The Bridge, August 6, 2015

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August 6 August 19, 2015
New Law Means Consolidation for Many Schools

by Lindsey Grutchfield
ov. Peter Shumlin signed Act 46 an act relating

to education reform into law on June 2. The
new law is the culmination of years of legislative
attempts to improve the delivery of education, starting in
2010 with the passage of Act 153. Act 153 concerned voluntary school district mergers among other things. Now, five
years later, Act 46 takes school consolidation much further,
aiming to completely overhaul the educational landscape of
Vermont, all while maintaining the high standard of education that the state is known for.
The new laws stated goal is to counteract the declining enrollment and astronomical per-pupil spending costs of many
schools statewide. We are that proverbial frog in the pot,
slowly being cooked ... Vermonters realize that if we want
to maintain the fantastic schools we have, in the face of
those demographic and fiscal realities, that we need to think
carefully about how we educate our children, said Rebecca
Holcombe, secretary of the Vermont Agency of Education.
Simply put, this is to be accomplished with the widespread
consolidation of Vermont school districts. Act 46 outlines
a so-called preferred model for school districts under the

law. A school operating as a preferred model has an average
daily attendance of at least 900 students, operates its own
supervisory district and is responsible for all resident students from preschool through 12th grade. The law also lays
out an alternative structure for areas of the state in which
the preferred model is not practical. The alternative structure allows for a supervisory union with several member
school districts, so long as the member districts view themselves as collectively responsible for all the students living in
the supervisory union, have a collective daily attendance of
at least 1,100 and have the fewest possible member districts.
According to Bill Talbot, chief financial officer of the
Agency of Education, school consolidation under Act 46
is to be primarily voluntary. The law is to provoke discussion regarding consolidation, says Talbot, and schools
voluntarily merging under the new law will be eligible for
aid from the Department of Education. However, by 2018
a state board will order districts to merge to meet the preferred or alternative structure of governance.
What does Act 46 mean for Vermonts tradition of small

schools? According to the language of the new law, Vermont recognizes the important role that a small school plays
in the social and educational fabric of its community. The
law stays true to that assertion, at least to the extent that
the districts themselves still have a say in their ultimate fate.
Should a supervisory union feel that they are not served
well by merging under the new law they may, under certain
circumstances, go before the board and explain why the
preferred or alternative model of governance does not work
for them. Although plans could be made in the future for
schools that hold back, says Vaughn Altemus of the Department of Education, in the immediate future, consolidation
is very, very much in the hands of the community.
In terms of the Montpelier community, questions remain
as to the extent to which Montpelier public schools will
be affected by the passage of Act 46. According to Talbot,
Montpelier schools are not exempt from the law and may
or may not participate. The district, could merge with the
supervisory union that surrounds it, where U-32 resides,
Continued on Page 4
Waterhouse Named Spauldings Principal
The Bridge
P.O. Box 1143
Montpelier, VT 05601
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BARRE For Brenda Waterhouse, the

world opened up in first grade. Waterhouse,
who began her new position as principal
of Spaulding High School this past spring,
remembers learning to read and realizing
there was something out there beyond my
immediate community it was amazing.
And that all came through education and
reading. Waterhouse credits this early love
for learning, encouraged by her first grade
teacher, with leading her toward a career
in education. Her own excitement made
Waterhouse, in her own words, very passionate about opening up the world to other
by Emily Sargent
learners.
Today, much of Waterhouses world centers
on the community in which she has been
teaching for over 20 years. Waterhouse began
teaching at Barre Town School in 1994.
In 2003, she moved to a position as math
teacher at Spaulding High School, and later
became the chair of the math department.
In her new position as principal, Waterhouse
has found that her local career history helps
her build trust with the community and with
her fellow educators. And she noted, A lot of
the people Ive worked with as a teacher are
still here. They know that I am going to walk
the walk and talk the talk.
In 2011, Waterhouse became assistant principal at Spaulding. This past year, she served as
acting principal, filling in for Principal Tom
Sedore as he dealt with a life-threatening
illness. When Sedore made the decision to
retire at the end of this past academic year,
Waterhouse stepped into the role full-time.
According to Waterhouse, the transition has
been fairly smooth thanks to supportive coadministrators and her own experience: I
know where weve been, and I know where
were headed, and Im very excited to continue our initiatives.
academics, she says, noting that part of her

job is to keep current on what is going on
in our communities, and what our students
are facing. Waterhouse notes that the school
is often one of the only safe constants for
students from difficult or abusive homes.
Waterhouse sees it as Spauldings responsibility to understand and address students
emotional needs while also pushing them
academically: Its all about the kids, and
providing them the supports they need.
Many of these initiatives reach into the

broader community. According to Waterhouse, Spaulding has become more studentcentered in the past years; the school as a
whole works to support individual students
from unique backgrounds. We do a lot of
emotional and family support beyond the
Waterhouse plans to continue developing

student unity, and hopes that students will
take pride in Spaulding and contribute to
a positive school community. She plans to
work on more student-run assemblies, and
says the school hopes to bring The Friday
Show a student-run TV show back
Brenda Waterhouse
IN THIS ISSUE:
5: Personalized Learning Plans
9: Our Managing Editor Goes Back to School
into production. Currently, a few staff members have begun an informal coffee house
on Friday mornings in the cafeteria, before
class hours. According to Waterhouse, Its
just grown, so every Friday now we have staff
and students performing in the cafeteria.
Waterhouse points to this coffee house as
an organic development a staff member
approached her with the idea and she enthusiastically endorsed it.
For Waterhouse, the fun stuff is watching the students develop over their years at
Spaulding and working together with a team
of educators: I feel like weve got a lot of
really well-intended, hardworking people in
here right now, and thats exciting. As she
looks ahead to her term, Waterhouse said
that the high school feels like home.
6: Montpelier's Solar Projects

10: Montpelier's Friendliest People
PAG E 2 AU G U S T 6 AU G U S T 19, 2 015
THE BRIDGE
Nature Watch
by Nona Estrin
Watercolor by Nona Estrin
With Kingbirds and Robins Among the Blueberries
irds are suddenly quieter in the mornings, the plant kingdom is focused on seed,
yet summer is still in full swing. We've had our first cool morning fog and on hot
afternoons thunderheads billow up and can be seen for miles. This morning I was
in a big commercial blueberry field in southern Vermont, where a flock of 50 juvenile
robins and 20 or more young eastern kingbirds were making two very different kinds of
racket. The robins were doing the cluck call and fluttering, not very gracefully, amongst
the bushes, then flapping off in small groups as I approached. The kingbirds were there
for food, surely, but making a social occasion of chasing, chattering and diving in pairs.
All young, all with hormones hopping and the prospect of a first migration not far off!
Thank you for supporting The Bridge!
AU G U S T 6 AU G U S T 19, 2 015 PAG E 3
T H E B R I D G E
HEARD ON THE STREET

White House Honors MHS Teacher Susan Abrams
Route 14 Bridge Project Update
MONTPELIER On July 1, the White House named Susan Abrams, a teacher at Montpelier High School, as one recipient of the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. The Presidential Award is the nations highest honor for teachers
of mathematics and science (including computer science).
EAST MONTPELIER The Vermont Agency of Transportation has selected PCL Construction, a company experienced in slide-in bridge construction, to be the construction
manager/general contractor for the East Montpelier VT 14 Bridge Project. Currently PCL is
constructing two I-91 highway bridges in White River Junction where this method will be
used for the first time in Vermont (www.i91wrj.vtransprojects.vermont.gov).
With this award, Abrams will receive $10,000 from the National Science Foundation.
During the annual recognition event, Abrams will participate with fellow awardees in professional development activities, network with fellow science, technology, engineering and
math educators from across the nation, and receive a certificate signed by the president of
the United States.
Sue Abrams has taught mathematics at Montpelier High School for the past 15 years, at
Main Street Middle School for three years, and previously at West Linn High School, Oregon, for nine years.
As the Montpelier High School Mathematics Professional Learning Community leader, Sue
co-developed an enduring mathematics intervention program, and she successfully initiated
the creation of heterogeneously grouped geometry classes.
Sue has a bachelor of arts in Romance languages from Bowdoin College, a bachelor of arts
in mathematics from the University of Oregon and an M.A.T in mathematics from Portland State University. She is certified in secondary school mathematics, French and Spanish
education.
Callan Named Exec. Director for T.W. Wood Gallery

MONTPELIER The board of trustees of the T.W. Wood Gallery announced Ginny
Callan is the gallerys new executive director. Callan brings a broad knowledge of organizational management, community organizing, fundraising and volunteer development in the
nonprofit sector. She has been an active member of the community for many years. Callan
is also well known as the owner and operator of the former Horn of the Moon Cafe. She is
also a widely praised cookbook author.
The gallery recently moved to its permanent home at 46 Barre Street and is a founding
member of the Center for Arts and Learning. The center is a consortium of several nonprofit
organizations devoted to maintaining a thriving art, music and art education community
in central Vermont.
Founded in 1895, the gallery houses one of the largest permanent collections in the state.
It is also the repository for Vermont's portion of the federal Works Progress Administration
collection.
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PCL will work with VTrans for at least one year to develop the bridge design, construction
methods and staging. The project will be complex due to the constraints of working next to
and over the Winooski River and the need to build a new substructure under the existing
Route 14 bridge while maintaining traffic through all but 40 days of construction.
At the same time that bridge design is under development, VTrans will continue to work
on obtaining temporary and permanent rights-of-way easements from property owners in
the vicinity of the bridge project. Appraisals have been completed on 15 properties that will
require rights of way agreements. VTrans is planning to start construction in fall 2017, with
a 40-day bridge closure occurring in late summer/early fall 2018.
To learn more about the East Montpelier Bridge Project, see the project website: www.vt14emontpelier.vtransprojects.vermont.gov
From a Front Porch Forum Post submitted by East Montpelier Town and Zoning Administrator
Bruce Johnson
One More Time to Stay Open: Taking Clothes for Cash

MONTPELIER Leslie Rabins, owner of One More Time, a secondhand clothing shop
on Main Street, is having second thoughts about leaving town. Earlier this summer she said
she was going to sell off her inventory and head for California, but the success of her going
out of business sale has changed her mind.
I have gotten such a big response. People want it, people need it, it is important, she said,
explaining that she is seeking people to bring in items for her to resell. We are looking
for regular stuff and vintage for cash. I am going to give it a try through the winter. It just
depends if people come out. She said the sale was a smash, but in recent weeks business has
slowed down a bit.
When asked to characterize a typical customer, Rabins said, somebody who is interested in
recycling and saving the planet, saving some money and getting cool stuff. We have people
of all ages.
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Neighborhood Weighs In on Sibley Housing Project

story and photo by Nat Frothingham
t a late afternoon meeting on August 4, about a

dozen residents of the College Hill neighborhood
met with Win Turner of Montpelier and Jamie
Hansen of East Montpelier who are exploring the feasibility of a proposed (now-scaled-back) eight-unit apartment
building at 25 Sibley Avenue that would house 16 adults
and 12 children and provide parking for a 12 cars.
He and Hansen altered the original proposal by reducing

the footprint and mass of the main building by 70 percent.
They are also keeping the project footprint away from the
slope. In the new proposal they have 14 off-street parking
places and they have increased the green space. But they
are not giving up on their commitment to a high-quality,
energy efficient building.
The College Hill neighborhood lies east and south of

Vermont College of Fine Arts and is roughly defined by
Sibley Avenue to the south, Sabin Street to the east along
with Center, Foster and Kemp Streets.
As first proposed the apartment building had 16 units. The

new proposal cuts those units in half to eight units and
those eight units are diverse offerings. Turner said, One of
them is a studio. Three of them are one-bedrooms. Some
of the apartments are quite small with only one or two occupants in those apartments.
A number of residents acknowledged a local discussion

about the need to add to the citys housing stock, particularly to its affordable housing stock. Although there were a
range of concerns about the proposed Sibley Avenue apartment building it was the size of the proposed building
and thus its alleged incompatibility with the neighborhood
that was the principal concern of those who met with
Turner and Hansen.
neighbors was a concern that an apartment building of the

size proposed might lower property values.
In a phone conversation with The Bridge right after the

meeting, John Waldo, neighborhood resident with a house
at 35 Foster Street, expressed the prevailing sentiment of
most of those who attended the meeting.
In separate conversations with Win Turner and Jamie

Hansen after the meeting, Turner described the changes
he and Hansen have made to the project to respond to
neighborhood concerns.
Said Waldo, Youre bringing in a fairly large commercial

building into a stable, long-term neighborhood. Waldo
characterized the neighborhood as essentially one-owner
one-unit and noted that the proposed apartment
building is more than twice the size of the largest house
in the neighborhood. That building is four times the size
of the average house in the neighborhood. He described
the existing neighborhood as longstanding, safe and
secure. Secure has to do with value he said a secure investment. Underlying many of the comments from
Speaking generally, Turner said that what he and Hansen

have been trying to do is in-fill, high-quality housing to
meet Montpeliers housing needs. That was the primary
goal for us. We thought the city wanted that. There have
been several people who have said to us, We believe in infill housing. And (we believe) this is a great lot for that.
Win Turner, left, of Montpelier, and Jamie Hansen of East Montpelier discuss a proposed housing
project on Sibley Avenue August 4.
Then Turner discussed changes to the proposed project in

response to neighborhood concerns.I think weve made
huge concessions.
In conclusion, Turner suggested that perhaps what the

concerned neighbors really want is a four-unit building
on the site. But the financial numbers dont add up for
that. We want to work with them, he said. If they have
another way of moving forward, we are ready to work with
them as partners.
But Turner also acknowledged that perhaps coming to
agreement with the neighbors just might not be possible.
But Im unlikely to be part of this project if the neighbors
continue to oppose it. Although Turner did say that his
partner, Jamie Hansen, might continue to be interested.
In a conversation with Hansen, he said, When we first
contacted the city, they said we could propose 23 units for
the site. We proposed 16 units. After we talked with the
neighbors, we scaled the project back to eight units. And
were continuing to talk.
Is there a chance that reasonable people can reach agreement on a project that will work on the site? I hope so,
Hansen said.
THE BRIDGE
New Law Means Consolidation for Many Schools

Continued from Page 1
he goes on to say. However, Brian Ricca, superintendent of Montpelier Public Schools,
says that as Montpelier is already the preferred model of governance, the school is likely to
be more affected by a spending cap present in Act 46 than any other part of the new law.
Although he states that he is hesitant to make quick changes in Montpelier based on the
law, Ricca says he is open to change in the future and is eager to watch supervisory unions
elsewhere in the state, to see where they identify efficiencies. In addition, Ricca expresses
solidarity with schools that are not as well positioned as Montpelier, saying that he views
the new law as positive because we have to balance ensuring high-quality education with
a state-funded system on an unsustainable trajectory.
own feelings towards the new law, she says, A transition of this magnitude will present
challenges and hardships, particularly for those of us in small supervisory unions. However,
in the end, I believe there will be long term benefits for our students and our communities
that will make the transition worthwhile.
A few towns over from the Montpelier school district lies the Washington Northeast Supervisory Union, home of the Cabot School and Twinfield Union School districts. These
schools, as some of the smallest in the area with a collective student count of under 600, will
likely be directly affected by the new law. According to Nancy Thomas, superintendent of
the Washington Northeast Supervisory Union, the Cabot and Twinfield School boards are
already working to explore all the options for possible mergers with neighboring districts.
The supervisory union is also hoping to take advantage of the financial incentives offered
by the board of education in order to stabilize taxes for residents of the area. As for Thomas
Act 46 will really challenge every school board in the state. The success of Act 46 depends
on success of leadership at the local level. It also depends on our ability to work well with
others, both within current systems and across systems, Holcombe said.
For Twinfield Union School, Cabot School and countless other schools across the state, Act
46 has cast the future into uncertainty and raised many questions about the transitions that
lie ahead. It certainly requires schools to take on a great degree of responsibility, in order
to reap the benefits of self-directed consolidation, including the Department of Educations
financial incentives.
Meanwhile, some feel that the needs of students have gotten somewhat lost in the legislative
process surrounding Act 46. Kate La Riviere testified before the legislature in February,
remarking, please add kids to your list of education topics and keep Vermonts children
at the heart of your policy discussions. If you do this, we will see small and mid-sized community schools staying open and, most importantly, invested and happy kids preparing for
an invested and happy future in Vermont. Whether the opportunities outweigh the costs
of Act 46 or vice versa, one thing's for certain: Vermonts educational landscape is about
to change.
Got a news tip? We want to know! Send it to us at

editorial@montpelierbridge.com
T H E B R I D G E
Personal Learning Plans Meet Individual Needs

by Andrew OConnor
uring this summers interlude,

work on the family farm was
hardly the story of any of the
increasing number of local students and
scholar who have given up rakes and hoes
for another tyup of tool the keyboard and
computer.
More and more such keyboards and computers are being employed in our local
classrooms to engage students in their education as their focus moves toward individualized goals bolstered by personal growth
and reflection.
Act 77, signed into law by Gov. Peter
Shumlin in June 2013 addresses a new
approach to education called the Flexible Pathways Initiative. One component
of the bill calls for the implementation of
personalized learning plans. And this fall,
the State of Vermont requires that Vermont
school district have a personalized learning
plan process in place.
In preparation for the implementation the
Flexible Pathways Initiative, for the last
two years, Don Taylor and Amy Kimball,
co-teachers at Main Street Middle School,
have participated in a pilot project with
an emphasis on getting student ready to
identify their personal and academic goals.
The kids are responding very favorably,
Taylor said. She said that this new focus
is encouraging students to connect their
learning to the real world and to think
about ways of achieving their personal
goals.
An important aspect of Flexible Pathways
includes teaching kids transferrable skills

communication, problem solving and
critical thinking that cover all content
areas. Many school districts have incorporated them into school standards and goals
for the plans.
These are pretty standard things youll
need in the real world, said James Nagle,
associate professor at St. Michaels College
and co-director of the Middle Grades Collaborative.
Working with Team Summit, Nagle has
collected data from students use of various Google sites. By creating their own
websites, Nagle said, students are able to
use their creativity and ingenuity. Over the
years, the result will be an archive of their
learning experience, he added.
Kimball thinks this will help students
navigate their course through Flexible
Pathways in high school. And the digital
presence theyre creating will go with them
as they ready for college. It could aid in
writing college essays, or in filling out a
common application with links from their
work and performances embedded. That,
coupled with test scores, would provide a
much more diverse indication of the individual student, Nagle said.
Though at this stage in their cognitive
development, middle schoolers dont understand the difference between long- and
short-term goals, Nagle said. Thats why
the personalized learning plan is designed
to get them thinking, with the guidance of
teachers, about the opportunities that will
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This year Team Summit did an activity with Google Maps, both for training
in digital citizenship and to locate summer camps related to their interests. Its
a chance to explore careers they like, and
move on to other ideas if they dont, Nagle
said.
Herein lies the opportunity for growth
and reflection, he added.
Education is evolving from the classic
model where students were aligned in rows,
theoretically developing the skills needed
for assembly line work in a factory, to what
is now one-to-one computing. Everything
now becomes centered around the student
rather than the content or the course,
Nagle said.
All this changes the role of teachers in the
classroom. Teachers become less a disseminator of information and more a facilitator
of the student learning, Nagle said.
This transition coincides with opportunities for students to learn in many settings
school, home and summer camps
then communicate that knowledge on their
website.
According to the Vermont State Board

of Education, other indicators Next
Generation Science Standards, Education
Quality Standards and personalized learning plans are used in conjunction with
standardized testing to determine proficiency.
In the main, the board of education has
resolved to make education reflect the
character and opportunities of each state
as seen in Flexible Pathways. To that
end, they requested that the United States
Congress and Administration amend the
No Child Left Behind Act in a statement
issued in March 2015.
Shaping kids into literate and informed
citizens, both digitally and in the civic
realm, has its challenges. Kimball pointed
out that, With all that is happening in the
real world, the question is, How to keep
kids optimistic and hopeful?
Personalization is geared towards that end.
The key is: keep them having experiences
where they realize they can make a difference, Kimball said.
The author is a freelance writer who lives in
Graniteville.
THE BRIDGE
Montpelier Turns to Solar for City Power

by Ed Sutherland
n March, Montpelier announced plans to become the nation's first net zero capital city.
In one of its first steps toward ending the city's reliance on fossil fuels, Montpelier will
turn to the sun. Two solar projects are expected to save city government $50,000 per
year in electricity bills.
Built by Montpelier-based Novus Energy Development, the two 500-kilowatt solar projects
will power such city services as the water filtration plant, the Union Elementary School and
City Hall. Montpelier Planning and Development Director Michael Miller told The Bridge
the group net-metering project could provide the city with most of its electricity.
To me that is a lot easier for future decisions. I also want to explore what panels are being
used, he explained. Additionally, if the city were to purchase the solar sites after seven years,
Golonka wanted to ensure the panel manufacturers would still be in business.
Golonka owns a financial management firm and previously worked at Wachovia Securities.
Novuss Bravakis said private investment in the solar installation allows the sites to be built
without Montpelier being financially on the hook.
The investors which Bravakis refused to identify will receive investment tax credits
provided to private firms investing in renewable energy projects. The tax credits and other
This project is intended as a step toward making the city government net zero (as opposed incentives span seven years.
to the whole city), Miller said.
One thing to keep in mind is that these projects are going to be built, owned and operated
About 70 percent of the city's electrical usage will be provided by the solar installations.
by an independent third party, which will be investing between $1.3 million and $1.8 million
per project, Bravakis said.
The city expects to reduce the remaining 30 percent through efficiency efforts, Miller
added. Miller said the projects output will power municipal buildings such as City Hall, the As for the leasing arrangement with private landowners, Miller and Bravakis would not
city garage, the police station and the fire department.
provide any names. The Log Road property is owned by Peter and Claudia Brousseau, acThe net-metering solar generating installations will be located on two private land parcels, cording to Montpelier tax records. The property owners will receive annual lease payments
of between $5,000 and $8,000. Additionally, Novus will pay the property tax on the fourone in Montpelier and one in Sharon.
acre land parcels, according to Bravakis.
Each installation will have a 4.5-acre footprint, including a perimeter fence, Novus Energy
Powering the increase in municipalities adopting solar power is the 2014 state law boosting
partner Alex Bravakis said.
net-metering limits for utilities from 4 percent to 15 percent. It is no coincidence that Novus
In 2013, Novus built a similar solar power system for Barre Town. Another solar electricity and other companies concentrate on solar installations with a 500-kilowatt capacity. That
generating site is being built for Barre City.
figure is the cut-off for solar systems wanting to take part in the expanded net-metering
Financially, as part of the 20-year contract, the city will pay $11,440 per month to Novus. program.
Montpelier will sell the excess electricity generated to Green Mountain Power, reducing the Before Montpelier and Sharon can begin using the solar-generated electricity, Novus must
city's bill. The city will also get renewable energy credits, which the municipality can sell. In receive approval from the state Public Service Board. According to Bravakis, the requests
addition, after seven years, Montpelier can purchase the solar electricity generating system. will be submitted this summer. Construction could begin as early as three months after the
Although the Montpelier City Council in late May unanimously approved the contract, papers are filed.
council member Tom Golonka expressed concerns that more discussion was needed before
Miller signed a contract. Golonka told The Bridge his desire was to place the solar projects
on public land instead of leasing private property.
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T H E B R I D G E
Mountaineers Home Run in

Environmental Ballpark
Recycling and Compost
Not a WASTE of time
by Mollie Gribbon
MONTPELIER I stand along the first base line stationed next to the new recycling
and compost bins, which have been added to the ballpark to sort leftover food scraps and
recyclables. I wait, as most fans have yet to dispose of items, and observe the perfect Saturday summer evening at the baseball field: Music plays over the loudspeaker as families
arrive, kids in tow, looking for the best seats and Skip, the fan-favorite mascot. The smells
of ballpark food invite fans to their yummy favorites, and the players warm up on the field.
This has been a familiar scene each home game of the season, ever since the Mountaineers
started back in 2003. Players have changed, the field and stadium have seen improvements,
the fan base has grown, and environmental awareness is on the rise.
Much of the rise in environmental awareness can be explained by the newly implemented
Vermont recycling and composting initiative also known as Act 148, which bans recyclables and organics from the landfill. The various mandates of the initiative are phased in
annually between 2014 and 2020.
The Central Vermont Solid Waste Management District has been working with the Mountaineers to help them green up the ballpark by improving recycling, and getting a head start
on composting. Not only have the Mountaineers hit the ball out of the park in meeting
the requirements of Vermonts law, theyve gone above and beyond. While recycling is now
mandatory in Vermont, as of July 1, 2015, the decision was made to add compost bins to
the ballpark as well, in order to further the parks environmental consciousness and prepare
for the 2020 implementation of zero food scraps allowed in the landfill. As an intern for
CVSWMD this summer, I have the pleasure of assisting fans with placement of items and
answering questions about recycling and compost.
General Manager Brian Gallagher played an important role in the decision to support
the reduction of the waste that accumulates during the teams two-month season. In fact,
Vermonts Mountaineers are the first in the New England Collegiate Baseball League to
initiate such important steps. Gallagher emphasizes that from opening night through the
playoffs that are currently underway, and he has seen improvements: From our end, things
are going great. People are learning, sorting and understanding it as they become more
familiar with the concept and were seeing improvements as the season goes on.
Back at my station along the first base line, I interact with fans who have finished hamburgers, hotdogs and pizza and begin to dispose of waste. Many want to know where to
put items; some ask for assistance with clear determination written across their faces. And
others decide to avoid eye contact as they toss their pile of waste unseparated into
the trash, despite all the efforts of the Mountaineers, my presence and numerous signs that
clearly mark recycling, composting and landfill bins. Sometimes, recyclables and food
scraps fly into the trash can before I have a chance to interject.
From my recycling bin perch, I ponder how some people seem only concerned with getting
rid of their waste as fast as possible without consideration for the environment; and others,
like the Mountaineers, go far above what they have to do. While it is true some changes
take time, the time for change is now because the Vermont Recycling and Compost Initiative is here to stay at the ballpark and throughout the entire state. The Initiative can be
summarized as follows:
This initiative allows for convenience to Vermont residents and businesses by creating consistent statewide solid waste services such as recycling and composting available through
every facility and hauler. By requiring separation and diversion of materials it also creates
an incentive for investment into materials management strategies, making the best use of
Vermonts resources. In summary, the law:
Bans disposal of certain solid waste from landfills such as recyclables by July 1, 2015 including:
Aluminum
Steel
Glass
Hard plastics
Corrugated cardboard
Paper and boxboard
In addition, it bans from the landfill:
Leaf and yard debris and clean wood waste by July 1, 2016, and
Food scraps by 2020, initiated in phases.
The Mountaineers games are coming to an end which means my time at the ballpark is
also drawing to a close. It was a summer well spent, evenings at the baseball field helping
fans, watching good baseball games and learning about the environment. One might say it
was definitely not a waste of time.
If you have questions, visit cvswmd.org or call 229-2383.
Mollie Gribbin is a summer intern with CVSWMD and lifelong Montpelierite. She attends
school and runs track at the University of Nebraska, where she studies psychology and communications. As she returns to Nebraska she is excited to bring back to Nebraska what she has learned
this summer from working for CVSWMD and the Mountaineers.
THE BRIDGE
Opinion
Fix Social Security With A
Carbon Tax
by Phil Dodd
erhaps because I am now a few years past my 60th birthday, Im a little more aware
of the looming problems of social security. But social securitys long-term financial
problems should be of concern to all of us. Unless something changes, anyone
under 50 wont be receiving full benefits when they are ready to retire, and those who
are older could see benefit cuts in the midst of their retirements.
The problem, in a nutshell, is that the Social Security Trust Fund for retirees (where
excess payroll contributions were stashed in the past) is expected to run out of money in
2034, according to a federal report issued in July. At that point only 19 years from
now social security will be funded by payroll taxes alone, which means beneficiaries
will receive only about 75 percent of their promised benefits.
A cut of 25 percent would be significant. Today, the average American retiree receiving
social security gets $15,468 per year, and many retirees report that social security is their
sole source of income. Meanwhile, traditional pensions are disappearing, and 401(K)s are
proving to be an inadequate pension replacement.
There are several ways the shortfall could be fixed. One idea is to increase the retirement
age, since people are living longer. The full retirement age has already gone up from 65
to 66, and it will be 67. If the base were increased significantly and the benefit formula
remained the same, however, higher income individuals would receive even more in social security benefits than they do now, using up some of that additional revenue. If the
formula were changed so those with higher incomes did not get more benefits, it could
undercut the current broad support for social security. Moreover, I think we are soon
going to need to raise federal taxes on higher income taxpayers for purposes other than
social security, like balancing our annual national budget and putting a dent in our $18
trillion national debt.
Another solution would be to increase the payroll tax, which pays for both Social Security and Medicare and currently adds up to 15.3 percent (half paid by the employee,
half by the employer). However, any increase would be challenging for those born after
1959 (everyone can still retire as early as 62, but with permanently reduced benefits). To
save money, full retirement benefits could be delayed further, to age 68 or 70. But, after
working for up to 40 or 50 years, most of us are eager to retire at an age when we could
still be active and healthy.
Another solution would be to raise the wage base (only the first $118,500 of earned income, indexed for inflation, is subject to the payroll tax).
Is there another revenue source that could fill the gap and might also have some positive
social impacts? I think a carbon tax fits the bill perfectly. It could raise a lot of money
(maybe even enough to reduce the payroll tax), change behaviors in a productive way
and it would not necessarily hurt the economy (Ireland passed a carbon tax a few years
ago, and its economy is now outpacing the rest of Europe). The tax could be phased in
over a period of years to avoid economic dislocations and to give people time to adjust
their behaviors.
The most widely discussed argument in favor of a carbon tax is that it would help reduce
usage of fossil fuels, which in turn could reduce the production of greenhouse gases.
Most scientists think these gases are a leading cause of global warming. If they are right,
we are on a perilous path to higher temperatures, agricultural disruption and rising sea
levels, a path that should be avoided if possible.
There are some who do not believe global warming is caused by humans, however. But
there is a second benefit from a carbon tax that is hard to deny: it would help conserve
what remains of the earths limited reserves of oil, coal and natural gas. These fuels are
not only important to us for transportation and heating, but they are used to produce
everything from plastic to asphalt to fertilizer, even solar panels.
The earths fossil fuels were created by nature over 300 million years ago. Once humankind began tapping these resources, economies in developed countries took off and our
global population soared from half a billion to seven billion. Doesnt it make sense to
conserve some of these valuable resources for future generations? To do so, we need to
reduce the use of fossil fuels and transition to other energy sources. A carbon tax would
help push us in that direction.
Im not enthusiastic about enacting a carbon tax solely in Vermont, as some advocate,
since that could put us at an economic disadvantage compared to other states. For example, tourists and vacation home buyers might avoid Vermont if gasoline and heating
prices were significantly higher here than in neighboring states.
By contrast, a national carbon tax would create a level playing field for all states. And,
since fossil fuel prices have dropped significantly in the last year, now is a perfect time
to enact a national carbon tax.
It may take some public pressure for our dysfunctional federal government to step up and
solve the social security problem, but the clock is ticking, and waiting will only make the
problem harder to solve. Enacting a carbon tax now to fund social security would help
us deal with two looming threats at once.
T H E B R I D G E
Back to School?
The Bridges Managing Editor Goes Back To School for Writing

at Sterling College story and photos by Carla Occaso
CRAFTSBURY COMMON So. This winter I tried (as I always try) not to bring
personal problems into the office, but sometimes they just follow me through the door.
Nothing too serious: doctors appointments, school conferences, money problems, a car that
three times just died while I was driving either to or from work my cars bumper (or lack
thereof), a crack in my windshield and state law requiring annual inspection
Teacher John Elder, left, Julia

Cavacchi and Amanda Giddens
write on John Elder's porch at Little
Hosmer Pond.
Lucky for me, I have the best boss in the world, Nat Frothingham, our publisher. He hired
me to become managing editor in November 2014. Then, some time after the new year he
received notice via email of a writing course to be held at Sterling College in Craftsbury
Common for two weeks in July. July seemed so far away from our about-to-be renovated
basement office that was so cold some days my hands became numb and useless as I tried
to type. We all wore wool hats and sat in front of space heaters on those coldest days before
scurrying home early in the darkness through snow and ice.
It was in this setting Nat offered to sponsor me to attend the writing course titled Writing In
Place in one of the most beautiful towns in Vermont during the summeriest month. Nat had
said he had participated in a discussion on Shakespeare's King Lear with one of the writing
teachers, John Elder, a few years ago and that he was brilliant. Nat also said he thought it
would be a nice break for me to get away in the summer, and I am always looking to learn
more about the craft of writing.
undergraduates, but one student, Julia Cavecchi, an 18-year-old student going into her
Though it didnt seem so when it was happening, February quickly progressed to July, sophomore year at Skidmore, came because she had read about Sterling in a publication
we moved out of the basement office, launched several fundraisers and invented a youth- called Orion, a magazine about nature, culture and the environment, and was intrigued. Her
oriented newspaper in head-spinning succession, when suddenly it was time to go back to curiosity about the school, its students and programs, was infectious and I often followed
along, for example on a tour of the edible forest led by student Natalie Bekkouche or to sit
school for two weeks in July.
I had doubts and insecurities being a 50-year-old student among a group of students ranging in on the all-school Wednesday meeting.
in age from 18 to 29, but we quickly acclimated to one another and became deeply involved But as for the class itself, it was a banquet of ideas and encouragement. The first teacher,
Lynne Anderson, left her home in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts to stay in her off-the-grid
in the stories that slowly unfurled out of the ensuing sessions.
Program Director Pavel Cenkl presided over the first day, which served as an introduction. cabin near Sterling College. She is a chef-turned-teacher-turned-food writer (who also
Who were we and why were we there? He asked us to write up an answer. We also got to teaches writing). Following her was former Middlebury College professor John Elder, an
meet Ben Hewitt, an environmental writer from Cabot who lives off the grid, raises most of esteemed nature writer, and then, coaching us to finish and polish was Jane Brox, a nonfiction writer who teaches at Bowdoin and Bread Loaf.
his own food with his family and writes for a living.
Four of the students were there mainly as part of their courses of study as enrolled Sterling This was serious business. Although we were in an idyllic setting nestled among spectacular
trees, flowers, berry bushes and people, we were pretty much working nonstop from 8:30 in
the morning until late into the night.
We never thought we would be ready to stand before an audience in the Common House
on Friday, July 24, but stand and read we did. I was so impressed with how the work of each
student developed (including my own). I dont think any of us knew what we had in us until
we dared to dig deeply into our souls inspired by place and encouraged by accomplished
writers. In the end, the experience was not a break in a sense, but it awakened my senses and
brought me on an unforgettable journey.
Studying with food writer Lynne Anderson
P.O. Box 1143, Montpelier, VT 05601

Phone: 802-223-5112
Fax: 802-223-7852
Editor & Publisher: Nat Frothingham
Managing Editor: Carla Occaso
Calendar Editor, Design & Layout:
Marichel Vaught
Intern: Lindsey Grutchfield
Copy Editing Consultant:
Larry Floersch
Proofreader: Garrett Heaney
Sales Representatives: Michael Jermyn,
Rick McMahan
Distribution: Tim Johnson, Kevin Fair,
Diana Koliander-Hart, Daniel Renfro
Editorial: 223-5112, ext. 14, or
editorial@montpelierbridge.com.
Location: The Bridge office is located at
the Vermont College of Fine Arts,
on the main level of 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.
Published every 1st and 3rd Thursday
of the month, except in July when we
publish the 3rd Thursday only.
montpelierbridge.com
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Twitter: @montpbridge
Copyright 2015 by The Bridge
THE BRIDGE
Who are Some of Montpeliers

Friendliest People?
photos and story by Dot Helling
Gary Bergeron
Amy Cox
ave you walked down Main Street, looked a

familiar face in the eye and said, hello, only
to get a blank, I dont know you expression or
no expression at all? I realize its hard to stay on track in
downtown Montpelier when youre on a tight schedule,
especially in the middle of a work day with errands to do
while running into folks. But rather than getting rankled
or dwelling on being disappointed, I try to savor those who
are engaging and friendly. So, who are some of the friendliest people in town? I have a few stand-outs on my list and
Im sure you do too.
First is our recycle collector Gary Bergeron. Gary has
been in the self-employed shopping cart bottle and can
pick up business for as long as I can remember. Hes the
original. Then theres Pinky Clark, our man about town.
Very few things go on that Phantom Pinky has not laid
his hands on. The same can be said about Bill Beard who
has done tireless work for the needy and homeless and is
always jolly and laughing.
Mornings at the Coffee Corner, and days at Cool Jewels,
Michelle Pitzner
Erich Rosenstreich
you can find Amy Cox. No matter how crowded the restaurant or store is, or what the mood or weather may be,
Amy is friendly and smiling, provides great service and
remembers your name. The same is true for Vermont State
Employee Credit Unions Montpelier branch manager,
Alvah Newhall. Newhalls greeting is always warm and
embracing, be it at work or on the street. Hes a Vermont
native and jewelry lover who hits all the yard sales with
personality plus.
Photographer Linda Hogan is known for her exhibits of
downtown subjects, including local dog personalities, architecture and window dressings. Linda is always ready for
a friendly chat and snapshot. Michelle Pitzner, the crossing
guard at East State and Hubbard Streets, constantly smiles
while on duty and wears bright colored clothing with a
wildly striped umbrella on cloudy, rainy days. On Fridays
and other special days she waves greetings to passersby
with a soap bubble wand.
Erich Rosenstreich is the fashionable walker turning into
runner and cyclist, a favorite at First in Fitness. He re-
George Estes
cently ran the Capital City Stampede, a 10K road race.

Erich has overcome more disability and misfortune than
we can imagine, yet never loses his smile or his genuine
greeting skills. Then theres George Estes, the proprietor
of Out Doggin It, the hot dog stand in front of Christ
Church. George has one of those giant, friendly grins from
ear to ear.
Dont worry readers. There wont be a follow-up column
about the unfriendly persons in this town, and my apologies to those of you friendly folks not mentioned here.
Montpelier has always had an abundant share of friendly
townies. Sen. Bill Doyle, R-Montpelier and longtime
Sergeant-At-Arms Francis Brooks also certainly belong on
the friendly list. Also of notable mention are Lola Aiken
who walked everywhere into her 90s, retired Fire Chief
Ernie Flanders, and Jean Clark of Minuteman Press (yes,
Pinkys wife, now deceased) to name a few. Each of us can
take something from the smiles on these faces and paste
them onto our own, especially on long rainy and wintry
Vermont days. These folks know how to be with us in the
present to make every moment and every smile count.
Montpelier Movie Night

by Ashley Witzenberger
n Saturday, August 22, the talk of downtown Montpelier will be coming off a movie
screen.
The Green Mountain Film Festival and Montpelier Alive are teaming up to sponsor a
free outdoor screening of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, on the State House Lawn on Saturday, August 22 at 8:30 p.m.
The first-ever event of its kind on the State House lawn will feature the science fiction
family film, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Drew
Barrymore and Henry Thomas. Released on June 11, 1982 by Universal Pictures, E.T.
was a blockbuster, surpassing Star Wars to become the highest-grossing film of all time
a record it held for 11 years.
Chances are most of us have seen the movie E.T., but you have never seen it like this
on a giant movie screen on the scenic State House lawn. The movie on the lawn provides
a unique option for local entertainment and a new way to experience a movie that is as
good today as it was decades ago.
The Green Mountain Film Festival has been working to expand our programming
outside of the festival in March. We have a wonderful community partnership with
Montpelier Alive and are thrilled to collaborate on this one-of-a-kind event in the Capital
City says Rachelle Murphy, executive director, Green Mountain Film Festival.
Montpelier Movie Night on the lawn is a great opportunity to be together with your
friends and family. Its a unique setting that combines the grand structure of the State
House, downtown and entertainment. If successful, Montpelier Movie night could become an annual summer event.
Mark your calendars for one more family event before the summer ends and the kids go
back to school. Please note that this event is weather permitting; look for announcements
and updates on the Montpelier Alive website and Facebook page.
T H E B R I D G E
Sidewalk $ales
Friday, August 7
THRU
Sunday, August 9
THE BRIDGE
The B
The Bridge Presents
Welcome
In July, The Bridge, with the support of the community, was able to put
forth a special paper for youth and by youth entitled The Breeze. Originally intended to be a one-time publication with the potential for revival
in the future, The Breeze was a great success. Now, The Bridge is pleased
to present The Breezes second issue, this time as a spread in The Bridge.
If you are interested in supporting or writing for potential future issues of
The Breeze, dont hesitate to contact editorial@montpelierbridge.com.
Feature
Middle School
Co
by Ruby Singer
, Ruby Singer, am going to 7th grade in three short weeks. Three short weeks until
middle school. Three short weeks until a whole life of responsibility, of being somewhere at some time, starts. Three short weeks until my life as a teenager begins, and
I couldnt feel sicker.
When I was little I always looked at the big kids (sixth graders) and could never
imagine being so tall, and independent, and tall. Yet here I am three weeks away from
MIDDLE SCHOOL almost as tall as my mom. As I look back all I can think is, how
did I get here? I dont remember growing, I dont remember turning into an independent
person (that can go into town and run errands by herself). I guess thats how growing
up works, it just happens. Its not like one day youre the person youre going to be for
the rest of your life. I guess growing up and seeing my friends grow as well has made me
slow down and notice how much has changed.
I think that maturity isnt the ability to keep your emotions in check, but to be able to let
them out. I guess maturity is also finding who you really are, or standing out from the
crowd. And that could be anything, like raising your hand to read some creative writing,
or challenging the fastest kid in school, or even lending your neighbor a pencil. And to
be able to find the people who can help you with that.
Ruby Singer on summer vacation

in Boulder Field, PA
I think finding friends that can handle your weirdness and recognize how that weirdness
plays into the world is hard. Yeah, I have friends that would sit with me at lunch or help
me with my homework. But what you really want are people who tell you how skinny you
are when you doubt it. Or someone who would sleep on the outside of the bed because
youre scared that goblins would take you after a scary movie. Or someone who would
listen to the plot of the book youre reading just so you wont have to wait for the next
book alone for a year (torture, and I say that from experience). And sometimes those
people dont play softball with you, or hate your favorite color, and that doesnt matter.
Those are the friends to keep. And those are hard to find.
In all those stories the guy and the girl are perfect for each other and they have this
romantic date and they are hooked for life. For example, currently Im reading this
wonderful series, Im on the third and last book, called Once Upon the End (I totally
recommend it, its by James Riley). With all these (awesome) stories floating around, the
expectations are really high. So Im a little worried that I will be disappointed by the
real thing.
Dont even get me started on the pressure of the whole boy-girl thing. Oh geez, that is
one of the things Im a little terrified of. Not that Im not keeping my eye out for a cute
boy, but I mean, I personally think that elementary school is a little early. One of my
friends has some sort of relationship with this boy. You know what I mean. But I honestly think its just a fake way to feel older and more mature. I want to wait until I find
someone I actually like, instead of the closest guy with dimples.
Be who you are and say what you feel

Because those who mind dont matter
And those who matter dont mind
-Dr. Seuss
In the end, I really am ready, but it just blows my mind that Im here. Im here. Im here.
Nope, mind still blown. And to sum up my thoughts in this matter, here is my favorite
quote, like, ever:
Ruby Singer lives in East Montpelier and will be starting middle school at U-32 this fall.
Word Scramble
Poem
Unscramble the following five words. Answers are at bottom of this page.
Hint: school supplies
1. RDIBEN
2. PLRTEAS
4. KTONOBOE
Imperception
3. GHHIITLREHG
by Kelty Edraney
5. CKPCKBAA
Drops of rain sink deeper yet

Into the dark moist brown of Earth,
Where all blackness is the same.
Support The Bridge

Become a Community Contributor!
They disappear like gems into an inkwell

Single green blades peek out from this heavy
curtain, and graze my toes with their emerald
limbs.
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Address_____________________________________________________
I love these small and imperceptible friends
City____________________________________ State_____Zip__________
Exploring their fractal world while I knead the

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Thank
You!
Tiny salamander basks in the sun

Slick orange coat taking on a new glow
We are not alone here,
Answers to Word Scramble
1. BINDER
2. STAPLER
3. HIGHLIGHTER
4. NOTEBOOK
5. BACKPACK
$25 $50* $100 $150
Among the low hanging branches and mossy

rocks,
Laying in wait for me,
To outlive the memory of me.
T H E B R I D G E
Breeze
ol
or
e!
For Youth, By Youth
Book Review
Captn Bobs Adventures in
Child Psychology
by Lindsey Grutchfield
espite the bizarre title, Robert Belenkys new book Captn Bobs Adventures
in Child Psychology has no small degree of merit. Granted, the book bears
more resemblance to a philosophical treatise than the memoir it was intended
to be. All the same, there are nuggets of plainspoken wisdom and fascinating stories in
Captn Bobs Adventures in Child Psychology, so long as the reader is willing to follow
the book where it leads.
The book is, above all, rambling. It starts with an account of Belenkys family history
and ends with excerpts from a journal he kept while traveling in Haiti. Along the way
it segues into sweeping descriptions of the authors views on religion, socialism and poverty, among other matters. Robert Belenky has led a profoundly interesting life, there is
little doubt about that. The trouble for Captn Bobs Adventures in Child Psychology
arises when he lets his philosophy take precedence over his memory in his writing.
Despite a few structural drawbacks, Belenky knows how to write. Captn Bobs Adventures in Child Psychology holds the attention of the reader through all parts of the
book, even the philosophical bits that, in the hands of a lesser writer, would be hopelessly
dry. The result of this writing skill is that a reader who is interested in Belenkys opinions
on Haitian Non-Governmental Organizations or the value of nature in psychology is
in for a wonderful time. As for the reader who is not, they may find themselves at least
somewhat intrigued, won over by his breezy and entertaining writing style.
Overall, Captn Bobs Adventures in Child Psychology is a messy romp through the
mind of a very interesting man. The reader cannot help but feel a certain voyeuristic
fascination associated with getting such a clear, unrefined glimpse into the authors head
and his life. For these reasons, the book is more than worth a read.
Featured Photo
Pondering the last days of summer.
Photo by Lucas Prendergast
Illustration by Rowan McMullan
THE BRIDGE
T H E B R I D G E
THURSDAY, AUGUST 6
MBAC Meeting. Meeting of the Montpelier Bicycle

Advisory Committee. First Thurs., 8 a.m. Police
Station Community Room, 534 Washington St.,
Montpelier. 262-6273.
Wacky Science Experiments! Try chromatography, a density column and more as we turn the
library to laboratory. Ages 5+. 10 a.m. KelloggHubbard Library, 135 Main St., Montpelier. Free.
223-3338. kellogghubbard.org.
Hiroshima Day Peace Walk 70th Anniversary.
Meet on the library lawn, then share a meditative
walk down State Street to the river by the high
school. There, we'll share poems, songs and send
candle floats downriver with our prayers. 6:45 p.m.
Kellogg-Hubbard Library lawn, 135 Main St.,
Montpelier. Neville Berle: 224-1001.
Diabetes Support Group. First Thurs., 78 p.m.
Conference room 3, Central Vermont Medical
Center. 371-4152.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 7
Summer Sidewalk Sale. Aug. 79. Downtown

Montpelier invites all savvy shoppers to stroll the
sidewalks and hunt for bargains from their favorite
shops. There are treasures galore to be found, all at
markdowns guaranteed to be kind to your wallet!
223-9604. events@montpelieralive.org.
58th annual Stowe Antique & Classic Car Meet.
Aug. 79. Over 800 antique and classic cars, food
concessions, automotive flea market, car corral.
Nichols Field, VT Rt. 100, south of Stowe Village.
$10 spectator admission per day; children 12 and
under free. For daily schedule: vtauto.org.
Engineering Story Time. Rosie Revere is an
engineer and so are you! Learn about engineering through a fun project. Ages 5+. 10:30 a.m.
Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 135 Main St., Montpelier. Free. 223-3338. kellogghubbard.org.
Death Caf. Group discussion about death with
no agenda, objectives or themes. First Fri., 11:45
a.m.1 p.m. Twin Valley Senior Center, Rte. 2,
Blueberry Commons, E. Montpelier. Bring your
own lunch or eat at the center for $4. 223-3322.
Book Reading with Jonathan Williams. Local
author Jonathan Williams will read excerpts from
his new historical science fiction thriller The
Prophets Ladder. Q & A follows. 6 p.m. North
Branch Caf, 41 State St., Montpelier.
Tom Joyce, That Funny Magic Guy. Joyce
brings books, heroes and magic together.
6:307:30 p.m. Jaquith Public Library, 122 School
St., Marshfield. Free. 426-3581. jaquithpubliclibrary.org.
Coffeehouse. Enjoy live music and share your
own. Fellowship, potluck snacks and beverages.
First Fri., 79 p.m. Trinity United Methodist
Church, 137 Main St., Montpelier (park and enter
at rear). Free. 244-5191, 472-8297 or rawilburjr@
comcast.net.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 8

Vintage Trailer Conference. A day-long event
where national, regional and local Vermont tourists and cult trailer enthusiasts will have a chance
to explore Montpeliers historic streets and area
businesses by touring 4060 vintage trailers from
the 1940s to the 1970s parked in downtown
Montpelier. 10 a.m.8 p.m. 223-9604. events@
montpelieralive.org.
Overeaters Anonymous. Twelve-step program for
physically, emotionally and spiritually overcoming overeating. Two meeting days and locations.
Second Sat., 8:309:30 a.m. at Episcopal Church
of the Good Shepherd, 39 Washington St., Barre.
249-3970.
Memory Caf. Storyteller Burr Morse leads memory-loss patients and their caretakers in a morning
of narratives and conversation. An ice cream social
sweetens the deal. 1011:30 a.m. Montpelier
Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre St., Montpelier.
Free; open to the public. 223-2518.

Humane Heroes Summer Party. Kids event. Fun
activities, snacks and treats. Spend time with the
shelter animals. 10 a.m.noon. Central Vermont
Humane Society Adoption Center, 1589 Rt. 14S,
E. Montpelier. Free; donations welcome. See items
on wish list: centralvermonthumane.org/wish-list.
Coffee with a Cop. Police and community members come together in an informal, neutral space to
discuss community issues, build relationships and
drink coffee. 10 a.m. Hunger Mountain Coop,
623 Stone Cutters Way, Montpelier. 223-8000.
A Hamel Family Puppet Show. Toddlers and
kids aged 3+ enjoy a funny and educational puppet show by the Hamel family. Includes a craft
afterwards. 10 a.m. Waterbury Public Library,
30 Foundry St., Waterbury. Free. 244-7036.
waterburypubliclibrary.com.
One Stop Country Pet Supply Ice Cream Social.
Bring your dog on a leash and join in on the fun!
Noon3 p.m. One Stop Country Pet Supply,
Twin City Plaza, Barre-Montpelier Rd., Berlin.
479-4307.
Chris Hadsel & Painted Theater Curtains. 100
years ago, painted backdrops were the primary
artistic feature in the cultural life of almost every
New England village and town. Hadsel of the
Curtains Without Borders project will speak about
the work to uncover and preserve these important
pieces of history. 2 p.m. Vermont History Center,
60 Washington St., Barre. Free with admission
to the Vermont History Center ($5). 828-2180.
vermonthistory.org/calendar.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 9

Kids Under the Canopy. Part of Vermont Festival
of the Arts. Crafts range from simple tissue art
for ages 3 and up to engaging paracord survival bracelets for older kids. Bouncy ball-making,
duct tape crafts and other surprises await. 1011
a.m. The Collection, under canopy of enclosed
covered sidewalk, 110 Mad River Green Shops,
Waitsfield. Free. Pre-registration appreciated:
496-6055. collection@madriver.com.
MONDAY, AUGUST 10
History Camp. Aug. 1014. Learn about ancient

history in creative ways all week long. Part of
History Heroes Week. Ages 510. 10 a.m.noon.
Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 135 Main St., Montpelier. Free. Pre-registration required: 223-3338.
kellogghubbard.org.
Musical Story Time. With Lesley Grant. Ages 18
months4 years. 10 a.m. Waterbury Public Library, 30 Foundry St., Waterbury. Free. 244-7036.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 11

kellogghubbard.org.
Medicare and You Workshop. New to Medicare?
Have questions? We have answers. Second and
fourth Tues., 34:30 p.m. 59 N. Main St., Ste.
200, Barre. Free, donations gratefully accepted.
479-0531. cvcoa@cvcoa.org. cvcoa.org.
Agency Open House & Career Fair. With Washington County Mental Health Services, Inc. Learn
about WCMHS services. Program information
and on-site interviews for open positions. Tour
facilities. 47 p.m. Children, Youth & Family Services Building, 579 S. Barre Rd., Barre. 229-1399.
wcmhs.org.
Grandparents Raising Their Childrens
Children. Second Tues., 68 p.m. Child care
provided. Wesley Methodist Church, Main St.,
Waterbury. 476-1480.
Performing Arts
THEATER, STORYTELLING
& COMEDY
Aug. 6: Galumpha! Combines stunning acrobatics, striking visual effects, physical comedy and
inventive choreography. Part of Peak Circus Festival. Recommended for ages 7+. 7 p.m. Spruce
Peak Performing Arts Center, 122 Hourglass Dr.,
Stowe. $2043. 760-4634. sprucepeakarts.org/
circus.
Aug. 69, 1316: The Trip to Bountiful.
Horton Footes classic drama. Thurs.Sat., 7:30
p.m.; Sat.Sun., 2 p.m. QuarryWorks, Haggett
Rd., Adamant. Free. Reservations: 229-6978.
quarryworks.org.
Aug. 8: Krin Haglund in The Rendez-Vous. In a
succession of personas ranging from the diva, the
joker to the cheeky minx, Haglund is a master of
comedy, aerial silks, juggling and the Cyr Wheel.
Part of Peak Circus Festival. Recommended for
ages 7+. 7 p.m. Spruce Peak Performing Arts
Center, 122 Hourglass Dr., Stowe. $2043. 7604634. sprucepeakarts.org/circus.
Aug. 8, 15, 22, 29: Underneath the Above
Show Number 2, the Continuation of Part 1.
Presented by Bread and Puppet and inspired by
the forthcoming presidential election campaign.
Museum tour 6 p.m.; show starts 7:30 p.m. The
Bread and Puppet Farm, Paper Mach Cathedral,
Rt. 122, Glover. $10 suggested donation. 5253031. breadandpuppet.org.
Through Aug. 9: Stone. Lost Nation Theater
presents the glorious and gritty story of the
people who shaped Barres granite heritage. This
is the 10th anniversary production of Kim Bents
award-winning play with traditional Italian,
Irish and French-Canadian music and dances.
Based on oral histories, federal writers project,
news accounts and interviews. Thurs., 7 p.m.;
Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m.
Vermont Granite Museum, 7 Jones Brothers Way,
Barre. $2530. 229-0492. lostnationtheater.org.
Aug. 912: Circus Smirkus 2015 Big Top Tour:
Bon Appetit. Come see the award-winning,
international traveling youth circus! Kids ages
10 to 18 are stars on highwire and trapeze, as
clowns, jugglers, acrobats and more. Aug. 9, 4
p.m.; Aug. 1012, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Montpelier
High School, 5 High School Dr., Montpelier.
Adults $21.50; youth ages 712 $17.50; children ages 26 $14.50; children under 2 free.
1-877-SMIRKUS. lauren.antler@mirkus.org.
smirkus.org.
Aug. 9, 16, 23, 30: Overtakelessness Circus
and Pageant with Comets Passage Over Reality Passion Play. Museum tour 1 p.m.; shows
start 3 p.m. Guest performers after shows. The
Bread and Puppet Farm, Rt. 122, Glover. $10
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12
Paddle Waterbury Reservoir with Green Mountain Club. Moderate. Various distances. Lunch on
shore. Contact Steve for meeting time and place:
479-2304.
Foot Clinic. By appointment only. Please bring
clippers, a basin, a towel, soap and lotion. Twin
Valley Senior Center, Rte. 2, Blueberry Commons,
E. Montpelier. 223-3322.
kellogghubbard.org.
Alzheimers Presentation, Part 2: Healthy
Habits for a Healthier You. Learn about research
in the areas of diet and nutrition, exercise, cognitive activity and social engagement, and use handson tools to help you incorporate these recommendations into a plan for healthy aging. 1 p.m. Twin
Valley Senior Center, Rte. 2, Blueberry Commons,
E. Montpelier. 223-3322.
The Joy of Writing Your Own Story: Introduction to Memoir Writing in Greensboro. With
Allen Davis and H. Clay Simpson. Part of The
Greensboro Arts Alliance Residencys 2nd annual
Writers Forum. 2 p.m. The Tent on the Green,
Greensboro. $10 suggested donation. mirrorarts.
org
suggested donation. 525-3031. breadandpuppet.

org.
Aug. 1316: TenFest. The Vermont Playwrights
Circle is presents ten 10-minute plays by Vermont
playwrights, featuring many local actors and
directors. Plays include people dealing with holidays in unique ways, others mending damaged
relationships and a musical comedy. Thurs.Sat.,
8 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m. Valley Players Theater, Rt.
100, Waitsfield. Adults $10; students and seniors
$8. 583-1674. vermontplaywrightscircle.org.
Through Aug. 14: Kiss Me Kate. Thurs.Fri.,
7:30 p.m.; Sat., 2 p.m. The Mirror Theater, Town
Hall Green, 81 Lauredon Ave., Greensboro. $20.
533-7487. mirrorarts.org.
Aug. 14, 21: Rob Mermin Performs Circle of
Sawdust. A one-man, multi-media, autobiographical history of life under canvas in the Big
Top circus world. 7:30 p.m. Unadilla Theater,
501 Blachly Rd., Marshfield. Adults $20; youth
$10. 456-8968.
Aug. 15: Bueno Open Mic & Talent Show. Sign
up in advance on Facebook, or sign up at the
door a half hour before show time, and bring
your talent whatever it may be to our stage!
7:30 p.m. Espresso Bueno, 248 N. Main St.,
Barre. Free. 479-0896. events@espressobueno.
com. espressobueno.com.
Through Aug. 16: Hamlet. Sat.Sun., 7:30
p.m. The Mirror Theater, Town Hall Green,
81 Lauredon Ave., Greensboro. $20. 533-7487.
mirrorarts.org.
Through Aug. 16: Rosencrantz & Guildenstern
Are Dead. Inventive tale of Hamlet as told from
the worm's-eye view of the bewildered Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, two minor characters
in Shakespeare's play. Sun., 2 p.m. The Mirror
Theater, Town Hall Green, 81 Lauredon Ave.,
Greensboro. $20. 533-7487. mirrorarts.org..
Aug. 16, 23: Rob Mermin Performs Adventures
in Mime & Space. A multi-media tribute to his
mentor, legendary French mime Marcel Marceau,
whose work in the French Underground, saving
Jewish children during WWII, earned him the
Wallenberg Humanitarian Award. 7:30 p.m.
Unadilla Theater, 501 Blachly Rd., Marshfield.
Adults $20; youth $10. 456-8968.
Aug. 21: Stroke Yer Joke. Sign up in advance on
Facebook, or sign up at the door a half hour before show time, and try five minutes of your best
open-mic stand-up comedy before a live audience!
8 p.m. Espresso Bueno, 248 N. Main St., Barre.
Free. 479-0896. events@espressobueno.com.
espressobueno.com.
Send your listing to

calendar@montpelierbridge.com
Deadline for next issue is August 13.
Send information for events
happening Aug. 20Sept. 5.
Celiac and Food Allergy Support Group. With

Lisa Mas of Harmonized Cookery. Second Wed.,
4:306 p.m. Conference room 3, Central Vermont
Medical Center. lisamase@gmail.com.
Quilting Group. Working meeting of the Dog
River Quilters. Second Wed., 5:30 p.m. Community room, Brown Public Library, Northfield. Jean,
585-5078 or jeanjolley@myfairpoint.net
Bereaved Parents Support Group. Second Wed.,
68 p.m. CVHHH, 600 Granger Rd., Berlin.
Jeneane Lunn 793-2376.
Authors at the Aldrich: Nick Neddo. Artist,
naturalist, teacher and author of The Organic
Artist: Make Your Own Paint, Paper, Pigments,
Prints, and More from Nature. 6 p.m. Aldrich
Library, Milne Community Room, 6 Washington
St., Barre. aldrichpubliclibrary.org.
Montpelier City Council Meeting. Second and
fourth Wed., 6:30 p.m. City Council Chambers,
Montpelier City Hall. 39 Main St., Montpelier.
montpelier-vt.org.
The Joy of Greensboro. Panel of local authors
discuss A New Anthology of Outstanding Articles
about the History of our Community: Forty Years
of the Hazen Road Dispatch. Reception. Part of
The Greensboro Arts Alliance Residencys 2nd
annual Writers Forum. 7 p.m. The Tent on the
Green, Greensboro. Free.
Calendar of Events
Visual Arts
Through Aug. 30: Elinor Osborn, Photography

of Northern Owls. Gallery hours: Thurs.Fri.,
26 p.m.; Sat.Sun., 10 a.m.6 p.m. Blinking
Light Gallery, 16 Main St., Plainfield. 454-0141.
blinkinglightgallery.com.
EXHIBITS
Through Aug. 31: Mid-Summer Show. New

work by The Front's 13 exhibiting members. 6 Barre St., Montpelier. 839-5349.
glen@thefrontvt.com. thefrontvt.com.
Through Aug. 10: Marie LaPr Grabon.

Landscapes and collages. Chandlers Downstairs
Gallery, 71-73 Main St., Randolph.
Through Aug. 19: Sylvia Walker. Landscape
paintings. Featuring 21 acrylic, pastel and pen
and ink pieces. Gifford Medical Center, art gallery, 44 S. Main St., Randolph. Free. 728-7000.
Through Aug. 29: Exhibits at Studio Place
Arts. Gallery hours: Tues.Fri., 11 a.m.5 p.m.;
Sat., noon4 p.m. 201 N. Main St., Barre. 4797069. studioplacearts.com.
Main floor: Strength. A show exploring the
myriad meanings of strength, whether by
force or spirit, involving traditional and nontraditional media.
Second floor: Eleanor Ott, Spirit Images.
Drawings and words.
Third floor: Ruth Hamilton, Nature Scapes
and Other Worlds. Painting, installation and
sculptures.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 13

kellogghubbard.org.
Blood Pressure Clinic. Free blood pressure
screenings led by nurses from Services and
Support at Home (SASH). 10:3011:30 a.m.
Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre St.,
Bug Walks. Our most abundant group of animals
at NBNC are the insects. Theyre fun to catch,
easy to observe, and offer endless opportunities
for new discovery. Bring your net and join us for
a bug walk. Anytime between 3:30 and 5 p.m.
North Branch Nature Center, 713 Elm St., Montpelier. $5 non-members; $3 members and kids.
229-6206. northbranchnaturecenter.org.
Public Reading: CCVs Summer Creative Writing Class. Students from Community College of
Vermont-Montpelier will read from work theyve
written over the course of the 12-week class Creative Writing: Autobiography & Memoir. For ages
16+. 7 p.m. The Great Room at CCV-Montpelier,
660 Elm St., Montpelier. Free. 728-7173.
Moth Night. Emeralds, loopers, underwings,
darts, owlets and so many more miraculous moths
will visit our light station as we dazzle in the dizzying variety of species. 8:3010:30 p.m. North
Branch Nature Center, 713 Elm St., Montpelier.
$5 non-members; $3 members and kids. 2296206. northbranchnaturecenter.org.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 14
Weaving Well-Being for Healers and Teachers.

Aug. 1416. Proposes to bring diverse talents in
healing and teaching together to form a professional services cooperative. The cooperative would
provide shared marketing services, referrals, and
will give all the practitioners a base of support to
help with the business side of making a living as a
healer. For more information and event schedule:
headwatersvermont.org.
kellogghubbard.org.
Through Aug. 31: Weston Art Guild. Watercolor and oil paintings by nine accomplished painters. Opening: Aug. 7, 56:30 p.m. With music
by McBride & Lussen. Three Mountain Caf,
107 Mad River Green, Waitsfield. 496-5470.
Through Sept. 6: Karla Van Vliet and Kathleen
A. McGuffin, Making Sacred Connections. Van
Vliet is a poet, painter and sculptor. McGuffin is
a modern painter. Part of the Vermont Festival
of the Arts. The Waitsfield United Church of
Christ, 4335 Main St., Rt. 100, Waitsfield. Free;
donations welcome. 496-3065.
Through Sept. 7: 26th annual Photo Show
in the Round Barn. Community-based photo
show. Part of Vermont Festival of the Arts in the
Mad River Valley. Mon.Fri., 10 a.m.5 p.m.;
Sat.Sun., 10 a.m.2:30 p.m. The Round Barn,
The Joy of Childrens Books. With Natalie Kinsey and Leda Schubert. Part of The Greensboro
Arts Alliance Residencys 2nd annual Writers
Forum. Childrens reading 10:30 a.m.; workshop
2 p.m. The Tent on the Green, Greensboro.
Suggested donation: $10 for single workshop or
reading; $15 for both workshop and reading. mirrorarts.org
Home Share Now Information. Learn more
about home sharing. Stop by our table or call our
office if you cant make the date. 12:302 p.m.
Hunger Mountain Coop, 623 Stone Cutters Way,
Montpelier. Home Share Now: 479-8544. info@
homesharenow.org.
Social Security 80th Birthday Party. Hosted by
the Vermont Chapter of the Alliance for Retired
Americans. For 80 years, retirees, the disabled and
other beneficiaries of Social Security benefits have
faithfully received their dependable monthly Social Security check. Celebrate with cake, balloons,
face painting, music and general birthday party
festivities. All are welcome. 12:302 p.m. State
House lawn, State St., Montpelier.
A Conversation with Best-Selling Author Andre
Dubus. VCFA welcomes best-selling author Andre Dubus III during our annual visiting writers
series for a wide-ranging discussion with President
and novelist Thomas Christopher Greene. Book
signing to follow. 45:30 p.m. VCFA, College
Hall Chapel, 36 College St., Montpelier. Free.
vcfa.edu.
10th annual Last Mile Ride: Timed 5K and
1-Mile Walk. Benefits end-of-life care at Gifford
Medical Center. Registration 4:30 p.m.; event
begins 6 p.m. Gifford Medical Center, 44 S. Main
St., Randolph. $25. Register: giffordmed.org/
LastMileRide
Friday Night Group. For youth age 1322 who
are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or
questioning. Pizza, soft drinks and conversation.
Cofacilitated by two trained, adult volunteers
from Outright VT. Second and fourth Fri.,
6:308 p.m. Unitarian Church, 130 Main St.,
Montpelier. Free. 223-7035. Micah@OutrightVT.
org.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 15
Hike Johnson with Green Mountain Club. Difficult. 11.1 miles. Long Trail from Corliss Camp to
Rt. 118, including access via the Davis Neighborhood Trail and rock scramble through Devil's
Gulch. About. 2100' elevation gain. Car spotting
required. Contact leader Jill for meeting time and
place: happy.jill.aspinall@gmail.com
10th annual Last Mile Ride: Motorcycle and
Bicycle Rides. Benefits end-of-life care at Gifford
Medical Center. Scenic route, barbecue lunch,
prizes and free massages. Registration 8:30 a.m.;
event begins 10 a.m. Gifford Medical Center, 44
S. Main St., Randolph. Participants asked to raise
minimum of $50; $75 for rider and passenger.
Register: giffordmed.org/LastMileRide
Additional Recyclables Collection Center. Accepting scores of hard-to-recycle items. Third Sat.,
E. Warren Rd., Waitsfield. roundbarn.com. For

more information and entry forms: greenmountainculturalcenter.com.
Through Sept. 7: Generations. 87 paintings by
invited artists and teachers and their students.
Watercolors, oils, acrylics and pastels by artists
aged 685 years old over the past 75 years.
11 a.m.5 p.m. and by appointment. Bryan
Memorial Gallery, 180 Main St., Jeffersonville.
644-5100. bryangallery.org.
Through Sept. 15: Art in the Supreme Court:
Marina Epstein. Over 20 years of painting
ranging from Epsteins earliest influences of
surrealism, abstract expressionism, the New
York School and the School of Paris up to her
present work to which an ism has not yet been
identified. 111 State St., Montpelier. 229-6297.
hermitage-gallery.com.
Through Sept. 18: Art Resource Association
Group Members Show. Celebrating 40 years.
T.W. Wood Gallery, 46 Barre St., Montpelier.
artresourceassociation.com.
Through Sept. 30: Tom Leytham, The Other
Working Landscape. Watercolor prints. Gallery hours Mon.Fri., 9 a.m.5 p.m. Pavilion
Office Building, Governors Gallery, 109 State
9 a.m.1 p.m. 540 N. Main St. (old Times-Argus

building), Barre. $1 per carload. 229-9383 x106.
For list of accepted items, go to cvswmd.org.
Kids Creating Music. With Bob Brookens. Ages
18 months4 years. 10 a.m. Waterbury Public
Library, 30 Foundry St., Waterbury. Free. 2447036. waterburypubliclibrary.com.
End of Summer Tie-Dye Party. Celebrate the end
of summer and the end of the Summer Reading
Program with lemonade, ice cream and tie-dye!
Bring a shirt to tie-dye. All ages. 10 a.m. KelloggHubbard Library, 135 Main St., Montpelier. Free.
223-3338. kellogghubbard.org.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 16
Walk East Montpelier Town Forest with Green

Mountain Club. Easy. About 6 miles. Local guide
Kimberly Pierce. Meet at 1 p.m. Contact leader
Ken for additional information: hertzkj@gmail.
com
Kids Under the Canopy. Part of Vermont Festival
of the Arts. Kids draw and play sidewalk games
hopscotch, mandala art, stencils. Wearable
hair chalk. For kids of all ages. 1011 a.m. The
Collection, under canopy of enclosed covered
sidewalk, 110 Mad River Green Shops, Waitsfield.
Free. Pre-registration appreciated: 496-6055.
collection@madriver.com.
Families of Color. Open to all. Play, eat and discuss issues of adoption, race and multiculturalism.
Bring snacks and games to share; dress for the
weather. Third Sun., 35 p.m. Unitarian Church,
130 Main St., Montpelier. Alyson 439-6096 or
alyson@suncatchervt.com.
MONDAY, AUGUST 17
SASH Blood Pressure Clinic. Twin Valley Senior

Center, Rte. 2, Blueberry Commons, E. Montpelier. Call for more information: 223-3322.
The Joy of Plays. Sabra Jones and actors of the
Greensboro Arts Alliance and Residency read a
Bernard Pomerance play. Part of The Greensboro
Arts Alliance Residencys 2nd annual Writers Forum. 7 p.m. The Tent on the Green, Greensboro.
$10 suggested donation. mirrorarts.org
TUESDAY, AUGUST 18
Workshop: Applying Permaculture Principles

to Regional Systems Design. Focus on regional land-based business opportunities and new
economic models that will facilitate cooperative
ownership, ecological restoration and equitable
economic development in the area. Hosted by
Bright Blue EcoMedia. 9 a.m.5 p.m. Montpelier
High School, 5 High School Dr., Montpelier.
Free. brightbluemedia.org/permaculture
Romance Writing. Workshop with Anne Stuart.
Part of The Greensboro Arts Alliance Residencys
2nd annual Writers Forum. 2 p.m. The Tent on
the Green, Greensboro. $10 suggested donation.
mirrorarts.org
THE BRIDGE
St., Montpelier. tomleythamarchitectartist.com.

Through Oct. 14: Exposed. Outdoor sculpture
exhibit. 18 monumental sculptures and installations. The art works are installed in Stowe along
Main Street, the recreation path and at Helen
Day Art Center at 90 Pond St., Stowe. helenday.
com/exposed2015.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Aug. 1415: Great Vermont Plein Air PaintOut & Sidewalk Art Sale. 50+ artists from all
over New England will draw, sketch and paint
the beautiful local scenery. Part of Vermont
Festival of the Arts in the Mad River Valley.
95 p.m. Sidewalk Art Show and Sale, Aug. 15,
36 p.m. Historic Waitsfield Village. 496-6682.
info@vermontartfest.com. vermontartfest.com.
Aug. 15: Childrens Paint-Out. Children of all
ages can try their hand at painting or drawing
plein air alongside the Paint-Out artists. Find
a spot along the river or on a porch to paint what
they see. Part of Vermont Festival of the Arts in
the Mad River Valley. 103 p.m. Historic Waitsfield Village. 496-6682. info@vermontartfest.
com. vermontartfest.com.
The Joy of Genres. Readings with Elye Alexander,

Alexander O. Smither, Brian Staveley and Anne
Stuart. Part of The Greensboro Arts Alliance Residencys 2nd annual Writers Forum. 7 p.m. The
Tent on the Green, Greensboro. $10 suggested
donation. mirrorarts.org
Starry, Starry Night. Enjoy an evening of
stargazing and moon-watching. The summer
constellations are a treasure trove of star clusters,
galaxies and nebulas. Well also check out craters
on the moon and the rings of Saturn. Bring lawn
chair, binoculars and bug repellent. 9 p.m. North
Branch Nature Center, 713 Elm St., Montpelier. $10 non-members; $5 members. 229-6206.
northbranchnaturecenter.org.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19
Dog Days of Summer. Bring your dog for a swim

to benefit shelter animals. For health and safety
measures, humans may only enter the pool up to
knee-level. Limit two dogs per adult. Rain date:
Aug. 20. 56:30 p.m. Montpelier Pool, Elm St.,
Montpelier. Admission is cash or check donation
to Central Vermont Humane Society.
Group Dream Embodiment. Come and see
what dreams can bring us. If possible, bring
23 dreams to discover the unique message
they have for you. All dreamers welcome. Every
other Weds., 68 p.m. Nutty Stephs, 961 US-2,
Middlesex. Donations accepted. 522-6889.
Summer Movies: Movies About Heroes. 7
p.m. Jaquith Public Library, 122 School St.,
Marshfield. Free. 426-3581. For movie title:
jaquithpubliclibrary.org.
The Joy of Poetry. Readings with Julia Shipley,
Sydney Lea and Verandah Porche. Part of The
Greensboro Arts Alliance Residencys 2nd annual Writers Forum. 7 p.m. The Tent on the
Green, Greensboro. $10 suggested donation.
mirrorarts.org
THURSDAY, AUGUST 20
Chronic Pain Self-Management Workshop

Starts. Free, six-week Healthier Living Workshop
with Gifford Health Care for people with either a
primary or secondary diagnosis of chronic pain.
Participants will learn about problem solving,
appropriate use of medications and exercise, nutrition, emotions and communicating with health
care providers. Every Thurs. through Sept. 24, 10
a.m.12:30 p.m. Kimball Library, lower level, 67
N. Main St., Randolph. Register: 728-2390.
August Meeting of The Bridge Board of Directors. Members of the community are welcome to
join discussions. Open discussions, topical questions and new ideas, 12 p.m.; business meeting,
23 p.m. VCFA, Stone Science Hall, 62 Ridge St.,
Brain Injury Support Group. Open to all survivors, caregivers and adult family members. Third
Thurs., 1:302:30 p.m. Unitarian Church, 130
Main St., Montpelier. 244-6850.
Diabetes Discussion Group. Focus on selfmanagement. Open to anyone with diabetes
and their families. Third Thurs., 1:30 p.m. The
Health Center, Plainfield. Free. Don 322-6600 or
dgrabowski@the-health-center.org.
Survivors of Suicide Loss Support. Monthly
group for people affected by a suicide death. Third
Thurs., 67:30 p.m. Central Vermont Medical
Center, conference rm. 1, Fisher Rd., Berlin. 2230924. calakel@comcast.com.afsp.org.
T H E B R I D G E
Music
VENUES
Charlie-Os World Famous. 70 Main St., Montpelier. Free. 223-6820.
Aug. 6: Laura Mae Socks & Her Baked Goods
(Americana)
Aug. 7: Abby Jenne & Beasts of Bourbon (rock)
7p.m.; Swamp Candy (delta blues) 10 p.m.
Aug. 8: Early Bird Open Mic, 7 p.m.; Texas Pete
(Western swing) 10 p.m.
Aug. 14: Abby Jenne (rock) 7 p.m.; DJ Disco
Phantom (dance party) 10 p.m.
Aug. 15: Early Bird Open Mic, 7 p.m.; Bella's
Bartok (dance punk) 10 p.m.
Aug. 21: Wes Hamilton (folk) 7 p.m.; Sun Lions
with Special Guest (garage rock) 10 p.m.
Aug. 22: Early Bird Open Mic, 7 p.m.; Phil
Yates & Affiliates with Mountain Says No
(garage) 10 p.m.
Espresso Bueno. 248 N. Main St., Barre. 4790896. Free/by donation. events@espressobueno.
com. espressobueno.com.
Aug. 7: The Odd Wednesdays (new wave/progressive) 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 8: The Metal Outlaws (country/rock) 7:30
p.m. $2.
Aug. 14: Jazzyaoke (live jazz karaoke) 7:30 p.m.
$5.
Aug. 22: James Secor (acoustic solo) 7 p.m.;
Bleecker & MacDougal (acoustic duo) 8 p.m.
Positive Pie. 10 p.m. 22 State St., Montpelier. $5.
229-0453. positivepie.com.
Aug. 7: The Primate Fiasco
Aug. 14: Coquette (rock)
Aug. 21: Evan Crandell and the Too Hot to
Handle (funk)
Sweet Melissas. 4 Langdon St., Montpelier. Free
unless otherwise noted. Other shows TBA. 2256012. facebook.com/sweetmelissasvt.
Aug. 7: Mark LeGrand, 5 p.m.; Guano Loco,
9 p.m. $5.
Aug. 8: Andy Pitt, 5 p.m.; Hillside Rounders,
9 p.m. $5.
Aug. 9: Abby Jenne Brunch, 1 p.m.
Aug. 10: Kelly Ravin, 8 p.m.
Aug. 11: Cyrus Graves, 5 p.m.; Open Mic Night,
7 p.m.
Aug. 12: D. Davis, 5 p.m.; Cookie's Hot Club,
8 p.m.
Aug. 13: Dan Zura, 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 14: Mark LeGrand, 5 p.m.; Eames Brothers
Band, 9 p.m. $5.
Aug. 15: David Langevin, 5 p.m.; Mad Mountain Scramblers, 8 p.m. $5.
Aug. 16: Abby Jenne Brunch, 1 p.m.
Aug. 17: Kelly Ravin, 8 p.m.
Aug. 18: Flatlanders & Friends, 5 p.m.; Open
Mic Night, 7 p.m.
Aug. 19: D. Davis, 5 p.m.; Open Blues Jam
Hosted by Jason Jack, 8 p.m.
Aug. 20: Seth Yacovone, 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 21: Mark LeGrand, 5 p.m.; Dave Keller &
Johnny Rauls, 9 p.m. $5.
Aug. 22: Penny Arcade, 5 p.m.; Bob Levinson
Trio, 9 p.m. $5.
Whammy Bar. 7 p.m.; Fri. and Sat., 7:30 p.m. 31
County Rd., Calais. Thurs., Free. whammybar1.
com.
Aug. 7: Sarah Clanton
Aug. 8: Shirley Johnson
Grandparents Raising Their Childrens
Children. Third Thurs., 68 p.m. Child care
provided. Trinity United Methodist Church, 137
River Arts Photo Co-op. Gather, promote and
share your experience and knowledge of photography with other photography enthusiasts in an
atmosphere of camaraderie and fun. Adults/teens.
Third Thurs., 68 p.m. River Arts Center, 74
Pleasant St., Morrisville. $5 suggested donation.
888-1261. riverartsvt.org.
Songwriters Meeting. Meeting of the Northern
VT/NH chapter of the Nashville Songwriters
Association International. Bring copies of your
work. Third Thurs., 6:45 p.m. Catamount Arts,
St. Johnsbury. John, 633-2204.
The Joy of Land. Workshop with Dede Cummings and Sile Post. Readings with Sara Dillon,
Nancy Hill, Sheila Post and Brett Stanciu. Part
of The Greensboro Arts Alliance Residencys 2nd
annual Writers Forum.Workshop 2 p.m.; reading 7 p.m. The Tent on the Green, Greensboro.
Suggested donation: $10 for single workshop
or reading; $15 for both workshop and reading.
mirrorarts.org
Calendar of Events
Aug. 12: Open Mic

Aug. 13: Carrie Cook, Leslie Grant
Aug. 14: Penny Arcade (jazz/blues)
Aug. 15: Mary-Go-Round (Bohemian accordion)
Aug. 19: Open Mic
Aug. 20: Brian Burns Bluegrass Experience
Aug. 21: Oh Anleigh (traditional Irish/Celtic)
SUMMER CONCERT SERIES

Adamant Music School. 1241 Haggett Rd., Adamant. 229-9297. admin@adamant.org. adamant.
org.
Aug. 8, 9: Participant concerts for the master
classes with Menaheim Pressler, 7:30 p.m.
Brown Bag Concerts-in-the-Park. Presented by
Montpelier Alive. Christ Church courtyard, 64
State St., Montpelier. Free.
Aug. 6: Dave Keller
Aug. 13: Big Hat, No Cattle
Aug. 20: Starline Rhythm Boys
Capital City Band. Every Wednesday on the State
House lawn through Aug 19. Instrument players
are welcome to play with the band. The Capital
City Band is supported in part by the city of
Montpelier Community Arts Fund, The Vermont
Arts Council and the National Endowment for
the Arts. 78 p.m. State House lawn, Montpelier.
Free. 456-7054. Capital City Band on Facebook.
Aug. 12, 19
Currier Park. Wed., 7 p.m. Downtown Barre.
facebook.com/barrepartnership
Aug. 12: Green Mountain Swing Band
Gifford Park. Bring lawn chairs and picnic
blankets for an evening of fun and music. 6 p.m.
Gifford Medical Center Park (front lawn), Rt. 12,
Randolph. Free.
Aug. 11: Possum Haw (folk/buegrass/country)
Hubbard Park. 57 p.m. Hubbard Park, Old
Shelter, Parkway St., Montpelier. 552-0125.
joel@suncommon.com. suncommon.com/event/
hubbard-park-music-series-montpelier-2/
Aug. 16: Big Bang Bhangra Brass Band
Aug. 23: Green Mountain Playboys
Jaquith Public Library. The gazebo at 122
School St., Marshfield. If raining: indoor space
at Old Schoolhouse Common. Free. 426-3581.
jaquithpubliclibrary.org.
Aug. 6: Kava Express (rock/soul)
Aug. 13: Katie Trautz and the Green Mountain
Playboys (Cajun)
Middlesex Bandstand Concert Series. 6:30
p.m. Andy Shapiro-Martha Pellerin Memorial
Bandstand (next to Rumney School), Shady Rill,
Middlesex. Free.
Aug. 12: Evan Crandall and Too Hot to Handle
(funk/jazz/R&B)
SPECIAL EVENTS
Aug. 69: Vermont College of Fine Arts: MFA
in Music Composition Public Concerts. The ensembles are a string quartet; Talujon, a percussion
quartet; and Crossover, a group featuring clarinet,
sax, violin, piano, bass and percussion. VCFA,
College Hall Chapel, College St., Montpelier.
Free; open to the public. vcfa.edu.
Aug. 6: String Quartet and Talujon, 8 p.m.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 21
The Joy of Being a Working Writer. With Chris

Bohjalian. Reading and closing reception. Part
of The Greensboro Arts Alliance Residencys 2nd
annual Writers Forum. 7 p.m. Highland Lodge,
1608 Craftsbury Rd., Greensboro. $10 suggested
donation. mirrorarts.org
SATURDAY, AUGUST 22
Worcester Book Sale. All books .50 cents.

Benefits the Worcester Food Shelf. 9 a.m.5 p.m.
(Drop off books for sale Aug. 2021, noon5 p.m.
Drop off clean, gently-used books. No text books,
encyclopedias, magazines or Readers Digests.)
Worcester Town Hall, Rt. 12, Worcester. 5527494.
Craft Showcase. Aug. 2223. A Festival of the
Arts event. Work includes beaded jewelry, fabric
collage, decoupage tinware, hand knits, felted
work and dolls clothes. 10 a.m.4 p.m. 1240 Kew
Vasseur Rd., Fayston. 496-2839.
Aug. 7: Talujon, 8 p.m.

Aug. 8, 9: Crossover, 3 p.m.
Aug. 7: Mycelium and Friends presents Hip Hop

in the NEK. Featuring Maiden Voyage, Notation
and Dusty Swamp. Ages 21+. 9:30 p.m. Phat Kats
Tavern, 101 Depot St., Lyndonville. No cover.
mcmycelium74@gmail.com
Aug. 8: Vermont College of Fine Arts Songwriting Showcase. The Gallery turns into the VCFA
Pub (cash bar) to host the Songwriting Showcase,
highlighting the diverse songwriting and performing talents of the students and faculty of VCFA's
MFA in Music Composition. 8 p.m. VCFA, College Hall Gallery, College St., Montpelier. Free;
open to the public. vcfa.edu.
Aug. 9: Susan Picking. Release event of Pickings
CD The School of Life. Picking performs with the
children in the School of Life Choir. The messagedriven songs are about diversity, no-bullying,
inclusion, being kind, celebrating our uniqueness
and living in the moment. 2 p.m. Morse Farm
Maple Sugarworks, 1168 County Rd., Montpelier. susanpicking@gmail.com. susanpicking.com.
Bachianas Brasileiras #1 performed by eight

cellos in collaboration with the Vermont Youth
Orchestra and conducted by Jeffrey Domoto. Part
of Central Vermont Chamber Music Festival.
Breakfast 11 a.m. at Chandlers Upper Gallery,
Esther Mesh Room, 71-73 Main St., Randolph.
Concert 12:30 p.m. across the street at Bethany
Church, 32 N. Main St., Randolph. Breakfast
$8. Concert is free; donations accepted. centralvtchambermusicfest.org.
Aug. 16: Heirloom: 17th annual Calais Concert.
Folk concert showcasing Vermont performers
passing the music on to the next generation.
Michle Choinire performing with her daughter
Isabella, Deb Flanders sings with her niece Esther
Nemethy, fiddler David Gusakov performs with
his son Nate, Pete Sutherland performs with his
protg fiddler Oliver Scanlon. 4 p.m. Old West
Church, Old W. Church Rd., Calais. $15. 2231015. debflanders.net.
Aug. 16: Opera in the Mountains. Presented by
the Valley Opera Lovers. Selected popular arias
by bass singer Erik Kroncke and accompanied
by pianist Mary Beth Austin. Part of Festival of
the Arts in Mad River Valley. 4:30 p.m. Warren
United Church, 339 Main St., Warren. $2035.
valleyoperalovers.brownpapertickets.com.
Aug. 11: St. Petersburg String Quartet. With

guest pianist Ilya Yakushev. SPSQs wide repertoire ranges from Haydn to the 19th century composers. Part of Summer Music from Greensboro. 8 Aug. 15, 18: Village Harmony Youth World
p.m. Greensboro United Church of Christ. Adults Music Ensemble. Music of the Baka Pygmies,
$20; children 18 and under free.
Georgian and Balkan songs, South African songs
and dances, Baroque works. Adults $10; students
Aug. 12: Scrag Mountain Music: Very Open
and seniors $5.
Rehearsal. 7 p.m. Jaquith Public Library, Old
Aug. 15: 3:30 p.m. Peacham Church, Peacham.
Schoolhouse Common, 122 School St., MontpePart of the Peacham Acoustic Music Festival.
lier. Free.
Aug. 18: 7:30 p.m. Unitarian Church, 130
Aug. 1315: Scrag Mountain Music. World class
Main St., Montpelier.
chamber music. Performers will lead the audience
through a musical exploration of different human Aug. 20: Central Vermont Chamber Music
Festival: Open Rehearsal. 7 p.m. Chandler
relationships, with an emphasis on brotherhood.
Music Hall, 71-73 Main St., Randolph. Free.
With Mary Bonhag, soprano, and Evan Premo,
double bass. The featured work on the program is centralvtchambermusicfest.org.
a new work by Scrag Mountains recent composerAug 22: Central Vermont Chamber Music
in-residence Lembit Beecher. Come as you are;
Festival: Annual Childrens Concert. Prokopay what you can. scragmountainmusic.org.
fiev's timeless musical story, Peter and the Wolf,
Aug. 13: 7:30 p.m. Unadilla Theater, 501
will be presented by a piano, string quartet and
Blachly Rd., Marshfield.
bass ensemble. An exhibit of Peter and the Wolf
Aug. 14: 7:30 p.m. The Green Mountain Girls
drawings by local children will be on display. Free
Farm, 923 Loop Rd., Northfield.
ice cream social follows. 10:30 a.m. Chandler
Aug. 15: 8 p.m. Phantom Theater, 970 Dump
Music Hall, 71-73 Main St., Randolph. $6.
Rd., Warren.
centralvtchambermusicfest.org.
Aug. 14: Central Vermont Chamber Music
Festival: Cellist Jeffrey Zeigler. Former Kronos
Quartet cellist performs works from his newly
released solo album Something of Life. 7 p.m.
Chandler Music Hall, main gallery, 71-73 Main
St., Randolph. Free; donations accepted. centralvtchambermusicfest.org.
Aug. 22: Piano Recital: Tom Dickinson. Chopin

program. Part of Richs Hollow Concert Series.
Tea and cakes served. 4 p.m. 2850 Rt. 14, N.
Montpelier. $20; limited seating. 454-7306.
Aug. 22: Green Mountain Swing Benefit Concert and Dance. Enjoy big band swing music,
Latin and other styles by the 17-piece band.
Aug. 15: A Cello-bration! Featuring a cello quar- Benefits the Shep Resnik Music Scholarship
tet performing music of the1500stoday, includwhich supports music education for middle and
ing Bach, Pachelbel, Vivaldi, Debussy, Wagner,
high school students in central Vermont. Dancers,
Michael Jackson, Lady Gaga and more. Part of the bring soft-soled shoes. 7:30 p.m. Capital City
Central Vermont Chamber Music Festival. 8 p.m. Grange Hall, 6612 VT-12, Berlin. $10 suggested
Chandler Music Hall, 71-73 Main St., Randolph. donation. 496-3764. cirrus3ps@madriver.com.
Free; donations accepted. centralvtchambermugreenmountainswing.com.
sicfest.org.
Aug. 22, 23: Central Vermont Chamber Music
Aug 15: Free Cello Workshop. Part of the Central Festival: Viola Quintets. Featuring quintets by
Vermont Chamber Music Festival in coordinaMozart and Brahms, performed by festival vetertion with the Vermont Youth Orchestra. Informal ans violinists Basia Danilow, Arturo Delmoni
event for cellists to play and learn about different
and Adela Pea; violists David Cerutti and Kathaspects of cello performance and practice. 10:30
ryn Lockwood; and cellist Peter Sanders. Aug 22,
a.m. Free. Reservations and more information:
8 p.m. at Chandler Music Hall, 71-73 Main St.,
domato@vyo.org.
Randolph. Aug. 23, 4 p.m. at Woodstock Unitarian Universalist Church, on the green, Woodstock.
Aug. 16: Breakfast with Bach. Breakfast
By donation. centralvtchambermusicfest.org.
followed by a concert featuring Villa-Lobos's
Weekly Events
Calendar of Events
11:30 a.m. Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58

Barre St., Montpelier. Seniors 60+ free with $7
suggested donation; under 60 $9. Reservations:
262-6288 or justbasicsinc@gmail.com.
ART & CRAFT
Barre Farmers Market. May 16Oct. 17.

Every Wed., 37 p.m.; every Sat., 9 a.m.1 p.m.
Vermont Granite Museum, 7 Jones Brothers Rd.,
Barre. barrefarmersmarketvt.com.
Beaders Group. All levels of beading experience

welcome. Free instruction available. Come with
a project for creativity and community. Sat., 11
a.m.2 p.m. The Bead Hive, Plainfield. 454-1615.
Capital City Farmers Market. 53 farmers, food

producers and craftspeople. Every Sat. through
Oct. 31. 9 a.m.1 p.m. 60 State St., Montpelier.
capitalcityfarmersmarket.com.
Noontime Knitters. All abilities welcome. Basics

taught. Crocheting, needlepoint and tatting also
welcome. Tues., noon1 p.m. Waterbury Public
Library, 28 N. Main St., Waterbury. 244-7036.
Community Night. Fresh pasta dinners in support of local non-profits and other community
causes. A portion of the evenings proceeds will be
donated to a selected local non-profit. Featured
non-profits include the Cross Vermont Trail
Association, Washington County Youth Services
Bureau, Lost Nation Theater, Restoration Fund
for the Historic Old Labor Hall Bakery in Barre.
Every Sat., 5:308:30 p.m. North Branch Caf,
41 State St., Montpelier. 552-8105. thenorthbranch.com/upcoming-events/
Women Knitting for Peace Group. Knit/crochet

items to be donated to those in need world-wide.
Bring yarn and needles. Thurs., 1011 a.m. and
67:30 p.m. Montpelier Senior Activity Center,
58 Barre St., Montpelier. 223-2518. For basic
info. and patterns: knitting4peace.org.
BICYCLING
HEALTH & WELLNESS
Open Shop Nights. Volunteer-run community

bike shop: bike donations and repairs. Fri., 46
Turning Point Center. Safe, supportive place
p.m.; other nights. Freeride Montpelier, 89 Barre for individuals and their families in or seeking
St., Montpelier. 552-3521. freeridemontpelier.org. recovery. Daily, 10 a.m.5 p.m. 489 North Main
St., Barre. 479-7373.
Sun.: Alchoholics Anonymous, 8:30 a.m.
Tues.: Making Recovery Easier workshops,
Lunch in a Foreign Language. Bring lunch and
67:30 p.m.
practice your language skills with neighbors.
Wed.: Wits End Parent Support Group, 6 p.m.
Noon1 p.m. Mon., Hebrew; Tues., Italian;
Thurs.: Narcotics Anonymous, 6:30 p.m.
Wed., Spanish; Thurs., French. Kellogg-Hubbard
Early
Bird Bone Builders Class. With Cort
Library, 135 Main St., Montpelier. 223-3338.
Richardson. Osteoporosis exercise and prevention
English Conversation Practice Group. For
program. Wear comfortable clothing and sturdy
students learning English for the first time. Tues.,
shoes. Light weights provided or bring your own.
45 p.m. Central Vermont Adult Basic EducaAll ages. Every Mon., Wed. and Fri., 7:308:30
tion, Montpelier Learning Center, 100 State St.
a.m. Twin Valley Senior Center, Rt. 2, Blueberry
223-3403.
Commons, E. Montpelier. Free. Cort: 223-3174
Ongoing Reading Group. Improve your reading or 238-0789.
and share some good books. Books chosen by
Bone Building Exercises. All seniors welcome.
group. Thurs., 910 a.m. Central Vermont Adult
Every Mon., Wed. and Fri. 10:4511:45 a.m.
Basic Education, Montpelier Learning Center,
Twin Valley Senior Center, 4583 U.S. Rt. 2, E.
100 State St. 223-3403.
Montpelier. Free. 223-3322. twinvalleyseniors.
org.
BOOKS & WORDS
BUSINESS, FINANCE,
COMPUTERS, EDUCATION
Computer and Online Help. One-on-one computer help. Tues. and Fri., 10 a.m.1 p.m. Waterbury Public Library, 28 N. Main St., Waterbury.
Free. Registration required: 244-7036.
Personal Financial Management Workshops.
Learn about credit/debit cards, credit building and repair, budgeting and identity theft,
insurance, investing, retirement. Tues., 68 p.m.
Central Vermont Medical Center, Conference
Room 3. Registration: 371-4191.
FOOD & DRINK

Community Meals in Montpelier. All welcome.
Free.
Mon.: Unitarian Church, 130 Main St.,
11 a.m.1 p.m.
Tues.: Bethany Church, 115 Main St.,
11:30 a.m.1 p.m.
Wed.: Christ Church, 64 State St.,
11 a.m.12:30 p.m.
Thurs.: Trinity Church, 137 Main St.,
11:30 a.m.1 p.m.
Fri.: St. Augustine Church, 18 Barre St.,
11 a.m.12:30 p.m.
Sun.: Last Sunday only, Bethany Church, 115
Main St. (hosted by Beth Jacob Synagogue),
4:305:30 p.m.
Lunches for Seniors. Mon., Wed., Fri., Noon.
Twin Valley Senior Center, 4583 U.S. Rt. 2, E.
Montpelier. $4 suggested donation. 223-3322.
twinvalleyseniors.org.
Feast Together or Feast To Go. All proceeds
benefit the Feast Senior Meal program. Tues. and
Fri., noon1 p.m. Live music every Tues., 10:30
Tai Chi for Seniors. Led by trained volunteers.

Every Mon. and Fri., 12 p.m.; Mon. and Wed.,
5:306:30 p.m. Twin Valley Senior Center,
4583 U.S. Rt. 2, E. Montpelier. Free. 223-3322.
twinvalleyseniors.org.
Living Strong Group. Volunteer-led group.
Sing while exercising. Open to all seniors. Every
Mon., 2:303:30 p.m. and every Fri., 23 p.m.
Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre St.,
Montpelier. Free. Register: 223-2518. msac@
montpelier-vt.org.
Sex Addicts Anonymous. Mon., 6:30 p.m.
Bethany Church, 115 Main St., Montpelier.
552-3483.
Overeaters Anonymous. Twelve-step program for physically, emotionally and spiritually
overcoming overeating. Two meeting days and
locations. Every Tues., 5:306:30 p.m. and Sat.,
8:309:30 a.m. at Episcopal Church of the Good
Shepherd, 39 Washington St., Barre. 249-3970.
Every Fri., noon1 p.m. at Bethany Church, 115
HIV Testing. Vermont CARES offers fast oral
testing. Thurs., 25 p.m. 58 East State St., Ste. 3
(entrance at back), Montpelier. Free. 371-6222.
vtcares.org.
KIDS & TEENS

Baby & Toddler Story Time. Every Mon., 10
a.m. Waterbury Public Library temporary location, 30 Foundry St., Waterbury. Free. 244-7036.
The Basement Teen Center. Safe drop-in
space to hang out, play games and eat free food.
Summer hours: Mon.Fri., 15 p.m. Basement Teen Center, 39 Main St., Montpelier.
229-9151. For daily events and special trips:
basementteencenter.org
The Center for Leadership Skills

BUSINESS & LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
Lindel James coaching & consulting

Taking You from Frustration to Enthusiasm
802 778 0626
lindel@lindeljames.com
lindeljames.com
THE BRIDGE
Read to Clara. Sign up for a 20-minute slot and

choose your books beforehand to read to this
special canine pal. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 135
Main St., Montpelier. Sign up ahead: 223-4665
or at the childrens desk. kellogghubbard.org.
Bethany Summer Jamboree. Sing and play
instruments with Arthur Zorn, music director of Bethany Church. Bethany is a child-safe
church. For kids in Kindergartengrade 2. Every
Tues. through Aug. 18, 9:3010:15 a.m. Bethany
Church, 115 Main St., Montpelier. Free. Preregistration required: call 223-2424 between 9
a.m. and noon.
Story Time for Kids. Meet your neighbors and
share quality time with the pre-schooler in your
life. Each week well read stories and spend time
together. A great way to introduce your preschooler to your local library. For ages 25. Every
Thurs., 10:30 a.m. Cutler Memorial Library, 151
High St., Plainfield. 454-8504. cutlerlibrary.org.
Lego Club. Use our large Lego collection to
create and play. All ages. Thurs., 34:30 p.m.
Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 135 Main St., Montpelier. Free. 223-3338. kellogghubbard.org.
Preschool Story Time. Every Fri., 10 a.m.
Waterbury Public Library temporary location,
30 Foundry St., Waterbury. Free. 244-7036.
Drop-in Kinder Arts Program. Innovative
exploratory arts program with artist/instructor
Kelly Holt. Age 35. Fri., 10:30 a.m.noon.
River Arts Center, 74 Pleasant St., Morrisville.
888-1261. RiverArtsVT.org.
Teen Fridays. Find out about the latest teen
books, use the gym, make art, play games and if
you need to, do your homework. Fri., 35 p.m.
Jaquith Public Library, 122 School St., Marshfield. 426-3581.
Musical Story Time. Join us for a melodious
good time. Ages birth6. Sat., 10:30 a.m. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 135 Main St., Montpelier.
Free. 223-3338. kellogghubbard.org.
Mad River Valley Youth Group. Sun., 79 p.m.
Meets at various area churches. Call 497-4516 for
location and information.
MUSIC & DANCE

Barre-Tones Womens Chorus. Open rehearsal. Find your voice with 50 other women.
Mon., 7 p.m. Alumni Hall, Barre. 223-2039.
BarretonesVT.com.
Silent Feature Films at Unadilla Theater.
Hosted by Rob Mermin. Every Mon. through
Aug. 24. 7:30 p.m. Unadilla Theater, 501 Blachly
Rd., Marshfield. Free. For list of film titles:
robmermin@gmail.com
Dance or Play with the Swinging Over 60
Band. Danceable tunes from the 1930s to the
1960s. Recruiting musicians. Tues., 10:30 a.m.
noon. Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58
Barre St., Montpelier. 223-2518.
Shape Note Sing at Bread and Puppet. Early
American 4-Part Hymns in the fa-sol-la-mi tradition. All welcome, no experience necessary. Every
Tues. through Aug. 27. 7:30 p.m. Bread and
Puppet Farm, Paper Mach Cathedral, Rt. 122,
Glover. Free. 525-6972.
Monteverdi Young Singers Chorus Rehearsal.
New chorus members welcome. Wed., 45 p.m.
Montpelier. Call 229-9000 for location and more
information.
Piano Workshop. Informal time to play,
refresh your skills and get feedback if desired
with other supportive musicians. Singers and
listeners welcome. Thurs., 45:30 p.m. Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre St.,
Montpelier. Free; open to the public. 223-2518.
msac@montpelier-vt.org.
Ukelele Group. All levels welcome. Thurs., 68
p.m. Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre
St. 223-2518.
RECYCLING
Additional Recycling. The Additional Recyclables Collection Center accepts scores of hardto-recycle items. Mon., Wed., Fri., noon6 p.m.;
Third Sat., 9 a.m.1 p.m. ARCC, 540 North
Main St., Barre. $1 per carload. 229-9383 x106.
For list of accepted items, go to cvswmd.org/arcc.
RESOURCES
Onion River Exchange Tool Library. 80 tools
both power and manual. Wed., 46 p.m.; Sat.,
911 a.m. 46 Barre St., Montpelier. 661-8959.
info@orexchange.com.
SOLIDARITY/IDENTITY
Womens Group. Women age 40 and older
explore important issues and challenges in their
lives in a warm and supportive environment. Facilitated by psychotherapist Kathleen Zura. Every
Mon., 5:307:30 p.m. 41 Elm St., Montpelier.
223-6564. Insurances accepted.
SPIRITUALITY
Christian Science Reading Room. You're invited
to visit the Reading Room and see what we
have for your spiritual growth. You can borrow,
purchase or simply enjoy material in a quiet study
room. When we are closed, we have free literature out on the portico, over the bench, for you
to read or take with you. Hours: Tues., 11 a.m.5
p.m.; Wed., 11 a.m.7:15 p.m.; Thurs.Sat., 11
a.m.1 p.m. 145 State St., Montpelier. 223-2477.
A Course in Miracles. A study in spiritual transformation. Group meets each Tues., 78 p.m.
Christ Episcopal Church, 64 State St., Montpelier. 279-1495.
Christian Counseling. Tues. and Thurs. Daniel
Dr., Barre. Reasonable cost. By appt. only: 4790302.
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. For those
interested in learning about the Catholic faith, or
current Catholics who want to learn more. Wed.,
7 p.m. St. Monica Church, 79 Summer St.,
Barre. Register: 479-3253.
Deepening Our Jewish Roots. Fun, engaging text study and discussion on Jewish
spirituality. Sun., 4:456:15 p.m. Yearning
for Learning Center, Montpelier. 223-0583.
info@yearning4learning.org.
SPORTS & GAMES

Roller Derby Open Recruitment and Recreational Practice. Central Vermonts Wrecking
Doll Society invites quad skaters age 18 and up.
No experience necessary. Equipment provided:
first come, first served. Sat., 56:30 p.m. Montpelier Recreation Center, Barre St. First skate
free. centralvermontrollerderby.com.
YOGA & MEDITATION

Christian Meditation Group. People of all faiths
welcome. Mon., noon1 p.m. Christ Church,
Zen Meditation. With Zen Affiliate of Vermont.
Wed., 6:307:30 p.m. 174 River St., Montpelier.
Free. Call for orientation: 229-0164.
Shambhala Buddhist Meditation. Group meditation practice. Sun., 10 a.m.noon; Tues., 78
p.m.; Wed., 67 p.m. New location: Center for
Culture and Learning, 46 Barre Street, Montpelier. Free. 223-5137. montpeliershambala.org.
Sunday Sangha: Community Ashtanga Yoga.
Every Sun., 5:407 p.m. Grateful Yoga, 15 State
St., 3F, Montpelier. By donation.
Tuesday Morning Nature Walks. with Marianne Kotch and Suzy Klinefelter. Every Tues.
through Sept. 29. 9 a.m. Meet at Barre Town
Forest kiosk, 44 Brook St., Websterville. 4764185. mkotch731@gmail.com.
Submit your calendar listing by using

our online submission form at
montpelierbridge.com/
calendar-submissions
~OR~
send listing to
calendar@montpelierbridge.com
Deadline for next issue is August 13.
Send information for events
happening Aug. 20Sept. 5.
Summer Bird Walk Series. Nesting activity is

picking up. Observe the fascinating behaviors
of our breeding birds. Walks are at a variety of local hot spots. June 19: Berlin Pond.
Fri., 7 a.m.8:30 a.m. $10; free for members.
northbranchnaturecenter.org.
The Bridge publishes every

1st and 3rd Thursday,
except in July when we
will only publish on
the 3rd Thursday.
Gamelan Rehearsals. Sun., 79 p.m. Pratt Center, Goddard College. Free. 426-3498. steven.
light@jsc.edu. light.kathy@gmail.com.
OUTDOORS
T H E B R I D G E
Classifieds
CLASSES
TAI CHI CHUAN:
Beginners Class. Cheng Man-chings "simplified" Yang-style. Taught by Patrick Cavanaugh of Long River Tai Chi. Starts Tuesday,
September 8th from 7:15 to 8:15pm at Bethany
Church, 115 Main Street in Montpelier. For
more information, contact Patrick, 490-6405
or email patrick@longrivertaichi.org. Cost: $65
per month. Registration open until Tuesday,
September 29th.
CLASSES
MASSAGE:
Vermonts longest operating massage school,
The Universal Institute of Healing Arts directed
by Bob Onne, offers Wellness, Self-Care and
Massage Classes, Tuesdays 6:30-9 p.m., starting
Sept. 22 for 10 weeks. The school is located in
Middlesex, just outside of Montpelier.
Call 802-229-4844,
email classinfo@universal-institute.com or visit
www.Universal-Institute.com for class details.
EVENTS
FIREWALK!
With Ivan McBeth in Worcester VT on Sat.,
Aug 22. This is our 8th annual firewalking
event. Cost $70.
Walk on fire and change your life!
Contact 802-505-8010
or email ivanwyvan@gmail.com.
SERVICES
ROOFING AND ROOF REPAIRS
AL SMITH LLC
Residential and Flat Roof Experts
Roofing since 1978
Shingles, rubber, slate, metal
Free estimates. Fully insured.
10% senior citizen discount.
Call 223-1116
alsmithroofing.com
Text-only class listings

and classifieds are
50 words for $25.
To place an ad, call Michael,
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THE BRIDGE
Laudato Si: On Care for Our Common Home

by John Elder
t over 180 pages, the encyclical presented by Pope Francis on

June 18 calls for study and reflection. The popes stature has
meant that his discussion of human-caused climate change as
both an ecological crisis and a moral scandal has immediately been
hailed as a statement of global significance.
Opinion
identification with others. But the fact remains that these are central
elements of the popes faith.
Conversely, science offers a powerful analysis of climate change. It records the steady increase in our planets temperature, which has made our
present decade the warmest in human history. It explains the growing
Scrolling through all those numbered paragraphs can feel at first like
prevalence and violence of hurricanes arising from a warming Gulf of
hiking along the Long Trail nothing but trees, wherever you look. But orientation Mexico as well as whats sometimes called the climate weirdness leading to the current
comes when we can finally survey the horizon from the vantage-point of an outcropping. drought in California and floods in Texas.
The parallel, north-south flows of Vermonts central mountain-chain and Lake Cham- Its worth noting that the encyclical does not pause to argue about the reality of anthropoplain, along with the Adirondack High Peaks looming farther to the west, become three genic climate change. Rather, Pope Francis takes that as having already been confirmed by
strong lines inscribing our rambles in a larger map.
an overwhelming scientific consensus, as well as by peoples direct experience of alarming
While such experiences in our home-terrain might apply to Vermonters encounters with
this encyclical, though, a landscape more pertinent to Pope Francis would be the rolling
Umbrian woodlands, where his namesake saint delighted in natures beauty while walking between the poor villages that he also loved. The first line of a famous prayer by
Saint Francis gives the encyclical its Italian title and is also quoted in the Popes initial
paragraph. Praise to you, my Lord, through our Sister, Mother Earth, who sustains and
governs us, and who produces various fruit with colored flowers and herbs. This early
connection between the love of nature and the love of God turns out to be one of three
main themes orienting readers.
seasonal shifts. Nothing that he could say on the subject would be likely to change the
opinions of talk-show hosts or senators from Oklahoma who doggedly assert that climate
change is a fraud. Nor could it add much to the many scientifically informed books and
articles recently published on this subject for a general audience. Hence, his decision to
reflect upon these physical realities in light of the Churchs teaching. Thats the angle
from which he can contribute something of great value to this crucial dialogue.
The third main theme, and one that is especially prominent at key transitions, is the call
for a dialogue between religion and science. Pope Francis enters this dialogue through the
history, scriptures and faith of the Catholic Church. What such a starting point brings
to the conversation is a concern for the humanity and the dignity of the poorest among
us. Religious faith is neither necessary nor sufficient for such compassion and loving
Compassion, dialogue, awe and wonder in the face of nature are all conducive to a richer
and more satisfying experience of community, motivating us to action for the common
good. As Pope Francis exhorts near the encyclicals end, Let us sing as we go. May our
struggles and our concern for this planet never take away the joy of our hope.
Have something important to say? We want to hear it!

Send it to us at: editorial@montpelierbridge.com
Opinion
The encyclical concludes with another reference to St. Francis, whose delight in the
beauty of the forest was inseparable from his compassion for the poor. If we approach
nature and the environment without this openness to awe and wonder, if we no longer
Praise for Mother Earth quickly leads into the second of these themes a denunciation speak the language of fraternity and beauty in our relationship with the world, our atof the developed worlds selfish and destructive way of life. Mother Earth now cries out titude will be that of masters, consumers, ruthless exploiters, unable to set limits on their
to us because of the harm we have inflicted on her by our irresponsible use and abuse immediate needs.
of the goods with which God has endowed her. A searing anger frames an unflinching This language registers the extent to which Laudato Si accords with a transformation
discussion of climate change, in part because of global warmings disproportionate impact of the environmental movement that is already under way. The wilderness movement has
on impoverished communities. Consumerism and the heartless application of technology been replaced as the heart of environmentalism by emphases on food and justice. For me,
are making the earth, our beautiful home, look more and more like an immense a pile such a shift represents a turning to what might be called an invitational environmentalism
of filth.
one that celebrates cultural diversity and is not so focused on the language of purity.
The writer is a former Middlebury College professor and nature writer.
Rape Policy Needs

Revamping
by Laura Cassetty
n the four years I was in high school, Montpelier High School has grown so much.
The school community has come so far in acknowledging rape culture. When I was
a freshman, rape culture meant the boys in your classes felt the right to reach under
the table and grab your leg. By my senior year, students from across all grades were coming together to talk about dismantling rape culture in our community. And when I came
out as a rape survivor during my final semester at MHS, I was met with immeasurable
amounts of love and support from my peers and the faculty that had watched me learn
and grow for four years.
However ready my community was to support me, school policies were not. According to
Vermont law, a person shall be deemed to have acted without the consent of the other
person where the actor the person charged with sexual assault or aggravated sexual
assault knows that the other person is not physically capable of resisting, or declining consent to, the sexual act or lewd and lascivious conduct. For instance, if the other
person is too intoxicated to give or decline consent or the other person falls unconscious
during the act.
The administration of Montpelier High School knew this and knew that stories like
mine are all too common across high school and college campuses, but whether or not
they believed me was irrelevant. The school mandates are not up to speed with what we
know about rape today. A school investigation found that there was insufficient evidence
to prove one way or another if I had been raped. The result was that I spent four months
after my rape sharing hallways with my rapist, eating in the same lunchroom as him,
hearing his voice outside my classroom doors. I watched him receive his diploma at my
graduation ceremony. When I felt my most vulnerable, I saw my rapist walk around
unchallenged for his transgression. After all these rape culture seminars, my peers know
that an intoxicated person is not capable of giving consent, so why is school policy still
tying administrators hands?
The writer is a recent graduate of Montpelier High School who will attend Wellesley College
in the fall.
T H E B R I D G E
Please Dont Destroy the Planet to Save the Planet

by Carla Occaso
am not a biologist, ecologist or scientist, but neither are the members of

the Solar Siting Task Force. The task
force was formed at the end of the legislative session to figure out where to put all
the solar plants in order to achieve the
aggressive increase of renewable energy
mandated by Act 56. They had their first
meeting on July 28. Reports out of that
meeting from multiple sources (from outside news reports to letters to The Bridge)
reflect controversy erupting over where all
the new solar panels and wind towers are
going, who benefits financially and who
gets to decide.
Heres my worry: all the talk about building large-scale solar power plants to gather
alternative energy in effort to stop or slow
climate change is causing people to vacate
their senses and adopt an air of panic akin
to the California Gold Rush. I guess I
retain a 1970s ideology, but shouldnt disrupting our fragile ecology be a last resort
after all other measures have failed? The
last issue of The Bridge featured an article
by scientist/science teacher and Montpelier City Council member Anne Watson,
showing how Montpelier is leading the way
in reducing our carbon footprint without
an over development of renewable power
plants. Why destroy an undetermined but
immense-sounding chunk of land for the
purpose of electricity generation without
first thoroughly examining how to conserve what we have?
Deb Markowitz, secretary of the Agency
of Natural Resources and a member of
the siting committee, was kind enough to
return my call and give me some some facts
and figures. Markowitz said the committee
estimated 3,000 acres would be needed for
the build out, perhaps fewer if wind towers
were part of the plan. Three thousand acres
Opinion
Editorial
is the same size as about

15-and-a-half Hubbard
Parks (at 194 acres each)
or 10-and-a-half Berlin
Ponds (286 acres each).
But this amount did not
seem to daunt Markowitz, who said, I
believe there is plenty of room on the landscape for wildlife and water quality, as well
as meeting our interest in reducing our
greenhouse gas contributions by deploying
more local renewable energy. Markowitz
also said she has biologists to look out for
wildlife.
Biologist Mark Scott is the division director of wildlife for the Agency of Natural
Resources. Scott said via phone to The
Bridge that one of the problems with solar
siting is that the ideal site for solar panels
is grassland, which is the only home for
some field nesting birds such as the bobolink and the meadowlark. Scott said less
than four percent of Vermonts land could
be classified as grassland. I asked Scott,
Where are there places (for solar panels)
that wont disturb ecology?
Well, on a roof, he said. He also said he
noticed panels in the unused chunks of
land by the entrance and exit ramps on the
highway in Massachusetts.
Markowitz said she and the committee
have been encouraging rooftop solar siting
as well.
Thinking back to the 1970s and developing Willistons open fields into the giant
mall sprawl it is today, Rep. Tony Klein,
D-East Montpelier and chair of the House
Natural Resources Committee said, If it
had been required of Williston to provide
rooftop generation, we could have prolonged the Northwest Transmission project for 10 years.
Now we know. Why dont

we use what we know to
protect the next 10 years
and beyond? Act 56 requires Vermont utilities
increase use of renewable
energy from 55 percent of a utilitys sales
in 2017 to 75 percent in 2032, according
to the summary on the legislative website.
So there is some time, and it is clear not
all the energy has to come from giant solar
power plants. The act states that energy
transformation projects may include home
weatherization or other thermal energy
efficiency measures, air source or geothermal heat pumps and other measures, the
legislative summary states. So, if the task
force uses creative thinking, they could use
the time and money they might otherwise
use ruining the small remaining patches of
undeveloped land to weatherize and convert heating sources on existing buildings
throughout the state rather than upsetting
everyone beast and fowl with gigantic fields of solar panels and behemoth
wind towers.
Klein said he had been involved in renewable energy efforts at the legislative level
for a long time and that bills relating to increasing alternative sources for generating
power always get strong support inside the
Statehouse, but sometimes implementation
causes a fuss. The newest push for solar
development is getting pushback. Individual communities that have contended
with large renewable energy construction
projects are speaking out against further
growth, Klein said. But, Klein said solar
power is an inevitability. Theres a wave of
solar development coming and we need to
get ready for it. Individual communities
do not have control over where to locate
power generation facilities. Decisions over
power generation are up to a statewide

oversight organization named the Public
Service Board. If communities have a
right to stop renewable energy, that is
where I would draw the line. It is totally
unacceptable to me, Klein said.
However, some people say solar projects
are not needed at all. Vermont would help
the planet the most by preserving what it
has. What we are doing (by adding wind
towers and solar power plants) is advancing more serious climate change. What we
should be doing is keeping what we have
in good shape, said Steve Wright, former
president of Sterling College, former member of the Vermont Environmental Board
and former Commissioner of the Vermont
Department of Fish and Wildlife. Deliberately destroying the last remaining pristine
land to site renewable energy power plants
will not rid the state of the need for using
other forms of power generation because
wind and solar are intermittent and require a back up. We have created a gold
rush economy especially with solar,
Wright said. None of these have anything
to do with an effective way to stop climate
change. Wright also suggested the people
behind the push for a gigantic influx of
new development have ulterior motives.
The people who are making money (at installing solar panels) or want to be elected
to something are all in on this, they are
all in the lifeboat and they are passing the
Kool-Aid around. They have gotten controls over the sails and the rudder, Wright
said by phone to The Bridge. The decision
makers have been getting panicked in a
way that would get a normal person fired
from a normal job.
Hopefully cool heads and creative minds
will prevail so we dont destroy Mother
Nature in order to save the planet.
The Breeze Newspaper's Puzzling Publication

by Ron Merkin
s it not blatantly ironic? Montpelier High School students recently wrote and with the cooperation of The
Bridge published a special one time issue of a newspaper
called The Breeze. In their Opinion column an ex-high
school teacher speculated that knowingly or not MHS
teachers and administrators may discriminate against
males and reward conventionally female styles of learning
and behavior. But in this very same paper, every article is
authored by a female.
This kind of contradictory editorial decision is so puzzling that I can't help but speculate myself: could it have
had something to do with guilt at the oversight or even to
use the opinion writer's words, simple discrimination? (I
personally take some offense at what "knowingly or not"
strikes me as sexism.)
work, but all but one of them dropped out and did not submit
work while their female counterparts submitted work and met
deadlines. The Breeze welcomed, encouraged and yearned for
male writers. The brilliant crossword puzzle was authored
by a male student, for which we are intensely appreciative on
many levels ranging from its complexity to its entertainment
Editors note: Thank you to Ron Merkin for airing this opin- value. The Bridge hopes males of all ages will continue to
ion on a public forum that I am gratefully going to run in submit work for publication, but we will survive if they dont.
The Bridge. The Breeze actively sought out and initially That was one of the many lessons of publishing The Breeze.
had agreements from several young male writers to submit Sincerely, Managing Editor Carla Occaso
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Letters
Bird Flu Devastating Egg Industry
Editor:
The United States egg industry is reeling
from a colossal outbreak of avian flu, mostly
among egg-laying chickens. According to the
U.S. Department of Agriculture, 48 million
birds, accounting for 11 percent of the nations egg-laying hens, have been slaughtered
for fear of infection during the past few
months.
The effects are far-reaching, from how to
dispose of millions of potentially infected
bird carcasses to job losses and rapidly rising egg prices. More than 40 countries have
restricted U.S. poultry imports.
Although the precise cause of the outbreak
remains uncertain, the horrendous conditions in todays factory farms make egg and
chicken production extremely vulnerable to
disease outbreaks, and therefore, not sustainable.
A number of innovative companies have
stepped in to offer plant-based alternatives
that mimic closely the taste, texture and
cooking properties of eggs and chicken. They
are available in the frozen food section of
every supermarket.
Many of us favor replacing polluting fossil
energy sources with clean renewable ones.
That takes concerted national action. But
every one of us has the power to affect that
same transition for our food sources every
time we shop for food.
Maxwell Branset
Montpelier
Keep an Eye on Council Meetings
multiple items to consider. One of them, the

contract between the senior activity center,
Just Basics and Good Taste Catering, the
latter being owned and operated by the councilman from District 3. Even though one of
these items was regarding the renewal of the
contract between the city and himself, this
councilman did not recuse himself from this
vote. Thus a conflict of interest televised.
The agenda stated the senior center director
would be present for questions but there was
no discussion of the individual items. Was
this contract even put out to bid? What government or business would legally operate in
this manner?
This dysfunctional council is a comedy of
errors to view. The mayor lacks familiarity
with meeting procedures. When he is challenged either by the public or a council member, he ends the conflict with a phrase such
as, we are on a tight schedule so we need to
wrap this up.
Who are the watchdogs over city government
going awry at the highest level? A dangerous
precedent is being set by this council.
Residents and businesses should be watching the meetings. Doesnt matter whether
young or old; renting or owning; high or
low income, you all have a stake in why the
property and water/sewer taxes keep going
up which they just did again. There will be a
negative effect on YOU. This council spends
our money on sponsoring ideas and entities
that have virtually no impact on reducing
the highest property and water/sewer taxes
in the state.
Do you care? You should. You can view previous meetings on the city website. Taxpayer,
beware!
Rosalyn Morrell
Montpelier
Solar and Wind Not Needed:

We Already Produce Enough
Low-Carbon Power
Editor:
Editor:
I concur with a recent letter regarding Montpeliers City Council. I watched the July 8
meeting and witnessed the entire council voting YES to agenda item six, which included
I attended the first meeting of the states

solar siting board on July 28 in Montpelier.
Almost every member seemed convinced already that Vermont must build, build, build
Poetry
Getting Older
Getting older is
a small acorn in July A suitcase
with shifting
contents
by Reuben Jackson,
host of Friday Night Jazz
on Vermont Public Radio
Morning
Morning comes as through a prism
Scattered into brilliant lights
Laying fragments on my pillow
Stolen from a thousand nights.
by Frieda Feldman,
Key Largo Poet Laureate
THE BRIDGE
solar power plants. Only the how seemed
open for discussion.
And that's the problem: Montpelier has already plugged its ears. Communities like
my own can't refuse to be unwilling hosts
of sprawling power factories for the big cities. Instead we small, spread-out, cash-poor
towns are at the mercy of Montpelier's "you
can't say no" laws, paid legislators, full-time
energy administrators and extremely wellpaid and too-influential lobbyists. A towns
desire to value agriculture, subdivision or
mere open land over shiny power factories is
of no enforceable consequence. Our tax base,
job creation potential and quality of life are
secondary to the interests of one industry.
And since the build-up to 90 percent has
only begun, we can expect the carpetbagging
to continue.
I proposed that communities not making
their fair share of solar power per capita
most likely cities and large towns would
pay a Generation Imbalance Tax. Under-generating communities would pay proportionately to the school districts of over-generating
communities.
I am not surprised that 40 Vermont towns
have banded together to demand more say
in solar siting. For one thing, there is no
real need. New England and Quebec already
make enough low-carbon power. We just
need to support our regions existing power
makers (hydro, nuclear) and import more
cheap, clean hydro power.
George Clain
Barre
The author is a member of the Town of Barre
Planning Board
Thank You for Helping My Family

Editor:
Recently I experienced a heart attack in the
office of Dr. Joseph Brock in Berlin. He and
his nurse Shirley immediately helped me. His
other nurses, Amie and Erin, assisted. Within
minutes I was in an ambulance, then, after a
stop at Central Vermont Medical Center, in
another ambulance going to University of
Vermonts cardiac facility. There, Dr. Therrien and a team got a stent into me nearly
as quick as you can change a lightbulb. The

attending nurses were professional and attentive. These people literally saved my life.
My situation was complicated by my wife,
Laurie, and I having an autistic son, Ned.
While he returns the love we give him, he
has limited awareness that his actions can be
injurious. I've been able to handle him, but
Laurie's authority has diminished as he has
grown. She needs assistance.
Ned attends the New School in Montpelier, a wonderful school for special needs
students. Diane Baker, who runs the school
and Stephanie Kirkham, a teacher there, arranged for Ned to be cared for. Stephanie and
Claudia Pringles, our friends, whom we met
through the Vermont Autism Task Force,
provided transport. Ned's personal care assistant, Barry George, his wife Shari and
their daughter Cady, cared for Ned for days.
They are fantastic people. Jayson Capobianca
and Rachel Johnson of the Bridge Program
and Washington County Mental Health arranged for extra care. I'd particularly like to
thank Brian Dubie and his wife Penny for
their support and concern.
The bounce gotten by getting that elephant
off my chest has faded and I had another stay
at Central Vermont Medical Center, but I'm
adjusting and getting new pharmaceutical
friends. There's Plavix, which sounds like
the name of the Queen of the Mole People.
It's also known as Clopidogrel, which I originally read as "Cloppy-doggerel" and suggests
a bad poem written about, or upon, a horse.
Bless all those who helped me and my family,
Ed Morrow
What Do You Think?
Read something that you would like to
respond to? We welcome your letters
and opinion pieces. Letters must
be fewer than 300 words. Opinion
pieces should not exceed 600 words.
The Bridge reserves the right to edit
and cut pieces. Send your piece to:
editorial@montpelierbridge.com.
Deadline for the next issue is
August 14.
Renewable Energy Vermont

Expresses Sorrow at the
Passing of John Warshow
It is with a heavy heart that the Renewable Energy Vermont community learns of the
passing of John Warshow on June 28. For more than 30 years, John worked to advance
renewable energy and conservation in Vermont as a developer and owner of several
hydroelectric dams, a participant in the development of wind and landfill gas projects,
as a leader of the Vermont Independent Power Producers Association and a selectboard
member of Marshfield. John was one of the first anti-nuclear protestors of Vermont
Yankee and was one of the leaders of the Clamshell Alliance that stopped Seabrook 2.
John's critical thinking and logical perspective will be sorely missed. In a past New York
Times article, John was quoted as saying: ''We are committed to showing that you can
develop alternative energy without wrecking the environment. Vermont has a very high
environmental consciousness. That's the reason I live here.'' A native of Port Washington, New York, he leaves his wife and two sons in Marshfield.
The Bridge
publishes every 1st and
3rd Thursday of the
month, except in July
when we publish only
on the 3rd Thursday.
Our next issue comes out
August 20.
T H E B R I D G E
AU G U S T 6 AU G U S T 19, 2 015 PAG E 2 3
THE BRIDGE

The Bridge, August 6, 2015

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The

August 6 August 19, 2015

New Law Means Consolidation for Many Schools

ov. Peter Shumlin signed Act 46 an act relating

a so-called preferred model for school districts under the

What does Act 46 mean for Vermonts tradition of small

Waterhouse Named Spauldings Principal

BARRE For Brenda Waterhouse, the

academics, she says, noting that part of her

Many of these initiatives reach into the

Waterhouse plans to continue developing

6: Montpelier's Solar Projects

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Watercolor by Nona Estrin

With Kingbirds and Robins Among the Blueberries

Thank you for supporting The Bridge!

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HEARD ON THE STREET

Route 14 Bridge Project Update

Callan Named Exec. Director for T.W. Wood Gallery

Like The Bridge on Facebook:

One More Time to Stay Open: Taking Clothes for Cash

Follow The Bridge on Twitter:

Neighborhood Weighs In on Sibley Housing Project

t a late afternoon meeting on August 4, about a

He and Hansen altered the original proposal by reducing

The College Hill neighborhood lies east and south of

As first proposed the apartment building had 16 units. The

A number of residents acknowledged a local discussion

neighbors was a concern that an apartment building of the

In a phone conversation with The Bridge right after the

In separate conversations with Win Turner and Jamie

Said Waldo, Youre bringing in a fairly large commercial

Speaking generally, Turner said that what he and Hansen

Then Turner discussed changes to the proposed project in

In conclusion, Turner suggested that perhaps what the

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New Law Means Consolidation for Many Schools

Got a news tip? We want to know! Send it to us at

AU G U S T 6 AU G U S T 19, 2 015 PAG E 5

Personal Learning Plans Meet Individual Needs

uring this summers interlude,

includes teaching kids transferrable skills

Advertise in the NEXT ISSUE:

August 20 September 2, 2015

get them there.

According to the Vermont State Board

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Montpelier Turns to Solar for City Power

Mountaineers Home Run in

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The Bridges Managing Editor Goes Back To School for Writing

Teacher John Elder, left, Julia

Studying with food writer Lynne Anderson

P.O. Box 1143, Montpelier, VT 05601

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Who are Some of Montpeliers

ave you walked down Main Street, looked a

cently ran the Capital City Stampede, a 10K road race.

Montpelier Movie Night

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