Issue #572
College’s assets disperse from Potash Hill
After a long, often acrimonious, process of negotiation that included bitter opposition from alumni and former faculty and staff, Marlboro College no longer is a college in Marlboro.
On July 21, the school's campus was sold to Democracy Builders Fund, and two days later, the college's trustees announced that the transfer of Marlboro's programming, assets, and endowment to Emerson College in Boston was complete.
Next Stage presents ‘Arts Unite Windham’
Seven Windham County arts organizations come together for livestreamed variety show to benefit The Root Social Justice Center, Windham County NAACP
Seven area arts organizations have joined forces to present “Arts Unite Windham,” a unique multi-venue event that will be livestreamed on Sunday, Aug. 2, from 4 to 8 p.m. and will raise awareness and money for area social justice organizations. Designed as a showcase of the quality and diversity...
The burden of proof is on the victim
When newspapers focus on the anonymity of the testimony of members of Black N Brown at DP, they dismiss the accusations of racism and abuse. Degrees of Freedom must engage in honest conversation with the Marlboro community about how they can assure a safe space for their students.
In our justice system, the accused stands trial. But outside our court system, the burden of proof is almost always laid upon the shoulders of the victim. In their recent articles [“Anonymous allegations roil Marlboro College sale,” Reformer, July 14] and “Critics urge opposition to campus sale” [The Commons,
More
Milestones
College news • The following local students were honored for academic acheivement for the spring 2020 semester at Champlain College in Burlington: Kaya Mulligan of South Londonderry, who is majoring in social work, was named to the Trustees' List for achieving a 4.0 GPA. Named to the Dean's List for achieving a 3.5 or higher GPA were Connor Greene, a communication major from Westminster Station; Alexander Houk, a professional writing major from Brattleboro; Jacob Lazarek, a game art and animation...
‘Beethoven Walks’ on Hannum Trail extended
Yellow Barn is extending its “Beethoven Walks” on the Hannum Trail on Putney Mountain through Labor Day “due to an outpouring of enthusiasm and many requests,” according to a news release. People who have walked the trail have expressed feeling transported, and shared that it is the first time since the pandemic escalated that they have been able to put it out of their minds, according to the international center for chamber music. The Hannum Trail walk - and a...
Weston Playhouse premieres ‘One Room’
Weston Playhouse Theatre Company launches its Reimagined 2020 Season with the online premiere of One Room, the first project in its new works initiative, Weston Writers. One Room explores the events of this year by looking at our homes as spaces of possibility and creativity. The video streams are available free. In May, Weston commissioned the leading playwrights, directors, and actors in the U.S. to create 14 short, one-person plays that respond to the present moment and explore the questions,
Zuckerman, Siegel: a sustainable world will be at the forefront of their policies
Those of us who have been working for years, and even decades, to clean up our environment and leave a livable planet for the generations after us would do well to support David Zuckerman for governor and Brenda Siegel for lieutenant governor. David has been an organic farmer for many years, and really understands - in a deep way from his lived experience - the need to reverse course in our destruction of our climate. We have never had leadership...
A wide-open race for lieutenant governor
When current Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman decided to not seek another term and instead run for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, it set in motion a free-for-all in both parties to fill his seat. On the Democratic side, Senate President Pro Tem Tim Ashe, Assistant Attorney General Molly Gray, Chittenden County Sen. Debbie Ingram, and Newfane activist Brenda Siegel are all on the Aug. 11 primary ballot. On their ballot, Republican voters will choose between Dana Colson Jr. of Sharon, Meg...
Be safe; vote absentee
Being a good citizen means many things, including exercising the right to vote. But in this time of a health crisis some folks feel that there's a problem when they, like me, have a compromised health condition or don't want to put others at risk. Do the right thing! Stay safe and vote absentee. All you need to do is request a ballot online at mvp.vermont.gov or call your town clerk's office. Shortly after you make the request, you'll get...
Bos-Lun: Ready to work for our people, planet
As chronic frustration with our federal political environment grows, Michelle Bos-Lun's candidacy to represent Windham District 4 (Dummerston, Putney, and Westminster) provides hope for me, along with many others in our community. She has consistently demonstrated her integrity, competence, and enduring commitment with extensive social, education, and justice work, both in our Windham County community and around the world. Additionally, if elected, Michelle will be part of a growing number of collaborative and motivated women sparking an energized milieu in...
Brattleboro group will draft RFP for police reform process
Last week's marathon Selectboard meeting moved through moments of collaboration, disagreement, optimism, anger, tears, and honesty in a journey toward local police reform. Over the course of its five hours, the meeting was at times productive and, at times, stuck. But at the end of the night, the board voted unanimously to ask the Collaborative Community to create a Request for Proposals (RFP). The Collaborative Community will draft specifications for a process to review community safety and policing in Brattleboro.
Comcast completes its acquisition of Southern Vermont Cable
Five Windham County communities now have a new cable and communications services provider. Last week, Comcast announced it had completed its purchase of Southern Vermont Cable Company (SVCC). Comcast had received its certificate of public good (CPG) from the Vermont Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in May and got approval from the PUC last month to keep the financial details of the sale private, citing the “commercially sensitive” natural of the information. According to a news release, the process to transition...
Mrowicki: We can’t ask for more
Mike Mrowicki is everything a state rep should be: intelligent, aware of the most important issues facing our district and state, respected by his colleagues in the Legislature, dedicated to service to his constituents, and experienced, with 10 years of service in the ways and wonders of Montpelier. We can't ask for more. His values and priorities for me are right on. Issues of particular concern to him are the COVID-19 crisis, climate change, and racial and social justice. The...
Hagen: expertise and insight in role as high bailiff
To the people of Windham County: It is with full faith and confidence that I recommend and endorse John Hagen for the office of high bailiff. As the incumbent, John has volunteered countless hours to offer advice, critical thinking, and guidance to the Windham County Sheriff's Office. His expertise and insight during his term have worked to influence the policies of the department. As we move forward with fundamental changes to the criminal justice system, his continued involvement and engagement...
Around the Towns
Red Cross seeks donations to ease emergency plasma shortage RUTLAND - The American Red Cross has an emergency shortage of convalescent plasma, a potentially lifesaving treatment for patients with COVID-19. Convalescent plasma is plasma that is collected from patients who have recovered from an infection and have antibodies that might help fight that infection - in this case, those who have fully recovered from COVID-19. With each donation, COVID-19 survivors have a unique ability to help up to three patients...
Yellow Barn concerts set to stream
Yellow Barn's season of concert streams continues this week on Thursday, July 30 and Saturday, Aug. 1, at 7:30 p.m., with respective international rebroadcasts on Friday and Sunday at 2 p.m. This week's Thursday program includes performances for narrator and instrumentalists, including “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” and “Ferdinand,” alongside works for percussion “Gone, dog. Gone!” (based on the Philip D. Eastman book Go, Dog, Go!) and “The Lonelyness of Santa Claus” [sic]. Performing are sopranos Elaine Daiber and Lucy Fitz...
Robinson paintings head to Crowell Gallery
“Limitless,†an exhibition of oil paintings by Gianna Robinson, will be on display through August at the Crowell Gallery at Moore Free Library, 23 West St. The gallery will host a reception outside on Saturday, Aug. 1, from noon to 2 p.m. Robinson, who grew up in Vermont and now lives and paints in Newfane, appreciates the sense of place, calling it her greatest muse. Capturing the green hills, waterscapes, sunrises, and sunsets alive with birds, trees, and flowers inspires...
Thinking for ourselves
So the other shoe has fallen, as expected: The Marlboro College we knew is gone forever. We are all in some form of mourning. Emerson College is an honest institution, and I wish the best for the Marlboro Institute of Liberal Arts and Interdisciplinary Studies there, but while our academic program may be largely reproducible in an urban setting, the rural setting close to nature plus the sense of community with the town meeting form of self-government, all of which...
Requiem for a second living room
Arkham, a fictional town in Massachusetts, first emerged in horror stories written by H.P. Lovecraft in the 1920s and '30s about dark and terrifying forces. It also was used as the name of an equally fictional asylum in the Batman saga. Until this week, it was also the name of a Harmony Place dive bar. Owner Alan Blackwell is cleaning it out now and will hand over the keys to his landlord on Friday. For Blackwell, the economics were simply...
Putney School moves its summer arts program online
During July, 55 students participated in the Summer Arts & Writing Program for teens at The Putney School. Unlike past years, however, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the program to move its 10 arts and writing workshops online, according to Tom Howe, the school's director of summer programs. “Students are working together with their peers, engaging with teachers and with one another, learning, making art, and taking creative risks as they express themselves through their work, ” Howe told The Commons.
Brattleboro Clayworks reopens its showroom
Brattleboro Clayworks, a long-running collective and resource for ceramics in the tri-state area at 532 Putney Rd., will be reopening its showroom on Aug. 1, following months of closure due to the coronavirus. According to a news release, the spacious showroom “features ceramics by members whose work you may already know and love - mugs, cups, bowls, and other items decorative or playful, such as bird whistles. There will also be new work done by members whose limitations from being...