A

Tr ibute

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C ather ine

Or r

page

M ay 7 M ay 20, 2015

Artist Chris Miller

IN THIS ISSUE:
4: Building Proposed
Near Sabin's Pasture
8: Teen-run Filmmaking
Group
11: Walk & Roll Week

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

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

12: Mary Admasian Art

Exhibit

ART IN VERMONT

Vermont Arts Council Turns 50

by Carla Occaso

The first legislative general fund allocation for how they plan to celebrate this milestone. To
the Vermont Arts Council in 1965: $500.
mark the 50th anniversary of public funding
Fiscal Year 2015 legislative general fund al- for the arts, the council decided to really
shine a spotlight on what is going on out
location: $654,439.00
there and to put a virtual tent around this
MONTPELIER If you have seen a public incredible integrated arts culture throughout
building or a road construction project created or renovated in recent years, you probably noticed sculpture or other art forms intermingled with the brick and mortar. Court
houses, bridges, rest areas, state offices and
city centers were all recipients of arts projects
vetted and funded through the Vermont
Arts Council, as long as the construction
budget was big enough $1 million initially. Individual artists and nonprofit organizations also get funding from the council,
which is celebrating its 50th year.
The 1965 legislature voted the Vermont Arts
Council into existence with a $500 allocation that was free of a lot of guidelines
except to promote and preserve excellence
in art. Compare that with fiscal year 2015,
when the state allocation was $654,439 and
the total operating budget hit $1.8 million.
Back in the 1960s, then-governor Phil Hoff
lent his full support, and wrote the following
in the councils first annual report issued in
1966, We acknowledge today that if the
arts are not an immediate and significant
part of a mans life, he has been deprived of
his heritage.
The Bridge recently sat down with Kira
Bacon, communications manager for the
Vermont Arts Council, to find out about

focus on media, primarily outside the state,

to try to build the arts as part of the Vermont
brand, Bacon said, explaining that people
might come here primarily to ski, but once
they get here, the council wants to make sure
people can find out about the performances,
exhibits, and events. It is a pretty new thing
for the arts council to have that as part of
our mission, she said, speaking of the councils foray into travel marketing.

As for taking a specific time to observe the

actual anniversary, Bacon said the council
officials will hold their annual meeting in
June and will take the time to revel. It will
be an outdoor celebration in our sculpture
park in Montpelier. We want it to be something that is open and inviting to everybody.
We are creating the anniversary club, Bacon
said, while also noting it is also the 50th
Sculpture by Chris Miller anniversary of the National Endowment for
the Arts. Public funding has allowed many
arts organizations as well as individual artthe state rather than create a single event, ists to develop new work.
said Bacon. A number of arts projects have
been designated as 2015 arts events and For example, recent grantee Heather Bryce,
will be identified by the 2015 arts logo de- of Montpelier, a dance choreographer, said
signed by the council. Those events include the $3,000 creation grant she received
Lost Nation Theaters performance of Eu- through the arts council this year is allowrydice, a variety of art exhibits, a granite ing her to develop an exciting new outdoor
exhibit in Barre, and a craft conference at performance. Bryce wrote to The Bridge in
Goddard College. The schedule is online at an email: It's a site-specific piece that will
be performed at Wrightsville Reservoir in
vermontartscouncil.org.
Middlesex on August 15 at 7 p.m. We are
The council seeks not only to promote mul- inviting the community to participate ditiple arts events all over the state for the rectly in the performance of the piece (the
enjoyment of locals, but also to attract out- performance is titled Lonesome Bend after
siders. We have a public relations effort to

Continued on Page 10

PAG E 2 M AY 7 M AY 2 0 , 2 015

THE BRIDGE

Nature Watch
by Nona Estrin

Watercolor by Nona Estrin

Need A Gentle Rain

oday I drank lots of water, planted more lettuce and put up the hummingbird
feeder. If only the apples would hurry and blossom before these flying creatures
arrive! I've now heard our resident broad-winged and red-shouldered hawks, a
handful of warblers, and the winter wren. Softwoods are full of the remarkable song of
tiny ruby-crowned kinglets and a big woodchuck has come out of the hedgerow to inspect
the garden fence. And so much more: insects and an explosion of woodland wildflowers. In the vernal pond up in the hardwoods, spotted and Jefferson salamander eggs have
appeared on submerged twigs. How to meet such transformation? I need a few days of
gentle rain before I can unfold into this sudden summer!

Watercolor by Nona Estrin

M AY 7 M AY 2 0 , 2 015 PAG E 3

T H E B R I D G E

HEARD ON THE STREET

Montpelier High School Names New Principal

Zoning Administrator Steps Down, New ZA Appointed

MONTPELIER School authorities have chosen Michael McRaith as new principal to

serve at Montpelier High School starting next school year. Sue Aldrich, chair of the school
board, said McRaith made a favorable impression during the April 14 board meeting. The
announcement came weeks after Principal Adam Bunting said he has taken a new job as a
principal in Chittenden County.

MONTPELIER Dina Bookmyer-Baker has stepped down as zoning administrator,

according to Mike Miller, planning director with the Department of Planning and Community Development. Miller said the job is very fast-paced. Dina was with the city for
two years as the part-time zoning administrator from February 2013 to March 2015. She
resigned March 11 and her last day was March 26, Miller wrote in an email. A new zoning
administrator will start this month. According to Miller, Her name is Sarah McShane and
she lives in Waterbury Center and currently works for the town of Underhill. Her first day
will be May 18 and she will be an excellent addition to the team.

Following is a brief Q&A between McRaith and The Bridge:

Carla Occaso: Where did you grow up?
McRaith: I grew up in Rice Lake, Wisconsin.
Occaso: What are your academic passions?
McRaith: I am strongly interested in social emotional learning for all students. I am interested in helping all students develop excellent executive functioning in order to meet their
own goals and push themselves to be their best.
Occaso: How did you come to be a principal?
McRaith: I taught English in Japan and was a high school guidance counselor before becoming a principal.
Occaso: What do you look forward to about being principal of MHS?
McRaith: I am looking forward to joining a learning community that cares deeply about
students and is willing to adapt and grow the opportunities of the 21st century.
McRaith works at Enosburg Falls Junior/Senior High School, where he has been for past six
years, first as a guidance counselor, and then as principal since 2013. Prior to that he taught
English in Japan.

EMES Board Promotes Assistant Principal

EAST MONTPELIER In the wake of East Montpelier Elementary School learning it
will lose Principal Marion Anastasia to a school in New Hampshire, the board has decided
to hire the current assistant principal to fill her shoes. In an email to The Bridge, Assistant
Principal Alicia Lyford wrote that she has worked as assistant principal for the past five years
and that it has always been my nature to push myself beyond my comfort zone, and I can
honestly say I have thoroughly enjoyed each opportunity that has presented itself over the
course of my time at EMES. Implementing a behavior improvement program called Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports and serving as project manager for the $8 million
building renovation are among her accomplishments.
Lyfords goals for the next school year are to continue the great work weve started in regards
to both curriculum and climate. She hopes to focus on supporting students in literacy, math
and behavior through a multi-tiered system of supports. Before coming to EMES, Lyford
worked as a special educator in Montpelier.

Local 64 Moving Down The Street

MONTPELIER Local 64, the self-styled coworking hub and creativity incubator,
will be moving in early June from 5 State St., where it currently occupies 1,800-square-feet
on two floors, to a 3,300-square-foot space on the second floor at 45 State St., over Asiana
House and the North Branch Caf. Local 64 rents space to independent workers, telecommuters, and startups, and also hosts community events.
Owner Lars Hasselblad Torres, who started the novel project in 2012 and also serves as
director of the Burlington Generator, a maker space, said things have gone well for the
Montpelier business, though it has seen some ups and downs due to seasonal variations in
occupancy. He hopes to attract more clients in the larger space. Both the old office and the
new one are owned by Montpelier Property Management, which Torres said has been very
helpful with the move.
Local 64 is soliciting designs for its new space from local artists, fabricators, and designers.
It has also been asking for donations via Kickstarter to help with the move and associated
construction and rehab costs. Torres said he has been super-excited to see how people have
jumped in to help us out with donations. For more information on Local 64 and its pricing
plans, go to Local64.com.

Pho Restaurant Moving into Village Pizza Space

MONTPELIER A new restaurant is moving into 89 Main St. the spot recently
vacated by Village Pizza. The cuisine is called pho, which is a Vietnamese noodle dish,
according to several Internet sources, including splendidtable.org. Bowls of pho are the
hamburgers of Vietnam: incredibly popular, eaten every day by a majority of the population,
young and old, writes Charles Phan on the Splendid Table website.
Property owner Jesse Jacobs said the restaurateurs are a husband and wife team who have
lived in Essex for the past eight years. Before that, they lived in Thailand, he said. I am
hoping they will be open and serving pho in the middle of May, Jacobs told The Bridge by
phone April 23. They really are excited to come to Montpelier.

More Heard on the Street on Page 6

Re-inventing The Bridge as a nonprofit community newspaper

Report from the Board

Update
With a new accounting system in place, a 2015 budget established and management reports from the new data center available, the staff and board of directors will now regularly receive the data that all well-run businesses require.
A look at our support thermometer shows that you (our community) are contributing at the rate we have established as essential to keep The Bridge solvent. This means not only
that current bills are being paid, but that The Bridge is now paying down debts accrued over the past several years as the means to keep the publication alive. This ultimately
became the financial crisis from which The Bridge is now emerging as a new, not-for-profit, community newspaper.
The challenge is two-fold: How to continue to make The Bridge into an ever more valuable community asset and how to do so in a way that increases operational efficiencies. That is, maximizing value while minimizing cost. Progress in meeting these challenges is how we expect to earn your continuing support. These reports will keep you
informed of that progress.
Clearing Up Confusion
The Bridge proudly proclaims itself, free, independent and local. The free part is achieved by delivering the paper to many drop-off points at retail locations throughout
Montpelier and adjacent towns. As you shop locally, you are sure to spot a place to pick up your free copy.
For those of you who live in the 05602
postal zip code area, we will be mailing
you a copy of our second issue of the
month partly made possible by support
from the city of Montpelier. As part of
the second issue of the month, The Bridge
publishes an unedited, full-page report from
city government.
And of course there are also those of you
who prefer the convenience of receiving
The Bridge in your mailbox and request that
your annual community contribution of $50
or more, provide you with a subscription.
Those subscribers who live in the 05602
postal district may find yourselves currently receiving two copies of the second
monthly issue of The Bridge, one from the
general Montpelier mailing and one from
the subscription mailing. We know theres a
problem here and we will be attending to it.
Patience and all will be well.

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PAG E 4 M AY 7 M AY 2 0 , 2 015

THE BRIDGE

16-Unit Net Zero Building Proposed Near Sabins Pasture

by Carla Occaso
MONTPELIER Atop College Hill at
the corner of Sibley Avenue and Sabin
Street is the site of a proposed 16-unit
apartment building with underground
parking. If the project moves forward, it
would replace a grassy lawn-type area with
a fence-protected garden.
The idea was to make a net-zero building, said property owner Win Turner in
a telephone interview May 5. We would
utilize, as best we could, solar energy products. His engineer, Jamie Hansen, and his
energy consultant, Andy Shapiro, designed
the building, the plans of which depict a
structure larger than most on the upper
part of Sibley, but comparable in size to
some of the multi-family dwellings down
over the cliff on Barre Street. Turner said
he is trying to work as closely as possible
with the neighbors to address their concerns, which are mostly about the scale of
the building and traffic impact.
Turner admits he feels a little nervous
about creating such a large, brand-new
building in his own neighborhood, but he
has heard that in Montpelier housing is
in high demand. Although he is a clinical
psychologist by profession, Turner looks to
construction and renovation as a hobby.
He has renovated several properties including two in Montpelier that he rents
out. This one is different, though, in that it
is new and would transform the immediate
older, spread-out traditional neighborhood
made up of one- to two-family homes
with individual yards into a more tightlypacked, modern, almost urban-type housing project. However, Turner said he hopes
to retain as much of the green space as
possible around the building. Whether he
will rent out apartments or sell the units as
condos has not been decided, but rents or
fees would stay in line with other rents and
fees in town. And this kind of project fits
in with some of the new zoning ideas being
drawn up in Montpelier City Hall.
It is in the high density district, said
Mike Miller, planning director for the

Sibley Project: Traffic Impact

Since traffic seemed to concern people
in the neighborhood, The Bridge reached
out to Tom McArdle, director of Public
Works, to learn his reaction.
My impression is the likely traffic volumes to be generated by this development
would not rise to the level that would
trigger the requirement to conduct a traffic study, McArdle wrote in an email.
In our role as technical advisors to the
Development Review Board, we did not
offer a suggestion that a study would assist
the DRB in their deliberations during the
permit consideration process. The reason
is that the numbers didnt seem to warrant it.

From the application submitted

to the city of Montpelier.

city of Montpelier by telephone recently.

The Bridge asked when would be the earliest time frame for construction to begin
and Miller said, Assuming they (the
board) approved it that night and had no
questions, there is a 30-day approval period the absolute earliest would be the
middle of June if there were no problems
or objections.

The unit would be three stories tall on the

east end and four stories tall on the end
sloping downward on Sibley Avenue. Solar
panels are planned for the roof, which
might require a waiver as they might cause
the building to slightly exceed the 45-foot
height once affixed to the roof.

A digital copy of the application was circulated among residents who live nearby
and was obtained by The Bridge. When
asked what comments he has received from
neighboring property owners, Miller said,
I have gotten a couple of people saying
they were concerned because it is so big.

In addressing the sprinkler system requirements, the application notes that there
would be two possible solutions if the
existing 4-inch water main has too small
a capacity. First, the main could be upgraded to one that is double the size, or,
worst case scenario, the contractors could
provide on-site water storage and pumping facilities to meet the fire suppression
demands.

Currently 25 Sibley Ave. is classified by

the city as an open lot, according to
the permit application filed with the Department of Planning and Community
Development on April 17. The overall lot
size is 32,820 square feet. The structure as
presented would be a multi-family residential apartment building with a parking lot
below. The 15-space parking lot will have a
7,669 square-foot floor area, and five parking spaces would be outside the building,
to include one parking spot per dwelling
unit. Three of the outdoor spots would be
reserved for apartments across the street.

Lighting will include street lights, security

lights and architectural accent lights.

Stormwater would be managed using a

subsurface StormTech chamber detention
system beneath the driveway/parking area,
according to the application. The system is
designed for use under parking lots.
But for now, the only hint of things to
come is a big red Z on a stick in the grass
to notify the public of basic details, such
as the address, type of project and public
hearing date and time. The hearing date
is scheduled for May 11 at the city council
chambers at 7 p.m.

McArdle went on to state that during a

2012 study, daily traffic on lower Sibley
Avenue (connecting College and Barre
streets) had 2,700 vehicle per day, compared to 3,100 vehicles per day on College Street. These two sections of road
are main thoroughfares for people driving from the area of the County Road
or Towne Hill Road, through the east
side of Montpelier over to River Street
(Route 2) toward Barre or Berlin. During a daily commute, McArdle estimates
the new development would generate six
extra trips per unit three departing and
three arriving per week day. If residents
are more inclined to commute by biking and walking, this number would be
lower. The Vermont Agency of Transportation requires a traffic study if new trips
reached the level of 75, but McArdle said
a high estimate would be about 36 new
trips during peak hours.
So, McArdle said traffic isnt a significant
problem in this area now, and he anticipates 16 new housing units would not create a remarkable traffic impact.

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M AY 7 M AY 2 0 , 2 015 PAG E 5

T H E B R I D G E

Emergency Responders Rescue Woman from River

Firefighter Nick Bressette honored for extra effort
by Carla Occaso
MONTPELIER It was the first time in
recent memory that emergency responders
pulled someone from the Winooski River
alive, said James R. Quinn, deputy fire
chief with the Montpelier Fire and Ambulance Department.
The survivor of the April 15 water rescue
is not being named and the circumstances
are not being detailed because the incident
is related to a mental health issue, according to Captain Neil Martell with the
Montpelier Police Department on April
21. But Martell said there is every reason to
believe the survivor is fine because she was
conscious and alert when she came out of
the water.
It all started when someone working near
the edge of the river heard a womans cries
and saw her in the water. The good Samaritan tried to help, but could not get to her

and around noon called 9-1-1.

According to the press release issued from
MPD, the call came from the area of 326
State Street about a woman in the river
yelling for help. Montpelier police along
with Montpelier Fire Department and the
Vermont State Police came to the rescue.
Responders located a female in the river
in distress. Officers and fire department
members made several attempts to throw
lifeline ropes to the victim unsuccessfully.
As the victim continued down the river,
Montpelier firefighter Nick Bressette entered the river at the Three Mile Bridge
intersection and was able to grab hold of
the victim and successfully bring her to the
bank with the assistance of other officers
and firefighters. The elderly female victim
was suffering from hyperthermia, and was
transported to the hospital. It is not fully
known how the woman ended up in the

river, but her car was later located on State

Street near the interstate overpass across
from Green Mountain Cemetery.
The city managers office felt recognition
was due, and Deputy City Manager Jessie
Baker wrote up a city employee spotlight
honoring Bressette. Bressettes job was all
the more treacherous, Baker pointed out,
because with the spring runoff, the river is
high, moving swiftly and very cold creating
a dangerous situation for this individual
and for the public safety personnel. The
high water created an extra layer of complication that caused the woman to be
bobbing in the water downstream of the
Dairy Creme on Route 2, leading emergency personnel to try to stay ahead of her
by rushing to the next access point as she
passed and throw her rope bags that she
could hold onto and be pulled to shore, but
she was too cold to grab the bags, Baker

writes.
Finally, from along the banks of the river at
the bridge, according to Baker, Lieutenant
Nicholas Bresette supported by firefighter
Glenn Marold, and city and state police,
made the decision to jump into the river
to retrieve the individual. Lt. Bresette was
able to pull her safely to shore.
The whole rescue took about an hour, according to Quinn, who said this kind of
event is rare in Montpelier. There have
been about six instances of retrieving dead
bodies from the river in recent memory,
he said.

Tell them you saw

it in The Bridge!

Public Meetings To Be Held On New Zoning Regulations

he Montpelier Planning Commission has finished writing a draft update of the citys zoning regulations,
and will be holding a series of workshops in
May and early June to receive public input.
The new zoning, which the Commission
has been working on for nearly five years, is
a comprehensive update and includes many
changes, including encouraging denser development.
After the initial public meetings, the commission will develop a final draft and hold
official public hearings. That draft, including any revisions, will be sent to the City
Council. The council will hold at least
one public hearing and then vote either
to adopt the regulations or to send them
back to the commission for changes. There
is also a state statute that allows voters to
petition for a popular vote on the zoning
regulations. The whole process could take
much of the rest of the year.
One goal of the zoning rewrite is to simplify
and streamline the development review and
permitting processes. In too many cases,
Planning Director Mike Miller recently
told the City Council, property owners
and developers have to apply to the city for
variances. The new zoning draft would also
exempt developers in the downtown area
from having to provide off-street parking.
Another goal of the zoning proposal is to
foster residential infill development. One
way this is being done is by changing the
dimensional standards within the different zoning districts. This will have the
effect of increasing the potential density
of single-family and small multi-unit housing in several districts, most notably the
High Density, Miller wrote in an April 24
memo. High Density, formerly called High

Got a news tip?

We want to know!
Send it to us at:
editorial@
montpelierbridge.com

Density Residential, will also now allow

more commercial uses.
In another change to boost density and
thus encourage more housing and development, zoning district boundaries would
be changed. A large area north and east of
the Vermont College of Fine Arts would
be changed from Medium Density Residential (four units per acre maximum) to
High Density (10 units single-family per
acre, or 20 units multi-family per acre), as
would the western portion of the Meadows
neighborhood and an area around the Redstone state office building. High Density
would also be extended to some segments

of Northfield, Prospect, and River streets.

Sabins Pasture, now mostly Low Density
Residential (one unit per acre or less) would
change to High Density. And the Towne
Hill region would be changed from Low
Density Residential to Medium Density
Residential.
City officials will be present at the May 9
farmers market to explain the proposal,
and a public workshop on the Urban Center and Riverfront districts will be held
May 11 at 7 p.m. at the senior center.
A hearing on the High Density district,
including Sabins Pasture, will be held on
May 18 at 7 p.m. at City Hall, preceded

by an open house to study maps and ask

questions from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. A
workshop on the Medium and Low Density Residential districts will be held at city
hall on May 21 at 7 p.m.
For more information on these meetings
and others that will be held in coming
weeks, and to see a copy of the draft
zoning and a map of proposed districts,
go to: http://www.placesense.com/current/
montpelier. Those interested in being kept
informed about zoning developments can
sign up at the site to receive emails about
zoning changes.

PAG E 6 M AY 7 M AY 2 0 , 2 015

THE BRIDGE

HEARD ON THE STREET

Continued from Page 3

Olson Seeks to Replace Guerlain on City Council District 2

MHS Alumnus Runs New Thai Restaurant

MONTPELIER Jean Olson has petitioned to replace Thierry Guerlain in City Councils, District 2 seat, she announced by press release May 4. Guerlain announced his intention to step down at the end of the April 29 City Council meeting, saying his resignation is
with great regret, but that the winters are much different in Florida as is the tax structure.
I am honored to have been voted in by my district and I think we have moved the ball in
a really good way, Guerlain said.

RANDOLPH A new Thai restaurant opened April 21 that is owned and operated by a
Montpelier High School graduate, class of 1980.

As for Olson, in her press release she wrote, her top priorities include creating more affordable housing throughout Montpelier, addressing the citys infrastructure needs, and supporting efforts to revitalize the citys downtown retail area.
Olson served as a trustee for the Kellogg-Hubbard Library and was a member of the citizens
budget study committee. Olson and her husband, George, have lived in the district for over
30 years. The City Council will make this appointment at its meeting on May 27.

Late Season Snow Good for Loggers

MIDDLESEX The snow that has annoyed many of us waiting for warmth of spring has
actually been helpful for local loggers. According to Tammy Picard, wife of logger Emile
Picard, in an email April 24, We now have a yard in back of our house with about 100-plus
cords - some split and some still in long length. One good thing about the amount of snow
we had is that Emile has been able to skid it out with the skidder until about two weeks ago.
So we are raring to go (for next winter).

Like The Bridge on Facebook:

facebook.com/thebridgenewspapervt

Steve Morgan and his wife, Nisachon, are running Saap, which will serve authentic
Northeastern Thai cuisine native to Nisachons homeland from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. on
Wednesday through Saturday nights. Morgan said he was inspired after eating at restaurants
in Thailand and noticing how different they are compared to American Thai restaurants. It
isnt just the food. It is the way it is served ... it is very different, Morgan said.
If you are wondering about the name, it is pronounced sap like the stuff that comes out of
the trees, but it means delicious in Thai. We thought it would be cute for Vermont where
people know sap, Morgan said.
Morgan is also the food service director at Gifford Medical Center, as he has been for the
past nine years. Before that he served as an instructor at New England Culinary Institute,
and, before that, he worked as a chef at National Life of Vermont. You can find them on
Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/saaprestaurant.

Jeffrey to Leave Vermont League of Cities and Towns

MONTPELIER After 33 years, Steve Jeffrey, executive director of the Vermont League
of Cities and Towns, is retiring from his post effective in July. On May 7, the board of directors will meet to appoint a new executive director. The meeting will take place at the VLCT
offices, located at 89 Main St., Montpelier, at noon. The meeting is open to the public as are
all VLCT meetings. In all, Jeffrey has been with VLCT for 37 years.

Preserve Parental Right to

Choose
by Nat Frothingham

Editorial

uthor, activist and attorney Robert F.

Kennedy Jr. visited
the Vermont State
House on May 5 and
gave testimony on the current Vermont
vaccination debate in a packed hearing
room before the House Committee on
Health Care.

Kennedy is widely recognized by many

Americans being the son of his namesake
father, the slain U.S. Senator Robert F.
Kennedy and nephew of the assassinated
former U.S President John F. Kennedy.
In addition to his family connections,
Kennedy has made a name for himself
as an environmental and health advocate
and the writer of books with such titles as:
The Riverkeepers: (with John Cronin)
(1999); Crimes Against Nature: How
George W. Bush and His Corporate Pals
Are Plundering the Country and Hijacking Our Democracy Thimerosol: Let
the Science Speak: The Evidence Supporting the Immediate Removal of Mercury
a Known Neurotoxin from Vaccines
(2014).
In his 15-minute presentation to the
House Committee on Health Care, Kennedy took general aim at the United States
Centers for Disease Control, which he
called a troubled agency. Then he turned
his attention to the divisions of the CDC
that deal with vaccines and more specifically to the advisory committee that adds
vaccines to the recommended list and the
advisory committee that oversees the vaccine safety.
Kennedy said that most of the people
who sit on and influence the findings of
these advisory committees have ties to the
corporate drug and vaccine industry. He
noted a U.S. law that shields vaccine companies from consumer lawsuits. He argued
that epidemiological studies can be easily
manipulated as those studies were manipulated over smoking and have been ma-

nipulated since then

on other public health
issues. He noted the
rapid rise in the number of recommended
vaccines to up to 59
shots from 16 vaccines.
He also said vaccine companies spend
multiple millions of dollars to promote
their products in media and through their
political contributions to secure legislative
and Congressional influence.
All the protections are gone, Kennedy
asserted. The Centers for Disease Control
have been corrupted, said Kennedy. Drug
company advertising has improperly influenced the media. Campaign contributions
have swayed the U.S. Congress. Now
the only (protective) barrier standing is
parents and they want to take away the
parents.
While many will differ with Robert F.
Kennedy Jr. in whole or in part, what
seems unassailable is this. The U.S. government has a sorry track record in a
whole range of consumer protection issues
and the list is long: Mine safety, Agent
Orange, auto safety, nuclear power plant
regulation, tobacco and health, oil tanker
transport, genetically modified organisms
and food contamination.
Is the rise of autism related to vaccinations? We dont know. But lets ask this
question, Are the proliferation of mandated vaccinations making our children
healthier than they once were? Some studies conducted outside the United States
show otherwise. And is the ban on suing
drug companies for harmful vaccination
results really in the best public interest?
For all of these reasons, at The Bridge, we
argue that the Vermont House and Senate pause and reflect on the gravity of the
vaccination issues. And we ask that the
Vermont Legislature NOT pass a bill this
session that abolishes the parental right of
philosophical exemption.

M AY 7 M AY 2 0 , 2 015 PAG E 7

T H E B R I D G E

A Tribute to Catherine Orr

Editors Note:

describe her conducting studies at the Jacobs School of

Music. But she plunged in and reveled at the opportunity
to study with the likes of faculty members Jan Harrington
and Thomas Dunn. Harringtons conducting revealed the
importance of shaping the musical phrases, and rhythm
and sub-rhythms. He was fabulous right. He was
excited and thrilled to be teaching.

The final event of the Capital City Concerts 2014-2015

season will be dedicated to Catherine Orr, whose contributions to musical life in this part of Vermont spanned more
than 30 years.
In mid-April I heard from Karen Kevra, artistic director
of the Capital City Concert series. She asked me to talk
with Orr and write a story that would describe the concert
on May 16. I talked with Orr by phone about two weeks
ago and she told me about some of the highlights of her
musical life here.

Then Orr came under the spell of Thomas Dunn, the

conductor of the world-famous Boston Handel and Haydn
Society. He liked me. I was old enough to have studied
Latin. That was neat. Dunn had his students diagramming Latin to help them see where the important Latin
words are place in a phrase. Dunn wanted the minimum
from the conductor. Not flamboyance. Instead he wanted
all that energy going into the singing and playing of the
music. Whenever he conducted, we were gorgeous, Orr
said.

Then a few days ago, sadly, I learned that Orr had died.
Later, I read the tenderly-worded message from the Unitarian Church of Montpelier sharing with members and
friends of the church the news of her death. In part, this is
what that church message said.
Sad News

Orr came aboard as director of music at the Unitarian

Church of Montpelier in 1994. At that point, she remembered, the plaster ceiling in the church sanctuary was
coming down. It had big cracks in it. Then there was
the historic organ. The organ bellows were being taped
together. And, said Orr, We had an upright piano on
wheels that was hard to play.

Our beloved Director of Music, Catherine Orr, passed away

just before midnight on Thursday, April 30. She died peacefully at home with her husband, Bill, and three of her
brothers by her side. She had been under hospice care since
Monday. We extend our love and sympathy to her family.

A Phone Conversation with Catherine Orr

On April 21 I asked Orr to reflect on her work. What has
meant the most to you? I asked.
I have been thinking about this for the past couple of
years, she said. Supporting other musicians, was her
answer. I support musicians from the very best to the
very poorest. These musicians were orchestra and chorus
members, sometimes soloists. Its sort of a juggling and
balancing act to assess the persons capabilities and find
a good place for them in what they are doing, she said.
For more than 40 years, Orr was active in the musical life
of this community. She was conductor of the Montpelier
Chamber Orchestra and for the past 20 years was director
of music at the Unitarian Church. With the church, Orr
said, I get to choose choir members and support them.
Can they sing? Thats a first question Orr would ask.
Then theres the follow-up, Do you want to sing? If the
nod is yes, Orr would say, Lets give it a try. And see if it
works. That gives me great joy. People say to me, Without you, I would never have sung. She may not have the
greatest voice. But shes there and shes singing away.
It was the same way when Orr conducted the Montpelier
Chamber Orchestra. We came to know each other and we
got to know their strengths and weaknesses. I always had
this thought in my head and it was a little goofy. Whoever
is going to be the right person, is going to show up. And
they do.
One of the more life-changing and thrilling moments in Orrs life came as a personal response to the liberation of people behind the Iron Curtain when the Berlin
Wall came down in 1989.
Now, dial back the time clock. I was a super-Catholic
until I was 30, Orr said. As part of her Catholic service,
she went to Vienna and studied. I was in the church
music department studying piano, voice and organ.
That was 1970 and 1970 was the big 200th anniversary of
Beethovens birth. So we were doing Beethovens Ninth
Symphony.
Then Orr came back to this country and we pick up her
story once again in 1989 and 1990.
When the Berlin Wall fell, I was conducting the Barre
Choraleers. I hadnt chosen a piece for their April and
May concert, but the music that stood out to me was
Beethovens Ninth Symphony. It was that symphony that
Orr felt did justice to the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Photo by Annie Tiberio Cameron

But putting together performances of Beethovens Ninth
Symphony was a formidable task involving an orchestra, a
chorus and soloists.
I cant tell you how many people tried to talk me out of
it including the board of the Barre Choraleers. We had
to hire people and pay them good money. I was working at
National Life as a technical writer for computer software.
I was doing this on the side.
Jim Lowe (The Times Argus music and arts critic) helped
me find Larry Reid as our concertmaster. Then we had to
hire people. Orr turned to a friend who helped her find
the orchestra members. Singers from five separate choirs
made up the 92 singers needed for the Ninth Symphony
choir. For soloists, we had Lisa Jablow, Priscilla Maggalo
and Arthur Zorn singing bass. Then, fretting a little, Orr
said, Im forgetting the tenor, a very fine tenor, a gorgeous
tenor.
Beethovens Ninth Symphony under Orrs direction was
practiced in January 1990 and then performed on April 8
at the Alexander Twilight Auditorium in Lyndonville and
then on April 9 at the Barre Opera House. Said Orr, We
had sold-out crowds at both places.
We contacted the six countries that had been liberated,
Orr said. Two men from East Germany came up to Vermont and made a formal presentation of their flag. We
sang all the music in German, Orr said. The consul
from East Germany was impressed that we would sing it
in German.
The event surpassed expectations. People were really excited. The audience was thrilled. It was just a big thing.
People came from all over Vermont, Orr said.
When the excitement from the performances died down,
Orr turned to her husband, Bill Orr, and said, So what
are we going to do now?
Thats when I said maybe I should go to school. And
school was the orchestral conducting program at the
world-famous Jacobs School of Music at the Bloomington
campus of Indiana University. Orr was 52 when she and
her husband ventured forth to Indiana University.

Over the 20 years of her service as music director, things

improved. Church member Paula Gills took a bequest
from her father to buy a new piano for the church. The
ceiling was repaired. The shape of the church sanctuary
was returned to an arch its historic form. The acoustics
are better, Orr said. I was there for all of that.
Orrs unflagging inspiration and support to the singers and
musicians she worked with that continued, never quit.
I told Orr about a memory of hearing her talk about Mozart expressing a love for Mozarts music that was part
enthusiasm and part wonder and veneration.
Its something to conduct Mozart, she said. Thats a
big part of what I do. I fall in love with the music. And
then I teach it and then they fall in love with the music.
Thats what I do.
by Nat Frothingham

May 16 Concert Features Quintet Masterpieces of Brahms and Shostakovich

Capital City Concerts will be dedicating its final concert
of the 2014-2015 season to the memory of Catherine Orr.
The concert is set for Saturday evening, May 16 at 7:30
p.m. at the Unitarian Church of Montpelier.
Fives the Charm is the theme of the May 16 concert
referring to the five notable musicians who will perform
what is being described as two of the masterpieces of the
piano quintet literature by Brahms and Shostakovich.
More specifically, the two piano quintets are the Piano
Quintet in F minor, op. 34 by Johannes Brahms and the
Piano Quintet in G minor, op. 57 by Dmitri Shostakovich.
New York City violinist Laurie Smukler who is remembered for leading an unforgettable performance last
season of the Schubert Two Cello Quintet will lead the
performers in the Brahms and Shostakovich quintets.
In addition to Smukler the four other performers are:
Violinist Emily Daggett Smith, violist Doris Lederer,
cellist Natasha Brofsky and Canadian pianist Jane Coop.
The final offering at the May 16 concert will feature flutist Karen Kevra, the founder and artistic director of the
Capital City Concerts, playing the Theme and Variations
for Flute and Strings, op. 80 by Amy Beach.

Taxing and very difficult were the words Orr chose to

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PAG E 8 M AY 7 M AY 2 0 , 2 015

THE BRIDGE

Teen Filmmakers Pledge Long-term

Collaboration
by Ahri Messina

he ability to straddle the line between professionalism and having

fun is something very important to
any artist or performer. It's something that
comes naturally to teenagers. It's something I've truly learned to do only recently,
and it's an ability that I hope to never lose.
Vermont is a very welcoming place for
young artists, full of both opportunities
and encouragement to take risks and pursue a project. That's exactly what U-32
student Noah Witke, 15, did last October
when he worked with these other teens
Brandon Darmstadt, Sydney Baskind and
Marissa Mattogno to organize Tuff
Gladiator Productions. The new teen-run
film-making project has already created
six short films.
I became a part of the crew a little over a
month ago, and, since then, we've created
three films and have plans in the works
for more. Sitting down with four of the
original members to talk about the group
was loud and somewhat disorganized, but
it was also insightful, just like being part of
Tuff Gladiator.
For Witke, Tuff Gladiator started with the
idea of entering a 50-hour film festival. It
was a few kids with no experience and not
a whole lot of resources making an amateur
film for a contest. Their first film, called
Sizma, didn't get them a win and was,
as actress and gaffer Mattogno, 17, put it,
"a pretty awful starting point," but it did
start them down the road to creating more
films.
Since then, Tuff Gladiator has become a
much larger group of teenagers, all with
different skill sets, opinions and person-

alities, and we all come together to form

a surprisingly functional film crew. "I like
everyone I work with," said Witke, "and I
try to keep it that way." It's a balance to
keep, and when it comes to teens working
together there are bound to be tensions,
but having fun is just as important to us
as making movies. As Sydney Baskind, 18,
said, "It helps that our parts (in the crew)
are all stuff that we want to do." Everyone
is getting experience in areas of filmmaking that they're interested in, and because
many of us want to continue our filmmaking in some form in the future, this is the
kind of hands-on learning that most kids
can't get through a class. Witke gets to
direct, Baskind writes most of our screenplays, Mattogno acts, and Darmstadt, 18,
does the majority of the technical work. As
for me, I'm still finding my place in the
group, but until I settle in I'm more than
happy to bounce around between writing,
doing tech and helping out in whatever
ways are needed.
There definitely seems to be a future for
Tuff Gladiator. Witke would like to bring
in new people during the next three years,
when a lot of the current group will be
heading off to college. There's an age
range in the group of 15 to 18, so at least
a few original members will be around to
keep things going for a few years to come.
"Noah and I have talked, I don't know how
seriously, about turning this into, y'know,
a big production company," said Darmstadt. There was some laughter and jokes
about the thought, but I suppose anything
could happen. If ever a group of people was
stubborn and driven enough to turn their
high-school film crew into their adult jobs,

it would be the Tuff Gladiators.

Whether or not Tuff Gladiator Productions continues for future Vermont high
schoolers, or becomes something bigger
than it currently is, we all have filmmaking
of our own to pursue. Working with each
other is helping us build on our skills and
experience, and giving us something fun
and interesting to do in our spare time.
Talking about their first film is something
guaranteed to make the original members
of Tuff Gladiator cringe. Marrogno spoke
of "the leaps and bounds we have made
from Sizma," and it's true. Filmmaking
is something learned by doing, and while
getting started is hard, it's only up from
there. "We still have a long way to go,"
Darmstadt added, and Baskind chimed in
with, "We will always have a long way to
go. If we don't have anywhere else to go,
then what will we do?"
Something Witke brought up was a quote
that they put at the beginning of the first
Tuff Gladiator film: "Out of chaos comes
a higher state of order." As teens figuring
things out, it took a while to find our state
of order, but maybe, as Baskind said, "this
is the beginning of our state of order."
There will always be room for work and
improvement, and putting our films out
there in competitions and on the Internet
documents our growth as artists and as a
group."
Straddling that line between professionalism and fun is forever a goal for the kids
of Tuff Gladiator Productions. We work
together as artists and as filmmakers, but
we also work together as friends.

Book Review
Dumped: Stories of Women
Unfriending Women
by Lindsey Grutchfield

emale relationships are generally

complicated, often messy, and frequently overlooked by the literary
world. Realistic portrayals of their complexities can be difficult to find, sacrificed
for romantic relationships or buried under
the guise of so-called chick lit. Dumped:
Stories of Women Unfriending Women,
an anthology of essays edited by Nina
Gaby, avoids both of these traps. Instead,
female friendships and their dissolutions
are (obviously, given the title) the sole
focus of the book. Moreover, all of the
stories are, to one degree or another, autobiographical. Thus, they are by nature authentic, rather than pop-culture parodies
of female friendships.
Dumped: Stories of Women Unfriending
Women is by turns funny, heartbreaking,
opaque and crystal clear. The common
thread of these stories, however, is honesty.
The various authors bare their diverse and
at times sharply different souls, and the
result rings with a rare truth. Whether the
story in question reads like advice from a
wise old aunt or like the sprawling diary
of an adolescent, it feels personal. The
reader can certainly relate. After all, what
woman has not had their share of female
friendships? Some last, others fade, and
still others implode, leaving loose ends
and hurt feelings in their wake. Dumped

brings a wonderful sense of camaraderie

and authenticity to the latter.
As much of an asset as it can be, the greatest flaw of Dumped: Stories of Women
Unfriending Women is the diversity of its
tone. As Dumped is an anthology, a great
deal of variety in writing style exists from
story to story. There is the artistically arranged and interestingly titled Simple
Geometry: The Art of War for Girls,
written by the editor. There is also Erin
Eramias contribution: the plainly written, emotionally thoughtful I Hate Your
Boyfriend. Both are stories clearly written
by women with a great deal of talent and
vastly different writing styles. As a result,
the transition from chapter to chapter can
be, at times, a bit unharmonious.
Even when the jarring notes do not wholly
agree, Dumped stays honest. As previously
mentioned, each story is a deeply individual account of the love, loss, grief, and
sometimes the recovery of one woman. As
no two women are the same, it makes a
certain degree of sense that no two stories
carry the same message, and that those
messages are never conveyed the same
way twice. To create a book so strikingly
individual, yet also strikingly relatable, is
no easy feat. For this, Dumped: Stories
of Women Unfriending Women deserves
applause.

M AY 7 M AY 2 0 , 2 015 PAG E 9

T H E B R I D G E

Granite City Groove The Fine Art of Food in Barre

by Joshua Jerome

BARRE Dustin Smith opened Morse Block Deli almost a year ago with a vision to
provide downtown Barre with an eccentric deli experience, and thats exactly what hes
done. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Smith uses his diverse educational
background and life experiences in providing local diners with some unique offerings.
The young chef explained to me that it was a long, deliberate journey to open the deli,
which began while he was attending Castleton State College, I was working at a restaurant and studying biology when I realized I loved cooking and biology was boring.
With this revelation, Smith transferred to the Culinary Institute of America to pursue his
newly found passion for food and cooking. Upon graduating from culinary school, Smith
headed off across the country on a quest to experience the hottest trends in American
cuisine.
After four months on the road soaking up the culinary trends, Smith was amazed at how
art was becoming integrated into the presentation of dishes. So he returned to Vermont
and again enrolled at Castleton to pursue a degree in graphic design. Smith worked at
three restaurants in the Killington area while finishing his degree and used this time to
hone his skills.
After graduating, Smith knew he wanted to stay in Vermont because of the burgeoning
agricultural sector. After a short stint in fine dining, Smith landed in a farm-to-school
position. That allowed him to work directly with farmers, which, Smith said, created a
better appreciation for farmers and their role in the local economy. Eventually, he started
doing small catering jobs on the side and enjoyed the experience of working with clients,
and it sparked his desire to be entrepreneurial. A trip to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, helped
focus Smiths energy after he experienced the former steel capitals rejuvenated arts and

culinary scene, and the concept of Morse Block Deli was born.
When he returned from Pittsburgh, Smith began working on his business plan and looking for the right location. After several months, he found his ideal space in downtown
Barre. The old Morse Block was built in 1898, and part of the charm that captivated
Smith was the four-lane bowling alley in the basement of the building. Today, part of a
lane serves as the checkout counter for the deli.
I asked Smith how he approaches creating dishes, and he said simplicity is perfection
and that he lets the fresh quality ingredients speak for themselves. The placement of
each ingredient in sandwiches and soups is meticulous and helps bring a visual attractiveness to the palate-pleasing fare.
Morse Block Deli is not just a deli but also an art gallery. Incorporating his passion for art
and food, Smith has used his space to help exhibit works from several artists around the
state. His next installation will be the works of another local artist, Carolyn Enz Hack.
Smith has also introduced the pop-up dinner concept and plans to do more of them. His
next big move, however, is launching the Smith Catering Co. That concern will provide
high-end catering focused on sourcing in-season local ingredients for dishes for weddings
and private party affairs.
With everything that is going on with the deli, the pop-up dinners, and the catering
company, I asked Smith if he enjoyed cooking when hes home, Yeah, sometimes, but I
really like it when my girlfriend Vinca cooks for me, and with a smile he goes on to say,
Those are some of the best dishes Ive ever had. No pressure Vinca.
The writer is executive director with the Barre Partnership.

PAG E 10 M AY 7 M AY 2 0 , 2 015

THE BRIDGE

Vermont Arts Council Turns 50

Continued from Page 1

the name of the town that used to be where the Wrightsville Reservoir recreation area is
now). The piece is focused on the themes of home, displacement, homelessness, flood, and
the history of the site. As part of the project I'm conducting interviews in the community
that will be integrated into the musical composition for the piece.
The grant money has allowed Bryce to collaborate with other artists and avoid charging
for tickets. Part of the mission of my company, Bryce Dance Company, is to make a work
that is accessible to populations that are often not able to see contemporary performance
art. The ability to present this performance for free helps us meet our mission, Bryce
said. After this summers performance is done, Bryce hopes to continue bringing dance
to underserved communities.
Bryce and artists like her perpetuate the initial artistic mission of the arts council, but
arts funding for public works is relatively new. State-funded arts have been part of most
new construction since a law passed in 1988 made it mandatory. According to an official
document titled, Vermont Art in State Buildings Programs Guidelines and Policies,
The Vermont Art in State Buildings Act (No. 267 of 1988) was passed ... in recognition
of the needs to encourage the work of Vermont artists, to enhance and preserve our cultural environment, and to provide artistic enrichment for Vermont citizens and visitors.
The intent of the program is to improve the character and quality of state buildings in
order to create an environment of distinction, enjoyment, and pride for all citizens, and
to encourage the donation of works of art to the state for its permanent collection or for
exhibition in state buildings or facilities. And so the program has survived and grown
through good economic times, natural disasters, and recessions.
One recent example of publicly funded art is the Vermont Psychiatric Care Hospital
in Berlin a building that was pushed into existence in 2014 through necessity. In
August 2011, Tropical Storm Irene flooded out the previously habitable state hospital in
Waterbury, which led to a crisis caused by lack of facilities for psychiatric care. The new
building atop Hospital Hill in Berlin looks airy, well-lit, and purely functional, but, out
of view with one exception, are the works of a team of sculptors chosen and paid for by
the arts council.
Only one of six sculptures is visible from the outside a granite rendering of a tree
stump. Sounds boring, if not unsightly, but this sculpture is impressive in the display of
skill used for its creation. I was intrigued when I noticed it for the first time while working
on this article. I had driven past the building for over a year without noticing it. When I
pulled into the driveway and inspected the sculpture, I saw at its base a sculpted rabbit,
a big-eyed owl peering out of a knot hole, and bronze robins tending to their delicately
sculpted nests. Chris Miller, of Calais, was the lead artist on the psychiatric care construction project, and it was he who created the piece chosen to be visible to the public. It is
titled Habitat Tree, and if I may read into it and why it was chosen it depicts
a structure that is shelter and home to all kinds of creatures, just as the psychiatric care
hospital was built to bring shelter to those in need.
The Vermont Arts Council has many programs, deadlines, and a calendar of events, all
of which may be perused at vermontartscouncil.org.

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 21.

During the 1965 state legislative session, the Vermont legislature passed H.255,
An Act to Establish Recognition of the Vermont Council on the Arts, Inc. and to
Make an Appropriation therefore.
That appropriation was $500 per year for the next two years.
In September 1965 P.L. 89-209, The National Foundation on the Arts and Humanities Act became law.
Federal funds of approximately $50,000 per state were to be allotted for conducting
surveys, planning, and sponsoring programs on a matching basis. Only the agency
recognized as the official state art agency would be eligible to make application for
these funds.
In November 1965 an executive secretary was hired by the council with the charge
to open an office in the capital city and to investigate the application procedure
under P.L. 89-209. The council's first employee was Arthur Williams, a former
representative in the legislature.
Kira Bacon, communications
manager of the Vermont Arts
Council

M AY 7 M AY 2 0 , 2 015 PAG E 11

T H E B R I D G E

Walk & Roll Week to Benefit Walk Friendly

Community Initiative
by Nat Frothingham

MONTPELIER Ten days of walking

and biking activities designed to benefit
everyone who participates and to strengthen
a push to achieve national recognition as
a walk-friendly community, will be held
Friday, May 8 through Sunday, May 17.
Already, 50 communities across the country
have achieved "walk-friendly" status from
the national Pedestrian & Bicycle Information Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina
a project of FedEx and the U.S. Federal
Highway Administration. The 50 "walkfriendly" communities are diverse as
large as Chicago (population 2,695,598)
and as small as Sister, Oregon (population
2,118) and the walk-friendly list includes
two Vermont communities: Burlington and
Essex Junction.
According to longtime Montpelier resident
and walking enthusiast John Snell, a member of the (City Council-appointed) Pedestrian Advisory Committee, the City Council established the pedestrian committee to
"walk-friendly status" for Montpelier.
"We're in the process of having a conversation with them," said Snell of the city's current effort to get the Pedestrian & Bicycle
Information Center to put Montpelier on
the "walk-friendly" list of communities.
But there are hurdles to be cleared. "Education is a big part of it," he said. Infrastructure is a big part of it. City policy is another
part of it."
To achieve the walk-friendly status a community has to provide convincing answers
to questions like this, Do we incorporate
the maintenance of our sidewalks in our
Department of Public Works planning process?
One of the things that drove me to join
the committee is the poor condition of our
crosswalks, Snell said, adding that he wants
the crosswalks painted in time. Its essential
to safety, he said.

Readers of this article can turn to the calendar pages of The Bridge to get all the details
of the many walking and biking activities
that will be on offer from May 8 to May 17.
But consider the range of choices.
If you want to walk consider exploring the
new Cross-Vermont Trail, or join a group of
people walking through Hubbard Park, or
learning about trees in the city, or looking
out for migrating birds along the North
Branch, or walking through the city with
an eye to historic buildings and bridges.
Or a story walk. Cyclists should consider a
bike ride to the Red Hen Bakery out Route
2. Or a chance to bike through town with
Mayor Hollar. Or walk through town with
a city councilor. Or Walk with a Cop a
chance to talk about law enforcement with
police officer Mike Philbrick.
Committee member Anne Ferguson has developed a StoryWalk Project in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. The
idea is for families with young children to
get outside and enjoy a story together. About
walking and storytelling, Ferguson wrote,
This is important for multiple reasons.
For some it will be the need to connect with
their natural world and be reminded of how
soothing that experience can be. For others, it might be noticing how great they feel
after even a short walk while for others it
will be the opportunity to spend time with
friends or family in a peaceful place.
Committee member Jim McQueston said
he encourages people to walk for some
pretty obvious reasons. Walking on a regular basis is a demonstrated plus for most
peoples health. And anything that substitutes walking for driving serves to decrease
the use of cars in Montpelier a plus for
both the community and the environment.
Eve Carnahan, who can often be seen walking to work, said that the purpose of Walk
& Roll Week was to raise awareness of the

Wayside Restaurant Turns

Food Scraps Into Compost
by Nat Frothingham

BERLIN Yesterdays broccoli, egg shells and cheese are becoming compost as you
read this, proclaims a notice at each table at the Wayside Restaurant on the BarreMontpelier Road.
Brian Zecchinelli, co-owner of the Wayside, recently told The Bridge, the Wayside
Restaurant is composting its kitchen waste. Zecchinelli said that when composting was
first suggested he thought it might be cumbersome. But since he went forward with
composting he now sees it as really quite easy. All 70 of his restaurant employees are
participating. Said Zecchinelli, When the table is cleared the napkin, placemat and
straw are separated from the food scraps. The food scraps are put into a big bucket.
About 1,000 other businesses are composting participants. Such local outfits include
Price Chopper, Norwich University and Central Vermont Medical Center. Julios and
Positive Pie restaurants in Montpelier have also adopted composting. A recent press
conference at the Wayside included a range of people who are promoting composting:
Karl Hammer of Vermont Composting; Chrissy Bellmyer, the school program manager
at the Central Vermont Solid Waste District; and John Kelly at the Waste Management
& Prevention Division of the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation.
The composting effort is part of an overall universal recycling law that will ban food
scraps from landfills by July 1, 2020. The problem with food scraps in landfills is that
when food rots it produces harmful methane gas. The message is clear: Better to collect
and compost those food scraps instead of dumping them into a landfill.

ease and joy of walking. As people realize

how easy and enjoyable it is to walk around
downtown, they may be more willing to
park in a remote lot and walk to do errands.
Snell, whose enthusiasm for walking is almost infectious, said hes lived in Montpelier for 40 years and when he worked
downtown, he says, I commuted with a
15-minute walk. Heaven! There are many
weeks when I dont use a car at all because I
live near downtown.
Snell appears to understand the drive versus walk face-off. About the powerful at-

traction of driving a car, he said, Theres a

tremendous amount of power holding onto
that wheel. On the other hand, theres an
alternative, Take one day a week and not
drive.
When you walk, he said, the world looks
different. Its a slower world. Were so used
to punching our key, the door opens and
closes. These are habits we have gotten into.
Walking affords me the opportunity to see
my world in a different way.

PAG E 12 M AY 7 M AY 2 0 , 2 015

THE BRIDGE

Broaden Your Horizons by Viewing Mary Admasians Art at

the Supreme Court Gallery
by Kathy Hollen

MONTPELIER Local artist and entrepreneur Mary Admasian, one of six

artists selected to display their work at
the Supreme Court Gallery this season,
is currently showing Boundaries, Balance
and Confinement: Navigating the Limits
of Nature and Society. This provocative
collection of over 20 assemblages can be
studied leisurely to best advantage at this
venue, which is located between the Pavilion Building and the State House at 111
State St. Admasian is a native of Detroit
but is now a long-time Vermont resident.
She is a multidisciplinary artist who has exhibited nationally and who founded Lights
On Marketing and Communication Design 15 years ago to provide marketing and
branding services for socially responsible
"Last Flight" by Mary Admasian
businesses. Several prominent art institutions and private individuals have collected her work, and she was selected to participate
in Vermont Studio Centers second annual Artists Residency Program in Johnson.
In this new collection, Admasian has united her artistry with her commitment to personal empowerment to encourage viewers to create their own narrative surrounding
social awareness and activism. She spent the past 18 months collecting natural objects
from Vermonts rural environment, flea markets, and backyards logs, hornets nests,
rooster feathers, butterflies, willow switches, and old mirrors along with other found
objects, especially barbed wire. As she says, I love rusted objects and, in particular, the
connective yet alienating beauty of barbed wire, and wanted to create a body of work
that illuminates our efforts to find a balance amid the cultural, social and psychological
restraints that both constrain and free us. Through a judicious use of benevolent materials such as fine white netting, Admasian has lent softness and approachability to her
pieces that mitigate the forbidding aspects of the barbed
wire, and in so doing she helps illuminate the duality of
human experience.
Two of the pieces in this collection, starkly beautiful in
black and white, reflect the artists exquisite precision
and dedication to detail. One of them, The Well, draws
the viewer up from a black abyss girded by barbed wire
toward a sunlit aperture where wispy vegetation finds
sustenance and vigor. A precisely crafted assemblage
called Seasons uses the earths natural materials to reflect the undulating colors of Vermonts different seasons
stilled by a wire overlay. In viewing Muscle Memory,
one is initially jarred by the savagery of a chainsaw chain
distorting the obliging innards of a maple tree trunk and
then is led to understand that Admasian is artfully show-

ing how two disparate materials can accommodate one another. On a back wall of the
gallery on a long painted board is a structure entitled Go Cut Yourself a Switch
on which are mounted repeating bunches
of willow switches, the graceful arches of
which belie their punishing menace.
The Plank is a construction featuring a
white painted board into which carefully
placed, identical pieces of barbed wire, also
painted white, project outward; viewers can
assign interpretations to this structure along
a wide spectrum ranging from the benign
to the horrific. A Visit to the Henhouse,
with bits of feathers spread amidst crumpled
chicken wire, suggests either the terror of
panicked birds attempting to escape marauders or simply the distinction between
protection and entrapment. A small piece
entitled Nature Over Nurture beautifully depicts the relationship between an object
forged by the earth and one created by an inhabitant of the earth, a harmonious blending
that underscores the artists aesthetic sensibilities.
Perhaps the most powerful piece is But Why? Dedicated to victims of sexual abuse, it
features a large, rusted bedspring into which Admasian has inserted the detritus of society amid tattered totems of childhood: a plasticized baby doll, a little girls torn dress,
a billiard ball, pieces of a flannel shirt, a Playboy magazine, a beer bottle, cheap plastic
toys. It is deeply disturbing shocking, even yet at the same time testimony to the
artists exquisite sensitivity to the devastation of abuse and her compassion and empathy
for anyone who has suffered at the hands of another.
Much of the impact of this unique collection arises from the artists skillful juxtaposition
of materials: harsh with gentle, decayed with vibrant,
entrapment with freedom, as in The Last Flight, a
work featuring butterflies. The title of this piece, like
the titles of all her pieces, prompts further reflection.
She states, I hope to foster a deepening awareness of the
issues surrounding boundaries and to stimulate conversations about breaking through their veneers to effect
social change. One comes away from this show with a
deep respect for Admasians courage, commitment, and,
above all, humanity.

"Go Cut Yourself a Switch" by Mary Admasian

The exhibition can be seen through July 2 from 8:30

a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Vermont Supreme Court building, 111 State St., Montpelier. Other examples of Admasians work can be viewed
on her website at maryadmasianart.com.

n
w
o
T
d
n
u
o
r
A
Art

Art at NECI Jessica Neary, an employee of New England Culinary Institute, painted this stencilled mural this winter at the wine bar in NECI on
Main.

T H E B R I D G E

M AY 7 M AY 2 0 , 2 015 PAG E 13

It's Showtime in Greensboro!

by David Kelley

here are forces within cities and

towns that are, in some ways, similar to the forces of nuclear physics.
Either by accident or design, communities can achieve a critical mass of talent,
common interests and ideas that will set
off a chain reaction. Unlike the destruction that can be wrought by enriched
uranium, the enriched human counterpart
usually produces an explosion of creativity. In recent history, Paris in the 1920s,
Hollywood in the 1930s, and Greenwich
Village in the 1960s are examples of the
explosions of creativity that can be set off
by a critical mass of talent. That phenomenon rarely occurs in a rural environment.
But sometimes it can happen in the most
unlikely of places.
Greensboro, Vermont, is a town with a
population of approximately 750 people.
Nevertheless, Greensboro is at the epicenter of an arts explosion in the Northeast
Kingdom. One of the more critical pieces of mass is Lake Caspian, which in the past
has been a summer home for theater greats such as Greta Garbo and Eric von Stroheim.
It has been the place where writers such as Wallace Stegner and John Gunther came to
restore their creative juices and where a wide assortment of professors from Northwestern
University, the University of Wisconsin, Princeton and Harvard came to rest, relax and
contemplate universal truths. Recently it has given birth to Caspian Arts, a unique artists
collective, and it has become home to an eclectic array of nationally recognized artists
such as Marion Stegner, Devin Burgess, Jerilyn Virden and Paul Gruhler, to name just
a few.
Some of the energy has been generated by Circus Smirkus, with a new multi million
dollar campus in Greensboro, and a host of talented performers and artists from all over
the world. Circus Smirkus attracts talent and cultivates it, sending some, such as Molly
Saudek and Dan Brown, on to fame in Paris and Hollywood. Next door, in tiny Craftsbury, is the Music Box, which every month draws musicians from around the Northeast.
Up the road is Sterling College, which draws an eclectic faculty and a student body on
the cutting edge of farming. And then there is Pete's Green's, Jasper Hill Cheese, and
Hill Farmstead Brewery, bringing home worldwide recognition for their artisanship in
the food and beverage industry.
Amid these fertile fields, the Greensboro Arts Alliance and Residency, an offspring of
the Mirror Repertory Company of New York City, has found a home. The Mirror Repertory Company, originally founded in 1983 by Sabra Jones, is the spiritual successor to
Harold Clurman's Group Theatre and Eva Le Galliennes Civic Repertory. The founding
initiative was spearheaded by the legendary philanthropist, Laurance S. Rockefeller, and
received additional endowments from, among many others, Dustin Hoffman, Al Pacino,
Dina Merrill, Kitty Carlisle Hart and Paul Newman.
For the last 10 years the Greensboro Arts Alliance and Residency has brought a breath of
fresh mountain air to the American theater community by bringing outstanding actors,
actresses and musicians to the shores of Lake Caspian each summer to hone their art.
During the last few years the alliance has sponsored productions of The Music Man,
Our Town, Miracle Worker, and Carousel under a tent on the town green bringing
renowned actors such as Golden Globe nominee Tina Chen and Tony nominee Marla
Schaffel to the Green Mountains.
This summer, the groups productions will include Hamlet, Kiss Me Kate, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, and Youre a Good Man, Charlie Brown. Performances will begin July 23 and will run through August 15. The Greensboro Arts Alliance will be sponsoring a square dance on the town green on the evening of July 4 and
a writers' conference from August 12 to 21. Additionally, the alliance will be bringing
Vermonts own Chris Bowen, creative director of Blue Man Group, to direct Kiss Me
Kate, with Brandy Burre, star of HBOs The Wire as Bianca. Hamlet will star Nicole
Ansari-Cox as Queen Gertrude and Charles McAteer, also from Vermont and a Broadway

veteran, as Hamlet. The artistic director,

Sabra Jones, directs. Ansari-Coxs husband, the celebrated British actor Brian
Cox, will be working with the Greensboro
audience on opening weekend during his
wonderful lecture Shakespeare for Toddlers. He will make us all worthy of the
Royal Shakespeare Company in only an
hour.
The music director for this summer's performances and for the new theater will be
Justin Jacobs, an accomplished director
from Australia.
Importantly, the arts alliances days of
camping out under a tent on the town
green will soon be over. This summer, on
July 29, the organization is scheduled to
break ground on a new permanent home
Artist renderings of the new theater. in Greensboro. Designed by H3 Hardy
Collaboration Architecture of New York
City, the Greensboro Arts Alliances new
home will be an Elizabethan-style theater,
patterned after Shakespeare's Globe Theater, with 21st-century design and amenities. It
is anticipated that the theater will offer a resource to local high schools, colleges and the
communities around Greensboro for concerts, musical performances and theater productions in a year-round facility.
It is unlikely that Greensboro, Vermont, will send out shock waves of creativity like Memphis in the 1950s or Liverpool in the 1960s, but more than ever the town is likely to be
a place where the arts will flourish and where talent in music and theater come home to
study, rest and grow. For the young people fortunate enough to grow up in the area, the
new theater holds the promise of providing opportunities in the arts comparable to the
most cosmopolitan cities in the world.
Great music, a great theater, a great circus, great beer, great cheese, great salads and a
great lake. It's hard to beat.
For more information about the Greensboro Arts Alliance and Residency and 2015 summer program go to http://www.mirrorarts.org/2015.

PAG E 14 M AY 7 M AY 2 0 , 2 015

Daily through May 15: Way to Go! Smart Trip

Challenge. Way to Go! Vermont challenges
you to ditch your car and choose to bus, bike,
walk, telecommute or carpool for two weeks.
Log your miles, compete to win cool prizes and
have fun all while saving money and helping
the environment. Sign up today at waytogovt.org
and spread the word to fire up your classmates,
coworkers, family and friends! 800-685-RIDE.
info@waytogovt.org.

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: 6220585.
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. 244-7036.
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 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.
Spring 2015 State of Vermont annual Surplus
Vehicle and Heavy Equipment Auction. Preregistration and viewing on Fri., May 8, 11 a.m.3
p.m.; auction on Sat., May 9, 810 a.m. 1756 U.S.
Rte. 302, Berlin. 241-3384. bgs-surplus@state.

vt.us. bgs.vermont.gov/business_services/surplus/
auctions.
Learn More About Home Sharing. Join us for
a free information session. 13 p.m. Capstone
Community Action, 20 Gable Pl., Barre. Walk-ins
welcome or call ahead to RSVP. Home Share
Now: 479-8544.
Game Night! The caf will be open territory for
any and all games, yours or ours. Bring your
favorite board, card or dice game join a table of
friends with a round of drinks for a night of fun.
7 p.m. Espresso Bueno, 248 N. Main St., Barre.
479-0896. Janice@espressobueno.com. espressobueno.com.

SATURDAY, MAY 9

23rd annual National Association of Letter Carriers Food Drive. Place your nonperishable 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/community-service/
food-drive
Poetry StoryWalk. Enjoy Peace of the Wild
Things by Wendell Berry and artwork by area
residents in a self-guided poetry walk at North
Branch Nature Center. Part of Walk & Roll
Week. All day. North Branch Nature Center,
713 Elm St., Montpelier. Free. montpelier-vt.org/
story/1287/Walk-Roll-2015
Spring 2015 State of Vermont annual Surplus
Vehicle and Heavy Equipment Auction. Preregistration and viewing on Fri., May 8, 11 a.m.3
p.m.; auction on Sat., May 9, 810 a.m. 1756 U.S.
Rte. 302, Berlin. 241-3384. bgs-surplus@state.
vt.us. bgs.vermont.gov/business_services/surplus/
auctions.
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 Hight School,
5 High School Dr., Montpelier. Fred: 223-3935.
trails@gmcmontpelier.org.

THE BRIDGE

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.
Plant Sale at TVSC. Annual plant sale benefitting
seniors at the center. Very reasonable prices. 9
a.m.3 p.m. Twin Valley Senior Center, Blueberry
Commons, Rte. 2, E. Montpelier.
Montpelier Memory Caf. Social gathering where
people experiencing memory loss and their care
partners come together to connect and support one
another in a relaxed, non-judgmental atmosphere.
Participants enjoy social time, refreshments, music,
entertainment and other fun activities. 1011:30
a.m. Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre
St., Montpelier. Free; donations welcome. 2232518.
Walk: History of Industry Along Montpelier's
Winooski River. Learn about the commercial and
industrial sites that once stood along the Winooski
River with Manuel Garcia. Part of Walk & Roll
Week. 1 p.m. Meet at Pavilion Building porch,
109 State St., Montpelier. Free. montpelier-vt.org/
story/1287/Walk-Roll-2015

bridge near Elm and Mechanic streets, Montpelier.

Free. montpelier-vt.org/story/1287/Walk-Roll-2015
Global Labor Film Fest. This years films are
Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin and
Fasanella. 5 p.m. Old Labor Hall, 46 Granite St.,
Barre. By donation. 479-5600. info@oldlaborhall.
org.
Movie and Margarita Night. "Jim Breuer More
Than Me." Watch a movie and enjoy house-made
margaritas. 7 p.m. Espresso Bueno, 248 N. Main
St., Barre. 479-0896. $6. espressobueno.com.
Walking Through the Night Sky. Dale Stafford
will lead a walk into the night skies through
stars, constellations and planets. All ages welcome.
Part of Walk & Roll Week. 8:30 p.m. Bring
binoculars and a small flashlight to the North
Branch Nature Center parking lot, 713 Elm St.,
Montpelier. Free. montpelier-vt.org/story/1287/
Walk-Roll-2015

SUNDAY, MAY 10

Walk with Councilor Watson. Enjoy a walk

through District 2 with city Councilor Anne Watson. Part of Walk & Roll Week. Noon. Meet at
Hunger Mountain Coop, 623 Stone Cutters Way,
Montpelier. Free. montpelier-vt.org/story/1287/
Walk-Roll-2015
Akira Kurosawas "Throne of Blood." Transposes
the plot of Shakespeares MacBeth to feudal Japan.
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.

Mothers Day Spring Wildflower Walk. With

Brett Engstrom. Sponsored by the Marshfield
Conservation Committee and the Jaquith Library.
14 p.m. Meet at the Stranahan Forest parking lot
Buddha's Birthday Celebration. All are welcome. in Marshfield. 426-3581. jaquithpubliclibrary.org.
Optional meditation 1:30 p.m.; procession and
Exploring the New Cross Vermont Trail. Explore
ceremony 2 p.m. Refreshments follow. Childrens
the future path of the Cross Vermont Trail in East
activities offered. Shao Shan Temple, Cranberry
Montpelier on a lovely walk along the Winooski
Meadow Rd., Woodbury. Free. 456-7091. shaRiver. 1 p.m. Meet at the Montpelier High School
oshantemple@gmail.com.
parking lot, and well carpool to Muddy Brook
Walk with Councilor Bate. Enjoy a walk through
District 1 with city Councilor Dona Bate. Part of
Walk & Roll Week. 4 p.m. Meet on the pedestrian

Performing
Arts
THEATER, STORYTELLING
& COMEDY
May 9, 16, 30: Kathleen Kanz Comedy Hour.
Adult content. 79 p.m. Charlie Os World Famous, 70 Main St., Montpelier. Free. 223-6820.
May 15: Stroke Yr Joke! Hosted by Bitsy Biron.
Have you ever wanted to try stand-up comedy?
Here's your chance! Comedians get five minutes
of stage time with a cap of 15 comics per show.
Sign-ups 7:30 p.m.; show starts 8 p.m. Espresso
Bueno, 248 N. Main St., Barre. 479-0896.
espressobueno.com
May 1517: Contemporary Dance & Fitness
Studio 41st annual performance. From ballet
to break, from modern to musical theater, this is
a professionally produced show of dancers aged
460 that is impressive, inspiring and entertaining. May 15 and 16, 7 p.m.; May 17, 1 p.m. Barre
Opera House, 6 N. Main St., Barre. Adults $15;
kids/seniors $12. 229-4676.
May 16: Pocket Chatauqua. Unamplified
performances for adults, children and mixed
audiences. Featuring Michael Parent, bilingual
Franco-American storyteller. 79 p.m. Four
Corners Schoolhouse at intersection of Dodge,
Vincent Flats, Snow Hill and Putnam roads, East
Montpelier. Adults $10; children $5. 223-9103.
May 16: Extempo. Vermont's popular live
storytelling series get on stage and regale the
audience with short-format, first-person, true
stories delivered without notes or reading. 8 p.m.
Espresso Bueno, 248 N. Main St., Barre. $5; free
for participants. 479-0896. espressobueno.com.
Through May 16: Eurydice. Sexy, modern
reimagining of the classic myth through the eyes

Road and walk from there. Bicyclists can meet us

at 1:20 p.m. at the start of Muddy Brook Road.
Part of Walk & Roll Week. Free. montpelier-vt.

of its heroine. LNT's production, directed by Eric

Love, employs masks, live cello and aerial silks.
May 8 and 16, 8 p.m.; May 9 and 10, 2 p.m.;
May 14, 7 p.m. Lost Nation Theater, Montpelier
City Hall, Memorial Room, 39 Main St., Montpelier. $1530. 229-0492. info@lostnationtheater.org. lostnationtheater.org/Eurydice.html.
Through May 17: Treasure Island. Stevensons
classic gets a new world premier production by
Kim Bent, with music by Kathleen Keenan. May
7, 7 p.m.; May 9 and 15, 8 p.m.; May 16 and 17,
2 p.m. Lost Nation Theater, Montpelier City
Hall, Memorial Room, 39 Main St., Montpelier.
$1540. 229-0492. info@lostnationtheater.org.
May 17: Dance, Sing, and Jump Around! An
intergenerational fun afternoon; a lively time
for folks of all ages. Circle and line dances and
singing games, all taught and called. Live music
by Kenric Kite and friends caller Liz Benjamin.
Snacks. 34:30 p.m. Plainfield Town Hall Opera
House, 18 High St. (Rte.2 ), Plainfield. Postdance potluck picnic at the Plainfield Recreation
Field. Suggested donation: adults $5; kids free.
merrykays@yahoo.com. lizbenjamin64@gmail.
com.
May 2223: Green Mountain Comedy Festival:
Bueno Comedy Showcase. As a part of this
years Green Mountain Comedy Festival, the
caf will be hosting two back-to-back comedy
showcases featuring comedians from all around
Vermont. 8:30 p.m. Espresso Bueno, 248 N.
Main St., Barre. $6. 479-0896. espressobueno.
com.

AUDITIONS

May 89: Auditions for The Pied Piper of

Hamelin. This stage adaptation (with music) is
open to actors of all ages, abilities and types, with
roles for children, teens and adults. Although
welcomed, no prior theater or music experience necessary only the ability to have fun
with your neighbors inside theatrical storytelling. Production dates: July 1619. Also seeking
others in support roles including music, sets and
costumes. May 8, 79 p.m.; May 9, 911:30 a.m.
The Waterbury Center Grange Hall, 237 Howard
Ave., Waterbury Center. 244-4168. moxie@
pshift.com.

T H E B R I D G E

Visual Arts
EXHIBITS

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.
Through May 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.
Through May 22: 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
org/story/1287/Walk-Roll-2015.

MONDAY, MAY 11

Musical Story Time. With Lesley Grant. Ages

18 months4 years. 10 a.m. Waterbury Public
Library, 30 Foundry St., Waterbury. Free. 2447036. waterburypubliclibrary.com.
Walk with Councilor Guerlain. Meet Montpelier
City Councilor Theirry Guerlain at the corner of
East State and College streets in Montpelier for an
easy walk around District 2. Part of Walk & Roll
Week. Noon. Free. montpelier-vt.org/story/1287/
Walk-Roll-2015
Walking with Harris Webster. Harris will
share some of his favorite spots, as well as some
of the gems of the city. This moderate walk is
will last approximately 1.5 hours rain or shine.
Part of Walk & Roll Week. 1 p.m. Meet at the
Montpelier Senior Activities Center, 58 Barre St.,
Montpelier. Free. montpelier-vt.org/story/1287/
Walk-Roll-2015
Walk: Bridges of Montpelier. Learn about the
history of Montpeliers bridges on this two-mile
walk with author and Vermont Historic Bridge
Program manager Bob McCullough. Part of Walk
& Roll Week. 4 p.m. Meet at the State House,
115 State St., Montpelier. Free. montpelier-vt.org/
story/1287/Walk-Roll-2015
Walk with Councilor Bate. Enjoy a walk through
District 1 with city Councilor Dona Bate. Part of
Walk & Roll Week. 6 p.m. Meet at Dairy Lane
and Clarendon, Montpelier. Free. montpelier-vt.
org/story/1287/Walk-Roll-2015

TUESDAY, MAY 12

Walk: Trees of Montpelier with John Snell.

Meet in front of City Hall for a walk focusing on
the urban forest of the city, including different
species, problems and opportunities and enjoying the wonderful trees in Montpelier. part of
Walk & Roll Week. Noon. Meet at 39 Main St.,
Montpelier. Free. montpelier-vt.org/story/1287/
Walk-Roll-2015
Fayston Road Walk with Green Mountain Club.
Moderate. 6 miles on Center Fayston Rd., Kew
Vasseur Rd. and Bragg Hill Rd. We'll need to
do a car spot. 1 p.m. Meet at VT 100 and Pine
Rd., Waitsfield. Contact leader Steve for details:
479-2304.
Veterans Book Group. For veterans to connect with each other, build relationships, read
insightful materials and share experiences. The
groups explorations will include books, poetry,
articles, photos, and short stories. Includes copy of
readings and light supper. 56:30 p.m. Norwich
University, Wise Campus Center, Meeting Room
218, 158 Harmon Dr., Northfield. Free; preregistration required. 262-1356. acunningham@
vermonthumanities.org.
All You Can Eat Pasta and Salad Dinner. 57
p.m. Unitarian Church, 130 Main St., Montpelier. Adults $10; children $5.
Walk: Montpelier Schools Past and Present.
Learn the history of five of Montpeliers school
buildings in this moderate two-mile walking tour

Calendar of Events
oral history project with the Twin Valley Senior
Center. Plainfield Community Center. Reception with Art and Plant Sale: May 15, 57 p.m.
153 Main St. (above Plainfield Coop), Plainfield.
Jamie@maplehillschool.org. maplehillschoolandfarm.org.
Through May 31: 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.
Through May 31: Art of Creative Aging. A
juried exhibit featuring recent work of nearly 40
older artists living throughout the central Vermont region. Works presented are available for
sale. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the
Kellogg-Hubbard Library and Central Vermont
Council on Aging. Kellogg-Hubbard Library,
135 Main St., Montpelier.
Through June 13: Axel Stohlberg. Solo exhibition of paintings, drawings and assemblages.
Reception: May 8, 68 p.m. Axels Gallery and
Frame Shop, 5 Stowe St., Waterbury. 244-7801.
info@axelsgallery.com. axelsgallery.com.
May 12June 13: Wagon Wheels Farm. A Royalton Historical Society exhibit about an Edward
Hopper-related historic site on VT Rte. 110 just
outside South Royalton. Opening reception with
presentation by author Bonnie Tocher Clause:
May 15, 57 p.m. Royalton Memorial Library,
23 Alexander Pl., S. Royalton. Free.
Through June 14: Area Artists Show. Artwith Paul Carnahan, co-author of Montpelier:
Images of Vermonts Capital City. Part of Walk
& Roll Week. 5 p.m. Meet at City Hall plaza, 39
Main St., Montpelier. Free. montpelier-vt.org/
story/1287/Walk-Roll-2015
Bike with Mayor Hollar. Meet at City Hall
and take an easy bicycle ride around town with
Montpelier Mayor John Hollar. Helmets required.
Part of Walk & Roll Week. 5 p.m. 39 Main St.,
Montpelier. Free. montpelier-vt.org/story/1287/
Walk-Roll-2015
Grandparents Raising Their Childrens
Children. Second Tues., 68 p.m. Child care
provided. Wesley Methodist Church, Main St.,
Waterbury. 476-1480.
Orvilles Revenge Author Reading and Book
Signing. Retired Superior Judge Stephen B.
Martins book presents the controversial death
of Orville Gibson. 6:30 p.m. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 135 Main St., Montpelier. Free. 223-3338.
kellogghubbard.org.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 13

Learn More About Home Sharing. Join us for a

free information session. Noon1 p.m. (during
community lunch). Worcester Town Hall, 20
Worcester Village Rd., Worcester. Walk-ins welcome or call ahead to RSVP. Home Share Now:
479-8544.
Codes for Kids. Learn to write computer code
using simple programs such as Scratch, Arduino
and Hopscotch. For kids in grades 46. 34 p.m.
Waterbury Public Library, 30 Foundry St., Waterbury. Free. Space limited; sign-up early. 244-7036.
waterburypubliclibrary.com.
Walk: The Tales of Hubbard Park with Joanne
Garton. Hubbard Park is the forested gem of
Vermonts capital city, but it wasnt always such an
urban hideaway. Learn how the city now cares for
its downtown forest and manages for its future.
Part of Walk & Roll Week. 4 p.m. Meet at Frog
Pond at the top of Parkway St., Montpelier. Free.
montpelier-vt.org/story/1287/Walk-Roll-2015
Celiac and Food Allergy Support Group. With
Lisa Mas of Harmonized Cookery. Second Wed.,
4:306 p.m. Conference room 3, Central Vermont Medical Center. lisamase@gmail.com.
Spotlight: Great Plays Discussion Series
Doubt. A discussion of Doubt, A Parable by
John Patrick Shanley. 5:156:15 p.m. KelloggHubbard Library, 135 Main St., Montpelier. Free.
jogreenvermont@gmail.com.
Quilting Group. Working meeting of the Dog
River Quilters. Second Wed., 5:30 p.m. Community room, Brown Public Library, Northfield.
Jean, 585-5078 or jeanjolley@myfairpoint.net.
Bereaved Parents Support Group. Second
Wed., 68 p.m. CVHHH, 600 Granger Rd., Berlin. Jeneane Lunn 793-2376.
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.
Community Sing-A-Long with Rich and Laura
Atkinson. A singing background is not necessary

M AY 7 M AY 2 0 , 2 015 PAG E 15

ists from central Vermont east of the Green

Mountains in Orange, Washington and Windsor
counties display their work. Chandler Gallery,
71-73 Main St., Randolph. 431-0204. gallery@
chandler-arts.org.
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 30: River Works. Group show.
Collection of images, colors, textures and
constructions directly inspired by Vermont rivers
and water meditations. Opening reception: May
7, 57 p.m. River Arts Center, 74 Pleasant St.,
Morrisville. Mon.Thurs., 9 a.m.4 p.m.; Fri., 9
a.m.2 p.m. Free. 888-1261. riverartsvt.org.
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/
and songbooks will be provided. All ages and
stages welcome. A variety of instruments are used
to accompany the singers. Musicians are welcome
to bring their instruments. 6:45 p.m. Jaquith
Public Library, 122 School St., Marshfield. Free.
426-3581. jaquithpubliclibrary.org.

THURSDAY, MAY 14

Walking with Harris Webster. Harris will share

some of his favorite spots, as well as some of the
gems of the city. This moderate walk will last approximately 1.5 hours rain or shine. Part of Walk
& Roll Week. 1 p.m. Meet at the Montpelier
Senior Activities Center, 58 Barre St., Montpelier. Free. montpelier-vt.org/story/1287/WalkRoll-2015
Embracing Impermanence. A Buddhist panel
discussion exploring the gentle practice of letting

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/

SPECIAL EVENTS

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.
Green Mountain Watercolor Exhibition Accepting Entries. The Valley Arts Foundation
welcomes submissions to the fourth annual
Green Mountain Watercolor Exhibition, to
be held in July at the Big Red Barn Gallery at
Lareau Farm Inn in Waitsfield. Works will be
judged for style and technique that interprets a
diverse subject matter. For more information and
the prospectus for submission: vermontartfest.
com or contact Gary Eckhart at fineart@moosewalkstudios.com.
go in living and dying. 6:309 p.m. Unitarian
Church, 130 Main St., Montpelier. Free; donations welcome. 224-1001. nmbe1022@gmail.com.
Beaded Jewelry Workshop. Learn how to make
simple beaded jewelry such as a bracelet, necklace
or earrings. 6:30 p.m. Waterbury Public Library,
30 Foundry St., Waterbury. Free. Space limited;
call to register. 244-7036.

FRIDAY, MAY 15

Learn More About Home Sharing. Join us for

a free information session. 10:30 a.m.noon.
Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre St.,
Montpelier. Walk-ins welcome or call ahead to
RSVP. Home Share Now: 479-8544.
Walk with a Cop. Police Chief Tony Facos and
Officer Michael Philbrick will show you what the

PAG E 16 M AY 7 M AY 2 0 , 2 015

Calendar of Events

city looks like through the eyes of our police and

give you a chance to share with them any concerns
or questions you have. Part of Walk & Roll Week.
3:30 p.m. Meet at Montpelier police station, 1
Pitkin Ct., Montpelier. Free. montpelier-vt.org/
story/1287/Walk-Roll-2015

people at 250-252 Main St. Naturopath, acupuncturist, acupressure, message therapists, author,
design and drafting consultant, psychotherapist,
seamstress, esthetician. Also visit the Vermont
Center for Integrative Herbalism plant sale next
door. 10 a.m.2 p.m. 250 Main St., Montpelier.

Walk: Trees of Montpelier with John Snell.

Meet in front of City Hall for a walk focusing on
the urban forest of the city, including different
species, problems and opportunities and enjoying
the wonderful trees in Montpelier. part of Walk
& Roll Week. 4:30 p.m. Meet at 39 Main St.,
Montpelier. Free. montpelier-vt.org/story/1287/
Walk-Roll-2015

StoryWalk. Come to Hubbard Park during the

day for a self-guided walk through Mole Music
by David McPhail. Great for all ages. Part of Walk
& Roll Week. 10 a.m.6 p.m. Hubbard Park,
Montpelier. Free. montpelier-vt.org/story/1287/
Walk-Roll-2015

SATURDAY, MAY 16

Spring Bird Walk. With Bob Popp from the

Marshfield Conservation Committee. Rain date
May 17. 7:3011 a.m. Meet at the Stranahan Forest parking lot. Jaquith Public Library, 122 School
St., Marshfield. Free. 426-3581. jaquithpubliclibrary.org.
Spring Bird Watching with Ken Benton. Discover migratory birds at North Branch Nature Center. Bring comfortable clothing (minimal bright
colors), binoculars and gear for rain or shine. Part
of Walk & Roll Week. 7:30 a.m. North Branch
Nature Center, 713 Elm St., Montpelier. Free.
montpelier-vt.org/story/1287/Walk-Roll-2015
Green Mountain Club Work Hike. Stowe. All
abilities. Various distances. Smugglers' Notch.
Spring walk-through on the Long Trail/Elephant's
Head and Sterling Pond trails. Wear sturdy boots,
work clothes and gloves. 8 a.m. Meet at Montpelier High School, 5 High School Dr., Montpelier.
Fred: 223-3935 or trails@gmcmontpelier.org.
Montessori Open House. Come see what Montessori education is all about. Currently serving
children ages 312. 911 a.m. Montessori School
of Central Vermont, 89 Karl Circle, Berlin. Free.
Please register: 223-3320 or info@mscvt.org.
Barre Farmers Market Opening Day. 9 a.m.1
p.m. Vermont Granite Museum, 7 Jones Brothers
Rd., Barre. barrefarmersmarketvt.com.
Additional Recyclables Collection Center. Accepting scores of hard-to-recycle items. Third Sat.,
9 a.m.1 p.m. 540 N. Main St. (old Times Argus
building), Barre. $1 per carload. 229-9383 x106.
For list of accepted items, go to cvswmd.org.
Freedom & Unity TV Awards Ceremony. Hosted
by Freedom & Unity TV, an initiative of Freedom
& Unity: The Vermont Movie. The statewide film
contest is designed to inspire and mentor young
Vermonters, ages 1425, to make short films
about Vermont from their points of view and experience. Special guests, including some Vermont
movie filmmakers, will address the audience, and
all the winning films will be screened, with Q&A
with the young filmmakers afterwards. 9:30
a.m.1 p.m. Randolph High School, 15 Forest St.,
Randolph. freedomandunitytv.net.
Friends Annual Plant Swap. Bring plants to
swap, make sure to label them. No invasive plants
please. 10 a.m.1 p.m. Jaquith Public Library, 122
School St., Marshfield. Free. 426-3581. jaquithpubliclibrary.org.
Open House. Meet the talented and helpful

Great Roses for Vermont. The University of Vermont Extension Master Gardener program brings
you a talk on growing roses in Vermont. 10:30
a.m. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 135 Main St.,
Montpelier. Free. 223-3338. kellogghubbard.org.
Grazing Picnic Food Walk with Eve Jacobs-Carnahan and Bridget Asay. Fuel yourself with food
and inspiration as we walk from Hunger Mountain Coop to Summer Street, picking up recipes
and food tips along the way. Meet on the bike
path near the Coop. Purchase food at your cost
en route. Part of Walk & Roll Week. 11:30 a.m.
montpelier-vt.org/story/1287/Walk-Roll-2015
Exploring the New Cross Vermont Trail.
Explore the future path of the Cross Vermont
Trail in East Montpelier on a lovely walk along
the Winooski River. 1 p.m. Meet at the Montpelier High School parking lot, and well carpool
to Muddy Brook Road and walk from there.
Bicyclists can meet us at 1:20 p.m. at the start
of Muddy Brook Road. Part of Walk & Roll
Week. Free. montpelier-vt.org/story/1287/WalkRoll-2015
EarthWalks 10th Year Celebration. Outdoor
family event. Games, crafts, songs, stories, nature
walks, chef-prepared dinner for $5, fireside entertainment, music and more. 29 p.m. Goddard
College, Hawthorn Meadow, 123 Pitkin Rd.,
Plainfield. Free. 454-8500. info@earthwalkvermont.org. earthwalkvermont.org.

SUNDAY, MAY 17

Wildflower Hike with Green Mountain Club.

Waterbury. Moderate. Various distances. The
perfect time for early spring wildflowers in Little
River State Park. Hike through abandoned hill
farms with fine views of Little River Reservoir.
Contact leaders Cynthia and George for meeting
time and place: 229-9787.
Spring Bird Watching with Bryan Pfeiffer.
Join well-known local naturalist and birder in
appreciating the migratory birds arriving at North
Branch Nature Center. Bring comfortable clothing (minimal bright colors), binoculars, and gear
for rain or shine. Part of Walk & Roll Week. 7:30
a.m. North Branch Nature Center, 713 Elm St.,
Montpelier. Free. montpelier-vt.org/story/1287/
Walk-Roll-2015
StoryWalk. Come to Hubbard Park during the
day for a self-guided walk through Mole Music
by David McPhail. Great for all ages. Part of Walk
& Roll Week. 10 a.m.6 p.m. Hubbard Park,
Montpelier. Free. montpelier-vt.org/story/1287/
Walk-Roll-2015
Bike to the Bakery! Join us for a mellow group
ride to Red Hen Bakery. The ride is just under sev-

en miles. Everyone is welcome. Helmets required.

Rain or shine. Part of Walk & Roll Week. 10
a.m. Meet at City Hall, 39 Main St., Montpelier.
montpelier-vt.org/story/1287/Walk-Roll-2015
Open Forum and Discussion: Massage Therapy
Regulation in Vermont. The forum hopes to
encourage open discussion about a subject many
therapists in Vermont may be opposed to. Open
to the public, with all massage therapist and
bodyworkers encouraged to attend. 1 p.m. Unitarian Church, 130 Main St., Montpelier. amtavermont.org.
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.

THE BRIDGE
graphs from years gone by 7 p.m. Congregational
Church, 1808 Scott Hill Rd., Berlin. Free. 2235306.
Healing the Heart of Democracy Circle. With
S.B. Sowbel and David Leo-Nyquist. Participate
in conversations about our role as active citizens
in the challenging enterprise we know as the
American democratic process. Explore ideas from
Parker Palmer's book Healing the Heart of Democracy: The Courage to Create a Politics Worthy
of the Human Spirit. Third Wed. through June.
6:158:30 p.m. Unitarian Church, Fireplace
Room, 130 Main St., Montpelier. dleonyquist@
gmail.com.
All in the Family Film Series. 2013 film directed
by Jim Jarmusch. Call library for film title. 7 p.m.
Jaquith Public Library, 122 School St., Marshfield. Free. 426-3581. jaquithpubliclibrary.org.

MONDAY, MAY 18

THURSDAY, MAY 21

LBGTQ Series & Community Cinema Presents:

"Limited Partnership." A tenacious story of
love, marriage and immigration equality. Panel
discussion to follow the screening. 7 p.m. KelloggHubbard Library, 135 Main St., Montpelier. Free.
223-3338. kellogghubbard.org.

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.

American Red Cross Blood Donation. Donors of

all blood types especially those with types O
negative, A negative and B negative are needed
to help ensure blood is available for patients this
spring. Noon5:30 p.m. Lyndon Municipal
Building, 119 Park Ave., Lyndonville. 1800-RED
CROSS. redcrossblood.org.

TUESDAY, MAY 19

Bike Middlesex with Green Mountain Club.

Easy. 12 miles. Montpelier to Middlesex and
return. Helmet required. Contact leaders for
meeting time and place: Mary S. at 505-0603 or
Mary G. at 622-0585.
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.
Natural Marshfield: A Series about the Local
Environment. Janet Schwartz from the University of Vermont will bring microscopes. Participants will collect water, leaves and more to view in
the microscopes. For curious folks of all ages and
stages. 7 p.m. Jaquith Public Library, 122 School
St., Marshfield. Free. 426-3581. jaquithpubliclibrary.org.
Reading Faulkner: Go Down Moses. Bob Barasch will present themes of Go Down Moses in
a three part series (May 19, June 2 and 16). 7 p.m.
Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 135 Main St., Montpelier. Free. 223-3338. kellogghubbard.org.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 20

Foot Clinic. Seniors, disabled and veterans

welcome. Keep your feet healthy for lots of spring
walking. Call CVHHH to make appointment
and they will tell you what to bring with you:
223-1898. 8:30 a.m.noon. Twin Valley Senior
Center, Blueberry Commons, Rt. 2, E. Montpelier. $15.
Codes for Kids. Learn to write computer code
using simple programs such as Scratch, Arduino
and Hopscotch. For kids in grades 46. 34 p.m.
Waterbury Public Library, 30 Foundry St., Waterbury. Free. Space limited; sign-up early. 244-7036.
waterburypubliclibrary.com.
Spring Time of Remembrance. Honor and
remember those whom Central Vermont Home
Health & Hospice has served. 5:306:15 p.m.:
social time with hospice staff, childrens art table.
6:157 p.m.: music, readings and remembrances.
All are welcome. CVHHH Conference Center,
600 Granger Rd., Berlin. RSVP: 223-1878 or
smusik@cvhhh.org.
Berlin Pictures of the Past. Potluck 6 p.m.;
Berlin Historical Society presentation of photo-

Bike Chelsea with Green Mountain Club. Moderate to difficult. 25 miles. Begin Washington to
Chelsea, where we will have lunch. Back roads
and Rte. 110. Along the way we'll stop at several
points of interest, including a potter's and small
farm. Definitely need a bike suitable for back
roads. Contact George for more details: plumb.
george@gmail.com.

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.
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
Perennial Vegetables and Beyond: Growing
Food, Growing Soil and Sequestering Carbon.
With Aaron Guman. Our landscapes and tables
can be enriched with perennials vegetables. A
Transition Town program. 67:45 p.m. KelloggHubbard Library, 135 Main St., Montpelier. Free.
223-3338. kellogghubbard.org.
Grandparents Raising Their Childrens
Children. Third Thurs., 68 p.m. Child care
provided. Trinity United Methodist Church, 137
Main St., Montpelier. 476-1480.
Songwriters Meeting. Meeting of the Northern
VT/NH chapter of the Nashville Songwriters
Association International. Bring copies of your
work. Third Thurs., 6:45 p.m. Catamount Arts,
St. Johnsbury. John, 633-2204.

FRIDAY, MAY 22

American Red Cross Blood Donation. Donors of

all blood types especially those with types O
negative, A negative and B negative are needed
to help ensure blood is available for patients this
spring. 8 a.m.1 p.m. U-32, 930 Gallison Hill
Rd., Montpelier. 1800-RED CROSS. redcrossblood.org.

SATURDAY, MAY 23

Kids Creating Music. With Bob Brookens. Ages

18 months4 years. 10 a.m. Waterbury Public
Library, 30 Foundry St., Waterbury. Free. 2447036. waterburypubliclibrary.com.
American Red Cross Blood Donation. Donors of
all blood types especially those with types O
negative, A negative and B negative are needed
to help ensure blood is available for patients this
spring. 11:30 a.m.4:30 p.m. Berlin Mall, 282
Berlin Mall Rd., Berlin. 1800-RED CROSS.
redcrossblood.org.
High Tea and Open House. Fundraiser for Onion
River Exchange. 35 p.m. 107 College St., Montpelier. $20. Pre-registration required. 661-8959.
info@orexchange.com.

T H E B R I D G E

Music
VENUES
Bagitos. 28 Main St., Montpelier. Free. 2299212. Open mic every Wed. bagitos.com.
May 7: Colin McCaffrey & Doug Perkins, 68
p.m.
May 8: Bronwyn Fryer, Ron Sweet, & Susan
Reid (50s/60s/70s) 68 p.m.
May 9: Jamie Kallestad (folk/rock) 11 a.m.1
p.m.; Irish Session with Sarah Blair, Hilari Farrington, Benedict Koehler, Katrina VanTyne,
Bob Ryan and others, 25 p.m.; Karen Mayhew
& Friends, 68 p.m.
May 12: Django Koenig (mellow guitar) 68
p.m.
May 13: Nick Clemens (psychedelic folk) 68
p.m.
May 14: Red Clay, Montpelier High School Jazz
Band, 68 p.m.
May 15: Dave Loughran (acoustic classic rock)
68 p.m.
May 16: Irish Session with Sarah Blair, Hilari
Farrington, Benedict Koehler, Katrina VanTyne,
Bob Ryan and others, 25 p.m.; Isaiah Mayhew
(roots/reggae/hip-hop) 68 p.m.
May 17: Bleecker & McDougal (folk ballads) 11
a.m.1 p.m.
May 19: Old Time Music Session, 68 p.m.
May 20: Papa GreyBeard Blues, 68 p.m.
May 21: Art Herttua & Ray Carroll (jazz guitar/
percussion) 68 p.m.
May 22: The Neptunes, 68 p.m.
May 23: Irish Session with Sarah Blair, Hilari
Farrington, Benedict Koehler, Katrina VanTyne,
Bob Ryan and others, 25 p.m.

Calendar of Events
p.m.
May 22: Broken String Band (bluegrass) 79
p.m.; Skattitude (ska/punk) 10 p.m.
May 23: Kathleen Kanz Comedy Hour, 79
p.m.; The Devil's Cut with special guest (punk/
Americana) 10 p.m.
North Branch Caf. 41 State St., Montpelier.
Free. 552-8105. donia@thenorth-branch.com.
thenorth-branch.com.
May 9: Michael T Jermyn, 79 p.m.

M AY 7 M AY 2 0 , 2 015 PAG E 17

May 20: D. Davis, 5 p.m.; Open Blues Jam

hosted by Jason Jack, 8 p.m.
May 21: Seth Yacovone plays Bob Dylan, 7:30
p.m.
May 22: Mark LeGrand, 5 p.m.; Beg Steal or
Borrow, 9 p.m.
May 23: David Langevin, 5 p.m.; Michael
Arnowitt, 8 p.m. $5.

SPECIAL EVENTS

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

Free. 229-2090. nightlife@nuttystephs.com. nuttystephs.com.
May 7: Player Piano Singalong, 68 p.m.; Kick
'Em Jenny, 811 p.m.
May 8: Jazzyaoke, 7:3010:30 p.m.
May 14: Cooie Sings, 68 p.m.; Two Cents in
the Till, 811 p.m.
May 15: The Tomasas Rumbath Latin Rock
Steady Band, 710 p.m.
May 21: Jim Thompson, 710 p.m.
May 22: Jazzyaoke, 7:3010:30 p.m.

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.

Positive Pie. 22 State St., Montpelier. 10 p.m. $5.

Ages 21+. 229-0453. positivepie.com.
May 8: Gang of Thieves
May 15: Electrolads
May 22: The Holter Brothers (rock/pop)

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.

Sweet Melissas. 4 Langdon St., Montpelier. Free

unless otherwise noted. 225-6012. facebook.com/
sweetmelissasvt.
May 7: Group Therapy Comedy Show, 8 p.m.
$5.
May 8: Mark LeGrand, 5 p.m.; Starline Rhythm
Boys (honky-tonk/rockabilly) 9 p.m. $5.
May 9: David Langevin, 5 p.m.; Spider Roulette, 9 p.m.
May 10: Django, 1 p.m.
May 11: Big John, 8 p.m.
May 12: Cobalt, 5 p.m.; Open Mic Night, 7
p.m.
May 13: D. Davis, 5 p.m.; Cookies Hot Club,
Charlie Os World Famous. 70 Main St., Mont8 p.m.
pelier. Free. 223-6820.
May 14: Golden Novak Duo, 7:30 p.m.
May 8: Ricky Powell (solo acoustic) 79 p.m.;
May 15: Mark LeGrand, 5 p.m.; Dave Keller &
Pours, KYIKO (indie) 10 p.m.
Johnny Rawls, 9 p.m. $5.
May 9: Kathleen Kanz Comedy Hour, 79 p.m.; May 16: Andy Pitt, 5 p.m.; TallGrass GetDown,
Resonant Rogues (old time) 10 p.m.
9 p.m. $5.
May 14: Gloom, Vaporizer (metal) 9 p.m.
May 17: Django, 8 p.m.
May 15: Abby Jenne (rock) 79 p.m.; Coquette
May 18: Kelly Ravin, 8 p.m.
(pop/rock) 10 p.m.
May 19: Bruce Jones, 5 p.m.; Open Mic Night,
May 16: Kathleen Kanz Comedy Hour, 79
7 p.m.

May 9: Northern Harmony Womens Quartet.

Vermont reunion of Village Harmony directors
Patty Cuyler, Suzannah Park, Emily Miller and
Mollie Stone. Program features a mix of harmony
singing on the subjects of love, loss, praise and
weather, with music from the Renaissance
performed alongside honky-tonk and traditional
duets, trios and quartets from the US, Caucasus
Georgia, Corsica, Sweden and South Africa. 7:30
p.m. Bethany Church, 115 Main St., Montpelier.
Suggested donation: adults $15; students/seniors/
starving artists $10. 426-3210. villageharmony.
org.

May 9: 2nd annual Richs Hollow Concert

Series. Opening with Northfield pianist Alison
Cerutti. 4 p.m. 2850 Rte. 14, N. Montpelier. $20.
Limited seating. RSVP: 454-7306.

May 15: The Next Generation. 24 young classical

musicians from all over Vermont and the Upper
Valley will showcase their performing artistry
in Chandlers 7th annual NPR From the Top
look-alike program, The Next Generation. 7:30
p.m. Chandler Music Hall, 71-73 Main St., Randolph. Adult advance $16; adult day of show $20;
students $10. chandler-arts.org.
May 16: Fives the Charm. Laurie Smukler
returns with another stellar ensemble to perform

two of the masterpieces of the piano quintet

literature, Brahms Piano Quintet in F minor,
Op. 34 and Shostakovich Piano Quintet in G
minor, Op. 57. Smukler will be joined by Emily
Daggett-Smith (violin), Doris Lederer (viola),
Natasha Brofsky (cello) and Karen Kevra (flute,
for a performance of Amy Beach's Theme and
Variations for flute and strings.) This concert will
be dedicated to long-time Capital City Concerts
board member Catherine Orr, who is also the
music director of the Unitarian Church. A reception will be held in her honor immediately after
the concert. 7:30 p.m. Unitarian Church, 130
Main St., Montpelier. $1525. capitalcityconcerts.
org. Tickets may also be purchased, cash or check
only, at Bear Pond Books in Montpelier.
May 1617: Onion River Chorus. Presenting the
first-ever Vermont performances of two baroque
masterworks: Jan Zelenka's "Missa Dei Filii" and
Antonio Lotti's "Dixit Dominus." Directed by
Larry Gordon, the performances will feature an
orchestra of baroque period instruments, plus
vocal soloists Lindsey Warren and Allison Mills.
Adults $15; students/seniors $10; families $30.
476-4300. onionriverchorus.org.
May 16: 7:30 p.m. Hardwick Town House, 1
Depot St., Hardwick.
May 17: 7 p.m. Unitarian Church, 130 Main
St., Montpelier.

AUDITIONS
May 11, 18, 27, June 7: Green Mountain Youth
Symphony Auditions. For summer and fall placement in all three orchestras and CAMP. CAMP
will be held at Johnson State College August 915
this year. Placement in the orchestras and summer
camp is by audition only. To schedule an audition
or for more information: 888-4470. info@gmysvt.org. gmys-vt.org. $25 audition fee; financial
assistance available.

Tell them
you saw it in
The Bridge!

PAG E 18 M AY 7 M AY 2 0 , 2 015

Weekly Events
ART & CRAFT
Beaders Group. All levels of beading experience
welcome. Free instruction available. Come with
a project for creativity and community. Sat., 11
a.m.2 p.m. The Bead Hive, Plainfield. 454-1615.
Noontime Knitters. All abilities welcome. Basics
taught. Crocheting, needlepoint and tatting also
welcome. Tues., noon1 p.m. Waterbury Public
Library, 28 N. Main St., Waterbury. 244-7036.
Women Knitting for Peace Group. Knit/crochet
items to be donated to those in need world-wide.
Bring yarn and needles. Thurs., 1011 a.m. and
67:30 p.m. Montpelier Senior Activity Center,
58 Barre St., Montpelier. 223-2518. For basic info.
and patterns: knitting4peace.org.

BICYCLING
Open Shop Nights. Volunteer-run community
bike shop: bike donations and repairs. Fri., 46
p.m.; other nights. Freeride Montpelier, 89 Barre
St., Montpelier. 552-3521. freeridemontpelier.org.

BOOKS & WORDS

Lunch in a Foreign Language. Bring lunch and
practice your language skills with neighbors.
Noon1 p.m. Mon., Hebrew; Tues., Italian;
Wed., Spanish; Thurs., French. Kellogg-Hubbard
Library, 135 Main St., Montpelier. 223-3338.
English Conversation Practice Group. For
students learning English for the first time. Tues.,
45 p.m. Central Vermont Adult Basic Education, Montpelier Learning Center, 100 State St.
223-3403.
Ongoing Reading Group. Improve your reading
and share some good books. Books chosen by
group. Thurs., 910 a.m. Central Vermont Adult
Basic Education, Montpelier Learning Center,
100 State St. 223-3403.

BUSINESS, FINANCE,
COMPUTERS, EDUCATION
Computer and Online Help. One-on-one computer help. Tues. and Fri., 10 a.m.1 p.m. Waterbury Public Library, 28 N. Main St., Waterbury.
Free. Registration required: 244-7036.

Calendar of Events

a.m.1 p.m.
Fri.: St. Augustine Church, 18 Barre St., 11
a.m.12:30 p.m.
Sun.: Last Sunday only, Bethany Church, 115
Main St. (hosted by Beth Jacob Synagogue),
4:305:30 p.m.
Lunches for Seniors. Mon., Wed., Fri., Noon.
Twin Valley Senior Center, 4583 U.S. Rt. 2, E.
Montpelier. $4 suggested donation. 223-3322.
twinvalleyseniors.org.

HIV Testing. Vermont CARES offers fast oral

testing. Thurs., 25 p.m. 58 East State St., Ste. 3
(entrance at back), Montpelier. Free. 371-6222.
Feast Together or Feast To Go. All proceeds ben- vtcares.org.
efit the Feast Senior Meal program. Tues. and Fri.,
noon1 p.m. Live music every Tues., 10:3011:30
a.m. Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58
Barre St., Montpelier. Seniors 60+ free with $7
suggested donation; under 60 $9. Reservations:
Baby & Toddler Story Time. Every Mon., 10 a.m.
262-6288 or justbasicsinc@gmail.com.
Waterbury Public Library temporary location, 30
Foundry St., Waterbury. Free. 244-7036. waterBarre Farmers Market. May 16Oct. 17.
Every Wed., 37 p.m.; every Sat., 9 a.m.1 p.m. burypubliclibrary.com.
Vermont Granite Museum, 7 Jones Brothers Rd., The Basement Teen Center. Cable TV, PlayStaBarre. barrefarmersmarketvt.com.
tion 3, pool table, free eats and fun events for
Capital City Farmers Market. 53 farmers, food teenagers. Mon.Thurs., 36 p.m.; Fri., 311 p.m.
Basement Teen Center, 39 Main St., Montpelier.
producers and craftspeople. Every Sat. through
229-9151.
Oct. 31. 9 a.m.1 p.m. 60 State St., Montpelier.
capitalcityfarmersmarket.com.
Story Time and Playgroup. Story time with
Sylvia Smith and playgroup with Melissa Seifert.
For ages birth6 and grown-ups. We follow the
Twinfield Union School calendar and do not hold
programs when Twinfield is closed. Every Wed.
Turning Point Center. Safe, supportive place
through June 3. 1011:30 a.m. Jaquith Public Lifor individuals and their families in or seeking
brary, 122 School St., Marshfield. Free. 426-3581.
recovery. Daily, 10 a.m.5 p.m. 489 North Main jaquithpubliclibrary.org.
St., Barre. 479-7373.
Read to Coco. Share a story with Coco, the resiSun.: Alchoholics Anonymous, 8:30 a.m.
dent licensed reading therapy dog, who loves to
Tues.: Making Recovery Easier workshops,
hear kids practice reading aloud. Wed., 3:304:30
67:30 p.m.
p.m. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 135 Main St.,
Wed.: Wits End Parent Support Group, 6 p.m. Montpelier. Sign up ahead: 223-4665 or at the
childrens desk. kellogghubbard.org.
Thurs.: Narcotics Anonymous, 6:30 p.m.

KIDS & TEENS

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Early Bird Bone Builders Class. With Cort

Richardson, Osteoporosis exercise and prevention
program. Wear comfortable clothing and sturdy
shoes. Light weights provided or bring your own.
All ages. Every Mon., Wed. and Fri., 7:308:30
a.m. Twin Valley Senior Center, Rt. 2, Blueberry
Commons, E. Montpelier. Free. Cort: 223-3174
or 238-0789.
Bone Building Exercises. All seniors welcome.
Every Mon., Wed. and Fri. 10:4511:45 a.m. Twin
Valley Senior Center, 4583 U.S. Rt. 2, E. Montpelier. Free. 223-3322. twinvalleyseniors.org.
Tai Chi for Seniors. Led by trained volunteers.
Every Mon. and Fri., 12 p.m. Twin Valley Senior
Center, 4583 U.S. Rt. 2, E. Montpelier. Free. 2233322. twinvalleyseniors.org.

Living Strong Group. Volunteer-led group.

Sing while exercising. Open to all seniors. Every
Personal Financial Management Workshops.
Mon., 2:303:30 p.m. and every Fri., 23 p.m.
Learn about credit/debit cards, credit building and Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre St.,
repair, budgeting and identity theft, insurance,
Montpelier. Free. Register: 223-2518. msac@
investing, retirement. Tues., 68 p.m. Central
montpelier-vt.org.
Vermont Medical Center, Conference Room 3.
Sex Addicts Anonymous. Mon., 6:30 p.m. BethaRegistration: 371-4191.
ny Church, 115 Main St., Montpelier. 552-3483.

FOOD & DRINK

Community Meals in Montpelier. All welcome.
Free.
Mon.: Unitarian Church, 130 Main St., 11
a.m.1 p.m.
Tues.: Bethany Church, 115 Main St., 11:30
a.m.1 p.m.
Wed.: Christ Church, 64 State St., 11 a.m.
12:30 p.m.
Thurs.: Trinity Church, 137 Main St., 11:30

Overeaters Anonymous. Twelve-step program for physically, emotionally and spiritually

overcoming overeating. Two meeting days and
locations. Every Tues., 5:306:30 p.m. and second
Sat., 8:309:30 a.m. at Episcopal Church of the
Good Shepherd, 39 Washington St., Barre. 2493970. Every Fri., noon1 p.m. at Bethany Church,
115 Main St., Montpelier. 223-3079.

Senior Success Series. Topics important to

seniors including food assistance, fuel assistance,
long-term care options, caregiver support, transportation and volunteer opportunities. May 12:
health care assistance, including Medicare, Medigap, Medicare D, VPharm, and Medicaid-led
by Dagny Hoff. May 19: long term care options,
including long term care Medicaid Programs and
assisted living led by Sarah Willhoit. Every Tues.
through June 16, 12:30 p.m. Montpelier Senior
Activity Center, 58 Barre St., Montpelier. Free.
223-2518

THE BRIDGE

other supportive musicians. Singers and listeners

welcome. Thurs., 45:30 p.m. Montpelier Senior
Activity Center, 58 Barre St., Montpelier. Free;
open to the public. 223-2518. msac@montpeliervt.org.
Ukelele Group. All levels welcome. Thurs., 68
p.m. Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre
St. 223-2518.
Gamelan Rehearsals. Sun., 79 p.m. Pratt
Center, Goddard College. Free. 426-3498. steven.
light@jsc.edu. light.kathy@gmail.com.

OUTDOORS
Spring Migration Bird Walks. Explore NBNC for
spring migrants such as warblers, vireos, thrushes
and waterfowl. Every Fri., through May 22. North
Branch Nature Center, 713 Elm St., Montpelier.
free for member; $10 non-members. 229-6206.
northbranchnaturecenter.org.

RECYCLING
Additional Recycling. The Additional Recyclables
Collection Center accepts scores of hard-torecycle items. Tues. and Thurs., 12:30 p.m.5:30
p.m. ARCC, 540 North Main St., Barre. $1 per
carload. 229-9383 x106. cvswmd.org.

SPIRITUALITY
Christian Science Reading Room. You're invited
to visit the Reading Room and see what we
have for your spiritual growth. You can borrow,
purchase or simply enjoy material in a quiet study
room. When we are closed, we have free literature
out on the portico, over the bench, for you to read
or take with you. Hours: Tues., 11 a.m.5 p.m.;
Wed., 11 a.m.7:15 p.m.; Thurs.Sat., 11 a.m.1
p.m. 145 State St., Montpelier. 223-2477.

Story Time for Kids. Meet your neighbors and

share quality time with the pre-schooler in your
life. Each week well read stories and spend time
together. A great way to introduce your preChristian Counseling. Tues. and Thurs. Daniel
schooler to your local library. For ages 25. Every Dr., Barre. Reasonable cost. By appt. only: 479Thurs., 10:30 a.m. Cutler Memorial Library, 151 0302.
High St., Plainfield. 454-8504. cutlerlibrary.org.
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. For those
Read with Arlo. Meet reading therapy dog Arlo
interested in learning about the Catholic faith, or
and his owner Brenda. Sign up for a 20-minute
current Catholics who want to learn more. Wed.,
block. Thurs., 45 p.m. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 7 p.m. St. Monica Church, 79 Summer St., Barre.
135 Main St., Montpelier. 223-4665. kellogghub- Register: 479-3253.
bard.org.
Deepening Our Jewish Roots. Fun, engaging text
Robins Nest Nature Playgroup. Playgroup for
study and discussion on Jewish spirituality. Sun.,
parents, caregivers, and children ages birth5.
4:456:15 p.m. Yearning for Learning Center,
Spontaneous play, exploration, discovery, song,
Montpelier. 223-0583. info@yearning4learning.
nature inspired crafts and story telling. Every Fri., org.
9:3011:30 a.m. North Branch Nature Center,
713 Elm St., Montpelier. Free. 229-6206. northbranchnaturecenter.org.
Preschool Story Time. Every Fri., 10 a.m.
Waterbury Public Library temporary location, 30
Foundry St., Waterbury. Free. 244-7036. waterburypubliclibrary.com.

SPORTS & GAMES

Roller Derby Open Recruitment and Recreational Practice. Central Vermonts Wrecking
Doll Society invites quad skaters age 18 and up.
No experience necessary. Equipment provided:
Drop-in Kinder Arts Program. Innovative exfirst come, first served. Sat., 56:30 p.m. Montploratory arts program with artist/instructor Kelly pelier Recreation Center, Barre St. First skate free.
Holt. Age 35. Fri., 10:30 a.m.noon. River Arts centralvermontrollerderby.com.
Center, 74 Pleasant St., Morrisville. 888-1261.
RiverArtsVT.org.
Teen Fridays. Find out about the latest teen
books, use the gym, make art, play games and if
you need to, do your homework. Fri., 35 p.m.
Jaquith Public Library, 122 School St., Marshfield. 426-3581.

YOGA & MEDITATION

Community Playgroup. An early childhood

educator will be present to provide free play and
conversation, seasonal songs, lap games and an occasional puppet story. For children under 4 years
accompanied by their parent or caregiver. Every
Sat. through May 23, 1011:30 a.m. The Childs
Garden, 155 Northfield St., Montpelier. Free. Preregistration appreciated: morgan.i@ovws.org.

Zen Meditation. With Zen Affiliate of Vermont.

Wed., 6:307:30 p.m. 174 River St., Montpelier.
Free. Call for orientation: 229-0164.

Christian Meditation Group. People of all faiths

welcome. Mon., noon1 p.m. Christ Church,
Montpelier. 223-6043.

Shambhala Buddhist Meditation. Group meditation practice. Sun., 10 a.m.noon; Tues., 78

p.m.; Wed., 67 p.m. New location: Center for
Culture and Learning, 46 Barre Street, Montpelier. Free. 223-5137. montpeliershambala.org.

Mad River Valley Youth Group. Sun., 79 p.m.

Sunday Sangha: Community Ashtanga Yoga.
Meets at various area churches. Call 497-4516 for Every Sun., 5:407 p.m. Grateful Yoga, 15 State
location and information.
St., 3F, Montpelier. By donation.

MUSIC & DANCE

Barre-Tones Womens Chorus. Open rehearsal.
Find your voice with 50 other women. Mon., 7
p.m. Alumni Hall, Barre. 223-2039. BarretonesVT.com.
Dance or Play with the Swinging Over 60 Band.
Danceable tunes from the 1930s to the 1960s.
Recruiting musicians. Tues., 10:30 a.m.noon.
Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre St.,
Montpelier. 223-2518.
Monteverdi Young Singers Chorus Rehearsal.
New chorus members welcome. Wed., 45 p.m.
Montpelier. Call 229-9000 for location and more
information.
Piano Workshop. Informal time to play, refresh
your skills and get feedback if desired with

Submit your calendar

listing by using our
online submission form at
montpelierbridge.com/
calendar-submissions
~OR~
send listing to
calendar@montpelierbridge.com
Deadline for next issue is May 14.
Send information for events
happening May 21June 6.

M AY 7 M AY 2 0 , 2 015 PAG E 19

T H E B R I D G E

Text-only class listings and classifieds are 50 words for $25.

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

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

Do What You Do Best.

SERVICES:

Design & Build

Custom Energy-Efficient Homes

ROOFING AND ROOF REPAIRS

AL SMITH LLC
Residential and Flat Roof Experts
Roofing since 1978
Shingles, rubber, slate, metal
Free estimates. Fully insured.
10% senior citizen discount.
Call 223-1116
alsmithroofing.com

Additions Timber Frames

Weatherization Remodeling
Kitchens Bathrooms Flooring
Tiling Cabinetry Fine Woodwork

T&T Truck for Hire

Bookkeeping Payroll Consulting

802.262.6013 evenkeelvt.com

LIght movIng, L andfILL

runs, and odd jobs.

Weve got the truck.

Give us a call at:

Rocque Long
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local references.

802-223-0389

GREGS
PAINTING

Metal Roof Painting

Interior & Exterior

802-479-2733
gpdpainting@aol.com

FREE ESTIMATES INSURED SINCE 1990

224.1360

Tell them
you saw it in
The Bridge!

New Construction
Renovations
Woodworking
General Contracting

223-3447

clarconstruction.com

RecyclE

This Paper!
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 0 M AY 7 M AY 2 0 , 2 015

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
Calendar Editor, Design & Layout:
Marichel Vaught
Copy Editing Consultant:
Larry Floersch
Proofreader: David W. Smith
Sales Representatives: Michael Jermyn,
Rick McMahan
Distribution: Tim Johnson, Kevin Fair,
Diana Koliander-Hart, Daniel Renfro
Editorial: 223-5112, ext. 14, or
editorial@montpelierbridge.com.
Location: The Bridge office is located at
the Vermont College of Fine Arts,
on the lower level of Schulmaier Hall.
Starting May 11, our office will be on
the first floor of Stone Hall.
Subscriptions: You can receive The
Bridge by mail for $50 a year. Make
out your check to The Bridge, and mail
to The Bridge, PO Box 1143,
Montpelier VT 05601.
Published every 1st and 3rd Thursday
of the month, except in July when we
publish the 3rd Thursday only.
montpelierbridge.com
facebook.com/thebridgenewspapervt
Twitter: @montpbridge
Copyright 2015 by The Bridge

THE BRIDGE

Sears Celebrates the Success of its

Grand Re-Opening
by Nat Frothingham

BERLIN The locally owned and operated Sears Hometown

Store on the Barre-Montpelier Road recently held a grand reopening celebration on three days during the April 2325 weekend with deep discounts on offer including 25 percent off all
appliances and 20 percent off power lawn and garden equipment.
When asked about the success of the weekend celebration, Ron
Clark, a manager, told The Bridge that the company had its best
Saturday of the year on April 25 both in numbers of people visiting the store and total sales. Then Clark said: Froggie was here.
Froggie, of course, is the local, and very popular country music
radio station that can be found on the dial at 100.9 FM.
In reaching out to the public, timing is often important and the
celebration and end-of-April sale came just as customers were
ready to think about spring and summer after a long winter.
Another element that may have contributed to the success of the
April 23-25 celebration was an updated display and the availability
of higher-end appliances. We have updated our appliances, said

Tom Coulter who co-owns the store along with his wife, Robin.
What updating means is that Sears Hometown has expanded the
selection of its appliances including such items as stoves, refrigerator, washing machines, dishwashers and the like.
Talking about refrigerators, Tom Coulter said that Sears Hometown has an expanded refrigerator selection with a price range
from $3,500 to $6,000. We have the higher end stuff for
people, he said
In addition to the new displays and expanded selections Sears
Hometown offers a range of Craftsman tool sets and tool storage
and its outdoor living display includes grills, outdoor storage units
and patio furniture.
Said Tom Coulter, We are a franchise. Sears is our supplier. We
want to encourage our shoppers to shop locally, as opposed to
point and click. What that means in practice is if you phone,
you are going to talk to me. You are going to talk to Robin.

The Bridge Office is Moving!

We will still be located at the Vermont College of Fine Arts, but starting May 11,
you can find us on the main level of Stone Hall (62 Ridge St., Montpelier).
If you have visited us in Schulmaier Hall, Stone Hall is the very next building.
Our mailing address remains the same at P.O. Box 1143, Montpelier, VT 05601

Netherlands artist Maria Koijck at work on the State House lawn creating
what will be a dinosaur to collect plastic waste. A first step in constructing
the dinosaur is to create a frame made out of chicken wire. Koijcks personal mission is to create a public awareness about the need to cut down
on plastics and street litter. Photo courtesy of Michael Jermyn.

CORRECTION
In our April 16 (2015) issue of The Bridge we ran a story titled Restoration Planned for
Old Labor Hall Bakery. Longtime Barre resident Winston Bresett was incorrectly identified both in the story and at the bottom of the page in the caption under the photograph.
Please note the proper spelling of his name is Bresett. We apologize for this mistake.

M AY 7 M AY 2 0 , 2 015 PAG E 21

T H E B R I D G E

Remembering Glenn Tosi

1947 2015
by Nat Frothingham
Editors Note: Longtime Montpelier resident Glenn Tosi, who grew up and went to
school in Montpelier and worked both here
and in other nearby towns, died on April 25
at the age of 67.

I am critical.
On the rare occasion when he does dine
at a restaurant, when he sits down to eat,
he asks himself, Is everything neat and
orderly? Are the settings where they should
be? Youre not sitting on a seat that has
crumbs on it. Youre not picking up a salt
and pepper shaker that is greasy. Youve got
a pleasant server who is knowledgeable and
knows how to take care of you. You always
have to be upbeat. Whatever there is at
home, you dont bring it into work.

o those of us whose lives have been

touched by Glenn Tosi it came
as no surprise that a huge crowd
turned out at a reception to remember
Glenn on Sunday afternoon, May 3, at the
Capitol Plaza Hotel.
The crowd at the reception consisted of
Glenns family, friends, the management
and staff of the Capitol Plaza Hotel and
the many other people who have known
Glenn through the years as a boy growing up, as a graduate of Montpelier High
School, as a graduate of The University of
Vermont. Then as someone who came back
here to teach French, first in Barre, later in
Montpelier.
Beginning as a 13-year-old boy Glenn
worked as a busboy, then as a waiter in
Montpelier, Stowe, Waterbury, Northfield,
Burlington, and for two summers on the
coast of Maine 17 restaurants in all
with his most recent service as an oftenrequested waiter at J. Morgan Steakhouse
at the Capitol Plaza Hotel.
At an early moment during the May 3 reception, Brian Cain, who is an executive in
sales and management at the Capitol Plaza
Hotel, spoke for the hotel and addressed
the crowd.
Cain began by reflecting on the week
that had passed after Glenns death. Distraught was the word that Cain used to
describe what he and others felt at learning
that Glenn had died. But as the week progressed distraught began to give way to a
completely different feeling that Cain described as more like smiles. Those smiles
were about the joy and pleasure that Glenn
had given to so many people.
Cain noted the volume of messages that
had been received at the hotel from a host
of people responding to the news of Glenns
death with messages of all kinds. These
messages had been assembled into a book
of condolences. Cain then drew attention
to an upcoming formal occasion on May
7 at 1 p.m. when the Vermont House of
Representatives will take up a resolution
remembering and honoring Glenn Tosi.
I had a very recent opportunity to get to
know Glenn last February when I wrote a
profile of him that appeared in the March

I wrote about Glenns memory of growing

up and quoted Glenn as saying, We lived
in a second-story apartment on Elm Street.
It was called Elm Street because of the big,
beautiful elm trees. There was a big elm
in front of the house and there were Baltimore orioles that would build these big
hanging nests.

Photo courtesy of Jen Lashua

5 issue of this paper. It all started sometime this past winter when Glenn and I
talked at J. Morgans and he reflected on
how restaurants and service at restaurants
has changed over the years. At that time
I asked him if he might be willing for me
to interview him for a story in The Bridge
and he agreed.
Beginning with our first meeting, I found
myself deeply drawn into Glenns life story
and delighted by his sense of irony and
fun. As we continued to talk I felt that
here was a man who had developed high
personal standards and who had achieved
something pretty remarkable with his life.
As part of writing a profile about Glenn I
filled pages and pages of notes. From those
notes I wrote the profile much like a
filmmaker who shoots hours and hours of
film but leaves most of those hours of film
on the cutting-room floor.
Let me take a few of those notes not included in the published profile and make
a few points.
Glenn both offered kindness and generosity to the people he served and remembered
such kindness and acts of generosity offered to him.

He remembered waiting on tables at the

Montpelier Elks Club. That was a really
hopping place, he recalled. You had to
make reservations. I used to wait on Mr.
and Mrs. Squier. (Lloyd Squier was the
founder of radio station WDEV.
They were wonderful people, Glenn said.
One time they took me to the Stowe Fish
and Game Club as a guest. They were
super people. Just some of the nicest
people I met.
Then there was Glenns enjoyment of silly,
funny things his sense of the absurd.
One day a woman came into J. Morgans
and said, Oh my God, now I remember
where I remember you from. You waited
on us at the Holiday Inn in Waterbury. Do
you remember it was a really busy day? You
brought me my hamburger and my hamburger wasnt even on the plate. The bun
was there. The French fries were there. But
the hamburger wasnt on the plate, Glenn
said, We laughed so hard.
Always professional, Glenn confessed toward the end of our interview that he seldom goes out to eat anymore. To be perfectly honest with you, he said, I dont go
to restaurants. When I go to restaurants,

At the May 3 reception I talked with

Glenns niece, Jen Lashua. Later she wrote
me a note. She wanted me to know that
Glenn loved to garden, that he created exquisite flower beds, that he took over caring for his grandmothers flower gardens
after she died. Jen told me that to this day
when people drive by his grandmothers
house, they see the flower beds and stop
their car. They stop and remark on
the
beauty of the flowers there.

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In Memorium

THE BRIDGE

Goodbye, Mary Jane

by Richard Sheir
Mary Jane Manahan died last month. Her name may not
be familiar, but you may remember her as the red-haired
head of the Kellogg-Hubbard Librarys childrens room
for many years. In fact, people in their 20s who now have
children of their own may remember her from their own
childhoods.

Mary Jane Manahan

February 1, 1954April 8, 2015
Photo courtesy of the Kellogg-Hubbard Library

Letters
Please Help Nepal
Editor:
Nepal has suffered an unprecedented disaster. And like many of you, after the initial
shock, we began to think about how we
could help. But we wanted not just to help,
but to help effectively. First, we wanted to
provide immediate help. Second, we wanted
to identify and address the most pressing
needs. Third, we wanted to focus on rural
areas which will be the last to receive government assistance if any is received at all.
As it turns out, a member of our board,
Rajeev Goyal, was in a village east of Kathmandu in Kavre district when the earthquake struck. Virtually all of the homes in
the villages of the district collapsed. The
stone and loose mortar that are used in the
construction of many rural homes made
them far more vulnerable to the enormous
earthquake than the concrete houses of the
cities. Rajeev spent three nights sleeping in
the open areas with the rest of the villagers.
Rajeev quickly realized that the most pressing
need in these villagers was shelter, especially
with the torrential rains of the monsoon soon
to arrive. The answer for temporary shelter
was tarps and tents. Rajeev was able to secure
100 tarps and 13 tents on credit and distribute them. He has found sources of canvas
which can be made into large tents using

By securing the funding, it was Senator Patrick Leahy who

figuratively put the Kellogg-Hubbards childrens wing in
place, but it was Mary Jane who built the spirit inside. She
established the vibe that exists to this day. The KelloggHubbard childrens room is a warm place where the love
of books is assumed. Not e-books but hold-them-in-yourhand books. A library card is a magic pass to lands far away,
a magic pass to tales that bewitch and bestow joys that
videos can never touch. And there isnt a website yet created
that is one-eighth as cool as Mary Jane was when it came to
finding the book you wanted ... that you didnt even know
you wanted. She was a magician who could read your mind
and come up with books that were so much more than you
ever dreamed they would be. She not only knew you, she
knew your parents, too. She was almost like family.
Like Mary Jane, the members of the childrens library staff

locally abundant bamboo for tent poles. Operating only with his cell phone, Rajeev has
been working to solicit pledges of the funds
needed to order these tents and get them in
place before the monsoon. We are trying to
help him.
Since Phulmaya Foundation is a 501(c)(3)
nonprofit organization so we are able to accept tax deductible donations in the U.S. and
then wire the funds to Rajeev in Nepal. And
since we are entirely a volunteer organization,
all of the money raised goes to the relief effort. Rajeev is an American lawyer and former Peace Corps volunteer in Nepal with a
proven record as an innovative administrator
and we have no doubts whatsoever that the
funds we entrust to him will be used in the
most effective manner.
Many of you may have already contributed
to other relief organizations and indeed there
are some good ones working in Nepal. But
we believe that the program that Rajeev has
initiated is a highly effective way to bring relief to rural people without any other sources
of aid. Every dollar donated toward shelter
can make a measurable difference at this critical time for Nepali villagers. The Nepalese
are a resilient people and rural villagers are
largely self sufficient, without much in the
way of government services. But in a disaster
of this magnitude, they do need our help. So
please give generously. Thank you.

care about your kids like they are family. They listen attentively to the rambling stories. They read at story hour.
They smile and say hello to you on the street. In fact, that is
the image in my mind of Mary Jane. Mary Jane really had
the 1960s Carnaby Street, Judy Carne-look down and you
dont see that much anymore. It was a really fun look for
a person whose face seemed incapable of frowns. A smile
and a wave. Thats how I remember Mary Jane Manahan.
Mary Jane Manahans family, friends, co-workers and
acquaintances celebrated her life with great stories and
memories, laughter, and plenty of tears. Mary Jane made
the childrens library a very special place for Montpeliers
children and families, but, as Grace Greene reminded us at
the gathering, Mary Janes contributions were felt throughout Vermont because she served on several advisory and
working committees on behalf of childrens literacy.
Mary Jane was one of a kind: Very intelligent, very creative,
very giving, completely knowledgeable of the childrens
collection, and a voracious reader of adult nonfiction. She
had a killer fashion sense, knew how to make work fun,
and had an infectious smile. Thank you Mary Jane for
everything you gave us.

Support Carbon Pollution

Tax Bills
Editor:
Saving our climate saves the lives of ourselves
and our children. That's why we should support Vermont House bills H.412 and H.395,
which would establish a carbon pollution tax
for fossil fuel use.
This tax would be levied on the fossil fuel
companies (distributors/wholesalers), based
on the amount of potential carbon pollution
created by the fossil fuels they sell. Ninety
percent of the revenue would be returned in
the form of rebates and other tax relief; 10
percent of the revenue would be invested in
helping Vermonters cut their energy bills and
fossil fuel use through energy efficiency and
clean energy use with special attention
given to low-income residents.
We can't ignore the growing reality of destructive weather patterns causing storms
like Tropical Storm Irene, or the warming
temperatures which will ultimately decrease
our apple harvests, hurt maple yields and
shorten the winter sporting season. Ignoring
these warnings will leave our kids growing
up today with a very different state in their
lifetimes.

Pat Biggam
Founder and past president

This tax will also reduce our dependence on

fossil fuels, which drains dollars out of our
communities, and keep more of these dollars here, in Vermont, working to grow our
economy. By passing a tax on polluters, we
make a winning investment in our communities and our future.

Scott Skinner
President

Anne Jameson
Marshfield

Phulmaya Foundation

It's Tick Time!

Editor:
We are welcoming this warm weather and
so are the ticks! Time to tuck your pants in
your socks or wear rubber boots when you
are raking, gardening, walking out in fields
and woods. Wearing long sleeves with tight
cuffs too if you are working with your hands.
Tie up long hair and bathe after your exposure to wash off loose ticks and find any that
may be embedded. Keep your tick repellent
by the door and use it, or treat your clothing
with permethrin (NOT your body). Learn
how to remove a tick, and the symptoms of
lyme and other tick-borne diseases. Check
yourself, your kids, your pets, too! Every
crack and cranny. For more details www.
lymediseaseassociation.org and join us May
1 on the State House lawn for Lyme Disease
Awareness Day like us on FB at "Bit By
A Tick?"
Bern Rose
Barre
What Do You Think?
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