BRATTLEBORO-I'm generally not a big fan of crowds - partly from being an introvert, partly from the stories these days about seemingly random shootings and people driving into throngs - but when I saw the Letter from Viv Woodland about the recent rally at the post office, I knew I had to shelve my concern and show up.
And I'm very glad I did. It felt good and right to add my body and voice to the rising noise about the current administration's desire to destroy every way that we take care of each other and this planet.
I appreciated that those who spoke at the rally focused mainly on what is community-oriented and -strengthening about organizations like our postal system and libraries. They helped us understand the need to include everyone, especially those farther out from hubs who are dealing with some measure of isolation (even if it's chosen) and the need to look out for one another regardless of any differences.
I was reminded of the Pack Horse Library Project, a Works Progress Administration project from 1934 to 1943, which hired (mostly) women to deliver books to remote regions of the Appalachian Mountains. The lengths people have gone and continue to go to, to get resources - books, mail, food, health care, etc. - to folks in need is one of the best things about our species.
It's Wednesday afternoon, three days after the ski jump event. I walked through the woods to get to the field and trails past the parking area on Cedar Street, and continued on up past the Ice Pond to the top field, delighting at the clear sky, sunshine, and warm-ish...
When I moved to Brattleboro almost six years ago, I discovered the West River Trail's lower section, one of the delights that awaited me. It's flat, wide, and mostly shaded, with places along the way where my dog can get into water (or a muddy puddle) to cool off.
In hisViewpoint, MacLean Ganderstates that this country is “the first nation ruled by law rather than men”. Where does he think those laws came from? It was men - White men - who made and enforced those laws; they weren't unbiased or inclusive. It was White men who made treaties and agreements with the People who were here first - and then reneged on those agreements as soon as it suited their own purposes. Laws are only as good as...
To Kenneth Scipione, and every man who thinks like you do: Have you ever talked with women about their abortion/rape/incest experiences - and by “talked with,” I mean “listened to and empathized with”? (If you're not quite clear on what “empathy” means, there's a wonderful Sesame Street skit with Mark Ruffalo on YouTube that explains it well.) Because you wouldn't dismiss the impact of abortion so blithely if you had any clue what it's like: physically painful, emotionally grueling. It...
At Harris Hill Ski Jump there are two sheds on the right as you walk toward the woods and the Ice Pond Trail. On one side of the bigger shed, spray-painted in letters a foot tall, are the words “tits” and “bitch.” There's also a drawing of a smiling face that looks to be performing fellatio. With all the preparation for the recent event that draws apparently several thousand people from far and near, did not one of the team...
As a longtime resident of Dummerston, I am very concerned about the proposed school consolidation for many reasons. One is the fact that if we merge, we will no longer own our school building and property that we have spent years building and maintaining. Our school can be closed without a vote of our town. The Act 46 Study Committee says it is guaranteed to be kept open only for 5 years. Another is losing our elected School Board. If...