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Un de r t h e D o m e : R e c r e a t io n a l M a r i j u a n a L e g a l i z a t io n C o ns i de r e d Pa ge 4

Ja nuary 7 Ja nuary 20, 2016

STARTING WITH A SONG Rep. Kevin


Coach Christie, D-Windsor, at the rostrum,
leads the House of Representatives in singing the
state song, These Green Mountains during the
opening session in the House chamber January 5.
Photo by Carla Occaso.

IN THIS ISSUE:
Pg. 4 Tax Man Cometh
Pg. 6 UES Upgrades
Playground

Whats Up at the State House?


People Tell The Bridge Whats On Their Minds
story and photos by Ivan Shadis

Pg. 11 Notable Statue


in State House

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

Pg. 19 Locals' Hopes


for 2016

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

Joseph Sawyer, 22, is a resident of Montpelier.

Jacob Graves, 27, works the register at Delish candy


shop and as a jeweler in Montpelier.

Joseph Sawyer

Jacob Graves

The Bridge: As we ring in the New Year, and as the legislature


convenes, what is the biggest challenge that faces the state? What
is our biggest responsibility?

The Bridge: As we ring in the New Year what in your opinion is


the greatest challenge we face as a state? What is our main responsibility for the coming year?

Joseph Sawyer: Our responsibility this coming year is the homeless. We need more help for the homeless. Theres no place for the
homeless to go, and theyre trying to shut down the M&M beverage store to make way for some stupid bike path the homeless
will have no place to cash in beer bottles.

Jacob Graves: Poverty still seems to be the biggest issue. Theres


a lot that gets tied into that, including cost of living and low incomes. The minimum wage is too low, especially since the cost of
living is so high in Vermont, especially for people who rent. People
cant afford houses with what theyre making in wages. Many
people have to rent and even the cost of renting is just ridiculously
high. We need to look at how were going to make things more

The Bridge: Given your feelings about the homeless and your
observations of the difficulties that they face, if you were to advise
the legislature this session is there anything you would have
them do specifically to address this concern?
YOUR BOX AD HERE!
Sawyer: I would hope that the homeless can
Advertise in this space by
get a nice place to live, since winter is comcalling The Bridge's
ing on. We need to give vouchers for people
advertising department at
to get off the street.
223-5112 ext. 11

Continued on Page 10

The Law Office of Amy K. Butler,


Esquire, PLLC
Bankruptcy Family Law
Estate Planning
64 Main St., Ste. 26, Montpelier
802-371-0077
akbutler@amykbutlerlaw.com

PAG E 2 J A N UA RY 7 J A N UA RY 2 0 , 2 016

Nature Watch

by Chip Darmstadt

Time For White Fur Coats

t last some whiteness out there! A walk


with the dog this morning yielded some
interesting tracks in the woods including fisher and snowshoe hare. The hare, with its
white winter coat, is probably appreciating the
cover now provided by the snow. Fishers, large
members of the weasel family, prey upon hares, so
the hunting may be a little harder for them now.
Speaking of weasels two species, the Ermine
and the Long-tailed Weasel, also sport white winter wraps, just like the hare. Just the tip of the tail
is black, along with their black eyes, giving them
a very striking appearance. In past winters an Ermine took up residence here at the North Branch
Nature Center, sneaking into the Critter Room to
snatch food put out for the box turtles!
Chip Darmstadt is the executive director of North
Long-Tailed Weasel
Branch Nature Center.
stands in the snow.
Photo by Michael S. Quinton.

THE BRIDGE

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J A N UA RY 7 J A N UA RY 2 0 , 2 016 PAG E 3

T H E B R I D G E

HEARD ON THE STREET


Hallsmith Hearing Officer:
Termination Justified
MONTPELIER On December 28, Independent Hearing Officer Michael J. Marks
issued his decision on the post-termination appeal of Gwendolyn Hallsmith, former planning director, concerning the termination of her employment by the City of Montpelier in
November 2013. The City prevailed.
In this decision, Marks denied Hallsmiths appeal and found that the City had justifiable
cause to terminate Hallsmith. As part of her appeal, Hallsmith asserted that she was terminated in retaliation for speaking out about public banking. The hearing officer found
that Hallsmiths speech relating to public banking did not play any role in her termination.
Rather, the hearing officer found that Hallsmith, by her actions, violated numerous policies
set forth in the Citys personnel plan and therefore the city manager had justifiable cause for
her termination.

made progress on both of those projects, although it has been slower than I would like. My
goal is to see them both completed during the next two years.
he City is working on an economic development planning process that will focus and expand our efforts to increase economic activity, Hollar stated. He added that the City has
drawn up a downtown plan aimed at future investments and is working on completing a
parking plan and a master plan to make the city more bike and pedestrian-friendly. Next
to do is a storm water master plan.
And, in order to help pay for long-term budget challenges, Hollar worked in concert with
community members to create a local option tax.

I have endorsed the adoption of a one percent tax on rooms, meals and alcohol, with the
proceeds dedicated towards our roads and sidewalks. That tax would ensure that out-of-town
residents help pay for the infrastructure that allows Montpelier to be a thriving regional hub
of commercial activity. Experience from other Vermont towns has shown that the tax is
The hearing officer's decision was rendered after two full days of hearings and consideration unlikely to have a negative effect on our restaurants and hotels, Hollar said. He then went
of lengthy and detailed written submissions by the City and Hallsmith. The hearings relating on to express his good fortune in working with a dedicated (municipal) staff, a talented city
council and an amazing roster of volunteers.
to Hallsmiths appeal were open to the public at her request.
An attempt by The Bridge to invite a comment from Hallsmith went unanswered.

Go-Kart Racing Set For Thunder Road in 2016


Info Meeting Jan. 19

Mayor John Hollar To Run Again

MONTPELIER Mayor John Hollar announced his plan to seek re-election in the 2016 BARRE Thunder Road has announced the formation of a new weekly Go-Kart racing
series for the 2016 season. The Junior Champ Kart youth division for competitors ages 6 to
mayoral race to take place on Town Meeting Day in March.
14 will run on Tuesday nights throughout the summer, marking the first time since 2010
I am pleased to announce my intention to run for re-election as mayor of the City of that weekly Kart racing will be held on the Barre high banks.
Montpelier. This is a great time to be a part of Montpelier. Our downtown is thriving. Our
cultural life is flourishing. And our community is filled with creative, engaged and commit- The 10-race series begins on Tuesday, June 21 and will run weekly through Tuesday, August
23, with a one-week holiday break on July 5. The gates will open at 4:30 p.m. for all Tuesday
ted residents who love our capital city.
events with racing beginning at 6 p.m.
Hollar went on to state that the City has kept property taxes below the rate of inflation while
at the same time adding $500,000 over four years ago to pay for roads and sidewalk improve- A special event on Saturday, September 10 will close the karting season. Racing for this event
ment. In addition, Hollar stated, the first full season of renewable district heat system has will begin at 1 p.m. with the gates opening at noon.
made Montpelier a national leader in renewable energy.
An informational meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 19 at 7 p.m. at Nick Sweets race
If re-elected, I will work to complete two major city projects: the Taylor Street housing and shop on 307 South Barre Road in Barre. Please email Cris Michaud at crism6@comcast.net
transit center, and the completion of the bike path through the length of Montpelier. We've with further questions.

Follow The Bridge on Twitter:


@montpbridge

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facebook.com/thebridgenewspapervt

Montpelier High School Joins Peace Movement


MONTPELIER On December 23, Montpelier High School faculty, staff and present here to advocate peace, with no exceptions.
student body gathered outside on the left side of the baseball field. Together, they formed a When Hilltopper Haley Edmonson reached out through her connections with the alumni
large human peace symbol, and were photographed by an overhead drone.
of the Hugh OBrien Youth Leadership Seminar of Vermont, she was hoping to get other
The Peace Sign Movement was started by the Hilltoppers, of St. Johnsbury Academy, when students to bring the movement to their respective high schools. Levi Beavin, a local Solon
they brought their student body and faculty outside on December 7. They gathered together at Montpelier High School, saw her call for action, and got approval from the Montpelier
on the inside of their track, and formed Vermonts first school peace sign. Their hope was High School Principal Advisory Team to follow through. Beavin teamed up with Principal
to get other schools in the state to join them as they showed support for victims of violence Michael McRaith, Science teacher Sam Bromley, Math teacher Whitney Machnik, Athletic
around the world.
Director Matt Link and Administrative Assistant Val Belanger.
The initiative is meant to show that as a school, and a community, we show support and
solidarity with the victims of violence around the globe, of all races, nationalities, genders
and so on. This movement is a response to the recent Paris attacks, suicide bombings in
Beirut and Baghdad and mass shootings in the United States, like the recent shootings in
San Bernardino, California, and other violent situations in the world. The message behind
the symbol of peace is to show solidarity with the victims of world violence, and that we are

The dimensions were determined by Machniks pre-calculus class, and the symbol was
drawn out by Matt Link and the Department of Recreation. As the school formed the peace
sign, Bromley used a drone to take a picture every half-second in flight to capture the birdseye view, and created a time-lapse video using a tripod on the roof. The drone images can
be found on the Montpelier Public Schools Facebook page.

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PAG E 4 J A N UA RY 7 J A N UA RY 2 0 , 2 016

THE BRIDGE

A Cure for Economic Woes and Addiction?


A Boon for Agriculture? Or a Cause for Pause?
Reports: Dispensaries Could be First in Line for Retail Sales
by Carla Occaso
STATEWIDE Can it close our budget gap? Alleviate opiate addiction? Increase tourism? Create a whole new cooperative artisanal cannabis and/or agricultural economy? Thats
what theyre talking about concerning regulated recreational
marijuana legalization in some State House reports and live
testimony. And just who is offering expertise to go forward?
We are looking at a 10 to 15 percent increase in tourism,
predicted Bill Lofy, a member of the Vermont Cannabis Collective, in his spoken testimony to the Senate Government
Operations Committee during pre-session testimony November 3. If cannabis is legalized, we want this industry to
reflect Vermont values ... We want Vermonters from all walks
of life and all income levels to participate We see ways to
create great jobs good, long term jobs that wont go away
We see a market open to any Vermonter who wants to
participate. We see an opportunity to be the national leader
in cannabis genetics and medical research. Lofy also said
that cannabis has been seen as a way to alleviate and pay for
treatment of addiction.
Lofy explained his organization, invited experts from other
states where marijuana is legal and held public forums all
over the state. We see Vermont as a center for cannabis
excellence.
Lofy has previously worked as chief of staff for Gov. Peter
Shumlin during his first two years, then for the Democratic
Governors Association and then for a brief stint at Green
Mountain Power before becoming a member of the Vermont
Cannabis Collective, according to media reports and from
his website, Lofy Strategies, dedicated to business strategy,
political advising and writing. Lofy and his collaboratives
steering committee made up mostly of well-known
entrepreneurs have declared on their website a dedication to advancing our guiding principles to be embedded
in new legislation which will help define a new, systematic
approach in Vermonts cannabis economy. Steering committee members include Lofy and former state senator Hinda
Miller, Jogbra co-founder; Judy McIsaac Robertson, cofounder of Highland Sugarworks; Will Raap, Gardeners
Supply Founder; Alan Newman, founder of Magic Hat and
Seventh Generation; Rob Williams PhD, a Vermont-based
historian, journalist, musician, and professor of media/communications and environmental history/global studies, according to the UVM website; and Michael Jager, founder

and creative officer of Solidarity of Unbridled Labor a eters, so the


Burlington-based advertising/branding/design firm (http:// c o m m i t t e e
solidarityofunbridledlabour.com/).
put together
Lofy went on to advise, A third area, where we urge lawmak- a framework
ers to focus attention, is genetics research. Genetics research known as the
is the process of creating highly specialized strains of can- Cole Memo,
provides
nabis that can treat specific medical conditions or create which
guidance
about
who
new products for the adult use market. These strains and
would
be
allowed
to
specifically, their seeds can be highly valuable, but they
get
it
(those
over
21),
revenue, marijuana
require extensive experimentation and trial and error to progoing
out
of
state,
violence
and use of firearms, drugged drivduce. The University of Colorado in Boulder just opened a
ing,
growing
marijuana
on
public lands and possession and
lab dedicated to genetics research, and a reporter described
use
of
marijuana.
it as having the feel of a startup. We should be creating

There are still many unanswered questions, like, who gets to


sell it? How much can people buy and sell at a time? Where
can it be consumed? How do you test for people driving
under the influence? How would taxation work? Who would
Also testifying that day were other cannabis consulting orga- get the pot jobs?
nizations, medical marijuana patient Francis Janik and sev- In adding guidance on this small point, on page 165 of
eral other interested parties who were either invited or asked the Rand report, in a footnote regarding taxes, it says, to
to be involved, including a Marlboro College class interested boost job creation, the legislature could allow deductions for
in addiction studies. Julie Tessler of the Vermont Council of salaries of retail personnelthough such an allowance might
Developmental and Mental Health Services said her organi- shift marketing efforts into the hiring of attractive and perzation did not take a position either way on the legalization suasive salespeople who would boost consumption.
of marijuana, but that if it is legalized, and if revenues are In any case, one aspect of the overall discussion that might
generated, it would be an important opportunity to invest interest Montpelier residents specifically, is that preference
in the full continuum of mental health and substance use for licensing retailers, cultivators and distributors would be
disorder prevention.
given to existing state-sanctioned medical marijuana dispenthose types of labs in Vermont. Its good for science, good
for medicine, good for our economy and creates the kinds
of innovation and entrepreneurial jobs that will keep young
people in Vermont.

Chairing that committee was Sen. Jeannette White, DWindham while vice chair was Sen. Anthony Pollina, D/PWashington County. Also on the committee are Sen. Chris
Bray, D-Addison; Joe Benning, R-Caledonia-Orange and
Brian Collamore, R-Rutland.
The senate bill, S.95 was introduced by David Zuckerman in a
previous session. The administration commissioned the Rand
Commission to study the impact of Legalization on Vermont,
White explained November 3. The Government Operations
committee studied the issue throughout the year. We felt
it was easier to have the discussion of should it or shouldnt
it be legalized if we knew what it would look like, White
said. Those people who were against legalization, were helpful in saying, if you are going to to it, these are the param-

The Property Tax Man Cometh!

saries. Montpelier has one in operation by Vermont Patients


Alliance that currently cultivates and sells marijuana and
manufactures marijuana products for registered patients with
specific medical conditions. In addition, they offer consultation on entrepreneurial ventures, financial management,
cultivation techniques, regulatory compliance, legal issues
and dispensary management, point-of-sale, packaging, and
labeling. So Montpelier residents are poised to be in the epicenter of the new marijuana economy should the Legislature
move forward on it.

The next step for S.95 starts with Legislative Counsel offering a history of the regulation of cannabis in Vermont on Friday, January 8 in the Senate Committee on Judiciary. (http://
legislature.vermont.gov/committee/agenda/2016/2355.

by Nat Frothingham

MONTPELIER The municipal budget that will be presented to Montpelier residents at


Town Meeting Day on Tuesday, March 1 comes in two parts. There is the municipal FY 2017
proposed budget and the proposed school FY 2017 budget. Both budgets are combined on a
residents property tax bill. But each of these budgets is voted on separately on Town Meeting
Day.

still indicated after January 6, there will be a final public meeting on Wednesday evening January 20, the day before the school system presents its final budget figures to the City Council.

At press time for this issue of The Bridge (February 6) both city and school budgets are currently under review and public discussion with possible changes for each.

According to current estimates, in FY 2017 the State of Vermont will contribute a base education amount of $9,955 per equalized student. Again, this number could change.

Proposed Municipal Budget


Referring to the city managers budget proposal that was published on page 7 of the December
17 issue of The Bridge, Sandra Gallup, finance director said, I cant tell you that anything
has changed yet. But she allowed that changes to the managers proposed budget could be
introduced at the February 6 meeting or at a second public hearing on Thursday evening,
January 21.
As published in The Bridge, the city managers proposed budget calls for a 1.8 percent property
tax increase in FY 2017. Last years property tax increase was 2.4 percent.
The 1.8 percent tax increase for FY 2017 translates into an additional $41.36 on the tax bill
for an average residential property (valued at $228,000).
Proposed Montpelier Public Schools Budget
Also, on January 6, Montpelier Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Brian Ricca was in touch
by phone to discuss the school board of commissioners current budget proposal.
He emphasized at least two or three times that the budget proposal he is discussing could
change because of actions by the Legislature and budget numbers that are subject to change.
Both the school board and the school administration have had several meetings already where
the voting public has been invited to discuss the proposed budget.
The first budget presentation was December 16 and was fairly well attended, said Ricca.
There is to be another budget meeting just after press time on January 6. And if changes are

Ricca commented on a number of figures from the school budget summary. These figures
influence the final property tax estimates that are being offered for the FY 2017 proposed
budget.

On the bad news is good news front, Montpeliers common level of appraisal is showing a
slight decline to 95.3 percent. The bad news is that residents will pay more in property taxes
because our property values are somewhat higher than other property values across the state.
The good news has to do with the comparative strength, that is, the competitiveness of the
local housing market.
The total budget change for educational spending in the proposed FY 2017 budget is up by
2.31 percent over the FY 2016 budget and education spending per pupil is up 4.17 percent.
Ricca said that Montpelier taxpayers would not be penalized tax wise because that 4.17 percent
rise in per pupil spending does not trigger the states double tax penalty.
For taxpayers wanting to save money he noted that because enrollments have experienced a
modest growth (enrollments in the district were 992 students in FY 2016 and are projected to
be 1027 students in FY 2017, taxpayers in Montpelier will see more money contributed by the
State of Vermont as part of the FY 2017 budget. Thats good news, said Ricca. Growth (in
student numbers) is good.
When all the numbers and measures are combined, taxpayers will be paying less for schools in
FY 2017 than they paid in FY 2016. Thus, if you owned a house valued at $100,000, in FY
2016 you are paying $1,603 for the school portion of your property taxes. But in FY 2017, you
are projected to be paying $1577. The logic continues for a house valued at $200,000: $3,205
last year and $3,153 for the year ahead; or for a house valued at $300,000 $4808 in FY 16 and
$4,730 in FY 2017.
Whats not to like about a cut on the school side of your property tax bill?

J A N UA RY 7 J A N UA RY 2 0 , 2 016 PAG E 5

T H E B R I D G E

City Clerk Expects A Doozie Of A Turnout


Town Meeting Day
as Presidential Primary Pulsates Around Bernie

by Carla Occaso

MONTPELIER More attendance than usual is expected this year at the ballot box, liers schools and give every child the best chance for a first-rate education. Montpelier
according to City Clerk John Odum in a recent phone conversation with The Bridge.
has some of the top schools in Vermont. I am committed to keeping them that way and
It is going to be record-breaking because of the presidential ballot and Bernie Sanders. making them even better. This means we need to invest in the people and programming
Turnout is going to be more like a general election. It is going to be a doozie, Odum said. that will meet the needs of all of Montpeliers students in all grades. The election for the
Montpelier Board of School Commissioners is on Town Meeting Day.
It is just weeks away from the filing deadline of February 1, and candidate news has
But these two candidates are still unofficial, in that they have not yet filed their petition
started filtering in to The Bridge.
with City Clerk John Odum. At this point there are (officially) no candidates for anyThe Montpelier Board of School Commissioners will see three terms open up with one thing, Odum said, explaining the filing deadline is still weeks away.
member announcing re-election plans, one stepping down and one staying mum. I am
stepping down, said Clerk/Treasurer Lowell Vanderlip by email. Chair Sue Aldrich did As for City Council, three terms are also up those now held by Justin Turcotte, Dona
Bate and Jean Olson. Jean Olson, appointed to fill the seat vacated by Thierry Guerlain
not get back to The Bridge about whether she plans on seeking re-election.
last year, indicated she is running again in public session during the council, Odum said.
Michele Braun, vice chair, whose seat is also up for re-election, told The Bridge she does But the others have not formally announced. The mayors two-year term is also up. Curindeed plan to seek another term. The stewardship of Montpelier Public Schools, on be- rent Mayor John Hollar has announced his desire to continue in that role.
half of our community, is a serious responsibility. I have learned a lot in my first term, and
would like to help the community navigate the exciting and challenging developments Other seats up for election include one cemetery commissioner term and two park comahead of us. Montpelier Public Schools is an excellent school district, and the new initia- missioners.
tives coming from throughout the community toward personalized learning, proficiencybased standards, wellness, playground enhancement and attracting tuition students are
all going to help us maintain our position as a leading district in educational innovation.
At the same time, our tax rate is among the lowest in Washington County, about average
across the state, and we intend to stay on a path of balancing expenses and revenues. I
appreciate the opportunity to serve Montpelier and hope the voters will support me for
another term, Braun wrote in an email.
Two other townspeople are waiting in the wings to vie for the open seats.
Our schools are a big reason why so many people want to live in Montpelier. Every child
deserves a great education and Montpelier schools should continue to strive for excellence.
That is the focus I will bring to the School Board, wrote Peter Sterling of Montpelier to
The Bridge in announcing his bid for a seat on the board. Sterling further wrote that he
was appointed to the program finance committee to prepare a report to the school board
on finding efficiencies in the school budget. Sterling is former vice chair of the Doty
Elementary school board in Worcester.
Also planning to run is Jim Murphy. Murphy wrote, I have decided to run for a seat on
the board of school commissioners as a parent of two Union Elementary School students
and a Montpelier resident who wants to ensure that we continue to improve Montpe-

Correction
Cecile Gendron was featured in a Celebrating Unsung Heroes story on page 9 of our December 17, 2015 issue. Gendron is a nurse who volunteers at the Peoples Health & Wellness
Clinic in Barre. After the story was published in December 17 issue of The Bridge, Gendron
was in touch to make it clear that yes, she did graduate from St. Vincents School of Nursing in 1970. But no, she did not attend Yale University and did not therefore graduate
from Yale New Haven Hospital. Instead she was employed by Yale-New Haven Hospital
as her first job. The Bridge regrets this error.

PAG E 6 J A N UA RY 7 J A N UA RY 2 0 , 2 016

THE BRIDGE

Group Raises Funds For UES Playground

by Jose Aguayo

MONTPELIER Undeterred by a rejection to a $25,000 grant request in 2014, a group of


Union Elementary parents and staff banded together to find ways to upgrade the existing playgrounds. Then along the way, they built a broad coalition and landed a grant that will match up
to $150,000 of the money raised in cash or in-kind donations.
The Union Playground Project Fundraising Committee was formed the Fall of 2014 and the
project to upgrade the playground, likened to an old-fashioned Amish barn raising by Union
Elementary Principal Chris Hennessey, is well on its way to meeting the challenge. Hennessey
is often seen engaged in the roundtable discussions, as well as lending his insight and support to
the group.
While the first $25,000 grant required the project to be ready to break ground within weeks of
the application in fall 2014, the current grant allows for a window of time to plan and fundraise
for the project, however, groundbreaking must take place in 2016. More importantly, the grant
will allow anyone willing to donate their time and/or money to get involved.
University of Vermont assistant professor Stephanie Hurley, a Montpelier resident, was among
those who donated their time and talent to the effort by engaging a group of 20 of her landscape
design students on a class project to come up with various proposals for the lower and upper playgrounds at Union Elementary, as well as the adjacent hillsides. Their final design ideas were on
display at the school the evening of December 14 for community members to view and comment.
All Union Elementary was invited to view and make comments on the proposals the following
day. An effort will be made to incorporate feedback from the public and students (recorded on
sticky notes that were placed on each design board) into the final design proposal.
At the moment, the lower playground has a car that was carved out of wood by Billie Quittner,
as well as a beautiful outdoor woodburned xylophone built by Gampo Wickenheiser, both UES
parents.
As the project nears the groundbreaking phase, the Union Playground Project Fundraising Committee has decided to hire a full-time manager to coordinate the various efforts currently underway. Thus far, fundraisers including a yard sale, donations from UES parents and grandparents
and other events, have raised around $15,000.

UES Outdoor Classroom Plan

Similarly, Chris Green, a UES parent with the nonprofit ORCA Media in Montpelier, has been
working on a video about the playground project that will be shown during the Give it UPP
Auction Gala taking place at 6:30 p.m. on Februrary 14 at Vermont Colleges Alumni Hall. The
event will include silent and live auctions, as well as a concert by The Dave Keller Band. Another
UES parent, Jeffrey Farrell will be preparing and organizing food for the event, while the Three
Penny Taproom will operate a cash bar.
Among other things, the new project might include a shaded area or structure to protect children
from the suns harmful UV rays.

Education: School Districts Urged to Merge


STATEWIDE Vermont's recently passed Act 46 is a complex law that aims to reshape
Vermont's educational landscape by encouraging district consolidation. As Act 46 takes
hold over time it will exert large impacts on the lives of many Vermonters. And many
proponents of Act 46 imagine that the new law will offer property tax relief as well. These
impacts and many other details of Act 45 were discussed at a media training session at the
Vermont Agency of Education on December 16.
While Education Secretary Rebecca Holcombe stated that there was no specific mandate
in the act to merge districts against a measuring stick of school size, the Agency's Finance
Manager, Brad James, had a slightly different message. He explained that property taxes in
a given school district would rise by a penny for every $100 spent above the previous years
Cost Containment Per Pupil Threshold amount. In other words, if student population
declines in a a small school district, taxpayers in that district could conceivably be penalized by Act 46.
To the best of our knowledge, there are currently 23 Supervisory Unions in which districts
have formed a 16 V.S.A. 706b (union school district formation) study committee, The
Bridge was told by Agency of Education Communication Manager Stephanie Brackin on
December 23. Nine of these entities mentioned by the Agency have given notice of their

by Jose Aguayo

intention to pursue an accelerated merger, which involves a vote by the end of June 2016.
Brackin added that Several of the SUs are pursuing other forms of merger (REDs; sideby-sides) with the intention of being operational on July 1, 2016 or July 1, 2017 so they
are within the accelerated merger timeframe but are not technically accelerated mergers.
Districts are being offered various incentives to ease the financial burden of restructuring,
including grants to carry out merger feasibility studies, as well as 10 cents off property taxes
for districts that choose to move forward with accelerated mergers and have voter approval
by June 30, 2016. This property tax reduction will come down by 2 cents each subsequent
year, for a total five-year tax incentive of 30 cents. Districts choosing to merge into a new
administrative entity will not be assessed a Cost Containment Per Pupil Threshold in the
first year of operation.
Secretary Holcombe and Hazen Union School Board Chair David F. Kelley will discuss Act 46
and other critical education issues on Thursday evening, January 14 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in
an event at the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. The panel discussion will be moderated by Donny
Osman who was a member of the Vermont House and served on the House Education Committee. Come join them in the Hayes Room of the Kellogg-Hubbard Library in Montpelier.

J A N UA RY 7 J A N UA RY 2 0 , 2 016 PAG E 7

T H E B R I D G E

Darwins Sew and Vac: A Solid Business


by Nat Frothingham

BARRE Several days ago, I sat down with Carl Hammond at Darwin's Sew and Vac,
a one-man shop that sells and repairs sewing machines and vacuum cleaners. Hammond
spoke about how people today buy, use and very often discard a vacuum cleaner that has
stopped working only to repeat the cycle in a few years.
As our conversation continued, Hammond recounted the unusual story of how, just a
little over three years ago, a conversation he and Darwin Ransom had, turned into, how
would you like to buy a business? With a look at five years of financials, Hammond
knew that Darwin was not making a lot of money, but his cash flow was positive. So,
Hammond bought the business. Just six weeks after the sale, Darwin died at the age of 82.

the public Wednesday through Saturday. Like Darwin before him, he sells "a boatload of
vacuum bags for machine we don't even sell" but adds small vac and sew shops have historically been a resource for their communities and he is glad to be continuing the service.

Carl Hammond stands in front of Darwins Sew and Vac recently.


Photo by Nat Frothingham.

As the new owner, Hammond might have changed the business name. But Hammond
retained the name that has served the Barre and central Vermont area for over 50 years.
So Hammond still calls the shop Darwin's but in the last six months has had to move it.
The old shop had just 500 square feet and no parking to speak of. Hammond's new
space at 379 South Barre Road in South Barre has ample parking with street level access.
Fabulous, Hammond says in a word describing the new space. When he moved in,
people stopped in just to say welcome to the neighborhood.
As Hammond talked, I didn't even have to ask him if the business was making money or
struggling when the phone rang and it went to the answering machine. As we continued
the phone rang again and again to the machine and then the door opened with a drop off
vacuum to be fixed. A moment later, through the door came a woman and daughter with
a family heirloom sewing machine that wasn't working right. The machine was purchased
in 1979 and said her daughter, This was her first major investment.
Before Darwins, Hammond was a service manager working on commercial and industrial
machines. His territory was all of Vermont and covered most of New Hampshire. He says
that although he liked the work, he was driving between 700 to 800 miles a week. Driving on the highways isn't what it used to be. Too many distracted drivers today.
Buying Darwins and leaving a very good paying job was certainly risky he said. After
three years, however, he said the move was the right one.
Talking a few days ago, as he took stock of things at Darwin's, Hammond described the
business as solid. He reckons that the shop services an area bounded on the north by
Stowe to the south by Bethel to the west by the Mad River Valley and the east by Bradford
and neighboring Connecticut River communities.
On most Mondays and Tuesdays, Hammond is repairing machines. The doors are open to

Goddard College Community Radio Holds


Speech Week
PLAINFIELD Goddard College Community Radio, is devoting eight days and
nights to discussions of free speech, hate
speech, responsible speech, racist and phobic speech and related topics on January
17-24.
With political speech on the loose across
this country and some candidates making
extreme statements, the issue of the limits
to free speech is looming. Goddard College
Community Radio, WGDR/WGDH will
be airing a series of programs on the topic,
with opportunities for listeners to call into
the dialogue.
This is a time of terrorist fear, racial injustice, police violence, government spying
on citizens, and a lot of anger in our nation.
How do we protect free speech in that context? asks Joseph Gainza, one of the station
programmers participating in the week.
Public affairs programmers will dedicate
programs to speech, exploring it from different angles with different political perspectives. The week will be an exercise
in free speech even as some may question
whether there are legitimate limits to the

First Amendment. Experts in several areas


related to public and personal speech will
join us to share their knowledge and opinions. Listeners will be encouraged to call-in
with their thoughts and questions.
Questions will be explored, such as: what
is the role of news media generally and
community radio specifically in protecting speech; are or should there be levels of
protection; what is political correctness and
how does it affect speech? Listeners will be
asked to send in their own questions.
Each programmer is designing his or her
own show. Formats and topics will vary
widely. Jim Hogue, host of The House at
Pooh Corner on Mondays at 9 a.m. provides a sample of the spectrum of programs
which will discuss speech. He says: To
start a war you have to lie. To stop one you
have to tell the truth. Are governments free
to say what they want, even if what they say
is a lie? Is it responsible journalism to report
lies as truths?
For information about what shows will
be participating, what their topics will be,
and when they will be aired and webcast,

Got a news tip? We want to know!


Send it to us at:
editorial@montpelierbridge.com

go to www.wgdr.org and the stations Facebook page, www.facebook.com/WGDR/


WGDH.
About WGDR/WGDH
WGDR (91.1 FM and 91.7 FM) is a noncommercial American radio station licensed
to Plainfield, Vermont. WGDR, owned by
Goddard College Corporation, is a hybrid
college/community/public radio station,
broadcasting a freeform format. Founded in
1973, it is the oldest non-commercial community radio station in Vermont. Over 60
local volunteers contribute to each weeks
broadcast, providing music and public affairs programming that reflect the unique
and independent spirit of Central Vermont.
Call 800-646-9437 toll free or locally at
454-7762.

PAG E 8 J A N UA RY 7 J A N UA RY 2 0 , 2 016

THE BRIDGE

Talking Turkey
by Larry Floersch

uring the holiday season I think about turkeys. Now I know what youre thinking, But
Lare, theres a presidential campaign in full
swing. Its hard not to think about turkeys. I
dont mean that kind of turkey! Those turkeys
dont have wattles. Well, actually some of the
older ones almost have wattles, but to my
knowledge, none of them have snoods. No, I
mean the kind of turkeys that puff themselves
up and strut about. Wait a minute, thats still
confusing. I mean the kind of turkeys Ben Franklin admired, the kind that have wings
and feathers and come from eggs, not focus groups. Those are my kind of turkeys. I have
lived amongst them.
I must confess I did not start out to be a turkey boy. My dream had always been to be a
cowboy. I wanted to learn to ride a horse, handle a sixgun, never lose my hat in a fight.
And maybe sing Back in the Saddle Again and own a major league baseball team. But
career paths often dont go as planned, and somewhere along the way I had a son. And
one fine spring day when he was young, my son acquired, by being in the right place at
the right time at the local farm-and-garden store, a crippled turkey chick.
As is so often the case with crippled birds, little Champion soon was committed back to
the earth beneath a popsicle-stick marker bearing his name. But a door had been opened
that could not be closed, and a chicken-wire pen sprang up behind the garden to house
a small flock of healthy birds.
It was a successful experiment, and in November of that year, after a visit to a certain
business establishment near Hardwick, the six members of the flock were distributed in
plastic bags to various friends, who gave each bird a place of honor at the Thanksgiving
table.
Now Im sure you have heard all those stories about how dumb turkeys can be and are
wondering why I would want to associate with such creatures. I will admit turkeys have
many bad habits. They are greedy and self-centered, they can be very mean and bully
each other, and (you might want to make sure no small children are in the room when

you read this), they have terrible table manners, walk in their food, and smack their beaks
when they eat. But turkeys are not exactly dumb. And they can fly, at least when they are
young and have not yet grown tremendous breasts.
Emboldened by our success, the next spring we increased the size of the pen and ordered
two dozen chicks. It was then, that for me, many of the myths about turkeys began to
crumble.
You may have heard, as I did, that turkeys are so dumb they will drown in a rainstorm
because they look up at the rain in amazement with beaks agape and the rain runs down
their throats. The first night my 24 fledglings were in their pen, we had a downpour.
Fearing the worst, I grabbed my flashlight and headed to the pen. The roost shelter was
empty this being their first night outside they were dumb enough to still fear it. But
instead of 24 sodden dead bodies, all the fledglings were lying on the ground with their
heads tucked under a wing. The rain streamed off them as if they were ducklings. They
had known exactly what to do. I returned to the house soaked but enlightened. I was
not smart enough to have put on my raincoat. Fortunately I did not look up at the rain.
Over the ensuing years I learned more about turkeys. The revelation that young turkeys
enjoy a sport akin to soccer came one year when the weather turned very cold just after
the chicks arrived. Chicks must be kept warm until they grow their feathers. The brooder
box was in an unheated shed. Fearing the chicks might perish if the heat lamp on the
brooder box failed, I moved the brooder box into the living room of the house.
A few days later I noticed the chicks were beginning to pick at each other. I went to
the farm-and-garden store and asked for advice. Theyre bored, the manager told me,
They need something to do. He suggested I place a piece of sod in the brooder box.
When I put the sod square into the brooder box, you would have thought Godzilla was
stomping his way through downtown Tokyo. The chicks fled to the farthest corner and
boiled around in a fuzzy mass. This went on for about 30 minutes. Then one brave chick
began eyeing the sod. There was a clover leaf on its stalk at the nearest edge. The chick
moved closer and kept eyeing the clover. Then, summoning all the courage in its little
turkey heart, it dashed across the remaining distance and plucked the leaf. Immediately
the rest of the chicks gave pursuit. When the first chick dropped the leaf, another picked
it up, and all the others then chased that chick. It was a youth-league soccer game, where
there is no strategy other than all players converging on the ball.
The game went on for what seemed the allotted 90 minutes, with extra time for stoppages. Then, as so often happens in World Cup, Germany won. Well, actually, the last
chick to have the leaf simply ate it, and the others lost interest and began scratching and
picking at the sod.
It has been quite a few years now since I gave up turkey wrangling. My sons interests
shifted to Legos, then computers, and then he was off to college. But with a New Year
approaching and the endless stream of political ads on television, I miss being surrounded
by real turkeys not the ones on TV the ones Ben Franklin admired.

T H E B R I D G E

J A N UA RY 7 J A N UA RY 2 0 , 2 016 PAG E 9

Film Review: Brooklyn


by Daniel A. Neary, Jr.

ince I deliberately conducted no research for this review, I find it difficult to formulate
generalizations about its contents.

This movie is so good that you don't need research to appreciate the power and tenderness
contained in this story of a young, beautiful Irish woman who migrates to America and
falls in love with an Italian. He likes baseball, especially when it is played by the Dodgers. Most of the action takes place in a rooming house for young women. The acting is
terrific, especially that performed by the female lead (Saoise Ronan).
Also, the transitions are carefully woven, which makes for extra smooth scene changes.
The ending is telegraphed early in the movie, but waiting for the ending is worth it.
Overall: powerful portrait of life in a boarding house.
High ratings: Four stars.
The Director is John Crowley. Writers are Nick Hornby (Screenplay) and Colm Toibin
(Novel)
Brooklyn will be playing at The Savoy Theater in Montpelier through January 17.

Cody Chevrolet Congratulates The Bridge


On Over 20 Years of Business!
P.O. Box 1143, Montpelier, VT 05601
Phone: 802-223-5112
Fax: 802-223-7852
Editor & Publisher: Nat Frothingham
Managing Editor: Carla Occaso
Calendar Editor, Design & Layout:
Marichel Vaught
Copy Editing Consultant:
Larry Floersch
Proofreader: Garrett Heaney
Sales Representatives: Michael Jermyn,
Rick McMahan
Distribution: Tim Johnson, Kevin Fair, Diana
Koliander-Hart, Daniel Renfro
MHS Student Intern: Kirby Occaso
Editorial: 223-5112, ext. 14, or
editorial@montpelierbridge.com.
Location: The Bridge office is located at the
Vermont College of Fine Arts,
on the main level of Stone Science Hall.
Subscriptions: You can receive The Bridge
by mail for $50 a year. Make out your
check to The Bridge, and mail to The Bridge,
PO Box 1143, Montpelier VT 05601.
montpelierbridge.com
facebook.com/thebridgenewspapervt
Twitter: @montpbridge
Copyright 2016 by The Bridge

PAG E 10 J A N UA RY 7 J A N UA RY 2 0 , 2 016

THE BRIDGE

Whats Up In The Legislature?


People Tell The Bridge Whats On Their Minds
affordable for the lower and middle classes so that they can
maintain some kind of standard of living that is humane
I think were slipping from a humane standard of living for
most Vermonters right now. Talking to some people who
are homeless theres a lot of unkindness built within
the programs which are supposed to support them. To get
any sort of assistance they have to go through this insane
hoop-jumping thats your last ditch option, to drag your
ass around using the minimal public transport we have to
all these different agencies and to wait around and miss
appointments. Its a really sad sort of half-life these people
have to live to just get their basic needs so that they continue to be alive the next day to fill out more paperwork.
Im hoping some of these things can be streamlined so that
more Vermonters can live in a humane and healthy way.
The Bridge: Youre talking about streamlining. If you were
to advise the legislature this session what would you have
them do to deal with the problems that youve brought up?
Graves: When I worked with Washington County Mental
Health we worked with people who were either at risk to go
back into prison who had been released and were trying to
maintain their life outside of jail or people who were homeless or at risk for becoming homeless. The processes that
they would have to go through to get those basic assistance
programs to work for them it was just really insane. I
would hear so many people who worked the cases frustrated
that their hands were tied by the system and there was only
so much that they could do or offer and mostly it was
to sit with people to help them do their paperwork. Even
in our program, which basically did just that, the wait list
was six weeks long. When youre waiting for food stamps,
or youre waiting for social security because you have a
disability and you cant work and youre at risk of being
on the street and you have to wait six weeks to even meet
with someone who can help you start the forms thats
ridiculous. Yet weve had to cut jobs when weve needed to
be adding more jobs, when theres clearly a social need for
them. That need seems to be ignored by the people who are
making the laws and deciding who gets what funding. Readjusting the funding for social programs would be a step
in the right direction.

Elanor Lynn

Continued from Page 1

on such costly energy sources, and by costly I mean costly


to the environment. Theres got to be some new technology
coming up, and Im really grateful to these new generations,
young kids. I totally believe in the future, and as horrible as
things may look, I really believe that we are in the beginning stages of transitioning to a totally sustainable culture.
We have a lot of work to do.
The Bridge: So, as a state we should be open to what new
technologies become available to allow us to move around
more sustainably and otherwise invest in public transportation and subsidy programs to keep people who are near the
poverty line on the road and working?
Lynn: Yeah it seems like theres a lot of great stuff happening with heating our homes and solar energy, and that
seems to be coming along nicely, but Im really concerned
about vehicles in this rural state. Other places its possible
to walk everywhere, but here, if youre outside of Montpelier, you cant do that.

Karen Williams

Karen Williams, 53, proprietor of Woodbury


Mountain Toys in Montpelier
The Bridge: What do you see as the biggest challenge facing us as a state in the coming year?
Karen Williams: The biggest challenge facing us as a state
is the drug addiction problem. It truly truly is its unfortunate. Its becoming more and more prevalent and not only
is it affecting the individuals, but its affecting the community, its affecting the schools. These poor kids are suffering
because of their parents drug addiction and unfortunately,
the solution has been to give the addicts such a high dose
of Suboxone that its incapacitating them, and then thats
causing problems with the kids who end up being placed
in different homes.
The Bridge: What should the legislature be doing about
this?

Elanor Lynn, 47, lives in Calais and works in


Montpelier as a knitting instructor at Yarn.
The Bridge: What do you feel is the greatest challenge
facing the state, what is our biggest responsibility in the
coming year?
Elanor Lynn: How were going to transition to a fully
sustainable economy. Im especially concerned with, given
how rural the state is and that so many of us live so far
away from retail centers, public transportation as a really
critical issue. A lot of people arent aware that there used
to be trolley cars between Barre and Montpelier. Im really happy to see that between Montpelier and Plainfield
there is some public transportation but in areas like Maple
Corners and East Calais, and Worcester and a lot of other
areas, folks are totally dependent on cars and a lot of us are
dependent on cars that get really bad gas mileage. I drive a
Subaru forester, which I have to have to get to where I live,
and that gets terrible gas mileage. So thats a really big issue
that Im concerned about.
The Bridge: Given your concern, the nature of transportation for a lot of people in Vermont and the fact that this is
really not sustainable, and that we really need more public
transportation to make up for it?
Lynn: Creating initiatives to get at least some form of
public transportation on a daily basis for rural communities. Public transportation isnt the only thing we need to
address we really need to look at how were going to subsidize those of us who are living really close to the poverty
line or under the poverty line to be able to afford better vehicles. Its a question for the whole world, how were going
to develop a form of transportation that is not dependent

Williams: Make it easier for kids to be placed in care.


Recent legislation seems to have made it more difficult for
grandparents to care for the kids. It sounded like it was
good, but its turned out that it wasnt. Its making it more
difficult for people who care for the kids to take care of the
kids. Does that make sense?

funding to do something about it, and its all tied together.


The infrastructure is in bad shape, we need better work in
the schools, we need more money put into a lot of different
things. So where are you going to get it? If you want to be
consistent and if you want to do this right you need to reintroduce a much more progressive tax that actually taxes that
wealth thats being protected and hidden basically through
a lack of federal action.
This last budget bill was a trillion and a half dollars and
five hundred billion of that was basically more loopholes for
the upper one percent. It doesnt make sense to allow that
to happen when we have such pressing needs, and we ought
to figure out a way in the state to deal with our pressing
issues, and thats everything from drug rehab to potholes,
to the crumbling bridges weve got, to the schools that need
more work, and neglect of the higher education system in
the state. I think those are all worthwhile endeavors that
everybody ought to contribute their fair share to, including those people who are benefitting enormously from the
federal tax breaks.
The Bridge: Given the federal nature of the action required
to remedy this situation, how would you advise the state
legislature to attend to the problem this year?
Fawbush: So heres the issue, we need to revise the state tax
code, and all this balderdash about people saying that the
taxes will drive people out of the state thats not true.
Thats hypothetical, and in all the numbers Ive looked at
over the years, thats just not the case. Vermont has a pretty
progressive tax system right now, and I think we ought to
begin to look at where that federal money is going back
into the pockets of the upper income folks and how we can
capture that as state revenue. If you wait for the feds to do
it, youll be about as old as I am right now.
[Then] the legislature in its deliberations needs to estimate
the payback to the state from making the needed investments. We need to understand that resources collected by
the state are actually used as investments in the future of
the state. If you adequately repair the roads , what is the
cost benefit to Vermonters in reduced repair bills and to
the commerce of the state with efficient and safe roads. For
each expenditure we need to outline the positive benefits
of making such an investment. When we increase investment in our education system, does that result in more
competitive graduates or higher graduation rates? What is
the return for an increased graduation rate? In other words
a more accurate and informed approach is to focus on
return on investment for Vermonters, not increased taxes
and spending. This attitude helps us have more meaningful
discussions on the operations of state government because
we will have a better understanding of why we are being
taxed and also a more objective approach to understanding
the value of investments made with our taxes.

James

The Bridge: What Im hearing is that you would ask


the legislature to increase support for grandparents and
relatives who are taking care of children when the parents
arent able to because of addiction?
Williams: Yes, right, to make it so that kids are placed in
homes that theyre more comfortable in.

Wayne Fawbush
James (No last name given), 34, lives in Montpelier and works at Down Home Kitchen as a cook
and at Cumberland Farms as a cashier.
The Bridge: As we ring in the New year, and we look
forward to 2016, can you tell me what, in your opinion, is
the greatest challenge facing us as a state? What is our most
important responsibility?

Wayne Fawbush, 71, is a retiree and photographer in Montpelier. Previously he ran a nonprofit focused on helping rural businesses.
The Bridge: As we ring in the New Year, what in your
opinion is the biggest challenge or the greatest responsibility facing the state?
Wayne Fawbush: One of the biggest issues we face is a
very subtle one and that is the crumbling of both social and
physical infrastructure and our inability to raise adequate

James: Our greatest challenge facing us as a state is to get a


handle on the economic situation and reduce taxes so that
the cost of living and housing will be more accessible to
more people.
The Bridge: If you were to advise the legislature in this
upcoming session what to do in order to fulfill this responsibility weve just talked about, what would you tell them
to do?
James: To reduce taxes by cutting costs in administration.

J A N UA RY 7 J A N UA RY 2 0 , 2 016 PAG E 11

T H E B R I D G E

State House Greek Slave Statue


Still Relevant

Greek Slave lamp in Governor's


ceremonial office

story and photos by Carla Occaso


MONTPELIER If you look within the chandelier
that illuminates Representative Hall in the Vermont State
House (the cavernous room many refer to as the House
chamber), you will see small statuettes depicting four unclothed women among four clothed women. On the clerks
desk, on the rostrum, and on the middle of the Corinthian
pilasters between the rich red-draped windows are other
small statues integrated into the original gaslight fittings
made in the late 1850s.
On the eve of the coming Legislative session, with pending
concerns such as budget woes, poverty, education, health
care and marijuana legalization, The Bridge felt compelled
to learn of the significance of the decorations and glean
any insight they might lend to the job of governing Vermont. State Curator David Schutz took time out of one
of his busiest days on the job (December 30) less than
a week before the Legislature reconvenes to talk with
The Bridge.
Many of the sculpted fixtures are apparently random
statuettes from Victorian-era molds, said Schutz, as he
reinstated a restored historic Vermont flag in the chamber
with the help of Assistant State Curator Jack Zeilenga.
Schutz said some figures suggest stories (such as a pair of
sconces, one titled The Departure, which shows a young
man going away, and to its right, one titled The Return,
which shows an older military man coming home), while
others depict famous figures such as Benjamin Franklin
or allegorical concepts. For example, the clothed female
subjects in the chandelier, said Schutz, are called allegories that represent four abstract ideals: Eloquence,
Prudence, Commerce, and Science. We could all use that
for inspiration.
Yet, among the menagerie of characters, the one with closest ties to the state is the one standing unabashedly naked
and in chains a smaller rendition of the original Greek
Slave sculpted by Woodstock, Vermont-native Hiram
Powers in 1843.
Hiram Powers was the cousin of building superintendent
Thomas Powers, writes Nancy Price Graff in her recent
collaboration with Schutz titled, Intimate Grandeur: Vermonts State House, published this year by Friends of the
State House. Graff attributes the significance of "Greek
Slave" to the time when it was installed. Scandalous at
the time for its nudity, the figure of a beautiful and chaste
young woman being sold into bondage was nevertheless
especially fitting considering Vermonters passionate opposition to slavery. The political topics of slavery and temperance burned more hotly in 1859 than the buildings
gleaming new gaslights, Graff writes. Equal opportunity
for women and temperance (marijuana prohibition?) are
still in the political spotlight over 100 years later.
The statue is notable because it was arguably the most
famous sculpture of the 19th century, according to a July
2015 article, The Scandalous Story Behind the Provocative 19th Century Sculpture Greek Slave, written by Menachem Wecker for Smithsonian.com. Crowds gathered to
view plaster casts of it in a traveling exhibition that started

in 1847 and continued for years.


Schutz further explained how the figure depicts a Christian Grecian woman who fell victim to the Ottoman
Turks and was shown being sold into slavery in Turkey in
the 1830s. The symbol of her image was soon adopted by
abolitionists of the time and channeled into the antislavery fervor for which Vermonters are known and that was
famously echoed by the governor who presided over the
Legislature on the eve of the Civil War.
Governor Erastus Fairbanks of St. Johnsbury stood at
that rostrum and gave a speech in support of the union,
Schutz said, urging legislators to double the amount of
men and money requested by President Abraham Lincoln.
Schutz pointed out that because the State House was built
in 1859 and preserved in its original condition art
pertaining to the Civil War is plentiful. The State House
is a building of that era. You can look at a room today and
it looks as it did when Erastus Fairbanks uttered those
words from that rostrum, Schutz said.
A prominent Philadelphia manufacturer of gas light fixtures, Cornelius and Baker, produced the chandelier incorporating the small sculptures, which included four miniaturized and identical reproductions of Greek Slave. It is
one of the few custom touches in the State House, Schutz
said. A replica of this sculpture can also be found in the
ceremonial office, because, when he was in office, Governor Howard Dean requested a task lamp because the
chandelier did not provide enough light during the dim
winter days of the legislative session. We had the mold of
Greek Slave so we could easily cast a lamp, Schutz said.
So the symbol of desired freedom stands on the governors desk, despite a brief hiatus when then Governor Jim
Douglas asked to have it removed because he didnt want
to explain it to school children, according to several news
reports. However, a maelstrom of protests from historians
and others from Powers native Woodstock pressured the
administration to allow it back.
Beyond the historic statue, Schutz notes that the State
House is actually an actively used museum that looks
the same as it did in 1859. Legislators may use the latest
technology, such as iPads, while sitting in the same chairs
in front of the same desks used by their predecessors 156
years ago.
Here is where the House and Senate chambers are the
oldest legislative chambers in the U.S. that are in original
condition and still in active use in the 21st century, said
Schutz.

Poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning, who met Hiram Powers


at his studio in Italy, praised the Greek Slave figure in
a sonnet:
They say Ideal beauty cannot enter
The house of anguish. On the threshold stands
An alien Image with enshackled hands,
Called the Greek Slave! as if the artist meant her
(That passionless perfection which he lent her,
Shadowed not darkened where the sill expands)
To so confront man's crimes in different lands
With man's ideal sense. Pierce to the centre,
Art's fiery finger! and break up ere long
The serfdom of this world. Appeal, fair stone,
From God's pure heights of beauty against man's wrong!
Catch up in thy divine face, not alone
East griefs but west, and strike and shame the strong,
By thunders of white silence, overthrown.

And how did antique gaslight fixtures survive the years


when most state houses around the country put in modern
electrical lights? Because, said Schutz, when electricity
came to the State House, they snaked wires through the
gas pipes and that is what preserved these great fixtures.
Schutz credited Vermonts frugality as being the driving
force, because it was less expensive to jury-rig the existing
gas fixtures with electrical wiring than to order an entirely
new lighting system.

Tell them you


saw it in
The Bridge!

Four replicas of "Greek Slave" stand alongside four "allegories"


Prudence, Eloquence, Commerce and Science in the House Chamber's
chandelier.

Chandelier in the
State House

PAG E 12 J A N UA RY 7 J A N UA RY 2 0 , 2 016

THE BRIDGE

Remembering Bill Morancy


by Rick Winston

ell never run out of show ideas, Bill Morancy would often exult as wed
finish taping a television show called Talking About Movies for Onion
River Public Access. It was a characteristic expression for Bill of joy
at the prospect of sharing his enthusiasms with the world at large. We didnt run out of
ideas, but Bill sadly ran out of time. He died on Monday, December 28, just two months
after a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.
Bill was one of this areas distinctive personalities, and one of its greatest appreciators.
He often said that these last 10 years of his life were his happiest. Besides co-hosting the
show, he had been a clerk at Bear Pond Books, a projectionist at The Savoy, a contestant
at storytelling events, a concessionaire with Circus Smirkus and was the curator of a
popular Sunday morning film series. He had close friends, meaningful work and the
sense that he was contributing to a vibrant community.

Bill was a native of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, of French-Canadian and Irish heritage.
After an unsatisfying stint in the white-collar world (law and insurance), he moved to
Marthas Vineyard, where he worked at a variety of jobs: video store and bookstore clerk,
baker, surveyor, movie projectionist and housepainter. He spearheaded a successful effort to establish a community radio station (WVVY) that is still thriving.
He first became acquainted with Central Vermont in the mid 1990s when he rented a
house on Nelson Pond in order to escape the intense summertime invasion of Marthas
Vineyard. Later, when it came time to leave the Cape, he thought of Montpelier and its
welcoming atmosphere. We are all the richer for that decision.

Bill Morancy

As one of his close friends commented this week, those of us who were near enough,
geographically, to support Bill in his final months, were struck by the variety and range
of all who enjoyed and were affected by his personality and passions for film, adventure,
good conversation, culture and play.
A springtime memorial service is planned. If you would like to give a gift in Bills name,
he asked that donations go to a fund for the furthering of film culture in central Vermont. Make checks out to the Bill Morancy Film Fund" and send to: Rick Winston,
Box 32, Adamant, VT 05640.
(Many of the 150+ Talking About Movies shows are available to watch online, at
https://vimeo.com/talkingaboutmovies/videos )

Poetry
What happened to Tamir,
Trayvon, Sandra; Eric
(What day is it? Have there
been more?)
Would not happen to you,
he says,
as if a resume
and a properly executed
subject /verb agreement

Aftermath Two
would trigger an officer's
recollections:
"Oh. Right!"
"The chronically curious
black guy!"
"Please forgive my hostile tone
and anxious pistol."
"Have a wonderful
day.

by Reuben Jackson, host of Friday Night Jazz


on Vermont Public Radio

Passing Through Portraits of Emerging Adults, an exhibit of life-sized


portraits by Kate Gridley, is on display at the Supreme Court Gallery,
State Street, Montpelier. An opening reception is scheduled for January 14,
57 p.m. See Visual Arts section of the calendar for more information.

J A N UA RY 7 J A N UA RY 2 0 , 2 016 PAG E 13

T H E B R I D G E

Events happening January 7 January 23


THURSDAY, JANUARY 7

MBAC Meeting. Meeting of the Montpelier Bicycle


Advisory Committee. First Thurs., 8 a.m. Police
Station Community Room, 534 Washington St.,
Montpelier. 262-6273.
Montpelier Alive's Annual Meeting and Winter
Mix & Mingle. Mingle with Montpelier's business
community and help us thank our members and
volunteers for their hard work all year long. Light
hors d'oeuvres, a craft beer and cider bar hosted by
Three Penny Taproom and sponsored by Farrell
Distributing. 57 p.m. 73 Main St., Montpelier.
montpelieralive.org
Diabetes Support Group. First Thurs., 78 p.m.
Conference room 3, Central Vermont Medical
Center. 371-4152.
Book Reading: Chloe Viner. While earning her
JD from Vermont Law School, Viner went on a
cross-country road trip that inspired her book
Naked Under an Umbrella. Viners poetry appears in many literary journals. 7 p.m. KelloggHubbard Library, 135 Main St., Montpelier.
223-3338 kellogghubbard.org

FRIDAY, JANUARY 8

Friday Night Group. For youth age 1322 who


are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or
questioning. Pizza, soft drinks and conversation.
Cofacilitated by two trained, adult volunteers from
Outright VT. Second and fourth Fri., 6:308 p.m.
Unitarian Church, 130 Main St., Montpelier. Free.
223-7035. Micah@OutrightVT.org.
North Branch Nature Center Lecture and
Slide Show Series. Homo naledi: A new human
ancestor from the Cradle of Humankind in South
Africa. In 2013, six women scientists squeezed
through the twisting passages of Rising Star cave,
South Africa, descended to a depth of 100 feet,
and there excavated over 1,500 fossils from a
previously unknown human ancestor. 79 p.m.
Unitarian Church, 130 Main St., Montpelier.
northbranchnaturecenter.org

SATURDAY, JANUARY 9

Snowshoe Elmore with Green Mountain Club.


Moderate. 5.3 miles round trip. Elmore Mountain loop. 1,400' elevation gain. Contact Charlene for meeting time and place: 229-9908 or
charlenebohl@comcast.net
Second Anniversary of Montpelier Memory
Caf. A social gathering where people experiencing
memory loss and their care partners come together
to connect and support one another in a relaxed,
non-judgmental atmosphere. All are welcome to
come and celebrate with us. This special event includes a culminating performance of the Memory
Puppet Project, led by No Strings Marionette
Company, and free lunch, provided by Mayo
Health Care. 10 a.m.1 p.m. Montpelier Senior
Activity Center, 58 Barre St., Montpelier. Free;
open to the public. RSVP for lunch: 223-2518
Capital City Indoor Farmers Market. Over 30
vendors in all, more than half of them selling farm
products. 10 a.m.2 p.m. Montpelier City Hall, 39
Main St., Montpelier. montpelierfarmersmarket.
com
Inspiring a Love of Reading in Your K-3 Child.
Examine how reading skills develop, tools to
support your child while they are learning to
read and strategies to make reading more fun for
the reluctant reader. 1 p.m. Kellogg-Hubbard
Library, 135 Main St., Montpelier. 223-3338.
kellogghubbard.org

file nails and lotion feet. 14 p.m. Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre St., Montpelier. $15
for 15-minute appointment. Schedule: 223-2518
Bereavement/Grief Support Group. Open to
anyone who has experienced the death of a loved
one. 6-7:30 p.m. Conference Center. 600 Granger
Road, Berlin. Free. 223-1878.
Birthing From Within: Physiology of Labor.
Utilize specific practices to strengthen self awareness, and build communication between partners
to support a strong coping mindset. Prepare
and review for the integration of self development that arises in the process of birth and in the
care of a new baby. 68 p.m. Good Beginnings,
14 River St., Montpelier. Free. Register: 5957953, gbcvinfo@gmail.com or facebook.com/
events/1646077855649685/

Foot Clinic. Nurses from Central Vermont Home


Health & Hospice clip toenails, clean nail beds,

Jan. 19: Mummenschanz. Swiss-based theater troupe Mummenschanz uses props, masks, shadow,
light and humor to convey timeless stories with broad human appeal all without using any music
or dialogue. 7 p.m. St. Johnsbury Academy, Fuller Hall, 1000 Main St., St. Johnsbury. $1564. 7482600. KCPpresents.org

Raising my Rainbow Book Discussion.


Raising My Rainbow: Adventures in Raising a
Fabulous, Gender Creative Son by Lori Duron.
6:30 p.m. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 135 Main St.,
Montpelier. 223-3338. kellogghubbard.org

TUESDAY, JANUARY 12

Cross-country Ski Craftsbury with Green


Mountain Club. Moderate. Come for a day of skiing on Craftsbury Nordic Center's well-groomed
trails. Trail fee. Bring water and lunch (or buy at
touring center). Contact Andrew and Reidun for
meeting place and time: 223-3550
Solar Siting Task Force Meeting. Open to the
public. 12:302:30 p.m. Department of Public
Service, Giga conference room, 112 State St.,
Montpelier.
Medicare and You Workshop. New to Medicare?
Have questions? We have answers. Second and
fourth Tues., 34:30 p.m. 59 N. Main St., Ste.
200, Barre. Free, donations gratefully accepted.
479-0531. cvcoa@cvcoa.org. cvcoa.org.
Downsize Your Living Space. Prepare for your
retirement years with Brooks and Susan Barron
of Four Seasons Sothebys International Realty.
45 p.m. Gifford Conference Center, 44 S. Main
St., Randolph. Free. Limited seating. Register:
728-2787.

Mummenschanz at St. Johnsbury Academy, January 19


Jan. 17: Film: Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Presented by the Chandler Film Society. Light
snack and beverages. Commentary by Rick Winston follows. 6:30 p.m. Chandlers Esther Mesh
Room, 71-73 Main St., Randolph. $9; $5 members and students. chandler-arts.org
Jan. 22: Bueno Comedy Showcase. A handful of talented comics, from here and away, doing longer
sets. 8:30 p.m. Espresso Bueno, 248 N. Main St., Barre. $6. 479-0896. events@espressobueno.com.
espressobueno.com.
Jan. 2224: 35th annual Madrigal Dinner: The Return of the Admiral. North Country Chorus
and its Madrigal Dinner guests re-visit Spain as the adventures of Christopher Columbus continue.
Guests will enjoy an evening of music, mirth, magic, dance and a sumptuous feast. Jan. 22 and 23,
6:30 p.m.; Jan. 24, 4:30 p.m. Doors open 30 minutes before performances. Monroe Town Hall, NH.
$30. Limited seating. Tickets: tickets.catamountarts.org, 748-2600, 888-757-5559. northcountrychorus.org
River Quilters. Second Wed., 5:30 p.m. Community room, Brown Public Library, Northfield. Jean,
585-5078 or jeanjolley@myfairpoint.net.
Bereaved Parents Support Group. Second Wed.,
68 p.m. CVHHH, 600 Granger Rd., Berlin.
Jeneane Lunn 793-2376.

Grandparents Raising Their Childrens Children. Second Tues., 68 p.m. Child care provided.
Young Adult Book Discussion. Open to anyone,
Wesley Methodist Church, Main St., Waterbury.
any age, with an interest and passion for young
476-1480.
adult literature. The goal is to inspire a rich, lively
VSAC Financial Aid Forms Workshop. Offers
discussion from people who bring varied perspecguidance on filling out the FAFSA (Free Aptives to the books because of diversity in age,
plication for Federal Student Aid.) Ask questions
life experience and reading tastes. Second Wed.,
and learn about the college financial aid process,
6:308 p.m. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, East
including how to apply for scholarships. To fill out Montpelier Room, 135 Main St., Montpelier.
forms, participants should bring social security
number, most recent federal tax return and most
recent W-2 or year-end pay stub. 6 p.m. Williamstown High School, 120 Hebert Rd., Williamstown. Free. www.vsac.org/schedule.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13

SUNDAY, JANUARY 10

Robins Nest Nature Playgroup. Offers parents,


caregivers and children ages birth5 an opportunity to play outside and discover the sights, sounds
and sensations of the forests and fields at the
NBNC. 10:30 a.m. North Branch Nature Center,
713 Elm St., Montpelier. Free; donations welcome.
229-6206. northbranchnaturecenter.org

THEATER, STORYTELLING, COMEDY & FILM

Jan. 15: Stroke Yer Joke. Sign up in advance to try five minutes of your best open-mic stand-up comedy before a live audience. 8 p.m. Espresso Bueno, 248 N. Main St., Barre. Free. 479 0896. events@
espressobueno.com. espressobueno.com.

VSAC Financial Aid Forms Workshop. Offers


guidance on filling out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid.) Ask questions
and learn about the college financial aid process,
including how to apply for scholarships. To fill out
forms, participants should bring social security
number, most recent federal tax return and most
recent W-2 or year-end pay stub. 68 p.m. South
Royalton High School, 223 S. Windsor St., S.
Royalton. Free. www.vsac.org/schedule.

VSAC Financial Aid Forms Workshop. Offers


guidance on filling out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid.) Ask questions
and learn about the college financial aid process,
including how to apply for scholarships. To fill out
Rob Mermin Talks About Bill Morancy. In this
forms, participants should bring social security
informal gathering, Mermin talks about Morancys number, most recent federal tax return and most
experience with hospice and VT. Act 39 Death
recent W-2 or year-end pay stub. 8 a.m.8 p.m.
with Dignity. 10 a.m. Savoy Theatre, 26 Main St., Randolph Union High School, 15 Forest St.,
Montpelier.
Randolph. Free. By appt.: 728-3397. www.vsac.
org/schedule.

MONDAY, JANUARY 11

Performing Arts

Chronic Conditions Support Group. Free discussion and educational group for anyone with a
chronic illness meets on the second Wednesday of
each month, 34 p.m. Gifford Conference Center,
44 S. Main St., Randolph. 728-2390.
Celiac and Food Allergy Support Group. With
Lisa Mas of Harmonized Cookery. Second Wed.,
4:306 p.m. Conference room 3, Central Vermont
Medical Center. lisamase@gmail.com.
Quilting Group. Working meeting of the Dog

Montpelier City Council Meeting. Second and


fourth Wed., 6:30 p.m. City Council Chambers,
Montpelier City Hall. 39 Main St., Montpelier.
montpelier-vt.org.
In Football We Trust Film and Discussion.
Filmmakers Tony Vainuku and Erika Cohn follow
a quartet of Polynesian-American high-school
students over a four-year period as they pursue
their dreams of playing professional football. 7
p.m. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 135 Main St.,
Montpelier. 223-3338. kellogghubbard.org

THURSDAY, JANUARY 14

Blood Pressure Clinic. A nurse from Services and

PAG E 14 J A N UA RY 7 J A N UA RY 2 0 , 2 016

Live Music
VENUES
Bagitos. 28 Main St., Montpelier. Free. 2299212. Open mic every Wed. Other shows T.B.A.
bagitos.com.
Jan. 7: Colin McCaffrey & Lewis Franco, 68
p.m.
Jan. 8: Jazz Duo Art Herttua & Ray Carroll,
68 p.m.
Jan. 9: Irish Session with Sarah Blair, Hilari
Farrington, Benedict Koehler, Katrina VanTyne,
Bob Ryan and others, 25 p.m.
Jan. 10: Bleecker & MacDougal (folk ballads)
11 a.m.1 p.m.
Jan. 14: Ron Sweet (folk) 68 p.m.
Jan. 15: Dave Loughran (acoustic classic rock)
68 p.m.
Jan. 16: Irish Session with Sarah Blair, Hilari
Farrington, Benedict Koehler, Katrina VanTyne,
Bob Ryan and others, 25 p.m.
Charlie Os World Famous. 70 Main St., Montpelier. Free. 223-6820.
Every Mon.: Open Mic Comedy Caf, 8 p.m.
Every Tues.: Karaoke Night, 9:30 p.m.
Jan. 8: Abby Jenne & Doug Perkins (acoustic
soul) 6 p.m.; Dirty Boost (rock)
Jan. 9: Amadis (metal) 10 p.m.
Jan. 10: Sunday Night Soul Kitchen (soul music/comfort food) 7 p.m.
Jan. 12: Godfather Karaoke, 9:30 p.m.
Jan. 13: O's Weird Pub Quiz, 57 p.m.
Support at Home (SASH) will provide free blood
pressure screenings and consultations. Firstcome, first-served. For ages 50+. 9:4510:45 a.m.
Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre St.,
Montpelier. 223-2518
Discussion of Berlin Pond Charter Change. Jed
and Page Guertin will discuss the issues regarding the Berlin Pond Charter Change and answer
questions. 12 p.m. Montpelier Senior Activity
Center, 58 Barre St., Montpelier. Free; open to the
public. 223-2518
VSAC Financial Aid Forms Workshop. Offers
guidance on filling out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid.) Ask questions
and learn about the college financial aid process,
including how to apply for scholarships. To fill out
forms, participants should bring social security
number, most recent federal tax return and most
recent W-2 or year-end pay stub. Free. www.vsac.
org/schedule.
Noon8 p.m., Northfield Middle High School,
37 Cross St., Northfield. By appt.: 485-4500
5:30 p.m., Twinfield Union High School
library, 106 Nasmith Brook Rd., Plainfield
67:30 p.m., Stowe High School computer lab,
413 Barrows Rd., Stowe
6:30 p.m., Spaulding High School, 155 Ayers
St., Barre
Thinking Anew about Education in Vermont:
A Discussion. Secretary of Education Rebecca
Holcombe, and Hazen Union School board Chair

Calendar of Events

Jan. 15: Julia Kate Davis (acoustic) 6 p.m.;


Coquette, 8:30 p.m.
Jan. 17: Sunday Night Soul Kitchen (soul music/free comfort food) 7 p.m.
Jan. 19: Godfather Karaoke, 9:30 p.m.
Jan. 20: O's Weird Pub Quiz, 5 p.m.
Jan. 22: Abby Jenne & Doug Perkins, 6 p.m.;
Fantastic Partnerz, 8:30 p.m.
Jan. 23: Amy Levere & Will Sexton, 8:30 p.m.

THE BRIDGE

Kat Wright & the Indomitable Soul Band perform at the Haybarn Theatre
January 15.

Espresso Bueno. 248 N. Main St., Barre. 4790896. Free/by donation. events@espressobueno.
com. espressobueno.com.
Jan. 8: Danielle OHallisey (jazz) 7:30 p.m.;
Become Lovable Problem Child (free jazz) 9 p.m.
Jan. 16: Jason Mallery (singer-songwriter) 7
p.m.; Steve Hartmann (singer-songwriter) 8 p.m.
Jan. 23: The Odd Wednesdays (new wave/progressive) 8 p.m.
Whammy Bar. 7 p.m.; Fri. and Sat., 7:30 p.m. 31
County Rd., Calais. Thurs., Free. whammybar1.
com.
Every Wed.: Open mic
Jan. 7: John Smyth
Jan. 8: Miriam Bernardo/Seth Eames
Jan. 9: Red Hot Juba
Jan. 14: Dave Keller
Jan. 15: Marc Delgado
Jan. 16: Penny Arcade
Jan. 22: Two Cents In The Till

SPECIAL EVENTS
Jan. 9: Benefit Concert for Tea House Exchange. 59 p.m. Unitarian Church, 130 Main
St., Montpelier. More info.: Rosalene: 793-9371.
manywordsherbs1.weebly.com
David Kelley discuss Vermont's education system.
Learn what Act 77 and Act 46 are and what these
laws mean for parents, students and teachers. 7
p.m. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 135 Main St.,
Montpelier. Presented by The Bridge: 223-5112

FRIDAY, JANUARY 15

Parlor Game Nights. If you've ever played


Charades, you've experienced one kind of parlor
game. There are countless others. You're sure to
have fun if you come with an open mind and are
willing to be a little silly. No experience necessary! 6:308:30 p.m. Montpelier Senior Activity
Center, 58 Barre St., Montpelier. Free; open to the
public. 223-2518
Starry, Starry Night. Explore the planets and
the moon, seek out nebulas and galaxies and learn
the constellations of winter. Dress warmly, bring
the whole family and be prepared to be dazzled
by the winter night sky. 79 p.m. Cloud date:
Jan. 16. North Branch Nature Center, 713 Elm
St., Montpelier. $10 members; $12 non-members.
229-6206. northbranchnaturecenter.org.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 16

Stone Wall Workshops. Techniques for creating


dry-laid walls with emphasis on stone native to
Vermont. 8:30 a.m.3:30 p.m. Red Wagon Plants,
2408 Shelburne Falls Rd., Hinesburg. $100.
Register: queencitysoilandstone.com

Jan. 9: Jazzyaoke. Sing the standards backed by


a live six-piece jazz band; all lyrics provided. 7:30
p.m. Espresso Bueno, 248 N. Main St., Barre. $5.
479 0896. events@espressobueno.com.espressobueno.com
Jan. 15: Kat Wright & the Indomitable Soul
Band. Kat Wright's sultry voice backed by a
7-piece band blends Memphis soul and newschool R&B. 8 p.m. Haybarn Theatre at Goddard
College, 123 Pitkin Rd., Plainfield. $12 advance;
$15 day of show. 322-1685. meg.hammond@
goddard.edu. goddard.edu/event/kat-wright-andthe-indomitable-soul-band/
Tea House Clinic. Get herbal nutritional
supplementation through the form of teas and/
or tinctures. Herbal tea sharing with other
professional services available. Every third Sat., 9
a.m.noon. Tea House Exchange at Another Way
Community Center, 125 Barre St., Montpelier.
Free; donations welcome. Rosalene: 793-9371.
manywordsherbs1.weebly.com
Additional Recyclables Collection Center. Accepting scores of hard-to-recycle items. Third Sat.,
9 a.m.1 p.m. 540 N. Main St. (old Times-Argus
building), Barre. $1 per carload. 229-9383 x106.
For list of accepted items, go to cvswmd.org.
Gardening Master Class. UVM Professor Jane
Sorenson will present "Landscaping for Pollinators". 10 a.m.12:30 p.m. Kellogg-Hubbard
Library, 135 Main St., Montpelier. 223-3338.
kellogghubbard.org
Annual Rally for Life. With guest speaker Sarah
Mary Toce. 10:45 a.m.: gather behind City Hall,
Main St., Montpelier. 11 a.m.: proceed down
State St. to State House. 11:30 a.m.: guest speaker
in House Chambers. Signs will be provided.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 17

Reiki Sessions. Every third Sun., 9 a.m.noon.


Tea House Exchange at Another Way Community Center, 125 Barre St., Montpelier.
Free; donations welcome. Rosalene: 793-9371.
manywordsherbs1.weebly.com
Families of Color. Open to all. Play, eat and discuss issues of adoption, race and multiculturalism.
Bring snacks and games to share; dress for the
weather. Third Sun., 35 p.m. Unitarian Church,
130 Main St., Montpelier. Alyson 439-6096 or
alyson@suncatchervt.com.
Adult Human Sexuality Class. This six-part class
is part of the OWL (Our Whole Lives) curriculum. Topics covered include values, communication, attraction, aging, diversity and more. Ages
35+. 6:30 p.m. Montpelier Senior Activity Center,
58 Barre St., Montpelier Register: dgroberg@
montpeliervt.org

MONDAY, JANUARY 18

Finding Home: Vermont's Historic and Growing Diversity. Lecture given by Vermont Folklife
Center Co-Director Gregory Sharrow explores
the vital cultures of Vermonts immigrant communities. 1:30 p.m. Vermont History Museum,
109 State St., Montpelier. Museum will be open
noon4 p.m. with free activities for MLK Day.
vermonthistory.org/calendar

Jan. 22: Jazzyaoke. Sing the standards to a live


six-piece jazz band; all lyrics provided. 7:30 p.m.
The North Branch Caf, 41 State St., Montpelier.
$5. 552-8105. info@wooo.tv. wooo.tv
Jan. 23: The Big Band Bhangra Brass Band
& Book Bash. Live dance band party, celebrating the publication of One Imagined Word
at a Time, a premier anthology of work from
participants in Vermonts Writers for Recovery workshops. 7:30 p.m. Flying Stage inside
ReSOURCE-VT, 30 Granite St., Barre. $10.
Tickets: brassbandbookbash.eventbrite.com. More
info.: 552-3481, diana@reboprecords.com
River Arts Center, 74 Pleasant St., Morrisville.
$5 suggested donation. Register: 888-1261 or
riverartsvt.org

TUESDAY, JANUARY 19

Light Returning: Dreaming into the Earth.


Join dream analysts Mary Kay Kasper and
Jackie Earle-Cruickshanks for an exploration of
our inner dreamscapes. Dream yourself awake
to the earth in an evening of conversation and
psychodrama with your dreams. 5:457:45 p.m.
Kellogg-Hubbard Library basement, 135 Main
St., Montpelier. Jackie: 522-6889.
Poetry Clinic. The first hour of the clinic will be
devoted to generative poetry writing exercises; the
second hour will be devoted to respectful critiques
of work you bring to or make in class. Every first
and third Tues., 68 p.m. River Arts Center, 74
Pleasant St., Morrisville. $5 suggested donation.
888-1261. riverartsvt.org

Empire of Dreams Film and Discussion. PBS


documentary Latino Americans, Episode 2: Empire
of Dreams, which provides background on the
Spanish-American War and the U.S. relationships
to Cuba and Puerto Rico. 6:30 p.m. KelloggHubbard Library, 135 Main St., Montpelier.
223-3338. kellogghubbard.org

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20

Cross-country Ski Bolton with Green Mountain Club. Various distances. All abilities. Bolton
Touring Center. Trail fee. Bring lunch. Contact
Mary G: 622-0585 or Mary S: 505-0603 for
meeting time and place.
Bereavement/Grief Support Group. Open to
anyone who has experienced the death of a loved
one. 1011:30 a.m. Conference Center. 600
Granger Road, Berlin. Free. 223-1878.

VSAC Financial Aid Forms Workshop. Offers


guidance on filling out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid.) Ask questions
and learn about the college financial aid process,
including how to apply for scholarships. To fill out
forms, participants should bring social security
number, most recent federal tax return and most
recent W-2 or year-end pay stub. 57 p.m. Montpelier High School library, 5 High School Dr.,
Montpelier. Free. www.vsac.org/schedule.
U-32 School Board Meeting. Open to the public
and community members are always welcome to
attend. 6 p.m. U-32, Rm. 131, 930 Gallison Hill
Rd., Montpelier. 229-0321.

Chronic Disease Healthier Living Workshop.


Free chronic disease self-management workshop
offered by Gifford Health Care as part of the
Vermont Blueprint for Health. 57:30 p.m. Kingwood Health Center, 1422 VT-66, Randolph.
Register: 728-7714.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 21

Women's Writing Workgroup. Quiet, supportive


space for women to write who otherwise have difficulty finding the time or space to do so. Writing
prompts provided or bring your own projects.
Drop in first and third Mon., 6:308:30 p.m.

Diabetes Discussion Group. Focus on selfmanagement. Open to anyone with diabetes


and their families. Third Thurs., 1:30 p.m. The
Health Center, Plainfield. Free. Don 322-6600 or
dgrabowski@the-health-center.org.

Brain Injury Support Group. Open to all survivors, caregivers and adult family members. Third
Thurs., 1:302:30 p.m. Unitarian Church, 130
Main St., Montpelier. 244-6850.

J A N UA RY 7 J A N UA RY 2 0 , 2 016 PAG E 15

T H E B R I D G E

Calendar of Events

Visual Arts

Morrisville. 888-1261. riverartsvt.org


Jan. 19March 12: Northern Vermont Artists
Association Member Show. A diverse selection of
artwork including Robert Brunelle, and Janet Bonneau.
Opening reception: Jan. 21, 57 p.m. Gallery hours:
Tues.Sat., noon4 p.m. T.W. Wood Gallery, Center for
Arts & Learning, 46 Barre St., Montpelier. 262-6035.
twwoodgallery@gmail.com. twwoodgallery.org

EXHIBITS

Through Jan. 8: Ed Epstein, Friends & Stories. Paintings. Central Vermont Medical Center gallery, 130 Fisher
Rd., Berlin. cvmc.org/about-cvmc/cvmc-art-gallery

Through March 31: Elizabeth Billings and Michael


Sacca, Close to Home. Billings will display her sitespecific installations inspired by the elements of nature
and technology. Saccas exhibit of detailed photographic
images marries the two disciplines conceptually. Opening
reception: Jan. 14, 35 p.m. I.D required for admission. The Governors Gallery, Pavilion Office Building,
109 State St., 5F, Montpelier.

Through Jan 9: Holiday Group Exhibition. Eight Vermont artists bring cheer to the holidays with sculpture,
assemblage, collage and more. Axels Gallery and Frame
Shop, 5 Stowe St., Waterbury. axelsgallery.com
Through Jan. 15: Cross-stitch and Multi-media by
Heidi Chamberlain & Upcycled Christmas Stockings
by Nancy Gadue. Heidi Chamberlain is an eclectic artist
who does collages and cross stitch. Nancy Gadue, crafter
extraordinaire, creates Christmas stockings with boiled
wool and recycled sweaters. Cheshire Cat, 28 Elm St.,
Montpelier. 223-1981. cheshirecatclothing.com

Through March 31: Kate Gridley, Passing Through


Portraits of Emerging Adults. Life-sized oil portraits.
Opening reception: Jan. 14, 57 p.m. Vermont Supreme
Court Gallery, 111 State St., Montpelier.

Through Jan . 15: Mathew Peake, Barbara Baker-Bury


and Scott J Morgan, Turn, Turn, Turn Art Exhibit.
Includes paintings that have been turned in the making,
resulting in finished pieces that can be viewed with interest from any direction. A unique rotating frame allows a
viewer to see the painting one way, and invites the viewer
to easily turn the piece any number of degrees, to view
it from completely different perspectives. Gallery hours:
Tues.Sat., noon4 p.m. T.W. Wood Gallery, 46 Barre
St., Montpelier. 262-6035. twwoodgallery@gmail.com.
twwoodgallery.org

The Story of the Norwich


Cavalry is on display
at Norwich University's
Sullivan Museum and
History Center beginning
January 18. A reception is
scheduled January 22.
Photo courtesy of Norwich
Archives.

Through Jan. 31: Blake Larsen, Introducing Color.


Color saturated abstract expressionist and abstract figure
paintings. Sat.Sun., noon5 p.m. Bundy Modern
Gallery, 361 Bundy Rd., Waitsfield. 583-5832. info@
bundymodern.com
Jan. 19Feb. 20: Studio Place Arts Winter 2016 Exhibits. Reception: Jan. 23, 35 p.m. Gallery hours: Tues.Fri.,
11 a.m.5 p.m.; Sat, noon4 p.m. SPA, 201 N. Main St., Barre.
479-7069. studioplacearts.com
Main floor: From the Center for Cartoon Studies Archives, A
10 Year Anniversary Exhibit.
Second floor: Athena Petra Tasiopoulos, Beyond Mixed
media works on paper.
Third floor: Andy Frost, Paintings on the Tour for World Peace
Through March 1: Peggy duPont. Paintings in this collection
VSAC Financial Aid Forms Workshop. Offers
guidance on filling out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid.) Ask questions
and learn about the college financial aid process,
including how to apply for scholarships. To
fill out forms, participants should bring social
security number, most recent federal tax return
and most recent W-2 or year-end pay stub. 5:30
p.m. Harwood Union High School, 485 VT-100,
Moretown. Free. www.vsac.org/schedule.
Survivors of Suicide Loss Support. Monthly
group for people affected by a suicide death. Third
Thurs., 67:30 p.m. Central Vermont Medical
Center, conference rm. 1, Fisher Rd., Berlin. 2230924. calakel@comcast.com.afsp.org.
Grandparents Raising Their Childrens
Children. Third Thurs., 68 p.m. Child care
provided. Trinity United Methodist Church, 137
Main St., Montpelier. 476-1480.
River Arts Photo Co-op. Gather, promote and
share your experience and knowledge of photography with other photography enthusiasts in an
atmosphere of camaraderie and fun. Adults/teens.
Third Thurs., 68 p.m. River Arts Center, 74
Pleasant St., Morrisville. $5 suggested donation.
888-1261. riverartsvt.org.
Vermont Dollars Vermont Sense. Join Gwendolyn Hallsmith in a discussion about local investment tools for grassroots investors, businesses,
finance professionals and anyone else interested
in a vibrant local economy. Part of the Transition Town Montpelier program series 6:30 p.m.
Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 135 Main St., Montpelier. 223-3338. kellogghubbard.org
Songwriters Meeting. Meeting of the Northern
VT/NH chapter of the Nashville Songwriters
Association International. Bring copies of your
work. Third Thurs., 6:45 p.m. Catamount Arts,
St. Johnsbury. John, 633-2204.

are inspired by the Vermont landscape. Opening reception: Jan.


7, 57 p.m. Morrisville Post Office, 16 Portland St., Morrisville.
888-1261. riverartsvt.org
Through March 1: Tom Cullins and Kelly Holt, Alternatives.
Photographs and mixed media. Opening reception: Jan. 7, 57
p.m.; artist talk 6 p.m. The Gallery at River Arts, 74 Pleasant St.,
Morrisville. 888-1261. riverartsvt.org
Through March 1: Caroline McKinney, Humans and Other
Animals. Watercolor portraiture. Opening reception: Jan. 7, 57
p.m. River Arts Center, Common Space Gallery, 74 Pleasant St.,

FRIDAY, JANUARY 22

North Branch Nature Center Lecture and Slide


Show Series. Naked in the Canyon. Bryan
Pfeiffer and Ruth Einstein will bare all in tales of
rock and river, of wildlife and wild walking in the
Grand Canyon. 79 p.m. Unitarian Church, 130
Main St., Montpelier. northbranchnaturecenter.org

SATURDAY, JANUARY 23

Snowshoe Stowe Pinnacle with Green Mountain Club. Waterbury. Moderate. 2.8 miles round
trip. Contact Steve or Heather for meeting time
and place: stevecbailey@gmail.com or 609-4249238
Capital City Indoor Farmers Market. Over 30
vendors in all, more than half of them selling farm
products. 10 a.m.2 p.m. Montpelier City Hall,
39 Main St., Montpelier. montpelierfarmersmarket.com
Dreaming into the Earth: The Light. Question
your dreams wisdom in ways that open a portal to
your own inner journey. Dream yourself awake to
the earth in an afternoon of ceremony, conversation and sharing of the dream space with each
other. 12:303:30 p.m. Yoga Mountain Center, 7
Main St., Montpelier. Confirm: 522-6889.
Climate Change and the Response of People of
Faith. With speaker Bill McKibben. Vespers to
follow. Refreshments. 4 p.m. St. Jacobs Eastern
Orthodox Church, Rt. 12, Northfield Falls. 4854719
Full Moon Snowshoe Hike. Snowshoe by lunar
light. Night activities will illuminate how wildlife
survives the long nights of winter. Snowshoes
and hot chocolate provided. 78:30 p.m. North
Branch Nature Center, 713 Elm St., Montpelier.
229-6206. $5 members; $10 non-members. northbranchnaturecenter.org.

Send your listing to


calendar@montpelierbridge.com
Deadline for next issue is Jan. 14.
Send information for events
happening Jan. 21Feb. 6.

Jan. 18June 30: Saddle Up! Norwich Cavalry: Training, Touring and Tactics on Horseback. The story of the
Norwich Cavalry and its establishment is full of wonderful images of the days when equines were part of the daily
life at the University. Reception: Jan. 22, 3:305:30
p.m. Norwich University, Sullivan Museum and History Center, 158 Harmon Dr., Northfield. 485-2183.
academics.norwich.edu/museum/
Through July 19: Blue Ribbons & Burlesque: The
Country Fair Photography of Charles Fish. Black and
white photographs capture nature and nurture, theatrical illusion, the pursuit of excellence and even the guilty
pleasures of fair food. Vermont History Museum, 109
State St., Montpelier. Free with admission to museum.
828-2180. vermonthistory.org/calendar

SPECIAL EVENTS

Jan. 12: Open Art at The Front. Create collages from


donated vintage magazines and poster board scraps with artist
Melora Kennedy. For ages 16+. 5:307:30 p.m. The Front Gallery,
6 Barre St., Montpelier. Free. meldan@together.net. thefrontvt.
com
Jan. 13: Life Drawing at The Front. Draw from life with a model
in a series of poses. Bring your own materials. 6:308:30 p.m.
Come early to get a good seat. The Front Gallery, 6 Barre St.,
Montpelier. $10. meldan@together.net. thefrontvt.com

PoemCity 2016
Montpelier
The Kellogg-Hubbard Library invites Vermont poets professional or amateur to
submit their original poems for PoemCity 2016, a citywide event, now in its seventh
year, that displays poetry on local business storefronts as a way to celebrate National Poetry Month. Chosen poems will appear throughout the downtown district of Montpelier
for the month of April.
Poets of all ages are welcome to submit up to three poems no longer than 24 lines each
for consideration for public display. Each poem should be original work by the author,
who must be a Vermont resident or VCFA / Norwich University student or alum. Deadline to submit is January 31.
Visit www.kellogghubbardlibrary.submittable.com to submit.

PoemTown 2016
Randolph

Organizers are soliciting poetry submissions from professional, student and amateur
poets of all ages residing anywhere in Vermont. No more than three poems, each of
24 lines or less, typed or handwritten, should be submitted by mail no later than the
February first deadline to Janet Watton, 1387 Davis Road, Randolph Center, 05061.
For purposes of blind judging, the poet's name, city/town of residence, email address,
and phone number must be entered on the reverse side of the submitted poem page.
Poets are asked to not resubmit work that has been displayed in previous Poetry Alive!,
PoemCity displays in Montpelier, or PoemTown Randolph, or that has previously appeared in print.
By sending work to PoemTown 2016, poets agree that PoemTown may use any poem in
display, in promotional materials, and associated online, print and other media.
PoemTown Randolph 2016 is a public opportunity for Vermont poets to share their
work. Throughout the month of April, posters of 100 selected poems will be displayed
in the main windows and doors of businesses, churches and organizations in Randolph.
Past PoemTown displays and events have received strong support from local businesses
and organizations, and similar enthusiasm is anticipated for the 2016 celebration.
PoemTown organizers are planning special poetry events and poetry readings throughout April in several venues in town, culminating in a celebration at Chandler Music
Hall. Further details will be announced later.
Questions or expressions of interest in planning this years PoemTown events can be
addressed to Janet Watton via email at musbird@gmail.com or by phone at 728-9402.

PAG E 16 J A N UA RY 7 J A N UA RY 2 0 , 2 016

Calendar of Events

Weekly Events

ART & CRAFT

Beaders Group. All levels of beading experience


welcome. Free instruction available. Come with
a project for creativity and community. Sat., 11
a.m.2 p.m. The Bead Hive, Plainfield. 454-1615.

Lunches for Seniors. Mon., Wed., Fri., Noon.


Twin Valley Senior Center, 4583 U.S. Rt. 2, E.
Montpelier. $4 suggested donation. 223-3322.
twinvalleyseniors.org.

Feast Together or Feast To Go. All proceeds


benefit the Feast Senior Meal program. Tues. and
Noontime Knitters. All abilities welcome. Basics Fri., noon1 p.m. Live music every Tues., 10:30
taught. Crocheting, needlepoint and tatting also 11:30 a.m. Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58
Barre St., Montpelier. Seniors 60+ free with $7
welcome. Tues., noon1 p.m. Waterbury Public
suggested donation; under 60 $9. Reservations:
Library, 28 N. Main St., Waterbury. 244-7036.
262-6288 or justbasicsinc@gmail.com.
Drop-in River Arts Elder Art Group. Work
on art, share techniques and get creative with
others. Bring your own art supplies. For elders
60+. Every Fri., 10 a.m.noon. River Arts Center,
Turning Point Center. Safe, supportive place
74 Pleasant St., Morrisville. Free. 888-1261.
for individuals and their families in or seeking
riverartsvt.org.
recovery. Daily, 10 a.m.5 p.m. 489 North Main
St., Barre. 479-7373.
Sun.: Alchoholics Anonymous, 8:30 a.m.
Tues.: Making Recovery Easier workshops,
Open Shop Nights. Volunteer-run community
67:30 p.m.
bike shop: bike donations and repairs. Wed., 46
Wed.: Wits End Parent Support Group, 6 p.m.
p.m.; other nights. Freeride Montpelier, 89 Barre
Thurs.: Narcotics Anonymous, 6:30 p.m.
St., Montpelier. 552-3521. freeridemontpelier.
org.
Early Bird Bone Builders Class. With Cort
Richardson. Osteoporosis exercise and prevention program. Wear comfortable clothing and
sturdy shoes. Light weights provided or bring
your own. All ages. Every Mon., Wed. and Fri.,
Lunch in a Foreign Language. Bring lunch and
7:308:30 a.m. Twin Valley Senior Center, Rt. 2,
practice your language skills with neighbors.
Blueberry Commons, E. Montpelier. Free. Cort:
Noon1 p.m. Mon., Hebrew; Tues., Italian;
Wed., Spanish; Thurs., French. Kellogg-Hubbard 223-3174 or 238-0789.
Library, 135 Main St., Montpelier. 223-3338.
Bone Building Exercises. All seniors welcome.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

BICYCLING

BOOKS & WORDS

English Conversation Practice Group. For


students learning English for the first time. Tues.,
45 p.m. Central Vermont Adult Basic Education, Montpelier Learning Center, 100 State St.
223-3403.
Ongoing Reading Group. Improve your reading
and share some good books. Books chosen by
group. Thurs., 910 a.m. Central Vermont Adult
Basic Education, Montpelier Learning Center,
100 State St. 223-3403.

BUSINESS, FINANCE,
COMPUTERS, EDUCATION
Computer and Online Help. One-on-one computer help. Tues. and Fri., 10 a.m.1 p.m. Waterbury Public Library, 28 N. Main St., Waterbury.
Free. Registration required: 244-7036.
Personal Financial Management Workshops.
Learn about credit/debit cards, credit building and repair, budgeting and identity theft,
insurance, investing, retirement. Tues., 68 p.m.
Central Vermont Medical Center, Conference
Room 3. Registration: 371-4191.

FOOD & DRINK


Community Meals in Montpelier. All welcome.
Free.
Mon.: Unitarian Church, 130 Main St.,
11 a.m.1 p.m.
Tues.: Bethany Church, 115 Main St.,
11:30 a.m.1 p.m.
Wed.: Christ Church, 64 State St.,
11 a.m.12:30 p.m.
Thurs.: Trinity Church, 137 Main St.,
11:30 a.m.1 p.m.
Fri.: St. Augustine Church, 18 Barre St.,
11 a.m.12:30 p.m.
Sun.: Last Sunday only, Bethany Church, 115
Main St. (hosted by Beth Jacob Synagogue),
4:305:30 p.m.

THE BRIDGE

Every Mon., Wed. and Fri. 10:4511:45 a.m.


Twin Valley Senior Center, 4583 U.S. Rt. 2, E.
Montpelier. Free. 223-3322. twinvalleyseniors.
org.

Tai Chi for Seniors. Led by trained volunteers.


Every Mon. and Fri., 12 p.m.; Mon. and Wed.,
5:306:30 p.m. Twin Valley Senior Center,
4583 U.S. Rt. 2, E. Montpelier. Free. 223-3322.
twinvalleyseniors.org.
Living Strong Group. Volunteer-led group.
Sing while exercising. Open to all seniors. Every
Mon., 2:303:30 p.m. and every Fri., 23 p.m.
Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre St.,
Montpelier. Free. Register: 223-2518. msac@
montpelier-vt.org.
Sex Addicts Anonymous. Mon., 6:30 p.m.
Bethany Church, 115 Main St., Montpelier.
552-3483.
Overeaters Anonymous. Twelve-step
program for physically, emotionally and spiritually overcoming overeating. Note meeting days
and locations. Every Tues., 5:306:30 p.m. and
Sat., 8:309:30 a.m. at Episcopal Church of the
Good Shepherd, 39 Washington St., Barre. 2493970. Every Mon., 56 p.m. at Bethany Church,
115 Main St., Montpelier. 223-3079.
Tai Chi Classes for All Ages. Every Tues. and
Thurs., 1011 a.m. Twin Valley Senior Center,
Rte. 2, Blueberry Commons, E. Montpelier.
Free. 223-3322. twinvalleyseniors@myfairpoint.
net
Weight Loss Support Group. Get help and support on your weight loss journey every Wed., 67
p.m. Giffords Conference Center, 44 S. Main St.,
Randolph. Free. No registration required. Open
to all regardless of where you are in your weight
loss.
HIV Testing. Vermont CARES offers fast oral
testing. Thurs., 25 p.m. 58 East State St., Ste. 3
(entrance at back), Montpelier. Free. 371-6222.
vtcares.org.

Send your listing to calendar@montpelierbridge.com


Deadline for next issue is Jan.14.
Send information for events happening Jan. 21Feb. 6.
KIDS & TEENS

RECYCLING

The Basement Teen Center. Safe drop-in space


to hang out, make music, play pool, ping-pong
and board games and eat free food. All activities
are free. Mon.Thurs., 26 p.m., Fridays 3-10
p.m. Basement Teen Center, 39 Main St., Montpelier. BasementTeenCenter.org

Additional Recycling. The Additional Recyclables Collection Center accepts scores of hardto-recycle items. Mon., Wed., Fri., noon6 p.m.;
Third Sat., 9 a.m.1 p.m. ARCC, 540 North
Main St., Barre. $1 per carload. 229-9383 x106.
For list of accepted items, go to cvswmd.org/arcc.

Read to Clara. Sign up for a 20-minute slot and


choose your books beforehand to read to this
special canine pal. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 135
Main St., Montpelier. Sign up ahead: 223-4665
or at the childrens desk. kellogghubbard.org.
Story Time and Playgroup. With Sylvia Smith
for story time and Cassie Bickford for playgroup.
For ages birth6 and their grown-ups. We follow
the Twinfield Union School calendar and do not
hold the program the days Twinfield is closed.
Wed., 1011:30 a.m. Jaquith Public Library, 122
School St., Marshfield. Free. 426-3581.
jaquithpubliclibrary.org.
Story Time for Kids. Meet your neighbors and
share quality time with the pre-schooler in your
life. Each week well read stories and spend time
together. A great way to introduce your preschooler to your local library. For ages 25. Every
Thurs., 10:30 a.m. Cutler Memorial Library, 151
High St., Plainfield. 454-8504. cutlerlibrary.org.
Lego Club. Use our large Lego collection to
create and play. All ages. Thurs., 34:30 p.m.
Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 135 Main St., Montpelier. Free. 223-3338. kellogghubbard.org.
Drop-in Kinder Arts Program. Innovative
exploratory arts program with artist/instructor
Kelly Holt. Age 35. Fri., 10:30 a.m.noon.
River Arts Center, 74 Pleasant St., Morrisville.
888-1261. RiverArtsVT.org.
Teen Fridays. Find out about the latest teen
books, use the gym, make art, play games and if
you need to, do your homework. Fri., 35 p.m.
Jaquith Public Library, 122 School St., Marshfield. 426-3581.
Musical Story Time. Join us for a melodious
good time. Ages birth6. Sat., 10:30 a.m. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 135 Main St., Montpelier.
Free. 223-3338. kellogghubbard.org.
Mad River Valley Youth Group. Sun., 79 p.m.
Meets at various area churches. Call 497-4516 for
location and information.

MUSIC & DANCE


Barre-Tones Womens Chorus. Open rehearsal. Find your voice with 50 other women.
Mon., 7 p.m. Alumni Hall, Barre. 223-2039.
BarretonesVT.com.
Dance or Play with the Swinging Over 60
Band. Danceable tunes from the 1930s to the
1960s. Recruiting musicians. Tues., 10:30 a.m.
noon. Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58
Barre St., Montpelier. 223-2518.
Monteverdi Young Singers Chorus Rehearsal.
New chorus members welcome. Wed., 45 p.m.
Montpelier. Call 229-9000 for location and more
information.
Piano Workshop. Informal time to play,
refresh your skills and get feedback if desired
with other supportive musicians. Singers and
listeners welcome. Thurs., 45:30 p.m. Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre St.,
Montpelier. Free; open to the public. 223-2518.
msac@montpelier-vt.org.
Ukelele Group. All levels welcome. Thurs., 68
p.m. Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre
St. 223-2518.
Gamelan Rehearsals. Sun., 79 p.m. Pratt
Center, Goddard College. Free. 426-3498.
steven.light@jsc.edu. light.kathy@gmail.com.

RESOURCES
Onion River Exchange Tool Library. 80 tools
both power and manual. Wed., 46 p.m.; Sat.,
911 a.m. 46 Barre St., Montpelier. 661-8959.
info@orexchange.com.

SOLIDARITY/IDENTITY
Womens Group. Women age 40 and older
explore important issues and challenges in their
lives in a warm and supportive environment. Facilitated by psychotherapist Kathleen Zura. Every
Mon., 5:307:30 p.m. 41 Elm St., Montpelier.
223-6564. Insurances accepted.

SPIRITUALITY
Christian Science Reading Room. You're invited
to visit the Reading Room and see what we
have for your spiritual growth. You can borrow,
purchase or simply enjoy material in a quiet study
room. Hours: Wed., 11 a.m.7:15 p.m.; Thurs.
Sat., 11 a.m.1 p.m. 145 State St., Montpelier.
223-2477.
A Course in Miracles. A study in spiritual transformation. Group meets each Tues., 78 p.m.
Christ Episcopal Church, 64 State St., Montpelier. 279-1495.
Christian Counseling. Tues. and Thurs. Daniel
Dr., Barre. Reasonable cost. By appt. only:
479-0302.
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. For those
interested in learning about the Catholic faith, or
current Catholics who want to learn more. Wed.,
7 p.m. St. Monica Church, 79 Summer St.,
Barre. Register: 479-3253.
Deepening Our Jewish Roots. Fun, engaging text study and discussion on Jewish
spirituality. Sun., 4:456:15 p.m. Yearning
for Learning Center, Montpelier. 223-0583.
info@yearning4learning.org.

SPORTS & GAMES


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

YOGA & MEDITATION


Christian Meditation Group. People of all faiths
welcome. Mon., noon1 p.m. Christ Church,
Montpelier. 223-6043.
Zen Meditation. With Zen Affiliate of Vermont.
Wed., 6:307:30 p.m. 174 River St., Montpelier.
Free. Call for orientation: 229-0164.
Shambhala Buddhist Meditation. Group meditation practice. Sun., 10 a.m.noon; Tues., 78
p.m.; Wed., 67 p.m. New location: Center for
Culture and Learning, 46 Barre Street, Montpelier. Free. 223-5137. montpeliershambala.org.
Sunday Sangha: Community Ashtanga Yoga.
Every Sun., 5:407 p.m. Grateful Yoga, 15 State
St., 3F, Montpelier. By donation.

The Center for Leadership Skills


BUSINESS & LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

Lindel James coaching & consulting


Taking You from Frustration to Enthusiasm
802 778 0626
lindel@lindeljames.com
lindeljames.com

J A N UA RY 7 J A N UA RY 2 0 , 2 016 PAG E 17

T H E B R I D G E

Classifieds
Text-only class listings and
classifieds are 50 words for $25.
To place an ad, call Michael,
223-5112 ext. 11.

Design & Build


Custom Energy-Efficient Homes
Additions Timber Frames

CLASSES
ALLIANCE FRANAISE
WINTER WARM-UP!
6-week French classes designed to refresh and
firm up your skills, readying you for your next
full-term class. The new session begins on January 11th. Morning and evening classes available
in our Burlington and Colchester locations.
Evening classes only in Montpelier.
For more information please contact our Language Centor Director Micheline Tremblay at
michelineatremblay@gmail.com or at
802-881-8826

CLASSES

Weatherization Remodeling

Rocque Long
Painting

Kitchens Bathrooms Flooring


Tiling Cabinetry Fine Woodwork

Insured
30+ years professional
experience
local references.

802-223-0389

Do What You Do Best.

TAI CHI
Hwa Yu Tai Chi winter-spring semester starts
February 1, twelve weeks/$120. Payment plans
available. New students welcome. Mondays
5:00-6:00 pm, in the Taplin Room, Christ
Church, 64 State St, Montpelier.
Instructor Ellie Hayes has been teaching Tai
Chi since 1974. 456-1983, info@elliehayes.net

Bookkeeping Payroll Consulting

HOUSING WANTED

802.262.6013 evenkeelvt.com

New Construction
Renovations
Woodworking
General Contracting

HOUSING WANTED
Nice lady desires nice cottage to rent, long
term. Clean, quiet, references. (619) 420-3312.
Evenings best.

223-3447

clarconstruction.com

NUTRITION
10 DAY GUIDED CLEAN EATING CLEANSE
Start your year off right with 10 days of clean
eating: boost your energy and get back on
track with nourishing foods! Guided through
one-on-one phone consult, informational
guide, food plan, recipes, and ongoing email
support. Adaptable to all dietary preference
and lifestyles. Optional connection with group.
January 18-27, $60. Contact Kim McKellar,
Certified Integrative Health Coach, mckellarwellness@gmail.com

Tell them you saw it in


The Bridge!

Since 1972

SERVICES

SNOW PLOWING & SANDING


Residential and commercial snow plowing and
sanding. Removal of snow or push back snow
banks. Fully insured. Serving Central Vermont
area. Reasonable rates, call 802-279.2417.
Watershed Construction and Restoration

Repairs New floors and walls


Crane work Decorative concrete
Consulting ICF foundations

Recycle
This Paper!

Fire Department Deserves Thanks


Editor:
Thank you for your excellent article on the Montpelier Fire Department. I was honored to work with many of the firefighters working
today. The community gets an extremely high quality of service because of the quality of persons selected to provide that service. Thank
you for thanking them!

114 Three Mile Bridge Rd., Middlesex, VT (802) 229-0480


gendronbuilding@aol.com gendronconcrete.com

Letters

Lets make this New Years resolution about exploring the rich variety
of plant-based entrees, lunch meat alternatives, cheeses, ice creams and
milks, as well as the more traditional green and yellow veggies. The
internet offers tons of recipes and transition tips.
Maxwell Branset, Montpelier

Rush To Bring Renewable Energy Biased Toward Developers

Gesualdo Schneider, Retired Fire Chief

New Years Resolution

Castle are rolling out vegan options.

Editor:

Editor:

Here is a letter to the editor that I have written to explain my feelings about the rush to bring
renewable energy into Vermont without any forethought.

Once again, its time for New Year's resolutions, particularly those to improve our diet and
exercise routine.

The process is completely biased towards the developer and the affected citizens are left behind.

Although gun violence and traffic accidents remain the leading causes of death among young
people, the most dangerous weapon for the rest of us is still our fork. Well over a million of us
are killed each year by high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer and other
chronic diseases linked to our meat-based diet.

I hope that you will consider running my letter.

But times are changing. According to Gallup, 22 percent of American consumers are avoiding meat and 12 percent are avoiding dairy products. Supermarket chains, along with Target
and Walmart, offer a growing selection of delicious and healthy plant-based meat and dairy
alternatives. Animal meat consumption has dropped by 8 percent in the past decade.
Hundreds of school, college, hospital and corporate cafeterias have embraced Meatless Monday and vegan meals. Fast-food chains like Chipotle, Panera, Subway, Taco Bell and White

Dustin Lang, Swanton


What Do You Think?
Read something that you would like to respond to? We welcome your letters and
opinion pieces. Letters must be fewer than 300 words. Opinion pieces should not
exceed 600 words. The Bridge reserves the right to edit and cut pieces.
Send your piece to: editorial@montpelierbridge.com.
Deadline for the next issue is January 15.

PAG E 18 J A N UA RY 7 J A N UA RY 2 0 , 2 016

THE BRIDGE

Industrial Wind Turbines Jeopardize Air Travel Safety


by Brian Dubie, Chair, Vermont Aerospace and Aviation Association

t was my honor to serve as Vermonts Lieutenant Governor for


eight years. While I was in office, I was invited to tour the site of a
proposed industrial wind turbine complex in Ira. My tour guide, a
commercial pilot, explained his concerns about the projects impact on
Southern Vermont Regional Airport in Rutland.

Opinion

One crash highlights the added risks to pilots posed by obstacles on


ridgelines. In 1995, Flight 1572 hit trees on a ridgeline while making a
night instrument approach to Bradley International Airport. One of the
reasons cited by the National Transportation Safety Board was that the
Federal Aviation Administration designed the approach to the runway
without taking the trees on the ridgeline fully into consideration. The
Being a commercial airline pilot myself, I understood and shared my
aircraft hit trees on the ridgeline near the airport and crashed short of
colleagues concerns. We were not alone the airport manager expressed grave concerns
the
runway.
Placing
500-foot industrial wind turbines on ridgelines near airports reduces
about the project and the operational safety and the economic impact it has on the airthe
margin
of
error
that
separates an aircraft from obstacles.
port. As a result of what I learned, I joined with them to oppose to the project.
Impacts on aviation were not the only problem with the Ira project. It was too close to Here is another scenario: Consider an aircraft taking off on a hot summer day under
neighboring homes and it was opposed by most of the towns that it would have affected. conditions whereby the aircraft will be slow to climb and difficult to control. Shortly
after takeoff the left engine fails. The aircraft will pull to the left and require a large right
The project was never built.
rudder input to keep the aircraft on the extended centerline of the runway. The loss of
As a pilot with 39 years of accident-free flying in commercial, military and light aircraft, I the left engine and the need to add right rudder will add drag and slow the rate of climb.
feel well-qualified to state that placing 500-foot-tall obstacles on top of a ridgeline within Because of the low cloud ceilings, the pilot will be flying on instruments and attempting
10 miles of an airport is a bad idea. The turbines proposed for Ira would have created an to fly straight ahead on the extended centerline of the runway. In the case of the proposed
obstacle course for the airport in Rutland. In response to the threat posed by industrial industrial wind project in Swanton, if the pilot drifts off course just a little to the east he
wind turbines, Representative David Potter (a Democrat from Clarendon) sponsored an or she could find themselves flying in the middle of seven industrial wind turbines with
Airport Hazard Area bill in 2010. This legislation proposed to:
massive turbine blades spinning at close to 200 mph, which could result in a crash.
1) Define Airport Hazard Area as 10 miles from an airport.
Could this happen? Yes. Last year in South Dakota four people were killed when their
plane failed to negotiate a wind turbine obstacle course.
2) Prohibit the construction of anything that:
The wind turbines proposed for Swanton would create an obstacle course for the Franklin
County Airport. The airport is an important asset to our region and our state. I am proud
b. Is more than 100-foot-tall and within the 40:1 slope plane from the end of the
that my son and my nephew have chosen to fly for the National Guard they and their
runway.
fellow pilots train at Franklin County Airport. The proposed Swanton industrial wind
c. Interferes with radar or navigation equipment
project would present additional risk to the safe operations at the airport. This added risk
d. Restricts procedures for takeoff, landing, visual flight rules operations and military is why my aviation colleagues and I have chosen to speak out against it.
training routes.
The Legislature has a goal of 90 percent renewable energy by 2050. A prominent proponent
of industrial wind has stated that this would require us to put industrial wind
Sadly this legislation has not been acted upon by the general assembly. Under the best
turbines
on 200 miles of our ridgelines. For reference, the entire Long Trail is 272 miles.
weather conditions, negotiating an industrial wind turbine obstacle course reduces a piI
ask
the
Legislature to take up the bill that defines and protects Airport Hazard Areas
lots margin of safety. In bad weather, when pilots are flying under marginal visual flight
and
will
ensure
safe operations.
rules or instrument conditions, an obstacle course could be downright deadly.
a. Is found by the Federal Aviation Administration to be an obstruction or hazard.

Have something important to say? We want to hear it! Send it to us at: editorial@montpelierbridge.com
The Bridge publishes every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month, except in July when we publish only on
the 3rd Thursday. Our next issue comes out January 21.

J A N UA RY 7 J A N UA RY 2 0 , 2 016 PAG E 19

T H E B R I D G E

Happy New Year, Montpelier: Locals Sound Off On


Creating the Future
by Garrett Heaney

appy New Year everybody. If 2015 taught me anything, it is that community, our
community, here in Montpelier, has the ability to foster our growth as people,
artists and professionals. We are incredibly blessed to share this place we call
home and to see the beautiful faces we see when we venture outside. Ive been here for
almost five years, and I love this place a little more every day.
I once had a boss who said that when he died, he knew that God wouldnt be asking him
about the money he made or the accomplishments he championed. God would simply ask
...but what about the people? What did you do with all those people?
It was a remarkable statement to make in front of 30 or so people it was genuine and
sweet, and reminded us to appreciate one another. I carry that sentiment with me to
this day. Whether by chance or fate, we have been thrown together into this perpetually
expanding network of creative energy we call community. Going into 2016, I wanted to
reach out to some of the people who make this place special, to see what they are looking
forward to in the new year, and from their responses, it sounds like were going to have a
good one. Thanks all, you inspire me daily.

Suzanne Podhaizer, Farm-to-Table Consulting


Sometimes, a life is stripped to bare bones. In November,
I closed the restaurant Id owned for five years. A sweet,
complicated and lengthy relationship ended, which meant
finding a new home, a new support network. And so, in
2016, I have the opportunity to reinvent nearly every aspect of my daily existence.
I live in a yurt, now, and look forward to strengthening skills that will allow me to be capable and
self-sufficient fire-building, wood stove
cookery, crafting furniture and housewares
while also practicing interdependence by
asking for assistance from others, and offering mine to them.
Under my new business name, Farm-ToTable Consulting, I aim to do work that has
a felt impact on the Vermont food community, helping farmers sell more fresh food, and helping those who use it find deep enjoyment in its preparation and consumption. To sow the seeds of essential conversations, Ill
spend time blogging, podcasting, giving talks and writing for a variety of publications.
Workshops and consultations with individuals and farmers will delve into practicalities,
and allow me to pass along what Ive learned as a home cook, chef and farmer.
Finally, no longer being tied to a restaurant or farm schedule, Im delighted to take classes,
again: Salsa and Kizomba dancing, drawing, design...

Silvia Fermin, Dancer/Artist


I am from The Bay Area of California and came to Vermont to
explore maple syrup harvesting, organic gardening, forest foraging, off-grid living and to gather as many nature-intelligent
and artistic friends as possible.
This year I want to create as much art as I can. My first art
project this year is to clean up and enliven a neglected art
studio all the way up in the hills of Johnson. I'm bringing it
back to life with fire, music and uninhibited creativity. This
will be one of the many places I want to see artists of all
diversities collaborate no matter how different
their art is from each other. I envision all creative
people making tighter and wider connections to
produce the wildest creative situations for the
benefit of positive living for all.

Tyler Weedon,
Cartoonist and Animator
I was born, raised and educated in Vermont
at Montpelier High School and Bennington
College. Im a professional cartoonist and
animator, specializing in print and film, and
at the moment Im creating a visual label and
school for young visual artists.
I am sincerely looking forward to the arts
community growing this coming year. Center for Art and Learning, Artisans' Hand,
The Front, Local 64, VCFA, Cardboard Tek
and Montpelier Alive's actions have impressively developed an intimate setting for local
artists to partake in the community in Montpelier. This is an exciting time to be present
in this wonderful community.

Maggie Lenz, Comedian


I was inspired to get into comedy by watching
Vermont comedians like Joel Chaves, Kathleen Kanz, Bitsy Biron and Carmen Lagala
(among others) over the years. Thanks guys!!
This year, I'm excited to watch my baby, the
weekly comedy open-mic at Charlie-O's, grow
and become a staple of Montpelier life. The
mic offers a space for pros to practice and for
first timers to get up and have at it in a very
supportive environment. The lineup of guest
hosts for the 2016 open-mics is already really
impressive!
I'm also really looking forward to bringing
comedy back to Sweet Melissa's with Joint
Custody, a monthly showcase that I produce/
co-host with local comic Jonah Cipolla. It
kicks off Thursday, January 7 and the first
lineup features some of the absolute bests
in Vermont, including Kendall Farrell, Vermont's Funniest Comedian winner of 2015!
Standup comedy is a truly honest and cathartic expression, and I for one will be relying
on it heavily to get me through the coldest,
darkest months.
So yeah, open-mic at Os is every Monday
from 8:30-10:30 p.m. with guest hosts and
its free! Joint Custody is the first Thursday of
every month at Sweet Melissa's at 8 p.m. and
is also free.

Xav Jimenez,
Co-Owner Buch
Spieler Records
We are very excited to
continue expanding as a
premier destination and
provider for the Central
Vermont music community. What's currently
in the mix over at BSR
is our ever growing network fostering a super
fun inventory with titles
steadily rolling in, more
up-a nd-coming/established artists opportunities, along with inspired
cultural programming.
Some of our forthcoming collaborations include working with WGDR FM programmers
and educators, Mix-Tapeology and a cassette revival, supporting local architects on a
pedestrian friendly Langdon Street beautification project, a VIP Buyers Club where BSR
staff hand-select vinyl packs for monthly pick-up/delivery, working closer with Montpelier Alive on nurturing cultural awareness in the community, The Brick and Mortar Gold
Club, where local businesses with a turntable receive a different suite of records every
week (our first Gold Club member is Philamena's on Elm St.), an eclectically curated
periodical/journal section offering titles not found anywhere in the state, a special request
page on our website answer a few questions, hit send and we'll begin hunting down
your title, fresh podcasts posted monthly for download, in-house special events with our
friends at Carrier Coffee Roasters, monthly performances (record release parties on our
stage and guest DJs set up in our booth), extending our line of turntable offerings accommodating beginners to audiophiles, new and continued collaborations with regional
contemporary artists on limited edition shirts/totes/posters, exhibitions and journal contributions, and of course, more and more relationships with fantastic record labels i.e.
labels based in Iceland, Tele Aviv, Brazil and London to name a few.
April 1, 2016 will mark one full year of new ownership and two weeks later is our always
banging Spring Record Store Day Party, which is not to be missed. Buch Spieler is an
institution that we keep sacred. Happy New Year!

Robyn Joy Peirce, Community


Relations at Hunger Mountain Coop
In 2016 I am looking forward to: writing and
publishing a new perzine, getting better at things,
loving, wedding planning, meaningful friendships, more loving, magic, indulging childlike
curiosity, busting out more vegetarian delights,
doing art projects instead of talking about them,
spontaneous dance parties, unpacking (we have a
year after moving, right?), something that involves
public and fierce performances, lazy Sundays, adventurous Sundays, forgetting who the cool kids
are, having more "oh WOW" moments, playing
in the snow, playing in the sun, even MORE
magical loving and hopefully a LOT of sparkle.

PAG E 2 0 J A N UA RY 7 J A N UA RY 2 0 , 2 016

THE BRIDGE

The Bridge Presents

Secretary of Education Rebecca Holcombe


and Hazen Union School Chair David Kelley
in a panel discussion with moderator and former member
of the House Education Committee Donny Osman

Expanding Educational
Opportunities for our
Schoolchildren during
Tough Economic Times

Thursday, January 14
7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Hayes Room at
Kellogg-Hubbard Library

Photo by Taylor Dibbs

Rebecca Holcombe became Vermont Secretary of Education in January 2014.


In her formative years as a young woman growing up, her parents
worked for the United Nations in overseas development, and Rebecca
attended (U.S. government-run) international schools in such countries
as Afghanistan and Pakistan. After high school she was a student at
Brown University in Providence (RI) where she took a BA degree in
history. She holds an MBA degree from the Simmons School of Management in Boston (MA) and a masters degree in education from the
Harvard Graduate School of Education where she is currently working
on her doctorate.
Holcombe has taught at the middle school, high school and university
levels. She was principal of the Fairlee School (Fairlee, VT) in the mid1990s. According to a Kids Magazine story, this was during a period
when Fairlee Elementary was struggling with dwindling enrollment and
limited resources for such programs as art, music and athletics. At the
same time, other nearby schools were dealing with the same issues.
As Kids Magazine reported, Faculty turnover in the school district
was so high, it was virtually impossible to make lasting improvements.
While she was principal at Fairlee she worked with school and community people to form the Rivendell Interstate School District and eventually won support from 80 percent of the voters for the interstate school
district proposal that brought together four towns (three in Vermont and
one in New Hampshire) to create the new unified school district.

Photo by Carla Occaso

David Kelley attended Lothrop Elementary School in Pittsford (VT) and


Otter Valley Union High School in Brandon (VT). He has a B.A. degree
from the University of Vermont and a J.D. from Georgetown University in
Washington, D.C. He was later a Visiting Scholar at Harvard Universitys
Russian Research Center in Cambridge, Mass. He was a co-founder
of Project Harmony (now PH International). PH International has been
one of the largest student and teacher exchange programs between
the U.S. and the former Soviet republics. (You can see the story of PH
International at http://www.ph-int.org/who_we/history/.) Kelley served as
General Counsel for the Vermont Ski Areas Association for 25 years.
He is currently chair of the Hazen Union School Board in Hardwick (VT).
In his spare time, David has served as a volunteer debate coach at
South Burlington High School and at Ennis High School in Ennis, Montana. He now coaches debate teams at Hazen Union High School and
Craftsbury Academy. His debate teams have won state championships
in both Montana and in Vermont.

For further information call The Bridge at 223-5112

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