Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
In thIs IssuE
harvEst
Beyond Wet How farmers fared this season 5 Harve st season So many products; so much to eat 6 Berlin Pond Some local perspectives 12 note s From tHe Hill VCFAs Tom Greene talks renovation 14 Farmer PHotos Photos from Peter Millers latest book 22
Farmhands at Dog River Farm working hard to get the abundant fall produce off the field and to market. Photo by Amy Brooks Thornton.
ast month, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) bureaucrats, at the behest of New Hampshire and Vermont lawmakers and state agriculture departments, came to a meeting in Hanover, New Hampshire. They had come to listen to food producers talk about rules the FDA is developing to enforce the Food Safety and Modernization Act (FSMA), which the president signed in January 2011 and which is one of the most comprehensive federal food safety laws passed since the 1930s. Vermont and New Hampshire officials and agriculture interests wanted to let the FDAs rule writers know that the FDAs approach, no matter how well-meaning, was essentially a one-size-fits-all result that worked best for industrial ag practices and did not reflect the realities of diversified farming in New England. The law came about, in part, as a result of post-9/11 security concerns and recent widespread food-borne illness outbreaks. One of its purposes is to proactively prevent microbial outbreaks and, if outbreaks do occur, to allow rapid tracking of affected foods. It also could, if executed clumsily, have serious repercussions on New Englands working landscape. When laws are enacted, rules must then be
PRSRT STD CAR-RT SORT U.S. Postage PAID Montpelier, VT Permit NO. 123
pag e 2 S e p t e m b e r 5 S e p t e m b e r 18 , 2 013
The Bridge
Design & Build Custom Energy-Efficient Homes Additions Timber Frames Weatherization Remodeling Kitchens Bathrooms Flooring Tiling Cabinetry Fine Woodwork
clarconstruction.com
223-3447
The Bridge
S e p t e m b e r 5 S e p t e m b e r 18 , 2 013 , pag e 3
STREET
C
District Heat Wrinkles
hecking with City Manager Bill Fraser, The Bridge learned that the citys piping project moves apace, and the pipes will be in place as planned, but that, in the room thats the interface between the new state heat plant and the citys pipesthe so-called city roomthere are options about hooking up the system that will have an effect on the projects schedule. Fraser says that the city faces a choice point between a faster and more expensive power plant city room hookup configuration that is less than optimal and a more time-intensive hookup that would be less expensive and is considered preferable if time were not an issue. The city is consulting with its district heat customers to determine where they are with regard to their winter heating plans as the city decides whether to hook up the system as soon as possible or to wait until next year to start the system. A longer start-up would allow for more thorough and less rushed testing of the system and a more optimal configuration for the long term at the state power plants city room. Fraser says that the city will make this decision this week. While the city could decide to use the district heat system starting in mid-November as projected, the longer time frame for the cheaper and preferable piping hook-up would push system start-up into December, by which time the heating season would be well underway. That, in turn, argues for a further delay until the next heating systemif that decision doesnt in turn provide too many downsides for customers. As to the citys needs, an option, if the city decides to hold off hooking up with the state until next year, is for City Hall, which already heats the fire station, to continue heating that building and to heat the police station and Union School, both of which have backup boiler systems. This plan has the city using its relatively new (and sufficiently large capacity-rated) boiler to supply hot water to the new district heat piping thats already connected to the school and police station. An advantage would be that the city would develop some initial familiarity with the piping systems performance before the whole system is activated.
Heard On THe
nature watch
wide rims and laces
he juicy quality of spring is a distant memory. Whole universes of leaves are now shutting down fluid intake as they continue to transpire and evaporate, and tons of water vapor is given up to the atmosphere, minute after minute, hour after hour. Up in those drying-out canopies, there are still a few red-eyed vireos singing, holding the home territory, but almost all the other birds are dispersing, drifting, getting ready. Today, were waiting for rain, two promised doses of one-quarter inch each. The afternoon one did not materialize, but we still hope for tonights soaking. Until it starts, crickets are singing, and a couple of bats are flipping over the yard, a sight we now rejoice in. Nona Estrin
Whats In
M M
ontpelier residents and property owners are invited to meet with Montpelier mayor John Hollar and school board chair Sue Aldrich to hear about budget and tax issues facing City Council and the School Board. The meeting, sponsored by VAM (Vibrant and Affordable Montpelier), will be held from 7:30 to 9 p.m., Tuesday, September 17, at Noble Hall, But not everyone is lacing up to cruise the streets. Photos by Amy Brooks Thornton. Vermont College of Fine Arts. Beforehand, at 7 p.m., VAM is providing cookies and cider and a chance to meet VAM members. Bring your questions and concerns. Everyone welcome.
ontpeliers parking committee, created to advise City Council, is assessing parking demand in town. The committee is developing recommendations for the council to improve parking for everyone who lives, works and/or visits Montpelier. To do so, the committee created an online survey about Montpeliers parking that seeks input from everyone who has an interest in the city: business owners, employees working in town, residents, consumers, students or frequent visitors. The questionnaire has been designed to capture these many relationships to the city. The parking committee asks readers to visit the city of Montpelier webpage and fill out any of the four surveys that may apply to their circumstances. The more responses the committee gets, the better it can come up with recommendations. The survey will be up for four weeks. See montpelier-vt.org.
Archaeology Events
eptember is archaeology month in Vermont. Giovanna Peebles, Vermonts state archaeologist, says a program of events has been lined up at the Vermont History Center, at 60 Washington Street, Barre. Among them: People and Pottery: An Ancient and Intimate Relationship on September 7, 14 p.m, and First Womens Voices. Native American Women Speak About Their Experiences as First Women of Vermont on September 8, 24 p.m. For more information, e-mail accd.archaeologycenter@state.vt.us.
HelP Wanted:
The Bridge seeks an experienced marketing and sales professional to serve as advertising sales manager and join the papers leadership team. Will negotiate compensation based upon applicants track record and experience. Please send letter of application with notes on qualifications by e-mail to Nat@montpelierbridge.com.
p.O. box 1143, montpelier, Vt 05601 phone: 802-223-5112 | Fax: 802-223-7852 montpelierbridge.com; facebook.com/montpelierbridge published every first and third thursday
editor & publisher: Nat Frothingham general manager: bob Nuner Strategic planner: amy brooks thornton production & Calendar editor: Kate mueller Sales representatives: Carolyn grodinsky, rick mcmahan, Ivan Shadis
graphic Design & Layout: Cynthia ryan bookkeeper: Kathryn Leith Distribution: Kevin Fair, Diana Koliander-Hart, Daniel renfro, anna Sarquiz Website manager: Cynthia ryan advertising: For information about advertising deadlines and rates, contact: 223-5112, ext. 11, carolyn@montpelierbridge.com or rick@montpelierbridge.com editorial: Contact bob, 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. 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.
Copyright 2013 by the montpelier bridge
pag e 4 S e p t e m b e r 5 S e p t e m b e r 18 , 2 013
food-borne illnesses, according to a restaurant industry spokesman he encountered at a State House hearing, result from preconsumer handling in restaurants or the home, 25 percent come from shipping and handling and only about 5 percent from the source. If one out of a 100 million people a year are dying from food-borne illness, you have more odds of winning the lottery, says Zuckerman. So how much money do we spend to make that number even smaller when if we just spent fractions of that actually enforcing the [existing] law, that would be a big deal? . . . As it is, the federal inspection system is so eviscerated by budgetary concerns that the large farms arent even meeting current law. Similarly, Andy Jones, Intervale Farm director and president of the Vermont Berry Growers Association, says the FSMA is a solution in search of a problem that will provide not a lot of benefit, but more hoops to jump through. For the Intervale Farm, he worries, Im concerned with whats the impact of the washing. We do a lot of baby salad greens, which are often triple washed. Its really unclear at this point whether our procedures are a product or a process. If the greens are an agricultural product, thats one set of familiar regulations, but if theyre considered a process, Joness farm will be subject to the more onerous regulations of FSMA. Then, he fears hed have to invest in stainless steel tubs and similar equipment for the farms postharvest activities. Rogers worries that the FDA doesnt have the ability or the interest to wrap their heads around smaller food production systems. He fears that while the FDA came to New Hampshire to listen, its gotten the rule making wrong and needs to learn more: Its kind of scary. Its so late in the game. It was clear that they still didnt really understand the incredible innovations and developments in this part of the world. They were surprised, in a way, how their rules didnt allow innovations in value-added agriculture. As to food safety, Richard Wiswall of Cate
The Bridge
Farm asks, How can anybody be against food safety? Its part of why I started farming organically years ago . . . How many small farmers cause this problem? If we caused a problem, wed be out of business. We dont need a federal law to do the right thing. The law is addressing these large-scale outbreaks, but everybody I know is trying to figure out how to become exempt from the law. Like Grubinger, Wiswall calls for scale-appropriate regulation. FSMA has regulations for risks like keeping manure out of the food chain. But Wiswall faults it for not dealing with pesticides or genetically modified organisms. In his view, while parts of the law make good sense, small farmers shouldnt be burdened unnecessarily if shippers and processors are causing the problems in their aggregation and processing activities. Among agriculture consultants, there is urgency that the FDA needs to hear specific, experience-based suggestions for improving the regulations. Some parts of the law will have to be addressed by Congress, however, such as the Tester amendment, which lumps all agriculture products in one category, meaning, for example, that if a farms bulk milk sales push over the $500,000 mark, it cant also sell lettuce at a roadside stand without subjecting itself to onerous regulations. Given farming margins, expenses associated with regulation compliance look to be disincentives to growth. Zuckerman says, Its pretty amazing to me that so much energy is being put into the smallest cause and yet will have tremendous repercussions down the line for Vermont producers . . . It really stops farms from getting to a more moderate level size. Our farm grosses a little over $300,000, but in five or six years, it could well be up to that $500,000 point, and that means we curtail expansion, we dont hire more people, etc., etc. That seems pretty backwards to me. Grubinger, too, is concerned that proposed rules will stymie burgeoning Farm to Plate efforts directed at institutions like colleges and hospitals, worrying that if small producers cant afford to meet the new re-
Beans and potatoes at Capital City Farmers Market. Photo by Rick McMahon.
continued from cover
the preventative controls category, and if that happens, thats going to mean theyre going to have a lot more record keeping. They might have to put in more infrastructure. And that will require larger investments by farmers who operate on extremely thin margins. Estimates of possible additional compliance costs range from $6,000 to $20,000. Whether one qualifies or is exempt matters. That danger of crossing the line from being exempt to having to comply came up more than once in conversations about the law. Pooh Sprague, owner of Edgewater Farm in Plymouth, New Hampshire, said, There are so many trip wires to the exemptions; its like walking into a minefield in Vietnam. They dont want to exempt anybody. Its inconvenient [for the FDA]. Sprague is convinced that the entire law, as currently written, is the handmaiden of industrial agriculture interests. Says Sprague, I have been an unwilling politician since learning about FSMA, and the more I learn, the less I like it and more cynical I become. Others are more restrained, saying that the FDA simply lacks experience in dealing with agriculture. But its generally agreed that the rules as currently proposed will be very problematic for diversified agriculture. Virtually everyone contacted expressed con cerns about how water use will be regulated. Proposed rules say a farm must test surface water sources before using for irrigation. Realistically, that means a farmer would take a sample from a river or pond, send it to a lab and await the resultsa costly process that takes about four days. By the time the results return, they would no longer be valid, given common experience in testing recreational waters. That is, according to Vernon Grubinger, UVM extension professor and a vegetable and berry specialist, because surface waters are well known to have E. coli that comes and goes. We have that data from the recreational water monitoring programs. By the time you get your test results back, the actual E. coli in your water may be completely different. . . [the FDA] picked the recreational water standard as essential when you cant use tap water from your kitchen
anymore. And theres no scientific basis for that. Theres no current standard for bacterial levels for irrigation water, so the FDA took the standards for swimming water, and theres no clear evidence that that makes sense . . . From week to week, [the counts] go up and down like crazy. So farmers will spend a lot of time and money for tests that dont make sense. Its a matter of finding an appropriate scale, suggests Grubinger. Just as rules for testing individual water supplies differ from municipal water supplies, the rules for a small farming operation should be simple and easy to execute compared to what might be appropriate for a gigantic industrial agriculture produce operation. Says Grubinger, FSMA is designed for the really big farms that pose a lot of risk. It makes sense to have complicated rules for them . . . [The FDA] tried to make it not one-size-fits-all by having these thresholds. But what we really need is something that has different levels of rigor for the amount of risk you pose. He notes, for example, that in his on-farm research, hes successfully reduced E. coli counts to zero or near zero simply by double- or triple-washing or the use of sanitized wash water. It would likely be a different story for a giant agribusiness, notes David Rogers, Northeast Organic Farming Association Vermont (NOFAVT) policy advisor: We take these greens out West, in these large operations: They come to a central processing facility, they get chopped up and comingled and washed and stuffed in a plastic bag, and then they spend their time going across the country on a truck. Any contamination thats in there is going to affect the entire lot, and as time goes on, any organisms that are in there that could cause a problem are going to multiply . . . Bagged, chopped, prepared, ready-to-eat greens is something thats been associated with some serious outbreaks all around the country. In fact, theres one going on right now. That captures the attention of food safety advocates and consumers. David Zuckerman, a Vermont legislator and owner of Full Moon Farm in Hinesburg, offers that something like 70 percent of
Garlic braids at Alan LePages very busy Capital City Farmers Market stand. Photo by Amy Brooks Thornton.
The Bridge
quirements, theyll drop out. The FDA itself acknowledges that small producers may be unable to afford compliance. And, Grubinger notes, the rules will have an effect on farms liability insurance burdens. Is Wiswall worried about FSMA? Well probably be exempt. Does that mean I want a rule that I want to be exempt from? What kind of a rule is that? he asks. Grubinger, Nickerson and Rogers all warn that so-called exempt farms will eventually feel the rules effects as the marketplace responds and demands protection from liability. They are emphatic that farmers, consumerseven working landscape proponentsneed to make informed, specific, constructive suggestions to the FDA, grounded in their experience. The deadline to comment is no later than November 15. Rogers reminds: Woody Allen says that 80 percent of success is just showing up. We need to show up here . . . Im sure there are going to be problems. The nature of regulation is a blunt instrument. We need a fine-grain understanding of the food system and local food production, while at the same time making sure were touching all the bases on food safety. To learn more about the law and its rules, UVMs Center for Sustainable Agriculture offers an excellent web page with links and information at: uvm. edu/~susagctr/?Page=whatwedo/producesafety/GAPFSMA.html.
S e p t e m b e r 5 S e p t e m b e r 18 , 2 013 , pag e 5
T&T Repeats
Thrift Store
116 Main Street, Montpelier 224.1360
Dog River farmhand carries kale off the field. Photo by Amy Brooks Thornton.
pag e 6 S e p t e m b e r 5 S e p t e m b e r 18 , 2 013
The Bridge
Highland Gardens pickles stacked high at the Capital City Farmers Market. Photo by Amy Brooks Thornton.
Theres a seasonality to everything, says David Thayer of Hooker Mountain Farm. Our stereotype of the harvest is fall and vegetables. But anyone who bottles, cans, ferments, dries, hangs, buries and generally puts up and puts by knows that there are many harvests of many natural consumables throughout the year. If its not to be devoured within days, everything natural on which we feast needs to be preserved. Otherwise, it goes to waste. Preserving food goes back thousands of years in almost every culture. To provide nourishment when the world went dormant, we dried (in climates with hot sun), froze (in climates with ice), fermented, salted, brewed and buried. Accidental alchemy happened with our food. We took note. We experimented. Sometimes, as in the case of beer, the product acquired religious status. We discovered food preservation. Despite present-day Vermonters access to fresh food all year-round, the instinct to store food persists. On a tour of Capital City Farmers Market last week, I wondered what we Vermonters dont preserve: We can, freeze, dry, ferment, brine, cure, root-cellar, brew, distill and bottle just about everything we can get our hands on. If we have the time
after work or on weekends and extra hands to clean, chop and handle hot lids, slippery casings and a variety of counter-top tools and machinery, we have abundance. Our cupboards, basements, fridges and freezers overflow with jars of jam, pickled or fermented vegetables, frozen meats and berries, dried sausage, dehydrated mushrooms, pots of cheese, bottles of wine and growlers of beer. In the fall, we are busy as those model squirrels. The most intense harvest time is now, when we continue working our fulltime jobs and spend our precious evenings putting food by. Or, if we farm and sell value-added products, we are in the fields by day, the kitchen at night. The stress of getting the fruit off the tree and the veggies out of the garden, before the crop rots or freezes, consumes us. Not all of us all the time. John McCann, owner of North Branch Vineyards and producer of award winning-wines, makes ice wine from grapes picked and pressed frozenafter the frost. The grapes high sugar levels produce a sweet wine with unique flavors that make a great pairing with any kind of cheese, McCann says. However, McCann is not entirely free of worry. In 2012 and 2013, viticulturalists in Barre and Warren grew 100 percent of the grapes for his wines, including the
Frontenac gris white and his award-winning Marquette, a red. Potlicker Kitchen of Waterbury also takes advantage of these grapes. They make wine jellies using North Branch Vineyards wines. Grapes for those wines and jellies, although cold hardy, cant freeze and will be ready soon, two to four weeks from now. Duncan Holaday of Duncs Mill also depends on harvests at different times of the year. He makes bourbon with the maple syrup he taps from his trees in early spring. The elderflowers he grows to flavor his liquor are ready to pick in June and July. Currently, hes working on buying fair-trade cane sugar directly from growers in Nicaragua and Honduras. Their harvest runs from November to May. We dont always associate the fall harvest with meat, but as grass-fed beef becomes more popular, farmers are raising their smaller meat animals in tandem with the vegetablegrowing season. Thayer of Hooker Mountain Farm points out that traditionally you had to raise most of your meat over the summer when the grains and grasses were available. Thayer and his partner, Kempton Randolph, try to get most of their meat animalscows, pigs and chickenson pasture. Most of their hybrid chickensa special breed that can get about 35 percent of its diet from the wild
Duncan Holaday, owner of Duncs Mill, displays his rums made with local maple syrup and elderflowers. Photo by Amy Brooks Thornton.
454-7725
The Bridge
and about three-quarters of their pigs dine on the summer grasses, roots and bugs in addition to feed. Growing meat animals in spring and summer means that the bulk of his harvestslaughteris in late summer and fall. For Hooker Mountain, pasture-raised meat is primarily a cost issue, Thayer says. He and his partner are aware of the other benefits: that rotating animals on pasture which they doimproves it and that research shows pasture-raised animal meat is better nutritionally. In addition, he believes that because his chickens move around, using their muscles to forage for their natural diet, they taste better. I have restaurants waiting somewhat impatiently for our chickens, Thayer enthuses. Pasture-raised is all over Hooker Mountains marketing. But cost is paramount. When the chickens get much of their diet on their own, and the cost of heating, housing and removing manure from barns is removed, expenses decrease significantly. And so, the bottom line dictates that Hooker Mountain slaughters many of its meat animals during fall harvest. The next chicken slaughter will be October, followed by the pigs, which requires working around the fall bottleneck at the slaughterhouse. Further reducing the cost but adding to summer and fall stress, Hooker Mountain Farm grows much of its feed: barley, common oats and heirloom flint corn. Thayer and Randolph harvested the oats and barley in July and August; the corn will be ready in September. Their goal is to replace 30 to 35 percent of the feed they purchase with the grains they grow. Theyve added one more product that mostly depends on height-of-the-season plucking and picking. Thayer and Randolph are making a craft beer equivalent in soda from wood-fired maple syrup and summer- and fall-harvested ingredients: apples, blackberries, wintergreen, mint, horehound and lemon balm. To spread out the work a wee bit, in the spring theyll be harvesting spruce- and fir-tree tips, traditionally used to replace hops in beer, to harness their bright and citrusy flavor. Our challenge, Thayer saysas if Randolph and he do not have enoughis to create long-term preservation for the soda without using preservatives and pasteurization. Kyong Rorison, owner of Kimchi for Chingu, creates only one product: kimchi. But as a one-woman business with substantial demand for her jars of kimchi, she has her hands full also. Kimchi is a traditional Korean side dish made from fermented cabbage seasoned with chili, garlic, ginger and Asian fish sauce. Traditionally, it is served over rice, Rorison explains, but Americans use it as a pizza topping, in a burrito, on top of steak. In Korea, she says, We dont eat much meat, but here, in America, when she does eat meat, it helps cut the grease! In the spring, Rorison depends on Cana-
S e p t e m b e r 5 S e p t e m b e r 18 , 2 013 , pag e 7
802.223.5958
Kyong Rorison, owner of Kimchi for Chingu, prepares Korean food and sells her kimchi at the Capital City Farmers Market. Photo by Amy Brooks Thornton. dian greenhouses to supply her with cabbage. However, from midsummer through the fall, she buys locally and relies on a good harvest. If there is a shortage, she purchases from Boston, where she also gets her special chili powder and Asian anchovy fish sauce. Chingu means friend in Korean, and indeed, Rorison walks her talk. Last year she provided Korean cooking classes at Montpelier High School, and she likes to share her kimchi recipe (see side bar). I love to do the teaching, she says, share my recipes. She has been making kimchi for the last 30 or 40 years, she says. Its an ancient craft, Rorison comments, similar to pottery. So even if her customers try making her recipe, she says they tell her it never tastes like hers and keep coming back for more. Kimchi never spoils, Rorison explains, because its soaking in salty water. Traditionally, Koreans dug holes and put their kimchi into special earthen pots that allowed the kimchi to ferment underground. So the whole winter round they can eat, Rorison adds. Now, you can leave your kimchi in the refrigerator for a long time. The longer the better! Rorison exclaims. In Vermont, when frost can hit in early fall, September is the month we associate most closely with harvest. But for many farmers and food producers, there are several growing, harvesting and preserving seasons. The list of foods that can be grown or raised in Vermont, the times they need to be picked or slaughtered or milked and the variety of ways they can be seasoned, stashed away and finally eaten are endless. In reference to Potlicker Kitchens wine jellies, owner McCann exhorts: Put them on pork, eat them with crackers and goat cheese, use it on your PB&J!
Joes CSA
Eat Great Food. Support Local Producers.
Culinary Supported Agriculture from Screamin Ridge Farm
Local vegetables and other foods that work together. Youll receive
Kimchi
about a 50/50 mix of vegetables and other local products. Joe Buley, chef-farmer, is planning shares that translate easily into delicious mealsand well post ideas and cooking instructions for every share.
Pick-up sites that work for you. Two sites in Montpelier and others at local Vacation-friendly. Put your CSA pickup on hold while you're on vacation and use your credit in our online store or put it toward enrollment for the next season! Priced for value. Receive a 10%15% discount off retail pricing. Youll get 10 double-shares, delivered about every 2 weeks, November 21 to April 3 ($675 total). Pay in installments or all at once with our easy online system. Opportunity for local food producers. We support food producers right
here in central VT. Enroll in Joe's CSA and have a direct impact on their success:
Blackwell Roots Farm Burnt Rock Farm Gaylord Farm Kingsbury Market Garden Knoll Farm Rhapsody Natural Foods
employers. Plus, well create new sites for 10+ members. Let us know where you and your neighbors or coworkers want to pick up.
Red Hen Baking Co. Vermont Bean Crafters Willow Moon Farm and others...
pag e 8 S e p t e m b e r 5 S e p t e m b e r 18 , 2 013
The Bridge
O
PROUDLY CELEBRATING A DECADE OF SERVICE
The Montpelier LINK Express has had an amazing decade of growth and success, serving more than 640,000 passengers since 2003. Were committed to the important role that LINK Express buses play in our transportation system, and look forward to another ten years of serving our communities. Learn more about our routes and services at cctaride.org and gmtaride.org
Celebrate with us: State House Lawn Montpelier Monday, September 23, between 5:30 9:00 AM
nce again during summer harvest time, the Central Vermont Medical Center (CVMC) in partnership with the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps (VYCC) is supplying local, farm-grown vegetables to food insecure Vermonters in central Vermont in a program called Health Care Share. The vegetables are grown at a VYCC farm in Richmond, and then are divided into shares and distributed to 150 recipients at a number of different locations: CVMC, Barre Internal Medicine, Green Mountain Family Practice in Northfield, Waterbury Medical Associates and The Health Center in Plainfield. According to Monica Urquhart, a registered nurse who is the employee health nurse at CVMC and who plays a leading role in the fresh food program, The recipients . . . are identified through our satellite doctors offices, and some CVMC employees also participate. Twenty-eight youth from the VYCC farm in Richmond produce the fresh vegetables, which are distributed to people in need across central Vermont. These 28 youth include 10 apprentices and 18 at-risk youth. A recent health care share of fresh vegetables included baby beets and greens, lettuce, Swiss chard, carrots, basil and sugar snap peas. Each delivery includes a newsletter with recipes that explain how to prepare dishes made from the fresh vegetables. Last weeks newsletter included recipes for spiced carrot muffins, rainbow Swiss chard and bacon pizza, said Urquhart. Fresh vegetables can lead to better health, and Urquhart talked about one patient with diabetes and a high blood sugar number who received a health care share of fresh food last
summer. And every bit of food she received was eaten, Urquhart said, and her blood sugar was stabilized through the summer. Another participant in the fresh food program is Monica Sargeant of Plainfield. Sargeant has two kids, ages 2 and 6, and this is her second year participating in the program. She was encouraged to apply to the program by her nutritionist at The Health Center in Plainfield. For Sargeant, the impact of the fresh food program has been life changing. Over the past two years, through diet and exercise, I have lost 100 pounds, she said, and I have never seen my kids eat so well. The fruits and vegetables I get each week would be too expensive for me to buy at the grocery store. Sargeant has become adventurous about new food and new recipes. My son thought eating purple peppers was the coolest thing ever, she said. And last weekend we made carrot muffins using one of the recipes they provide us each week. It was the birth of a second child that gave Sargeant an incentive to set goals for herself. I now exercise, eat well, got a good job, and my next goal is to own my own home, she said. This year, like last year, CVMC employees and others donated more than $15,000 to the Health Care Share program. This years fundraising goal is $20,000, of which $12,000 has already been raised. Anyone would like to make a financial contribution to the Health Care Share program is encouraged to send a donation to the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps. Please make your check payable to VYCC, write Health Care Share on the memo line of your check and mail it to this address: Vermont Youth Conservation Corps, 1949 East Main Street, Richmond, VT 05477.
Computer problems?
WE WALK
Saturday, September 21 at Battery Park in Burlington Saturday, September 21 at the Howe Center in Rutland Sunday, September 22 on the Bike Path in Springfield
Check-in at 8:00 a.m. Walk at 10:00 a.m.
We can help.
Let us repair and maintain your residential or commercial computers, servers and more at your place or ours. Dont know what to do? CALL VERMOnT COMpuTIng! 223-6445 | 728-9217 | vermontcomputing.com
Saturday, September 14 on the Green in Middlebury Saturday, September 14 on the Green in Norwich
The Bridge
S e p t e m b e r 5 S e p t e m b e r 18 , 2 013 , pag e 9
Parking Committee Report: Promoting Public Transportation and Increasing Parking Fees
by Ivan Shadis
t the August 28 meeting, the Montpelier City Council began by taking a couple of items off the consent agenda, among them one concerning a fee schedule for city licenses, pending reports from a related subcommittee, and a proclamation for declaring October National Cyber Security Awareness Month, which had been voted down in the August 14 meeting. On the councils agenda was a review of the report from the charter revision committee, which had gone through the town charter and proposed changes. It was decided to put off the review as the councils decision, during the August 14 meeting, had been to include the approved charter changes in the March 2014 general election. Other items on the agenda included approval of minor amendments to the PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) Program. The council also awarded $681,360 to Courtland Construction Company to replace 300 feet of badly damaged sewer line on River Street and authorized the Department of Public Works to spend $16,933 on a Vivax-Metrotech HL6000X-2, which pinpoints leaks in water pipes, thus avoiding unaccounted for water usage from unrepaired leaks. The council then heard a report from the parking committee. Representing the committee were Brian Cain, general manager at the Capitol Plaza Hotel; Kevin Casey, community development specialist with the city; and Michael Clasen, deputy secretary of the Vermont Agency of Administration. Cain, first to speak for the committee, outlined the committees findings and suggestions. Cain first described the existing situation. He noted that a circulator bus, which had been suggested in previous parking committees to get people in and around downtown without using their cars, now exists and also noted that the City Center parking garage has been closed to the public since the beginning of 2013 and that the Carr lot, another potential parking area, has been closed for years. Cain said the committee intended to work closely with the Downtown Improvement District (DID), which is intent on bringing more customers and cars into Montpelier, and has met with both DID and Montpelier Alive. Cain also highlighted the committees valuable partnership with the Vermont state government in solving Montpeliers parking problems. Cain then stated that at the first meeting of the committee, on May 14, they soon determined that a new parking garage is not financially viable and said that the changes the committee suggests are largely within the bounds of existing infrastructure. Cain said that the committee had identified three parking seasonslegislative season, leaf and christmas holiday season, and the remainder of the year as the third seasonand that each season requires different decisions and solutions. There is not just one set of answers, said Cain. The com-
mittee further identified three areas for improvement: better signage, which is often inconsistent and confusing; better enforcement of two-hour parking; and increased meter and permit parking fees, which have not been raised for a long time. Cain noted that City Council has already taken steps to help parking by creating long-term parking spots on East State Street and making the Carr lot available for free parking on Saturdays. Cain noted that key to improving the parking situation is offering alternatives to single-car travel. Clasen then talked about a number of transportation alternatives, largely incentivized toward state employees, such as bus discounts for state employees, preferential parking for carpoolers, bike-walk rewards programs for those who bike or walk to work, a Go Vermont! commuter tool kit, which includes a carpool matching service and guaranteed ride home benefit, as well as talks between the Montpelier High School and the state about building additional parking on high school grounds for state workers to park during the week. The committees first request to the council was to create four spaces for tour buses during the foliage season (September 15 through October 30). Two spots would be on Main Street in front of City Hall and the Unitarian Church, a third on the corner of State and Taylor streets, and a fourth on State Street at the far end of the State House. The council acceded to this request, with the addition that signs be hung instructing drivers not to idle. The council also agreed to improving signage at the Carr lot to encourage people to park there weekends. Also discussed was the creation of diagonal parking in front of the State House by cutting into a street-side strip adjacent to the sidewalk. There is a space between the sidewalk and the curb that some people describe as a green strip, I describe it as a brown strip, and in the winter it is an ice strip, so the footage would be gained by eliminating those strips, said Clasen. Creating diagonal parking on one side of the street would, said Clasen, create an additional 12 to 16 parking spaces. The council then heard from Anthony Facos, chief of police and a member of the parking committee. The committee urged the council to empower Facos to work with them in a study of smart meters for enhanced enforcement of parking rules. The smart meters, which could be fitted into all the existing meter spots, accept credit cards, are equipped with cameras as well as underground sensors and have the ability to remotely inform authorities of all parking violations in real time. No direct action was taken on the meters pending further research by Facos. Finally the council looked at electing a member to be its voting delegate to the Vermont League of City and Towns Town Fair, during which the 2014 Municipal Policy is adopted. Thierry Guerlain was appointed delegate. The meeting closed as councilors retired to executive session.
Check out our new web site, launching Monday, September 9th!
> Well be making public transportation easier than ever, with online purchasing of bus passes, and Google Transit to plan your trips.
connections with CCTA, youll find everything you need to get you where you need to go!
pag e 10 S e p t e m b e r 5 S e p t e m b e r 18 , 2 013
The Bridge
The Bridge
S e p t e m b e r 5 S e p t e m b e r 18 , 2 013 , pag e 11
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
Thats easy. Printing with Minuteman Press, of course! I use them for all of my print & mail projects, and I never have to worry about a thing!
802.229.0660
DISCOVER
SEPTEMBER 2013
EVERY TUESDAY & THURSDAY IN SEPTEMBER
VERMONT HISTORY CENTER, 60 WASHINGTON ST., BARRE 12:00 NOON 4:00 PM * FREE
Brown bag lunch and informal conversation with some great archaeologists, then Open House. Explore some of the Centers archaeology collections through hands-on activities. Hosted by State Archaeologist Giovanna Peebles. SEPTEMBER
7 8
Cassandra Wilson
AMERICAS BEST SINGER.
Time Magazine
Well-known Vermont potter Robert Compton and archaeologist Charlie Paquin demonstrate and discuss 3,000 years of pottery-making from their personal perspectives.
SEPTEMBER
First Womens Voices: Native American women speak about their experiences as rst women of Vermont
VERMONT HISTORY CENTER, 60 WASHINGTON ST., BARRE 2:00 PM 4:00 PM * FREE
Life experience stories from ve Native Vermont women: Shirly Hook, Carol Irons, Charlene McManis, Trudy Ann Parker, and Rachel Whitebear. Organized by the Vermont Commission on Native American Aairs.
SPONSORS INCLUDE: Lyndon State College, Passumpsic Savings Bank, Saint J. Subaru, Peabody and Smith Realty, St. Johnsbury Academy. MEDIA SPONSORS:
pag e 12 S e p t e m b e r 5 S e p t e m b e r 18 , 2 013
The Bridge
Berlin Pond
by Nat Frothingham, all photos courtesy of Citizens to Protect Berlin Pond
Morning tranquility on Berlin Pond.
erlin Pond is seeing increased boating and fishing activity in the wake of the October 2011 Vermont Supreme Court decision that ruled that the city of Montpelier could not prohibit such activities. Berlin Pond is the source of Montpeliers drinking water supply. The town of Berlin continues to be divided into at least two camps: those who welcome increased recreational access and use of Berlin Pondand they are in the majorityand those who generally oppose those uses.
It should be noted that in November 2012, Berlin Town citizens strongly favored allowing public access and recreational use of Berlin Pond with 793 votes in favor and 441 votes againstan almost 21 margin. Over the past several months, Berlin citizens concerned about protecting the pond both as a wildlife resource and as a pure drinking water supply have taken photographs documenting the increasing public use of Berlin Pond for fishing and boating activities and have noted the impacts on the pond and the land that borders it from these
increased recreational uses (please see the accompanying photo spread). Impacts on the pond and its bordering shores and wetlands include reports of as many as 75 cars and trucks parked along Mirror Lake Road at the south end of the pond during the ice-fishing season; use of gasoline-powered augurs to drive holes through the ice; increased littering, vandalism and loss of shoreline stability because of dragging boats into the pond from the road and back up again; and damage to wildlife areas and wetlands from aggressive public
parking of pickup trucks and cars. Because of the 2011 Supreme Court decision, any attempt to moderate the impact of public recreational use of the pond appears to have shifted from the city of Montpelier to the Vermont Legislature. Over the past several weeks, The Bridge has conducted interviews with a focus on protecting the pond both as a wildlife resource and as the source of Montpeliers drinking water supply. A report taken from these interviews follows.
Ice fishing has attracted as many as 75 cars and pickups at one time, parked along Mirror Lake Road on a winters day.
Montpeliers water treatment plant cannot handle petroleum products that could spill from a gas-powered auger.
Boat dragging . . .
The Bridge
S e p t e m b e r 5 S e p t e m b e r 18 , 2 013 , pag e 13
John Hollar, Montpelier Mayor Mayor Hollar spoke of his awareness of Berlin Pond as a unique asset in this region of the state, both as a wildlife resource and as the drinking water supply for Montpelier. Hollar acknowledged a concern about possible petroleum contamination of the pond, now that the Supreme Court decision has lifted city prohibitions against fishing, boating and swimming. He commented on a possible threat to the water supply from a snowmobile or a truck driving out on the pond on the ice in the winter. If snowmobiles access the pond on land not owned by the city, theres nothing we can do about it, he said. But Hollar described himself as a political pragmatist, saying, Im not interested in a symbolic battle over the pond. He noted that Governor Shumlin and his administration would oppose any legislative remedy to possible threats to the pond from increased recreational usage. The governor, he said, is likely to oppose a legislative effort to limit access. Id rather spend my time on [legislative] initiatives that are likely to be successful. ___________________________________ Warren Kitzmiller, Member of the Vermont House from Montpelier Representative Kitzmiller took exception to the October 2011 Berlin Pond decision by the Vermont Supreme Court, saying: I would very much like to see the pond protected for 100 years the way it was. I wish the court hadnt seen it this way. Im sorry they made the decision they made. Kitzmiller expressed surprise that he had heard practically nothing from anyone about a legislative fix of some sort for Berlin Pond. Ive been waiting to be asked. Ive not been asked by the city. My constituents have not been deluging me. I would think that the City Council, the city manager and the mayor would be requesting a fix, he said. My position is that I stand ready to create legislation, but at this point I am waiting to be asked to do it. Im not worried about a hatful of gas. Im worried about a tankful of gas and a crankcase filled with oil. Kitzmiller said that zebra mussels, which could clog up the citys water intake pipe, worried him. I would certainly like to prohibit motorized boats, he said. Canoes and kayak worry me much less. I have no problem with the concept of fishing in that pond. What I worry about is how they will get access to that pond to fish. If they back up a big outboard, I have a problem with that. I have a problem with a big motorboat on a trailer that is more likely than a canoe or kayak to introduce an invasive species.
Kitzmiller feels that possible threats to Berlin Pond are not on peoples minds to the extent that they should be. But it should be, he said, because this, after all, is our drinking water. ___________________________________ Mary Hooper, Member of the Vermont House from Montpelier Representative Hooper said that in November and December 2012, before the last session of the Vermont Legislature convened in January 2013, she was in touch with Montpelier city manager Bill Fraser about Berlin Pond. We talked about whether legislation was indicated, she said. For the time being, the city is talking with the town of Berlin, and no new legislation is needed right now. I left it that if they required information, they would be in touch with me. I believe theres a process [the city is working through to manage this asset, she continued. Im not interested in the legislature ramming through one or the other idea. ___________________________________ Roy Schiff, Chair of the Montpelier Conservation Commission Roy Schiff is a water resource engineer by training and profession with a focus on rivers, though he has done some work on large bodies of water. Schiff said hes been chair of the Montpelier Conservation Commission for about a year. Commenting on the 2011 Vermont Supreme Court (Berlin Pond) decision, he said, It was a bit surprising. Then speaking from a large perspective, he placed a value on Berlin Pond saying: Water is perhaps the most vital natural resource. He described the pond as the lifeline of the city, because, as he said, water is essential for people to live. Schiff said that the commission over time has worked with land conservation efforts to take advantage of the natural filtration of the watershed and to protect the streams that flow into the pond. I probably wouldnt allow people directly on it, he said. I probably wouldnt let people build along its edges. Discussing a possible boat ramp, he said, I dont think thats advisable. Schiff said he was fairly certain that on Berlin Pond issues, he speaks for the commission as a whole. I think the commission would do all they can to protect that resource, he said. When asked if he was satisfied that all that can be done to protect Berlin Pond is being done, he said that he thinks the city has pursued the readily available options. Then he added, Montpelier has taken a sideline because its messy and complicated. But its an essential resource
for the city. The city needs to do more. At the end of the conversation he said, In many big city settings, these reservoirs are fenced off. ___________________________________ Bill Fraser, City Manager of Montpelier City Manager Bill Fraser said that the 2011 Vermont Supreme Court decision in the Berlin Pond case affirmed the states authority over use of the ponds waters. He said that the city of Montpelier has continued to post no trespassing notices on the land the city owns that surrounds the pond. Fraser confirmed that neither of the citys two representatives in the Vermont House had been asked to initiate legislation concerning Berlin Pond. Mary and Warren are correct, he said. We didnt ask them to do anything. That is in fact what happened. About pursuing a Berlin Pond legislative initiative, Fraser said, We believed it would be an uphill climb and would not be where our resources would be best put. Fraser acknowledged a concern about possible petroleum pollution, noting that the water treatment plant cannot filter out petroleum. The treatment plant is not designed to handle petroleum, he said. Thats a legitimate health and water quality concern. Fraser said that the city has not seen any trucks out on the pond during winter when the pond is iced over. Snow machines, he said. We didnt see them. He said that the city has been monitoring the ponds water quality. We see no substantial diffrerences [in water quality] from before and after [the Supreme Courts decision], he said. The other risk to greater recreational access, Fraser said, was invasive species. Typically, these invasive species, like zebra mussels, which could clog up the Berlin Pond water intake pipe, can be carried into the pond when someone brings a boat from another pond and drops it into Berlin Pond without scrubbing the bottom. Fraser is aware that a highway petroleum accident along Interstate 89 could pollute Berlin Pond. But that has nothing to do with increased recreational access. And someone, conceivably, though he thinks this is far-fetched in Vermont, could introduce poison into the citys water supply. Though this is not likely to happen, he said, It was an easier threat to detect when no one was supposed to be [out on the pond.] Fraser said that the Montpelier City Council has authorized his office to petition the state of Vermont for a rule change dealing with possible threats from petroleum in the pond. ___________________________________
Since the pond itself has been opened to recreational use there has been a marked increase in destruction of property and littering.
City of Montpeliers Petition to the State for a Berlin Pond Rule Change
according to montpelier city manager bill Fraser, the city of montpelier has filed a petition with the Watershed management Division of the Vermont Department of environmental Conservation for a rule change to prohibit the presence of internal combustion motors on berlin pond including tools powered by internal combustion, petroleum, and ice shanties. that petition, which asks the state of Vermont for a rule change governing berlin pond, was a (July 25, 2013) letter plus attachments from attorney Ste phen a. reynes, retained by the city of montpelier, to attorney Leslie Welts of the states Watershed management Division. Spe cifically, the petition called for the following proposed rule for berlin pond: a. the use of internal combustion engines, including tools powered by internal combustion, is prohibited. b. the use or presence of petroleum-based fuels is prohibited. c. Vessels power by motor shall not exceed 5 mph (VUpWW rule 3.2(a) (. . . such as an electric motor . . .). d. the use or presence of ice shanties is prohibited.
Trash was never much of a problem on the Discarded fish line is a serious hazard to all Vegetation is being destroyed by increased car This baby goose is a casualty of increased traffic south end of the pondnow it is. and truck parking. wildlife. around the pond.
pag e 14 S e p t e m b e r 5 S e p t e m b e r 18 , 2 013
The Bridge
FD Professional Painting
Interior & Exterior
desalvo12tree@yahoo.com
802-752-9470
Frank DeSalvo
by Tom Greene
We are CIGNA providers, please check with your plan for coverage information
t started with a small piece of wood, no larger than a football, that one afternoon unceremoniously fell from the top of College Hall onto the Vermont College of Fine Arts campus. It was a piece of the cornice that rings the roof of the Empire-style edifice. Shortly after, we noticed that, when you looked to the top of the building, the brick that had been originally laid in 1868 was rippling in places. We brought in engineers and architects, and they went up on lifts and looked at the damage that years and years of expansion and contraction from Vermont winters had caused. The news was sobering. The grand old building needed serious and immediate work. Significant and costly work. Work that had to be done before another winter set in. If you drive by the campus today, you will see fencing around the building. This is not an art installation. It is to allow the construction folks to work unimpeded while we continue to investigate the damage. It also ensures that bricks wont fall on the many people who traverse the campus every single day. When I formed Vermont College of Fine Arts seven years ago, it was to preserve this historic campus for educational use and to save close to 150 jobs. My colleagues and I were successful, and in 2008, we created the first new college in Vermont in a generation. Since then that effort has grown into a larger one, a mission to create a national center for education in the arts here in Montpelier. We have made extraordinary progress. Three academic programs are now six. We have grown to 360 students. We are a vital
Thomas C. Greene is a novelist and the founding president of the Vermont College of Fine Arts.
The Bridge
S e p t e m b e r 5 S e p t e m b e r 18 , 2 013 , pag e 15
ost Nation Theaters (LNT) upcoming production Robert Frost: This Verse Business celebrates the poet so strongly associated with New England. Written by A.M. Dolan, the play stars Tony-nominee and Emmy Awardwinner Gordon Clapp and is directed by longtime LNT collaborator Gus Kaikkonen. Kaikkonen is familiar to LNT audiences, having played title roles in LNTs productions of Richard III, Taming of the Shrew and Twelfth Night. Clapp has numerous film and TV credits, including his work on NYPD-Blue (12 seasons), Cheers, Without a Trace, Damages, Flags of Our Fathers and Eight Men Out. He was also nominated for a Tony in the 2005 Broadway revival of Mamets Glengarry Glen Ross and appeared in the stage version of Blood from a Stone with Ethan Hawke. Clapp is a northern New Hampshire native and, like Vermont native and LNT founding artistic director Kim Bent, revers Frost and had hoped to put his story on stage. A.M. Dolans script provided that opportunity. Kathleen Keenan says that Kim Bent, having worked at pulling together a Frost stage piece for years, heard about the Dolan play Kaikkonen was directing in Peterborough, New Hampshire, and traveled to see it: Kim was so moved and inspired that he immediately scrapped his own plans and began working on how to get Andy/Gordon/Guss show here! Frost is an attractive subject for a one-man show. He won four Pulitzer prizes, published extensively, traveled widely and was revered during his lifetime and after. The play explores both the public and private faces of the man. Kaikkonen, who also directs regularly for Juilliard, calls Frost the perfect antidote to our current national malaise, praising Frosts brilliance, wit and edge, a tempting admixture for any actor to take on. Lost Nation has planned a gala performance for the opening night, September 6. The celebratory affair with host David Budbill will feature a postshow dessert reception with Budbill and actor Gordon Clapp. Robert Frost: This Verse Business will run for three weekends, ending on September 22. Theres a matinee on Saturday, September 7, in addition to that evenings show. Performances are scheduled on Thursdays at 7 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 7 p.m. (except for the final matinee at 2 p.m. on September 22). Throughout the run, LNTs Lobby Gallery will feature Annie Tiberio Cameron photos, which shes paired with Frost poems. For information and tickets: 229-0492 or lostnationtheater.org.
pag e 16 S e p t e m b e r 5 S e p t e m b e r 18 , 2 013
The Bridge
Hebrew School
enroll now for the fall!
For ages 7-13 Sunday mornings, Sept 22April 2
Creative siddur-based program exploring Jewish heritage, ritual and identity. arts, service projects and stories. Ktanim program for ages 46 also available, meets monthly. Contact Julia Chafets, Principal: 229-9429, principaljulia@gmail.com or www.bethjacobvt.org.
TRIMMIng
REMOVALS
LOw pRICES
802-279-7818
David Diamantis
fax: 454-8646
The Bridge
S e p t e m b e r 5 S e p t e m b e r 18 , 2 013 , pag e 17
Sept. 6
morning walk to search for migrating warblers, vireos, tanagers, thrushes and more. Beginners welcome! Binoculars available for loan. 7:309 a.m. North Branch Nature Center, 713 Elm St., Montpelier. Members and kids free; $10 nonmembers.
Cookery to learn about medicinal properties and cooking techniques for a variety of herbs. Tastings and recipes. 10 a.m.noon. Capital City Farmers Market, 60 State St., Montpelier. 2232958. manager@montpelierfarmersmarket.com. montpelierfarmersmarket.com.
Cooking with Herbs to Maintain Vibrant Health. Join Lisa Mas of Harmonized
master. Noon4 p.m. Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre St., Montpelier. $15 one-half hour. Hour sessions available. Call for appointment: 522-0045.
Do You Want to Learn Piano and Have Fun? Free public presentation about the Simply
Music method. 67p.m. Christ Church, State St., Montpelier. 595-1220, Nicholas@ LovePlayingPiano.org or LovePlayingPiano.org.
and keep healthful balance and wholeness for ourselves and our community: yoga, homeopathy, herbs, family health and more. Vegetarian potluck lunch. Childrens activities. 10 a.m.5 p.m. Wheelock Mountain Farm (near Greensboro Bend). Sliding scale $10$30. Preregistration: 533-9929, wheelockmtnfarm. weebly.com or Facebook for updated information. cwg.erideshare.com to offer or request a ride; password: cwg.
See stand-up comics do five to seven minutes of new material. Sign up 7:30 p.m.; show starts 8 p.m. The American Legion Post #3, 21 Main St., Montpelier. Free, but Dough Nation$ welcome. 793-3884.
People and Pottery: An Ancient and Intimate Relationship. With Vermont potter
Robert Compton and experimental archaeologist Charlie Paquin. Join two expert potters in demonstrations and discussions on ancient and contemporary pottery. Explore the complexity and meaning of technologies, textures, and designs from the perspectives of these two wellknown experts. 14 p.m. Vermont History Center, 60 Washington St., Barre. Free. 8283050, accd.archaeologycenter@state.vt.us or accd.vermont.gov/strong_communities/ preservation/education/archaeology/ heritage Map it.
Sept. 7
Do You Want to Learn Piano and Have Fun? Free public presentation about the Simply
Music method. 910 a.m. Christ Church, State St., Montpelier. 595-1220, Nicholas@ LovePlayingPiano.org or LovePlayingPiano.org. maternity clothes, toys and baby equipment. 9 a.mnoon. Quality donations appreciated; dropoff Sept. 6, 8 a.m.noon. Bethany Church, 115 Main St., Montpelier. 244-1254.
Eliza Moore performs with friends at the Old Meeting House, East Montpelier, on September 7.
Sept. 5
strong_communities/preservation/education/ archaeology/heritage.
Cassoulet Cooking Demo. Everything you always wanted to know about cassoulet with Ariane Daguin, owner and cofounder of DArtagnan. 9:30 a.m. La Brioche Wolf Kitchen, New England Culinary Institute, 118 Main St., Montpelier. $30. 223-3188. Household Waste Collection. Hazardous waste, e-waste, textiles and books. 9 a.m.1 p.m. All residents of Central Vermont Solid Waste Management District may bring waste. Tunbridge Transfer Station. Haz waste is $15 per carload, all else free. 229-9383 x105. cvsmd.org.
Duck Cooking Demo. Ariane Daguin, owner and cofounder of DArtagnan, will share the best ways to prepare the bird, from wings to legs to the delicacy, foie gras. Followed by fivecourse duck dinner at The Chefs Table. 6 p.m. New England Culinary Institute, 118 Main St., Montpelier. $65. 223-3188. Shape-Note Sing. Ian Smiley leads tunes from The Sacred Harp. All welcome; no experience necessary. Event happens by RSVP only: please call or e-mail to confirm. First and third Sat., 6:308 p.m. Tulsi Tea Room, 34 Elm St., Montpelier. By donation. 882-8274. smileyira@ gmail.com. Contra Dance. All dances taught; no partner
continued on page 16
with archaeologist David Skinas. Brown bag lunch and informal conversation, then open house. Noon4 p.m. Vermont Archaeology Heritage Center, Vermont History Center, 60 Washington St., Barre. Free. 828-3050. ACCD. ArcheologyCenter@state.vt.us.accd.vermont.gov/
Music method by Nicholas Mortimer. 45 p.m. Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre St. 595-1220, Nicholas@LovePlayingPiano.org or LovePlayingPiano.org.
Do You Want to Learn Piano and Have Fun? Free public presentation about the Simply
music
VeNUeS
bagitos.com. Sept. 5: Colin McCaffrey and friends (swing,/ jazz/country). 68 p.m. Sept. 6: Keith Williams (blues/jazz). 68 p.m. Sept. 7: Irish session. 25 p.m.
Sept. 13: John Demus Reggae Dancehall. 10 p.m. $5. Sept 14: Black and White Rave with GaGu (Mlao Ga) and Jaws (Josh Bell). Girls dress in white; guys dress in black. Age 16+. $10. Sept. 21: Hot Neon Magic (80s covers). $5. Sept. 27: Kina Zor. (afro-pop). Cover. Sept 28: Bad Dog (rock).
Sept. 7: Haywire. Bluegrass standards, unique Sept. 9: Mad River Chorale. Rehearsal for
covers and original tunes. BYOB. 8 p.m. Old Town Hall, Brookfield. Free, donations benefit the Old Town Hall restoration. 276-3535. girard745@yahoo.com.
Dec. 14 and 15 holiday concerts. New singers welcome. 79 p.m. Chorus room, Harwood Union High School, 458 Rte. 100, Moretown. 496-2048. madriverchorale.org.
Sept. 8: Bill Carroll and Friends. Bluegrass/ Sept. 14: Piano Men. Capital City Concerts
gospel performance. Coffee provided. 9:30 a.m. Bethany Church, 115 Main St., Montpelier. Free.
8:3011:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 2256012. facebook.com/sweetmelissasvt. Sept. 13: The Starline Rhythm Boys (honkytonk/rockabilly).
Randolph. Tickets and reservations 728-6464 or chandler-arts.org. Sept. 7: John Marshall in concert (vocal music, spoken pieces). 7 p.m. Sept. 22: Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas (Scottish fiddle and cello music). 7:30 p.m. $25 adults (advance); $15 students. Sept. 28: Vermont Symphony Orchestra. Jamie Laredo conducts annual Made in Vermont tour. 7:30 p.m. $27 adults; $23 seniors; $14 Vermont state college faculty and staff; $10 students. Sept. 29: Myra Flynn and Gregory Douglass. CD release party for two young singersongwriters. $20 adults (advance); $10 students. 6820. Sept. 6: Funktapuss (smooth jazz).
Whammy Bar. 31 W. County Rd., Calais. 7 p.m. 229-4329. maplecornerstore@gmail.com. whammybar1.com. Sept. 6: Tennessee Jed. Sept. 12: Al n Pete (Irish). Sept. 13: Chad Hollister. Sept. 20: Abby Jenne. Sept. 21: Peg and Cheryl, Naughty and Nice. Sept. 27: Big Hat No Cattle (Texas swing). Oct. 4: Katie Trautz. Oct. 11: Tim Brick (country). Oct. 18: The Woedoggies. Oct. 26: The Usual Suspects (blues).
Ann Maurer, clarinetist Karen Luttik, and pianist Claire Black perform chamber music: trios by David Gunn and Gwyneth Walker, Michael Websters arrangement of Carmen Rhapsody and others. 7:30 p.m., Bethany Church, 115 Main St., Montpelier. Free. Suggested donation: $10 adults; $5 seniors and students.
presents pianists Jeffrey Chappell and Bob Winter, performing a classical and jazz repertoire from George Gershwin to Samuel Barber. 7:30 p.m. Unitarian Church, Main St., Montpelier. $10$25. Tickets at Bear Pond Books, Montpelier, or capitalcityconcerts.org. 793-9291.
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. 633-2204.
Sept. 6: Coffeehouse. Enjoy live music and share your own. Fellowship, potluck snacks and beverages. First Fri., 79 p.m. Trinity United Methodist Church, 137 Main St., Montpelier. Free. 244-5191, 472-8297. rawilburjr@comcast.net. Sept. 7: Everything to Me: Eliza Moore
Concert. With special guests. 7:309:30 p.m. The Old Meeting House, 1620 Center Rd., East Montpelier.
Vermont Virtuosi (left to right): pianist Claire Black, flutist Laurel Ann Maurer and clarinetist Karen Luttik. Performing chamber music at the Bethany Church, September 8.
pag e 18 S e p t e m b e r 5 S e p t e m b e r 18 , 2 013
The Bridge
performing
arts
DANce
Sept. 622: Robert Frost: This Verse Business. New work by A. M. Dolan. A
Sept. 11: Acting Showcase. Melissa Sivvys MSAC acting class presents a showcase of their summer work. 6 p.m. Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre St. Free, donations appreciated. 223-2518. Sept. 13, 14: Vampire Princess. Master
storytellers Tim Jennings and Leanne Ponder begin a tour celebrating the release of their new live CD The Vampire Princess: Eerie Tales of Humor and Suspense. Sept. 13: North End Studio A, 294 N. Winooski Ave., Burlington. 8 p.m. $8. 8636713. Sept 14: Old East Warren Schoolhouse, 42 Roxbury Gap Rd., East Warren. 7 p.m. $10. 496-2474.
Sept. 5: Teen Jazz Audition. Contemporary Dance and Fitness Studio is looking for talented teens. Please plan to attend the entire audition. Wear comfortable dance clothes. Students must be in grades 912 and be currently enrolled in a high school program. Registration at 4:30 p.m. 57 p.m. CD&FS, 18 Langdon St., Montpelier. $18 or four punches on a CD&FS card. 2294676. cdandfs.com.
showcase of Frost, the man and his work, during the 50th anniversary of his death. Starring Tony-nominee and Emmy Awardwinner Gordon Clapp. Opening gala Sept. 6 with live music, hosted by David Budbill. Lost Nation Theater, City Hall Arts Center, Montpelier. $60 gala ticket. Other tickets: $30 Fri.Sun.; $25 Thurs.; $5 off student and seniors; $10 age 11 and under. For tickets and curtain times: 2290492 or lostnationtheater.org. 2 p.m. Paper Mache Cathedral, Bread & Puppet Farm, Rte. 122, Glover. Free, donations appreciated. 525-3031. breadandpuppet.org.
Through Sept. 14: Parasite Drag. 7:30 p.m. Waterbury Festival Playhouse, 2933 WaterburyStowe Rd., Waterbury Center. $25 advance (must be purchased by 5 p.m.); $27 door. Tickets: WaterburyFestivalPlayhouse.com or 498-3755. Schedule at website.
Lars Hasselblad Torres. Presented by Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Program. Visit MSAC office for information on speakers and costs. 1:30 p.m. Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre St.
Gordon Clapp. Clapp performs in Lost Nation Theaters production of Robert Frost: This Verse Business. Photo by Megan Moore.
continued from page 15 necessary. All ages welcome. Bring shoes not worn outdoors. First, third and fifth Sat., 811 p.m. Capital City Grange, 6612 Rte. 12, Berlin. $8. 744-6163. capitalcitygrange.org.
24 p.m. Vermont History Center, 60 Washington St., Barre Free. 828-3050, accd. archaeologycenter@state.vt.us and historicsites. vermont.gov/vt_history/archeology Map it.
Sept. 8
Green Mountain Club. Easy. PFD required. Bring lunch. Call leader, Joan Heller, 223-1874 for meeting time and place.
Paddle Big Hosmer and Little Hosmer Ponds, Craftsbury. With the Montpelier
questions? We have answers. Second and fourth Tues., 34:30 p.m. Central Vermont Council on Aging, 59 N. Main St., Suite 200, Barre. Free. Registration: 479-0531. Giasson, DC, MSACN, MS, talks about some commonly used supplements: their importance, how to use them, what to look for while choosing them and why whole food dietary alternatives are a better long-term solution. 5:306:30 p.m. Community room, Hunger Mountain Coop, Stone Cutters Way, Montpelier. Preregister: sign up on the co-op workshop bulletin board, call 223-8000 x202 or info@hungermountain.coop.
Advance Directive Assistance. Information on funeral planning. Sponsored by the Funeral Consumers Alliance of VT. 24 p.m. Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre St. Free, donations appreciated. 223-8140.
time after 3:30 to catch, tag and release some migrating monarchs. 3:305 p.m. North Branch Nature Center, 713 Elm St., Montpelier. $5 adult; $3 children. 229-6206.
Foot Clinic. Nurses from Central VT Home Health & Hospice clip toe nails, clean nail beds, file nails and lotion the feet. Fifteen-minute appointments. 9 a.m.1 p.m. Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre St., Montpelier. $15. Check or cash to CVHHH. Reservations: 2232518. Fall Migration Bird Walks. Come for a
morning walk to search for migrating warblers, vireos, tanagers, thrushes and more. 7:309 a.m. North Branch Nature Center, 713 Elm St., Montpelier. Members and kids free; $10 nonmembers.
Sept. 13
a.m.; childrens program 10:15. All are welcome. Bethany Church, 115 Main St., Montpelier. 2232424. bethanychurchvt.org.
Do You Want to Learn Piano and Have Fun? Free public presentation about the Simply
Music method by Nicholas Mortimer. 34 p.m. Four Corners Schoolhouse, East Montpelier. 595-1220, Nicholas@LovePlayingPiano.org or LovePlayingPiano.org.
from her book Four-Way Stop. 4 p.m. Cutler Memorial Library, 151 High St. (Rte. 2), Plainfield (Route 2). 454-8504. cutlerlibrary.org.
about Autdarautas initiation as a spirit master, we will immerse ourselves in the spirit worlds and spirit beings of the North. Presented by the Center For Circumpolar Studies. 5:307 p.m. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 135 Main St., Montpelier. 223-3338. kellogghubbard.org.
Anima Borealis Series: Traveling in Spirit Worlds. Starting with a story from Greenland
Join Annie McCleary for a gentle stroll to identify late summer wildflowers and fruits of wild edible and medicinal plants. 56:30 p.m. Wisdom of the Herbs School, 1005 County Rd., Woodbury. Sliding scale: $0 to $10. Preregistration appreciated: 456-8122.
Where Does the Garden End? Healing Plants of the Tended Wild. With Sandra
Dog River Quilters. Second Wed., 5:30 p.m. Community room, Brown Public Library, Northfield. Jean, 585-5078 or jeanjolley@ myfairpoint.net.
Lory, folk herbalist and food justice educator. We will explore the fields, shaded canopy, edge habitats, and gardens gone wild for medicinal plants. 5:306:30 p.m. Two Rivers Center, 5 Home Farm Way, Montpelier. Meet outside the Hunger Mountain Coop entrance at 5:15 p.m. Preregister: sign up on the co-op workshop bulletin board, call 223-8000 x202 or info@ hungermountain.coop.
experience needed. All welcome. Second Sun., 57 p.m. Plainfield Community Center (above the co-op). By donation. 595 9951. nscottieharrison@gmail.com.
Sept. 9
or Internet questions, or learn about the librarys new circulation software and how to use ListenUp to download audiobooks and more. Bring your iPod, tablet, phone, laptop or other device. Second and fourth Tues., 5:307 p.m. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 135 Main St., Montpelier. Free. 223-3338. kellogghubbard.org.
9:3011:30 a.m. Good Beginnings of Central Vermont, 174 River St., Montpelier. 595-7953. goodbeginningscentralvt.org.
Preserving the Abundance Part Two: Canning, Pickling, and Jamming. With Lisa Mas. Learn easy
Graduados. Pressing issues today are explored through the eyes of a diverse array of Latino and Latina adolescents from across the United States in this eye-opening documentary on the challenges facing both the students and their families. Panel discussion follows. 7 p.m. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 135 Main St., Montpelier. 223-3338.
Household Waste Collection. Hazardous waste, e-waste, textiles and books. 9 a.m.1 p.m. All residents of Central Vermont Solid Waste Management District may bring waste. Bradford town garage. Haz waste is $15 per carload, all else free. 229-9383 x105. cvsmd.org. Cabot Ride the Ridges. Benefit for Cabot
Connects Mentoring Program. Three challenge levels: 10km Family Fun Ride, Sturdy 30 Km Back Road Ride and 60Km Extreme Ridges Explorer. Local food provided: Woodbelly Wood-Fired Pizza, Kingdom Creamery Ice Cream, Burtts Apple Pie and Switchel! 8 a.m. Town Common, Cabot. $25 10Km Family Fun Ride; $40 Sturdy 30Km Back Road Ride; $50 60Km Extreme Ridges Explorer; $50 Family Maximum. cabotconnects@hotmail.com.
Sept. 14
Parent Meet-Up. Come meet other parents, share information and chat over light snacks, coffee and tea. First Mon., 1011:30 a.m. Hayes Room, Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 135 Main St., Montpelier. Free. mamasayszine@gmail.com. Friends of Ainsworth Public Library Meeting. Planning fall fundraisers. Come help
preservation techniques such as oven canning, blanching, freezing, pickling and fermenting. Take home handouts and recipes. 5:308:30 p.m. Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism, 252 Main St., Montpelier. $30 members; $35 nonmembers. Fee includes a meal. Preregistration required: 224-7100, info@ vtherbcenter.org or vtherbcenter.org.
Sept. 12
herbalist training program and other programs and workshops? Come meet current students and graduates, and tour the school. Yummy treats provided. 7 p.m. VCIH, 252 Main St., Montpelier. vtherbcenter.org.
Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism Open House. Curious about the
put great ideas into action. 6 p.m. Ainsworth Public Library, 2338 Rte. 14, Williamstown. 4335887, ainsworthpl@yahoo.com or bit.ly/FofAPL.
Sept. 11
Sept. 10
Green Mountain Club. Moderate. 27 miles. Rte. 14 to N. Wolcott and return on Rte. 15. Bring lunch and water. Helmet required. Contact leaders Mary Garcia, 622-0585, or Mary Smith, 505-0603, for meeting time and place.
Care Exchange and how to enroll in coverage, starting October 1, 2013. Peter Sterling, executive director of Vermont Campaign for Health Care Security, will be at the library once a week to help you find a plan that is just right for you. 10 a.m.2 p.m. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 135 Main St., Montpelier. 223-3338.
Navigating the New Vermont Health Care Exchange. Learn about the Vermont Health
different presenter, musician and topic. Share a meal and music and help a good cause. Please bring a nonperishable food item for the Vermont Foodbank. Second and fourth Thurs., 68 p.m. Summit School of Traditional Music & Culture, 46 Barre St., Montpelier.
Grandkids as Play Partners. Second of three sessions (last on Sept. 24) exploring the power of play to support childrens development, the developmental stages of play and how you can be your childs best play partner. 10:30 a.m.noon. Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre St. $15 members; $20 nonmembers for all three sessions. Register at MSAC office. 223-2518. First Womens Voices. Five Native American women speak about their lives and experiences: Shirley Hook, Carol Irons, Charlene McManis, Trudy Ann Parker and Rachel Whitebear.
are welcome to participate in a project that will spark imaginative play. 11 a.m. KelloggHubbard Library, 135 Main St., Montpelier. Preregistration required: 223-4665.
Want to save money, meet new people, learn new skills and help your community? Come learn what a time bank is and how it works. 1 p.m. Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre St. 552-3020 of orexchange.org.
humaneitarian.org. When we buy meat, how can we determine how the animals were raised? Meat labels explained, an exploration of the word humane and a tour of the co-ops meat selections. 5:307 p.m. Community room. Hunger Mountain Coop, Stone Cutters Way, Montpelier. Free. Preregister: sign up on the coop workshop bulletin board, call 223-8000 x202 or info@hungermountain.coop
How to Find and Eat Humanely Raised Meat. With Carrie Abels, founder/editor of
College professor Ilaria Brancoli-Busdraghi will present the heritage and history of Italian American stoneworkers in Vermont. Visit Vermont Heritage Gallery exhibit to see examples of the tools and scenes that surrounded the stoneworkers of Barre. 2 p.m. Vermont History Center, 60 Washington St., Barre. $5 adults. 479-8500.
Film Screening: The Kids Are Alright. Joni and Laser, the children of same-sex parents, Nick and Jules, become curious about their sperm-donor dad and set out to make him part of their family unit. But his arrival complicates the household dynamics, in this warm-hearted dramedy. 6:30 p.m. Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre St., Montpelier. Suggested donation $3. 224-1001.
The Bridge
S e p t e m b e r 5 S e p t e m b e r 18 , 2 013 , pag e 19
LGBTQQ Youth Group. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning youth age 1322 enjoy free pizza, soft drinks and conversation. Facilitated by adult volunteers trained by Outright VT. Second and fourth Fri., 6:308 p.m. Unitarian Church, 130 Main St., Montpelier. Free. outrightvt.org. Central Vermont Humane Society Yard Sale. All proceeds benefit shelter animals. In
With the Montpelier Green Mountain Club. Easy. 12 miles. Young Adventurers Club. 10 a.m. Contact leader, Mike Wetherell, 223-8493, for meeting place.
Mayor and School Board Chair Discuss Upcoming Budgets. Montpelier residents
Sept. 16
addition, a certified appraiser from Bostons Kelly Auction House will appraise items: $10 for first item; $5 each additional item. Appraisal fees donated to CVHS. 8 a.m.2 p.m. CVHS Adoption Center, 1589 Rte. 14, East Montpelier. 476-3811 x110. events@cvhumane.com.
western constructs of self, relationship and psychotherapy. With Robert Kest, Ph.D. 67:30 p.m. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 135 Main St., Montpelier. Free. 229-6989.
and property owners are invited to meet with Montpelier mayor John Hollar and school board chair Sue Aldrich to hear about budget and tax issues facing City Council and the school board. Meet and greet with cider and cookies at 7 p.m. Discussion 7:309 p.m. Noble Hall, Vermont College of Fine Arts, Montpelier. 223-5191. 552-4431.
migrating monarchs. 3:305 p.m. North Branch Nature Center, 713 Elm St., Montpelier. $5 adult; $3 children. 229-6206.
Home Sharing Info Meeting. Find out what home sharing is all about. Refreshments served. Third Wed., 5:306 p.m. Home Share Now, 115 Main St., Barre. RSVP at 479-8544 to ensure ample refreshments. Poetry Reading and Book Signing with George Lisi. Lisi, naturalist, mediator, teacher
England and Italy: A Travel Talk and Slideshow. Montpelier residents Lise Markus
from new bestsellers to antique curiosities. Also find CDs, DVDs, music and more. Books organized by subject for easy browsing. Hardcovers $2, softcovers $1. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 135 Main St., Montpelier. 223-3338.
9:3011:30 a.m. Good Beginnings of Central Vermont, 174 River St., Montpelier. 595-7953. goodbeginningscentralvt.org.
(MSAC staff member) and Ed Linton share their recent trip to England and Italy. 6 p.m. Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre St., Montpelier. 223-2518.
and poet living in central Vermont, reads from his book Through the Gate of Trees: Poetry of Awakening. 6:30 p.m. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 135 Main St., Montpelier. 223-3338.
summer season. Stories and songs with Librarian Linda. 10:30 a.m. Capital City Farmers Market, 60 State St., Montpelier. Green Mountain Club. Up Caps Ridge trail to summit; mystery hike from there. Difficult and challenging. Contact leader, Paul DeLuca, 4767987 or pdeluca420@msn.com, for meeting time and place.
Health Care Exchange and how to enroll in coverage starting October 1, 2013. Peter Sterling, executive director of Vermont Campaign for Health Care Security, will be at the library once a week to help you find a plan that is just right for you. 10 a.m.2 p.m. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 135 Main St., Montpelier. 223-3338. M.A., teacher and intuitive. What does it mean to be a woman in 2013? Whats happening as we become more conscious? 6:307:30 p.m. Community room, Hunger Mountain Coop, Stone Cutters Way, Montpelier. Preregister: sign up on the co-op workshop bulletin board, call 223-8000 x202 or info@hungermountain.coop. in the Ruins discussed. Third Mon., 78:30 p.m. Cutler Memorial Library, 151 High St. (Rte. 2), Plainfield. Free. 454-8504. cutlerlibrary.org.
Navigating the New Vermont Health Care Exchange. Learn about the Vermont
Becoming a spirit master is fraught with danger to the novice, but with healing potential for the community and heavy ethical responsibilities for the master. Can we hear spirit voices ourselves by listening to a stone speak? Presented by the Center For Circumpolar Studies. 5:307 p.m. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 135 Main St., Montpelier. 223-3338. Sassaman, MS in meditation, creator of the Happiness Paradigm in Maple Corner and cofounder of Gross National Happiness. Learn how to meditate with Ginny as she shares a variety of simple methods for you to try out. 5:307:30 p.m. Community room, Hunger Mountain Coop, Stone Cutters Way, Montpelier. $8 member-owners; $10 nonmembers. Preregister: sign up on the co-op workshop bulletin board, call 223-8000 x202 or info@ hungermountain.coop.
Your Breath: It Happens Roughly 18,000 Times a Day! Join Amy LePage-Hansen of
Emerge Yoga for this interactive workshop where youll learn about the mechanics of breathing, practice simple breath explorations and discover how your breath affects your body and overall well-being. 67:30 p.m. Community room, Hunger Mountain Coop, Stone Cutters Way, Montpelier. Free. Preregister: sign up on the coop workshop bulletin board, call 223-8000 x202 or info@hungermountain.coop.
Eating Right When Money Is Tight: Part 1. Certified diabetes educator and registered
dietitian Jennifer Stratton offers advice on eating healthy on a budget. 67 p.m. Chelsea Health Center, 356 Rte. 110, Chelsea Free. Registration required: 728-7100 x6.
Sept. 1415
auction: antiques, books, videos, toys, furniture, clothing, tools and more. Rain or shine. Noon3 p.m. Bethany Church on Main St., Montpelier.
Sept. 15
Sept. 17
the Montpelier Green Mountain Club. Wheeler Mountain Rd. to Mt. Hor. Moderate. 910 miles. 1,500-foot elevation gain. Bring lunch. Contact leader, Kevin Ryan, 229-0236 or publicity@ gmcmontpelier.org, for meeting time and place.
History and Struggle in Egypt. With Sandy Mohlman. Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Program. 1:30 p.m. Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre St., Montpelier. For information on speakers and costs, visit the MSAC office. Monarch Butterfly Tagging. Drop by any time after 3:30 to catch, tag and release some
Pratt Center, Goddard College, 123 Pitkin Rd., Plainfield. Hours: Mon.Fri. 9 a.m.4 p.m. One of the largest collections of some of the biggest puppets in the world. Bread & Puppet Farm, Rte. 122, Glover. Hours: Daily, 10 a.m. 6 p.m. 525-3031. breadandpuppet.org.
Sept. 18
Book Discussion and Poetry Swap. Copies of Poetry 180: A Turning Back to Poetry, an anthology of 180 contemporary poems, selected and introduced by Americas past poet laureate, Billy Collins, will be available to be checked out or to buy. Hosted by Waterbury Public Library. 7 p.m. Bridgeside Books, 29 Stowe St., Waterbury. 244-7036.
Ecumenical Group. Songs of praise, Bible teaching, fellowship. Second and fourth Thurs., 79 p.m. Jabbok Center for Christian Living, 8 Daniel Dr., Barre. Free. 479-0302.
Sept. 19
visual arts
Ongoing: Glen Coburn Hutcheson, Talking Portraits and Two-Part Inventions. An evolving show of experimental drawings, paintings and the occasional sculpture. Storefront Studio Gallery, 6 Barre St., Montpelier. Hours: Tues.Fri. 810 a.m., Sat. 10 a.m.3 p.m., or by appointment. 839-5349. gchfineart.com. Through Sept. 8: Best of the Northeast Master of Fine Arts 2013 Exhibition.
Helen Day Art Center, 90 Pond St., Stowe.
eXHiBitS
Through Sept.: Ray Ferrer and Shared Horizon. Show of Ferrers stenciled and spraypainted works on canvas and group show of landscapes. West Branch Gallery & Sculpture Park, 17 Towne Farm Ln., Stowe. 253-8943. art@westbranchgallery.com.
New England and Beyond. Selected artists including Gayleen Aiken, Merrill Densmore, Howard Finster, HJ Laurent, Theodore Ludwiczak. BigTown Gallery, 99 North Main St., Rochester. Hours: Wed.Fri. 10 a.m.5 p.m., Sat. noon5 p.m. 767-9670. info@ bigtowngallery.com. bigtowngallery.com.
A Photographic Retrospective of Contemporary Dance and Fitness Studio. A photographic retrospective celebrating the dance studios 40th anniversary. Contemporary Dance and Fitness Studio, 18 Langdon St., Montpelier. Hours: Mon.Fri., 3:308 p.m.; Sat. 9 a.m.2 p.m. 229-4676. cdandfs.com.
Several Little Books with Big Prints. Photos of the Vermont landscape, including photos of the Bread & Puppet pageant, in small books and large prints. Woodshed Gallery, Bread & Puppet Farm, Rte 122 (Heights Rd.), Glover. 525-3031.
of Surveillance. Pentel felt markers, ink, water, and colored pencils on watercolor paper. Reception Oct. 4, 47 p.m. Green Bean Visual Art Gallery, Capitol Grounds, State St., Montpelier. curator@capitolgrounds.com.
Found in the Forest. Scans of leaves, sculptures from found tree branches. Reception Sept. 12, 57 p.m. Vermont Supreme Court, 111 State St., Montpelier. Hours: Mon.Fri. 8 a.m.4:30 p.m.
Photographs are paired with poems by Robert Frost, accompanying Lost Nation Theaters production Robert Frost: This Verse Business. Reception: Sept. 6, 6:45 p.m. LNT Lobby Gallery, Montpelier City Hall Auditorium, Main St., Montpelier. Hours: Tues.Sun. by appointment. 229-0492.
exhibit of sculpture. Helen Day Art Center, 90 Pond St., Stowe. Hours: Wed.Sun. noon5 p.m. and by appointment. 253-8358.
Through Oct.: Marcia Hill, Cindy Griffith and Anne Unangst. Paintings. Red Hen Through Nov. 10: Points of View. Exhibit
My November Guest by Annie Tiberio Cameron, from her exhibit at Lost Nation Theaters Lobby Gallery.
Multiyear multimedia portrait of the Bread & Puppet community from memories, stories and images. Boylen shows color prints from rephotographed slides of Bread & Puppet shows, 1974 and 1977. Dannenhauer shows A is for Ah! O is for Oy! A Bread and Puppet ABC and current B&P shows. Plainfield Community Gallery, above Plainfield co-op, 153 Main St., Plainfield. Open during regular co-op hours. 617-939-1925.
Through Sept. 29: Mark Dannenhauer and Mark Boylen, Emerging Mosaic.
Threads. Hand-pulled monoprints. Reception Sept. 5, 57 p.m. Gallery at River Arts, 2F, River Arts Center, 74 Pleasant St., Morrisville. Hours: Mon.Fri., 10 a.m.2 p.m. 888-1261. riverartsvt.org.
of portraits by seven Vermont artists: Agathe McQueston, Lark Upson, Sande FrenchStockwell, Judith Beckett, Liesi Hebert, Marcia Hammond and Joan Feierabend. Reception Sept. 7, 57 p.m. Chandler Gallery, 71-73 Main St., Randolph. 728-6464. 728-9878.
SpeciAl eVeNtS
Within Reach. Landscape oil paintings. Reception Sept. 13, 57 p.m. Blinking Light Gallery and Co-op, 16 Main St., Plainfield. Hours: Thurs. 26 p.m., Fri.Sun. 10 a.m.6 p.m. 454-0141. blinkinglightgallery.com. Landscape into Abstraction. Photographs of the broad landscape and more intimate abstracted portions from New England and the Pacific Northwest. Pratt Gallery, Eliot D.
of objects of circular shape, from the Sullivan Museum collection. Sullivan Museum and History Center, Norwich University, 158 Harmon Dr., Northfield. 485-2183. Norwich. edu/museum.
craft and design artists in all media are invited to exhibit and sell their work during open studio week, Oct. 56. E-mail at least five samples of work to info@riverartsvt.org and/or send a link to website, or mail to River Arts, P.O. Box 829, Morrisville, VT 05661. Submission deadline: Sept. 20. $45 fee. More information call 888-1261. River Arts Center, 74 Pleasant Street, Morrisville.
Call to Artists: River Arts 5th Annual Open Studio Weekend. Visual,
Private and National Commemoration. Stories of Norwich alumni from both sides of the Civil War conflict in 1863. Sullivan Museum & History Center, Norwich University, Northfield. 485-2183. norwich.edu/museum.
pag e 2 0 S e p t e m b e r 5 S e p t e m b e r 18 , 2 013
The Bridge
weekly Events
Art & crAft
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. dynamic poses. Wed., 79 p.m. Storefront Studio/ Gallery, 6 Barre St., Montpelier. $15 suggested donation. 839-5349. glen@gchfineart.com.
Noon Cafe. Soup, fresh bread, good company and lively conversation. Wed., noon. Old Meeting House, East Montpelier. By donation. oldmeetinghouse.org. Senior Meals. For people 60 and over.
Delicious meals prepared by Chef Justin and volunteers. Tues. and Fri. Noon1 p.m. Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre St., Montpelier. Free. Under 60: $6. Reservations and information: 262-2688.
Takeout and Caf Meals. Proceeds benefit the senior meals program. Thurs., 11 a.m.1 p.m. Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre St., Montpelier. $4$8. Reservations appreciated: 262-6288.
BicYcliNG
Cycling 101. Train for a summer of riding with Affordable Acupuncture. Full acupuncture
Linda Freeman and Onion River Sports. Build confidence, strength, endurance, road-riding skills and a sense of community with relaxed rides on local paved roads. For all abilities. Tues., 5:30 p.m., Montpelier High School. Call ahead. 229-9409 or onionriver.com. sessions with Chris Hollis and Trish Mitchell. Mon. and Wed., 27 p.m.; Fri., 9 a.m.2 p.m. 79 Main St., suite 8 (above Coffee Corner), Montpelier. $15$40 sliding scale. Walk in or schedule an appointment at montpeliercommunityacupuncture.com.
Herbal Clinics. Student clinic: Mon., 15 p.m. and Tues., 48 p.m. $0$10. Professional clinic: Tues.Fri. $0$100. Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism, 252 Main St., Montpelier. Consultations by appointment only: 224-7100 or info@vtherbcenter.org. vtherbcenter.org.
to reduce stress and communicate effectively. Six-week class, sponsored by CVCOA: Sept. 11Oct. 16. Wed., 57pm. Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre St. $20 suggested donation to defray cost of The Caregiver Helpbook. To register call 476-2671.
A Vagueness by Alexis Salvino. Pentel felt markers, ink, water and colored pencils on watercolor paper. Exhibition, Cinema of Surveillance, at Green Bean Visual Art Gallery, Capitol Grounds, Montpelier.
60 Washington St., Barre. $5 per child; $4 per child for three or more participating children or VHS members. For schedule go to vermonthistory.org/homeschoolers. Preregistration required: 828-1413. Jewish spirituality. Sundays, 4:456:15 p.m. Yearning for Learning Center, Montpelier. Rabbi Tobie Weisman, 223-0583 or info@ yearning4learning.org.
For students learning English for the first time. Tues., 45 p.m. Central Vermont Adult Basic Education, Montpelier Learning Center, 100 State St. Sarah 223-3403. lunch and practice your language skills with neighbors. Noon1 p.m. Mon. Hebrew, Tues. Italian, Wed. Spanish, Thurs. French. KelloggHubbard Library, 135 Main St., Montpelier. 223-3338.
MONeY
testing. Thurs., 25 p.m. 58 East State St., suite 3 (entrance at the back), Montpelier. Free. 3716222. vtcares.org.
cards, credit building and repair, budgeting and identity theft, insurance, investing, retirement. Starting Sept. 10. Tues., 68 p.m. Central Vermont Medical Center, Conference Room 3. Registeration: 371-4191.
Join Alicia Feltus, integral yoga Instructor, for a walk from Tulsi Tea Room to Hubbard Park for guided walking meditation. Meet at Tulsi Tea Room. Wed.,1212:40. 917-4012 or aliciafeltus@gmail.com.
MUSic
Shambhala Buddhist Meditation. Group meditation practice. Sun., 10 a.m.noon; Tues., 78 p.m.; Wed., 67 p.m. Shambhala Meditation Center, 64 Main St., 3F, Montpelier. Free. 223-5137. montpeliershambala.org. Zen Meditation. Wed., 6:307:30 p.m.
174 River St., Montpelier. Free. Call Tom for orientation, 229-0164. With Zen Affiliate of Vermont.
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.
DANce
PlayStation 3, pool table, free eats and fun events for teenagers. Mon.Thurs., 36 p.m.; Fri., 311 p.m. Basement Teen Center, 39 Main St., Montpelier. 229-9151.
rehearsal. Find your voice with 50 other women. Mon., 7 p.m. Alumni Hall, Barre. 223-2039. BarretonesVT.com. r
Community Drum Circle. Open drumming. All welcome. Fri., 79 p.m. Parish House, Unitarian Universalist Church, Main and Church streets, Barre. 503-724-7301. Monteverdi Young Singers Chorus Rehearsal. New chorus members welcome.
location and more information.
No experience necessary. Sun., 5:307:30 p.m., Christ Church, State St., Montpelier. First and third Wed., 79 p.m., Worcester Town Hall, corner of Elmore and Calais roads. Second and fourth Wed., 79 p.m., Plainfield Community Center (above the co-op). $10. Fearn, 505-8011. fearnessence@gmail.com.
p.m. Meets at various area churches. Call Ben, 497-4516, for location and information. special guests for children age birth to 5. Tues., 10:30 a.m. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 135 Main St., Montpelier. 223-4665. kellogghubbard.org.
Apollo Duplicate Bridge Club. All welcome. Partners sometimes available. Fri., 6:45 p.m. Bethany Church, 115 Main St., Montpelier. $3. 485-8990 or 223-3922. Roller Derby Open Recruitment and Recreational Practice. Central Vermonts
Storytime at the Library. Stories, songs and Wed., 45 p.m. Montpelier. Call 229-9000 for Ukelele Group. All levels welcome. Thurs.,
68 p.m. Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre St. 223-2518.
Dance or Play with the Swinging over 60 Write On! For aspiring authors age 6 to 10. Are you full of ideas? Looking to spin a story? Band. Danceable tunes from the 1930s to the
1960s. Recruiting musicians. Tues., 5:307:30 p.m., Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre St., Montpelier. 223-2518.
Wrecking Doll Society invites quad skaters age 18 and up. No experience necessary. Equipment provided: first come, first served. Sat., 56:30 p.m. Montpelier Recreation Center, Barre St.. First skate free. centralvermontrollerderby.com. Women and men welcome. Equipment provided. Oct. 6Dec. 8. Sun., 36 p.m. Montpelier Recreaction Center, Barre St. $58 for 10-week season. Preregisteration required: bmfloorhockey@gmail.com or vermontfloorhockey.com.
Willing to play with words? Be creative? Drop in once or join us for the series. Fri., 3:304 p.m. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 135 Main St., Montpelier. 223-4665. kellogghubbard.org. based drop-off program for children age 3.55. Sept. 3 Nov. 21. Tues. and Thurs., 9 a.m.12 p.m. North Branch Nature Center, 713 Elm St., Montpelier. $420 for one day, $800 for both days. 229-6206. using seasonal and emerging curriculum. Age 68. Sept. 13June 6, 2014. Fri., 9 a.m.2 p.m. North Branch Nature Center, 713 Elm St., Montpelier. $1,560 members; payment plans available. 229-6206.
recYcliNG
Additional Recyclables Collection Center (ARCC). Bring in odd and sundry items for
reuse, upcycling and recycling, including textiles, batteries and more. Mon. and Fri., 12:30 p.m.5:30 p.m. ARCC, 3 Williams Ln., Barre. $1 per car load. Complete list of accepted items at 229-9383, x 106 or cvswmd.org.
fOOD
Forest Preschool. Outdoor, exploratory, play- toothbrushes, bottle caps, cassette tapes, books,
meats, poultry , eggs, honey, crafts, baked goods and more. Wed., 36:30 p.m. City Hall Park, Barre.
farmers, food producers and craftspeople, plus live music and cooking demos. Sat., 9 a.m.1 p.m., through October. 60 State St., Montpelier. Carolyn, 223-2958 or manager@ montpelierfarmersmarket.com.
Free Food Scrap Collection. Compost your Forest School. Drop-off program for students, food waste along with your regular trash and
recycling. Wed., 9 a.m.5 p.m.; Sat. 6 a.m.1 p.m. DJs Convenience Store, 56 River St., Montpelier. cvswmd.org.
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 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.
program with teacher-naturalist Ken Benton. Explore the green spaces of Montpelier while practicing outdoor living skills, tracking and wildlife monitoring. Grades 47. Sept. 12 Dec. 5. Thurs. 35:30 p.m. North Branch Nature Center, 713 Elm St., Montpelier. $375, membership included. 229-6206. Vermont Historical Society offers educational sessions for homeschoolers, age 812, in Montpelier and Barre. Wed. and Thurs. 13 p.m. Vermont History Museum, 109 State St., Montpelier, and Vermont History Center,
Christian Meditation Group. People of all faiths welcome. Mon., noon1 p.m. Christ Church, Montpelier. Regis 223-6043. Christian Science. Gods love meeting human needs. Reading room: Tues.Sat., 11 a.m.1 p.m.; Tues., 58 p.m.; and Wed., 57:15 p.m. Testimony meeting: Wed., 7:308:30 p.m., nursery available. Worship service: Sun., 10:30 11:30 a.m., Sunday school and nursery available. 145 State St., Montpelier. 223-2477. Deepening Our Jewish Roots. Fun, engaging text study and discussion on
SpiritUAlitY
Yoga with Lydia. Build strength and flexibility as you learn safe alignment in a nourishing, supportive and inspiring environment. Drop-ins welcome. Mon. 5:30 p.m., River House Yoga, Plainfield (sliding scale). Wed., 4:30 p.m., Green Mountain Girls Farm, Northfield (sliding scale). Tues. and Fri., noon, Yoga Mountain Center, Montpelier. Preregister now for two new nine-week tantric meditation series, beginning Sept. 9 (Mon., 7 p.m., Plainfield) and Sept. 13 (Fri., 10 a.m., Montpelier). 229-6300 or saprema-yoga.com. Community Yoga. All levels welcome to this
community-focused practice. Fri. 56 p.m. Yoga Mountain Center, 7 Main St., 2F, Montpelier. By donation. 223-5302 or yogamountaincenter.com.
YOGA
Falling into You. Nine weeks of yoga that could change your life. Sept. 14Nov. 9. Sat., 10:30 a.m.noon. The Open Space, Hardwick. $100/full series. Registration and information: lunarising.weebly.com.
The Bridge
S e p t e m b e r 5 S e p t e m b e r 18 , 2 013 , pag e 21
class listings and classifieds are 50 words for $25; discounts available. To place an ad, call carolyn, 223-5112, ext. 11.
classifieds
Yrc freiGHt iS HiriNG FT Casual Combo Drivers/Dock Workers! Burlington location. Great pay and benefits! CDL-A w/Combo and Hazmat, 1yr T/T exp, 21yoa req. EOEM/F/D/V. Able to lift 65 lbs. req. APPLY: www. yrcfreight.com/careers
Help WANteD
t&t repeAtS Bikes, name-brand clothes, small household furniture and more. At least two free parking spaces for T&T customers. 116 Main Street, Montpelier, or call 224-1360.
tHrift StOreS
SerViceS
ArtiSt, MUSiciAN StUDiOS Solo or to share starting at $150 monthly. Larger spaces of various sizes available full-time or time-shared. Join us as we transform a historic convent and school at 46 Barre Street, Montpelier, into a unique center for the arts, music and learning. Call Paul for a tour at 802-223-2120 or 802461-6222. HOUSe pAiNter Since 1986. Small interior jobs ideal. Neat, prompt, friendly. Local references. Pitz Quattrone, 229-4952.
fOr SAle iN MONtpelier. 1 mile from downtown: unusual, versatile property: half-acre with two completely separate houses joined by deck and tiled breezeway. DETAILS: http://269mainmontpelier.webs.com. CONTACT: Soren: 802.249.0167 or 802.225.1310
fAll WritiNG clASSeS Introduction to Memoir, Crafting the Story Within: Ten Mondays, Sept. 16 - Nov. 18, 10 a.m.-Noon, $200. Guided Writers Group, for experienced writers: Ten Fridays, Sept. 13 - Nov. 15, 10 a.m. - Noon, $200. Classes meet at Christ Church, 64 State Street, Montpelier. Maggie Thompson, MFA, Instructor To register or for more information, call 454-4635.
tAi cHi fOr BeGiNNerS on Tuesday evenings 7:30 to 9 PM starting September 17th. Enjoy learning these slow, graceful movements of this ancient Chinese practice that are rejuvenating and calming. Taught by Sara Norton. First class is free. In Montpelier at 1 Granite street. Pre-registration is not necessary. For more information call Sara at 454-8550. freNcH clASSeS WitH tHe AlliANce frANcAiSe Jump into French! Or pick up where you left off 1, 5 or 40 years ago. Thursdays starting September 26. Fall term offers Beginning French A and B as well as French Out Loud, an intermediate level class to get you speaking. Full descriptions, fees, times and location, easy online sign-up, and how to reach us for placement advice at http://www.aflcr.org/ classes_adults.shtml#AdultsMontpelier.
tHe StOrefrONt StUDiO GAllerY, At 6 BArre Street, seeks artists to split rent. Members would enjoy shared studio and gallery space open to the public. Each artist would keep regular studio hours, overlapping minimally with other members, so they can use the whole space while there. 839-5349, glen@gchfineart.com
fOr reNt
clASSeS AND WOrkSHOpS At HeleN DAY Art ceNter Adult Classes: Drawing Fundamentals starts September 26th. Fall Foliage Photography workshop, September 27th and 28th. See full schedule of classes as well as Youth, Teen and Family Art Workshops at www.helenday.com. Member discounts and scholarships available. 90 Pond Street, Stowe. 802-253-8358.
Nurturing childrens programming in a welcoming and accepting environment. Sunday mornings 1011:15 am. Parent participation welcome.
Bethany United Church of Christ is an Open and Affirming Church 115 Main Street Montpelier www.bethanychurchvt.org
DANCE!
ClassesStart Wed.Sept.4th
RegisterNow Jazz,HipHop,Modern,Tap,MusicalTheater, Capoeira,AfroJazzWorkout.ages3to70.
802-839-6929
Ma x @ v tProta x .CoM
Celebrating 40 Years!
pag e 2 2 S e p t e m b e r 5 S e p t e m b e r 18 , 2 013
The Bridge
The Bridge
S e p t e m b e r 5 S e p t e m b e r 18 , 2 013 , pag e 2 3
Editorial
T
letters
Vermont Takes the Lead in energy alternatives To the Editor: I am so impressed with The Bridges coverage in the lead story of their last issue (August 22): Energy Inertia Change. Energy is a subject we care deeply about, but which seems so impossible to solve. It is a major threat to harmonious survival on oh-so-many fronts that it can easily become unfathomable to untangle. This latest Bridge issue happily brought out some of its facets by focusing on the real work of a few who demonstrate through personal effort and community commitment that a difference can and is being made. Once again, Vermont takes the lead by example. Once again, I am heartened by its people who take on a daunting task; with personal initiative, they commit themselves to what is of enduring value. It is evident, no less, in this last issue that beauty is crucial; that aesthetics are not traded for efficiency as part of the equation particularly impresses. The context The Bridge presents is radiant in scope, and I am endeared to the paper and its mission. The people of Vermont within its pages set the tone and direction for all regions of our land in their fight for love of country. Their love translates to figuring out thorny problems regarding conservation in the face of energy needs. This noble struggle is considered by staff writers at The Bridge, who shine light on a subject many ignore and prefer would just go away. As led by Editor Nat Frothingham, The Bridge illuminates the soul of a place and stirs its people to action. possibly inciting communities to discriminate against exempting parents (http://tinyurl.com/m3rv54c). Parents eroding rights further include confidentiality of immunization records and provision of a Vaccine Information Statement before each shot. Considering that over 25,000 vaccineadverse reactions are reported annually, we highly recommend an in-depth investigation of all sides--not only the official position--on this important and complex matter, starting with reviewing the ingredients listed in vaccine package inserts (http://tinyurl. com/mm6b2re), then researching the science behind each. We also strongly suggest visiting our website (www.vaxchoicevt.com) for more information and that of the National Vaccine Information Center (www.nvic. org), a watchdog for the vaccine industry and related governmental agencies and state legislation. Anyone experiencing constraint regarding vaccine choices is invited to report to us:admin@vaxchoicevt.com.
he Montpelier Rotary Club and other regional Rotary Clubs, are sponsoring a benefit for Lac Megantic, a community of about 6,000 people located about 160 miles northeast of Montpelier. Lac Megantic suffered an overnight train derailment July 5 and 6th, resulting in explosions and fires that claimed 47 lives and destroyed much of its downtown. A train with 72 crude oil tank cars was parked about six miles uphill from Lac Megantic, lost its brakes, rolled downhill, jumped a curve and derailed, exploding downtown. A benefit concert featuring Pietro Tagliaferri on clarinet and Francesco Attesti on piano with music by Saint-Saens, Rossini, Verdi and others is set for Tuesday, September 24 at 7 p.m. at the McCarthy Arts Center, Saint Michaels College. For ticket information, visit: flynntix.org
n a personal letter to The Bridge dated July 27, 2013, Helen Corry Riznikor Ba Riznik, as she signed her letter wrote that her sister, Margaret Corry Wilson, known to family, friends and everyone else as Peggy, died on June 28. At the time of her death, Peggy was 92 and living in Greenport, New York a small town of about 2,100 people way out on a finger of land called the North Fork about as far east as you can go on Long Island where the island meets Long Island Sound and the Atlantic Ocean. Some of us never forget the place where we grew up. Writing about her sister, Peggy, Ba said, Over Peggys lifetime, while our parents were living, she always came home to spend Christmasrain, sleet and snow. And for Peggy, home was Montpelier. Ba said, She loved Montpelier. Peggy was the eldest of three daughters born to William and Lesley Corry Peggy and then another sister called Johnny and then Ba. In her affecting letter to The Bridge, Ba said, Thanks for your help. I feel like the last Corry standing. William, or Bill Corry, was a native Vermonter from Montpelier and his wife, Lesley, was from Brooklyn Heights, New York. Bill Corry and his father owned and operated the Wetmore & Morse Quarry in Barre. Corry was also mayor of Montpelier during the World War II era. All three Corry girls grew up in Montpelier in a big white house at 20 Bailey Avenue, a house thats still there and still a house. All three girls attended St. Michaels Catholic School until eighth grade and then went on to Montpelier High School located in the same building as todays Main Street Middle School. About their girlhood summers in Vermont, Ba said,Mother sent us to camp, -- a riding camp called Teela Wooket in nearby Roxbury. After Peggy graduated from Montpelier High School in 1940 she worked as a lifeguard at Montpeliers new swimming pool out on Elm Street. At the same time her father was Mayor of Montpelier and Peggy pinch-hit for a month or two at City Hall as one of her fathers part-time secretaries. After two years at UVM, Peggy went on to Katharine Gibbs to become an executive secretary. She also met and married a man who was in the U.S. Navy who lost his life when the commercial plane that was taking him home -- crashed. Peggys second marriage to Glenn Fowler ended in divorce. Her third husband was William Wilson, an architect, and William and Peggy were married for 32 years until his death in 2001.
Peggy had strong social commitments and her working life reflects this. After her first husband died, she worked for the American Red Cross at a big naval clinic in Newport, Rhode Island. Next, she was secretary to the executive director of the Lighthouse for the Blind. After that, she worked with the national staff of the United World Federalists. I met the world there Senator Cranston, Norman Cousins those were the days, she told the Southampton Press in a September 2000 article. A high point in her career was living and breathing politics for the eight years that she worked as an aide to Gov. Nelson Rockefeller. As she told the Southampton Press, The governor attracted the most outstanding people to work for him. I took care of his calendar, his public appearances. I met the movers and shakers. There was great high-class gossip which is what politics is all about. After her service with Gov. Rockefeller, Peggy worked at the New York Pure Water Authority, then for the New York Division of Human Rights. She had a fling at show business when for three years she assisted Peter and Elga Gimbel who were making a film about the July 1956 Andrea Doria maritime disaster. Peggy loved the sea. For a time she owned a house on Fire Island. She enjoyed traveling and visited such places as the West Indies, China, Europe, Iran, Hawaii and Alaska. A notice about Peggy in the New York Times after her death said that despite her many travels Fire Island may have been her favorite destination and Gramercy Park ran a close second. The Times added, New York City was her home for many years and the place she loved to share with her friends and family. Throughout her life, social activism was a consistent theme. Her sister Ba remembered Peggy as a younger woman at family Christmas dinners in Montpelier. Ba said, My uncle Frank was a Republican. Peggy was a red-hot Democrat. Then Ba added this telling detail, At these dinner they didnt sit together. Peggys social activism never quit. Well into her 70s and 80s, she was an active member of the League of Women Voters of the Hamptons. Talking both candidly and with great love and admiration for her older sister, Ba said, There was nothing shy about Peggy. She was smart. She liked people. She enjoyed life and parties and drinking and men. She had a very great sense of humor. She knew how to take care of herself in a crowd. And she had lots of friends. Margaret Corry Wilson will be laid to rest in mid-September at a private burial service at the Corry family plot at the Berlin Cemetery.
Vaccination is a choice To the Editor: As the school year begins, the Vermont Coalition for Vaccine Choice is starting to hear of pressure being put on parents regarding vaccination choices. Most parents go along with the vaccine schedule required for school entry. However, some decide against doing so for a variety of good reasons, choosing instead to delay or omit some shots, or refuse them altogether. Though some schools may not inform parents of their legal right to vaccine exemptions, everyone concerned with this issue should be aware that Act 157 passed by the Vermont legislature in 2012 provides for religious and philosophical exemptions for all parents simply by signing a form and reading certain material provided on the website of the Vermont Department of Health. No other information or procedure is required. This outcome hinged on the letter (http:// tinyurl.com/kp3e4v7) submitted to the Vermont Department of Health by our lawyer Mitchell Pearl, an expert in constitutional law. We understand that health commissioner Dr. Harry Chen plans to spotlight vaccination throughout our school system, even
Support Paid Sick days To the Editor: While working in the school system, I witnessed sick kids coming to school, staff (including food service workers) often becoming sick, and kids that needed to stay at school lying on cots because their parents had to make arrangements for their children to be cared for. After talking to some parents, I realized how much they agonize over the choice of losing a valuable days pay or staying home with their sick child. Parents always want to stay home to take care of sick kids, but losing even one days pay is a sacrifice that will mean being behind on the bills. This is especially true for single parents, relying on one paycheck. This scene has played out over and over again for the 12 years I have worked in a school. I observed fellow staff members being exposed to any and all ailments that came through the school door, and then bringing those ailments home, where family members then took it somewhere else. Thus a never-ending cycle--which could have been prevented by paid sick days. Paid sick days could be some of the best preventative medicine we could have in Vermont. If paid sick days were in place, it would take care of many problems. Parents wouldnt have to worry, and all workers would have the right to a healthy workplace. Health care is more than just going to the doctor; it means taking a proactive approach to a problem that we can solve together. The Vermont Paid Sick Days Campaign will be officially launched Thursday, September 19, at 10 a.m, at Red Hen Baking in Middlesex. Coming to this event is a great way to find out more and get involved in this issue thats crucial to all Vermontersand eat some great bread!
pag e 24 S e p t e m b e r 5 S e p t e m b e r 18 , 2 013
The Bridge
Now Enrolling
Composition and Theory study Jazz Improvisation Chamber Music Coaching Young Singers Chorus Jazz and Blues Ensemble