Issue #665
Yet again
While the majority of Americans - over 90 percent, including most gun owners - want actual gun control so we don't have what now is called a “mass casualty event,” we are frozen in place by the gun lobby, and, it must be said, by most Republicans.
Greg Abbott, governor of Texas, is going to talk about how sad he is about the massacre that took place on Tuesday in an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, where, at this point, at least 19 children and two teachers were shot to death.
Bos-Lun cares about youth voice in government
We are at a turning point in our state. The climate crisis is looming, racism is rampant, inequities are stark, poverty is continuing. We need bold leaders who care deeply enough to make real systemic change before it's too late. As the 2022 elections get closer, it's imperative that...
Town OKs feasibility study for EMS plan
Wyoming-based consulting firm to research costs, staffing needs, and related challenges of assuming the work of Rescue Inc.
On May 17, the Selectboard approved a nearly $40,000 feasibility study of a proposal to have the municipal fire department take over local emergency medical services. The final report, however, could bring as many questions as answers. The town government is signing a contract with a Wyoming-based consulting firm,
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Oak Grove’s pre-K students eat up their local veggies
The youngest Oak Grove School community members recently completed a delicious in-depth study of local foods, gardening, and cooking. According to a news release, Oak Grove School's pre-K program was one of the 2021 Early Childhood Education CSA grant recipients through the Vermont Agency of Agriculture. In its first year, this grant subsidizes 80 percent of the cost of a community-supported agriculture (CSA) farm share at the Vermont farm of your choice. Oak Grove's pre-K chose to work with Full...
EOS Project explores tranquility and peace through music at BMC
The Brattleboro Music Center's EOS Project presents “Serenity,” featuring Robin Matathias, flute; Kathy Andrew, violin; Ashleigh Gordon, viola; Julie Carew, cello; Susan Dedell, piano; and Junko Watanabe, soprano. The concert is set for Saturday, May 28, at 7 p.m. at the BMC. “Serenity” will explore tranquility and peace through music, color, imagery and spoken word. The program includes Coleridge Taylor-Perkinson's String Trio, Adolphus Hailstork's Sanctum, William Grant Still's “The Quiet One” from Lyric Quartet, Carlos Simon's Piano Trio, and Zenobia...
Around the towns
Selectboard seeks to fill committee vacancies BRATTLEBORO - The Selectboard is looking for citizens to serve on the following committees and boards: Agricultural Advisory Board (regular and ex-officio members), ADA Advisory Board, Arts Committee, Brattleboro Housing Partnerships Board of Commissioners, Cemetery Committee, Citizen Police Communications Committee, and Conservation Commission. Vacancies also need to be filled on the Design Review Committee and the Development Review Board (regular and alternate members), Energy Committee, Hazard Mitigation Committee, Honor Roll Committee, Planning Commission, Recreation...
Next Stage presents Roots/Americana Music Festival on May 29
Next Stage Arts Project and Twilight Music present a Roots and Americana Music Festival featuring The Mammals, Corner House, and The New Domestics, as part of the 2022 Next Stage “Bandwagon Summer Series,” on Sunday, May 29, from 1 to 6 p.m., at Cooper Field in Putney. The rain date is Monday, May 30. The Mammals are described by organizers as “a warm-blooded party band with a conscience that spans the horizons of Americana music, from soulfully harmonized indie-folk ballads...
Landmark Trust USA invites public to annual Naulakha rhododendron tour
The Landmark Trust USA, a nonprofit historic preservation organization, invites the public to tour Naulakha, the Dummerston house and gardens of author Rudyard Kipling. The tours are available on Sunday, June 5, from 2 to 5 p.m., Monday, June 6, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Tuesday, June 7, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. “We look forward to welcoming the community to tour Rudyard Kipling's historic estate and gardens,” said Executive Director Susan McMahon in a news release.
Milestones
College news • The following local students were honored for academic achievement during the winter 2022 semester at Southern New Hampshire University: Melina Nelson of Brattleboro, Megan Shanks of Westminster, Rachael Morse of Brattleboro, Forrest Brooke-deBock of Brattleboro, and Kobe Bazin of Westminster were all named to the President's List, while Ozzee Haskell of Bellows Falls was named to the Dean's List. Obituaries • Lawrence Eugene Crosier, 79, of Halifax. Died May 11, 2022 at his home in Halifax. Larry...
Next Stage Bandwagon Summer Series at Living Memorial Park features Marquise Knox and Seth Walker
On Sunday, June 5, at 5 p.m., the Next Stage Bandwagon Summer Series presents a twin bill at Living Memorial Park, pairing Marquise Knox and Seth Walker for a double dose of deep blues, roots, and rhythm. Born in St. Louis, Marquise Knox hails from a musical family deeply rooted in the blues. He learned to play guitar from his grandmother Lillie, and also played with his uncle Clifford, who was a major influence in Marquise's life. According to a...
New artwork by Oasa DuVerney on view in BMAC’s ‘Window Gallery’
The newest exhibit space at the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center (BMAC) is not located within the walls of the museum. The lighting is determined by the weather and the time of day. And you can view the art while driving or walking by at any time, day or night. Each year since 2020, BMAC has displayed large-scale, weather-proof, digital reproductions of one artist's work in the museum's window bays, each one measuring eight feet high and seven feet wide.
Bobby DiTrani is June’s featured artist at Gallery in the Woods
For the month of June, Gallery in the Woods, 145 Main St., is showing oil paintings by Bobby DiTrani, with an opening reception on Friday, June 3, from 5 to 8 p.m., as part of Gallery Walk. As described by the gallery, DiTrani's work “focuses on themes of mythology, archetype, and implied narrative, often with an environmental undertone. Beautifully rendered figures full of energy and light in devastated landscapes. Drawing from past and contemporary influences, new myths are transcribed for...
4-Hers take part in horse competition
It was a busy, jam-packed day on May 15 for the 44 horse-savvy 4-H'ers who took part in two competitions: horse judging and hippology. The day began at the Blackrose Morgan Farm in Colchester where they judged Morgan geldings in hand, stock horse in hand, English pleasure and Western pleasure. The host farm provided half the horses for the classes, and Erin Longworth Performance Horses of Milton supplied the other half. At the conclusion of judging, the participants moved to...
‘Print Town: Brattleboro’s Legacy of Words’ wins design award
Print Town, Brattleboro's Legacy of Words, a product of the Brattleboro Words Project, has won the Indie Next Generation Award for Best Overall Design-Nonfiction and is also a finalist in the Historical Nonfiction Award category, given by the Independent Book Publishers Association, the largest publishing trade organization in the United States. The book was designed by James F. Brisson, edited by Michael Fleming, with Stephanie Greene serving as Art Editor. It was printed by Howard Printing, Inc. in Brattleboro. More...
Business plan competition underway
Do you have a great business idea, but lack the funds to get it off the ground? Applications are now open to compete in the 2022 Windham Country Business Plan Competition. This competition is sponsored by the Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation and is funded by the Windham County Economic Development Program. It is designed to create opportunities for startups and existing businesses in the region to create and refine their business plans, hone their pitches, and be in the running...
Windham County artisans participate in Vermont Crafts Council Open Studio Weekend
This Memorial Day weekend, Windham County artists and artisans will celebrate the 30th year of their Spring Open Studio Weekend on Saturday, May 28 and Sunday, May 29. In Brattleboro and neighboring West Brattleboro and Marlboro alone, tour-goers will have the chance to visit 15 artists in seven studios and one gallery. Of those artists, 14 are members of Brattleboro-West Arts, a group of about two dozen artists and crafters who have worked together since 2008 to support one another...
Bos-Lun, Goldman: 100 percent for the people
For all voters of Westminster, Bellows Falls, and Brookline: The elections are coming up, and all voters who believe in free elections, government for all, and that all people are equal need to pay attention. Our freedoms are in jeopardy. Sorry, but if you have not watched or read the news lately, our values are under attack. Political conservatives may take over both the Senate and the House of Representatives. This will create such a conservative series of laws it...
River Gallery School receives grant to start BIPOC Creative Community space
River Gallery School (RGS) recently received $3,000 from the Vermont Community Foundation's Spark Connecting Community grant program. The grant will help further RGS's mission of reducing the economic, racial, and social barriers to art making. “The school welcomes the BIPOC community to come find connection, support, and creative experience in River Gallery School's vibrant upstairs art studio, led by Roxell Bartholomew and in the company of other local BIPOC residents,” it said in a news release. “There is a studio...
End of Roe v. Wade will be a glorious day
To Susie Webster-Toleno, M. Div.: The Trump-appointed Supreme Court justices will soon be overturning Roe v. Wade, which will be a glorious day. You say you are “nearly incandescent with rage” at Gorsuch, Kavanaugh, and Coney Barrett, yet you are not outraged that more than 63 million unborn children have been aborted since 1973. Why is that? On May 20, Lila Rose (founder and president of Live Action) tweeted, “A human in the womb is just as human as a...
Tag sale raises nearly $10,000 for area refugees, asylum seekers
A “Huge Tag Sale,” held May 7 at St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Brattleboro, brought in approximately $9,800 to help resettlement efforts for local refugees and asylum-seekers. “Brattleboro area residents and St. Michael's parishioners joined forces to set up and run the big sale, helping shoppers find fashionable outfits, good furniture, beautiful jewelry, nice-quality linens, beautiful dishes, and some excellent books to support this important cause,” organizer Liz Vick said in a news release. In most areas of the tag...
We need to address the real business at hand - namely, how are we to live in a collapsing world?
Dear Nancy Braus: Having been there myself, I appreciate the frustration and rage you expressed with the Democratic Party in your Viewpoint and the party's continuing unwillingness to fight for the values and policies you and I stand for. However, I have to admit that, given your years as a progressive activist, I was also puzzled that you were seemingly surprised by this long-established fact about the Democrats. Perhaps you expected something different from the liberal wing of the ruling...
When divergent cultures create discomfort
I am a second-generation American. My grandparents were immigrants. They came from eastern Europe to escape the pogroms and persecution that Jews faced. I often wonder what it was like for them when they arrived in this country. I never did ask them about their experiences. I am thinking about this now because I am experiencing immigration from the perspective of someone welcoming new immigrants to this country. Brattleboro, Vermont has become the home to about 100 people from Afghanistan.
Artu and Hashim will bring new energy, experience to Senate
I am excited to support the campaigns of Wichie Artu and Nader Hashim. These two young men have proven track records delivering results for the people of Windham County and will bring needed new energy and experience to the Vermont Senate. Both Wichie and Nader care deeply about our community. I first connected with Wichie when he, as a vice president of the Windham County NAACP, helped my husband and me obtain a Covid vaccine. He showed initiative and concern...
BMH offers reassurance, advice to parents during current formula shortage
While the current shortage of infant formula has been a source of concern for families across the nation, providers at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital's Birthing Center say the situation need not become a threat to the safety and well-being of new parents and their little ones. “The state of Vermont and the federal government are working hard to help families affected by the baby formula shortage,” Leah Nussbaum, perinatal supervisor and lactation consultant at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital's Birthing Center, said in...
New BUHS Players production debuts May 27
The BUHS Players announce performances for their upcoming spring play, The Internet Is Distract - Oh Look a Kitten! a comedy by Ian McWethy. The producers call this show “a high-octane comedy that explores the rabbit hole of distraction we all go down every time we go online.” The Internet Is Distract - Oh Look a Kitten! tells the story of Micah, who has only twenty minutes to finish their paper on The Great Gatsby, according to the website Playscripts.
Jazz Age film ‘It’ will feature original score
A film that helped define an era returns to the big screen in June at Epsilon Spires. It (1927), a romantic comedy that came to epitomize the Jazz Age of the 1920s, will be screened with live music on Friday, June 10, at 8 p.m. The screening will feature live accompaniment on the venue's Estey pipe organ by Jeff Rapsis, a New Hampshire-based silent-film musician. It tells the story of a shop girl who sets her sights on the handsome...
Work by the Friday Morning Art Group is June’s featured show at Crowell Gallery
During the month of June, the Crowell Art Gallery at Moore Free Library, 23 West Street, presents “Art Among Friends” by a group of six local artists - Connie Evans, Alice Freeman, Kathy Greve, Laurie Klenkel, Louise Zak, and Lynn Zimmerman. A reception will be held on Saturday, June 11, from 2 to 4 p.m. This group of artist friends came together online during the pandemic to create new work and encourage each other on their artistic journeys. This show...
Brattleboro town manager will leave the job after five months
Energy, innovation, and deep experience in city governance brought Yoshi Manale to the position of town manager last fall, replacing Peter Elwell, who had served in the role for many years. For a small town with city problems - crime, substance use, homelessness, and poverty - it seemed that Manale would bring new vision and direction to town administration. It did not work out that way. Last week, Manale and the town Selectboard reached a “mutual agreement” that he would...
Colonel lacrosse teams focus on the positive through a rough season
The games people play usually have a winner and a loser, but the thrill of success is often transitory. What stays with you longer than the final score are the friendships made, the challenges overcome, the lessons learned. These values tend to get tossed aside in the hyper-competitive, winner-take-all society we live in today. But these values matter, and it always makes me glad to see the young people who participate in high school sports uphold them today, and carry...
Bringing joy
When Lisa Brande moved to Vermont in 1979 she instantly fell in love with the place. She got a job working at the Common Ground in Brattleboro and served as a waitress, a cook, a manager and soon started the famous Dawn Dance Breakfasts that took place after the all-night contradances. Yes, that was a thing back in the day. “There was a big folk music scene in Vermont in the 1980s, and we would jam every Tuesday night at...
This preschooler saved his family, and now they all face homelessness
Five-year-old Nolan Goodnow just received a national Youth Hero Award for waking his sleeping family last December during this town's largest fire of the year. Now all the preschooler needs is a place to put it. Nolan was supposed to be in bed on Dec. 9, 2021 when he bounded out at 3:30 a.m., alerting everyone to the sound of beeping. His mother, Allison Gleason, first thought it was a plow truck in the parking lot, only to look outside...
Municipal manager throws hat in ring for state Senate
Wendy Harrison has announced her candidacy for one of two soon-to-be vacant Windham County state Senate seats. She is running as a Democrat in the Aug. 9 primary. Harrison has more than 30 years of local government experience and “a passion for working together with everyone in the community to address challenges and seize opportunities.” “We can solve our problems from the ground up, as long as the process is inclusive,” she says. “I am committed to identifying barriers and...
Work continues on Arch Bridge in Newfane
Closure of the Arch Bridge over the Rock River is anticipated to continue through the fall. As of this week, Renaud Brothers Inc. of Vernon, the contractors for the project, poured the last section of the bridge's south abutment footing. Next week, pre-cast pieces of the arch for the new bridge will be set. The bridge on Depot Road, which is being completely reconstructed, has been closed since March 14, and work is expected to be completed in mid-October. “We've...
Tour marks three decades of craft and creativity
More than 150 Vermont artisans are opening their studios over Memorial Day weekend - on Saturday and Sunday, May 28 and 29, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. - to take part in the 30th Anniversary of Vermont's Spring Open Studio Weekend. And you're invited. “This year's tour promises to save the game for artisans,” organizers said in a news release. “Like everyone else relying on live audiences for their livelihood, during the spread of the pandemic artists saw galleries,
Man with a mission
In February of this year, Gov. Phil Scott nominated Nancy Waples to a seat on Vermont's Supreme Court, and she was unanimously confirmed by the Vermont Senate in late March. Judge Waples' ascendance could never have happened if ethnic quotas that limited the number of Asian people who could enter this country were not lifted when she was a child. Her Chinese parents fled Communist China, but her father was the only member of her family allowed to immigrate to...
River users: check, clean, and dry to keep invasive species at bay
Get ready, get set, and go: that is the usual refrain as river users are off at the start of river season on Memorial Day! The Connecticut River Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited would modify that refrain. Get ready, get set, and pause to think that it is up to you to protect the Connecticut River and its tributaries from invasions of exotic plants and animals. And that means whether you use a powerboat, row, canoe, kayak, float, wade, swim,