Montpelier Seeks Solutions to Loitering • Page 4
J ULY 24 – AUG 6, 2019
Barre Heritage
IN THIS ISSUE:
Pg. 7 VCIL Celebrates 40
Years of Service
Pg. 8 Barre Mayor Lucas
Herring Checks In
Pg. 13 New Barre
Partnership Leader Jumps In
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Montpelier, VT
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Montpelier, VT 05601
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The Bridge
Photo of the Barre Summer Street mural by Tom Brown.
Barre’s Favorite Son Looks Back
By Mike Dunphy
I
f you want to make the governor of Vermont smile, ask School (now Lincoln House) and Spaulding Graded School
him about Barre. (now the Vermont History Center), and then Spaulding High
Indeed, the first figurative steps Phil Scott took in School—all the while absorbing the work ethic and other
life were at the former Barre City Hospital on August 4, characteristics of the staunchly blue collar city.
1958. His family had landed in Barre, in part, because the “Barre is an interesting community, very hardworking, blue
city was almost equidistant from where collar, and community minded. When
his mother grew up, in Plainfield, and times were tough, your neighbors came
where his father called home, the town of to help you. They didn’t bother you; they
Washington. However, it was his father’s weren’t activists; they were just there to
military service in World War II, which help.”
left him a double amputee, that spurred Scott particularly remembers seeing
the decision to move to Barre. this in action at age 11, when his father
“There was a house there that was passed away. “The whole neighborhood
actually owned by my uncle, who had it came together and supplied us with food
built because he was a paraplegic from for a long time, plowed our driveway,
the war, as well,” Scott recalls. “It was mowed the lawn, did all these things
built with wide doors so that someone without asking. Nobody asked them to
with a wheelchair could go into the do that; they just came out and helped. I
garage and then into the house.” When think that says a lot about the structure
his uncle passed, Scott’s family moved Photo courtesy of Phil Scott. and foundation of Barre.”
into the house at 71 Onward Street, which still remains. Among his other fond memories of the Barre of his youth
It was there that Scott grew up, attending, first, the Lincoln was the afternoon whistle announcing the close of another
Continued on Page 14
PAGE 2 • JULY 24 —AUG 6, 2019 T HE BRID GE

Sincere Thanks!
To the National Life Group Foundation
T
he Friends of The Bridge
board of directors is deeply
appreciative of the $4,000 grant
provided by The National Life Group
Foundation to help build a new website
for our community newspaper.
“As we all increasingly access media
online, upgrading and securing The
Bridge website is essential,” said Mike
Dunphy, the paper’s editor and publisher. easily accessible on mobile devices and
“This is even more critical now because compatible with social media,” said J.
our old website was hacked two weeks Gregory Gerdel, chair of the board’s
ago and essentially destroyed.” technology committee.
A skilled consultant is working
with The Bridge’s board of directors
to retrieve lost archives and build a
new and secure site. “The new site will
be a huge boost, making the paper

Rocque Long
Painting
• Insured
• 30+ years professional
experience
• local references.
802-223-0389
T HE BRID GE JULY 24 —AUG 6, 2019 • PAGE 3

HEARD ON THE STREET

Then and Now
New Leader for Montpelier Development Corp.
The Montpelier Development Corporation has chosen Lisa Maxwell as its new
executive director. The MDC is a nonprofit that supports the goals of the city’s
Economic Development Strategic Plan. Maxwell, who replaces Laura Gebhart, Historic photos courtesy of Vermont Historical Society;
was formerly the director of development for the West Palm Beach (Florida) Captions and modern photos by Paul Carnahan
Housing Authority. “I am grateful for this opportunity to work with the Board of
the MDC to help ensure a prosperous future for those who live, learn, and work This historic image was taken in about 1890, It shows the
in Montpelier,” Maxwell said in a news release. She formally begins her job in Averill Block, constructed of brick in 1886 at 28-30 North Main
November. Street in Barre, next to the Granite Block, clad in its name-sake
Mountaineers Set to Host NECBL All-Stars Sunday material in 1888.
Five members of the Vermont Mountaineers were selected to play in the New L.M. Averill’s grocery store and Marvin & Wilson Shoes
England Collegiate Baseball League All-Star Game, which will be Sunday, July 28, occupied the building on the left while the Granite Savings Bank
at Recreation Field in Montpelier. Three Mountaineers’ pitchers, Ryan Murphy, and the clothing store of Frank McWhorter occupied the right-
Alec Huertas, and Nick Degennaro, will be joined on the Northern Division hand building.
squad by shortstop Austin Gauthier and outfielder Cam Climo. Admission is In 1960 the bank took over both halves of the Granite Block and
$6 and gates open at 2:30 pm, with a home run derby scheduled for 3:30 pm. in 1971 the bank acquired the adjacent Averill Block and joined
Pre-game activities begin at 5:10 pm. The Mountaineers were 21-17 heading into the two buildings at the street level. At the same time the façade
Tuesday night’s game against North Adams. of the Averill Block was altered; all entrances were eliminated and
bay windows were added.
Northstar Fireworks Takes Second in Quebec Competition
Northstar Fireworks took second place this month in the Sherbrooke
International Fireworks Competition. The East Montpelier company presented
a display called “The Fire Within,” which “encouraged spectators to see their
emotions come to life and rise in the sky just like the bright pyrotechnic sparks
that engulfed the sky,” according to a company news release.
“She Sings Out Loud” Comes to North Branch Cafe
Live-looping singer-violinist Emma Back will appear at 5:30 pm on August 2 at
the North Branch Cafe as part of the She Sings Out Loud Showcase. Founded by
Back in 2013, She Sings Out Loud is an organization committed to supporting
female-identifying singers, public speakers, and performing artists to move beyond
fear, doubt, and shame to claim the stage they were born for, with power, presence,
and poise through a series of workshops, classes, and 1:1 mentoring programs.
Also performing will be singer-songwriter Maudlyn Monroe and local favorites
Katie Trautz and Senayit. More information at EmmaBackMaudlynMonroe.
eventbrite.com.

Nature Watch
Artwork and Words by Nona Estrin.

Bridge Community Media, Inc.

P.O. Box 1143, Montpelier, VT 05601 • Ph: 802-223-5112
Editor in Chief: Mike Dunphy
Managing Editor: Tom Brown
Publisher Emeritus: Nat Frothingham
Copy Editor: Larry Floersch
Calendar Editor: Marichel Vaught

M
ost plants seem to be thriving in spite of a very cold wet spring and our
recent historic blast of heat and humidity. The ticks, too, are thriving! I
rarely leave our yard now without slipping on permethean-treated socks,
shirt, and pullover pants. Changes seem to be coming fast, and with them unknown
side effects, reprecussions, and chain reactions. We humans sense this uncertainty,
alert to the present moment, aware that wherever we go, these changes and unknowns
will be with us.
Layout: Sarah Davin, Marichel Vaught
Sales Representatives: Rick McMahan
Distribution: Sarah Davin, Lora Stridsberg, Carl Etnier
Board Members: Phil Dodd, Donny Osman, Jake Brown, Josh Fitzhugh, Larry Floersch, J. Gregory Gerdel,
Irene Racz, Ivan Shadis, Mason Singer
Editorial: 223-5112, ext. 14 • mdunphy@montpelierbridge.com
Location: The Bridge office is located at the Vermont College of Fine Arts, Stone Science 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.
montpelierbridge.com • facebook.com/thebridgenewspapervt
Twitter: @montpbridge • Instagram: @montpelierbridge
PAGE 4 • JULY 24 —AUG 6, 2019 T HE BRID GE

City Seeks Solutions to Downtown Loitering Concerns

By Tom Brown

T State Street businesses in Montpelier. Photo by Tom Brown.

here are no laws against loitering
or panhandling in Montpelier,
and there won’t be any in the
foreseeable future. That leaves merchants,
landlords, civil liberties’ advocates, and city
officials to find another way to resolve
persistent conflicts between retailers and
folks hanging out on downtown streets.
The issue, which becomes much more
prevalent, and more visible, in the warmer
months, came to a head recently when
prominent downtown landlord David
Kelley strongly complained to city officials
that groups of mostly young people
were disturbing tenants, who he says are
struggling to stay afloat in a competitive
retail environment.
His complaints about store entrances faith leaders, and the folks who choose to and there is no reason why we don’t have expressed concern for the plight of the
being blocked, people asking customers for congregate downtown. enough intelligence and imagination to retailers and were also wary of any step that
money, tobacco smoke wafting to upper Montpelier’s no loitering ordinance was come up with a solution. To say it’s not our might criminalize economic disadvantage.
floors, and other behaviors led to a frank struck years ago, and the Council last year problem is poor government.” “As an elected official, and as a member
public discussion recently among retailers, repealed a no panhandling ordinance that In his letter, co-written with fellow of the community, you feel an obligation
the people who occupy the streets, and the was not being enforced. Both of those landlord Candace Moot, who owns 8 State to address it,” Councilor Conor Casey said
City Council. decisions were based on legal challenges Street, he offered several recommendations, in an interview. “These are very different
Business owners expressed frustration elsewhere that have found such laws including the establishment of no-loitering populations with very different needs and
with the negative perceptions and direct unconstitutional. zones, the creation of special panhandling to say that there is a cookie-cutter approach
impact on their businesses caused by the Kelley, who was not at the meeting but districts, or requiring a permit to solicit to this is a very misguided way of thinking.”
presence of people congregating downtown, sent a letter with recommendations for donations. The suggestions also called for He said he was concerned that in
while the subjects of those complaints possible solutions to the problem, said he the posting of information about where overreacting to the problem, the city might
explained their reasons for being outside never demanded a no-loitering ordinance and how to seek social services or help with run the risk of catering to those who have
and defended their First Amendment and was asking for a creative discussion of addiction. an idyllic view of a Vermont village.
rights. ways to mitigate his tenants’ concerns and “It isn’t a homeless problem,” Kelley said. “It’s easy to vilify this population,” Casey
No proposed ordinance against loitering encourage mutual respect. “In some ways it’s a problem that involves said. “There are some legitimate concerns,
or panhandling was on the table and no “We have a problem and if we don’t a lack of communication and a lack of but I worry that there’s a segment of this
votes on that issue were taken. The Council recognize it, it gets worse,” said Kelley, respect, but to fix it we need to be engaged town that wants to see it like a Norman
instead agreed to explore the creation of who owns the retail, office, and apartment and we need to be talking and we need to Rockwell painting.”
a task force comprised of stakeholders, building at 2 State Street. “These businesses be respectful of each other.” Casey said it might be time for the city
presumably including landlords, retailers, need our care, our respect, and our support. to consider a permanent homeless shelter.
Council’s Task
advocates for the homeless, designated We depend on these businesses. They Currently, Bethany Church offers a place
agencies, city and law enforcement officials, have a problem, they are being harmed, Council members at the recent meeting to sleep during the winter months and the
T HE BRID GE JULY 24 —AUG 6, 2019 • PAGE 5
Continued from previous page
Good Samaritan Haven in Barre offers
emergency housing year-round. It is unclear
how long many faith-based organizations
can continue to provide housing and meals
as their membership continues to decline.
“Isn’t it one of the most core responsibilities
of government to keep people safe?” he
asked. “It is our problem...the churches are
doing it out of the kindness of their heart.”
Casey said he wouldn’t support designated
panhandling zones or similar bans, adding
that the legality of such districts is unclear.
Casey said the cost of housing in
Montpelier is also a factor and told the
story of a man who was born and raised
in Montpelier but can’t afford to rent an
apartment, so he is on the street.
“Somebody like that young man who
can’t afford an apartment, that’s a failure
of the system, but it’s a failure of us, too,
on the Council,” he said. “We shouldn’t
let people fall through the cracks without
making sure they have everything they
need to be a member of our community
who can be productive and can be self-
sufficient.”
Police Perspective
In any city or town, no governmental
entity is more familiar with the impact
of addiction, homelessness, and mental
illness than the local police department.
They come into contact with people with
all manner of complex needs, usually in
times of acute crisis. The lengths to which
they can control assembly on the streets,
however, are narrow.
When a retailer or business owner calls
City News
to report a concern about activity outside is not tolerated, he said. help not only in crisis situations but in
their storefront, there is a limit to what law Facos does, however, believe that those an ongoing way. The city unsuccessfully
enforcement can do. While it is illegal to who give money to panhandlers would sought federal funding for such a position,
block the entrance to a business or obstruct serve the community and the individual and Facos said efforts are under way on the
pedestrian access to a store, it is not illegal better by placing a donation in a lockbox state level to secure similar funding.
to congregate in a public space. that would go to support area service The Council will continue the discussion
Montpelier Police Chief Tony Facos says providers. in the coming weeks, and Jamie Granfield-
his officers try to diffuse such conflicts “If you give someone who’s panhandling Carroll, a member of the volunteer Social
without incident or citation. It usually a buck, you really haven’t solved anything,” and Economic Justice Committee, is
works, he said, adding that when asked to he said. ”How you really effect change is to compiling a list of potential members for
move, people usually do. consider things like dropboxes. Or support the proposed task force.
“When we get a call, we ask ‘are they the soup kitchens, because every $70 of
blocking or impeding access to your produce would feed 100 people. We can
property or business.’ If so, then that’s not help in the near-term and the long-term.”
part of their First Amendment rights,” he The chief also supports adding an
said. “Can you be on the side of the street imbedded social worker on the force to
to panhandle? Absolutely.”
Facos says officers generally try to have
the shopkeeper interact with people, to
ask them if they would please move. He
says that most often they will. But if the
business owner would rather not confront
the situation or if a disturbance occurs
inside the business, police will come to the
scene.
The policy is to “respond, educate, ask
store owners ‘Did you ask them yourself?’
We try to help people make a connection,”
he said. Officers routinely hand out a
Washington County Survivor’s Guide,
which lists all the agencies that serve the
area as well as identifying shelters and free
meal programs.
Facos believes they are illegal and does not
support making panhandling off limits in
certain commercial areas, such as State and
Main streets. Aggressive panhandling, in
which passersby are harassed or threatened,
PAGE 6 • JULY 24 —AUG 6, 2019
A Message From City Hall
This page was paid for by the City of Montpelier.
Community at Work and Play
By William Fraser, City Manager
M
any thanks to Montpelier Alive, the
volunteers and contributors, the City’s
Police, Fire, and Public Works departments,
and all who helped make the July 3 Celebration and
National Life’s Do Good Festival such wonderful
successes this year. Events like these are what help keep
Montpelier the vibrant community that it is.
Summer offers many opportunities in the community.
The Vermont Mountaineers season is wrapping up but
there are still a few home games left. They will be
hosting their league All Star game on July 28. This
promises to showcase some top collegiate baseball
talent and provide a lot of fun for the evening.
The Farmers Market continues on Saturday
mornings. This year’s market is located on both State
Street and the 60 State Street parking lot. I encourage
people to visit the festive atmosphere in downtown and
our local shops as well as the market vendors.
Visit downtown restaurants to avoid cooking on
hot summer nights. Many restaurants have outdoor
seating, or air conditioning, or both. All have great
food and friendly local service.
The Montpelier pool on Elm Street will be open
until mid-August. It’s a great place to beat the heat.
New this year is a food truck on site!
Our wonderful parks—Hubbard and North Branch
in particular—are great places for shaded forest walks
or, in the case of North Branch, some mountain
biking.
Wrightsville Beach beyond the pool on Elm Street
into Middlesex is another great place to take a dip,
have a picnic and relax near some water.
The new Caledonia Spirits Distillery on Barre Street
is a beautiful place to visit. The facility is very
interesting, filled with information about agricultural
practices and the distilling process. There is also a
gift shop, and, for those who choose to imbibe, an
opportunity to try some of the locally made spirits.
The Montpelier Community Band continues its
long tradition of free concerts in front of the Supreme
Court in downtown. Grab take out or a creemee from
a local shop and enjoy an evening of favorite tunes.
The Brown Bag music series is starting late this
summer due to construction at Christ Church. It kicks
Photo of bike path bridge at confluence
courtesy of William Fraser.
off on August 1 and will run each Thursday at noon
in front of City Hall.
Local venues such as Charlie O’s, Sweet Melissa’s,
Positive Pie, and others present regularly scheduled
live music. To see some fine local, regional and
occasionally national talent, step out in the evening in
our downtown.
Movies are always a summer treat. Capitol Theater
shows five screens worth of Hollywood’s latest while
the Savoy Theater has a couple of screens showing
films that are slightly less mainstream.
City Business
If you’re looking for something different for
“entertainment” the City Council will be meeting on
August 14 and August 28. Other city committees and
commissions are meeting as well. A summary of city
government meetings and updates is published weekly
in the City Manager’s Weekly Report, which is easily
found on the city website, montpelier-vt.org.
Upcoming meeting topics include creation of a
Homelessness Task Force, a discussion of possible
collaboration between the Central Vermont Public
Safety Authority and the Central Vermont Internet
group, a revised Tax Stabilization policy, ordinance
revisions, a home energy labeling ordinance, the city’s
fair and impartial policing policy, and more.
Public Meetings Regarding Barre St./Main St.
Corridor Study
The City has retained consultants DuBois & King
to develop a series of alternatives for key intersections
in the downtown as well as options for improving
bicycling and walking. Specific elements include
intersections at Barre-Main, Main-E. State-State and
Main-School streets. Potential bike lanes could be
installed in Barre St. from Main to the Rec Center
by removing parking spaces on one side of the street.
Similarly a bike lane could potentially be installed
through downtown on Main Street by removing or
realigning parking
Public meetings about these planning options will
be held on Thursday, July 25, at the Senior Activity
Center, 58 Barre Street, and on Wednesday, July 31, at
the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. Both sessions will run
from 6 to 8 pm.
Other Updates
One Taylor Street: This project remains on budget and
mostly on schedule. The Transit Center and Housing
components are on target for use by October. The
remaining alternate transportation path and other
landscaping components should be completed at around
the same time. Land near the confluence of the river will
remain open pending the final design and funding of a
new park.
Confluence Park: The above mentioned open land on
the Taylor Street project is slated to become Confluence
Park. The River Conservancy is preparing design
alternatives and looking at potential funding sources to
complete the project. They are scheduled to present a
full update to the City Council on September 11.
T HE BRID GE
Alternate Transportation Path: This new path running
from Granite Street to Gallison Hill Road is under
active construction. It is on target for completion
by November. A couple of unexpected site surprises,
coupled with the unusually rainy June pushed, it back
from October. With this project and One Taylor, we
are very close to having a connected path running from
Dog River through the city to the Civic Center.
Hotel/Parking Garage: This project remains mired
in litigation and will certainly not proceed during
calendar year 2019. There are multiple filings in court
concerning the appeal of the Development Review
Board permit, the appeal of the Act 250 permit, and
party status of appellants.
Downtown Master Plan: The city has kicked off a
downtown master planning effort as a follow up to the
Barre-Main St. study. The particular purpose of this
plan is to think ahead to when the Rialto Bridge on
State Street needs to be replaced and consider all other
work that can be done in conjunction with that major,
but very disruptive, project.
Among the items being reviewed are various uses
and needs in the downtown area. This will help
inform the future of the former Montpelier Beverage/
Association for the Blind parcels. Will they be public
open space, perhaps coordinated with Confluence Park
on the other side of the river? Will they be converted
to private commercial space for more economic vitality
and tax revenue? Will they be used for parking to
accommodate more bike lanes elsewhere?
Changes at City Hall: The impending retirement
of Public Works Director Tom McArdle and the
departure of Assistant City Manager Sue Allen leave
big shoes to fill. A newly budgeted position for facilities
and sustainability is planned to be filled by October.
We are currently accepting applications for the DPW
and assistant manager positions. At the same time we
are looking at our organizational needs, the abilities
of our existing personnel and talents of applicants
and considering potential realignments of duties and
responsibilities.
Please feel free to contact me or your elected officials
with questions or comments about the City Government.
I can be reached at wfraser@montpelier-vt.org or (802)
223-9502. Other city officials’ email addresses and
phone numbers are available on the web.
Thank you for reading this article and for your
interest in Montpelier city government.
T HE BRID GE
VCIL Celebrates 40 Years of Giving Voice to
Disabled Vermonters
By Mary Rose Dougherty
A Vermont Center for Independent Living employees Ericka Reil and Nate
s the Vermont Center for
Independent Living marks its
40th anniversary, it has lots to
celebrate. When VCIL opened in 1979
in Montpelier, a national movement for
people with disabilities was just taking
shape. Founders like first executive
director Barry Bernstein rejected “the
medical model” that said people had to be
fixed, said the current executive director
Sarah Launderville, becoming the first
state organization run by people with
disabilities.
Today, Vermonters with disabilities
can find their voice at the central office
in Montpelier and five branch offices
in Bennington, Brattleboro, Burlington,
Rutland, and Morrisville.
To celebrate its birthday and the
29th anniversary of the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA), VCIL has planned
a barbecue from noon to 4 pm on Friday,
July 26, at Lake Shaftsbury State Park,
and from 3:30 to 6:30 pm on August 2,
there will be a gathering at Oakledge Park
in Burlington.
It’s the stories of those with disabilities
that shaped VCIL and make it thrive.
“I was drawn to VCIL because of
stories—injustices that people talked
about, discrimination at work and in
the community, segregation, inaccessible
spaces and services, barriers and bias,”
said Deborah Lisi-Baker, who served as
executive director from 1999 to 2009.
Lisi-Baker sees three essentials in the
work of VCIL: information, peer support,
and community advocacy, and system
change.
“VCIL’s purpose was so clear in the
organization’s mission of dignity,
independence, and civil rights for all
people with disabilities,” said Lisi-Baker.
“We all saw it in Jean Mankowsky-
Upham’s national advocacy for the passage
of the ADA and in Ann Holmblad’s first
stories from working with VCIL peers.”
JULY 24 —AUG 6, 2019 • PAGE 7
Community
Mankowsky-Upham of Adamant, who
died in 2009, was VCIL’s second executive Besio enjoy a day of adaptive sailing on Lake Champlain.
director and a movement pioneer,
testifying in Congress on what became
the ADA. Holmblad, of Chelsea, died in
2010; she focused on moving people with
disabilities from nursing homes, where
they were often relegated. Holmblad and
Mankowsky-Upham created VCIL’s Peer
Advocacy Counseling Program.
Another path-forger, Sue Williams, was
a former polio patient and quadriplegic,
who spent almost 17 years confined to bed.
She won her freedom when the Vermont
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
got her an electric wheelchair; after get hurt when they are older have a concurs: “The main goal is to keep people
graduating from Goddard, she was a harder time.” in the community as long as possible—
founder and board member. VCIL’s Sue Lavigne focuses on reducing barriers, school, work, whatever [community]
Williams Freedom Fund (SWFF) funds including the availability of accessible means to them.”
services and equipment to help people housing, which is “generally newer Reil has a circulatory and skeletal system
with disabilities achieve or maintain and more expensive, and that makes illness called Marfan’s Syndrome, or Abe
independence at home. affordability a more difficult reach,” he Lincoln’s disease. “My body grew too fast
Jake Lavigne, VCIL’s information, said. People with disabilities incur high for my ligaments, and it gave me arthritis.”
referral, and assistance specialist and costs in meds, equipment, supplies—and Her disability taught her about hidden
SWFF coordinator, is an active 23-year- the costs add up, he said. “It’s a tough disabilities, said Reil, who didn’t know
old who enjoys fishing, kayaking, scenario and [makes it] harder to get a job.” anyone with a disability when she was
hunting, riding ATVs, playing sled Through VCIL’s peer support program, growing up.
hockey, handcycling, and wheelchair “employees speak from experience, and “I wasn’t looking for a career in
basketball. [it] provides more support than a case disabilities,” said Reil, on staff 17 years.
He also likes helping people to make manager who might do it for the person,” “People with disabilities became my
sure they have what they need. VCIL said Lavigne. “Peer support is with the family, and I could be open about my life
“is run by people and for people with person. It’s what the peer wants to do.” and help people use their voice to take
disabilities,” he said. “It’s successful Ericka Reil, peer advocacy organizer, their power back.”
because no other programs do that.”
At 12, while mountain biking with
his dad on the back side of Berlin’s Irish
Hill, Lavigne took a hard spill. His bike
caught a rock, sending him flying, heels
hitting the back of his head, scorpion-
like.
At Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical
Center he learned he’d broken two
vertebrae; five others were fused. After
six days there, he rehabbed for six weeks
in Boston. How he got in the wheelchair
seems almost an aside to him, he says:
“It wasn’t a hard transition. People who
PAGE 8 • JULY 24 —AUG 6, 2019 T HE BRID GE

Checking in with Barre Mayor Lucas Herring Barre Heritage

Compiled by Mike Dunphy

L
ucas Herring was elected mayor of longer interested in selling it, but they want example. It redefines the map of what
Barre in March 2018 after serving on to look into what type of services can be the different areas entail. So you might
the Barre City Council for seven years. there. Maybe it’s the teen center, maybe have a multiple-use area now that’s defined
More than a year later, he speaks with The it’s not. slightly differently. But overall it’s a rewrite
Bridge about his efforts, accomplishments, You would like it to be a teen center? of the ordinance so it’s easier to use.
and agenda for Barre, the Barre Heritage What does Barre heritage mean to you?
Festival, and what Barre heritage means to Herring: I think a teen center is needed.
him. You know a teen center today encompasses Herring: We have a very diverse background
not just a place where kids go to hang out here in the city, and I think really what
The Bridge: You’ve been mayor for more but you can have it as a drop-in center for it does is highlight that diversity. It’s a
than a year now. What lessons have you kids that might need to pick up clothes or melting pot for sure.
taken from this experience? toiletries that they might not otherwise What part of the festival do you look
Herring: It’s really a balance of time. get. It also provides a place where there are forward to or enjoy taking part in?
That’s the best lesson, but I’ve enjoyed it. programs, where maybe you can learn how
We’ve done a lot over this past year, for to develop a resumé, or if you’re looking Herring: Each year the City Council is a
sure. We’ve held over 20 neighborhood for afterschool job opportunities. So there’s part of the Tow-Down. I think they won
watch meetings, where we’re getting people Photo courtesy of Mayor more to it than just what is on face value once, but that was before I was on the
together from their neighborhoods and Lucas Herring. with a teen center. Council, so that’s always fun to participate
talking about issues that they have. Some in. The Tow-Down is a contest in which
to increase activity, so that you reduce those What else is on your to-do list for the
of them may not even know each other at you have a tractor-trailer truck, and teams
diseases that can occur and ultimately have next year?
first because nowadays people aren’t going of five take turns pulling it over a course to
a healthier population. We are revamping
door to door and talking to their neighbors Herring: Making sure that our board and see who has the quickest time. And I think
the pool; that should be a new structure next
anymore. So it’s been great just to meet committees and commissions are all up the best we have done since I’ve been there
year. We’ve been talking about expanding
them and have them meet each other. and running, and that they have not only is second place. I also like is the bathtub
our bike path, which helps with that traffic-
active members, but that they have their race, and City Council won that three years
What are some of the issues they are calming measure, expands routes within mission statements and purposes in place. in a row.
talking about? the city so it becomes more walkable, and
I’m going to make sure that we continue Of course, there’s also the music, and you
promotes walking and biking throughout
Herring: The largest issue is actually speed the neighborhood discussions. We’ve been get to see people who are back in the area
the city.
in the neighborhood. So within the city of through about a little over 20 neighborhoods who haven’t been here in a while. A lot of
Barre, it’s pretty much 25 miles an hour What have been your greatest challenges so far, and I want to make sure that we hit families have their relatives come back for
everywhere. But you can see people who or things you’ve not yet been able to every corner of the city. this weekend. So it’s great to catch up with
are going faster than that. What we’ve accomplish? We’ve been doing the coffee with the people.
been doing is trying to put speed carts Herring: We’re still having the conversation mayor, which is really a once-a-month How does the mayor’s office support this
in different areas. We’ve talked about about the teen center. When I first meeting for the public with the mayor and festival?
different strategies to calm the traffic in approached it, it was more about whether a different department head. So if there are
those neighborhoods. Some places, it’s more the Council wanted to use a space that was specific questions, we can just meet with Herring: We are one of the sponsors of
line-of-sight issues. So we’re cutting back empty for that type of service. At the time, them in a more public setting rather than the event, and we also sponsor the Barre
shrubs. Just dealing with little, everyday the Council originally thought they would always having to go to an office. Partnership
nuances like that actually goes a long way want to sell the building [The Wheelock Another thing is a unified development Is there anything else you want to say
to help people in their neighborhoods. Building at 135 N. Main Street]. Fast ordinance. We were looking at a couple about the festival?
Has being mayor been more or less what forward six months, we have a different of revisions, and then we ultimately Herring: It’s a great time and I encourage
you expected or quite different? couple of councilors on board. They’re no passed it. What it will do is help with the anyone who wants, to show up.
zoning ordinances around tiny houses, for
Herring: Being on the Council for seven
years beforehand, I pretty much knew the
different pieces to it. The number of people
who contact you on a daily basis does
go up, that’s for sure. But it’s really not
much different. I do take off more time
from my day job [IT Director for the
Agency of Digital Services, working with
the Department of Corrections] in order to
go to events. It’s not a bad thing, it’s more
that it’s the duty of that position compared
with a counselor.
What do you believe are your main
accomplishments?
Herring: Within the first year, I think that
the greatest one was the 3-4-50 program
through the Department of Health. And
that was really meeting their criteria to be
a healthy community. We met the gold
standard and were the first municipality to
meet that level.
What is the 3-4-50 program?
Herring: There are three main areas that
have the four major diseases that end up
with about 50 percent of the costs for
health care. So what it really is aimed at is
to try to decrease things like smoking, try
T HE BRID GE
French-Canadian Roots Sweetly Celebrated
at La Soirée Sucrée Dessert Competition
By Carl Etnier
“M
y kids like southern
desserts because they’re
sweet and decadent,”
said Tim Boltin, sitting near a display
case full of cakes and pies. The South
Carolina-raised chef and owner of
Delicate Decadence was referring to his
restaurant’s contribution this year to La
Soirée Sucrée, an evening of desserts and
music on Thursday, July 25, at the Old
Labor Hall in Barre. The Soirée will
also live up to its French name, with a
competition for the best French desserts
and French-Canadian tourtières, plus
Quebecois music.
Mixing southern and French-
Canadian food traditions is key to
Boltin’s view of the Barre food scene.
He fondly remembers a food tent at the
Barre Heritage Festival when he moved
to Barre 15 years ago. “It had food from
everywhere,” Boltin said. “I think it was
the Lebanese folks who were doing it.
I thought it was kind of cool. I like to
think of Barre as a melting pot; everyone
comes from somewhere else.”
La Soirée Sucrée’s organizers call it
an homage to Chet Briggs, who died in
2014. Briggs chaired what was then called
the Barre Ethnic Heritage Festival for a
five-year stint; one way he demonstrated
his commitment to multinational food
traditions was by teaching Chinese
cooking—at the Canadian Club.
According to Briggs’ widow, Karen
Lane, he came up with the idea for
the first Soirée Sucrée, along with Nick
Landry and Mollie Lannen. The Soirée
is hosted by the Barre Historical Society,
Photos courtesy of
Barre Partnership.
for which Briggs served as president.
Lane described the French-Canadian
event as a complement to the Italian
Primo Maggio (1st of May) celebrations
she said have been part of the culture
of the Old Labor Hall since it was built
around 1900. “The idea my husband had
was there are other groups we could be
celebrating as well, and the largest would
be French-Canadians.” She said Briggs
spent an afternoon with Landry’s father
and uncle, talking about their French
heritage to prepare for the first event.
Lane is quick to paint the importance
of French-Canadian culture in Barre.
She noted “many entered the granite
industry, particularly in and around a
strike in 1922.” The French-Canadians
were brought in by the train-carload “to
help break the strike. Many people have
commented that a lot of those people
were not aware they were brought in to
JULY 24 —AUG 6, 2019 • PAGE 9
Barre Heritage
break the strike, and they soon joined
the union and the labor movement once
they learned what was going on. It’s led
to contested feelings in the community
over the years, though I think it’s faded,”
she said.
Lane pointed to custodians of French-
Canadian culture in Barre, with St.
Monica’s Church as one of the largest
congregations in the state, and the St.
Monica-St. Michael School.
Barre Police Chief Tim Bombardier
has helped Tim Boltin, the chef, judge
the dessert contests in years past. Not this
year. According to Boltin, Bombardier
came up with the idea for expanding
this year’s contest to include savory
tourtières, which Boltin described as or meat, the Soirée offers music from
meat pies made with beef and pork award-winning Smithsonian Folkways
and sometimes lamb. With that idea recording artist Michèle Choinière, born
accepted, Boltin said, Bombardier in Vermont and brought up in a musical
stepped back from judging so he could Franco-American family. Her music
concoct entries for both the dessert and includes Quebec folk songs, traditional
tourtière categories. Bombardier could Franco-American songs, original
not be reached for comment. compositions, and more.
Barre Mayor Lucas Herring said he Like a pleasant aftertaste, the effects of
had been invited to judge this year but the Soirrée may linger beyond the event
had another commitment that night. itself. “The contest winner last year [a
Instead, he said, the senior member crumb-pecan-maple tart] was a featured
of the City Council, Michael Boutin, dessert over the Christmas holidays” at
would serve as dessert and meat pie Delicate Decadence said Boltin. Perhaps
judge. this year’s Christmas menu will feature
For those who come for the food, or both desserts and meat pies from the
even those who don’t partake of sugar contest?
PAGE 10 • JULY 24 —AUG 6, 2019
SPA Residency Gives Artists a Space to Grow
By Sarah Davin
S Tuyen Nguyenʼs “Threadbarrier.”
tudio Place Arts (SPA) in Barre is
accepting applications for the fifth
year of its studio residency program.
The program is 11 months long and the
resident—an emerging artist from the
Barre-Montpelier area—will be given a
small studio space on the second floor
of SPA and invited to exhibit their work
in the second-floor gallery space. As part
of the residency, the artist is expected to
volunteer to help the nonprofit visual arts
center with gallery hosting, construction
projects, teaching classes, and giving talks.
Something that sets the SPA residency
apart from other available studio
residencies in Vermont is that this
residency is significantly longer than
average. “I am certainly aware of a lot of
different programs here in the region, and
my instinct is that a residency often is too
short,” said SPA executive director Sue
Higby. “I really feel that it’s incumbent on
the art center to provide a lengthy and very
real experience for an emerging artist.”
The studio residency program began
four-and-a-half years ago when a
reorganizing of the studio opened up
some space. “I discovered that there was
a small room left over, and I kept staring
at this small room thinking, ‘You can do
a lot with a little,’” Higby considered. “I
proposed the idea to one of our donors that
Photo courtesy of SPA.
we test a studio residency activity.” The
anonymous donor accepted the idea and
provided a small grant to make it happen.
Being a SPA resident can open
opportunities for artists, especially
installation artists, who work in three
dimensions and various mediums and
materials, and would otherwise struggle
with gaining visibility in the traditional
art scene, or may not be able to afford a
studio space otherwise. “A lot of galleries
would look at [an installation] as a waste of
space. In contrast, this residency program
provides opportunities to people to do
things that maybe wouldn’t be marketable
in a more traditional art scene,” explained
Higby.
Applicants for the residency should be
willing and excited to engage with the
local community and other artists. Higby
described the SPA’s social environment,
saying, “An art center with all these
different skilled artists has a certain type
of energy, and I like to see people who are
very interested in being part of something
that has energy, that they’re not going to
just close their doors to the world.”
Since a major mission of SPA is to
demystify the artmaking process for the
community, having a resident with strong
interpersonal skills is important when
trying to engage people. The resident
must also have a strong desire to challenge
themselves artistically and should be
ambitious enough to be able to develop a
concept into a full solo show.
Past SPA studio residencies have led
to some thought-provoking art. Tuyen
Nguyen, the program’s fourth resident
artist, created the piece “Threadbarrier”
in response to the absurdity of building a
wall along the U.S.-Mexico border and as
an expression of empathy to the families
seeking safety by trying to cross into the
United States. The piece was displayed
during the Fault Lines exhibition, which
ran from May 14 to June 29 and presents
the viewer with a wall made of thread
parted by two disembodied hands sculpted
T HE BRID GE
Barre Heritage
by Georgia Landau. The piece creates a
boundary between the viewer and Susan
Wilson’s installation, “Hands and Voices,”
creating a division between guests entering
the gallery and the rows of figures on the
back wall.
“The disembodied hands penetrating
the thread and reaching through the
barrier also memorialize the many lives
that have been lost since the Border Patrol’s
implementation of the Prevention Through
Deterrence program in 1994,” Nguyen
writes in her artist’s statement, “Bodies
and sometimes just limbs have been found,
many of which are still unidentified.”
One of Higby’s hopes is that the
program will help younger artists connect
with other senior-level artists and learn
from them. “That’s also a really neat
opportunity that you couldn’t have unless
there was the physical proximity of a
residency with somebody who has a lot of
experience working in a particular field,”
Higby mused.
Interested applicants should send in their
proposals to Studio Place Arts by Friday,
August 9. The proposal should include a
300-word statement about how the studio
residency would help them as a developing
artist, a short description of the work they
hope to create with two to three illustrative
images, a resume, and three references.
The fifth year of the residency program
will begin November 20 and continue
until October 31, 2020.
T HE BRID GE JULY 24 —AUG 6, 2019 • PAGE 11

Reynolds House Inn Brings Back Gilded Age Barre Heritage

By Larry Floersch

G
racing the pie-shaped corner of Carriage House. Photo courtesy of the Reynoldʼs House Inn. According to the Tuper-Gileses, the
Main and Hill streets in Barre carriage house came within a few minutes
with a mansard roof, corner turret, of being a total loss in the 2014 fire.
intricate patterned shake siding, and Now it can accommodate medium to large
attached carriage house with a cupola groups and has a full-sized bar and catering
and horse-and-carriage weathervane, kitchen. Appropriately, it is named after the
is the Reynolds House Inn, the latest last Reynolds to occupy the house, Cleora.
addition to the Granite City’s line of guest Eric pointed out that Cleora’s is open
accommodations. for outside-catered events, or the inn
The Inn is the former home of the can provide the catering through its full
Reynolds family. The Queen Anne commercial kitchen. “We also have a liquor
revival-style house was built by George J. license, so we can serve wine, beer, and
Reynolds—founder of the Reynolds & Son spirits,” added Jeffrey.
hardware supply business—between the “We’ve been asked if we want to open
years of 1892 and 1898 during Barre’s late a restaurant in Cleora’s and our answer is
Victorian era, also known as the Gilded Spaulding High School’s athletic fields are Eric and Jeffrey Tuper-Giles, who own and ‘no,’” said Eric. “Right now Barre needs
Age here in the U.S. located today.) manage the business of the inn. an event space for moderately sized events,
“When it was completed in 1898, it William retired from the family business The restoration took two-and-a-half and, so far, Cleora’s has been very popular.”
was Barre’s most modern house, with in the early 1940s, and, in a move that was years. The Reynolds House Inn officially The inn also features smaller event
electricity, hot and cold running water, unusual for the time given that society opened for guests in May. spaces within the main part of the house,
two bathrooms, a full kitchen, and a full was more sexist and the family’s hardware The five guest rooms are appointed including a den/library with a bar that was
laundry,” said Eric Tuper-Giles, who along supply business specialized in meeting with Victorian era furnishings and each added during the restoration but looks as
with his partner Jeffrey, owns the business. the needs of the granite industry, was has a private bath and its own heating though it was part of the original house.
“In 1900 the house was connected to succeeded by his daughter Cleora. She ran and air conditioning controls. The rooms Breakfast is included with the rooms, and
Barre’s first telephone line,” he added. the business until the 1970s. are named after women important to the there is Wi-Fi throughout the house. To
George Reynolds died in 1899, not long Cleora lived in the house until her death principals involved in the restoration: the further pamper guests, the Tuper-Gileses
after the house was completed, leaving in 1995 at the age of 92. After she died “Josephine” room is named for Karen worked with a local soapmaker to develop a
behind his wife and his only child, William. the house fell into disrepair and was even Lauzon’s grandmother, the “Miranda” special Vermont lavender fragrance for the
William Reynolds ran the family a victim of arson in 2014 that damaged room for Karen Lauzon’s daughter, the inn, and they worked with Brave Coffee
business for more than three decades the back of the house and the carriage “Caroline” room for Trym Chouinard’s & Tea of Waterbury to develop the inn’s
and raised a family of three daughters in house. But like the legendary Phoenix, the daughter, the “Edith” room for Jeffrey own coffee blend. There is also a carefully
the house. Like his father, William was Reynolds house has risen from its ashes and Tuper-Giles’ great-grandmother, and curated wine list for the event spaces.
involved in the civic affairs of Barre. He is now fully restored thanks to Thom and the “Lela” room for Eric Tuper-Giles’ “As our website points out, it is the
also was fascinated with trotting horses and Karen Lauzon, who purchased the property grandmother. family feel of the Reynolds House Inn that
automobiles. (There was a trotting track in 2016; contractor Trym Chouinard, who A special feature of the inn is the event we love and what we want to bring to our
across Ayers Street from the house, where led the restoration construction efforts; and space in what was the carriage house. guests,” said Eric.
PAGE 12 • JULY 24 —AUG 6, 2019
Barre Festival Celebrates Heritage, History
By Tracie Lewis
T Barre Jazzercize. Photos courtesy
he Barre Heritage Festival
and Homecoming Days is a
celebration of Barre’s ethnic
heritage as the melting pot of Vermont
during the boom years of Barre’s granite
industry in the late 19th and early 20th
centuries. It’s a time for the community
to come together and celebrate with
music, food, and culture.
In February 1970, at a public meeting
in the Barre City Council Chambers,
the idea of a festival celebrating Barre’s
history and heritage was discussed. The
festival was a week-long event, held July
18–26, 1970, and was a light-hearted
affair, mixing some history with a
lineup of entertainment and fun. One
of the culminating events of the festival
was a pageant performed at Thunder
Road. The show presented a dramatized
retelling of some of the history of Barre.
The Barre Heritage Festival and
Homecoming Days has grown over the
years, with thousands joining in the
fun to make it the biggest festival in
Central Vermont. This year, from July
24 to 27, you can expect vendors galore,
a mile-long parade, a tow-down, tub
races, bounce houses, even mermaids and
pirates. Nineteen bands will be playing at
of the Barre Partnership.
different venues over the four days, and
there will be a gorgeous fireworks display
to end it all.
For the past eight years, as part of the
Barre Heritage Festival, the Old Labor
Hall has hosted an evening of food and
music celebrating Barre’s Quebecois
heritage. For the past four years, the
celebration has taken the form of La
Soirée Sucrée [see page 9], the perfect
combination of sweet eats and sweet
sounds. The Barre Historical Society
T HE BRID GE
Barre Heritage
hosts the delicious event in honor of the
late Chet Briggs, long-time president of
the society, for the benefit of the Barre
Heritage Festival.
Again this year, La Soirée Sucrée is
sponsored by Delicate Decadence, Barre’s
hometown bakery. Chef Tim Boltin
and his staff will fulfill every dream of
desserts that melt in your mouth.
New this year to the festival is The
Great Vermont Hometown Auction,
which will take place immediately after
the Heritage Parade from 2 to 3 pm
on July 27 on North Main Street. In
the month leading up to the event,
community members can collect “funny
money” bills of various denominations
from the daily Times Argus newspaper Bathtub race.
and use them to “bid” and pay for auction
goods. The Great Vermont Hometown chicken and mostaccioli dinner, pancake
Auction will be the last float in the breakfast, and annual book sale, plus
parade and will draw the crowd to the an amazing array of vendors, musicians,
auction site, where the float will become and don’t forget the beautiful fireworks.
an auction stage. You don’t want to miss this free, family-
The Barre Heritage Festival and friendly festival!
Homecoming Days is fun for all ages. For a full schedule of events see the ad
From the Kids’ Zone—with bounce on the back page of this issue or go to
houses, dunk tanks, face-painting, thebarrepartnership.com/2019-schedule-
and even wildlife encounters—to the of-events
tow-down and bathtub races, to the Tracie Lewis is the executive director of
The Barre Partnership.
T HE BRID GE JULY 24 —AUG 6, 2019 • PAGE 13

Barre Partnership’s New Director Jumps In Barre Heritage

By Carl Etnier

T
he Barre Partnership—the Granite on North Main Street. At its July 16 after the Heritage Festival, hopefully in
City’s downtown organization that meeting, a narrow majority of the Council August. After that, she hopes to grow
produces events and collaborates voted to offer the storefront space, which membership in the organization. She’s
with area businesses to increase economic commands a large picture window, to sorting through the records to establish
activity—had been without a permanent the Partnership without going through a how many members there are now, but she
director for nearly nine months when formal process. thinks it’s around 70.
Tracie Lewis took over in May. All but Mayor Lucas Herring said in a phone Lewis is careful to distinguish the work
thrown into the deep end of the pool, interview that a majority of the council of the Partnership, which create events
Lewis is putting the final touches on the had decided to make the space available to like the farmers market and concerts in
Partnership’s biggest annual event—the a nonprofit; the major bone of contention the park, from Barre Area Development’s
Barre Heritage Festival and Homecoming was whether to simply award the space responsibilities. However, when asked
Days, July 25–28. to the Partnership or look more widely what sort of economic development
Despite the workload, Lewis for potential tenants. “A majority of the initiatives she’d like to see in Barre, she
characterized the director’s position as her councilors think the Partnership is a good is quick to envision a hotel and a brewery
“dream job.” The mother of four teenagers, group to partner with, mainly because downtown, more happening at the B.O.R.
she grew up in Barre and Williamstown they are mostly funded through the city, Arena, and just “more to visit.”
and was working in advertising for local and there they can provide a welcome The Barre Partnership was founded in
radio stations Froggy and Frank FM, so center,” Herring said. 1999 and receives funding from Barre
she knew a lot of business owners and Herring also complimented Lewis on City and Barre Town, in addition to
others in the community. She was ready being “up and running since day one.” membership fees and income from
to move into a job with a steady income, Lewis currently sits as the sole occupant events. Besides highly visible events such
rather than working on commission. “I of a suite of offices above Espresso as Wednesday park concerts during the
love working with local businesses and Bueno—a surprisingly capacious space summer, the Partnership makes small but
helping them grow,” she said. that is easy to miss from the street. The distinctive contributions to the appearance
Board members of the Partnership had a move to the prominent placement in the of the downtown, such as banners hanging
rocky process in replacing former director Wheelock House is the next big project from lamp poles.
Joshua Jerome. The Times Argus reported for her, but it will have to wait until
in March that the board had offered the
Photo of Tracie Lewis. Courtesy of the Barre Partnership.
position to three people, all of whom had
turned it down. Lewis started May 13,
with the Heritage Festival only a couple
of months away, but she said the board
kept board president and former interim
director Jeffrey Tuper-Giles to work on
it. But as of June 2, Tuper-Giles had
left the Partnership, leaving Lewis to fly
solo. Current board president Dave Gold
could not be reached for comment on this.
(Gold, however, was effusive in praise for
Lewis when we met in passing as I sat
down to interview Lewis.)
The Barre City Council, whose budget
funds a major portion of the Partnership’s
work, gave the booster organization a
major boost themselves the week before
the festival. The city owns the Wheelock
building, a historic red-brick building
PAGE 14 • JULY 24 —AUG 6, 2019
Gov. Scott Recalls Growing up in Barre
Continued from Page 1
work day at the granite sheds, and
shopping trips to downtown on Friday
nights with his family. “It was a big
event for us. There was a lot of activity,
a lot of shops, and a lot of things going
on.” Downtown, at Lash Furniture, is
also where an 11-year-old Scott picked
up copies of the Barre-Montpelier Times
Argus for his paper route. “All the
paperboys would come down and wait
there for your papers every afternoon.”
Like so many of his other childhood
experiences in Barre, Scott credits the
job in helping establish his work ethic.
“It was a good learning experience for
me, and I think it’s again part of your
foundation, part of your roots—self-
sufficiency and self-responsibility.”
And certainly Thunder Road—where
he’s recorded 30 wins over the years—
was, is, and always shall be a special
place for Scott, not just for the thrill of
the stock car driving, but the nostalgia
that comes with it. “My mom was the
racing enthusiast; she still is today. She
used to bring us—myself and my two
brothers—to the races.” This experience
inspired neighborhood races with his
friends.
“We had our own wooden buggy races.
Everything’s built on a hill in Barre and
our neighborhood was no exception. We
would build our buggies and race there
every night. The neighbors would come
Young Phil Scott (right) with his father and brothers.
Photo courtesy of Governor Phil Scott.
out and watch the corners and stop cars “It’s different, very much so. Certainly,
to make sure you could get through. I’m population decline represents a lot of the
not sure that would be done today, but it challenges we face throughout Vermont.
certainly was commonplace then.” The granite industry itself has been
Perhaps more than anything, Scott challenged by worldwide competition
fondly recalls the free rein kids had back with China and India, in particular,
then. “We were in each other’s houses. and that has a lot to do with labor and
They were playing on their lawn, our product. So that certainly has had a
lawn. There was nobody yelling at us huge effect on Barre.”
to move away. It was that instinctive But while much of the population and
community atmosphere.” much of the granite industry have left
Admittedly, the Barre of Scott’s Barre, the pride remains, according to
youth—when the city had a population Scott. “It’s a beautiful community when
topping 10,000 and was the third largest you look at the architecture. You look
in the state—is no longer the same. at some of the artistry there...the huge
melting pot of different backgrounds
T HE BRID GE
Barre Heritage
and walks of life, whether it’s the
Italians, who were the sculptors, or the
Scots, who were the engineers, or the
French-Canadians, who were working
in the sheds, or the Swedes and so
forth—There’s lots of diversity.”
It’s in these foundational elements of
the past that Scott sees a path to the
future. “I would advocate that maybe
you look at the past and highlight the
past. I think you look at what you’ve
done best and try to make sure you
preserve that.”
That means bringing more people
into the downtown, with investments
for affordable housing. He points to
the French Block in Montpelier as an
example. “I think Barre needs the same
thing—decent affordable housing.
Many people want to be downtown,
so let’s make sure we have the second
floors of many buildings throughout the
community.”
Leveraging available resources would
also go a long way, Scott believes, noting
places such as Thunder Road and the
Millstone Trails as an example. “The
trails maintained by the Millstone
Trails Association are a good example
and getting more renowned in terms
of mountain biking trails; it’s really
interesting through the old quarries in
the Graniteville and East Barre area.”
“I don’t think it needs to be any one
thing; but diversity is helpful.”
T HE BRID GE JULY 24 —AUG 6, 2019 • PAGE 15

Community
Co-op Grants Make a Big Difference
By Kari Bradley

H
unger Mountain Co-op’s
mission is to help build a
dynamic community of
healthy individuals, sustainable local
food systems, and thriving cooperative
commerce. One of the ways we
work to make our mission a reality
is the Hunger Mountain Cooperative
Community Fund (HMCCF). With
support from generous members
and other co-ops, we launched the
HMCCF a decade ago as a way of
providing financial resources to like-
minded organizations, businesses, and
Good Food Good Medicine, reported 2. Help us spread the word by letting
initiatives.
success with their Barre-based Family others know about the application
Since 2011, we have distributed
Wellness education series: “The process. Completed applications are
close to $52,000 in community grants,
HMCCF grant and support made a big due by Tuesday, September 3. Grant
supporting a remarkable variety of
difference to our effort, we could not recipients will be announced at the Co-
recipients from elementary schools to
have run all eight weeks of the series op’s annual membership meeting on
senior centers and from nonprofits to Design & Build
otherwise. The Wellness Series was an Thursday, November 7.
farms to other cooperatives.
enriching and meaningful experience 3. Please consider making a tax- Custom Energy-Efficient Homes
Over the past few years, a key focus
for everyone who participated.” deductible contribution to the Fund.
has been on local food insecurity Additions • Timber Frames
Likewise, the Gospel Hollow Edible Checks should be made out to Hunger
projects. For example, last year we
Park in Calais used its grant to help Mountain Co-op with HMCCF on the Weatherization • Remodeling
provided grants to Another Way,
establish a fruit tree orchard for the memo line. Checks can be dropped off
Capstone Community Action, Good Kitchens • Bathrooms • Flooring
community. “The park would never at our customer service desk or mailed to
Samaritan Haven, Salvation Farm, and
have been founded without our 2017 the Co-op.
Twin Valley Senior Center to help with Tiling • Cabinetry • Fine Woodwork
HMCCF grant. These funds have been Our Cooperative Community Fund
specific equipment and infrastructure
the driving force behind the creation is another example of how cooperation
needs in their efforts to ensure all
of what is now a thriving community makes a difference. When we work
Central Vermonters have access to
food and conservation resource.” together with shared intention and
healthy food. Over the years, we have
You can participate in and support resources, we can have a big impact on life
also supported food and nutrition
the HMCCF in a number of ways: in our community. The Co-op is proud
education, community gardens, and
1. If you have a project that matches to support the good work of our friends
food-related start-up businesses as they
our mission and are looking for and neighbors. Please consider joining our
get established.
modest financial support, let us know. effort by making a donation or submitting
Our grants are modest, between
Applications for 2019 grants from the a grant application this summer.
$100 and $2,500, but they make a
Community Fund are now available Kari Bradley is the general manager of the
difference. One of 2017’s recipients, Hunger Mountain Co-op.
at the Co-op and hungermountain.coop.
PAGE 16 • JULY 24 —AUG 6, 2019
Miciah Bay Gault Makes Summer Waves
By Jen Rose Smith
G
oodnight Stranger, the debut
novel by Montpelier author
Miciah Bay Gault, is surfing
a summer wave of publicity, including
a spot on the BBC’s list of 2019’s
smartest beach reads; Cosmopolitan
magazine also gave it a sunny place on
its list of the year’s best beach books.
It’s easy to see why. The story unfolds
on the tiny, fictitious Wolf Island off
the coast of Cape Cod, and the pages
breathe the salt-and-sand nostalgia of a
week at the shore—with a suspenseful,
swerving plot that will keep readers
turning pages.
The Bridge sat down with Gault on
the campus of the Vermont College
of Fine Arts, where she teaches in the
MFA Writing and Publishing program.
The interview has been edited and
condensed for clarity.
The Bridge: Is Goodnight Stranger a
beach book?
Miciah Bay Gault: A beach book! I
mean, it’s just a book that it’s fun to
read on vacation, right? I’m happy to
be called a beach book because I just
want people to pick it up and read
it and get lost in the book. That’s
amazing, and I love that thought.
The book has such a strong sense of
place. Where did you write it.
Gault: Well, it took me so many
years to write it that I wrote it in
multiple states and multiple places. My
mom lives on Cape Cod, and there’s
a little tiny cabin on the pond. It was
a shed, and my family converted it
into a little cabin for me to work in.
T HE BRID GE
Arts
I worked on it a lot in Syracuse, New
York, where I went to grad school. I
worked on it on these picnic tables [in
front of Café Anna at VCFA] a lot. I Image courtesy of Harper Collins.
would sometimes come here early in
the morning, before work. It took 15
years.
The smallness of Wolf Island feels
both intimate, and claustrophobic.
You live in a small place. Do you
experience both sides of that?
Gault: I love the small community
feeling, I love knowing something about
everybody you meet, or you know their
cousin, or mother, or boss. That kind of
connection is interesting to me, but it
can also feel claustrophobic. Especially
when you grow up there, because you
want to reinvent yourself. People who
have known you since you were little are
invested in keeping you the same without
meaning to, so it’s hard sometimes to
grow up and stay home.
Do you ever wonder what happens to
your characters after the book?
Gault: I did so intensely for so many
years. I would just sort of drift there
when I was falling asleep. Or when you
wake up in the night and can’t sleep. If
I had a scene I couldn’t get right or a
problem in the narrative, I would just go
there and play it out over and over again.
I don’t now, which is probably good.
You have a new novel in the works.
You’re going to spend a lot of time
in that world. Did you create a place
you’d be happy to drift off to?
aspect. The flora and fauna have to important, as a lot of writers are piecing
Gault: Yes, for sure. The thing that be interesting to me, and interesting together their income. It’s also important
makes me interested is the sensory people I want to think about, like, because of the honor of it, the sense
who’s behind those doors and windows? of being recognized by your state and
You received a Vermont Arts Council a panel of artists. Just the emotional
Creation Grant. How significant are support, the sense that your work is
state funds for supporting a thriving important enough to be funded by your
writing community in Vermont? state—it really matters.
Gault: I think it’s so important. Join Gault from 7 pm to 8:30 pm on
The actual financial support is really Tuesday, July 30, at Bear Pond Books.
T HE BRID GE
North Branch Cafe Shares the Secret of
the Perfect Summer Spritz
By Jen Rose Smith
A
bright forecast calls for
summery libations, and North
Branch Tea Room and Café
is celebrating the season with a new
spritzy addition to the menu—the NZ
Chill. This easy-drinking wine spritzer
blends Lobster Reef sauvignon blanc
from New Zealand’s Marlborough
region, gussied up with mango cubes,
lavender syrup, and a long pour of
sparkling water. Stop by for a drink, or
blend your own with tips from North
Branch manager Donia Prince, who
shared her spritzer-making secrets with
The Bridge.
Choosing the right wine
If you wouldn’t drink it straight,
don’t put it in a spritzer, Prince says.
“When you want the wine to stand
out,” she explains, “you have to start
out with a good one.” Prince chose
the Lobster Reef for its upbeat flavors
that marry well with fruit. “It’s got
all the enthusiasm that New Zealand
sauvignon blancs have,” she says, “it’s
really kind of zippy and ebullient.”
To pick your own white wine
spritzer base, start by looking for an
aromatic variety with good acidity.
If you’d like to branch out beyond
sauvignon blanc, Prince suggests
vinho verde or Spanish tarantas. Red
wines work, too. “For a spritzer, I’d
go for something that’s not too tannic
and features more of the red fruit
flavors,” Prince says. “Try a Beaujolais
or a grenache—you don’t want earthy,
oaky flavors.”
JULY 24 —AUG 6, 2019 • PAGE 17
Food and Drink
Make it fruity (and sweeten it up) a summery cocktail before the weather
Next, pair your wine of choice with breaks.
some super-ripe fruit. “You either want Caledonia Spirits: Honey and fresh
something that’s going to enhance the fruit are a cheerful pairing in the Bee’s
flavors or is going to be a good contrast,” Freeze, a frozen gin cocktail served
Prince says. “Traditional sangria uses lots inside an adorably twee glass bear.
of citrus as a nice contrast, but mango will Kismet: House-made limoncello
help soften anything with a harsh edge.” lends sun-drenched languor to the
Prince notes that the midsummer Mediterranean Pink Lady, with enough
bounty of ripe berries is well-suited to Campari for a blooming pink hue.
enhancing red wine’s natural flavors and
recommends strawberries, cherries, or Sarducci’s: Barr Hill Gin is spiked
blueberries—if you’re planning ahead, with grapefruit juice and cardamom
freeze the fruit before using to help your for the seasonal Caledonia Fizz
drink keep its cool. Martini, which borrows some sparkle
For a hint of sweetness, stir in a from a splash of Prosecco.
spoonful of simple syrup: Prince uses Three Penny Taproom: Everyone’s
a half-teaspoon of lavender syrup, but favorite craft beer joint swizzles up
suggests you get creative by infusing the equally indulgent summer cocktails,
syrup with flowers, herbs, or even loose including the Rhubarb Caipirinha,
tea. blended with Leblon cachaça, rhubarb
Add some bubbles compote, simple syrup, and lime.
Summer’s free-wheeling spirit extends
to spritzer recipes, and there are no
fixed rules for mixing the perfect drink.
Prince uses roughly equal quantities of
wine and sparkling water—poured over
ice in a tall glass—then stirs in fruit and
syrup to taste. You can mix as you go, so
grab some chilled wine, sparkling water,
and a few add-ins and discover your own
golden ratio for summertime sparkle.
Sipping in Season
The North Branch Tea Room isn’t
the only local hangout pouring cooling
NZ Chill. Photo by drinks. Visit these Montpelier spots for
Jen Rose Smith.
PAGE 18 • JULY 24 —AUG 6, 2019
Scrag Mountain Embraces Rumi in Series
By Evan Premo
N
early 750 years after his death,
the sufi mystic and poet, Rumi,
continues to inspire and touch
hearts with his lyrical poetry of love.
In the upcoming Scrag Mountain Music
concert series—Aug. 8–11, artistic
director and composer-performer Evan
Premo will premier “Rumi Songs,” a new
work consisting of five poems with musical
accompaniment, pulled from Coleman
Barks translations: The Essential Rumi.
Here, Premo discusses the composition of
the work. Concerts are held in Shelburne,
Northfield, Warren, and Plainfield
(details at scragmountainmusic.org).
My first memory of Rumi poetry
was when Mary and I were selecting
poetry for our wedding. Rumi seems
to always find a way to encourage his
readers to open their hearts and live life
to its fullest.
When I’m looking for poetry to set to
music, I’m looking for poems that are
immediately compelling to me. I want
audiences to be able to take something
from a first hearing of the words and
won’t be obscured by my music. I’m
also looking for poems that inspire
me to live a better life, and therefore
hopefully my audience will find that
same resonance.
I’ve been slowly working on this set
of songs for about three years now.
It’s always an exhilarating challenge to
take a poem and try to find the music
in that poem. It feels like a puzzle to
me: a puzzle with lots of potentially
right solutions. Once I get an idea for
a theme or a sound for a song, then the
challenge is making sure every word
of the poem is somehow amplified by
the music and that there is continuity
throughout the song and throughout
the entire song cycle.
The five movements of my
compositions are relatively short, from
a minute-and-a-half to four-and-a half
minutes.
1. Drumsound Rises
2. The Ocean’s Generosity
3. In Your Light
4. The Reed Flute World
5. Where Everything is Music
Except for “The Reed Flute World,”
which is excerpted by me, they are all
complete poems as translated by Coleman
Barks, although my understanding is
that he took Rumi’s longer works and
did some excerpting himself. The song
titles come from a line in the poem, as
most of the poems are untitled.
The poems are very much set in
my musical voice, and I’m not, at
least consciously, referencing any
Middle Eastern music, although I
love Middle Eastern music and have
done a lot of performing in the United
Arab Emirates, collaborating with an
Egyptian oud player.
The compositions are for a soprano
vocalist and re-tuned double bass.
Normally a bass is tuned E, A, D, G,
but for this piece I’ve tuned up the
highest two strings to make E, A, E,
A. This tuning gives the bass a really
free and open sound that fits Rumi’s
poetry, which is so often about open-
heartedness. I like to think of this
tuning as sounding somewhat celestial,
or other-worldly in it’s openness, and in
the harmonics I’m able to easily access
on the instrument. Rumi’s poems are
highly spirit-filled, and I feel like I can
T HE BRID GE
Arts
come closer to the feeling I get when
reading his poetry by playing in this
more symmetrical tuning.
I composed two of the movements
“Where Everything is Music” and
“In Your Light” for weddings of dear
friends. In “Reed Flute World,” I
explore some very high harmonics on
the instruments resulting in quarter
tone notes (notes in between the keys of
a piano) that are not typically found in
traditional Western music but you do
find in Middle Eastern music.
Rumi’s poetry continues to inspire
because it is true and honest, and it’s
about living and loving fully. In an
increasingly secular or dogmatic world,
Rumi’s poems sing of God in an
inclusive and inviting way.
In your light I learn how to love.
In your beauty, how to make poems.
You dance inside my chest,
where no one sees you,
but sometimes I do,
and that sight becomes this art.
— Rumi, as translated Coleman Barks
in The Essential Rumi
 Calendar of Events
T HE BRID GE JULY 24 —AUG 6, 2019 • PAGE 19

Community Performing THEATER, DANCE,

STORYTELLING, COMEDY
Arts
Events
Through July 28: Lost Nation Theater presents
Cabaret. Love, humor, sex, politics, transcendent
music and Fosse-inspired Dance. Lost Nation Theater’s production features the choreography of Taryn
Noelle and is directed by Tim Tavcar. Thurs.–Sat. at 7:30. Sun. at 2 pm. 39 Main St., Montpelier.
$25–35. lostnationtheater.org

Events happening La Soiree Sucre. 6 pm. The Old Labor Hall,

July 24: Little Mazarn, with Ethan and Tom Azarian and Tim Jennings. Ethan Azarian presents

July 24‒August 9
WEDNESDAY, JULY 24
Mid-Week Movie: Peter and John. 7 pm.
Highland Center for the Arts, 2875 Hardwick
St., Greensboro. $5. highlandartsvt.org
What You Need To Know About
Snakeworms. Snakeworms are the latest,
unwelcome addition to your garden. Although
they are earthworms, they are not your
grandma’s worm. Like most other earthworms in
New England, snakeworms are invasive and can
harm woodlands and gardens. In this talk we
will find out how to recognize them, what they
do in the environment, and what you can do to
keep them out of your garden. 7 pm. Jaquith
Public Library, School St., Marshfield. 426-3581
THURSDAY, JULY 25
Hot Topics at Vermont Law School. Lectures
on a variety of current issues in environmental
law and policy. “Clean Energy Justice:
Charting an Emerging Agenda” with Joel
Eisen, University of Richmond School of Law.
Noon–1 pm. VLS campus in Oakes Hall Room
012, South Royalton. Free.
Granite St., Barre.
Food Book Club. This month’s book:
The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica
Bauermeister. 6–7 pm. Hunger Mountain
Co-op community room, Montpelier.
Member $8; non-members $10. Sign up:
info@hungermountain.coop
Vermont Authors Lecture Series: Jeff
Amestoy. After sailing to California as a
common seaman and writing his account
of the voyage, Two Years Before the Mast,
Richard Henry Dana could not forget the
brutal floggings he had witnessed aboard
ship or the vow he had made to combat
injustice. Jeffrey Amestoy, former Vermont
Attorney General and Chief Justice of the
Vermont Supreme Court, tells the story of
Dana’s unflagging determination to keep that
vow in the face of 19th-century America’s
most exclusive establishment: the Boston
society into which he had been born and
bred. 6:30–8 pm. Highland Center for the
Arts, 2875 Hardwick St., Greensboro. $12.
highlandartsvt.org
FRIDAY, JULY 26
Barre Heritage Festival and Homecoming
Days. Food, music, activities. North Main St.,
Barre. barrepartnership.com
longtime friends and collaborators, Austin Texas freak folk combo Little Mazarn, in an evening of
variety entertainment that also features Ethan’s original music, folksinger/storyteller Tim Jennings,
and Tom “Banjo” Azarian’s cranky show. 7–9 pm. Four Corners Schoolhouse, 945 Vincent Flats Rd.,
East Montpelier. $10. littlemazarn.net/home
July 25–28: Newsies. Set in turn-of-the century New York City, Newsies is the rousing tale of Jack
Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a band of “newsies.” When titans of publishing raise
distribution prices at the newsboys’ expense, Jack rallies newsies from across the city to strike against
the unfair conditions and fight for what’s right and seize the day! Thurs.–Sat. at 7 pm; Sun. at 2 pm.
Vermont Children’s Theater, 2283 Darling Hill Rd., Lyndonville. 626-5358
July 26: Kathleen Kanz Comedy Hour. With Kathleen Kanz, Max Palmer, Catherine Klarich, and
Tarzan Jenkins. 8:30 pm. Espresso Bueno, 248 N. Main St., Barre. By donation. Adult content. No
chatter.
July 26–27: The Chelsea Funnery presents The Tragedy of Macbeth. Filled crown to toe with
treachery, trickery, and turmoil. This outdoor performance tackles the themes of loyalty, ambition,
greed, and guilt, all without sets or shoes. Performed by student actors aged 12–18. July 26 at 6 pm;
July 27 at 4 pm. The Tunbridge School, Rt. 110. Rain location: Chelsea Town Hall. By donation.
thechelseafunnery.com
July 26 and Aug. 3: Standing In This Place. By Maura Campbell. Growing up LGBTQ in Vermont.
Part of Vermont Pride Theater at Chandler. 7:30 pm. Chandler Center for the Arts, 71-73 Main St.,
Randolph. Adults $20; students $15. Pride 3-ticket pass adults $50; students $35. SNAP $5 at door
only. chandler-arts.org
July 26–28: Staged Reading of Miranda, by Bernard Pomerance. This staged reading of Miranda,
a sequel to Shakespeare’s The Tempest, incorporates Greensboro’s Abenaki culture as it brings to life
our nation’s early history in its premiere performance. Community members will have the opportunity
to participate in the production; audiences will have an opportunity to offer feedback and engage
with the performance prior to its New York City debut. July 26 and 27 at 7:30 pm; July 28 at 3 pm.
Highland Center for the Arts, 2875 Hardwick St., Greensboro. $20; students $10; seniors 20% off.
highlandartsvt.org
July 27 and Aug. 4: All Together Now. By Philip Middleton Williams. Boy-at-the-door comedy.
Part of Vermont Pride Theater at Chandler. 7:30 pm. Chandler Center for the Arts, 71-73 Main St.,
Randolph. Adults $20; students $15. Pride 3-ticket pass adults $50; students $35. SNAP $5 at door
only. chandler-arts.org
July 28 and Aug. 2: A Late Snow. By Jane Chambers. Love and loss among lesbians. Part of Vermont
Pride Theater at Chandler. 7:30 pm. Chandler Center for the Arts, 71-73 Main St., Randolph. Adults
$20; students $15. Pride 3-ticket pass adults $50; students $35. SNAP $5 at door only. chandler-arts.org
Aug. 2–18: The Valley Players presents On Golden Pond. A play by Ernest Thompson, directed by
Jeanne Beckwith (Roxbury). On Golden Pond tells the love story of Ethel and Norman Thayer, who are
returning to their summer home on Golden Pond for the forty-eighth year. They are visited by their
divorced, middle-aged daughter, Chelsea, and her dentist fiancé, who then go off to Europe, leaving his
teenage son behind for the summer. Fri. and Sat. at 7:30 pm; Sun. at 2 pm. 4254 Main St., Waitsfield.
$16. valleyplayers.com
Aug 3: FEMCOM. All-female standup comedy. 8:30 pm. Espresso Bueno, 248 N. Main St., Barre.
Free/by donation. 479-0896.espressobueno.com.
Aug. 4: The Cashore Marionettes: Simple Gifts. Unmatched in artistry, grace, and refinement
of movement, the internationally acclaimed Cashore Marionettes redefine the art of puppetry.
The program, Simple Gifts, is a series of touching portrayals and poignant scenes from everyday
life set to stunning music by such composers as Vivaldi, Strauss, Beethoven, and Copland. 3 pm.
Highland Center for the Arts, 2875 Hardwick St., Greensboro. $15; students $10; seniors 20% off.
highlandartsvt.org

Punch and Judy. “The Astro-Nut” follows
the troubles and travails of puppetry’s favorite
loudmouths, Punch and Judy. In the latest
episode, Mr. Punch attempts to be the first
puppet to go to space. 6:45 pm. Jaquith Public
Library, School St., Marshfield
SATURDAY, JULY 27
Barre Heritage Festival and Homecoming
Days. Food, music, activities, parade,
fireworks, and more. North Main St., Barre.
barrepartnership.com
SUNDAY, JULY 28
Stories of Love and Religion with Dr. Marion
Usher. Author of “One Couple, Two Faiths.”
Interactive presentation on how to create
understanding in a relationship with different
religious and cultural backgrounds. 10:30 am–
noon. Beth Jacob Synagogue, 10 Harrison Ave.,
Montpelier. bethjacobvt.org
TUESDAY, JULY 30
Falk, U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services. Noon–1 pm. VLS campus in Oakes
Hall Room 012, South Royalton. Free.
Math Through Movement: A Parent Evening.
Join Orchard Valley staff for this parent evening
as we explore the math curriculum in Waldorf
education. Learn how this approach helps
children to fall in love with learning. We’ll take
a look at the stories that breathe life into the four
processes (addition, subtraction, multiplication,
and division) and beyond, and how the
curriculum uses movement and art to increase
engagement and retention. 5:50–7 pm. Aldrich
Public Library, Milne Community Room, 6
Washington St., Barre. 456-7400
Community Film Series at Plainfield Opera
House: Ask Us Who We Are. Foster care in
Vermont. Presented by The Health Center.
Snacks at 5:30 pm. Film at 6 pm. Discussion at
7 pm. Plainfield Opera House, Rt. 2, Plainfield.
Films contain adults content and may not be
appropriate for ages under 16.

Hot Topics at Vermont Law School. Lectures Miciah Bay Gault: Goodnight Stranger Book
on a variety of current issues in environmental Launch. Celebrate the launch of local author
law and policy. “The Flint Water Crisis: A Case Miciah Bay Gault’s debut novel, Goodnight
of Environmental Injustice” with Kathleen Stranger, which Cosmopolitan calls “one of
PAGE 20 • JULY 24 —AUG 6, 2019
Visual Arts
EXHIBITS
Through Aug. 2: Values—Work by the Art
Resource Association at T.W. Wood Gallery.
46 Barre St., Montpelier. twwoodgallery.org
Through Aug. 3: The Front presents
SHOW 33. 6 Barre St., Montpelier.
info@thefrontvt.com.
Through Aug. 3: Recent Work in Light
and Color by Chris Jeffrey. Recent work,
including a series of self-contained light boxes,
strip paintings, and wire paintings. Axel’s
Gallery & Frame Shop, 5 Stowe St., Waterbury.
AxelsGallery.com
Through Aug. 17: Resurfaced: Paintings by
Emilia Olson. The Gallery at Central Vermont
Medical Center, 130 Fisher Hill Rd., Berlin.
moetown52@comcast.net
Through Aug. 23: Exhibits at Studio
Place Arts. 201 N. Main St., Barre.
studioplacearts.com
Eye Spy: Watch out, you’re being observed in
this fun show focused on the eye … perfect
for visual arts lovers.
Seriality: Artwork by Lisa Myers: Seriality
is a psychoanalytic concept used to describe
sibling relationships, the same but different
and it is explored in these mixed media
pieces based on old photographs of the artist’s
grandmother and her siblings.
the best literary thrillers you’ll read this year.”
Cake, wine & refreshments, reading, and book
signing. 7 pm. Bear Pond Books, 77 Main St.,
Montpelier. 229-0774. bearpondbooks.com
WEDNESDAY, JULY 31
Waterbury Historical Society Summer
Meeting. 6 pm potluck. 7 pm presentation with
the Lamoille River Swingers. They will talk about
the history of square dancing, give a demo, and
then everyone is invited to dance. Hope Davey
Park Shelter. Bring a chair and a dish to share.
244-8089.
Stories of the Stars with Kelley Hunter. The
starry sky is a library of mythic stories from
around the world. Come hear classic and unusual
tales about the twelve Zodiac signs, plus the
magical 13th constellation. 6:45 pm. Jaquith
Public Library, School St., Marshfield
Mid-Week Movie: The Summer of Walter
Hacks. 7 pm. Highland Center for the
Calendar of Events
Orah Moore: Everyday, Someone—365
Days in Black & White: A visual diary of
black and white iPhone photographs.
Through Aug. 24: Summer Exhibitions
at Helen Day Arts Center. Helen Day Art
Center, 90 Pond St., Stowe. helenday.com
Dusty Boynton–Reliefs: Sculptural reliefs
created by multiple monoprints cut up and
reconstructed.
Suzy Spence–On the Hunt: Equestrian-
themed paintings.
Composing Form: Group exhibition of
contemporary sculptors working in ceramics
highlights both figurative and abstract work
that is both poetic and humorous, referencing
human history, intervention, and experience.
Through Aug. 30: Agathe McQueston,
A License To Stare. Classically rendered
sculptures and drawings. Vermont
State House Card Room, Montpelier.
agathemcq@gmail.com
Through Aug, 30: Annual Summer Juried
Art Exhibit at T.W. Wood Gallery. The exhibit Hardwick St., Greensboro.
features work by Natalie Boze, Janet Brighenti,
Patty Corcoran, Anne Fugaro, Katie O’Rourke, Through Sept. 27: Studies in Rhythmic
Frederick Rudi, Joshua Saxe, and many others.
The exhibit primarily features oil paintings,
along with acrylic, pastel, photography,
mixed media. 46 Barre St., Montpelier.
twwoodgallery.org
Through Aug. 30: SiteTime : Cordwood :
Sharing. Multimedia exhibition assembled by
Erika Senft Miller, Nancy Winship Milliken,
Arts, 2875 Hardwick St., Greensboro. $5.
highlandartsvt.org
Benefit Showing of Brokeback Mountain.
Part of Vermont Pride Theater at Chandler. 7
pm. Chandler Center for the Arts, 71-73 Main
St., Randolph. Adults $20; students $15. Pride
3-ticket pass adults $50; students $35. SNAP $5
at door only. chandler-arts.org
THURSDAY, AUGUST 1
Hot Topics at Vermont Law School. Lectures
on a variety of current issues in environmental
law and policy. “Playing With Poison: The Toxic
Legacy of Lead Contamination in America’s
Urban Centers” with Yvette Cabrera, Huffington
Post. Noon–1 pm. VLS campus in Oakes Hall
Room 012, South Royalton. Free.
The Benefits of Consuming a Food Rainbow.
Enjoy this early harvest season and the full
bounty of nutrients that our delicious, colorful,
local produce has to offer. Amy will share
and Michael Zebrowski. Photographs, video,
sound, virtual-reality timelapse, prints,
drawings, and three logs create the show.
Spotlight Gallery at the Vermont Arts Council.
136 State St., Montpelier.
July 26–Sept. 3: Hues of Summer: New
Paintings by Bonnie Acker. Reception:
July 26, 5:30–7:30 pm. Furchgott Sourdiffe
Gallery, 6 Falls Rd., in Shelburne Village.
985-3848
Through Sept 5: Threads. An exhibit of fiber
arts by local weavers. Jaquith Public Library,
School St., Marshfield. jaquithpubliclibrary.org
Through Sept. 6: Scattered Geometry: The
Ceramics of Jenny Swanson and Holly
Walker. White River Gallery, 35 S. Windsor
St., South Royalton. 498-8438
Through Sept. 8: Kathleen Kolb: Night
and Day, Now and Then. Showcasing a place
the artist loves—Greensboro, Vermont and
its surroundings. Opening reception: Aug.
2, 5 pm. Highland Center for the Arts, 2875
Vitality—Paintings by Lois Eby. Acrylic
paints on birch panels. Art Walk reception:
Sept 6, 4–7 pm. Vermont Supreme Court
Gallery, State St., Montpelier. leby@loiseby.com
Through Oct. 19: Outdoor: Exposed
Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition. Helen Day
Art Center, 90 Pond St., Stowe.
Through Oct. 25: The War of Ideas:
foods of each color of the rainbow and how
they can be beneficial to your health, including
recipes. 6–7:30 pm. Hunger Mountain Co-op
community room, Montpelier. $8 members; $10
non-members. Register: info@hungermountain.
coop
Vermont Authors Lecture Series: Meg
Ostrum. “The Surgeon and the Shepherd:
Two Resistance Heroes in Vichy, France.” An
unusual blend of spy tale, social history, and
biography, museum professional Meg Ostrum
chronicles Dr. Charles Schepens’ remarkable
career masquerading as double agent Jacques
Perot, leader of a top secret Belgian resistance
escape route in the Pyrenees during WWII and
credited with saving many lives. 6:30–8 pm.
Highland Center for the Arts, 2875 Hardwick
St., Greensboro. $12. highlandartsvt.org
SATURDAY, AUGUST 3
Vermont Banjo Afternoon. With the Vermont
Historical Society and Young Tradition Vermont.
In 2017, the Vermont Historical Society was
gifted a rare early 1900s banjo made by the
Bacon Banjo company of Forest Dale (Brandon)
Vermont. We’ll be exploring this intriguing item,
and how it differs from today’s instruments.
Musicians will play some selections of their
own choosing, with their own instruments,
and if possible, using the restored Bacon banjo.
2–4 pm. Vermont History Museum, 109 State
St., Montpelier. Free. 479-8500
Montpelier Contra Dance. With Mary Wesley
calling (using Larks and Ravens role terms)
and music by Maivish. No experience and
no partner needed. All dances are taught plus
an introductory session at 7:45 pm. Everyone
welcome! Capital City Grange Hall, 6612 Rt. 12,
Berlin. Please bring clean, soft-soled shoes. Adults
$10, kids and low income $5; dance supporters
$15. 225-8921. capitalcitygrange.org/dancing/
contradancing.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 6
Community Film Series at Plainfield Opera
House: Living On the Fault Line: Where
Race and Family Meet. Presented by The
T HE BRID GE
Propaganda Posters from the Vermont
Historical Society Collections. Visitors can
examine how posters have been an important
part of the wartime effort, for everything from
recruitment to support on the homefront.
Vermont History Center, 60 Washington St.,
Barre. 479-8500. vermonthistory.org
Through Dec. 21: 200 Years—200
Objects. An exhibition celebrating Norwich
University’s bicentennial. Curated to include
objects from the museum collection, as well
as documents and images from Archives and
Special Collections, that reflect and retell
the university’s 200-year history. Norwich
University Sullivan Museum and History
Center, Northfield. norwich.edu
SPECIAL EVENTS
July 26: Creative Cartooning at SPA. During
the Barre Heritage Festival, bring your teens
and friends to SPA and learn about creative
cartooning with Robert Waldo Brunelle, Jr.
10 am–4 pm. Studio Place Arts, 201 N. Main
St., Barre.. For info and to enroll: 479-7069 or
studioplacearts.com
July 26: Eye Spy in the Gallery. Gather in
the main gallery at SPA to take part in a game
of “eye spy” in the Eye Spy exhibit. It’s a fun
“treasure hunt” geared for children under the
age of 11 years of age that will motivate them
to look closely at the artwork and find “hidden”
things on display. Join us for an engaging
exploration of the EYE SPY art exhibit! 2–2:30
pm. Studio Place Arts, 201 N. Main St., Barre.
Health Center. Snacks at 5:30 pm. Film at 6 pm.
Discussion at 7 pm. Plainfield Opera House, Rt.
2, Plainfield. Films contain adults content and
may not be appropriate for ages under 16.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7
Parent Support Group. Join a Circle of
Parents support group for a friendly, supportive
environment led by parents and other caregivers.
Utilizing a mutual self-help support model, the
group is a place where anyone in a parenting role
can openly discuss the successes and challenges of
raising children. 5–6:30 pm. Hunger Mountain
Co-op community room, Montpelier. Register:
info@hungermountain.coop
Space Cowboy Sing-a-long. Harness your
horse or spaceship and come on down for some
vittles, yarns, and songs. 6:45 pm. Jaquith Public
Library, School St., Marshfield.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 8
Vermont Authors Lecture Series: Rick
Winston. Red Scare in the Green Mountains: The
McCarthy Era in Vermont 1946-1960. Winston
explores through nine gripping dramas how
a small, rural “rock-ribbed Republican” state
with a historically libertarian streak handled the
hysteria of the time. Far from the klieg lights of
Washington D.C., Hollywood, and New York
City, the Green Mountain state challenged
the national narrative with its own fascinating
stories. 6:30–8 pm. Highland Center for the
Arts, 2875 Hardwick St., Greensboro. $12.
highlandartsvt.org
FRIDAY, AUGUST 9
The 5th Annual Vermont Open Farm
Week Begins. Aug. 9–15. Get to know your
farmer better and get a behind-the-scenes look
into Vermont’s vibrant working agricultural
landscape. At participating farms from across
the state. Locations, times, and activities vary.
Complete details at diginvt.com/vtopenfarm.
T HE BRID GE
Live Music
VENUES
Bagitos. 28 Main St., Montpelier. 229-9212.
Bagitos.com
July 25: Italian Session, 6 pm
July 26: Latin Dance Party, 7 pm
July 27: Ukuville, 10:30 am; Irish Session,
2 pm
July 28: Southern Old Time Music Jam,
10 am
July 30: Coffee Corner Jam Session, 7:30 am
Aug. 1: Coffee Corner Jam Session, 7:30 am;
Colin McCaffrey and Friends, 6 pm
Aug. 3: Irish Session, 2 pm; Bernie Benefit,
6 pm
Aug. 4: Eric Friedman Folk Ballads, 11 am
Aug, 8: Old Time Music Session 6 pm
Aug. 9: Billy Ruegger, 6 pm
Charlie O’s World Famous. 70 Main St.
Montpelier. Free. 223-6820.
Every Tues.: Karaoke, 7:30 pm
Espresso Bueno. 248 N. Main St., Barre.
479-0896. espressobueno.com.
July 26: Thomas Gunn (singer-songwriter),
7:30 pm
Aug 3: Hannah Eschelbach (singer-
songwriter), 7:30 pm
Whammy Bar. 31 W. County Rd., Calais.
whammybar1.com
Every Thurs.: Open Mic, 7 pm
July 26: Blackwater Trio, 7:30 pm
Aug. 2: Marc Delgado, 7:30 pm
Aug. 3: Greg Matses Group, 7:30 pm
Aug. 10: Lewis Franco & the Brown Eyed
Girls, with Joe Franco, 7:30 pm
SPECIAL EVENTS
July 24, 31, Aug. 7: Capital City Band
Wednesday Concerts. Every Wed. through
Aug. 14. Enjoy a picnic with neighbors or
meet some new friends while enjoying this
delightful Vermont musical tradition. Or,
bring an instrument and play along with
the band. 7–8 pm. State House Lawn,
Montpelier. 456-7054
July 24: Burger Night with Chad Hollister.
Farm-to-table musical event with Chad
Hollister showcasing Templeton Farms
own grilled grass-fed beef burgers, along
with vegetables from local central Vermont
farms. Includes drinks and ice cream
dessert smothered in our maple syrup.
5:30–7:30 pm. Templeton Farm, 3410 Center
Calendar of Events
Rd., East Montpelier. Adults $18 online $20
at gate, templetonfarm.com
July 24: Middlesex Bandstand Concerts:
Black Water Trio. Americana/folk/roots-
rock. Bring a picnic. Food is available for
purchase on site from Mediterranean Mix.
6:30–8:30 pm. Martha Pellerin and Andy
Shapiro Memorial Bandstand, 465 Shady Rill
Rd., Middlesex. Free. middlesexbandstand.
com
July 25: Lesley Grant & Caledonia Spirits.
Morrisville singer and songwriter. Country/
bluegrass/folk. Enjoy samples created with
Caledonia’s craft spirits. 4–6 pm. Café at
Highland Center for the Arts, 2875 Hardwick
St., Greensboro. No cover. highlandartsvt.org
July 25: July 4: BarnArts Music on the
Farm Concert Series: Mamuse. folk-soul-
revival. 5 pm. Feast and Field, 1544 Royalton
Turnpike, Barnard. $5–10 suggested
donation.
July 25: Jaquith Library Summer Concert
Series: Chaque Fois. Cajun. Food Vendor:
Marshfield Village Store. 6:30–8:30 pm. Old
Schoolhouse Common, Marshfield. 426-3581
July 26: Music in the Alley: Andy Gagnon
Presents: Lovecraft. Featuring members
of The Renegade Groove, Ray Vega’s Latin
Jazz Sextet, The Vermont Jazz Ensemble, The
Saturn People’s Sound Collective, and The Big
Band Bhangra Brass Band. Hosted by Axel’s
Gallery & Frame Shop and TURNmusic.
Join your friends and neighbors on a summer
Friday evening for new music, great food by
the Blackback Pub. 6–9 pm. 5 Stowe St.,
Waterbury.
July 26: Villalobos Brothers. High-Octane
Mexican Fiddle Music. 7:30 pm; doors open
6:30 pm. Feast and Field, 1544 Royalton
Turnpike, Barnard..$25. barnarts.org
July 27: Lewis Franco & the Brown
Eyed Girls, with Joe Franco.
10:30 am–12:30 pm. Capitol City Farmer’s
Market, State St., Montpelier.
July 28: Eat Up at Camp Meade. Live
music by Funk Shui. Food from Farmers and
Foragers and Moon & Stars. Treats from Curly
Girl Pops. 4 pm. 961 Rt. 2, Middlesex.
July 30: Chris Brubeck’s Triple Play.
Triple Play brings a rare level of joy,
virtuosity, and American spirit to the
folk, blues, jazz and classical music they
perform. 7:30 pm. Highland Center for
the Arts, 2875 Hardwick St., Greensboro.
$20; students $10; seniors 20% off.
highlandartsvt.org
July 31: Middlesex Bandstand Concerts:
Green Mountain Playboys. High energy
Cajun music made for dancing. Bring a
picnic. Food is available for purchase on site
from Mediterranean Mix. 6:30–8:30 pm.
Martha Pellerin and Andy Shapiro Memorial
Bandstand, 465 Shady Rill Rd., Middlesex.
Free. middlesexbandstand.com
Aug. 1: Rich Brown. Soulful and playful
interpretations of blues standards, popular,
and original songs. 6:30–8:30 pm. Café at
Highland Center for the Arts, 2875 Hardwick
St., Greensboro. No cover.
Aug. 1: The Hunger Mountain Co-op
Brown Bag Summer Concert Series: Robin
Gottfried Band. Montpelier Alive’s series
of FREE and fun lunch-time concerts every
Thursday, Aug, 1–Sept. 26. Join us for a
diverse lineup of local and regional acts that
are sure to delight. Bring a lunch from one
of our wonderful downtown restaurants and
enjoy. All concerts at noon in City Hall Plaza,
39 Main St., Montpelier.
Aug. 1: Jaquith Library Summer Concert
Series: Kava Express. Danceable rock
and soul. Food Vendor: Woodbelly Pizza.
6:30–8:30 pm. Old Schoolhouse Common,
Marshfield. 426-3581
Aug. 3: Bill Staines in Concert. Part of
Lost Nation Theater’s On Dark Nights
Series. Modern day folk music legend.
Staines is an intimate, compelling performer,
encouraging audiences to sing along and with
humorous tales of life on the road providing
an entertaining blend of story and song. 7:30
pm. $15 advance; $20 at door. Benefit for Lost
Nation Theater. lostnationtheater.org
Aug. 3: Taryn Noelle & Joe Davidian. A
romantic, music-filled evening combining
many tunes from the Great American
Songbook, Broadway show tunes, Gypsy jazz,
and some folk and pop gems. Featuring the
work of beloved composers such as Jimmy
Webb, George and Ira Gershwin, Leonard
Bernstein, Joni Mitchell, Lin-Manuel Miranda,
David Bowie, and Townes Van Zandt.
7:30 pm. Highland Center for the Arts, 2875
Hardwick St., Greensboro. $15; students $10;
seniors 20% off. highlandartsvt.org
Aug. 4: Eat Up at Camp Meade. Live
music by Dr. Sammy Love. Food from Kool
Runninz. Treats from Kingdom Creamery. 4
pm. 961 Rt. 2, Middlesex.
JULY 24 —AUG 6, 2019 • PAGE 21
Aug. 7: Middlesex Bandstand Concerts:
Renegade Groove. Funk-rock. Bring a
picnic. Food is available for purchase on site
from Mediterranean Mix. 6:30–8:30 pm.
Martha Pellerin and Andy Shapiro Memorial
Bandstand, 465 Shady Rill Rd., Middlesex.
Free. middlesexbandstand.com
Aug. 8: The Hunger Mountain Co-op
Brown Bag Summer Concert Series: East
Bay Jazz. Montpelier Alive’s series of FREE
and fun lunch-time concerts every Thursday,
Aug, 1–Sept. 26. Join us for a diverse lineup of
local and regional acts that are sure to delight.
Bring a lunch from one of our wonderful
downtown restaurants and enjoy. All concerts
at noon in City Hall Plaza, 39 Main St.,
Montpelier.
Aug. 8: Christine Malcolm & Jasper Hill
Farm. Blend of modern folk, country, rock,
and blues. Enjoy pairings with Jasper Hill’s
award-winning on-farm creamery cheese.
4–6 pm. Café at Highland Center for the Arts,
2875 Hardwick St., Greensboro. No cover.
Aug. 8: Jaquith Library Summer Concert
Series: Bella and the Notables. Jazz standards
with a twist. Food Vendor: Vermont Foodie
Stand. 6:30–8:30 pm. Old Schoolhouse
Common, Marshfield. 426-3581
Aug. 8–11: Scrag Mountain Music presents
Composer/Performer Portrait. Featuring
music and performance by Eve Beglarian
(vocals and electronics), Jessica Meyer (viola
and electronics), and Scrag co-Artistic
Director Evan Premo (double bass), and
joined by Scrag Mountain Music co-Artistic
Director and soprano Mary Bonhag, these
concerts will take listeners on a thought-
provoking musical journey that includes
the creation of a collaborative new work
together with the audience. By donation.
scragmountainmusic.org
Aug. 8: 7:30 pm. Bread & Butter Farm, 200
Leduc Rd., Shelburne
Aug. 9: 7:30 pm. Green Mountain Girls
Farm, 923 Loop Rd., Northfield
Aug. 10: 8 pm. Phantom Theater, 970
Dump Rd., Warren
Aug, 11: 4 pm. Plainfield Town Hall Opera
House, 18 High St., Plainfield
Aug. 9: Music in the Alley: Andy Gagnon
Presents: Mimi and the Podds. Fresh take on
early jazz with classical trimmings and soulful
underpinnings. Hosted by Axel’s Gallery &
Frame Shop and TURNmusic. Great food
by the Blackback Pub. 6–9 pm. 5 Stowe St.,
Waterbury.
PAGE 2 2 • JULY 24 —AUG 6, 2019 T HE BRID GE

Remembrance

Remembering Barbara
Austin Hutchins
On July 3, Montpelier High School lost one of its beloved teachers, Barbara
Austin Hutchins, who had taught art for 37 years at the school.

I am very sad for Barb’s family and her many, many friends, of which I’m
proud to be among. She was a real teacher to the core. She raised a love of
art and raised consciousness for decades at MHS. Her positive impact will
ripple for generations to come. In my very first moment meeting Barb she
was actually lit up with white lights all over her clothing. She lit up every
room she entered no matter the room, no matter the outfit, no matter the
situation. She was brave and graceful in her battle with cancer. I’ll remember
and miss her forever. — Mike McRaith, former principal of MHS Photo by Terry Allen, terryjallen.com
T HE BRID GE JULY 24 —AUG 6, 2019 • PAGE 23

Lights for Liberty Vigils in

Montpelier Photos by Terry Allen, terryjallen.com

Advertise in the FOLLOWING ISSUE:

Back to School
In Circulation August 7–August 21
ALL AD MATERIALS AND AD SPACE
RESERVATIONS DUE FRIDAY, August 2.
For more information about advertising deadlines,
rates, and the design of your ad, contact
Rick McMahan
802-249-8666
rick@vtbridge.com

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PAGE 24 • JULY 24 —AUG 6, 2019 T HE BRID GE