Seven Days, April 1, 2026 by Seven Days

FEDS: A MIGRANT JUSTICE LEADER HELPED PEOPLE ENTER U.S. ILLEGALLY

A grand jury has indicted a well-known leader of advocacy group Migrant Justice on charges of smuggling undocumented migrants into the country and procuring fraudulent Vermont driver’s privilege cards.

A Migrant Justice spokesperson said federal agents detained Jose Ignacio “Nacho” De La Cruz last ursday morning as he arrived at his job at New Frameworks, a construction company in Essex.

De La Cruz, 30, is charged in an indictment with three counts related to helping migrants enter the U.S. illegally and then transporting them within the country in exchange for money. He’s also charged with procuring ﬁve fraudulent Vermont driver’s privilege cards, which are available for motor-vehicle operators who are noncitizens and don’t have lawful immigration status, between November 2022 and June 2025. Migrant Justice was instrumental in advocating for 2014 legislation that created the cards.

e government alleges that De La Cruz took online learner’s privilege tests on behalf of others and renewed Vermont driver’s privilege cards for people living outside the state. He allegedly received about $500 per card.

De La Cruz pleaded not guilty at an arraignment last week. He was expected to appear in federal court again on ursday, April 2.

e government cites evidence from cellphones of De La Cruz and a person who entered the country illegally. e investigation also involved ﬁnancial records, historical cell site location information and law enforcement reports.

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HIGHEST BIDDER

In one example, phone messages show that De La Cruz met with a “coconspirator” in New Hampshire in April 2025, where he was allegedly given $2,000 to help someone cross the border illegally. A photo in the court documents shows De La Cruz at an ATM, where ﬁnancial records indicate he deposited the money.

Photos also show a text message exchange from November 2023 that includes screenshots of an area along the U.S.-Canada border. De La Cruz sent a photo to someone with a Canadian number that showed a circle drawn around a wooded area next to a road. e government claims it indicated a pick-up location for migrants.

De La Cruz is a former dairy worker from Mexico who has been involved with Migrant Justice since 2018. He ﬁrst entered the U.S. around 2016 and submitted an application for asylum earlier this month.

“We know what the headlines are going to look like,” Will Lambek, a spokesperson for the group, said into a bullhorn last week. “We know that by putting these criminal charges against him, they’re going to try to scare people. But let’s not be confused. Let’s not get turned around on this. He is a member of the community, he deserves his freedom, and we’re standing by him.”

De La Cruz faces up to 15 years of imprisonment if convicted and a mandatory minimum sentence of three years, according to federal prosecutors.

Read Lucy Tompkins’ full story at sevendaysvt.com.

A local group tried and failed to buy the ﬂood-damaged federal building in downtown Montpelier. Now it will be auctioned o . Going once, twice?

RULING ON HIGH

The U.S. Supreme Court decided in favor of a Vermont State Police trooper who in 2015 forcibly removed a protester from the Statehouse. Jacob Zorn is immune from a lawsuit.

SMOKE SIGNALS

A small brush ﬁre broke out in Ferrisburgh on Monday amid warm temperatures and dry, windy conditions. After all that snow this winter, too.

MONEY TALKS

Lawmakers are considering regulations for retailers who round purchases up or down to deal with the penny shortage. Makes cents!

3

That’s how many ATMs thieves stole in Middlebury after smashing their way into local businesses.

TOPFIVE

TOWNCRIER

LOCALLY SOURCED NEWS

Raccoon Is Rescued From Sticky Situation

e Shelburne Fire Department was called in last month to help a raccoon that was up a tree with its head stuck in a peanut butter jar, the Shelburne News reported. “From what my brain could comprehend in the short time I saw, I was like, Is that thing holding a peanut butter jar?” said Andrew Driver, who ﬁrst spotted the animal’s predicament.

BUYERS’ CLUB

Bill Calfee has a mission: to keep local dollars local.

So, in 2020, he founded Myti, a Burlingtonbased e-commerce site featuring Vermont stores and goods that he pitches as a local alternative to Amazon. e site’s been successful, with 9,000 people on the mailing list, approximately 70 stores enrolled and some 70,000 to 100,000 different items for sale, he said.

Now Calfee has taken the concept to the next level. He has created the Myti Local Finder, a web browser extension that helps shoppers using a national retailer’s e-commerce site to ﬁnd the item at a local, independently owned store. e browser ﬁnds items at stores that

are registered with Myti — and ones that aren’t, Calfee said.

“A lot of people don’t realize what’s available around here,” said Calfee, who recently used the extension to ﬁnd electronic equipment he thought he’d have to order from out of state. “Even the people who are committed to shopping local don’t realize what’s available around here.”

Say, for example, you’re looking for sneakers on the HOKA website. e extension will run a search using your zip code and provide a listing and map of local stores that carry the brand, such as Lenny’s Shoe & Apparel or Skirack.

Calfee launched the extension in November, but early testers found it didn’t function well, he said. e team has worked through some bugs and released a new beta version in March

that’s much improved, he said. Because of the company’s concern about data privacy, it only collects a user’s zip code, the search term they use to ﬁnd an item and whether the user clicks through to a local store.

More than 300 users have downloaded the extension, according to Calfee, who was surprised to see that many live in other parts of the country, including Florida, North Carolina and Colorado. at’s because the extension works anywhere.

“ e point is, we want to keep money in local communities everywhere,” he said. e same goes for Myti — once the company proves its model can work in Vermont, Calfee expects to expand it to other places.

For more info, visit myti.com.

SASHA GOLDSTEIN

Bill Calfee

Jose Ignacio “Nacho” De La Cruz

COMMON CURRENCY.

Paula Routly

Cathy Resmer

Don Eggert, Colby Roberts

NEWS & POLITICS

Matthew Roy

Sasha Goldstein

Ken Ellingwood, Candace Page

Hannah Bassett, Aaron Calvin, Colin Flanders, Kevin McCallum, Alison Novak, Lucy Tompkins

ARTS & CULTURE

Dan Bolles, Carolyn Fox

Chelsea Edgar, Margot Harrison, Pamela Polston

Jen Rose Smith

Alice Dodge

Chris Farnsworth

Rebecca Driscoll

Jordan Barry, Mary Ann Lickteig, Melissa Pasanen, Ken Picard

Alice Dodge, Angela Simpson

Elizabeth M. Seyler

DIGITAL & VIDEO

Eva Sollberger

Je Baron DESIGN

Don Eggert

Rev. Diane Sullivan

John James

Je Baron

MARKETING

Colby Roberts

Robyn Birgisson

Michelle Brown, Logan Pintka, Kaitlin Montgomery

Gillian Comito

Julia Maguire ADMINISTRATION

Andy Watts

Gillian English

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Jordan Adams, Justin Boland, Alex Brown, Erik Esckilsen, Anne Galloway, Steve Goldstein, Rick Koster, Amy Lilly, Suzanne Podhaizer, Tori Preston, Jim Schley, Carolyn Shapiro, Rachel Stearns, Xenia Turner

CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS

Luke Awtry, Daria Bishop, Sean Metcalf, Tim Newcomb, Jeb Wallace-Brodeur FOUNDERS

Pamela Polston, Paula Routly

CIRCULATION: 35,000

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STEREOTYPES MAKE IT WORSE

A wise friend once said, “The only thing more depressing than a stereotype is when somebody lives up to it.” I can’t imagine a better illustration for this than Tim Newcomb’s March 11 panel. Thanks so much, Mr. Newcomb, for your efforts to sledgehammer the wedge deeper into the stump of our democracy, because what America really needs right now is someone to shore up our dueling political stereotypes of ignorance and arrogance.

Sarcasm aside, I challenge Mr. Newcomb — and anyone else who yearns for more civility and less polarization — to attend “Beyond the Politics of Contempt,” a presentation on April 11 at the Brownell Library in Essex Junction by local authors and Braver Angels leaders Doug Teschner and Beth Malow, about their new book of the same name [“Striking Discord: Two Upper Valley Writers With Di erent Ideological Backgrounds Contribute to a New Book Aiming to Move Americans Past the ‘Politics of Contempt,’” February 18]. You have nothing to lose but your stereotypes.

Michele Morris JERICHO

#UNEQUAL REPORTING

Alison Novak’s article regarding Jeanne Hulsen suing the Burlington School District for $2 million omitted vital information [“Settling the Score: An Equal-Pay Lawsuit Against the Burlington School District Ends in a Nearly $500,000 Award,” January 28]. As a community member, parent of Burlington High School student athletes during Hulsen’s tenure, former teacher in the district and longtime member of Seahorse Pride, I must speak up. I absolutely agree that women should get equal pay for equal work , but we must not misuse #EQUALPAY to undermine its message and power.

1. Hulsen held a general contract and was never assigned the duties of head of athletics/district coordinator (for which she applied and was not chosen). The new BSD position takes a districtwide management approach to athletics, overseeing BHS as well as Hunt and Edmunds middle schools. Novak failed to mention that Hulsen was a hired tennis coach outside BHS and compensated for attending afterschool events at BHS.

2. BHS parent group Seahorse Pride supported Hulsen during her tenure and attempted to improve the athletics program starting in 2014. In 2019 Seahorse Pride presented a 17-page BHS Athletic Advisory report to the school board and superintendent Yaw Obeng. In 2020 the district established the new head of athletics/district coordinator position. No one from Seahorse Pride or the BHS Athletic Advisory was contacted by Novak.

3. Hulsen’s legal expert, Stephanie Seguino, was a school board member and chair of the DEI Committee during Hulsen’s tenure and requests for salary increase. Novak omitted this connection.

Our high school girls drove the #EQUALPAY campaign, with parent support, and Hulsen only spent $25 on a T-shirt. Now she has taken district money for a job she didn’t have. Hulsen was not paid the salary as head of athletics/district coordinator not because of her gender but because she did not hold that job nor perform those responsibilities; the position didn’t exist.

Signe Daly BURLINGTON

‘CRINGEWORTHY’ REVIEW

How strange and unnerving was Melissa Pasanen’s review that made constant reference and comparison to the tacky commercial food chain Olive Garden [“On Top of Spaghetti: Restaurateur Jed Davis Brings Italian American Comfort Food to Williston,” March 10].

This new Italian restaurant deserves a stand-alone review without smearing it with Olive Garden content.

Foodies look forward to Seven Days reviews of new eateries. This was cringeworthy and did a disservice to the creative Pascolo owner who is trying to o er a more casual, budget Italian dining experience than his downtown restaurant. Kudos to him!

And who in the hell is “Diane” to be criticizing the décor?

This was the worst-written review in the history of Food + Drink.

Kelli Brown SHELBURNE

FOND FAMIGLIA

What a lovely surprise to see Louis Giancola’s Remembering Mama and La Mia Famiglia among the Vermont books reviewed in [“Page 32: Short Takes on Five Vermont Books,” February 25]. In 1972, my then-husband and I moved to Rutland from Brooklyn and into the upstairs

apartment of Catherine Giancola’s home with our toddler son. Catherine was a delight, the Italian grandmother I missed so much — so welcoming, kind and nurturing, both with the abbondanza in her kitchen, where something wonderful was always cooking, and with her warm, enveloping hugs and offers to help with our little boy.

She and Louis had a special, wonderful relationship, and when she passed away, he gave the loveliest eulogy for her. I have never forgotten her or the great kindness she showed to me as a new mother and to our family as Vermont transplants. I am glad that others will now be able to read about her sweet but indomitable nature, her always tantalizing Italian kitchen and the odds she overcame to be able to raise her own lovely family. (By the way, the book is available on Amazon; the review did not mention this.)

Grazie, Louie, e congratulazioni!

Louise Goodrich ESSEX

SAFETY FIRST

[Re “A Question of Competency: Lawmakers Are Again Considering Creating a Secure Facility for Mentally Ill People Accused of Crimes,” March 25]: As lawmakers debate S.193, Vermont is having an important conversation about mental health, competency and constitutional rights. But one perspective often seems missing: the rights of victims and the public to safety.

Civil liberties must be protected. At the same time, Vermont’s current system leaves a significant gap between

voluntary mental health treatment and meaningful forensic supervision. When someone is repeatedly found not competent to stand trial, the system often cycles through arrest, evaluation, release and repeat incidents. Communities live with the consequences.

Competency restoration and the creation of a forensic facility would not eliminate civil rights protections. Instead, they would recognize that treatment, accountability and public safety can coexist. Many states have systems designed to balance these priorities. Vermont currently does not.

S.193 represents an opportunity to begin addressing that gap.

Transparency during these discussions also matters. When legislative hearings experience live-stream failures, late agenda changes or other barriers to public access, it undermines confidence in a process that should be open and accountable.

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DISCOVER THE PEACE OF MIND of being outside of the city in a neighborhood that oﬀers a rare blend of convenience and tranquility. Schedule your tour of Village at Autumn Pond and see why our residents love it here.

The Vermont Brigade to Save B&J’s

Dear Fellow Vermonters,

Help keep the ﬂame alive.

You’ve been there from the beginning — the old gas station on St. Paul Street, the pints in mom and pop stores across the state, the all-Vermont stock oﬀering in the ‘80s, the factory in Waterbury. Every step of the way, Vermonters showed up for Ben & Jerry’s. Now we need you again.

Magnum Corporation is systematically dismantling Ben & Jerry’s Independent Board of Directors — the body that has legal authority to protect Ben & Jerry’s activist social mission forever. They ﬁred our CEO — a 30-year company veteran — simply for respecting the Independent Board’s authority.

Jerry and I believe the only path forward is for B&J’s to become owned by a group of socially aligned investors, but Magnum refuses to sell.

We launched the FreeBenAndJerrys campaign to help Magnum Corp see the light. Already 120,000 people have signed letters and petitions to Magnum.

But the people who really understand what’s at stake are Vermonters. That’s why we need the Vermont Brigade— a self-organizing, leaderless listserv of your ideas, energy, and good vibes.

Someone already suggested turning Free Cone Day into Free THE Cone Day. (Wear your Free THE Cone Day 2026 T shirt, make a homemade sign, come and get your free scoop, support your scoopers and local shop owners and tell Magnum Corporation to let B&J’s be B&J’s.)

The reality is that the fate of Ben & Jerry’s is in your hands. If people stand up and make their voice heard, we will FreeBenAndJerrys. If not, B&J’s will become just another piece of frozen mush. I heard someone recently say, “We want the old Ben & Jerry’s back.” Me too.

NEWS+POLITICS 16

Back-to-Basics Medicine

An affordable model for primary care bypasses health insurance companies. Doctors and patients say they’re happier.

Burlington Cop Fired at Two Minors in Car, Prosecutors Say

Burlington’s Budget Blues

Once again, Queen City ofﬁcials must balance a spending plan that is badly out of whack

STUCK IN VERMONT

Senate Slows Its Roll on Act 250 Reforms

State’s Attorney Race Is O to a Spicy Start

FEATURES 28

Gray Matters

Older Vermonters bring time, life experience and a burning sense of duty to political protests

Marching On ousands gathered around Vermont for the third national “No Kings” protest

Why Do More and More Banks Keep Opening on Shelburne Road?

Getting Up There

Comedian and independent producer Gordon Clark spends his retirement setting the stage for younger comics

ARTS+CULTURE 44

Dark Truths

A new history book reveals that UVM hosted the longest-running blackface event on a college campus

Half Lives

eater review: e Children, Northern Stage

New Comic Recounts the History of Vermont’s First Pride Parade

Vermont Youth Orchestra Association Buys ElleyLong Music Center

Yes! We Have No Bananas What should art cost, and why is pricing it so hard?

Curator Heather Ferrell Joins Fleming Museum

Got Receipts Dining

Hour

Cannabis has not been analyzed or approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For use by individuals 21 years of age or older or registered qualifying patient only. KEEP THIS PRODUCT AWAY FROM CHILDREN AND PETS. DO NOT USE IF PREGNANT OR BREASTFEEDING. Possession or use of cannabis may carry significant legal penalties in some jurisdictions and under federal law. It may not be transported outside of the state of Vermont. The effects of edible cannabis may be delayed by two hours or more. Cannabis may be habit forming and can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. Persons 25 years and younger may be more likely to experience harm to the developing brain. It is against the law to drive or operate machinery when under the influence of this product. National Poison Control Center 1-800-222-1222.

Justin Morgan-Parmett found relief for his chronic pain by ﬂoating weightless in water saturated with Epsom salt. In January, he opened Float Away Wellness Spa in Williston

Burlington

South

MAGNIFICENT

MUST SEE, MUST DO THIS WEEK BY REBECCA DRISCOLL

Submit your upcoming events at sevendaysvt.com/postevent

SATURDAY 4

STRIKE GOLD

At Artistree Community Arts Center in South Pomfret, Nashville husband-and-wife duo Goldpine channel the human experience with a concert of harmonyfueled Americana tunes. Songs ranging from hushed ballads to hard-driving ditties feature lyrical introspection, reminding listeners to reﬂect on their own life journeys.

SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 67

THURSDAY 2 & FRIDAY 3

American Dream

After a sold-out run at New York City’s Under the Radar festival, experimental collective the TEAM brings Reconstructing to audiences at Hopkins Center for the Arts in Hanover, N.H. e new musical theater work — codirected by Rachel Chavkin, of Hadestown fame — employs fact and ﬁction to explore a pressing question: How do we move beyond our nation’s racialized history?

SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 65

FRIDAY 3

Work Hard, Play Hard

Middlebury College professors Michole Biancosino and Lida Winﬁeld bust through heteronormative barriers with laugh-out-loud satirical duet POWERSUITS at Town Hall eater. e comedic critique of gender roles uses theater, dance and outrageous costuming to confront authoritative archetypes found in our high-pressure, dog-eat-dog capitalistic culture.

SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 66

SATURDAY 4

Border Crossings

Musical worlds collide in Lincoln when transatlantic folk duo Hildaland take the stage at Burnham Hall. Orkney-born ﬁddler Louise Bichan and Indiana mandolinist Ethan Setiawan weave Scottish and Appalachian traditions with contemporary compositions for a sound that showcases the everevolving landscape of traditional acoustic music.

SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 67

WEDNESDAY 8

Getting Emo-tional

Fans of Pee-wee Herman, listen up: Quirky comic Emo Philips blesses Burlington with a one-nightonly performance at Vermont Comedy Club, where his high-pitched, quavering voice and ﬁdgety stage presence summon laughter in spades. Described by “Weird Al” Yankovic as “ﬂat-out brilliant,” Philips leaves a lasting impression, presenting dark subject matter with childlike wonder.

SEE CLUB LISTING ON PAGE 63

WEDNESDAY 8

Viva la Verse

At Montpelier’s Kellogg-Hubbard Library, educator and author Tina Cane shares selections from her proliﬁc body of work for PoemCity, the annual citywide celebration of National Poetry Month. e former Rhode Island poet laureate highlights the transformative power of the art form in schools and the importance of galvanizing the next generation of writers.

SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 72

CLOSES THURSDAY 9

Lost and Found

Interdisciplinary artist and educator Jen Berger’s solo exhibit “What Do We Do With What’s Left Behind?” invites moments of reﬂection and introspection at the University of Vermont’s Francis Colburn Gallery in Burlington. New multimedia works coax conversation — both internal and shared — about difﬁcult subjects such as collective loss and grief.

SEE ART LISTING ON PAGE 54

A BALANCED ACCOUNT

Cash in with the Money & Retirement Issue

Last week, the U.S. Treasury Department announced plans to put President Donald Trump’s signature on all new paper currency. Trump’s bushy scrawl will replace the signature of the treasurer, which, along with treasury secretary’s, traditionally has graced U.S. greenbacks. The move coincides with e orts to put Trump’s face on a coin, despite a federal law prohibiting the likeness of living presidents on money.

You could be forgiven for looking at the run date of this issue and thinking those are April Fools’ jokes. While undoubtedly gauche, the e orts are real. But the joke may ultimately be on Trump — and not just because he missed a golden opportunity to stamp his copper-hued mug on the penny, which was discontinued earlier this year.

While the U.S. is minting more money than ever before, Americans are using cash less and less. In 2024, just 14 percent of all consumer transactions were made that way. While new money may bear Trump’s John Hancock, most of us will rarely see it, if ever.

If mobile banking and payment apps haven’t quite ushered in a cashless society, that day is likely coming. Yet Vermont, it seems, hasn’t gotten the memo. In the return of our “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot” column, we investigate WHY THE STATE KEEPS BUILDING BANK BRANCHES, which are going the way of Blockbuster Video stores everywhere else (page 32).

One cohort that will most likely avoid using Trump bucks at all costs: anyone who attended “No Kings” protests around the state last weekend. At those rallies and many others in recent months, ELDER PROTESTERS have led the way, donating their time, experience and organizational skills (page 28). We don’t know if COMEDIAN GORDON CLARK was out in the streets, but given the political bent of the 66-year-old retiree’s material, we bet he was — perhaps marching alongside the younger Vermont comics he’s helped showcase (page 34).

Burlington’s “No Kings” protest drew thousands of frustrated citizens downtown. City leaders may face a similarly angry mob if they can’t ﬁnd a way to avoid another LARGE TAX HIKE (page 17).

Maybe they should ask the folks at Burlington’s Myti for ideas. Granted, Myti is an online shopping platform, not a

OUTDOOR SPRING

government agency. But it sure is innovative, as evidenced by its new MYTI LOCAL FINDER, a browser extension that redirects users to local options when shopping on Amazon and the like (page 5).

Keeping money in-state is key to a healthy Vermont economy, especially when a dollar doesn’t stretch as far as it used to. Remember when a dozen bagels cost seven bucks? It was 2006. We know that because the Seven Days food team kept the receipts — literally. That same dozen now runs $13, one of many examples of how FOOD AND MEALS HAVE BECOME MORE EXPENSIVE (page 38).

It’s relatively easy to track how inflation and other costs have affected food prices. Trends in the art world can be more elusive, given that even artists aren’t quite sure HOW MUCH TO CHARGE FOR ART (page 52).

They could take a cue from Burlington restaurant Gold, which lures customers with a vintage special that seems too good to be true. The Old North End hot spot is the only Vermont eatery we know of that still o ers a DOLLAR OYSTER DEAL (page 43). In other words, you can down four

End of an Era

In April 1997, Michelle Brown took a risky job at an upstart media company in Vermont. She’d worked for some radio and television stations in the Northeast Kingdom that were certainly better known. And the new gig involved selling print ads into a newspaper that published some risqué stu .

Michelle was four months pregnant with her ﬁrst child when we hired her at Seven Days. Unlike most of our account executives at that time, she had real sales experience. Her work helped transform our edgy alt-weekly into the must-read news source it is today.

Two daughters and 29 years later, Michelle is retiring. She has been on our payroll longer than anyone in the history of the company — except me — with a slight edge over 28-year veteran creative director Don Eggert. Sales director Colby Roberts and art director Diane Sullivan both started a little later, in 1999.

Along with the rest of the crew, Michelle has busted her butt every week to sell the advertising that pays our bills: for writers, designers, printing and circulation drivers. It takes persistence and a thick skin. Last week Michelle recalled a typical telephone exchange from the early days.

“I’d be like, ‘Hi, I work for Seven Days. Would you be interested in…’” “Seven Days Adven— what? Is that religious?”

“No, no, we’re the alternative week—”

“Oh, that college paper? No, thanks.” Click.

Michelle worked with clients in the retail sector until she returned to the o ce after baby No. 2, when we asked her to focus on populating our classiﬁed section with help-wanted ads. “The Free Press was killing it,” she recalled of the opportunity we all saw in black and white.

Three years in, she started to make some headway. “I went from 1.5 pages to three, then I remember the jump from three to five, five to seven, seven to 10, then 15. By year five, I was cooking,” she said. For more than a decade, Michelle was single-handedly generating half of the company’s annual revenue. We invested that money in building the news side of the operation and hiring sta ers who could reliably deliver all manner of great stories week after week.

The employment section got so big, it had to be printed separately from the rest of the paper. For years, before the pages were sent electronically to the printer, Michelle delivered the page layouts to a Franklin County press on her way home every Tuesday night. Although we fully expected Craigslist to decimate this part of our business by 2010, as it had done to every other newspaper across the country, the Seven Days employment section miraculously survived. No national platform could

Michelle Brown

MICHELLE’S WORK HELPED TRANSFORM OUR EDGY ALT-WEEKLY INTO THE MUST-READ NEWS SOURCE IT IS TODAY.

deliver the same quality — or quantity — of local jobs, and our secret weapon remained human interaction, aka Michelle’s personal customer service. Nonetheless, it’s been a bit of roller coaster. Michelle works on straight commission. During the 2008 recession, she lost 75 percent of her employment advertisers over a six-month period. The same thing happened — overnight — in March 2020. We’ve got

lots of local competition now. Almost every Vermont media outlet sells employment ads. So does Front Porch Forum.

Through it all, Michelle never complained about the fluctuations in her paycheck. “I feel like I’m the canary in the coal mine,” she explained. “If things are starting to get good, I see it first. If things are going bad, it’s me first, too.” As revenue from job ads waned after the

MONEY & RETIREMENT

pandemic, we asked Michelle to take on legal notices and paid obituaries, too.

I guess I should have seen her retirement coming. But I was still shocked and saddened when I got an email from her on February 11 with the subject line “It’s Time.”

The message was warm but also efficient and matter-of-fact — Michelle’s trademark. She explained that her husband, Mike, a teacher and coach at Bellows Free Academy in Fairfax, had done the calculations. They’re young to retire but plan to travel. “Thank God you guys started a 401k,” she told me later.

Hiring someone to replace Michelle was a daunting prospect, in part because we had never had to do it! But we had a pretty good idea of her plate-spinning skills. The last time Michelle went on vacation, it took three coworkers to cover for her.

For the past 10 days, she’s been training her successor, Gillian Comito, a Monkton native and Smith College grad who worked in inside sales for seven years at IBM. The two women have been in the o ce, shoulder to shoulder, transitioning Michelle’s accounts before her last day on April 7.

Like so many Vermonters, Gillian found her new job from an ad in Seven Days

Paula Routly

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Michelle Brown (front left) in the 1998 Seven Days staff photo

Michelle Brown in the Seven Days ofﬁce

Gillian Comito

Back-to-Basics Medicine

An affordable model for primary care bypasses health insurance companies. Doctors and patients say

they’re happier.

BY ALISON NOVAK • alison@sevendaysvt.com

The open house for a new medical office in Williston looked ordinary enough. On a recent Friday evening, a smattering of prospective patients grazed on fruit and healthy snacks, peeked at the exam room, and chatted with the owner and staff members of Blue Spruce Health.

But the flyer announcing the event contained clues that this wasn’t your typical doctor’s o ce. Asking customers to “Experience Healthcare the Way It Should Be,” the ﬂyer touted $0 co-pays and unlimited visits, wholesale labs and medications, and text and cellphone access to Blue Spruce’s medical sta . The registration fee for the practice, tucked next to a Union Bank branch in a busy commercial plaza, would be waived for those who attended the open house.

The owner, Dr. Umair Malik, started Blue Spruce in Newport in September 21. It’s one of a growing number of practices in Vermont that deliver medical care through a relatively new model known as direct primary care. Physicians who opt in do not accept health insurance and instead charge patients a monthly fee to provide primary care that they say is more personalized. Though similar in concept to a more commonly known version called “concierge medicine,” direct primary care touts cheaper care — fees typically top out at $200 a month — allowing doctors to see patients who are from a range of income levels rather than just high earners. It’s sometimes referred to as “blue-collar concierge.”

Doctors who practice direct primary care say cutting out insurance companies

Burlington Cop Fired at Two Minors in Car, Prosecutors Say

STORY & PHOTO BY COLIN FLANDERS colin@sevendaysvt.com

Burlington police ofﬁcers were dispatched to the scene of a potential kidnapping in the city’s Old North End last summer when patrol cop Jeffrey Baur came upon a car matching a witness’ description.

e driver attempted to ﬂee but rammed the car into a pole near the sidewalk. Baur, meanwhile, hopped out of his cruiser, slammed his door shut and ﬁred his gun, coming within inches of striking the two minors inside the car.

e scene, captured by Baur’s body camera, lasted less than 30 seconds. e ofﬁcer’s actions that day, according to the Vermont Attorney General’s Ofﬁce, were criminal.

Baur, 34, pleaded not guilty last Friday to two misdemeanor counts of reckless endangerment. e charges, which carry a combined potential punishment of two years in prison, come more than six months after the August 10, 2025, shooting.

Baur’s attorney, William Vasiliou, questioned some of the information prosecutors relied on to charge his client but would not provide speciﬁcs.

allows them to spend more time with patients and less on paperwork. It also saves them the expense of hiring sta to deal with insurance matters and solves the problem of relying on low insurance reim-

“I think the beneﬁt of the doubt, at a minimum, needs to be given to him that he was doing his job,” Vasiliou said. is isn’t the ﬁrst time Baur has sat at the defendant’s table. In June 2024 he pleaded guilty to negligent operation after he was caught driving a motorcycle nearly 100 miles per hour while off duty.

bursements. Though some direct primary care patients are otherwise uninsured, many often carry some form of health insurance to cover specialist visits, medical imaging or emergency care. A recent change in federal law lets patients draw

More than a dozen fellow police ofﬁcers came to support Baur at last Friday’s arraignment, including members of Burlington’s police union, which said it was “disheartened” by the AG’s decision to charge their colleague.

“He has been a fantastic ofﬁcer for the agency over the years, and we’re fully supportive behind him,” said Padric Hartnett, president of the Burlington Police Ofﬁcers’ Association.

Baur will be on paid leave while the criminal case plays out, according to interim Chief Shawn Burke. ➆

Jeffrey Baur in court

Burlington’s Budget Blues

Once again, Queen City ofﬁcials must balance a spending plan that is badly out of whack

BY AARON CALVIN • calvin@sevendaysvt.com

Taxes will continue to go up. Programs will be cut. And more city workers will be laid o .

That’s the grim reality facing Burlington, which is grappling with a budget gap of as much as $12 million — the third straight year the city has faced a multimillion-dollar disconnect between expenses and revenues. In an e ort to limit layo s, Progressive Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak is searching under the city’s couch cushions for solutions that don’t involve relying on property taxes to cover the di erence.

even as Mulvaney-Stanak pushes a “solidarity” approach to share the pain across departments.

“There is no way that we will be able to build a sustainable budget that keeps the city a ordable and also living within our means … without looking at how much the city has grown in terms of its operating cost,” Mulvaney-Stanak said.

After last year’s bitter round of lastminute layo s and grousing from Democrats that they had been sidelined in the process, Mulvaney-Stanak has been eager to start sorting out the budget earlier and share the burden of decision-making.

The mayor has asked each city department to submit spending proposals with 5 to 10 percent cuts. She’s committed, she said, to passing a budget that “does not overly rely on cuts and that does not overly rely on taxing local folks.”

One piece of the puzzle fell into place on Town Meeting Day, when Burlington voters approved a 5-cent increase to the police and ﬁre tax, which will make up about $3 million of the projected gap.

Democrats, who hold a slight majority on the council, are eager to avoid raising taxes further while looking out for businesses and the tax revenue they generate. But the caucus has been reluctant to specify where deeper cuts should be made. Progressives, meanwhile, have warned against “austerity,” which multiple councilors in the caucus described as a “death spiral” for municipal government. Both parties recognize that, in order to get anywhere close to ﬁscal sustainability, layo s will almost certainly have to be part of the equation,

Addressing the Board of Finance on March 23, city data analyst Nancy Stetson painted a portrait of the city’s challenging ﬁscal future following a decade of personnel growth and use of one-time pandemic-relief funding to cover costs. A neutral tax rate would allow the budget gap to widen, while even an annual 6 percent property tax increase would come close to — but not quite cover — the rate at which costs are expected to grow.

The city’s debt obligations have grown more than 10 percent over the past nine years. Since 2017, the surging cost of paying the city’s workforce has been outpaced only by the cost of employees’ health insurance. In that same period, property taxes were increased by 70 percent; direct revenue and the payment the city receives from its largest landowners — the nonproﬁt University of Vermont and the associated medical center — have failed to keep up with inﬂation.

Despite new construction and ballooning property values, the value of taxable property in Burlington is growing at less than 1 percent annually. MulvaneyStanak attributes that partly to what she cast as her predecessor’s overreliance on tax-increment ﬁnance districts to encourage new construction. TIFs divert property taxes from speciﬁc neighborhoods to pay for public portions of projects, such as sidewalks. The mayor cited the massive downtown Burlington Square development as an example, noting that the city won’t see a cent in property tax revenue from it until the 2030s.

The administration wants to make up $4.6 million of the budget gap by not

Senate Slows Its Roll on Act 250 Reforms

BY KEVIN MCCALLUM kevin@sevendaysvt.com

The Vermont Senate voted last Thursday to delay implementing some land-use reforms meant to better protect sensitive natural habitats after rural residents raised fears that proposed new rules could increase housing costs and restrict their property rights.

The vote came two days after hundreds of people crowded the Statehouse steps to demand that lawmakers either postpone the new environmental protections or repeal the legislation, Act 181, that created them. The bill, S.325, still needs the approval of the House.

Democrats argued that the new protections were necessary to protect headwaters, sensitive natural areas, wildlife corridors and intact forests but that more time was needed to make sure the new policies were crafted wisely and with broad public input.

Back-to-Basics Medicine

P.16

from health savings accounts — pre-tax earnings that can be set aside for medical expenses — to pay for their direct primary care memberships.

“I just wasn’t feeling like I was a doctor,” he said. “I was an employee. I was part of a system.”

The workload made Malik blanch whenever his father, a Pakistani immigrant, would ask if he was healing people. “I felt really disappointed,” Malik said. “Because many days … I didn’t. I prescribed a pill, and I had to rush to the next visit.”

The implementation of some rules meant to protect headwaters, for example, was pushed out to 2028, while those seeking to protect forests from excessive road construction were shelved until 2030.

“We’re extending the amount of time that our constituents can tell us what they want,” Sen. Joe Major (D-Windsor) said.

Temporary measures streamlining the construction of new housing around existing downtowns — changes credited with spurring a sharp increase in new housing — were extended, as well.

But Republicans blasted the idea that any new environmental regulations in rural areas were needed at all. They argued that Vermonters were already good stewards of the land and didn’t need more interference from Montpelier.

“What I hear from my constituents over and over and over again is, ‘Why don’t they leave us alone? Why do they have to micromanage everything that we do?’” Sen. Randy Brock (R-Franklin) told his colleagues.

The new rules were part of a broader land-use reform package passed in 2024 to spur new housing development by making numerous changes to Act 250, the state’s 56-year-old land-use law. It did so by

rules for

and towns while strengthening

Though direct primary care originated in the late 1990s, the model has garnered more interest from both doctors and patients of late as a result of “pressure points converging,” said Kelsey Smith, president of the Direct Primary Care Alliance, a national nonprofit that supports around 600 physicians. Those factors include rising overall medical costs and health insurance premiums, increased pressure on doctors to see more patients, and the loss of federal Affordable Care Act subsidies under legislation passed last year by the Republicancontrolled U.S. Congress. Some analysts believe the changes could help make the direct primary care sector an attractive target for investors.

In Vermont, direct primary care is still relatively uncommon. That may change as the traditional health care system continues to struggle and word of direct primary care spreads, though few see it as the cure-all for broader problems of medical cost and availability that bedevil health care nationwide. Still, five direct primary care doctors interviewed by Seven Days — each in a different part of the state and with various styles of practice — said the model has enabled them to find more job satisfaction and provide better care.

Malik, a native of Montréal, started Blue Spruce after working as a primary care physician at Newport’s North Country Hospital for seven years. In that role, he had more than 2,000 patients.

Starting a practice that operates outside of the medical establishment felt risky, Malik said, but he did so to “feel good about the work I do.”

When he first opened Blue Spruce, Malik recalled, some people thought it was a scam. But gradually he convinced people to join, often by explaining that the model allowed him to work for them rather than insurance companies or a larger, faceless system. Now, Blue Spruce has more than 1,000 patients, mostly in the Newport area but also in a spin-off office in St. Johnsbury and the year-old site in Williston. Across the three sites, the company has 10 employees, including a nurse practitioner, a physician’s assistant, a nurse and medical assistants.

Ed and Joan Camp of Newport, both in their nineties, began seeing Malik when he still worked at North Country and followed him to Blue Spruce. At the hospital, they said, he was limited to 15-minute appointments, but now he can spend an hour at a time with them; sometimes, he even makes house calls. The couple, who use Medicare for other medical needs, said the $1,000 they each pay Malik yearly is worth it because of his responsiveness, “supreme” care and help in coordinating with specialists.

Dr. Umair Malik

Corina Vandever, 61, signed up with Malik’s practice after moving to Newport from New York City last year. He’s helped her manage her blood pressure and thyroid issues and gain access to low-cost prescriptions and lab work. Vandever has separate catastrophic health insurance — a plan with cheaper monthly premiums but a high deductible — in case of an emergency but otherwise pays for her medical care out of pocket. She said the $175 monthly fee is more affordable than the high monthly premiums of a more traditional insurance plan.

I JUST WASN’T FEELING LIKE I WAS A DOCTOR. I WAS AN EMPLOYEE. I WAS PART OF A SYSTEM.

UMAIR MALIK

Most direct primary care doctors in Vermont run smaller operations than Malik’s. Such stand-alone practices carry all the risks of any small startup, and the offices may feel spare compared with some larger, better-equipped medical facilities. Practitioners sometimes work on weekends or eschew vacations when they can’t find another doctor to cover for them.

Dr. Marian Bouchard founded Fiddlehead Family Health Care in 2020 after practicing medicine in Bristol for decades, first in private practice, then at a federally qualified health center. In the latter role, she balked at being rushed from room to room to increase “productivity.” She didn’t

feel like the kind of practitioner she had aspired to be while in medical school: working out of a Victorian house in a small town, treating people in the community where she lived, she said.

Being a good doctor “is about connecting and building trusting relationships,” Bouchard said. “It’s about assuring the patient that you hear them, care what they have to say, and that their care will be proactive, not reactive.” Her current practice, located on a residential street in Bristol with a hand-lettered wooden sign hanging from the front porch, allows her to do just that, she said.

Bouchard has just one employee — an administrative assistant who has worked with her for 30 years — if you don’t count her disarming golden retriever, Cooper, who eagerly welcomes guests with a plush toy dangling from his mouth.

With fewer than 400 patients — about a quarter the amount of a typical primary care doctor — Bouchard said she can really get to know them. Longer appointments also enable her to do more thorough assessments of patients’ ailments, sometimes sparing them costly trips to a specialist. She can freeze off a child’s wart on the spot rather than send them to the dermatologist, for example, or figure out that chest pain is being caused by anxiety or reflux and not something that requires a visit to a cardiologist.

“I pay her a flat fee … to keep me well as opposed to paying a primary care provider when I’m sick to fix me,” said Stephen Harris, 76, who’s been a patient of Bouchard’s through all her modes of practicing medicine. Meeting with her feels like “a social event,” he said, “which is as calming and good for your health as any pill you can take.”

In Manchester Center, Dr. Leigh LoPresti, who began practicing family medicine in the 1980s, started his direct primary care practice two years ago after becoming “completely burnt out” practicing in other settings, including hospitals and HMO networks. With around 160 patients today, LoPresti said it doesn’t make financial sense for him to hire additional staff, so he’s doing it all himself — from answering the phone to drawing blood. LoPresti said he is “infinitely happier” being his own boss and delivering medicine in a way that allows him to pay closer attention to his patients and step off “the insurance hamster wheel.”

“Five people this week have said, either in an email or text, ‘I really appreciate you,’” he said, noting that he rarely heard that sentiment from patients in other settings.

Dr. Meghan Gunn, who has run Red Clover Pediatrics in North Bennington for 18 months, the state’s only pediatric direct primary care practice, also goes it alone.

“I’m the CEO and the janitor,” she said. Gunn works out of a house in the center of town that “feels like you’re walking into a living room, not an office,” she said. She sees about 125 kids, far fewer than the 1,200 she saw when she was a doctor at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center.

“Ultimately, why doctors have to see so many patients is to get reimbursements from insurance companies to make money,” she said.

If an increasing number of doctors opt to go the direct primary care route, Gunn conceded, that could exacerbate the shortage of primary care physicians. “But I had tried working within the [traditional]

model for so long,” she said, “and decided I needed to step out.”

That fatigue also spurred Dr. Anton Borja to open Integrative Osteopathic Family Medicine in South Burlington. Initially trained in Eastern medicine, Borja graduated from osteopathic medical school 15 years ago, then did a residency in family medicine. After teaching at several medical schools, then working at the Community Health Centers of Burlington, he launched his direct primary care practice in 2023. He also offers acupuncture for an additional fee.

Borja said he is grateful to return to the “bare bones of medicine,” with the doctorpatient connection at its core.

Sarah Lenes, 43, signed on with Borja after becoming frustrated with the lack of responsiveness from her longtime primary care doctor. She said her experience with Borja has been “vastly different.” She can call or text whenever she has a question or medical issue, and he responds immediately. Lenes likens the monthly fee to a gym membership: something that helps her maintain her “health and well-being.”

Another of Borja’s patients, Spencer Blackman, said he was seeking a more “relationship-based clinician.” Trained as a family physician himself, Blackman said he understands how the demands of insurance companies can hamstring doctors from providing personalized care to patients.

For years, Blackman has worked as head of education for One Medical, a national network of primary care physicians owned by Amazon, but he’s leaving that job this month. In May, he plans to launch his own direct primary care practice in South Burlington. ➆

Budget Blues

filling positions when people leave or retire; stepping up collection of delinquent taxes and fees; and turning to more one-time funds, such as leftover federal pandemic-relief money. An as-yetundeﬁned e ort to “reduce government expenses,” instituting a voluntary furlough program for city workers and selling a couple pieces of city property could save an additional $3.6 million.

City Council President Ben Traverse (D-Ward 5) chairs the Board of Finance and was a loud no vote on the proposal approved on Town Meeting Day to raise the public safety tax. He also believes the mayor’s plan to go after delinquent taxes is unrealistic and worries her attempt to get across-the-board cuts from city departments will not be as e ective as targeting speciﬁc departments for deeper ones.

the business community to the health of the city. During last year’s budget debate, they pushed back on MulvaneyStanak’s proposed cuts to the downtown events budget to protect retailers and restaurateurs. Burlington City Arts’ other programming is another story.

“The things that BCA provides that draw the public to the city, like the downtown festivals, we need to prioritize,” said Councilor Sarah Carpenter (D-Ward 4), a member of the Board of Finance. She questioned the city’s support for “more individualized” arts opportunities, such as classes. BCA recently said it won’t replace its curator and director of exhibitions, who is leaving the post after nearly a decade (see story on page 55).

Prog, Councilor Carter Neubieser (P-Ward 1). His primary goal is to put the union in the “best position possible” when working through potential layo s. He’d prefer to cut funding to programs run by outside entities, such as a University of Vermont Medical Center e ort that provides home health care and hospice services. He’s also proposed freezing cost-of-living raises

BALANCING THE BUDGET WILL FEATURE A LOT OF HAGGLING OVER

the mayor has done so even in the midst of these challenges,” he said.

Balancing the budget will feature a lot of haggling over devilish details. Deep divisions between the Progs and the Dems all but guarantee the debate will be contentious. Mulvaney-Stanak told Seven Days she believes the Dems have never embraced the “co-governance” required of them after she was elected mayor. Traverse took umbrage with the suggestion, noting that the council passed the two previous budgets with unanimous votes.

DEVILISH DETAILS.

The Progs know that cuts will be necessary but want to focus on building revenue and limiting the harm to city employees. They want to shift the tax burden from the working class to the city’s wealthier residents. Prog councilors back the mayor’s proposal to examine a “tax fairness” system that was stymied by the Dems, who opted to form a study committee for the idea instead.

Carpenter wants to dig deeper into which departments bring in revenue and which don’t and to consider turning to nonproﬁts or the private sector to assume some responsibilities. She pointed to the city’s recent decision to sign a seven-year contract with waste-collection giant Casella for recycling pickup. The city’s unionized workers supported Casella taking over the job but only with the understanding that it would be temporary.

This line of thinking puts Carpenter at odds with the Board of Finance’s lone

for city employees who make more than $100,000 annually, an idea the mayor has dismissed as too detrimental to retention and recruitment e orts for the small

Layo s will be one of the largest points of contention. The police and ﬁre departments have been placed o -limits by both Mulvaney-Stanak and the Dems. And last year’s deep cuts to the Parks, Recreation and Waterfront Department, as well as the merger-reorganization of the city’s ﬁnance departments, mean they, too, have little fat left to cut.

“I look at our wealthier people as the people in the family who have the ability to help the grandkids, who have the ability to help people in the family that are working hard and can’t do it themselves,” Councilor Gene Bergman (P-Ward 2) said. “If we don’t do that, we have this trickle-down approach, where we’re just going to let the market do it and somehow it’s magically going to make things better.”

This multifaceted ﬁnancial quagmire reminds Bergman of the 1970s, when rising inﬂation brought deep cuts to city hall. He’s pessimistic about the city’s ability to dig its way out without state or federal support.

One bone of contention between the parties has been the gross receipts tax on meals and alcohol. The council voted to raise the tax from 2 percent to 2.5 percent in 2024 and then kept it in place for last year. But the higher levy amount is set to expire at the end of June. It’s the only revenue source that has grown at nearly the same rate as property taxes.

To balance the 2026 budget, MulvaneyStanak laid o 18 city employees and left seven positions vacant, an unfortunate outcome for a mayor who likes to tout her pro-labor bona ﬁdes. Axed employees, including some with decades of experience, were escorted out with 90 days of pay. Some jilted workers aired their grievances at city meetings.

While Democrats consider this increase a temporary measure to help shore up revenue, Progs have consistently opposed letting it expire. Traverse said the gross receipts tax was not a “reliable” source of revenue and said there would likely be a “discussion as to whether or not” keeping it in place is a “smart approach.”

Mulvaney-Stanak defended her process but said she’s continued to hone her approach.

“It was still the decision of last resort last year, much like it will be this year, because no one wants to reduce the workforce,” she said.

Traverse has major disagreements with the mayor about how the layoffs were handled. He questioned whether Mulvaney-Stanak even had the authority to make personnel decisions without council consent. If they are kept in the dark until the last minute again this year, Traverse said, it may force the Dems to put their collective foot down.

Dems worry the tax drives away businesses, and they equate the success of

The 300 city workers unionized with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees are currently negotiating a contract with the city. Local chapter president Colby Delair said the sides are on the same page, for now.

“The mayor and the administration have voiced to us numerous times that they’ve learned from the mistakes of last year, which we’re very appreciative of, and that they are looking to not repeat those same mistakes this year,” Delair said.

Mulvaney-Stanak will update residents on where things stand when she delivers her annual State of the City address on Monday, April 6. After that, she and the council will dive into the budget deliberations in earnest, a full month earlier than the process usually begins. ➆

– Rich Feeley, Colchester

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POLITICS

State’s Attorney Race Is Off to a Spicy Start

STORY & PHOTO BY COLIN FLANDERS • colin@sevendaysvt.com

In her reelection bid, Chittenden County State’s Attorney Sarah George will face at least one challenger for the Democratic nomination this August: a former colleague who was once passed up for the job.

Bram Kranichfeld, a longtime Burlington resident who currently serves as the top prosecutor in neighboring Franklin County, announced on Monday that he will run to unseat George, who is seeking her third term in office.

A familiar face in Burlington politics, Kranichfeld served on the Burlington City Council for three years and, in 2011, unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for mayor. He also spent years as a deputy in the Chittenden County State’s Attorney’s Office, where his tenure ended on a sour note.

When his boss, T.J. Donovan, was elected Vermont attorney general in 2016, Kranichfeld hoped to succeed him and was one of three names sent to Gov. Phil Scott’s office as a potential replacement. Scott chose George instead.

In a campaign speech delivered on Monday not far from his home in Burlington’s Old North End, Kranichfeld positioned himself as the law-and-order counter to George, whom he sought to implicate for a rise in property crimes and open-air drug markets that he said plague the Queen City.

“As state’s attorney, I strive for a criminal justice system that is an escalator and not a revolving door,” he said.

While he did not name George directly, Kranichfeld spent much of Monday’s speech criticizing his opponent’s job performance, saying she too often places the needs of offenders over those of victims.

To drive home his point that Burlington isn’t what it once was, Kranichfeld recounted an experience his family had last October while participating in a local ghost tour.

His children, who were 9 and 12 at the time, were nervous about the tour, he said, because they didn’t believe Church Street was safe at night. He assured them it would be fine. But 10 minutes in, a group of young men approached members of the tour and threatened them with a Taser, according to Kranichfeld, who said the ordeal left him shaken.

Kranichfeld said he did not call the police after the incident because “even if they had shown up, and even if they had written a report,” he did not believe George’s office would prosecute the perpetrators.

Kranichfeld said the anecdote was an attempt to show that he understood all too well the concerns he’s heard from many residents in the Queen City.

“Many people I’ve talked to in Chittenden County no longer call the police because they don’t trust that there is going to be any kind of meaningful response,” he said.

Asked by Seven Days about the Taser incident in a phone call on Monday, George said it was the first time she’d heard of it. Kranichfeld’s criticisms about her job performance were also surprising to hear, she said, since he had called her a few weeks ago to say he planned to run and expressed no such complaints.

“It sounds like Bram is making statements based on what he believes is occurring in our courthouse, and yet I have not seen him here in nine years,” George said.

She added that she was disappointed to hear Kranichfeld pushing a narrative based on “feelings and beliefs rather than facts and data” on day one of the campaign.

“I really hoped that this campaign would be different from the last one,” she said.

Indeed, the progressive George faced a primary challenge from the right the last time she was up for reelection in 2022.

Local attorney Ted Kenney used a spike in shooting incidents and quality-of-life crimes to rail against George and her policies. Kenney rode into the primary on a wave of support from business owners, crime victims and emergency responders, and it seemed he had a real chance at victory.

But George handily beat Kennedy by roughly 20 percentage points.

Making her own pitch for reelection, George told Seven Days that her office is in a much better place than it was heading into the last election. Most of the homicide and shooting cases that had been piling up that summer have been resolved, she said, and relationships with local law enforcement agencies are improving.

The governor’s recent “accountability court” pilot program, meanwhile, has helped push caseloads for her attorneys to the lowest they’ve been in years. That allows them to spend more time on each case, while also addressing emerging issues, she said, such as the threats posed by a “federal administration that is constantly stomping on our constitutional rights.” ➆

Bram Kranichfeld

FEEDback

ICE BREAKER

Seven Days covered the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raid in South Burlington on March 11 and every related newsworthy development since. On March 18, we published “ICE at the Doorstep: A Federal Immigration Raid in South Burlington Would Lead to a Violent, Daylong Confrontation With Protesters and the Detention of Three Immigrants. Here’s What Happened.” Writers here are also responding to “Burlington City Council Grills Chief Over South Burlington ICE Raid,” March 24; “Judge Releases Second Ecuadorian Sister Detained in ICE Raid,” March 20; and “Vermont Law Enforcement Leaders Defend Actions at ICE Raid,” March 19.

So many questions after the ICE raid on Dorset Street. If it was the purpose of South Burlington police to ensure the public safety of their town’s residents, why did they not question ICE agents as they left the house with three people, two of whom were women, when the warrant was for one male? In a legislative hearing, Burlington’s interim police chief answered this question by saying something about collateral: If you go in to arrest someone but there’s a pound of cocaine on the table... But we’re not talking about cocaine. These were innocent people who were judged unlawfully detained and subsequently released. Where is the protection all Vermonters can rely on?

No doubt the situation on March 11 was difficult for all involved. My concern, though, in what I heard from law enforcement at the legislative hearing is that they are tending to protect each other rather than looking at how they may have contributed or not stepped in when they should have. My concern is also how we as activists ensure that our protest maintains integrity. I don’t find that expressing my anger in dehumanizing ways expresses our desire for humanizing justice.

What can we learn? My hope is that there is a full and honest investigation. I believe that only by all of us taking responsibility for our actions and humbly admitting our human mistakes will we build trust and hold the line as a community in the face of the unscrupulous forces of ICE.

Joey Corcoran BURLINGTON

I take police at their word that they deployed to Dorset Street on March 11

to protect citizens of Vermont. Given ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection actions elsewhere, the goals of Vermont State Police and of South Burlington Police in this case would have been to de-escalate and prevent death.

Perhaps that’s what they did. Our state and local police were in an agonizingly difficult position that day. ICE has filled its ranks with brutal, lawless and ill-trained agents. There was every reason to believe that these thugs hired by the feds would create chaos and violence. I believe our local cops’ efforts were to keep the thugs from shooting and maiming Vermonters.

One nagging question, though: Is it true that South Burlington Police Chief Bill Breault had federal agents in his command post that day? The Seven Days

article “ICE at the Doorstep” [March 18] describes Breault in South Burlington City Hall accompanied by “a local FBI official and an agent from Homeland Security Investigations.” Highly disturbing if true.

The record is ample and clear: The current U.S. Department of Homeland Security staff would greatly prefer not to be constrained by the U.S. Constitution. If Chief Breault thought cooperating with the feds would help defuse the situation or maybe give him a chance to talk ICE officials into going away, that seems like a poor calculation, to put it mildly.

If Seven Days’ reporting is accurate, each municipality in Vermont needs to adopt a statute banning DHS or FBI officials from their command post.

Matthew Witten STARKSBORO

Many of the comments regarding the March 11 ICE confrontation suggest that if we allowed law enforcement to do their job, the problems would disappear. According to leaders of state and local law enforcement agencies, a significant part of the problem is that ICE wouldn’t let them do their job of protecting and serving the people of Vermont and following Vermont law.

The day began with ICE chasing and attempting to detain an innocent man, causing accidents right outside South Burlington schools. They did this without any communication or coordination with local police. ICE then surrounded a house and attempted to enter a residence. The man they wanted to detain was not there.

Police worked to keep community members separate from the more

aggressive members of ICE. Police say they asked ICE to end the siege, and ICE refused. They said if they did not give ICE access to the house, then ICE would enter in a much more aggressive and possible life-threatening manner. They also said they asked ICE to leave a vehicle on the property rather than continue the conflict, and ICE refused.

Local and state law enforcement leaders wanted to do things differently, but ICE ran the show without willingness to compromise in the interest of public safety.

When you suggest that we need to support the law, please clarify whether you support ICE or you support Vermont law enforcement. They are not the same.

Scott Earisman COLCHESTER

Many people played a role in the ICE assault on Dorset Street, but only a small handful could control the outcome, including the United States attorney for Vermont. In 2021, he wrote in the Brattleboro Reformer: “Throughout Vermont, communities have been having necessary and overdue conversations about police reform … We want reasonable and rational police officers dedicated to serving their communities for the right reasons.”

Don’t those same expectations apply to ICE? If so, when you applied for a judicial arrest warrant on March 11, did you consider the threat to community members of an armed incursion on a busy street, near a high school and middle school?

Did you consider ICE’s dangerous behavior in conducting a vehicular stop at rush hour on a busy street?

Did you reach out to the South Burlington Police Department that had actively encouraged ICE to leave Dorset Street, to de-escalate and to pursue other avenues of arrest?

Did ICE tell you there had been three children in the home you authorized them to invade?

Weren’t you aware there were hundreds of community members on Dorset Street trying hard to protect a vulnerable family? Did you decide the apprehension of one nonviolent immigrant was worth the risk? What if the ICE flash-bang discharge in the house had injured a human?

It is not too late for all of us to honestly assess this travesty, to take a fair share of responsibility, and to offer both restitution and system change.

Gil Livingston

Scenes from the ICE raid on March 11

Vermonters deserve policies that protect civil liberties while also recognizing that victims, neighbors and families have rights, too — including the right to basic safety.

Kelly Carroll BENNINGTON

Carroll is the founder of Voices for Vermont Victims.

SCHOOL CHOICE IS A RURAL ISSUE

As lawmakers debate changes to Vermont’s town tuition system, families in the Northeast Kingdom risk losing educational opportunities that have supported our students and communities for generations. Recent Seven Days reporting on the politicization of education policy makes it especially important that lawmakers listen to families directly affected by these decisions [“Learning the Hard Way: School Leaders Say State Officials Are Politicizing Education, Fraying Their Relationship With the Scott Administration,” March 11].

As a Waterford resident, parent and business owner in St. Johnsbury, I see every day how school choice supports both students and the long-term health of our rural economy.

Three of my four children attend or have graduated from St. Johnsbury Academy. They are diverse learners with different strengths and needs. Some have thrived academically, while others required support through an individualized education program. In every case, St. Johnsbury Academy met them where they were and helped them succeed.

Our youngest child hopes to follow the same path as her siblings. Like many NEK families, we are not asking for something new. We are asking to preserve the opportunity that already exists.

For towns without a public high school, the town tuition model ensures that rural families have access to educational opportunities available elsewhere in Vermont. St. Johnsbury Academy and Lyndon Institute are among the largest employers in our region and help attract families and workers who choose to live here.

Students in independent schools represent roughly 4 percent of Vermont’s student population, yet removing school choice would deeply affect rural communities.

Weakening school choice will not solve Vermont’s education spending challenges. It will only take opportunity away from communities that depend on it.

Brooke Pierce WATERFORD

DISHING IT OUT

[Re “A Hater’s Guide to Small Plates: Small Plates Are Everywhere. The Joke Is on Us,” March 18]: Thank you for Chelsea Edgar’s hilarious, blisteringly accurate condemnation manifesto re: small plates. I fully intend to clip it out of Seven Days and savor the clippings … less than 250 calories on a plate, topped with microgreens or some such nonsense. I will flip the table. Or I will fantasize about flipping the table. Either way, I love her work.

Reuben Flieder HYDE PARK

[Re “A Hater’s Guide to Small Plates,” March 18]: Small-plate-style eating is perfectly common in other parts of the world (tapas in Spain, omakase in Japan, etc.), but unless you are a food writer, wealthy, a “foodie” or in the service industry like myself, that style of eating is uncommon here in the States — especially for the many blue-collared folk living in these parts. An introduction to the small-plate dining experience might be required. I think it’s uncultured and elitist to think otherwise.

Additionally, small-plate-style dining can reduce the amount of food waste at restaurants. Speaking from personal

WHAT ABOUT ISRAEL?

It was refreshing to read that Iran is “one of the more liberal countries in the Middle East,” where there have been “genuine competitive elections” that “the reformers have won” in the recent past [“Fighting Words: Former Diplomat and Vermont Senator Peter Galbraith Is Not Optimistic That the U.S. War in Iran Will Go as Planned,” March 11]. Hardly the caricature painted by liberals and conservatives alike, Iran indeed is “not monolithic” and is, in fact, a “diverse,

experience, it’s absurd how many diners can’t finish their plates and opt out of to-go bags. The smaller the plate, the less food waste.

Besides, how boring could you be to want a single main course for yourself when you can have a plethora to share with your tablemates? Perhaps try Olive Garden instead.

Rachelle Rodriguez WEST GLOVER

Hats off to the sheer comedy of “A Hater’s Guide to Small Plates” by Chelsea Edgar. It was the first piece I read in the March 18 issue, and she had me chuckling, then laughing out loud, then so hard I had to stop to breathe as I read. She captured the preciousness of small-plates places: the attitudes, the info from the servers. The last line that “Not every chip can become an astronaut” caps it off beautifully.

In a week of hard news, this was one of the funniest short works I have ever read. Thank you!

Chip Patullo BURLINGTON

Thanks for the big plate of funny [“A Hater’s Guide to Small Plates,” March 18].

Carol Minkiewicz FAYSTON

sophisticated country” that is the “most pro-American in the Middle East,” as former U.S. diplomat Peter Galbraith correctly states in your interview with him. Sadly, President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s unprovoked, illegal war of military aggression may change all that.

While your interview provided some needed nuance, you failed to ask burning questions related to Israel, which is referenced only in passing in the interview yet is on the minds of many former U.S. diplomatic, military and intelligence officials.

Namely: 1) Are U.S. soldiers being sent to die for Israel and Netanyahu’s lifelong ambition of destroying Iran, and are they enabling more stealing of Palestinian lands for the “Greater Israel” project? 2) Is Trump being influenced by “Israel-firsters” close to him, like billionaire Miriam Adelson and other rich, arch-Zionist donors? 3) Was Trump tricked by Netanyahu and Israeli intelligence into carrying out an assassination of the Ayatollah — the equivalent of the Pope of the Shia Islamic faith across the world — by claiming that his death would topple the government? These questions and others related to Israel’s role are being hotly debated in alternative media on the political right and left, but you’d never know it if just reading Seven Days .

John Summa BURLINGTON

COUNCILOR OBJECTS

[Re “Mud Season: For the Third Consecutive Year, a Burlington Election Campaign Gets Personal,” March 11]: I knew when I entered public service (serving on Burlington’s Special Committee to Review Policing Practices, the police commission and now as a city councilor in my second term) that I would be expected to talk to the media or the media would use recordings from various meetings to quote me. I have been, at times, badly quoted out of context, had crucial information left out, been the subject of sound bites from hell and been relentlessly attacked on social media. I realize these things come with the territory, but I doubt you can imagine my surprise and deep disappointment when I read the following statement about me in a Seven Days article: “Councilor Melo Grant (P-Central District), who often puts herself at the center of spats with her colleagues...”

I find this statement to be very demeaning. I’m a sitting city councilor; there is no need for me to put myself at the center of “spats,” as I already have a seat at the table. I have the right to represent my constituents. Your use of the words “spats” and “bickering” only serves to devalue important conversations about being truthful with Burlingtonians; tackling tough policy decisions; protecting democracy, including the rights and concerns of our residents; and working as a team for the city. If you think I’m outspoken, then say I’m outspoken. Otherwise, please ask more questions. I can back up what I say.

Melo Grant BURLINGTON

FILE: SARAH CRONIN

lifelines

OBITUARIES

Harold Leitenberg

MAY 31, 1939-MARCH 20, 2026

BURLINGTON, VT.

OBITUARIES, VOWS, CELEBRATIONS

Harold Leitenberg died at his home on Killarney Drive in Burlington, Vt., on March 20, 2026. Harold is survived by his three sons, David, Elliot and Joe, and their respective families, as well as his older brother, Milton Leitenberg. Harold was born on May 31, 1939, and raised in the Coops, in the Bronx, the son of Julius and Libby Leitenberg. As a very young man in New York City, he had the good fortune to meet Barbara Krause, who became his loving spouse for 48 years, until her sad passing in 2008. Harold and Barbara left New York City to attend graduate school at Indiana University in Bloomington, Ind., where they had their ﬁrst child at 22 years of age. After receiving his PhD degree, Harold and Barbara moved to Burlington, Vt., in 1965, where Harold joined the faculty in the Department of Psychology at the University of Vermont.

Harold was a pioneer in helping to develop the ﬁeld of cognitive behavior therapy and was passionate about using rigorous evidence-based tools to develop and evaluate behavior therapy techniques. He helped to found the University of Vermont Behavior erapy Center in 1972, which was renamed the Leitenberg Center of EvidencedBased Practice in 2016 to honor his contributions. Professionally and personally, one of Harold’s proudest accomplishments was mentoring many PhD students who went on to successful careers and in some cases became colleagues at the University of Vermont. His mentorship skills were truly exceptional as he developed decades-long relationships with former students, many of whom provided friendship and companionship through the last days of his life.

One of Harold’s favorite pastimes was to be near, on or in the water. He traveled extensively to visit beaches around the world. But he always returned to Vermont, where he spent many happy hours on the shores of Lake Champlain at the beach on Killarney Drive, where he lived for 60 years. He was instrumental in developing the Killarney Drive Beach Association and the purchase of beach rights that are shared by all interested residents of the Killarney Drive community. In addition to his time on the beach, he spent many enjoyable days in his canoe communing with loons on lakes and ponds in Vermont, often in the company of his close friend Marc Kessler. Our family is indebted to the outstanding professional and compassionate care provided over his last months of life by the hospice team from the University of Vermont and Harold’s caregivers, Lovell Rogers, Alex Komeyan and Patience Bannerman.

A celebration of Harold’s life is planned for Saturday, June 27, 2026, 2 p.m., at Meach Cove Farm, 291 Bostwick Farm Rd., Shelburne, VT.

Niko Henry Chernyshov

OCTOBER 30, 2009MARCH 23, 2026

BURLINGTON, VT.

Niko Henry Chernyshov passed away on March 23, 2026, after a two-year battle with metastatic brain cancer. Niko was born on October 30, 2009, in Burlington, Vt., to Alex and Heather and was a devoted big brother to his little sister, Ella.

Niko was proud to walk across the stage at Edmunds Middle School’s eighthgrade graduation in 2024, days after his ﬁrst (of six) brain surgeries and multiple rounds of chemo and radiation. Niko loved school as a sophomore at Burlington High School, strong-willed to go until he physically couldn’t be present. He was clever and witty, with a sense of humor beyond his years; it was easy to engage in conversations with Niko over a vast range of topics. He could sputter the stats of nearly every football player in the NFL, with focus on cheering for the Minnesota Vikings. He will be remembered for his fantastic sense of humor and his absolute directness, which continued right up until the end.

He was coachable. At age 5, Lego mini figures filled his pockets while running the length of the soccer field. He tried lacrosse and was put in every position with an open mind. A middle-school three-season cross-country runner, he stopped to “water the trees” and later joined the baseball team, proudly earning the position of “left bench.” His main passion was winter sports, becoming a committed skier since 2012 at Bolton with his family and friends. Bolton chairlift rides taught him many life lessons, from factoring prime numbers to “the talk” (the birds and the bees).

He loved hanging out with his “Posse” around a campﬁre, listening intently and

responding with sarcasm. He was a true friend, which developed from his obsession with Toy Story. Niko had a gentleness and a wisdom to his spirit that you don’t often see in someone his age. ere was something special about him that you didn’t need to know him long to see. He was kind, patient and sincere. People were drawn to him.

His chocolate chip cookie recipe is one of the best! Multiple years, session four Camp Billings pie-eating contest winner and Camp Ta-Kum-Ta chicken wing chow down were a testament to his love of fun food! Make-A-Wish adapted and organized the “Taste of Vermont” food tour. Cabot cheese, August First olive loaf and Shy Guy gelato were staples, along with weekly family dinners to Pizza 44; he has “Respect My Authoritah” (Triple B Buffalo Chicken PizzaBuffalo*Bacon*Brussels Sprouts) in his name!

He was steadfast to complete his first hike around Niquette Bay State Park at 18 months and completed a wet three-day fatherson hike along the Long Trail in 2023. A hike along Snake Mountain led him to Scouting, and he returned, tenacious to hike it again, this October, with walking poles and guided assistance due to lack of vision and balance. He was determined to hike full circle before his board of review to earn the rank of Eagle Scout. His

Eagle Project was personal: collecting new Lego sets for pediatric patients at the University of Vermont Golisano Children’s Hospital. Niko was extremely empathetic to those around him. Always a Lego enthusiast, he found putting together sets therapeutic while going through his own treatment, and he wanted all children in the hospital to have that same experience. Expecting a donation of only 70 Lego sets, Niko ultimately collected and delivered over 800. The project was recently awarded Eagle Project of the Year by the National Eagle Scout Association of the Green Mountain Council.

Niko loved the outdoors, lupins, lakeside sunsets and traveling with goals of visiting every national park. He made it to six. Acadia was his ﬁrst, at 8 months old, and his last was Biscayne National Park, while on a Sea Base High Adventure trip with Scouts in 2023. Boat rides thrilled him. While snorkeling in Mexico this January, he reached the dock and said, “I feel so alive because I’ve never been more scared in my life!”

Niko was predeceased by his grandparents, Vladimir

and Luisa Chernyshov. He is survived by his parents, Alex and Heather; his sister, Ella; his Grandma Diane Vonasek; his Grandpa Stan Vonasek and his wife, Laurie; and many aunts, uncles and cousins. Beside him throughout these past two years of treatment was Peanut, the family rescue dog.

Niko’s family would like to thank his care teams at the University of Vermont Golisano Children’s Hospital, Boston Children’s Hospital, the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Sloan Kettering. We were hosted by the Ronald McDonald House in New York City for six weeks and for multiple care visits at the Boston House. The family will also never forget the extraordinary kindness of family, friends and neighbors who rallied around them. Their help traveling from afar to run errands, walk Peanut and provide amazing meals made Niko’s illness so much more bearable.

Please honor Niko’s impactful life with a walk by the lake, campﬁre s’mores, a great ski run or by having a laugh with friends.

In lieu of ﬂowers, donations can be sent to Niko’s legacy Lego “Brick by Brick” project (give.uvmhealth. org/events/681/donate), Scout Troop 611/6110 (tinyurl. com/fornikoc) or Camp Ta-Kum-Ta.

A celebration of his life is being planned for May 9, 2026, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m., at Bolton Valley Timberline Lodge. Please wear Minnesota Vikings gear or Vermont ﬂannel formal, sharing stories with “anyone that gives a sh_t.” (Niko!)

Want to memorialize a loved one in Seven Days?

Post your remembrance online and in print at sevendaysvt.com/lifelines. Or contact us at lifelines@sevendaysvt.com or 865-1020, ext. 10.

James “Jim” Russell Barbour

DECEMBER 13, 1938-MARCH 15, 2026

WINOOSKI, VT.

James “Jim” Russell Barbour, 87, of Winooski, Vt., died on March 15, 2026, of COVID pneumonia.

Jim was born on December 13, 1938, in Chatham, N.J., where he was raised. In high school, he flourished as a soccer player and as a leader, serving as senior class president. He attended Rutgers University, where he studied English. After graduation, he was drafted into the U.S. Army. Stationed at Fort Polk, La., he trained as a medic. There, he met his first wife, Kay Hester, a Red Cross worker. After marrying, the couple settled in New Jersey, where their son, Keith, and daughter, Shelley, were born. During this time, he taught high school English while earning his doctorate at Fairleigh Dickinson University.

In 1975, Jim accepted a faculty position at the University of Vermont’s College of Education and Social Services. He was a gifted lecturer known for his warmth, honesty and humor. He was most well known for his class in Human Sexuality, which earned him celebrity status on campus. The class was a popular elective across all disciplines and filled one of the school’s largest lecture halls to capacity every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon. He was also known for his strong sense of social justice when it came to gay rights, women’s rights and reproductive freedom. He later served as chair of his department before retiring in 2001.

Jim was an early riser who adhered to routine and was happiest when engaged in some form of work — “leisure time” was spent on shop projects, yard work and house cleaning. After retiring, he devoted himself to the home he built in Shelburne with his second wife, Marilyn — adding a deck, planting trees and tending gardens. He was especially passionate about woodworking and furnished the house with many beautiful tables and shelves. He was disciplined about exercise and enjoyed taking walks at Shelburne Farms and on the UVM campus.

Jim and Marilyn separated in 2007 but remained close, as he did with her extended family, the Bigalow family, whose friendship and gatherings he cherished. He was a devoted father and loyal friend; his loved ones could always count on getting a phone call from him on their birthday. He will be sorely missed.

He is survived by his wife, Marilyn Gillis; daughter, Shelley Barbour; son, Keith Barbour, and daughter-in-law, Suzanne Barbour, and granddaughter, Lena Barbour; and stepdaughter, Katie Gillis Nolan. He is also survived by his brother, Tom Barbour, and sister, Elizabeth Herrera.

Mindy Wall Evnin

FEBRUARY 18, 1945MARCH 23, 2026

SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT.

Mindy Wall Evnin, 81, of South Burlington, Vt., died on Monday, March 23, 2026, at the University of Vermont Medical Center from complications of Parkinson’s disease.

The eldest daughter of Rabbi Max and Miriam Wall, she spent her adult life in the Burlington area, where she was a steady presence in the community and at Ohavi Zedek Synagogue, where she served on the board. Earlier in her life, she lived abroad, including in Thailand and Panama, before returning to Vermont.

James Haff Mapes

DECEMBER 18, 1930MARCH 26, 2026 SWANTON, VT.

James Haff Mapes, a lifelong resident of Swanton, Vt., 95, passed peacefully in his sleep on March 26, 2026, at Homestead Senior Living in St. Albans, Vt. James was born on December 18, 1930, to Frederick and Virginia Mapes in St. Albans. He was married on July 13, 1951, in Key West, Fla., to the love of his life, Doris Joan Zimmerman, who predeceased him on June 1, 2020. They resided for many years at a third-generation family home at 43 Grand Avenue in Swanton until retiring to their new home they built in the woods off Donaldson Road, where they enjoyed meals on the porch, watching the wildlife and feeding birds.

Mindy counseled scores of Vermonters as a psychotherapist in Burlington for decades and was deeply involved in the Burlington Boys & Girls Club. She had a variety of interests and was a member of countless clubs. In 2003, her life was forever changed by the loss of

James attended St. Lawrence University for a short time before joining the United States Navy. He served during the Korean War as sonarman third class aboard the USS Hale, a destroyer homeported in Key West, Fla., operating with the Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean.

Jim and Doris resided for a

her only child, Corporal Mark Asher Evnin, a U.S. Marine killed during the early days of the Iraq War. She remained close with his friends and their families in the years that followed, taking trips to visit them and sending them presents for holidays and birthdays.

Mindy built strong relationships across her life — with family, friends, colleagues, neighbors, Mark’s Marine buddies, trainers and others she encountered over the years. She paid close attention to people, quick to perceive what they meant and what mattered to them. Small gestures — cards, meals and messages — meant a great deal to her, and she kept in close touch with those near and far. She was known for being

direct and honest, speaking her mind and getting to the point, and for a strong sense of humor that embraced the absurd and messy parts of life — even in difficult moments.

She was predeceased by her parents; her son, Mark; and her niece, Sarah Antonoff. She is survived by her sisters, Naomi Novak and her husband, Gregory, and Shira Antonoff and her husband, Rick; her nieces, Rebecca Novak, Jacqueline Novak and Rachel Antonoff; her nephews, Jeffrey Novak and Jack Antonoff; their partners, Alison Novak, Margaret Qualley, Ernestine Carter and Chris Laker; her great-niece and great-nephew, Mira and Theo Novak; and many extended family members and friends.

short time in Harrisburg, Pa., where her parents lived until 1959, when they returned to the Mapes/Haff family home at 43 Grand Avenue in Swanton. He then became a U.S. Customs inspector, serving many ports in northern Vermont. He retired from service in 1985. Jim and Doris loved tending his vegetable gardens, enjoying nature and traveling throughout New England. He was an avid reader of Civil War nonfiction and had an enormous library, which he donated to the Adams County Historic Society in Gettysburg, Pa., a place he loved to visit.

On December 18, 2025, the Village of Swanton proclaimed the day James H. Mapes Day, an honor he was proud to receive.

Jim is survived by his daughter Jill Coleman and husband Phil of Biglerville, Pa.; son Kim and wife Maureen of West Swanton, Vt.; son Scott of Burlington, Vt.; daughter Kelly and husband Goldie of St. Albans; and son Adam and wife Lisa of St. Albans. He is survived by nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by their first son, Jack; his brother, Frank; and daughter-in-law Stephanie (Scott).

The family would like to add a special thank-you to the nurses and staff at Homestead and Bayada Hospice for their outstanding care.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in James H. Mapes’ memory to Habitat for Humanity. In keeping with his wishes, a private burial will be held at the family’s convenience at Riverside Cemetery in Swanton.

Gray Matters

Older

Vermonters bring time, life experience and a burning sense of duty to political protests

STORY & PHOTOS BY MARY ANN LICKTEIG • maryann@sevendaysvt.com

Snow, falling for hours, had forced cars o roads and turned sidewalks into mushy Slip ’N Slides pocked with puddles. Still, 74-year-old Linda Ayer of Burlington, rolling her walker ahead of her, made it to the city’s federal building to stand outside with 100 demonstrators singing and chanting to support an Ecuadorian woman inside.

Twenty-year-old Camila Patin Patin was the last of three people still detained after federal agents stormed a South Burlington home nine days earlier looking for someone else. A judge was considering her release.

& RETIREMENT

“ ¡Camila! ¡No estás sola! ” the crowd chanted in Spanish. “Camila! You are not alone!” they repeated in English. Being there was like therapy for Ayer. “The only way I can personally deal with what’s going on is to be demonstrating,” she said. “I try to do three to ﬁve a week.”

Ayer has lots of company. As opposition mounts in response to the actions of President Donald Trump and his administration, elder Vermonters are increasingly standing in the snow, hoisting protest signs at intersections, organizing rallies and joining sit-ins to advocate for democracy. They were out in force at “No Kings” rallies around the state on Saturday. (See page 29.) The woman who started those rallies in Shelburne is 82 years old. Residents of two retirement communities ran the “No Kings” event in Hanover, N.H., just across the Vermont border.

Although Saturday’s protesters remained lawful, older activists have demonstrated the willingness to defy authority in order to bring attention to their cause. Of the 13 people arrested or cited for criminal trespassing in February for occupying the atrium of a Williston o ce building that houses a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement data center, eight were over the age of 70.

While young people bring much-valued energy, ideas and digital expertise to political movements, their elders o er time, money and skills amassed over decades. They’re driven by a ﬁery sense of civic duty ignited by the changes they helped bring

about in their lifetimes — the advancement of civil rights in the 1950s and ’60s and an end to apartheid in the early ’90s, among other causes — and the stories they heard from their elders, who witnessed the rise of Adolf Hitler in Germany.

Some of today’s protesters, such as 79-year-old Hank Prensky of Burlington, have been activists their entire adult lives. His older brother took him to a Vietnam War protest in lower Manhattan in 1965, and throughout his careers in ﬁnancial management for leftist organizations and selling real estate, he has been speaking out.

“I’ve been doing this for 61 years,” he said, “fighting some of these identical ﬁghts that we fought 20 years ago, 40 years ago, 50 years ago. And you can either get really depressed — which I do some of the time — or you can keep putting one foot in front of the other.”

For others, marching and chanting is new. “This is out of my comfort zone,” said 75-year-old Betty Moore-Hafter, who stood next to Ayer outside the federal

courthouse on March 20. The South Burlington woman began demonstrating a year ago because she was “totally demoralized” by Trump’s election, she said. After her ﬁrst protest, “I felt better, and I said, ‘This is what I’ve gotta do,’” she recalled. “Now I know all the chants by heart.”

THIS IS THE WORST THREAT TO DEMOCRACY I’VE EXPERIENCED IN 80 YEARS … AND I CAN’T SIT STILL.

HANK PRENSKY

Elder activists are not a new phenomenon. Third Act, cofounded by Ripton’s Bill McKibben, began mobilizing Americans over age 60 for environmental and political causes ﬁve years ago. Raging Grannies International dates back to 1987.

Current antiauthoritarianism protesters are older, whiter and more educated

than those active in Trump’s ﬁrst term, American University sociologist Dana R. Fisher told Washingtonian last October — though activists opposing war in Gaza and federal troops in American cities have skewed younger and more diverse. Older demonstrators are “out there because they remember when this kind of mass mobilization worked,” Fisher told the magazine. “Peaceful resistance was a mainstay of their youth.”

Protests may appear to be graying simply because the country is aging, Dartmouth College political scientist Brendan Nyhan pointed out. On average, 11,400 Americans turn 65 each day.

“We had careers, we ran nonproﬁts, or we had white-collar jobs where we learned how to do all of these tasks,” said Jeanne Keller, a 74-year-old Burlington woman who hits the streets with the Resister Sisters, a Chittenden County clutch of women over 70. “We know how

Linda Bush and Sue Krauter

Marching On

Thousands gathered around Vermont for the third national “No Kings” protest

BY SEVEN DAYS STAFF

At some 50 different events around Vermont, thousands of people turned out on Saturday to decry the actions of President Donald Trump as part of the national “No Kings” protests.

One of the biggest gatherings was at the Statehouse in Montpelier, where U.S. Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) fired up the massive crowd with a speech that excoriated Trump on several fronts, particularly his authoritarian actions and the war with Iran, which he said is now costing $2 billion per day.

“Billions for health care, maybe. Billions for another oil war in the Middle East, NO!” Welch said. He left the crowd with a message of hope, noting that choosing love over hate and pushing back against injustice was having a positive effect.

“I say to you today, carry on! We have been making progress!” he said.

From a crowd of about 300 people gathered around the Winooski rotary with creative signs and flags to a huge march in downtown Burlington, our reporting team fanned out across the state to capture the action. ➆

A march in downtown Burlington

Meg Wallace at Roosevelt Park in Burlington

Protesters at the Winooski rotary

Families in Williston

Protest signs in Shelburne

Protesters in front of the Statehouse in Montpelier

to put on events,” Keller continued. “We have big Rolodexes.”

They also have the freedom that retirement and financial security bring, Prensky noted: “I’m not worried about what my community is going to think about me if I get arrested.” He has been — four times.

Speaking out is mandatory, many say. “It’s an obligation of citizenship,” said 75-year-old Shelburne resident Roberta MacDonald. She volunteered as a safety monitor at Saturday’s “No Kings” event in Shelburne, where she arrived with a boom box and played Joan Baez; Peter, Paul and Mary’s “If I Had a Hammer”; and “every protest song I could think of,” she said. “Even the truckers were honking.”

“I would love to spend my retirement sitting on the porch smelling the roses, but if there’s a wildfire burning next door, you can’t just really sit and enjoy where you’re at,” said Karen Bixler, who, with Prensky, was among those arrested in Williston in February.

The 83-year-old Bethel resident has been demonstrating for a wide range of causes since she graduated from college. She understands that activism doesn’t fit into everyone’s schedule. “I’m not gonna preach to a 30-year-old who’s holding down a job and raising kids: ‘Why aren’t you out on the street?’” she said. “But retired people who have time and really nothing to lose? Yeah. They should be out there, all of them.”

At least as much as their aging bodies will allow, Bixler conceded.

“I don’t have the stamina that I once had,” she continued, “so when I show up, I need a couple of days afterwards to recuperate.” Still, incensed about everything from ICE to the Jeffrey Epstein files to the harvesting of trees on public lands, Bixler is ready to do “serious” time in jail “if that’s what it takes,” she said.

She feels protected, to a degree, by the fact that she is old and white. When Vermont State Police arrested her in Williston, “they treated me with kid gloves,” she said. “They asked how my mobility was, and I said, ‘Lousy.’ And they said, ‘OK, we won’t cuff you.’”

In a Shelburne art room on a recent Thursday, 82-year-old Heidi Brouillette used black and red Sharpies to fatten the letters on a cardboard picket sign she was making for Saturday’s “No Kings” rally, the second she has organized. It read: “NO KINGS, NO WARS, NO ICE.”

The sign was destined for the demonstration at the intersection of Shelburne and Harbor roads, in the heart of the village. The biweekly protests she runs at the same intersection are on hiatus for the

winter so participants don’t get sick. Most are older adults, explained Brouillette: “At our age, a good cold can kill you.”

A handful of her neighbors worked on signs at the same table. Barbara McGrew wrote “RESIST” vertically down the left side of a sheet of poster board, then used each letter to list things she opposes: racism, environmental destruction,

Hebrew concept of tikkun olam, which is often tied to social action and the pursuit of justice.

“I’m Jewish,” McGrew said. “We’ve seen this movie before, and it doesn’t end up very well.”

Linda Bush organized the sign-making session. The 84-year-old grew up hearing stories from her father, an Austria native who passed notes for the underground during World War II and came to Hitler’s attention. Quakers working in Vienna whisked him to safety in England.

WE KNOW HOW TO PUT ON EVENTS. WE HAVE BIG ROLODEXES.

JEANNE KELLER

“My father fought in World War II,” Sue Krauter said as she began roughing out her sign. “Our generation … we’re more acutely aware of the rise of dictators and fascism and how it happens: Make the press evil; anyone with a different opinion is unpatriotic; all those things,” the 76-year-old said. “And I’m worried that the younger people and younger voters don’t see what’s happening.” She stenciled “SUPPORT” at the top of her sign above the words “science,” “free speech” and “voting,” then consulted Bush. “Do you recommend paint here or markers?” “Markers,” Bush advised. “They’re easier.”

“I’m a retired physician,” Krauter continued. “And this administration’s attack on science — and especially RFK — is criminal,” she said, referring to the policies of U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. He’s unqualified for his job, Krauter said. He’s not a doctor, and he has tried to upend vaccine recommendations. A federal judge blocked those attempts two weeks ago. If Kennedy’s advice is followed, Krauter said, “children are going to die.”

She and her husband have donated to causes such as Migrant Justice, she said, but the “No Kings” rally was her first experience standing on a street corner with a protest sign. As she prepared for it, she said: “I feel like if I don’t stand up at least one day, what have I done?”

sexism, intolerance, “self-dealing $$$” and tyranny.

McGrew is an introvert, she said, but she protests anyway. “I want to name what’s happening,” the 78-year-old retired union organizer said. “And fascism is its name.” She views fighting it as an obligation. “I feel we have a duty to repair the world,” she continued, referring to the

Pensky helped organize a march in Burlington. “This is the worst threat to democracy I’ve experienced in 80 years,” he said. “Anything and everything that the Trump administration has done to destroy democracy and elevate autocracy is an affront to me. This is everything I’ve lived my life for being rejected by my government, and I can’t sit still. I can’t watch it all fall apart.” ➆

Betty Moore-Hafter (with sign), Linda Ayer and Catherine Bock

Barbara McGrew

Willie Sutton was a bank robber extraordinaire, a talented thief who made large withdrawals of money that wasn’t his from more than 100 banks before he died in 1980. When finally brought to the ground, Sutton was asked why he targeted these institutions.

“Because that’s where the money is,” he replied, stating what to him seemed obvious.

Sutton would have loved the heavy concentration of banks and credit unions in Chittenden County and specifically a four-mile stretch of Route 7 from Shelburne Village to South Burlington. More than a dozen line the busy thoroughfare. It can seem like just about every building not related to automobiles — new and used car sales, auto parts, gas stations, car washes — is a place where the money is.

While most states have seen banks disappear faster than you can say “Blockbuster Video,” the Green Mountain State keeps adding branches. Perhaps nowhere is that more evident than along Shelburne Road. NBT Bank opened a new full-service branch last year, down the road from where Union Bank opened one in 2021 and SeaComm the year before. A new Chase Bank just popped up like an overdraft charge along a parcel of Route 7 once home to a gas station and a Pizza Hut, and it’s within spitting distance of a cluster of four other banks orbiting a Burger King.

Which made us wonder: Why the proliferation of banks on Shelburne Road? And what do they say about banking in Vermont?

Not including credit unions, there are 24 local and national banks operating in our state, including approximately 219 branch offices, according to banking records. M&T Bank, based in Buffalo, N.Y., leads the pack with 36 branches; Community Bank, headquartered in DeWitt, N.Y., has 29; and TD, or Toronto Dominion, Bank (hello, Canada!) claims 20. Chittenden County is the Big Tree among the brick-and-mortar set, with dozens of branches serving a county with one-quarter of the state’s population.

Beyond Vermont, the 21st century is taking hold. It’s now possible to manage your finances without ever setting foot in a bank lobby. Consumers can do everything from opening checking accounts to buying cars and houses on their phones.

Why Do More and More Banks Keep Opening on Shelburne Road?

Do you even know where — or what — your checkbook is?

State Banking Division Deputy Commissioner Aaron Ferenc told Seven Days that a cashless society may be coming but, like an Apple Store, not soon to Vermont. “There’s a lot of new

DO YOU EVEN KNOW WHERE — OR WHAT — YOUR CHECKBOOK IS?

technologies that will continue to be developed,” he said, “which will make it easier for you to do certain things without having to go into a main bank or a branch.”

According to FDIC data, bank presence in the U.S. held basically steady for 50 years. Between 1935 and 1987, the number of FDIC-insured institutions

never fell below 13,000 and never rose above the 1983 peak of 14,469. Back in those halcyon days, banks wooed new customers by offering them toasters or other small appliances.

Then things began to head downward. In the 10-year period from 1988 to 1998, the savings and loan crisis deposited roughly 5,000 banks in the trash heap. Within that decade, a third of the banks in the U.S. disappeared, dropping from 12,971 FDIC-insured institutions to 8,709.

There are now just over 4,000 banks left in the U.S. — 2,000 fewer than in 2012. If that same rate of loss were to continue, we’d be down to 2,000 before 2046. The number of bank branches would also shrink — from 70,000 or so today to less than 35,000.

“Technology has certainly brought a lot of convenience to banking,” said Scott D. Carpenter, who worked in Vermont banking for 42 years before retiring when he was senior vice president at People’s United Bank. But he added that Vermonters don’t want only digital options.

“They want to have it both ways,” Carpenter said. “They want the branch for the personal touch, but they like the speed and convenience [of online banking], too.”

Vermont’s rural nature partly explains why banks remain Main Street mainstays, Carpenter said. Because the population is so scattered, banks have to be sure there’s a branch nearby to serve people. Between inconsistent cell service and broadband deserts, online banking is hardly a universal option in the Green Mountain State. As Carpenter pointed out: “Not everyone in Vermont has a computer.”

In some rural enclaves, banks and credit unions are weavers of the community tapestry. They sponsor Little League baseball and other sports teams. They’re ubiquitous on sponsor T-shirts at marathons and bike rides. They’re also meetup places, akin to the post office or a coffee shop.

Lastly, as befitting a state famed for hardscrabble folk trying to make a living off the land, bankers here have adopted a more conservative approach to money

A new Chase Bank on Shelburne Road

MONEY &

matters. There have been few, if any, bank failures. “They’re not getting too far over their skis,” Carpenter said.

As for why so many banks on Shelburne Road, ask yourself this: What is the main thoroughfare through Vermont’s most populous and well-heeled county — northwestern Vermont’s Main Street?

That’s right: Route 7, aka the Ethan Allen Highway, aka Shelburne Road north of the

village. Banks build there because, to paraphrase Willie Sutton, that’s where the people are. And in a state with one of the most graying citizenries in the country, many of those people are old. Just behind all those banks are residential areas, including many retirement homes. And so aging Vermonters ﬁnd banks on their doorstep — computer literacy not required.

In much of the rest of the country, there’s increasing evidence that banks will someday go the way of telephone booths. Even bank robberies have fallen off. In 2003, the U.S. saw 6,530 robberies

of commercial banks. Twenty years later, that number had shrunk to 1,112.

Which raises the question: WWWD?

What would Willie do when he’s told that banks are no longer where the money is? ATMs for greenbacks. Venmo, PayPal, Apple Pay, Zelle and Cash App for money transfers. More and more people bank on these services, so banks just don’t keep a lot of cash these days.

“Cash in the vault is not an earning asset, so the banks can’t make money from it,” said Ferenc, the deputy commissioner. “So it’s a balancing act: They would like to keep cash at the right level [while] putting more into loans or investments.”

When I moved to Shelburne five years ago, I walked down to Route 7 and could see three banks from where I stood. They looked much the same, so I chose the one closest to my home. I don’t go to that bank often, and when I do, there are usually more tellers than customers in the lobby.

Outside, the drive-through ATM has a long queue. ➆

INFO

“Whiskey Tango Foxtrot” is an occasional series that aims to answer puzzling questions about life in Vermont. Got a head-scratcher we should look into? Send it to wtf@sevendaysvt.com.

Getting Up There

Comedian and independent producer Gordon Clark spends his retirement setting the stage for younger comics

BY KEN PICARD • ken@sevendaysvt.com

Gordon Clark didn’t let a bad knee stop him from jogging to the stage to open his Wit & Wine Comedy Night at Shelburne Vineyard in December. After thanking the sold-out crowd for braving the evening’s snow and blustery cold, Clark, 66, warmed up the audience with topical humor about climate change, the Epstein ﬁles and, a frequent subject of his, what it’s like being a senior citizen.

“If I’m not that old, how come my favorite social media platform is MyChart?”

Clark joked, gauging how many people in the audience had health insurance by which ones understood the gag.

Calling himself “too old for TikTok and too young for Life Alert,” the white-haired host and producer worked the room for

about 10 minutes before handing o the microphone to the ﬁrst of four comedians he’d booked for the evening. The youngest among them was half his age.

oldest and most prolific independent comedy producer. Much to his chagrin, he can’t claim to be the state’s oldest working comic. That title is held by Bob Alper, the 81-year-old rabbi turned comedian from East Dorset. Still, Clark is a close runner-up.

Bent Nails Roadhouse in Middlesex, Next Stage Arts in Putney and Zenbarn in Waterbury Center. In the process, he provides comedians of all stripes with venues to hone their skills outside the established comedy club circuit.

Jokingly calling him “the funniest octogenarian we know,” Blain Matthews at Bent Nails Roadhouse said Gordon’s shows routinely pack the house.

Despite his proliﬁc work as a producer, Clark is a relative newcomer to comedy. He only went up on stage for the ﬁrst time in his mid-fifties, he explained during an interview a couple months after the December gig in Shelburne. Clark arrived at a downtown Burlington café with a noticeable limp, the result of a recent knee surgery, he said. It’s one of several age-related ailments that provide regular fodder for his routines.

Clark was born and raised in Philadelphia. His father, an architect, had a dry wit and enjoyed making people laugh, he said. His mother was a professional singer who worked the nightclub circuit in New York City and the Borscht Belt, a summer resort area of the Catskill Mountains popular among Jews in the mid-20th century. Clark attributes his booming voice to his mother — he can work a room without a microphone if he chooses. He also credits her for his night-owl tendencies. His mother kept a nightclub singer’s hours well into her old age, sleeping until noon every day and staying up past 3 a.m. every night.

Clark spent 20 years doing political advocacy work in Washington, D.C., for such organizations as Peace Action, Chesapeake Climate Action Network and Greenpeace. But by 2016 he and his wife, Emily Piccirillo, an art therapist, were tired of the D.C. scene.

It’s an industry maxim that standup is a young person’s game. A Vermont open mic typically features comics in their twenties and thirties who ri on the latest dating and hookup apps, low-wage day jobs, and adulting. As for bits about the shortcomings of Medicare, memory loss and the challenge of ﬁnding a good urologist? Not so much.

In that regard, Clark has carved out his part-time retirement gig as Vermont’s

As comedy producers go, however, Clark has little competition. In the past five years, his nonprofit Vermont Comedy All-Stars has produced at least 110 standup shows around the state and paid out more than $23,000 to dozens of local and regional comics, including Tina Friml, Max Higgins, Jared Hall, Maggie Phelan and Josie Leavitt. In addition to his near-monthly gig at Shelburne Vineyard, Clark has also mounted shows at the now-defunct Nectar’s in Burlington,

The couple initially considered a move to British Columbia — until a visit there during a particularly bad wildﬁre season disabused them of that idea. Because Clark had vacationed in New England and the Adirondacks during his childhood, “Vermont felt like a second home,” he said. So they gave Burlington a try and settled in the South End. His ﬁrst local job was working on David Zuckerman’s 2016 campaign for lieutenant governor.

Clark got started in comedy the

Gordon Clark

following year by taking a beginners’ standup class at Vermont Comedy Club. His old-school style is neither biting nor overly sarcastic; after his one-liners, one almost waits for the requisite rim shot.

During December’s Wit & Wine show, he cited a recent study showing that, of all the U.S. cities affected by climate change, Burlington ranked No. 1.

“I was just as shocked as you are,” he said. “They call Burlington a city?”

After a few years of performing at open mics, Clark tried his hand as an independent producer. If timing is key in standup, he chose the worst possible moment imaginable: spring 2020, just as COVID-19 was ramping up. Assuming the pandemic would last only a month or two, he booked his first show, at Nectar’s, in October 2020, then quickly had to transition to online events.

But Clark stuck with it and by June 2021 was booking monthly shows at various Burlington venues, as well as Next Stage Arts and what was then Bent Nails Bistro in Montpelier. These days, he produces and hosts at least three shows per month — he frets until he hears they’re nearly full or sold out — and also performs his own solo sets at comedy clubs around the state.

Putting together a comedy event isn’t all that different from organizing a political rally, he said. Both require raising money, getting people to show up and making sure everyone onstage gets paid afterward. No one is getting rich off his shows, he noted. A local comic will take home $50; an out-of-towner, $100. While what Clark pays himself amounts to little more than gas money, producing comedy nights “gets me out of the house,” he said. “I wouldn’t be doing shows unless I was getting minutes [onstage] out of it.”

Mostly, Clark considers his shows a community service that allows other comedians stage time to hone their craft — a view shared by others in Vermont’s comedy scene.

“I’m not just speaking for myself when I say that we all appreciate the opportunities that Gordon brings in providing these shows,” said Tracy Dolan, director of the Vermont State Refugee Office, who moonlights as a comedian and occasional standup instructor.

Clark has a knack for booking lineups with a good mix of ages, material and comedic styles that appeal to the widest audiences, Dolan added. And he’s respectful of comics’ time and doesn’t rush them offstage if they run long.

“Gordon cares about community at every level — local, national and global

GORDON CARES ABOUT COMMUNITY AT EVERY LEVEL, AND THAT COMES THROUGH IN HIS COMEDY.

MAGGIE MAXWELL

—and that comes through in his comedy,” Burlington comic Maggie Maxwell wrote in an email. “In his own hilariously incisive material and in the shows he carefully curates, Gordon creates opportunities for comedy to punch up at power structures while providing audiences with much-needed catharsis.”

Given his many years in D.C., Clark routinely performs political humor. That he’s one of the few Vermont comics who does initially surprised him, especially in a state known for its activism.

“I didn’t choose to do it because no one else is doing it. It’s just been part of my life for so long,” he said. “Even before the orange menace,” he went on, referring to President Donald Trump, “there was plenty of stuff to make fun of.”

When Clark turned 60, he assumed he’d only be doing comedy for a little while longer. But as the opportunities kept coming, he’s stuck with it. How long does he plan to keep it up?

“Until the phone stops ringing,” he said. ➆

INFO

Gordon Clark’s next shows are Friday, April 17, 7:30 p.m., at Bent Nails Roadhouse in Middlesex; and Friday, April 24, 8 p.m., at Shelburne Vineyards in Shelburne. Learn more at facebook.com/vermontcomedyallstars.

Hatching

any

new projects this spring?

Do you have spring planting or digging projects? Call DigSafe first!

If you plan to do any type of digging on your property, you or your contractor must contact Dig Safe™ at 811at least 72 hours prior to digging.

Dig Safe will notify member utilities, who will locate buried facilities they own and ensure they are clearly marked. If you plan to work within 18 inches of the marked lines, please make sure it is dug by hand.

How to Detect a Gas Leak

Smell: Natural gas is normally odorless. VGS adds an odorant similar to the smell of rotten eggs, so it can be easily recognized.

Sight: You may see a white cloud, mist, fog, bubbles in standing water, or blowing dust. You may also see vegetation that appears to be dead or dying.

Sound: It may result in an unusual noise that replicates the sound of roaring, hissing, or whistling.

Move immediately to a safe location. Call VGS at 800639-8081 or call 911 with the exact location. Do not smoke or operate electrical switches or appliances. These items may produce a spark that might result in a dangerous condition. Do not assume someone else will report the condition.

Be safe

Scan the QR Code or visit vgsvt.com/ be-safe for more safety information.

Invest in Your Neighbors

Through the Vermont Community Loan Fund, impact investors are putting their money toward supporting a ordable housing, child care and local businesses. It's easier than you might think.

from community members could be collected and repurposed as ﬂexible loans to aﬀordable housing developers, local businesses and other projects that might be considered too risky for traditional bank loans.

CA Saint George resident, Zhu had worked as a product manager at Burton for nine years. That experience gave her confidence that she could fill the gap in the market. There was just one problem: Zhu could not find a bank to finance the idea.

“Lenders prioritize less risky projects, and as a startup, we didn’t have anything,” she said. That’s when she reached out to the Vermont Community Loan Fund, a mission-driven alternative lender working to create a just and thriving Vermont. VCLF was

laire Zhu and her two kids, ages 9 and 12, are avid snowboarders. But when they were younger, Zhu struggled to ﬁnd high-quality gear that kept them warm on the mountain. Five years ago, she decided to solve that problem for herself and other parents like her by starting her own children’s outerwear brand, Hootie Hoo.

able to oﬀer her a loan backed by the Small Business Administration, giving her the boost she needed to get started.

Since then, Zhu has steadily grown her business every year. Big-name retail stores such as evo and REI now stock Hootie Hoo products. Ski magazine named Hootie Hoo as its best kids’ ski jacket for 2026. Because her enterprise is seasonal, Zhu relies on loans to supply big orders to retail partners, who won’t pay for the products until they’re received. “We’re

always able to pay back on time and right away,” she added.

Zhu said her business wouldn’t be where it is without VCLF: “I would’ve had to ﬁnd outside investors, and that would have taken so much more time.”

The Vermont Community Loan Fund was formed in 1987 as a response to the tightening of federal aﬀordable housing funding during the Reagan administration. “At that time, a lot of states came up with their own mechanisms for funding housing,” said Jake Ide, director of investment and philanthropy at VCLF. “If the federal government was going to pull back money, we were going to come up with a solution of our own.”

The ﬁx was as Vermont as you can get: regular folks coming together to solve a problem. Impact investments

Loans from VCLF such as Zhu’s are a result of impact investing. While it is similar to traditional investing, impact investing isn’t focused only on ﬁnancial returns. Impact investors direct their funds toward people and initiatives that result in both ﬁnancial gains for the investor and positive outcomes for the broader community.

Although impact investing aligns with many of the goals of philanthropy, there is a diﬀerence. The funds are invested rather than donated. Impact investors at the Vermont Community Loan Fund are repaid their funds in full, with interest, at maturity; until then, their money continues to circulate into new projects across the state.

While VCLF was initially created to support such aﬀordable housing projects, its goal is to support the community, or, as Ide put it, anything that addresses the larger issues that aﬀect communities in Vermont today.

Over the years, VCLF has grown. With offices centrally located in Montpelier, its lending projects have touched virtually every Vermont town and village, in every corner of the state. In addition to affordable housing projects, its portfolio now includes local businesses, childcare programs and other nonprofits — a total of 318 loans that represent more than $40 million in impact capital. Where a traditional investor might see a $40 million portfolio, VCLF and the impact investors that drive it see the deeper impacts beyond the dollars: employment for 2,300 Vermonters; affordable homes for 1,200 Vermont households, families, individuals and seniors; quality early care for almost 1,700 children and families; and essential quality-of-life services for more than 191,000 Vermonters.

“There are positive community impacts with every loan we make,” Ide said. “Even when we’re not lending directly to folks who’ve been denied access, we’re still lending to businesses, programs and projects that beneﬁt Vermonters who need us most. Ultimately, that’s what our impact investors are investing in: a stronger, more resilient, more inclusive Vermont.”

Hootie Hoo creator Claire Zhu with her kids Cyrus (left) and Elle Winters at Cochran’s Ski Area in Richmond, Vt.

Because of the fast growth of Zhu’s business, she was able to apply for additional support through VCLF’s Justice Forward Fund, which supports BIPOC Vermonters. The fund has a simpler application and quicker decision process, as well as no minimum collateral requirements, to better serve Vermonters who have historically struggled to access capital from traditional lenders and ﬁnancial systems. What does that mean for Hootie Hoo? Zhu will be able to hire another full-time employee in addition to herself. She’s also planning to rent an oﬃce instead of working in her garage.

DOING SOME GOOD

Who can be a VCLF impact investor? Just about everyone. “You don’t need to have high net worth,” Ide said. “A lot of people hear the word ‘investment’ and think that it’s for someone of a speciﬁc economic status, but we have investment options for folks at all levels.”

VCLF investments can range from a minimum of $1,000 to well over $1 million. “There’s a huge mix of people from diﬀerent backgrounds that make our work possible, and it all has an impact,” Ide said.

VCLF is certiﬁed by the U.S. Treasury as a Community Development Financial Institution, or CDFI. These are lenders with a mission to provide fair, responsible ﬁnancing to communities that haven’t had access to it previously. Unlike traditional banks, CDFIs specialize in helping underresourced communities.

Impact investing with VCLF is easy. On its website, you can apply to become an impact investor through a quick form, then set up how you’ll move the money. You decide how long to invest and how you’ll receive the interest you’ll earn. When your impact investment matures, you can choose to be repaid or reinvest. “Nine out of 10 of our investors choose to renew,” Ide added.

One of the reasons Renee Reiner, who co-owns Phoenix Books with her husband, Michael DeSanto, invests with VCLF is to support projects such as housing. Renee opened two impact investments at VCLF, one supporting the organization’s general lending and one dedicated

on Allen Street in Burlington, is the vibrant center of a lower-income area of the city. It brings community members together as a children’s theater, childcare center and event hall — and it wouldn’t have been possible without a $2 million loan from VCLF, the largest loan from VCLF at the time, to the Champlain Housing Trust.

“That was not a typical project, and a bank could not support all of the ﬁnancing we needed,” said Michael Monte, chief executive oﬃcer of the Champlain Housing Trust, “but we brought it to the Vermont Community Loan Fund, and they were immediately on board. They understood the value of this community center.”

The Champlain Housing Trust formed from the 2006 merger of two parent groups, the Burlington Community Land Trust and the Lake Champlain Housing Development Corporation. Anyone who has tried to look for housing in Vermont can tell you that the trust provides a service that is desperately needed.

speciﬁcally to the organization’s aﬀordable housing work, which she described as both important to her and a pressing community need.

“VCLF are experts in the philanthropic sector,” she said. “Their work is boots on the ground, learning about the community and the community’s needs.”

After Reiner’s father passed in 2020, she was in a position to do more philanthropic work, and VCLF was one of the organizations that she researched and reached out to.

As a small-business owner who has applied for loans from banks and been rejected in the past, she recognized that VCLF’s work strongly aligns with her values.

“We had to jump through so many hoops [to apply for a traditional loan], and in the end the bank still said no.

The fact that a small-business owner can go to the Loan Fund and actually get that loan, to me that is terriﬁc,” she

said. “It is extraordinary that they are a place that can say yes when banks have to say no.”

VCLF’s impact investments are customizable, so the investor earns interest and is repaid on a schedule of their choosing. Jim Wick, 85, is a retired architect who lives in Shelburne. He has a Social Investment Cash Account, which allows the investor to make additions and withdrawals and has no set maturity date.

Wick started investing in 2017, after hearing about VCLF from a neighbor. He said he believes in supporting housing, childcare and small businesses. To Wick, it’s very important to invest in things that are locally owned, providing support for services that stays in the community where he lives.

“I don’t accumulate a lot of interest. That’s not why I decided to do it,” Wick said. “I do it because I hope it does some good in my community.”

BUILDING UP VERMONT’S AFFORDABLE HOUSING

The Old North End Community Center, previously St. Joseph’s School,

“We certainly have lots of people that need housing,” Monte said. The Trust has 3,700 apartments and homes, which is “a fairly large number for northwest Vermont,” yet more than 300 people still rely on shelters in Burlington, he said.

Many of the Trust’s projects have been made possible by VCLF, which has provided the organization with 32 loans since 1984, resulting in a total of $18.8 million in aﬀordable housing for Vermonters.

“They’ve always been someone we can go to,” Monte said. “They bring ﬂexibility that’s needed for these projects, and the interest rates are competitive. VCLF can go above and beyond what a bank can do, and that has had real value to us for decades.”

Vermont faces no shortage of challenges now, whether housing, supporting small businesses or providing necessary childcare services. By investing with VCLF, Vermonters have the opportunity to fund these things and ensure that their money stays local. 

Left: Bright Street Project. Right: Renee Reiner and Michael DeSanto, owners of Phoenix Books

food+drink

We’ve Got Receipts

Dining out has gotten more expensive. Two decades of restaurant tabs prove it.

BY JORDAN BARRY • jbarry@sevendaysvt.com

Idistinctly remember the ﬁrst time I paid $15 for a cocktail. I lived in New York City, and the tiny bar had a reputation that convinced me it would be worth the splurge. It was. But I only had one Sharpie Mustache before leaving Amory Amargo for a dive around the corner. It was 2016, and I was pretty broke.

Ten years later, $15 is standard for a booze-forward cocktail in Burlington. The most interesting drink I’ve had this year was $22 — though I only had one of those, too. And cost creep at restaurants isn’t conﬁned to cocktails: $15 burgers are now $19, and dollar oysters are nearly extinct (see page 43).

Pasanen, is a meticulous record keeper. As a former freelancer, she’s held on to a big stack of restaurant receipts. (Maybe too big, she admitted, handing me stu ed folders marked “Dining 2006” and “2016 Melissa Expenses.”)

Burlington. (Back then, my college-student restaurant meals were limited to half-price burger night at the Scu er. Memory says I paid $6, but I didn’t keep the receipt.)

Operating restaurants has gotten more expensive, and that means higher menu prices. But just how much higher? Is it all inﬂation, or do food businesses need to charge even more than society-wide cost increases to stay aﬂoat?

Thankfully, my food-team colleague, Melissa

The tax overlords might not be interested in her itemized deductions from a decade ago — and they’re definitely not interested in where she ate two decades ago. But the faded slips and hand-scrawled guest checks are a time capsule of Vermont restaurant history. They stirred up memories of gravy fries at Nectar’s and a 400 Burger at ArtsRiot in Burlington, smoked wings at Antidote in Vergennes, venison cigar rolls at the Bearded Frog in Shelburne, and rabbit-bacon pie at Piecemeal Pies in White River Junction, all of which have closed since 2016.

The 2006 folder is full of long-gone establishments such as L’Amante, Smokejacks and the Oasis Diner in

I dug into the archive in an attempt to figure out just how much prices have gone up, destroying any sort of organization system Melissa may have had. At the restaurants that persist, menu items have gotten more expensive across the board — and most price increases outpace inflation. While portion sizes may have gone up — and this isn’t a scientifically controlled experiment — the trend for years has been toward smaller plates. For comparison’s sake, we’ll assume portion sizes have remained the same.

2006

At Tiny Thai Restaurant in Winooski, nam tok salad — also known as waterfall beef — jumped from $7.95 in 2006 to $18 on today’s online menu. A dozen bagels at Myer’s Bagels in Burlington cost $7.20 20 years ago. Now, in the business’ new home as Myer’s Wood Fired

HAVE TO PASS SOME OF THAT COST ON TO THE GUEST.

CURIOUS HOW MUCH MENU PRICES HAVE CHANGED IN THE PAST 20 YEARS?

Here are examples from Vermont restaurants straight out of an archive of receipts. Highlighting a single dish that’s still offered at each spot, we compared the original price — from 2006 or 2016 — with what’s listed on the menu in 2026. We also calculated what the original price would be if adjusted for inﬂation.

TO PURCHASE TICKETS IN ADVANCE AND GET MORE

in South Burlington, half a dozen cost $7.50. (For more examples, see receipts on page 38.)

I’m not surprised. That global pandemic in 2020 really did a number on restaurant wages, insurance premiums and ingredient prices — most of which haven’t declined since.

burger with one patty instead of two. With the new deal, younger customers appreciate that they can try more things, Zeidler said.

“And it gets at everyone’s frustration that things are just so expensive,” Finestone added. “It’s a deal that is good for the customer and doesn’t hurt us.”

According to the James Beard Foundation’s 2026 Independent Restaurant Industry Report, released in late February, “rising costs [remain] the top issue reported by chefs.”

Restaurant wages have plateaued — a sign that “operators have reached the limit of their abilities to absorb continued cost,” the report said. Wholesale food and packaging prices “remain elevated from pre-pandemic levels, and key ingredients such as beef … reached historically high levels.” In 2025, many of those costs ﬂuctuated with uncertainty around tari s. The most straightforward way for restaurant owners to keep up is to charge more for what they serve.

At a certain point — and with the cost of living rising, from gas prices to health insurance — diners start to notice. In a 2025 YouGov consumer poll, 37 percent of U.S. respondents reported going out for meals less frequently than the previous year. More than two-thirds of those diners cited price increases as the reason for changing their habits. When they do go out, roughly half said they’re looking for deals.

At Barkeaters in Shelburne, a timely new deal has proved popular. In February, owners Julie Finestone and David Zeidler launched Teeny Tuesday, a weekly special that offers “smaller portions for smaller prices for smaller appetites.”

They’re right on trend. A mid-March Associated Press story cited growing nationwide demand for “petite, less expensive portions,” whether at corporate chains or “farm-to-fork dining rooms” such as Barkeaters’ cozy, Adirondack-inspired one, which featured prominently in the story.

For Finestone and Zeidler, the special brings much-needed tra c through the door on a historically sleepy day of the week. In winters past, “we’ve had to drop a server on Tuesday nights or cut someone’s hours in the kitchen,” Finestone said. “Nobody wants to do that.”

Their clientele skews older, the couple said, and they’ve often been asked if they serve a small version of Barkeaters’ roasted beet salad or a smash

Teeny Tuesdays aren’t about sneaky shrinkﬂation: Three Reuben sliders are $12, instead of a full-size sandwich with fries for $17. The ﬁsh and chips is exactly half of the regular entrée and exactly half price, at $12. The full-size regular menu is also available, as are weekly martini specials — for a di erent kind of ’tini.

“Our philosophy doesn’t include tricking our guests,” Zeidler said.

It’s harder to make money on a $12 entrée, Finestone admitted. But the volume of customers now showing up on Tuesday nights balances the books. By the second week of Teeny Tuesday, sales had doubled. The owners had initially planned to run the special just through winter, but now it’ll stick around all year.

Barkeaters’ long-standing Wednesday burger night deal predates Finestone and Zeidler’s purchase of the biz in fall 2023. In January, after lots of deliberation, they raised the price from $12 to $13. That still includes a burger with local beef and a pint of local beer — and it’s still a steal.

Repairs to the restaurant and necessary equipment upgrades added up over the past year, Finestone said. LaPlatte River Angus Farm in Milton, which provides the beef, raised its prices slightly. Zeidler and head chef Peter Koenig get creative with affordable ingredients from their distributors to compensate.

But as the costs of taxes, insurance, payroll and the electricity it takes to run the restaurant’s seven coolers continue to rise, “you have to pass some of that cost on to the guest,” Zeidler said.

There’s a local culture around Barkeaters’ burger night, he continued, and it packs the restaurant at an important part of the week for cash ﬂow — much like Teeny Tuesday now does, too.

“I hate raising prices and was really resistant to doing it,” Finestone said. The owners advertised the change well ahead of time and made sure regulars saw the new price on the menu.

“Everyone was like, ‘Yeah, that’s ﬁne,’” she said with a laugh. “I thought people would be mad, but it was totally in my head.”

A deal, it turns out, is still a deal.

SIDEdishes

SERVING UP FOOD NEWS

Chef Paul Trombly Makes Finals of 2026 James Beard Awards

The James Beard Foundation announced the finalists for its 2026 Restaurant and Chef Awards on Tuesday, March 31, with one Vermont chef making the cut for the next round of this year’s prestigious awards.

PAUL TROMBLY, chef-owner of FANCY’S in Burlington’s Old North End, is nominated in the regional Best Chef: Northeast category. He’s the only Vermont semifinalist to advance to this year’s finals. Winners will be announced at a ceremony in Chicago on June 15.

Trombly opened Fancy’s in the cozy restaurant space he shares with lunchtime counterpart POPPY café and market in 2024. The former HONEY ROAD chef and Mister Foods Fancy food truck owner puts vegetables at the center of most of his plates, spotlighting local produce with global techniques and flavors gleaned from his two-decade-plus culinary career.

TIARA ADORNO of the CROOKED RAM in Manchester and MAX VOGEL of ONDIS in

Montpelier were also semifinalists in the Best Chef: Northeast category this year. KATE WISE, LESLIE MCCROREY WELLS and the team from St. Albans’ CAFÉ MONETTE were all semifinalists for nationwide awards.

JORDAN BARRY

Thingz From Yaad to Move to Burlington

A popular Chittenden County Jamaican restaurant is on the move, with big plans for a big space in downtown Burlington.

Owner SHANEALL FERRON-COWEY and general manager T’YANA CHENEY, both 32, plan to open THINGZ FROM YAAD AUTHENTIC JAMAICAN CUISINE at 152 Cherry Street in May. They’re transforming the former

Sushi Maeda space into a multifaceted restaurant that will celebrate Jamaican culture while offering a larger menu and Caribbean cocktails.

Friday, March 27, was the final day for Thingz From Yaad Kitchen in South Burlington. Ferron-Cowey opened there in January 2025 after operating as a home-based caterer and running a takeout-only spot in Colchester.

Thingz From Yaad’s Cherry Street restaurant is three times bigger than its South Burlington spot. The 20-plus-seat bar area will be casual, with TVs playing Jamaican sporting events, Cheney said. Customers will be able to sit and work in a café-style space separate from the full-service dining room filling the remainder of the restaurant.

Takeout and lunch service will continue, and delivery will be available. In the future, Ferron-Cowey hopes to host reggae and dance hall nights.

“We don’t just want to be a place to get food,” Cheney said. “It’s really about the experience. We want to keep sharing the Caribbean culture in a bigger way here.”

Cheney joined the biz last May; the Vermont native has a decade of experience in the Burlington restaurant scene.

KATE WISE, a James Beard Award semifinalist for Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service, will help create a cocktail menu with tropical drinks that complement dishes such as oxtail, curry goat and jerk chicken.

“We are doing big things,” FerronCowey said. “I was just a little immigrant girl with a big dream, and now the dream I’ve built is bigger than me. It’s for the community.”

J.B.

Good Times Café Will Close in Hinesburg to Focus on South Burlington

MARYAM and TRAVIS COUNTER have announced that they will reluctantly close the original GOOD TIMES CAFÉ in Hinesburg on May 2 to focus on their larger, year-old location in South Burlington, which shares space with sister business MATRYOSHKA’S BAKERY

The Counters opened the 3,500-square-foot restaurant and bakery at 1330 Shelburne Road in late March 2025. They aimed to provide dedicated production space for Matryoshka’s, which Maryam, 43, launched in 2017 with macarons baked in the family’s licensed home kitchen. The South Burlington spot also allowed Good Times

Clockwise from front: Jerk corn, a sorrel drink, oxtail and a jerk chicken salad at Thingz From Yaad

Paul Trombly at Fancy’s

to expand to an all-day menu, adding breakfast to pizza, sandwiches, salads and Cajun dishes.

The couple said they recognize that the closure of the 30-year-old Good Times Café is a loss to the Hinesburg community. Travis, 45, grew up in Hinesburg and remembers going to the café when he was in high school.

The Counters had planned to keep two locations, but as they neared a year of juggling both, they recalled, something had to give. Facing business challenges led by sta ng, they prioritized the new location because it has room for growth.

“Maryam and I have been stretched too thin,” Travis said. “You need to be in two places at once. Especially in a small community, you become the face of the business.”

Their three daughters were a big factor, the Counters said. The two younger ones have been pitching in at the cafés. “Basically, the only family time we have is when we all work together,” Travis said.

One location will allow them to invest more time in family, in sta training and in expanding o erings, such as bringing back their popular crawﬁsh boils.

The Counters bought Good Times in 2019 from previous owners CHRIS and TRACY APPLIN. They said the Applins still own the building at 10805 Route 116 and another restaurant may move in.

MELISSA PASANEN

CONNECT

DINING ON A DIME

Golden

Hour A Burlington neighborhood restaurant stands out for its throwback buck-a-shuck oyster special

STORY & PHOTOS

BY MELISSA PASANEN pasanen@sevendaysvt.com

More than a decade ago, when my youngest kid was in high school, he and a couple of friends used to put on button-down shirts and khakis and head to the bar at Hen of the Wood in Burlington. ey were too young to drink but not too young to appreciate the allure of $1 oyster hour.

Alex is all grown up now, and “bucka-shuck” specials have disappeared from the local restaurant scene for the usual inﬂationary reasons — with one notable exception.

From 4:30 to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, gourmet bargain hunters can order any number of oysters for $1 each at Gold Restaurant in Burlington’s Old North End. It is, as far as I know, the only local spot offering such throwback value when other oyster-hour specials ring up at $2 a briny, slippery mouthful.

Perhaps the better-kept secret is that even Gold’s non-special oyster price appears to be the lowest around: six for $15, or $2.50 each. Our “Dining on a Dime” budget happens to be $15 for a small meal.

Despite being loaded with vitamin B12 and zinc, six oysters — or even 15 at $1 a pop — do not make a balanced meal in my book. However, based on recent experience at Gold, I suggest heading to the cozy spot before 6 p.m. and considering a $15 meal of half a dozen $1 oysters accompanied by a heaping plate of the restaurant’s excellently crisp and bronzed hand-cut fries ($9), scattered liberally with fresh herbs and grated Parm.

e counterpoint of cool, smooth oysters, anointed with a piquant, peppery mignonette sauce, to hot, crunchy, salt-ﬂecked potatoes hits my gastronomic jackpot. e abundant herbs almost count as a vegetable, too.

If you are similarly drawn to pairing shellﬁsh with fries, a dining duo could share a menu of four oysters each ($8), followed by the excellent moules-frites ($22). My mollusk-loving son ordered this classic Belgian combo on a recent visit home and very much enjoyed the hefty helping of Prince Edward Island mussels in a rich, creamy broth.

Another way to play the game is to go early with a friend on a Tuesday — Gold’s $12 pasta night — for a special twofer. Start with a pair of $1 oysters apiece and then share a green salad, such as the well-composed one topped with pear, goat cheese and chile-roasted sweet potatoes ($14). en stick two forks into a bowl of housemade fettucine with meaty, slow-braised ragù;

spinach and ricotta ravioli in a rich black pepper, sage and walnut sauce (either for $12); or another option from the frequently changing menu.

Congrats, you’ve squeezed a threecourse meal for two out of $30.

Besides making you happy, the bargain will please Gold owner Charles Spock. The 44-year-old chef, who uses they/them pronouns, said they opened the neighborhood restaurant with the goal of serving quality food at reasonable prices. Spock had observed that higher-end Burlington restaurants were “offering awesome product but not necessarily awesome value.”

e $1 oyster special, offered every day Gold is open, is one way to signal that Spock aims to deliver both.

Since the restaurant opened in July 2024, Gold has sold 38,352 freshly shucked bivalves — more than 80 percent for $1. e chef acknowledged that Gold loses money on most oysters, which go wholesale for about 92 cents to $1.10 each, depending on seasonal and other factors.

In February, Spock had to depart from the practice of buying from the Northeastern U.S. after a record-breaking deep freeze wreaked havoc on oyster farms. Fortunately, Gold’s seafood purveyor, Wood Mountain Fish, was able to source some from Prince Edward Island in Canada.

Buck-a-shuck works for Gold, Spock said, because customers usually pair their oysters with a drink — a glass of Spanish verdejo ($11) or a Pink Pearl mocktail ($8) — or yes, sometimes with a pile of fries. ➆

“Dining on a Dime” is a series featuring well-made, ﬁlling bites (something substantial enough to qualify as a small meal or better) for around $15 or less. Know of a tasty dish we should feature? Drop us a line: food@sevendaysvt.com.

INFO

Gold Restaurant, 294 N. Winooski Ave., Burlington, 802-540-1314, ﬁreandgoldvt.com

Travis and Maryam Counter at the South Burlington Good Times Café and Matryoshka’s Bakery

Oysters and a Queen of Hearts cocktail at Gold Restaurant in Burlington’s Old North End

Hand-cut fries with garlic aioli

Dark Truths

themselves and their children and families, were so successful in teaching America why this was so dangerous and detrimental to Black life that it almost went overboard and not only censored and stopped the mass production of these plays and this print culture but went so far as to stop its history from being taught.

BY LUCY TOMPKINS • lucy@sevendaysvt.com

For the past 20 years, historian Rhae Lynn Barnes has dug through the archives of American culture to unearth a buried history that was, only a few generations ago, unavoidable. Her new book, Darkology: Blackface and the American Way of Entertainment, corrects a long-accepted narrative that minstrelsy and blackface performances — which caricatured and mocked Black people and helped perpetuate ugly stereotypes — declined after the Civil War. In fact, she shows, this tradition was taken up by amateur performers and spread into nearly every corner of American cultural life, including in Vermont.

An entire section of her book is devoted to the University of Vermont’s Kake Walk, an

annual event that ran until 1969. The gathering, which has roots in slavery, involved a dance competition in which white students would use burnt cork to blacken their faces and dance to a song called “Cotton Babes.” Observers would judge the dancers for their precision and athleticism. Winners were awarded cakes.

“It was the highlight of the university’s social calendar,” Barnes writes. “Nearly every white citizen, organization, and local business in Burlington supported Kake Walk.”

UVM was not alone in participating in what Barnes calls a “craze” of cakewalking performances that spread across university campuses in the 20th century. But it does hold one shameful distinction: UVM’s was

the longest-running commercial blackface event on an American college campus.

“Nowhere was this craze more pronounced and more prolonged than at UVM,” Barnes writes.

Barnes, an assistant professor of American cultural history at Princeton University, has garnered national attention with her new book. She recently appeared on NPR’s “Fresh Air” with Terry Gross, and a New York Times review called Darkology “a major and thrilling work of American history.” Barnes will speak on Thursday, April 2, at Phoenix Books in Burlington. In advance of the event, she talked to Seven Days about the years of research that culminated in Darkology and what it took for UVM’s Kake Walk to ﬁnally come to an end.

Darkology reveals a largely unknown history of the ubiquity of blackface and amateur minstrelsy across America well into the 20th century. Why was this history buried for so long?

There’s a few di erent reasons. One of them is, ironically, the success of the Civil Rights Movement. Black mothers, at extreme risk to

The other reason is: This was one of the No. 1 pastimes in Jim Crow America. And at the time that this was a dominant entertainment form, the libraries in America were also Jim Crow institutions, so there was really no incentive to collect and protect this form that they thought was ephemera.

Those are the two main obstacles of why it was not easy for historians or the average American now to see. But what is shocking is the fact that millions of Americans who are still alive did see these shows constantly in their everyday lives. And so part of the recovery has been trying to not only track down this evidence but also ﬁnding people willing to talk about it.

What role did minstrelsy play at college campuses throughout the 20th century?

Colleges both in the North and South through the Civil War were very reliant on either slave labor or the proﬁts of slavery. After the American Civil War, that ﬁnance and that free labor disappears, and so there’s sort of a vacuum.

One of the things that college campuses do, very strangely, is, in these primarily allmale and all-white spaces, start to put on minstrel shows where they are imitating and making fun of the actual enslaved people that they personally knew.

They began using blackface minstrel shows as a way to raise money, whether that was to build a building on campus, to fund the athletic department — you name it. Very rapidly, it becomes an annual tradition on many college campuses. It’s hard to ﬁnd a university that did not have blackface events.

All of the local industry on and around campuses discover that when you host these events and alumni return — whether it’s hotels, restaurants, clothing stores — they also stood to gain a substantial amount of money. So as it grows each year, the ﬁnances sort of balloon, and colleges became dependent on and expected revenue from blackface shows to sustain their operations.

You devote an entire section of your book to the University of Vermont, which you describe as having the longest-running commercial blackface event on an American college campus. For 76 years, between 1893 and 1969,

Clockwise from left: Kake Walk program 1957; Kake Walk performers in 1927; book cover; Opposite: Kake Walkers practicing in 1963

WHAT IS SHOCKING IS THE FACT THAT MILLIONS OF AMERICANS WHO ARE STILL ALIVE DID SEE THESE SHOWS CONSTANTLY IN THEIR EVERYDAY LIVES.

RHAE LYNN BARNES

UVM’s Kake Walk was officially sanctioned by the university, becoming its largest and most profitable annual event. What did Kake Walk involve?

It develops a unique character at the University of Vermont. Most universities have three-part shows, but UVM’s Kake Walk begins to judge and grade the performance and standardize it.

They have a song called “Cotton Babes,” which was essentially a turn-of-the20th-century syncopated instrumental song. It’s a little over two minutes, and everybody had to perform to that same song. They standardized an interesting set of

dance moves that I would say is a strange combination of the Rockettes, synchronized skating and ballet. It’s normally a duet between two white men in blackface and sometimes in drag.

There’s often thousands of people in the gymnasium — who are screaming and yelling from the rafters and being very animated — whose responsibility it is with scorecards to judge: How are they kicking? How are they holding their head? Are they synchronized?

What are the historical roots of Kake Walk?

Part of what they’re reenacting is what happened in the slave markets. White people would go to slave markets and examine enslaved people, and they would ask them to kick, to dance, to sing, and they would evaluate them.

And sometimes on plantations, this would become pan-plantation competitions called “cake walks” or “frolics,” where enslaved people were forcibly put into a competition or dance-offs in order to win food. These are people who were on starvation rations, and winning meant a great deal.

At the University of Vermont, the prize was a huge cake. Millions of enslaved people were enslaved in the sugar cultivation industry but were denied any sugar in their diets. They’re primarily eating cornmeal. And so it also, in a very crude way, makes fun of that element of slavery.

Vermont — proudly the first state to abolish slavery upon its founding in 1777 — might seem like a surprising place to hold the distinction of having the longest-running blackface event on a college campus. How did this progressive self-image shape Kake Walk and enable it to endure for so long?

The content of the shows in Vermont are particular because of this legislative and historical self-understanding as a socially progressive place.

A lot of times, the shows are making

fun of the South — like Kake Walk skits that include re-creations of the Klan or re-creations of Confederate Army soldiers. So sometimes what they’re actually doing is trying to engage in irony, of making fun of the South in a superior way.

But they’re still doing it by dressing up in blackface and drag in these really ugly, grotesque, uniform ways that no Black human looks like. So it’s complicated in terms of what people thought they were doing versus how it was received by Black students and Black intellectuals in the community who were subjected to it.

And what I mean by “subjected to it” is: They could not escape it, right? The university would shut down classes so that everyone on campus could attend.

How did UVM’s Kake Walk finally come to an end in 1969?

The heroes of this story are a UVM student named Linda Patterson and a [Saint Michael’s College] student named Charlie Titus. They’re the two most vocal students against Kake Walk.

This is after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. It’s still happening, and they pretty much go on a teach-in campaign where they’re trying to teach their fellow students in the university about historical empathy, what this was based on and how it made them feel, how it excluded them on campus.

Within a year, they successfully convince and get enough allies on the student body that the student body themselves votes to do away with it.

In popular memory, this is how Kake Walk came to a neat end. But your book describes a terrifying incident that took place the first year it was outlawed, in which hundreds of students decided to hold an unsanctioned Kake Walk anyway, right outside the dorm where Linda Patterson lives. How do you think about what happened that night?

They are trying to essentially racially terrorize and harass Linda. They’re doing it right outside her dorm. She calls Charlie Titus at St. Michael’s, and he, along with many of the Black athletes, get in a car, and they come down to protect her.

They are surprised that a lot of the leadership in the Greek system at UVM argue to them that they wanted to see if they could do a Kake Walk that was not racist and that they meant no harm. But they’re still wearing the costume. They still have the cake. Nothing about it changed. I personally think it’s a cultural hate crime. That’s the only way that I really interpret it.

What’s the lasting legacy of blackface events like Kake Walk, in Vermont and elsewhere?

We have to recognize that they generated astonishing amounts of money and political power and also inequality in the landscape of a place like Burlington.

It would be hard to find families that have been in Burlington for a long time, to go into their homes, and not find something [related to Kake Walk]. I mean, they made blankets, mugs, pendants, Christmas ornaments — you name it. They made it.

There are so many businesses on Church Street who relied on this, and so it is the invisible and hidden tool that increasingly made the scale tilt against Black Americans and really advantage and help white citizens, many of whom did not even realize the ways that they were benefiting from it. ➆

This interview was edited for clarity and length.

INFO

An Evening With Rhae Lynn Barnes, Thursday, April 2, 7 p.m., at Phoenix Books in Burlington. $3. phoenixbooks.biz

Darkology: Blackface and the American Way of Entertainment by Rhae Lynn Barnes, Liveright, 528 pages. $39.99

Half Lives

Theater review: The Children, Northern Stage

BY ALEX BROWN • alex@sevendaysvt.com

Somewhere along the British seacoast, a snug cottage designed for holidays has become a fulltime refuge for a retired couple. With their careers as nuclear scientists over, she does yoga, and he farms. But their haven is only 10 miles from the power plant where they once worked. They moved because disaster struck: An earthquake triggered a tsunami that flooded their former home and crippled the plant, which released radioactive material.

In Northern Stage’s production of The Children, the stage design alludes to apocalypse, but a matter-of-fact English stiffness in the performances masks catastrophe. Playwright Lucy Kirkwood’s characters spend most of the play discussing superficial topics while hinting at old psychological wounds. Only at the end does the play accelerate emotionally as large moral questions arise.

From the outset, viewers wrestle with contrasts. The stage reveals a comfy cottage planted on top of rubble, the floorboards a ragged edge above what looks like

civilization’s last trash. Inside, a charming plate rack hangs below ominously heavy ceiling beams. The characters speak with neat British reserve in fastidiously realistic dialogue, but the subject is rarely the crisis around them or their true feelings about each other. The dagger of disaster is at no one’s neck, and only the sound design, bristling with menace, conveys threat. Where are we?

Kirkwood and director Sarah Elizabeth Wansley seem to want us to feel ill at ease. The play opens with a character speaking to someone offstage while calmly nursing a bloody nose, with no hint to what caused it. It’s a bold theater choice to perplex us, almost as disorienting as having a nose bleed. The problem is, we’re confused before the characters are clear enough to matter. We aren’t destabilized by the story but by a struggle to connect with the play itself.

To Hazel and Robin, scientists in their sixties, this postapocalyptic world is old hat. Electricity is rationed, and a Geiger counter sits by the coatrack to assess the

characters who think of themselves first to face a situation that tests self-interest against sacrifice.

Individually, each actor builds finely wrought moments onstage. As Robin, Gordon Clapp portrays a man battling anxiety by overdosing on confidence. Robin has kept a child’s love of risk and drives his tractor closer and closer to the cliff’s edge, knowing age brings him close to another edge. Martha Burns, as Hazel, brings limber energy to a woman admirable for always doing the right thing — and a bit suffocating for feeling such superiority in doing so. Still, Hazel seems the only one suited for crisis. Rose arrives keeping her every motivation hidden, and Daphne Zuniga must make her tick using nothing but understatement. When circumstances crack her open, Zuniga makes the play’s abstract questions fully human.

radioactivity of people, places and things. Yet retirement still means staying in touch with children and grandchildren by phone. These characters have an iron grip on normalcy, which can only mean it will ultimately slip.

The bloody nose belongs to Rose, a nuclear physicist and former plant colleague whom Hazel hasn’t seen in 38 years. Has Rose returned from America to restart a past affair with Robin or to prod at the tension she and Hazel have always had? Or could she have a more disturbing purpose?

She does, and the play takes far too much time to disclose it. For a full third of the show, Kirkwood sets Hazel and Rose to stilted chatting that lets us know they mistrust each other but not why, or why it could matter.

When Robin arrives, the makings of a very old love triangle stir the story, but the exchanges remain muddy when the characters’ history is left so obscure. Even the age dynamics aren’t clear, as Rose dresses and moves younger than her age, though all three are contemporaries. Overall, emotion can’t spark when we can’t see what’s at stake, and whatever’s been lost to some apocalyptic event is overshadowed by Hazel’s sturdy competence as she busily winds a battery radio for the next power blackout.

The play’s fuse burns very slowly, but eventually Kirkwood forces three

The cast is frontline talent, with impressive stage, TV and movie credits. The actors’ skill is evident in this production, but as of last Thursday’s preview they hadn’t formed a tight ensemble. Scenes built on subtle tension felt unfocused, with too much surface and too little beneath. Wansley concentrates on movement to show the characters’ discomfort, but the action rarely has purpose and pulls our attention out into a wide-angle view when the situation calls for a close-up. The play’s keenest moments arise when the characters are still enough to speak and listen.

The Children tempts a reviewer to examine the play’s objectives instead of its execution. Kirkwood’s script confronts three characters with an ecological disaster, and they’re the right people in the right place to personify the story. Yet the script substitutes reticence for depth. The Northern Stage production brings together three strong acting talents but can’t connect them emotionally through low-key British dialogue and muffled backstory.

The play should produce disquiet, just as the sound, lighting and set design steadily remind us. But I found myself watching a story that seemed to find no way to say what was important to any of the characters, or to all of us living in some proximity to climate crisis. Hazel, Robin and Rose manufacture a particular distance from each other and from the radioactive air around them. The play’s remarkable ending finally shatters that distance when the vision turns outward at last. ➆

INFO

The Children, by Lucy Kirkwood, directed by Sarah Elizabeth Wansley, produced by Northern Stage. Through April 12: Wednesdays through Saturdays, 7:30 p.m.; Thursdays and Saturdays, 2 p.m.; and Sundays, 5 p.m., at Byrne Theater, Barrette Center for the Arts, in White River Junction. $28-80. northernstage.org

Gordon Clapp and Martha Burns in The Children

New Comic Recounts the History of Vermont’s First Pride Parade

BY KEN PICARD • ken@sevendaysvt.com

In June, millions of people in more than 100 countries will attend annual Pride parades to celebrate the lives and identities of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. Many in Vermont’s LGBTQ community have never known a time without such celebrations. They may know little about the beginnings of local Pride 43 years ago, when openly queer Vermonters risked the loss of their job, rejection by their family and friends, even violence.

Published this week, a new comic called Proud Little State recounts the history of Vermont’s first Lesbian and Gay Pride Parade, as it was called back then. Held in Burlington’s City Hall Park on June 25, 1983, and involving about 350 people, the march was timed close to the anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall uprising in New York City’s Greenwich Village, which launched the modern LGBTQ rights movement.

The first in a series of short comics that will explore LGBTQ topics from Vermont’s past and present, Proud Little State is a collaboration of the University of Vermont’s Center for Research on Vermont, the Vermont Queer Archives and Vermont Folklife.

Issue No. 1, “Burlington Pride 1983,” was written and illustrated by Burlington cartoonist and queer organizer Teppi Zuppo, who drew from interviews, photos and other archival material compiled for “Pride 1983,” an exhibit that toured Vermont’s libraries and museums from 2020 to 2024 and now lives online. The eight-page comic features drawings and quotes from several organizers of Vermont’s first Pride parade, which, as illustrated in the comic, is now commemorated by a roadside historical marker in City Hall Park.

“It was such an amazing moment of activism,” Zuppo told Seven Days. “There have been a lot of ups and down since 1983, but it’s nice to see that … a lot of those folks are still here and still activists.”

Proud Little State was conceived by Holly Painter, director of the Center for

Research on Vermont and a senior lecturer in UVM’s English department. Painter had seen Vermont Folklife’s 2021 nonfiction comics anthology, The Most Costly Journey: Stories of Migrant Farmworkers in Vermont, Drawn by New England Cartoonists

Thinking that a similar project devoted to Vermont’s queer history and culture could reach a wider audience than conventional books, she reached out to Meg Tamulonis, who’s worked on the Vermont Queer Archives for more than 20 years, and Andy Kolovos, associate director and archivist at Vermont Folklife. Both were instrumental in the “Pride 1983” exhibition.

Why a comic rather than another artistic medium?

“I believe very strongly that all documentary work, even journalistic work, is ultimately subjective,” Kolovos explained. Whereas books, films and podcasts can sometimes create the illusion of objectivity, “in comics, the subjectivity is embedded in the form. There’s no question that there’s a human hand guiding it.”

New issues of Proud Little State, each drawn by a different cartoonist, will come out once per semester — expect the second this fall. Future ones will cover such topics as Vermont’s queer nightlife, the civil union law, the history of queer media and contemporary student activism.

Said Painter, “I don’t think there was ever a world where we were going to make just one comic.”

Proud Little State will be distributed for free, starting at a launch party at UVM on April 7. Thereafter, bookstores, museums and queer organizations will make it available throughout the state, with multiple issues eventually compiled into a full-length book. ➆

INFO

Proud Little State launch party, Tuesday, April 7, 5 p.m., in the Royall Tyler Theatre lobby, University of Vermont, Burlington. Free. uvm.edu

What’s the Di erence? Sculptural Ideas BCA Center installation, 2026

BURLINGTON |

A panel from Proud Little State

Human Impact: Contemporary Art and Our Environment is supported in part by the Mellon Foundation Public Humanities Labs Initiative on Migration through the Axinn Center for the Humanities at Middlebury College and UVM O ce of Research and Economic Development. BCA's Spring exhibitions are supported in part by the Maslow Family Foundation. Hospitality sponsor: Lake Champlain Chocolates. Burlington City Arts is supported in part by the Vermont Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts. BCA CENTER 135 CHURCH STREET,

Vermont Youth Orchestra Association Buys Elley-Long Music Center

BY AMY LILLY • lilly@sevendaysvt.com

When the Vermont Youth Orchestra Association started leasing Elley-Long Music Center in Colchester from Saint Michael’s College in 2001, it was one of only a handful of youth orchestras in the nation with a dedicated building. Now the organization owns the venue, again distinguishing itself among more than 400 such orchestras nationwide.

The VYOA purchased the 23,000-square-foot historic structure from the college for $200,000 with a gift from a single anonymous donor, according to executive director Rosina Cannizzaro.

“The outpouring of well-wishes” from parents, alumni and others “has been incredible,” said Cannizzaro, who has led the organization since 2012. She first floated the idea of buying the structure with Rob Robinson, St. Michael’s vice president of finance and administration, before the pandemic.

The announcement came just as the VYOA prepares to celebrate its 25th year in the building. Founded in 1964, the youth orchestra rehearsed in Burlingtonarea schools for 37 years. Meanwhile, also in the 1960s, St. Michael’s acquired Elley-Long — built in 1895 as an equestrian hall for Fort Ethan Allen — to use as its north campus gymnasium.

ensembles; a woodwind and brass chamber ensemble; extensive music lessons in Elley-Long’s 14 studios; and early childhood, afterschool and school-day partnership programs. In the summer, the organization rents its cavernous space to the Lake Champlain and Green Mountain chamber music festivals, the Craftsbury Chamber Players, and Vermont Jazz Camp. It will continue to do so.

The advantage of owning the structure, Cannizzaro said, is that “we can think and dream about the next chapter, [including] what renovations can take place. Now we’re in control of our destiny.” The sale also provides more space: Hidden behind the wall to the right of the stage is a large room, previously accessed only by the college, that could become more studios, Cannizzaro said.

The college replaced Elley-Long’s entire roof and windows in the past quarter century, Robinson said. He explained the surprisingly low sale price as one the school and the VYOA “mutually agreed on,” adding that “the needs of the college have obviously changed in 25 years, and it seemed like a good time to make that building theirs.”

By the 1990s, the college had a separate fieldhouse and recreation center, and the old riding hall was being used for storage. Aware that the growing youth orchestra was seeking a permanent rehearsal space, the administration of Marc A. vanderHeyden, college president from 1996 to 2007, offered the VYOA a 100-year lease on the building at a dollar a year. While the college maintained the building’s exterior and landscaping, the orchestra association embarked on a multimillion-dollar interior renovation — launched by a lead gift from orchestra manager Carolyn Elley Long — that earned the VYOA a Preservation Trust of Vermont award in 2001.

The orchestra association now engages nearly 600 students throughout the school year for four orchestras divided roughly by age group; two jazz

Decreasing enrollment due to New England’s demographic cliff and a shift in student preferences toward southern and larger schools, Robinson said, have also impacted the college’s financial decisions. “We’re looking at liquidating underutilized assets of all shapes and sizes,” he acknowledged.

Cannizzaro praised St. Michael’s College as having been “a wonderful partner” with “the vision to allow us to come in here.

“I remember walking into this space [in 2012] and being taken with how beautiful it was,” she recalled, adding, “Now, I’m just beaming.” ➆

INFO

The Vermont Youth Philharmonia and Vermont Youth Strings perform on Sunday, April 12, 5 p.m., at Elley-Long Music Center in Colchester. $5. vyo.org

on screen

Project Hail Mary ★★★★

REVIEW

The biggest blockbuster of 2026 so far — and the most proﬁtable nonfranchise ﬁlm in years — stars Ryan Gosling wearing a cuddly knitted cardigan with foxes on it. (He also sports T-shirts featuring Cats, cats and jokes about the periodic table.)

Based on the best-selling novel by Andy Weir, Project Hail Mary was directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller and scripted by Drew Goddard, who also wrote the adaptation of Weir’s The Martian Among the beneﬁciaries of its success is the Michigan crafts company behind the fox sweater, which has seen a surge of business, according to the Detroit News. Purchasers must knit the viral cardigan from a kit — a DIY spirit that would surely appeal to the ﬁlm’s protagonist.

The deal

Ryland Grace (Gosling) wakes up on a spaceship with no idea how he got there. Earth is light-years away, the rest of the crew is dead, and he’s no trained astronaut. As weeks pass in space, Grace’s memories creep back. On Earth, we learn, he was a molecular biologist who taught middle school science because his freewheeling style didn’t ﬂy in academia. Then Eva Stratt

(Sandra Hüller) recruited him for an international task force to address a doomsday threat. Tiny organisms called astrophages are devouring the energy of the sun and other stars, threatening the Earth with catastrophic “global cooling.” Only one nearby star system — Tau Ceti — appears immune to the menace.

By the time Grace’s ship arrives at Tau Ceti, the situation is clear: He’s the last survivor of a research mission that could be the key to saving his home planet. And he’s far from alone in that goal.

Will you like it?

A recent op-ed in the New York Times interprets the success of Project Hail Mary as a sign that moviegoers are sick of movies full of “political and social messaging” and ready for “fun.” I can’t take this theory seriously, given the box o ce decline of superheroes and the continued popularity of horror. (Surely both are “fun”?)

More importantly, though, you don’t have to reach that far when there’s a simple explanation for the success of Project Hail Mary: People like stories about people. Not concepts, not mind-blowing special e ects, not algorithm-curated hashes of potentially viral moments, but people. If viewers care

enough about the goofy science teacher in the fox cardigan to wonder where his unlikely space odyssey is taking him, they’ll suspend their disbelief. They’ll put down their phones, maybe even recommend the movie to their friends.

Making an audience care is, of course, the hard part. But Lord and Miller, who helmed The Lego Movie, have an excellent grasp of verbal and visual storytelling; Goddard writes funny dialogue; and Gosling has built up plenty of audience goodwill.

The movie opens in an unexpectedly comic register, with Daniel Pemberton’s score nudging us not to take Grace’s plight too seriously. While it may rest on a vision of the galaxy’s demise, Weir’s scenario is essentially a what-if for the science-minded everyman who enjoys dad jokes.

Despite not being a dad, Grace is dadcoded, and that’s why we like him — he’s sloppy and schlubby and far from superhuman. Even more importantly, like Bruce Willis in Die Hard (a textbook example of making the audience care), he’s an outmatched underdog who never gives up.

As Project Hail Mary continues and Grace recovers his memories, darker undertones emerge. In ﬂashbacks, Hüller

stands in for most of the imperiled population of Earth, carrying a heavy symbolic load on her furrowed brow. But she’s up to the task of giving the story a quietly tragic dimension to balance its comedy.

I haven’t yet mentioned the most surprising aspect of Project Hail Mary: This solo survival tale evolves into a bromance. Not the played-strictly-for-laughs kind, either, but a central relationship that drives the action and practically demands a happily-ever-after, much like the similar bond in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. If people enjoy stories about people, people especially enjoy stories in which even aliens act like weird but relatable people, suggesting that nothing in the universe is truly alien to us.

Project Hail Mary invites other comparisons to the work of Steven Spielberg: When Grace hums the riff from Close Encounters of the Third Kind to initiate human-alien communication, the joke feels foreordained. And one could certainly criticize the ﬁlmmakers, as Spielberg has been criticized, for willfully choosing to look on the bright side. The story’s outlandish premise comes o as a deﬂection from the less-fun realities of climate change, while its overly drawn-out ending is a strained e ort to regain the lightness of the opening. That said, I don’t think Project Hail Mary is a mindless escape. To people steeped in social media-reinforced pessimism about humanity, it o ers something better than fun: openness, curiosity and hope.

MARGOT HARRISON margot@sevendaysvt.com

IF YOU LIKE THIS, TRY…

THE MARTIAN (2015; rentable): In Ridley Scott’s adaptation of Weir’s ﬁrst bestseller, Matt Damon plays an astronaut stranded on Mars who uses can-do ingenuity to survive.

CAST AWAY (2000; Disney+, Hulu, Netﬂix, rentable): Few actors are interesting or likable enough to watch in what’s largely a one-man show. Gosling’s performance here recalls Tom Hanks’ endearing turn as a FedEx executive who ﬁnds himself alone on a desert island.

ARRIVAL (2016; Kanopy, Pluto TV, rentable): Solving the puzzle of human-alien communication reveals aspects of our nature in both Project Hail Mary and this darker, more complex drama based on Ted Chiang’s short story.

Ryan Gosling plays a teacher who can’t remember how he got to space in the adaptation of Andy Weir’s bestseller.

NEW IN THEATERS

DEAD LOVER: A lonely gravedigger will do anything to revive her beloved in this body horror comedy from Grace Glowicki, who stars with Leah Doz. (95 min, NR. Partizanfilm)

THE DRAMA: A couple (Zendaya and Robert Pattinson) get an unwelcome surprise the week of their wedding in this dark rom-com from Kristoffer Borgli (Dream Scenario). (106 min, R. Capitol, Essex, Majestic, Partizanfilm, Savoy, Star, Welden)

A GREAT AWAKENING: Joshua Enck’s historical drama explores the friendship between Benjamin Franklin (John Paul Sneed) and pastor George Whitefield. (129 min, PG-13. Essex)

THE SUPER MARIO GALAXY MOVIE: Mario explores space in the sequel to the animated adventure hit, featuring the voices of Glen Powell, Anya TaylorJoy and Chris Pratt. (98 min, PG. Bijou, Capitol, City Cinema, Essex, Majestic, Marquis, Paramount, Playhouse, Star, Welden)

CURRENTLY PLAYING

2026 OSCAR-NOMINATED SHORT FILMS: Choose from Animation, Live Action and Documentary. (Catamount)

THE AI DOC: OR HOW I BECAME AN APOCALOPTIMISTHHH A father-to-be wonders if artificial intelligence will make humans obsolete in this documentary directed by Daniel Roher and Charlie Tyrell. (103 min, PG-13. Essex, Majestic, Savoy)

FORBIDDEN FRUITSHH1/2 A newcomer threatens a mall-based “witchy femme cult” in this horror comedy directed by Meredith Alloway and starring Lili Reinhart. (103 min, R. Majestic)

HOPPERSHHH1/2 A young woman transfers her consciousness to a robotic beaver in this animated comedy. (105 min, PG. Bijou, Capitol, Essex, Majestic, Stowe)

LATE SHIFTHHH1/2 A nurse copes with chaos in her understaffed hospital ward in this German day-in-the-life drama from Petra Biondina Volpe. (92 min, NR. Partizanfilm)

A MAGNIFICENT LIFEHHH Sylvain Chomet directed this animated biopic about novelist, playwright and filmmaker Marcel Pagnol. (90 min, PG-13. Partizanfilm)

PROJECT HAIL MARYHHHH A science teacher (Ryan Gosling) finds himself on a mission to save Earth in Phil Lord and Christopher Miller’s sci-fi thriller. (156 min, PG-13. Big Picture, Bijou, Capitol, City Cinema, Essex, Majestic, Marquis, Star, Stowe, Welden)

READY OR NOT 2: HERE I COMEHHH1/2 Sisters (Samara Weaving and Kathryn Newton) must survive a deadly game in the sequel to the horror comedy hit. (108 min, R. Capitol, Essex, Majestic; reviewed 3/25)

REMINDERS OF HIMHH1/2 An ex-convict tries to reconnect with her daughter in this adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel. (114 min, PG-13. Bijou, City Cinema, Majestic, Stowe)

SCREAM 7HH A new Ghostface killer targets the daughter of final girl Sidney Prescott. (114 min, R. Majestic)

SIRAT HHHH A father seeks his daughter in North Africa in this surreal epic from Oliver Laxe, nominated for two Oscars. (114 min, R. Partizanfilm)

THEY WILL KILL YOUHH1/2 A housekeeper uncovers the sinister history of a high-rise apartment building in this horror action flick, starring Zazie Beetz and Patricia Arquette. (94 min, R. Essex, Majestic, Paramount)

YOU GOT GOLD: A CELEBRATION OF JOHN PRINE: Michael John Warren’s documentary chronicles a two-night tribute to the artist. (90 min, NR. Big Picture)

OLDER FILMS AND SPECIAL SCREENINGS

THE 5000 FINGERS OF DOCTOR T (Partizanfilm, Sat only)

THE COLOR OF POMEGRANATES (Partizanfilm, Wed 01 only)

DARKMAN (Catamount, Fri only)

EASTER PARADE (Catamount, Wed 1 only)

LONE STAR (VTIFF, Sat only)

MCCABE & MRS. MILLER (VTIFF, Fri only)

MEEK’S CUTOFF (VTIFF, Sat only)

MONTY PYTHON’S LIFE OF BRIAN (Catamount, Sun only)

PI (VTIFF, Wed 1 only)

WISDOM OF HAPPINESS (Big Picture, Sun only)

OPEN THEATERS

(* = upcoming schedule for theater was not available at press time)

BIG PICTURE THEATER: 48 Carroll Rd., Waitsfield, 496-8994, bigpicturetheater.info

*BIJOU CINEPLEX 4: 107 Portland St., Morrisville, 888-3293, bijou4.com

CAPITOL THEATER: 93 State St., Montpelier, 229-0343, fgbtheaters.com

CATAMOUNT ARTS: 115 Eastern Ave., St. Johnsbury, 748-2600, catamountarts.org

CITY CINEMA: 137 Waterfront Plaza, Newport, 334-2610, citycinemanewport.com

ESSEX CINEMAS & T-REX THEATER: 21 Essex Way, Suite 300, Essex, 879-6543, essexcinemas.com

MAJESTIC 10: 190 Boxwood St., Williston, 878-2010, majestic10.com

MARQUIS THEATER: 65 Main St., Middlebury, 388-4841, middleburymarquis.com.

PARAMOUNT TWIN CINEMA: 241 N. Main St., Barre, 479-9621, fgbtheaters.com

*PARTIZANFILM: 230 College St., Unit 13, Burlington, 276-4588, partizanfilm.org

PLAYHOUSE MOVIE THEATRE: 11 S. Main St., Randolph, 728-4012, playhouseflicks.com

SAVOY THEATER: 26 Main St., Montpelier, 229-0598, savoytheater.com

THE SCREENING ROOM @ VTIFF: 60 Lake St., Ste. 1C, Burlington, 660-2600, vtiff.org

STAR THEATRE: 17 Eastern Ave., St. Johnsbury, 748-9511, stjaytheatre.com

*STOWE CINEMA 3PLEX: 454 Mountain Rd., Stowe, 253-4678, stowecinema.com

WELDEN THEATRE: 104 N. Main St., St. Albans, 527-7888, weldentheatre.com

art

TYes! We Have No Bananas

What should art cost, and why is pricing it so hard?

BY ALICE DODGE • adodge@sevendaysvt.com

he question of what art costs always leads back to the banana. In 2019, Maurizio Cattelan famously duct-taped one to a wall and called it “Comedian.” In 2024, a version of the piece sold for $6.2 million at auction to crypto bro Justin Sun, who promptly ate it onstage. People decried the vapidity, wastefulness and brazen capitalism of Cattelan’s piece, which was surely the point; unlike the equally conceptual currency that brought Sun his billions, the art at least made a nutritious snack.

The anecdote also illustrates that art pricing provokes Big Feelings. To some, prices seem absurd or opaque, based on nothing but the creator’s whim. That can feel true to artists, too, who are sometimes at a loss for what to charge. And many people who might feel no compunction about paying twice what they used to for a burger (see page 38) balk at buying art they like because they don’t know if it’s “worth it.” So, for this year’s Money & Retirement Issue, Seven Days asked several people in the ﬁeld a not-so-simple question: What should art cost?

Patricia Trafton, owner and director of Soapbox Arts gallery in Burlington, said one problem is perceived value. People have a sense, she said, of what objects such as a T-shirt — or a luxury version of that T-shirt — cost. “You have these price points in your head of what is expensive, what’s not expensive. We don’t have these associations built in, for most of us, with artwork.”

Instead, Morris sets her prices herself based on a formula she came up with — about $2.55 to $3 per square inch, depending on the size and including the sides of the canvas, which are also painted. She actually lowered her prices a year ago, once she started showing mostly in Vermont, she said. “I don’t want to undersell the art and my work, but I don’t want it to be just unattainable for people.”

Northern New England Museum of Contemporary Art president Mark Waskow has made attaining art one of his passions for almost 30 years. He started collecting on a blind date at the 1998 South End Art Hop. “It was like an Easter egg hunt for art,” he recalled, “and it was just the most wondrous experience.”

An artist’s costs may not be the ones that spring to mind. For instance, they could include access to special equipment or a space to work with toxic materials such as oil paint, getting stretchers built or custom framing, and non-art-speciﬁc obligations such as childcare.

“$10,000 might seem like a shocking price tag, but when you break that down, that person is making below minimum wage,” Trafton said. And there’s no guarantee the piece will sell.

Commercial galleries such as Trafton’s work on commission, typically 50 percent. Unlike museums or nonproﬁt art spaces, which are more concerned with giving people

access to the artwork, gallerists are actively trying to sell it, suggesting prices and marketing the work in addition to showing it — a service that’s invaluable to many artists. “I have a network of connections to people who have the means and the desire to buy this work that the artist oftentimes does not have,” Trafton said. “I’m also then able to facilitate that sale, start to ﬁnish, in a way that the artist may not want to or may not be well equipped to do on their own.”

Most artists in Vermont, equipped or not, are doing it on their own. Hannah Morris is a Barre artist who has shown her mixed-media paintings at venues from BCA Center in Burlington to Brattleboro Museum & Art Center. She doesn’t currently have gallery representation, she said, and her full-time job as a graphic designer at National Life Group doesn’t allow her as much studio time as she’d need to keep pace with showing in a commercial gallery.

“It’s sort of a catch-22, in that I’d have to make some changes or work myself silly,” she said.

He bought three or four pieces that weekend, he said, which escalated into purchasing a few hundred art objects in his first year. His collection, known as the Waskonium until it became a nonproﬁt under the new name in 2019, now holds more than 34,000 pieces of art.

Waskow noted a few common mistakes artists make when pricing their work.

“People are very precious about their work when they ﬁrst start,” he said, getting so attached to a piece that they might ask a ridiculous price. Instead, he recommends setting a price by looking at work of comparable size and medium by artists with comparable résumés.

Another misstep is listing only “price on demand,” meaning that buyers should ask, which Waskow described as a hedge for artists uncomfortable with the idea of selling. “If you’re embarrassed by the price, it’s not the right price,” he said.

Painter and sculptor Glen Coburn Hutcheson seems to run toward that perceived awkwardness, setting his prices based partially on the buyer. Visitors to his 2025 show at the Front in Montpelier saw labeled prices such as “$10x your hourly wage or 0.5% of your yearly income.”

“It was entertaining and drove a lot of conversations,” Hutcheson said, “but everyone had to do a fair amount of math.” That prompted him to alter his scheme slightly.

JULIANNA BRAZILL

“struggling people” (90 percent off). He trusts buyers to assign their own rate.

Hutcheson started considering alternative pricing after reading a 2013 New York Times article about Morrisville stonemason Thea Alvin, who at the time set her hourly labor rate based on her age, upping it by $1 on her birthday. (That has changed, she said by email. Ironically, increased demand for

her sculptures after the publication of the article prompted her to rethink her rates.)

Hutcheson said that, in addition to wanting his peers to be able to purchase his work, he believes that “everyone’s time, as a human being with a limited lifespan, has equal value.”

He acknowledged that his pricing scheme might turn off wealthier buyers and wouldn’t fly if he were represented by a commercial gallery; moreover, it wouldn’t be realistic for him if art were his only job. But he sees the pricing as itself a kind of conceptual art piece that he hopes will prompt viewers to consider how we assign value.

“One of the things that you get to do as an artist in the 21st century is think by doing shit,” Hutcheson said. “So you just change your price tags and then see what happens.” ➆

INFO

Learn more at soapboxarts.com, draw-lucky.com, nnemoca.org and glencoburnhutcheson.com.

From top: “Lunch at 12:30” by Hannah Morris; “Camera Obscura Still Life 20” by Glen Coburn Hutcheson; Patricia Trafton at Soapbox Arts

CALLS TO ARTISTS

2026 JURIED EXHIBITION: Seeking entries for a group exhibition juried by Jamie Franklin, curator at the Bennington Museum. Four Juror Award winners will receive a cash stipend and a solo exhibition in 2027 AVA Gallery and Art Center, Lebanon, N.H. Deadline: May 4. $45. Info, sam@avagallery.org.

BIZARRE BAZAAR: Seeking artist vendors for this atypical craft fair showcasing experimental, bold and playful artworks at six locations on Saturday, May 16. Apply at 802artshouse.org. Deadline: April 24. Vendor fees $35-plus. Info, 734-6332.

‘THE CREATIVE COMPETITION’: Seeking submissions for this participatory art show, where viewers select and vote for their favorites. Winner takes half of the entry fees and all of the bragging rights. Apply at seaba.com or show up during drop-off times without preregistration. The SEABA Center, Burlington, Wednesday, April 1, 1 p.m., and Thursday, April 2, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. $10 per entry. Info, director@seaba.com.

OPENINGS + RECEPTIONS

‘WE’RE STRONGER TOGETHER’: An exhibition in celebration of Fair Housing Month with pieces created by Wharf Lane and Decker Towers residents along with other community members. Burlington City Hall, through April 29. Info, fhp@cvoeo.org.

‘NON SEQUITUR’: An exhibition of paintings by Ben Finer, Tara Wray and Lucy Mink, guest curated by Finer, who codirects Kishka Gallery & Library in White River Junction. Reception: Thursday, April 2, 6-8 p.m. The Phoenix, Waterbury, April 2-June 26. Info, joseph@ thephoenixvt.om.

‘LIBRARY HOURS’: An exhibition that invites visitors to bring their coffee or tea and flip through the gallery’s private collection of art books in conjunction with the Vermont Art Book Fair, in addition to seeing works on view by Michelle Garcia Aguilar and Corey Riddell. Extra Special With Cheese, Burlington, April 3-25. Info, extraspecialwithcheese@gmail.com.

‘ANALOG — MADE BY HAND’: An exhibition of fine-art photography rooted in film-based capture and hands-on printing processes. Reception: Friday, April 3, 4-7 p.m. PhotoPlace Gallery, Middlebury, through April 25. Info, 989-7556.

‘ART FROM THE SCHOOLS: HIGH SCHOOL’: An exhibition of works by students from seven regional high schools. Reception: Friday, April 3, 4-7 p.m. Yester House Galleries, Southern Vermont Arts Center, Manchester, through May 3. Info, 362-1405.

‘ART FROM THE SCHOOLS: PRE-K THROUGH 8’: An exhibition celebrating the creativity of students from 30 regional schools. Reception: Friday, April 3, 4-7 p.m. Elizabeth de C. Wilson Museum, Southern Vermont Arts Center, Manchester, April 3-May 17. Info, 362-1405.

‘MONTPELIER MADE’: A show of artisanal wood products, including Adirondack chairs, cutting boards, planters and benches made by Montpelier High School students. Reception: Friday, April 3, 4-7 p.m. Artisans Hand Craft Gallery, Montpelier, April 3-30. Info, 229-9492.

TOM LEYTHAM: “Outside Lies the Magic,” an exhibition of award-winning transparent watercolors capturing the quickly disappearing world around us. Reception: Friday, April 3, 4-7 p.m. Vermont Natural Resources Council, Montpelier, April 3-30. Info, art@ vnrc.org.

‘SHADOWLAND’: A group exhibition bringing together 13 artists from the United States and Canada working in black-and-white drawing, painting, and sculpture, following a loosely imagined winter walk. Reception: Friday, April 3, 4-8 p.m. Hexum Gallery, Montpelier, April 3-May 22. Info, hexumgallery@gmail.com.

SHOW 72: The 72nd group show featuring works by all current members of the Montpelier gallery collective. Reception: Friday, April 3. 4-8 p.m. The Front, Montpelier, April 3-26. Info, info@thefrontvt.com.

‘FOUR FRIENDS’: An exhibit of paintings and mixed media by Leigh Harder, Sarah Sterzen-Flinn, Ann

EXHIBITION

Get It Together

All artists must consider how to assemble a good composition. But how about taking one apart? “Composition/Decomposition,” a group show at the Adamant Cooperative Gallery, does both, plumbing the meanings of those words. Lois Eby channels Wassily Kandinsky. Heidi Broner takes a dynamic approach, highlighting workers as they interact with geometric orange safety cones and angular fire escapes. Cathleen Daley gives us color palettes that shouldn’t work but do, with a surprisingly dramatic landscape in neutral tones in one painting and a gray ground with vermillion trees in another. Kep Taylor embraces an ecological take on the theme with “Circle Game,” an installation whose materials include seeds, rotting honeynut squash and protozoa. A few works go down the naturalist road, including Ruth Coppersmith’s elegant bell jar over a snakeskin and bat skeleton, Paul Cate’s invitation to observe tree growth on a walk in the woods, and Dan Thorington’s engagement ring box made from an owl pellet. Lest any interpretation of the word be omitted, Liz Benjamin has contributed “Gone, Gone” — an original composition for viola and piano, presented as sheet music.

‘COMPOSITION/DECOMPOSITION’

On view through April 15 at the Adamant Co-op Gallery in Calais. adamantcoop.org

Jones-Weinstock and Linda Hampton Smith, friends who maintain an informal group to critique and support each other’s art practice. Reception: Friday, April 3, 4:30-6:30 p.m. Jackson Gallery, Town Hall Theater, Middlebury, April 3-May 9. Info, 382-9222.

ELLIOT BURG: “Heart and Eye — World Photography,” a retrospective of photographs taken across the globe by the Middlesex photographer. Reception: Friday, April 3, 4:30-7 p.m.; artist remarks at 6 p.m. Vermont Supreme Court Gallery, Montpelier, through June 26.

DAVID ROHN: A retrospective of the Putney watercolorist and oil painter, who died in December at age 91. Reception: Friday, April 3, 5-7 p.m. Mitchell Giddings Fine Arts, Brattleboro, April 3-June 7.

SAMANTHA MERCADANTE ECKERT: “Wandering in Hope,” a solo show of abstract paintings, organic clay forms and sculpture. Reception: Friday, April 3, 5-7:30 p.m. T.W. Wood Museum, Montpelier, through May 23. Info, 222-0909.

‘SPRINGTIDE’: A juried selection of works by members of the Vermont Watercolor Society, juried by Shari Blaukopf. Reception: Friday, April 3, 5-7:30 p.m. T.W. Wood Museum, Montpelier, April 3-May 23. Info, 222-0909.

Church of Essex Junction, Thursday, April 2, 9-11 a.m. Free; $25 annual dues after two free meetings. Info, howekit0@gmail.com.

‘VARIED AND ALIVE’: A CLOSER LOOK: A virtual preview of highlights from the exhibition “Varied and Alive” in which curator Kory Rogers offers opportunities to engage with objects from the museum’s permanent collection. Shelburne Museum, Thursday, April 2, 6-7 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 985-3346.

LIFE DRAWING AND PAINTING: A drop-in event for artists working with the figure from a live model. T.W. Wood Museum, Montpelier, Thursday, April 2, 7-9 p.m. Free; $15 suggested donation. Info, 222-0909.

OPEN HOUSE WEEKEND: A tour of the pottery studio, including a new hand-building room and workshop area. Grounded Earth, Burlington, Friday, April 3, 4-6 p.m., and Saturday, April 4, 10 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, hello@groundedearthvt.com.

MONTPELIER ART WALK: A bimonthly self-guided arts tour through downtown featuring exhibitions, artist talks, receptions, workshops and live music. Downtown Montpelier, Friday, April 3, 4-8 p.m. Free. Info, info@montpelierartwalk.org.

FREE COMMUNITY DAY: Free admission all day in celebration of new exhibitions and the museum’s spring reopening. Bennington Museum, Saturday, April 4. Free. Info, 447-1571.

SOCIAL SUNDAY: An opportunity for children and caregivers to stop in and complete a 15- to 30-minute activity during the two-hour workshop. Milton Artists’ Guild Art Center & Gallery, Sunday, April 5, 1-3 p.m. Free. Info, 891-2014.

ARTS FOR ASYLUM SEEKERS FUNDRAISER: Chittenden Asylum Seekers Assistance Network presents an opportunity for anyone to sponsor creative works made as part of a monthlong fundraiser to ensure emergency legal representation for asylum seekers. April 6-30. Free. Info at casanvermont.org.

PORTRAIT DRAWING AND PAINTING: A drop-in event where artists can practice skills in any medium. T.W. Wood Museum, Montpelier, Monday, April 6, 10 a.m.noon. Free; $15 suggested donation. Info, 222-0909.

ARTIST TALK: NATHANIEL RUSSELL: The Indianapolis-based illustrator, designer, printmaker and multifaceted artist presents his work. This event is sponsored by Champlain College Creative Media and Graphic Design programs in partnership with the Vermont Art Book Fair. Alumni Auditorium, Champlain College, Burlington, Tuesday, April 7, 5:30-6:45 p.m. Free. Info, 865-5467.

OPEN STUDIO: A guided meditation followed by an hour of art making in any medium and concluding with a share-and-witness process. Many art materials available. In person and online. Expressive Arts Burlington, Tuesday, April 7, 6:30-8:30 p.m. By donation. Info, 343-8172.

JEN BERGER: “What Do We Do With What’s Left Behind?,” an exhibition of new work centered on loss and grief. Reception: Friday, April 3, 5-8 p.m. Francis Colburn Gallery, University of Vermont, Burlington, through April 9.

CLARK RUSSELL: “Unclassified Art,” a collection of mixed-media works by the Burlington sculptor that have never been shown before. Reception: Friday, April 3, 5-9 p.m. The S.P.A.C.E. Gallery, Burlington, April 3-25. Info, spacegalleryvt@gmail.com.

‘THE CREATIVE COMPETITION’: A participatory art show where viewers select and vote for their favorite pieces. Reception: April 3, 5-9 p.m.; live music from Sonido Mal Maiz, 8-10 p.m. The SEABA Center, Burlington, April 2-25. Info, director@seaba.com.

ALEXIS SERIO AND MEL REA: “A Breath of Fresh Air,” an exhibition of works by two painters whose approach includes luminous color and intuitive abstraction. Edgewater Gallery at the Falls, Middlebury, April 4-May 2. Info, 458-0098.

ART EVENTS

ESSEX ART LEAGUE: A group of Vermont artists and enthusiasts who meet monthly. First Congregational

‘UNDERSTANDING COLOR’: A hands-on workshop with Sabrina Fadial exploring color in gouache, watercolor, pencil or collage. Open to all levels. T.W. Wood Museum, Montpelier, Tuesday, April 7, 7-9 p.m. $15 suggested donation. Info, 222-0909.

CURATORIAL TALK: DAVID TENIERS AND THEATRUM PICTORIUM: Eloise McFarlane, who organized “‘To All Art Lovers’: David Teniers and Theatrum Pictorium,” discusses this first-ever catalog of a significant collection of paintings. Mahaney Arts Center, Middlebury College, Wednesday, April 8, 4:30-5:30 p.m. Free. Info, 443-2369.

WINDHAM COUNTY EDUCATORS MIXER: An invitation to local pre-K-12 teachers, school administrators, staff, paraprofessionals and coaches to stop by the museum for a complimentary drink, appetizers, live music, cash bar and the opportunity to see the new exhibitions, as well as a sand mandala in progress by Tibetan monk Lama Tenzin Yignyen. Brattleboro Museum & Art Center, Wednesday, April 8, 5-7 p.m. Free; registration encouraged. Info, 257-0124. ➆

“Cones” by Heidi Broner

ARTS NEWS

Curator Heather Ferrell Joins Fleming Museum

BY ALICE DODGE • adodge@sevendaysvt.com

Heather Ferrell, who has been the curator and director of exhibitions at BCA Center in Burlington for nearly a decade, is moving up the hill to become the new curator of collections and exhibitions at the University of Vermont’s Fleming Museum. The role was last occupied by Kristan Hanson, who left in November. Ferrell starts later this month.

In an interview, Ferrell, 55, said she has been inspired by recent changes at the museum, particularly since the launch of the 2022 “Fleming Reimagined” campaign that has sought to update and add social and historical context to how the museum displays parts of its collection for a modern audience.

“It’s got a lot of new staff and new leadership,” she said. “They literally have transformed every gallery in the space — it’s not your grandma’s Fleming.”

Hiring Ferrell makes sense for the museum’s new ethos. She has become known for her approach to public programming, regularly adding panel discussions, artist talks and opportunities for “learning” — her preferred term over “education” — alongside exhibitions at BCA Center. That was something the Fleming

was seeking, according to executive director Sonja Lunde.

“Heather brings an exceptional track record of community-centered and thoughtprovoking programming and a real curatorial approach that makes art feel relevant and deeply connected to the everyday,” Lunde said.

Ferrell joined BCA in 2016, moving from Doha, Qatar, where she managed exhibitions and programs at the National Museum of Qatar. She worked with permanent collections there, at the Boise Art Museum in Idaho and at her alma mater, Utah State University, and said she is excited to once again find creative ways for students and the public to interact with historical and ethnographic objects.

“Our collection is really broad and diverse,” Lunde said. Hiring someone who can “contextualize all of that through a lens of contemporary art and work with living artists to bring that to life,” she added, “is really exciting.”

Ferrell said she is proud of what she’s done at BCA Center, particularly shows such as last fall’s “Do We Say Goodbye? Grief, Loss, and Mourning” and the current exhibition, “Human Impact: Contemporary Art and Our Environment,” both of which integrate works by Vermont artists and those from farther afield, as well as bringing in unusual partners such as the Vermont Association of Psychoanalytic Studies. “I love shows where I can invite community voices,” Ferrell said.

She feels good about how she’s leaving BCA, she said: “Whoever comes in will have a

lot of space to build up, look ahead, find their vision.”

Who that might be remains an open question. Given the city’s current budget shortfall and a broader “period of contraction in our economy,” BCA executive director Doreen Kraft said, “we are just going to take a bit of a pause.”

Ferrell has already cocurated some upcoming BCA shows, including this fall’s “Dark Botanica” and a video installation by French artist Laurent Grasso. In the immediate future, Kraft said, she hopes to “fill those

shoes with both staff stepping up as well as, perhaps, the introduction of guest curators.” Kraft, Lunde and Ferrell hinted at possible future collaborations between the Fleming and BCA. “I have a lot of great resources, not only on campus but in the community,” Ferrell said. “I get to stay [local], which is really a privilege. I wouldn’t have taken a job where I had to leave Burlington.” ➆

Heather Ferrell

music+nightlife

S UNDbites

News and views on the local music + nightlife scene

BY CHRIS FARNSWORTH

• farnsworth@sevendaysvt.com

Green Mountain Sounds

In our Media Issue a few weeks ago, I asked readers for their thoughts on how I cover the Vermont music scene. Y’all did not disappoint. It was truly wonderful and enlightening to hear all the feedback from readers with ideas, praise, constructive criticism and, in one case, a plea to start a jam band-only newsletter.

(I’m not going to do that, of course, but I spent most of a week having a blast coming up with the name. I narrowed it down to Chris’ Noodle Factory, Wookin’ Out for You and One Small Step for Jamkind.)

Much of the feedback concerned our album reviews. As the album review has grown increasingly rare in music publications and online outlets — even Pitchfork stuck its reviews behind a paywall recently — there’s a general sense that music criticism has been defanged. While reader suggestions gave me food for thought, what I heard over and over was that, above all else, you just want to be kept in the know about a diverse and sprawling music scene, from the Northeast Kingdom to the state’s southern shires.

It’s ﬁtting, then, that we have a stacked week of Vermont music news!

Before I get into it, just a heads-up that if you want additional coverage, I collaborate with our friends at Vermont Public for a monthly appearance on “Vermont Edition” to talk all things Green Mountain music with producer and fellow musician JON EHRENS, aka indie artist REPELICAN. Be sure to check out our conversation from Monday on new music from NOAH KAHAN and KING TUFF

Catch and Release

It’s going to be a huge season for Vermont music: DWIGHT + NICOLE, ROBBER ROBBER, HENRY JAMISON, LIZ COOPER and ORDH all have new releases out now or coming up this summer. But that’s not all.

Burlington guitarist and songwriter BOB WAGNER’s long-awaited debut solo record, I’ve Been Down, comes out digitally on June 5 and on vinyl June 12. Long considered one of the Queen City’s finest sidemen and an ace session shredder with the likes of KAT WRIGHT, JOSH PANDA and, most recently, PHISH bassist MIKE GORDON, Wagner is finally stepping into the spotlight. He recorded his new record in Nashville, enlisting guest musicians such as STURGILL SIMPSON guitarist LAUR JOAMETS and OLIVER WOOD and JANO RIX of the WOOD BROTHERS. In anticipation of the release, Wagner put out an advance single last month titled “Sad and Lonesome.” A funkdriven country rocker with a searing solo from Joamets, the tune highlights Wagner’s Southern rock-inflected grooves and soulful voice. The track is available on major streaming services and bobwagner.bandcamp.com.

Indie singer-songwriter LILY SEABIRD released a new single last month titled “Demon in Me.” The Burlington musician has been busy since the release of her excellent 2025 record, Trash Mountain. That album catapulted Seabird to another level, garnering praise from the likes of Rolling Stone, NPR and Stereogum — and the designation of “an indie star in the making” from the Guardian

“Demon in Me” is a dynamic, psychedelic folk rocker, with Seabird caught somewhere between LUCINDA WILLIAMS and PJ HARVEY. It’s an initially delicate song that all but explodes into a noise-rock freak-out.

In a press release, Seabird said the song is on “the dark side, probably a symptom of anxiety or depression.” Check out the song at lilyseabird. bandcamp.com or on major streaming services. An accompanying music video is streaming now on YouTube.

Rutland singer-songwriters GEORGE NOSTRAND and PHIL HENRY have joined

Bob Wagner

George Nostrand

forces for a politically themed duet titled “Make Good Trouble Again.” Inspired by words from late civil rights leader and statesman John Lewis, the folk song was written as a proper protest anthem, urging Americans of all ages to ﬁght the rise of fascism.

“We all watched what happened in Minneapolis,” Nostrand wrote in an email to Seven Days, referring to the deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good earlier this year at the hands of federal immigration o cers. “When people stand up, they can make a di erence … We need all people, younger and older, and all walks of life to show that a ects all of us, and we can’t sit back and watch our liberties get stripped away.”

Nostrand and Henry released the track just before Saturday’s nationwide “No Kings” protests; it’s available on major streaming services.

Mountain Jamz

Outdoor festival season starts early this year with a pair of upcoming events that should satisfy those readers who requested a jam band-only newsletter. First up is the inaugural Gather Outdoors, a two-day festival at Stratton Mountain Resort on April 11 and 12. Billed as a “high-energy celebration of winter culture and community,” according to a press release, the après-

Eye on the Scene

Listening In

(Spotify mix of local jams)

1. “HARD TRUTH” by Konﬂik, Reks

2. “MONO NO AWARE” by Ruth Garbus

3. “CONTROLLED CHAOS” by Ryan Sweezey

4. “LONG DAYS IN MY ROOM” by conswank

5. “WASTING ALL MY TIME” by Dwight + Nicole

6. “SWEETNESS” by HOLDING NAPOLEON

7. “MONEY” by Grace Potter

Scan to listen

sevendaysvt. com/playlist

WOMEN OF AMERICANA

a heartfelt celebration of early folk, country, gospel, and

with Women of Americana! This isn’t just a concert it ’s an exuberant exploration of this singular American genre that planted the roots of American music.

Featuring vocalists and instrumentalists Cristina Vane and Brennen Leigh, the show includes songs made famous by iconic artists like Brandi Carlile, Emmy Lou Harris, Alison Krauss, Dolly Parton and more

ski-on-steroids party features a loaded lineup of jam bands and electronic music, including EDM artist CRANKDAT, jam legends the DISCO BISCUITS and bassist

SOUNDBITES » P.58

Sam Boston

Last week’s highlights from photographer Luke Awtry

LIAM GRANT, SAM BOSTON, JEREMY KIZINA AT RIVEN IN BURLINGTON, SUNDAY, MARCH 15: Nestled unassumingly in Burlington’s South End, RIVEN — the design studio of local furniture maker and experimental musician Matt Hastings — occasionally hosts shows. One such evening last month, Vermonter Jeremy Kizina performed solo on his effected Martin acoustic guitar, easing the small, seated crowd into what was to come. Up next was Liam Grant, a Boston guitarist whose meditative compositions encourage disassociation: In one section, Grant strummed the same chord every 15 seconds or so, and after an indiscernible amount of time I began to ﬂoat away, carefree and content. To ﬁnish the evening, Connecticut’s Sam Boston played a single piece on his “electric duochord with wheel” — a hand-cranked, hand-built device with a wooden wheel riding two bass strings attached to a two-by-four, not unlike a hurdy-gurdy. Again, the listener was led into a state where time and space ceased to exist, distanced from today’s harsh realities. I bet we could all use some of that.

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life lines

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music+nightlife

Soundbites « P.57

KARINA RYKMAN, among others. Get tickets at gatheroutdoors.com.

Next month in Ludlow, PHISH guitarist TREY ANASTASIO’s Divided Sky Foundation throws its annual party, Music on the Mountain. Rykman pulls double duty and is joined on the bill by jam band EGGY, local funk and groove outﬁt LAMP, and singer-songwriter ANDERS OSBORNE. The one-day, substance-free fest goes down on Saturday, May 16, at Okemo Mountain Resort as part of Divided

Sky’s BIG Weekend, which also includes a 5K fun run, campﬁre jams and a Sunday morning acoustic brunch. Music on the Mountain culminates with a massive jam titled BIG Weekend AllStars After Party that features, among others, members of the TREY ANASTASIO BAND such as JENNIFER HARTSWICK and RAY PACZKOWSKI. Check out bigweekend.org to learn more.

Food for Thought

Finally, Epsilon Spires in Brattleboro hosts a ﬁlm screening of Peaches Goes

Shows to Watch Out For

BY CHRIS FARNSWORTH

1. HANNIBAL BURESS at the Egg in Albany, N.Y., April 8

Bananas and a Q&A with director Marie Losier this Friday, April 3. Following the feminist, experimentalpop artist PEACHES, the 2024 documentary was shot over the course of 17 years, capturing the span of one of the strangest, most unconventional careers in music.

After the screening, Counter Cultures Kitchen serves a meal inspired by the ﬁlm —presumably including peach cobbler, because what else can you make with peaches? Check out epsilonspires. org for more information. ➆

2. ROBIN PECKNOLD at the Flynn Main Stage in Burlington, April 22

3. JAMES MCMURTRY & THE MARTIAL LAW REVIEW at the Stone Church in Brattleboro, June 23

4. BILLY BRAGG at Club Soda in Montréal, July 4

5. DJO at ompson’s Point in Portland, Maine, July 21

6. THUNDERCAT at Waterfront Park in Burlington, July 30

7. JORDAN DAVIS at the Champlain Valley Exposition in Essex Junction, August 29

LaMP

Hannibal Buress

Djo

Spring Tune Up Series

WED., APR. 1

OLD SPOKES HOME COMMUNITY WORKSHOP, BURLINGTON

'Darkology': An Evening with Rhae Lynn Barnes

THU., APR. 2

PHOENIX BOOKS, BURLINGTON

Conor Churchill with Special Guest

David Cron

THU., APR. 2

THE UNDERGROUND - LISTENING ROOM, RANDOLPH

Stories of Home - Fair Housing Month

Kickoff

FRI., APR. 3

MAIN STREET LANDING ARTS CENTER FILM HOUSE, BURLINGTON

SAM Workshop – Historic Paint & Sip

SAT., APR. 4

SAINT ALBANS MUSEUM

Easter Bunny Cookie Decorating Workshop

SAT., APR. 4

STOCKBRIDGE CENTRAL SCHOOL

Lost in Translation | The Language of Hunger

TUE., APR. 7 & FRI., APR. 10 ONLINE

An Evening of Poetry with Molly Johnsen

THU., APR. 9

PHOENIX BOOKS, BURLINGTON

Heloise & the Savoir Faire

FRI., APR. 10

STANDING STONE WINES, WINOOSKI

Foam Brewers Presents a Benefit Concert for Migrant Justice w/ Burning Monk

FRI., APR. 10

SEABA CENTER, BURLINGTON

Aplomb Circle

FRI., APR. 10

HULA, BURLINGTON

SAT., APR. 11

Spring Tree Pruning Workshop

HORSFORD GARDENS & NURSERY, CHARLOTTE

French Macarons 101

SAT., APR. 11

RICHMOND COMMUNITY KITCHEN

Cook the Book: Julia Turshen’s 'Simply Julia' Workshop Featuring Chef Ariel Voorhees

SAT., APR. 11

RED POPPY CAKERY, WATERBURY

Solaris 'Blue Skies'

SAT., APR. 11

WATERBURY CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

Alimoany

SAT., APR. 11

MAIN STREET LANDING PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, BURLINGTON

Vermont Spring Market

SAT., APR. 11

CHAMPLAIN VALLEY EXPOSITION, ESSEX JUNCTION

April Cookie Decorating Class with Laura's Cookies

SUN., APR. 12

QUEEN CITY BREWERY, BURLINGTON

TURNmusic Presents Michael Arnowitt, Piano

SUN., APR. 12

THE PHOENIX GALLERY & MUSIC HALL, WATERBURY

Diana Fanning, Piano

SUN., APR. 12

CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF ST. PAUL, BURLINGTON

music+nightlife

CLUB DATES

live music

WED.1

Jazz Night with Ray Vega (jazz) at Hotel Vermont, Burlington, 8:30 p.m. Free.

Jazz Sessions (jazz) at the 126, Burlington, 9 p.m. Free.

Krishna Guthrie Band (folk, rock) at Poultney Pub, 7 p.m. Free.

Zach Nugent’s Dead Set (Grateful Dead tribute) at Zenbarn, Waterbury Center, 7 p.m. $17.87.

THU.2

Bluegrass & BBQ (bluegrass) at Four Quarters Brewing, Winooski, 6:30 p.m. Free.

Conor Churchill, David Cron (Americana) at the Underground, Randolph, 7 p.m. Free.

Geordie Greep (indie rock) at Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington, 7 p.m. $33.26.

George Murtie (covers) at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction, 6 p.m. Free.

Harbinger 2-Year Anniversary Party (goth) at the Stone Church, Brattleboro, 7 p.m. $18.99/$26.

Kaleb Cohen, Swampy Tonk (singer-songwriter) at Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington, 7 p.m. $26.68.

Kiley Latham, Ashna Hile, Izzy Jones (singer-songwriter) at Monkey House, Winooski, 7:30 p.m. $5/$10.

Seth Yacovone (acoustic) at Black Flannel Brewing & Distilling, Essex, 6 p.m. Free.

The Wind-Ups, the Leatherbound Books, Funeral Date (punk) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 8 p.m. $10.

Zach Nugent’s Dead Set (Grateful Dead tribute) at Zenbarn, Waterbury Center, 7 p.m. $17.87.

FRI.3

90 Proof (covers) at the Old Post, South Burlington, 8 p.m. Free. Aly & AJ, Hayden Blount (indie pop) at Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington, 7 p.m. $37.40.

The Balconiers (funk, jazz) at the Alchemist, Stowe, 4 p.m. Free.

Colin McCaffrey & Friends (indie pop) at Hugo’s, Montpelier, 7:30 p.m. Free.

Dan Parks (covers) at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction, 5 p.m. Free.

Dead Man Strumming (Grateful Dead tribute) at River Roost Brewery, White River Junction, 5 p.m. Free.

Eliza Edens, Cricket Blue, Bo Malcolm (folk) at Foam Brewers, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. Free.

english major, Nolie, C.B. Spencer (indie) at Light Club Lamp Shop, Burlington, 8:30 p.m. $10. High Summer (soul) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 7 p.m. $10.

Find the most up-to-date info on live music, DJs, comedy and more at sevendaysvt.com/music. If you’re a talent booker or artist planning live entertainment at a bar, nightclub, café, restaurant, brewery or coffee shop, send event details to music@sevendaysvt.com or submit the info using our form at sevendaysvt.com/postevent.

Sound It Out

After forming the band Black Midi in 2017 and releasing several acclaimed records with the group, UK singer-songwriter and guitarist GEORDIE GREEP launched his solo career with 2024’s The New Sound. His unique singing style — described by the Guardian as a “warped croon” — and a wildly eclectic sonic aesthetic have helped make Greep one of the more intriguing indie-rock artists in the world. Fusing art rock, prog and punk — with a side of Frank Zappa and detours into Brazilian jazz and funk — Greep’s solo record further cements his reputation as an unpredictable musical force. He performs at the Higher Ground Ballroom in South Burlington on Thursday, April 2.

Madigan Linnane (singersongwriter) at Switchback Beer Garden & Smokehouse, Burlington, 5:30 p.m. Free.

Mean Waltons (bluegrass) at Poultney Pub, 6 p.m. Free.

The Meteors, Slob Drop (punk) at the Stone Church, Brattleboro, 7 p.m. $25/$31.

Mowgli and Bella (jazz) at Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge, Burlington, 8 p.m. $10. Paul Webb (piano) at Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

Rap Night Burlington (hip-hop) at Drink, Burlington, 9 p.m. $5.

The Shady Trees, North Beach Dub All-Stars (funk, rock) at Zenbarn, Waterbury Center, 8 p.m. $12.19/$18.39.

Sticks & Stones (covers) at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction, 9 p.m. Free.

The Sugarhill Gang (hip-hop) at Pickle Barrel Nightclub, Killington, 8 p.m. $41.54.

Summer Fling, Baby Fearn (indie) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 10 p.m. $15.

SAT.4

12 O/C, Troy Millette & the Fire Below (country) at Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington, 7 p.m. $26.68.

3rd Chamber Sessions (hip-hop) at Monkey House, Winooski, 7:30 p.m. $5/$10.

April Clemens, Cobalt (folk) at the Whammy Bar, Calais, 7 p.m. Free. Chanterelle (rock) at Bent Nails Roadhouse, Middlesex, 8:30 p.m. Free.

Chicky Stoltz (singer-songwriter) at the Den at Harry’s Hardware, Cabot, 7 p.m. Free.

Dan Parks (singer-songwriter) at Switchback Beer Garden & Smokehouse, Burlington, 5:30 p.m. Free.

DJ Dakota, Nasteeluvsyou, DJ Chris Logan, Konflik (hip-hop) at Afterthoughts, Waitsfield, 9 p.m. Free.

Eugene Tyler Band (bluegrass, folk) at Circle Strings Guitar Shop, South Burlington, 6 p.m. $25. Fisher and the Flood, Talon, Girls Night, Hissy Fit (punk) at Burlington Odd Fellows Hall, 7 p.m. $10.

Have Fun, Mr. Doubtfire, Skrom (punk) at 1st Republic Brewing, Essex, 9 p.m. $10.

The Hokum Brothers (Americana) at Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge, Burlington, 8 p.m. $10.

Keta Ester, Vega, Noah Kesey (folk) at Foam Brewers, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

Patrick Watson, La Force (indie) at Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington, 7 p.m. SOLD OUT.

Seth Yacovone Band (blues, rock) at Tower Bar, Jay, 4 p.m. Free.

Shelby Means and the Hopeaholics (bluegrass) at Zenbarn, Waterbury Center, 7 p.m. $18.39/$23.55.

SNP (folk) at 1st Republic Brewing, Essex, 6 p.m. Free.

The Stabilizers (rock) at Hugo’s, Montpelier, 7:30 p.m. Free.

Star Farm, the War Turtles, Assorted Fruit (punk) at Light Club Lamp Shop, Burlington, 8:30 p.m. $10.

Stringhead, boat kill by fire, button (emo, hardcore) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 6:30 p.m. $10. Superpink, Threestyle (indie rock) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 9 p.m. $10.

Wild Party, Capital Soiree (indie pop) at the Stone Church, Brattleboro, 7 p.m. $22/$28.

YYZeppelin (Led Zeppelin, Rush tribute) at the Alchemist, Stowe, 4 p.m. Free.

SUN.5

D.Davis & Marc Gwinn (acoustic) at Foam Brewers, Burlington, 1 p.m. Free.

Kira Metcalf, Honeycrush, Laur & Lunar Static (indie) at Monkey House, Winooski, 7 p.m. $10.

Seth Yacovone (acoustic) at the Alchemist, Stowe, 4 p.m. Free.

Sift (jam) at Zenbarn, Waterbury Center, 7 p.m. $12.19.

Spring Chickens (bluegrass) at Lawson’s Finest Liquids, Waitsfield, 3 p.m. Free.

Sunday Brunch Tunes (singersongwriter) at Hotel Vermont, Burlington, 10 a.m.

Wine & Jazz Sundays (jazz) at Shelburne Vineyard, 5 p.m. Free.

TUE.7

Bad Suns, She’s Green (indie rock) at Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $33.26.

Big Easy Tuesdays with Jon McBride (jazz) at the 126, Burlington, 9 p.m. Free.

Bluegrass Jam (bluegrass) at Poultney Pub, 7 p.m. Free.

Dead Is Alive with Dobbs’ Dead (Grateful Dead tribute) at Einstein’s Tap House, Burlington, 8 p.m. $15.

Flint & Steale (acoustic) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 6 p.m. $5.

Honky Tonk Tuesday with Wild Leek River (country) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 9 p.m. $10.

Irish Night with RambleTree (Celtic) at Two Brothers Tavern, Middlebury, 7 p.m. Free.

Luis Betancourt, Veronica, Nell (singer-songwriter) at Monkey House, Winooski, 7 p.m. Free.

Nora & Eliza (folk) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $10.

Troy Millette (singer-songwriter) at Lawson’s Finest Liquids, Waitsfield, 5:30 p.m. Free.

WED.8

Haley Heynderickx, Max García Conover (indie folk) at Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington, 7 p.m. $36.36.

Jazz Night with Ray Vega (jazz) at Hotel Vermont, Burlington, 8:30 p.m. Free.

Jazz Sessions (jazz) at the 126, Burlington, 9 p.m. Free.

djs

THU.2

Dark Entries (DJ) at Standing Stone Wines, Winooski, 7 p.m. Free.

Thirty Thursday (DJ) at Rí Rá Irish Pub & Whiskey Room, Burlington, 10 p.m. Free.

Vinyl Night (DJ) at Poultney Pub, 6 p.m. Free.

FRI.3

DJ Fattie B (DJ) at Monkey House, Winooski, 9 p.m. Free.

DJ Sets (DJ) at Red Square, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

DJ Taka (DJ) at Light Club Lamp Shop, Burlington, 11 p.m. $10/$15.

Friday Night at Specs (DJ) at Specs Cafe & Bar, Winooski, 7 p.m. Free.

SAT.4

Bad Bunny Easter with DJ JP Black (DJ) at Einstein’s Tap House, Burlington, 10 p.m. Free.

DJ Sets (DJ) at Red Square, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free. Roost.World (DJ) at Light Club Lamp Shop, Burlington, 11 p.m. $10.

TUE.7

Bashment Tuesday (DJ) at Akes’ Place, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

WED.8

The Mid Week Hump with DJs Fattie B and Craig Mitchell (DJ) at Monkey House, Winooski, 7 p.m. Free.

Slow Music Appreciation Club (vinyl DJ) at Bar Renée, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. Free.

WED.1

Open Celtic Session (open jam) at Bent Nails Roadhouse, Middlesex, 6 p.m. Free.

Open Mic (open mic) at Poultney Pub, 7 p.m. Free.

The Ribbit Review Open Mic & Jam (open mic) at Lily’s Pad, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

THU.2

Open Mic (open mic) at the Whammy Bar, Calais, 7 p.m. Free.

FRI.3

Red Brick Coffee House (open mic) at Red Brick Meeting House, Westford, 7 p.m. Free.

SUN.5

Olde Time Jam Session (open jam) at the Den at Harry’s Hardware, Cabot, noon. Free.

MON.6

Monday Night Open Mic (open mic) at Pearl Street Pub, Essex Junction, 6 p.m. Free.

TUE.7

Doug’s Open Mic (open mic) at Two Heroes Brewery & Public House, South Hero, 6 p.m. Free.

WED.8

Open Mic (open mic) at Poultney Pub, 7 p.m. Free.

comedy

WED.1

No Foolin’! (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 6:30 p.m. $6.

Standup Open Mic (comedy open mic) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 8:30 p.m. Free.

THU.2 // GEORDIE GREEP [INDIE ROCK]

Job of theWeek

REGISTERED DENTAL HYGIENIST

Stephens Family Dentistry, Hinesburg

Get the scoop on this position from Stephens Family Dentistry owner, Dr. David Stephens

What makes working at Stephens Family Dentistry unique?

REVIEW this music+nightlife

Dana Robinson, The Sound of the Word

(SELF-RELEASED, DIGITAL)

Through no fault of his own, Vermont folk singer and songwriter Dana Robinson has backed himself into a corner. A ﬁne, thoughtful, lyrical and melodic craftsperson, Robinson, on his new album, The Sound of the Word, is nonetheless asking something almost unimaginable in the world today.

Stephens Family Dentistry is a small practice located in the beautiful town of Hinesburg. Working at a small office allows you to work with a team that feels like family. We pride ourselves on a supportive, flexible environment that understands the need for work-life balance, because we see our staff as people, not just employees. We foster multigenerational relationships — that simply doesn’t happen in high-volume urban or corporate settings. As a hygienist here, you aren’t just cleaning teeth; you become a trusted and integral part of the community who might treat the same children, parents and grandparents over decades. We have five total staff members including me, and I’ve run the practice since 2013.

He wants us to slow down and … listen. That is, listen to this complete, 10-song recording — and take it all in with a most unlikely premise: that to do so is a rich, rewarding exercise. So, power down the iPhone, forget the memes and TikTok and Instagram videos, and absorb The Sound of the Word

The album kicks o in homage fashion as Robinson covers the 19thcentury British agricultural protest tune “The Farmer Is the Man That Feeds Us All.” The song has emerged in several iterations over the years and, despite (or because of) our sophisticated times, resonates more than ever. Robinson’s pure tenor earnestly shares the message over a tight, simple arrangement with a bit of a Delta blues feel.

string-band and archival country to pure folk and Cajun.

Further highlights include “Raspberry Cane,” anchored by jaunty ﬁddle runs that would be welcome at a Louisiana crawﬁsh festival. Lyrically, though, Robinson describes with proud appreciation the natural beauty of Vermont and explores what it means to work the land with a sense of duty and awe.

Why working at Stephens Family Dentistry rewarding?

We are an office that prioritizes ample time for appointments, giving us the power of unrushed patient care and education. Stephens Family Dentistry is a one-doctor, privately owned dental practice, which differs from today’s corporate-managed clinics by prioritizing patient-centric care over high-volume, standardized procedures. is allows for smoother and consistent team collaboration and treatment planning because there aren’t multiple doctors working in the same office with different treatment philosophies. We are a fun, small, rewarding office to work for, offering competitive pay and exceptional benefits!

Apply for this great local job and many more: jobs.sevendaysvt.com

It’s a ﬁne way to start, not just because of the lyrical insight but also because the song introduces Robinson’s trusted core of backing musicians. They include drummer Ezra Oklan, bassist Mitch Barron and keyboardist Michael Hartigan. Robinson himself plays a range of instruments, from electric and acoustic guitars to banjo and mandolin to ﬁddle and viola. His wife, Susan, with whom he often performs as a duo, turns up on backing vocals. Robinson self-produced the recording in his home studio, along with engineer Jeremy Mendicino and mastering by Lane Gibson.

I’ve never been privileged to see Robinson live, but I hope this unit accompanies him on a regular basis. There’s a distinct and comfortable familiarity to the sound, which is particularly fun given that Robinson’s songwriting gleefully ﬂutters from

“Hog of the Forsaken” sounds like latter-day Steve Earle — if he’d used a Ouija board to hire Jim Seals to provide vocals on the track. That’s a good thing. Also from the “vocal chameleon” department, Robinson’s “Without Changing Our Ways” channels Cat Stevens in a tune that attests to the satisfaction of living life according to a set of rough-hewn and honest principles.

“Dandelions” and the amusingly titled “Springtime, Etc.” also resonate in a big way, and the set-closing traditional instrumental “Billy in the Lowground” should be Robinson’s encore tune at any show.

Perhaps, with The Sound of the Word, Dana Robinson didn’t back himself into a corner after all. Maybe that’s right where he wants to be. Do yourself a favor and spend some time there.

The Sound of the Word is available at danarobinson.bandcamp.com. Robinson plays the Community Co eehouse Concert Series at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in St. Johnsbury on April 10.

RICK KOSTER

THU.2

An Evening of Comedy with Nick Viagas (comedy) at Radio Bean, Burlington, 6:30 p.m. $5/$10.

Phoebe Robinson (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 7 p.m. $30.

Strapped-In: A Queer Comedy Showcase (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 9 p.m. $17.99.

FRI.3

Comedy Open Mic (comedy) at the Den at Harry’s Hardware, Cabot, 8 p.m. Free.

Phoebe Robinson (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 7 (SOLD OUT) & 9 p.m. $30.

SAT.4

Brian Glowacki (comedy) at Paramount Theatre, Rutland, 7 p.m. $25.

Phoebe Robinson (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 7 (SOLD OUT) & 9 p.m. $30.

TUE.7

All That Jazz Open Mic Comedy (comedy) at the 126, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

WED.8

Emo Phillips (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 7 p.m. $27.99.

Standup Open Mic (comedy open mic) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington, 8:30 p.m. Free.

Trivia (trivia) at Alfie’s Wild Ride, Stowe, 7 p.m. Free.

Trivia (trivia) at Rí Rá Irish Pub & Whiskey Room, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

Trivia (trivia) at Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

WED.1

Karaoke Friday Night (karaoke) at Park Place Tavern & Grill, Essex Junction, 8 p.m. Free.

Karaoke with Cam (karaoke) at Monopole, Plattsburgh, N.Y., 9 p.m. Free.

THU.2

Country Line Dancing (line dancing) at Zenbarn, Waterbury Center, 7:30 p.m. Free.

Karaoke (karaoke) at Gusto’s, Barre, 8 p.m. Free.

Karaoke Friday Night (karaoke) at Park Place Tavern & Grill, Essex Junction, 8 p.m. Free.

Trivia (trivia) at Einstein’s Tap House, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free.

Trivia (trivia) at Four Quarters Brewing, Winooski, 6 p.m. Free.

Trivia (trivia) at Bent Nails Roadhouse, Middlesex, 7 p.m. Free.

Trivia Night (trivia) at 1st Republic Brewing, Essex, 6 p.m. Free.

Trivia Night (trivia) at McKee’s Island Pub & Pizza, South Hero, 6:30 p.m. Free.

Trivia Night (trivia) at the Tropic Brewing, Waterbury, 7 p.m. Free.

FRI.3

Boogie Bingo (bingo, DJ) at the Alchemist, Stowe, 5 p.m. Free.

Icing on the Cake

Brooklyn singersongwriter ELIZA EDENS knows all about heartbreak. On her most recent album, it’s your birthday & you’re gorgeous, she navigates the end of a relationship and the declining health of her mother. With a blend of delicate confessional folk and a hint of country and blues in the vein of Karen Dalton, Edens’ music can both devastate and uplift. Her tour brings her to Foam Brewers in Burlington on Friday, April 3, where she’ll be joined by local prog-folk/chamber-pop duo CRICKET BLUE and singer-songwriter BO MALCOLM

Karaoke Friday Night (karaoke) at Park Place Tavern & Grill, Essex Junction, 8 p.m. Free.

Karaoke with DJ Big T (karaoke) at McKee’s Original, Winooski, 9 p.m. Free.

‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Viewing Party (watch party) at Einstein’s Tap House, Burlington, 8 p.m. Free.

Trivia (trivia) at the Whammy Bar, Calais, 7 p.m. Free.

SAT.4

Queeraoke with Goddess (karaoke) at Standing Stone Wines, Winooski, 9 p.m. Free.

SUN.5

Family-Friendly Karaoke (karaoke) at Old Soul Design Shop, Plattsburgh, N.Y., 5 p.m. Free.

Sunday Funday (games) at 1st Republic Brewing, Essex, noon. Free.

Sunday Night Trivia (trivia) at the Lazy Goat Tavern, Essex, 6 p.m. Free.

Trivia (trivia) at Zenbarn, Waterbury Center, 5:30 p.m. Free.

MON.6

Fighting Game Community Biweekly with WNFC (gaming) at Lumière Hall, Burlington Beer, 4 p.m. $5.

Retro Game Night (gaming) at the Den at Harry’s Hardware, Cabot, 6 p.m. Free.

Trivia Monday (trivia) at Black Flannel Brewing & Distilling, Essex, 6 p.m. Free.

(trivia) at Charlie-O’s World Famous, Montpelier, 8 p.m. Free.

Trivia with Craig Mitchell (trivia) at Monkey House, Winooski, 7 p.m. Free.

TUE.7

Karaoke with DJ Party Bear (karaoke) at Charlie-O’s World Famous, Montpelier, 9:30 p.m. Free.

Taproom Trivia (trivia) at 14th Star Brewing, St. Albans, 6:30 p.m. Free.

Trivia Night (trivia) at Gusto’s, Barre, 6:30 p.m. Free.

Trivia Tuesday (trivia) at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction, 7 p.m. Free.

WED.8

Karaoke Friday Night (karaoke) at Park Place Tavern & Grill, Essex Junction, 8 p.m. Free.

Karaoke with Cam (karaoke) at Monopole, Plattsburgh, N.Y., 9 p.m. Free.

Trivia (trivia) at Alfie’s Wild Ride, Stowe, 7 p.m. Free.

Trivia (trivia) at Rí Rá Irish Pub & Whiskey Room, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free.

Trivia (trivia) at Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free. ➆

Trivia Monday with Top Hat Entertainment (trivia) at McKee’s Original, Winooski, 7 p.m. Free. Trivia with Brain

calendar

APRIL 1-8, 2026

WED.1

activism

DISABLED ACCESS & ADVOCACY OF THE RUTLAND AREA MONTHLY ZOOM MEETING: Community members gather online to advocate for accessibility and other disability-rights measures. 11:30 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 779-9021.

business

‘DO MORE, MORE NATURALLY: THE EXECUTIVE’S GUIDE TO MENTAL ENERGY MANAGEMENT & SUSTAINABLE PERFORMANCE’: Expert Tricia Senzel helps high-functioning professionals shed the burden of over-responsibility. Noon-1:30 p.m. $20; free for members and first-time guests. Info, 503-0219.

VERMONT WOMENPRENEURS BIZ

BUZZ ZOOM: A monthly virtual networking meetup provides a space for female business owners to connect. 10-11 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, 870-0903.

crafts

FIBER ARTS NIGHT: Yarnies make progress on projects while soaking up creativity and connection. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, 5:30-7 p.m. Free. Info, 223-3338.

YARN & YAK: A weekly club for fiber fanatics of all skill levels makes knitting and crocheting more sociable. Milton Artists’ Guild Art Center & Gallery, 5-7 p.m. Free. Info, 999-0516.

YARN CRAFTERS GROUP: A drop-in meetup welcomes knitters, crocheters, spinners, weavers and other fiber artists. BYO snacks and drinks. Must

Love Yarn, Shelburne, 5-7 p.m. Free. Info, 448-3780.

dance

‘CERTAINTY IS OVERRATED’: Curiosity takes center stage when performer Alzo Slade teaches folks how to dismantle barriers and unlock more empathetic, freethinking connections. Wilson Hall, McCullough Student Center, Middlebury College, 4:30 p.m. Free. Info, laurelj@middlebury.edu.

WEST AFRICAN DANCE & DRUM CLASS: Participants learn songs, rhythms and movements to the beat of live music. Dance Theatre, Mahaney Arts Center, Middlebury College, 4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 443-2808.

etc.

CHAMP MASTERS TOASTMASTERS CLUB: Those looking to strengthen their speaking and leadership skills gain new tools. Virtual option available. Dealer.com, Burlington, 6-7:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, cdmvt47@ yahoo.com.

food & drink

COMMUNITY COOKING: Helping hands join up with the nonprofit’s staff and volunteers to make a yummy meal for distribution. Pathways Vermont, Burlington, 6-8 p.m. Free. Info, 777-8691.

CUPPA ON CAMPUS: Community members mingle over tea and coffee, swapping bright ideas for the future of the property. The Creative Campus at Goddard, Plainfield, 8-10 a.m. Free. Info, 821-0741.

health & fitness

BLOOD DRIVE: Participants part with life-sustaining pints at this American Red Cross donation event. Greater

LIST YOUR UPCOMING EVENT HERE FOR FREE!

All submissions must be received by Thursday at noon for consideration in the following Wednesday’s newspaper. Find our convenient form and guidelines at sevendaysvt.com/postevent

Seven Days calendar writer

Rebecca Driscoll selects and writes calendar spotlights. To help process the hundreds of event submissions we receive each week, some listings are compiled with the help of AI. Driscoll reviews, edits and verifies every entry before publication.

Learn more about highlighted listings in the Magnificent 7 on page 11.

celebrates the LGBTQ+ community with feel-good tunes, dancing and drinks. Doma Bar, Burlington, 5-10 p.m. Free; cost of food and drink. Info, sadie@doma.bar. music

Burlington YMCA, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 862-9622.

CHAIR YOGA:

Waterbury Public Library instructor Diana Whitney leads at-home participants in gentle stretches supported by seats. 10 a.m. Free. Info, 244-7036. RECOVERY DHARMA: Folks struggling with addiction gather weekly for an evening of meditation, topical readings and open discussion in a supportive environment. First United Methodist Church, Burlington, 6-7 p.m. Free. Info, 825-1815.

holidays

COMMUNITY PASSOVER

SEDER: Neighbors savor a brisket dinner at this joy-filled evening featuring traditional songs, lively discussion and a deep dive into the timeless Exodus story. Chabad of Vermont, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $18-36; preregister. Info, 658-5770.

language

ELL CLASS: Fletcher Free Library invites learners of all abilities to practice written and spoken English with trained instructors. 6:30-8 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, bshatara@ burlingtonvt.gov.

SPANISH

CONVERSATION: Fluent and beginner speakers brush up on their vocabulario with a discussion led by a Spanish teacher. Presented by Dorothy Alling Memorial Library. 5-6 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, programs@damlvt.org.

lgbtq

THE ALL INCLUSIVE DYKETACULAR: A weekly get-together and listening party

FIND MORE LOCAL EVENTS IN THIS ISSUE AND ONLINE:

Find visual art exhibits and events in the Art section and at sevendaysvt.com/art.

See what’s playing in the On Screen section. music + nightlife

Find club dates at local venues in the Music + Nightlife section online at sevendaysvt.com/music.

= ONLINE EVENT

= GET TICKETS ON SEVENDAYSTICKETS.COM

CHRIS THILE: The Grammywinning mandolinist and Nickel Creek front man interprets Johann Sebastian Bach in a virtuosic solo performance. Flynn Main Stage, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $42.50-69.75. Info, 863-5966.

ST. J BLUEGRASS JAM: Players and fans get together for some old-time picking and fiddling. St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church of St. Johnsbury, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Free; donations accepted. Info, 748-2600.

outdoors

APRIL FULL MOON FIRE: Neighbors gather to greet spring’s “Pink Moon” and honor the seasonal transition with nature-centered reflection. No dogs allowed. Knoll Farm, Fayston, 5:30 p.m. Free. Info, knollfarm.org.

FOREST RESET: GUIDED NATURE WALKS: Cultivate tranquility among the trees at this gentle weekly wander designed to help busy brains tap into their inner peace. Journey Together VT, Richmond, 9-10:30 a.m. Free; donations accepted; preregister. Info, 858-5576.

seminars

AARP TAX HELP: Trained volunteers provide free filing assistance for anyone who needs it. St. Albans Free Library, noon, 1:30 & 3 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 524-1507.

sports

GREEN MOUNTAIN TABLE

TENNIS CLUB: Ping-Pong players block, chop and lob in singles and doubles matches. Rutland Area Christian School, 7-9 p.m. Free for first two sessions; $30 annual membership. Info, 247-5913.

talks

SPRING SPEAKER SERIES: BEN DOYLE: The Preservation Trust of Vermont president provides an overview of the nonprofit’s work and highlights key considerations when undertaking historic community projects. Yestermorrow Design/Build School, Waitsfield, 6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 496-5545.

tech

WORDPRESS MEET-UP KICKOFF

GATHERING: Fans of the world’s most popular open-source content management system convene for a lightly facilitated discussion about the group’s future. Pickering Room, Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 6 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, julia@ wheelhorse-web.com.

theater

‘THE CHILDREN’: Northern Stage mounts Lucy Kirkwood’s critically acclaimed drama about two retired scientists whose peaceful world is upended by a nearby

nuclear disaster. Byrne Theater, Barrette Center for the Arts, White River Junction, 11 a.m. & 7:30 p.m. $10-80. Info, 296-7000.

words

FARMERS NIGHT CONCERT

SERIES: ‘THE POETRY OF A PLACE & ITS PEOPLE’: Nadine Budbill, late writer David Budbill’s daughter and literary executor, helms a dramatic reading and discussion of the poetry that became his timeless collection Judevine. House Chamber, Vermont Statehouse, Montpelier, 7:30 p.m. Free. Info, 828-2228. POETRY AT BENNINGTON: EMERGING POETS FESTIVAL:

School alums Kameryn Alexa Carter, Laura Cresté and Matthew Tuckner share their works for verse lovers. Bennington College, 7 p.m. Free. Info, 440-4376.

THU.2 agriculture

SEED STARTING TIPS & TECHNIQUES WORKSHOP: Green thumbs get a feel for pots, cell trays and grow lights at a hands-on session covering the essentials of indoor germination and successful seedling growth. Landry Park, Winooski, 5:30 p.m. Free. Info, 861-4769.

business

SPRING NETWORKING EVENT:

Stiller Women in Business hosts career-minded students, alumni and members of the public for an evening of professional opportunities. Light refreshments provided. Hula, Burlington, 5-7 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, stillerwomen@champlain.edu.

crafts

KNIT FOR YOUR NEIGHBORS:

From clicking needles to looping looms, participants hook into a mission of goodwill by creating handmade winter wear for the South Burlington Food Shelf. Materials provided. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 2-5 p.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

KNITTING GROUP: Knitters of every experience level get together to spin yarns. Latham Library, Thetford, 7 p.m. Free. Info, 785-4361.

WOODWORKING LAB: Visionaries create a project or learn a new skill with the help of mentors and access to makerspace tools and equipment. Patricia A. Hannaford

Career Center, Middlebury, 5-8 p.m. $7.50. Info, 382-1012.

dance

LINE DANCING: All ages and skill levels mosey on down and get their bodies in sync to the beat of pop and country songs. Proceeds benefit Killington Search & Rescue. The Wobbly Barn Steakhouse, Killington, 6 p.m. By donation. Info, 422-3392.

environment

BTV CLEAN UP CREW: Good Samaritans dispose of needles, trash and other unwanted objects. BYO gloves encouraged. Top of Church St., Burlington, 7:30-10 a.m. Free. Info, 863-2345. etc.

NIGHT OWL CLUB: Astronomers and space exploration experts discuss the latest in extraterrestrial news with curious attendees. Presented by Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium. 7 p.m. Free. Info, 748-2372.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section.

‘BACKYARD WILDERNESS 3D’: Cameras positioned in nests, underwater and along the forest floor capture a year’s worth of critters coming and going. Dealer. com 3D Theater, ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, 11 a.m., 1 & 3 p.m. $3-5 plus regular admission, $17-23; free for members and kids 2 and under. Info, 864-1848.

‘DINOSAURS OF ANTARCTICA 3D’: Join scientists on a journey through a surreal world of bugeyed giants and egg-laying mammals. Dealer.com 3D Theater, ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, 10:30 a.m., 12:30, 2:30 & 4:30 p.m. $3-5 plus regular admission, $17-23; free for members and kids 2 and under. Info, 864-1848.

‘OCEAN PARADISE 3D’: Viewers travel to the far reaches of the Pacific Ocean for a glimpse into the pristine environments vital to our planet’s health. Dealer.com 3D Theater, ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, noon, 2 & 4 p.m. $3-5 plus regular admission, $17-23; free for members and kids 2 and under. Info, 864-1848.

‘SEA MONSTERS 3D: A PREHISTORIC ADVENTURE’: Footage of paleontological digs from around the globe tells a compelling story of scientists

These community event listings are sponsored by the WaterWheel Foundation, a project of the Vermont band Phish.

working as detectives to answer questions about an ancient and mysterious ocean world. Dealer. com 3D Theater, ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, 11:30 a.m., 1:30 & 3:30 p.m. $3-5 plus regular admission, $17-23; free for members and kids 2 and under. Info, 864-1848.

games

BRIDGE CLUB: A lively group plays a classic, tricky game in pairs. Waterbury Public Library, 12:30-4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 522-3523.

CHESS FOR FUN: Patrons select an opening gambit, go on the attack and protect their king in friendly competition. Cobleigh Public Library, Lyndonville, 5-8 p.m. Free. Info, lafferty1949@ gmail.com.

DUPLICATE BRIDGE GAMES: Snacks and coffee fuel bouts of a classic card game. Burlington Bridge Club, Williston, 12:30 p.m. $6. Info, 872-5722.

FRIENDLY GAME OF BRIDGE: Strategic thinkers have a blast with the popular card game. Heineberg Senior Center, Burlington, 1-3 p.m. Free. Info, 233-4395.

PEER SUPPORT DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: Beginners wanted! Players get lost in the fantasyfilled tabletop role-playing game while focusing on teamwork, connection and community building. Morgan House, Burlington, 6-8 p.m. Free. Info, 777-6185.

WEEKLY CHESS FOR FUN: Players of all ability levels face off and learn new strategies. United Community Church, St. Johnsbury, 5:30-9 p.m. Free; donations accepted. Info, lafferty1949@gmail.com.

health & fitness

COMMUNITY

MINDFULNESS: Volunteer coach Andrea Marion leads a weekly practice for stress reduction, followed by a discussion and Q&A. 5-6 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, andreamarion193@gmail.com.

SEATED TAI CHI: Adina guides at-home participants — including those with limited mobility or difficulty standing — through a sequence of slow, connected movements.

Sponsored by the Dorothy Alling Memorial Library. 1 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 878-4918.

holidays

COMMUNITY PASSOVER SEDER: Matzoh ball soup and ritual readings anchor this holiday gathering, where participants contribute kosher dishes to a shared table. Beth Jacob Synagogue, Montpelier, 5-8:30 p.m. $10-20; preregister. Info, 222-0867.

language

ENGLISH CONVERSATION GROUP: Practitioners make strides and new friends at a stress-free discussion circle hosted by Fletcher Free Library. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, bshatara@burlingtonvt.gov.

ITALIAN CONVERSATION GROUP: Parla Italiano? Language learners practice pronunciation and more at a friendly gathering. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, noon-1 p.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

MANDARIN CONVERSATION CIRCLE: Volunteers from Vermont Chinese School help students learn or improve their fluency. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 11 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 846-4140.

SPANISH CONVERSATION GROUP: Conversationalists of all levels practice the Romance language in a welcoming environment. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 4:30-5:30 p.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

lgbtq

POP-UP HAPPY HOUR: Locals connect over drinks at a speakeasy-style bar, hosted by OUT in the 802. Lincolns, Burlington, 5:30-7 p.m. Free. Info, 860-7812.

seminars

CPR & AED TRAINING: A community workshop features hands-on, life-saving instruction for folks with little or no medical training. Northwest Technical Center, St. Albans, 4-7 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 527-0614.

RUNNING BASICS: TRAIL & ROAD PRESENTATION: Experts outline essential equipment and community resources to help folks maintain momentum across both pavement and path. REI,

FAMI LY FU N

Check out these family-friendly events for parents, caregivers and kids of all ages.

• Plan ahead at sevendaysvt.com/family-fun Post your event at sevendaysvt.com/postevent.

APR. 3 | FILM

Good Grief

A communal poetry activity led by Bianca Amira Zanella precedes a screening of Ryan White’s Oscar-nominated 2025 documentary Come See Me in the Good Light at Paramount Theatre, kicking off Rutland’s sixth annual National Poetry Month celebration. The tender but powerful biography follows an LGBTQ couple — both poets — as they navigate one partner’s terminal cancer diagnosis, finding space for humor and levity despite the psychological weight of the future. Writer Jess Bouchard, artist Kelli Prescott and death doula Jackie Proulx lead a postshow panel discussion about the film’s themes of grief, love and the precious, fleeting nature of life.

‘COME SEE ME IN THE GOOD LIGHT’

Friday, April 3, 6:30 p.m., at Paramount Theatre in Rutland. Free; preregister. Info, 802-775-0903, paramountvt.org.

Williston, 6 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 316-3120.

‘STAY SCAM-FREE IN THE DIGITAL WORLD’: AARP Vermont helps web surfers

WED.1

CO-PARENTING DADS: Experiencing separation, divorce or long-term co-parenting?

Fathers assemble virtually to connect, build community and share experiences in a supportive environment. Hosted by Dad Guild. 8-10 p.m. Free. Info, 318-4231.

burlington

‘CHAMP: AMERICA’S LAKE MONSTER’: Curious minds dive into the science and history of Vermont’s most iconic

bypass phishing attempts at an empowering seminar designed to safeguard personal data and boost confidence. Noon-1:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 866-227-7451.

legend at this family-friendly exhibit featuring interactive games, a design studio, multimedia displays, a 30-foot sculpture and photo ops. ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Regular admission, $1723; free for members and kids 2 and under. Info, 864-1848.

DINOSAUR SAFARI EXHIBIT: Young explorers take an unforgettable journey through a hands-on prehistoric world where life-size animatronic dinosaurs come to life. ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Regular admission, $17-23; free for

downloads. Norwich Public Library, 1-4 p.m. Free. Info, 649-1184.

theater

‘THE CHILDREN’: See WED.1, 2 & 7:30 p.m.

‘THE HALF-LIFE OF MARIE CURIE’: Vermont Stage raises the curtain on Lauren Gunderson’s poignant drama based on the true story of two brilliant female scientists forced to confront public scrutiny and sexism in 1912. Ages 12 and up. Black Box Theater, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $3454 sliding scale. Info, 862-1497.

‘MATT & BEN’: Wit, delusions and destiny collide in this stage comedy imagining the early days of Matt Damon and Ben Affleck as roommates writing Good Will Hunting. Hepburn Zoo, Hepburn Hall, Middlebury College, 7:30 p.m. $5. Info, 443-6433.

‘RECONSTRUCTING’: The TEAM stages a metatheatrical drama exploring the aftermath of slavery in America, codirected by Tony Award winner Rachel Chavkin. Moore Theater, Hopkins Center for the Arts, Dartmouth College, Hanover, N.H., 7:30 p.m. $40-65. Info, 603-646-2422.

‘SEMINAR’: Four aspiring novelists undergo brutal literary critiques when a cynical mentor deconstructs their egos in Theresa Rebeck’s biting comedy, presented by Shaker Bridge Theatre. Briggs Opera House, White River Junction, 7 p.m. $2545. Info, 281-6848.

words

DAN CHIASSON: A Queen City native launches his new book, Bernie for Burlington exploring the early days and inexorable rise of U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, in conversation with University of Vermont English professor Maria Hummel. Fleming Museum of Art, University of Vermont, Burlington, 5 p.m. Free. Info, english@uvm.edu.

tech

TECH HELP: Users with digital dilemmas seek expert guidance about everything from smartphone settings to e-book

members and kids 2 and under. Info, 864-1848.

LIBRARY LITTLES PLAYGROUP: A weekly program brings babies, toddlers and their caregivers together for songs, stories, play and community building in a nurturing environment. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 11-11:45 a.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

MAGNATILE MASTERPIECES: Future architects ages 3 and up build imaginative creations with magnetic toys. Fletcher Free Library New North End Branch, Burlington, 10-10:45 a.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

PETER MACFARLANE: A solo paddler recounts the logistical hurdles of navigating a multistate waterway in his new book, The Wolf Faces Backwards. Bixby Memorial Library, Vergennes, 5:30 p.m. Free. Info, 877-2211.

STEAM SPACE: Youngsters in grades K through 5 explore science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics activities. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

chittenden county

BABY TIME: Nonmobile infants and their caregivers embark on a slowpaced social hour featuring songs, rhymes and restorative connection. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

Still from Come See Me in the Good Light

POETRY AT BENNINGTON: EMERGING POETS: Professor Michael Dumanis converses with school alums Kameryn Alexa Carter, Laura Cresté and Matthew Tuckner about their debut works. Bennington College, 12:30 p.m. Free. Info, 440-4376.

RHAE LYNN BARNES: An award-winning historian launches her groundbreaking new book, Darkology: Blackface and the American Way of Entertainment tracing the evolution of minstrelsy in the U.S. Phoenix Books, Burlington, 7 p.m. $3; preregister. Info, 448-3350.

FRI.3

community

‘STORIES OF HOME’: An evening of first-person narratives highlights the complexities of the regional housing landscape. Snacks provided. Film House, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington, 5:30 p.m. Free; preregister; cash bar. Info, 540-3018.

crafts

FIRST FRIDAY FIBER GROUP: Fiber-arts fans make progress on projects while chatting over snacks. GRACE, Hardwick, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Free; donations accepted. Info, info@ruralartsvt.org.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section.

‘BACKYARD WILDERNESS 3D’: See THU.2.

‘COME SEE ME IN THE GOOD LIGHT’: Facing an incurable diagnosis, two poets and lovers embark on a poignant yet unexpectedly humorous exploration of mortality in Ryan White’s 2025 documentary. A panel discussion follows. See calendar spotlight. Paramount Theatre, Rutland, 6:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 775-0903.

‘DINOSAURS OF ANTARCTICA 3D’: See THU.2.

‘OCEAN PARADISE 3D’: See THU.2.

‘SEA MONSTERS 3D: A PREHISTORIC ADVENTURE’: See THU.2.

food

& drink

FOUR FRIDAYS: DINNER & CONVERSATION FOR MIDLIFE

WOMEN: Health coach Liza Baker facilitates weekly gatherings featuring nourishing meals and reflection prompts to spark deep, meaningful discussion. Various South Burlington locations, 6-8 p.m. $322-357; preregister. Info, liza@simply-healthcoaching. com.

games

DUPLICATE BRIDGE GAMES: See THU.2, 10 a.m.

MAH-JONGG: It’s not just for old ladies! Tile traders of all experience levels gather for a rousing game. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 1-3 p.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.

health & fitness

GUIDED MEDITATION

ONLINE: Dorothy Alling Memorial Library invites attendees to relax on their lunch breaks and reconnect with their bodies. Noon-12:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, programs@ damlvt.org.

LAUGHTER YOGA: Spontaneous, joyful movement and breath promote physical and emotional health. Virtual option available. Iyengar Yoga Center of Vermont, Burlington, 4:30-5:30 p.m. Free. Info, 777-8691.

WEEKLY MEDITATION: Expert Zac Ispa-Landa shares tools to quiet the mind, slow down and reset. Outright Vermont, Burlington, 8-8:45 a.m. Free. Info, 825-1815.

lgbtq

‘MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES & SUCCESSES IN THE LGBTQIA COMMUNITY’: Panelists share their expertise on the intersection of gender identity, sexual orientation and psychological well-being. Light refreshments provided. Carpenter-Carse Library, Hinesburg, 6 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, program@ namivt.org.

RPG NIGHT: Members of the LGBTQ community get together weekly for role-playing games such as Dungeons & Dragons and Everway. Rainbow Bridge Community Center, Barre, 5:308:30 p.m. Free. Info, 622-0692.

music

ANA GUIGUI: An acclaimed pianist and vocalist entertains listeners with a wide variety of styles and genres. The Brandon Inn, 7-8 p.m. Free. Info, 747-8300. DANCE PARTY WITH THE GASLIGHT TINKERS: A roots and world music quintet plays upbeat, genre-bending rhythms for revelers to groove to. Virtual option available. Next Stage Arts, Putney, 7:30 p.m. $10-25. Info, 387-0102.

LANE SERIES: FRED HERSCH: An influential pianist and educator shares the stage with the school’s jazz ensemble to perform the music of late composer Billy Strayhorn. The University of Vermont Recital Hall, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $5-35. Info, 656-4455.

québec

‘BEHIND THE MOON’: Tensions simmer in a Toronto eatery when an unexpected visitor shatters the peace, triggering a profound exploration of the migrant experience. Rangshala Studio, Montréal, 7 p.m. $15-28. Info, 514-848-0238.

tech

MORNING TECH HELP: Experts answer questions about phones, laptops, e-readers and other

OPENS APR. 3 | THEATER

Tomorrow Belongs to Us

“Life is a cabaret, ol’ chum, so come to the Cabaret!” Consider that your invite to see Cabaret, set in 1930s Berlin, a city on the brink of Nazi takeover. Wild Goose Players raises the curtain on Joe Masteroff’s classic yet timely musical at Bellows Falls Opera House, transforming the space into the fictitious Kit Kat Klub, a mecca of decadence and entertainment. The eight-time Tony Award-winning masterpiece juxtaposes the luxurious, insular world of the nightclub with the rising tide of fascism at its doorstep, reminding theatergoers of the importance of confronting humanity’s past atrocities and the ever-present need to avoid repeating them.

‘CABARET’ Friday, April 3, 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, April 4, 2 & 7:30 p.m., at Bellows Falls Opera House. See website for additional dates. $10-75. Info, 802-376-4761, wildgooseplayers.com.

devices in one-on-one sessions. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 846-4140.

theater

‘CABARET’: Wild Goose

Players presents the Tony

Award-winning musical of backstage drama at the fictional Kit Kat Club in Germany on the eve of World War II. See calendar spotlight. Bellows Falls Opera House, 7:30 p.m. $10-75. Info, 376-4761.

family. Bennington Theater, 7 p.m. $25-30. Info, 500-5500.

‘THE HALF-LIFE OF MARIE CURIE’: See THU.2.

‘MATT & BEN’: See THU.2. ‘POWERSUITS’: Middlebury College professors Michole Biancosino and Lida Winfield star in this bold, absurdist duet critiquing normative gender roles. An optional ’80s and ’90s dance mix cocktail hour is offered at 6:30 p.m. Town Hall Theater, Middlebury, 7:30 p.m. $15-40. Info, 382-9222.

‘RECONSTRUCTING’: See THU.2. ‘SEMINAR’: See THU.2.

words

‘NATURAL SELECTIONS’: Poets, essayists and musicians debut new works exploring the connection between the human experience and the wild world. North Branch Nature Center, Montpelier, 7 p.m. $20-50 suggested donation. Info, 229-6206.

SPRING BOOK SALE: Avid readers stock up on discounted inventory spanning fiction to history. Aldrich Public Library, Barre, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free; cost of books. Info, 476-7550.

SAT.4

agriculture

TEMPS DES SUCRES WEEKEND: Foodies savor the sweet tradition of the spring sap run with live music, scenic horse-drawn carriage rides, sugar on snow treats and a maple-filled brunch. Jay Peak Resort, noon-7 p.m. Free. Info, cgage@jaypeakresort.com.

community

‘FOOD ON THE TABLE

STORYTELLING’: SOLD OUT. Fivetime Moth StorySLAM winner Bill Torrey charts a course through Vermont’s cultural landscape with heartwarming narratives and seasoned wit. Stories may contain cussing. Proceeds benefit the Richmond Food Shelf & Thrift Store. Richmond Free Library, 4 p.m. $10-20 suggested donation; preregister. Info, treestooges@hotmail.com.

REPAIR CAFÉ: Sustainability seekers trade the “toss-it” mentality for a tool kit at this collaborative workshop designed to revive broken household goods. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 878-6955.

SISTERHOOD CAMPFIRE: Women and genderqueer folks gather in a safe and inclusive space to build community through journaling, storytelling, gentle music and stargazing. Leddy Park, Burlington, 7-9 p.m. Free. Info, sisterhoodcampfire@gmail.com.

‘THE CHILDREN’: See WED.1, 7:30 p.m.

‘A DOLL’S HOUSE PART 2’: Lucas Hnath’s witty sequel to Henrik Ibsen’s classic 19th-century drama imagines Nora Helmer’s return 15 years after she left her

dance

BERLIN CONTRA DANCE: Dancers of all ages and abilities learn at a gathering that encourages joy, laughter and friendship. Bring clean, soft-soled shoes. See capitalcitygrange.org for callers and bands. Capital City Grange,

Berlin, 8-11 p.m. $5-20 sliding scale. Info, 225-8921.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section.

‘BACKYARD WILDERNESS 3D’: See THU.2.

‘DINOSAURS OF ANTARCTICA

3D’: See THU.2.

‘OCEAN PARADISE 3D’: See THU.2.

‘SEA MONSTERS 3D: A PREHISTORIC ADVENTURE’: See THU.2.

food & drink

BURLINGTON WINTER

FARMERS MARKET: Dozens of vendors showcase their finest farm-fresh produce, meats, unique crafts and baked goods. Burlington Beer, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, 560-5904.

MISS BELLOWS FALLS DINER

DINNER: Chef Aime Theroux serves up breakfast for supper at a buffet-style shared meal and discussion of the diner’s restoration progress. Bellows Falls Moose Lodge, 5 p.m. $20. Info, missbellowsfalls@gmail.com.

games

CHESS CLUB: Proficient players of all ages face off and learn new strategies. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 11 a.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

D&D & TTRPG GROUP: Fans of Dungeons & Dragons and other tabletop role-playing games embark on a new adventure with a rotating cast of game masters. Virtual option available. Waterbury Public Library, 1-5 p.m. Free. Info, judi@ waterburypubliclibrary.com.

health & fitness

‘THE CULINARY PHARMACY: FOOD AS MEDICINE’: Vermont nutritionist and author Lisa Masé reimagines the kitchen as a medicinal hub, teaching participants to stock everyday ingredients that align with their personal health needs. A community potluck follows. Capital City Grange, Berlin, 5 p.m. Free. Info, 225-8921.

GENTLE YOGA: Practitioners hit the mat for a slow-paced, all-levels class focusing on breath work, stress reduction and mind-body awareness. BYO mat and props. Waterbury Public Library, 10:30-11:45 a.m. Free. Info, 244-7036.

MEDITATION RETREAT: Burlington Dharma Collective hosts an all-day family-friendly gathering filled with loving-kindness practices, movement, and opportunities for discussion and community building. Snacks provided. BYO lunch. Burlington Friends Meeting House, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. By donation; preregister. Info, 825-1815.

music ANA GUIGUI: See FRI.3.

ATLANTIC CROSSING: Rick Klein, Viveka Fox and Peter Macfarlane ring in spring with a unique mix of folk songs from Québec, the British Isles and New England. Bixby Memorial Library, Vergennes, 12:30 p.m. Free. Info, 877-2211.

GOLDPINE: A Nashville husband-and-wife duo serves up its own unique brand of bold, harmony-driven Americana music. Artistree Community Arts Center, South Pomfret, 7 p.m. $30. Info, 457-3500.

HILDALAND: A transatlantic folk duo blends Appalachian and Scottish musical traditions with contemporary fiddling. Burnham Hall, Lincoln, 7:30 p.m. $20-30. Info, 349-3364.

MILLER BROTHERS: Multiinstrumentalist siblings carry on a family legacy at this genre-bending performance featuring driving rhythms and intricate vocal harmonies. York Street Meeting House, Lyndon, 7 p.m. $15-20. Info, 748-2600.

THALIA TRIO: Evocative works resurface from the margins of history in “An Untold Story: Concert of Women’s Music,” showcasing rarely heard pieces by female composers across centuries. The University of Vermont Recital Hall, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free. Info, 656-3040.

outdoors

COMMUNITY BIRD WALKS:

Feathered-friend seekers join expert Lachlan Ziegler for a morning trek to sharpen their identification skills. Rock Point Center, Burlington, 8-10 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, 331-6968.

québec

‘BEHIND THE MOON’: See FRI.3. FESTIVAL DE LA VOIX: The human voice gets its time in the spotlight with four weeks of concerts, workshops and seminars. See festivaldelavoix.com for full schedule. See calendar spotlight. Various Québec locations. Various prices; preregister. Info, 514-758-3641.

theater

‘CABARET’: See FRI.3, 2 & 7:30 p.m.

‘THE CHILDREN’: See WED.1, 2 & 7:30 p.m.

‘A DOLL’S HOUSE PART 2’: See FRI.3.

‘THE HALF-LIFE OF MARIE

CURIE’: See THU.2, 2 & 7:30 p.m.

‘MATT & BEN’: See THU.2, 2 & 7:30 p.m.

‘SEMINAR’: See THU.2, 7 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

words

MARY ELDER JACOBSEN: A writer, illustrator and editor shares selections from her debut collection, Stonechat, including poems inspired by visual art. St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, 3 p.m. Free. Info, 748-8291. SPRING BOOK SALE: See FRI.3, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

USED BOOK SALE: Lit lovers peruse a wide array of like-new titles to replenish their “to read” stack. Proceeds benefit Ilsley Public Library. Middlebury United Methodist Church, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free; cost of books; cash or check only. Info, 388-4095.

WRITE NOW!: Wordsmiths of all experience levels hone their craft in a supportive and critique-free environment. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, 10-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 223-3338.

SUN.5 agriculture

TEMPS DES SUCRES WEEKEND: See SAT.4.

environment

SCIENCE PUB: In “Underground Allies: The Crucial Relationship Between Trees and Fungi,” terrestrial ecologist Jordon Tourville fleshes out how these connections work, using examples from Northeast forests. Lake Bomoseen Lodge and Taproom, Castleton, 4 p.m. Free; cost of food and drink. Info, marthalebmolnar.com.

etc.

MASKS ON SUNDAYS: Elderly, disabled and immunocompromised folks get the museum to themselves at a masks-mandatory morning.

ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, 9-10 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, 864-1848.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section.

FOMO?

Find even more local events in this newspaper and online: art

Find visual art exhibits and events in the Art section and at sevendaysvt.com/art.

film

See what’s playing at theaters in the On Screen section.

music + nightlife

Find club dates at local venues in the Music + Nightlife section online at sevendaysvt.com/ music.

Learn more about highlighted listings in the Magnificent 7 on page 11. = ONLINE EVENT

‘BACKYARD WILDERNESS 3D’: See THU.2.

‘DINOSAURS OF ANTARCTICA

3D’: See THU.2.

‘OCEAN PARADISE 3D’: See THU.2.

‘SEA MONSTERS 3D: A PREHISTORIC ADVENTURE’: See THU.2.

games

DUPLICATE BRIDGE GAMES: See THU.2, 1 p.m.

health & fitness

KARUNA COMMUNITY

MEDITATION: A YEAR TO LIVE (FULLY): Participants practice keeping joy, generosity and gratitude at the forefront of their minds. Jenna’s House, Johnson, 10-11:15 a.m. Free; donations accepted. Info, mollyzapp@live.com.

NEW LEAF SANGHA

MINDFULNESS PRACTICE: New and experienced meditators alike sit together in the Plum Village tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh. Hot Yoga Burlington, 6-7:45 p.m. Free. Info, newleafsangha@ gmail.com.

holidays

EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE: Valley congregations carry the torch of a 70-year legacy with hillside melodies and pastoral guidance from Mark Daniel Wilson. No dogs allowed. Knoll Farm, Fayston, 7-9 a.m. Free. Info, knollfarm.org.

québec

‘BEHIND THE MOON’: See FRI.3, 2 p.m.

tech

DROP-IN TECH SUPPORT: Techsavvy library staff provide oneon-one guidance and support in 30-minute sessions. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 4-6 p.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

theater

‘THE CHILDREN’: See WED.1, 5 p.m.

‘A DOLL’S HOUSE PART 2’: See FRI.3, 2 p.m.

‘THE HALF-LIFE OF MARIE

CURIE’: See THU.2, 2 p.m.

‘SEMINAR’: See THU.2, 2:30 p.m.

MON.6

crafts

FUSE BEADS CLUB: Aspiring artisans bring ideas or borrow patterns to make beaded creations. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, 3:30-5 p.m. Free. Info, 223-3338.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section.

‘BACKYARD WILDERNESS 3D’: See THU.2.

‘DINOSAURS OF ANTARCTICA 3D’: See THU.2.

‘OCEAN PARADISE 3D’: See THU.2.

‘SEA MONSTERS 3D: A PREHISTORIC ADVENTURE’: See THU.2.

games

BURLINGTON ELKS BINGO: Players grab their daubers for a competitive night of card stamping for cash prizes. Burlington Elks Lodge, 6 p.m. Various prices. Info, 862-1342.

MAH-JONGG MONDAYS: Tile traders gather for friendly bouts of the ancient game of skill, strategy and luck. St. Albans Free Library, 1-3 p.m. Free. Info, 524-1507.

health & fitness

‘A CAREGIVER’S GUIDE TO RELIABLE VACCINE INFORMATION’: Health literacy expert Maria Avery empowers attendees with trusted resources and tools for spotting misinformation. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 6 p.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

language

GERMAN LANGUAGE LUNCH: Willkommen! Speakers of all experience levels brush up on conversational skills over bagged lunches. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, noon-1 p.m. Free. Info, 223-3338.

lgbtq

BOARD GAME NIGHT: LGBTQ tabletop fans bring their own favorite games to the party. Rainbow Bridge Community Center, Barre, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Free. Info, 622-0692.

music

ONION RIVER CHORUS

REHEARSAL: The non-auditioned community ensemble conducted by Richard Riley invites interested vocalists to join in spirited song. Bethany United Church of Christ, Montpelier, 7-9 p.m. Free. Info, 476-2541.

words

SCRIPTWRITERS’ GROUP: Got a story to tell? Talented local writers swap techniques and constructive critiques. Junction Arts & Media, White River Junction, 5:30-7 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 295-6688.

TUE.7 community

CURRENT EVENTS DISCUSSION GROUP: Brownell Library holds a virtual roundtable for neighbors to pause and reflect on the news cycle. 10-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 878-6955.

‘LET’S TALK: SUPPORTING BURLINGTON YOUTH’: Students, caregivers and neighbors bridge the generational gap over a shared meal, then analyze

STARTS APR. 4 | QUÉBEC

Call of the North

Dig out that passport, because Festival de la Voix is your excuse to cross the border this spring! The annual spotlight on the human voice takes Montréal’s West Island by storm with a monthlong mélange of music, from a cappella concerts to workshops on pertinent topics such as the psychology of stage fright. This year’s lineup of 10 eclectic shows — including one by Canadian Folk Music Award winner Aleksi Campagne — spans genres from big band and jazz to Indigenous folk and salsa-rock. There’s endless entertainment for all musical palates, emphasizing the harmony of a world united by music.

FESTIVAL DE LA VOIX

Saturday, April 4, at various Montréal locations. See website for additional dates. Various prices; preregister. Info, 514-758-3641, festivaldelavoix.com.

local health data and brainstorm strategies for a thriving future. Edmunds Middle School, Burlington, 5:30 p.m. Free; preregister.

crafts

ALL HANDS TOGETHER

COMMUNITY CRAFTING GROUP: Marshfield spinning maven Donna Hisson hosts a casual gathering for fiber fans of all abilities to work on old projects or start something new. Jaquith Public Library, Marshfield, 4:30-6 p.m. Free. Info, 426-3581.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section.

‘BACKYARD WILDERNESS 3D’: See THU.2.

‘DINOSAURS OF ANTARCTICA 3D’: See THU.2.

‘KILL BILL: VOL. 2’: A woman continues her quest for vengeance against the people who wronged her in Quentin Tarantino’s 2004 follow-up to the iconic martial arts masterpiece. Film House, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington, 7 p.m. Free. Info, 540-3018.

games

BOARD GAME NIGHT: Neighbors show off their skills at an evening of friendly competition playing European tabletop staples such as Catan, Splendor and Concordia. Waterbury Public Library, 6-8 p.m. Free. Info, ken_boring@yahoo.com.

GAMES GALORE: Library patrons of all ages gather for bouts of board and card games. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 3:304:30 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6955.

health & fitness

COMMUNITY MEDITATION: All experience levels engage in the ancient Buddhist practice of clearing the mind to achieve a state of calm. First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington, 5:15-6 p.m. Free; donations accepted. Info, 862-5630.

TAI CHI: Practitioners get a feel for the Chinese martial art combining controlled breathing, meditation and slow, gentle movements. Ida Boch Park, Bradford, 10-11 a.m. Free. Info, 304-0836.

language

ITALIAN LANGUAGE LUNCH: Speakers hone their skills in the Romance language over bagged lunches. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, noon-1 p.m. Free. Info, 223-3338.

PAUSE-CAFÉ MARDI: Francophones and Frenchlanguage learners meet pour parler la belle langue. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 5-7 p.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

lgbtq

‘PROUD LITTLE STATE’ LAUNCH PARTY: Celebrate the debut of

FOMO?

Find even more local events in this newspaper and online: art

Find visual art exhibits and events in the Art section and at sevendaysvt.com/art.

film

‘OCEAN PARADISE 3D’: See THU.2.

‘SEA MONSTERS 3D: A PREHISTORIC ADVENTURE’: See THU.2.

food & drink

COOKBOOK CLUB: Culinary enthusiasts bring a dish to share from renowned chef Imad Alarnab’s Imad’s Syrian Kitchen then chat about their inspiration. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 5:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, sbplprograms@ southburlingtonvt.gov.

See what’s playing at theaters in the On Screen section.

music + nightlife

Find club dates at local venues in the Music + Nightlife section online at sevendaysvt.com/ music.

Learn more about highlighted listings in the Magnificent 7 on page 11.

= ONLINE EVENT

= GET TICKETS ON SEVENDAYSTICKETS.COM

Aleksi Campagne

FAMI LY FU N

THU.2 burlington

‘CHAMP: AMERICA’S LAKE MONSTER’: See WED.1.

GAME ON!: A collaborative evening of digital mischief and friendly competition offers crowd-favorite games such as Mario Kart and Boomerang Fu. Caregivers must be present to supervise children below fifth grade. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 5-6 p.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

PLAY TIME: Young builders and their caregivers share a story before diving into co-construction with oversized blocks. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 10-10:45 a.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

WHIMSICAL WEDNESDAYS: LAKE CHAMPLAIN BASIN:

Future environmentalists ages 6 and up dive into watershed health with a handson tabletop model demonstrating how phosphorus and pollutants flow into our local waterways. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

barre/ montpelier

BABY & CAREGIVER

MEETUP: Wiggly ones ages birth to 18 months play and explore in a calm, supportive setting while adults relax and connect on the sidelines. Jaquith Public Library, Marshfield, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 426-3581.

FAMILY CHESS CLUB: Players of all ages and abilities test their skills with instructor Robert and peers. KelloggHubbard Library, 2nd Floor, Children’s Library, Montpelier, 3:30-5 p.m. Free. Info, 223-3338.

mad river valley/ waterbury

TEEN QUEER READS: LGBTQIA+ and allied youths get together each month to read and discuss ideas around gender, sexuality and identity. Waterbury Public Library, 6-7 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 244-7036.

upper valley

STORY TIME: Early literacy takes center stage as infants and toddlers engage in a melodic mix of books and songs. Norwich Public Library, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 649-1184.

BABY & ME CLASS: Parents and their infants ages birth to 1 explore massage, lullabies and gentle movements while discussing the struggles and joys of parenthood. Greater Burlington YMCA, 9:45-10:45 a.m. $10; free for members. Info, 862-9622.

DINOSAUR SAFARI EXHIBIT: See WED.1.

GROW PRESCHOOL YOGA: Colleen from Grow Prenatal and Family Yoga leads kids ages 2 to 5 in songs, movement and other fun activities. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 11-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

TWEEN GROUP: A new program for queer and gender-creative youths ages 10 to 12 offers space to make new friends, join in fun activities and build community. Outright Vermont, Burlington, 4-6 p.m. Free. Info, 865-9677.

chittenden county

FIRST THURSDAYS: MUSIC & MOVEMENT WITH MISS EMMA: Caregivers and their tiny charges boost early literacy through a rhythmic regimen of singing, dancing and motor-skill development. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 10:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

PRESCHOOL MUSIC WITH LINDA BASSICK: The singer and storyteller extraordinaire guides wee ones ages birth to 5 in indoor music and movement. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 10:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.

PRESCHOOL PLAY TIME: Pre-K patrons play and socialize after music time. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 11-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.

STORY TIME: Young listeners explore the building blocks of reading through a curated selection of songs, rhymes and hands-on crafts. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 10-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

barre/ montpelier

AFTERNOON D&D: Dungeon master Mark Pitton guides little patrons in the collaborative tabletop role-playing game. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 2nd Floor, Children’s Library, Montpelier, 3-5 p.m. Free. Info, 223-3338.

POKÉMON CLUB: I choose you, Pikachu! Elementary and

teenage fans of the franchise — and beginners, too — trade cards and play games. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, 3:30-5 p.m. Free. Info, 223-3338.

STORY TIME AT THE GARY RESIDENCE: Families embark on a delightful morning of community-building songs, tales and crafts. Gary Residence, Montpelier, 10:3011 a.m. Free. Info, 223-3338.

stowe/smuggs

WEE ONES PLAY TIME: Caregivers bring kiddos under 4 to a new sensory learning experience each week. Morristown Centennial Library, Morrisville, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 888-3853.

mad river valley/ waterbury

BUSY BEES PLAYGROUP: Blocks, toys, books and songs engage little ones 24 months and younger. Waterbury Public Library, 10-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 244-7036.

northeast kingdom

ACORN CLUB STORY TIME: Youngsters 5 and under play, sing, hear stories and color. St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, 10:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 745-1391.

FRI.3

burlington

‘CHAMP: AMERICA’S LAKE MONSTER’: See WED.1. DINOSAUR SAFARI EXHIBIT: See WED.1.

DROP-IN: An afterschool hangout space invites teens ages 13 to 19 to relax, connect, grab a snack or browse the nonprofit’s clothing closet. Outright Vermont, Burlington, 2:30 p.m. Free. Info, programs@outrightvt.org.

HOP INTO SPRING: The Easter Bunny distributes local chocolates and poses for photo ops while shoppers crack open surprise discounts at participating businesses. Church Street Marketplace, Burlington, -5, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. Info, churchstreetmarketplace@ gmail.com.

chittenden county

FRIDAY LEGO BUILDERS: Weekly sessions invite creative minds to stack, connect and build their way to structural masterpieces using interlocking blocks. Recommended for ages 6 and up. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 3-4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

HALF DAY WITH THE NINJA TURTLES: Cowabunga!

Youngsters craft their own pizzas and tackle hilarious challenges before settling in for a screening of animated martial arts spectacle

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem

South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, noon-2:30 p.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

MUSIC TIME: Little patrons ages birth to 5 engage with live performance and movement at a high-energy gathering led by veteran area musician Linda Bassick. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 10:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

TEEN ADVISORY GROUP:

Middle and high schoolers swap study time for a creative poster design session to help transform their library space. Snacks provided. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 4-5 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

barre/ montpelier

‘THE WIZARD OF OZ’: Vermont Youth Theater actors ages 6 to 16 present an enchanting adaptation of this beloved trip down the yellow brick road. Taplin Theater, Montpelier, 7 p.m. $20; cash or check only.

BASEMENT TEEN CENTER: A drop-in hangout session welcomes kids ages 12 to 17 for lively games, arts and crafts, and snacks. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, 2-8 p.m. Free. Info, 223-3338.

LEGO CLUB: Budding builders create geometric structures with snap-together blocks. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, 3:30-5 p.m. Free. Info, 223-3338.

STATEWIDE YOUTH

GATHERING: SOLD OUT.

Student leaders from various affinity groups convene for a collaborative forum to share strategies on environmental, racial and social equity. The Creative Campus at Goddard, Plainfield, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Wait list available. Info, kayla. edjvt@gmail.com.

STORY TIME & PLAYGROUP: Participants ages 5 and under enjoy themed science, art and nature activities.

Jaquith Public Library, Marshfield, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 426-3581.

rutland/

killington

EGG HUNT: Spring seekers navigate the town in a mapled quest for hidden treasures, ranging from sweet treats to local currency.

Various Brandon locations, noon-4 p.m. Free. Info, 805-242-6875.

upper valley

STORY TIME: Preschoolers take part in tales, tunes and playtime. Latham Library, Thetford, 11 a.m. Free. Info, 785-4361.

northeast kingdom

PRESCHOOL STORY TIME: Youngsters and their caregivers delight in beautiful books, silly songs, creative crafts and unplugged play in the library’s cozy children’s room. Craftsbury Public Library, Craftsbury Common, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 586-9683.

SAT.4 burlington

‘CHAMP: AMERICA’S LAKE MONSTER’: See WED.1.

DINOSAUR SAFARI EXHIBIT: See WED.1.

FAMILY PLAYSHOP: A range of themes and rotating activities promote school readiness and foster creativity. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 10-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

HOP INTO SPRING: See FRI.3, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

PARTIZANFILM JR.: ‘THE 5,000 FINGERS OF DR. T.’: A young boy who detests piano lessons ends up in a Seussian dreamworld where he must fight to rescue his mother in this 1953 family fantasy flick. Partizanfilm, Burlington, 12:10 p.m. $6.50-8.50. Info, cinema@ partizanfilm.org. chittenden county

EGG HUNT: Seasonal explorers ages 9 and under search for more than 3,000 treatfilled treasures, then meet the holiday’s long-eared mascot. Bombardier Park West, Milton, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 893-6655.

JAZZ CONCERT: The Vermont Youth Orchestra’s auditioned ensemble shows off the fruit of their labors. Elley-Long Music Center, Saint Michael’s College, Colchester, 11 a.m. Free. Info, 655-5030.

MEET & BLEAT BABY GOAT PLAYGROUP: Wee ones delight in a heart-melting hour of snuggles, goat yoga and playful antics with a herd of friendly kids. Flower Gap Farm & Creamery, Charlotte, 9:30-10:30 a.m. & 1-2 p.m. $20; preregister. Info, flowergapfarm@gmail.com. barre/ montpelier

‘THE WIZARD OF OZ’: See FRI.3, 3 p.m. MEET TEDDY THE THERAPY DOG: Animal lovers pop by the library to make

friends with a very good boy, learn about his therapy duties and see some of his astounding tricks. KelloggHubbard Library, 2nd Floor, Children’s Library, Montpelier, noon-12:45 p.m. Free. Info, 223-3338.

stowe/smuggs

EGG HUNT: Little tykes seek out candy-filled eggs at a seasonal shindig complete with a juggling performance, crafts and a jelly bean counting contest. Stowe Elementary School, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 253-7350.

mad river valley/ waterbury

GUIDED HIKE & STORY TIME: Budding naturalists explore avian architecture through Martin Jenkins’ picture book Bird Builds a Nest, followed by a guided search for materials along the center’s woodland loop. Green Mountain Club Headquarters, Waterbury Center, 10:3011:30 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, 244-7037.

SATURDAY STORY TIME: Stories and songs help children develop social and literacy skills. Waterbury Public Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 244-7036.

SUN.5 burlington

‘CHAMP: AMERICA’S LAKE MONSTER’: See WED.1.

DINOSAUR SAFARI EXHIBIT: See WED.1.

HOP INTO SPRING: See FRI.3, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

chittenden county

EASTER BRUNCH: Photo ops with the season’s fuzzy mascot and an egg hunt for kiddos 12 and under accentuate a traditional holiday spread. The Essex Resort & Spa, noon-2 p.m. $35-80; free for kids 3 and under. Info, 764-1413.

MEET & BLEAT BABY GOAT PLAYGROUP: See SAT.4. SOCIAL SUNDAYS: Families participate in fun and educational art activities with diverse mediums and themes. All supplies and instruction provided. Milton Artists’ Guild Art Center & Gallery, 12:30-2:30 p.m. Free. Info, 891-2014.

barre/ montpelier

‘THE WIZARD OF OZ’: See FRI.3, 3 p.m.

Nestled in the natural beauty of the Adirondacks, this retreat is a heart-centered escape for women ready to relax, reconnect, and rediscover what’s possible. Come with friends or arrive solo— either way, you’ll be welcomed into a circle of like-minded women.

a new series of short comics on LGBTQ+ topics with art-making activities, archival artifacts from the 1983 Burlington Pride Parade and free copies of the first issue. Royall Tyler Theatre, University of Vermont, Burlington, 5 p.m. Free. Info, crvt@uvm.edu.

music

VERMONT’S FREEDOM & UNITY

CHORUS: Singers come together for a weekly rehearsal inspiring positive change through the power of music. Chapel of Saint Michael the Archangel, Saint Michael’s College, Colchester, 7 p.m. Free. Info, vermontsfreedom andunitychorus@gmail.com.

québec

‘BEHIND THE MOON’: See FRI.3.

seminars

THE ARTIST’S WAY: A weekly study group invites participants to explore Julia Cameron’s celebrated method for unblocking creativity and achieving transcendence. 3 Squares Café, Vergennes, 6-7:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, kelseywoodmezzo@gmail.com.

BETZY BANCROFT: An experienced herbalist and author digs into botanical medicine, transforming listeners into independent remedy designers at a hands-on workshop and Q&A. The Norwich Bookstore, 7 p.m. Free. Info, 649-1114.

FAMILY-TO-FAMILY

CLASS: NAMI Vermont hosts an informative weekly seminar for individuals with a loved one who is struggling with mental health. 6:30-9 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, program@ namivt.org.

TENANT SKILLS WORKSHOP: The Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity brings renters up to speed on the fundamentals of tenant rights and responsibilities. Noon-1:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 660-3456.

sports

OPEN GYM BASKETBALL FOR DADS: Fathers and masc-identifying caregivers team up for a low-key pickup game. Mater Christi School, Burlington, 7-9 p.m. Free. Info, 318-4231.

tech

DROP-IN TECH SUPPORT: Library staff answer questions about devices of all kinds in face-to-face chats. Fletcher Free Library New North End Branch, Burlington, 12:30-2 p.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

words

BURLINGTON LITERATURE GROUP: Over the course of six weeks, readers analyze the French New Novel movement, including Alain Robbe-Grillet’s The Erasers Marguerite Duras’ The Ravishing of Lol Stein and Nathalie Sarraute’s Tropisms. 6:30-8 p.m. Free. Info, info@nereadersand writers.com.

VIRTUAL BOOK

DISCUSSION GROUP: Lit lovers discuss Flee North: A Forgotten Hero and the Fight for Freedom in Slavery’s Borderland by Scott Shane, an engrossing history of the cocreator of the first branch of the Underground Railroad. Rokeby Museum, Ferrisburgh, 6 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 877-3406.

WRITING CIRCLE: Words pour out when participants explore creative expression in a low-pressure environment. Virtual option available. Pathways Vermont, Burlington, 4-5:30 p.m. Free. Info, 777-8691.

WED.8 business

JUMPSTART EXPO & PITCH

NIGHT: Fresh off a 13-week accelerator program, startup teams present their products to judges and audience members. Light refreshments provided. Generator Makerspace, Burlington, 5-8 p.m. Free; cash bar; preregister. Info, 540-0761.

VERMONT WOMENPRENEURS

BIZ BUZZ BURLINGTON: A monthly networking meetup provides a space for female business owners to connect over coffee and snacks. Deep City, Burlington, 9:45-11:15 a.m. $10; preregister. Info, info@vtwomenpreneurs.com.

community

CURRENT EVENTS: Neighbors have an informal discussion about what’s in the news. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 10:30 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 878-4918.

crafts

GREEN MOUNTAIN CHAPTER OF THE EMBROIDERERS’ GUILD OF AMERICA: Anyone with an interest in the needle arts can bring a project to this monthly meeting. Holy Family Parish Hall, Essex Junction, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, gmc.vt.ega@gmail.com.

YARN & YAK: See WED.1.

YARN CRAFTERS GROUP: See WED.1.

dance

FARMERS NIGHT CONCERT

SERIES: MOUNTAIN HOUSE

DANCE COMPANY: Global choreography meets local community when dancers of all ages converge to cap off the series’ season with a stylistic melting pot. House Chamber, Vermont Statehouse, Montpelier, 7:30 p.m. Free. Info, 828-2228.

WEST AFRICAN DANCE & DRUM CLASS: See WED.1.

education

MUSEUM MIXER FOR WINDHAM COUNTY EDUCATORS: Hardworking heroes trade the classroom for a happy hour featuring live music, refreshments and a chance to witness the creation of a sacred sand mandala. Brattleboro Museum & Art Center, 5 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 257-0124.

environment

‘SHARED LANDSCAPES: A VIRTUAL TOUR ACROSS CONSERVED LANDS OF WINDHAM COUNTY’: Wanderers

step into the wild heart of southeastern Vermont for a behind-the-scenes look at forests, ridgelines and headwaters conserved through the power of local partnership. Hosted by Vermont Land Trust. 7 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 377-2725.

etc.

TOASTMASTERS OF GREATER BURLINGTON: Those looking to strengthen their speaking and leadership skills gain new tools. Virtual option available. Generator Makerspace, Burlington, 6-7:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 233-4157.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the On Screen section.

‘FAULT LINES’: This poignant 2025 documentary takes a street-level approach to get to the epicenter of the housing crisis with three parallel narratives. A panel discussion

FOMO?

Find even more local events in this newspaper and online: art

Find visual art exhibits and events in the Art section and at sevendaysvt.com/art.

film

See what’s playing at theaters in the On Screen section.

music + nightlife

Find club dates at local venues in the Music + Nightlife section online at sevendaysvt.com/ music.

Learn more about highlighted listings in the Magnificent 7 on page 11.

= ONLINE EVENT

= GET TICKETS ON SEVENDAYSTICKETS.COM

follows. Film House, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington, 7 p.m. $5. Info, 660-2600.

food & drink

COMMUNITY COOKING: See WED.1.

CUPPA ON CAMPUS: See WED.1.

health & fitness

CHAIR YOGA: See WED.1.

RECOVERY DHARMA: See WED.1.

language

ELL CLASS: See WED.1.

ITALIAN CONVERSATION GROUP: Linguaphiles brush up on their bilingual banter at this bimonthly meetup facilitated by a native speaker. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 10-11 a.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

lgbtq

THE ALL INCLUSIVE DYKETACULAR: See WED.1.

QUEER WRITERS’ GROUP: LGBTQ authors meet monthly to discuss their work, write from prompts, and give each other advice and feedback. Rainbow Bridge Community Center, Barre, 5:30-7 p.m. Free. Info, 622-0692.

québec

‘BEHIND THE MOON’: See FRI.3.

seminars

AARP TAX HELP: See WED.1.

SUSTAINING THE RENT WORKSHOP: The Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity helps tenants financially prepare and access resources to meet their housing needs. 5-6:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 660-3456. ‘VOLUNTEERS HELPING PEOPLE SEEKING ASYLUM: AN INTRODUCTION’: Retired educator Jan Steinbauer and advocate Kim Watkin shed light on some of the challenges that our new neighbors face and offer insight about how to help. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 4:30-6 p.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

sports

GREEN MOUNTAIN TABLE

TENNIS CLUB: See WED.1.

talks

SPRING SPEAKER SERIES: WILL WALLACE-GUSAKOV: A Vermont craftsman shares his experience helping to rebuild Gothic architecture paragon the Notre-Dame Cathedral of Paris. Yestermorrow Design/Build School, Waitsfield, 6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 496-5545.

theater

‘THE CHILDREN’: See WED.1, 7:30 p.m.

words

DR. MARK BROOMFIELD: An award-winning scholar, artist and author delivers a talk and performance inspired by his book, Black Queer Dance: Gay Men and the Politics of Passing for Almost Straight, exploring what sexual freedom means in contemporary culture. Dance Theatre, Mahaney Arts Center, Middlebury College, 4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 443-5412.

ELLEN B. ROCKMORE & SARAH MCCRAW CROW: Two authors dive into conversation about their respective new works, The Given-Up Girl and The Wrong Kind of Woman. Still North Books & Bar, Hanover, N.H., 7 p.m. Free. Info, 603-676-7846.

JAMES K. ZIMMERMAN: An acclaimed poet traces a cosmic arc from the Big Bang to a single bumblebee with his new collection, Uncertainty. The Norwich Bookstore, 7 p.m. Free. Info, 649-1114.

POEMCITY: TINA CANE: A former Rhode Island state poet laureate reads from her collections and encourages the vital work of fostering the next generation of writers. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, 6 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 223-3338.

POETRY POTLUCK: Got words? Folks gather to swap stanzas and dishes at a community-driven feast of verse. Wandering Vine, St. Johnsbury, 7 p.m. Free. Info, acampbell@catamountarts. org. ➆

Justin Morgan-Parmett found relief for his chronic pain by floating weightless in water saturated with Epsom salt. In January, he opened Float Away Wellness Spa in Williston to offer float tanks to the public. Seven Days’ Eva Sollberger took her first float and defied gravity.

FAMI LY FU N

MON.6

burlington

‘CHAMP: AMERICA’S LAKE

MONSTER’: See WED.1.

DINOSAUR SAFARI EXHIBIT: See WED.1.

NNE TEEN TAKEOVER:

MINECRAFT MEETUP: Players convene to build structures, extract resources and craft tools in an infinite, blockbased video game world. Snacks provided. Fletcher Free Library New North End Branch, Burlington, 4:30-6 p.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

STORY ARTISTS: Wee ones ages 2 to 6 and their caregivers read a selection of books by a featured author, then make art inspired by the theme. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 863-3403. chittenden county

MIDDLE GRADE NINTENDO

SWITCH PARTY: Students in grades 4 through 8 toggle into action to inaugurate the Hangout space’s new gaming system. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 4-5 p.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

mad river valley/ waterbury

TODDLER TIME: Little kids ages 5 and under have a blast with songs, stories, rhymes and dancing. Waterbury Public Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 244-7036.

upper valley

STORY TIME WITH BETH: An engaging bookseller and librarian reads picture books on a different theme each week. The Norwich Bookstore, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 649-1114.

TUE.7 burlington

‘CHAMP: AMERICA’S LAKE MONSTER’: See WED.1.

DADS’ NIGHT OUT: BOARD GAME NIGHT: Local rad dads show up ready to play at this spirited evening of friendly competition and fun hosted by Dad Guild. The Guild Hall, Burlington, 7-9:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 318-4231.

DINOSAUR SAFARI EXHIBIT: See WED.1.

MINECRAFT MEETUP: Fans of the sandbox game from ages 7 to 12 gather with

fellow enthusiasts to play on the library’s private server. Snacks provided. Fletcher Free Library New North End Branch, Burlington, 5-6:15 p.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

SING-ALONG WITH LINDA

BASSICK: Babies, toddlers and preschoolers sing, dance and wiggle along with the local musician. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 11-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

chittenden county

CRAFTYTOWN: Aspiring artists tackle a rotating menu of tactile projects to explore new techniques, then bring home a finished masterpiece. Recommended for ages 8 and up, or 6 and up with an adult helper. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 3-4 p.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

READ WITH SAMMY: Young bookworms sharpen their literacy skills by sharing stories (and carrots!) with a certified therapy dog. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 4-5 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

STORY TIME: Youngsters from birth to 5 enjoy a session of reading, rhyming and singing. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 10:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.

barre/ montpelier

BASEMENT TEEN CENTER:

See FRI.3, 2-6 p.m.

THE NEST: Good Beginnings of Central Vermont hosts a baby-friendly space where prenatal and postpartum families can connect. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, 223-3338.

upper valley

LEADERSHIP CAFÉ SERIES:

SUPPER & SUPPORT: Over a shared meal, families of children with disabilities and special health care needs learn practical tools to navigate systems and communicate with confidence. Hartford Library, 1-2 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, emmy.hilliard@vtfn.org.

LEGO TUESDAYS: Youth architects tackle construction challenges or follow their own blueprints at a creative building session complete with snack breaks. Norwich Public Library, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 649-1184.

northeast kingdom

LAPSIT STORY TIME: Babies 2 and under learn to love reading while singing and playing with their caregivers. Siblings welcome. St.

Johnsbury Athenaeum, 10:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 745-1391.

PRESCHOOL STORY TIME: See FRI.3.

WED.8 burlington

‘CHAMP: AMERICA’S LAKE

MONSTER’: See WED.1.

DINOSAUR SAFARI EXHIBIT: See WED.1.

LIBRARY LITTLES

PLAYGROUP: See WED.1.

MAGNATILE MASTERPIECES: See WED.1.

STEAM SPACE: See WED.1.

chittenden

county

BABY TIME: See WED.1.

GAME ON!: See WED.1.

HAFTY CRAFTY DAY: Don’t be sheepish! Ages 6 and up partake in a fun-filled, hands-on art-making activity with cardboard and fluffy fiber. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 1-2 p.m. Free. Info, 846-4140.

PLAY TIME: See WED.1.

READ TO A DOG: Ten-minute sessions offer young bookworms the chance to practice their skills alongside a gentle, tail-wagging listener. South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, sbplkids@southburlingtonvt. gov.

WHIMSICAL WEDNESDAYS:

TINKER TIME: Curious youngsters deconstruct household gadgets and discover the internal mechanics of everyday technology. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

barre/ montpelier

BABY & CAREGIVER

MEETUP: See WED.1.

FAMILY CHESS CLUB: See WED.1.

HOMESCHOOL BOOK GROUP: Kids ages 10 to 15 who learn at home bond over their favorite titles. KelloggHubbard Library, Montpelier, 1-2 p.m. Free. Info, 223-3338.

upper valley

STORY TIME: See WED.1. K

classes

THE FOLLOWING CLASS LISTINGS ARE PAID ADVERTISEMENTS. ANNOUNCE YOUR CLASS HERE FOR AS LITTLE AS $21.25/WEEK (INCLUDES SIX PHOTOS AND UNLIMITED DESCRIPTION ONLINE).

NEWSPAPER DEADLINE: MONDAYS AT 3 P.M. POST CLASS ADS AT SEVENDAYSVT.COM/POSTCLASS. GET HELP AT CLASSES@SEVENDAYSVT.COM.

arts & crafts

DAVIS STUDIO ART CLASSES:

Discover your happy place in one of our weekly classes. Making art boosts emotional well-being and brings joy to your life, especially when you connect with other art enthusiasts. Select the ongoing program that’s right for you. Now enrolling youths, teens and adults. Join and restore your faith in humanity. Info: 802-425-2700, info@davisstudiovt.com, davisstudiovt.com.

SAM WORKSHOP: PRINTING

PRESS SESSION: SAM Workshops feature artists and crafters whose artistry has the power to bring people together to strengthen the local social fabric. e workshops are focused less on technical skills and more on creative ways to engage with the themes, stories and collective history at Saint Albans Museum. No experience is necessary. You must be 18-plus to register. All materials are provided. Space is limited, so if you cancel, please let us know so that we can offer your space to the waiting list. Date: Sat., Apr. 18, 10 a.m.-noon. Cost: Free. Location: Saint Albans Museum, 9 Church St. Info: sevendaystickets. com.

tinted royal icing will be provided, so you can dive right into the fun. Please bring a container or sheet tray to transport your cookies. (Note: cookies should not be stacked). Date: Sat., Apr. 4, 1-3:30 p.m. Cost: $45 for adults; $35 for children ages 8-14. Location: Stockbridge Central School, 2933 Route 107. Info: sevendaystickets.com.

make the food your own. Many of these recipes are gluten-free, and some can be made vegetarian. Particular recipes will be chosen based on the disclosed dietary needs of the participants. Sat., Apr. 11, 5-7:30 p.m. Cost: $135, incl. copy of book. Location: Red Poppy Cakery, 1 Elm St., Waterbury. Info: 203-400-0700, sevendaystickets. com.

PULLED PORK SUGO FEATURING EMILY’S HOME COOKING:

Learn how to make a cozy and impressive make-ahead rustic Italian meal with chef Emily Eden of Emily’s Home Cooking! All you will need at home to re-create this lesson is a slow cooker and a blender. e ingredients are wholesome and affordable, and everyone in your house, from grandma to toddler, will love it! In the class, you will get to enjoy the meal you make together and take some home as well. is recipe will be gluten-, egg-, soyand dairy-free but not vegetarian. Please disclose all allergies and dietary restrictions in the ticket registration. Please note, we are not an allergen-free facility. Date: Sat., Apr. 18, 3-6 p.m. Cost: $100. Location: Red Poppy Cakery, 1 Elm St., Waterbury. Info: 203-4000700, sevendaystickets.com.

healing arts

HERBAL ROOTS

Common Ground, Berlin, Vt. Info: Mattie Clark, mattie@ thelostwildness.com, mattieclark. com/familyconstellationstraining.

home & garden

SPRING TREE PRUNING

p.m.: Adult Beginner Brazilian JiuJitsu. No uniform required; shorts & T-shirt welcome. Fundamentals of grappling, self-defense and conditioning. 6:15-7:15 p.m.: Kids & Parents Jiu-Jitsu + Kickboxing. Beginner-friendly. Back-to-back classes designed for those new to training. Dates: Wed., 5 & 6:15 p.m. Location: Grind Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, 294 N. Winooski Ave., Burlington. Info: Jason Amerosa, 802-318-8432, grindbjjvt@gmail. com, grindbjjvt.com.

ART WORKSHOPS — WINGSPAN

STUDIO: Spark your creativity, learn color mixing tips and the ins and outs of materials, and create your own masterpieces! In May, take your painting outdoors for a Plein Air Workshop with demos, individual input and a boost of beauty! Maggie Standley is offering three Saturday spring workshops. Sign up for one, two or all three! 3 Sat., 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; see website for dates. Cost: $125/ workshop. Location: Wingspan School & Studio, 4 Howard St., Burlington. Info: 802-233-7676, maggiestandley@gmail.com, wingspanstudioeduc.com.

food & drink

COOK THE BOOK: JULIA

TURSHEN’S ‘SIMPLY JULIA’ WORKSHOP FEATURING CHEF

ARIEL VOORHEES: At this workshop, you will learn to cook several approachable, ﬂavor-forward dishes from the book, learning techniques you can adapt again and again. Expect thoughtful shortcuts, smart seasoning and plenty of room to

EASTER BUNNY COOKIE DECORATING WORKSHOP: Celebrate Easter by decorating these adorable sugar cookies! After an initial tutorial and practice session, you’ll be let loose to create your own whimsical designs using easy-to-master icing techniques such as outlining, ﬂooding, dimensional piping and more. Cookies and

APPRENTICESHIP: We meet every Sunday for a full growing season (with a few weeks off). is highly experiential course emphasizes hands-on, embodied learning and is ideal for those who are new to herbs but want to form lasting relationships as they weave plants into their daily lives. Students spend half of most days with their hands in the dirt, learning from master gardener Joann Darling how to grow and harvest common herbs. e remainder of the day is spent with clinical herbalist Netta Mae Walsh, preparing remedies and learning to use herbs to maintain health, as well as address common complaints safely and effectively. Students leave with an apothecary full of remedies and new relationships with the plants and land. VSAC grants available for income-eligible Vermonters. Dates: Apr. 12-Nov. 15, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Cost: $2,730. Location: Plainﬁeld, Vt. Info: vtherbcenter.org/ training-programs/herbalroots-apprenticeship.

FAMILY & SYSTEMIC

CONSTELLATIONS TRAINING:

A unique, experiential training exploring family, relational and intergenerational patterns. Held in Berlin, Vt., beginning in Jun., one weekend/month over eight months. For therapists, caregivers and those drawn to heal with the deeper systems shaping our lives. Dates: Weekends from Jun. 2026-Jan. 2027. Location: e Hummingbird Center for

WORKSHOPS: Have you planted shade, ﬂowering or fruit trees in the past few years? Are you wondering how to prune or fertilize these young trees? Ralph Fitz-Gerald will lead two Spring Tree Pruning workshops. is is a free, outdoor, in-person event. Date: Sat. Apr. 11, 9-10 a.m. or 11 a.m.-noon. Cost: Free. Location: Horsford Gardens & Nursery, 2111 Greenbush Rd., Charlotte. Info: sevendaystickets.com.

kids

EARTH CARE HOMESCHOOL FOR MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS: We offer dynamic science education to nurture Earth care understanding, ecological restoration orientation and skill development. Curriculum incorporates nature awareness, Earth science, biology, botany, chemistry, natural history, mycology, art, writing, math and sociology. Each class involves gratitude, nature awareness and student-centered learning. Dates: May 7, 14, 21 & 28, Jun. 4, 11, 18 & 25; 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Cost: $680. Minimum of 4 students for program to run. Scholarships avail. if more than 4 register. Location: Shelters, ﬁelds, forests, beaches & gardens in Chittenden County, with potential ﬁeld trip to Washington County. Info: Jess Rubin, 802-839-8286, yepeth@ gmail.com, mycoevolve.net.

martial arts

BEGINNERS’ BRAZILIAN JIUJITSU & KIDS’ JIU-JITSU/ KICKBOXING CLASS: Wednesdays at Grind Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the Old North End of Burlington, Vt. 5

AIKIDO: THE POWER OF HARMONY — TRAIN WITH VERMONT’S ONLY SHIHAN (MASTER-LEVEL) TEACHER Beginners’ classes five days a week. Cultivate core power, aerobic fitness and resiliency. e dynamic, circular movements emphasize throws, joint locks and the development of internal energy. Join our community and find resiliency, power and grace. Inclusive training, gender-neutral dressing room/bathrooms and a safe space for all. Visitors are always welcome to watch a class! Vermont’s only intensive aikido programs. Location: Aikido of Champlain Valley, 257 Pine St., Burlington. Info: bpincus@ burlingtonaikido.org, burlingtonaikido.org.

music

TAIKO TUESDAYS, DJEMBE WEDNESDAYS!: Drum with Stuart Paton! New sessions each month. Community Taiko Ensemble Beginner’s Class, Mon., 5:30-7 p.m. Taiko on Tue.: Kids & Parents Taiko, 4-5:30 p.m.; Adult Intro Taiko, 5:30-7 p.m.; Accelerated Intro Taiko, 7-8:30 p.m. Djembe on Wed.: Intermediate Djembe, 5:30-7 p.m.; Beginner Djembe, 7-8:30 p.m. Drums provided. Cost: $92/4 weeks; 90-min. classes; $72 per person for Kids & Parents class. Location: Burlington Taiko, 208 Flynn Ave., Suite 3-G. Info: Stuart Paton, 802-448-0150, burlingtontaiko.org.

wellness

LOST IN TRANSLATION: THE LANGUAGE OF HUNGER: is workshop will cover the difference between physical hunger and emotional hunger; why midlife

makes this distinction even more important; how to identify the triggers that send you straight for the kitchen (and, oh yeah, midlife seems to have more triggers than any other season, doesn’t it?); how to name the emotion underneath the hunger (and if you said, “rage,” it’s OK, really); how to decode what your body is actually asking for; and a four-stage framework you can use again and again, every time emotional eating comes calling. Date: Fri., Apr. 10, noon-12:45 p.m. Cost: $27. Location: online. Info: sevendaystickets.com.

Buy & Sell »

ANTIQUES, FURNITURE, GARAGE SALES

Community »

ANNOUNCEMENTS, LOST & FOUND, SUPPORT GROUPS

Rentals & Real Estate »

APARTMENTS, HOMES, FOR SALE BY OWNER

Vehicles »

CARS, BIKES, BOATS, RVS

Services »

FINANCIAL, CHILDCARE, HOME & GARDEN

Musicians & Artists »

LESSONS, CASTING, REHEARSAL SPACE

Jobs » NO SCAMS, ALL LOCAL, POSTINGS DAILY

Ethel

AGE/SEX: 2-year-old spayed female

ARRIVAL DATE: February 19, 2026

SUMMARY: Meet Ethel, a brindle girl with a spunky spirit, a quirky charm and a zest for life! Ethel may take a little time to warm up in new settings, but once she feels secure, her personality absolutely shines. Ethel is smart, curious and always up for whatever the day has in store. Backyard zoomies, learning something new, joining in on a play session — she is all in, every time. If you have an active home where this energetic girl can thrive, Ethel may be your new best friend!

DOGS/CATS/KIDS: Ethel is seeking a home where she can be the only pet. We think she’d do best in a home without young children.

Visit the Humane Society of Chittenden County at 142 Kindness Court, South Burlington, Tuesday-Wednesday 1-5 p.m., ursday-Friday 1-6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Call 862-0135 or visit hsccvt.org for more info.

DID YOU KNOW?

April is Heartworm Awareness Month! Heartworm is a serious but preventable disease that dogs are highly susceptible to. To keep dogs healthy and heartworm-free, HSCC recommends yearly testing and using heartworm prevention all year long.

GARAGE & ESTATE SALES

ESTATE SALE — NEWPORT, VT.

HOME & GARDEN

FIREWOOD FOR SALE

Contact billreed@ theatricalsinger.com.

questions, contact Bob, at 802-355-7160.

FURNITURE

Buy y & Se

ONLINE WILLISTON ESTATE SALE OF STICKLEY FURNITURE COLLECTION

Selling contents of a Williston, Vt., estate home, incl. a ﬁ ne collection of Stickley furniture & accessories that were purchased by the resident directly from Stickley while living & working in the Capital District in New York. is also incl. several pieces of art, Oriental rugs & political items. View at estatesales.net/ vt/williston/05495/ marketplace/77338 or estatesalesofvermont. com.

Antiques & vintage signs, cast iron, Sawyer prints, lamps, Roseville, enamelware, colored glassware, marbles, tons of goodies. A super opportunity for dealers & pickers to stock up! Apr. 10-12, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Info, estatesales.net/vt/newport/05855/4850022.

WILLISTON ESTATE SALE

Hardwood incl. maple, ash & cherry cut to +/- 16 inches in length. Located in Georgia, Vt. Can deliver for a small fee. Selling by the cord, measuring 4 by 4 by 8 feet, or 128 cu. ft. $290 per cord. Call 802-238-7658.

PREPARE FOR POWER OUTAGES

Prepare for power outages today w/ a Generac Home Standby Generator. Act now to receive a free 5-year warranty w/ qualifying purchase. Call 1-866381-0627 today to schedule a free quote. It’s not just a generator. It’s a power move. (AAN CAN)

PETS & SUPPLIES

PRECIOUS POMERANIANS — PUREBRED PUPPIES

Have you been searching for an adorable Pomeranian puppy to add to your household? Or have been curious & eager to own a small breed? We only breed once a year & have beautiful, unique coat combinations. Our puppies are treated like family & given unconditional love daily. ey are in a clean, sanitary & joyful home environment, eager to meet their “furever” family! $2,500. Info, 818-966-1419, pawsthepom@gmail. com, instagram.com/ precious_pomeranians_vt.

SPORTING GOODS

FOR SAIL O’DAY 23

Ship-shape & ready for new sailing adventures!

Painted & polished, new sails, lines, & new Mercury 8hp, 4-cycle motor. Incl. dinghy, oars, life preservers, bumpers & rain gear. Photo avail. in online classiﬁ eds. $6,500.

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 and similar Vermont statutes which make it illegal to advertise any preference, limitations, or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, handicap, presence of minor children in the family or receipt of public assistance, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or a discrimination. The newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate, which is in violation of the law. Our

readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. Any home seeker who feels he or she has encountered discrimination should contact: HUD Ofﬁce of Fair Housing 10 Causeway St., Boston, MA 02222-1092 (617) 565-5309 — OR — Vermont Human Rights Commission 14-16 Baldwin St. Montpelier, VT 05633-0633 1-800-416-2010 hrc@vermont.gov

BURLINGTON/ DOWNTOWN:

Communit y ommunit

ANNOUNCEMENTS

GREEN MOUNTAIN CIVIL WAR ROUNDTABLE

JOURNEY, APR. 19-25

Enjoy Civil War history? Join us as we travel to Charleston, S.C., & Savannah, Ga., & take in a Red Sox game at Camden Yards. All are welcome! Any questions? Send me an email or give me a call! Info: 802-291-3413, auntis@ comcast.net.

CONFERENCE ON CHILDREN & YOUTHS W/ DISABILITIES/ SPECIAL NEEDS

Tue., Apr. 28. Statewide conference to support families of children w/ disabilities & special health needs at UVM’s Dudley H. Davis Center, 8 a.m.-3:45 p.m. Workshops related to navigating health care, mental health & education systems, & transitions to adulthood. Open to community members & professionals. Advanced registration req. To register or for information: vermontfamilynetwork.org, 802-876-5315, info@ vtfn.org.

131 Church St. #302. Brand-new, unfurnished 1-BR apt. for rent. Avail. now. Amenities: A/C, keyless entry, W/D in unit & more. Efﬁ cient & cozy. Rent: $2,000/mo. + utils. Call 802-391-9089.

BURLINGTON 1-, 2- & 3-BR APTS. FOR RENT

Unfurnished 1-, 2- & 3-BR apts. avail. for lease now in Burlington. Income eligibility minimums are req. & are as follows: 1-BR, $45,000; 2-BR, $60,000; 3-BR, $77,500. We also accept housing choice vouchers. Please call 802-540-3279 for a viewing.

HOUSEMATES

IF YOU ENJOY GREAT CHAT & GOOD BURGERS...

Share S. Burlington condo w/ gentle senior in his 80s who is strong in his faith, enjoys conversation & appreciates a good burger! Seeking housemate who can drive him to his favorite restaurant at times, share conversation & provide light help around the home. $650/mo. Large private BA. Call 802-863-5625 or visit homesharevermont. org for application. Interview, refs. & background checks req. EHO.

GREAT ESSEX LOCATION

APARTMENTS & HOUSES FOR RENT

BURLINGTON HILL SECTION, SINGLE ROOM FOR RENT

Furnished 1-BR at 27 Latham Ct. Single furnished room w/ a shared BA. No cooking, NS & no pets. Sheets & towels provided. On the bus line. $200/ week or $867/mo. Call 802-862-2389.

SMALL ROOM IN COLCHESTER, $600 Small room for $600/ mo. + utils. Goodsell Point in Colchester, near the lake. Any

Senior in her nineties looking for Mondaynight bingo buddy, someone to cook a few simple meals each week & share 2-BR, 2-BA condo. A “Jeopardy” & “Wheel of Fortune” fan would be a plus! Low rent of $200/ mo. Sorry, no pets/NS. Application, interview, refs. & background checks req. EHO. Info, 802-863-5625, info@ homesharevermont.org homesharevermont. org.

HOUSING WANTED

WE BUY HOUSES

We buy houses for cash as-is! No repairs. No fuss. Any condition. Easy process: Call, get cash offer & get paid. Call today for your fair cash offer: 1-877-9391331. (AAN CAN)

EDUCATION, LESSONS, TUTORING

INCREASE INTERVIEWS, STRENGTHEN OFFERS, REDUCE STRESS

Career Revisions offers strategies & resources to advance your career. Résumés, cover letters, LinkedIn proﬁles, interview preparation, salary negotiation. Becca Kronenbitter, MEd, NCC, CPRW, certiﬁ ed professional résumé writer, 15+ years of experience. Info, careerrevisions.com.

ELECTRONICS

AMERICA’S PREMIER MOBILE MEDICAL ALERT SYSTEM

MobileHelp, America’s premier mobile medical alert system. Whether you’re home or away. For safety & peace of mind. No long-term contracts. Free brochure. Call today! 1-877-667-4685. (AAN CAN)

All your entertainment. Nothing on your roof! Sign up for DIRECTV & get your 1st 3 mos. of Max, Paramount+, Showtime, Starz, MGM+ & Cinemax incl. Choice package, $84.99/mo. Some restrictions apply. Call 1-855-606-4520. (AAN CAN)

WIRELESS HOME INTERNET

Connect to the best wireless home internet w/ EarthLink. Enjoy speeds from 5G & 4G LTE networks, no contracts, easy installation, & data plans up to 300 GB. Call 855-873-2215. (AAN CAN)

AFFORDABLE TV & INTERNET

If you are overpaying for your service, call now for a free quote & see how much you can save: 1-844-588-6579. (AAN CAN)

FINANCIAL & LEGAL

TIME-SHARE CANCELLATION EXPERTS Wesley Financial Group, LLC, time-share cancellation experts. Over $50 million in time-share debt & fees canceled in 2019. Get free informational package & learn how to get rid of your time-share! Free consultations. Over 450 positive reviews. Call 888-960-1781. (AAN CAN) STOP OVERPAYING FOR AUTO

Let us show you how much you can save. Call now for a no-obligation quote: 1-833-399-1539.

A recent survey says that most Americans are overpaying for their

Using the enclosed math operations as a guide, ll the grid using the numbers 1 - 6 only once in each row and column.

Sudoku

Show and tell. View and post up to 6 photos per ad online.

Complete the following puzzle by using the numbers 1-9 only once in each row, column and 3 x 3 box.

Open 24/7/365. Post & browse ads at your convenience.

Extra! Extra! There’s no limit to ad length online.

WANT MORE PUZZLES?

Try these online news games from Seven Days at sevendaysvt.com/games.

NEW ON FRIDAYS:

Put your knowledge of Vermont news to the test.

CALCOKU BY JOSH

REYNOLDS

DIFFICULTY THIS WEEK: HHH

Fill the grid using the numbers 1-6, only once in each row and column. The numbers in each heavily outlined “cage” must combine to produce the target number in the top corner, using the mathematical operation indicated. A one-box cage should be filled in with the target number in the top corner. A number can be repeated within a cage as long as it is not the same row or column.

SUDOKU BY JOSH REYNOLDS

DIFFICULTY THIS WEEK: HH

Place a number in the empty boxes in such a way that each row across, each column down and each 9-box square contains all of the numbers one to nine. The same numbers cannot be repeated in a row or column.

ANSWERS ON P.78 H = MODERATE H H = CHALLENGING H H H = HOO, BOY!

ANSWERS ON P. 78 » LANGUAGE GROUP

See how fast you can solve this weekly 10-word puzzle.

condition that prevents you from working for a year or more. Call now: 1-877-247-6750. (AAN CAN)

HEALTH & WELLNESS

LICENSED & INSURED, VETERANS DISCOUNT

Holistic Health & Massage. Info: 802829-1849, taralisa123@ yahoo.com.

DENTAL SERVICE

Dental insurance from Physicians Mutual Insurance. Coverage for 400+ procedures. Real dental insurance — not just a discount plan. Get your free Dental Information Kit w/ all the details! 1-866-430-5905. (AAN CAN)

HOME & GARDEN

ECOLOGICAL CONSULTING FOR HOMEGROWN CONSERVATION

rough botanical surveys, ecological

forest management & native-plant landscaping, I help you help pollinators, birds & other wildlife. Whether it’s replacing a few square feet of lawn w/ a pollinator garden or applying ecological forest management principals to acres of forest, Wild Niche is here to help you realize your conservation goals. Info, 802-798-9813, woodsling@geraldlisi. net, wildniche.com.

STOP HOME BREAK-INS

Home break-ins take less than 60 seconds. Don’t wait! Protect your family, your home, your assets now for as little as 70 cents a day. Call 1-833-881-2713. (AAN CAN)

PEST CONTROL

Protect your home from pests safely & affordably. Roaches, bedbugs, rodents, termites, spiders & other pests. Locally owned & affordable. Call for a quote, service or an inspection today: 1-833-237-1199. (AAN CAN)

NEED NEW WINDOWS?

Drafty rooms? Chipped or damaged frames?

Need outside noise reduction? New, energyefﬁcient windows may be the answer! Call for a consultation & free quote today: 1-877-2489944. (AAN CAN)

PROPOSED STATE RULES

By law, public notice of proposed rules must be given by publication in newspapers of record. e purpose of these notices is to give the public a chance to respond to the proposals. e public notices for administrative rules are now also available online at https://secure.vermont.gov/ SOS/rules/ . e law requires an agency to hold a public hearing on a proposed rule, if requested to do so in writing by 25 persons or an association having at least 25 members.

To make special arrangements for individuals with disabilities or special needs please call or write the contact person listed below as soon as possible.

To obtain further information concerning any scheduled hearing(s), obtain copies of proposed rule(s) or submit comments regarding proposed rule(s), please call or write the contact person listed below. You may also submit comments in writing to the Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules, State House, Montpelier, Vermont 05602 (802-828-2231).

Rules for Implementing Use Value Appraisal of Agricultural and Forest Land in Vermont. Vermont Proposed Rule: 26P008

AGENCY: Agency of Administration, Department of Taxes

CONCISE SUMMARY: is rule updates and reorganizes the administrative rules governing the Use Value Appraisal (Current Use) Program for agricultural, forest, and conservation lands. e revisions align the rules with statutory changes enacted since 1985, improve clarity and consistency, and incorporate current standards and practices.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: Will Baker, Department of Taxes, 133 State St. Montpelier, VT 05602 Tel: 802-522-3360 E-Mail: will.baker@ vermont.gov URL: https://tax.vermont.gov. FOR COPIES: Abby Shepard, Department of Taxes, 133 State St. Montpelier, VT 05602 Tel: 802-2617920 E-Mail: abby.shepard@vermont.gov.

NOTICE

AN AFFORDABLE NOTICE AT:

OR CALL 802-865-1020, EXT. 121.

OF SELF STORAGE LIEN SALE, FORT ETHAN ALLEN MINI STORAGE, 120 HEGEMAN AVE, COLCHESTER, VT 05446.

e contents of the following self storage unit will be sold at public auction, by sealed bid, on April 6, 2026 at 12:00 PM. Robert Gauthier, Unit 134. Unit will be opened for viewing for auction, sale by sealed bid to the highest bidder, cash only. Contents of entire storage unit will be sold as one lot.

TOWN OF BOLTON BID FOR ROAD RESURFACING

e Town of Bolton is seeking sealed bids from qualifi ed contractors for road resurfacing work on a one-mile section of Duxbury Road, beginning at approximately 2090 Duxbury Road and extending one mile south. e project includes reclaiming and fi ne grading the roadway, followed by machine paving with a 2.5” binder course and 1.5” wearing course, along with associated surface preparation and traffi c control. All work must conform to the Vermont Agency of Transportation’s Standard Specifi cations. e contract is anticipated to be completed no later than August 31, 2026.

Bid documents are available from the Town Clerk’s Ofﬁ ce or at https://boltonvt.com. Site visits and questions must be submitted by 12:00 p.m. on ursday, April 16, 2026. Bids must be submitted in a sealed, clearly marked envelope labeled “Bolton Road Resurfacing 2026” and received by the Town no later than ursday, April 16, 2026, at 3:00 p.m.

For project-related inquiries, contact Bruce Putnam, Road Commissioner, at (802) 279-1885 or highway@boltonvt.com. For bid process questions, contact Town Administrator Dania Allowan at (802) 434-5075 or townadmin@boltonvt.com.

NORTHFIELD MUTUAL HOLDING COMPANY NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING

e Annual Meeting of the Corporators of the Northﬁ eld Mutual Holding Company will be held April 9, 2026 at the Capitol Plaza Hotel, 100 State St, Montpelier at 6:00 PM. e matters to be

considered include the election and reelection of Directors and a review of Corporator activities. Please call (802) 871-4492 for information.

STATE OF VERMONT

SUPERIOR COURT ENVIRONMENTAL DIVISION

DOCKET NO. 26-ENV-00030

In re Champlain Oil Company Petroleum Cleanup Fund Request for SMS Site #921298

Notice of Appeal

NOW COMES Appellant Champlain Oil Company, by and through its counsel, MSK Attorneys, and pursuant to 10 V.S.A. Ch. 220, hereby appeals to the Vermont Superior Court, Environmental Division, the Vermont Agency of Natural Resource’s denial of Champlain Oil Company’s request for reimbursement from the Petroleum Clean-up Fund. On August 7, 2025 the Agency issued an initial denial of these funds in a letter. As directed the Appellant appealed to the Director of the Waste Management Division for a fi nal determination as to the eligibility or reimbursement. On February 23, 2026 the Director issued a fi nal determination denying Champlain Oil Company’s request for reimbursement from the Petroleum Cleanup Fund for its costs incurred during the remediation of petroleum contaminated soil at SMS Site #921298, located at the site of the former Kaigles Citgo at 510 Shelburne Road in South Burlington, Vermont. A copy of the August 7 and February 23 fi nal decisions are attached.

SMS Site #921298 is located on Appellants’ property. As part of the Site’s cleanup, in collaboration with other private entities and the State of Vermont, Appellant engaged in considerable soil excavation and removal. Appellant then sought reimbursement from the Petroleum Cleanup Fund for the costs it incurred excavating the contaminated soil. e Waste Management and Prevention Division, however, denied Appellant’s reimbursement request and the Director of the Division upheld the denial on appeal. Now, as the applicant for reimbursement, Champlain Oil Company, by right, appeals the denial of its Petroleum Cleanup Fund reimbursement request.

NOTICE OF SELF STORAGE LIEN SALE

Route 7 Climate Storage 189 Northside Dr Shelburne, Vt. 05482

Notice is hereby given that the contents of the storage unit will be sold at auction

Patrick Rogers 5 x 10

Janina McDonald 10 x 5

Wohland 10 x 10

Andrew Cushing 10 x 15

Shareen ompson 10 x 10

Jacob Blend 10 x 5

Auction will take place: Saturday April 11th 2026, 9:00am at Route 7 Climate Storage

Units will be opened for viewing immediately prior to the auction.

Sale shall be by live auction to the highest bidder. Contents of the entire storage unit will be sold as one lot.

All winning bidders will be required to pay a $50.00 deposit which will be refunded once the unit is empty and broom swept clean. e winning bid must remove all contents from the facility within 72 hours of bid acceptance at no cost to Route 7 Climate Storage. Route 7 Climate Storage reserves the right to remove any unit from the auction should the current tenant pay the outstanding balance in full prior to the auction.

REQUEST FOR BIDS

CITY OF ESSEX JUNCTION

2026 RESURFACING PROJECTS

RECEIPT OF BIDS: Sealed bids on forms prepared by the Engineer will be received by the City of Essex Junction, at the City of Essex Junction offices, located at 2 Lincoln Street in Essex Junction, Vermont, until 2:00 p.m. (local time) on April 17, 2026 for the Essex Junction 2026 Resurfacing Projects. The contract generally includes the following work items on East Street, Church Street, and Main Street:

1) Supply and Install approximately 700 tons of Type IV Bituminous Concrete Pavement, Top Course

2) Supply and Install approximately 230 tons of Type IV Bituminous Concrete Pavement, Shim

3) Cold Plane approximately 7,210 sy of existing pavement up to 2” thick

4) Install ±1,510 lf of 4” Solid White Line, ±3,360 lf of 4” Solid Yellow Line

5) Pavement markings to include Stop Bars, Crosswalks, Bike Lane Arrow and Symbol, and Railroad Crossing markings

6) Provide Traffic Control Packages

All work will be in accordance with Drawings, Specifications and other Contract Documents and information prepared by the City of Essex Junction, 2 Lincoln Street, Essex Junction, Vermont.

OBTAINING CONTRACT DOCUMENTS: Digital Drawings, Specifications, and other Contract Documents may be obtained by emailing Jeffrey P. Kershner, P.E., President, Donald L. Hamlin Consulting Engineers, Inc. at jkershner@dlhce. com. Prospective bidders will be added to the Plan Holder List and will be provided with access to a digital SharePoint site. All Drawings, Specifications, Contract Documents, Addendums, and other relevant project information will be available on the SharePoint site free of charge. It is the responsibility of the Prospective Bidder to review relevant project information located on the SharePoint site. Prospective Bidders must be on the Plan Holder List to receive access to the SharePoint site and be eligible to submit a bid.

BIDS WILL BE PUBLICLY OPENED AND READ AT 2:00 p.m. (local time) on April 17, 2026 in the first-floor meeting room at the City of Essex Junction offices located at 2 Lincoln Street in Essex Junction, Vermont 05452.

BID GUARANTY: Each bid shall be accompanied by an acceptable form of Bid Guaranty in an amount equal to at least five percent (5%) of the amount of the Bid, payable to the City of Essex Junction, as a guaranty that if the Bid is accepted, the Bidder will execute the Contract and file acceptable Performance, Labor, and Material Payment Bonds within ten (10) days after the award of the Contract. Acceptable form for a Bid Guaranty is either a bid bond or certified check. No bidder may withdraw his bid within 30 days after the actual date of the opening thereof. The owner reserves the right to waive any informalities and to reject any or all bids.

CONTRACT TIME: If awarded the Contract, the Contractor agrees to complete the work in its entirety, as shown on the Contract Plans. The anticipated contract start date for the project is June 1, 2026 and all work shall be completed on or before August 28, 2026. There are no exceptions to this schedule.

STATE OF VERMONT

SUPERIOR COURT PROBATE DIVISION

CHITTENDEN UNIT DOCKET NO.: 25-PR-07774

In re ESTATE of John E. Pennucci

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

To the creditors of: John E. Pennucci, late of Colchester, Vermont.

I have been appointed to administer this estate. All creditors having claims against the decedent or the estate must present their claims in writing within four (4) months of the date of the first

publication of this notice. The claim must be presented to me at the address listed below with a copy sent to the Court. The claim may be barred forever if it is not presented within the four (4) month period.

Dated: 3/25/2026

Signature of Fiduciary: /s/ Andrea Wasserman

Executor/Administrator: Andrea Wasserman c/o Hethba Fatnassi, Gravel & Shea PC P.O. Box 369, Burlington, VT 05402 Phone number: (802) 658-0220

Email: hfatnassi@gravelshea.com

Name of Publication: Seven Days Publication Date: 04/01/2026

Name of Probate Court: Vermont Superior Court, Chittenden Probate Division

Address of Probate Court: 175 Main Street, Burlington, VT 05401

STATE OF VERMONT

SUPERIOR COURT PROBATE DIVISION CHITTENDEN UNIT DOCKET NO.: 26-PR-01075

In re ESTATE of: Jonathan D. Langdon

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

To the creditors of: Jonathan D. Langdon, late of Williston, Vermont.

I have been appointed to administer this estate. All creditors having claims against the decedent or the estate must present their claims in writing within four (4) months of the date of the first publication of this notice. The claim must be presented to me at the address listed below with a copy sent to the Court. The claim may be barred forever if it is not presented within the four (4) month period.

Dated: 3/25/2026

Signature of Fiduciary: /s/ Chad B. Langdon

Executor/Administrator: Chad B. Langdon

c/o David E. Peterson, Esq., Gravel & Shea PC, P.O. Box 369, Burlington, Vermont 05402

Phone number: (802) 658-0220

Email: dpeterson@gravelshea.com

Name of Publication: Seven Days Publication Date: 04/01/2026

Name of Probate Court: Vermont Superior Court, Chittenden Probate Division Address of Probate Court: 175 Main Street, Burlington, VT 05401

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

I represent Bartlett Properties, LLC. The company is currently in the process of winding up its business. I have been authorized by the company to administer that winding up. If you would like to submit a claim for amounts due to you from Bartlett Properties, LLC, you may do so by sending your claim in writing to:

Pease Mountain Law PLLC P.O. Box 279 Hinesburg, VT 05461-0279

Your claim must commence within 5 years after publication of this notice. If your claim is not received within that 5-year period it will be barred pursuant to 11 V.S.A. §4108.

Your claim must include copies of all billing documents in support of your claim.

Dated: March 27, 2026

/s/ Michael T. Russell

Michael T. Russell

Pease Mountain Law PO Box 279 Hinesburg, VT 05461-0279

Name of Publication: Seven Days Publication Date: April 1, 2026

Request for Qualiﬁcations (RFQ) Internal .NET-Based Software Developer

The Vermont Housing & Conservation Board is seeking qualiﬁcations from experienced software developers or ﬁrms to enhance its internal .NET-based project management application. This engagement includes modernizing the front-end interface, retaining existing GIS mapping and document management integration, and implementing new reporting and dashboard functionality using Agile methodologies.

The full RFQ is available at 7dvt.pub/VHCBrfq

Qualiﬁcations are due Friday, May 1, 2026

Contact: RFQ@vhcb.org

VHCB is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Contractor. We strongly encourage proposals from diverse developers and teams.

6h-VHCBlegaldisplay040126.indd 1 3/27/26 4:20 PM

BURLINGTON DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD

TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2026, 5:00 PM

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

Hybrid & In Person (at 645 Pine Street) Meeting Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83225696227 ?pwd=SGQ0bTdnS000Wkc3c2J4WWw1dzMxUT09

Webinar ID: 832 2569 6227

Passcode: 969186

Telephone: US +1 929 205 6099 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 669 900 6833 or+1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799

1. ZAP-26-3; 25 Cherry Street (FD6, Ward 3) Burlington Harbor Hotel GP, LLC / Daniel Seff Continued review of appeal of administrative denial of ZPS-26-4 of a sign package.

2. ZP-26-100; 43 Front Street (RM, Ward 3) Emily Stone / Emily Stone Living Trust / Jamie Hart Variance request for exemption to rear setback requirement for the construction of an addition.

Plans may be viewed upon request by contacting the Department of Permitting & Inspections between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Participation in the DRB proceeding is a prerequisite to the right to take any subsequent appeal. Please note that ANYTHING submitted to the Zoning office is considered public and cannot be kept confidential. This may not be the final order in which items will be heard. Please view final Agenda, at www.burlingtonvt.gov/dpi/ drb/agendas or the office notice board, one week before the hearing for the order in which items will be heard.

The City of Burlington will not tolerate unlawful harassment or discrimination on the basis of political or religious affiliation, race, color, national origin, place of birth, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, veteran status, disability, HIV positive status, crime victim status or genetic information. The City is also committed to providing proper access to services, facilities, and employment opportunities. For accessibility information or alternative formats, please contact Human Resources Department at (802) 540-2505.

The programs and services of the City of Burlington are accessible to people with disabilities.Individuals who require special arrangements to participate are encouraged to contact the Zoning Division at least 72 hours in advance so that proper accommodations can be arranged. For information call 865-7188 (TTY users: 865-7142).

PUBLIC HEARING WINOOSKI DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD

A public hearing will be held by the Winooski Development Review Board on Thursday, April 16, 2026 beginning at 6:30 p.m. to consider the following:

Preliminary Subdivision Review Application – 50 Park St.

Applicant has submitted a request to create a Planned Unit Development with 24 dwelling units. This property is also known as “the Armory”. This property is located in the City’s Residential A (R-A) Zoning District. Preliminary Subdivision Review under Section 6.2 of the ULUDR is required for creating new Planned Unit Developments.

This hearing will begin at 6:30pm. Members of the public that are interested in participating in this hearing can do so by attending in person at Winooski City Hall, 27 West Allen Street, Winooski, VT; or electronically by visiting https://us06web. zoom.us/j/82129899225 or by calling (301) 715 8592 and using Webinar ID: 821 2989 9225. Toll charges may apply.

Members of the public interested in participating in the above captioned hearing are requested, but not required to make their intentions known by completing the public comment request form located on the City’s website at https://www.winooskivt.gov/FormCenter/Human-Resources-6/ Public-Comment-Request-Form-61 at least 24 hours in advance to ensure this information is included in the record of the hearing. This will also allow the chair to recognize participants to provide testimony at the appropriate time during the hearing.

The Development Review Board will hold a public hearing on this matter before rendering a decision. Decisions of the Development Review Board can be appealed by “interested persons” (as defined by 24 V.S.A. § 4465) to the Environmental Division of the Vermont Superior Court.

Questions or comments on this matter can be directed to Ravi Venkataraman, AICP, CFM, Director of City Planning by calling 802.655.6410 or visiting Winooski City Hall at 27 West Allen Street during normal business hours. Information related to this matter will also be available on the City’s website at https://www.winooskivt. gov/229/Development-Review-Board.

Legal Notices

CITY OF ESSEX JUNCTION

DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD

PUBLIC MEETING

THURSDAY, APRIL 16TH, 2026

6:30 P.M.

This meeting will be held in person at Lincoln Hall, 2 Lincoln Street in the Meeting Room and remotely via Zoom.

The meeting will be live-streamed on Town Meeting TV.

JOIN ONLINE: Visit www.essexjunction.org/DRB for meeting connection information.

JOIN BY TELEPHONE:

Dial 1(888) 788-0099 (toll free) Meeting ID: 839 2599 0985 Passcode: 940993

PUBLIC MEETING

Conceptual review for a Planned Residential Development with three (3) duplexes and eight (8) single family homes at 60 Old Colchester Road in the R1 District by Sterling Homes Properties, LLC agent for Louis C. Kalanges, owner.

This DRAFT agenda may be amended.Plan documents will be available on www.essexjunction.org/DRB five days prior to the meeting. Any questions re: above please call Michael Giguere or Terry Hass – 802-878-6944

STATE OF VERMONT

SUPERIOR COURT FAMILY DIVISION

CHITTENDEN UNIT DOCKET NO. 25-JV-00710

IN RE: L.A.

NOTICE OF HEARING

To: Martika Sweet and Gregory Arnold, you are hereby notified that a hearing to terminate your parental rights to L.A. will be held on April 28, 2026 at 9:30 a.m. at the Vermont Superior Court, Chittenden Family Division, at 32 Cherry Street, Suite 200, Burlington, Vermont 05401. You are notified to appear in connection with this case. Failure to appear at this hearing may result in termination of your parental rights to L.A.. The State is represented by the Attorney General’s Office, HC 2 North, 280 State Drive, Waterbury, VT 05671-2080.

Electronically signed pursuant to V.R.E.F. 9(d) /s/ Kate Gallagher Kate Gallagher Superior Court Judge 3/27/2026

STATE OF VERMONT

SUPERIOR COURT PROBATE DIVISION

CHITTENDEN UNIT DOCKET NO.: 26-PR-00860

In re ESTATE of Elise M. Schnure

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

To the creditors of: Elise M. Schnure, late of Shelburne, Vermont.

Dated: 3/26/2026

Signature of Fiduciary: /s/ Calvin D. Schnure

Executor/Administrator: Calvin D. Schnure

c/o David E. Peterson, Esq., Gravel & Shea, P.O. Box 369, Burlington, Vermont 05402

Phone Number: (802) 658-0220

Email: dpeterson@gravelshea.com

Name of Publication: Seven Days Publication Date: 04/01/2026

PLACE AN AFFORDABLE NOTICE AT: SEVENDAYSVT.COM/LEGAL-NOTICES OR CALL 802-865-1020, EXT. 142.

Name of Probate Court: Vermont Superior Court, Chittenden Probate Division

Address of Probate Court: 175 Main Street, Burlington, VT 05401

ACT 250 NOTICE

MINOR APPLICATION 4C0492-1A

10 V.S.A. §§ 6000 - 6111

Application 4C0492-1A from Peter Cahill and Anastasia Schafer, 206 Beaver Pond Hill, Richmond, VT 05477, was received on March 17, 2026, and deemed complete on March 25, 2026. The project is generally described as This permit specifically authorizes the replacement of the existing two bedroom cabin with a two bedroom single family residence on Parcel 1 of 4C0492-1 (the “Project”). The Project is located at 208 Beaver Pond Hill in Richmond, Vermont. The project is located at 206 Beaver Pond Hill in Richmond, Vermont. The application may be viewed on the Land Use Review Board’s website (https://act250.vermont.gov/) by clicking “Act 250 Database” and entering the project number “4C0492-1A.”

No hearing will be held and a permit may be issued unless, on or before April 20, 2026, a party notifies the District 4 Commission in writing of an issue requiring a hearing, or the Commission sets the matter for a hearing on its own motion. Any person as defined in 10 V.S.A. § 6085(c) (1) may request a hearing. Any hearing request must be in writing, must state the criteria or sub-criteria at issue, why a hearing is required, and what additional evidence will be presented at the hearing. Any hearing request by an adjoining property owner or other person eligible for party status under 10 V.S.A. §6085(c)(1)(E) must include a petition for party status under the Act 250 Rules. To request party status and a hearing, fill out the Party Status Petition Form on the Board’s website: https://act250.vermont.gov/documents/ party-status-petition-form, and email it to the District 4 Office at: Act250.Essex@vermont.gov. Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law may not be prepared unless the Commission holds a public hearing.

For more information contact Peter Kopsco at the address or telephone number below.

Dated this March 27, 2026.

By: /s/ Peter Kopsco

Peter Kopsco

District Coordinator 111 West Street Essex Junction, VT 05452 802-261-1947

Peter.Kopsco@vermont.gov

STATE OF VERMONT

SUPERIOR COURT CIVIL DIVISION

CHITTENDEN UNIT CASE NO.

IN RE: ABANDONED MOBILE HOME OF JOYCE FOLEY

VERIFIED COMPLAINT FOR ABANDONMENT PURSUANT TO TITLE 10 V.S.A. § 6249(i} (Uninhabitable)

NOW COMES Falcon Management Company, Inc., by and through counsel Peter B. Schubart, and hereby complains pursuant to Title 10 V.S.A. § 6249(i) as follows:

1. Falcon Management Company, Inc., a Vermont domestic business corporation with a principal place of business in the Town of Richmond, County of Chittenden, State of Vermont, is the record owner of a mobile home park known as the Riverview Commons Mobile Home Park (the “Park”), located in Richmond, Vermont.

2. Joyce Foley is the record owner of a certain mobile home (the “Mobile Home”) described as 1971 Price Meyers, Model Oxford, 12’ x 68’ (Serial no.0521-P1333) located at the Riverview Commons Mobile Home Park, Lot #119, 44 Meadow Lane in Richmond, Vermont. A Mobile Home Bill of Sale dated December 1, 2004, is of record in the Town of Richmond Land Records in Volume 160 at Page 392. (A copy of the first page of said bill of sale is attached hereto as Exhibit 1)

3. Joyce Foley leased a lot in the Park from Falcon Management Company pursuant to a written

lease. There is a security deposit in the amount of $40.00.

4. Joyce Foley is deceased. A copy of her Death Certificate is attached hereto as Exhibit 2. A review of the Vermont Judiciary website indicates that no Probate Estate has been opened for Joyce Foley.

5. The mobile home has been abandoned and is empty. Falcon Management Company, Inc. evicted Michael Dutkiewicz from mobile home on lot #119 in the park (Chittenden Unit Civil Docket no. 24-CV-04592, Falcon Management Company Inc. v. Michael Dutkiewicz) and more than ninety days have elapsed since the Sheriff’s office put Falcon Management Company, Inc. in possession of the lot by shutting off power and water to the home and changing the locks on or about December 1, 2025. To date, no party has made effort to remove the mobile home.

6. Falcon Management Company, Inc. has had no communication with the last known occupant of the mobile home, Michael Dutkiewicz. An attempt to contact him was made by sending an email to him at his last known email address of: MichaelDutkiewicz942@gmail.com.

The following security interests, mortgages, liens and encumbrances appear of record with respect to the mobile home:

1. Taxes are owed to Town of Richmond in the amount of $2,773.02.

2. Mobile home storage fees continue to accrue at the rate of $615.00 per month.

3. Unpaid Rent since Judgement, Judgment amount, and service fees due Falcon Management Company, Inc. as of July 22, 2025 total $15,468.21. Attorney fees and expenses since July, 22, 2025 incurred by Falcon Management Company, Inc. are $1,426.71.

Falcon Management Company, Inc. sent written notice by certified mail to the Town of Richmond on March 3, 2026 of intent to commence this action. (See attached Exhibit 3).

The mobile home is uninhabitable. Jeffrey Bishop, Property Manager for the Park, will testify under oath as to the poor and unlivable condition of this mobile home at the abandonment hearing. (Exhibit 4)

WHEREFORE, Falcon Management Company, Inc. respectfully requests that the Honorable Court enter an order as follows:

1. Declare that the mobile home has been abandoned;

2. Transfer the mobile home which is unfit for human habitation to Park owner Falcon Management Company, Inc. without a public auction so that it may be removed and disposed of accordingly.

3. Order pursuant to 10 V.S.A. § 6249(i) that the mobile home and any security deposit paid be conveyed to Falcon Management Company, Inc. in “as is” condition, and free from all liens and other encumbrances of record.

DATED AT South Burlington, Vermont this 24th day of March, 2026. Falcon Management Company, Inc By: /s/ Peter B. Schubart Peter B. Schubart, Esq., 80 Midas Drive, South Burlington, VT 05403 (802) 829-0237/ peter@schubartlaw.com

VERMONT SUPERIOR COURT CHITTENDEN UNIT CIVIL DIVISION CASE NO. 26-CV-01870

Date: March 25, 2026

NOTICE OF HEARING

Falcon Management Company, Inc. v. Joyce Foley

This is to notify you to appear at the Court named above in connection with the above-named case on:

DATE: April 16, 2026

TIME: 1:30 PM

DURATION: 30 Minutes

HEARING RE: Abandoned Mobile Home

A hearing on Falcon Management’s Complaint to declare as abandoned the mobile home of Joyce Foley located at the Riverview Commons Mobile Home Park, Lot #119 a/k/a 44 Meadow Lane, Richmond, Vermont and described as a 1971 Price Meyers, Model Oxford, 12’X 68’ (Serial No. 0521-P1333), to authorize the transfer without a public auction, so it may be removed and disposed of, has been set for Thursday April 16, 2026 @ 1:30PM.

“YOU MAY ATTEND THIS HEARING IN PERSON AT THE COURTHOUSE OR REMOTELY. See attached instructions for remote appearance.”

Electronically signed Wednesday, March 25, 2026 pursuant to V.R.E.F. 9(d)

Signature of Fiduciary: /s/ Nancy L. Bean Judicial Assistant – Chittenden Civil Division Vermont Superior Court 175 Main Street Burlington, Vermont 05401

Any individual with a disability requiring assistance accessing the services, programs, and/ or activities at the Courthouse should contact the Clerk’s office at the above address for further assistance.

TOWN OF ESSEX SELECTBOARD NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING MAY 4, 2026 – 6:35 PM

Municipal Offices, Conference Room 81 Main Street, Essex Junction, VT 05452

Pursuant to Section 708(a) of Title 19, Vermont Statutes Annotated, the Town of Essex Selectboard, acting on its own motion, hereby initiates a proceeding to lay out or alter at Deer Crossing Lane a portion of the roadway that was never formally deeded to the Town of Essex. The portion of Deer Crossing Lane to be laid out through this proceeding is described as follows:

Being a 1.50-acre parcel beginning at the Southeast corner of Lot 10 as shown on a plat entitled “Survey Plat, Deer Crossing at Saxon Hill, Essex, Vermont.” as prepared by Pinkham Engineering Associates, Inc. dated 2/10/94, last revised 5/26/94, and recorded in slide 292 of the Town of Essex land records.

Beginning at an iron pipe set. Said pipe being at the southeast corner of Lot 10 as shown on the referenced plat; Thence proceeding South 30 56’ 00” East for a distance of 72.90’ to a point, said point being the northeast corner of Lot 15 as shown on the Plan, and being marked by an iron pipe set; Thence proceeding along the frontage of Lot 16 for the following three courses; a non-tangential curve to the right, as shown on the Plat said curve having a length of 128.82’, a radius of 280.10’, a chord bearing of South 420 07’ 24” East,and a chord distance of 127.69’ to a point said point being marked by a concrete monument set; Thence proceeding South 280 57’ 15” East along a line for a distance of 50.00’ to a point, said point being marked by a concrete monument set; Thence proceeding along a curve to the left, said curve having a length of 126.97’ and a radius of 291.55’ to a point,said point being marked by an iron pipe set, and being the Northeast corner of Lot 16 and the Northwest corner of Lot 22; Thence proceeding along the frontage of Lot 22 for the following three courses; Thence proceeding along a curve to the left, said curve having a length of 74.11’ and a radius of 291.55’ to a point, said point being marked by an concrete monument set; Thence proceeding South 680 28’ 10” East along a line for a distance of 50.00’ to a point, said point being marked by a concrete monument; Thence proceeding along a curve to the right, said curve having a length of 117.74’, and a radius of 989.78’ to a point, said point being marked by an iron pipe set; said point being the northeast corner of Lot 22 and the northwest corner of Lot 23 and being marked by an iron pipe set; Thence proceeding along the frontage of Lot 23 along a curve to the right, said curve having a length of 154.19’ a radius of 989.78’ to a point, said point being marked by an iron pipe set; and being the Northeast corner of Lot 23 as shown on the plat; Thence proceeding

along the frontage of Lot 24 for the following three courses; Thence along a curve to the right, said curve having a length of 144.27’ and a radius of 993.82’ to a point, said point being marked by a concrete monument; Thence along a curve to the right, said curve having a length of 45.87’ and a radius of 60’ to a point, said point being marked by a concrete monument; Thence along a curve to the left, said curve having a length of 29.24’ and a radius of 60’ to a point, said point being marked by an iron pipe and being the northeast corner of Lot 24 and the northwest corner of Lot 25; Thence proceeding along the frontage of Lot 25 Thence along a curve to the left, said curve having a length of 111.41’ and a radius of 60’ to a point, said point being northeasterly corner of Lot 25 and marked by an iron pipe; along the frontage of the 30’ wide Bike Path Easement for the following course;Thence continuing along a curve to the left, said curve having a length of 30.32’, and a radius of 60.00’ to a point, said point being marked by an iron pipe set, and being in the Northerly sideline of the 30’ wide Bike Path easement as shown on the Plat; Thence proceeding along the frontage of Lot 21 along a curve to the left, said curve having a length of 104.15’, and a radius of 60.00’, to a point, said point being the Southwesterly corner of Lot 21, and being marked by concrete monument set; Thence proceeding along the frontage of Lot 20 for the following two courses; Proceeding along a curve to the right, said curve having a length of 41.17’ and a radius of 60.00’ to a point, said point being marked by a concrete monument set; Thence proceeding along a reverse curve to the left, said curve having a length of 75.69’ and a radius of 1049.78’ to a point, said point being the southwesterly corner of Lot 20, and being marked by an iron pipe set; Thence continuing along a curve to the left, along the frontage of Lot 19 said curve having a length of 131.24’and a radius of 1049.78’ to a point, said point being the southwesterly corner of Lot 19 and being marked by an iron pipe set; Thence continuing along a curve to the left, along the frontage of Lot 18, said curve having a length of 150.13’ and a radius of 1049.78’ to a point,said point being the southwesterly corner of Lot 18 and being marked by an iron pipe set;Thence, along the frontage of Lot 17 for the following three courses; Along a curve to the left, said curve having a length of 91.61’, and a radius of 1049.78’ to a point, said point being marked by a concrete monument set; Thence proceeding North 680 28’ 10” West fora distance of 50.00’ to a point, said point being marked by a concrete monument set; Thence proceeding along a curve to the right, said curve having a length of 159.69 and a radius of 231.55’ to a point, said point being the southerly corner of Lot 17 and westerly end of the frontage of Lot C Common Land, and being marked by a concrete monument; Thence,along the frontage of Common Lot C for the following two courses; Thence proceeding North 280 57 15” West for a distance of 50.00’ to a point, said point being marked by a concrete monument set; Thence continuing along a curve to the left, said curve having a length of 43.87’ and a radius of 340.34’ to a point, said point being the southeasterly corner of Lot 11 and being marked by an iron pipe set; Thence, along the frontage of Lot 11 along a curve to the left, said curve having a length of 157.36 and a radius of 340.34’ to the point of beginning.

Pursuant to Section 709 of Title 19, Vermont Statutes Annotated, the Selectboard hereby appoints May 4, 2026, at 6:35 PM as the date and time at which the Selectboard will hear from the persons interested as set forth in the attached list of abutting property owners. Town staff are hereby directed to provide the Notice of Public Hearing to abutting property owners by certified mail at least thirty (30) days prior to the Public Hearing, and shall provide such notice to the Town Planning Commission, post a copy in the Office of the Town Clerk, and cause the notice to be published in Seven Days, a local newspaper of general circulation in the area not less than ten(10) days before this time set for hearing.

Be aware the right-of-way can be determined from the foregoing legal description at the plat entitled “Survey Plat, Deer Crossing at Saxon Hill, Essex, Vermont,” or prepared by Pinkham Engineering Associates, Inc., dated 2/10/94, last revised

5/26/94, and record in Map Slide 292 of the Town of Essex Land Records.

NOTICE OF SALE

Notice is given that the following lots shall be sold, to satisfy lien of owner, at public sale by sealed bid, on Friday Apr 24, 2026 at the Access Mini-Storage/ McLure Moving & Storage, Inc. complex on 167 Colchester Road, Route 2A Essex Jct., VT. Start time for the sale shall be 10:00 am.

Access Mini-Storage lots (name & unit #) offered for sale for non-payment: #001 Bronson, Melissa #404 Cameron, Jeffrey #214 Coax, Rebecca #507 Cook, Donald #208 Demko, Theodore #341 Guilmette, John #330 Meacham, Paul #326 Nguyen, Jack #006 Robinson, David #542 Schwenn, Terri #546 Slattery, Sara #439 Swain, Lori

Sealed bids will be submitted for the entire contents of each self storage unit. All sales are final and must be paid for at the time of sale. All items must be removed from the unit within 3 days of purchase. A deposit will be collected on all units sold. This deposit will be refunded when all items are removed and the unit has been broom cleaned. The owners of Access Mini-Storage, Inc. and McLure Moving & Storage, Inc. reserve the right to reject any and all bids.

NOTICE OF SELF STORAGE LIEN SALE

Exit 16 Self Storage 295 Rathe Rd Colchester, Vt.05446

Notice is hereby given that the contents of the storage unit will be sold at auction

Dylan Austin 5 x 10

Casey Clifford 10 x 15

James Kehoe 10 x 30

James Kehoe 10 x 20

James Kehoe 10 x 25

Justin Beaudry 10 x 20

Kendra Payea 10 x 10

Ethan Brodowski 10 x 15

Ann Maher 10 x 10

Allen Young 10 x 15

Simone Washington 5 x 10

Alyssa Violette 5 x 10

Auction will take place:

Saturday April 18th 2026, 9:00am at Exit 16 Self Storage

Units will be opened for viewing immediately prior to the auction.

Sale shall be by live auction to the highest bidder. Contents of the entire storage unit will be sold as one lot.

All winning bidders will be required to pay a $50.00 deposit which will be refunded once the unit is empty and broom swept clean. The winning bid must remove all contents from the facility within 72 hours of bid acceptance at no cost to Exit 16 Self Storage.

Exit 16 Self Storage reserves the right to remove any unit from the auction should the current tenant pay the outstanding balance in full prior to the auction.

STATE OF VERMONT

SUPERIOR COURT PROBATE DIVISION

CHITTENDEN UNIT DOCKET NO.: 26-PR-00548

In re: Estate of Rita Burns

To the creditors of: Rita Burns, late of Essex Junction, VT

I have been appointed to administer this estate. All creditors having claims against the decedent or the estate must present their claims in writing within four (4) months of the date of the first

Dated: 3/30/2026

Executor/Administrator: Kathy B. Carolin, 93 Sandy Shore Terrace, Colchester, VT 05446, 802-343-7086 Kathy.carolin@uvm.edu

Name of Publication: Seven Days

Publication Date: 04/01/2026

Name of Probate Court: Vermont Superior Court, Chittenden Unit, 175 Main Street , Burlington, VT 05401, 802-651-1518, www.vermontjudiciary.org

STATE OF VERMONT STATE OF VERMONT SUPERIOR COURT PROBATE DIVISION CHITTENDEN UNIT DOCKET NO.: 26-PR-00558

In re ESTATE of: Matthew Disorda NOTICE TO CREDITORS

To the creditors of: Matthew Disorda, late of Essex.

Dated: March 30, 2026

Signature of Fiduciary: /s/ Andrew H. Montroll Executor/Administrator: Andrew H. Montroll PO Box 1045, Burlington, Vermont, 05402. Phone: 802-540-0250

Email: amontroll@mblawoffice.com

Name of Publication: Seven Days Publication Date: 04/01/2026

Name of Probate Court: Vermont Superior Court, Chittenden Probate Division

Address of Probate Court: 175 Main Street, Burlington, VT 05401

INVITATION TO BID

Greenprint Partners, acting as Project Manager, seeks qualified contractors Vermont Schools Green Infrastructure Stormwater Improvements for the location listed below. Federal Disadvantage Business Enterprise (DBE), Women-Owned, Veteran-Owned, Minority-Owned contractors and suppliers, and Small Businesses are strongly encouraged to submit a bid proposal.

Project Description: The project consists of stormwater improvements to meet the Vermont Stormwater Rules.

Locations of the work are as follows:

Bid Opening Tuesday, May 5, 2026

• Castleton University School – 119 Alumni Drive, Castleton, VT

Schedule: Construction is generally scheduled to begin in June 2026 and be substantially completed by the end of November 2026.

The construction work involves installation of a subsurface infiltration system, proprietary Jellyfish Filters, infiltration basins, rooftop dripline modifications, and associated storm sewer work.

These projects are subject to Davis Bacon wage rates compliance and with Build America Buy America provisions.

Any interested subcontractors and suppliers should visit the following website after April 2, 2026, for information on obtaining bidding documents: www.questcdn.com under Greenprint Partners or https://www.greenprintpartners. com/resources and click on Bidding opportunities.

For additional information, please send an email to the construction project manager: hkillian@ greenprintpartners.com

TOWN OF UNDERHILL REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The Town of Underhill is partnering with the United Church of Underhill (UCU) to construct affordable homes within the Town. The Town has received a grant from the VT Community Development Program to support the construction of +/- 800 feet of shared gravel roadway, driveways, stormwater, utilities, and other infrastructure for the site. The UCU will be a subgrantee and take the lead in overseeing the contractor performing the necessary work. The grant funding requires detailed documentation from the selected contractor. Those requirements are described in the bid package. The complete bid package is available at the Town of Underhill’s Website: https://www.underhillvt.gov/ request-proposals-rfps

For any questions, please contact Al Simard at land@ucu.church

TOWN OF BOLTON NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Development Review Board (“DRB”) at Bolton Town Office

3045 Theodore Roosevelt Highway, Bolton, VT 05676

The DRB will hold a public hearing on Thursday, April 23, 2026, starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Bolton Town Office to consider the following application. Remote participation options are also available—see below.

Application 2026-01-DRB

Applicant & Property Owners: Clayton & Katelyn Queen

Location: 3097 Stage Road, Bolton, VT 05465

Brief Description: The application proposes an addition to the existing dwelling. A setback waiver has been requested for this proposal pursuant to Section 9.6(B) of the Bolton Land Use and Development Regulations.

Remote Participation

For Zoom meeting instructions, including a link to the Zoom meeting and mobile options, please visit the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meetings/86762265931/invitations?signature=iWCGS BXkpbuN-jY5qcAX6sxSMDD2-iz_Na4T0crOl0U

The hearing is open to the public. Additional information may be obtained at the Bolton Town Office, Monday-Thursday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Pursuant to 24 V.S.A. §§ 4464(a)(1)(C) and 4471(a), participation in this local proceeding is a prerequisite to the right to take any subsequent appeal. If you cannot attend the hearing, comments may be made in writing, prior to the hearing and mailed to: Planning & Zoning Administrator, 3045 Theodore Roosevelt Highway, Bolton, VT 05676 or emailed to Zoning@BoltonVT.com.

INVITATION TO BID

Bolton Valley Water and Community Development Company, herein called the Owner, invites separate sealed bids for the Picnic Loop Subdivision Road Improvements project located in Bolton Valley, Vermont. This project generally consists of construction of road improvements to serve the Picnic Loop Subdivision, related infrastructure improvements, and related activities. For copies of all bid documents contact: Scott Homsted, P.E. Krebs & Lansing Consulting Engineers, Inc. 164 Main Street, Colchester, Vermont 05446 O: (802) 878-0375 Scott.Homsted@krebsandlansing.com

Semester Faculty

We’re looking for a creative, design/build-savvy educator to co-lead this high-impact, intensive semester. You’ll guide students through the full arc of the design/ build process—concept to construction—while fostering creativity, collaboration, and skill-building every step of the way.

The position runs from August 17 to December 18, 2026, with up to 80 hours of remote prep before kicko . 7dvt.pub/ YestermorrrowFaculty

TRIVIA HOSTS

School Director

Teacher K-2

Little River Community School is hiring for these positions.

Please visit littleriverschool.org for info and to apply.

ATTENTION RECRUITERS:

POST YOUR JOBS AT: JOBS.SEVENDAYSVT.COM/POST-A-JOB PRINT DEADLINE: NOON ON MONDAYS (INCLUDING HOLIDAYS) FOR RATES & INFO: MICHELLE BROWN, 802-865-1020 X121, MICHELLE@SEVENDAYSVT.COM

Enforcement Officer

Come do good work with a great team!

Full-time, $27.24 - $35.43/hr + generous benefits (paid leave, retirement plan with match, 100% medical/dental/vision for employee + family).

Location: Berlin, VT

See CVSWMD.org for details.

Head of Taproom Operations

We are looking for a Head of Taproom Operations to be the primary owner of Front-of-House (FOH) Taproom operations. This role is responsible for sta ng, scheduling, payroll oversight, training, and daily service execution. Apply: h ps://7dvt.pub/LawsonsTaproom

New Grad RNs:

Your Nursing Journey Starts Here.

NVRH is now accepting applicants for the Summer 2026 New Graduate Nurse Residency Program on our vibrant Med‑Surg Unit. This year‑long transition‑to‑practice experience includes a dedicated 1:1 preceptor, consistent mentorship, structured classroom learning, and hands‑on specialty rotations in areas like ICU, ED, Day Surgery, Infusion, Labor & Delivery, and more.

You’ll build clinical confidence, strengthen critical thinking, and join a supportive team committed to compassionate, community‑focused care. With student loan repayment, tuition reimbursement, flexible scheduling, and a top tier comprehensive benefits package, NVRH is the perfect place to begin your career.

Seeking responsible, engaging, quick witted and charismatic individuals to host weekly trivia night programs and other events! We’ll provide everything needed to run a successful trivia night, including proper training. Hosting is a great way to earn some fun money, entertain a crowd, and become a “local celebrity.”

We are looking for hosts in the following areas:

SOUTH BURLINGTON, STOWE, ST ALBANS, COLCHESTER, ESSEX

Compensation: This is a part time position. Competitive pay with opportunity to host additional accounts.

To apply, please email resume to: INFO@PUBGEEKS.COM AND OTHER PUB ACTIVITIES

of Youth Education

Thrive in your first year. Apply now at NVRH.org/careers 4t-NVRH032526.indd 1 3/23/26

Sage Mountain is seeking a Director of Youth Education with deep roots in nature-based learning and the administrative expertise to lead a licensed, specialized childcare program.

Compensation: $57,500 annually (exempt), commensurate with experience, paid biweekly, with benefits eligible after 90 days. We require a minimum two years of demonstrated experience in nature education, youth programming, community building, or a closely related field, along with a valid driver's license and reliable transportation for unpaved roads through all Vermont seasons. Certification or degree in a related field and strong working knowledge of — or demonstrated readiness to master — Vermont Child Development Division licensing regulations and Specialized Care designation requirements are essential.

EOE: Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a comprehensive background check and fingerprinting as required by state regulations. To Apply: review full details and submit your application at sagemountain.com/now-hiring

Solar Installer / Electrical Apprentice

We create custom solar designs tailored to individual needs. We also provide a range of residential and commercial electrical wiring services, including EV chargers, standby generators, electrical upgrades, lighting, new construction, and renovations.

Qualiﬁcations:

• Ability to use fall protection and work on ﬂat and pitched roofs

• Experience with power tools and hand tools

• Ability to work e ectively in a team environment; ability to lift 60+ lbs

• Strong problem-solving skills; electrical apprentice experience is a plus

Send resumes to: jacob@hellbrook.io

4t-HellbrookSolar032526.indd 1 3/23/26 2:19 PM

Architectural Designer

Seeking an experienced residential designer to join our Design-Build team!

The ideal candidate has 10+ years of residential design experience. As a Designer at Lewis Creek, you will support new construction and remodeling projects through all phases of design. The ideal candidate thrives in a collaborative environment, has strong technical skills, CAD expertise, and a proven history of driving projects forward.

$80,000 to $120,000, plus benefits.

Learn more and apply at lewiscreekbuilders.com/ employment

REGISTERED

DENTAL HYGIENIST

Come join our small, friendly, patient-focused practice in Hinesburg. Full time or part time. This is a wonderful opportunity to become a key part of a team dedicated to exceptional patient care in a supportive environment.

Monday through Thursday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM

Location: Hinesburg, Vermont

Pay: $50 to $60/hr based on experience

Exceptional Benefits Package including: paid vacation/ holidays, 100% employer paid health insurance , 401k w/ match.

We look forward to hearing from qualified applicants! Please send resume to: stephensfamilydentistry@ gmail.com

Art Studio Production and Operations Coordinator

Art studio and high-volume merchandise business seeks a part-time studio / operations coordinator. Possibility to grow to full time next year. Must be e cient, detail-oriented, and able to prioritize in order to meet production and delivery deadlines. This is a high ownership role with a lot of autonomy.

Job duties: ﬁll online orders and ship products, oversee inventory, order o ce supplies as needed, communicate with customers, vendors and wholesale clients, make and package merchandise, troubleshoot production issues, handle day to day operations. Must be a responsible self-starter who can work through to-do lists on your own.

Requirements: Experience with Mac, Excel and Google sheets.

Start date: end of April

Rate: $25/hr to start. Hourly rate will be based on various factors such as candidate's experience, qualiﬁcations, skills and competencies, and proﬁciency for the role. 25-30 hours / week. Flexible schedule

Email resume and cover letter to: hellolemonzesty@gmail.com

MILL WORKER PAINTER/FINISHER

Addison Residential is seeking to hire a full-time finisher for our busy paint shop. Finisher will be responsible for spraying a variety of projects - cabinetry, siding, trim, etc. along with using a variety of finish products. The ideal candidate will have previous experience with finishing.

The job requires repetitive motion and ability to lift-up to 65 lbs. The candidate should be able to work independently, as well as be part of a team, and have a keen eye for detail.

Benefits package available. Pay is based on experience/skill level.

Financial Manager

The Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission (CVRPC) seeks a finance manager to join our team of dedicated professionals in a public service organization. Responsibilities include management of CVRPC financial accounts, organizational budget development and oversight, development of indirect cost rate proposals, financial reporting to the executive director and Executive Committee, grant budgets and contract management, financial aspects of grant reporting, management of payroll and staff benefits, annual audit preparation, and general oversight of office financial operations. Knowledge of QuickBooks Accounting Software is required. Knowledge of federal or state grants management is a plus.

Please submit cover letter, resume & contacts for 3 professional references to jobs@cvregion.com. Reference “Finance Manager” and your last name in the subject line. The hourly wage range is $36.06 to $52.88, dependent on qualifications. This position will remain open until it is filled. A review of applications will begin 4/13/26. A complete job description is available a centralvtplanning.org. CVRPC is an E.O.E. and maintains a drug-free workplace.

4t-VTCommFoundationExecDir032526 1 3/23/26 1:53 PM

Building Maintenance

After 30 years of great work, our maintenance guy is retiring. He was an independent, jack-of-all-trades, handyman handling about 10 hours of maintenance for us per week, plus the occasional light fit-up of office space. He also assisted with after-hours emergency calls when they occurred, which is about 4 times per year.

Early Childhood Educator

We are looking for either a part-time employee with a similar skill-set or a contractor capable of filling in as needed. Most work can be confined to one or two days per week and includes general maintenance, painting, and some oversight of vendors including electricians, plumbers and HVAC. All in South Burlington.

Must have your own transportation. Mileage reimbursed. Pay based on experience with the possibility of $40+ / hour for an employee, plus the opportunity to pull together tenant renovation work which can add substantially to your annual income. Perfect job for a recently retired tradesperson looking for a little additional income but not a full-time gig.

Contact Ashley Newcomb: 802-448-2750 or John Wilking: 802-343-4163

Pine Forest Children’s Center (PFCC) has provided high-quality, play-based early childhood education in Burlington’s South End since 1988. We are currently hiring for multiple positions, including licensed preschool teachers (full-time or part-time) and early childhood educators to join our infant–preschool teams. At PFCC, we value imagination, curiosity, and integrity, and believe children learn best through emergent, play-based experiences connected to their community and natural world. Our teachers collaborate to design engaging, child-led curriculum, partner closely with families, and receive strong professional development support to grow in the ﬁeld.

Pay: $20–$26/hour plus a $1,000 sign-on bonus

Beneﬁts include: health savings account, dental, vision & life insurance, retirement plan, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, ongoing training, and more.

To apply, send your resume and cover letter to Julie LaFountaine: julie@thepineforest.org. PFCC is an equal opportunity employer.

Seasonal Summer Enrichment Coordinator with

DREAM: June 1 - August 17, 2026

Are you looking for a rewarding, creative, youth-centered, team-oriented and FUN summer job? DREAM is hiring for Summer Enrichment Coordinators across Vermont, who will plan and implement eight weeks of memorable summer daytime activities for youth living in low income housing. We are seeking staff who are excited and passionate about youth work, and committed to serving as a mentor for youth. For more information and to apply, visit: dreamprogram.org/careers

When you work for the State of Vermont, you and your work matter. A career with the State puts you on a rich and rewarding professional path. You’ll find jobs in dozens of fields – not to mention an outstanding total compensation package.

This position conducts financial reviews and provides training in financial management requirements for childcare centers and nonprofit organizations involved in the Child & Adult Care Food Program and the Summer Food Service Program. If you have a background in auditing or accounting and want to use that knowledge for meaningful work ensuring children and older adults have access to nutritious meals, we invite you to apply! Up to 2 days/week of work from home, subject to manager approval. For more information, contact Rosie Krueger at mary.krueger@vermont.gov. Location: Montpelier. Department: Education. Status: Full Time. Minimum Salary: $27.50. Maximum Salary: $42.94. Job ID #54699. Application Deadline: April 12, 2026.

“Seven Days sales rep Michelle Brown is amazing! She’s extremely responsive, and I always feel so taken care of. I can only imagine how many job connections she has facilitated for local companies in the 20 years she has been doing this.”

CAROLYN ZELLER, Intervale Center, Burlington

Head Nurse

The Head Nurse is an employee of the Aloha Foundation, assigned to work primarily at one of our three overnight summer camps (Aloha, Hive or Lanakila) and is responsible for the safe and healthy operation of their respective health house, the supervision and management of health house staff, the ongoing relationship with our covering pediatricians and other providers, and the overall health of the summer camp community.

Compensation: $13,000 for 9 weeks minimum for this position.This is a seasonal contract.

Salary: competitive, based on experience. Room & board included. Head Nurses able to commit to full employment are eligible for tuition benefits for up to two children.

Apply: alohafoundation.org/ employment

For more information & to apply: 7dvt.pub/appets

Case Manager/Clinician

Youth Coaches; Drop-In, Shelter & Supported Housing positions

Respite Staff Burlington & St Albans

Scan QR code to apply.

experienced carpenters with knowledge of old and new construction to join the Lewis Creek Builders, DesignBuild team! We are a passionate group of carpenters, designers, and construction management professionals working in a supportive, collaborative environment to manage every aspect of residential building and remodeling projects.

start

Services and Support at Home (SASH) Coordinator

Winooski Housing Authority is seeking a part-time Services and Support at Home (SASH) Coordinator to serve members of our community in need of support to remain in their home. The position focuses on providing support with navigating challenges of daily living regardless of age or disability.

WINOOSKI HOUSING AUTHORITY

We are looking for a person who can patiently assist clients with accessing supports as well as a talent for organizing events - from informational meetings to safety presentations to luncheons. A large portion of our clientele live in senior housing in Winooski, though others live independently in their home in the City.

This is a twenty hour a week position, offering $23 - $25 per hour commensurate with experience. If you love seniors, enjoy talking about the past, and can navigate the challenges of enrolling people in programs. This will be a rewarding experience. please send a cover letter and resume to Susan Perkins at: sperkins@winooskihousing.org

Communications, Policy & Program

Associate

For info & to apply, please visit vtmd.org/vms-is-hiring

Labor/Assembly

General labor and light assembly work in a fast-paced production environment.

What You’ll Do:

• Assemble/package products

• Perform basic warehouse and production tasks

• Maintain a clean and organized workspace

• Assist with loading/ unloading materials

• Follow instructions & meet daily production goals

Send resumes to: Info@howardprintinginc.com

Facilities Maintenance Specialist

FINANCE DIRECTOR

VERMONT

NETWORK AGAINST DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE

Behind every life-changing program is a strong financial foundation. At the Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, your expertise won’t just manage numbers—it will help create safety, healing, and hope for survivors across the state.

We’re looking for a collaborative, detail-driven finance professional with strong technology skills, 3-5 years of accounting experience, preferably with nonprofit and grant experience in multi-funded organizations.

Reporting to the CFO, Finance Director will manage financial operations, systems, and policies and partner with leadership to ensure every dollar advances our mission. This is a fulltime role with a hybrid work schedule, based in Waterbury, VT. The expected compensation is $75-95K commensurate with experience. Bring your skills where they truly matter.

Apply today: https://apply.workable.com/gallagher-flynnand-company/j/9266A6D0DD/

Performs skilled, hands-on work maintaining and repairing buildings, infrastructure and equipment across the property. This role focuses on facility maintenance while supporting property operations and seasonal grounds work. This position is well suited for someone who enjoys varied, practical work and solving problems independently. This is a full-time, year-round, 40 hour/week, Mon.-Fri. 7am-3:30pm position with salary range of $28-$32/hour.

Seasonal Gardener Part-time (15-25 hours/week), Seasonal (mid-April to early-October). Pay range:$20-$26/hour. This role focuses on hands-on horticultural maintenance, seasonal planting, and landscape stewardship to ensure all areas - from the front entrance and private home(s) to the office and community event spaces - remain healthy and welcoming throughout the season. This is an ideal opportunity for a motivated gardener who enjoys physical outdoor work, takes pride in detail, and values contributing to a collaborative Farm team. For more info: bmercure@meachcovefarms.org or 802-985-9218

4t-MeachCoveFarms032526.indd 1 3/23/26 11:18 AM

•Director of Anesthesia ($144-153/hour)

•CRNA ($130-135/hour)

•OR Nurse Manager ($89,000- $99,000/year)

•RN ($32.09-54.81/hour)

OPERATIONS COORDINATOR

Join a mission-driven team at Capstone Community Action’s 3E Thermal program, helping improve energy efficiency and building performance in affordable multi-family housing across Vermont.

The Operations Coordinator provides essential day-to-day operational support for the 3E Thermal program based in Duxbury, VT. This role guides new and returning participants through eligibility and intake, ensuring a smooth transition to project management. The Operations Coordinator also strengthens partner and client engagement while delivering comprehensive administrative and office support to the team. Plus, there is opportunity for growth within the program!

The ideal candidate brings experience in program administration, preferably in energy efficiency or weatherization, and demonstrates sensitivity when working with diverse and vulnerable populations. They are proficient in Microsoft Office, especially Excel, and able to learn new systems quickly. Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills are essential, along with a collaborative, adaptable approach and high emotional intelligence. The candidate must be flexible with changing priorities, willing to travel statewide, and possess a valid driver’s license with access to a reliable, insured vehicle.

2v-HowardPrinting032526.indd 1 3/23/26 10:56 AM

•Surgical Technologist ($28-33/hour)

•Central Sterile Reprocessing Technician ( $ 18.50-22.5 0 /hour )

•Endoscopy Technician ($18-20.50/hour)

For more information or to apply, visit copleyvt.org/careers or contact Kaitlyn Shannon, Recruiter 802-888-8144 or kshannon@chsi.org.

For more information about this full-time position, including more about qualifications, compensation and benefits, please visit CapstoneVT.org/Careers

Interested applicants should submit a letter of interest and resume to jobs@capstonevt.org

Capstone Community Action is an Equal

Meach Cove Farms

Burlington Housing Authority (BHA)

Are you interested in a job that helps your community and makes a difference in people’s lives every day? Consider joining Burlington Housing Authority (BHA) in Burlington, VT to continue BHA’s success in promoting innovative solutions that address housing instability challenges facing our diverse population of low-income families and individuals.

We are currently hiring for the following positions:

Assistant Property Manager:

Assists with leasing apartments, move in and move outs, maintaining accurate tenant files and assist with tenant complaints, collection of rents, lease violations, property inspections, vacant unit checks, delivery of resident notices and certifications, and other duties related to property management. Pay $22.00 to $24.00 per hour.

Maintenance Technician: Performs general maintenance work in BHA owned and managed properties. This includes building exteriors, common areas, apartments, building systems, fixtures, and grounds. Our Building Operations Techs are required to participate in the on-call rotation, which covers night and weekend emergencies. Current rotation is once every 6-7 weeks. Pay $24.00 to $26.00 per hour.

Property Manager: Serves as a critical member of our property management team. This position provides oversight of day-to-day operations to ensure long-term viability of the properties assigned within BHA’s property portfolio. This position requires independent judgment, timely management of deadlines as well as discretion in carrying out responsibilities. Pay $25.00 to $27.00 per hour.

Our robust benefit package includes premium medical insurance with a health reimbursement account, dental, vision, short and long term disability, 10% employer funded retirement plan, 457 retirement plan, accident insurance, life insurance, cancer and critical illness insurance. We provide a generous time off policy including 12 days of paid time off and 12 days of sick time in the first year. In addition to the paid time off, BHA recognizes 13 (paid) holidays and 2 (paid) floating cultural holidays.

For more information about these job opportunities please visit: burlingtonhousing.org

Interested in our career opportunities? Send a cover letter & resume to: humanresources@ burlingtonhousing.org

Human Resources

Burlington Housing Authority 65 Main Street, Suite 101 Burlington, VT 05401

BHA is an E.O.E.

Join our dedicated team of instructors! Open positions for the 2026/2027 School year

The Stern Center for Language and Learning is an educationfocused nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding the power of learning. If you’re an educator who wants to explore new ways to make a difference in the lives of individual students each day, these rewarding positions may be your next step.

SPECIAL EDUCATOR

This role focuses on delivering individualized instruction in reading, writing, and/or math using a multisensory approach. Candidates must hold a valid Vermont Special Educator license and have at least two years of experience in Special Education. The position requires strong collaboration and communication skills, enthusiasm for one-to-one instruction, and knowledge of assessment and interpretation.

ORTON - GILLINGHAM (OG) INSTRUCTOR

This position involves providing structured literacy instruction using Orton-Gillingham and/or Wilson approaches, as well as developing individualized learning plans. Candidates should be certified in Orton-Gillingham or have relevant training, along with strong organizational and communication skills and experience with research-based interventions.

The Stern Center for Language and Learning is an E.O.E. 4t-vtcomfound040126 1 3/30/26

* Chittenden County, VT | Flexible part-time or full-time schedules available. Salary range: $54,000–$57,000 annually. Training in Orton-Gillingham and/or Wilson, and/or Special Education certification strongly preferred.

Apply today by sending a cover letter and resume to hcastillo@sterncenter.org

Registrar Staff Assistant

Visit jobs.plattsburgh.edu & select “View Current Openings”

SUNY Plattsburgh is an AA/EEO/ADA/VEVRAA committed to excellence through diversity and supporting an inclusive environment for all.

ENGINEERING INSTRUCTOR

Green Mountain Technology & Career Center is seeking a dynamic and collaborative instructor to lead its Engineering program beginning in the 2026–2027 school year. This full-day, hands-on program serves primarily 11th and 12th grade students and focuses on engineering design, problem solving, and real-world application.

The instructor will lead a project-based curriculum that integrates design, prototyping, manufacturing processes, and applied math and science. The program includes the Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Engineering pathway; training and ongoing support will be provided.

Students engage in authentic engineering challenges while developing skills in collaboration, critical thinking, and technical communication. The program also emphasizes partnerships with local industry and postsecondary institutions.

Preferred qualifications:

• Background in engineering, mathematics, or a related STEM field

• Industry or applied engineering experience

• CAD experience (Fusion 360 or similar)

• Prototyping, fabrication, or machining experience (manual or CNC)

• Interest in robotics, automation, or additive manufacturing

• Experience with project-based learning and/or mentoring youth

Candidates should hold a bachelor’s degree in a related field or have equivalent industry experience and be eligible for Vermont CTE licensure. Industry professionals interested in transitioning to teaching are strongly encouraged to apply; support for licensure is provided.

If you are passionate about developing the next generation of engineers and problem-solvers, we encourage you to apply.

Green Mountain Tech is a career and technical education center serving students in grades 10–12, where students prepare for college and careers through hands-on learning, real-world projects, and strong industry and postsecondary partnerships. Students have opportunities to earn high school credit, college credit, and industry-recognized credentials.

Green Mountain Tech is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or any other protected status under applicable law.

Send resumes to eremmers@gmtcc.net

“If you want to work in an environment of growth, collaboration and engagement CCS is the place for you!”

- Wendy Parker, Bridging Assistant and Job Coach

EMPLOYMENT SPECIALIST

Be an Employment Specialist at an award-winning agency and help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities find and maintain meaningful employment.

Benefit package includes 29 paid days off in the first year, comprehensive health insurance with up to $6,400 to go towards medical deductibles and copays, retirement match, tuition assistance and so much more.

And that’s on top of working at one of the “Best Places to Work in Vermont” for eight years in a row. Join our team today!

Student Services Recruitment, Retention and Events

of Agriculture

The College ofAgriculture & Life Sciences (CALS) Dean’s Office is seeking a Student Recruitment,Retention,and Events Specialist to manage and oversee projectsand activities relatedto student recruitment,retentionand experiential activities in support ofthe CollegeofAgricultureand Life Science’senrollmentmanagement goals.Provide administrativesupport for targetedmarketingand outreachfor programmingrecruitmentat high schools,career centers,community colleges,and other organizations.Coordinate with Admissions to connect prospective students with resourcesand schedule meetings.Providetechnical and administrativesupport for the development and implementation ofundergraduatesummer programsand internship opportunities.Workwith AssociateDeanto coordinate Commencement events.Provide general website updates and design ofbasic marketing materials.Create online surveys and nomination forms for student activities and opportunities and produce reports.Interact daily with students,families and the generalpublic on a daily basis as a “frontface” for the student services team.Provide support to the Associate Dean and Associate Director, and general support for the Student Services team as needed.

Recruitment, Retention, and projects and related to recruitment, retention and of the College of Agriculture and Science’s enrollment management goals. Provide administrative support targeted marketing and outreach for programming recruitment at schools, career centers, community colleges, and organizations. Coordinate resources and meetings. Provide technical administrative support of undergraduate summer programs and opportunities. Work with Associate Dean to events. Provide of basic materials. Create reports. Interact students, families general public “front face” team. Provide

The College ofAgriculture & Life Sciences (CALS) Dean’s Office is seeking a Student Recruitment,Retention,and Events Specialist to manage and oversee projects and activities related to student recruitment,retention and experiential activities in support ofthe College ofAgriculture and Life Science’s enrollment management goals.Provide administrative support for targeted marketing and outreach for programming recruitment at high schools,career centers,community colleges,and other organizations.Coordinate with Admissions to connect prospective students with resources and schedule meetings.Provide technical and administrative support for the development and implementation ofundergraduate summer programs and internship opportunities.Work with Associate Dean to coordinate Commencement events.Provide general website updates and design ofbasic marketing materials.Create online surveys and nomination forms for student activities and opportunities and produce reports.Interact daily with students,families and the general public on a daily basis as a “front face” for the student services team.Provide support to the Associate Dean and Associate Director, and general support for the Student Services team as needed.

Bachelor’s degree and four years related experience or equivalent combination ofeducation and experience required. Effective interpersonal,communication,and editing and proofreading skills,event planning experience,as well as strong organizational skills a must.Proficient in word processing,spreadsheet required.Design experience with Canva, Drupal preferred.

Bachelor’s degree and four years related experience or equivalent combination ofeducation and experience required. Effectiveinterpersonal,communication,and editing and proofreadingskills,event planning experience,as well as strongorganizationalskills a must.Proficientin wordprocessing,spreadsheetrequired.Design experiencewith Canva, Drupal preferred.

and four years' related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience required. Effective interpersonal, communication, and proofreading skills, event experience, as strong organizational skills must. Proficient in word processing, spreadsheet required. Design experience with www.uvmjobs.com, Posting # S6011PO. Review of applications begins immediately and will continue unti l

For further information, or to apply with electronic application, resume, and cover letter, visit our website at www.uvmjobs.com, Positing # S6011PO. Review of applications begins immediately and will continue until suitable candidates are found.

For further information,or to apply with electronic application,resume,and cover letter,visit our website at:www. uvmjobs.com,Positing # S6011PO.Review ofapplications begins immediately and will continue until suitable candidates are found.

The University ofVermont is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race,color,religion,sex,sexual orientation,gender identity,national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other category legally protected by federal and state law.

of Vermont is Employer. All race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national status, category and

To apply, please visit: https://apptrkr.com/7030678

Caregiver/Home Health Aide

Home Health Aide working with 39 year old male with a traumatic brain injury. Helping with daily life skills, companionship, recreational activities, and strengthening his skills and talents. Mon-Fri, total of 27 hours. $25/hour, updated Covid & Flu vaccine.

Email: wigetsch@yahoo.com to apply

Care Coordinator/ Case Management

Based in our service area of Washington, Orange and Lamoille counties, the Case Manager will work with older persons to remain in their homes through creative connections with state and community resources.

We are looking for new team members who work well with others and can empathize with their needs, are comfortable with computers, are strong communicators and are enthusiastic to learn and grow as professionals.

Pay Range: $24-$26 per hour. Generous benefits including retirement, health insurance, and paid time off.

For the full job description and to apply, please visit: cvcoa.org/employment

Barre Teacher/Community Coordinator

Seeking a full-time (40 hrs/week) Teacher/Community Coordinator in our Barre Learning Center.

The right candidate will have:

• Enthusiasm for working with adult students

• Familiarity with the service area

• Proven capacity for providing high quality education

• Proﬁciency in Microsoft O ce

The candidate may be teaching:

• Reading, writing, math, computer skills and ﬁnancial literacy

• High school diploma and GED credentialing

• English as a Second Language (ESL)

• Career and college readiness.

Experience developing personalized education and graduation plans a plus. The ideal candidate will be ﬂexible, ﬁnd joy in teaching, and have the ability to teach multiple subject areas.

Starting salary: $48,000-$59,000. Compensation is commensurate with experience. CVAE pays 100% of individual health, dental and short-term disability insurance, and employer 403(b) contributions. Six weeks paid vacation annually.

Submit cover letter and resume to: info@cvae.net

Position Open Until Filled. cvae.net

GO HIRE.

Job Recruiters:

• Post jobs using a form that includes key info about your company and open positions (location, application deadlines, video, images, etc.).

• Accept applications and manage the hiring process via our applicant tracking tool.

• Easily manage your open job listings from your recruiter dashboard.

Job Seekers:

• Search for jobs by keyword, location, category and job type.

• Set up job alert emails using custom search criteria.

• Save jobs to a custom list with your own notes on the positions.

• Apply for jobs directly through the site.

Get a quote when you post online or contact Michelle Brown: 865-1020, ext. 121, michelle@sevendaysvt.com.

fun stuff

“Look at you . Emptying the dishwasher before couples’ therapy.”

HARRY BLISS

JULIANNA BRAZILL

ARIES

(MAR. 21-APR. 19)

Now is an excellent time to decide your favorite color is amaranth (a vivid red-violet), or sinopia (earthy red-orange) or viridian (cool bluegreen, darker than jade). You might also conclude that your favorite aroma is agarwood (deep, smoky, resin-soaked wood), or heliotrope (cherry-almond vanilla) or petrichor (wet soil after a rain). I’m trying to tell you, Aries, that you’re primed to deeply enhance your detailed delight in smells, colors, tastes, feelings, physical sensations, types of wind, tones of voice, qualities of light — and everything else. Indulge in sensory and sensual pleasures!

TAURUS (Apr. 20-May 20): My Taurus friend Elena keeps a “gratitude garden” in her backyard. When she feels grateful for a specific joy in her life, she writes it on biodegradable paper and buries it among her flowers, herbs and vegetables. “I feed the earth with appreciation,” she says. “Returning the gift.” She feels this practice ensures that her garden and her life flourish. Her devoted attention to recognizing blessings attracts even more blessings. Her cultivated appreciation for beauty and abundance leads her to discover more beauty and abundance. Elena’s approach is pure Taurean genius. I invite you to create

your own rituals for expressing your thankful love. Not just paying dutiful homage in your thoughts but giving your appreciation weight, texture and presence in the actual world.

GEMINI (May 21-Jun. 20): Many of us periodically slip into the daydream that everything would finally feel right if only our lives were somehow different. If we’re single, maybe we imagine we ought to be partnered; if we’re partnered, we wish our beloved would change, or we secretly wonder about someone else entirely. That’s the snag. The blessing is this: In the days ahead, you’re likely to discover a surprising ease with your life exactly as it is and feel a genuine, grounded peace. Congratulations in advance!

CANCER (Jun. 21-Jul. 22): A cautious voice in your head murmurs: “Proceed carefully. Don’t be overly impressed with your own beauty. Stick with dependable methods. Live up to expectations and avoid explorations into the unknown.” Your bold genius interrupts: “Tell that fussy, boring voice to shut up. The truth is that you have earned the right to be an inquisitive wanderer, an ingenious lover, a fanciful storyteller and a laughing experimenter.”

LEO (Jul. 23-Aug. 22): In medieval European gardens, there was a tradition of creating “pleasure labyrinths.” They were walking meditations that spiraled inward to a center, then back out again. There were no decisions and no wrong turns, just the relaxing, meditative journey itself. I think you need and deserve a metaphorical pleasure labyrinth right now, Leo. You’ve been treating every choice as a high-stakes dilemma and every path as potentially problematic. But what if the current phase isn’t about making the perfect decision? Maybe it’s about trusting that the path you’re on will take you where you need to go, even if it meanders. By cosmic decree, you are excused from second-guessing every turn.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sep. 22): Your eye for imperfection is a gift until it becomes the lens through which you see everything. The critical faculty that drives you to refine and enhance may also shunt you into a dead end of never being good enough, where impossible standards immobilize you. In the coming

weeks, dear Virgo, I beg you to use your vaunted discernment primarily in the service of growth and pleasure rather than constraint. Be excited by buoyant analysis that empowers constructive change. Homework: For every flaw you identify, identify two things that are working well. You won’t ignore what needs attention but instead will compensate for the excessive criticism that sometimes grips your inner critic.

LIBRA (Sep. 23-Oct. 22): You Libras shouldn’t expend excessive effort trying to force the external world to be more tranquil. That’s mostly a futile task that distracts from your more essential work. The secret to your happiness is to cultivate serenity within. How do you do that? One reliable way to shed tension is to continually place yourself in the presence of beauty. Nothing makes you relax better than being surrounded by elegance, grace and loveliness. Now is a good time to recommit yourself to this key practice.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): In computer science, there’s a concept called “graceful degradation.” When a system encounters an error, it doesn’t crash completely. It loses some functionality but keeps running with what remains. According to my reading of the astrological omens, Scorpio, you’d be wise to acknowledge a graceful degradation like that. Something isn’t working as you had hoped and planned. A relationship? Project? Adventure? In classic Scorpio fashion, you’re tempted to burn it all down. But I encourage you to practice graceful degradation instead. Keep what still works and release only what’s actually broken. Not everything has to be allor-nothing. You can lose some functionality and still run. You can be partially out of whack and still be valuable. PS: The awkwardness is temporary.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): At your best and brightest, you are a hunter — though not the kind who stalks prey with weapons and trophies in mind. Your hunt is noble: the fervent pursuit of adventures that nourish your curiosity and the brave forays you make into unfamiliar territories where intriguing new truths shimmer. And now, as the world drifts deeper into chaos, you are called to re-

spond with even more exploratory audacity. I invite you to further refine your hunter’s craft. Lift it up to an even higher, more luminous form of seeking.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Capricorn meditation teacher Wes Nisker guided his students to relax the relentless mental static that muddled their awareness. But he also understood that excessive striving can sabotage the peace we’re seeking. I invoke his influence now to help you release some of the jittery goal-obsession you’ve been gripped by. Nisker and I offer you permission to temporarily suspend the potentially exhausting drive to constantly be better and more accomplished. Instead, just for now, simply be your authentic self. Loosen your high-strung grip on selfimprovement and allow yourself the radical luxury of purposelessness.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Here’s a danger you Aquarians are sometimes prey to: spending so much energy fixing the big picture that you neglect what’s up close and personal. You may get so involved in rearranging systems that immediate concerns get less than your best attention. I hope you won’t do that in the coming weeks. Your aptitude for overarching objectivity is a gift because it enables you to recognize patterns others can’t detect. But it may also divert you from the messy, intricate intimacy that gritty transformation requires. Your assignment: Eagerly attend to the details, which I bet will be more interesting than you imagine.

PISCES (Feb. 19-Mar. 20): In horticulture, “hardening off” is the process of gradually exposing seedlings started indoors to outdoor conditions before transplanting them. Too much exposure too fast will shock them; no exposure at all will leave them unprepared. Let’s invoke this as a useful metaphor for you. I believe you are being hardened off, Pisces. Life is making small, increasing demands on your tender self. Though this may sometimes feel uncomfortable, I assure you that it’s preparation, not cruelty. You’re being readied for a shift from protected space to open ground. My advice is twofold: 1) Don’t retreat back into the ultra-safe greenhouse. 2) Don’t let yourself be thrown into full exposure all at once.

WOMEN seeking...

CHILLING IN NATURE

Hola. I am a kind, gentle animal lover who is looking for a friendship that will blossom naturally (no pressure.) This will happen if you are also kind, open-minded and care about what is happening in the world. You are laid-back but not opposed to protesting an ICE facility. Must love cats! Eddy 54, seeking: M,l

FUN, FIT, FRIENDLY

I am a former flower child who likes music, dancing, laughing; and, when I’m not: reading, walking in nature and creating. Looking for someone in the Burlington area with similar interests who could be a friend, traveling companion (been to Ireland and Japan), dinner and movie date, and possibly more. Finding a group of like-minded friends is my heart’s desire. wythu 74 seeking: M,l

OUTDOORSY, ATHLETIC, INTRIGUING, OUTGOING, DEEP

Classy lady seeks gentleman for companionship and outdoor adventures. Building in Waitsfield, Vt. Avid equestrian and love to horseback ride, hike and swim in the emerald-green waters of the Mad River. Windsurfed and have sailboarded as well as figure skated. Seeking a man who can “whoa” and take it slow and see where things might go. Lavenderlady19 66, seeking: M,l

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W = Women

M = Men

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NBP = Nonbinary people

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OLD SCHOOL BUT OPEN-MINDED

I’m not sure how to make this work, but I honestly hope to find love. Michelle707 51, seeking: M,l

KIND AND CARING

I’m a librarian but don’t think I meet all the stereotypes of the profession. Just a few: I’m kind, compassionate and an educator. I work hard, enjoy naps and being outside as much as I can. Long walks, bike riding, swimming, kayaking, Nordic skiing — I’m in! I do the New York Times crossword puzzle and cups of tea. BookNerd 42, seeking: M

OUTGOING, OUTDOORS, FAMILY, FRIENDS, FUN

I love hiking, family, friends, new adventures; happy, honest people; making memories. love802girl 61, seeking: M,l

PEACEFUL AND PLAYFUL

I am a retired widow looking for companionship with a kind and honest man. I enjoy cooking, gardening and reading. I really enjoy the outdoors. I like fishing and kayaking. I enjoy playing pool and maybe a little foosball and bowling. I enjoy walks, and I love dancing to rock and roll. Dilly, 65, seeking: M,l

SCOTTISH LASSIE LOOKING FOR LAD

My name is Michele, and I am a mental health counselor. I enjoy walking, hiking, gardening and spending time with my dog, Winnie. I also like to read. I have a very dry sense of humor that can catch people by surprise, and I have learned to manage it over time. I do enjoy a partner with a quick wit. Chelbelle, 57, seeking: M,l

SPONTANEOUS AND FUN

I would like someone to match my spontaneous personality! I’m a spontaneous, fun person. Spontaneous, as in, I could, on a dime, say, “Let’s get in the car and go!” Let’s go out to dinner. Let’s go dancing, bowling and so on. I enjoy dancing every weekend. Honesty and communication are important to me, as well as attraction. Aggie 73, seeking: M,l

WANNA JUMP IN THE RIVER?

I love being outside year-round, wandering the forests and wondering at their whimsy and beauty. Balancing that out with cozy time inside, I love a good cup of tea, a book, and attempting/ collecting random craft projects, usually made with nature or textiles. Building intentional community is something I am very dedicated to and consider very important, especially right now. ForestFairy, 32, seeking: M, W, TM, TW, Q, NC, NBP,l

FUNNY, CONSIDERATE NATURE LOVER

I am looking for something that feels natural and effortless but keeps me coming back for more. I rarely take life seriously but also know when to be serious, if that tracks. I want happiness, peace and the company of someone who warms my soul! 98 percent content with my life, just missing my person. VTgirl06 33, seeking: M,l

SEEKING FUTURE CO-PARENT

29-y/o woman seeking a man in his 20s or 30s who wants to raise kids. I’m an aspiring therapist (in grad school), farm worker, off-grid cabin dweller. Interests include: aikido, hide tanning, ritual gatherings, sewing, reading. Looking for someone who values authenticity, clear communication and reliability. Spirituality and carpentry skills a plus. I live in southern Vermont but could move north. WildFox, 29, seeking: M, TM, NBP,l

GREAT COFFEE DATE? MAYBE MORE?

I would like to meet a man for dating, possibly a partnership. I love to laugh, and my ideal person would be someone playful. I’m made happy by reading, socializing, hanging out at cafés or with dogs, walking, museum-ing, music, movies, No Kings! rallies, painting, gardening. Bonus points if you like to watch silent films or slow-paced, talky foreign ones. Pointer 69, seeking: M,l

PLAYING OUR WAY THROUGH

“The Playground:” Travel the world / Also the nation / Filters of fun / Deliberate Creation / Trust sweet / know we will meet / timing is fine / somewhere down the line / water the flower / acknowledge our power / With filters of joy / Knowing it’s all like a toy / played well with care / It’s all in the share / My happiness, my job / I’ll meet you there. TiaStar 65, seeking: M,l

EXCITEMENT WANTED IN LIFE

I am looking for friendship and companionship. I also want to show my partner that I will love and cherish him for the rest of my life. Would like to do some traveling or just staying at home, reading or doing my knitting, crocheting or playing cards or Wii bowling. Also like boating and fishing. Just want to be happy. DebbieSmith 82, seeking: M,l

TRAVELING ENTHUSIAST

I’m always seeking the next adventure — whether it’s a weekend hike or discovering a new coffee shop. I’ve been all over the world; take a guess at my favorite location? With travel comes great food. Food lover on a mission to find the best food in the city. Let’s hit up some food trucks together! First date: Where you taking me? VTCHICA31 44, seeking: M,l

MEN seeking...

GROUNDED AND READY TO SHARE

Fit mental health clinician who enjoys the outdoors. Comfortable by myself but enjoy spending time with friends. A deep thinker, I can usually find the humor and laughter in situations. Enjoy reading, cooking, games and watching movies. Love travel and experiencing different cultures. Well grounded after becoming the person I want to be. I would love to share with someone else. zendorphin, 55 seeking: W,l

CREATIVE, COMPASSIONATE AND ADVENTUROUS

Love life, laughter, hiking, the arts. Wind in my hair, nature and travel. My ideal companion is someone to share all these things and more. Jim, 65, seeking: W,l

EXPERIENCED, EASYGOING, INVENTIVE

Retiring to Vermont from the state of Washington in order to be near my daughter and granddaughter in my “golden years.” Looking for friendship and connection. Will most likely be settling somewhere between Shelburne and Swanton. Looking for housing (daughter’s place is way full!) Any suggestions? Strider 72 seeking: W,l

TRY ME

Very thick, very nerdy, very uninterested (in life) and very laughable. Perchance looking for goth baddie. You’ve had the rest, prepare for X. PBandJALLDay, 21, seeking: W,l

PEACEFUL, INTIMATE, STRONG, RESILIENT, RESPECTFUL

It says “honestly,” so here goes. I’m a 20. I just want the same peace that I wish on other people. I’m a bit hypersexual, but I love very deeply. I’m looking for anything, really. If it’s just a hookup, I’d prefer cuddles and pillow talk rather than a cold “got what I wanted, see ya.” Hearthand, 20 seeking: W,l

THERE AND BACK AGAIN

I thought retiring in Florida was a good idea. It didn’t work. I’m moving back and would like to meet a woman who likes a casual bike ride, kayaking, snorkeling and discussing a myriad of topics. The world is too interesting. Maybe we can make sense of it together. Droid, 71 seeking: W,l

HONEST, SIMPLE, LOOKING FOR CONNECTION

Looking for companionship. Friends, maybe more. Someone to have coffee with, grab a bite to eat, watch a movie. Like being on the lake during summer and spending time camping. In winter, I am more of a homebody but like day trips and hanging out with friends. Not really into party scenes but will occasionally go out to see a band with friends. bowtie802 59, seeking: W,l

LOOKING FOR AFFECTION

I’ll be brutally honest here. I’m stuck with a longtime housemate and business partner who has completely withdrawn her physical affections. She can’t or won’t explain why she changed. It’s very frustrating because I very much miss touching (and pleasing) a woman and being touched. Are you in a similar (mirror image) situation? Lovetouchingandbeingtouched 75, seeking: W

OUR TIME IS NOW

Hair might be gray, but the furnace still burns hot. Funny, smart, ambitious, compassionate, fun-loving and wellpreserved eclectic music lover still looking to kick out the jams; hasn’t stopped living and enjoying life and doesn’t intend to. Yes, our time is now. Would you like to join me for the ride? BrunchMan 64, seeking: W,l

LAID-BACK, LOOKING FOR SOMEONE

I haven’t had much luck online dating. Hopefully, this will help. ChefC 46, seeking: W,l

LOOKING FORWARD

I’m active, youthful and grateful; hoping to find someone to share the joys of life. My part-time career leaves lots of time for family and fun and enjoying travel and new experiences. Life is good; let’s enjoy it together. South_Ender, 67, seeking: W,l

LAID-BACK, FRIENDLY

Hit me up if you don’t want to spend time. If you know what you want, come to me. Latino_vt94 31, seeking: M,l

HONEST, CARING, LOVABLE

I love good food, good music, and good people to share and enjoy them with. I’ve been told I’m a pretty good cook and love to. Love most Asian cuisines and am partial to American barbecue as well. I must have majored in barbecue! Look forward to hearing from you. Harry69802 69 seeking: W,l

MASSIVE NERD THAT LOVES PLAYFULNESS

I’m a white, 5’9”, 190-ish pound nerd who loves video games, anime and making people laugh. I consider myself responsible, and I am pushing for a career in software development. I want to find someone who I can make say both “I love you” and “Behave!” while trying not to laugh. I’m also able to handle physical labor fairly well. Qball422, 28, seeking: W,l

FOUR SEASONS, EASY ON WINTER

Retired Gentleman, USN vet, horseman, cattleman, accountant. Enjoy cooking, some baking; home brewer. Renovating home of 48 years. Like keeping in contact with old friends. Looking for compatible honest woman, a homebody interested in intimacy (playful and fulfilling), age appropriate. kowboy01, 83, seeking: W,l

SOUTHERN TRANSPLANT

Professional homebody with a margarita in hand and a corgi at my feet. I balance my love for cozy nights in with evening runs. I’ve got an old soul, a big heart, and I’m not here for casual — I’m here for butterflies, loyalty and building something that lasts. Bonus points if you like dogs and don’t judge my second taco order. stinsontyler2010, 33 seeking: M,l

TRANS WOMEN seeking...

NERDY LADY SEEKING ESCAPADES

Nerdy trans lady looking for movie buddies and activity partners, maybe something more depending on chemistry. A work in progress, still taking shape thanks to the wonders of modern medicine. Single parent of three, so must be understanding of other demands on my time. Mostly interested in women, trans or gendernonconforming folks. stardustvt 53 seeking: W, TM, TW, Q, NC, NBP, Cp, Gp,l

NONBINARY PEOPLE seeking...

LIFE SHAPED BY LABYRINTH

NB, queer, kinky, shy author and historian seeks friends, fellow artists and/or sex partners of all genders. Let’s make silly puns, talk about our creative work and bike around Burlington. If you want to hear about the imaginary, magical Vermont town of Hardship, the historical queers I keep finding or Jareth as role model, hit me up. ModernWizard, 47, seeking: M, W, TM, TW, Q, NC, NBP,l

COUPLES seeking...

CURIOUS COUPLE LOOKING FOR FUN

Honest, hardworking married couple who love passion and soft touches. Looking for woman to fulfill lustful fantasy of woman-on-woman playtime. CplSeeking 41 seeking: W HOW DO YOU LOVE ME?

We are getting closer. We are excited to receive each other! You may not think you want poly-fidelity, but if you did, what would we be like together? How are we welcoming children into our life together? Nataraja, 46, seeking: M, W,l

YBURLINGTON BLACKOUT SHY

DANCER EDITION

You: Beard, black T-shirt, high thin ponytail and a passion for the music. Me: Light-blue cloud T-shirt, light-pink tiedye shorts and a Pac Man hoodie around my hips. I kept dancing behind you and stealing glances, wanting to chat you up. We left around the same time and felt like I blew my chance. When: Saturday, March 28, 2026. Where: Burlington Blackout, Higher Ground. You: Man. Me: Trans man. #916569

BEST-EVER SMILE

We live in the same building. Your small white dog was racing you down the stairs. I smiled at him, and when I looked up, you were smiling at me. Whoever gets to go home to your smile every day is pretty lucky. Just wanted you to know. When: Wednesday, March 25, 2026. Where: Winooski, 1 p.m. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916568

BARNES & NOBLE

I saw you working. You were wearing your hat backwards. One time, you made me a double-blended strawberry lemonade. en, a different time, you made me a white hot chocolate, and I ordered a chocolate chunk cookie. When: Saturday, March 21, 2026. Where: Barnes & Noble Café. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916567

SPEEDER AND EARL’S MAN

You asked what I was reading. I gave you my number but haven’t heard from you. Maybe you changed your mind, or maybe I was so enthralled that I put it in the contact card wrong. If the former, I’d love to get a coffee together. If the latter, I go there ’cause the barista is cute. When: Sunday, March 22, 2026. Where: Speeder and Earl’s. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916566

MAJESTIC

I went for a court hearing and saw an interpreter, speaking ﬂuently, in a black gown with blond hair. When: Tuesday, February 10, 2026. Where: court. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916565

APPLE SHIRT AT CONTRA DANCING

You caught my eye at contra dancing at the grange. You’re tall with dark hair, and you were wearing a T-shirt from a cider festival? Had an apple logo on it. Also wearing a knee brace, and were cute, and a good dancer. I am also tall (6-foot), dark hair, was wearing Wranglers and Sambas. When: Saturday, March 7, 2026. Where: Montpelier Grange. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916564

IBEX GLOVES ON LUCE HILL

I picked up your gloves when they fell off the roof of your Volvo, driving down the hill from Trapps’. I was driving a red truck with Montana plates. I thought you were cute and was frazzled by the glove chase and the trafﬁc. I regret not asking if you were single and live around here! Are you?

When: Sunday, March 15, 2026. Where: Stowe. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916563

OLD POST

Attractive gal with beautiful eyes, in a pink sweater, behind me in the bar line. We spoke about the slow service, and you mentioned the eye candy making drinks. I loved your earrings; you bought them for yourself for Valentine’s Day. I would love a shot to get together for a drink another evening. When: Friday, March 6, 2026. Where: Old Post. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916561

HEATED RIVALRY

You, blond female wearing silver boots and silver skirt. We chatted a bit. Didn’t catch your name and would like to connect. When: Saturday, March 7, 2026. Where: South Burlington. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916559

Every time I go out to eat with my friends, I wind up being the one who ﬁgures out the bill. I often just pay the whole thing and collect money after. Most people have Venmo, so it’s a lot easier than it used to be, but there’s always at least one person whom I have to hound to pay me back. I absolutely hate having to ask people for money, so how can I quit being my friend group’s treasurer?

MADONNA CHAIRLIFT, SOGGY SANDWICH DAD

I “stole” your pole in the lift line at Smuggs’ Presidents’ Week. You’re a divorced dad from Massachusetts with a backpack carrying inhalers and PB&Js. You have twin sons (M and H) and a daughter. We left the lift without sharing numbers. If you regret that too, please reach out. Know him? Pass along. — e mom who roasted your lunch. When: Tuesday, February 17, 2026. Where: Smugglers’ Notch Madonna I Chairlift. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916560

THE SADDEST LOVE STORY

Like Cathy and Heathcliff, / We are eternally doomed. / No matter how many women / You try to ﬁll the hole I left / In your heart, / None will ﬁt quite like me. / Whatever our souls are / Made of, yours and mine / Are the same. / Except you’re a monster / Who won’t be tamed. When: Tuesday, October 13, 2026. Where: Bakers. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916558

BHS VS. BFA AT COLCHESTER

I startled you when we both got out of our cars. We walked and waited in line together. I’m pretty sure I remember your name, and I am 100 percent sure you are naturally pretty. I have no idea what your status is, but if you wanted to meet for coffee, a drink, a walk — I feel like you’re worth asking. When: ursday, March 5, 2026. Where: Colchester High School. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916557

ICE FISHING A-FISH-IONADO

Hey, shy guy, thanks for “teaching” me how to ice ﬁsh at Perkins Pier at the poutine shanty. I asked you how many ﬁsh you caught, and your transitions lenses fogged up before you could answer. You really handled that Dewalt batterypowered auger with skill and precision. Drop me a line, hook and sinker. When: Wednesday, March 4, 2026. Where: Perkins Pier, Burlington. You: Man. Me: Gender non-conformist. #916556

GAP TOOTH, SUNRISE HIKE

Chatted brieﬂy with you on the summit of Camel’s Hump the morning of the eclipse as I petted your shepherd-type dog. I was with friends but wish I had lingered more. Saw you again as we raucously came back down the trail. I liked your energy and your gappy smile. Want to hike sometime? When: Tuesday, March 3, 2026. Where: Camel’s Hump. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916555

De V. Saugh,

BODYSLAMMIN’ GREEN

WRESTLING

We locked eyes after a wrestler ﬂew into the audience at the last GMW show at the Barre Elks. Are you going to Shamrocks & Headlocks on the 15th? I will buy you some chicken tendies, and we can watch the beefcakes go at it. You were wearing a John Cena T-shirt. Can I snap into your Slim Jim, oooooooyeahhh? When: Sunday, February 1, 2026. Where: WinterSlam III, Barre Elks Lodge. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916554

YOU ASKED ABOUT MY HOKAS e conversation and connection completely caught me off guard! I want to hear more about your work experiences, your disdain for the cold weather — everything! It would be great to meet and brainstorm how we can keep up this façade of acting like adults or maybe some fun things to do when nicer weather arrives? I hope so. When: Sunday, March 1, 2026. Where: Williston Road, South Burlington. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916553

WALLFLOWER WEEN

“Joppa Road” was OK, but I prefer “So Many People in the Neighborhood.” Very funky. When: Friday, February 20, 2026. Where: Wallﬂower. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916552

BOLTON VALLEY LIFTS

Lovely chairlift ride with you from Bethel, Vt. You are getting back into skiing after 20 years away from the sport. You and I are both teachers and respect the jobs we do. We talked about how uphill skiing might be something you are interested in. Maybe we could ski together for an evening? When: Tuesday, February 17, 2026. Where: Bolton Valley Resort. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916551

SHELBURNE SUPERMARKET

SHOPPING FOR SALSA

On Super Bowl Sunday you wore a black winter hat and I, the blue ball cap. We passed each other in a few aisles, and then I was “in your way” when you were choosing your salsa. Your friendly hello and great smile made my day. I made the mistake of walking away without getting your name. Coffee sometime? When: Sunday, February 8, 2026. Where: Shelburne Supermarket. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916546

HOT BLONDE WITH BEAUTIFUL WHITE

DOG

You are tall, stunning, and you walk with conviction. Your dog is beautiful. I’ve seen you several times in Richmond. Are you single? When: Friday, January 23, 2026. Where: Richmond. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916548

MASS. PLATES JEEP

You swerved to avoid me in the crosswalk. Unknown to you, I pledged a life debt to you. In your darkest hour, I shall arrive. When: Tuesday, February 10, 2026. Where: Green St. You: Man. Me: Man. #916547

MANGO MAMA

It’s been three years, and you still cross my mind regularly. Curious what life would be like if we met each other now instead of then. Who knows? Hope you are doing well and life is fulﬁlling. When: Monday, February 9, 2026. Where: In my memories. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916545

TRANS GIRL CASHIER AT KOHL’S

Saw you while working. I was waiting in line. I noticed that you were a trans woman and hoped your register opened next. I am a man and was buying designer underwear. I was fumbling with my debit card. Was hoping that maybe we could meet again over a coffee? When: Saturday, February 7, 2026. Where: Kohl’s. You: Trans woman. Me: Man. #916544

BLONDE AT SALSA AT SWITCHBACK

Your blond hair and energy drew me in. We danced a few times, and the vibe was real! Was just about to get your number, but you disappeared with your friend. (She had short hair.) You had a nice knit top. I wore a peachcolored shirt and have a beard. Your ﬁrst name starts with Br. Let’s connect soon! When: Tuesday, February 3, 2026. Where: Switchback Brewery. You: Woman. Me: Man. #916543

SNOW. DITCH. TWO BABIES.

e simplest way to solve your problem is to start asking for separate checks. Some restaurants have restrictions on splitting checks for very large parties, but if you’re polite about it, most places will accommodate however you want to pay. You just need to let your server know at the start of the meal, not the end, so that they can keep track of who orders what. Easy-peasy. If you ﬁnd yourself picking up the entire check again, make sure everyone settles up before leaving the table. Of course, you should be mindful of how busy the restaurant is, but the accounting shouldn’t take too much time.

An easy way to handle a slowpoke on Venmo is to send a request for the amount they owe. ere’s even a “remind” button built into the app that you can use if they don’t respond to the original request right away. For a more direct approach, text the group something like, “ at was a fun dinner. Bob, please send me $38 when you have a sec.” I hate to say it, but a little public shaming goes a long

You pulled over, asked if I needed a pull. I said no despite very much wanting one. Great hair, conﬁdent energy, baby in back seat. I was stuck in a ditch, also with a baby in the back seat, deeply regretting my AAA membership. I’m open to a do-over, no snow required. When: Saturday, February 7, 2026. Where: Center Road in Middlesex. You: Man. Me: Woman. #916542 the fun sec.” way. money you

ere’s no need to feel weird about asking for money that you’re owed. If you’re good enough friends to be sharing a meal together, you should be able to talk about how to pay for that meal.

Good luck and God bless,

I’m a 68-y/o man seeking a 66to 70-y/o female. Looking for an old-school redneck female who’s looking to enjoy the simple things in life. I enjoy auto racing, outdoor events, bonﬁres, boating, camping, road trips and friendship. #L1926

71-y/o male with some zest for life looking for a female to enjoy some life with. Don’t ski — warm weather is coming — let’s see what fun we can ﬁnd. Not looking for friends; need a little more than that. All responses will be answered. Phone number, please and thank you. #L1925

Strong, talented masseur and oral enthusiast seeks friendly relations with extremely sensual, pleasure-loving recipient/counterpart of good character, similar spirit and compatible needs. Select female, male, or M/F couple. Tell me why it should be you. #L1923

I’m a 44-y/o male seeking a female. Part-time homesteader in Newport and W. Mass. Outdoors, skinny-dipping, gardening, hiking, snowshoeing, kinky, ice skating. I love campﬁres with a beer and reading a book with a glass of wine. 420-friendly. What are you reading? #L1922

HOW TO REPLY TO THESE LOVE LE ERS:

Seal your reply — including your preferred contact info — inside an envelope. Write your pen pal’s box number on the outside of that envelope and place it inside another envelope with payment. Responses for Love Letters must begin with the #L box number.

MAIL TO: Seven Days Love Letters PO Box 1164, Burlington, VT 05402

PAYMENT: $5/response. Include cash or check (made out to “Seven Days”) in the outer envelope. To send unlimited replies for only $15/month, call us at 802-865-1020, ext. 161 for a membership (credit accepted).

PUBLISH YOUR MESSAGE ON THIS PAGE!

1 Submit your FREE message at sevendaysvt.com/loveletters or use the handy form at right.

We’ll publish as many messages as we can in the Love Letters section above.

Mature bi guy versed in Eastern philosophy and American low culture ISO an outgoing mature gay guy with keen American feng shui insights beyond social media copy/paste to shape a uniquely Vermont “cultural exchange.” One never knows, do one? #L1924

50-y/o soul, youthful with awakening heart. Fit, kind, inquisitive, attentive, expansive, grounded woman open to grow partnership with a healthy, vibrant man at the speed of trust from solid friendship. Love being in nature, sharing, collaborating, children, liberation. #L1921

SWF, 72 y/o, seeking a man 60 to 80 y/o. I live in Woodstock, Vt. Looking for a serious relationship with a man. Phone number, please. #L1919

30-y/o F (attractive, kind, smart) looking for older woman, 60-plus, for companionship and to have fun with. Liberal is a must. I am attracted to lived experience, not money. Relative attractiveness wouldn’t hurt. Red wine, records and lots of stimulating conversation. #L1915

I’m a gay male, 65 y/o, seeking other gay men for friendship(s). Outgoing and fun-loving. Seeking real and intimate connections. Come on over for dinner, and let’s hang out. Dessert is on you! #L1920

Int net-Free Dating!

Athletic, mindful man seeking adventurous woman. #L1917

I’m a 36-y/o man seeking a woman. Tall, slim and serious, looking for a soulmate who values children. #L1918

50-y/o man seeking adorable, soft goddess over 30. I’m built like a Greek god, with impressive package, but only recently realized I’m beautiful. I want to be a special treat that you feel so lucky to unwrap, and I want you to feel the same. #L1914

I am a cross-dressing man, late 60s, youthful, very ﬁt, healthy, 150 lbs., 5’7”. Bottom, dress-up, femme cute! Want to meet other cross-dressers, trans people, men and men couples. Will text, exchange photos and bios if it is acceptable. #L1913

I’m a 72-y/o male seeking a female, 30-60. Looking for times together. Lunch, dinner, heels a plus at times. I can be a good listener; caring, sensitive. Phone number, please. #L1910

Describe yourself and who you’re looking for in 40 words below: (OR, ATTACH A SEPARATE PIECE OF PAPER.)

I’m a

AGE + GENDER (OPTIONAL) seeking a

AGE + GENDER (OPTIONAL)

BELOW.

I’m a 49-y/o man seeking a 32- to 50-y/o woman who enjoys connection, affection, playfulness and shared outdoor adventures. I’m tall, authentic, athletic. I enjoy nature, am willing to try new things, and value good conversation and laughter. Happy to build a meaningful connection with room to grow. #L1912

Single woman, 61. Wise, mindful. Seeking tight unit with man, friend, love. Country living, gardens, land to play on. Emotionally, intellectually engaged. Lasting chats. Appreciation for past experience. Please be kind, stable and well established. Phone number, please. #L1908

65ish woman seeking 65ish man. Friendship/dating. Wholesome, good-natured fun, laughter and conversations. Cribbage, other games. Attend music shows and events, leisurely walks. Sightseeing, café outings. Sound good? Drop me a line. I’m in the NEK. Namasté. #L1906

Required conﬁdential info: NAME ADDRESS

(MORE)

MAIL TO: SEVEN DAYS LOVE LETTERS • PO BOX 1164, BURLINGTON, VT 05402 OPTIONAL WEB FORM: SEVENDAYSVT.COM/LOVELETTERS HELP: 802-865-1020, EXT. 161, LOVELETTERS@SEVENDAYSVT.COM

THIS FORM IS FOR LOVE LETTERS ONLY. Messages for the Personals and I-Spy sections must be submitted online at dating.sevendaysvt.com.

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