Bar re and Nor th f ield Le g i slat ive Cand id ate s • Page 12
J uly 19–A ugust 1, 2018
IN THIS ISSUE: Why We Celebrate—
Pg. 4 Understanding the
Wastewater Plant Upgrade
The Barre Heritage Festival
Pg. 11 Tender Loving Care
T
he Barre Heritage Festival is right around the corner, and
recently I found out how the festival came to be. During
Respite House the late 1960s, when “urban renewal” was in full swing
around the country and Barre was working on its own economic
development strategies, there were heated debates over how to do it.
Pg. 15 New Exhibit at
The redevelopment of parcels on North Main Street and
Studio Place Arts construction of the Beltline (Route 62) up to the hospital were
proposed and discussed by a great many of Barre’s residents. These
development proposals created some tension because of the different
U.S. Postage PAID
Permit NO. 123
Montpelier, VT
PRSRT STD
visions of Barre. However, another proposal to spawn economic
ECRWSS
development brought the community together because it focused
on the community’s shared history of immigration and their ethnic
heritage.
So in February of 1970, in a public meeting in the Barre City
Council chambers, the idea of a festival celebrating Barre’s history
and heritage was proposed, and the Barre Heritage Festival was born.
A production company from Fostoria, Ohio, was hired to provide
guidance on how to structure it. Ideas gelled, parts moved, and
the first festival was held July 18–26, 1970. This was a production
unlike that of today. There were hundreds of community members
serving on over two dozen committees that worked on things such
as volunteers, ethnic food, window displays, ladies’ sunbonnets and
dresses, and beards of the “Brothers of the Brush.”
The highlight of the event occurred at Thunder Road. “The
Nation’s Site of Excitement” had never seen as much pageantry as it
Montpelier, VT 05601
did in 1970. A spectacular theatrical performance, with costumes,
lights, props, and the like dramatized the retelling of the history
of Barre and of its shared history of immigrants seeking economic
P.O. Box 1143
opportunity in the granite industry. It worked. Friendships were
The Bridge
rekindled and family members shared meals together again.
We’re online! montpelierbridge.com or vtbridge.com
Artwork by Steve Hogan
by Josh Jerome
The festival was not repeated the year after, or the year after that.
In fact, it was not until July of 1978 that the Barre Ethnic Heritage
Festival Committee brought back the event, not for the sake of
getting people to speak to one another, but to celebrate and cherish
their shared history.
The festival grew from 5,000 participants in 1978 to over 30,000 by
1982. The event was held jointly with perennial summertime events
such as the Barre Rotary Club Breakfast, the Paletteers Art Show
in City Hall Park, and Friends of the Aldrich Library Book Sale.
The tragic death of a young girl during the festival in 1982 sent
shockwaves through the community. A more toned-down festival
was put in place, but eventually the festival ceased to be held.
In the mid-’90s, the festival was resurrected once again, and it has
developed into a major annual city event during the final weekend
of July, with more than 15,000 people enjoying the fireworks,
food, musical performances, children’s activities, and shopping. It’s
different than the first festival in 1970 but is still a celebration of
the community’s shared history and a statement of unity. For all
their differences, the Italians, Greeks, Scots, French-Canadians,
Lebanese, Spaniards, Germans, and other ethnic groups, be it
businesses, neighborhoods, churches, or native tongues, there was
something greater that bonded them: the pursuit of a better life and
freedom.
Learning the history of the festival and what it means to the
community can’t help but touch upon the current national dialogue
on immigration that affects so many. It reminds us that we are
all connected, and our social fabric is stronger because of our
differences. That is something that should always be cherished and
well worth celebrating.
Joshua Jerome is the executive director of The Barre Partnership
PAG E 2 • J U LY 19 – AU G U S T 1, 2 018 THE BRIDGE

Nature Watch
by Nona Estrin

Summer Trees

S
o many birds showing up at the
bird-bath for refreshment, and
in the shad trees for berries, the
young of the year following closely,
begging, I love high summer and look
around scanning the trees, hearing
the wind rustling their leaves. My
eyes keep falling of the big ashes east
of the deck. Handsome old trees,
and I’ve taken them for granted.
The shade each summer ‘till noon,
the late sun on the big branches in
afternoon. And now I remember my
father speeking of losing the great
chestnuts in his childhood, and I
recall the elms of mine. Now the
young will go through this loss of a
beloved tree. I vow to honor each day
of their continued health, and when
gone, I won’t forget them.
Watercolor by Nona Estrin
T H E B R I D G E J U LY 19 – AU G U S T 1, 2 018 • PAG E 3

Michael Arnowitt Releases New

Album, Sweet Spontaneous
P
ianist Michael Arnowitt, who lived for over 30 years in Montpelier and now divides his
time between Toronto and Vermont, released his first commercial jazz recording, Sweet
Spontaneous, July 13 on PARMA Recordings’ Big Round record label.
The album is a two-CD set of 14 tracks that dive deep into the imaginative musical landscapes
of one of Vermont’s most creative performers. A dozen New York City jazz notables joined
Arnowitt, including the Cuban-born Yosvany Terry on alto sax; Lucas Pino on tenor sax,
clarinet, and bass clarinet; Dave Smith on trumpet; and Colin Stranahan on drums. The
recording also features Therisa Rogers reading Langston Hughes’ poem “Crossing” and Maya
Angelou’s poem “Still I Rise,” brought into the world of jazz.
Recorded in 2017 at Sear Sound in Manhattan—the historic New York City studio that
was the original Hit Factory studio where Jimi Hendrix made his first two recordings—
Sweet Spontaneous also benefits from the skill of engineers, including Chris Allen, a frequent
recording engineer for Blue Note, Concord, Sunnyside, and other leading jazz labels, and Dave
Darlington, one of the nation’s top jazz mixing engineers. The cover art is pure Montpelier,
with a painting by local artist Maggie Neale.
The title for the album comes from a poem [“O sweet spontaneous”] by e.e. cummings. The
album showcases the diversity of Arnowitt’s musical visions. He wrote his own lyrics to three
songs on the recording, featuring vocalist Shirley Crabbe. “Against the Wind” tells the story
of a woman summoning the strength to persist in the face of powerful forces and presents it in
an innovative way, with a melody whose interwoven phrases are partly sung, partly played by
a tenor saxophone. In “The Crying Candle,” the lyrics imagine a society set far in the future
where people have learned how to live together without conflict, and the narrator looking back
in time to our strange and painful present. The recording’s finale, “Street Strut,” sees Arnowitt
playing Hammond organ and demonstrates a creative interplay between the band and audio
clips of urban street conversation.
Arnowitt’s interest in world music also provides intriguing colors to three of the songs on
the recording. His love of Bulgarian folk music is shown in “Bulgarian Hoedown’s” wild,
exuberant fiddling, and “Shapka Swing,” which features three duos of melody instruments
in criss-crossing fanfare rhythms, in some moments like Klezmer music. “Syria-us” emerged
from a six-month study Arnowitt made of Syrian music and literature in 2016 for a benefit
concert he organized to aid refugees. The song combines Syrian rhythms and scales with the
harmonies and proportions of a minor blues.
Arnowitt says, “We tend to listen to music in a seated, stationary position, but in reality music
is all about motion and journey. To me, listening to a piece of music is like traveling through
a varied landscape of rolling hills. We go up and down and round corners to see constantly
changing vistas of different colors and textures.”
Sweet Spontaneous will be available locally at Buch Spieler Records in Montpelier, at record
stores worldwide through Parma’s distributor Naxos, and through online retailers in either CD
or digital downloads or streaming.

Bridge Community Media, Inc.

P.O. Box 1143, Montpelier, VT 05601 / Ph: 802-223-5112
Editor in Chief: Mike Dunphy
Copy Editor: Larry Floersch
Layout, Calendar Editor: Marichel Vaught
Proofreader, Calendar Editor: Sarah Davin
Sales Representative: Rick McMahan, Dot Helling
Distribution: Sarah Davin, Amy Lester,
Daniel Renfro
Board Members: Chairman Donny Osman, Jake
Brown, Phil Dodd, Josh Fitzhugh, Larry Floersch,
Irene Racz, Ivan Shadis, Tim Simard, Ashley
Witzenberger
Editorial: 223-5112, ext. 14
mdunphy@montpelierbridge.com
Location: The Bridge office is located at the
Vermont College of Fine Arts, Stone Science Hall.
Subscriptions: You can receive The Bridge by mail
for $50 a year. Make out your check to The Bridge,
and mail to The Bridge, PO Box 1143, Montpelier
VT 05601.
montpelierbridge.com
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Twitter: @montpbridge
Copyright 2018 by The Bridge
PAG E 4 • J U LY 19 – AU G U S T 1, 2 018 THE BRIDGE
A Crib Sheet for the City’s $16.1 Million Wastewater Plant
Upgrade by Mike Dunphy and Phil Dodd
The Skinny:
Montpelier needs to upgrade its wastewater
treatment plant. The City Council recently
authorized further study of a two-phase
upgrade plan. The first phase, which is
currently estimated to cost $16.1 million
and will be funded by a bond, addresses
aging infrastructure and additional “organics
to energy” features, such as an enhanced
digester system and a methane boiler to heat
more buildings at the plant. The upgrades
would allow the plant to receive additional
organic waste from waste haulers.
A final decision about Phase 1 will be made
in September. Phase 2, if implemented,
could make for a more energy-neutral plant
that would produce more renewable energy
than it consumes, although compared
with Phase 1, Phase 2 is “cash negative if
viewed as a standalone project,” according
to City Engineer Kurt Motyka, and would
potentially mean higher sewer rates. This
is based on preliminary estimates from a
conceptual design for power production
with generators fueled by excess methane
production. A decision about the actual
scope of Phase 2 won’t be made for a few
years in order to allow for measurement of
the amount of methane generated and to
provide time for the city to explore other
alternatives for using the gas.
The Problem:
The wastewater treatment plant is 45
years old, although not all the equipment
is the same age. An analysis shows that
the remaining life expectancy of about half
of the existing equipment falls in the 0–5
year range. Furthermore, the plant is at
110 percent of its theoretical organic load
capacity, meaning aeration tanks are at
capacity. That doesn’t mean they will fail,
but it does mean the city cannot accept
additional high-strength waste unless there’s
a more comprehensive upgrade.
Phase 1:
Proposed upgrades would go beyond the
bare minimum needed. The plant’s capacity
would be increased by upgrading to state-
of-the-art biodigesters, allowing the city
to increase its revenues from organic waste
producers in the region, such as septic pump-
out companies that bring septage to the
plant, as well as dairy waste and grease.
Montpelier takes in about 22,000 gallons
of hauled waste a day and received over
$1 million this past fiscal year in tipping
fees. Waste was brought to the plant from
as far away as New Hampshire, offsetting
plant costs and keeping rates lower than
they would be otherwise. Phase 1 would
increase the city’s ability to accept haulage
waste, bringing in another $230,000 to
$400,000 in revenue annually depending on
the additional volume processed. Electrical
and process improvements will also result
in savings on operations. A recent septage
pilot test at the plant indicated that chemical
treatment costs were higher than anticipated,
so additional work is being done to modify
the final design for Phase 1.
Phase 2:
At an estimated cost of another $3.6 million
beyond the $16.1 million Phase 1 costs, this
more ambitious part of the project seeks to
incorporate heat and power production from
increased methane production. Although
cost estimates are currently only available for
this option, the gas could be used for many
purposes, including melting snow, producing
fertilizer, running city vehicles, or sale of
natural gas on the wholesale market. Its
objective is to significantly reduce the city’s
carbon footprint through renewable energy
generation and to help achieve Montpelier’s
net-zero goals. The additional impact on
sewer rates and environmental benefits
will depend on which option is ultimately
selected.
The Cost:
Based on a $300,000 year-long study by
Indiana-based Energy Systems Group,
Phase 1, including “Organics to Energy,”
is now estimated to cost $16.1 million,
with an annual budget cost of $90,600
per year. Energy Systems Group will
guarantee projected revenue savings via a
surety bond. The total cost with Phase 2,
if power production is the selected option,
would be $19.7 million and create an annual
budget cost of anywhere from $150,000
to $224,000, depending on the price of
electricity. Currently the Department of
Public Works does not feel power production
is the best use of the methane gas produced.
Instead, they are exploring drying solids to
produce fertilizer or sale of natural gas on
the wholesale market as the best long-term
alternatives.
The Rates:
City officials are still studying how the project
will affect sewer rates, and updated bids are
needed to finalize the construction costs.
Currently, a single-family homeowner using
48,000 gallons of water a year pays an annual
sewer bill of $640. The water component of
the annual bill on that amount of usage is
$588, for a total annual water and sewer
bill of $1,328. Before the proposed plan was
developed, the city had been expecting sewer
rates to rise 3.5 percent a year, but larger
increases are likely if the Phase 1 upgrade
plan goes forward. Estimates of rate increases
should be available before the City Council
makes its final decision in September.
The Questions:
What will be the effect on sewer rates over
the expected 20-year life of the bond, or if
Phase 2 is pursued?
If the upgraded facility charges more for
haulers, will as many come as now? Or will
the demand to treat hauled waste continue
to grow?
Can state or federal money be appropriated
for the project, including a pollution control
grant connected to solids handling?
How will the Trump tariffs on steel and iron
affect the costs of the new equipment, some
of which comes from Germany?
What will be the impact of a lawsuit by the
Conservation Law Foundation challenging
Montpelier’s wastewater permit?
The Next Steps:
A draft contract is expected to be ready by
July 27, and the final contract is expected
by August 30. A presentation to the City
Council will take place September 12. If the
project is approved then, it will be followed
by two bond public hearings on September
26 and October 31. The measure would
then appear on the November 6 ballot for
Montpelier residents to vote for or against
the proposal.
The information above was obtained from
city documents and interviews with three
Montpelier Department of Public Works
employees: Director Tom McArdle, City
Engineer Kurt Motyka, and Wastewater Plant
Chief Operator Chris Cox.
T H E B R I D G E J U LY 19 – AU G U S T 1, 2 018 • PAG E 5
Montpelier-Roxbury Schools Welcome
New Superintendent
T his is the second of two parts of an
interview with Montpelier’s new school
superintendent, Elizabeth “Libby” Bonesteel.
The first part appeared in the July 5 edition of
The Bridge.
In the first part, Bonesteel discussed her
background and motivation for seeking the
position. This part touches on the challenges
faced by students and teachers and how to
maximize opportunities for students.
Comments have been edited for length.
Bridge: What strengths and weaknesses
does the Vermont school system have
compared to other places you’ve worked?
What might you bring to our schools?
Libby Bonesteel: In Louisiana and
Brooklyn, I taught in incredibly impoverished
situations, with kids whose experiences were
quite different than the vast majority of
Vermont kids’. I didn’t have para-educators,
and I didn’t have support systems. I’ve had
amazing mentors who made it crystal clear
to me that we have to get all kids to learn
at high levels. One of the things we need
to say is that we can do this a different
way, meaning we don’t need to have a para-
educator for every kid who struggles. We’ve
gotten very comfortable with adding people
to problems, and I don’t think we always
have to do that. We can look at our system
and how we are teaching kids, be clear about
who does what, and be more efficient that
way. That’s a definite thing that I bring to
the table.
Do you think a boost is needed to current
school spending, or is it sufficient?
Bonesteel: Can I answer yes to both
questions? I think we can use what we have
in a more efficient manner. [In her prior
position] at Franklin Northwest, we found
that we could really tighten up our systems
and structures to ensure more learning for
more kids without adding staff. So there are
ways to do that without an increase of special
educators, without spending another dime.
It is completely rethinking the paradigm of
education and the systems that we have had
in place for many years. It’s not going to
happen overnight, but there are ways to do it.
Having said that, with respect to the social-
emotional learning of kids and what some
kids experience in their homes, we’re dealing
Compiled by Irene Racz and Mike Dunphy
with social systems that may not be as great
as they could be and the schools are taking
the brunt of that challenge. That’s where
How do you instill a desire to learn and
ask critical questions?
Bonesteel: There are two things. The first
increased funding should come. How do we is building those strong relationships we’ve
support the mental health of our kids? talked about. The second is to ensure our
In light of the school shootings, do we teachers know the best pedagogical practices,
need to address that particular issue as so that when our kids go into multiple
opposed to having more security guards classrooms throughout the day, all teachers
or other measures? are at the top of their game. We have to create
Bonesteel: We need to be looking at our the most amazing professional environment
kids, how we’re building relationships with for our teachers so that they can take risks
kids, and how we’re responding to their in their teaching and they can learn new professional environment, 95 percent of
practices that allow students to take the lead which has nothing to do with salary.
mental health challenges. We need to know
when they’re troubled, and we can’t do that in their learning.
But if they’re exhausted, that’s not going
unless kids are talking to us. And they are What about salaries? Will you try to pay to matter as much.
not going to do that unless they trust us. teachers more or is current pay sufficient?
Bonesteel: I know. We lose a lot of
So we really need to work on how we build Bonesteel: I think there are multiple ways to
first-, second-year teachers because of the
those relationships. What are the supports create really good professional environments
exhaustion. And one of the things that’s
we have for them when they are in distress for teachers. Salary is certainly one of them,
coming out of the latest research is all about
and challenged? and I would never belittle that. As far as
how to support our newest teachers so that
Do you think the schools should be how our teachers are paid, we’re going to they continue. How do we support them so
offering more practical vocational subjects be in negotiations, so we’ll find out exactly that they understand the dips in the year and
for students? what happens later this school year. But I do how they can take care of themselves during
Bonesteel: I would agree that all kids need think there are ways to create a successful that time? Using your colleagues around you,
an avenue that they can see themselves in. and thriving community of teachers. We and using your friends and family, church,
And some kids see themselves in that avenue ensure they are collaborating—that they’re charity, you can get through this. Being a
while some kids don’t. So we can’t cut that not just teachers sharing a parking lot. teacher is extremely hard. So, as a system,
avenue off completely, and we can’t belittle There’s that feeling of trust. There are lots of we need to figure out how we support our
it in any way. We have to recognize that it is conversations that can be had with teachers newest, youngest faculty with our veterans
just as good a pathway for a student and offer to ensure they have a really successful who have got that down by now.
them the opportunity to take advantage of
that. Flexible pathways and lifelong learning
will enable them to do that.
What about college?
Bonesteel: Again, there are pathways for
everybody. There is a place for college
education, but I don’t think it’s the answer
for every student. My goal as superintendent
would be to create a system where there’s
lifelong learning, so that kids know that
regardless of whether they go to college or
they go to technical school, or they go to an
apprenticeship that they’re a learner.
It doesn’t matter what job they have, they
will always be asked to learn something. To
know how to do that, they need to re-learn
things. If you can’t do that, you’re not going
to be successful. There are people who have
gone to college and who have not gone to
college who are successful now. Those are
the people who know how to learn and re-
learn things.
PAG E 6 • J U LY 19 – AU G U S T 1, 2 018 THE BRIDGE
A Message From City Hall
This page was paid for by the City of Montpelier.
Big Projects in the Works
T
hanks to Montpelier Alive, the many volunteers
and contributors, the City’s Police, Fire and Public
Works departments and all who helped make the July
3rd Celebration and National Life’s Do Good Festival such
wonderful successes this year. Events like these are what help
keep Montpelier such a vibrant community.
I note the special challenges the community faced with the
awful heatwave in early July. Many people helped out, opened
cooling locations and generally took care of their neighbors.
Thanks to National Life and Harpoon Brewery for providing
the water stations used on July 3rd.
Hotel and Parking Garage
The proposed new Hampton Inn and parking garage on
Capitol Plaza property has generated a lot of excitement and
discussion in the community. As has been reported in the
press, City officials and Capitol Plaza owners are in active
negotiations about the parking garage component.
The City’s Economic Development Strategic Plan adopted in
2016 identifies adequate parking as a strategic investment and
a new hotel/conference facility as desirable
and transformative. The City Council’s
recently adopted strategic plan includes
Community Prosperity and Thoughtfully
Planned Built Environment. Because
these projects are consistent with the city’s
official vision, we have sought to work with
the developer for a successful outcome.
The proposed hotel and 200 parking space
garage received local permits after an
extensive public review process. The owners
hope to break ground in November. Why,
then, is the City involved in discussions
about the garage?
A 200 space parking garage is problematic
for a few key reasons. First, it only meets
the Capitol Plaza and Hampton Inn needs
and does not assist with downtown parking
or potential future development. Second,
and extremely important, the overall
project is not financially feasible if the
developer builds both the hotel and the garage on their own.
The developer has shared financial information with the city’s
real estate consultants which fully support that conclusion.
Given these realities, we have a scenario where a new hotel – a
highly desirable project – can’t work without additional parking
yet the 200 space garage can’t work on its own.
This situation creates an opportunity to facilitate the hotel, add
net new parking spaces to downtown and provide for other
great projects such as a potential affordable housing project
connected to Christ Church.
Therefore, we are currently assessing the financial, physical and
logistical feasibility of the City building, owning and operating
a 350 space garage with an estimated cost of around 10 million
dollars. The garage would be financed through Tax Increment
Financing proceeds (the new tax increment from the hotel and
other new development in the area), a long term lease with the
hotel owners to meet their parking needs and parking revenues
from hourly users and monthly permit holders.
A 350 unit structure would almost certainly need to extend into
the adjoining 60 State Street parking lot which is leased by the
city but has a separate owner. The design would be based on
the already approved garage design. When all the projects are
completed, there would be approximately 160 net new parking
spaces in downtown Montpelier. A modern automated parking
management system would be installed to assure maximum use
and availability of all the spaces in the garage.
Issues under negotiation include long term lease rate for the
hotel owners, allocations for other users and use/compensation
by William Fraser, City Manager
agreements with all involved property owners. Financial
analysis includes detailed cost estimates including annual
financing weighed against estimates of future TIF revenue,
lease projections, monthly permit rates and daily/hourly
use projections. Capital reserves and annual operating/
maintenance costs are included in the expenses. The City
needs to be convinced that all costs can be covered without
using the general fund budget and that needed parking rates
are reasonable for our market.
The hotel owners have been active partners in considering
financial options for the project so that it meets the city’s
parameters while allowing the Hampton Inn to move forward.
This rendering by Architect Greg Rabideau is conceptual
assuming all is worked out favorably. It shows a 350 space
garage next to the new hotel, situated behind the Capitol Plaza
and Christ Church. It would include an accessible staging area
for the new recreation path and possible bike rental location.
The rendering shows the expansion into the adjacent lot – again
contingent on agreements with that landowner.
The next steps include final approval of the TIF district from
the State of Vermont, lease and land use agreements with the
involved parties, detailed financial outlines and, ultimately,
voter approval of possible City financing.
The City and hotel owners are working toward having all of
these elements in place in time for a public discussion of the
garage at the August 22nd City Council meeting. If the project
remains feasible, a bond vote may be warned for the November
6th general election. This would include public discussion on
September 12th and formal public hearings on September 26th
and late October (date to be determined).
This is a major potential project for Montpelier. The City is
working hard to make sure that public needs are being met.
We urge people to follow the progress (see end of article). We
will provide updates as substantive information develops.
One Taylor Street
After many years of discussion, planning, negotiating and
financing, the One Taylor Street Project will begin construction
this summer. As most people know by now, the project includes
a new Transit Center, 30 affordable housing units, a recreation/
alternative transportation path, a new bicycle/pedestrian bridge
across the North Branch River and an improved gateway on
Main Street.
Seemingly every aspect of this project has been difficult from
start to finish. The final step to construction was no different.
With all set to proceed, project bids came in significantly higher
than projected creating a final funding challenge to be met. The
project team of DEW Construction, GBA Architects, Dubois
& King Engineers, Housing Vermont/Downstreet Housing
and City staff successfully value engineered significant cost
reductions.
That work, however, still left a large gap in resources. Thanks
to wonderful support from the Scott administration, notably
Transportation Secretary Joseph Flynn and his staff, and
great work by City staff, we were able to secure additional
federal highway funding of $1.25 million which allows work to
proceed on schedule.
The first visible work will be environmental clean up (asbestos
removal) from the former Montpelier Beverage building
followed by demolition of that building and the former
Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired
building. This will begin very soon. We don’t have a formal
construction schedule for the rest of the project yet but expect
to see mobilization on site by August with completion by the
fall of 2019. The schedule will be published once established.
Related to this project is the overhaul and upgrade of Taylor
Street itself. The rail crossing has already
been improved, the rest of the street will see
new sidewalks, lighting, landscaping and
surfacing.
One aspect of this multi-faceted project
which is still up in the air is the possibility
of a new private building near the former
Montpelier Beverage site. At the last
minute, the property owner chose not to
exercise their option to purchase a lot from
the city and develop an already permitted
building.
The City is seeking guidance from our state
and federal partners about possible choices
for this parcel. It is entirely possible that the
project will be put out to a public process
for potential development in the future.
In the meantime, our current plan is to
construct various components as planned
such as parking, lighting and access. We
would leave the building site as temporary
open space and utilize the 28 parking spaces for public use until
a final determination is made.
Recreation Path
Another long standing project is the recreation path running
from Granite Street to Gallison Hill Road. We’re happy to say
that this project has been successfully bid with prices below
projections. A contractor has been selected and work will
likely begin in August. This path involves a lot of drainage
and stormwater management work as well as path construction.
Work will continue until the end of 2019 and, possibly, early
2020.
Caledonia Spirits
Although not a city project per se, the new Caledonia Spirits
Distillery began site work this week. This is a key economic
development project for the City, and we are delighted to see
them building their new facility in Montpelier.
City Information
Information about any of the city projects and city meeting
agendas can be found on the City’s Website www.montpelier-vt.
org. Additionally our Facebook page City of Montpelier VT –
City Government and our Twitter account @vtmontpelier are
both regularly updated. We frequently use Front Porch Forum
as well.
Thank you for reading this article and for your interest in
Montpelier city government. Please feel free to contact me at
wfraser@montpelier-vt.org or 802-223-9502 with questions or
comments.
T H E B R I D G E J U LY 19 – AU G U S T 1, 2 018 • PAG E 7

Clearing the Air about TIF

by Laura Gebhart

T
here’s been a lot of buzz lately about the proposed Tax Increment Financing
(TIF) district in Montpelier, yet many questions remain about the program.
With a potential TIF measure on the ballot in November, it’s important for
residents to understand the purpose, function, and process of implementation, starting
with these frequently asked questions.
What is Tax Increment Financing?
At its most basic level, Tax Increment Financing is a financing mechanism that pays
for public infrastructure improvements. Investing in public infrastructure spurs new
real estate development that increases property tax revenue. That added tax revenue is
incrementally redirected to pay for public infrastructure debt. When considering a TIF
district, the city needed to garner evidence that enough real estate projects would occur
to adequately cover the debt for the public infrastructure
What projects are proposed in Montpelier?
If certain public infrastructure improvements occur, several real estate projects are
likely to follow. Most people have heard about the proposed hotel and parking garage,
but several other projects have been identified in Montpelier’s TIF district application.
These include developments along State, Main, and Barre streets, with proposed
improvements to water, sewer, transportation, and parking infrastructure. A full report
of potential projects is available on the City of Montpelier’s TIF webpage.
What did the City Council approve?
The city council completed one of the first phases of implementing a TIF district by
approving a resolution to set the boundaries of the district and freeze property values. It
also approved the proportion of the incremental municipal taxes that would go toward
paying public infrastructure debt. The council did not approve any specific projects;
they simply approved the creation of the mechanism.
The city’s TIF district application is currently under review by the Vermont Economic
Progress Council. If it approves the district, which could occur later in July or August,
the city will seek voter approval to incur debt for public infrastructure projects.
Will this take tax revenues away from the Education Fund?
No. When the TIF district was approved by the city council on May 23, it froze the
property values within the designated boundary. Tax revenue at this original value will
continue to go into the Education Fund. It’s the resulting incremental property tax
revenue that is redirected to pay back the public infrastructure debt. Since real estate
development ultimately increases the Grand List, it will increase tax revenues for the
Education Fund in the long-run.
Where else have TIF Districts been implemented successfully?
There are currently 10 active TIF districts throughout Vermont, including one recently
approved in Bennington. One of the most visible examples of success is the Burlington
Waterfront. The Waterfront TIF district was established to redevelop the Lake Street
area and reclaim the post-industrial waterfront area to promote economic development
and increase public access. Improvements to public infrastructure spurred additional
public and private investment that enhanced the vitality of the area.
Who really benefits?
In a way, everyone benefits. The infrastructure improvements that occur are
enhancements to public infrastructure. It may not appear directly beneficial, but
everyone gains from improvements to essential infrastructure such as water, sewer,
roads, and parking.
New developments will bring additional amenities to the community, such as housing,
hotel rooms, and retail and office space. The developments will attract visitors and
residents who contribute to the vibrancy of Montpelier, while increased tax revenues
will fund important programs and services for the city.
Private developers will also benefit. Their investment is an important part of the
equation, but they won’t commit to a project unless there can be a clear return on their
investments. As is hoped for in any public-private partnership, there is a benefit to all
parties.
Contributions to Friends of The Bridge may be tax deductible
How do I learn more? depending on your individual situation.

There is an abundance of information on the city’s website, as well as documents

and helpful examples on the website for the Vermont Agency of Commerce and
Community Development.
The Montpelier Development Corporation exists to ensure the long-term viability and
prosperity of Montpelier. It does so by supporting economic activity that is in line with
community values and by helping inform and educate the public. You can send your 05601
TIF questions to info@mdc-vermont.com.
Laura Gebhart is the executive director of the Montpelier Development Corporation
PAG E 8 • J U LY 19 – AU G U S T 1, 2 018 THE BRIDGE
Cody Chevrolet Congratulates
The Bridge On 25 Years of Business!
Red Sox
Foundation
Honors VCIL
T
he Red Sox Foundation honored the
Vermont Center for Independent
Living for its dedication to social
justice, diversity, and inclusivity. At a home
game against the Texas Rangers on July 9, an
on-field check presentation was made to VCIL
Executive Director Sarah Launderville. The
Center won the $10,000 first-place IMPACT
Award, thanks to receiving the most online
votes among the other Vermont nonprofits
that were in the running.
“I was so touched and grateful when I
received the phone call from the Red Sox
Foundation official that I literally cried,” said
VCIL Executive Director Sarah Launderville.
“It means so much that Vermont’s favorite
baseball team values what mission-driven
organizations such as VCIL bring to the
table. The grant will help us further our work
promoting dignity, independence, and civil
rights of Vermonters with disabilities.”
Launderville brought her 8-year-old son, Evan,
to the game, along with two of her colleagues.
The foursome enjoyed premium seats and a
visit to the NESN broadcast booth, where
Launderville was interviewed. VCIL will also
receive a custom Red Sox jersey, which will
be imprinted with a “79” as a nod to the year
the nonprofit was incorporated almost 40
years ago.
The second-place 2018 IMPACT Award in
Vermont went to St. Johnsbury Academy, and
third place went to Brattleboro Time Trade.
IMPACT Awards were given to organizations
in all five states outside of Massachusetts.
T H E B R I D G E J U LY 19 – AU G U S T 1, 2 018 • PAG E 9
#betterbarre Turns a Hashtag into
Community Activism
I
t all started with a simple do-good act. In
early June, Barre City Council members
heard the call of Sara Akers and some
concerned community members who were
upset about the trash that was surrounding
one of the local city playgrounds. Council
members from each of the three wards rolled
up their sleeves and got to work. Akers, a
very active community member, posted a
live video on social media of what was taking
place at the local park. Viewers of the video
were excited about this, and some even came
to lend a hand with the clean up. The video
spread on social media and within a day
the amount of views sky-rocketed to over
3,500. With the community showing so
much support, it started a movement.
#betterbarre isn’t just about picking up trash
(although that is very important). It is about
doing good in the community and thinking
about someone other than yourself. The
idea of community coming together and
doing good isn’t a new one. #betterbarre is
just giving it a voice and platform. We are
looking for anything that you can do to
better the community and strengthen the
bond of neighborly kindness.
Here are just a few outstanding organizations
that are creating a #betterbarre:
• The Barre Partnership: The Barre
Partnership has been working to
#betterbarre for as long as they have been
around. They have worked with businesses
and organizations to bring beauty to the
downtown, encourage economic growth,
and bring music and locally grown food to
the downtown. If you want to learn more,
by Jeffrey Tuper-Giles and Sara Akers
become a board member or just volunteer
at one of their many events. Check them
out at thebarrepartnership.com
• The Barre Community Justice Center:
The Barre Community Justice Center
helps make a #betterbarre by giving
victims of crime a choice and a voice,
and by helping participants in their
restorative justice programs make positive
connections with the community and
develop empathy and understanding
regarding victims. Community volunteers
give hundreds of hours to the center, and
they are an open door to those in need as
well as a connector to services in the Barre
One Stop, providing conflict resolution
services for residents. The center is always
in need of volunteers. Call and find out
how you can make a difference. (802)
476-0276.
• Cornerstone Foundation: Rich
McSheffrey, a lifelong Barre man, has
taken on the task of rehabilitating the
baseball field near Rotary Park. This
park fell into ruins after the 2011 flood
that covered the field. Rich wants the
youths of Barre to have a place where
they can play little league ball. What
a great way to #betterbarre! For more
information contact McSheffrey at rich@
cornerstonepk.com
• BCEMS Garden: Kris Pavek is the current
head of the garden and has done wonderful
work making the gardens accessible to all
students no matter what their capabilities.
She spearheads fundraising and grant
proposal writing with her team to make
fresh local food available for the Meals
on Wheels program, for the elementary
school, which uses the greens in their
salads, and even for Maria’s Bagels,
which uses the locally grown chives in
their cream cheese. To find out more,
look for the Friends of BCEMS Garden
on Facebook to make a difference.
• Barre City Recreation Department:
The Recreation Department is a resource
that has been a well-hidden secret. They
are “Creating community through
people, parks, and programs,” and
engaging folks interested in volunteering
for such projects as leading arts-and-
crafts classes around a holiday, hosting
game days on school vacation, leading
exercise classes, running cooking classes,
teaching photography, or supervising an
open gym program. The possibilities are
endless, especially when we reach out into
the community to share in each other’s
talents. Low cost/no cost programs are
possible with a solid core of volunteers.
Please visit their page at barrecity.org to
learn more.
• Barre Rotary Club: Barre Rotary
continues to be a powerfully active force
in our local community and beyond.
Established in 1924, Barre Rotary has
donated tens of thousands of dollars over
the past 94 years to good works locally
and abroad. Over the past year they have
been involved in so many activities and
community events we can’t list them all
here, but you can visit its Facebook page
to see what's been going on.
Other ways that you can create a #betterbarre:
• Volunteer for local organizations.
• If you see something, say something.
• Involve yourself in city council meetings.
• Donate clothing, food, books, money, or
other items to local organizations.
• Shop at local businesses.
• Organize groups to clean up different
areas in the city.
• Plan a fundraiser for someone in need.
• Educate youths on the importance of
being involved in the community.
• Pay it forward.
We encourage those who want to see change
to be a part of that change. Step away from
your device and get out there and help make
a difference in our small community. If you
or someone else is helping to #betterbarre,
please take a photo or video of your good
deed and post it to our Facebook page
BetterBarre!
Jeffrey Tuper-Giles is a city councilor from
Ward 1 in Barre. Sara Akers is a board
member of the Barre Partnership.
PAG E 10 • J U LY 19 – AU G U S T 1, 2 018 THE BRIDGE
Rocque Long Pride in Barre’s Heritage, Fun in Barre’s
Painting Heritage Festival by Lucas Herring
• Insured
• 30+ years professional
experience
• local references.
802-223-0389
Do What You Do Best.
Bookkeeping · Payroll · Consulting
802.262.6013 evenkeelvt.com
S
ummers aren’t long in Vermont, and many of us have just
finished celebrating a great historical moment—the birth of our
nation on Independence Day. In Barre, summer also means that
we are gearing up to celebrate the city’s history and culture with the
annual Barre Heritage Festival.
Over the years, the festival has been host to performances of Scottish,
Irish, Italian, French-Canadian, Spanish, and Middle-Eastern music
and dances. There has been food from Scotland, Poland, Spain,
Italy, Greece, Scandinavia, and Lebanon. The event, which brings
thousands of people to the area, is a keystone of Barre’s culture and
community.
The festival traditionally occurs on the fourth weekend of the
month and this year’s festival will begin the night of Wednesday,
July 26. Stone artist Dan Snow will be featured at the Authors
at the Aldrich event, followed by the Summer Concert Series
featuring Donna Thunders and the Farmers Market in Currier Park.
Thursday is the traditional event for La Soirée Sucrée at the Old
Labor Hall, which is a National Historic Landmark built in 1900 by
Italian immigrants. The event is sponsored by
Delicate Decadence and will be held in honor
of the late Chet Briggs, a long-time President
of the Barre Historical Society. You can also
attend Thunder Road’s Times Argus Mid-
Season Championships.
From Wednesday through Saturday, you
will be able to visit many historic sites from
our world-famous granite industry. You can
take a self-guided factory tour of Rock of
Ages or a guided tour of the quarries. The
Aldrich Library will be host to the 61st Annual
Paletteers Art Show. To salvage the historic
Jones Brothers manufacturing plant, it was
turned into the Vermont Granite Museum
(also on the National Register of Historic
Places), where Scott McLaughlin and a team of
volunteers will be giving tours of the exhibits.
Vendors will be located around City Hall Park
and lining Main Street Friday and Saturday.
The community sponsors music venues at City
Hall Park and the Barre Opera House. Friday
night features the Starline Rhythm Boys, Pitz
Quattrone & The Freelancers, and Mad Man & Me. Saturday has
music all day with Green Mountain Swing, the Barre Tones, the
Zeichner Trio, the Vermont Fiddle Orchestra, Patti Casey & the
Wicked Fine Players, Dominique Dodge, the Green Mountain
Playboys, Wheezer and Squeezer, Inseldudler, Native Tongue, and
Heartless.
Again this year, Saturday will include the 45th Annual Rotary
Breakfast on the Aldrich Library lawn, followed by the truck pull
on Elm Street. The Heritage Car Show will be located next to the
Elks Lodge and the Wildlife Encounters in Depot Square. The
kids can play on the inflatables in the Kids Zone or at Mathewson
Playground, and the Vermont History Center is admission free.
The parade will kick off at 1 pm, followed by the annual bathtub race
and other events on Main Street. Businesses provide window displays,
while restaurants add their own flavor with menu items from several
different nations. There are stories and games for children of all
ages, face painting, a poetry slam, book sale, community yoga, and a
historic walk through the downtown. And don’t forget the fireworks
shortly after 9 pm. On Sunday, I will be
helping cook breakfast at the Barre American
Legion Post #10, or you can also traverse the
Barre Town Forest for the Heritage Festival 5k.
For me, there is an added benefit of those
who are returning to Barre for a homecoming
celebration and catching up with friends and
family. We celebrate our diversity and our
culture, but also our history with one another.
As a life-long Vermonter, I am proud of our
heritage, both in our city and state, and welcome
those who want to share our traditions with us.
As a former president of the Barre Partnership,
which is the organization that pulls this event
together, I know the hard work and dedication
performed by its director, Josh Jerome; by
board members; and by volunteers. I want to
thank them and our downtown businesses for
donating their time and resources to make this
event possible. They are a true reflection of
what Barre is all about.
Lucas Herring is mayor of the City of Barre
T H E B R I D G E J U LY 19 – AU G U S T 1, 2 018 • PAG E 11
Tender Loving Care Respite House Takes Shape in Barre
by Gail Callahan
F
or people grappling with serious illness,
the Tender Loving Care Respite House
can’t come too quickly.
The proposed, 9,200-square-foot building
slated for Ayers Street is already a caring work
in progress, and has been in development
for about two years. Last year, the project
broke ground and carries a budget close to
$775,000.
“If everyone in Vermont gave just $1, we
could open up in six months,” said Tender
Loving Homecare owner Roslyn Haldane,
who paid around $40,000 for the parcel.
Haldane is passionate about the project. She
talks lovingly about the plan, and it’s easy
to see that this project along with Tender
Loving Homecare is a vocation rather than
just a job.
The structure, the former, long-time site
of Central Vermont Community Action
Council, has been “completely gutted,”
according to Haldane. She also noted that
all electrical work on outside walls has been
installed and close to 50 windows have also
gone in. The end-of-life room is also getting
an overhaul.
Two apartments for families to stay for
free are also part of the building scheme.
Haldane is seeking sponsorship for rooms.
When an individual supports a spot that
allows the person providing funds to create
it. “It’s your room,” Haldane said. “You get
to decorate it.”
People from all walks of life will be welcome
and are expected to swell resident ranks.
Haldane is set to welcome men, women,
children. The facility will also keep
a watchful eye on those who served the
nation with four rooms set aside for military
veterans, she said.
Several local companies have donated money
and materials to the project. Flooring was
give and Barre Electric gave $20,000 worth
of electric lighting for the good cause.
Haldane said the building’s first floor is
slated for hospice and palliative, or specialized
medical care for people with serious illnesses.
The second-floor area is slated for people
going through treatment and who are in
Photo courtesy of Tender Loving Respite House
need of care. The third-floor area will be
designated for short- and long-term respite
care, Haldane said.
A nurse practitioner is set to staff the home
and employee numbers will likely be based
on the number of residents at the facility,
Haldane said.
“We create our own employees,” Haldane
said, adding Tender Loving Home Care
holds LNA and personal care attendant
classes, where students can receives licenses
to work in health-care settings.
Haldane oversees the 24-hour, daily LLC.
It’s a non-medical home care operation
that offers an array of in-home as well as
facility private-duty care for the elderly,
those who are ill or people who are
homebound. Staff includes register nurses,
licensed nursing assistants, and personal-
care attendant. On the company’s web site,
tenderlovinghomecarellc.com, Haldane
notes nursing personnel are “fully screened,
bonded and insured.”
Haldane is embracing the project since he’s
on the forefront of home health care. She
said integrity, reliability and respect are the
guiding principles that govern her company,
and she plans on installing those same
guidelines into the respite home.
“We’re building a home-like atmosphere,”
Haldane said.
Perhaps one of the best-known respite homes
in Vermont is the McClure Miller VNA
Respite House in Colchester, moving from
its Williston location about two years ago.
The Chittenden County facility’s care and
services are covered as part of insurance’s
hospice benefit, and according to the
website, a patient isn’t denied care because of
financial ability.
The Tender Loving Care Respite House is
vowing to embrace that philosophy too. “We
won’t turn anyone away who can’t pay,” said
Haldane.
Sandy Rousse, president and chief executive
officer of Central Vermont Home Health
& Hospice, welcomes the addition of the
new respite house. She is a firm supporter
of keeping people in the communities
where they have lived. “This is creating an
opportunity for us to work with another
provider,” Rousse said.
Central Vermont Council on Aging Director
of Development and Communications Mary
Hayden is extending a welcoming hand to
the proposal.
“We’re always supportive of any project that
provides quality respite care,” she said.
PAG E 12 • J U LY 19 – AU G U S T 1, 2 018 THE BRIDGE
10 Questions for the Candidates for Barre and Northfield
compiled by Mike Dunphy
W
ith primary season already upon us, the residents of Central Vermont
are once more given the opportunity to make real difference in
their communities by voting. Many candidates in Barre, Berlin, and
Northfield are running unopposed but several Democrats are in races to make the
ballot in November.
In Northfield, four candidates—Gordon Bock, Denise MacMartin, John Stevens,
BARRE CITY (WASHINGTON-3) CANDIDATES
What is one of your top priorities if
elected? Why so?
Tommy Walz: To put more money into
working Vermonters’ pockets.
Paul Flint: To implement in Barre City
an instance of the “Brain Barn” project
initially proposed during the James Douglas
administration in 2008 by the Vermont
Software Technology Alliance. Specifically
Barre City would be the prototype using the
project plan. Why So? Because we need IT,
and by IT I mean Information Technology
advanced education, research, development
and entrepreneurial-ism. Better training and
an innovation economy may eliminate the
under-employment pandemic in Barre city.
What have you done in the past to
help improve Vermont and/or your
community? Can you point to any specific
accomplishments?
Walz: I was instrumental in passing
legislation that required reasonable workplace
accommodation for pregnant workers
and addressing veterans’ issues, especially
suicides.
Flint: In my student days at Windham
College (Now Landmark), I became general
manager and chief engineer of WVUS 88.9
FM Putney. Since I washed up again on
the shores of Vermont 12 years ago, I have
become a justice of the peace, a Vermont
Department of Labor IBM VSE System
Administrator, and then a labor organizer
Do you support the governor’s efforts to
change the staff-student ratio at Vermont
schools. If so, why? If not, what is a policy
you would support or lead to improve
Vermont schools?
Walz: No, I do not support the governor’s
staffing proposals. First, every community’s
educational needs are different, and to say
there is one formula that works for all makes
no sense. It also takes more local control
away from school boards and local voters.
Flint: I believe that Phil sees aspects of
unfunded mandates in the rules and
TOMMY WALZ
regulations that created such surreal and
expensive staff-student ratios. Unfunded
mandates are bad government. The devil
is in the details. Set some aspect of state
participation (for instance Information
Technology support) based upon
improvement in the staff-student ratio.
Are you satisfied with the state’s efforts to
encourage youth to remain in state and
immigrants to move to the state? How
could it be improved?
Walz: We can do more to encourage young
families to come to and stay in Vermont.
Reducing student debt, creating more
affordable housing and creating better-
paying jobs would all help.
Flint: Possibly the worst bit of law I ever saw.
10K$ to move in? A withholding tax credit
to companies who have remote employees in
Vermont. Use Tax policy whenever possible.
Train them at the local Brain Barn!
Do you support stronger gun regulations
than already exist in Vermont? If so, what’s
an example?
Walz: I think we need to evaluate the effect
of the gun safety legislation we passed in
the last session before talking about new
legislation. The goal is to make Vermont
safer.
Flint: For the answer to this question, please
see Article II of the U.S. Constitution
and Jeremy Hansen—are vying for two positions on the ballot, while in Barre, two
spots are open to three contenders: Tommy Walz, Peter Anthony, and Paul Flint.
It an effort to give them all the opportunity to share their views with the public,
The Bridge sent each a questionnaire touching on a number of issues important
to Vermont. Some responses have been edited for length but not content. Peter
Anthony said he was unable to respond. John Stevens never responded.
PAUL FLINT
As a politician, how do you plan to build
consensus with the other parties in the
government and not bring Vermont
politics into something like the tribal
warfare of Washington DC?
Walz: Montpelier is not Washington. I
frequently ask representatives from the other
parties what they think about a particular
issue. A good idea is a good idea, no matter
who comes up with it.
Flint: As I was born and raised in DC.
Vermont has nothing like the tribal warfare
not to mention the blatant corruption of
DC. Rather Vermont Politics is all about
the almost subliminal “scratch and tickle”
corruption of an old and slightly stinky form
of political complacency.
Nearly one in five Vermonters are 65 years
old or more. How better can Vermont
support their needs, particularly with
housing and transportation?
Walz: In the past budget we increased the
social security exemption in the Vermont
income tax. I would like to expand that
exemption. There is a dire shortage of
affordable housing; we are making a dent
in that area, but I want to see programs
that create more affordable housing.
Transportation is a problem in a rural state.
We can help by providing more bus routes,
and in certain corridors, rail makes sense.
Flint: Let’s start with transportation: buses
must run on weekends. David Blittersdorf’s
AllEarthRail Regional Rail System needs
to start at the Williston Industrial park in
Barre Town and run to Burlington Station
on a seven-day schedule. Vermont needs
a “Complete Streets” program. Complete
Streets include: 1. Pedestrian Accommodation
2. Bicycle and Alternative (ATV) facilities. 3.
Pothole-free automotive surfaces. Now, on to
housing. You cannot have housing without
income, and you cannot have income without
inexpensive and ubiquitous transportation as
detailed above. Could the Brain Barn Project
train and accommodate the Aging Vermont
population above the national geriatric?
Do you support a fully taxed and regulated
market for marijuana, the status quo, or a
reversal or tightening of the law?
Walz: I am in favor of taxation and
regulation, and I think we can learn from
those states that have already gone that route.
We still need to deal with the questions of
edibles and impaired driving.
Flint: I believe that in passing VSA H.511,
Vermont as a state allowed for the laissez-
faire decriminalization. From a commercial
point of view, the current vacuum of viable
law and regulation 511 creates is actually an
excellent beginning of a vibrant marijuana
industry here in Vermont. So dude, let it
grow and then figure out how to painlessly
tax it.
Can you give an example of a policy or
perspective you’ve evolved on as a result of
your conversations and interactions with
your constituency?
Walz: A couple of examples. I became
convinced of the need for gender-free, single-
user bathrooms after hearing the stories of
those for whom it was a daily issue of great
inconvenience and embarrassment. Another
was how often public places are still not
accessible to the handicapped.
Flint: One constituent who stops by regularly,
always leaves his Styrofoam coffee cup on my
porch. I would like to propose that a nickel
deposit be placed on Styrofoam cups as well as
all water bottles.
How do you assess the state of Vermont’s
environment? Is the state doing enough
to fight the causes and effects of climate
change or could it do more?
Walz: We are not doing enough to clean up
our waters. I've seen Missisquoi Bay turn into
a huge bowl of evil-smelling pea soup, which
brings all economic activity there (swimming,
fishing, boating) to a halt. We still have not
found a consistent funding mechanism to
provide the money we need to do the job.
Flint: Thanks to Vermont's venerable Act
250, it’s not in bad shape. The question
becomes what should Vermont be, the lifeboat
or the country club. What we got now is a
lifeboat being ruled by a country club. Please
point out all of the DOE, NOAA, or EPA
research sites and federally funded research
going on in Vermont. We do what we can.
Vermont’s size should allow us to be a petri
dish for all manner of innovation. But that
is not the case. This I intend to get to the
bottom of.
T H E B R I D G E J U LY 19 – AU G U S T 1, 2 018 • PAG E 13

NORTHFIELD (WASHINGTON-1) CANDIDATES

JEREMY HANSEN DENISE MACMARTIN GORDON BOCK

What is one of your top priorities if
elected? Why so?
Jeremy Hansen: We need to improve our
public infrastructure in three main areas:
high-speed Internet, transportation, and
water/wastewater. Our existing infrastructure
will just become more and more expensive
the longer we wait to fix it, and in order to
move into the 21st century, we should be
investing heavily in Internet infrastructure
and considering additional funding of public
transportation.
Denise MacMartin: Student loan debt
is one of my top priorities. Vermont has
one of the highest debt-to-earnings ratios
for student borrowers. This debt prevents
individuals from being able to buy homes,
start businesses, and otherwise engage in the
economy in ways that would benefit us all.
Gordon Bock: As state representative, I will
advocate for economic development and
sustainability to support the region’s unique
combination of nature and commerce. In
doing so, I will do my best to help broaden
the economic base of our two towns and
thus lessen the burden of property taxes for
each of us.
Six candidates are vying for three seats in the
Washington County Primary for State Senate:
Incumbents Sen. Anthony Pollina (P/D), Sen. Ann
Cummings (D), Andrew Perchlik (D), Ashley Hill
(D), Andrew Brewer (D), and Theo Kennedy (D)
What have you done in the past to
help improve Vermont and/or your
community? Can you point to any specific
accomplishments?
Hansen : In my capacity as a Selectboard
member, I am proud to have connected
more people to local government. I have
also had the privilege of testifying as a
private citizen to the Legislature and
affecting the outcomes of bills on election
law, blockchain, and privacy. In my capacity
as a computer scientist, I have given many
free seminars to various groups like the
Vermont League of Cities and Towns and
the Green Mountain Water Environment
Association. Finally, I am the founder and
chair of Central Vermont Internet, which
is a community-owned high-speed Internet
Service Provider.
MacMartin: For many years my family
participated in Project Harmony (a Vermont
based organization fostering cultural
and education exchanges) by hosting
international visitors for anywhere from
one to five weeks. We recruited other host
families and introduced visitors to many
community members. As a former exchange
student I believe that cross-cultural
experiences are an important way to better
understand oneself as well as expanding
one’s world-view.
Bock: I’m not keen on people who run
for office bragging about everything they
have ever supposedly done, no matter how
relatively insignificant or whether they were
just part of a larger team that got it done.
Do you support the governor’s efforts to
change the staff-student ratio at Vermont
schools. If so, why? If not, what is a policy
you would support or lead to improve
Vermont schools?
Hansen: No. It’s a misguided move to
centralize control of school budgets. These
are decisions that need to be made in the
local communities who send their kids there.
If a town votes in favor of a school budget
increase, their property taxes should go up.
That’s a decision that all of us are capable
of making by ourselves with our eyes wide
open at the local level.
MacMartin: I do not support a mandated
effort as it creates morale issues and
dissipates local control. Reductions will
occur as schools manage lower enrollments
(which we’ve already begun to see). The
State should be working with districts and
schools to make sure that the quality of
education is not compromised as reductions
take place. At a time when we are concerned
about identifying “red flags” and assisting
children with mental health and bullying
issues, it is not logical to reduce school staff
arbitrarily.
Bock: The governor’s effort to raise the
student-to-staff ratio in Vermont’s schools
comes across as arbitrary and capricious.
and lead to the loss of more than 4,000
middle-class jobs in Vermont. Local
autonomy over school budgets has been
customary in Vermont. School boards have
a better idea of what their schools’ needs are
than the governor or the Legislature do.
Are you satisfied with the state’s efforts to
encourage youth to remain in state and
immigrants to move to the state? How
could it be improved?
Hansen: I’m not satisfied with either. We
are near the bottom of the list for state
funding of higher education, and that means
that even with in-state tuition, many young
Vermonters can’t afford to pay for college
here. We can improve this by dramatically
increasing funding of higher education
and reducing the number of middle- and
upper-level management positions. The
$10,000 promotion to lure remote workers
to Vermont is misguided. When most of
the state lags behind the modern world for
Internet access, encouraging more people to
move here for positions that require high-
speed Internet seems backwards. Let’s take
that incentive money and build the 21st
century Internet infrastructure first, then
see how many young people and remote
workers want to work here.
MacMartin: I am not satisfied with our
efforts, and we need more creative solutions.
Addressing student loan debt and finding
solutions to help borrowers lessen that
burden is one way to encourage youth to
remain. Lack of accessible and affordable
childcare is also a barrier to families with
young children finding Vermont a desirable
place to live or stay.

Furthermore, an analysis conducted by Bock: We need to create policies effectuating

the goal that going to college shouldn’t cost
the National Education Association found
as much as buying a house. Let’s tilt the
What would YOU that the governor’s proposal would lead to
massive cuts that will shortchange students Continued on next page
—the voters—
like to ask the candidates?
:
Send questions to:
mdunphy@montpelierbridge.com
by Wednesday July 25!
We will put them to the candidates and publish
the responses in our August 2nd issue.
Support Democracy!
PAG E 14 • J U LY 19 – AU G U S T 1, 2 018 THE BRIDGE
scales from Vermont spending more on the
Corrections Department than it does on
its colleges and universities. As a second-
generation American whose grandparents
journeyed from Eastern Europe to Ellis
Island, I fully support efforts to make
Vermont more desirable and amenable to
those who choose to migrate here.
Do you support stronger gun regulations
than already exist in Vermont? If so,
what’s an example?
Hansen: No, I think existing Vermont laws
are sufficient.
MacMartin: I would like to see more
research done in this area, so that we have
a basis from which to have productive
conversations on this issue. I would support
stronger child access prevention laws similar
to those in place in many other states.
Bock: I’d like to assess the impact of the
laws that the Legislature passed, and that
the governor signed into law, earlier this
year. Then I want the new biennium of the
General Assembly to dig deep into taking
substantive testimony from Vermonters in
all walks of life on what we need to do next.
This much is clear: We came very close to
a calamity of mayhem in Fair Haven, and
we can’t let the scourge of school shootings
claim young Vermont victims, too.
As a politician, how do you plan to build
consensus with the other parties in the
government and not bring Vermont
politics into something like the tribal
warfare of Washington DC?
Hansen: I am a scientist and I base my
decisions on evidence. Evidence can come
from many sources, including from people
with whom I might normally disagree. At
the end of the day, we’re all still neighbors
that have to work together.
MacMartin: I have a strong record of
building consensus in my previous
professional positions in higher education
administration, and I will bring those
same qualities to the legislature: respect
for different opinions/positions, an ability
to listen and ask questions, and a desire to
solve problems. Our state’s small size should
make it possible to preserve the good will
that comes from having relationships in our
communities that extend beyond political
differences.
Bock: First of all, who said that I’m a
politician? I seek to end the divisiveness,
conflict, and strife that have led the
Legislature into gridlock and special
sessions. I will work to find common ground,
build consensus, and achieve accord. I will
fight for Berlin and Northfield. It all begins
with listening more and talking less—and
definitely not resorting to talking over the
other person, or engaging in the kind of
personal attacks that have become all too
prevalent in the nation’s capital.
Nearly one in five Vermonters are 65 years
old or more. How better can Vermont
support their needs, particularly with
housing and transportation?
Hansen: I think there are a number of
reasonable steps the Legislature could
take. First, we should shift school funding
partially or entirely from property taxes to
an income-based tax based upon ability to
pay. I’ve heard from people on fixed incomes
who own their houses and really suffer every
time their property taxes increase. Second,
providing additional options for public
transportation could make owning and
maintaining a car less necessary. Third, we
should invest in more affordable housing,
especially housing with common areas or
in mixed-use developments. And last, but
most importantly, Vermont should enact
universal healthcare, to include mental
health and dental care. People shouldn’t
need to declare bankruptcy or lose their
house when they have unexpected medical
bills.
MacMartin: I would like to see expansion
of home-sharing programs, and more
attention given to retrofitting older
homes to be senior citizen friendly. As for
transportation, the biggest need seems to be
for those in very rural locations. I’d like to
look more closely at what current resources
the state has allocated and how those may
be expanded or adapted.
Bock: We need a properly funded
transportation system that elderly
Vermonters can use for shopping, medical
appointments and their other needs. The
same holds true for affordable housing.
Also, the time is way overdue for Vermont
to stop taxing Social Security benefits.
Do you support a fully taxed and
regulated market for marijuana, the
status quo, or a reversal or tightening of
the law?
Hansen: I support a fully taxed and
regulated market for marijuana, but would
prefer if there was preferential treatment
given to small local businesses, rather than
large out-of-state industrial operations.
MacMartin: I support a regulated market.
I do not support a reversal or tightening of
the law.
Bock: We must revisit this year’s
legalization of marijuana to ensure that
adult-use cannabis is taxed and regulated
like alcohol. This will generate revenues for
the state’s coffers on a $200-million-per-
year industry that has existed in our state
for decades. Much of the proceeds ought
to go toward subsidizing both prevention
and treatment for opioid abuse and drug-
education programs in our schools.
Can you give an example of a policy or
perspective you’ve evolved on as a result
of your conversations and interactions
with your constituency?
Hansen: Again, I am a scientist, and
base decisions on evidence. I welcome the
opportunity to have my mind changed with
information from anywhere. Property taxes
are one of the most important issues for
people, particularly those on fixed incomes.
After knocking on hundreds of doors, I
heard the message loud and clear, though
that issue was not initially as high of a
priority for me. It most certainly is now.
MacMartin: I’m engaging with many in
my community, and their views help me to
further clarify and hone my own positions.
Bock: As the father of young daughters,
I endeavor to evolve constantly, avoiding
the kind of “concrete thinking” that leads
to stale ideas or utter inertia. There’s a
saying that “minds are like parachutes; they
function best when open.” I try not to keep
my mind closed.
How do you assess Vermont’s
environment? Is the State doing enough
to fight the causes and effects of climate
change or could it do more?
Hansen: I think that Vermont could be
doing more to reach its renewable energy
goals and to deal with the phosphorus
pollution of Lake Champlain. I would
support a carbon pricing scheme that
does not adversely impact low-income
Vermonters.
MacMartin: There is always more that can
be done, but overall Vermont has a strong
record of paying attention and attempting to
thoughtfully address environmental issues.
Climate change should be a prominent
issue for many legislative sessions to come.
it will not be solved with one or two policies
in a short time frame.
Bock: We can each do more—way more—
on an individual level. Our family works
to “reduce, reuse, and recycle” at every
opportunity. We think actively each day
how to reduce our personal carbon footprint
in a part of the world that has limited mass
transit, alas, and requires at least a certain
amount of driving for food shopping,
animal feed, and other necessities for a
family (including a dog and those hens).
T H E B R I D G E J U LY 19 – AU G U S T 1, 2 018 • PAG E 15

Cooperating with Chaos: Portraits of Anarchists

at Studio Place Arts by Sarah Davin

A
philosopher leans with his right elbow and I still I feel as though I didn’t really get him.”
against a table, looking broodingly The term “anarchy” brings a very specific set of
into space. His ruffled, gray beard wild images to mind. Its very definition seems
and receding hairline, possibly encouraged to invoke chaos. The anarchist movement led
to withdraw after years of pensive pulling, to bombings and assassinations. It is a series of
contrasts his formal suit. Though still, the images that invoke fear and fire, but this is not
painting feels active as a flurry of colorful true for Brighenti, as none of the paintings in
brushstrokes swirl about him, illustrating some this exhibition feature the destructive fire that
sort of creative ether. sometimes came with anarchy. When asked why,
“Hazen,” is just one of the 24 pieces of art that Brighenti highlighted the difference between the
make up Storm: Nihilists, Anarchists, Populists original ideas of anarchy and what the movement
and Radicals, an exhibition at Studio Place Arts later became:
(SPA) in Barre. The exhibition, located on the “Anarchism, unlike communism, as far as I
second floor, includes oil paintings, classical know, didn’t have many theories about the
drawings, and watercolors by Nitya Brighenti. dictatorship of the proletariat. Anarchism is
The paintings mostly focus on figures of the about cooperation among the people, owning
19th century and feature portraits of writers the means of production. For example, if you
and political thinkers such as Mikhail Bakunin Nitya Brighenti in front of his artwork. Photo by Sarah Davin work in a factory, wouldn’t it be good if all the
and Fyodor Dostoevsky, as well as a few of workers owned the factory, organized the factory,
Brighenti’s visions, such as the oil painting, and shared the profits?”
“The Russian Bear.” While Brighenti finds himself attracted to the idea of business shaped and owned by the
Brighenti also brings extensive knowledge of the figures he had chosen to paint. As he walked workers, he is not sympathetic to the thinkers who did incite violence. For him, there seems
through the gallery, speaking about each featured philosopher as if he were talking about a to be two anarchisms: the philosophical side reflected in the portraits and a destructive
friend, he finally settled in front of the mixed media piece, “Itinerary.” With lines linking movement that ultimately failed. This rejection is evident not only in how Brighenti speaks
over the face of German philosopher, Georg Hegel’s face, the piece resembles a spider web, about these violent insurgents, but also in how he has rejected the presence of these figures
connecting small, circular images of different political, literary, and philosophical figures. in his collection.
For Brighenti, engaging in the literature that these political thinkers wrote was as essential This exhibition coincides with the Barre Heritage Festival, which is more than serendipitous.
part of his creative process. At the opening, he explained, “I like to paint something that I Indeed, Barre has its own history of Anarchism. Amongst the Italian community of Barre
feel some passion about. I feel passionate about Bakunin, about these stories, and I want to anarchists was Luigi Galleani, writer and publisher of the Anarchist newspaper, Cronaca
see the faces, but I also want to risk a new interpretation. I’ve painted Bakunin many times, Sovversiva. When asked about Barre’s most famous Anarchist, Brighenti said that he found
Galleani to be a complicated figure. “They had this idea of connection, mutual support, and
helping each other. There is a newspaper in New York that chronicles the arrest of Galleani.
All of the Italian people got out on the street to protest. He was a leader, an important leader.
He was the guy who was supporting their hopes.”
When asked if Brighenti saw Galleani as a positive figure, he responded, “I would see him as
positive, but I disagree with the type of violence he was inciting because if I were an anarchist,
and I’m not too sure I am, I would be a pacifist.”
Storm: Nihilists, Anarchists, Populists and Radicals runs until August 24 at Studio Place Arts
PAG E 16 • J U LY 19 – AU G U S T 1, 2 018 THE BRIDGE
Lost Nation Theater Brings the Beach to Twelfth Night
by Ellen E Jones, set designer of Lost Nation Theater’s production of Twelfth Night
T
he set design is a unique take on
the script. No good design stands
alone as a product or in its creation.
The collaborative partnership of the scenic
designer and director is usually the first
step in the design development, but as the
piece moves forward, more voices are added
to reach the final design, ranging from the
lighting designer to the artistic directors.
In my initial conversations with the director
of Lost Nation Theater’s production of
Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, Amanda
Rafuse, she talked about the idea of a beach
resort, perhaps like Brighton in England—
the kind of place where the rich and the
average rubbed shoulders on holiday and
social class had less meaning. This made it
more accessible to a contemporary audience
because it was a recognizable type of location
and the feeling of royalty morphed into a
feeling a celebrity. Amanda was a fabulous
director to work with, and as she laid her
initial concepts for the show, we both started
collecting imagery on Pinterest boards to
share and discuss as visual metaphors for the
world we wanted to create.
After we looked at imagery from Victorian
Brighton Beach, we made the decision to
move away from the more watercolor look of
that imagery to something bolder, brighter,
and more dynamic for this fast moving
show.
We had talked about the idea of water and
piers and beach changing huts as part of the
locale. My first concern as a scene designer
is the geography of the set—how to create a
space that offers the director many options
for staging pictures with multiple levels
and movement patterns that accommodate
the actors’ needs. At Lost Nation Theater
there is the additional consideration of
wanting to make sure that all sides of the
audience get to see the same show and get the
same feeling from the visual environment.
I was really enamored of the pier and the
idea of a gazebo of some kind as well as the
changing huts. Getting the feeling of those
specific structures and accommodating
the needs mandated by the script and
action resulted in the layout of the setting
which morphed through several different
incarnations in the design process.
Striped cabanas or changing huts were
and are in use internationally, so we
moved toward that feeling, but I changed
direction to give some variety to the visual
environment. I also wanted the crispness
and added dimension that a hard surface
could provide instead of simply painting flat
stripes or using striped fabric. I also wanted
the pier to have a more realistic feel, and we
were able to find weathered wood pots at
Photo by Ellen E Jones
ReSource, probably from a barn or similar
structure, but perfect for the look I wanted.
Because the prologue centers on the storm
at sea, I was always interested in the use of
fabric that could create a sense of a sail in the
opening and a weeding canopy in the rest of
the show as well as having fabric pieces that
the actors could move dynamically to help
show the violence of the storm. I wanted all
of the vertical fabric to have a sense of texture
to give a more interesting surface than a flat
cyclorama for the lighting designer, James
McNamara, to paint with light.
Northern Stage in White River Junction
loaned us a number of lovely practical lighting
fixtures that helped define the setting as well
as some properties and furniture that helped
create the appropriate look. The director’s
suggestion of adding the aerial fabrics and
having performers use them took the look of
the storm to a whole new level.
Everything is part of the design process until
performance. No design is complete without
the performers, musicians, technicians,
and the audience that views the show. The
moment of total fruition is ephemeral and
has subtle differences every performance.
But until everything comes together, the
scenery is just a lot of material in a hopefully
pleasing configuration. It takes all the
participants to complete the design.
Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night plays Thursdays
thru Sundays, July 12 thru July 29, at City
Hall Arts Center, Montpelier. Actors include
Courtney Wood (Silent Sky, Sylvia), Nick
Wheeler, (Urinetown) Molly Walsh (Lyddie)
Bob Nuner (Judevine) Kate Kenney (Miracle
Worker, Eurydice,) and Christopher Scheer
(Complete Works of Shakespeare-Abridged, 39
Steps).
T H E B R I D G E J U LY 19 – AU G U S T 1, 2 018 • PAG E 17
Community Events
Events happening
July 19–August 4
THURSDAY, JULY 19
Open Ears at Bagitos. Join Montpelier city
councilor Glen Coburn Hutcheson to talk
about the city or anything else. 8:30–9:30
am. Bagitos, 28 Main St., Montpelier.
ghutcheson@montpelier-vt.org, 839-5349.
FRIDAY, JULY 20
Cycles of Life. This café will be replacing
the previous “Death Café”. We invite you
to join with us in this place of comfort
where we can all come together to listen,
talk, and share the things in life’s cycle
we are all experiencing in our own way
now for ourselves and the earth we live
on. 11:45 am–1 pm. Twin Valley Senior
Center, Rt. 2, East Montpelier. 223-3322.
twinvalleyseniors@myfairpoint.net
Adamant Co-op Friday Night Cookout.
Grill items, seasonal salads, decadent
desserts, tons of ambiance, around $10
per meal. Rain or shine. 5:30–7:30 pm.
Adamant Co-op, 1313 Haggett Rd. Call
223-5760 for menu items.
Blues/Fusion dance. Blues social dance
(8 pm) and lesson (7 pm). No partner or
experience needed, just a desire to groove.
4 Deerfield Dr., Montpelier. By donation.
SATURDAY, JULY 21
BioBlitz Montpelier 2018. July 21–22. For
One Wild Weekend, Montpelier transforms
into a giant nature festival. Based at two
hubs, Hubbard Park and North Branch
Nature Center, the Montpelier BioBlitz
2018 is a huge outdoor celebration coupled
with a 24-hour survey of our city’s flora
Calendar of Events
and fauna. Hundreds of Vermonters will
be out enjoying a huge menu of outdoor
activities while biologists from across the
northeast scour the city to catalog every
form of life within its boundaries. BioBlitz
gathers critical data for local environmental
conservation and gets people into nature.
Check out BioBlitzMontpelier.org for more.
Hike Victory with Green Mountain Club.
Moderate. 5.5 miles. Tentative: Subject to
change. Hike in the Victory Basin Wildlife
Management Area from the Damon's
Crossing parking area. Distance depends
on the trail conditions (may be very wet due
to beaver activity). Bring water, lunch and
snack. Contact Phyllis Rubenstein,
793-6313 or Phyllis@PhyllisRubensteinLaw.
comcastbiz.net for meeting time and place.
Capital City Farmers' Market.
Market vendors, music, and events.
9 am–1 pm. State St., Montpelier.
montpelierfarmersmarket.com
SUNDAY, JULY 22
BioBlitz Montpelier 2018. See description
under July 21
Silent Film Series: The Artist.
3 pm. Highland Center for the Arts,
2875 Hardwick St., Greensboro. $10.
highlandartsvt.org
Advanced Cancer Support Group.
Individuals and families living with incurable
or advanced cancer are invited to meet to talk
openly about concerns and interests. 4–6 pm.
Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre
St., Montpelier. 225-5449.
MONDAY, JULY 23
Bible Quest Camp. July 23–26. Capital
Community Church invites 4 year olds to
completed 6th graders to participate.
8:30 am–noon. Christ Church, 64 State St.,
Montpelier. Free. mattkatvt@gmail.com.
272-0723
Free Drop-in Group: “Lives Well Lived:
Questions & Discussions.” When she saw
the documentary at the Green Mountain
Film Festival (shown at MSAC) this year,
Liz Benjamin found it very gripping and
moving. The filmmakers asked 22 different
questions of older adults. Benjamin will
facilitate an open, drop-in discussion.
3–4:30 pm. Montpelier Senior Activity
Center, 58 Barre St., Montpelier. Free.
lives-well-lived.com. 223-2518
TUESDAY, JULY 24
Bible Quest Camp. See description under
July 23.
Bike Waterbury with Green Mountain
Club. Moderate. About 25 miles. Waterbury
to Huntington Gorge and return. Bring
lunch and water. Helmet required. Contact
Mary Garcia, 622-0585 for meeting time
and place.
Shape Note Singing at Bread and Puppet.
Early American 4-part hymns.All welcome,
no experience necessary. 7:30 pm. Paper
Mache Cathedral, Bread and Puppet Farm
on Rt. 122 in Glover. Free. 525-6972.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25
Bible Quest Camp. See description under
July 23.
Barre Heritage Festival. Day one of
the festival kicks off with art exhibits,
author talks, music, and more. For the full
schedule visit: barreheritagefestival.org
Junk Music and Sound Experiments.
Listening exercises, rhythm games, and
sound improvisations to develop the ear,
as well as to gain experience in being part
of an ensemble. For both accomplished
musicians as well as novices. 6:30 pm.
Jaquith Public Library, 122 School St,
Marshfield.
Mid-Week Movie: 10 Things I Hate About
You. 7 pm. Highland Center for the
Arts, 2875 Hardwick St., Greensboro. $5
suggested donation. highlandartsvt.org
THURSDAY, JULY 26
Open Ears at Bagitos. See description
under July 19
Bible Quest Camp. See description under
July 23.
Barre Heritage Festival. Day two features
quarry tours, art shows, La Soiree Sucree,
Thunder Road mid-season championships,
and more. For the full schedule visit:
barreheritagefestival.org

Performing Arts
THEATER, DANCE,
STORYTELLING, COMEDY
Through July 29: Lost Nation Theater
presents Twelfth Night. Mistaken identity,
music, disguises, high-jinx, cross-dressing,
shipwrecks, and love come center stage in
the ultimate romcom. Thurs.–Sat., 7:30;
Sun., 2 pm. Montpelier City Hall. $10–30.
lostnationtheater.org.
July 19–22, 26–29: Hello Dolly! Thurs.–Sat.,
7 pm; Sun., 2 pm. Hyde Park Opera House, 85
Main St., Hyde Park. $18; students and seniors
$12; 888-4507. LCPlayers.com
July 20: Opera North. Resident artists of
Opera North present highlights from their
2018 season featuring opera and musical theatre
favorites. 7:30 pm. Highland Center for the
Arts, 2875 Hardwick St., Greensboro. $15–40. jugglers, and aerialists are all 19 to 25 years old
533-2000. highlandartsvt.org
July 22, 29: Bread and Puppet Presents: The Dr., Stowe. sprucepeakarts.org.
Grasshopper Rebellion Circus & Pageant.
3 pm. Bread and Puppet Farm, Rt. 122, Glover. July 29: StarStruck: A Cosmic Circus. Join our
$10 donation but no one turned away for lack
of funds. 525-3031. breadandpuppet.org
July 22: Comedy Showcase at Sweet
Melissa's. Open mic (no hateful material)
at 6:30 pm; showcase at 7:30 pm; live band
karaoke at 8:30 pm. Drawing for prizes
throughout night. Sweet Melissa’s, Langdon St., July 30: Bread and Puppet: Insurrection
Montpelier. By donation. Adult content.
July 27–28: A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Outdoor performances with the pep,
conviction, and physicality that audiences have
come to expect from this lively and thoughtful
group of young people. July 27 at 6 pm; July
28 at 5 pm. The Tunbridge School, Rt. 110,
Tunbridge. Rain location: Chelsea Town Hall.
thechelseafunnery.com
July 27: Bread and Puppet Presents:
Hamlet Or Else. Deconstructed Shakespeare
resurrected with cardboard and paper mache.
Paper Maché Cathedral at Bread and Puppet
Farm, Rt. 122, Glover. $10 donation but no
one turned away for lack of funds. 525-3031.
breadandpuppet.org
July 27: Bueno Comedy Showcase. Special-
event film screening of professionally produced
comedy sketches from the Vermont-based
comedians, filmmakers, and writers known
as “Socially Irresponsible.” 8:30 pm. Espresso
Bueno, 248 N. Main St., Barre. $8. 479-0896.
events@espressobueno.com. espressobueno.
com.
July 29: Cirque Us Workshop. The acrobats,
from across the country. 11 am–1 pm. Spruce
Peak Performing Arts Center, 122 Hourglass
intrepid astronomer and gaze into the cosmos,
where we fall into orbit with nine acrobat
planets, each one the center of their own
private universe. 3 pm. Spruce Peak Performing
Arts Center, 122 Hourglass Dr., Stowe. $20.
sprucepeakarts.org.
Mass with Funeral March for a Rotten Idea.
7:30 pm. Haybarn Theater at Goddard College,
Pitkin Rd., Plainfield. By donation.
goddard.edu. 322-1604
PAG E 18 • J U LY 19 – AU G U S T 1, 2 018 THE BRIDGE
Visual Arts
EXHIBITS
Through July 28: Green Mountain Watercolor
Exhibition. 100 artists from North America. The Big
Red Barn at Lareau Farm, 48 Lareau Rd.,Waitsfield.
496-6682. valleyartsvt.com
Through July 31: Heart and Eye. Stunning
photographic portraits in black and white from
around the world by Elliot Burg. Capitol Grounds, 27
State St., Montpelier. facebook.com/Fans-of-Green-
Bean-Visual-Arts-Gallery-at-Capitol-Grounds-Cafe.
eburg4@gmail.com
Through Aug. 4: The Front Presents Show 26.
The work of six new members, along with that of
the rest of the gallery’s membership. 6 Barre Street,
Montpelier. thefrontvt.com.
Through Aug. 10: Stewards of the Land:
Photography by Orah Moore. Handprinted
silverprint photographs. Moore is a classically trained
fine art photographer and founding member of
Women in Photography, a national organization.
Presented by Studio Place Arts. On display at Morse
Block Deli, 260 N. Main St., Barre.
Through Aug. 22: Phyllis Chase. Oils on panels.
Adamant Music School, Waterside Hall, Adamant.
La Soiree Sucree. Celebrate Barre’s
Quebecois Heritage with sweet desert and
lively Franco-American music by Michele
Choiniere. 4:30 pm. 46 Granite St., Barre.
$12 advance; $15 at door; $6 kids. 505-0405
FRIDAY, JULY 27
Friends of the Aldrich Public Library Summer
Book Sale. July 27–28. Thousands of gently used
books, videos, and other items for all ages under
tents on the library lawn. 8 am–6 pm.
6 Washington St., Barre. 476-7550
Barre Heritage Festival. Day three features
more music, art shows, food vendors, and more.
For the full schedule visit: barreheritagefestival.org
Adamant Co-op Friday Night Cookout. See
description under July 20.
SATURDAY, JULY 28
Friends of the Aldrich Public Library Summer
Book Sale. 7:30 am–2 pm. See description under
July 27.
Barre Heritage Festival. Day four features a
variety of activities including parade, kid's zone,
music, food vendors, cemetary tours, games, art
shows, car show, fireworks, and more. For the full
schedule visit: barreheritagefestival.org
Calendar of Events
Through Aug. 25: Colorful Musings by Rob Hitzig.
The art rides a mysterious line between the painting
and sculpture. Reception: July 13, 6–8 pm. Axel’s
Gallery and Frame Shop, 5 Stowe St., Waterbury.
Through Aug. 29: Nerula: Illustrations of Clare
Emerson Lane. Exhibit of envelopes. Lane was
employed by the US Postal service to sort mail on the
train in New York in the 1940s. During his time away
from home, he frequently wrote to his sweetheart,
taking special care to present her with a different
work of art each time. Montpelier Senior Activity
Center, Community Room, 58 Barre St., Montpelier.
223-2518.
Through Aug. 31: T. W. Wood Gallery: Summer
Juried Exhibit, Essex Art League, and Milton
Artists Guild. The contemporary room will highlight
the works of 26 artists in the annual Summer Juried
Show. Mediums include watercolor, acrylic, oil,
photographs, clay, glass, and mixed media. T. W.
Wood Gallery, 46 Barre St., Montpelier. 262-6035
gcallan@twwoodgallery.org twwoodgallery.org
Through Aug. 31: New American Artists:
Celebrating Tradition and Culture. A tribute to
the work of Gregory Sharrow, who established the
Vermont Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program
during his 30-year tenure at the Vermont Folklife
Center. The Vermont Arts Council Spotlight Gallery,
136 State St., Montpelier. vermontartscouncil.org.
Through Sept. 2: A Second Look: Bob Eddy’s
Herald Photography. Because the darkroom
Capital City Farmers’ Market. See description
under July 21.
Summer Herbal Fair. Herb classes, demos, kid’s
activities, herbal market, music, food vendors,
and special performances. 3 pm. Vermont
Center for Integrative Herbalism, 252 Main St.,
Montpelier. Adults $10; kids $3; VCIH students
$5. vtherbcenter.org. 224-7100
SUNDAY, JULY 29
Barre Heritage Festival. The final day features
an American Legion breakfast and 5k race. For
the full schedule visit: barreheritagefestival.org
Paddle/Walk Groton with Green Mountain
Club. Easy. Osmore Pond. Various distances.
Walk, canoe, or kayak. Bring a poem to share.
PFD required if paddling. Contact George
Longenecker or Cynthia Martin, 229-9787 or
marlong@myfairpoint.net for meeting time and
place.
Wayside 100th Anniversary Ice Cream Social.
The iconic Wayside Restaurant turns 100! As
part of their year-long celebration, the Wayside is
hosting a customer appreciation ice cream social
and fireworks spectacular. 6:30–9:30 pm. The
Wayside, 1873 US 302, Berlin.
played such a vital role in photography of the era, a
recreation of the Herald darkroom is being specially
constructed and will take center stage in the exhibit,
allowing visitors to insert themselves in the process
of creating a photograph before the age of computer
imaging. Chandler Center for the Arts, 71-73 Main
St., Randolph.
Through Sept. 8: Reclamation. Contemporary
figurative women artists painting women from their
perspective, reclaiming and transforming the way
women are portrayed. Helen Day Art Center, 90
Pond St., Stowe. helenday.com
Through Sept. 26: Oil Paint & Black Walnut:
Abstracts, Works on Paper. Dian Parker’s exhibit
features abstract oil paintings on canvas, as well as
mixed media works on black walnut stained paper.
Zollikofer Gallery at Hotel Coolidge, 39 S. Main St.,
White River Junction
Through Sept. 27: Nick DeFriez, Hillsides and
Hexagons. Paintings. Governor’s Gallery, 109 State
St., Montpelier. Photo ID required for entry.
Through Sept. 27: Harry A. Rich, The Vermont
Years, So Far… Large-scale acrylic-on-canvas
paintings. Vermont Supreme Court Gallery, 111 State
St., Montpelier.
Through Sept. 27: Possibilitarian Uprising:
Post-Apocalypse for ¾ Empire. Peter Schumann’s
woodcuts. Exhibition of woodcuts on cloth banners,
inspired by Albrecht Durer’s (1471-1528) engravings
TUESDAY, JULY 31
Bike Morrisville with Green Mountain Club.
Moderate. 30-35 miles. Bike on the Lamoille
Valley Rail Trail. Bring lunch and water. Helmet
required. Contact Mary Garcia, 622-0585 for
meeting time and place.
Make Some Noise for Social Justice with
the Goddard College Community Chorus. A
monthly “sing in.” Vocal stretching. Movement
play. An engagement with our rich legacy of
spirituals, folk, freedom and protest songs, radical
World Music, and Great Turtle Island song
traditions. 4–6 pm. Haybarn Theater at Goodard
College, 123 Pitkin Rd., Plainfield. Free. RSVP:
gale.jackson@goddard.edu
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1
Bike Orange with Green Mountain Club.
Difficult. About 30 miles. Orange to Groton
via Rte. 302. Meet at the Orange Heights rest
area on the left on Rte. 302. Helmet required.
Contact George Plumb, 883-2313 or plumb.
george@gmail.com for meeting time.
MFA in Interdisciplinary Arts Visiting Day.
Meet the program director and participate
throughout the day in a sampling of residency
activities. Learn about our program, meet
students and faculty, take a tour, and more.
depicting the Apocalypse as envisioned in the Book
of Revelation. Goddard College Art Gallery, Pratt
Center, 123 Pitkin Rd., Plainfield. artcommittee@
goddard.edu. 322-1604
Through Sept. 30: James Peterson, Dreamcatcher.
Large-scale interactive installation that was inspired
by the magical ice caves of Kamchatka in Siberia. The
grounds of Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center, 122
Hourglass Dr., Stowe. helenday.com
July 21–Oct. 20: Exposed. Outdoor sculpture
exhibition. Opening with walkabout and community
festival: July 21, 4–8 pm. Helen Day Art Center,
Pond St., Stowe. helenday.com.
EXHIBITS
July 21: Opening for Exposed. Walkabout and
community festival for this outdoor sculpture
exhibition. Short talks by artists at their piece
and food tastings, beer and wine garden, live
music by George Petit’s Conduit Quartet, and
more. 4–8 pm. Helen Day Art Center, Pond St.,
Stowe. helenday.com.
July 21–29: Stowe Arts Week. Events from arts
and culture organizations throughout Stowe.
Performance, music, film, and visual art. Free.
For a detailed list of events, visit
StoweArtsWeek.org
10 am–3:30 pm. Goddard College Community
Center, 123 Pitkin Rd., Plainfield. 322-1646.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 2
Open Ears at Bagitos. See description under
July 19
Adamant: KHL Story Time & book give-away.
Bring your kids, all ages for the Kellogg-Hubbard
Library Outreach Story Time. We will read
about Moody Cow, do some yoga, and make
beautiful glitter jars. 10–11 am. Adamant
Methodist Church, 1216 Haggett Rd., Adamant.
272-4492
FRIDAY, AUGUST 3
Bethel First Friday Flicks - Free Family Movie.
Bring a blanket or beanbag if you want to get
comfy (regular chairs available too). Visit website
or Facebook event for each month’s movie.
6:30–8:30 pm. Bethel Town Hall, 134 S. Main
St., Bethel. Donations accepted. bri-vt.org/events
SATURDAY, AUGUST 4
Capital City Farmers Market. See description
under July 21.
GED Testing at Barre Learning Center.
11 am–4 pm. 46 Washington St., Barre. 476-
4588
T H E B R I D G E J U LY 19 – AU G U S T 1, 2 018 • PAG E 19
Live Music
VENUES
Charlie O’s World Famous. 70 Main St.
Montpelier. Free. 223-6820.
July 21: Some Hollow/Sweatpants (Americana)
9 pm
July 24, 31: Karaoke w/ DJ Vociferous, 9:30
pm–1:30 am
Gusto's. 28 Prospect St., Barre. 476-7919. Ages
21+. No cover unless indicated.
July 20: Scott Graves (acoustic). 5–7 pm; Son of
a Gun (classic rock). 9 pm. $5
July 21: DJ MTL (top pop/house/bass). 9:30 pm.
July 22: CANCER CRUSH, Fundraiser & Silent
Auction for Justin Joslin. 2–7 pm. All ages. Tickets
$20 at JustinCancerCrush. eventbrite.com
Whammy Bar. 31 County Rd., Calais. Free.
whammybar1.com.
July 27: Blackwater Trio, 7:30 pm
July 28: Second Wife, 7:30 pm
Aug. 2: Open Mic, 7:30 pm
Aug. 3: Papa’s Porch, 7:30 pm
Aug. 4: Liz Beatty and the Alternates, 7:30 pm
SPECIAL EVENTS
Every Wed: Capital City Band on the State
House Lawn. Every Wed. through summer. Enjoy
a picnic with neighbors or meet some new friends
while enjoying this delightful Vermont musical
tradition. Or bring an instrument and play along
with the band. 7–8 pm. State House Lawn. 456-
7054.
Dog Mountain Summer Dog Party 2018.
Bounce house for the kids, lawn games, dog
contests, bubble machines, plenty of dog-friendly
vendors, farm fresh local food by Chez Mami,
foot-tapping live music by Chris White from
White Steer, and more. Noon–4 pm. 143 Parks
Rd., St. Johnsbury. Rain or shine. Free. dogmt.
com/Events
Calendar of Events
July 19. Dana & Sue Robinson at Brown Bag
Series. Noon, Christ Church, 64 State St,
Montpelier.
July 19: Mary Chapin Carpenter. With Caitlin
Canty. 7 pm. Spruce Peak Performing Arts
Center, 122 Hourglass Dr., Stowe. $40–90.
SprucePeakArts.org.
Honeybee Steelband. This pollinator-loving
steelband brings the plight of the honeybee to the
bandstand with energy and big sounds, performing
a wide repertoire of bee-theme tunes. 6:30–8:30 pm.
Jaquith Public Library, 122 School St., Marshfield.
July 20: Katie Trautz Plays Music at Montpelier
Library. Start your summer morning with timeless
tales told through music. Katie Trautz will be
playing folk songs that tell stories. 10 am. Kellogg-
Hubbard Library, Hayes Room, 135 Main St.,
Montpelier. www.kellogghubbard.org
July 20: Honeysuckle. This progressive folk
act blends older influences and traditional
instrumentation with modern effects and
inspiration. 6–9 pm. Axel’s Gallery and Frame
Shop. 5 Stowe St, Waterbury.
July 20: Friday Night Fires: Blackbird. Part of
the Summer Music Series at Fresh Tracks Farm
Vineyard & Winery. 7–9 pm. 4373, Rt. 12, Berlin.
freshtracksfarm.com
July 20: Blue Wave Concert. Fundraiser to Win
Back Congress with multi-award-winning Canadian
folk singer Rik Barron and the Borealis Guitar
Duo. Come and donate to help support Democratic
and Progressive mid-term candidates to be elected.
Hosted by Indivisible Calais. 7–10 pm. At Barbara
Butler’s House, 40 North Calais Rd., North Calais.
barbarabutlervt@gmail.com. 456-8804.
Reclamation TEDX-Style Talk. Gain perspective
from award-winning artists August Burns and
Dominque Medici; social justice advocate and
legislator Kiah Morris; body image and eating
disorder prevention expert Dana Suchow; 3rd
phase entrepreneur Lisa Hagerty; educator and
writer Richard Hawley, and more. 7 pm. Spruce
Peak Performing Arts Center, 122 Hourglass Dr.,
Stowe.
July 20: Flowers of the Field. A varied and
inspiring program of classical choral works
accompanied by violist Elizabeth Reid and pianist
Paul Orgel. 7:30 pm. Unitarian Church, 130 Main
St, Montpelier.
July 21: Tab Benoit. Singer-songwriter and
guitarist pours his heart into original compositions
tinged with Delta blues, Chicago blues and soul.
7 pm. Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center. 122
Hourglass Dr, Stowe.
July 22: 20th Anniversary Folk Concert.
Celebrates female folks musicians with
WomenFolk. 4 pm. Old West Church, 758 Old
W Church Rd., Adamant. $20. A portion of the
proceeds will benefit the Vermont Folklife Center.
Deb Flanders: 233-1015.
July 23: Flowers of the Field. See description under
July 20. Caledonia Grange #9, 88 E. Church St,
East Hardwick.
July 25: The Blackwater Trio at Middlesex
Bandstand. Coming from Mississippi, performing
folk, roots, and rock with sizzling instrumental.
6:30 pm. Next to Rumney Elementary School,
Middlesex. middlesexbandstand.com.
July 25: Village Harmony Teen Session II Concert.
The eclectic concert program will include music
from three continents and several centuries. 7:30 pm.
Unitarian Church, 130 Main St., Montpelier. Sliding
scale $5–15. villageharmony@gmail.com.
July 26. Allison Mann at Brown Bag Series. Noon.
Christ Church, 64 State St, Montpelier.
July 26: Susannah Blachly and Patti Casey.
Singer-songwriters deliver high energy, yet intimate
Send your event listing to
calendar@montpelierbridge.com.
Deadline for print in the next issue is July 27.
music that showcases their voices, songwriting
ability, and good humor. 6:30–8:30 pm. Jaquith
Public Library, 122 School St., Marshfield.
July 27: Jazzyaoke. Sing standards from the great
American songbook backed by a live six-piece jazz
band. All lyrics provided. 7:30–10:30 pm. The
Montpelier Pocket Park, Main St., Montpelier.
wooo.tv
July 29: Elle Carpenter & Colin McCaffrey.
Includes a range of Americana styles, with a bit of
jazz thrown in. 6–9 pm. Positive Pie, 69 Main St.,
Plainfield. Donation requested: $5–20. No one
turned away.
Aug. 1: Roy and the Wrecks at Middlesex
Bandstand. Eclectic music from forty years of pop.
6:30 pm. Next to Rumney Elementary School,
Middlesex. middlesexbandstand.com.
Aug. 2: Patti Casey and Colin McCaffrey at Brown
Bag Series. Noon. Christ Church, 64 State St,
Montpelier.
Aug. 2: Starline Rhythm Boys at Brown
Bag Series. 6 pm. Christ Church, 64 State St,
Montpelier.
Aug. 2: David Brahinsky - First Thursdays Music.
Singer/songwriter and guitarist who has been
playing music from the folk tradition. 6:30 pm.
Highland Center for the Arts, 2875 Hardwick St.,
Greensboro. No cover. highlandartsvt.com
Aug. 3: Friday Night Fires: Jacob Green. Part of
the Summer Music Series at Fresh Tracks Farm
Vineyard & Winery. 7–9 pm. 4373, Rt. 12, Berlin.
freshtracksfarm.com
To see Weekly Events visit
montpelierbridge.com
PAG E 2 0 • J U LY 19 – AU G U S T 1, 2 018 THE BRIDGE

Achieving the Hunger

Mountain Mission
by Matt Levin, Hunger Mountain Cooperative Community
Fund Committee Member

A
s a member of the Hunger Mountain Co-op, I’m proud of our mission as a
member-owned, community-based natural market. We are committed to building
a dynamic community of healthy individuals, sustainable local food systems, and
thriving cooperative commerce.
One of the ways in which we try to make the mission a reality is by finding ways to make
the most of the financial resources that we have available. Because of the generosity of
members, and prudent investing in other successful co-ops, Hunger Mountain has built
up a small fund we use to make modest grants to projects in our area that support our
shared agenda.
Since 2011, our Hunger Mountain Cooperative Community Fund has distributed a total
of $45,302 in community grants to support businesses, organizations, and initiatives
aligned with the Co-op’s mission.
In recent years, the fund has made a huge difference for several dozen wonderful projects
in our communities. These have included educational projects on food and nutrition,
planting community gardens and orchards, helping new food-related businesses get
started and established, construction of key infrastructure projects such as community
kitchens, and supporting efforts to ensure everyone has access to healthy food.
And our modest grants—averaging around $1,250 each—have made a difference. The
Gospel Hollow Edible Park in Calais was a 2017 recipient. One of the project leaders
told us, “The park would never have been founded without our 2017 HMCCF grant.
These funds have been the driving force behind the creation of what is now a thriving
community food and conservation resource.”
Last year the fund was able to award $6,600 in grants, and we hope to award at least that
much this year. Every year we have many more applications than we can support, but
with more funding, we will be able to do even more to support these vital projects in our
community.
If you have a project that you think matches our mission and needs modest financial
support, we would love to hear about it. Applications for 2018 grants from the Community
Fund are now available, and can be found on the Co-op’s website at hungermountain.
coop.
Projects must demonstrate how they are supporting the Co-op’s mission through their
work. Awards range from $100 to $2,500, and our priority is to fund smaller-scale projects
that support local food systems.
Completed applications are due by Tuesday, September 4. Grant recipients will be
announced at the Co-op's annual membership meeting on Thursday, November 1.
If you would like to support our work, I hope you’ll consider making a tax-deductible
contribution to the fund. Checks should be made out to “Hunger Mountain Co-op” with
“HMCCF” on the memo line and dropped off at our customer service desk or mailed to
the Co-op.
The organizers of a 2017 grant recipient, Good Food, Good Medicine, said it best: “This
grant helps small community projects like ours make a big impact on the lives of people in
our Central Vermont area due to the ripple effect that community building and education
has.” The Co-op is glad that we can do just a bit more to support these projects in our
community. Please consider joining our effort by making a donation or submitting an
application this summer.
T H E B R I D G E J U LY 19 – AU G U S T 1, 2 018 • PAG E 21

Classifieds To place a classified listing

call 249-8666

OFFICE SPACE FOR SALE BY OWNER

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CAPITOL AT 149 STATE STREET,
MONTPELIER, VT.
Perfect location within a 3-minute walk to
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renovated throughout. First floor, handicap
accessible, two restrooms, storage. Includes
off-street parking, office cleaning weekly,
heat, hot water, snow removal, landscaping
and full maintenance. Can subdivide the two
units. $16 sf, yr. Call 508-259-7941
TOTAL RENEWED BUILDING IN CENTER
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Steps from Caspian Lake, retail space,
currently art gallery.
Beautiful modern apartment upstairs, walk-
out basement, (workspace), double garage.
Property in compliance with building code
and handicap accessible. THE BRIDGE SEEKS A MANAGING EDITOR
LIVE AND WORK IN ONE LOCATION. DO YOU HAVE A PASSION FOR FREE, LOCAL AND INDEPENDENT
$ 395,000 JOURNALISM IN VERMONT?
802-533-2635 OR 941-227-2494 The Bridge, an established nonprofit community newspaper based in Montpelier seeks
a Part-time Managing Editor. Experience writing and editing for a newspaper and/or
magazine required. 15-20 hours a week, flexible hours. Duties include generating story
ideas, assigning and guiding freelance contributors, writing 1-2 articles per issue, editing
submissions, and supporting other staff as needed.
Email your resume and cover letter to editor-in-chief Mike Dunphy at
mdunphy@montpelierbridge.com

THE BRIDGE SEEKS A SALES REPRESENTATIVE

• New Construction Design & Build
• Renovations Custom Energy-Efficient Homes
• Woodworking Additions • Timber Frames
Weatherization • Remodeling
• General Contracting
Kitchens • Bathrooms • Flooring
Tiling • Cabinetry • Fine Woodwork
The Bridge is seeking the assistance of a sales representative to help cover the Central
Vermont region, including Montpelier, Barre, Plainfield, Calais, Middlesex, Berlin, and
Waterbury.
Candidates with sales experience and contacts in the region are preferred, but we are
also open to training someone with enthusiasm, charm, creativity, and old-fashioned
moxie.
We offer generous commissions on each sale and opportunity for advancement.
Furthermore, the job is part-time and flexible regarding hours.
For more information, contact Mike Dunphy at mdunphy@montpelierbridge.com

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PAG E 2 2 • J U LY 19 – AU G U S T 1, 2 018 THE BRIDGE

Repelling Insects the Natural Way by Iris Gage

Dear Iris, Tidy Up: If you keep your backyard in pristine condition then insects
won’t be as lured in. Mow the lawn, skim the pool, trim hedges, and
I enjoy spending time outside but I find myself unable to remove standing water, this way everything won’t be overgrown, shady,
deal with the insects. The mosquitoes, flies, and ticks are and generally stagnant feeling. Many insects are attracted to areas with
constantly bothering me and giving me anxiety. What can minimal light and still water to lay their eggs, don’t entice them. Also,
I do to repel them naturally so that I don’t have to resort to encourage natural insect predators to your backyard, such as birds and
products with DEET? amphibians. I personally have bantam chickens in my backyard to eat all

I
the ticks.
magine yourself lying down on a cozy blanket outside, enjoying the
fresh summer breeze, swooning over your new novel, not worrying Personal Hygiene: Take showers and clean off sweat, especially after
about a thing. All of the sudden—buzz buzz—a tiny uninvited exercise. Mosquitoes are attracted to body odors and lactic acid (excreted
mosquito enters your serene, meditative zone, lands on your flesh, and by the skin after a good workout). Keep in mind that not only sweat and
starts to dine on your vital fluids. You might be lucky enough to swat it lactic acid but also the carbon dioxide you exhale will attract certain bugs.
away before it has caused too much damage, but chances are you aren’t.
sage advice
Diffuse Aromas: The same essential oils used for spraying your skin can
And even if successful, the jerk will be back, probably with more friends. also be diffused into the surrounding air by using an essential oil diffuser
This, unfortunately, is a common occurrence when we are trying to enjoy and scented candle. Many products are heavily scented with citronella oil,
nature in Vermont, and the irony is painful. While insects are a crucial part of the food but lemongrass and palmarosa essential oils are just as effective and generally safer (both are
chain and important pollinators for plants, it’s still beneficial for our sanity and skin to take cousins of citronella).
precautions to repel their ubiquitous existence. Here are some effective natural ways to do so Repel with Potted Plants: Grow insect-repelling plants such as marigolds, basil, rosemary,
without using DEET and other industrial chemicals. and lavender in pots and place them on your deck or porch. You can also rub them fresh on
Disguise and Repel with Sprays: A pleasant way to repel insects is with an aromatic spray your skin to prevent bites.
that also disguises us from them. Bug sprays can be found at any convenience store or Remedies for Bites: Bug bites can often result in itchy and painful welts that shouldn’t be
supermarket, but I like to make my own with minimal yet effective ingredients. Essential oils scratched, even though the urge is sometimes unbearable. This welt occurs from the bug’s
such as rose geranium, tea tree, eucalyptus, patchouli, citronella, lavender, catnip, lemongrass, saliva, causing a histamine immune response. Cilantro and plantain, when chewed or chopped
palmarosa, and peppermint are all excellent at warding off insects. Vanilla extract diluted up and applied to a bite or sting will instantly pacify the itching and burning. Peppermint
in water (equal parts) is hands down my favorite. I get to smell exquisite while also being hydrosol sprayed directly on a bite will abate itching. Diluted apple cider vinegar (1 teaspoon
impervious. of apple cider vinegar to 3 tablespoons water) applied to the bite site also works well.
Protect with Clothing: Wear light-colored clothing; white, tan, and light green colors are
less attractive to bugs. As fun as they are, try to avoid floral print clothing, mostly because Natural Insect Repellent Simple Insect Repellant
you don’t want to look like a flower! Oddly, blue clothing is supposedly a mosquito’s color of • 20 drops rose geranium essential oil • 10 drops cedarwood essential oil
choice. (Juniperus virginiana)
• 20 drops lavender essential oil
Decrease Attraction: Supporting digestion and your “gut microbiome” (an ecosystem of • 1 ounce vanilla extract
• 10 drops lemongrass essential oil
beneficial microorganisms in the digestive tract) might help the most. Some scientists are
• 5 drops tea tree essential oil • 1 ounce water
extrapolating that people with weak digestion are more likely to release odors that are alluring
to insects. Maybe it’s time to start taking those probiotics sitting in your fridge. Garlic (three • 5 drops patchouli essential oil Combined cedarwood essential oil with
capsules daily) will make your skin very unappetizing to most insects. B vitamin complex vanilla extract in a 2 ounce glass spray
supplement (100 mg daily, 50 mg for kids) causes your skin to create a scent that many insects • 4 ounces carrier oil (such as almond oil) bottle, shake well. Then add water and
dislike. Drink apple cider vinegar daily (1 teaspoon diluted in half cup water) to change your or witch hazel extract shake well again. Apply to skin and clothing
perspiration odor. Combine all essential oils with carrier oil and avoid eyes and sensitive areas. Shake
or witch hazel extract into a 4-ounce glass the bottle well with every application. Not
spray bottle and shake well. If made with suitable during pregnancy and may irritate
carrier oil, apply liberally to skin. If made sensitive skin.
with witch hazel extract, apply liberally
to clothing and skin. Both need to be
reapplied every couple of hours. Avoid eyes
and other sensitive areas.
T H E B R I D G E J U LY 19 – AU G U S T 1, 2 018 • PAG E 2 3

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rates,and the design of
your ad, contact
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249-8666

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PAG E 24 • J U LY 19 – AU G U S T 1, 2 018 THE BRIDGE

Thank You for Reading The Bridge!