Dec. 15, 2016 — Arts + Leisure

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ARTS+LEISURE

December 15, 2016

The Addison Independent

Local puppy retrieves national awards

Patrick Berry and Keller recently returned from the National Amateur Field Trial Championship in western Kansas with several awards.

D

og is man’s best friend, or so they say. But Fergus and Keller are more than just friends to Patrick Berry — they’re tools. Equal to his hunter orange jacket, field boots or shotgun, Berry relies on his pups for a successful bird hunt.

INDEPENDENT PHOTOS / TRENT CAMPBELL

BY ELSIE LYNN PARINI

Sure, Fergus and Keller have the standard cold wet noses, heartmelting brown eyes, a dedicated eagerness to please and, of course, unconditional love; but what sets them apart from the pooch sitting on your couch and mine is their training — ahem? OK, and their breeding.

Keller is a liver and white field bred English Springer Spaniel. This 16-monthold’s father (Syncerus Sweep) was imported from England; Keller’s mother is from the Midwest. Both of Sweep’s parents are English; Sweep’s father was the Irish national field champion and the mother was the English national field champion.

“He’s got some natural talent,” said Berry, who recently returned from the National Amateur Field Trial Championship in western Kansas. Berry ran Keller against 108 of the best dogs around the country (most trained by professionals), including four former national champions. To qualify, Berry and Keller took second and third in regional all-age field trials, in addition to SEE BIRD DOG ON PAGE 14

PAGE 2 — Addison Independent

| ARTS+LEISURE | Thursday, December 15, 2016

ART

Saskia de Vries ON EXHIBIT AT THE EDGWATER GALLERY

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he next six weeks will be jewelry designer Saskia de Vries’ busiest of the year: she has three booths to operate in New York City’s busiest Holiday Markets. When she isn’t in the booth meeting her customers, she’s busy in her studio in Brooklyn stringing the beads to put out the next day. Yet she enjoys it, because she can see how the designs she’s made from materials gathered around the world are dispersing back out across the globe.

BY ISABEL LOWER

“New York City is a different place than anywhere in the U.S. in that so many tourists come, and there’s so many people that live in New York, so it is just the sheer volume of people that are coming to buy things for the holidays, or celebrate, it feels like a massive celebration. The idea that my stuff is spreading around the world is a really neat thing that can only happen in New York.”

But what appeals to the New York audience is also what appeals to the people of Middlebury. Saskia’s designs have been featured at Edgewater Gallery for close to six years, ever since hers was “a little teeny company” and she would hold trunk shows in her parents’ garage at their home in Middlebury. She named the Barnes Museum in Philadelphia and the Rubin Museum in New York as other art venues that carry her work, and explained, “Those [museum stores] are drawn to artifacts and elements with a global leaning, and from what I understand from being in Middlebury, there really is an interest and a population of people who are excited to support things that are different.”

A lot of what makes her designs “different” are what they are made of. “I think what I provide are unusual materials,” 40-year-old de Vries said, “Like opal beads from Nepal and Tibet, and unusual brass that I find from Afghanistan or Ethiopia or even Nigeria.

People like that idea that they can get one necklace with five countries represented. I think that rings true for both Vermont and Manhattan — there are people that like that in both a small town and a big town.”

The excitement of touching an object dug out of the earth or fashioned by a pair of hands half way around the planet is what de Vries gives to others through her designs; it was an excitement that she experienced first-hand traveling in these places on a 13-country tour of the world with her husband Scott in 2006.

“We were both actors when we went,” she explained, “And Scott had a fellowship from Amherst college to study world theater.

So here we were, in our early twenties, saying let’s go see the world, and let’s go explore theater. It wasn’t about jewelry at all!” But early on in the trip, de Vries’ childhood hobby of jewelry making began to take its starring role. A friend encouraged de Vries to bring a few jewelry making tools with her before flying to Korea, de Vries recalled, “So I was making little things here and there. In Korea I met these two young boys on a boat going to Jeju Island. I showed them how to make bracelets. It was a way to communicate with people, without being able to use a common language — I would just show them this activity.”

Soon she was actively seeking out craftspeople to show her their ways. “When we went to Cambodia,” she recalled, CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

Addison Independent

ART CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

“there’s a lot of kids on the beach that are selling these string bracelets. I said, ‘I don’t want to buy them I want to learn how you make them.’ I struck up a deal with this 11 year old boy — he would come and teach me how to make them, and at the end I took him to the market and as payment I said, ‘You can pick out one thing that you want.’ He picked out these black jeans, and he said, ‘These are my Happy New Year pants.’”

Reflecting on this transaction, de Vries said, “So he taught me something, and I gave him something he was happy about, but it was much more about our communication. That was my way of having a relationship with someone. I wasn’t just a tourist, I was able to have small interactions with people that I don’t think I could have had otherwise.”

In Tibet, she “apprenticed” with another craftsmen, this time an older man, who took her to a turquoise market. “I bought some really amazing turquoise there,” de Vries recalled, with obvious pleasure in the memory of the blue-green stones.

At the end of their trip, she spent two weeks studying yoga in India while Scott travelled further. “We took a two week break from each other,” she joked, “We were sick of each other after 10 months every day together!” She continued, “So, I was in India, I would just sit and make these necklaces with the turquoise I got in Tibet and this string that I bought in Cambodia from that boy, and people started to ask if I could make them one. I started selling them and using that money to pay for my yoga classes. So that was when I was like, ‘Woah, I really like this.’”

It wasn’t until years later, working in a bead store,

| ARTS+LEISURE | Thursday, December 15, 2016 — PAGE 3

that she realized that her talent for design matched her passion for exotic materials. “That’s when I started to realize that although it came easily to me, it was a skill.

I guess I didn’t recognize it as a skill because it was something I just did for fun.” She began selling her jewelry, but said, “It was still the idea that it could support me as a side job, not so much that I ever thought it would support my whole family, and that my husband would have to work with me full time, and now I have 12 part-time employees!”

It was shortly after moving to New York that her ‘side job’ became her career. “The acting was so hard here, so competitive, that I started doing more [jewelry] on the side, and I found a flea market on the weekends, and it sort of snowballed, each year it just continued to grow.” Now it is her seventh year at the Columbus Circle market, and second year of operating three booths full time.

Necklaces by Saskia de Vries

Running a jewelry business in New York is hard, she admits, because of the competition, but, she said, “There’s definitely a lot of opportunity to share it with people, and people are hungry for things that are handmade. There really is a respect — it feels almost like a revolution — where people are coming back to ‘I’m going to get this thing from this person who has a blister on her hand from making it.’ Sometimes when I’m at Grand Central I say, ‘Oh well when I designed this,’ and people interrupt me to say, ‘You made this?’ People are still stunned and surprised and excited by buying it directly from the person who made it.”

Her hope for the future, de Vries said, is to be able to organize a workshop in Ghana, where many of her beads are made, to be able to support women there by employing them. Ghana is one place that de Vries has yet to visit, but she is appreciative that she can visit her mother Elise and stepfather, Photographer Jim Blair, at their home in Middlebury any time she wants. “To have such a beautiful place so close by is really special,” she said, and she is grateful that the people of Middlebury have admired her designs and supported her since the early days of this adventure.

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| ARTS+LEISURE | Thursday, December 15, 2016

OUT OF TOWN

Vermont Ballet Theater will perform The Nutcracker ballet at the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts in Burlington four times this weekend. Paramount Theater in Rutland will host the Albany Berkshire Ballet’s version of the holiday classic on Sunday only.

Nutcracker ballet performed north and south

V

ermont Ballet Theater is returning to the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts in Burlington for its twelfth season with their production of The Nutcracker ballet.

VBT company director Alexander Nagiba’s choreography is set to Tchaikovsky’s beloved score and performed by VBT’s extraordinary

dancers and special guest artist Jorge A. Villarini of the Dance Theatre of Harlem in New York City.

Follow the delightful adventures of Clara and the Nutcracker Prince as they conquer the evil Mouse King and travel on a mystical journey to The Land of Sweets where the enchanting Sugarplum Fairy reigns. Mice filching Christmas gifts, snowflakes swirling in dreamy white tutus, dolls spinning like tops, a fantasy world

of dancers — from a Christmas tree that grows to tower over Clara and the mysterious Herr Drosselmeyer to the captivating ballerinas, VBT’s Nutcracker will thrill one and all.

Performances at the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts in Burlington are on Saturday, Dec. 17, at 2 and 7 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 18, at 1 and 6 p.m. Tickets range from $23-$36 plus tax.

For tickets call 802-86Flynn (802-863-5966) or visit www.flynntix.org.

HEADED SOUTH INSTEAD OF NORTH? Catch the Albany Berkshire Ballet’s version of The Nutcracker at the Paramount Theater in Rutland on Sunday, Dec. 18, at 2 and 6 p.m.

Celebrating its 42nd anniversary tour of The Nutcracker, the Albany Berkshire Ballet and dance students from area schools perform one of the world’s most-loved ballets, with Tchaikovsky’s soaring music — an annual favorite.

Tickets are $30-$40. Call 802.775.0570 or visit www. paramountvt.org for more information.

Addison Independent

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IN TOWN 12 trees for Christmas at the Sheldon Museum MINIATURE CHRISTMAS TREES DECORATED BY LOCAL ARTISTS TO BE RAFFLED ON DEC. 20

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the Sheldon Museum, the new Middlebury Town Offices, the Community House, Painter House, the Post Office, the Town Hall Theater, and the Gazebo. Melonie Bushey of Brandon has adorned her “Bird Houses” tree with red cardinals from hand-sewn and colored fabric together with snow covered homes and churches.

welve colorful, decorative miniature Christmas Trees are on display at the Henry Sheldon Museum in Middlebury, decorated by accomplished local Addison County artists. The trees will be on display through Dec. 20, when they will be raffled off to support the education and exhibit programs of the museum.

Folk artist Warren Kimble of Brandon has hung over 36 small wooden “Alphabet Blocks” on his tree, while children’s author and illustrator Ashley Wolfe of Lake Dunmore has adorned her “Come Out and Play” tree with lively air-dried clay ornaments of dogs, skates, caps, scarves and boots. The mother and daughter team of Gerry and Grace Tolles of New Haven has produced the “Quilling Xmas” tree filled with ornaments fashioned by rolling narrow strips of paper into coils or scrolls, and arranging them to form filigree figures. The Tolles’ tree also includes a two-day radon test

by Addison County Home Inspections, the company owned by Doug Tolles.

“One for the Rook, One for the Crow, One to Die and One to Grow” tree by Sarah Stahl.

“Alphabet Blocks” tree by Warren Kimble.

Cornwall artist Sarah Stahl decorated her “One for the Rook, One for the Crow, One to Die and One to Grow” with detailed crows of needlepoint or cross stitch, while Middlebury paper and fabric artist Sarah Pope heralds the season with her “Felt in Our Stars” tree, a symphony of stars and garlands from recycled sweaters. Gayl Braisted’s Middlebury

Landmarks tree showcases architectural gems of the village using “Shrinky Dinks” from a kit consisting of large flexible sheets which, when heated in an oven, shrink to small hard plates without altering their color or shape. The miniature exact replicas include

Other tree offerings were created by: Bobbie Brooker and Deb Wilkinson (“Bobbie’s Christmas Swan Song”), a collage of blue and silver ornaments and garlands; Nancie Dunn of Sweet Cecily (“Horsing Around”) where horses made of brushes are corralled; Greg Alexander and Sammy Barnes of Middlebury’s Otter Creek Kitchen Ware and Electronics (“Chef’s Tree”), filled with miniature kitchen utensils; Shoreham landscape artist Deb Holmes (“Vermont Scenes”), nestled among the tree limbs are framed miniature copies of her favorite paintings; and Waterfall Day Spa at the Middlebury Inn (“Surprise Packages”), the contents of which will delight the raffle winner.

The Henry Sheldon Museum’s trains will run through Jan. 14, 2017. Volunteer engineers will run the trains Tuesday-Friday from 1-4 p.m.; Saturdays 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 18, 1-3 p.m. Check their website for up-to-date info, www.henrysheldonmuseum.org, or call 388-2117. Regular admission to the museum is $5 adults; $3 youth (6-18); $4.50 seniors; $12 family.

one two three THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW THIS WEEK UGLY SWEATER PARTY

EVENINGS AT THE GALLERY

29TH ANNUAL CHRISTMAS DINNER

Ring in the Stonecutter Spirits, Middlebury season with special festive cocktails, boozy christmas cookies, an ugly sweater competition and holiday merriment at Stonecutter Spirits in Middlebury this Friday from 5-8 p.m. A variety of delicious pierogis from Luiza’s Homemade with Love will be available for purchase. No cover charge.

FRIDAY 16 DEC.

Stop by the Peter Peter Fried Gallery, Vergennes Fried Art Studio & Gallery in Vergennes from 5-8 p.m. this Friday to see recent works on linen, canvas and paper made on location and in the studio now on display. Chat with the artist, have some refreshments and mingle with your community. For more info call: (802) 355-1447.

SUNDAY 18 DEC.

FRIDAY 16 DEC.

Bristol’s Christmas Dinner and Festival is back for its Mary’s Restaurant, Bristol 29th celebration on Sunday at the Inn at Baldwin Creek, Mary’s Restaurant in Bristol. The free dinner and festivities start at 11:30 a.m. Great food, local music and a visit from Santa complete this annual tradition. If you’re an entertainer and would like to volunteer, call (802) 453-4613. Free transportation and home delivered meals are available. Call (802) 453-2432 by Friday, Dec. 16 for more info, or to reserve a ride or home delivery.

PAGE 6 — Addison Independent

| ARTS+LEISURE | Thursday, December 15, 2016

T HEATER

OWN HALL

Merchants Row, Middlebury, VT Tickets: 802-382-9222 • www.townhalltheater.org Fri & Sat 12/16 7pm & 12/17 2pm $15 Advance/$20 at Door

MIDDLEBURY DOES CHRISTMAS

Jazzy takes on your favorite Christmas songs performed by Middlebury’s most talented musicians.

Sun 12/18 2pm $17/$10 Students NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE

NO MAN’S LAND

Following their hit Broadway run, Ian McKellen & Patrick Stewart return to the West End stage in Harold Pinter’s classic. Exclusive Q&A with the cast and director Sean Mathias follows the broadcast.

Sat 12/31 Doors 8pm; Show 9pm $15*

EXHIBITS ADDISON COUNTY IN PROFILE: SILHOUETTES FROM THE HENRY SHELDON MUSEUM ARCHIVES. On exhibit through December at the Henry Sheldon Museum of Vermont History, 1 Park St., Middlebury. 3882117 or www.henrysheldonmuseum.org.

AMAZING GRACE: CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF GRASS ROOTS ART AND COMMUNITY EFFORT. On exhibit through January 21 featuring more than 25 current and pasts artists supported by GRACE (Grass Roots Art and Community Effort). Vision & Voice Gallery located in the Vermont Folklife Center, 88 Main Street, Middlebury. (802) 388-4964.

ANCIENT MEDITERRANEAN AND EARLY EUROPEAN ART. Ongoing exhibit, highlighting an Egyptian Old Kingdom relief and an early fifteenth-century Italian panel painting. Lower Gallery at the Middlebury College Museum of Art, 72 Porter Field Road, Middlebury. (802) 443-5007.

EUROPEAN AND AMERICAN ART. Ongoing exhibit, featuring landscapes

by American painters Jasper Cropsey and John Frederick Kensett alongside sixteenth- and seventeenth-century European religious and devotional images and American and European sculpture. Cerf Gallery at the Middlebury College Museum of Art, 72 Porter Field Road, Middlebury.

(802) 443-5007.

NEW YEAR’S EVE WITH THE GRIFT

INDEPENDENCE MUST BE WON: THE ART OF ELLEN VIERECK. On exhibit for 2016 at Mount Independence State Historic Site. 497 Mount Independence Road, Orwell. 802-948-2000 or www.historicsites.vermont. gov/MountIndependence.

*Cash Bar and snacks for purchase

MORE LIGHT. On exhibit Dec. 1 through Jan. 15 featuring a group show of small works by Bonnie Baird, Anne Cady, Sobelman CortaPega, Rebecca Kinkead, Katie Loesel, Cameron Schmitz and Pamela Smith. Northern Daughters Gallery, 221 Main Street, Vergennes. Thursday-Sunday 11 a.m.-7 p.m. 877-2173.

Bid farewell to 2016 and welcome 2017 with Middlebury’s favorites – The Grift!

Wed 1/4/17 11am $10/$5 Students GREAT ART WEDNESDAYS

MANET FROM THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF ARTS LONDON This eagerly awaited exhibition is the first to cover Manet’s portraiture.

Sat 1/7/17 1pm $24/$10 Students METROPOLITAN OPERA LIVE IN HD

NABUCCO

The legendary Plácido Domingo brings another new baritone role to the Met under the baton of his longtime collaborator James Levine. Jim Pugh gives a free talk in the studio at 11:45am.

Sun 1/8/17 2pm $20/$10 ages18 & under

JOHNNY PEERS AND THE MUTTVILLE COMIX

Six personality-plus canines will tickle your funny bone!

These mutts have even played the White House.

A show for the whole family and for the dog lover in each of us, bringing 1,000 laughs to Town Hall Theater.

Sat 1/21/17 1pm $24/$10 Students MET LIVE IN HD:

ROMÉO ET JULIETTE

Diana Damrau and Vittorio Grigolo are back as opera’s classic lovers in Gounod’s lush Shakespeare adaptation.

‘PEACE ON EARTH.’ On exhibit Nov. 4-Jan. 7 featuring the good in people, the beauty of this world, and that as human beings, we are all in this together. The exhibit was an open call to artists for that which celebrates and strengthens the ideals of ‘Peace on Earth’. The resulting compilation of work presents an eclectic view of the theme. Compass Center, 333 Jones Drive, Brandon. (802) 247-4295.

QUAKER MADE: VERMONT FURNITURE, 1820-1835. On exhibit starting Sunday, July 10 at the Rokeby Museum. Route 7, Ferrisburgh. 877-3406.

7 ARTISTS FOR OUR 7TH BIRTHDAY: A SMALL WORKS SHOW. On exhibit Nov. 1-Dec. 31 featuring the works of Sara Katz, Patty Sgrecci, Irma Cerese, Hannah Sessions, Amy Brnger, Michael Egan and CJ Hockett. Edgewater Gallery at the Falls, 1 Mill Street, Middlebury. 802-458-0098.

THE SPIRIT OF THE SEASON: MY FAVORITE THINGS. On exhibit Nov. 4-Jan. 31 featuring a holiday themed show by the ensemble company of the Brandon Artists Guild. Brandon Artists Guild, 7 Center Street, Brandon. (802) 247-4956.

WORLD CHALLENGES. On exhibit Nov. 15-Jan. 14 featuring three local artists — Sansea Sparling, Sarah Ashe and Chuck Herrmann — and their viewpoints on climate change, the refugee/immigration crisis and the Syrian Civil War. Henry Sheldon Museum of Vermont History, 1 Park St., Middlebury. 388-2117 or www.henrysheldonmuseum.org.

HAVE AN EXHIBIT YOU WANT PUBLISHED?

let us know

NEWS@ADDISONINDEPENDENT.COM

Addison Independent

Sheldon hosts GRACE CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF GRASS ROOTS ART AND COMMUNITY EFFORT

G

RACE, Grass Roots Art and Community Effort, began in the 1970s when Don Sunseri moved to Vermont to “get away” from the competitiveness and hustle of the New York City art scene. Working as a dishwasher at the St. Johnsbury Convalescent Center, Sunseri had the idea that a “well of untapped creativity might be lurking in the halls and common rooms around him in the nursing home.”

With permission from the center’s administration, he began offering workshops — providing art materials, encouragement and a supportive environment, and letting the residents explore on their own. He describes having “discovered a new sense of authenticity by witnessing the emergence of these grassroots artists.”

His impulse, and those early workshops with residents, formed the foundation of what would become GRACE — a now 40-year effort to discover, develop, and promote self-taught artists throughout Vermont.

Amazing GRACE celebrates the works of more than 25 current and past artists supported through GRACE’s hundreds

of annual workshops in nursing homes, adult day centers, mental health agencies, or on-site at GRACE’s Old Firehouse facility in Hardwick.

While certain elements of continuity run throughout — the role of pattern, a sense of space, a visible joy of drawing — the myriad of styles and mediums employed by the artists reflect the deeply personal, and often autobiographical, nature of the works.

Sunseri believed that each of us is in possession of a well of experience. “To draw from that well is to draw from the source of all art,” he said.

“We feel a sense of common cause with the GRACE philosophy around an emphasis on, and curiosity of, an individual’s personal experience,” explains Ned Castle, the Vision & Voice Gallery Coordinator. “To draw from that well — the knowledge of everyday living — is to draw not only on the source of all art, but on the source of all folklife, too.”

The Vision & Voice Gallery is free and open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is located on the first floor of the Vermont Folklife Center in Middlebury.

For more information visit www. vermontfolklifecenter.org.

THROUGH JAN. 21 VISION & VOICE GALLERY, MIDDLEBURY

on exhibit “AMAZING GRACE”

| ARTS+LEISURE | Thursday, December 15, 2016 — PAGE 7

SPIN UNITED You SPIN, We All Win. Join us for this FUNdraising event to raise money to assist our friends, families, and neighbors with shelter, food, access to health care, educational opportunities, and financial services.

Jan. 22, 2017 CREATE A TEAM!

FREE Massage Therapist on site!

SPIN AS AN INDIVIDUAL!

Create a team of 6 and compete to raise the most money. The top 3 winning teams will get to choose which of our funded partners they will donate to! $300 Registration Fee

Compete to raise the most money. The top 3 winning teams will get to choose which of our funded partners they will donate to! $50 Registration Fee

REGISTRATION IS EASY.

GREAT THINGS HAPPEN WHEN WE LIVE UNITED!

You can register and create a team by TEXT or ONLINE TEXT: spinunited to 71777 Or online; http://app.mobilecause. com/vf/spinunited

Event Goal $10,000 WE CAN DO IT WITH YOUR HELP!

Hosted and sponsored by Middlebury Fitness 175 Wilson Rd., Middlebury

“Raimbilli Hill Cousins” by Gayleen Aiken.

48 Court Street, PO Box 555 Middlebury, VT 05753 802-388-7189 OF Contact: info@unitedwayaddisoncounty.org

ADDISON COUNTY

PAGE 8 — Addison Independent

| ARTS+LEISURE | Thursday, December 15, 2016

CALENDAR kids pick

ACTIVE

Bypass the giant, sugar bomb mess at home this weekend and show up at Ilslely Public Library on Tuesday night for holiday cookie decorating. Ilsley will provide icing and toppings, so you can either BYO cookies or decorate some that the library provides. Open to all ages from 6:30-7:30 p.m.

— Eliza Eaton, MiniBury.com

DJ SKATE NIGHT IN MIDDLEBURY. Saturday, Dec. 17, 8-10 p.m., Memorial Sports Center.

DJ skate night presented by friends of Middlebury hockey. All ages and abilities welcome. $5 adult; $3 student. Snack bar will be open and rental skates available. Info: www.memorialsportscenter.org.

FILM “TAKING FLIGHT” IN MIDDLEBURY. Thursday, Dec. 15, 7 p.m., Mahaney Center for the Arts, Middlebury College. A “lightly produced” showing of dance experiments by the new batch of choreographers emerging from the Improvisational Practices course, facilitated by Lida Winfield. Sponsored by the Dance Program. Free.

ARTS+LEISURE

The Addison Independent

Have a little fun.

“NO MAN’S LAND” LIVE BROADCAST IN MIDDLEBURY. Sunday, Dec. 18, 2-4:30 p.m., Town Hall Theater. Live broadcast of Harold Pinter’s “No Man’s Land” from Wyndham’s Theater in London starring Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart. Tickets $17/$10 students, and may be purchased at www. townhalltheater.org, 382-9222, or at the THT Box Office Monday-Saturday, noon-5 p.m.

ads@addisonindependent.com

DECEMBER 15-25, 2016

instrumental and vocal concert featuring the concert band, Jazz jammers and chorus.

ANNUAL MESSIAH SING IN MIDDLEBURY. Sunday, Dec. 18, 2 p.m., Middlebury Congregational Church. Annual Middlebury Messiah Sing with Jeff Rehbach conducting.

Signers and players gather each December for a joyful reading and rendering of selections from Handel’s Messiah. Come enjoy this Middlebury holiday tradition! Info: 989-7355.

MIDDLEBURY DOES CHRISTMAS IN MIDDLEBURY. Friday, Dec. 16, 7 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 17, 2 p.m., Town Hall Theater.

Jazzy takes on your favorite Christmas songs performed by Middlebury’s most talented musicians. Tickets $20 at the door; $15 advance

SHOP MOONLIGHT MADNESS IN BRANDON. Thursday, Dec. 15, 4-9 p.m., downtown Brandon. Moonlight Madness in Brandon is a time for sales, discounts, specials, exceptional deals, warm drinks and sweet treats. Many shops offering 20 percent off storewide. Shop local.

SOCIAL BUTTERFLIES

NOONDAY CONCERT IN MIDDLEBURY. Thursday, Dec. 15, 12:15-12:45 p.m., St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 3 Main St. Ellie Gebarowski-Shafer singing Mozart and Bach and Jim Berg, flautist, playing Fauer and Harald Rohlig. Event is free. Bring a lunch and enjoy as you listen to the music.

WINTER SOLSTICE GATHERING IN BRISTOL. Wednesday, Dec. 21, 5:30-8 p.m., Waterworks Property, 4783 Plank Road, Bristol. Come one, come all to the annual Winter Solstice gathering at the Waterworks property in Bristol. Follow a trail of luminaries to the Norton Brook Reservoir and join the festivities — bonfire, potluck, music by Rick Cebellos and friends, community singing and solstice pageantry. Bring a potluck dish to share, musical instrument, flashlight and plenty of layers and boots. Please leave pets at home.

Look for it in the new Arts + Leisure section.

802-388-4944

WHAT YOU WANT TO DO

MUSIC

NOONDAY CONCERT IN MIDDLEBURY. Thursday, Dec. 22, 12:15-12:45 p.m., St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 3 Main St. George Matthew Jr. in a recital of Advent and Christmas organ music. Event is free. Bring a lunch and enjoy the music.

Every Thursday.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT

MIDDLE SCHOOL CONCERT IN VERGENNES. Thursday, Dec. 15, 7 p.m., Vergennes Union High School auditorium. The VUHS Music Department will present a middle school

LUMEN IN BRISTOL. Friday, Dec. 23, evening, downtown Bristol. Come to Lumen, Bristol’s celebration of fire and light.

Addison Independent

| ARTS+LEISURE | Thursday, December 15, 2016 — PAGE 9

Holiday Happenings BRISTOL SANTA CALLS IN BRISTOL. Thursday, Dec. 15, 6-8 p.m. Come talk to Santa on the phone. Register at www.bristolrec.org

by Dec. 10. $5 per family.

COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS CAROLING IN BRISTOL. Friday, Dec. 16, 6 p.m., Holley Hall. Children under age 10 must be accompanied by an adult.

SONGS OF THE SEASON IN BRISTOL. Saturday, Dec. 17, 7 p.m., Holley Hall.

Come listen to performances by area musicians and choirs and children’s groups. $5 suggested donation.

Interested performers should contact Bristol Recreation office.

BRANDON LIVE NATIVITY PRODUCTION IN BRANDON. Sunday, Dec. 18, 6:30 p.m., Brandon Baptist Church. Join us as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ with a production of the live nativity on the steps of the church. Following the program, there will be refreshments including soups, cookies, hot cocoa and coffee.

LEICESTER MEMORY TREE LIGHTING IN LEICESTER. Saturday, Dec. 17, 4 p.m., Four Corners.

Purchase a bulb for $1 or six names for $5 to remember a departed loved one. Send payments made out to the Leicester Historical Society, with names clearly written, to Diane Benware, 1594 Old Jerusalem Road, Salisbury VT 05769. The list of names will be posted at the Town Office.

LINCOLN HANUKKAH STORY TIME IN LINCOLN. Friday, Dec. 16, 10:30 a.m., Lincoln Library.

A special visitor will share Hanukkah traditions along with stories, songs, snack and a craft.

SANTA STORY TIME IN LINCOLN. Friday, Dec. 23, 10:30 a.m., Lincoln Library. Come

and hear stories celebrating St. Nick.

Cookies, crafts and maybe a very special visitor from the North Pole!

MIDDLEBURY HOT CHOCOLATE HUT IN MIDDLEBURY. Saturday, Dec. 17, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Cannon Park, downtown Middlebury. Enjoy a cup of hot cocoa with all the fixings. 25 cents a cup.

FREE GIFT WRAP SERVICE IN MIDDLEBURY. Saturday, Dec. 17, noon-4 p.m., 51 Main. Free wrapping for any gift purchased in Middlebury, just show your receipt!

BE YOUR FAVORITE CHRISTMAS CHARACTER IN MIDDLEBURY. Dec. 1-31, downtown Middlebury. Free.

VISIT WITH SANTA IN MIDDLEBURY. Saturday, Dec. 17, 10 a.m.-noon, Danforth Pewter 52 Seymour St. Come enjoy an old-fashioned visit with Santa. Free.

MONKTON SANTA VISIT IN MONKTON. Saturday, Dec. 17, 1 p.m., Monkton Volunteer Fire Department. Come early to see Santa arrive by fire truck and bring your camera for a picture with the jolly old elf! There will be cookies, juice and candy canes to enjoy while you wait for your visit.

NEW HAVEN WINTERFEST IN NEW HAVEN. Saturday, Dec. 17, 4:30 p.m., Congregational Church, Town Hill Road. Festivities begin with tasty treats and hot refreshments such as hot cocoa, tea, coffee, eggnog or cider.

MEMORIAL TREE LIGHTING IN NEW HAVEN. Saturday, Dec. 17, 5 p.m., Town Green. The Memorial Tree lighting will take place on the Town Green, sponsored by the New Haven Volunteer Fire Department.

DECORATE THE MEMORIAL TREE IN NEW HAVEN. Saturday, Dec. 17, 5-6 p.m., Town Green. Decorate the Memorial Tree, take a horse drawn wagon ride, warm

your hands by the fire barrels, make and eat s’mores, sing carols and roast marshmallows and chestnuts with family, friends and neighbors. Santa will arrive at the bandstand around 5 p.m.

SING-A-LONG IN NEW HAVEN. Saturday, Dec. 17, 6 p.m., Town Green. Join the Congregational Church for the magical sounds of hand bell ringing, caroling with the choir and a sing-a-long! Free hot refreshments and yummy desserts will follow downstairs in the Church. For more information, contact Suzy Roorda at 4535978 or newhavenrec@gmavt.net.

SHOREHAM CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE IN SHOREHAM. Saturday, Dec. 24, 5 p.m., Shoreham Congregational Church.

The Shoreham Congregational Church will celebrate a traditional Christmas Eve service in the sanctuary. The Rev. Christina Del Piero will lead the service of carols, candles and a spiritual message.

STARKSBORO CHRISTMAS CANDLELIGHT SERVICE IN STARKSBORO. Thursday, Dec. 22, 7:30 p.m., Starksboro Village Meeting House. The annual Starksboro village meeting house Christmas candlelight service will be held with the Rev. John Burbank leading the program of lessons and carols. Pianist Lois Burbank will be accompanied by Daniel Phillips on violin and vocalist Joanne Russell.

VERGENNES CHRISTMAS BALL IN VERGENNES. Saturday, Dec. 17, 7-10 p.m., Vergennes Opera House. Come join Joe’s Big Band and Charter House Coalition for plenty of seasonal refreshments, wonderful dance music and time for good conversation with friends and family. Champlain Orchards will be offering cider.

Proceeds from the even will support the emergency housing and food programs of Charter House Coalition. Suggested donation $20 adults and $10 teens.

Children are free.

B

PAGE 10 — Addison Independent

| ARTS+LEISURE | Thursday, December 15, 2016

ristol will be ablaze next Friday evening with fire spinners, fire breathers and lots and lots of candles.

But don’t worry, it’s all perfectly safe. Cirque de Fuego, a husband and wife team from Jericho, will be doing all the fancy fire art at Lumen: Bristol’s Celebration of Fire and Light on Dec. 23. (See story on page 1A).

BY ELSIE LYNN PARINI

Kim and Chris Cleary started out by making their own fire arrows in 2013, and have explored and expanded their skills as “burners.”

“I perform with fire fans, palm torches, double staff, and fire poi (balls of fire at the end of chains),” explained Kim. “Primarily, I am a fire breather,” said Chris. “I also spin a fire rope dart (an ancient martial arts weapon adapted with a fire wick).”

Right. Well, that’s not something you hear from two 40-year-old parents everyday.

To learn these skills Chris and Kim found out about a fire arts camp called Wildfire in Connecticut, where they could learn flow arts and fire spinning. “It’s a three-day intensive workshop,” explained Chris. “They teach you about safety, legality, insurance, how to move with fire inside...” Beyond that it’s a place to connect with other burners.

The other obvious place to connect with burners is Burning Man, in Black Rock City, Nev. “I first went to Burning Man in 2009 as part of the crew of a large scale art car known as The Time Cycle (essentially a Ferris Wheel that could drive around the desert),” said Chris. “It’s hard to put into words what Burning Man is like, because it’s different for everyone. Imagine a temporary city filled with incredible art installations (both moving and stationary), lots of lights, color and fire.

That only begins to touch on what Burning Man is. It’s also a community of some of the most brilliant and determined makers and artists that I’ve ever seen.”

This year, Kim and Chris went to Burning Man and performed in the Fire Conclave with Incineration Congregation (a Boston, Mass.

Group of 35 selected performers).

“Burning Man charges my batteries as an

CIRQUE DE FU lights up Bristol

Chris Cleary, co-founder of Cirque de Fuego, will perform fire arts at Lumen: Bristol’s Celebration of Fire and Light on Dec. 23. Some of his t

did you know?

CHRIS CLEARY’S BLEND OF FUEL HE USES TO BREATH FIRE IS A SECRET. HE DID SAY THAT THE TRICK TO BREATHING FIRE IS ABOUT AEROSOLIZING THE FUEL OUT OF HIS MOUTH. EVERY FIRE PERFORMANCE HAS A “SAFETY” ON HAND. CHRIS HAS HAD TO “PUT-OUT” A PERSON TWICE. THE GAS FIRE SPINNERS USE ON PROPS IS WHITE GAS.

artist,” said Chris. “I was influenced in a way that made me want to create that kind of community here.”

Chris became the Burning Man Regional Contact for Vermont in 2015. Burners in Vermont (and surrounding areas) can be part of the Green Mountain Burners — a group of about 672 members. The couple also hosts their own burning festival in Bolton called Zenith on the Summer Solstice. “It’s our way of glueing our community together, and getting everyone up to speed with what’s happening at Burning Man headquarters in San Francisco.”

“We also host fire spin jam groups,” added Kim. “We met a handful of people and started these groups; over the years it’s grown.”

The fire spin jams are usually held weekly over the summer in the Cleary’s backyard.

The groups are open to anyone. Newcomers get a full run-down on props, fueling and safety. “It’s a skill share group,” said Kim. “We all learn from each other.”

Kim Cleary, co-founder of C

Addison Independent

Next Friday, the Clearys, Tiffany Cross and Olin Davis will be performing for about a half-hour in Bristol. Depending on the temperature and the weather, you can expect to see fire breathing, dancing with fire props, fire eating, fire rope art, fire hooping and palm torches.

The Clearys will not be burning a sculpture like they do at Zenith and other burns.

Chris and Kim also run a stone sculpting business that influences Chris’ burn designs. “I’ve found that the ephemeral aspects of fire fills in the voids of the permanence of stone,” he said.

Chris is the son of John Cleary, owner of stone re-saler Cleary Stone. Chris picked stone sculpting up in 1998.

“I’m mostly self taught, but learned the basics from working with my father’s stone company,” said Chris. “I’ve also taken classes through the West Rutland Carving Studio.”

UEGO

talents include fire eating.

Chris started building burn sculptures in April 2011, after being inspired from what he saw at Burning Man and wanting to bring that style of art to Vermont. “I’ve created 30 total sculptures that have burned,” said Chris.

“Fire draws people in,” added Kim. “It’s mysterious and dangerous, yet has a beautiful illuminating glow and warmth.

Moving with fire adds even more romance to this element.”

PHOTO / BOB LOCICERO

Cirque de Fuego, will spin fire on Dec. 23 in Bristol.

| ARTS+LEISURE | Thursday, December 15, 2016 — PAGE 11

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PAGE 12 — Addison Independent

| ARTS+LEISURE | Thursday, December 15, 2016

A garden fork and a transplanting spade, both by Spear and Jackson, provide plenty of heft for digging in the earth without being too heavy for regular gardeners. Furthermore they come with a 10-year guarantee.

PHOTOS / DICK CONRAD

a few of my

FAVORITE THINGS

M

id-December is the season for the catalog avalanche, not only in my physical mailbox, but also in its electronic equivalent.

In the commercial world I am surely marked as an avid gardener! So now whole catalogs, devoted to clever tools and gadgets designed to solve any garden problem one might ever encounter, arrive around now, to be followed in January by plenty of seed catalogs, with their tantalizing pictures of unblemished peppers and frilly lettuces.

BY JUDITH IRVEN

But over the years I have learned to avoid rash purchases of new garden gadgets that ultimately get little use but still take up valuable space in the tool shed.

Now, when I head out into the garden, rather than hauling a heavy cartload of tools with me, I work on the principle that “fewer is easier.”

I rely on a small number of easily carried tools to accomplish all my everyday gardening tasks,

along with a few more which I keep on hand for specialized jobs like digging and pruning.

So, with the holiday season upon us and people asking what you want for Christmas, I thought you might enjoy hearing about my favorite tools and how I use them. Or perhaps you will glean some gift ideas for your own favorite gardener.

PRUNERS AT THE READY I rarely step into the garden without my hand pruners, so useful for tidying-up perennials as well as grooming shrubs. I mostly use hand pruners to cut soft, live plant tissue, and for this purpose the bypass design (where the blades pass across each other in a scissor-like motion) is the best. I prefer this to the anvil design, which tends to crush the stem.

Pruners come in many shapes and weights, and of course peoples’ hands vary widely in strength and size. Since you use your pruners a lot, it is really important to find a pair that truly matches your hand. Take the time to shop for them in person at a store that offers several brands and sizes which you can hold and feel before you buy.

Felco is usually considered the “gold standard” for pruners and they are certainly beautifully made.

However, after trying out the motion and weight of several different brands and models, I finished up buying an ergonomically designed Bahco pruner with its distinctively angled blade assembly, and I have been very happy with my choice.

A STEEL HOOK WITH MANY USES My “Cobra head” weeder, an unlikely looking tool that Dick gave me many years ago, is one of my must-have garden tools. It is amazingly versatile; I use it for everything from weeding and cultivating, to transplanting small plants.

And, by pushing the tool deep into the soil, I can lasso those stubborn dandelion taproots, usually getting them out intact.

A NEW ADDITION Recently I discovered the Japanese “sicklesaw,” a handy tool that has joined join my list of indispensables at fall clean-up time. The sicklesaw has a curved handle and an extremely CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

Addison Independent

| ARTS+LEISURE | Thursday, December 15, 2016 — PAGE 13

sharp 6-inch blade; it works beautifully to slice through the squishy decaying leaves of Siberian Iris and daylilies.

I have three, all from the Black and Decker, that run off identical 20 volt batteries, so I always have several charged up and ready to go.

TOOLS BELTS

My first acquisition was an electric string trimmer.

Oh, I can hear you say ― “an electric trimmer, that sounds really flimsy. Surely a gasoline engine would be preferable.”

All the tools mentioned so far fit nicely into my gardener’s tool belt. This has an adjustable belt together with a medium sized pouch for my pruners plus a larger pouch which takes both the Cobra head weeder and the Japanese sickle-saw.

Both pouches also have outer pockets that snap shut, perfect for carrying a roll of tape, packets of seeds, plant markers and a marking pen.

And, when not in use, the whole assembly hangs on the hook inside the back door, readily available at a moment’s notice.

CLEAN HANDS, WARM HANDS “Dirt under the fingernails” may describe a real gardener, but, since I also like to cook, if at all possible I would rather keep my fingernails clean.

So finding garden gloves that were durable yet breathable, and flexible enough that I can feel the soil, was a must for me.

The Atlas brand “370 Garden Club“ mesh gloves provide all that functionality. They have a pliable nitrile coating on the palms and fingertips, they wash well and, besides, they come in pretty colors.

I balance these out with pair of lined waterproof gloves for cold weather work. Vinylove 360, also

by Atlas, fit my hands perfectly.

STRONG AND STURDY A good fork and spade are two larger items that are crucial for the gardener’s toolkit. I use mine to prepare the soil for new beds, to move (or remove) larger plants, and also to lift and divide overgrown perennials.

So my fork and spade must be both strong and sturdy, while not overly heavy for me to use.

From personal experience I can attest to the false economy of buying cheap thin forks, which sooner or later always bend or break.

Fifteen years ago I felt a bit extravagant and purchased a digging fork and narrow transplanting spade, each forged from a single piece of steel with a smooth ash handle, made by Spear and Jackson.

Spear and Jackson has been making tools in England for over 100 years and their products come with a 10-

Judith keeps all her ‘indispensable tools’ right at hand in this single well-designed tool belt. These include a Cobra-head weeder and a sickle-saw; pruners and a small pair of scissors; as well as sundries like seeds, markers and tape.

GOLDEN RULES FOR GARDEN TOOLS 1. SEEK OUT QUALITY TOOLS PROPERLY PROPORTIONED FOR YOUR OWN BODY. 2. LOOK FOR A FEW VERSATILE TOOLS THAT COVER ALL YOUR EVERYDAY GARDENING NEEDS.

year guarantee (not bad considering the stress many of us put on our garden tools). I use my fork and spade constantly and still they retain their original shape and strength.

LIGHT-WEIGHT POWER ASSISTANCE My final recommendation is to invest in a few battery-powered tools. They are light-weight, start on a dime and are surprisingly robust. They are also beautifully proportioned for the body of the typical gardener.

The answer is that, while a gasoline powered trimmer is great for heavier jobs like cutting down tall tough grasses, you will be amazed at the host of smaller tasks where the speedy lightweight versatility of an electric trimmer is extremely welcome. For example: I have several stepping stone paths that meander through my beds as well as a couple of field-stone patios. Now, instead of attempting to weed them (or use weedkillers), I zip around the spaces between the stones with my electric trimmer, giving everything a monthly haircut. The delightful discovery is that, especially in the shade, an inviting velvet carpet of moss is gradually taking hold.

More recently, to help with my annual fall cleanup, I acquired an electric hedge trimmer, which cuts through the stems of sturdy perennials and ornamental grasses like butter.

And finally the last member of my power-assisted tools is a small but sturdy electric chain saw. No ― this will not cut through a 12-inch tree branch!

But last winter it made short work of cleaning up several 6-inch stems from my serviceberries and several branches from the crab apples which all broke off in the ice storm. And it is surprising the number of such mid-sized cutting tasks that arise in a typical winter.

Judith Irven and Dick Conrad live in Goshen where together they nurture a large garden. Judith is a Vermont Certified Horticulturist and teaches Sustainable Home Landscaping for the Vermont Master Gardener program. You can subscribe to her blog about her Vermont gardening life at www. northcountryreflections.com. Dick is a landscape and garden photographer; you can see more of his photographs at www.northcountryimpressions.

PAGE 14 — Addison Independent

| ARTS+LEISURE | Thursday, December 15, 2016

BIRD DOG CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

taking two firsts and two seconds in Puppy Stakes this year (dogs under the age of two).

“He’s awesome,” said Berry. Yeah, you can say that again.

But what is it exactly that Keller does to make him so “awesome?”

Well, Keller is a flushing dog (not a pointing dog).

That means, generally, Keller’s job is to stay within gun range — that’s about 35-40 yards from Berry — and put the bird up for Berry to shoot. As soon as the bird flies, Keller sits and Berry shoots; then Keller finds and retrieves the bird.

One of the places Berry practices with Keller (and Fergus) is in a field that’s less than a fiveminute drive from his East Middlebury home.

“The farmers around here are phenomenal about supporting my training dogs,” said Berry in the truck as we drove to the field. “I mowed strips that mark 35-40 yards in the field to help teach them how far away they’re allowed to be when quartering.”

Quartering: “to hunt ground/wind direction in an efficient manner.” Thanks Kennel Club.

did you know?

PATRICK BERRY PAINTED THE VERMONT CONSERVATION LICENSE PLATE WITH THE TROUT ON IT, AND YES, IT’S ON HIS TRUCK. an insane amount of time,” said Berry, who served as the Commissioner of Vermont Fish and Wildlife for over three years (2011-2014) before joining The Vermont Community Foundation in Middlebury as its vice president for philanthropy.

“In the competitions, all the dogs retrieve, they all have good noses, they’re all intelligent... how he (Keller) does his job is how we’re judged, and style matters.

“I didn’t take Fergus for three reasons,” Berry explained. “First, only springers can compete in the springer nationals (and Fergus is a Cocker Spaniel — they have their own championship); second, Fergus just doesn’t have the same talent; third, while I do normally take both of the dogs everywhere, I just didn’t want Fergus to sit in the truck for 4,200 miles for nothing.”

What got Berry into field trial competitions in the first place?

It’s a progression, he explained.

“Training a flushing dog to a finished level takes

“KELLER’S MY LITTLE BUDDY... I HAVE A SPOILT-BRAT HOUSE DOG WHO HUNTS WITH THE PROS.”

— Patrick Berry

Patrick Berry and his dog Keller practice quartering in East Middlebury.

INDEPENDENT PHOTOS / TRENT CAMPBELL

Comparatively, Berry is a newbie at hunt tests and field trials. He got his first springer spaniel for hunting over 20 years ago, and didn’t start competing in field trials until last year with his fifth spaniel, Bradie. But his desire to compete in field trials “has been brewing for 20 years.” Berry saw his first field trial in Missoula, Montana in 1995 where he was a fishing guide for 10 years after graduating from Middlebury College in 1991 with a degree in studio art. Bradie also won the Puppy Stake as a 15-month-old; sadly, he was shot and killed in a tragic accident.

With Keller’s impressive performance this year, you’d be right if you guessed that Berry is a dedicated handler. Indeed, he and Keller spend a lot of quality time together perfecting skills.

“If you want to hunt upland birds (a.k.a. birds that live in the woods) it’s a lot easier with a dog, so you get a dog that appeals to you. Then you take the dog hunting and it’s kind of frustrating because you and the dog aren’t communicating perfectly.

So you start putting the time in to train the dog, and think, ‘I wish I had a standard.’ There is one: the Hunt Test Standard — a clearly written standard, not against other dogs. You train your dog to that level and someone suggests you should run a field trial; you do well enough and it’s really fun....

And that’s how we got to Keller going to national championships.

“I teach manners before anything else,” Berry said.

“I spend a lot of time focused on obedience — you have to install breaks and steering first because when you put a bird in front of him, he will go out of his mind and you have to have him under control.”

“In a hunt test, all dogs can pass and earn a ribbon,” Berry clarified. “In a field trial, the dogs are judged against one another, and only the top four dogs can place, no matter how many are entered.”

Next up? Keller and Berry are already training for next year, hoping to earn the requisite placements and points to compete in the national championships next November in Utah.

Unlike some other handlers, Berry’s dogs are also family pets. They’re welcome indoors — even on the bed.

“Keller’s my little buddy... I have a spoilt-brat house dog who hunts with the pros,” Berry laughed.

“Clearly we’re doing something right.”

Addison Independent

| ARTS+LEISURE | Thursday, December 15, 2016 — PAGE 15

MUSIC

Messiah Sing comes to town

T SUNDAY 18

he Middlebury Congregational Church will once again host the area’s annual “Messiah Sing” this Sunday. Jeff Rehbach, conductor of the Middlebury College Community Chorus, leads the sing-along of this famous work

by George Frederic Handel for choir and DEC. orchestra.

Middlebury Congregational Church

Come join friends and neighbors for a joyous afternoon of community music-making at the Middlebury Congregational Church, beginning at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 18. Singers, instrumentalists and all who enjoy music are warmly welcomed to sing and play, or simply to watch and listen. A $5 contribution ($10/family) is requested at the door.

This year’s reading continues the tradition of featuring soloists drawn from Middlebury and other communities throughout Vermont, including Leila McVeigh, Grace Weber, Jim Wright, Joe McVeith, Adam Hall, and Erin Grainger. Solo numbers will be accompanied by string players from nearby towns and villages: Molly Bidwell, Carole Fenn, Hilary

Hatch, and Emily Sunderman. Harpsichord maker Robert Hicks, Jr. of Lincoln, VT provides one his fine hand-crafted keyboard instruments, played by Jenny Bower, organist at the Vergennes Congregation Church. A listing of chorus works may be found on the community chorus web page at go.middlebury. edu/messiah-sing.

Chorus music and orchestra parts (for strings, oboe/flute, bassoon, and trumpets in C) are provided, as we read many of the finest choruses

live music SWING NOIRE. Thursday, Dec. 15, 8-10 p.m., 51 Main, Middlebury.

MAPLE JAM. Saturday, Dec. 17, 7:30 p.m., Brandon Music.

JUSTIN PERDUE QUARTET. Saturday, Dec. 17, 8-10 p.m., 51 Main, Middlebury.

THE BROTHER BROTHERS (DAVID AND ADAM MOSS). Saturday, Jan. 7, 7 p.m., Ripton Community Coffee House.

HAVE A GIG COMING UP? We want to know! Email news@ addisonindependent.com or call 802-388-4944.

jingle jokes WHAT DO YOU CALL A FROG HANGING FROM A CEILING?

did you know?

MIDDLEBURY’S FIRST MESSIAH SING TOOK PLACE IN DECEMBER 1984. NEARLY EVERY YEAR SINCE THEN, THE MESSIAH SING HAS BECOME A JOYOUS COMMUNITY EVENT, NOW ATTRACTING SINGERS AND ORCHESTRA PLAYERS WHO ARRIVE AT THE HISTORIC CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH TO MAKE MUSIC TOGETHER ON THE SUNDAY AFTERNOON BEFORE CHRISTMAS EACH YEAR.

from this beloved oratorio. If you have your own copy of the Messiah, bring it along. If you plan to play in the orchestra, bring a music stand and arrive 15 minutes early. The Middlebury Community Chorus provides refreshments for all to enjoy during intermission. For more information, email rehbach@middlebury.edu or leave a message at 989-7355.

ANSWER: MISTLETOAD.

PAGE 16 — Addison Independent

| ARTS+LEISURE | Thursday, December 15, 2016

the movie ALLIED — RUNNING TIME: 2:04 — RATING : R Allied is an odd mix of touching moments and bad judgement. It offers a sub/middling performance by Brad Pitt and a warm, sophisticated one by Marion Cotillard who has to put all the punch in their relationship. But let’s start at the beginning.

Premise: Intelligence officer Max (Brad Pitt) is to meet French Resistance figure Marianne (Marion Cotillard) in order to play a husband/wife team who will murder the Nazi ambassador during an elegant wartime reception in Casablanca. For just a second we wonder if there might have been an easier way for him to get there than by parachuting into the Moroccan desert.

Director Robert Zemeckis and writer Steven Knight deserve no forgiveness for what they do to this promising World War II premise.

An enormous cast creates party goers, soldiers, pilots, Nazis and dead bodies but all of them are presented in contemporary detail and language.

The focus is on Pitt and Cotillard as they try to convince the Nazis that they are married lovers. Here’s the tough part: Watching Pitt isn’t easy. He is simply too wooden to carry the romantic lead. We root for him, hoping his stone face is simply a reflection of his serious assignment, but no, he’s just plain stiff. Put a gun in his hand or a cliff to jump off and he becomes slightly more animated though still ruinously contemporary.

Cotillard, carrying the movie opposite Pitt’s cardboard figure, does a fine job of creating a spy clever enough to fool both the Allies and the Nazis.

She can convey deep emotion with the slightest change in expression, and that is the key to her role here as a possible double agent.

Suddenly they are married with a baby back in wartime England where Max is faced with the accusation that Marianne may be a spy. Pitt comes alive just a little as he tries to prove her innocence.

the book THE GLASS UNIVERSE — BY DAVA SOBEL

Brad Pitt and Marion Cotillard in Allied (2016).

The major problem here is cultural error in the silliest of ways. Behavior and language in the supporting cast are not remotely rooted in 1943.

Example: fu….g was a mere verb back then, not the dominant adjective of today and its frequent use here plants the movie firmly in today’s culture.

Nor is it possible to believe a modern poster boy as a spy in the war that shook the world more than seventy years ago. And Brad Pitt as a linguist?

It is all too obvious that Director Robert Zemeckis (age 65) and writer Steven Knight (57) haven’t bothered to do the research that could have brought WWII alive on the screen. The movie they have made has few roots in the 1940s, and that’s a shame because they had a good plot. As it is, older audience members are often close to laughter — or resentment — while younger ones are denied the chance to soak up an important piece of history. The problem? The audience really wants to like it and can’t. ― — Reviewed by Joan Ellis

BEST SCIENCE BOOKS OF 2016

(Viking)

Bestselling author Dava Sobel returns with an engrossing true story of a little-known group of women who made significant contributions to the relatively new field of astronomy in the late nineteenth century. Harvard College Observatory employed women “with a knack for figures” in the computing room, performing intricate and detailed calculations upon the nighttime observations made by the men employed by the observatory.

The college felt “it would be unseemly... to subject a lady to the fatigue, not to mention the cold of winter, of telescope observing.” Nonetheless, the women made their mark, publishing their findings discovered by studying the “glass universe,” the half million glass plates produced by photographing the light spectrum of stars. In these detailed studies, many discoveries were made, including supernovae. The women helped discern what stars are made of, divided the stars into meaningful categories for further research, and found a way to measure distances across space using starlight. This is a bright, wonderful book, and includes full color photographs of star spectra, the ladies themselves, the work they did and more, plus excerpts of their letters, diaries and memoirs. The complexities of the science are explained beautifully, and the narrative is captivating.

— Reviewed by Jenny Lyons of the Vermont Book Shop in Middlebury.

The Hidden Life of Trees,

by Peter Wohlleben Women in Science,

by Rachel Ignotofsky I Contain Multitudes, by Ed Yong Seven Brief Lessons on Physics,

by Carlo Rovelli The Genius of Birds,

by Jennifer Ackerman The Big Picture, by Sean Carroll Being a Dog, by Alexandra Horowitz Time Travel, by James Gleick

Addison Independent

| ARTS+LEISURE | Thursday, December 15, 2016 — PAGE 17

MUSIC

Middlebury jazzes up Christmas classics TOWN HALL THEATER RINGS IN THE HOLIDAYS WITH “MIDDLEBURY DOES CHRISTMAS”

T

hey say it began with a little concert called Middlebury Does Motown. The people at Town Hall Theater had the idea of letting local singers live out the dream of singing the great Motown classics, backed by top-flight professional musicians. The show was such a hit that it was followed in rapid succession with Middlebury Does Woodstock, Middlebury Does Swing (in which local singers got the chance to sing with a swingin’ big band), and Middlebury Does the History of Rock & Roll, which drew over a thousand people when it was revived at Middlebury’s Festival on the Green.

“THE SHEER REPETITION OF CHRISTMAS SONGS ON THE RADIO CAN BE A LITTLE DEADENING... BUT THESE REALLY ARE GREAT SONGS.” — Doug Anderson

Anderson. “There’s going to be a lot of joy on that stage.”

Middlebury Does Christmas will be performed twice at Middlebury’s Town Hall Theater, on Friday, Dec. 16, at 7 p.m. and on Saturday, Dec. 17, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door, and may be purchased at www. townhalltheater.org, 802 382-9222, at the THT Box Office or at the door.

exciting arrangements we’d have a heck of a concert.”

This year, THT revives the franchise with Middlebury Does Christmas. The idea is to give the Christmas songbook a brand new look, with the classic numbers performed in a surprising variety of styles — jazz, swing, pop, Latin, a cappella and anything else musical director Chuck Miller can dream up.

Taking the stage will be Bill and Mindy Bickford, Justin Bouvier, Matt Bouvier, Vanessa Ament, Leigh Guptill, Sarah Stone, Kerianne Severy, Middlebury college student Ashley Fink, and Mary Hogan student Hannah Cormier. Doug and Debby Anderson will take a turn at the microphone as well. Miller will direct the seven-piece band.

“The sheer repetition of Christmas songs on the radio can be a little deadening,” said THT director Doug Anderson. “But these really are great songs, and we thought if we put together some terrific singers and some fresh and

“This is a Christmas present to the town, but also to these fine singers who don’t always get a chance to sing with such professional musicians,” said

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PAGE 18 — Addison Independent

| ARTS+LEISURE | Thursday, December 15, 2016

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CALL 802-388-4944

diy

to try ADD SOME CREATIVE STORAGE Adding storage is a nobrainer, but it does take a little brainpower to find your home’s hidden storage.

Here are a few ways to think outside of the toy box: Open drywall to create storage cubbies between your wall’s studs.

70 Court Street, Middlebury, VT

802-989-7522

champlainvalleyproperty.com

NEW

Install platform storage that hangs from your garage ceiling.

LISTING

BRIDPORT

Even stairs can give you more storage.

Try repurposing an old chest of drawers and create storage within a basement staircase.

$899,000

11 acre waterfront Estate on Lake Champlain. Large main house, 2 attached garages, fabulous workshop & glass atrium. Two apartments – one over garage & one detached from main house. Rent pays taxes! Easy access to Lake. A very special Lake Front Property!

For more info visit www. houselogic.com

MIDDLEBURY

$205,000

Naughty? Nice?

Charming home in great location – walking distance of town and college, across from park with paths to the river. Updates include newer roof & refinished floors. Deep back yard and a 3-season porch.

STARKSBORO

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

$89,000

10.6 acre lot consisting of mobile home site with sewer & electric hook-up.

There is currently no well on site. There is an existing mobile home, storage shed & driveway on property.

We make lists too.

Look for real estate listings in Arts + Leisure.

Every Thursday.

ARTS+LEISURE

802-388-4944 ads@addisonindependent.com

All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 as amended which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, sexual orientation, or persons receiving public assistance, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.”

This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertisement 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. To complain of discrimination, call HUD Toll-free at 1-800-424-8590.

For the Washington, DC area please call HUD at 426-3500.

Addison Independent

| ARTS+LEISURE | Thursday, December 15, 2016 — PAGE 19

PAGE 20 — Addison Independent

| ARTS+LEISURE | Thursday, December 15, 2016