The Food and Farming ISSUE

This issue sponsored by Warren Kitzmiller

A pril 16 M ay 6, 2015

Center Farm in East Montpelier. Photo by Michael Jermyn

IN THIS ISSUE:
5: Education Bill Moves
from House to Senate
7: Hunger in Vermont
15: The Maple Life

PRSRT STD
CAR-RT SORT
U.S. Postage
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Montpelier, VT
Permit NO. 123

16: Montpelier Mayfest

How to Make a Million Dollars Farming

by John OBrien

used to advertise myself, in the movie business, as the only

filmmaker in America who can shear a sheep and milk a cow.
It was a catchy line, but was probably not a fact. When dairy
farmer and filmmaker George Woodard was a pup, did he ever shear
a sheep? I dont know; Ill have to ask him. I was at a film festival
once and a director came up to me and said, I cant shear a sheep,
but Ive milked a lot of cows. He was from Wisconsin and helped
his brother milk a large herd of Holsteins. When his brother couldnt
make a living dairy farming, they raised marijuana for a summer,
growing it in the cornfields. The crop was highly profitable, but the
anxiety involved with bringing the contraband to harvest was more
than the brothers could bear (at one point a police helicopter hovered over their fields before flying away). They never grew pot again.
The filmmaking brother became a yoga instructor before making a
movie about a dairy farmer who falls in love.
When it comes to farming, I suspect theres nothing more profitable
than growing pot. But I only speculate; Ive never met an actual
organic marijuana farmer. I do know some Vermont organic dairy
farmers, though. Theyre easier to spot.
I woke up this morning wondering how much money a dairy cow
makes for the farmer in a day. Ive never seen that number in print.
I called up Gary Mullen. Hes on the select board in Tunbridge. He
races at Thunder Road. Hes also an organic dairy farmer.
Heres what I learned from Gary:
A gallon of milk weighs 8.6 pounds.

The Bridge
P.O. Box 1143
Montpelier, VT 05601

A good average dairy cow gives 45 to 50 pounds a day (this is splitting the difference between a Jersey and a Holstein).

Therefore, if the good average dairy cow gives 50 pounds of milk

daily, and the farmer sells that milk for 35 cents per pound, the
farmer grosses $17.50 per day per milking cow. That cow makes
$5,337.50 for the farmer in one year.
If a dairy farmer is milking 100 cows, that farmer grosses $533,750
in one year. Before expenses are subtracted, every day the farmer
makes $1,750.
Dairy farming, not unlike restaurants, is a business where lots of
money comes in and lots of money goes out.
Last year, Gary Mullens milk check was $235,000.
His grain bill was $96,000.
On average, a cow eats one square bale a day. A square bale costs
ballpark about $3.50. Hay needs to be fed about 180 days a
yearmeaning, the grass doesnt grow from Nov. 1 to May 1. If a
farmer bought hay for just one milking cow, it would cost $630 for
the winter. If the farmer bought hay for all 100 of his milking cows,
it would cost $63,000.
Like most dairy farmers, Gary Mullen makes his own hay. But that
doesnt mean its free. To put up the equivalent of 18,000 square
bales requires tractors, mowers, rakes, tedders, a baler, hay wagons,
barns, gallons of diesel, and a couple of experienced farmhands who
know how to run all the equipment.
From property taxes to Bag Balm, the expenses never seem to end,
and before you know it the milk check is less than the sum of bills
and the old joke has come true:
Q: How do you make a million dollars farming?

On average, a cow is milked 305 days a year.

A: Start with two million.

The price that the dairy farmer gets paid for 100 pounds of organic
milk is between $35 and $39; or lets say 35 to 39 cents per pound of
milk. By comparison, nonorganic dairy farmers receive somewhere
between $16 to $30 per 100 pounds.

Most of the dairy farmers left are still here because theyre frugal,
savvy, hard working, and they grew up in the family business, inheriting the land they farm. To start from scratch, to buy a farm and
cows and equipment, would take just about all of that two million
dollars.

Continued on Page 11

PAG E 2 A P R I L 16 M AY 6 , 2 015

THE BRIDGE

A P R I L 16 M AY 6 , 2 015 PAG E 3

T H E B R I D G E

Reporting on the Renaissance Plan

Re-inventing The Bridge as a nonprofit community newspaper

Update
A week before last Monday It was time out from the hectic pace that characterizes most days at The Bridge. Editor in chief Nat Frothingham opened the first official meeting
of the new board of directors, attended by support group members, Bridge staff members and several others from the community. Two new members were swiftly elected
to the board and officers appointed.
So let me now introduce with appropriate fanfare: Donny Osman (president), Michelle Singer (vice-president), Wavell Cowan (secretary-treasurer), Margaret Blanchard and
last but far from least, Nat Frothingham.
What followed were the discussions and votes to put in place the bylaws of this new non-profit corporation, and the adoption of the resolutions needed to allow it to properly
function in this new mode. Highlights of actions in place, in the works, and on the horizon were quickly reviewed before completing the crowded agenda with a plan to meet
monthly at 1 p.m. on Fridays, commencing in May after newly organized management information will become available.
With Thanks
A successful online Kickstarter campaign on top of direct contributions, as you can
see, have lifted us to within a hair of our
Community Budget
community funding goal set to be achieved
Support Request
by the early June issue.
The Shape of Things to Come
Now the hard work can continue. We know
our success depends on becoming an ever
more valuable community asset. That
means delivering a newspaper whose well
written content informs the community
about itself and contributes to strengthening and bringing the community together.
We are now considering ways to make The
Bridge a more formative part of community
dialogues. To start the ball rolling, we are
asking ourselves, and would welcome your
thoughts: What new things should a community newspaper be doing to better fulfill
its mission?
Wavell Cowan,
Chair, The Bridge Support Committee

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PAG E 4 A P R I L 16 M AY 6 , 2 015

THE BRIDGE

HEARD ON THE

STREET

No Action Taken on Hiring of MHS Principal

MONTPELIER Principal Candidate Mike McRaith from Enosburg met with the
Montpelier Public Schools board of school commissioners April 14. McRaith is currently
principal at Enosburg Falls Middle School. Following an executive session after his presentation, no action was taken, according to Heather Michaud, an employee at Montpelier
Public Schools. The board was favorably impressed. We were happy with his presentation.
We liked him, said Sue Aldrich, chair. The next steps will be determined by Superintendent Brian Ricca, Aldrich said. Attempts to reach Ricca shortly before publication were
unsuccessful due to his absence.

Merrylees Steps Down From Bike Committee

MONTPELIER Jon Budreski has been named chair of the Montpelier Bicycle Advisory
Committee following Bill Merrylees recent announcement that he will be stepping down.
Since I've taken a job with Circus Smirkus, I have stepped down as chair, but am staying
on the committee, wrote Merrylees to The Bridge in an email.
The committee is involved in several municipal projects concerning the promotion of bicycle riding, including a new paving and painting project at the intersection of Memorial
Drive and National Life. Two bike path projects are also on the committees radar, including an extension that runs from Stone Cutters Way and along the river out to Gallison
Hill Road on the north side that would connect with the Cross Vermont Trail and U-32.
But expanding bicycle parking downtown continues to be a key subject. Putting ring
racks on existing parking meters might help increase bike parking in front of downtown
businesses, Budreski said. The city of Burlington and other medium-sized cities are starting to use ring racks so people can park right in front of where they are going, Budreski
said. Covered bike parking areas would be desirable as well.

City to Open Bids for New Ambulance

MONTPELIER The Montpelier Fire and Ambulance Department will open bids for
a new Type 1 ambulance on a Ford F-450 April 16. According to Chief Robert Gowans,
different dealers submit their bids after a notice is put out by the city. Then, once the bids
are opened, the chief will recommend one of the options to the city council to make the
final decision. Notice was sent out March 11. Since the city of Montpelier is a municipal
corporation, it is exempt from paying taxes on the ambulance. The old ambulance, a 2007
F450 2WD chassis with a 1995 ambulance box, will be traded in.

Pete of Petes Greens to Buy St. J Building

CRAFTSBURY Pete Johnson of Petes Greens a popular veggie vendor at the
Montpelier Farmers Market is buying a building on Eastern Avenue in downtown St.
Johnsbury. The sale was scheduled to conclude April 10. Responding to The Bridge about
whether there is a connection between his purchase of the building and his arrangement to
pull out of the farmers market in July, he wrote in an email:
No connection. Attending market until mid-summer as I have a new baby and want to
spend some Saturdays with her. Many farmers sell their farms when they retire. I'm interested in passing Pete's onto employees or the next generation so a partner and I have bought
a couple buildings as a retirement plan.

DRB Approves Morse Auctions at House of Tang Property

MONTPELIER The Design Review Board unanimously approved Brian Morses site
plan application to hold public auctions on the same property that houses the House of
Tang restaurant. Discussion at the April 6 meeting centered mostly around parking spaces,
but it was determined that there would be plenty for the times that Morse wants to hold
auctions, which are Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. The building inspector approved
130 people maximum in the building, but the board approved a maximum of 115 people in
order to be certain there would be enough parking spots for auction participants. I would
be excited if I saw 100 people, Morse said. I think 100 would be optimistic, but I dont
know. Ive never tried this one. The propertys address is 114 River St. and the building is
owned by Nam Chan.

DRB Chair Comments on Council Members Absence

MONTPELIER Phil Zalinger, chair of the Development Review Board, asked to go
on record during the April 6 meeting to comment on a city council member's failure to appear when her site plan application was on the agenda. Council member Anne Watson had
submitted for approval a plan to install a heat pump on her property, titled River Station
Condo Association located at 221 Barre St. After several minutes of discussion and questions about the project, such as what is a heat pump, anyway? and what about snow cover
in winter? followed by some speculative answers, Zalinger indicated his opinion should be
heard. I will go on record as feeling it necessary to explain that I think city council members should respect the process and appear in support of their own applications. It doesnt
really encourage the rest of the populace to participate when their approach is such as this
one has been. Zalinger then returned to the process and acknowledged a motion and a
second to approve her application followed by unanimous approval.
When contacted by The Bridge, Watson said she regretted missing the meeting, but had
otherwise obliged herself during that time. "As it happens I was making and delivering a
meal to a friend on crutches while that meeting was going on," Watson said.

The Bridge publishes every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the

month, except in July when we publish only on the 3rd
Thursday. Our next issue comes out May 7.

A P R I L 16 M AY 6 , 2 015 PAG E 5

T H E B R I D G E

House Education Bill Moves on to Senate

by Phil Dodd

bill that would require Vermonts

school districts to examine merging
with other districts, set statewide
school property tax rates for next year, and
potentially cap school budgets has passed
the House on an 88-to-55 vote and is currently under intense review in the Senate
Education Committee. The bill, H.361,
could be the subject of a public hearing in
the very near future.
By reducing the number of districts in
Vermont, legislators hope to move toward a
more effective school governance structure,
thereby improving educational opportunities for students and ultimately saving
taxpayers money. The state currently has
about 272 districts with 23 different kinds
of governance structures.
Our overriding goal is to be more efficient
and get a better return on our dollars, said
Sen. Ann Cummings, D-Washington, a
Montpelier resident and former mayor who
is the current chair of the Senate Education
Committee.
The House bill seeks to create pre-K
through grade 12 school districts of at
least 1,100 students by 2019, which could
lead to changes or mergers at several local
school districts, including Montpelier,
Twinfield and Northfield. But there are
signs the senate may reduce or drop any
specific size requirement.
Cummings said she and others in the senate are seeking changes to the bill that
would make it less prescriptive and would
allow communities to work things out on
their own. But she said she thinks the legislation is an important step for Vermont
to take. The world has changed radically,
but the way we deliver education has not.
The last time Vermont reduced the number of districts was in 1897, when some
2,700 districts were consolidated into 300
districts. Jeff Francis, executive director of
the Vermont Superintendents Association,
said that even if Vermont reduces its current 272 districts to 50 districts, it would
still have the smallest average number of
students per school district in the country.
District consolidation could reduce the
number of school administrators and administrative staff in the state, potentially
saving $34 million to $54 million annually statewide, according to the legislatures
joint fiscal office. About 80 percent of
school spending statewide is made up of
salaries and benefits.
One element of the House bill that is in
trouble in the Senate is a proposed cap on
school budgets. Because district mergers will not yield immediate savings, the
House education committee had sought to
impose a cap to limit spending in the next
few years.
The cap it proposed was watered down by
an amendment on the House floor, and
Cummings said there is not a lot of appetite for a cap in the Senate. Groups in
opposition to any spending cap range from
the Vermont Superintendents Association
to the Vermont chapter of the National
Education Association, also known as the
teachers union.
NEA Communications Director Darren
Allen told The Bridge that the House bills
spending caps are a problem. Local voters
already have the ultimate cap they can
reject budgets. He said the union was neither for nor against the idea of consolidating school districts, and added, the devil

is in the details.
Allen predicted some form of education bill
would pass this year. Lawmakers and the
governor set up a narrative they had to do
something regarding schools and property
taxes, and they read the election results to
say what they wanted them to say. They
wont go home without doing something.
H.361 also would set tax rates for next
year. The homestead tax rate paid by primary homeowners would be 98 cents, the
same as this year (and two cents less than
projected by the state at the time local
school budgets were created and voted on).
The nonresidential property tax rate would
rise by one penny to $1.525. And the statewide household income tax rate would rise
from the current rate of 1.8 percent to 1.94
percent. Cummings said these rates will be
reviewed by the Senate Finance Committee
rather than her committee.
Other sections of the House bill would set
state tax rates earlier in the school budgeting process, change the way school budgets
are presented on ballots to show changes
in per-pupil spending, and require several
studies and reports, including one on the
impact of the Obamacare excise tax that
could hit many school districts and other
employers starting in 2018.
But the main thrust of H.361 is to push
school districts to merge, creating fewer
units of school governance, which will be
known as integrated education systems.
The bill is not directly aimed at closing
small schools which a recent report
for the state said spend more per student
and offer fewer educational opportunities
than large schools but it does include
some carrots and sticks that could prompt
small schools to close or merge with others. For example, it reduces the number of
phantom students that schools with declining enrollments are allowed to include
when calculating state aid. A phantom
student is a mechanism that cushions small
school districts against dramatic population drops.
Cummings said some small schools should

actually be considered micro schools. She

said these schools tend to have more teachers who only have a quarter- or half-time
job at the school, and specialists with less
experience dealing with issues like autism.

caused by increasing poverty and other issues like opiate addiction, she noted. The
schools have lots of challenges, which add
to their costs but are not necessarily benefiting the average child, Cummings said.

House Education Chair David Sharpe, DBristol, in testimony before the Senate
Education Committee, said recently that,
if we do nothing, some schools will collapse due to declining students. There is a
growing consensus that something has to
be done. H.361 will save money, but more
importantly it will be good for the kids.

Ironically, in a year when taxpayers are said

to want relief on the property tax front, the
House also passed a $35 million tax revenue bill that would, among other things,
limit school property tax deductions for
some taxpayers who itemize. Specifically,
the bill would limit itemized deductions
on state income tax returns to 2.5 times the
standard deduction.

Pressure to make changes in education

have largely stemmed from rising school
spending and higher school property taxes,
even as student enrollment has declined.
Vermonts expenditure per enrolled pupil
in fiscal year 2012 was $18,571, the highest
in New England and more than 71 percent
over the national average, according to the
NEA.
Sharpe has said the biggest reason for
high school spending is that the state has
a lot of staff compared to the number of
students here, giving the state the lowest
staff-to-student ratio in the country. From
fiscal year 2004 to fiscal year 2013, the
number of students in Vermont fell nearly
9 percent, from 94,623 to 86,133, according to the Vermont Agency of Education.
During the same time period, the number
of teachers and paraeducators remained
about the same.
Population projections suggest the number
of both students and taxpayers in Vermont
could continue to decline until 2030.
Another factor that has pushed up school
property taxes is that the percentage of the
state education fund coming from the state
general fund has declined from 39 percent
of the education fund in fiscal year 2005
to 33 percent in fiscal year 2013, putting
more pressure on the school property tax,
which funds the bulk of the education
fund.
In Cummings view, Vermont schools have
not been on a spending spree. Schools are
dealing with more behavior problems, some

The standard deductions this year are

$6,200 for a single person and $12,400
for a married couple filing jointly, so the
limits this year would have been $15,500
and $24,800, respectively. Itemized deductions cover such things as property
taxes, mortgage interest, medical expenses,
and charitable deductions, and are used by
a minority of taxpayers.
Advocates of the proposed limits say they
would primarily hit higher-income taxpayers, although others say these are the same
taxpayers who have seen their property
tax bills increase the most in recent years
since they do not receive income-sensitized
property tax adjustments. The limit could
also hit some middle-income single homeowners. Owning a moderately priced house
with a large mortgage and taxes could
easily put a single homeowner over the
$15,500 cap.
Nonprofits dont like the limit on itemized deductions because they say it could
hurt charitable deductions, while real estate interests are unhappy with any limit
on mortgage interest deductions, so the
provision could be modified or dropped
in the Senate if another taxing scheme
emerges there.

Thank you for

supporting The Bridge!

PAG E 6 A P R I L 16 M AY 6 , 2 015

THE BRIDGE

Health Connect Audit Concluded, Sent Out for Review

by Carla Occaso

MONTPELIER Three top members of the state auditors office finished the Vermont
Health Connect audit at the end of March and have sent it off to concerned groups for
review. The audit should be released for public scrutiny next week, if all goes well, according to Doug Hoffer, Vermont state auditor, by telephone April 8.
The undertaking started last August and involved multiple layers of investigation, including looking at Vermont Health Connect from the standpoints of technology, finances,
delivery and performance. It was a pretty big beast, Hoffer said.
When Hoffers staff started the audit, it was with the idea that the single-payer option
would be implemented. Hoffer said he still thinks that a single-payer system would have
been doable. I am disappointed we are not still on that tack. Most Vermonters still believe
there is some merit to that (single-payer) from a lot of perspectives, Hoffer said, adding
that he does believe that the state of Vermont has the capacity to run a health program.
When asked why an audit took at least eight months, Hoffer explained that it was a very
complex process. The challenge was, it is a moving target. It was a very complex undertaking. They were about to go into their fall sign-up season, Hoffer said.
However, Hoffer praised his lead senior auditor for her background, skill and expertise.
One is a very senior member, who is incredibly experienced, Hoffer said regarding Linda
Lambert. Lambert is highly trained in information technology as well as being a financial
auditor, according to the state website. Before joining the Vermont auditing team, she
worked for the U.S. Government Accountability Office. Hoffer did not name the other
members of the auditing team who worked on the Health Connect audit.
Ongoing Health Connect fiascos caused primarily by a faulty website also came up at a
press conference on Wednesday, April 8, in the governors ceremonial office. As a result

of technology malfunctions over the past year, the state has not been able to properly process premiums for the participating insurance companies, and those companies are still
owed millions of dollars, it was said. In addition, if a person is seeking insurance files for
a change of circumstances, the change must still be processed manually. That problem
is scheduled to be resolved by the end of May, according to Vermont Health Connect
spokesman Sean Sheehan. For now, though, it is still a manual process, Sheehan said. It
is a work-around process. It will be a much faster turnaround (once the website can process those changes). There is still quite a backlog. I think that is something that is going
to be a pretty heavy lift until the change of circumstance function is fixed, Sheehan said.
So even though the audit is done for now, problems, processes, and expenditures continue
to be a concern.
Those curious about just what went wrong and how much it cost are going to get their
questions answered soon, according to Hoffer. After the audit is reviewed by the parties
members of Vermont Health Access, the Agency of Human Services, the Department
for Children and Families, and the administration it will be returned to the auditors
office with questions and comments. After the auditors respond to the input, the document will be available to the public, most likely next week. In addition to the lengthy,
detailed version of the audit, a two-page condensed and summarized version of the information will be provided.
Hoffer explained that the aim of the auditors office is to make sure the money the state
has received was spent as it was intended to be spent by looking at programs and the
internal workings of state government. His office is also supposed to look for savings and
inform debate in the legislature.

Montpelier Woman Indicted for Heroin Conspiracy

MONTPELIER The Vermont State's attorney has reported that Kimberly Kuncz,
45, of Montpelier, and Chris Ross, 51, of New York City, were arraigned April 2 before
United States Magistrate Judge John M. Conroy in connection with an indictment returned by the federal grand jury charging Ross and Kuncz with conspiracy to distribute
heroin.
According to court papers, Ross and Kuncz were arrested during the evening of March
19 after members of the Vermont Drug Task Force, working in cooperation with the
Montpelier Police Department and Vermont State Police, observed Kuncz meet Ross as
he arrived in Montpelier by train. Court papers indicate that law enforcement was aware
that Kuncz was involved in heroin distribution and that she expected to be resupplied
that evening. During a search of Ross, Vermont State Police discovered within his pants
approximately 1,700 individual dosage unit bags of a substance that tested positive for
heroin. Ross denied knowledge of the items found within his pants.

At their arraignment, both Kuncz and Ross entered pleas of not guilty.If convicted,
Kuncz and Ross face a maximum possible penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine up to
$1 million. Following the arraignment, Kuncz was ordered released but remains subject
to supervision by the United States Probation Office. Ross remains in the custody of the
United States Marshals Service. This matter is being investigated by the Vermont Drug
Task force, working in cooperation with the Montpelier Police Department.

Got a news tip? We want to know!

Send it to us at: editorial@montpelierbridge.com

P.O. Box 1143, Montpelier, VT 05601

Phone: 802-223-5112
Fax: 802-223-7852
Editor & Publisher: Nat Frothingham
Managing Editor: Carla Occaso
Guest Editor: Joyce Kahn
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Distribution: Tim Johnson, Kevin Fair,
Diana Koliander-Hart, Daniel Renfro
Editorial: 223-5112, ext. 14, or
editorial@montpelierbridge.com.
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Copyright 2015 by The Bridge

A P R I L 16 M AY 6 , 2 015 PAG E 7

T H E B R I D G E

Hunger in Vermont: Plenty of Food, but Still Falling Short

by Nat Frothingham

n putting together this Food and Farming issue, The Bridge talked with three
people on the front lines of the current
effort to address local hunger problems.
These three people are: Judy Stermer, director of communications with the Vermont
Foodbank; Joseph Kiefer, food justice consultant; and Justin Turcotte, chef at the Montpelier Senior Activity Center and owner of
Good Taste Catering.
All three agreed that hunger problems in Vermont arent new. All three agreed that hunger
problems are growing. All three agreed that
what were doing now is applying Band-aids
and patching. Handing out food and money
right now can save lives and provide immediate help. But handouts are also creating
dependency. And handouts are failing to address fundamental hunger problems.
Judy Stermer, Vermont Foodbank
Judy Stermers comments included a declaration and a question. Her declaration:
Food is our most basic human need. Her
question: Where is the political will to
end hunger?
Stermer provided the following statistics.
According to the Hunger in America 2014
Report the food bank is currently serving
153,000 people a year. Thats 153,000 separate or unique visitors, Stermer pointed
out.
Drawing her information from the U.S.
Department of Agriculture, Stermer said,
We know that about 84,000 people in
Vermont are food insecure. We also know,
she said, that more people are using the
charitable food system to get by at the end
of the month.
The end of the month can be a tough time
for those in need. Said Stermer, quoting
again from the report 63 percent of the

(food banks) clients are having to choose

between food and heating expenses at the
end of the month.
So how might we describe the people who
are getting helped by the Vermont Foodbank?
They might be working at minimum wage
and living from paycheck to paycheck.
Theyre likely to be the first to lose their
jobs during a recession and the last to get
re-employed, Shermer said.
People arent hungry because there isnt
enough food. Theyre hungry because they
dont have jobs that pay a decent living.
Because of wealth disparity; because of
poverty. We need business leaders, political
leaders, elected officials, everyone, to start
caring about this issue, Shermer said.
Joseph Kiefer, food justice consultant
Once under Gov. Madeleine Kunin and
twice under Gov. James Douglas, Joseph
Kiefer has served on the Vermont Task
Force on Hunger.
We have managed and maintained hunger as we know it, said Kiefer about what
the state has achieved with its anti-hunger
initiatives.
Kiefer, along with Joseph Gainza, was one
of the co-founders of the Vermont Foodbank in 1983. Its a necessary component
of hunger relief. But its not the solution,
Kiefer said.
Quoting the familiar adage, Kiefer said,
If you give someone a fish, they eat for
the day. If you teach someone to fish, they
eat for a lifetime. Internationally, food aid
hasnt solved hunger problems, its created
dependence. We need to look at food aid.
Is food aid really teaching people how to
grow, preserved, store food?
In our history as a rural, agricultural state,

Kiefer said, we created a locally-based

food system and elders passed along their
knowledge to younger people. Now were
decades off the land and were highly dependent. Increasingly, as well, were afflicted with diet-related diseases. We have
rampant diabetes, heart disease, rampant
obesity.
People want a quick fix: A check for
$100, Kiefer said. They want a hand-out
of food. That will make people feel good.
But when those cans of food are open and
empty, theres no knowledge or experience.
Instead, theres only growing poverty and
income inequality: limited resources and
limited amounts trickling down. Kiefer
said that the current Band-aid approach to
dealing with hunger is short-term. Were
being fooled if we think those are solutions.
Those are bandages over an ever-worsening
crisis, he said.
Kiefer is currently involved with a Good
Food/Good Medicine project through a
nonprofit organization in Barre. The project includes these activities: year-round
gardening, cooking, nutrition, herbalism
and leadership development. Its all about
the power of food. Our focus is diabetes
prevention. Most of the people who work
with us have diabetes. How do we re-think
our diets?
As he looks out more broadly at the entire
state, Kiefer is advocating mandatory community service beginning at pre-school all
the way to high school and college. We
could become the food state, he said. We
could champion food self-sufficiency and
food self-reliance.
Justin Turcotte, senior center chef and
owner of Good Taste Catering
Justin Turcotte said people are hungry
not just for food but for quality food.
Our industrial food is covered with condi-

ments. When you eat whole foods, you are

satisfied.
Its not enough to turn up at a meal and
eat. Its being around food when its being
prepared. Its sitting at a table with friends
and family. There are a lot of people who
are well fed, but are still hungry, Turcotte
said. Youve got heart disease, diabetes,
obesity, hypertension. These are self-inflicted. People are overeating because the
food is not satisfying. For thousands of
years, we were around cooking. People are
hungry to be part of the food preparation.
The more people can get involved in making and preparing food, the less hungry
they will be. Turcotte has observed people
who continue to eat even after theyve had
enough food. Your stomach is not empty
and you keep eating. Is this a need for more
calories, or is it an emotional need?
Parents arent spending the time cooking,
said Turcotte. Whole generations of kids
dont know how to prepare food. Instead
people are purchasing food they cant afford and that isnt satisfying.
Turcotte then discussed the value of the
dining experience. At the Montpelier Senior Activity Center, people who participate in the lunch program get a proper
plate, a proper knife, fork and spoon. He
said that setting the table is part of the
experience. This goes back thousands of
years. This is in our DNA. The quality
of the food local, organic, fresh and
the place settings are all important to what
good properly prepared food produces in
better health and greater enjoyment.

Tell them you

saw it in
The Bridge!

PAG E 8 A P R I L 16 M AY 6 , 2 015

THE BRIDGE

Caring for the Community with Montpelier Rotarys

Backpack Program
by Michelle A.L. Singer

2010-2012 US Census, 13 percent of all

Vermont households are food insecure,
and more than 25,000 children under 18
live in food insecure households. Thats
32 percent of Vermonters who cannot afford either enough food or enough nutritious food.

hat does a bagful of instant

oatmeal, tuna fish, peanut butter, orange juice, milk, tomato
soup, breakfast bars, beef stew, corn, mac
and cheese, a toothbrush, toothpaste, and
a bar of soap mean to you? If you are one
of the 1-in-5 kids in America, including
in Vermont, who live in homes that are
food insecure, its a lifeline. Thats what
Robert Lehmert, a Montpelier Rotarian
and facilitator of the backpack program at
Union Elementary School, calls it.

We are seeing a number of parents working two or three jobs to make ends meet,
paying bills, and not having enough
money left to purchase food, continues
Ortiz. This has become the norm in our
society. We see parents losing their jobs
and are struggling to find work; we see
others having a sudden illness or death
in the family. All of these situations can
cause food hardship. No matter what the
situation is, hunger affects all walks of
life. Many parents are grateful for the
backpack program. As one parent said,
There are people who care about us, by
providing free food for our kids. For this
reason alone, I feel the backpack program
is helping lots of students in need. We
are making sure that children are being
fed, living longer and growing strong
which will ultimately help children develop healthy habits for success.

People coordinating the backpack program send a bag of food home every Friday
in the backpacks of almost 40 Union Elementary students. The Vermont Foodbank
runs backpack projects in other central
Vermont schools, but Union Elementary
doesnt qualify because only 30 percent of
kids there receive free or reduced lunches,
and the cut-off is 50 percent.

We knew there was a problem, says

Lehmert. Some of my fellow Rotarians
had personal experiences as hungry school
kids. When he joined the Montpelier Rotary Club last April, he knew he was joining a service organization but didnt know
he would be on the front line of the biggest
project the Rotary has ever done. Our
Lehmert uses an iPhone app called Foodbackpack project with Union Elementary Volunteers help pack bags at Just Basics, Inc in the basement of Trinity Church
ucate to check nutritional value of food he
for the Montpelier Rotary's Backpack Program at Union Elementary School.
School is a new project, first undertaken
purchases for the program. He holds up
From left to right, Rotary volunteers Robert Lehmert, Dave Rubel, John Madin January, he says. It represents our dox, Bill Pinchbeck, Dona Bate, Joannie Pinchbeck, and Kristen Andrews,
an item code, and the app finds the prodlargest donation, and we committed the executive director of Just Basics Inc.
uct and gives an analysis of its nutritional
rest of our budget to fund it to the end of
content. He makes sure the products are
the school year and as long as we can after
not excessively salty, sugary or contain
that. They have also received private donations and grants from VSECU and Commu- too many fats, and if necessary spends more to provide better products.
nity National Bank.
Dave Rubel, past president and board member of the Montpelier Rotary Club and comThe Rotary has worked closely with the Vermont Foodbank, getting inspiration and logistical guidance, and coordinates closely with Just Basics Inc. in Montpelier to pull the
program together. Diadel K. Ortiz, program director of Community Connections and
backpack coordinator at Union Elementary, provides the final link in the chain, connecting the program to the school. Students who can benefit from the program are identified
by Ortiz, teachers and staff. Bags are placed in students backpacks or cubbies on Fridays
by teachers when the students are at recess or another convenient time when the classroom
is empty. The idea is to be subtle, low-key, says Lehmert, to avoid stigma.

Ortiz makes sure kids receive bags and take them home, and coordinates some customization for allergies and absences. He says, When we started the backpack program in
January, we had 17 students participating; now we have 38. We are seeing a need for this
program here at Montpelier schools. Times are hard for many families, and this program
helps them in many ways. Childhood hunger remains a serious issue for public schools.
Its not just happening in big cities and countries around the world, it is happening in our
own backyard. I see some students regularly coming to school hungry because they are
not getting enough to eat at home. Students are coming to school hungry two or more
times each week. Most students rely on school meals as their primary source of nutrition.
And a majority of educators, who see hunger as a problem, find that food insecurity harms
childrens health and development.
Hunger Free Vermont defines food insecurity as the lack of access to enough food to
fully meet basic needs at all times due to lack of financial resources. According to the

mercial loan portfolio manager at Community National Bank, says, The Backpack Program is a perfect example of an idea that someone had that just needed an organization
to get behind it and support it. When people want to do something for the community
but dont know how, the Rotary can help. Rubel was on hand to pack food bags in the
basement of Trinity Church where Just Basics is located where he said, "It feels good to
know that we are helping the community and that kids are going home with food in their
backpack to get them through the weekend.
You can help them by making food donations to Just Basics Inc. located in the basement
of Trinity Church at 137 Main St. in Montpelier. You can also buy a ticket to the Rotarys
Mud Season Charity Raffle. A ticket at $100 buys entrance for two to a cocktails and hors
doeuvres evening (over 21 years old only) on May 1 at Central Vermont Memorial Civic
Center on Gallison Hill Road. Raffle prizes include ten $100 cash prizes, one $1,000 cash
prize, one $2000 cash prize, and a grand prize of $10,000. Contact RobLehmert@mac.
com for additional information or to reserve tickets.
Lehmert anticipates continuing the Backpack Program indefinitely, with support. He is
looking to meet the challenge of spring break, when students may need an extra bag to
cover vacation and perhaps to expand the program into the summer as well. Its such a
basic need, everything flows from being challenged physically on that level, says Lehmert. How can you grow in your potential if you dont know where your next meal is
coming from?

RecyclE This Paper!

A P R I L 16 M AY 6 , 2 015 PAG E 9

T H E B R I D G E

New Restaurant to Provide

Southern Comfort
by Carla Occaso

MONTPELIER The tortoise that used to reside in the childrens book room of the
former Rivendell Books has moved across the street into Bear Pond Books and workers
have already started toiling away to turn the building on the corner of Langdon and
Main into a restaurant.
Mary Alice Proffitt, of Calais by way of Georgia and North Carolina, is renting the
property at 100 Main St. from Karl Miller. Proffitt said she has teamed up with restaurateur Jimmy Kennedy of Mississippi to serve Southern comfort food. Kennedy
is well known in central Vermont for running the popular River Run restaurant in
Plainfield for many years. Proffitt, standing in front of the property dressed in blue
jeans and a bandana on April 13, said she did not have time to answer more questions
because she had to get back to work.
The project came to public attention when Proffitt submitted plans to the Design
Review Committee and then the Development Review Board. The Design Review
Committee recommended approval for her application for design review, change-ofuse and site plan during its March 24 meeting, pending assurance that a ramp to allow
wheelchair access would be made out of extremely durable material, such as granite or
metal, to protect it from the sidewalk snowplow. In addition, Proffitt has asked for and
received permission to install windows on the wall facing Langdon street that currently
is covered in red clapboards. The windows would be either four double hung windows
(such as are in the upper floors) or two large picture windows. Proffitt also plans to
create a new sign and awning. The application has also received approval on April 6
from the Development Review Board.
The property is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Mary Alice Proffitt stands in front of the property that will house her
new restaurant. Photo by Carla Occaso.

Featured Photo

Stems stretch out for sunshine, leaves relax in warmth. Welcome, April.
Photo by Daniel A. Neary, Jr.

PAG E 10 A P R I L 16 M AY 6 , 2 015

THE BRIDGE

Restoration Planned for Old

Labor Hall Bakery
by Carolyn Shapiro

have recently volunteered to head up the campaign for a project developed by the
Barre Historical Society to restore a wood-fired bakery built by Italian granite workers in 1913.

The bakery, a brick building, located behind the Old Labor Hall at 46 Granite St. was
originally known as the Union Cooperative Store Bakery and is fittingly listed on the
National Register of Historic Places. It played a significant role in Barres Italian immigrant history and in Americas labor history as well. The bakery provide old-world
style bread for a growing Italian immigrant community. Many of these immigrants were
workers in the towns thriving granite industry. These immigrants were also actively
involved in the socialist labor movement.
Built through the collective and volunteer efforts of the Italian granite workers, the
Union Cooperative Store Bakery was able to expand the number of loaves of bread delivered to the Italian community to 100 a day. In addition, it played a significant role
in a growing baking industry in Vermont, acting as a springboard for the careers of
some of Barres most well-known and successful bakers, including Batista Fumagalli and
Gioseppi Piccolini.
Some longtime Barre residents still remember the bakery. I spoke with two of them,
Angelo Ambrosini and Winston Presett, at the Old Labor Hall. I started driving the
bread truck for Piccolini in 1941, said Presett. I was 16 years old and had just got my
license. That was my first job, driving the bread truck for Piccolini. I was just driving
during the day, so I didnt see much but the finished bread. The van was a Dodge van,
not a big one, just a regular van. I would load the van, take off, and go to Barre first. We
went right to peoples homes. Bread sold for 16 cents a loaf. Most of it wasnt wrapped in
a wrapper. The loaves were in baskets. I delivered about 75 to 100 loaves of bread. No
one would come into the bakery to buy a loaf of bread. I brought it to the house. And I
got so I could talk pretty good with the Italian people because I delivered to Barre and
Montpelier and it was all Italian people.
Presett continued, In my mind I can see Mr. Piccolini standing there, waist up naked.
Hed take one of the flour sacks and use it for an apron. He was a robust individual, a
real strong man. And he used to knead the bread by hand, not with any machinery. He
would knead it on a counter. There were bins where the bread would rise. And he would
grab the dough and throw it up on the counter. I remember it was to me like punching
the bread.
When I met Karen Lane and Chet Briggs during events at the Old Labor Hall, they
speculated on how they could bring the little brick building behind the labor hall back
to life. Their vision was that it could once again bask in its cultural, social and political
importance.
When the restoration is complete, the bakery will become a culinary and historical educational center for students from such organizations as Capstone Community Actions
Community Kitchen Academy and the Barre Technical Center Bake Shop, as well as
for local bakers, interested students, community members and visitors to the area. In
addition to learning how to bake bread in a wood oven, participants will learn about the
significant way in which the Italian community members cared for each other through
their involvement in the cooperative labor hall, store and bakery.
Like the Italian workers who volunteered their money and time to build the bakery,
the community will also participate in the same type of cooperative effort. In renovating the bakery, youths will be helping as they learn construction skills alongside local
craftsmen.
I have launched an online fundraising Kickstarter campaign, and I encourage everyone
to donate whatever they can to finance the first stages of the restoration of the bakery.
The bakery will be called Rise Up Bakery in honor of the Italian immigrants, the
rising bread, and the community, which will rise up to revive the bakery. For more
information see the link for the Rise Up Bakery on the website for the Old Labor Hall
(www.oldlaborhall.org).

Angelo Ambrosini and Winston Presett at the Labor Hall

Bakery

T H E B R I D G E

A P R I L 16 M AY 6 , 2 015 PAG E 11

How to Make a Million Dollars Farming

Continued from Page 1

I predict that dairy farming will continue to decline; the number of cows might remain
the same, but there will be fewer farms and fewer farm families. Its a hard way to make
a living. The hours are long. If the farmer kept accurate records of his or her days, it
probably pays less than minimum wage. And most of the time you smell like cow shit.
Tunbridge Central School is looking for a new principal. The hours are long. You have
to enjoy endless meetings, paperwork, disciplining bullies and smart alecks. But it pays
well: $84,460. I dont know any dairy farmers who made $84,460 last year. In fact, I
dont know any farmers who made $84,460 last year. Is it possible to make that much
selling beef or pork or chicken at farmers markets? Or selling garlic to local co-ops? Or
lamb to New York restaurants? Maple syrup? Apples? PYO strawberries or blueberries?
Christmas trees? Artisanal cheese? Maybe. I really dont know. Investigations for future
columns.
As the only sheep farmer in America who has made four feature films, I have a recommendation for the reader (its a 1:39 minute short that I wish Id made): Google Mitchell and Webb SituationFarmingYouTube.

Dress Donation to Help

Committee
by Nat Frothingham

ontpelier High School teacher Barb Austin-Hutchins captures a moment of

excitement as she shows off a display of prom dresses now on sale at MHS.
According to Austin-Hutchins, 96 prom dresses with a combined retail
value of about $16,000 were recently donated by a central Vermont bridal shop to
MHS to help defray the costs of the schools May 2 Junior Prom. Each prom dress will
be sold at the bargain basement price of $5. All proceeds from the prom dress sale will
be used by the Junior Prom Committee to pay for such things as decorations and the
band.
In addition to the Junior Prom on May 2, there is a second prom in Montpelier on
May 30 the Senior Prom: A Night in the City sponsored by the Montpelier Senior
Activity Center. The Senior Prom will be held at the National Life Building Ballroom
on May 30 from 7 to 10:30 p.m. a community celebration for all ages with proceeds to support the Montpelier Senior Activity Center.
Of the 96 prom dresses donated, 56 of those dresses have been turned over to the
Montpelier Senior Activity Center. Those dresses will be sold by the Senior Center
and the Senior Center and the Junior Prom Committee will split the proceeds. The
Junior Prom Committee has offered their help to put up decorations for the Senior
Prom at National Life.
To purchase tickets to the Senior Prom, please visit the Montpelier Senior Activity
Center at 58 Barre Street or go online to seniorprom.bpt.me

Center Farm in East Montpelier. Photo by Michael Jermyn

PAG E 12 A P R I L 16 M AY 6 , 2 015

THE BRIDGE

A Message From City Hall

This page was paid for by the City of Montpelier.

Lets Get to Work

by William Fraser, City Manager

offer congratulations to council

members Jessica Edgerly Walsh,
Tom Golonka and Anne Watson on
their re-election. Congratulations are
also due to new school board members
Steve Hingtgen and Tina Muncy on
their elections.

I thank the voters of Montpelier for

their strong support of the Citys budget. Each year we struggle with finding
the balance between delivering services
and presenting reasonable budgets for
consideration. We are grateful for your
support and will continue to strive to
provide the best possible services for
you.
With the weather finally turning to
spring like conditions, this is the time
for the city government to move forward with various initiatives and plans.
A lot is happening in our small city.
Capital Plan
The approved budget contained an additional $166,300 in our capital plan
funding meaning that $498,900 has
been added over the last two years.
This was the 3rd year of a six year
phase in with another $166,300
planned to be added in each of the
next three years. At the end of this
period, the annual capital plan funding (roads, streets, sidewalks, retaining walls, culverts, bridges, equipment)
will be $997,800 (63%) higher than
the FY13 base amount of $1,572,404.
You will see more and more work being
done to improve our old and failing
infrastructure.
This plan allows for more and more
infrastructure work to be completed
each year while avoiding a huge tax impact by increasing funding all at once.
Citizens will see steady progress on the
roads but will not see them all repaired
at once. It has taken several years for
these conditions to develop and will
take a few years before most of the
roads have been completed.
The plan is designed to provide steady
state funding so that once streets have
been repaired, there is sufficient money
to maintain them to acceptable standards.

Road Classifications
It is important to understand how
roads are classified and how work on
them is performed and funded.
Class 1. These are roads (often State
numbered routes) within communities
for which major repair responsibility
falls on the State of Vermont Agency
of Transportation. VTrans schedules,
directs and pays for the work on Class
1 roads. The City is responsible for
minor maintenance (pothole patching,
etc.) The City has very little say over
when work is done on these roads.
Class 1 highways in Montpelier are
Main Street (downtown Route 12
section), State Street, Northfield Street,
Elm Street, River Street, Spring Street,
Berlin Street (Route 2 section), East
Montpelier Road and Memorial Drive.
Class 2. These are local roads which
serve as major connectors and which
carry high volumes of traffic. They
are typically longer and more expensive
to repair. The State provides funding
for Class 2s but it is competitive within
regions and cant be relied upon annually. Therefore the city must choose
whether to use all of its own money
for these roads or seek to leverage State
dollars. Our estimate is that it will cost
$1.5 million to completely repair all the
Class 2 roads.
Class 2 highways in Montpelier are
Towne Hill Road, Barre Street, Gallison Hill Road, Main Street (from
roundabout to City line), Graves
Street, Terrace Street, Taylor Street,
Elm Street (from Spring to State), Bailey Avenue, Montpelier Junction Road,
Berlin Street (up Berlin Hill to City
line).
Class 3. Virtually all other roads and
streets in Montpelier are Class 3 roads.
These roads are fully maintained and
funded by the City.
Class 4. There are very few Class
4 roads in the City. These are roads
which do not meet full standards.
They may be city owned but do not
receive regular maintenance. Some are
only open seasonally.
Questions frequently come up about
which streets are paved and why other

streets are not repaired. There are

many factors which go into these decisions including:
Pavement Condition Index (PCI).
All roads are evaluated annually for
their condition and given a specific
numerical PCI rating.
Type of work needed. Street work
generally falls into three categories
repair, rehabilitation and reconstruction. Repair is the least expensive and
may involve simple repaving and slight
resloping of drainage. Rehabilitation is
more expensive and involves stripping
the asphalt, improving the base underneath, and making other subsurface
improvements. Reconstruction is the
most expensive and involves completely
rebuilding the road from its sub-base to
its surface.
Other related work necessary. Each
road is also evaluated for the other
projects which may be related such
as water or sewer line repairs under
the road, storm drain work, culverts,
sidewalks and other use considerations
(bike lanes, etc.) A road may be in
very bad shape but also requires extensive water line work first so as not to
keep digging up a newly repaired pavement to fix leaking pipes. Such water
and sewer line work is extraordinarily
expensive, much more so than road
repair, and therefore creates a challenging decision point.
Considerations
Although extensive water improvement projects are needed, a review of
the water fund shows that there is not
enough money available to do any significant water improvement projects
for at least 5 years.
Based on historical records, the frequency of Montpelier being awarded
Class II paving grants is very low. After
receiving funding for Berlin Hill two
years ago it will likely be a few years
before Montpelier is awarded another
Class II paving grant. DPW will however continue to apply for this funding
annually.
The Complete Streets initiative requires
streets to be evaluated for bike and pedestrian accommodations. The Bike
and Pedestrian Master Plan is needed
to identify specific improvements and
is expected to be complete next year.
Depending on the recommendations
made in this plan, significant changes
may need to be made to the paving cost
estimates.
2015 Projects
With projects come construction and
some inconvenience for travelers and
residents. These are the active construction projects currently planned for

2015. As more specific dates are available we will share that information.
Paving Portions of Towne Hill Road,
portions of Main Street, National Life
Drive, Prospect Street, Grandview Terrace and Spring Hollow Lane.
Sewer River Street sewer main.
Sidewalks Bailey Avenue, East State
Street, North Street
Storm Systems North Franklin
Street culvert. Terrace Street culvert,
Towne Street combined sewer overflow.
Information
For those of you who want to stay
abreast of information about city government, there are several ways to do
so:
All meetings of Boards, Commissions,
Committees and the like are open to
the public.
This article in The Bridge is written
by the Mayor or me and is published
monthly.
The Citys website www.montpelier-vt.
org includes news, updates, notices and
information about projects as well as
agendas, minutes and other meeting
documents. All documents which go
to the City Council for meetings are
posted publicly. The website will be
completely overhauled and upgraded
this year with the new platform to
launch in 2016.
All (or most) Council meetings and
meetings of major boards and committees are broadcast and often rebroadcast on local cable TV.
All (or most) of the above meetings are
both streamed and archived for viewing on the citys website.
The City has a Facebook page City of
Montpelier, VT official which posts
updates and also links some updates
from the website.
The City has a Twitter account @VTMontpelier which also posts updates
and links from the website.
The City often posts information on
Front Porch Forum
The Annual Report, distributed in
February and posted online, provides
an overview of the city governments
year.
Finally, of course, please feel free to
contact me or your elected officials
with questions or comments about the
City Government. I can be reached
at wfraser@montpelier-vt.org or 802223-9502. Other city officials email
addresses and phone numbers are available on the web.
Thank you for reading this article and
for your interest in Montpelier city
government.

Column
T H E B R I D G E

A P R I L 16 M AY 6 , 2 015 PAG E 13

Hands-on

Gardener
Time to Start the Seedlings

Sparge:

by Miriam Hansen

fter a month in the Southwest, it has only taken a day or so for us to get mighty tired
of the cold weather!

We planted onions, parsley, celery and some of the slower germinating annual and perennials before
we leftverb.
in early A
March.
My daughter
also started tomatoes,
peppers, eggplant,
/sprj/
brewing
technique
that extracts
the
lettuce, spinach and arugula mid-March for planting out in the greenhouse. But Im only
sugar
from
grains
by longer
exposing
the
grainsthetolaterwater.
starting
the bulk
of my the
seedlings
now. The
Ive been
gardening,
I start
my plants. Ive been hearing that from experienced gardeners for many years and theres
Celery, parsley, lettuce and spinach seedlings.
a lot to be said for it. Even tomatoes, peppers and eggplant only need to be started six to
Photo courtesy of Miriam Hansen.
eight weeks before you set them out in the garden. And lets face it, in spite of the recent
turn in the weather, were probably not going to be planting warm weather crops much respond to high organic matter and good nutrition.
before the end of May.
While it may be true that beets like slightly sweeter soil (higher pH), peppers set fruit
Early-to mid-April really is the time to start most seedlings. Everything from the heat lov- better with less nitrogen, and radishes are not as fussy as some vegetables, what I have
ers like tomatoes to cool season crops like broccoli and cauliflower should be started now. learned over the years, is that regardless of what individual plants prefer, the better the
I do wait until early May to start the cucumbers, melons and squash. They germinate condition of the soil, the better your crop. And that means applications of compost or
so quickly and grow so rapidly, if you give them more than four weeks from seeding to composted manure and/or rotation with manure producers like chickens or pigs or rotatransplanting outside, they become leggy and root bound.
tion with green manures.
The onions I started in February came up handily but while we were gone, about half We still have a freezer full of chickens, so this year instead of raising and rotating crops
of them died. Very peculiar. My best guess is that they dried out and then got too wet. with chickens, were going to put a third of the garden into a green manure mix of field
Luckily Im getting onion seedlings from Dixondale through Dave Grundys onion co-op. peas, oats and hairy vetch. Unlike buckwheat, which contributes to soil tilth and weed
The seedlings are due to arrive and be planted out in early May.
suppression, this green manure adds nitrogen to the soil. We will need that nitrogen next
My vow to start less celery has come to naught. Its hard to throw a seed away. But weve
eaten most of what I froze last year, so Im glad to have the plants. I have discovered that
while you can freeze celery without blanching, it holds much better and has a much better
flavor if you do blanch it for a couple of minutes before freezing.
Out of the fussy dust-like Lisianthus seed I planted, 10 plants have survived. Im really
looking forward to the blooms though they will have to be quite spectacular to convince
me to go through this laborious process again. Perennial Astra double blue balloon flowers on the other hand, were easy to germinate and are that knock-your-socks-off blue
that gardeners find hard to resist. The snapdragons peach and bronze Twinny (dwarf
varieties) and Orange Chantilly are up and ready to transplant.
Flowers, like vegetables, are addictive. Having vowed to cut back on vegetable varieties, I
find myself with five kinds of zinnias including Cut and Come Again, Profusion and
Zahara series. Its like that game where you cover one hole and three things pop out
of holes that were hitherto invisible. Regardless, Im ready to start the zinnias, cosmos,
gazanias and marigolds. It is interesting to note, that different seed companies recommend starting zinnias at different times. Parks says to start two to three weeks before the
last frost date. Johnnys recommends four weeks and Pinetree six to eight weeks. What
to do? I started them all six to eight weeks before the last frost and will transplant them
into larger pots when they outgrow the little recycled mushroom containers I seeded them
into. If you grow only one annual you could do far worse than zinnias! They are colorful,
floriferous, compact and pretty foolproof.
I will wait to plant morning glories, sweet peas and nasturtiums. They germinate really
quickly and grow twice as fast. I have started many different kinds of poppies indoors but
admit that they can be tricky. Poppies have taproots that dont like to be disturbed. If
you want to start your own perennial poppies, do them in individual little plastic pots so
that when you transplant them into the garden, there is minimal disturbance to the roots.
This is also the time to start basil and cilantro. Remember, if youre a cilantro lover, start it
every two to three weeks the way you would lettuce. I generally pop my first crop into the
cold frame right about now, along with lettuce, spinach and arugula that we started midMarch. Radishes are another quick crop that can be started really early and sown every three
weeks or so for a continual supply. Ive had tremendous luck growing radishes the last couple
of years and can only say this. Radishes, like pretty much all the plants you will grow, will

year when we have no chicken manure to till in.

One form of manure we are seeing a lot of this spring has been left by the deer. Lets talk
about deer next month. Meanwhile, happy gardening and happy spring!

PAG E 14 A P R I L 16 M AY 6 , 2 015

THE BRIDGE

Landscape and nature paintings by Kit Farnsworth are now on

display through May 9 at the Royalton Memorial Library in South
Royalton. For more information see Visual Arts section of the calendar
on page 23. Shown here is "Railroad Trestle over the Pompanoosuc."

Students from the Pacem School learn how to make empanadas.

Pictured here from left are Huck Slesa, 15; Liam Walker, 15; Maya
Fried, 12; Alywin Morgan, 10; Constancia Gomez, teacher.
Photo by Carla Occaso.

Poem

High
Altitudes
by Peter Buknatski
near the very top
there are places where
you must not step
there is a living
so delicate
it must remain
untouched
to provide
such pleasure
this is where
we can speak
what is true only
after catching
our breath
every word
a sweetness
that could perish
in the thin air

YOU, HERE? Art by Jim Picone of Green Mountain Orthopeadic Surgery peeks out through the signature Vermont College of Fine
Arts 3D sign on the college green. Photo by Phil Dodd.

A P R I L 16 M AY 6 , 2 015 PAG E 15

T H E B R I D G E

Living in a World of Maple

by Bette Lambert

Welcome to my world.

Bettes my right-hand man!

As a child, at sugaring time on our farm, I

shared the thrills of riding on the gathering
sled, clutching the edge of the strainer to
stay on, as the bulldozer lurched over hummocks in the sugarwoods. When the sap
tank was full, we were apt to be drenched
as it overflowed. This was my world, and
made the homes of my friends, in the village, seem tame in comparison.

Out-of-town relatives come, calling first

to see if the sap is running. Strangers stop
down at the side of the road, braving the
mud, and coming in to tell about how
their fathers used to sugar. Many times
the company carries some armfuls of wood
in from the woodshed, sharing that unending task.

My dad was patient, as we frequented the

dinner pail back in the sugar house, asking
him to open the door of the arch so we
could roast our hotdogs on the roaring fire.
And then again for marshmallows. I never
got the feeling that we were a bother. He
never let on, telling our visitors over and
over again about the syrup making process,
from start to finish. He scooped up some
syrup to show how it "aprons" when done,
and gave everyone a little cup of hot, new
syrup. We all took a turn holding up the
grading kit to the light in the window, to
see what grade the drawn off syrup was.
Dad was proud to make the very lightest,
and would be surprised to see how many
choose the robust grade these days. As
I got older, he would proudly tell visitors,

The sugar house is always open for visitors, as a small ad announces in the local
paper. Neighbors might stop by later in
the evening, and stand around comparing
their production with ours. The old sugar
house had a couch and recliner, and lots
of coats for sleepy little ones to snuggle
under. A group of high school students
came for several years from Cambridge,
Massachusetts, and had a great time riding
on the gathering sled through the woods
and trying their hand at emptying the
buckets and wallowing through the deep
snow. Busses of local school children come
as well, lining up for paper cups of first,
sap, and then hot, new syrup to sample.
A tapping demonstration and talk of how
the sap progresses through the evaporator
is exciting to them. Then they go upstairs

Solar-powered sugarhouse

Boiling the sap in the evaporator. Photo by Jack Powell.

to enjoy sugar on snow, pickles and raised
doughnuts. What a magnificent place, enveloped in clouds of steam, looking down
on the big evaporator. I watch them and
wonder if one will be bitten by the sugaring bug.
When I married, my new husband, from
Minnesota, had not even seen maple sugaring. Many nights I would milk, and
across the pasture to the north, he would
boil. Our little ones ran in between, giving me reports of how much their daddy
had drawn off. As our six children grew
up, they joined our passion for sugaring,
walking with us through the woods, installing new lines of tubing, taking over
the boiling, and making the finest maple
syrup, cream and candies. How I enjoy
listening to them explain the process, start
to finish, with pride and excitement, when
visitors come to see the sugar house. My
husband often said, Our work is their
greatest play.
Many folks visit our new, solar-powered
sugar house. There is an interest now in all
renewable resources, which we have always
had. The waste wood from our logging operation is burned in our traditionally wood
fired arch. The sugar bush is thinned and
cared for to promote the healthiest trees.
There is a second floor platform in the new
sugar house, giving a spectacular view of
the boiling.
Visitors bask in the clouds of steam, and
love the photography opportunity. We par-

ticipate in the state of Vermont Open Sugar

House weekend, with samples of maple
products and treats like big old-fashioned
raised doughnuts with hot syrup and hot
dogs boiled in sap. This summer, a chamber of commerce tour enjoyed a maple
sugar covered nuts demonstration, and
watched David tap a maple stump with an
old fashioned brace and bit, and then with
a battery drill. Tourists are welcome to
walk out into the sugarwoods, and see the
grid of tubing running between the trees.
Yes, we always hope to sell some syrup and
other maple products, but we also have
a passion for sharing our passion the
pure, delicious products we make, our love
for farming, the unpredictability, weather
challenges, family. There are 24 of us,
counting little ones, living along a stretch
of mile-long dirt road between the sugar
house and the dairy farm. "Can you milk
tonight? Can you bring more coffee to
the sugar house? Where's Mom?" Someone
always is able to fill in a need, or a want.
Welcome to my world where one day
you might find me checking sap lines,
another, making maple candy, or some late
night, listening to the rolling boil in the
sugar house. Visitors are welcome!
Silloway Maple is located at 1303 Boudro
Rd. in Randolph Center. For more information about the farm, call 272-6249 or email
info@sillowaymaple.com.

PAG E 16 A P R I L 16 M AY 6 , 2 015

Mayfest Takes Shape For the

First Weekend in May
by Ashley Witzenberger

ver the years Montpelier has become the place to be the first weekend in May.
Downtown will be bustling with folks getting outside to enjoy time as a community after a long winter. This year will be no different. When the Montpelier
Business Association made a list of all of the happenings this year, they elected to name
the weekend Montpelier Mayfest.
It seems just about every business and organization has something happening and this year
will be no different. The cornerstone events are always the opening day of the Farmers
Market, the Onion River bike swap, Three Penny Taprooms Montbeerlier and Green Up
Day.
The fun begins Friday, May 1, with Montpelier Alives spring Art Walk. The theme is
maple and there will be all kinds of maple goodies and art at venues all over downtown
Montpelier. Then head over to the grange for a benefit dance celebrating 100 years of the
Capital City Grange.
Saturday, May 2, marks the opening day of the Capital City Farmers Market from 9 a.m.
to 1 p.m. at 60 State St., where you'll find more than 50 farmers, food producers and
craftspeople. You can also find the Green Up Day table at the market where volunteers can
pick up trash bags, T-shirts and a coupon page before going off to help clean up our city!
Get ready for the Onion River Sports bike swap on Saturday by digging up your old bikes
and getting them all cleaned up. They will begin accepting bikes starting Monday, April
27. They will help you price your bike and sell it for you on the day of the swap. They also
accept used trailers, tag-a-longs, unicycles, balance bikes and jogging strollers, so there are
plenty of opportunities to swap your quality used gear for a check or store credit. This
event is a family favorite!
The bike swap is in the Onion River parking lot from 9 a.m. to noon. After, the parking
lot is transformed for a sixth annual anniversary celebration of Three Penny Taproom
and Montbeerlier. From 3-9 p.m. enjoy a beer garden, special and rare cask beers, housemade sausages on the grill, and live music from the Mad Mountain Scramblers and the
Full Cleveland.
As always, Lost Nation Theater is working hard and will be performing two shows on
May 2; a 2 p.m. matinee of Treasure Island and at 8 p.m. enjoy Eurydice a show about
a woman dying too young on her wedding day. Eurydice journeys to the underworld. She
reunites with her father and struggles to remember her lost love.
Start off Saturday with all-you-can-eat breakfast at the Boutwell Masonic Center; a fundraiser for the Montpelier Kiwanis Club and tickets are available at the door or from any
Kiwanian. There is also a fundraiser pie breakfast for the Orchard Valley Waldorf School
at a new location, Trinity Church.
The fun continues on Sunday, May 3, with a new event celebrating Independent Bookstore Day at Bear Pond Books marked by a book signing and story time with author Linda
Urban and her new book, Little Red Henry.
Another Montpelier favorite on Sunday is All Species Day. Beginning at noon in Hubbard
Park, calling in the creatures of the four directions, honoring the awakening spring with
song, dance and puppet pageantry. Everyone is invited to come dressed as their favorite
species and join in the festivities. The parade leaves the park at 1 p.m. and arrives at the
State House at 2 p.m. for the Birth of Spring Pageant, maypole dancing and more.
For more information on all Montpelier Mayfest events visit MontpelierAlive.org. See you
in Montpelier!

THE BRIDGE

Montpelie

A P R I L 16 M AY 6 , 2 015 PAG E 17

T H E B R I D G E

er Mayfest
Mark you
r ca lend a
rs fo r
t h es e M o
nt pel i er e
ve n t s
h a ppeni n
g t he fir
st
we e k e nd
of Ma y!

Capital City Farmers Market

Moves Outside
by Carla Occaso
MONTPELIER Nothing says summer Saturday in Montpelier like the Capital City
Farmers Market when it moves outside. And this year some new vendors have signed on to
join a long list of favorites.
Bubbling over with enthusiasm for the event was Carolyn Grodinsky, manager of the market when speaking with The Bridge. One reason I am excited about this farmers market
is it really does feature farmers, we have 10 produce growers and several meat producers,
Grodinsky said. What makes our market special is that 60 percent of our vendors are
selling agriculturally-based products. It could be honey, it could be meat, it could be dried
flowers; maple syrup. Other markets are more craft-and-food-based.
Grodinsky said that in order to join the market, vendors selling food must use at least three
local ingredients from a local farm. For example, Butterfly Bakery makes seasonal butters
using greens in the spring, later in the year she might use onion.
And one vendor couldn't get much more local than buying the actual ingredients for his
product from among the vendors. David Huck and company of the Cabot-based Woodbelly
Pizza pick out ingredients from other vendors at the market that morning and sell it to
customers later in the day. They buy cheese from Lazy Lady, they grow their own vegetables...they have a blackboard that lists the ingredients and what farm they come from. Our
market is truly a farmers market, Grodinsky said.
Another vendor is Twin Ponds Herb Farm of Brookfield, owned by Jack and Jennifer Johnson. They plan to sell certified organic herbs, live potted medicinal plants, dried herbs,
roots and plants to make dye with. We believe in the healing power of plants and we are
dedicated to growing medicinal plants of the highest quality, beginning with healthy soil
and followed through with care in harvest and processing, Jennifer Johnson said. They all
grow the plants they sell and process on their farm, including nettle, raspberry leaf, skullcap, oat straw and chamomile.
Most of the herbs, such as skull cap or lemon balm, either ease stress, support the immune
system or aid in digestion, leading to a gentle form of healing. Of chamomile, Jennifer said
it is her favorite herb to grow because it is usually grown in Egypt and hard to find grown
locally. Ours is hand harvested. It is really high quality, she said. In addition to using it
as a calming tea, chamomile can be be used as a natural dye for fiber.
I am a fiber artist, Jennifer said, describing how she makes red and blue using a root and
yellow using chamomile. She makes hand dyed silk scarves using dyes she grows and makes
herself.
In addition to her husband, she will bring their daughter, one-year-old Maybelle each week.
A loss to the market this year will be the departure of Petes Greens in July. Hes a huge
anchor, Grodinsky said, explaining that the two spaces he inhabits will be shared. One
farmer will be there for the duration of the market while the other will have a different
featured vendor each week.
Everyone who frequents the market knows Lazy Lady Farm Laini Fondiller, who makes
goat and cow milk cheeses and more. Mt. Mansfield Creamery makes Brown Swiss cow
cheese, and more.
It is a great market, you can get everything, Grodinsky said.

Photo courtesy of
capitalcityfarmersmarket.com

PAG E 18 A P R I L 16 M AY 6 , 2 015

THE BRIDGE

Pioneering Farmers Are Reinventing

Vermont Agriculture
by Nancy Humphrey Case

ve traveled around Vermont for the past

seven years visiting farms of all kinds
and sizes and I have written about them
for Vermont Magazine. I chatted with Gary
Davis of Jericho, up starting at 3 a.m. and
not likely to get to bed before 9 p.m., while
he milked his cows. I hiked up into an
orchard overlooking Lake Champlain with
Bill Suhr and learned how a boy who grew
up in suburban Maryland was realizing his
dream as the successful entrepreneur of
Champlain Orchards. I sunk my fingers
into the dense fleeces of cashmere goats
belonging to Shirley Richardson of Danville, who was soon to market goat meat
(hers and others) to chefs. I followed Bruce
Hennessey on a tour of Maple Wind Farm
in Huntington and saw the humane, natural, uncrowded conditions under which
his farms beef cattle, pigs, lambs, and
chickens live their lives. I also talked with
Bruces wife, Beth Whiting, who confessed
the farm was struggling to make a profit. I
watched as Pete Johnson of Petes Greens
fame as he first dragged one of his 200-foot
long greenhouses over a crop of lettuces
with two tractors in an experiment to dramatically extend the Northeast Kingdom
growing season. And I lost myself in listening to Mateo Kehler tell stories as he made Jasper Hill cheese at the new Vermont Food
Venture Center in Hardwick. The more Ive learned, the more impressed Ive become with
this generation of farmers and the more hopeful I am about the prospects for agriculture
continuing in our state, perhaps in reinvented forms.
Take David Major, for example. He grew up on a sheep farm in Westminster West (near
Putney) in the 60s and 70s and enjoyed roaming the rural landscape at a time when
dairy farms in the hilly area were closing down. Serious farming was disappearing fast,
he recalls. It felt like everyone was abandoning the land. He didnt think he wanted
to be a farmer either, and after high school he went off to Harvard. He intended to go
into international development, but after graduation in 1983 he realized there was just
as much need here if agriculture was going to continue. Deeply valuing his relationship to the land, he learned cheesemaking from artisans in the Pyrenees. Then through
savvy marketing to high-end cheese shops in places like New York, San Francisco and
London, he turned his familys declining wool-and-meat business into a highly-profitable
farmstead cheese operation using sheeps milk. Not only that, but he trained other cheesemakers, too.
One of them was Neil Urie of Craftsbury, whom I visited in 2012. Neils ancestors

came over from Scotland beginning in

1829 along with families of Andersons and
Youngs, who settled in the same area. The
land his sheep graze belonged to his greatgrandfather, then his grandfather, then his
uncle. Around 1990, Neils uncle decided
to retire and put what was then his dairy
farm on the market. I was in college
WPI (Worcester Polytechnic Institute)
studying mechanical engineering, Neil
says. My parents didnt think Id be happy
farming, but I didnt want to see the farm
pass out of our family. Neil acquired the
farm from his uncle with the help of the
Vermont Land Trust and ran it as a dairy
farm for about five years, until he learned
how to make cheese with sheeps milk from
David Major and later started his own label.
Things were going pretty well financially
until Neils wife, Kristin, found out in the
20th week of her second pregnancy that she
was carrying triplets. Having four children
caused the couple to rethink their business plan and add some cows for winter
cheesemaking, but not to give up on the
farm. They like to think their 470 acres
Artwork by Kate Bunim will provide their children with farming
opportunities some day if the children so
choose. Meanwhile theyve named one of
their cheeses after the highest mountain in Scotland Ben Nevis indicating the deep
connection they feel to this land.
Pete Johnson sells the Uries cheeses wholesale to restaurants along with his greens and
other local products. Besides a healthy wholesale business and a CSA network that
stretches all over northern Vermont, Pete has recently opened a year-round retail store on
Route 100 in Waterbury, where he sells not only his own produce but a diversity of other
locally-produced foods, from meat, cheese and vegetables to rolled oats, sunflower oil and
herbal teas. By collaborating with like-minded ag-based entrepreneurs in the Hardwick
area, Pete and his colleagues are leading a statewide movement to create and strengthen
local food systems, getting local food not only into the homes of consumers, but into
schools and other institutions, too.
True, we are still losing dairy farms and not just the little ones and that is too bad.
Mateo Kehler works 70 to 80 hours a week with the aim of helping to save the dairydependent landscape he loves in the Northeast Kingdom. But when you combine the
consumer demand for fresh, local, and/or artisanal food with the vision, smarts, energy,
and especially the commitment of this new generation of farmers, the future of local agriculture looks bright. So bright some see it as lighting the path of alternative agriculture
in other parts of the country.

A P R I L 16 M AY 6 , 2 015 PAG E 19

T H E B R I D G E

Granite City Groove Out of Adversity, Barre Bookstore

Born

by Joshua Jerome

n Thursday May 26, 2011, Barre

was consumed by a deluge that
created debris filled flash floods
and significant damage to personal property. And while the storm raged on, Cynthia Duprey was out of state with one of
her daughters on a school function. The
next morning, Cynthias husband, Bill Duprey, assessed the damage and discovered
that the ground around their house and
two neighbors had dropped eight feet and
a large hole had formed on their property.
Severe erosion compromised the structural
integrity of their home and public safety
officials condemned the structure.
Cynthia arrived home to see the ominous
yellow barrier tape across her property and
wasnt allowed to go back into her house
for a week. Escorted by Barre City Fire
Department personnel, Cynthia described
how swiftly they went from room to room,
asked by the public official, what do you
need from this room. They grabbed what
they could in an hour and the family of
seven (two were away at college) returned
to the Hollow Motel. The Federal Emergency Management Agency established an
office within days of the flooding and thus
began a long arduous process for Cynthia
and Bill until the final demise of their
beloved home.
As the summer of 2011 progressed the
Dupreys moved into a new home and
Cynthia worked toward building a new
normal. The flooding in Barre coincided
with the Big Dig, a project to replace
and upgrade crucial infrastructure and create a more pedestrian friendly streetscape.
While at a book club meeting in late fall, it
was announced that Barres lone book store

was going to close at the end of the year.

Cynthia was saddened to hear this, but the
Barre resident and mother of five saw an
opportunity to fulfill a dream that she first
had when she was a kid.
Cynthia used to spend time with her grandparents during summer and each summer,
when she look forward to going to a local
childrens bookstore. I still remember how
it smells Cynthia said as she described
those summer experiences as what ignited
her desire to own a bookstore. And despite Borders filing for bankruptcy earlier
that year and competitors Barnes & Noble
and Amazon scaling digital and e-reading
product lines, Main Street reconstruction
and the aftermath of flooding, Cynthia
knew that the time was right to fulfill that
dream.
With the help of Barre-based Community
Capital of Vermont, Cynthia put the pieces
together and on Jan. 1, 2012, she received
the keys to the Main Street storefront.
Next Chapter Bookstore was born and signified a turning point for the Dupreys but
also downtown Barre. Bill built an elevated
childrens reading nook and Cynthia began
having story time every Saturday, which
have become popular attractions for families. Their first year was trial by fire with
the ever present backhoe and dump truck
in front of their window. We just went for
it she says looking down the sidewalk recalling what it was like that first year, We
didnt know what to expect, but we listened
to people that came in and adjusted to
what they wanted.
Cynthia is encouraged by everything that
is going on in downtown Barre along with
the fact that people are still purchasing

books, which is good for the local economy.

Cynthia just celebrated their three year anniversary and on top of that just closed out
on their FEMA buyout of their condemned
home, ending a 42 month process that was
only supposed to take three to six months. I
asked her if she would have gone forth with
opening the bookstore if she knew then
what she knows now. Without hesitation
she looked over at some regular customers sitting in front of the store and said,
absolutely. Cynthia explains that they
are just not a bookstore, but a hub where
community members gather to discuss the
topics of the day and create social capital.
For Cynthia, her next chapter in life has
been rewarding.
The writer is executive director of the Barre
Partnership.

Barre Farmers Market to Open May 16

by Carla Occaso
vibes. It was really personable. I hope that
carries on (this) year.

BARRE The farmers market is returning to the Vermont Granite Museum

beginning Saturday, May 16. This location
was a new place last year after previously
being located at the lawn beside the Youth
Triumphant statue at the intersection of
Routes 14 and 302 on Thursdays. But last
year they switched to Saturdays, which
went well, according to Aaron Goon, the
husband of Maayan Kasimov, last years
market manager.
They had great music almost every week
and the general atmosphere was fun and
inviting, Goon said, contrasting the Barre
market to what he characterized as the
more crowded and slicker Montpelier farmers market. The Barre market is quaint,
and homey and it is just a really wonderful
event. People love the atmosphere ... the

Goon said the market attracted a mix

of vendors that included old-time farmers coming from farms that had been in
the family for generations, such as Alan
LePages stand, to young and inspired
farmers, such as the Bear Roots Farm
farmers. In addition, there were several
prepared food vendors offering Mexican,
Thai and Middle Eastern food, Goon said.
In fact, Goon and his wife ran a falafel
stand. According to this years market
manager Joann Darling in a press release,
the Barre Farmers Market promotes a
sustainable venue for locally grown and
prepared fruits, vegetables, meats, eggs,
flowers, vegetable starts and artisan crafts.
In addition, live music and special events
will be offered, she said.
Barre boasts one of the best farmers markets in the state, where the area's vibrant
farm and food folk meet weekly all summer long. It's small, but every tent offers something awesome, from basic meat
and produce to goat offal to whole geese
to gooseberries to heirloom cucumbers to
herbs to baked goods. With a communitysupported food co-op in the works and
more farms taking root in the hills around
town, the scene in Barre is only going to get
better, Darling stated.

The market will be located at the museum at 7 Jones Brother Road in Barre
on Wednesdays from 3 to 7 p.m. and
Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through
Oct. 17. Opening day May 16 will feature
two childrens events, one titled My Vegetable Patch and the other titled Garden
Poetry Contest. EBT and debit cards are
accepted. More infomation is available at
http://www.barrefarmersmarketvt.com/.
and by contacting Joann Darling, market
manager by e-mail at barrefarmersmarket@
gmail.com or calling 802-505-8437.

Cynthia Duprey

PAG E 2 0 A P R I L 16 M AY 6 , 2 015

THE BRIDGE

Film Documentary Trace Amounts

Warns of the Danger of Mercury in Vaccines
by Nat Frothingham

group of Burlington-area mothers has announced a screening of the documentary

film, Trace Amounts, as part of the month-long observance of National Autism
Awareness Month. Month-long Autism awareness activities are part of a project of
the Autism Society, a national grassroots autism advocacy organization.
Trace Amounts will be shown at Merrills Roxy Theater in downtown Burlington on
Tuesday, April 21, at 7 p.m. with a question and answer panel discussion to follow with
Vermont doctors and parents of autistic children.
According to a news release from the mothers group, The frequency of autism (in children) in the U.S. over the past 20 years has skyrocketed from 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 68, and
the scientific community is no closer to determining a cause.
Trace Amounts (first released in May 2014) explores the question of whether the presence of mercury-containing Thermorsal, used in some vaccines as a preservative, could
explain, or partly explain, the sharp rise of autism in children over the past 20 years.
Trace Amounts according to the press release tells the true story of Eric Gladens
painful journey through mercury poisoning which he believes results from a Thirmerosal-loaded tetanus shot he received at the age of 29. As the film relates, Gladens sickness
led him to the edge of despair. But when he recovered he embarked on a research project
to find out what had made him so sick.

According to the release, His research led him straight into one of the biggest medical debates of all time: the question of whether or not childhood vaccines are causing
autism. In pursuing his research, Gladen (who was a trained engineer) quit his career,
moved into an RV and travelled across the country interviewing experts and piecing
together thousands of studies and leaked documents. But Eric wasnt focused on the
vaccines themselves, he was focused on something that belongs nowhere near vaccines
mercury.
The film asks this question: Could a tragedy that stole a generation of children have
been avoided? As the press release asserts, Trace Amounts presents compelling evidence that we may be poisoning ourselves in the name of health with one of the most
toxic substances known to humans.
The organizers of the April 21 film showing invite readers to watch the Trace Amounts
trailer: www.TraceAmounts.com and reserve tickets for the screening at: https://gathr.us/
screening/10860.

Poem in Your Pocket

Cut out one of these poems, or
both, and carry them with you all
month. Like a fine Scotch, poems
become better with the passage of
time. Read it, drink it in, and then
stuff it in your pocket so that you
have something to fill your soul
the next time that you are thirsty.
Impromptu outloud recitings are
encouraged.

In the Shadow of a Great

Cathedral
by Michael T. Jermyn
Standing in the shadow of a great cathedral
somewhere in a small English town
how does something so mighty
fit in such a scanty space
barely enough room
for the village pub and the old graveyard
with the names of the dearly departed
carved in soft stone so many moons ago
you can barely read them
Oh, if you are fortunate enough
to be strolling along
the old cobblestones on a Sunday morning, say, in May
with a warm breeze blowing in
off the German sea
carrying the scent of haddock
and hollyhocks and silver lady's mantle
When the bells ring out the hour of
eleven
the clamour of the strucken bronze
blending with strands of spoken King's
English
from dainty blue-haired ladies in front of
the tea shop
adding a few wandering notes of a wispy
clarinet
escaping from an open window
of a medieval house next to the fishmongers
then you can live
your whole life
in one day

A New Frond on a Dying Old

Plant
by Carla Occaso
Brick, mortar, sound of water rushing
through pipes.
The living and the dead converge on
where we are supposed to be,
underneath the coral reef at the bottom
of the sea.
Not here, that isnt me.
Here, I am by a window with a plant I
inherited from those who went before;
dying on the sill.
But death would not be.
A new leaf started last week, though It
started out as a tiny red emergence.
I thought it was a flower.
Then it shot upward on those rare occasions when the sunshine peaked.
It surged out as a leaf open wide in all its
leafiness.
New life.
Or would you call it a frond?
It reaches for a sun that wont shine.
Its color a sickly white, like a maggot, or
the belly of a frog with red veins running
though it.
The other fronds - or leaves - are green.
Even though they said the plant was a
dead old thing nobody cared about,
I cared.
A tropical plant on a dark winters day on
a hill in Montpelier in a window overlooking the dumpsters. Bolduc: Metal
Only
Tropical plant with a brand new colorless
frond.
Where did you go wrong?
When you came to this wintry New England town and left your sultry land to
forge a new way?
You stayed.

mps

A P R I L 16 M AY 6 , 2 015 PAG E 21

T H E B R I D G E

personalization
community
sustainability

This page was paid for by the Montpelier Public Schools.

The Future of School

a community forum about school change initiatives
and learning opportunities hosted by Montpelier Public Schools.

5 High School Drive, Unit #1, Montpelier, VT 05602

Students will be capable, motivated contributors to their
local, national and world communities.

PAG E 2 2 A P R I L 16 M AY 6 , 2 015

THURSDAY, APRIL 16

The Trinity Community Thrift Store Spring

Sale. Apr. 1518. 10 a.m.4 p.m. Trinity Church,
137 Main St., Montpelier. 229-9155.
Inventing Ethan Allen. A look at Ethan Allen's
200-year status as the most famous figure in Vermont's past. Part of Third Thursday Lunch Series.
Noon. Vermont History Museum, 109 State St.,
Montpelier. Free. 828-2180. vermonthistory.org/
calendar.
Brain Injury Support Group. Open to all survivors, caregivers and adult family members. Third
Thurs., 1:302:30 p.m. Unitarian Church, 130
Main St., Montpelier. 244-6850.
Diabetes Discussion Group. Focus on selfmanagement. Open to anyone with diabetes
and their families. Third Thurs., 1:30 p.m. The
Health Center, Plainfield. Free. Don 322-6600 or
dgrabowski@the-health-center.org.
Powerful Tools for Caregivers. Caring for a family member or friend can be challenging whether in
your home, locally or at a distance. This program
provides family caregivers with the tools needed
to care for themselves while caring for others.
Designed as a multi-week series starting Apr. 16.
23:30 p.m. Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58
Barre St., Montpelier. $30 suggested donation for
materials. Pre-registration required: 479-2681.
Survivors of Suicide Loss Support. Monthly
group for people affected by a suicide death. Third
Thurs., 67:30 p.m. Central Vermont Medical
Center, conference rm. 1, Fisher Rd., Berlin. 2230924. calakel@comcast.com.afsp.org.
Grandparents Raising Their Childrens Children. Third Thurs., 68 p.m. Child care provided.
Trinity United Methodist Church, 137 Main St.,
Montpelier. 476-1480.
Pacem School's Annual Showcase of the Arts.
Featuring student production of "An African
American Folktale" and fine art produced by
students aged 1018. 68 p.m. Pacem School, 32
College St., Montpelier. 223-1010.

Rummage, Craft and Baked Goods Sale. Purchase household items, clothing, small furniture
and appliances, toys, books and more. Higher end
items and handmade crafts in our boutique area.
All proceeds support the senior center. Apr. 17, 10
a.m.5 p.m.; Apr. 18, 9 a.m.2 p.m. Montpelier
Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre St., Montpelier.
223-2518.
Aldrich Public Library Spring Book Sale.
Thousands of gently used books, videos, audio
books and more for all ages at rock bottom prices.
Noon5 p.m. Aldrich Public Library, 6 Washington St., Barre. 476-7550.
Courting the Muse: Generating Poems. With
Kate Fetherston. Prompts include art, music,
movement, objects or working from the poems of
other writers. 1 p.m. Kellogg-Hubbard Library,
135 Main St., Montpelier. Free. 223-3338.
kellogghubbard.org. poem-city.org.
Cancer Journey Discoveries: A Storytelling
Event. Cancer stories can heal, inspire and illuminate. 79 p.m. North Branch Caf, 41 State St.,
Montpelier. Free. To share your story at this event
contact Sherry: 272-2736 or info@vcsn.net.
Italian Traditional Village Dance. Learn
traditional Italian village dances. No partners or
previous experience necessary. 710 p.m. Middlesex Town Hall, 5 Church St., Middlesex. Free;
donations accepted. 793-2624. dance@italianvillagedance.com.
Graphic Design Thesis Exhibit Reception. WOVEN is an exhibition of graduating student design
work. 7:309 p.m. Vermont College of Fine Arts,
College Hall Gallery, College St., Montpelier.
Free. 828-8600. vcfa.edu.

SATURDAY, APRIL 18

Walk Adamant with Green Mountain Club.

Easy. 5 miles. Walk around Sodom Pond. Contact
Mary S. at 505-0603 or Mary G at 622-0585 for
meeting time and place.

The 28th annual Vermont State Scholastic

Chess Championships. Vermont students from
Poetry Open Mic for Children. With Nicole
grades K12 are eligible to compete for State
Westbom. For children ages 5+. Meet at the
Championships in nine divisions. The tournament
childrens library with your poems. 6 p.m. Kelloggwill be USCF rated and follow USCF rules. Swiss
Hubbard Library, 135 Main St., Montpelier. Free.
pairing will be used, so all players will play every
223-3338. kellogghubbard.org. poem-city.org.
round (no eliminations.) All abilities are welWild-craft Your Artwork: Participating with
come and encouraged to participate. Registration
the Living Landscape. Nick shares perspective on 8:309:30 a.m.; games begin 10 a.m. For complete
his journey of rewilding his approach to making rules and to register: 223-1948. mike@vtchess.
artwork. 6 p.m. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 135
info. vtchess.info.
Main St., Montpelier. Free. 223-3338.
Additional Recyclables Collection Center. AcPoet Laureate Sydney Lea. Lea will read from
cepting scores of hard-to-recycle items. Third Sat.,
his collection of poems and essays to be published
9 a.m.1 p.m. 540 N. Main St. (old Times-Argus
later this year. 6:30 p.m. Waterbury Public Library building), Barre. $1 per carload. 229-9383 x106.
temporary location, 30 Foundry St., Waterbury.
For list of accepted items, go to cvswmd.org.
Free. waterburypubliclibrary.com.
Rummage, Craft and Baked Goods Sale. PurSongwriters Meeting. Meeting of the Northern
chase household items, clothing, small furniture
VT/NH chapter of the Nashville Songwriters
and appliances, toys, books and more. Higher end
Association International. Bring copies of your
items and handmade crafts in our boutique area.
work. Third Thurs., 6:45 p.m. Catamount Arts, St. All proceeds support the senior center. Apr. 17, 10
Johnsbury. John, 633-2204.
a.m.5 p.m.; Apr. 18, 9 a.m.2 p.m. Montpelier
Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre St., Montpelier.
223-2518.

FRIDAY, APRIL 17

The Trinity Community Thrift Store Spring

Sale. Apr. 1518. 10 a.m.4 p.m. Trinity Church,
137 Main St., Montpelier. 229-9155.

Aldrich Public Library Spring Book Sale. Thousands of gently used books, videos, audio books
and more for all ages at rock bottom prices. 10
a.m.3 p.m. Aldrich Public Library, 6 Washington

THE BRIDGE

St., Barre. 476-7550.

The Trinity Community Thrift Store Spring
Sale. Apr. 1518. 10 a.m.4 p.m. Trinity Church,
137 Main St., Montpelier. 229-9155.
Art & Poetry: The Wisdom of Plants and Seeds.
Elizabeth W. Robechek will present her booksas-art featuring poetry that illuminates human
existence. 1 p.m. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 135
Main St., Montpelier. Free. 223-3338. kellogghubbard.org. poem-city.org.
Hands-on Book Making. Elizabeth W. Robechek
will lead a brief book-making playshop where
participants can play, as opposed to work, with
materials to create a personal, one-page book.
Materials will be provided. For children ages
8+ with adult supervision and adults of all ages.
23:30 p.m. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 135 Main
St., Montpelier. Free. Pre-registration required:
223-3338. kellogghubbard.org. poem-city.org.
A Year in the Life of Tidal Marsh Sparrows.
With Alyssa Borowske who is about to receive her
doctorate in the field of ecology and evolutionary biology from the University of Connecticut.
67:30 p.m. Aldrich Public Library, 6 Washington
St., Barre. Free. 476-7550. aldrichpubliclibrary@
gmail.com. aldrichpubliclibrary.org.

SUNDAY, APRIL 19

Walk Stowe with Green Mountain Club.

Moderate. Approximately 10 miles round trip on
the paved Stowe Bike Path. Contact Michael for
meeting time and place: 249-0520, chernick5@
comcast.net.
LGBTQ-Related Service. The service at the
Unitarian Church will center on issues related to
LGBTQ news stories of the past year, with music,
reflections and a special story for children. 1011
a.m. Unitarian Church, 130 Main St., Montpelier.
Free. elliep@pshift.com.
Families of Color. Open to all. Play, eat and
discuss issues of adoption, race and multiculturalism. Bring snacks and games to share; dress for the
weather. Third Sun., 35 p.m. Unitarian Church,
130 Main St., Montpelier. Alyson 439-6096 or
alyson@suncatchervt.com.

MONDAY, APRIL 20

SASH Mental Health Vital Signs Presentation.

Brain memory games. SASH coordinates care with
patients physicians to help adults stay safely at
home regardless of their age or residential setting.
9:30 a.m.1 p.m. Twin Valley Senior Center, Blueberry Commons, Rte. 2, E. Montpelier. 223-3322.

Performing
Arts
THEATER, STORYTELLING
& COMEDY
Apr. 16May 16: Eurydice. Sexy, modern
reimagining of the classic myth through the eyes
of its heroine. LNT's production, directed by
Eric Love, employs masks, live cello and aerial
silks. Lost Nation Theater, Montpelier City
Hall, Memorial Room, 39 Main St., Montpelier.
$1530. 229-0492. info@lostnationtheater.org.
lostnationtheater.org/Eurydice.html.
Apr. 16, 30, May 14: 7 p.m.
Apr. 17, 18, May 2, 8, 16: 8 p.m.
Apr. 18, 19, May 9, 10: 2 p.m.
Apr. 17: Stroke Yr Joke. Opportunity to try
stand-up comedy. Sign-ups 7:30 p.m. for five
minutes of stage time; show starts 8 p.m. Cap
of 15 comics per show. Hosted by Bitsy Biron.
Espresso Bueno, 248 N. Main St., Barre. Free.
espressobueno.com.
Apr. 23May 17: Treasure Island. Stevensons
classic gets a new world premier production by
Kim Bent, with music by Kathleen Keenan. Lost
Nation Theater, Montpelier City Hall, Memorial
Room, 39 Main St., Montpelier. $1540. 2290492. info@lostnationtheater.org.
Apr. 23, May 7: 7 p.m.
Apr. 24, 25, May 1, 9, 15: 8 p.m.
Apr. 25, 26, May 2, 3, 16, 17: 2 p.m.

Bereavement/Grief Support Group. Open to

anyone who has experienced the death of a loved
one. 6-7:30 p.m. Conference Center. 600 Granger
Road, Berlin. Free. 223-1878.
Plainfield Book Club. Third Mon., 78:30 p.m.
Cutler Memorial Library, 151 High St. (Rte. 2),
Plainfield. Free. 454-8504. cutlerlibrary.org. Our
book club page on-line: cutlerlibrary.org/resources/
bookclub.
Readers Theater: Our Dream Deferred: Past,
Present and Future. A play by Sue Morris that
features the words of African American poets. The
running theme throughout the play is A Dream
Deferred by Langston Hughes. Discussion of racism will follow. 7 p.m. Kellogg-Hubbard Library,
135 Main St., Montpelier. Free. 223-3338. kellogghubbard.org. poem-city.org.

TUESDAY, APRIL 21

LGBTQA Older Adults. For those looking to build

your LGBT community, have some fun, educate
others, advocate for recognition and social justice,
and create a new local LGBT resource. Seeking
dedicated people to join a core committee to help
structure and plan social, educational and social
justice advocacy events for the LGBT community
in this area. 12 p.m. Montpelier Senior Activity
Center, 58 Barre St., Montpelier. 860-7812. jean@
pridecentervt.org.
Intergenerational Bingo. Play a fun game of
bingo with the kids from the Montpelier Recreation Department's April vacation camp. No cash
prizes, just fun! 1:302:30 p.m. Montpelier Senior
Activity Center, 58 Barre St., Montpelier. Free.
223-2518.
Author Reading: Kayla Williams. The Norwich
University Writers Series continues with Iraq War
veteran and memoirist, Kayla Williams, author
of Plenty of Time When We Get Home: Love &
Recovery in the Aftermath of War and Love My
Rifle More than You: Young & Female in the U.S.
Army. 4 p.m. Norwich University, Chaplin Hall
Gallery, 158 Harmon Dr., Northfield.
Vermont Playwrights Circle. Up to three authors
can bring up to 20 pages each to share and get
feedback on. All are welcome to come and listen/
critique actors, audience, authors with or without a scene to share. Third Tues., 6:30 p.m. Institute for Professional Practice, 2096 Airport Rd.,
Berlin. RSVP if you have work to share: rstrauss@
ipp.org. vermontplaywrightscircle.org.
Native Pollinators and Your Gardens. With Susan Sawyer. This illustrated talk will survey many
pollinators including bees, flies, wasps, beetles
and butterflies and give strategies to conserve,
Apr. 24: Bueno Comedy Showcase. Monthly
showcase featuring comedians from Vermont and
across the country. Hosted by Sean Hunter Williams. 8 p.m. Espresso Bueno, 248 N. Main St.,
Barre. $6. espressobueno.com.
Apr. 25: Open Mic for Everyone. Take your
talent to the stage. Music, singing, poetry, magic
the stage is yours. Sign-ups 7 p.m. Espresso
Bueno, 248 N. Main St., Barre. Free. espressobueno.com.
May 13: Black Comedy. Stage 32 presents a
farce in one act by Peter Shaffer. This delightful
romp of unexpected guests, mistake identities,
pratfalls and near misses is guaranteed to incite
raucous laughter. May 1 and 2, 7 p.m.; May 3, 2
p.m. U-32, 930 Gallison Hill Rd., Montpelier.
Adults $8; students and seniors $5. 229-0321 ext.
5561. sverchereau@u32.org.
May 2. Improv Workshop with Second City
Cast. Learn the ropes from cast members of the
world's number one name in improv, the Second
City. Learn the basic tools, rules and philosophy
through games, drills and simple scenes with a
uniquely character-based-inspired approach. 3
p.m. Barre Opera House, 6 N. Main St., Barre.
$25. Call to register: 476-8188. barreoperahouse.
org.

AUDITIONS
Vermont Playwrights Circle: Call for Scripts.
The Vermont Playwrights Circle seeks scripts for
the seventh annual TenFest, a 10-minute play festival held at the Valley Players Theatre in Waitsfield, Aug. 1316. Scripts must be postmarked
by Apr. 20. vtplaywrightscircle@gmail.com. Full
details and submission instructions: vermontplaywrightscircle.org/TenFest2015.html.

T H E B R I D G E

Visual Arts
EXHIBITS

Through Apr. 19: John Weaver. Vermont landscapes in oils. Gruppe Gallery, 22 Barber Farm
Rd., Jericho.
Through Apr. 22: Chuck Bohn and Frederick
Rudi. Painters from Marshfield. Northeast
Kingdom Artisans Guild, 430 Railroad St., St.
Johnsbury. 748-0158.
Through Apr. 29: Sarah-Lee Terrat, Inside
the Nitty Gritty: Commercial Art and the
Creative Process. Mixed media. Explore the
creative process as it relates to design, illustration and public art. Gallery hours: Mon.Thur.,
9 a.m.4 p.m.; Fri., 9 a.m. 2 p.m. The Gallery
at River Arts, 74 Pleasant St., Morrisville. Free.
888-1261. riverartsvt.org.
Through Apr. 29: Sandra Shenk, A Celebration
of Color, Light and Form in the Southwest.
Travel and infrared photography. Gallery hours:
Mon.Thurs., 9 a.m. 4 p.m.; Fri., 9 a.m.2 p.m.
Common Space Gallery, River Arts Center, 74
Pleasant St., Morrisville. 888-1261. riverartsvt.
org.
Through Apr. 30: Michael T. Jermyn, New
American Impressionism. Local photographer
Michael T. Jermyn presents some new photographic works along with a few old favorites.
Tues.Sun., noon10 p.m. Chill, 32 State St.,
Montpelier. 223-2445 or 223-1570.

Calendar of Events
Fans of Green Bean Visual Arts Gallery on
Facebook.
Through May 8: Barre: Past and Present. The
Paletteers of Vermont Spring Art Show. Aldrich
Public Library, Milne Room, 6 Washington St.,
Barre. paletteers.us.
Through May 8: Janet Ressler. Contemporary
and traditional quilts. Closing reception: May
12, 24 p.m. Vermont Technical College, Hartness Library, Randolph.
Apr. 7May 9: Kit Farnsworth. Landscape
and nature paintings. Library hours: Tues.Fri.,
noon6 p.m.; Sat., 9 a.m.1 p.m. Royalton
Memorial Library, 23 Alexander Pl., S. Royalton.
Free.
Through May 15: Studio Place Arts. Studio
Place Arts, 201 N. Main St., Barre. 479-7069.
studioplacearts.com.
Main floor: Gone Fishing
Second floor: Silent Auction. Artwork, crafts
and other items to benefit SPA programs. Bidding ends May 8.
Third floor: Michael Heffernan, Sweet Images.
Paintings. Exhibit runs through May 30.
May 131: Loretta Languet, Beautifully Imagined Functional Pottery. Playfully designed,
functional ceramic pottery whose surfaces
depict abstractions of floral imagery speaking
to her love for gesture, rhythm and movement.
Cheshire Cat, 28 Elm St., Montpelier. 223-1981.
cheshirecatclothing.com.

A P R I L 16 M AY 6 , 2 015 PAG E 2 3

ties display their work. Opening reception: May

3, 57 p.m. Chandler Gallery, 71-73 Main St.,
Randolph. 431-0204. gallery@chandler-arts.org.
Through May 6: Barb Madsen De Hart.
Wildlife photography. Gifford Gallery, Gifford
Medical Center, 44 s. Main St., Randolph. Free.
728-7000.
Through June 27: The Gathering. Annual exhibit of works by the artist-members of the Valley
Arts Foundation. MonFri, 10 a.m.3 p.m.; Sat.
by appointment. The Festival Gallery, #2 Village
Square, Waitsfield. 496-6682. vermontartfest.
com.
Through July 2: Mary Admasian, Boundaries,
Balance and Confinement ... navigating the
limits of nature and society. Gallery hours: 8
a.m.4:30 p.m. The Vermont Supreme Court,
Montpelier. Free. lightson_mary@comcast.com.
maryadmasianart.com.
Through July 31: 1865, Out of the Ashes:
Assassination, Reconstruction, and Healing
the Nation. Focuses on the aftermath of the
assassination of Pres. Abraham Lincoln, the rehabilitation of the South and efforts to unify the
country. Museum hours: Mon.Fri., 8 a.m.4
p.m.; Sat. 11 a.m.4 p.m. Norwich University, Sullivan Museum and History Center,
Northfield. 485-2183. academics.norwich.edu/
museum/
Through July 31: Kara Walker, Juxtaposition,
Contemporary Specters, and Harpers Pictorial History of the Civil War. The artist combined her signature overlays of black silhouettes
with historic lithography to produce poignant
and sharp commentary on stereotypes found
in the nations history of slavery, Jim Crow and
segregation that still infiltrate present stereotypes. Mon.Fri., 8 a.m.4 p.m.; Sat. 11 a.m.4
p.m. Norwich University, Sullivan Museum and
History Center, Northfield. 485-2183. academics.norwich.edu/museum/

May 422: Maplehill School Student Art

Show: Plainfield. Original artwork on canvas
and mixed media on paper. Also included are
carpentry and blacksmithing pieces as well as an
oral history project with the Twin Valley Senior
Through Apr. 30: Maplehill School Student
Center. Plainfield Community Center. RecepArt Show: State House. Original artwork on
tion with Art and Plant Sale: May 15, 57 p.m.
canvas and mixed media on paper. Vermont State 153 Main St. (above Plainfield Coop), Plainfield.
House Cafeteria, 115 State St., Montpelier. Free. Jamie@maplehillschool.org. maplehillschoolan454-7747. Jamie@maplehillschool.org. mapledfarm.org.
hillschoolandfarm.org.
May 2June 14: Area Artists Show. Artists
Through Apr. 30: Matson Booth Vollers, A
from central Vermont east of the Green MounSpring on Blue. Green Bean Visual Art Gallery
tains in Orange, Washington and Windsor coun- Apr. 24: Janet Van Fleet Open Studio. View
at Capitol Grounds, 27 State St., Montpelier.
work in progress as well as previous work in

SPECIAL EVENTS

attract and encourage native pollinators. Part

of Natural Marshfield: A Series about the Local
Environment. 7 p.m. Jaquith Public Library, 122
School St., Marshfield. Free. 426-3581. jaquithpubliclibrary.org.

"Cancer: The Emperor of All Maladies." Panel

discussion to follow the film. Free literature will
also be available at the screening. 7 p.m. KelloggHubbard Library, 135 Main St., Montpelier. Free.
vista@kellogghubbard.org.

Washington County Stamp Club. The April

program is the semi-annual member auction
stamps, postal history, picture postcards and
ephemera available. 7 p.m. First Baptist Church, 3
St. Paul St., Montpelier. Free; open to the public.
223-2953. edsbobnan9@myfairpoint.net.

Woodcock Watch. Listen and watch for the

dramatic courtship flight of the American Woodcock, a sandpiper which nests along the North
Branch. 7:30 p.m. North Branch Nature Center,
713 Elm St., Montpelier. $5 members; $10 nonmembers. 229-6206. northbranchnaturecenter.
org.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22

Celebrate Earth Day at the Coop. Raffles,

prizes, kids gardening and face painting, demos
from local vendors, bike tune-ups, discounts. 10
a.m.5 p.m. Hunger Mountain Coop, 623 Stone
Cutters Way, Montpelier. 223-8000. hungermountain.coop.
Screening of Dinosaur Train: Classic in the
Jurassic. Special screening of the PBS program.
Craft activity follows. 10:30 a.m. Jaquith Public
Library, 122 School St., Marshfield. Free. 4263581. jaquithpubliclibrary.org.
Ingmar Bergmans "Winter Light." 1963 film of
a priest who grapples with loss of faith. Part of the
Masters of International Cinema Series with Rick
Winston. An Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
program. 12:302:30 p.m. Savoy Theater, 26
Main St., Montpelier. Donation. pdaggett@
myfairpoint.net.
Coffee with a Cop at Bagitos. Chat with several
officers of the Montpelier Police Department,
ask them questions, make suggestions or just say
hello. 4:306 p.m. Bagitos, 28 Main St., Montpelier. Free. 229-9212. bagitos.com.
Revisiting Wabanaki Agriculture III: The Ceremony. Presentation with Frederick M. Wiseman,
Ph.D. and the Voices of the Koas Singers. Prof.
Wiseman has pursued a decades-long quest to understand ancient Wabanaki agricultural ceremony,
and work with Vermont's state recognized Native
American tribes to put the fragmented remains of
ceremony back together for their cultural revitalization. Joining Professor Wiseman will the Voices
of the Koas, an all-woman group of educators who
teach Abenaki culture and history through dance
and song. 5:307:30 p.m. Vermont Archaeology
Heritage Center, 60 Washington St., Barre.
Punctuation and Poetry. With Brett Cox. Can
you punctuate poems any way you want? Sure.
But should you? 7 p.m. Local 64, 5 State St.,
2F, Montpelier. Not wheelchair accessible. Free.
Kellogg-Hubbard Library: 223-3338. poem-city.
org.

THURSDAY, APRIL 23

Multiplici-Tea! Informal meet up and tea time

for parents experiencing the unique challenge of
caring for multiple birth children (twins, triplets,
etc.) Play space for toddlers, resources provided.
Free coffee and tea. Fourth Thurs., 9:3011:30
a.m. Good Beginnings of Central Vermont, 174
River St., Montpelier. 595-7953. gbcv91@gmail.
com. goodbeginningscentralvt.org.
Falling Away. Moving beyond western constructs
of self and psychotherapy. A free talk by Robert
Kest, Ph.D. 67:30 p.m. Hunger Mountain
Coop, 623 Stone Cutters Way, Montpelier. Free.
229-6989. ryokan@juno.com.
PoemCity Crostic Construction. With Rick
Winston. A crostic is a type of word puzzle,
related to crossword puzzles, in two parts. 7
p.m. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 135 Main St.,
Montpelier. Free. 223-3338. kellogghubbard.org.
poem-city.org.
Green Mountain Dog Club Monthly Meeting.
Learn about the club and events. All dog lovers
welcome. Fourth Thurs., 7:30 p.m. Commodores
Inn, Stowe. 479-9843 or greenmountaindogclub.
org.

FRIDAY, APRIL 24

Brown Bag Poetry: Open Mic. Bring your lunch

and read your poetry or that of your favorite
poets. Noon. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 135 Main
St., Montpelier. Free. 223-3338. kellogghubbard.
org. poem-city.org.
Zen Poetry. Walt Ward will guide poem-writing
exercises combining visualization with assonance,
consonance and alliteration. 1:30 p.m. KelloggHubbard Library, 135 Main St., Montpelier. Free.
223-3338. kellogghubbard.org. poem-city.org.
Central Vermont Quilt Show. Enjoy quilts, door
prizes, raffles, free demos and vendors. Star blocks
collected for donation quilts. Apr. 24, 27 p.m.;

Apr. 25, 9 a.m.4 p.m. Old Labor Hall, 46 Granite St., Barre. $5. centralvermontquiltshow.com.
Turkey Take-out Dinner. Turkey and gravy,
stuffing, mashed potatoes, vegetable, rolls,
cranberry sauce and dessert. 46 p.m. Waterbury
Center Community Church, Rte. 100 (next to
Cold Hollow Cider Mill), Waterbury Center. $9.
Reservations required: 244-8089.
Spring Poetry Slam. Check out the areas first
non-pub poetry slam with host Geof Hewitt. 6
p.m. Aldrich Public Library, 6 Washington St.,
Barre. Free. 433-1706. aldrichpubliclibrary@
gmail.com. aldrichpubliclibrary.org.

SATURDAY, APRIL 25

Hike Groton with Green Mountain Club.

Moderate, 5.4-mile loop. Peacham Bog in Groton
State Park. Trail offers two opportunities to view
the bog with its unique vegetation, as well as
opportunities to identify spring wildflowers in
the woods. Contact a leader for meeting time and
place. Phyllis: 223-0020, phyllis@phyllisrubensteinlaw.comcastbiz.net. Charlene: 229-9908,
charlenebohl@comcast.net.
Central Vermont Quilt Show. Enjoy quilts, door
prizes, raffles, free demos and vendors. Star blocks
collected for donation quilts. Apr. 24, 27 p.m.;
Apr. 25, 9 a.m.4 p.m. Old Labor Hall, 46 Granite St., Barre. $5. centralvermontquiltshow.com.

wood and mixed media on exhibit. Brief artist

talk on the half hour throughout the day. Part of
2015 International Sculpture Day. 9 a.m.4 p.m.
Studio Place Arts, 201 N. Main St., Barre. Free.
sculpture.org. janetvanfleet.com.
Apr. 2426: 10th annual Northfield Art Show.
Artwork by artists who live and/or work in
Northfield, Roxbury, Brookfield, Williamstown
and Berlin. Brown Public Library Community
Room, 93 S. Main St., Northfield. Free.
Apr. 2627: Open Call to Local Artists. Area
artists are invited to submit one example of their
recent best work to be included in Chandlers
Area Artists Show exhibit. Area artists are
defined as those from central Vermont east of the
Green Mountains in Orange, Washington and
Windsor Counties. Artwork accepted Apr. 26,
46 p.m.; Apr. 27, 35 p.m. Show opens May 2
with a reception May 3. Chandler Gallery, 71-73
Main St., Randolph. $10 participation fee. 4310204. gallery@chandler-arts.org.
May 1: Art Walk Montpelier. Venues open their
doors for gallery receptions and local maple
treats. 48 p.m. Downtown Montpelier. 2239604. artwalk@montpelieralive.org. montpelieralive.org/artwalk.
May 1: Call to Artists: Public Sculpture Commission. Professional artists who live in Vermont
and have successfully completed a public art
project may apply for a public sculpture commission in downtown Morrisville. Four finalists will
be awarded $500 by a selection panel to submit
more formal design proposals in a second round
of jurying. For more information: 888-1261 or
riverartsvt.org.
May 8: BASH: Big Arty SPA Happening. Great
art, music and eats. Enjoy the current exhibits,
high energy Cajun music of the Green Mt.
Playboys, bid on items in the silent auction fundraiser, view the art of fly tying with Judd Levine
and more. Benefits SPA art programs. 79 p.m.
Studio Place Arts, 201 N. Main St., Barre. $15
advance; $25 day of event. 479-7069. studioplacearts.com.

10:30 a.m.; race starts at noon. Norwich University, Shapiro House, 158 Harmon Dr., Northfield.
Free. Pre-registration required. 485-2004. cdavison@norwich.edu. jrotc5krun.com/
Ready...Set...Go! Free pizza and game fun
for dads and kids. Plenty of games and prizes.
11:30 a.m.1:30 p.m. Plainfield Recreational
Field, Recreation Field Rd., Plainfield. Free.
595-7953. gbcv91@gmail.com. facebook.com/
events/1083746934975504/
Open Barn and Field Day. Family-friendly fun
featuring pony rides (up to age 14), riding demos,
a grooming station, games, raffle, prizes, food,
music, arts and crafts, hayrides, an animated Kids'
Korner and a pony parade. Proceeds benefit Vermont Horse-Assisted Therapy, Inc. Noon5 p.m.
Pease Farm Stable, 307 Culver Hill Rd., Middlesex. Free admission. info@vhat.org. vhat.org.
Card Catalogue Poetry for Kids. Join librarian Nicole Westbom for a fun time writing
poems with cards from the retired card catalog.
1 p.m. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 135 Main St.,
Montpelier. Free. 223-3338. kellogghubbard.org.
poem-city.org.
Maple Poems and Stories. Readings of maplerelated prose and verse during the St. Johnsbury
World Maple Festival. 1:303 p.m. Boxcar &
Caboose Bookshop Caf, 394 Railroad St., St.
Johnsbury. Free. 751-5432. brookequillen@yahoo.
com.

Animals Masks. With Janice Walrafen. Create

wearable 3-D animal masks with poster board
and colorful acrylic paints. Then come join us
for the All Species Day Parade on May 3. 9:30
a.m.noon. Jaquith Public Library, 122 School
St., Marshfield. $4 materials fee. Space limited
to 15 participants; sign-up by Apr. 20. Children
under 6 must be accompanied by adult. 426-3581.
jaquithpubliclibrary.org.

The Great American Poets: Ira Gershwin,

Irving Berlin et al. Jim and Catherine sing the
artists songs and ask the audience to identify the
song. 1:30 p.m. Westview Meadows, 171 Westview Meadows Rd., Montpelier. Free. KelloggHubbard Library: 223-3338. poem-city.org.

Tai Chi, Qi Gong. Celebrate World Tai Chi, Qi

Gong Day. Tai Chi certified instructors will be
present watch them or join in. 9:30 a.m.noon.
Twin Valley Senior Center, Blueberry Commons,
Rte. 2, E. Montpelier.

Take-Out or Eat-In Dinner. Ham, macaroni

and cheese dinner. Benefits the TVSC Meals on
Wheels program. Twin Valley Senior Center,
Blueberry Commons, Rte. 2, E. Montpelier. $10.
By reservation: 223-6954.

Capital City Indoor Farmers Market. Featuring

over 30 farmers, food producers and craftspeople.
This is the seasons last indoor market. 10 a.m.2
p.m. Montpelier High School cafeteria, 5 High
School Dr., Montpelier. manager@montpelierfarmersmarket.com. capitalcityfarmersmarket.
com.
Norwich University 99th anniversary JROTC 5K
Fun Run. Global effort by JROTC to break the
Guinness World Record for the most participants
in a 5K run at multiple locations. Check-in begins

SUNDAY, APRIL 26

Orchard Valley Waldorf School Spring Gala &

Silent Benefit Auction. Hors doeuvres, wine and
spirits tastings, music and theater by students,
alumni and faculty. All proceeds benefit the
OVWS accessible-to-all tuition program. Adults
only please. 57:30 p.m. Inn at Montpelier, 147
Main St., Montpelier. $20 advance; $25 at door.
ovws.org/tickets.

PAG E 24 A P R I L 16 M AY 6 , 2 015

MONDAY, APRIL 27

Vermont History Through Song. Dressed in period costume, Ms. Radtke takes listeners through
state history, using local songs. 1:30 p.m. KelloggHubbard Library, 135 Main St., Montpelier. Free.
223-3338. kellogghubbard.org. poem-city.org.
Author Talk: Amy Belding Brown. Brown discusses her book "Flight of the Sparrow: A Novel
of Early America." 78 p.m. Royalton Memorial Library, 23 Alexander Pl., S. Royalton. Free.
763-7094.
Monthly Book Group for Adults. Join us for the
Jaquith book group. For copies of the book, please
stop by the library. New members are always
welcome. Fourth Mon. through May, 7 p.m.
Jaquith Public Library, 122 School St., Marshfield. 426-3581. jaquithpubliclibrary@gmail.com.
jaquithpubliclibrary.org.
NAMI Vermont Family Support Group. Support
group for families and friends of individuals living
with mental illness. Fourth Mon., 7 p.m. Central
Vermont Medical Center, room 3, Berlin. 800639-6480 or namivt.org.

TUESDAY, APRIL 28

Hunger Mountain Children's Center Community Pizza Fundraiser. Displaced by Hurricane

Irene, help HMCC move back downtown. All
dine-in and take-out orders at Blue Stone will help
benefit HMCC. Mention you're there to support
HMCC and receive a special gift.11:30 a.m.9:30
p.m. The Blue Stone, 13 Stowe St., Waterbury.
244-5544. hungermountaincc@gmail.com. facebook.com/events/1416284138678161/
CSI Symposium 2015. Field experts come to
Norwich for two days of live presentations about
many aspects of crime scene investigation. Apr.
28, 57 p.m.; Apr. 29, 9 a.m.3 p.m. Norwich
University, Dole Auditorium and Webb Hall,
158 Harmon Dr., Northfield. Free. 485-2455.
inielsen@norwich.edu. libarts.norwich.edu/csisymposium/
Medicare and You Workshop. New to Medicare?
Have questions? We have answers. Second and
fourth Tues., 34:30 p.m. 59 N. Main St., Ste.
200, Barre. Free, donations gratefully accepted.
479-0531. cvcoa@cvcoa.org. cvcoa.org.
Carbon Risk Forum. A forum to discuss the
moral and financial imperative of divesting Vermonts pension funds from fossil fuels. Presented
by 350Vt.org and Vermont chapter of Sierra Club.
6:308 p.m. Unitarian Church, 130 Main St.,
Montpelier. Free. 941-321-9430. jillian@350vt.
org.
Parenting Group. Share tips you've had success
with and troubleshoot common frustrations with
other parents. Come with at least one idea of
something that's worked well for you with your
family, and bring something you'd like help with.
Parents only please. 78 p.m. Jaquith Public Library, 122 School St., Marshfield. Free. 426-3581.
jaquithpubliclibrary.org.
Poetry Reading: Steve Cramer and Neil Shepard. Book signing follows. Light snacks served. 7
p.m. Bear Pond Books, 77 Main St., Montpelier.
Free. poem-city.org.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29

CSI Symposium 2015. Field experts come to

Norwich for two days of live presentations about
many aspects of crime scene investigation. Apr.
28, 57 p.m.; Apr. 29, 9 a.m.3 p.m. Norwich
University, Dole Auditorium and Webb Hall,
158 Harmon Dr., Northfield. Free. 485-2455.
inielsen@norwich.edu. libarts.norwich.edu/csisymposium/
Intergenerational Poetry Reading. Pacem
School students and seniors share poems written
with the prompt under the snow pile. 1011
a.m. Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre
St., Montpelier. poem-city.org.
Bereavement/Grief Support Group. Open to
anyone who has experienced the death of a loved
one. 1011:30 a.m. Conference Center. 600
Granger Road, Berlin. Free. 223-1878.
Chickadee Chaps & Broads Presents Broads &
Chaps! A chapbooks launch and an introduction
of the winner of the third annual Poetry Broadside. 10 a.m.1 p.m. Kellogg-Hubbard Library,
135 Main St., Montpelier. Free. 223-3338. kellogghubbard.org. poem-city.org.
Frederico Fellinis "The White Sheik." Fellinis
first solo-directed film from 1952. Part of the
Masters of International Cinema Series with Rick
Winston. An Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
program. 12:302:30 p.m. Savoy Theater, 26
Main St., Montpelier. Donation. pdaggett@
myfairpoint.net.

Calendar of Events

Montpelier City Council Meeting. Second and

fourth Wed., 6:30 p.m. City Council Chambers,
Montpelier City Hall. 39 Main St., Montpelier.
montpelier-vt.org.

Going Ape. PFS and In Your Face Gorilla Productions prevention presentation through peer-topeer performance art. 7 p.m. Valley Players Theater, 4254 Main St., Waitsfield. Free. 229-9151.
jboyer@wcysb.org. chartman@wcysb.org.
Bicycle Maintenance. With Anne Miller and
friends. Tune up your bike for spring. 7 p.m. Jaquith Public Library, 122 School St., Marshfield.
Free. 426-3581. jaquithpubliclibrary.org.
Waterbury Historical Society Meeting. Brian
Lindner talks about how the 10th Mountain Division (American ski troops) was the key to the defeat of German forces in Italy during World War
II. 7 p.m. St. Leos Hall, S. Main St., Waterbury.

THURSDAY, APRIL 30

Poem in Your Pocket Day. Free poems at the

library, Welcome Center in Montpelier and on the
GMTA busses. All day. poem-city.org.
The Future of School Community Forum. Community forum about school change initiatives and
learning opportunities. Hosted by Montpelier
Public Schools. 68 p.m. Montpelier High School
library, 5 High School Dr., Montpelier.
Sneak Preview Screening of "Peter and John."
New film by Jay Craven based on the novel by
Guy de Maupassant. Surprise guests. 7 p.m.
Bethany Church, 115 Main St., Montpelier.
Adults $12; seniors $10; students $5. $25 donation
includes reception at 5:30 p.m. 748-2600.

FRIDAY, MAY 1

Death Caf. Group discussion about death with

no agenda, objectives or themes. First Fri., 11:45
a.m.1 p.m. Twin Valley Senior Center, Rte. 2,
Blueberry Commons, E. Montpelier. Bring your
own lunch or eat at the center for $4. 223-3322.
Poetry Reading and Art Walk. Poet and photographer Roger Weingarten will exhibit his photos
and read his poems. Exhibit 4:308 p.m.; reading
6:307 p.m. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 135 Main
St., Montpelier. Free. 223-3338. kellogghubbard.
org. poem-city.org.
The Order of the Trees Book Launch and
Party. Join local teacher and author Katy Farber
on the publication date of her first middle grade/
young adult novel. Hear about the book, have
some treats, a few surprises and maybe a trip
to the woods in honor of the spirit of the book.
56:30 p.m. Rumney Memorial School, 433
Shady Rill Rd., Middlesex. Free. katyfarber@
gmail.com. katyfarber.com.
Coffeehouse. Enjoy live music and share your
own. Fellowship, potluck snacks and beverages.
First Fri., 79 p.m. Trinity United Methodist
Church, 137 Main St., Montpelier (park and enter
at rear). Free. 244-5191, 472-8297 or rawilburjr@
comcast.net.
Contra Dance at Capital City Grange. Perpetual
e-Motion with Will Mentor. A benefit dance
celebrating 100 years of the Capital City Grange.
811 p.m. Capital City Grange, 6612 VT Rte. 12,
Berlin. Sliding scale $1025. 229-9425. capitalcitygrange.org.

SATURDAY, MAY 2

Green Up Day. Montpelier: bags are picked

up at the Green Up Day registration table at
Capital City Farmers Market and full bags can
be left curbside for DPW to pick up. 223-9604.
director@montpelieralive.org. For more details
and contact information for the Green Up Day
coordinator in your area: greenupvermont.org.
National Federation of the Blind, Montpelier
Chapter. First Sat. Lane Shops community room,
1 Mechanic St., Montpelier. 229-0093.
All-You-Can-Eat Sweet 'n Savory Pie Breakfast.
Enjoy all the pie you can eat at this ever-popular
annual Orchard Valley Waldorf School event.
8:30 a.m.12:30 p.m. Trinity United Methodist
Church, 137 Main St., Montpelier. Adults $8;
family $30; kids 5 and under free. 456-7400.
orchardvalley@ovws.org. ovws.org.
Onion River Sports Bike Swap. Dig your old
bikes out of the garage, basement, shed or yard,
get them all cleaned up, and bring them to Onion
River Sports for the Annual Bike Swap. ORS will
accept bikes Apr. 27 through May 1. They will
help you price your bike when they sell it for you
on the day of the swap. Used trailers, tag-a-longs,
unicycles, balance bikes and jogging strollers are
also accepted. Swap your quality used gear for a
check or store credit. 9 a.m.noon. Onion River
Sports, 20 Langdon St., Montpelier. onionriver.
com/bikeswap/

Household Hazardous Waste Collection. Held

by Central Vermont Solid Waste Management
District. 9 a.m.1 p.m. Barre Town Garage,
129 Websterville Rd., Barre. $15 per carload for
district residents; $75 per carload for residents of
a non-member town. Businesses must pre-register.
229-9383 ext. 105. cvswmd.org.
The Northeast Storytellers. Writers, readers
and appreciators of prose and verse meet regularly
the first Saturday of every month. The public is
welcome to attend and new members are always
encouraged to join. 11:30 a.m.2 p.m. Catamount
Arts, 115 Eastern Ave., St. Johnsbury. 751-5432.
brookequillen@yahoo.com.
9th annual Peoples Health and Wellness Clinic
Bowl-A-Thon. Form a team and register! All ages
and skills welcome. Teams ideally consist of five
members and are asked to raise a minimum of
$50 each, for a team total of $250. Prizes, 50/50
raffle, surprise drawings. All proceeds go directly
to clinic services. 13 p.m. Twin City Family Fun
Center, 302 Berlin St., Barre. Register: 479-1229
or download form at phwcvt.org.
Osteoporosis Education and Support Group.
For those who have been diagnosed with osteoporosis or osteopenia, have a family member
who has been diagnosed or want to learn about
osteoporosis. Learn from a variety of guest speakers and medical specialists. First Sat., 13 p.m.
Community National Bank, Community Room,
Crawford Rd., Derby. 535-2011. mary@betterbonesnek.org. betterbonesnek.org.
Montbeerlier. 6th annual outdoor event featuring an array of casks and special beer, live music
and food. Hosted by Three Penny Taproom. Ages
21+. 39 p.m. Langdon St., Montpelier. Free
admission. 223-8277.

SUNDAY, MAY 3

Hike Waterbury with Green Mountain Club.

Easy. Approximately five miles round trip. Visit
Little River State Park before it's open; no fees.
Hike Stevenson Brook and Dalley Loop trails.
Contact leader Ken for meeting time and place:
hertzkj@gmail.com.
March for Babies. A walk to raise funds and
awareness for premature babies and expectant
mothers. 8 a.m.noon. Montpelier High School,
5 High School Dr., Montpelier. Register: marchforbabies.org.
All Species Day. Come dressed as your favorite
species! Noon: Awaking the Spring goddess,
spring play at the Old Shelter and arrival of
the Stag King, Hubbard Park soccer field. 1:15
p.m.: Parade line-up at the main gate Winter St.
entrance of Hubbard Park. Parade to State House
via Spring, Main and State streets. 2:30 p.m.:
Birth of Spring pageant, flower childrens dances
and maypole dances on State House Lawn. Montpelier. alltogethernowvt.org/seasonal-celebrations/
all-species-day
Dowsing Workshop. Hands-on workshop with
master dowser Ray Machell. 24 p.m. Aldrich
Public Library, 6 Washington St., Barre. Free.
476-7550. jeanne@aldrichpubliclibrary.org.
aldrichpubliclibrary.org.

MONDAY, MAY 4

Parent Meet-Up. Come meet other parents, share

information and chat over light snacks, coffee
and tea. First Mon., 1011:30 a.m. Hayes Room,
Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 135 Main St., Montpelier. Free. mamasayszine@gmail.com.
Bereavement/Grief Support Group. Open
to anyone who has experienced the death of a
loved one. 6-7:30 p.m. Conference Center. 600
Granger Road, Berlin. Free. 223-1878.
Classic Book Club. New members always welcome. Most first Mon., 68 p.m. Cutler Memorial Library, 151 High St. (Rte. 2), Plainfield. Free.
454-8504. cutlerlibrary.org/resources/bookclub.

TUESDAY, MAY 5

ADA Advisory Committee Meeting. First Tues.

City managers conference room, City Hall, 39
Main St., Montpelier. 223-9502.
Senior Success Series. Series of presentations on
topics important to seniors including food and
fuel assistance, Medicare, long term care options,
caregiver support, transportation, end of life planning and volunteer opportunities. May 5 topic is
food and fuel assistance. Every Tues. May 5June
16, 12:30 p.m. Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre St., Montpelier. 223-2518.
Womens Circle. Women and mothers discuss
motherhood, family life and womens health.
Hosted by midwives Chelsea Hastings and
Hannah Allen. First Tues., 68 p.m. Emerge
Midwifery and Family Health, 174 River St.,

THE BRIDGE
Montpelier.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 6

Blood Pressure Clinic. Hosted by SASH. A

nurse will provide blood pressure parameters and
healthy lifestyle tips. First come, first served. 9
a.m.noon. Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58
Barre St., Montpelier. Free. 223-2518.
Grandparents Raising Their Childrens Children. First Wed., 10 a.m.Noon. Barre Presbyterian Church, Summer St. 476-1480.
Cancer Support Group. First Wed., 6 p.m.
Potluck. For location, call Carole MacIntyre
229-5931.
U-32 School Board Meeting. Open to the public
and community members are always welcome to
attend. 6 p.m. U-32, Rm. 131, 930 Gallison Hill
Rd., Montpelier. 229-0321.
Montpelier School Board Meeting. 7 p.m.
Montpelier High School library, 5 High School
Dr., Montpelier. 225-8000.

THURSDAY, MAY 7

History Road Walk with Green Mountain Club.

Montpelier and East Montpelier. Easy, 46 miles
along the Winooski River Valley to sites of several
commercial buildings and utility plants. View
pictures of the buildings as they existed years ago,
along with a tour of an operating hydro plant.
Contact Manny for meeting time and place:
622-0585.
MBAC Meeting. Meeting of the Montpelier
Bicycle Advisory Committee. First Thurs., 8 a.m.
Police Station Community Room, 534 Washington St., Montpelier. 262-6273.
Ron Krupp on Woodchuck Gardening. Krupp
discusses his new book The Woodchuck Returns
to Gardening. The book is rooted in organic
methods and travels into the world of vegetables,
berries and fruits. 6:30 p.m. Waterbury Public
Library, 30 Foundry St., Waterbury. Free. 2447036.
Diabetes Support Group. First Thurs., 78 p.m.
Conference room 3, Central Vermont Medical
Center. 371-4152.

FRIDAY, MAY 8

Community Church Tag Sale. Collectibles,

kitchenware, books, toys, homemade crafts and
more. May 8, 9 a.m.4 p.m.; May 9, 9 a.m.3
p.m. Waterbury Center Community Church, Rte.
100 (next to Cold Hollow Cider Mill), Waterbury
Center.

SATURDAY, MAY 9

23rd annual National Association of Letter

Carriers Food Drive. Place your non-perishable
food items in a bag at your mailbox in the morning and your letter carrier will pick them up. If
you do not have a letter carrier, just take your
items to your post office and ask that they accept
them for a nearby food pantry. Please do not
include any outdated items. nalc.org/communityservice/food-drive
Green Mountain Club Work Hike. Duxbury. All
abilities. 34 miles round trip. Spring walk-thru
on the Long Trail to Bamforth Ridge Shelter.
Bring lunch. Wear sturdy boots, work clothes and
gloves. 8 a.m. Meet at Montpelier High School,
5 High School Dr., Montpelier. Fred: 223-3935.
trails@gmcmontpelier.org.
Overeaters Anonymous. Twelve-step program
for physically, emotionally and spiritually overcoming overeating. Two meeting days and locations. Second Sat., 8:309:30 a.m. at Episcopal
Church of the Good Shepherd, 39 Washington
St., Barre. 249-3970.
Living with Alzheimers: For Late Stage Caregivers. Hear from caregivers and professionals
about resources, monitoring care and providing
meaningful connections for the person with late
stage Alzheimers and their families. 9 a.m.noon.
Your local Vermont Interactive Technology site at
Vermont Department of Labor, 5 Green Mountain Dr., Montpelier. Free. vitlink.org.
Community Church Tag Sale. Collectibles, kitchenware, books, toys, homemade crafts more. May
8, 9 a.m.4 p.m.; May 9, 9 a.m.3 p.m. Waterbury Center Community Church, Rte. 100 (next
to Cold Hollow Cider Mill), Waterbury Center.

Tell them
you saw it in
The Bridge!

T H E B R I D G E

Music
VENUES
Bagitos. 28 Main St., Montpelier. Free. 2299212. bagitos.com.
Apr. 16: Giovanina Bucci (folk/blues/pop) 68
p.m.
Apr. 17: Dave Loughran, 68 p.m.
Apr. 18: Irish Session with Sarah Blair, Hilari
Farrington, Benedict Koehler, Katrina VanTyne,
Bob Ryan, and others, 25 p.m.; Sugarhouse
Run (bluegrass/folk/Americana) 68 p.m.
Apr. 19: Bleecker & MacDougal (folk ballads)
11 a.m.1 p.m.
Apr. 21: Old Time Music Session, 68 p.m.
Apr. 23: The Fog (acoustic jam) 68 p.m.
Apr. 24: Erin Powers (indie folk) 68 p.m.
Apr. 25: Irish Session with Sarah Blair, Hilari
Farrington, Benedict Koehler, Katrina VanTyne,
Bob Ryan, and others, 25 p.m.; Stefani Capizzi
(country/folk/blues) 68 p.m.
Apr. 26: Sarah Jane (old time country) 11
a.m.1 p.m.
Apr. 28: The Peoples Caf: Open mic for poets,
spoken word artists, song writers, story tellers
and anyone with a song or poem in their hearts
in honor of Earth Day and poetry month. 68
p.m. davidklein@yahoo.com.
Apr. 30: Nancy Taube student piano recital,
68 p.m.
May 1: Art Herttua and Stephen Morabito Jazz
Duo, 68 p.m.
May 2: Irish Session with Sarah Blair, Hilari
Farrington, Benedict Koehler, Katrina VanTyne,
Bob Ryan, and others, 25 p.m.; Alice & Adam,
68 p.m.
Charlie Os World Famous. 70 Main St., Montpelier. Free. Call for time if not listed: 223-6820.
Apr. 16: Light Crusher, DJ Crucible (metal)
Apr. 17: Boomslang (hip hop)
Apr. 18: Sun Lions, Jake McKelvie & the Countertops, The Pilgrims (rock)
Apr. 23: Strangled Darlings
Apr. 24: Red Pennys (rockabilly)
Apr. 25: Victim of Metal, Untapped (metal)

Calendar of Events

A P R I L 16 M AY 6 , 2 015 PAG E 2 5

North Branch Caf. 41 State St., Montpelier.

Free. 552-8105. donia@thenorth-branch.com.
thenorth-branch.com.
Apr. 16: James Secor (kora/guitar)
Apr. 18: Tas Cru and Maryann Casale (blues/
Americana)
Apr. 25: Michelle Rodriguez (blues/jazz/indiepop)

SPECIAL EVENTS

Nutty Steph's. 961C U.S. Rte. 2, Middlesex.

Free. 229-2090. nightlife@nuttystephs.com. nuttystephs.com.
Apr. 16: Andic Severance, 710 p.m.
Apr. 17: Rauli Fernandez & Friends, 710 p.m.
Apr. 23: Cooie Sings, 68 p.m.
Apr. 24: Jazzyaoke with Z Jazz, 7:30-10:30 p.m.
$5. Get $1 back every time you take to the mic.
Apr. 30: Cookies Hot Club, 710 p.m.

Apr. 17: Vermont Contemporary Music Ensemble: Poetry & Music. Concert features poet
David Huddle with musical responses. 7:30 p.m.
Unitarian Church, 130 Main St., Montpelier.
Adults $25; $12 seniors/students; $5 financially
challenged. Kellogg-Hubbard Library: 223-3338.
poem-city.org.

Positive Pie. 22 State St., Montpelier. 10 p.m.

229-0453. positivepie.com.
Apr. 17: Barika (funk, West African)
Apr. 18, 25: House Shuffle Dance Party
May 1: Big Bang Bhangra Brass Band
May 8: Gang of Thieves, $5. 21+
Sweet Melissas. 4 Langdon St., Montpelier. Free
unless otherwise noted. 225-6012. facebook.com/
sweetmelissasvt.
Apr. 16: Broken String, 7:30 p.m.
Apr. 17: Mark LeGrand, 5 p.m.; Canopy, 9 p.m.
Apr. 18: Penny Arcade, 5 p.m.; Coquette,
Smokin J's, 9 p.m. $5.
Apr. 21: Nancy & Lilly Smith, 5 p.m.; Open
Mic Night, 7 p.m.
Apr. 22: D. Davis, 5 p.m.; Andy Frolich, 8 p.m.
Apr. 24: Mark LeGrand, 5 p.m.; Raphael
Gualazzi Band, 9 p.m. $5.
Apr. 25: David Langevin, 5 p.m.; Mystery Point,
9 p.m.
Apr. 28: Curtis Evans Kile, 5 p.m.; Open Mic
Night, 7 p.m.
Apr. 29: with D. Davis, 5 p.m.; WingWalker,
8 p.m.
Apr. 30: Dave Keller, 7:30 p.m.
May 8: Starline Rhythm Boys (honky-tonk/
rockabilly) 9 p.m. cover.
The Whammy Bar. 31 County Rd., Calais. 7
p.m. Free. 229-4329. whammybar1.com.
Apr. 16: Blue Road Crossing
Apr. 17: Two Cents in the Till
Apr. 18: Poetry Slam with Geof Hewitt

Apr. 16: Francesca Blanchard. Singer-songwriter

born and raised in France. Her music reflects
on her travels, both physical and emotional. 7
p.m. River Arts, 74 Pleasant St., Morrisville. $10.
riverartsvt.org/event/live-concert-with-francescablanchard/

Apr. 17: Haybarn Theatre Fundraiser. Featuring

Miriam Bernardo, Michael Chorney, Robinson
Morse, Geza Carr, Caleb Elder, Polly Vanderputten, Andrew Moroz, Taylor Haskins and Jane
Boxall. 811 p.m. Haybarn Theatre at Goddard
College, 123 Pitkin Rd., Plainfield. $15. goddard.
edu/community.
Apr. 18: WORST. SONG. EVER. Contestants cover
bad pop music in a lighthearted competition with
audience voting and trophies. 8 p.m. Espresso
Bueno, 248 N. Main St., Barre. $5. 479-0896.
info@wooo.tv. wooo.tv
Apr. 1819: Navy Band Northeasts Pops
Ensemble Concert. Traditional band literature,
popular standards and patriotic favorites. Free.
cnic.navy.mil/NavyBandNortheast
Apr. 18: 7 p.m. Spruce Peak Performing Arts
Center, 122 Hourglass Dr., Stowe.
Apr. 19: 2 p.m. Chandler Music Hall, 71-73
Main St., Randolph.
Apr. 22: Capital City Band Rehearsal. First
rehearsal for the 2015 season. All band instrument players are welcome to play with the band.
The first concert will be a short set on May 16
at 10:45 a.m. for the re-opening of the Christ
Church park. Capital City Band concerts will be
Wednesdays June 17Aug. 12, 78 p.m. on the
State House lawn. This first rehearsal is also our
annual cookie swap so bring three dozen cookies
to share. 6:308:30 p.m. Bethany Church, 115
Main St., Montpelier. Denise: 522-5380. Capital
City Band on Facebook.
Apr. 25: Vermont Virtuosi. Vermonts dynamic
chamber music series will present I Remember,
music for mezzo-soprano, flutes, harp and cello.

Flutist and artistic director Laurel Ann Maurer

will be joined by mezzo-soprano Wendy Hoffman, harpist Rita Costanzi and cellist John Dunlop. Program features I Remember, Michael
Cohens moving composition based on the diary
of Anne Frank. 7:30 p.m. Unitarian Church, 130
Main St., Montpelier. Suggested donation: adults
$10; seniors and students $5. 881-9153. lamaurer@sisna.com. laurelannmaurer.com.
May 23: Vermont Philharmonic Spring Concert. Conducted by Lou Kosma. Featuring works
by Mikhail Glinka, Rachmaninoff, Alexander
Borodin and Anatoly Liadov. Adults $15; seniors
$12; students $5. vermontphilharmonic.org.
May 2: 7 p.m. Chandler Music Hall, 71-73
Main St., Randolph.
May 3: 2 p.m. Barre Opera House, 6 N. Main
St., Barre. 476-8188.
May 3: The Music and Poetry of Michael
Arnowitt. Lecture and demonstration exploring the musical aspects of poetry, song lyrics and
literature with jazz and classical musician Michael
Arnowitt. His talk offers a musicians insights
on the elements of sound and time in literary
composition, and the similarities he hears between
the literature of great writers, and the music of
classical composers, jazz musician, as well as pop
songwriters. 2 p.m. Waterbury Congregational
Church, 8 N. Main St., Waterbury. Waterbury
Public Library: 244-7036.
May 8: Mad River Chorale Cabaret and Silent
Auction. With Piero Bonamico. Annual event to
help raise funds for instruments. Snacks, coffee
and cash bar available. Doors open 7 p.m. for
food, drinks and bidding; performance 8 p.m.
Green Mountain Valley School, 271 Moulton
Rd., Waitsfield. madriverchorale.net.
May 9: Laredo/Robinson Duo. Violinist Jamie
Laredo and cellist Sharon Robinson perform
works by Mozart, Kodly, Johann Halvorsen and
Erwin Schulhoff. A reception follows. 7:30 p.m.
Chandler Music Hall, 71-73 Main St., Randolph.
$33. 728-6464. chandler-arts.org.

PAG E 26 A P R I L 16 M AY 6 , 2 015

Weekly Events

THE BRIDGE

Calendar of Events

Read to Coco. Share a story with Coco, the resi- light@jsc.edu. light.kathy@gmail.com.
dent licensed reading therapy dog, who loves to
hear kids practice reading aloud. Wed., 3:304:30
p.m. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 135 Main St.,
Montpelier. Sign up ahead: 223-4665 or at the
Feast Together or Feast To Go. All proceeds benchildrens desk. kellogghubbard.org.
Spring Migration Bird Walks. Explore NBNC
efit the Feast Senior Meal program. Tues. and Fri.,
for spring migrants such as warblers, vireos,
noon1 p.m. Live music every Tues., 10:3011:30 Story Time for Kids. Meet your neighbors and
thrushes and waterfowl. Every Fri., Apr. 24May
share
quality
time
with
the
pre-schooler
in
your
a.m.
Montpelier
Senior
Activity
Center,
58
Beaders Group. All levels of beading experience
22. North Branch Nature Center, 713 Elm St.,
life.
Each
week
well
read
stories
and
spend
time
Barre
St.,
Montpelier.
Seniors
60+
free
with
$7
welcome. Free instruction available. Come with
Montpelier. free for member; $10 non-members.
together.
A
great
way
to
introduce
your
presuggested
donation;
under
60
$9.
Reservations:
a project for creativity and community. Sat., 11
229-6206. northbranchnaturecenter.org.
schooler
to
your
local
library.
For
ages
25.
Every
262-6288
or
justbasicsinc@gmail.com.
a.m.2 p.m. The Bead Hive, Plainfield. 454-1615.
Thurs., 10:30 a.m. Cutler Memorial Library, 151
Noontime Knitters. All abilities welcome. Basics
High St., Plainfield. 454-8504. cutlerlibrary.org.
taught. Crocheting, needlepoint and tatting also
Read with Arlo. Meet reading therapy dog Arlo
welcome. Tues., noon1 p.m. Waterbury Public
and his owner Brenda. Sign up for a 20-minute
Additional Recycling. The Additional Recyclables
Library, 28 N. Main St., Waterbury. 244-7036.
Turning Point Center. Safe, supportive place
block. Thurs., 45 p.m. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Collection Center accepts scores of hard-tofor
individuals
and
their
families
in
or
seeking
Women Knitting for Peace Group. Knit/crochet
135 Main St., Montpelier. 223-4665. kellogghub- recycle items. Tues. and Thurs., 12:30 p.m.5:30
items to be donated to those in need world-wide. recovery. Daily, 10 a.m.5 p.m. 489 North Main bard.org.
p.m. ARCC, 540 North Main St., Barre. $1 per
St.,
Barre.
479-7373.
Bring yarn and needles. Thurs., 1011 a.m. and
carload. 229-9383 x106. cvswmd.org.
Robins Nest Nature Playgroup. Playgroup for
Sun.: Alchoholics Anonymous, 8:30 a.m.
67:30 p.m. Montpelier Senior Activity Center,
parents,
caregivers,
and
children
ages
birth5.
58 Barre St., Montpelier. 223-2518. For basic info. Tues.: Making Recovery Easier workshops,
Spontaneous play, exploration, discovery, song,
and patterns: knitting4peace.org.
67:30 p.m.
nature inspired crafts and story telling. Every Fri.,
Wed.: Wits End Parent Support Group, 6 p.m. 9:3011:30 a.m. North Branch Nature Center,
Thurs.: Narcotics Anonymous, 6:30 p.m.
713 Elm St., Montpelier. Free. 229-6206. north- Christian Science Reading Room. You're invited
to visit the Reading Room and see what we
branchnaturecenter.org.
Early Bird Bone Builders Class. With Cort
have for your spiritual growth. You can borrow,
Open Shop Nights. Volunteer-run community
Richardson, Osteoporosis exercise and prevention Preschool Story Time. Every Fri., 10 a.m.
purchase or simply enjoy material in a quiet study
bike shop: bike donations and repairs. Fri., 46
program. Wear comfortable clothing and sturdy Waterbury Public Library temporary location, 30
room. When we are closed, we have free literature
p.m.; other nights. Freeride Montpelier, 89 Barre shoes. Light weights provided or bring your own. Foundry St., Waterbury. Free. 244-7036. waterout on the portico, over the bench, for you to read
St., Montpelier. 552-3521. freeridemontpelier.org. All ages. Every Mon., Wed. and Fri., 7:308:30
burypubliclibrary.com.
or take with you. Hours: Tues., 11 a.m.5 p.m.;
a.m. Twin Valley Senior Center, Rte. 2, Blueberry
Wed., 11 a.m.7:15 p.m.; Thurs.Sat., 11 a.m.1
Commons, E. Montpelier. Free. Cort: 223-3174 Drop-in Kinder Arts Program. Innovative exp.m. 145 State St., Montpelier. 223-2477.
ploratory
arts
program
with
artist/instructor
Kelly
or 238-0789.
Holt. Age 35. Fri., 10:30 a.m.noon. River Arts Christian Counseling. Tues. and Thurs. Daniel
Bone Building Exercises. All seniors welcome.
Center, 74 Pleasant St., Morrisville. 888-1261.
Dr., Barre. Reasonable cost. By appt. only: 479Lunch in a Foreign Language. Bring lunch and
Every Mon., Wed. and Fri. 10:4511:45 a.m. Twin RiverArtsVT.org.
0302.
practice your language skills with neighbors.
Valley Senior Center, 4583 U.S. Rte. 2, E. MontNoon1 p.m. Mon., Hebrew; Tues., Italian;
Teen
Fridays.
Find
out
about
the
latest
teen
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. For those
pelier. Free. 223-3322. twinvalleyseniors.org.
Wed., Spanish; Thurs., French. Kellogg-Hubbard
books, use the gym, make art, play games and if interested in learning about the Catholic faith, or
Tai Chi for Seniors. Led by trained volunteers.
Library, 135 Main St., Montpelier. 223-3338.
you need to, do your homework. Fri., 35 p.m.
current Catholics who want to learn more. Wed.,
Every Mon. and Fri., 12 p.m. Twin Valley Senior Jaquith Public Library, 122 School St., Marsh7 p.m. St. Monica Church, 79 Summer St., Barre.
English Conversation Practice Group. For
Center, 4583 U.S. Rte. 2, E. Montpelier. Free.
field. 426-3581.
Register: 479-3253.
students learning English for the first time. Tues.,
223-3322. twinvalleyseniors.org.
45 p.m. Central Vermont Adult Basic EducaCommunity Playgroup. An early childhood
Deepening Our Jewish Roots. Fun, engaging text
Living Strong Group. Volunteer-led group.
tion, Montpelier Learning Center, 100 State St.
educator will be present to provide free play and
study and discussion on Jewish spirituality. Sun.,
Sing
while
exercising.
Open
to
all
seniors.
Every
223-3403.
conversation, seasonal songs, lap games and an oc- 4:456:15 p.m. Yearning for Learning Center,
Mon., 2:303:30 p.m. and every Fri., 23 p.m.
casional puppet story. For children under 4 years Montpelier. 223-0583. info@yearning4learning.
Ongoing Reading Group. Improve your reading
Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre St.,
accompanied by their parent or caregiver. Every
org.
and share some good books. Books chosen by
Montpelier. Free. Register: 223-2518. msac@
Sat. through May 23, 1011:30 a.m. The Childs
group. Thurs., 910 a.m. Central Vermont Adult
montpelier-vt.org.
Garden, 155 Northfield St., Montpelier. Free. PreBasic Education, Montpelier Learning Center,
Sex Addicts Anonymous. Mon., 6:30 p.m. Betha- registration appreciated: morgan.i@ovws.org.
100 State St. 223-3403.
ny Church, 115 Main St., Montpelier. 552-3483. Mad River Valley Youth Group. Sun., 79 p.m.
Meets at various area churches. Call 497-4516 for Roller Derby Open Recruitment and RecreOvereaters Anonymous. Twelve-step proational Practice. Central Vermonts Wrecking
location and information.
gram for physically, emotionally and spiritually
Doll Society invites quad skaters age 18 and up.
overcoming overeating. Two meeting days and
No experience necessary. Equipment provided:
locations. Every Tues., 5:306:30 p.m. and second
first come, first served. Sat., 56:30 p.m. MontSat.,
8:309:30
a.m.
at
Episcopal
Church
of
the
Computer and Online Help. One-on-one compelier Recreation Center, Barre St. First skate free.
puter help. Tues. and Fri., 10 a.m.1 p.m. Water- Good Shepherd, 39 Washington St., Barre. 249centralvermontrollerderby.com.
Barre-Tones
Womens
Chorus.
Open
rehearsal.
3970.
Every
Fri.,
noon1
p.m.
at
Bethany
Church,
bury Public Library, 28 N. Main St., Waterbury.
Find
your
voice
with
50
other
women.
Mon.,
7
115 Main St., Montpelier. 223-3079.
Free. Registration required: 244-7036.
p.m. Alumni Hall, Barre. 223-2039. BarretonesHIV Testing. Vermont CARES offers fast oral
Personal Financial Management Workshops.
VT.com.
Learn about credit/debit cards, credit building and testing. Thurs., 25 p.m. 58 East State St., Ste. 3
Dance or Play with the Swinging Over 60 Band. Christian Meditation Group. People of all faiths
(entrance at back), Montpelier. Free. 371-6222.
repair, budgeting and identity theft, insurance,
Danceable tunes from the 1930s to the 1960s.
welcome. Mon., noon1 p.m. Christ Church,
vtcares.org.
investing, retirement. Tues., 68 p.m. Central
Recruiting musicians. Tues., 10:30 a.m.noon.
Montpelier. 223-6043.
Vermont Medical Center, Conference Room 3.
Growing Older Group. Informal drop-in group
Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre St.,
Registration: 371-4191.
Zen Meditation. With Zen Affiliate of Vermont.
to share experiences, thoughts and fears about
Montpelier. 223-2518.
Wed., 6:307:30 p.m. 174 River St., Montpelier.
aging. Every Fri., 10:3011:30 a.m. Montpelier
Free. Call for orientation: 229-0164.
Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre St., Montpelier. Spring Session Ballroom Dance Classes. With
instructor Samir Elabd. All ages, singles welcome,
223-2518.
no prior experience needed. Tues., Apr. 28June Shambhala Buddhist Meditation. Group mediCommunity Meals in Montpelier. All welcome.
2. Swing 67 p.m.; Latin sampler (salsa and sam- tation practice. Sun., 10 a.m.noon; Tues., 78
p.m.; Wed., 67 p.m. New location: Center for
Free.
ba) 78 p.m. Union Elementary School, 1 Park
Ave., Montpelier. Register: 225-8699 (Montpelier Culture and Learning, 46 Barre Street, MontpeMon.: Unitarian Church, 130 Main St., 11
lier. Free. 223-5137. montpeliershambala.org.
a.m.1 p.m.
Baby & Toddler Story Time. Every Mon., 10 a.m. Recreation Department). More info: 223-2921,
elabd@comcast.net.
Sunday Sangha: Community Ashtanga Yoga.
Tues.: Bethany Church, 115 Main St., 11:30
Waterbury Public Library temporary location, 30
Every Sun., 5:407 p.m. Grateful Yoga, 15 State
a.m.1 p.m.
Foundry St., Waterbury. Free. 244-7036. waterMonteverdi Young Singers Chorus Rehearsal.
St., 3F, Montpelier. By donation.
burypubliclibrary.com.
Wed.: Christ Church, 64 State St., 11 a.m.
New chorus members welcome. Wed., 45 p.m.
12:30 p.m.
The Basement Teen Center. Cable TV, PlaySta- Montpelier. Call 229-9000 for location and more
information.
Thurs.: Trinity Church, 137 Main St., 11:30
tion 3, pool table, free eats and fun events for
a.m.1 p.m.
teenagers. Mon.Thurs., 36 p.m.; Fri., 311 p.m. Piano Workshop. Informal time to play, refresh
Submit your calendar
Basement Teen Center, 39 Main St., Montpelier. your skills and get feedback if desired with
Fri.: St. Augustine Church, 18 Barre St., 11
listing by using our
229-9151.
a.m.12:30 p.m.
other supportive musicians. Singers and listeners
Sun.: Last Sunday only, Bethany Church, 115
welcome. Thurs., 45:30 p.m. Montpelier Senior
online submission form at
Story Time and Playgroup. Story time with
Main St. (hosted by Beth Jacob Synagogue),
Sylvia Smith and playgroup with Melissa Seifert. Activity Center, 58 Barre St., Montpelier. Free;
montpelierbridge.com/
4:305:30 p.m.
open to the public. 223-2518. msac@montpelierFor ages birth6 and grown-ups. We follow the
vt.org.
calendar-submissions
Twinfield Union School calendar and do not hold
programs when Twinfield is closed. Every Wed.
Ukelele Group. All levels welcome. Thurs., 68
through June 3. 1011:30 a.m. Jaquith Public Li- p.m. Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre
brary, 122 School St., Marshfield. Free. 426-3581. St. 223-2518.
jaquithpubliclibrary.org.
Gamelan Rehearsals. Sun., 79 p.m. Pratt
Center, Goddard College. Free. 426-3498. steven.
OR
Lunches for Seniors. Mon., Wed., Fri., Noon.
Twin Valley Senior Center, 4583 U.S. Rte. 2, E.
Montpelier. $4 suggested donation. 223-3322.
twinvalleyseniors.org.

OUTDOORS

ART & CRAFT

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802 778 0626
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OR
send listing to
calendar@montpelierbridge.com
Deadline for next issue is
April 30.
Send information for events
happening May 7May 23.

A P R I L 16 M AY 6 , 2 015 PAG E 27

T H E B R I D G E

Class listings and classifieds are 50 words for $25.

To place an ad, call Michael, 223-5112 ext. 11.

JOB OPPORTUNITY:
BETH JACOB SYNAGOGUE SEEKS NEW
RELIGIOUS SCHOOL DIRECTOR
Small diverse congregation in Montpelier seeks
hands-on principal to lead weekly religious
school for 8 month school year starting in September. School aims to develop Jewish identity
and teach Jewish holidays, history, Hebrew,
and Tikkun Olam. Responsibilities include
curriculum development, coordinating several
teachers, planning activities, and teaching.
Approximate time commitment 15 hours/week.
Salary $13,000 - $14,000.
Send resume and letter of interest to Beth
Jacob Synagogue by email to
president@bethjacobvt.org by
April 22, 2015.

SERVICES:

CREATIVE SPACE
AVAILABLE:
THE CENTER FOR ARTS AND LEARNING
The Center for Arts and Learning, 46 Barre
Street, has studios available for artists, musicians, writers, other creative folks. Join us as we
transform our former convent and school into a
vibrant arts and music center.
Angus@CAL-vt.org, (802) 730-2542

Design & Build

Custom Energy-Efficient Homes
Additions Timber Frames
Weatherization Remodeling
Kitchens Bathrooms Flooring
Tiling Cabinetry Fine Woodwork

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you saw it in
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233-1116
alsmithroofing.com

New Construction
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Do What You Do Best.

Bookkeeping Payroll Consulting

T&T Truck for Hire

802.262.6013 evenkeelvt.com

LIght movIng, L andfILL

runs, and odd jobs.

Weve got the truck.

Give us a call at:

Rocque Long
Painting
Insured
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experience
local references.

224.1360

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223-3447

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Since 1972
Repairs New floors and walls
Crane work Decorative concrete

Consulting ICF foundations
114 Three Mile Bridge Rd., Middlesex, VT (802) 229-0480
gendronbuilding@aol.com gendronconcrete.com

PAG E 2 8 A P R I L 16 M AY 6 , 2 015

THE BRIDGE

Dual Enrollment Raises College Aspiration

by Stephan Morse

everal years ago, a Middlebury student was struggling in high

school, unsure of her future. No one in her family had ever attended college. With encouragement, she took English composition at the Community College of Vermont during her senior year
of high school. The dual enrollment course, for which she received
both high school and college credit, gave her a taste of success and
a taste of college. She is currently enrolled at CCV and plans to
pursue further education and a career in health care.

Opinion

Dual enrollment is allowing hundreds of high school students the opportunity to take a
college course while still in high school. If they do so, studies show they are more likely
to go to college, to succeed in their studies once they are there, and to graduate.
Over 60 percent of job openings in the next several years will require post-secondary education. Dual enrollment courses promise to help tackle our college aspiration dilemma
and get more students to college. Currently, only 52 percent of our high school graduates
pursue higher education. Compare that to the over 84 percent of students who took a
dual enrollment course at CCV and are now enrolled in college.
One former dual enrollment student, now matriculated at Castleton State College, wrote,
"This opportunity impacted my life in a lot of ways. Taking college classes in high school
made me more prepared for the rigorous, college-level academic curriculum. I felt completely ready for the change after having taken college classes in high school."

than their peers.

In 2013, Vermont included dual enrollment vouchers in its Flexible

Pathways Initiative, an effort to engage more students in their education and to encourage their pursuit of post-secondary education.
We must engage all young Vermonters in furthering their education. National studies show that dual enrollment students across all
income levels are nearly two times more likely to graduate from high
school, and more than two times as likely to earn a college degree

Vermont provides two dual enrollment vouchers per high school junior or senior, at no
charge to the student. Participation in 2014 doubled over the previous year, with 1,292
students from every county taking a college course while still in high school. Enrollment
by economically-disadvantaged students, who are English language learners, and who
receive special education, is on the rise.
As someone involved in education for many years, I find dual enrollment to be one of
the most promising programs for students. I encourage students and families to inquire
about participating, and I encourage the state to continue this modest but impactful
investment.
Stephan Morse is a resident of Newfane and the chair of the state Board of Education and
Vermont Economic Progress Council.

Kiwanis Club of Barres 34th annual Honors For Scholars Banquet.

Honoring Spaulding High School seniors who are members of the Pro
Merito Society. Pro Merito Society members are required to have an
accumulative average of 3.0 or greater for seven semesters. Seventy-six
members of the Spaulding High School Class of 2015 are members of the
Pro Merito Society.
The banquet was held at the Canadian Club in Barre Town on Monday,
April 13. Guest speaker was Chris Hennessey, principal of Union Elementary School in Montpelier and former vice principal of Spaulding
High School.
Photo by Rick McMahan.

A P R I L 16 M AY 6 , 2 015 PAG E 29

T H E B R I D G E

Editorial
A

Upending Conventional Wisdom

by Nat Frothingham

ccording to conventional wisdom its not a good idea to seek financial help for
any cause, organization or project however worthy in January or February.

You wouldnt want to ask anyone for help after the gift-giving and partying of the
December holiday season. Nor would you appeal for help in the coldest months of the
year when people are paying and some people are struggling to pay their heating
bills.
These forbidding thoughts crossed and re-crossed my mind this past Janaury after I had
taken a hard look at the papers financial numbers.
Just when our situation looked very bleak, at least three good things began to happen.
First, I reached out to a small group of friends who agreed to meet on an ad hoc basis to
help me think through the financial and organizational issues facing The Bridge.
Here let me acknowledge the friends who met with me beginning in January:
Phil Dodd, a founder of The Bridge in 1993. Also Wavell Cowan, Donny Osman and
Larry Floersch.
The second big thing we did was to change the papers organizational structure from a
private business to a not-for-profit organization. In making that change, we had the generous help of Montpelier attorney Paul Gillies.
The third thing we did was to write a letter and invite the financial help of people who
were already friends of the paper.
Just as that letter was going out, I was sitting in my office when I heard the voice of Carla
Occaso, our managing editor, who works in an office across the hall. Would it be OK
for The Bridge to attempt a Kickstarter campaign? Carla asked. I couldnt think of any
reason not to try something that might work. So I said, Yes, sure lets try it.
Carla led the Kickstarter campaign. As she set it up, we had 30 days to raise $10,000 and
if we didnt raise that amount in 30 days we would lose any money that had been already
pledged.
Soon enough the campaign was gaining a little traction. That traction really took hold

Advertise in THE NEXT ISSUE:

The Arts
May 7 May 20, 2015
ALL AD MATERIALS AND AD SPACE
RESERVATIONS DUE FRIDAY, MAY 1.
For more information about advertising deadlines, rates and the design
of your ad call 223-5112 ext. 11 or email our ad sales representatives at
michael@montpelierbridge.com or rick@montpelierbridge.com

Nature Watch
by Nona Estrin

Grateful for Bird Songs

his time of year, I'm grateful for

good hearing. There is nothing
prettier to my ear than the spring
song of migrating fox sparrows. They
stop here to scratch in the brush, adding
their alto melody to the warbler-like trills
of northbound juncos. Neither of these
birds sing until on their way to breeding grounds in the far north. Then they
let go! Early April mornings the brushy
field to our east is full of them, and we
stop to listen, sensing the great tides of
migration. And after such a winter, that
irrepressible song feels just right!

Watercolor by Nona Estrin

when we added cupcakes on the rewards list. And it heated up even more when New England Culinary Institute agreed to provide the cupcakes. Then, Prof. Jeremy Hansen, Margaret Blanchard and Joyce Kahn volunteered their time to provide services. Then it began
to attract notice. Then I went on air at couple of local radio station. Then we sent email
messages to friends. In the final week of the campaign, we crossed the $5,000 mark and
began to experience what can only be described as momentum. And even before the 30day period expired we were up to and over the $10,000 goal a breathtaking surprise.
The money we raised from the Kickstarter campaign will enable us to pay our printing
bills this spring. That money has also given us something else precious time. Time to
create a not-for-profit organization, meet with a new board of directors and time upcoming meetings to map out a plan for the future.
To everyone who has helped us with contributions that have enabled us to go forward,
please accept my deep and sincere thanks. I cant express that enough.

PAG E 3 0 A P R I L 16 M AY 6 , 2 015

THE BRIDGE

Letters

What Do You Think?

Read something that you would like to
respond to? We welcome your letters
and opinion pieces. Letters must
be fewer than 300 words. Opinion
pieces should not exceed 600 words.
The Bridge reserves the right to edit
and cut pieces. Send your piece to:
editorial@montpelierbridge.com.
Deadline for the next issue is
May 1.

Dont Blame the NRA for Water

Bill Blockage
From The Bridge's Facebook page:
Editor:
Paul Perley: The National Rifle Association
is the "boogeyman" for all kinds of radical "fascists." Now the clean water folks are
blaming the NRA influence for the failure of
H.33 to gain traction in the House. They refuse to accept that it is a radical proposition
to restrict the use of publicly owned ponds
and waters from use by the public. Water
supplies for towns and cities are purified
because even undisturbed nature contaminates drinking water. W.C. Fields once said,
"I don't drink water because fish f**k in it."
Burlington and other towns and cities get
their water from Lake Champlain. Could
Burlington ban all fishing and boating because of this bill? Probably not. Why should
Barre or Montpelier have that right. Heed
the warning by this "fascist." http://www.
montpelierbridge.com//opinion-cleanwater-advo/ Before these idiots claim I
am an NRA pawn, I shall tell you I have not
been an NRA member for over 30 years. I
was a member, as well as a member of the
National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association
and the National Muzzle loading Artillery
Association for many years.
William A. McLaughlin
South Burlington

In Praise of Francis Brooks

Editor:
The Vermont Yankee Decommissioning
Alliance would like to express its heartfelt
appreciation and praise for Francis Brooks,
former sergeant-at-arms of the Vermont State
House.
The Vermont Yankee Decommissioning Alliance is an all-volunteer, citizen organization. We opposed the building of the Yan-

kee nuclear power plant, diligently worked

to shut it down for 42 years and, are now
engaged in ensuring the safe and reliable
decommissioning of the plant.
We have no clue what Mr. Brooks opinions
were regarding nuclear power. Why should
we? As sergeant-at-arms, Brooks job was not
to tell us what he thought but to ensure the
State House was available and welcoming to
the citizens no matter what our opinion. For
years he did so for VYDA, other anti-nuclear
organizations and nonprofits of all persuasions. Brooks followed State House rules and
regulations and he made certain we did as
well. It never mattered that we were not
legislators, lobbyists or government workers.
Brooks made certain the State House was
the "peoples house" of Vermont. For that the
members of VYDA would like to express our
gratitude and appreciation. We are very sorry
he has left his post. He will be missed.
The Vermont Yankee Decommissioning
Alliance

Health Connect Coverage:

Unaffordable and Unwieldy
Editor:
This is the story of my experience with
Vermont Health Connect. I retired in the
beginning of 2014. At that time our family was covered under my husband's policy
through his employer. My husband died in
March of that year and the coverage ended.
I had the option of being covered as a retiree
but that was prohibitively expensive on my
limited income a pension and social security. I contacted a navigator with VHC
who guided me through the process. I was
only able to afford the lowest cost coverage, the Bronze Plan, which has a very high
deductible but does provide preventive care.
Basically, I took a gamble that I would stay
healthy. Because of the inefficiency of the
VHC system, I was lost in the system for
the next eight months, finally getting my
coverage in February 2015. Im not sure what
would have happened should I have become
ill in those months. Now, I will have to remain illness free for the next year, at which
time I will be eligible for Medicare, or run
the risk of depleting my savings. This system
does not make any sense. We should not
have to take a gamble about whether we
think we will stay healthy/not get injured.
We need to move beyond the Affordable
Care Act as we have already committed to
through Act 48. We need health care as a
right, not as a commodity. That is why I will
be joining thousands of others at the State
House on May 1. The time is now to do
what is right for our communities.
Laura Wolfe
Wilder

United Way Coordinating Letter

Carriers Food Drive
Editor:
Green Mountain United Way is again pleased
to help coordinate the 23rd annual National

Association of Letter Carriers Food Drive

scheduled for May 9. Even though this is a
national food drive, all food donated locally
will be distributed to local food shelves to
help local people.
Last year, a phenomenal 32,000 pounds of
food were collected in Washington, Orange,
Caledonia, Essex and Orleans counties and
delivered to 20 local food shelves in those
same counties. We hope to top that amount
this May and you can help us accomplish
that goal.
If you would like to participate, simply place
your nonperishable food items in a bag at
your mailbox on the morning of May 9 and
your letter carrier will gladly pick them up.
If you do not have a letter carrier, just take
your items to your post office and ask that
they accept them for a nearby food pantry. Please do NOT include any outdated
items as government regulations prevent the
food shelves from keeping them. They must
throw them away.
Do your part to help stamp out hunger.
The latest County health rankings show that
an average of 13 percent of Vermonters are
considered food insecure way too many
people in this country of abundance. Please
participate in the May 9 food drive and help
alleviate the hunger that exists.
Madeleine C. Roy
Community development and marketing
director, Green Mountain United Way
802-647-2148

Live Within Our Means

Editor:
Putting together a budget is never an easy
task, according to the governor in a recent
letter, as he likens the state to families deciding between groceries and medicine, so to
live within their means.
Vermont statutes state: The budget should
be instituted for the common benefit, protection, and security of the people ... and
recognize every person's need for health,
housing, dignified work, education, food,
social security, and a healthy environment.
Continuing a seven-year downward spiral,
the budget bill reduces funding for home
fuel assistance and weatherizing, mental
health and substance abuse treatment, libraries, pre-K, community high school, Reach
Up, Legal Aid, health care, public health,
autism and geriatric programs, state employees, developmental disabilities, and adult day
care. House Republicans go further, wanting
to cut or get rid of homeowner and renter
property tax rebates; health insurance assistance, including pharmacy payments for
elders; grants to the Vermont Humanities
Council, the Vermont Council on the Arts,
the Vermont Symphony Orchestra, the Vermont Womens Commission; labor negotiated health care plans; a child care subsidy
for poor mothers; funding for state colleges;
substance abuse recovery centers and psychiatric and substance abuse designated agencies; and public control over the state psychiatric hospital, the Vermont Veterans Home,
and other state responsibilities.
The task before us, to live within our means,
may be easier than the governor suggests.
Numerous proposals from the Public Assets
Institute, state employees, the Workers Center and others offer structural fiscal changes
to reverse seven years of negative budgeting, turn state deficits into surpluses and
lighten the tax burden on working Vermont
families.
To comply with state law and to fully provide for all of us, we must create a budget in
which no Vermonter has to choose between
groceries and medicine.
John Moran
Wardsboro
State representative (20072014)

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