminars

talks

‘WHY DO WE GIVE?: AN HONEST CONVERSATION ABOUT GENEROSITY’: A panel of generous donors unpacks the motivations behind their charitable contributions to help fellow supporters maximize the impact of their altruism. North Branch Nature Center, Montpelier, 10 a.m.-noon. Free; preregister.

theater

‘GHOSTS’: See THU.17.

‘THE GUYS’: See FRI.18.

THE PANDORA CONSORT: The local ensemble presents “The Fire Within Her,” an original folk opera tracing the history of trailblazing women through song. See calendar spotlight. Chandler Center for the Arts, Randolph, 7 p.m. Free; donations accepted.

SASHA VELOUR: In “Travesty,” the drag icon — and winner of "RuPaul’s Drag Race" Season 9 — presents a theatrical tour de force featuring runway-worthy looks and inventive stage design backed by a killer soundtrack.

Lebanon Opera House, N.H., 7:30 p.m. $59-79.

HIKING 101 & SHORT TRAIL HIKE: Want to hit the trails but not sure where to start? The Green Mountain Club hosts an informative workshop on the basics, followed by a guided trek. Green Mountain Club Headquarters, Waterbury Center, 9 a.m.-noon.

Free; preregister.

‘ZIP ZAP ZOMBIES: ACTORS AND THE APOCALYPSE’: Local playwright Josie Munroe’s original dark comedy follows a group of adult actors trapped inside a theater while a zombie apocalypse rages outside. Springfield Community Players Studio, 7 p.m. $15-20.

NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION: Curious creatives and multimedia enthusiasts tour the facilities and check out available gear. The Media Factory, Burlington, 1-3 p.m. Free; donations accepted; preregister.

words

sports

LUCHA LIBRE WITH GREEN MOUNTAIN WRESTLING: Talented luchadores from across the Northeast grapple for glory in the ring at this high-voltage showcase of Mexican-style professional wrestling. Four Quarters Brewing, Winooski, 5:30-8 p.m.

Free.

NORTHEASTERN OPEN ATLATL CHAMPIONSHIP: Practitioners of this ancient dart-throwing technique compete for the title.

Flint-knapping and basketmaking demos complete the day.

Chimney Point State Historic Site, Addison, 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. $6-12; free for kids under 15.

TOUR DE FARMS: Cyclists get a taste of the region as they pedal through the central Champlain Valley, sampling a wide range of locally produced foods along the way. Proceeds benefit Middlebury nonprofit ACORN. Mary Hogan Elementary School, Middlebury, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. $150; preregister.

VERMONT SPARTAN RACE: Iron-willed athletes tackle steep slopes and muddy waters on challenging, brag-worthy courses.

See spartan.com for full schedule.

Killington Resort. Various prices; preregister.

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GREEN MOUNTAIN BOOK FESTIVAL: 'ECOSYSTEMS (FORESTS)': Critically acclaimed nature writers Ethan Tapper, Bob Mello and Bob Zaino dive deep into their experiences documenting the wild world.

See calendar spotlight. Phoenix Books, Burlington, 11 a.m. Free preregister.

GREEN MOUNTAIN BOOK FESTIVAL: 'ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY & CIVIC ACTION': Authors and environmentalists Bob Mello, Susan Kaplan, Paul Bierman and Michael Snyder explore the intersection of eco-focused storytelling, activism and policy making.

See calendar spotlight. Phoenix Books, Burlington, 3 p.m. Free; preregister.

GREEN MOUNTAIN BOOK FESTIVAL: ETHAN TAPPER: The local forester, digital creator and best-selling author delivers a riveting keynote address to close out this year’s celebration of "Climate, Critters & Canopies." See calendar spotlight. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free; preregister.

GREEN MOUNTAIN BOOK FESTIVAL: NATURE WRITING WORKSHOP: Celebrated Bolton author and forester Ethan Tapper helps participants observe the wilderness with a keener eye by documenting their observations.

See calendar spotlight. Phoenix Books, Burlington, 10 a.m. Free; donations accepted; preregister.

SEVEN DAYS SEPTEMBER 16-23, 2026

GREEN MOUNTAIN BOOK FESTIVAL: 'WRITING ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE': Lauded nature writers and researchers Paul Bierman, Megan Mayhew, Emma Paris and Amy Seidl share techniques for translating complex environmental data into compelling narratives. See calendar spotlight. Phoenix Books, Burlington, 1:30 p.m. Free; donations accepted; preregister.

THE OH-SO-WONDROUS TYPEWRITER: Enthusiast and expert James Rea leads an exploration into the world of typewriters, from history to basic cleaning and repair. Kents’ Corner State Historic Site, Calais, 3-5 p.m. Free.

TRISH PASSMORE ALLEY: A Vermont author celebrates the publication of her memoir, Defining Grace: Showing Up With the Gift of Divine Mischief, in conversation with Rev. Ed SundayWinters. Greensboro United Church of Christ, 2 p.m. Free.

WORDS IN THE WOODS: ELI CLARE: Locals and visitors take in the state’s natural beauty while listening to the Vermont author and activist share inspiring selections from his collections. Mount Philo State Park, Charlotte, 11 a.m.

Free; preregister.

WRITE NOW!: Wordsmiths of all experience levels hone their craft in a supportive and critique-free environment. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, 10 a.m. Free.

SUN.20

agriculture

GUIDED TOURS: See WED.16, 1-2 p.m.

community

MY DENTIST’S SON: Community members gather round to share tales about their mystical, magical experiences. Ferrisburgh Town Offices & Community Center, 3-4:30 p.m. Free.

dance

COMMUNITY SQUARE DANCE: Dancers kick up their heels to live traditional tunes played by Dorset fiddler, singer and educator Ida Mae Specker and her all-star band. Brandon Town Hall, 4 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. Brookfield Old Town Hall, 6-8 p.m. Free.

fairs & festivals

APPLE & MAPLE WEEKEND: See SAT.19.

BENNINGTON QUILTFEST: See SAT.19, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

BRITISH INVASION: See FRI.18, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

PUPPETS IN THE GREEN MOUNTAINS: See WED.16, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

TUNBRIDGE WORLD’S FAIR: See THU.17, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

VERMONT CHEESEMAKERS FESTIVAL: Fromage fanatics sample local cheeses while mingling with dozens of artisan food producers at this 14th annual festival of flavors. Shelburne Farms Breeding Barn, 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. $69.50.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the on screen section.

‘DINOSAURS OF ANTARCTICA 3D’: See THU.17.

‘PENGUIN ISLAND 3D’: See THU.17.

‘SHARK KINGDOM 3D’: See THU.17.

‘WILD RESCUE 3D’: See THU.17.

food & drink

BAKE CLUB: A new cookbook club invites home bakers to tackle a recipe from Ken Forkish’s The Elements of Pizza, then swap slices to flesh out what worked — and what didn’t. Expert Anna Mays offers a demonstation. Fletcher Room, Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 3-5 p.m. Free.

ROYALTON FARMERS MARKET: Twenty local vendors offer everything from fresh produce to prepared foods to artisan goods while kids’ activities, live music and workshops build community.

South Royalton Town Green, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Free.

‘FOREST’: See SAT.19.

STOWE FARMERS MARKET: An appetizing assortment of fresh veggies, pasture-raised meats, milk, berries, herbs, beverages and handcrafted wares tempts shoppers. Stowe Farmers Market, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free.

etc.

VERMONT CHEESE WEEK: See WED.16.

CELEBRATION OF PRESS FREEDOM & FREE SPEECH: A local commemoration of Constitution Day features a panel of experts in conversation about the importance of these twin freedoms. Film House, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington, 1:30-3 p.m. Free; preregister.

EXPERIENCE VSC: Open studio tours, live music by Los Lorcas, fabric dyeing, and Ben & Jerry’s ice cream help showcase what the center has to offer. Vermont Studio Center, Johnson, 1-4 p.m.

Free.

WINOOSKI FARMERS MARKET: More than 25 area growers and bakers offer local and global fare against a backdrop of live music and activities. Winooski Falls Way, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free.

games

DUPLICATE BRIDGE GAMES: See THU.17, 1 p.m.

health & fitness

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.

outdoors

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.

GREAT VERMONT CORN MAZE: See WED.16, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

NEW MINDFULNESS MEDITATION GATHERING: Certified instructors lead hourlong sessions of the ancient contemplative practice rooted in compassion and generosity. Hood Plant, Burlington, 5:30-6:30 p.m. By donation.

VERMONT KIDNEY ASSOCIATION ANNUAL WALK: Community members get their bodies moving with a 1K or 5K loop to show support for Vermonters living with renal disease. Williston Village Community Park, 9-11:30 a.m.

Free; donations accepted.

music

BEN & JERRY’S CONCERTS ON THE GREEN: OF MONSTERS AND MEN: An Icelandic indie-pop outfit known for its 2011 hit single “Little Talks” delivers cinematic, stadium-ready folk sounds to outdoor listeners. Shelburne Museum, 7 p.m. $54.50; free for kids 12 and under.

GRAND POINT NORTH: See FRI.18, 4 p.m.

LANE SERIES: BURLINGTON BAROQUE FESTIVAL SINGERS AND L’HARMONIE DES SAISONS: Distinguished vocalists and period instrumentalists join forces to perform George Frideric Handel’s dramatic oratorio Israel in Egypt.

The University of Vermont Recital Hall, Burlington, 2 p.m. $15-55.

JUNCTION SONG CIRCLE: Traditional tunes in any language are welcome at this instrument-free community music group. Greater Hartford United Church of Christ, Hartford Village, 2-4 p.m. Free.

LIVE IN THE ORCHARD: SUNDAY MORNING: An eclectic band plays a rich combination of tunes ranging from soft piano jazz to banjo-driven country with an occasional Latin twist. Shelburne Orchards, noon-2 p.m. Free.

LIVE MUSIC: See THU.17, 2:304:30 p.m.

LUETTE SAUL & MATTHEW ODELL: The sparkling soprano and lauded pianist team up to present works by legendary French composer Maurice Ravel. Artistree Community Arts Center, South Pomfret, 3 p.m. $25.

MONTPELIER PORCHFEST: The Capital City’s first-ever community music festival inspires players of all stripes to grab an instrument and perform on neighborhood porches, decks, lawns and driveways. Various Montpelier locations, noon-5 p.m. Free.

WESTFORD MUSIC SERIES: MISSISQUOI RIVER BAND: A local bluegrass group plays traditional and original tunes featuring dynamic three-part harmonies and innovative instrumentals.

Westford Common Hall, 4 p.m.

Free; donations accepted.

THE AMAZING CORN MAZE: See WED.16.

sports

NORTHEASTERN OPEN ATLATL CHAMPIONSHIP: See SAT.19, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

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.

VERMONT SPARTAN RACE: See SAT.19.

talks

ENNIS DULING: A local historian illustrates how Mount Independence in Orwell played a critical — and often forgotten — role in the American Revolution.

Middletown Springs Historical Society, 2 p.m. Free.

theater

‘GHOSTS’: See THU.17, 2 p.m.

‘THE GUYS’: See FRI.18, 2 p.m.

‘ZIP ZAP ZOMBIES: ACTORS AND THE APOCALYPSE’: See SAT.19, 2 p.m.

words

DR. MEL HOUSER: The executive director of All Brains Belong VT launches her new book, A Failure of Imagination, examining how the health care system, schools and workplaces fail neurodivergent people. A Q&A moderated

by Beck Natale follows. Lawson’s Finest Liquids, Waitsfield, 1 p.m.

Free; preregister.

FALL INTO BOOKS: Bibliophiles browse thousands of old, rare and antiquarian titles along with maps, letters, postcards and prints. Hosted by the Vermont Antiquarian Booksellers Association. Pierce Hall Community Center, Rochester, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free.

IN CONVERSATION SERIES: JILL LEPORE & DAN CHIASSON: Two acclaimed writers discuss life’s enduring questions through the lens of literature, history, memory and place. The Campus at Marlboro Music, 4 p.m. Free; donations accepted; preregister.

SUNDAY AFTERNOON POETRY AT THE JAQUITH: Decorated local poets lift spirits with inspired selections from their collections.

Refreshments provided. Jaquith Public Library, Marshfield, 2-4 p.m. Free.

WORDS OUT LOUD: ‘DON’T FORGET TO WRITE’: Authors Matthew Olzmann and Vievee Francis share their compelling and unique perspectives on the written word. Old West Church, Calais, 3 p.m. Free; donations accepted.

MON.21

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SEVEN DAYS SEPTEMBER 16-23, 2026

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FAMILY northwest FUN

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FLYNNZONE FAMILY NIGHT: ‘SEA OF WONDER’: Led by teaching artist David Paarlberg-Kvam, little ones ages 5 to 10 explore the ocean and its many creatures through art, sculpture, puppetry, collage and haiku. The Flynn, Burlington, 5:30 & 6:20 p.m. Free; preregister.

GROW PRESCHOOL YOGA: Colleen from Grow Prenatal and Family Yoga leads kids ages 2 to 5 in songs, movement and other fun activities. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 11-11:30 a.m. Free.

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.

chittenden county

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, 4:30-6:30 p.m. Free.

PLAY TIME: Patrons ages birth to 5 unleash their energy at a morning of unstructured amusements and socializing. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 10:3011:30 a.m. Free.

TEEN BEDAZZLING: Crafty kiddos ages 13 to 18 transform lackluster book covers, coasters and other objects into sparkling works of art.

South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 4-5 p.m. Free.

TODDLER TIME: Tykes bypass the “stay seated” rule at a morning of short stories, familiar songs, rhymes and finger plays. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 9:15-9:45 & 10:30-11 a.m.

Free.

barre/montpelier

BASEMENT TEEN CENTER: See WED.16, 2-8 p.m.

POKÉMON DAY: I choose you, Pikachu! Elementary and teenage fans of the franchise — and beginners, too — trade cards and play games. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, 3:30-5 p.m. Free.

STORY TIME: Kids and their caregivers meet for stories, songs and bubbles. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 2nd Floor, Children’s Library, Montpelier, 10:30-11 a.m. Free.

stowe/smuggs

WEE ONES PLAY TIME: Caregivers bring kiddos under 4 to a new sensory learning experience each week. Morristown Centennial Library, Morrisville, 10 a.m. Free.

mad river valley/ waterbury

BUSY BEES PLAYGROUP: Blocks, toys, books and songs engage little ones 24 months and younger.

Waterbury Public Library, 10-11:30 a.m. Free.

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‘PLAYING FIELDS’: See WED.16.

Grand Isle School, 6 p.m. Free.

northeast kingdom ACORN CLUB STORY TIME: Youngsters 5 and under play, sing, hear stories and color. St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, 10:30-11 a.m. Free.

ENCHANTED KINGDOM MINI GOLF: Putters of all ages hit the artist-designed course for some lighthearted competition, whimsy and thrills. Highland Center for the Arts, Greensboro. $4-5.

FRI.18

burlington

mad river valley/ waterbury

LINDSEY STODDARD: A Vermont author reads from her acclaimed children’s book, The Real Deal, followed by a Q&A session over a delicious dinner. Inklings Children’s Books, Waitsfield, 6 p.m. Free; preregister.

middlebury area

‘PLAYING FIELDS’: See WED.16.

Middlebury Union Middle School, 6 p.m. Free.

STORY TIME: Lake-centric stories, coloring and crafts anchor little ones at a weekly maritime-themed reading circle. Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, Vergennes, 11 a.m.-noon. Free.

upper valley

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.

STORY TIME: Preschoolers take part in tales, tunes and playtime.

Latham Library, Thetford, 11 a.m.

Free.

‘CHAMP: AMERICA’S LAKE MONSTER’ EXHIBIT: See WED.16.

ENCHANTED KINGDOM MINI GOLF: See THU.17.

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.

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.

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.

northeast kingdom

SAT.19

burlington

YOUTH BASKETBALL CLINIC: University of Vermont Women’s Basketball athletes and coaches lead aspiring hoopers ages 7 to 14 in fundamental skills, drills and confidence-building games.

Greater Burlington YMCA, 4:305:30 p.m. Free; preregister.

CAMP TA-KUM-TA TOUCH-ATRUCK: Beloved Vermont mascots make an appearance at this hands-on showcase of unique wheels, including hot rods, cranes and first responder vehicles.

Centennial Field, Burlington, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Free.

chittenden county

‘CHAMP: AMERICA’S LAKE MONSTER’ EXHIBIT: See WED.16.

LEGO BUILDERS: Weekly sessions invite creative minds to 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.

barre/montpelier

LEGO DAY: Budding builders create geometric structures with snap-together blocks. KelloggHubbard Library, Montpelier, 3:305 p.m. Free.

MEET TEDDY THE THERAPY DOG: Animal lovers pop by the library to make friends with a very good boy, learn about his therapy duties and see some of his astounding tricks.

Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 2nd Floor, Children’s Library, Montpelier, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Free.

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.

SEVEN DAYS SEPTEMBER 16-23, 2026

DADS’ NIGHT OUT: SOBER SATURDAY NIGHTS: Fathers get together for a casual, substance-free night of food and games. The Guild Hall, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

PARTIZANFILM JR.: ‘SPY KIDS’: Two children become secret agents in an attempt to save their parents from an evil mastermind in this 2001 family adventure flick starring Antonio Banderas.

Partizanfilm, Burlington, 12:10 p.m. $6-8.50.

STORIES WITH GEOFF: Dynamic storytelling meets catchy songs and active play to keep little patrons ages birth to 5 moving.

Fletcher Free Library New North End Branch, Burlington, 11-11:30 a.m. Free.

barre/montpelier

‘PLAYING FIELDS’: See WED.16.

Vermont Statehouse lawn, Montpelier, 1 p.m. Free.

TALK LIKE A PIRATE DAY STORY TIME: Arrrrrrrrre ya ready, kids?

Silly stories, jokes and eye patches abound at this special reading event captained by employees Jane and Grace. Bear Pond Books, Montpelier, 11 a.m.= Free.

rutland/killington

BETH CHARLES: A Vermont author shares her tender picture book, Lilly’s Surprise Pumpkins, following a young girl who watches over her patch and celebrates a well-earned harvest. Phoenix Books, Rutland, 11 a.m. Free; preregister.

PACK 120 ROCKET LAUNCH: Water-powered rocket launches, outdoor skill demonstrations, hands-on camping activities and treat-making offer families a taste of what Cub Scouts is all about.

Rotary Park, Rutland, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Free; preregister.

northeast kingdom ENCHANTED KINGDOM MINI GOLF: See THU.17.

HEALING TOGETHER: A LULLABY PROJECT CELEBRATION CONCERT & ART SHOW: A family-oriented performance by local musicians showcases new lullabies created in the community by parents and caregivers from supervised visitation and advocacy programs.

Highland Center for the Arts, Greensboro, 4-5:30 p.m. Free.

TOWN OF LOWELL F.O.L.K. FESTIVAL: Fun-loving locals of all ages enjoy a parade, barbecue feast, baking contest and more at this benefit for Friends of Lowell Kids. Lowell Graded School, 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Free.

SUN.20

burlington

‘CHAMP: AMERICA’S LAKE MONSTER’ EXHIBIT: See WED.16.

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS GROUP B: Tabletop role-players ages 9 to 14 practice their craft with Andrew, the library’s dungeon master.

Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 12:15-3:15 p.m. Free; preregister.

TWEEN GROUP: A new program for queer and gender-creative youths ages 10 to 12 offers space to make new friends, join in fun activities and build community.

Outright Vermont, Burlington, 2-4 p.m. Free.

chittenden county

CHILDREN’S STORY TIME WITH CHRISTINE: See WED.16.

COMMUNITY BARBECUE: Vermont Youth Orchestra Association celebrates the start of the season with a cookout, lawn games and lots of music. Elley-Long Music Center, Saint Michael’s College, Colchester, noon-4 p.m. Free.

LIVE IN THE ORCHARD: MUSIC & MOVEMENT WITH MISTER CHRIS: Little listeners ages birth to 5 sing, dance and clap along to classic and original tunes by the veteran musician. Shelburne Orchards, 10-11 a.m. Free.

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.

SPECIAL STORY TIME: Miss Teen Vermont 2026 runner-up Lola Racette reads Carol McCloud’s picture book Have You Filled a

Bucket Today?: A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids, about the impact of words and actions. Wild Meadows Books & Café, Williston, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free.

barre/montpelier

‘PLAYING FIELDS’: See WED.16, 1 & 6 p.m.

northeast kingdom ENCHANTED KINGDOM MINI GOLF: See THU.17.

MON.21

burlington

‘CHAMP: AMERICA’S LAKE MONSTER’ EXHIBIT: See WED.16.

STORIES & CRAFTS: ANIMAL ANTICS: Children ages 2 to 6 and their caregivers unleash their inner creature at a hands-on story session spotlighting a new critter each week. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 11-11:45 a.m. Free.

chittenden county

MIDDLE GRADE MOVIE: ‘THE SUPER MARIO GALAXY MOVIE’: The famed video game character and his friends explore cosmic worlds and tackle galactic challenges in this 2026 animated adventure flick. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 3 p.m.

Free.

barre/montpelier

FUSE BEADS DAY: Aspiring artisans bring ideas or borrow patterns to make beaded creations.

Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 2nd Floor, Children’s Library, Montpelier, 3:30-5 p.m. Free.

mad river valley/ waterbury

chittenden county

CRAFTYTOWN: Aspiring artists tackle a rotating menu of tactile projects to explore new techniques, then bring home a finished masterpiece. Recommended for ages 8 and up, or 6 and up with an adult helper. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 3-4 p.m.

Free.

STORY TIME: Youngsters from birth to 5 enjoy a session of reading, rhyming and singing. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 10:30-11 a.m. Free.

barre/montpelier

BASEMENT TEEN CENTER: See WED.16.

CRAFT DAY: Youths ages 18 and under flex their creative muscles with various DIY projects. KelloggHubbard Library, 2nd Floor, Children’s Library, Montpelier, 3:30-5 p.m. Free.

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.

upper valley

LEGO TUESDAYS: Youth architects tackle construction challenges or follow their own blueprints at a creative building session complete with snacks. Norwich Public Library, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Free.

northeast kingdom

LAPSIT STORY TIME: Babies 2 and under learn to love reading while singing and playing with their caregivers. Siblings welcome. St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, 10:30-11 a.m. Free.

PRESCHOOL STORY TIME: See FRI.18.

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.

WED.23

middlebury area

‘CHAMP: AMERICA’S LAKE MONSTER’ EXHIBIT: See WED.16.

FALL HOMESCHOOL DAY: Budding naturalists ages 6 and up explore the intricacies of the lake’s ecosystem at a day of hands-on environmental education tailored to kids who learn at home. Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, Vergennes, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free.

upper valley

STORY TIME WITH BETH: An engaging bookseller and librarian reads picture books on a different theme each week. The Norwich Bookstore, 10 a.m. Free.

TUE.22

burlington

‘CHAMP: AMERICA’S LAKE MONSTER’ EXHIBIT: See WED.16.

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.

burlington

MAGNATILE MASTERPIECES: Future architects ages 3 and up build imaginative creations with magnetic toys. Fletcher Free Library New North End Branch, Burlington, 10-10:45 a.m. Free.

STORIES & SONGS FOR LIBRARY LITTLES: Tots get their bodies and brains moving with books, music and unstructured social time.

Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 11-11:30 a.m. Free.

chittenden county BABY TIME: See WED.16.

CHILDREN’S STORY TIME WITH CHRISTINE: See WED.16.

SWITCH IT UP!: See WED.16.

barre/montpelier

BABY & CAREGIVER MEETUP: See WED.16.

BASEMENT TEEN CENTER: See WED.16.

upper valley

STORY TIME: See WED.16. K

OCT

17

Roots to Sky: Moira Smiley + Rasa String Quartet

7 PM | Vergennes Opera House

OCT

22

An Evening with Amna Nawaz of PBS News Hour

7 PM | Lebanon Opera House

NOV

7

Curious Kids Day at Vermont Public

9 AM, 11 AM, and 1 PM | Colchester OCT

28 DEC

Credit: James Buck

8

Brave Little State at The Miller’s Toll 5:30 PM | Bennington

Brave Little State at 14th Star Brewery 5:30 PM | St. Albans

Make some plans with Vermont Public this fall.

Tickets & Info: vermontpublic.org/events 1T-VermontPublic091626.indd 1

SEVEN DAYS SEPTEMBER 16-23, 2026

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MON.21 crafts

HAND-STITCHING GROUP: Embroiderers, cross-stitchers and other needlework aficionados chat over their latest projects.

Waterbury Public Library, 6-8 p.m. Free.

environment

‘SHARED GOALS: CONSERVATION EASEMENTS AND WORKING FORESTS’: Representatives from the Vermont Woodlands Association, the Upper Valley Land Trust and the Vermont Land Trust dialogue about common conservation easement components, including ecological protections, forestry considerations, and the roles and responsibilities of landowners.

3-4:15 p.m. Free; preregister.

etc.

MUSEUM TOURS: See WED.16.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the on screen section.

‘DINOSAURS OF ANTARCTICA 3D’: See THU.17.

‘PENGUIN ISLAND 3D’: See THU.17.

‘SHARK KINGDOM 3D’: See THU.17.

‘WILD RESCUE 3D’: See THU.17.

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

MONTPELIER INSIGHT MEDITATION: Practitioners of all levels gather to quiet mental chatter and boost physical well-being at a weekly mindfulness session. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 2nd Floor, Children’s Library, Montpelier, 6-7:15 p.m.

Free.

language

LANGUAGE LOUNGE: See WED.16.

lgbtq

BOARD GAME NIGHT: LGBTQ tabletop fans bring their own favorite games to the party. Rainbow Bridge Community Center, Barre, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Free.

music

ONION RIVER CHORUS REHEARSAL: The non-auditioned community ensemble conducted

by Richard Riley invites interested vocalists to join in spirited song.

Bethany United Church of Christ (Montpelier), 7-9 p.m. Free.

78

outdoors

THE AMAZING CORN MAZE: See WED.16.

GREAT VERMONT CORN MAZE: See WED.16.

theater

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.

‘VONNEGUT, VONNEGUT’: Actor Glen Williamson brings Kurt Vonnegut’s zany short-story characters to life in this one-man show. Shelburne Town Hall, 7 p.m. $15-30.

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.

SCRIPTWRITERS’ GROUP: Got a story to tell? Talented local writers swap techniques and constructive critiques. Junction Arts & Media, White River Junction, 5:30-7 p.m. Free; preregister.

TUE.22

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

MINI CLEAN UP CREW: Good Samaritans turn their morning routine into civic pride by tidying up and refreshing the city’s muchloved green space. BYO gloves encouraged. Burlington City Hall Park, 8-8:30 a.m. Free.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the on screen section.

‘BARRY LYNDON’: An Irish rogue wins the heart of a rich widow and assumes her dead husband’s position in this 1975 costume drama

by Stanley Kubrick. Film House, Main Street Landing Performing

SEVEN DAYS SEPTEMBER 16-23, 2026

Arts Center, Burlington, 7 p.m.

Free.

gentle movements. Ida Boch Park, Bradford, 10-11 a.m. Free.

Phoenix Books, Burlington, 7 p.m.

Free; preregister.

dance

‘DINOSAURS OF ANTARCTICA 3D’: See THU.17.

YOGA AS A HEALING ART: HOPE Works hosts a supportive series for survivors of sexual violence, inviting participants to explore healing through movement, meditation and discussion. 6-7:30 p.m. Free; preregister.

‘THE COUNTRY IN THE MIRROR: POEMS OF PROTEST AND WITNESS’: Contributing poets — including Vermont poet laureate Bianca Stone — combine voice, verse and political observation in readings from a new anthology written in response to these troubling times. A Q&A follows.

St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, 6 p.m.

Free.

SQUARE DANCE CLUB: See WED.16.

MIDDLEBURY CLASSIC FILM CLUB: Cinephiles watch and bond over groundbreaking ’90s flicks, from Clueless to The Truman Show. See ilsleypubliclibrary.org for lineup. Ilsley Public Library, Middlebury, 1 p.m. Free.

PALESTINE FILM SERIES: ‘ALL THAT’S LEFT OF YOU’: Cherien Dabis’ poignant 2025 drama follows a Palestinian teenager in the 1980s who’s swept into a protest that alters the course of his family’s life. A discussion follows.

Montgomery Center for the Arts, 6:30 p.m. Free.

‘PENGUIN ISLAND 3D’: See THU.17.

‘SHARK KINGDOM 3D’: See THU.17.

‘WILD RESCUE 3D’: See THU.17.

games

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

AUTUMN EQUINOX NATURE MEDITATION: See SAT.19.

American Society of Dowsers, Danville, 6:30-8 p.m. Free; donations accepted.

BEGINNER TAI CHI: Weight transference and mindful breathing 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.

FALL PREVENTION AWARENESS DAY: Accessible, low-impact martial arts postures and breathing exercises led by certified tai chi instructors Sue Rubel and Jo Bregnard help participants improve stability to reduce injury risks. The Great Hall, Springfield, 10-11:30 a.m. Free.

SOUND BATH WITH BRANDY LEFSYK: A healing arts practitioner encourages relaxation, reflection and a sense of calm through the use of resonant instruments. Brattleboro Museum & Art Center, 5:30-7:30 p.m. $20-30.

TAI CHI: Practitioners get a feel for the Chinese martial art combining controlled breathing, meditation and slow,

language

LANGUAGE LOUNGE: See WED.16.

ITALIAN LANGUAGE LUNCH: Speakers hone their skills in the Romance language over bagged lunches. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, noon-1 p.m. Free.

PAUSE-CAFÉ MARDI: Francophones and Frenchlanguage learners meet pour parler la belle langue. Burlington Bay Market & Café, 5-7 p.m. Free.

music

FIVE FOR FIGHTING WITH STRING QUARTET: Soft-rock singer-songwriter John Ondrasik performs nostalgic hits the likes of “Superman (It’s Not Easy)” and “100 Years,” backed by the resonant sounds of classical musicians. Paramount Theatre, Rutland, 7 p.m. $40-95.

VERMONT’S FREEDOM & UNITY CHORUS: Singers come together for a weekly rehearsal inspiring positive change through the power of music. Chapel of Saint Michael the Archangel, Saint Michael’s College, Colchester, 7 p.m. Free.

outdoors

THE AMAZING CORN MAZE: See WED.16.

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.

FINDING HOUSING WORKSHOP: Attendees build an apartment-search tool kit with guidance from the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity. noon-1 p.m. Free; preregister.

sports

THE LAST STOP ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT: Athletes tee off to raise funds for neighborhood revitalization nonprofit Rebuilding Together Greater Burlington.

Rocky Ridge Golf Club, St. George, 9 a.m. $100; 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.

words

CARSON JORDAN: A poet and curator talks with fellow author Bianca Stone about her debut full-length collection, Dead Hand.

MOVEMENT MATTERS MASTERCLASS: Visiting artist Jen Hong helps dancers of all levels tune into biomechanics, physiology and physics to navigate their physical presence in space and time. Dance Theatre, Mahaney Arts Center, Middlebury College, 4:30-6 p.m. Free.

EVENING BOOK GROUP: Bibliophiles share their read on Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s best-selling 2020 horror novel, Mexican Gothic, blending a haunted house mystery with dark historical themes. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 6-7 p.m. Free.

VERSA-STYLE STREET DANCE COMPANY: In “Rooted Rhythms,” an electrifying troupe grooves through a medley of its most popular works, showcasing a range of styles from popping and whacking to breaking. Daryl Roth Studio Theater, Hanover, N.H., 7:30 p.m. $40.

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.

etc.

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.

MUSEUM TOURS: See WED.16.

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.

WEDNESDAYS WITH FARMER FRED: See WED.16.

ARCHITECTURE + DESIGN FILM SERIES: ‘ADA: MY MOTHER THE ARCHITECT’: Yael Melamede’s 2024 biographical documentary zooms in on the life and career of her mother, renowned Israeli architect Ada Karmi-Melamede.

Virtual option available.

Burlington City Hall Auditorium, 6:30 p.m. Free.

business

food & drink

WED.23 agriculture

GUIDED TOURS: See WED.16.

‘FROM DIGITAL BROCHURE TO SALES PLATFORM’: J. Scott Marketing founder and CEO Julia Scott offers insight into creating websites that support measurable business growth. Pickering Room, Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

community

COFFEE & CONVERSATION: See WED.16.

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

PASSEGGIATA: See WED.16.

PASSEGGIATA WATERBURY: See WED.16.

conferences

STATE OF THE WORLD SUMMIT: To mark the United Nations’ International Day of Peace, the Vermont Council on World Affairs brings together community members to explore pathways to a more unified world. Hula, Burlington, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. $75; preregister.

crafts

YARN & YAK: See WED.16.

YARN CRAFTERS GROUP: See WED.16.

COMMUNITY COOKING: See WED.16.

CUPPA ON CAMPUS: See WED.16.

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

DANVILLE FARMERS MARKET: See WED.16.

MARKET ON THE GREEN: See WED.16.

OKTOBERFEST: Homemade pretzels, brats and malts of Munich are served up at this annual Bavarian bash, along with tunes from German polka music outfit Inseldudler. American Flatbread Burlington Hearth, 5-9 p.m. Free; cost of food and drink.

WEDNESDAY WINE DOWN FARMERS MARKET: See WED.16.

health & fitness

BLOOD DRIVE: Participants part with life-sustaining pints at this American Red Cross donation event. Greater Burlington YMCA, 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free; preregister.

CHAIR YOGA: See WED.16.

RECOVERY DHARMA: See WED.16.

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.16.

lgbtq

THE ALL-INCLUSIVE DYKETACULAR: See WED.16.

music

chamber music, film, lectures and live performances for a two-week festival exploring how humanity uses music to confront hardships.

See ocmvermont.org for details.

See calendar spotlight. Town Hall Theater, Middlebury, 6:30 p.m.

Various prices.

MUSIC ON THE HILL SUMMER CONCERT SERIES: See WED.16.

THE SILO SESSIONS: HENRY JAMISON WITH ISABEL PLESS: Concertgoers feast on made-toorder tacos while soaking in a poetic performance of modern indie-folk. Bread & Butter Farm, Shelburne, 7 p.m. $18-22.

SUMMER LIVE MUSIC SERIES: See WED.16.

LIVE IN THE ORCHARD: THE MEATPACKERS: See WED.16.

MUSIC IN TROUBLED TIMES FESTIVAL: The Opera Company of Middlebury brings together

outdoors

THE AMAZING CORN MAZE: See WED.16.

GREAT VERMONT CORN MAZE: See WED.16.

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.

INTRO TO 3D MODELING: See WED.16.

SOCIAL SECURITY & YOUR RETIREMENT SEMINAR: Financial experts unpack Social Security strategies to help working adults maximize their post-career income. EastRise Credit Union, Williston, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Free.

sports

WHALEBOAT WEDNESDAYS: See WED.16.

who reexamine Arthur Miller’s classic play The Crucible through a modern feminist lens. Byrne Theater, Barrette Center for the Arts, White River Junction, 7:30 p.m. $10-84.

talks

words

GREEN MOUNTAIN TABLE TENNIS CLUB: See WED.16.

DEEP DIVES SERIES: Listeners plunge into the depths of local maritime history at a biweekly lecture series featuring illuminating presentations by archaeologists, educators and researchers. Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, Vergennes, 6-7 p.m.

Free; preregister.

STEFAN VAN NORDEN: A gardener, independent filmmaker and author shares his visually stunning, thought-provoking new book, Nature Revisited, in conversation with fellow writer and photographer Jeffrey Ryan.

The Norwich Bookstore, 7 p.m.

Free. ➆

theater

‘JOHN PROCTOR IS THE VILLAIN’: Northern Stage mounts Kimberly Belflower’s dramedy about high school students in rural Georgia

Great Expectations What’s your idea of Assisted Living?

Fresh local foods, close-knit friends, and a stress-free lifestyle — our community is not what you expect. Add a little care, and great Assisted Living can mean greater independence.

Write your next great chapter!

Independent, Assisted & Memory Care Living Now also in:

Essex Junction | 802-760-6018

S. Burlington | 802-489-7627

Middlebury | 802-231-3645

Shelburne | 802-992-8420

23t-Explorecom-LCB091826 1

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9/11/26 4:35 PM

FILE: SAM SIMON

REAL PEOPLE. REAL JOBS. Introduce yourself to reps from these fine local organizations at Tech Jam! COMMUNITY PARTNERS • BETA Technologies • Champlain College • Data Innovations • GBIC • GlobalFoundries • Hazelett • Hula • Marvell • Northfield Savings Bank • Norwich University • Simmonds Precision • UVM Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) • Vermont Technology Council • Vermont State University • VTel SUPP ORTING PARTNERS • The Targeted Resume

BEFORE THE JAM

TECH JAM BOOT CAMP

FRIDAY, OCT. 16, 12-1 P.M Learn helpful tips on networking and getting hired at this free, pre-Jam webinar hosted by Sue Schlom of the Targeted Resume.

WANT TO EXHIBIT?

SPACE IS LIMITED. TECHJAM@SEVENDAYSVT.COM

OTHER EXHIBITORS • ARC Business Solutions • Burlington Telecom • Center for Technology, Essex • Champlain Cable • Community College of Vermont • GoCaboodle • Green Mountain Power • Hack Club • Hayward Tyler Inc. • Launch VT • NDI • OnLogic • Oru • PCC Pediatrics EHR Health Solutions • Prime Engineering LLC • State of Vermont | Agency of Digital Services • UVM Advance • VELCO • Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom • Wildlife Imaging Systems

Register at techjamvt.com.

PRESENT

SATURDAY, OCT. 24 • HULA, BURLINGTON • FREE R E G I S T E R A T T E C H J A M V T. C O M

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SEVEN DAYS SEPTEMBER 16-23, 2026

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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.

food & drink FRENCH MACARONS WORKSHOP FEATURING SMALL OVEN PASTRIES: In this hands-on class, you will learn the art and science behind making French macarons (ma-ka-rohns), including all the best tips and tricks for mastering these famously finicky treats.

We will teach you how to make macaron shells and demonstrate several popular fillings. You will have hands-on experience piping, baking, filling and assembling macarons throughout the class.

Date: Sat., Oct. 3, 1-4:30 p.m.

Cost: $125. Location: Red Poppy Cakery, 1 Elm St., Waterbury. Info: 203-400-0700, sevendaystickets. com.

language LEARN FRENCH! FALL CLASSES AT WINGSPAN: Sign up for a fantastique French class and begin or continue your learning journey! We start in late September and continue all fall. Multiple levels available, plus an opportunity to join a full-day French trip to the Eastern Townships of Québec.

Small, interactive classes with a supportive, fun and knowledgeable instructor. Expand your French, exercise your brain and open doors to new adventures.

Allons-y! Location: 4 Howard St., Burlington. Cost: $315. Info: maggiestandley@gmail.com, wingspanstudioeduc.com.

martial arts AIKIDO: INTRODUCTORY CLASSES: 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.

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

EMBODIED RELATING — SOMATIC RELATIONAL RETREAT: What becomes possible when you feel more present, connected and fully yourself in relationship?

An experiential somatic retreat for anyone longing for deeper, more authentic connection.

Explore embodiment, relational practice, nervous system awareness and attachment. Attend Sat. only or the full two-day retreat. Come on your own or with a partner, friend or family member. Dates: Oct. 24-25, 2-6 p.m. both days. Early registration per-person cost through Sep. 20: day 1, $150; full weekend, $275.

Regular registration: day 1, $175; full weekend, $325. Location: Yellow Farmhouse Inn, 550 Old County Rd., Waitsfield. Info: Heather Parker, 802-522-0069, heather@embodiment psychotherapy.org, embodiment psychotherapy.org/ group-events-1.

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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, 802-4906405, patricklrtcc@gmail.com, longrivertaichinewengland.com.

THE FALL RESET VISION BOARD WORKSHOP: Something needs to change. You just haven’t had space to ask what. Join The Fall Reset: A Vision Board Workshop for a quiet, creative afternoon where you’ll slow down, get honest about what’s next and build a vision board that keeps working long after you forget it’s there. Guided meditation, an oracle card, real supplies and a room full of women doing the same quiet work. Ages 13-plus; only five spots available. Date: Sun., Sep. 20, 1-5 p.m. Cost: $80; all supplies incl. Location: Ladies Social Group, Essex Jct. Info: sevendaystickets.com.

music TAIKO TUESDAYS, DJEMBE WEDNESDAYS!: Drum with Stuart Paton! New sessions each month, starting the weeks of Sep. 15, 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. Location: Burlington Taiko, 208 Flynn Ave., Suite 3-G, Burlington. Info: Stuart Paton, 802-448-0150, burlingtontaiko. org.

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

= TICKETED CLASS

Buy & Sell »

ANTIQUES, FURNITURE, GARAGE SALES

Community »

Emma, Cleo & Rikki AGE/SEX: 2-year-old females

ANNOUNCEMENTS, LOST & FOUND, SUPPORT GROUPS

ARRIVAL DATE: April 22, 2026

Rentals & Real Estate »

and prefer to have tummies full of greens! If you give their treat bag a shake, they’re sure to sing you a lovely ballad of squeaks in an effort to be rewarded with snacks. They will gently and graciously take any treats and will return the favor with their endless attention and love. You will often see the girls tossing around ball toys for fun and ripping up pieces of cardboard to redecorate their space. These ladies have been in our care for a while now, and they’d love to bring some magic into your life!

APARTMENTS, HOMES, FOR SALE BY OWNER

Vehicles »

CARS, BIKES, BOATS, RVS

Services »

FINANCIAL, CHILDCARE, HOME & GARDEN

Musicians & Artists »

SUMMARY: This sweet trio of piggies have hearts of gold

DID YOU KNOW?

Guinea pigs are not natural climbers! Their enclosures should provide as much floor space as possible, with solid floors to avoid injuries or problems such as foot sores. We recommend using C&C cages (cubes and coroplast) with fleece bedding, as well as some fun tunnels and huts to explore!

Sponsored by:

Visit the Humane Society of Chittenden County at 142 Kindness Court, South Burlington, Tuesday-Wednesday 1-5 p.m., Thursday-Friday 1-6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Call 862-0135 or visit hsccvt.org for more info.

LESSONS, CASTING, REHEARSAL SPACE

Jobs »

NO SCAMS, ALL LOCAL, POSTINGS DAILY

NEW STUFF ONLINE EVERY DAY! PLACE YOUR ADS 24-7 AT SEVENDAYSVT.COM/CLASSIFIEDS. SEVEN DAYS SEPTEMBER 16-23, 2026

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

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

COMMERCIAL & OFFICE RENTALS Buy y & Sell e

Community C ommunity mmuni y

Musicians M cians & Ar Artists ts

MISCELLANEOUS ANNOUNCEMENTS MUSICIANS & BANDS HOME INTERNET Connect to the best wireless home internet w/ EarthLink. Enjoy speeds from 5G & 4G LTE networks, no contracts, easy installation, & data plans up to 300 GB. Call 855-873-2215.

(AAN CAN)

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 1-855-606-4520. (AAN CAN)

KISMAYO KITCHEN — A LOVE LETTER Farewell to my favorite restaurant in my new home of Burlington.

Delectable Somali meals in a no-frills environment filled with love.

Thank you.

SLAVIC LIFE The Slavic Life Movement is an organization dedicated to the preservation & evolution of Slavic culture.

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SINGER NEEDED Rock band looking for singer. Ready to play out. We have jam space/recording, all equipment. Contact 802-793-4940.

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 advertis-

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Rentals R e als & R al Est Real Estate Esta

APARTMENTS & HOUSES FOR RENT S. BURLINGTON 1-BR COTTAGE Furnished 1-BR cottage for rent, new construction. $1,800/ mo, everything incl.: heat, electric & Wi-Fi. 2 Elsom Pky. Close to UVM Medical Center & airport.

Prefer 6-month rental.

Dead-end neighborhood, good for biking & walking. No pets. Avail. Nov. 1. Info, 802-318-6855, baiken1501@gmail.com.

ing for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. Any home seeker who feels 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

GORGEOUS MIDDLESEX STUDIO FOR LEASE Conveniently located just off Interstate 89.

647 sq.ft. of attractive, versatile space currently used as a yoga studio but suitable for a variety of other uses. Nice BA & large, oversized closet room; cathedral ceiling & beautiful wood-finished floor; heated mudroom w/ nice window & doors. $1,800/mo. lease. (1-year or multiyear lease avail.)

Electricity & heat incl.

For more information, call or text 802-2490414 or email info@ campmeade.today.

HOMES FOR SALE NEWBURY — NOT YOUR AVERAGE VERMONT CAMP 777 Tenney Pond Rd., Newbury, Vt. 2-BR, 1-BA, 768 sq.ft. All the reasons you could want a Vermont camp are incl. w/ this special property.

Explore your own 35+ wooded acres, paddle on nearby Tenney Pond, or cozy up next to the woodstove & just relax.

Beautiful wood floors, tin ceilings, unique décor, propane heat, well & septic, 2-car garage, 24-by-30-foot barn, a covered camper w/ electrical plug-in & yearround access. Minutes to I-91, groceries & gas. 2.5 hours to Boston & under 5 to NYC. $309,777.

Info, 207-659-9088, audrey@parkwayvt.com, parkwayvt.com.

HOUSEMATES LIVE CLOSE TO DOWNTOWN BTV Share an apt. walkable to downtown Burlington w/ individual in their 30s w/ health challenges who enjoys waterfront walks &

yoga. Seeking LGBTQaffirming housemate for assistance w/ household chores, shopping, meal prep twice/week & transportation in exchange for reduced rent of $300/mo. Must have a vehicle. No pets. Scentfree products only. Call 802-863-5625 or visit homesharevermont. org for application.

Interview, refs. & background checks req.

EHO. YAHTZEE & THE SMELL OF WARM BAKED GOODS S. Burlington: Woman in her 80s who enjoys baking, game shows & Yahtzee offers a furnished BR/private BA in her apt. $250/ mo. (+ cost of internet if adding that service), in addition to sharing some meal prep & conversation. Call 802-863-5625 or visit homesharevermont. org for application.

Interview, refs. & background checks req.

EHO.

VACATION RENTALS MONKTON, VT. WINTER RENTAL 3-BR, 2-BA, 2,000 sq.ft., fully furnished & equipped home on 10 lovely & private acres. 30 min. from Burlington, 25 from Middlebury, 45 to Sugarbush. All utils. incl. in addition to plowing, internet, YouTube TV. Many amenities, incl. outdoor hot tub, grill, level 2 EV charger, fenced-in dog yard. $3,200. Info, 802-9898406, moneill453@ gmail.com.

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

Construction Equipment (1774) AUCTION CLOSES: WED. | SEPT. 23 | 10AM PREVIEW: TUES. | SEPT. 21 | 11AM-1PM 1878 Cadys Falls Road, Morrisville, VT

Services rv es

HEALTH & WELLNESS CLINICAL SUPERVISION & SUPERVISED BILLING Immediate statewide openings for prelicensed professionals or practices seeking operational backing.

Tailored guidance from an experienced Burlington-based provider. Call/text 802-777-5499 today to discuss your clinical track or visit rachelkling. com .

A strong lineup of over 100 lots of late-model construction equipment, trailers, attachments, and snow removal equipment, tools and more.

ONLINE BIDDING IS OPEN!

THCAuction.com  802-888-4662 PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR COUPLES & INDIVIDUALS Immediate openings for individuals & couples.12v-HIrchak091626 1 9/11/26 1:22 PM Skip the wait list. Secure statewide telehealth or in-person in Burlington.

Blue Cross Blue Shield & Medicaid accepted for individuals. Couples self-pay only $200. Take the 1st step today. Call or text 802-777-5499 or visit rachelkling.com.

SLIDING-SCALE COMMUNITY ACUPUNCTURE $25-50: You decide!

Acupuncture can help a variety of issues, such as pain anywhere in the body, menstrual problems, stress, insomnia & more. We have helped thousands of people feel better.

Learn more or schedule on our website: casobu. org. Email: info@casobu. org.

Your paper.

Your community. CARS & TRUCKS Your choice.

Vehicles

Support the businesses who support our work.

2013 GMC SIERRA 1500 PICKUP 117,500 miles. 4.8L V8, automatic, regular cab.

Tonneau cover, bed liner, wired trailer hitch. New AT tires & battery. Clean Carfax. “Never plowed, never worked hard.” $10,500/OBO. Info, 802345-7040, jddilts50@ gmail.com.

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SEVENDAYSVT.COM/ENEWS

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SEVEN DAYS SEPTEMBER 16-23, 2026

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

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7/9/24 5:24 PM

LEGALS » 6:39 PM 3/2/21

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.

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

Difficulty - Hard

BY JOSH REYNOLDS

DIFFICULTY THIS WEEK: HHH

DIFFICULTY THIS WEEK: HHH

Fill the grid using the numbers 1-6, only once in each row and column. The numbers in each heavily outlined “cage” must combine to produce the target number in the top corner, using the mathematical operation indicated. A one-box cage should be filled in with the target number in the top corner. A number can be repeated within a cage as long as it is not the same row or column.

Place a number in the empty boxes in such a way that each row across, each column 4 square 5 1contains 2 all 7 of 9 down and each69-box the numbers one to nine. The same numbers 8 1 3 9 6 5 4 cannot be repeated in a row or column.

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There’s no limit to ad length online.

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

NEW ON FRIDAYS:

Put your knowledge of Vermont news to the test.

Difficulty - Hard

SUDOKU

BY JOSH REYNOLDS

Extra! Extra!

Post & browse ads Complete the following puzzle by using the at your convenience.

6 photos per ad online.

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32x

CALCOKU

Open 24/7/365.

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Show and tell.

Sudoku View and post up to

3 8 2 7 2 9 7 8 3 4 1 6 5 ANSWERS ON P.84 4 H8H = CHALLENGING 2 7 9 6HH3H = 5HOO,1BOY! H = MODERATE 7 6 1 5 4 3 2 8 9 3 5 9 2 1 8 7 4 6 JUST ADD WATER ANSWERS ON P. 84 »1 7 8 3 5 2 6 9 4 5 2 4 6 7 9 8 1 3 9 3 6 4 8 1 5 7 2

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

say you saw it in

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SEVEN DAYS SEPTEMBER 16-23, 2026

7/31/24 4:41 PM

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Legal Notices STATE OF VERMONT SUPERIOR COURT PROBATE DIVISION CHITTENDEN UNIT DOCKET NO.:​26-PR-05045 In re ESTATE of Eric Franz NOTICE TO CREDITORS To the creditors of: Eric Franz, late of Burlington.

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: 9/8/2026 Signature of Fiduciary: /s/ Ingrid Franz Mortiarty Executor/Administrator: Ingrid Franz Moriarty Mailing Address: 22350 Northeast Hidden Springs Road, Dundee, OR 97115 Phone Number: (323) 829-6532 Email: ingrid@ifmphoto.com Name of Publication: Seven Days Publication Date: September 16, 2026 Name of Probate Court: Chittenden Probate Court Address of Probate Court: 175 Main Street, Burlington, VT 05401 STATE OF VERMONT SUPERIOR COURT PROBATE DIVISION BENNINGTON UNIT DOCKET NO.:​ 25-PR-03203 In re ESTATE of Thomas G. Livermore NOTICE TO CREDITORS To the creditors of: Thomas G. Livermore, late of Orleans, 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.

Dated: Monday, August 31, 2026 Signature of Fiduciary: /s/ Bonnie Gallo Mailing Address: P.O. Box 270596 West Hartford, CT 06107 United States Phone Number: (860) 712-9427 Email: bonniebgallo@gmail.com Name of Publication: Seven Days Publication Date: 09/09/2026 Name of Probate Court: Bennington Probate Court Address of Probate Court: 207 South Street, Bennington, VT 05201 STATE OF VERMONT SUPERIOR COURT PROBATE DIVISION CHITTENDEN UNIT DOCKET NO.:​26-PR-00204 In re ESTATE of Randall Duval NOTICE TO CREDITORS To the creditors of: Randall Duval, late of Colchester, 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: Monday, August 31, 2026 Signature of Fiduciary: /s/ Louise Daigle Mailing Address: 15 Loubier Drive Essex Junction, VT 05452 Phone Number: 802-879-5125 Email: louised63@aol.com

NORTHSTAR SELF STORAGE WILL BE HAVING A PUBLIC AND ONLINE SALE/AUCTION FOR THE FOLLOWING STORAGE UNITS ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 AT 9:00 AM EST

Name of Publication: Seven Days Publication Dates: 09/09/2026, 09/16/2026, 09/23/2026 Name of Probate Court: Chittenden Probate Court Address of Probate Court: 175 Main Street, Burlington, VT 05401 STATE OF VERMONT SUPERIOR COURT FAMILY DIVISON FRANKLIN UNIT DOCKET NO. 25-JV-01081 In re: P.R. NOTICE OF HEARING TO: UNKNOWN FATHER, father of P.R. (dob 08/05/2025), you are hereby notified that a hearing to consider a Termination of Parental Rights Petition regarding your child will beheld on November 4, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. at the Franklin Superior Court, 36 Lake Street, St.Albans, Vermont. You are notified to appear at this hearing. Your failure to appear and defend can result in a judgment being entered against.

Other parties to this case are the child P.R., his Guardian ad litem, his mother, the Vermont Department for Children and Families and the State of Vermont. DCF is represented by the Attorney General’s Office, 280 State Drive-HC2N, Waterbury, Vermont 05671-2080. /s/ Mary Morrissey Hon. Mary Morrissey 8/28/2026 Franklin Superior Court Judge

PUZZLE ANSWERS FROM P.83

Northstar Self Storage will be having a public and online sale/auction on September 24, 2026 at 9:00 am EST at Northstar Self Storage - Castleton, 205 Route 4A West, Castleton, Vermont 05735 (Units C11, C117, C138); Northstar Self Storage - Danby, 615 Route 7, Danby, Vermont 05739 (Unit D107); Northstar Self Storage - Manchester (Drive-Up), 3466 Richville Road, Manchester Center, Vermont 05255 (Unit 20); Northstar Self Storage - Rockingham, 681 Rockingham Road, Rockingham, Vermont 05151 (Unit R09); Northstar Self Storage - Springfield, 1124 Charlestown Road, Springfield, Vermont 05156 (Unit CC07); and online at www.storagetreasures.com at 9:00 am EST in accordance with VT Title 9 Commerce and Trade Chapter 098: Storage Units 3905.

Enforcement of Lien Unit # C11 C117 C138 D107 20 R09 CC07

Name Taylor Peters Taylor Peters Devin Bruno Sadie M Sargent Lauren Rossics Matthew Quinn Anthony Wright

Contents Household Goods Household Goods Household Goods Household Goods Household Goods Household Goods Household Goods

IN ACCORDANCE WITH VT TITLE 9 COMMERCE AND TRADE CHAPTER 098: STORAGE UNITS 3905.

Enforcement of Lien, Champlain Valley Self Storage, LLC shall host a private auction of the following units on or after September 26, 2026: Contents: household goods Location: 2211 Main St Colchester VT 05446 Kasia Bergeron: #973 & #987 Steph Billings: #999 Randall Bibeau: #971 Location: 78 Lincoln St Essex Jct, VT 05452 Tiffany Williams: #075 Carissa Mae Tetlow: #241 Location: 485 Nokian Tyres Dr Colchester VT 05446 Sonya Rivers: #2231 Auction pre-registration is required, email info@ champlainvalleyselfstorage.com to register.

CVSS,llc reserves the right to reject any bid lower than the amount owed by the occupant or that is not commercially reasonable as defined by statute. Any person claiming a right to the goods may pay the amount claimed due and reasonable expenses before the sale, in which case the sale may not occur.

NORTHFIELD MUTUAL HOLDING COMPANY, NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING A Special Meeting of the Corporators of the Northfield Mutual Holding Company will be held October 8, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. at the Vermont National Country Club, 1227 Dorset Street, South Burlington, VT. The matters to be considered include the election of Corporators. Please call (802) 871-4492 for information.

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LEGAL NOTICE / REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)

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9 3 8 53÷ 4 2 7 1 6 5 3 5 4- 1 2 8 9 32x 7 4 6 6 9 4 8 1 3 Difficulty - Hard 5 7 2 2-

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

Calcoku

Difficulty - Hard

SEVEN DAYS SEPTEMBER 16-23, 2026

6 18 6+ 2 4 60x 7 3 1 5 9

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Mill Brook Apartments Catwalk Structural Steel Repairs 7 Union Street, Windsor, VT 05089 Evernorth is seeking proposals from qualified structural steel contractors for repairs and rehabilitation of the exterior catwalk and stair system at Mill Brook Apartments. The catwalk system spans approximately 320 linear feet, extends four stories (approximately 45 feet in height), and includes eight stair flights. Work generally includes selective demolition, structural steel repairs, steel deck replacement, concrete repairs, drainage improvements, coatings coordination, and related construction services.

Proposals are due by October 13th, 2026 at 12:00 PM and project start is projected for Spring 2027.

SEVENDAYSVT.COM/CLASSIFIEDS

To obtain the full RFP package and supporting documents, contact Devon Weston at dweston@ evernorthus.org BURLINGTON DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 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-26-13; 92 Adams Street (RM, Ward 6) 92 Adams Realty, LLC / Marcia Hemley Appeal of administrative denial for 15-year determination for an unpermitted parking area under ZP-26-338.

2. ZP-26-387; 146 East Avenue (RL, Ward 1) FMB East Avenue, LLC / Taylor Baker Proposed subdivision of existing residential lot to create a new 55’ x 167’ residential lot for the construction of a new single-family residence.

Existing triplex to remain.

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).

STATE OF VERMONT SUPERIOR COURT PROBATE DIVISION CHITTENDEN UNIT DOCKET NO.:​26-PR-04563 In re ESTATE of Jacqueline Swartz NOTICE TO CREDITORS To the creditors of: Jacqueline Swartz, late of South Burlington 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: Thursday, September 10, 2026 Signature of Fiduciary: /s/ Donald R Swartz Executor/Administrator: Donald R Swartz Mailing Address: 34 Imperial Drive South Burlington, Vermont 05403 United States Phone Number: (802) 734-3332 Email: drsmd@comcast.net Name of Publication: Seven Days

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Publication Date: 09/16/2026

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SECTION 8 WAITLIST OPEN

Name of Probate Court: Chittenden Probate Court Address of Probate Court: 175 Main Street, Burlington, VT 05401

The Winooski Housing Authority intends to open our application waitlist for Housing Choice Voucher Applications on October 1, 2026.

CITY OF ESSEX JUNCTION, NOTICE OF AMENDMENT OF MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 8: AN ORDINANCE RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLE REGULATIONS

RFP FOR SKATING FACILITY BRINE PIPE REPAIR/ REPLACEMENT

On September 9, 2026, the City Council of Essex Junction, Vermont, adopted amendments to the existing Municipal Code Chapter 8: An Ordinance Relating to Motor Vehicle Regulations. This notice is published pursuant to 24 V.S.A. § 1972 to inform the public of these amendments and of the citizens’ right to petition for a vote to disapprove these amendments.

Essex Westford School District is seeking bid proposals for repairing/replacing a 10-12’ section of piping within our salt water brine supply and return lines.

All proposals shall be emailed to Krista Luchini, kluchini@ewsd.org, or delivered to our office by 3pm on Friday, October 2nd, 2026. Bids will be reviewed the following week and vendors will be notified by Friday, October 9th, 2026.

Amendments to Chapter 8: An Ordinance Relating to Motor Vehicles Regulations removes on-street parking on Park Street to make room for buffered bike lanes, allows drivers to cross a bicycle lane when maneuvering into a parallel parking space, and to adds a stop sign on Pine Court at West Street.

Interested vendors may request a walkthrough by emailing Krista Luchini, kluchini@ewsd.org.

The full text of the Ordinance may be examined at the City Office at 2 Lincoln Street, Essex Junction, VT 05452 during regular office hours, or on the City’s website at www.essexjunction.org.

WESTFORD PLANNING COMMISSION NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

CITIZENS’ RIGHT TO PETITION FOR VOTE Title 24 V.S.A. § 1973 grants citizens the right to petition for a vote at a special or Annual Meeting to disapprove ordinance amendments adopted by the City Council. To exercise this right, citizens must present to the City Council or the City Clerk a petition for a vote on the question of disapproving the amendments signed by not less than five percent (5%) of the City’s qualified voters. The petition must be presented within forty-four (44) days following the date of the adoption of the amendments. The amendments to Chapter 8 shall become effective upon passage unless a petition requesting a vote is filed pursuant to 24 V.S.A. § 1973.

PERSON TO CONTACT Additional information pertaining to this Ordinance may be obtained by contacting Regina Mahony, City Manager, at admin@essexjunction. org, or by calling 802-878-6944 during regular office hours.

NOTICE OF SELF-STORAGE LIEN SALE VITAL SELF STORAGE - FAIRFAX 64 HARVEST ROAD FAIRFAX, VT 05454 Notice is hereby given that the contents of the self-storage units listed below will be sold at public auction by sealed bid. This sale is being held to collect unpaid storage unit occupancy fees, charges, and expenses of the sale. The entire contents of each self-storage unit listed below will be sold, with the proceeds to be distributed to Vital Self Storage for all accrued occupancy fees (rent charges), late payment fees, sale expenses, and all other expenses in relation to the unit and its sale.

Contents of each unit may be viewed on 10/7/2026, commencing at 9:00AM. Sealed bids are to be submitted on the entire contents of each self- storage unit. Bids will be opened one half hour after the last unit has been viewed on 10/7/2026. The highest bidder on the storage unit must remove the entire contents of the unit within 48 hours after notification of their successful bid. Purchase must be made in cash and paid in advance of the removal of the contents of the unit. A $50 cash deposit shall be made and will be refunded if the unit is broom cleaned. Vital 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: Terry Wells - 309

For additional information about the project and the bid process, please refer to the below RFP link. https://www.ewsd.org/page/purchasing-bids

The Westford Planning Commission hereby provides notice of a public hearing pursuant to Title 24, Section 4441 of the Vermont State Statutes for the purpose of hearing public comments concerning: Proposed amendments to the Westford Land Use & Development Regulations.

The public hearing has been scheduled for: Monday, October 5, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.

The public hearing will take place in person at the Westford Town Office and via Zoom.

Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/9726223 8054?pwd=ZRI7BQxdhMRjpV7ctH0aDuDzQWQ2 6Y.1 Meeting ID: 972 6223 8054 - Passcode: 8JFtDu Purpose: The Planning Commission is proposing to amend the Westford Land Use & Development Regulations for the following purposes: 1) To revise the regulations based on feedback from the Planning Commission, Development Review Board, Administrative Officer, and members of the public.

2) To ensure compliance with current Vermont legislation.

3) To correct and clarify certain spelling, grammatical, punctuation, and reference errors that appeared in the regulations.

Geographic Area Affected: Entire Town.

Table of Contents & Summary of Changes to the Westford Land Use & Development Regulations: Table of Contents: • Adds “List of Figures” Part 1. General: • Section 114: Adds two types of public facilities pursuant to the HOME Act Part 2. Zoning Districts & Standards: • Section 244.C: makes permanent the interim amendment to the R5 Scoring System; • Section 263.C: specifies onsite parking for T4 & T5 FBC transects; • Section 263.J: adds nonconforming parking language pursuant to the HOME Act. Part 3. Development Standards: • Section 302: deletes owner-occupancy requirement for ADUs; • Section 308: adds campground standards; • Section 314.F: corrects energy efficiency certification language; • Section 321.D: amends required culvert diameter; • Section 322.B: adds nonconforming parking language pursuant to the HOME Act; • Section 322.E: corrects standard parking space size language; • Section 327.B: corrects recommended disturbance date.

Part 4. Administrative Procedures:

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• Section 409.A: corrects VT permitting requirement language; • Section 421.A: amends accessory structure size requirements for DRB review; • Section 432: adds administrative approval of minor subdivision; • Section 439: adds language for administrative approval of minor subdivision plat; • Section 454.E: corrects violation timeline language.

Part 5. Definitions; Chapter 510. Defined Terms: • Section 511.C: amends/clarifies definition of campground and camp site; • Section 511.D: specifies number of animals constituting domestic animal kennel; • Section 511.I: corrects number of people constituting an interested party; • Section 511.P and 511.R: corrects number of dwellings to establish private road; • Section 511.S: corrects square footage required for permit, refines definition of principal structure.

Entire Document: • Amends residential structure language to change the word ”family” to “unit;” adds page numbers to figure references; corrects minor grammatical, spelling, and reference errors.

Location Where Full Text May be examined: The full text of the proposed amendments may be examined at the Westford Town Office, 1713 VT Route 128, Westford, Vermont, or viewed on the Town of Westford website at https://westfordvt. us/documents/planning-zoning/ Interested persons may appear and be heard at the public hearing. Written comments may be submitted to the Westford Planning Commission before the hearing at planningcommission@ westfordvt.us.

Dated at Westford, Vermont this 14th day of September, 2026.

TOWN OF BOLTON, VERMONT PUBLIC NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF LITTER ORDINANCE The Town of Bolton has adopted an updated Litter Ordinance. The ordinance establishes requirements concerning litter on public and private property and provides procedures for enforcement, including notices, penalties, and other enforcement measures authorized by Vermont law. The updated ordinance also clarifies the roles and authority of municipal officials responsible for enforcement while maintaining the Town’s existing penalty structure.

The full text of the ordinance is available for public inspection at the Bolton Town Office, 3045 Theodore Roosevelt Highway, Bolton, VT 05676, during regular Town Office hours.

For questions or to submit public comments concerning the ordinance, please contact: Dania Allowan, Town Administrator Town of Bolton 3045 Theodore Roosevelt Highway Bolton, VT 05676 (802) 434-5075, ext. 224 The Town of Bolton’s official website is www. townofbolton.com.

RIGHT TO PETITION FOR A TOWN-WIDE VOTE Pursuant to 24 V.S.A. § 1973, voters of the Town of Bolton have the right to petition for a vote to disapprove the ordinance. A petition must be signed by not less than five percent of the qualified voters of the municipality and submitted in accordance with the requirements of Vermont law. If a valid petition is submitted within the statutory period, the question of whether to disapprove the ordinance shall be submitted to the voters at an annual or special meeting as provided by law.

This notice is published pursuant to 24 V.S.A. § 1972.

SEVEN DAYS SEPTEMBER 16-23, 2026

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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 ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYST Lake Champlain Programs Full-time in Grand Isle, VT

Per Diem Counselor - stuDent HealtH anD Counseling Center

Home Provider

Visit jobs.plattsburgh.edu & select “View Current Openings”

47 Year old man - Seeks non-smoking home provider in the Burlington area, without young children.

SUNY Plattsburgh is an AA/EEO/ADA/VEVRAA committed to excellence through diversity and supporting an inclusive environment for all.

He enjoys playing basketball, 2h-SUNYPlattsburgh091626.indd 1 watching sports, lawn SEE THE HEART OF THE MATTER mowing, camping, Karaoke, Echocardiographer at Northeastern boating and fishing.

Experienced provider preferred. Tax free stipend, training, clinical support, and respite provided.

Call Brittany - 802-798-9115

More information: neiwpcc.org/about-us/careers To apply: send a cover letter, resume and writing sample to: jobs@neiwpcc.org

9/14/26 11:17 AM

Digital Communications Manager

Vermont Regional Hospital (NVRH)

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.

2v-WashingtonCountyMentalHealthServicesHomeProvider070126.indd 6/29/26 12:31 PM Qualifications: 1

RDCS or RCS certification required • BLS required • Minimum of one (1) year of echocardiography experience required

2 DRIVERS

Facilitate the research, implementation, and planning of projects that address water quality and ecosystem challenges in the Lake Champlain Basin.

Why NVRH? Excellent benefits • Competitive pay • Student loan repayment Tuition reimbursement • Generous PTO • 401(k) match

The Digital Communications Manager will play a crucial role in enhancing and managing VITL’s public image and messaging, specifically focusing on developing the VITL brand and increasing awareness of VITL’s products and services. This role is an opportunity to combine strategic thinking, digital expertise, and creativity to increase VITL’s visibility with our stakeholders, including the Vermont public, legislators, and the health care community.

As the Digital Communications Manager, you bring experience in social media, storytelling, content creation, paid and earned media, and email management. You will be hands-on developing VITL’s communication channels, creating content, managing vendor relationships, maintaining our communications calendar, contributing to brand, communications strategic planning and clearly articulating the communications plan(s) internally.

Are you looking for a parttime job with a mission? The Apply today: nvrh.org/careers For full description and to apply: 7dvt.pub/vitldigital Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired is hiring for two drivers. One to work 10 hours per week, trans-4t-NVRH072926.indd 1 7/24/26 4t-VITL090926.indd 11:10 AM 1 9/8/26 3:52 PM porting a visually impaired At Lewis Creek, you are a member of a passionate, teacher out of our South Burinclusive, and collaborative team designing and lington office to client homes. executing new construction and remodeling The other 18-22 hours per projects in the greater Burlington area.

The Director of Advancement is an essential leadership position week transporting a teacher within a dynamic, dual entity organization: Farm & Wilderness out of our Berlin office to area Foundation (FWF) operates six summer camps, off season rentals, Learn more and apply at schools and client homes. and a small-scale farm; and Farm & Wilderness Conservation (FWC) www.lewiscreekbuilders.com/employment Applicants must possess a preserves and protects two water bodies (Woodward Reservoir and reliable, insured vehicle, clean Lake Ninevah) and surrounding land spanning over 5,000 acres for low driving record, and be able impact recreation, outdoor education and wildlife habitat. to pass a background check.

Starting pay is $17.33 per hour Reporting to and working in close partnership with the Executive plus mileage compensation.

Director, the Director of Advancement will foster a culture of Come be a part of the VABVI philanthropy and lead all fundraising and advancement initiatives to team, helping to improve support the long-term sustainability of Farm & Wilderness. the lives of Vermonters with Compensation: $90,000–$100,000 impaired vision. Please send your resume to Monique Work location: Plymouth, VT. This role is required to work in our Main Fox at mfox@vabvi.org, Office 1-2 days per week year-round. 3-4 days per week can be done or call for an application at remotely.

802-863-1358 ext. 231 Apply: julie@farmandwilderness.org

DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT

Join our Design-Build team!

Architectural Designer Interiors & Procurement Specialist Superintendent Experienced Carpenter

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FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK @SEVENDAYSJOBS, SUBSCRIBE TO RSS, OR BROWSE POSTS ON YOUR PHONE AT JOBS.SEVENDAYSVT.COM

Music Director/ Organist Shelburne United Methodist Church (Shelburne VT) is seeking a Music Director/Organist, whose role in our faith community will be to strengthen the music ministry as a key aspect of our worship services.

Responsibilities include collaboratively planning music for worship services (four-manual pipedigital organ & piano), playing and leading congregational hymns, and directing the adult choir.

This is a part-time position (10-12 hours/week).

For a full job description including application requirements, please email Shelburne UMC at office@shelburneumc.org, subject line: “Music Director/Organist Position.” Position open until filled.

NEW JOBS POSTED DAILY!

HIRING MULTIPLE POSITIONS!

VTAEYC’S Director of Finance & Grants oversees financial operations and grant management functions, ensuring accurate financial reporting, effective fiscal processes, and compliance with federal and state grant requirements. This position manages a $9M budget, maintains strong financial systems, supports complex grant tracking and reporting, and ensures strong coordination between finance and grant activities. As a member of the Leadership Team, this role provides strategic financial leadership and guidance to support organizational decision-making and oversees a growing team of grants and finance professionals.

90% flexible remote work with occasional in-state travel. Make an impact in the early childhood education field and join a collaborative and entrepreneurial team!

At Lund, we believe in building a workplace where people feel valued, supported, and inspired to make a difference every day.

We believe that when our staff thrives, our children and families thrive. Whether your passions and professional experiences lie in direct service work or behind-the-scenes operations, and whether you’re looking for full-time work, part-time, or substitute positions, there’s a place here for you to bring your talents, creativity, and heart to the work we do serving Vermont children and families.

Apply: ecejobs.org/jobs/17/182067

Respite Staff

Scan QR code to apply.

• Early Childhood Teacher – Associate Level Full-time, the Hourly Rate is $25/hr • Early Childhood Teacher – Assistant Level Full-time, the Hourly Rate is $22/hr • Substance Use Case Manager – Multiple Locations Full-time, the Hourly Rate is $25/hr

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9/15/26 3:28 PM

• Administrative Assistant Full-time, the Hourly Rate is $21/hr • Food Services Specialist Part-time, the Hourly Rate is $22/hr

Finance & Operations Manager

• Licensed Nurse (LPN/RN) Full-time, the Salary Range is $65,000 - $70,000 3.83” For full job postings and to apply, go to: lundvt.org/about-lund/employment.

3.83”

Help Friends of the Winooski & Mad Rivers build a solid foundation for our work to improve the health of our rivers and strengthen our watershed 5v-Lund091626.indd 1 communities.

Learn more at winooskiriver.org/job-opening

Burlington & St Albans Drop-In 4t-FriendsoftheWinooskiRiver081926.indd 1 8/14/26 10:53 AM Center & Supported Housing, full & part-time shifts Executive Director available Are you passionate about supporting families in our community?

Young Adult Peer Navigator

SEPTEMBER 16-23, 2026

DIRECTOR OF FINANCE & GRANTS

This shared leadership position will support both organizations’ financial management, grants and contracts, fundraising, and human resources administration.

Youth Coaches:

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JOBS.SEVENDAYSVT.COM

Are you ready to lead ACPCC into its next era while preserving our outstanding legacy of support for parents and children in Addison County? If so, we’d like to hear from you!

The Executive Director is ACPCC’s chief executive, reporting to the Board of Directors and holding clear authority and accountability for the organization’s mission, strategic direction, financial sustainability, and program excellence. The E.D. works closely with program leads day to day and in partnership with the Board, staff, families, and community and state partners.

Salary: $82,000 - $105,000.

Apply by submitting your resume and cover letter at tinyurl.com/ ACPCCExecDir or via email to Recruiting@HRHappens.com. E.O.E.

9/15/26 11:16 AM

an equal opportunity employer an equal opportunity employer

Now Hiring!

Now Hiring!

MULTIPLE POSITIONS 3.83”

an equal opportunity employer

Now Hiring!

Our amazing team makes Lake Champlain Chocolates a great place to work! Sweet benefits include generous paid time off, paid holidays, medical insurance, free dental insurance, 401K match, company events, and lots of free chocolate!

Lake Champlain Chocolates uses business as a force for good. We listen, learn, and adapt to ensure that we provide an equitable and inclusive work environment where all people experience belonging, opportunity, respect, and dignity.

5.25 5.25”

We seek team members who want to join us in that effort.

Ready to apply?

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Visit LakeChamplainChocolates.com/careers for LakeChamplainChocolates.com/careers for additional jobVisit details and to submit your application.

Visit LakeChamplainChocolates.com/careers for additional job details and to submit your application.

additional job details and to submit your application.

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

SEPTEMBER 16-23, 2026

Job Vacancies Offered To All Job Seekers Downtown Advocacy Manager

PARKS & TREES SUPERVISOR Are you interested in a meaningful career that is active, mostly outside, community-based, and has a lot of variety? Join our team at the Montpelier Parks & Trees Dept!

LCC is seeking a Downtown Advocacy Manager for the Downtown Business Alliance.

HEIDI DAIRY & FOODS FARMERS LTD Company in Canada is seeking workers from all parts of the world to join any of the companies in different locations. We have branches in North and South America and other parts of Western and Northern Europe countries. Both skilled or unskilled are all qualified to join the company.

Licensing & Capacity Coordinator

The Afterschool Licensing and Capacity Building Approved applicants are to be granted free air plane ticket The new role will lead our business Coordinator is responsible advocacy and engagement efforts and free accommodation and hospitality benefits. for providing technical within the City of Burlington.

Our department of 4 staff assistance to new and Applicants are only responsible for work permit visa fees The Manager will serve as the oversees 500 acres of public existing afterschool and requirements, contact us through this email for further Chamber’s primary voice for local lands, 25 miles of year-round summer programs seeking clarifi cation: commerce, ensuring that the trails, 5,000 street trees to become a licensed child interests of Burlington’s business throughout Montpelier, and heididairyfarmsltd@proton.me community are represented at care program to advance seasonal community programs. the municipal and state levels.

This position acts as a program their goals and meet their This position is crucial for driving, manager, crew leader, and financial needs. This year, much more. $29.40 starting developing, and protecting the 4t-HeidiDairyFarms091626.indd 1 9/15/26 11:36 AM this position will collect and pay with excellent benefits. See economic vitality of the city. analyze feedback, design, www.montpelier-vt.org/jobs To learn more and apply, visit and pilot a suite of resources for more information. https://lccvermont.org/job-board/ to support programs, with To apply, submit a resume & the goal of rolling out The Lake Champlain Chamber is cover letter to Parks & Trees At Invest EAP/Centers for Wellbeing, an Equal Opportunity Employer the technical assistance Director Alec Ellsworth at strong client relationships are at the that welcomes diversity in the AEllsworth@montpelier-vt. broadly in the following heart of what we do. Our clients count workplace. We strongly encourage org by 5pm on Thursday, on having someone who knows their organization, understands year. This position will work all qualified persons to apply.

September 24th. their needs, and serves as a long-term trusted resource. This closely with the Vermont position will manage a large portfolio of accounts and help Afterschool team, the Child employees and leadership teams get the most out of their EAP. Development Division’s 3v-LakeChamplainChamber090926.indd 1 9/3/26 2:56 PM This is a hands-on role with plenty of variety. We’re looking Licensing Office, additional for someone organized and dependable, but also curious, key organizational partners, perceptive, responsive, and energized by working with a and afterschool and summer mission-focused team. program professionals.

Key Responsibilities: The Town of Westford is seeking a full-time Apply: • Serve as each account’s main liaison, building and maintaining vermontafterschool.org/ strong client relationships. employment • Lead client meetings and program planning, including usage reviews focused on EAP engagement and their organizational needs.

Client Services & Account Manager

Road Crew Member

Benefits include:

• Manage multiple accounts and competing priorities with strong organization, follow-through, and judgment about urgency and escalation.

- Annual clothing allowance - Generous overtime policy

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• Contribute to a collaborative Account Services team through clear communication, reliable documentation, and stronger shared systems.

- Frequently updated equipment - 100% employer-paid single-person health, dental and vision insurance

• Our ideal candidate builds trust quickly, reads people well, and adjusts their approach to fit the audience and the need. You bring a high sense of ownership over your work and ours. This is a mostly remote role, best suited to a highly self-directed professional.

- A retirement plan with an employer contribution match - Must pass pre-employment physical exam and drug test.

For consideration, please submit resume, references, and employment application to: Town of Westford, Attn: Tommy O’Connor, 1713 VT Route 128, Westford, VT 05494.

For more information, contact Tommy O’Connor (Town Administrator) at 802-878-4587 or townadmin@westfordvt.us.

Position open until filled.

Westford is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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LOOKING FOR A COOLER OPPORTUNITY?

• Create and present workshops tailored to each client’s audience. 4v-VermontAfterschool091626.indd 1

- A 4-day work week

8/20/26 11:22 AM

Nice to have: familiarity with southern Vermont organizations; experience with website design, Salesforce, or similar tools; potential interest in using digital tools thoughtfully to boost efficiency while preserving the human connection in our EAP work.

Salary for this position ranges from $28 to $34/hour and is for 32-38 hrs/wk with full benefits. Please submit cover letter and resume to wellbeing@investeap.org by September 30, 2026.

jobs.sevendaysvt.com

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK @SEVENDAYSJOBS, SUBSCRIBE TO RSS, OR BROWSE POSTS ON YOUR PHONE AT JOBS.SEVENDAYSVT.COM

Join the Office of the Clerk of the House for the 2027 Legislative Session

Looking for a meaningful seasonal job? Join a small, nonpartisan team supporting the Vermont House of Representatives, right at the heart of state government.

These full-time roles are based in Montpelier, VT, running from November/December 2026 through May 2027. The anticipated wage will start at $23.00-$28.34/hr, depending on the position, and the seasonal roles do not include health benefits.

To view open opportunities, go to https://legislature. vermont.gov/home/siteresources/career-opportunities

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NEW JOBS POSTED DAILY!

Washington County Mental Health Services is adding brand new positions and expanding our mental and behavioral health teams to better serve our community.

We have openings for clinicians, case workers, care coordinators, and direct service work. Several of our positions that are hiring for multiple openings require only a high school diploma and we will train you. If you have a good work ethic and love to help people, we want to hear from you today! With industry-leading paid time off benefits and competitive pay and benefits, it's time to consider a career at WCMHS. Check out our openings at www.wcmhs.org/careers.

89 SEPTEMBER 16-23, 2026

Communications and Program Coordinator

Fulfillment Technician

This multi-talented person will be primarily responsible for overall communication and marketing duties, along with other duties as assigned. The position is based out of our Burlington office, with the option to work up to two days per week remotely, if desired. Core responsibilities include:

Full Time Tata Harper Skincare is seeking passionate, driven individuals to join our team at our our Vermont Fulfillment Facility in Shelburne, VT. As a leader in 100% natural, highperformance skincare, we’re committed to sustainability, innovation, and excellence.

Join a growing brand that’s transforming beauty naturally.

Temporary position until the end of June 2027 Qualifications: Process driven, attention to detail, able to lift 25lbs Job Summary: The prospective candidate will be responsible for picking and packing orders. Other responsibilities may include but are not limited to cycle counting inventory, data entry, and other administrative tasks.

• Coordinating the logistics and promotion of educational events, • Managing and maintaining VEOC’s communications channels, including our social media, website, newsletter, etc., • Collaborating on the management of our CRM and other data systems, • Event management for annual conference, including registration, speaker organization, space design and coordination with event space staff • Attending in-person events to promote VEOC’s mission, and working with the Board/staff to increase visibility of the VEOC & employee ownership in Vermont.

Position is part-time, 25 or 30 hours per week (as desired by the applicant).

Pay starts at $28 per hour, increasing to $29 at the six month anniversary.

Applicants should submit a cover letter, résumé and writing sample by Friday, 10/2 to matt@veoc.org.

Compensation: $20.00 per hour Benefits: 401(k), Life insurance, Medical, Dental & Vision insurance - Gratis product allowance - Paid time off and Holidays Send resume to amy@ap.tataharper.com

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CLINICIANS CASE WORKERS CARE COORDINATORS DIRECT SERVICE

JOBS.SEVENDAYSVT.COM

Zoning & Compliance Specialist

9/3/26 11:09 AM

The Department of Planning & Zoning is seeking a part-time office professional to support with communications and responses as part of the Town’s ongoing zoning enforcement program at time of real estate transfers. There is some flexibility with the work schedule within the Town’s standard hours of 8:00 am - 4:30 pm. The Zoning Compliance Specialist will focus on departmental administrative and customer service tasks related to permitting functions. This public-facing position is part of a small, team-oriented, collaborative environment that plays a vital role in connecting with and serving the community.

Drafts and issues Bianchi Letters (Zoning Compliance Letters), including research of Town documents to confirm compliance, facilitating after-the-fact building & zoning permits, Certificates of Occupancy, and scheduling site visits. Collects and processes payments associated with Bianchi Letters. Consults directly with property owners, contractors or others to answer questions regarding Building & Zoning permits. Facilitates file management to support building and zoning permits and Bianchi letter processes. Investigates zoning and land use complaints, as time allows and as part of the overall efforts of the Planning & Zoning Department.

The ideal candidate will have a customer service mindset, excellent written and verbal communication skills, the ability to manage competing priorities and a positive attitude, with the desire to always work towards a solution. Proficiency in MS Office Suite and the ability to learn specialized software. Must possess a valid driver’s license. Pay for this position is $25/hr.

Please submit application materials to rtetrick@colchestervt.gov Position open until filled. The Town of Colchester is an equal opportunity employer.

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BAKER/PASTRY CHEF Minifactory (restaurant, bakery & grocery) homes Good Food Award Winning V Smiley Preserves (jam company) in downtown Bristol, Vermont. This hybrid cafe, bakery, grocery and production model hums with daily activity. The kitchen is non-traditional and collaborative. We believe that kitchen work is exciting, meaningful, creative and a great fit for all kinds of folks.

We’re hiring a skilled, creative baker/pastry chef to helm the baking program at Minifactory. Our location has homed a bakery for almost 5 decades and the community's appreciation for pastry and baking is immense.

Our ideal candidate works independently but understands themselves to be a part of the V Smiley Preserves / Minifactory organization. You are the morning time lead in the space, setting the tone in the kitchen, greeting/checking in deliveries, keeping counterfolks informed about menu, etc. You'll step into a wellorganized system built by a veteran pastry chef who is moving on after four years at Minifactory.

Compensation: Wages are based off an hourly wage + tips. Pay range is $58,000-70,000/yr with a signing bonus of $2,000 (via 3 and 6 month interval).

Apply at vsmileypreserves.com/jobs

9/8/26 11:49 AM

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90 SEPTEMBER 16-23, 2026

Healthy Living is Hiring!

WE’RE LOOKING FOR THE COOLEST HUMANS IN TOWN! COME JOIN A TEAM THAT:

• Focuses on teamwork • Supports a collaborative environment • Puts curiosity and great ideas first • Is dedicated to providing an exceptional guest experience • Builds community relationships • Loves food and cooking • Has fun while working hard!

Company Overview: Healthy Living is a locally owned, independent chain of supermarkets serving communities in Vermont and New York. Our mission is to fuel a passion for great food, health, and well-being and be the place where people gather to shop, eat, and work. We are committed to providing super healthful, innovative, and delicious food while maintaining exceptional hospitality and creating an inviting place to shop and eat. We also prioritize our relationships with local farmers and producers, and actively contribute to our community.

ASSISTANT PRODUCE DEPT. MANAGER – WILLISTON Position Overview: The Assistant Produce Manager is responsible for daily department functions specific to the department, ensures the department runs smoothly and effectively, purchases from all vendors and maintains strong vendor relationships. Teaches Produce department staff, provides direction, support, inspiration, and proficient training. Key Supervisory points of this position include hiring, training, and notifying the Produce Manager of any staffing issues that may arise. Ensures timely and accurate replenishment buying, utilizing systems, HL software, auto-order, cycle counts and data reports to effectively purchase for the needs and budgetary goals of the company. The Assistant Produce Manager also serves as the “eyes and ears” for the Produce Manager and Category Manager (CM) for the Produce Department, providing their own observations, Guest feedback and general insights for the Manager, CM and VP of Purchasing and Retail Sales.

PRODUCE ASSOCIATE – WILLISTON The Produce Associate is responsible for all produce stocking responsibilities including; keeping the department abundantly stocked, beautifully organized, and merchandised effectively. Produce Stockers cull, rotate and stock only the highest quality product on the produce floor, prep and bag items as necessary, and ensure there is proper signage for all products. Produce Stockers are also responsible for providing knowledgeable, friendly and superior hospitality to our guests.

Schedule: Full-time or Part-Time hours available. Shift hours may be scheduled between 7am-9:30pm. Weekend availability is required.

Pay: $15.50 - $18.17 per hour (previous experience taken into consideration).

Location: 129 Market St. Williston VT.

COOK – WILLISTON The Healthy Living Cook is talented, passionate, and ready to bring our café to the next level. The Cook position is an integral part of maintaining quality, quantity, and service of our house-made food program! Our cooks maintain organized, clean, and sanitized work areas and equipment while preparing items for our deli, salad bar, "grab and go" case, and Home Meal Replacement (HMR) program.

Hours: Part-time and full-time hours available. Kitchen operating hours are 7:00AM7:30PM. Weekend availability is required.

Pay: $17.00 - $19.93 per hour, plus tips. This is a tipped position. Previous experience will be taken into account.

Location: 129 Market Street, Williston VT.

CASHIER - SOUTH BURLINGTON We are seeking an energetic and motivated team player to work in our busy Front End as a Cashier. The Front End at Healthy Living is the “final experience” for our guests and is built around strong, professional, and friendly hospitality. We work hard to ensure that our guests leave feeling wonderful about the time spent with us and need staff who genuinely love to go the extra mile!

Location: 222 Dorset St. South Burlington VT. Pay: $15.50 - $18.17 per hour. Previous experience will be considered.

Shifts: Part-time and full-time availability, weekend availability required.

RECEIVING & FACILITIES MANAGER - WILLISTON The Receiving and Facilities Manager is responsible for the efficient and smooth daily operation of physical store systems and operation of the receiving department, ensuring that receiving procedures and the store is always at its best. This includes, but is not limited to, the functionality, performance and appearance of the facility, grounds and related equipment, daily custodial operations, ensuring cleanliness and sanitation throughout the facility and conducts regular inspections to ensure compliance with cleanliness and safety guidelines. Cleanliness, safety, hospitality and efficiency are their top priorities. Flexible scheduling is a must!

Schedule: Full-time hourly position, 40 hours/week including weekend availability.

Location: 129 Market St., Williston VT. Rate: $28 - $37.86/hour, previous experience will be taken into consideration.

WINE & BEER LEAD - SOUTH BURLINGTON Healthy Living is seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented Wine and Beer Lead to join our team. We care deeply about great food and even better service and hospitality.

Our Wine and Beer Department is a big part of what makes us special—filled with carefully chosen products and a team that loves sharing what they know. Our Wine & Beer Lead will support the behind-the-scenes operations that keep the department running smoothly. In this role, you’ll help ensure our shelves are well-stocked with a diverse selection of wines and beers, support beautiful merchandising, offer thoughtful pairing suggestions, and contribute to the outstanding service our guests know and love. As our Wine and Beer Lead, you’ll take charge of ordering products, working closely with vendors to get what we need, when we need it. You’ll use tools like HL software, auto-order systems, and reports to keep inventory in check and help us stay within budget. You’ll also play a key role in keeping the department clean, organized, and welcoming—and in training new team members so they feel confident and knowledgeable of department procedures.

Schedule: Full-Time, weekend availability required.

Pay: $20.00 - $23.44 per hour (previous experience taken into consideration).

Location: 222 Dorset St. South Burlington VT.

FOR FULL DESCRIPTIONS AND TO APPLY: 7DVT.PUB/HEALTHYLIVING

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91 SEPTEMBER 16-23, 2026

Build Your Career at Vermont Gas Systems The team behind Vermont Gas Services and Clover Energy.

At Vermont Gas Systems (VGS), we’re committed to helping Vermonters stay comfortable, manage energy costs, and access the services and resources they need.

We’re currently hiring for the following opportunities:

Customer Care Specialist Be a trusted resource for customers by providing exceptional service, answering questions, and helping connect people with solutions.

Credit & Collections Specialist Help customers navigate payment challenges, access available assistance programs, and maintain essential energy service. This role combines customer support, problemsolving, and field-based customer interaction.

Energy Services Program Coordinator Support customers participating in energy efficiency programs by coordinating projects, managing details, and helping homeowners access resources that improve comfort and energy savings.

Why Join VGS? • • • •

Featured positions offer a starting pay range of $24.00 - $28.85 an hour, depending on experience and qualifications Up to $10,000 annually in tuition reimbursement Generous paid time off, including 3 weeks of vacation, 1 week of sick time, 2 personal days, and 11 paid holidays in your first year Hybrid opportunities for select positions

Learn More & Apply Visit vgsvt.com/careers to explore current openings, learn more about our benefits, and discover what it’s like to build a career with VGS.

(800) 639-8081 vgsvt.com/careers

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92 SEPTEMBER 16-23, 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

The Legislature’s support offices are seeking seasonal staff for the 2027 Legislative Session.

• 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

Are you looking for an interesting, challenging, and rewarding place to work?

Permanent Supportive Housing Specialist: $26.00 - $27.00 per hour PLUS $2000 SIGN ON BONUS

You’ll join a non-partisan and highly professional, collegial team that takes pride in and has a genuine enthusiasm for the mission of the state legislature.

These full-time, seasonal positions are based in Montpelier, VT, running from November/December 2026 through May 2027.

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.)

To apply, please go to: ‘Career Opportunities’ at legislature. vermont.gov.

• 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

THE GRIND GOT YOU DOWN?

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• Section 457 plan. BHA employees can contribute to this retirement plan • Employee Assistance Plan

9/14/26 1:14 PM

• 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

Visit us at Facebook/sevendaysjobs latest postings

jobs.sevendaysvt.com

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Sales/Admin Logical Machines- a family run business- is looking to grow our sales/admin team.

Logical Machines is a small manufacturing company located in Charlotte, Vermont. We are looking for an organized, flexible, detail oriented, team player willing to work full time and in person. This position requires a sales oriented mindset with the willingness to help with administrative duties as well.

The ideal candidate will: • Have experience in direct sales • Have knowledge/experience in Business to Business sales • Have an aptitude for weigh fill machines and product testing • Support marketing efforts • Assist Office Manager in daily admin tasks Please reach out to sarah@ logicalmachines.com with resumes/cover letters or questions.

NEW JOBS POSTED DAILY! JOBS.SEVENDAYSVT.COM

CASE MANAGER

MENTAL HEALTH CLINICIAN CASE MANAGER - LADC

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.

The University of Vermont Medical Center is seeking a Mental Health Clinician Case Manager to join their team in Burlington. The Mental Health Clinician - LADC is an integral part of ATC’s multi-disciplinary team of clinicians, psychiatrists, nurses and peers.

Qualifications: • Master’s degree in a behavioral health or related field required • Active Drug and Alcohol Counselor License (LADC) in the State of Vermont or ability to acquire licensure within one year required Learn more and apply: uvmhealthcareers.org/r0089036_sevendays

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This role leads JUMP fundraising and communications initiatives to achieve annual fundraising goals while building strong relationships with faith communities, donors, and community partners.

Part-time: 30 hours per week; $25 to $30/hour Benefits: Semi-flexible schedule, professional development opportunities, paid time off.

For full job description & to apply: 7dvt.pub/jump2026

8/28/26 10:56 AM

Serving Chittenden, Franklin, Addison & Grand Isle Counties Earn an Average of $25+/hour Full-time + Part-time Available Flexible Schedule + Weekly Pay

Ready R Re ady d to Join Our Te dy T Team? am?

Scan to Apply or Call/Text

802-383-6333

9/11/26 2v-PreferredCare090926 10:59 AM 1

9/7/26 9:00 AM

Champlain Community Services is growing, and we want you to be part of our team. Benefit package includes 29 paid days off in the first year, comprehensive health insurance with up to $6,400 to go towards medical deductibles and copays, retirement match and so much more. And that’s on top of working at one of the “Best Places to Work in Vermont” for eight years in a row.

Safety and Maintenance Officer This is an excellent role for someone who enjoys keeping a building healthy and working in a collaborative environment.

Oversee the grounds, building, and CCS equipment including scheduling routine maintenance for a small fleet of accessible vans. This role also conducts the safety and accessibility inspections for homes of individuals in shared living provider situations. Compensation is $25.50/hr.

Service Coordinator Join our team of professionals providing case management for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

In this role you will learn about strategies for individualized supports; build trusting, professional relationships; lead teams towards a greater goal; and continue your career in human services in a supportive & fun environment. Compensation is $24.60/hr plus on call stipend.

with individuals with developmental disabilities, have strong communication, organization and customer service skills, and have a genuine interest in helping people receive the supports they need. Compensation is $24.60/hr plus on call stipend.

Employment Specialist Join our award-winning supported employment program working with individuals to develop career goals, seek and secure employment, and build partnerships with local businesses for long term employment. The ideal candidate will have strong communication skills, enjoy working in a collaborative environment and have the desire to make an impact on their community. Compensation is $21/hr.

Direct Support Professional Provide 1-to-1 supports to help individuals reach their goals in a variety of settings and make a big impact on someone’s life. This is a great position to start or continue your career in human services. Full and part time positions available.

Compensation is $20/hr.

Join our team today and help build a community where everyone participates and belongs.

Contact: ccscareers.org

Intake Coordinator Be the first step in someone’s journey toward meaningful support at CCS. The ideal candidate will have experience working

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Make a Difference.

Build a Career Around Caring.

WHY NOT HAVE A JOB YOU LOVE?

Provide clinical leadership, supervision, and therapeutic consultation to a strong 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.

Compensation is $60,000 annual salary.

The Joint Urban Ministry Project/ JUMP manages an Outreach Center that assists thousands of Vermont households and individuals in need each year in practical, thoughtful ways.

Now N No ow H ow Hi Hiring iri ir rin ing ng Caregivers C Ca are ar reg egi giv ive ver ers rs

Learn more at HomeShareVermont.org and send cover letter and resume to connor@ homesharevermont.org

by September 21st.

EOE

Therapeutic Supports Senior Manager

Development & Communications Coordinator

93 SEPTEMBER 16-23, 2026

8/31/26 5:32 PM

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94 SEPTEMBER 16-23, 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.

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95 SEPTEMBER 16-23, 2026

ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER Salary: $125,000 / year Full-time – Exempt Open September 4, 2026 – Closes September 25, 2026 Montpelier is the nation’s smallest state capital — and one of its most resilient. Having navigated a major flood and a global pandemic, the city is entering a new chapter of vitality and opportunity.

We’re looking for a strategic, collaborative leader to step into a pivotal role alongside the City Manager and help shape Montpelier’s future.

This is a rare chance to work at the intersection of housing, economic development, infrastructure modernization, public safety, and good governance — in a community that genuinely cares.

ABOUT THE ROLE The Assistant City Manager serves as a trusted strategic partner to the City Manager and a core member of the city’s leadership team. This position provides operational oversight, drives cross-departmental initiatives, supports the Montpelier City Plan and City Council’s Strategic Plan, and steps in as Acting City Manager during the Manager’s absence. The role also leads public engagement, guides policy development, stewards financial resources, and champions a workplace culture of excellence and accountability.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES • Strategic leadership • Partner with the City Manager on leadership, governance, and operational oversight. Serve on the City Leadership Team and act as City Manager when needed.

• Community engagement • Represent the city to partners, the State Legislature, and the public. Build relationships with residents, businesses, and regional agencies.

Lead public engagement on Council priorities.

• Operational oversight • Foster an accountable, inclusive organizational culture. Champion cross-department collaboration, remove barriers, and mentor direct reports.

• Policy development • Develop data-informed proposals for Council consideration. Guide department heads on policy implementation and lead state-level advocacy efforts.

• Budget stewardship • Support long- and short-term financial planning.

Write grants, manage RFPs, oversee procurement compliance, and advocate for funding approvals.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS • Bachelor’s degree in public administration, policy, business, or related field • 7+ years in government, public management, or financial administration (equivalency considered) PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS • Master’s degree in a related field • Extensive municipal government experience; Vermont knowledge a strong plus • Thorough knowledge of the principals of municipal government administration • Demonstrated ability to handle confidential records, bid proposals, and negotiating positions • Proven success leading diverse teams, managing budgets, and implementing policy matters of

significance • Leadership qualities we value • Integrity, transparency, and respect for subject matter experts • Clear, effective communication with staff, elected officials, and the community • Commitment to equitable service delivery, good governance, and ethical behavior • Professional composure in complex political situations and a lifelong learning mindset BENEFITS Generous Paid Vacation and Sick Leave plans 12 Paid Holidays VMERS Pension + 457(b) Health, dental & vision insurance Short & long-term disability City-provided life & AD&D insurance Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) with generous city contribution Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Limited remote work considered EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Montpelier welcomes applicants regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, political affiliation, or citizenship status. We comply with Vermont and federal fair employment law.

View the FULL JOB DESCRIPTION on our Website: https://www.montpelier-vt.org/Jobs.aspx Please email resume and cover letter no later than 9/25/2026 to HR Director, Tanya Chambers, tchambers@montpelier-vt.org

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SEVEN DAYS ASKS:

HOUSE IT GOING? Don’t get lost in the homebuying maze.

Get the honest truth about the local real estate market at our FREE workshop.

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fun stuff JULIANNA BRAZILL

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SEVEN DAYS SEPTEMBER 16-23, 2026

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Night Protocol at the Seven Daysies party JEB WALLACE-BRODEUR

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from your next great time. @sevendaysoutandabout Follow our new Instagram page for a curated feed of the best local events, including staff picks and what’s on sale at sevendaystickets.com.

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fun stuff

FREE WILL ASTROLOGY BY ROB BREZSNY REAL SEPTEMBER 17-23 TAURUS (Apr. 20-May 20): In Peru’s

VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEP. 22)

If I were writing this horoscope for the Gun Lovers’ Gambling Porn website, I might counsel my Virgo readers to maintain strict control over their wickedness, debauchery and decadence. Why? Because now is a time when vices and sins are even more likely than usual to sow chaos and spawn big messes. However, since you are reading my oracle in a more genteel publication and are almost certainly a refined person of high integrity, I’m confident there will be minimal uproar if I dare you to tap into your raw animal energy and unruly instinctual nature. I believe it’s time to at least experiment with wilder aspects of your deep self.

ARIES (Mar. 21-Apr. 19): Realities you’ve been oblivious to will soon pop into view.

Hints and signals you’ve been unconsciously pushing away will start flocking toward you.

A lingering emotional numbness will thaw, and surges of feelings will pour into your awareness. Warning! At first, it may feel like an overload: too much sopping wet data arriving too quickly for you to organize or interpret. If you’re willing to be patient and focus on slowly metabolizing the influx, though, the apparent chaos will ultimately weave itself into a luminous web of new understanding.

Andean mountains, Indigenous and smallholder farmers cultivate a rich diversity of potato varieties, continuing a farming tradition rooted in the crop’s domestication thousands of years ago. Each variety thrives in slightly different soil, altitude, and climate. By planting many types at once, the farmers ensure that at least some crops will flourish no matter what conditions arise. I suggest you apply this way of thinking to your own life in the coming weeks, Taurus. Diversify your efforts instead of depending on a single plan or expectation. Plan for multiple small initiatives that will evolve with unique growth patterns.

GEMINI (May 21-Jun. 20): In biology, many

organisms survive harsh or unpredictable conditions by entering dormancy. This is a reversible state of greatly reduced metabolism and development. Seeds, spores and the dormant stages of some small animals can remain viable for years until cues such as water, temperature, light or nutrients signal that conditions are favorable again.

Then they can resume growth, development or activity, often rapidly. I suspect you may experience a comparable upsurge in the coming weeks, Gemini. A project or aspiration that seemed inert may reawaken and reignite.

CANCER (Jun. 21-Jul. 22): Novelist Kurt

Vonnegut advised us to try some task that scares us every day of our lives. That may be a viable experiment for a Scorpio like him, but is it a wise prescription for us Cancerians, who like to feel secure and protected? Normally, I would say no. I’d recommend that you and I dare ourselves to wrestle with one of our fears no more than once per month. But the coming weeks may warrant a departure from our typical rhythms. I suspect we can fortify our long-term safety and peace through more frequent encounters with unpredictable episodes that rouse our hidden reserves of courage.

LEO (Jul. 23-Aug. 22): The ancient Greeks

believed that the goddess Harmonia presided over the blending of opposites into balanced beauty. Her dad was the god of war and her mom the goddess of love, so she had a lot of practice. In her line of work, tension between

different forces could produce elegant unity rather than conflict. In alignment with astrological omens, I’ve appointed Harmonia to be your guardian angel in the coming weeks, Leo. I urge you to call on her dynamically and frequently. Rifts and splits and divisions that have never before been possible to heal are now swayable by the collaborative efforts of you and the goddess.

LIBRA (Sep. 23-Oct. 22): The Real You and

the Semi-Real You have been embroiled in a showdown with the False You. This is as tough and heroic a struggle as you’ve had to deal with in quite some time, though it has often been subtle and partially cloaked.

I am of course rooting for the Real You and the Semi-Real You to emerge victorious from the conflict, though I also hope you don’t feel the need to humiliate and crush the False You. That part of you has sometimes served a valuable purpose and doesn’t deserve to be trashed. And what will become of the Semi-Real You after this drama is finished?

I suggest you give it a modest place in your repertoire. Like the False You, it sometimes proves to be useful.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21):

Hummingbirds can fly backward. They’re the only birds capable of sustained reverse flight.

This requires extraordinary wing flexibility and energy expenditure, but it gives them access to nectar that forward-only fliers have more difficulty sampling. Let’s treat this as a useful metaphor for you in the coming weeks, Scorpio. It may be that your progress and success won’t always come from advancing. Some rich resources may require the equivalent of reverse flight. Consider returning to conversations you thought were finished, revisiting places you’d mentally filed away as “done,” and extracting value from sources you’ve already passed by.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): In

chemistry, catalysts are substances that accelerate reactions without being consumed in the process. A tiny amount of catalyst can dramatically transform how quickly elements combine. An example is the enzyme catalase in our cells, which breaks down hydrogen peroxide (a byproduct of our metabolism)

into water and oxygen millions of times faster than it would decompose on its own. I believe you are now in a phase when your catalytic powers are at a peak, Sagittarius. Be careful where you point that potency of yours! Make sure you really want to change what you’re capable of changing.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Every

species adapts to its surroundings. Even harmful microbes evolve over time in order to survive. Syphilis, for instance, was once ferociously swift and deadly, but that intensity limited how far it could spread. So a gentler strain gradually evolved that allowed its hosts to live longer and pass it on more widely. Let this serve as a metaphor for how you handle your dark moods, odd compulsions and brief bouts of craziness. Befriend the mild, manageable versions of these states and give them space to be felt and understood. Over time, the harsher, more destructive versions will lose ground and fade from power.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Paleontologists know that some dinosaurs traveled in herds with a specific formation: the most vulnerable members gathered in the center, protected by stronger individuals on the perimeter. It was a savvy way to run things, ensuring the group would thrive. I hope you’re willing to borrow some dinosaur wisdom, Aquarius. The coming weeks will be a good time to apply it to your own life. Who or what needs protection? What vulnerable projects or relationships deserve to be surrounded and shielded? Are you willing and able to use your strength to guard what’s tender and growing?

Be a shepherd, a steward, a defender.

PISCES (Feb. 19-Mar. 20): In ancient times, Hawaii’s Coconut Island was renowned for its healing powers — but on one condition.

Those who sought its medicinal help couldn’t just expect the local spirits to do all the work, but had to take part in awakening the magic.

Legend tells us that a seeker could be cured by swimming three times around the island.

This participatory approach to healing mirrors your current situation, Pisces. You are close to a source of renewal, but if you hope to unlock its full strength, you must coax it out with your ingenuity.

SEVEN DAYS SEPTEMBER 16-23, 2026

99

NEW EARTH PARTNER I think an open-minded, nature-loving, self-aware, creative, slender gal would be nice, 56 to 74. marcus, 28, seeking: W, l

Respond to these people online: dating.sevendaysvt.com WOMEN seeking...

LOOKING FOR A REAL MAN I am an older lady who likes to date younger men. If you’re a man who takes care of yourself and needs some attention, then let’s chat! Love_ younger_men, 71, seeking: M, l HAPPILY RETIRED I love being retired, but something is missing: someone to enjoy life with.

Someone to make good memories and a new chapter in our life. I love nature, and I enjoy outdoor activities.

I’m very outgoing and enjoy the simple pleasures of life. I like to travel. There are so many beautiful places on this Earth to see. LadyinVt, 69, 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 FUN-LOVIN’ GIRL I bring fun, laughter and a great playlist to the table. Seeking a kind, ambitious man who values good communication and knows how to relax and enjoy life.

Someone warmhearted and ready for fun. Karrington, 63, seeking: M, l

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100

SEEKING PARTNER IN CRIME Well-traveled, friendly extrovert who loves dancing, art, music, good food, laughter, downhill and cross-country skiing, biking, cuddling, bonfires, bubble baths. Seeking that special person to create memories with; to dance, sing, hold hands and laugh with. Someone who has also led an interesting life. Is healthy, smart, self-confident, supportive, passionate, musical and adventurous.

By the way: Pisces, Virgo rising, like the song. carpediem802, 70, 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 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 SOULFUL POET Strong, open-minded, down-to-earth native Vermont woman of modest means seeks a like-minded kindred spirit who loves to laugh, walk, hike, and spend time inside sharing meals, movies and behind-closed-door sensuous adventures. My glass is half full, and despite the unforeseen roadblocks in life, I find inspiration and strength in moving beyond past pain. smspoet, 64, seeking: M, l SHINY, HAPPY SOUL, SMILING I’ve been told I have a vibe that draws people to me. My laugh is loud and genuine. Friends say I am open, warm, loving, energetic. What am I looking for?

That special click: a sizzling passion, a partner who is happy and full of life.

We’ll crack each other up, talk about the hard stuff, work hard, play hard.

SmilingDeeply, 50, seeking: M, l CURIOUS. PLAYFUL. TENDER. Direct, kind, darkly funny, endlessly curious. I’m an animal lover, cello novice, cold-case sleuth, winter person, research-rabbit-hole enthusiast and believer in science with room for a little woo. I’m seeking steady companionship, mutual curiosity, adult communication and maybe more, if it grows naturally.

Homebody-friendly, independent, quirky, emotionally mature. No smoking or drugs; infrequent social drinking only. MissionImpossible, 56, seeking: W, TM, TW, l READY TO SHARE MY WORLD Life is simple and beautiful.

Betsy, 53, seeking: M

SEVEN DAYS SEPTEMBER 16-23, 2026

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 ACTIVE AND FUNNY I am a person who loves to be active.

I enjoy nature and being outdoors.

Hiking, biking, walking, dancing are a few of my favorites. I am looking for a long-term relationship, and I realize these things take time, so getting to know each other first is the best place to start. ActiveAnnie, 62, seeking: M 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 PERIPATETIC, CREATIVE, INDEPENDENT ARTIST I’m considering relocating to Vermont or perhaps Canada. I’m applying for my certificate of Canadian citizenship based on my great-grandmother’s citizenship.

I enjoy hiking and horseback riding in Vermont. Villanelle, 70, seeking: M OPENING UP TO NEW WAYS I am a 70-y/o woman who has never allowed my self to be in a relationship with another. I want sweet, gentle sex.

I want to travel and have adventures — maybe spend time with elephants. I like to laugh. I want to allow others to love me. I am learning that it takes two to tango! Pansy, 70, seeking: W, l

MEN seeking...

I’M LAID-BACK, ENJOY LIFE I am down-to-earth, love life and all people. Love all animals and love taking long vacations.

Blackhawk185, 54, seeking: W OLDER, ATHLETIC DEMOCRACY ACTIVIST, WRITER Recent widower, age 84, seeks someone near my age for friendship, companionship and possible travel. My ideal would, like me, be thin, comfortable on a heart-healthy diet, mentally and physically fit, well educated, financially independent, like to garden, and still like to bicycle, hike, ski — both crosscountry and Alpine — and more. If this fits you, please reach out to me.

AthleticWidowerAt84, 84, seeking: W, l

OLD SCHOOL New to this again. Would like someone who can travel at the drop of a hat — museums, concerts, dinner, historic sites, friends. fcleff, 77, seeking: W, l LAID-BACK Single male looking for a relationship.

Moonbeam32, 42, seeking: W, l BRIAR BITTEN BIDING MY TIME I’ve been looking and yearning and running in circles. Now I’m tired of this tracing, and I lay back for hours.

In the graveyards and the rivers, now I’m minding my own. You join me if ya wanna, just a-watching the stones. reginaldgatorade, 27, seeking: W, Q, NC, NBP, l I’M NOT DEAD YET Love being outside, no matter the season. There is always something that motivates a person to try something new. I am curious, loving and grouchy but will always stand up for the underdog. Bilingual French and English. tobias, 66, seeking: W, l FUN, SPIRITUAL, SARCASM, HONEST Very active, non-needy, very affectionate, and still believe in love, sensuality and caring. Looking for someone easygoing, smart and attractive at our age. antman222, 74, seeking: W, l LAID-BACK, EASYGOING Love long walks, hiking, getting to know new people. I’m a lover looking for a new friend or a girlfriend or maybe a girl friend with benefits.

Johncarle, 50, seeking: W, l LAID-BACK AND FUN I enjoy seeing others succeed and overcoming their obstacles. I enjoy cooking and cleaning to decompress from stress. Am returning to school to get my master’s as a second career. bluesky333, 40, seeking: W THE SPORTY GEEK My name is John, and I am from southern Vermont! Currently serving in the Army while also working full time as a manufacturing technician for a biopharmaceutical company. I am a part-time graduate student studying biology. For fun, I enjoy being outside in my town, mainly walking with my pups, along with playing rugby! I also read, on occasion. JohnM7, 30, seeking: W, l SEEKING OLDER BUSTY WOMAN Respectful, easygoing younger guy seeking a local older woman for friendship, closeness, affection. I love and crave full curves and soft, generous breasts — no such thing as too big — and want to worship them and you properly: attention, appreciation, no rush. Looking for someone comfortable in her body who likes being held and adored; real chemistry. Lowdrama, eager to meet someone local.

MyNameIsRemus, 41, seeking: W, l ADVENTURES AND MAKING MEMORIES After years of thinking about what kind of partner I see myself with, I came to realize I want someone who loves the outdoors as much as I do.

Hiking, camping, random road trips.

The No. 1 thing I want in a partner is someone who enjoys cycling. cyclingsteve, 45, seeking: W, l OLD-SCHOOL Sweet, but rough edges. billy1237, 64, seeking: W, l

SEEK COPILOT/NAVIGATOR I am seeking a travel companion.

Alaska to Argentina and beyond. But first Barnard and Barnet, Poultney and Peacham. Must enjoy music, conversation and silence. Clean driving record and criminal record necessary. No drama and minimal baggage. Ass gas and grass not required but not prohibited. Español hablantes preferidas. Vamos a la playa!

TomasChela, 66, seeking: W, l MAN, 27, LOOKING FOR CONNECTIONS My name is Josiah. I was adopted. I have degrees in computer science and computer engineering. I have no experience dating of any kind. Now, I’m looking to make a change in this area of my life. I’m deeply caring and will go out of my way to help those I care for. I am loyal and honest.

Josiah1999, 27, seeking: M, W, l WRITER OF NOTE A writer, I have an Orwellian novel in play with a European artist of note. We fear Homo sapiens are threatened by fossil fuel extraction, mainly by cars, trucks and AI. “America the Great” has become “America the Greed.” Earth’s membrane, our atmosphere, is in peril. Take a breath over any fire and think about this, gadgets set aside. Glede, 81, seeking: 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...

HOW DO YOU LOVE ME? We are getting closer. We are excited to receive each other! You may not think you want poly-fidelity, but if you did, what would we be like together? How are we welcoming children into our life together? Nataraja, 46, seeking: M, W, 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 FUN COUPLE LOOKING FOR EXPLORATION We are a secure couple who enjoy the outdoors, good wine, great food, playing with each other, exploring our boundaries and trying new things. We are 50 and 52, looking for a fun couple or bi man to play and explore with us. We are easygoing, and we’d love to meet you and see where our mutual adventures take us. vthappycouple, 52, seeking: M, Cp, Gp ENJOYING LIFE Seeking adventurous encounters with open-minded, respectful people. sunshines, 49, seeking: M, W, Cp

i SPY

If you’ve been spied, go online to contact your admirer!

dating.sevendaysvt.com

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 40s? 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 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 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 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

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 starlight night.

When: Friday, September 4, 2026.

Where: Shelburne Museum concert.

You: Woman. Me: Man. #916663

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 rude. I’m sorry for souring a sparkly moment and betraying your intuition, but thank you for taking a chance.

When: Sunday, August 16, 2026. Where: between Marshfield and Montpelier.

You: Woman. Me: Man. #916655 GMP DRIVE-BY You drove by in the passenger seat of the yellow Green Mountain Power truck. I was sitting on my front steps and saw you and couldn’t look away. I have contemplated breaking shit so you have to come fix it. If nothing else, thanks, because our eyes locking gave me enough energy to finish all my chores for the day. When: Friday, August 21, 2026. Where: Maple Street, Waterbury Center. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916654

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

MY HEART DANCES You are beautiful. We have danced with each other a couple of times. Your smile, so happy and free, makes my world so much better. When I’m around you, I want to be with you. You have an aura that is indescribable. If you are reading this, I hope you feel the same way. Again, you are beautiful. When: Tuesday, August 18, 2026. Where: a lesson. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916652

Dear E. Quity,



Irreverent counsel on life’s conundrums

I’ve been working toward my dream of homeownership for a very long time, and I hope to make it a reality sooner rather than later.

My partner and I have been together for almost a year and a half, but we moved in with each other fairly early on in our relationship due to apartment circumstances.

When the subject of me buying a house comes up,

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

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

Ask REVEREND Dear Reverend,

LUNCH LADY OF MY DREAMS I miss having the chance to see you during lunch at school. School’s back in session — let’s get together and talk about what’s on the menu?

When: Monday, June 1, 2026.

Where: school. You: Woman. Me: Gender nonconformist. #916662

he talks about “us” buying a house. I do love him, and everything has been great so far, but purchasing a home together is a big step. If I find a house that I can afford soon, I intend to buy it on my own, and he can live with me. I just don’t know how to talk to him about this without possibly wrecking the good thing we have going.

E. Quity

(WOMAN, 36)

PERRYWINKLE’S You told me you’re new to Vermont.

Just moved here from Minneapolis.

Need someone you show you the sights? I’d happily oblige. When: Friday, August 21, 2026. Where: Perrywinkle’s.

You: Woman. Me: Man. #916653

YOU PULLED ME ASIDE You whispered in my ear and asked if I had an address here. Now pull me aside and tell me why you were looking here.

When: Thursday, August 13, 2026.

Where: building, not sure of the date.

You: Woman. Me: Man. #916648

WHY SO ANGRY?!

I found it unsettling to be exposed to such petty behavior. You used to frown upon people like her. I wish you no ill will. I could have turned bitter and righteous. I only want you to be happy.

It’s hard to believe we will ever lose connection. But, if that’s what you want, so be it. As you wish. When: Monday, August 17, 2026. Where: Winooski.

You: Man. Me: Woman. #916651

BEAUTIFUL KAYAKER AT WATERBURY RESERVOIR You were just getting out of the water on Sunday morning; you had a white blouse on. I offered to help you load it, but you turned down my offer. Please reach out if you’re single. When: Sunday, August 9, 2026. Where: Blush Hill boat launch. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916646

ROYAL PURPLE SANTA CRUZ STIG I spied you as the sun began to sink over the Adirondacks. I interrupted your cooldown with small talk about Camel’s Hump. You mentioned you were headed to Farmers & Foragers post-ride, because it is part of the loop.

While I rely on fate to cause our paths to cross again, I threw it to the winds of iSpy. When: Saturday, August 15, 2026. Where: Causeway bike path.

You: Woman. Me: Man. #916650 STORM You’ve been on my mind lately. I hope you are well. I miss your soul. Have you visited a rage room yet? Let’s make beautiful art and cook ridiculously delicious food together. We can begin with a proper blackberry maple balsamic reduction. Are you game? — Sarah When: Saturday, June 13, 2026.

Where: Williston (please forgive me, I forgot exactly how you identify).

You: Woman. Me: Woman. #916649 HEALTHY LIVING RECOGNIZED FROM UVM You peeked into the restroom I was exiting to get paper towels because the dispenser in your restroom was empty. I said I recognized you from 1 S. Prospect St. You immediately agreed and said, “We’re dancing around each other.” We exited at the same time, and I foolishly kept on walking. I’d like to have a longer conversation. When: Wednesday, August 12, 2026. Where: Healthy Living, South Burlington.

You: Woman. Me: Man. #916647

It’s a very wise decision not to enter into a 30-year mortgage with someone you’ve only been with for 18 months. You probably should have nipped in the bud his use of the word “us” the first time it came up, but that’s hard to do in the moment.

If you are truly ready to pounce on a house tomorrow, you need to have a serious conversation with your partner today. Buying a home is a huge financial and legal endeavor.

Let him know that it has been a goal you’ve been working toward since long before you met him and that you intend on being the sole owner. You can frame it as a personal milestone that is no reflection on the relationship.

DEAR SAILWITHME Saw your personals profile a while ago when I was contemplating online dating.

I joined another platform, and you disappeared from this one. Then, just yesterday, I thought I’d check, wondering if you might be back, and there you were.

Opportunity knocking, perhaps? One way to find out is for you to respond to this. Please do! When: Sunday, August 9, 2026. Where: Seven Days Personals.

You: Man. Me: Woman. #916645 KAYAKING LAPLATTE RIVER You were in a long yellow kayak on the LaPlatte River; we talked about how far you could get upstream before the beaver dams stopped you. I was in a green/blue kayak and passed you again on your way out. Wish I had said hi while you were putting your kayak on your red Subaru. When: Sunday, August 9, 2026. Where: LaPlatte River, Shelburne.

You: Woman. Me: Woman. #916644 MAGIC HAT T-SHIRT We passed each other running on the bike path, and you had the sweetest smile on your face, despite the horrid heat!

Later I saw you on the sidewalk, and you were sitting, still smiling, petting a cat. I stopped and pet the cat a bit with you, but you got a phone call and walked off! When: Friday, August 7, 2026. Where: Saturday.

You: Woman. Me: Man. #916643 WATERFRONT Blonde with a red coat tied around her waist. We met twice, and I didn’t get the chance to talk with you or get your name. When: Monday, August 3, 2026. Where: waterfront.

You: Woman. Me: Man. #916642

He should understand that combining finances in such a big way at this stage of your relationship is a risky undertaking for you both. You can allay any weirdness he may feel by focusing on the future. Talk about how excited you are to live together in the new home and how it could be a stepping stone to buying something together down the road. If you include him in your plans, he won’t feel left out.

Speaking of the future, if you really feel like you have one with this fella, have you considered putting the homebuying goal on the back burner just a little longer? I would never suggest that you defer your dream, but if your gut says you may be ready to take that big step together in six months or a year, it could be worth waiting.

Good luck and God bless,

The Reverend

What’s your problem?

Send it to asktherev@sevendaysvt.com.

SEVEN DAYS SEPTEMBER 16-23, 2026

101

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. You’re looking for a new “significant other bestie,” too? #L1974

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 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 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 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 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 Tall, thin, cuddly nerd looking for someone to share my passions with, whether wrapped in a blanket or on a nature walk. #L1970

HOW TO REPLY TO THESE LOVE LETTERS: Seal your reply — including your preferred contact info — inside an envelope. Write your pen pal’s box number on the outside of that envelope and place it inside another envelope with payment. Responses for Love Letters must begin with the #L box number.

MAIL TO: Seven Days Love Letters

PO Box 1164, Burlington, VT 05402

PAYMENT: $5/response. Include cash or check

(made out to “Seven Days”) in the outer envelope. To send unlimited replies for only $15/month, call us at 802-865-1020, ext. 161 for a membership (credit accepted).

PUBLISH YOUR MESSAGE ON THIS PAGE!

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Submit your FREE message at sevendaysvt.com/loveletters or use the handy form at right.

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We’ll publish as many messages as we can in the Love Letters section above.

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Interested readers will send you letters in the mail. No internet required!

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SEVEN DAYS SEPTEMBER 16-23, 2026

M, 67, seeks romance: a partner to enjoy concerts (baroque, Afro, etc.), fine art, bicycling, hiking, ice-skating, Québec (e.g. Montréal). Vegetarian; les Francophones sonts bienvenues. Never married, no kids. Me: retired, now devoted to music, writing, art. #L1975 I’m a man, 78. I love nature, good food; love the outdoors. Native Vermonter seeking a woman, 30s to 60s, for friendship and to spend quality time with. Would like to develop a friendship.

I love doing things together outside in summertime. #L1971 I’m a 24-y/o male seeking a casually oriented older gentleman, 35-plus, well endowed, with a well airconditioned home with offstreet parking close to Trinity campus. #L1969

Internet-Free Dating!

Reply to these messages with real, honest-to-goodness letters. DETAILS BELOW. F, 22, looking for someone who loves this community as much as I do and wants to make it better. Let’s delight together in all the things our beautiful home state has to offer (including Seven Days!) #L1968 M, 29, seeking F, 23-39, who loves adventure, chaos and getting freaky. Must help me conquer the world, abolish clothing, establish a nudist empire and make questionable decisions together. Serious applicants only.

World domination experience preferred, but enthusiasm and a complete disregard for pants are acceptable. #L1967 SWM. I’m seeking female companionship to share lonely moments, including outdoors, doing outdoor activities, coffee, dinner, romance, breakfast, etc.

Your number will be useful; happy to connect. #L1966 I’m a 67-y/o female seeking a 60- to 70-y/o man. Living in central Vermont. Looking for an honest, loving relationship.

Enjoy gardening, family, my dog and quiet times. Retired postal employee. #L1965

SWF, 58, with high level of fun physical and sexual energy, looking for single male, 45-plus, who can match my energy and have fun adventures in and out of the bedroom. I like walks, live music, travels, going out to eat, learning new things, games, art galleries, being outside and so much more. Anyone care to join me? #L1962 Looking for someone 65 and up to go on boat trips, RV camping, gardening, dinners and road trips. I go up to Maine with my boat and cruise the coast for a few weeks, spend time in my gardens (I have large gardens), love to cook at home or go out. I am retired and looking for some company to spend time with.

Thank you. #L1959 SWM, 65, widower, seeking adventurous, edgy woman for sexy dressing and consensual one-to-one fun. Any body type.

Sane, fit, secure. I’ll make you laugh. Emotionally available.

The world is too serious. Let’s have some fun. Possible LTR. Woodstock. #L1961

Describe yourself and who you’re looking for in 40 words below:

Required confidential info:

(OR, ATTACH A SEPARATE PIECE OF PAPER.)

__________________________________________

I’m a _________________________________________________ __ ____

NAME

AGE + GENDER (OPTIONAL)

seeking a____________________________________________ ___________ AGE + GENDER (OPTIONAL)

_______________________________________________________

__________________________________________ ADDRESS

__________________________________________ ADDRESS (MORE)

_______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________

__________________________________________ CITY/STATE

__________________________________________ ZIP

__________________________________________ PHONE

_______________________________________________________ MAIL TO: SEVEN DAYS LOVE LETTERS • PO BOX 1164, BURLINGTON, VT 05402 OPTIONAL WEB FORM: SEVENDAYSVT.COM/LOVELETTERS HELP: 802-865-1020, EXT. 161, LOVELETTERS@SEVENDAYSVT.COM

THIS FORM IS FOR LOVE LETTERS ONLY. Messages for the Personals and I-Spy sections must be submitted online at dating.sevendaysvt.com.

Seven Days House Party

'The Basics' Cake Decorating Class

Libby Cataldi | 'It Takes a Lifetime to Learn How to Live'

Carson Jordan in Conversation with Bianca Stone | 'Dead Hand'

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TUE., SEP. 22 RED POPPY CAKERY, WATERBURY

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Burlington Baroque Festival 2026

Turning Pages with Mary - Live!

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Injera 101 – Eritrean & Ethiopian Bread

Dawn Tyler Watson – The Jazz Sessions

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Oktoberfest Vermont 2026

'Pet Store: A Live Sitcom'

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FRI., SEP. 25 OFF CENTER FOR THE DRAMATIC ARTS, BURLINGTON

Queen City Ghostwalk: Darkness Falls Tour

September Bird Monitoring Walk

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Beth Charles in Rutland | 'Lilly's Surprise Pumpkins'

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SAT., SEP. 26 THE UNDERGROUND, RANDOLPH

Raised by Hippies

Read to a Therapy Dog

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The Fall Reset Vision Board Workshop

Vermont Beauty Show

SUN., SEP. 20 LADIES SOCIAL GROUP, ESSEX JUNCTION

SAT., SEP. 26 DOUBLETREE BY HILTON, SOUTH BURLINGTON

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MON., SEP. 21 HORSFORD GARDENS & NURSERY, CHARLOTTE

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