Travel restrictions to loosen

Vermont plans to ease travel restrictions next week as the hospitality sector continues to struggle under the network of rules meant to counter the pandemic. 

Effective on Wednesday, counties from seven more states will be included in Vermont’s quarantine-free travel policy, Gov. Phil Scott announced Friday. Currently, the policy lifts the 14-day quarantine requirement for travel to and from counties in New England and New York with less than 400 active cases of COVID-19 per one million residents. Next week, that will expand to include counties below this threshold in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia, as well as the District of Columbia.

“Our hospitality sector and the thousands of jobs it provides Vermonters has been one of the worst hit by this pandemic, and even as we’ve reopened, it hasn’t been enough to help them make ends meet or put all of their employees back to work,” Scott said in a statement. “With this data-based approach to determine low-risk counties, we can welcome more people to Vermont and support these jobs while continuing to limit the spread of the virus in Vermont.”

Throughout the spring, the governor has continued to loosen restrictions as Vermont’s COVID-19 data continues to be favorable to reopening, despite two small clusters of new cases in Rutland and Windham Counties. A recent outbreak in Winooski now appears to be under control. Despite that, the Scott administration has still been cautious heading into travel season amid the growing number of cases throughout the country.  

Moving forward, the biggest need for hospitality establishments is for restrictions to be eased while allowing for travelers from major markets to safely come to Vermont. Within that, they need travel to flow freely again between Boston and New York City - the two biggest providers of tourism for the state. Clearly, restrictions are preventing that as the pandemic is still with us, but both of those urban markets have made steady progress against the coronavirus, and New England is heading in the right direction. With continued collaboration and support among the states, this positive trend is set to continue. Together, we await more progress in the weeks to come. 

— Gareth Henderson

Lodging industry: Reopening urgent

Karim Houry, of The Woodstocker Bed and Breakfast in Woodstock, Vermont, mows the lawn on Tuesday afternoon. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

After three months without revenue, the Vermont lodging industry is looking to save their summer after seeing a wave of cancellations amid tight state restrictions on travel and occupancy due to COVID-19.

Gov. Phil Scott’s emergency order allows multi-room operations to only book 50 percent of rooms or have a maximum of 25 guests and staff on site, “whichever is greater.” However, quarantine requirements have expunged the out-of-state traffic they depend on, lodging owners say. That’s even true under the eased quarantine restrictions, which limit incoming travel based on COVID-19 caseloads in New England and New York counties. Their greatest need is to allow more guests in, after weeks of issuing refunds for cancelled reservations. In some cases, the customer has agreed to move a reservation to a later date. On Friday, the governor intends to unveil a plan to bring more out-of-state traffic into Vermont. 

That could line up well for the Woodstock Inn & Resort, which plans to reopen on July 1. The inn is close to the 50-percent occupancy for most of July, according to Courtney Lowe, the inn’s vice president of marketing and business development. 

“It's something, it’s a start,” he said. 

The toughest part has been the state restrictions.  

“They are very conservative, and we understand their reasoning to a certain extent, but at the same time, with what we’ve done, and most of the hotel industry has done, we really feel like we’re one of the safer places for people to go to.”   

Lowe mentioned the inn’s grab-and-go options for food, dining with social distancing, separate rooms and local outdoor recreation opportunities. 

Karim Houry, co-owner of The Woodstocker Bed and Breakfast, also plans to reopen on July 1. He said the calls keep coming in from potential customers wondering when restrictions might be eased. For the moment, there’s no good answer to give them.  

“One thing we have a hard time dealing with, frankly, is the fact that we can’t plan ahead,” Houry said, noting the loss in guests. “The risk there is, they’re going to go elsewhere.” 

Patrick Fultz, co-owner of the Sleep Woodstock Motel in West Woodstock, said Vermont is losing business to states like New Hampshire and Connecticut, whose restrictions are less rigid. This comes after cancellations of major events, like the Covered Bridges Half Marathon and the Quechee Balloon Festival, which usually mean dependable revenue. 

“We’re typically booked solid, at higher rates, every weekend in June, and then we go into summer,” Fultz said. “To lose June, that was tough.” 

A traveler on his motorcycle from New Jersey called up for a place to stay the other night, but it didn’t work under state restrictions, Fultz said.

“I had to say ‘no’, and I basically sent him to Leb (Lebanon, New Hampshire).”

Houry and Fultz both said they keep to high cleaning standards, so their buildings are safe for guests. Now, it’s the traffic they need, to get revenue flowing again.

“It’s that balance that needs to be struck between the continued shut down of tourism to the entire state, and safely allowing people to start coming to Vermont,” Houry said. 

In recent days, the Legislature has been working on relief funding for businesses. Rep. Charlie Kimbell, who represents Woodstock, Reading and Plymouth, said the House has proposed to the Senate over $1 billion in relief spending via federal aid. He wasn’t sure how much would be available to the lodging industry, though about $88 million in grants for businesses was passed by the House last week. The grant application process still needs to be set up by the administration. 

“We’re looking at money hopefully starting to flow next week, but haven’t seen a lot of the details yet,” Kimbell said. 

Lawmakers continue to hope for more federal assistance in the coming months. 

“The financial damage and the emotional toll this is taking on businesses and individuals is real, and the need far exceeds the money that we have available to make them whole,” Kimbell said. 

For the lodging industry, Lowe saw indications Boston’s restrictions could lift entirely within the next two weeks. 

“Counties seem to be opening up a bit more every week,” he said of areas outside the state.

— Gareth Henderson

The Census effect

The Census helps bring federal dollars to the state to support major programs like infrastructure, Gov. Phil Scott said. Above is a view of Route 12 in Woodstock in April. (Gareth Henderson File Photo)

Vermont needs federal aid, and your 2020 Census form helps ensure that funding.

Gov. Phil Scott drove that point home at his Wednesday media briefing, explaining that the Census helps determine the amount of federal funds the state receives. So far, about half of all Vermonters have filled out the Census, putting the state at 47th in the nation when it comes to response rate. The governor urged Vermonters who haven't done so, to take five minutes to complete the Census form.

“As we face a global pandemic and the economic crisis that has followed, making sure we get every dollar of federal relief we can is so important to our recovery,” Scott said.

He noted the Census impact goes well beyond relief funds and also brings in federal dollars for infrastructure projects, school lunches and other needs.

About $2.5 billion in federal funding comes back to Vermont because of the Census. Counting efforts have been more difficult this year, with no in-person data collection allowed due to the pandemic. Planning for the restart of field operations in Vermont is underway in partnership with the U.S. Census Bureau, according to state librarian Jason Broughton, who is leading the state's Census counting efforts. The Bureau is looking to extend the Census into October and to allow the reporting requirements to be conducted in 2021, Broughton said Wednesday.

The Census can be completed online at 2020census.gov or by phone at 844-330-2020.

— Gareth Henderson

Edging forward

As Vermont continues reopening efforts, some parts of the tourism sector will see increased allowed capacity for customers next week, but the lodging industry saw no changes to its restrictions in the state's Friday announcement. 

Effective June 26, restaurants, as well as event, arts, culture and entertainment venues, can go from 25 percent of allowable capacity to 50 percent. That percentage is based on fire occupancy limits. The updated restrictions also include maximum gathering sizes of 75 people for indoor events and 150 people for outdoor events.

Gov. Phil Scott and other officials acknowledged that many businesses in the tourism sector are barely surviving, and some lodging establishments are worried about bankruptcy.  

"We realize the incredible burden this sector has taken on, and we are working diligently to open things up as fast as we can," said Lindsay Kurrle, the state's commerce secretary. 

The past six weeks have seen increasing calls on the state by lodging establishments to provide assistance to help their operations survive the pandemic. For many of these businesses, including restaurants and others, partial allowed capacity has been inadequate to make ends meet, especially after weeks of quarantine regulations that were only recently relaxed. This is especially important during the summer, the season that normally yields the most income for this sector. Each time a crowded weekend goes by at partial capacity and limited guest numbers, lodging businesses lose many thousands of dollars, which is hard to recup. 

With July 4 rapidly approaching, the whole tourism sector is hoping for a solid weekend, which they desperately need. Between now and then, we'll be looking for good news for lodging establishments, which form the business hub of many downtowns. Communities need these and other tourism-related operations to do well, this year more than ever. The reopening has been promising for the most part, and as the state looks to keep that going, we cheer on our local tourism sector and support those businesses as much as we possibly can. They employ local people, help keep our downtowns vibrant, and have close ties to local nonprofits. Hopefully, further news will speed the recovery of this sector, a key part of our economic heartbeat.

— Gareth Henderson

Call to action

Vermonters heard a call to action on Friday, as Gov. Phil Scott declared June 19, 2020, "Juneteenth Recognition Day." For the first time, the state officially commemorated the day slavery ended in 1865 when the Union Army freed 250,000 enslaved African Americans in Texas, over two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. 

The announcement came as the nation confronts the impact of systemic racism amid continued protests, following the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer last month. At a press briefing on Friday, Scott said much work remains to be done, and the recognition of Juneteenth was an important step. 

"As we consider what we're seeing across the country right now, and the need to listen and learn about one another, and better understand the real legacy of racism in our country and institutions, I think it's fitting for us to celebrate this important event to better reflect on what it means to African Americans and to everyone who loves freedom and believes in the dignity of every life, and the American promise of equal rights and justice for all without exception," governor said.   

Xusana Davis, the state's executive director of racial equity, said it's especially important for white Vermonters to listen, learn and take action to help in this movement toward a more equitable society. 

"It is the moment of all white people in America and in Vermont, because it is your moment to act. It is perhaps more your moment than anyone else's," Davis said. “Because as people who wield outsized and often unearned power and privilege in our society, it’s especially important and necessary that you be the ones to exercise that privilege in a way that makes things more equitable for everyone.”  

She said turning self-education efforts into action is essential to changing the current situation.  

"It's important to listen and learn. ... And then , once you have listened, once you have learned, then you defer to the people who are impacted by this work, and then you act," Davis said. She noted there is an Action and Allyship Guide on the state's website, which offers ways to get involved in racial equity efforts.

State Rep. Kevin "Coach" Christie, chair of the Vermont Human Rights Commission, said as the state moves forward on efforts against racism, we must do the work  together. 

"Now is the time to reaffirm our commitment to the mitigation of systemic racism in Vermont," he said.

Christie said he knew it was difficult to understand how Vermonters of color are feeling on this day, and he offered an example from his own life. 

"I ask you to think about a fellow black or brown Vermonter, and I ask you to consider, when was the last time you were told, 'Go back to the jungle?' That's what my daughter was told at a school here in Vermont." 

Scott pointed out another act of racism, when someone vandalized a Black Lives Matter mural soon after its creation on State Street in Montpelier.

"We need to look no further than the vandalism on State Street last weekend, to remind us that racism and discrimination are still far too prevalent in America today and in Vermont," he said.  

Davis said moving toward action was the most important focus, not guilt for what you didn't know before. 

"It's not about the shame of not knowing, it's not about the hurt or discomfort from that history, it's about, 'What are we going to do with the knowledge today, so that we don't repeat that history?’" 

— Gareth Henderson

Outside and buying local

Colemann Colburn, of Fresh Roots Farm in Sharon, bags some vegetables for customers Karen Ferrante and Paul Disegna at the Market on the Green in Woodstock, Vermont, on Wednesday. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

People love being outside and buying local food — two things summer is made for. That's why, on its second day of the season, the Woodstock Market on the Green in Woodstock, Vermont, had no trouble attracting customers for its local food producers, despite the fact that it looks a bit different this year. 

Hand sanitizing stations are on either end of the Green and social distancing is required during in-person shopping, in accordance with state regulations on farmers markets. Vendors are required to wear masks, and they are recommended for customers. 

Colemann Colburn, of Fresh Roots Farm in Sharon, is at the Market on the Green for the ninth straight year. The market is every Wednesday during the summer from 3 to 6 p.m., and it started the season last week. 

Spotting a few of his vegetable baskets which were near empty, he said on Wednesday that the market's second day of 2020 was a fruitful one. He said customers had no problem with the six feet of distancing. Colburn said he's glad to pick the food for customers, but if they want to pick up the food themselves, he asks that they wear gloves, which he supplies.

"People have been good about it," he said. 

Karen Ferrante and Paul Disegna, from Rhode Island, stopped by Colburn's stand for some veggies, donning their masks. They've enjoyed his farm's vegetables many times in the past two or three years when they've been visiting Woodstock, and they had no issues with the state rules. 

"It's weird but we believe it's keeping us and others safe, so it's just being respectful," Disegna said. 

Farther down the Green, Windsor-based SILO Distillery was offering their small-batch spirits, all made with Vermont-grown grain. Mary Shappell, field events manager for Silo, said people were thrilled to see the vendors. 

"I've heard so many customers say, 'We're so glad you're here,'" she said. "It's just a little touch of normal." 

Kathy Avellino, of the Woodstock Area Chamber of Commerce, which runs the market, said a "steady stream of people" during the first couple of hours on Wednesday. The state unveiled the rules for farmers markets last month, but some restrictions have been relaxed. Craft vendors are now allowed, and Avellino said the market hopes to have some crafters back in two weeks. 

The weather this Wednesday was a lot better than opening day last week, when it rained and poured. That was a welcome change, Avellino noted as the sunshine hung around through the late-afternoon hours.

"It's a beautiful day. Who wouldn't want to be out here?"

— Gareth Henderson

Waiting for relief

More relief will soon be available for Vermont businesses after lawmakers recently passed a bill including $93 million in federal CARES Act money. That bill provides mostly grants to which business owners will have to apply, and lawmakers say more is on the way this week. 

That action comes after a $400 million business relief package proposed by Gov. Phil Scott last month, to help businesses during the pandemic. All funds would come from the $1.2 billion in federal aid Vermont received earlier in the spring. 

House Speaker Mitzi Johnson told Vermont Public Radio on Tuesday that more of the CARES Act money will be approved soon. 

"We'll have $1 billion dollars either allocated, already voted on, or on its way out the door in just a couple of days," Johnson said on VPR.

The Legislature's efforts are designed to get the funds out to the most severely impacted businesses first, while also fixing some issues with the governor's proposal. Lawmakers have said some of the proposed uses of the relief funds were not allowable under federal restrictions. 

Those words, however, may not be enough for a business owner who expected approval of the governor's full proposal far sooner than this. With businesses facing looming hurdles to survival, the pressure intensifies on policy-makers and calls for help increase. As the Legislature prepares to approve more funds, let's hope the collaborative approach to resolving these issues continues. Together is always the best way. 

— Gareth Henderson

Navigating the path forward

Flags fly in the breeze outside downtown businesses in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson File Photo)

The governor has extended Vermont's state of emergency order to July 15, on the same day as he allowed campgrounds to fully open and anticipated taking other steps soon. 

While Gov. Phil Scott noted Vermont has made great progress in slowing the spread of COVID-19, the emergency order gives him the ability to slow the reopening process during the pandemic if needed. So far, the prospects for continuing that process look good. At his Monday press briefing, Scott said he anticipates allowing people to visit nursing homes and assisted living facilities later this week.

The full reopening of campgrounds comes on the heels of the relaxing of quarantine requirements for travelers, the partial reopening of indoor dining, and allowing hair salons, barber shops and gyms to partially reopen. On Monday, Scott reminded Vermonters that the state "is not an island" and must remain cautious on next steps. 

"We still have 130,000 active cases within a five-hour drive of us," Scott said. 

Vermont Health Commissioner Mark Levine on Monday said the recent outbreak in Winooski and Burlington was not the result of the state's reopening efforts. Actually, he said health officials have seen indications that this outbreak, which stands at 83 cases today, can be contained. Contact tracing efforts are ongoing, Levine said.

It seems almost incredible that the pandemic reached Vermont three months ago, mainly because it feels like much longer — six months at least. But throughout those very difficult 90 days, Vermont's cautious and poised leadership has benefitted the state, and the progress has been steady, despite the recent situation in Winooski and Burlington. 

Today, we stand with numerous sectors partially open, and efforts continue to pave the way for broader reopenings for tourism-related businesses, many of which are struggling mightily to stay alive. Hopefully, state aid will be able to supplement local programs and community support to keep these small businesses going. This moment, throughout the state, the words "shop local" ring true. Let's each do all we can to support our local economies, and help pave the way for more progress in these coming weeks. Vermont needs it.

— Gareth Henderson

A desire for change

Community members gather for a recent rally in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson File Photo)

Yesterday I wrote about the power of younger voices demanding racial justice, and today, I’m encouraged Vermonters are strengthening that movement and momentum is building.

A week after the words “Black Lives Matter” were painted on the road leading to the White House, the street facing the Vermont State House now bears the same message. Over 100 people reportedly gathered on Saturday morning to paint the words. The 20-foot message in yellow paint is unavoidable when going to the State House or passing by, which means many people will see the words every day, including those running the government. 

This is important, because we need reminders large and small, so that the awareness of inequality and injustice stays at the forefront of our minds as a community. That’s the basic requirement to move toward the change many Americans are demanding. The vandalism of the new mural, reported on Sunday, is a reminder of the challenges that lie ahead.

These issues are on the minds of lawmakers in our state, though it’s not yet clear what statewide proposals will come. Windsor County Sen. Alison Clarkson spoke at a recent rally in Woodstock. 

“We are all committed to changing our world one bill at a time, one life at a time,” she said, including her fellow legislators. 

In related news, the deadline passed on June 12 for applicants to the Racial Equity Task Force announced by Gov. Phil Scott this month following the national outcry about the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. The panel will be chaired by Xusana Davis, the state’s executive director of racial equity. The state appears to be moving on this quickly, so hopefully an announcement will come soon once all the members are selected.

As the governor has said, the racial equity task force isn’t the whole solution for Vermont, but it’s a starting point. In response to a reporter’s question last week, he emphasized that we all have a role to play in addressing racism. Just declaring, “I’m not a racist,” is not sufficient, Scott said at the Wednesday briefing. 

“That’s not enough anymore,” he said. “What we need to do is be anti-racist, and we need to take action. It’s long overdue.” 

The unavoidable Black Lives Matter mural on the street in Montpelier shows a strong desire for meaningful change, and a desire to remind those in power, and those they represent, that this issue is not going away. By joining together in those calls for justice, we keep building the momentum this movement needs, toward the unity our future requires.

— Gareth Henderson

Graduate parade

The crowd congratulates the Class of 2020 as their car parade passes the Village Green in Woodstock, Vermont, on Friday evening. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

High school graduation was always going to be different this year. In Woodstock, Vermont, it sure was, but even with that difference, celebration and joy took the lead roles when all was said and done.

On Friday, Woodstock’s high school seniors got their diplomas, driving up to the high school and walking the stage one by one. And then — the community got a parade. 

In decked-out vehicles, Woodstock’s Class of 2020 paraded through the downtown as relatives and friends eagerly cheered them on from the Village Green.

It was the latest example of something hugely important which had to change because of the pandemic. No one knew what to expect, but in the end it was a festive time, and the graduating class enjoyed the moment. The crowd greeted them with colorful, congratulatory signs as graduates waved, smiled and shared a few light moments as they saw familiar faces along the route. 

For 2020 graduate Harrison Morse, it was still a special evening even though it didn’t have the traditional public ceremony at Woodstock Union High School. 

“My expectations were kind of low, having to be six feet apart and everything, but in the end it was great. A special twist on it.” 

There were more than just cars in Woodstock’s graduate parade on Friday. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Morse liked the direct connection with the crowd.

“Having a parade was really cool,” he said. “Usually you’re just sitting, but everyone could cheer for you individually as you drove by, and people could make signs.” 

At a time when many community events are cancelled or postponed, the parade was refreshing in a way for many people. Pomfret resident Becky Fielder was there with her daughter, Molly, 9, who enthusiastically held up a sign congratulating the WUHS grads from Pomfret. 

“We have a lot of friends with kids who are graduating, so in lieu of being able to have parties, here we are,” she said. “It’s nice to have something to look forward to.” 

Burlington-based trio Pete’s Posse provided musical entertainment on the Green during the parade, organized by Pentangle Arts. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

All evening, it seemed people were reconnecting with friends they hadn’t seen in weeks amid the pandemic. That sentiment was no doubt felt by graduates, too, as their community embraced them with love and appreciation on Friday evening and their school careers came to a close.

The parade went by faster than a traditional ceremony, but the event still had a certain weight to it. Everyone was there to recognize and celebrate a special time in these young people’s lives, a unique culmination of years of accomplishment, leading into new chapters. In that spirit, the community connected with them, and the graduates shared their happiness and joy. It was a time of uplifting togetherness with a positive, common purpose, and that’s what community is all about. 

Congratulations, Class of 2020!

— Gareth Henderson 

New horizons

As many young Vermonters prepare to graduate from high school this week, the very schools they are leaving behind also face new horizons amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

That change starts with fall 2020, when in-person instruction will continue under state guidelines that will be released next week for the K-12 system. When Vermont schools open up, staff will be required to wear facial coverings, state officials announced Wednesday. All students and staff will undergo daily health checks upon arrival, which will include a series of questions and temperature checks. Students will be encouraged to wear facial coverings. 

The guidance will also outline procedures the state can take in case of an outbreak, including possible school closures. Officials are exploring ways to improve remote learning capabilities in case that is needed, state Secretary of Education Dan French said at the Wednesday briefing. 

“We see this guidance as foundational to the other planning we need to undertake to reopen schools,” French said. The next step will include engaging with students, parents and community members to gather feedback, he added. 

As the state continues down the road of reopening schools, there will be constant reminders that everything has been impacted by COVID-19. Every decision carries some extra weight for that reason. However, it’s interesting to ponder whether the last couple months yielded some new ideas about the internet and education delivery. Perhaps interactive online collaboration with outside experts will be a bigger part of the classroom, for example. Students working with their peers from other campuses via Zoom could have potential as well.

However, it’s clear the number-one task now is safely getting the doors open again, within a plan that provides the educational opportunities children need. To accomplish that all-important goal, constant collaboration between the state and education stakeholders will be crucial to resolving issues along the way. 

As Gov. Phil Scott said, “We need to get through these issues together, because we know how vital it is for our kids and their development to move forward and reopen.”

— Gareth Henderson

Standing for justice

Rev. Leon Dunkley of the North Universalist Chapel Society addresses the crowd with Woodstock Police Chief Robbie Blish at his side during a Black Lives Matter rally in Woodstock, Vermont, on Tuesday. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

On the day of George Floyd’s funeral in Houston, the Woodstock, Vermont, community held a Black Lives Matter rally on Tuesday including multiple generations standing up for racial equality and justice. 

The national outcry against racism and calls for reform have continued ever since Floyd’s death two weeks ago, when a Minneapolis police officer arrested Floyd and put a knee on his neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds.

On Tuesday, dozens of cars lined Route 106 in Woodstock Village, minutes before they circled the green, many displaying signs, and headed to the high school to gather. At the head of the procession was Jane Curtis, 102, longtime Woodstock resident who has seen her share of protests over the decades, including for civil rights and during the Vietnam War. 

“I think it’s my duty to protest injustice,” she said, in the passenger seat next to her daughter, Katie Curtis Donahue, 75. “It may drag on, but it will be resolved. I think the U.S. can’t live with injustice.” 

Jane Curtis, 102, is shown leading the long line of cars at the start of Tuesday’s rally in Woodstock, Vermont, with her daughter, Katie Curtis Donahue, at right. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Curtis was encouraged to see the number of children, teenagers and families turning out for protests here and across the nation. 

“It’s the best thing I’ve seen in years, the young people,” she said. “They’re the future.” 

That trend continued when the rally reached the high school, with local third-grader Tripp Overbay addressing the crowd. He had organized a protest on Friday in the village, and encouraged others to help carry on the work. 

“We must be a part of the fight to stop racism,” Tripp said, adding, “We have to act now.” 

Tripp Overbay, a local third-grader, encourages his community to fight racism during the rally in Woodstock, Vermont, on Tuesday. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Organizer Gina McAllister then introduced Woodstock Police Chief Robbie Blish, who helped with traffic control for the rally along with his officers. He said the department was “saddened and outraged” when they saw Floyd’s final moments on video. Blish said what happened in Minneapolis goes against everything his department stands for.

“If one of us disgraces our profession, all of us are disgraced,” Blish said. “We have, and we continue to, walk the walk.”

He said 25 percent of his police force are officers of color, and that they follow “fair and impartial policing” policies which prohibit the use of chokeholds. 

Rev. Leon Dunkley, of the North Universalist Chapel Society in Woodstock, urged the crowd to remember what unites us. 

“We are not separate from one another,” he said. 

Multiple generations showed up for the Black Lives Matter rally in Woodstock, Vermont, on Tuesday. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Dunkley said we all have the opportunity to move change forward through our natural unity as people.

“This is a choice, to say ‘no’ to the violence we’ve seen on TV, to say ‘no’ to a casual brutality that happened over 8 minutes and 46 seconds, to say ‘no’ to the ongoing nature of this pain in our society,” he said. “Part of me resides in you, and part of you resides in me.” 

Dunkley also commended Tripp Overbay’s courage: “I follow his lead.” 

Also addressing the crowd was Bob Hager, former longtime NBC Nightly News correspondent and Woodstock resident. He recalled his time covering a Ku Klux Klan rally in Charlotte, North Carolina, and also the race riots and the Poor People’s March in Washington, D.C.

Hager spoke about a small minor league team in Lexington, North Carolina, that integrated its roster in 1960. The love of baseball was a unifying factor. He saw white people cheering on the black players, which was an immediate change — despite the fact that segregation was widespread at the time. 

“It was a small beginning and a humble beginning, but you’ve got to start somewhere,” Hager said. 

That sentiment has been reflected in the State House as well. Windsor County Sen. Alison Clarkson said lawmakers in Montpelier are united in addressing these issues, noting the outcry after the tragedy in Minneapolis. 

“It’s just torn the scab off the great national wound of racial inequity and subjugation,” she said. 

Clarkson noted Gov. Phil Scott last year appointed the state’s first racial equity director, Xusana Davis. She will chair the state’s new Racial Equity Task Force, as announced by the governor last week. 

“We are all committed to changing our world one bill at a time, one life at a time,” Clarkson said. 

That dedication to change is keenly felt among the younger generations, who were well represented at Tuesday’s rally. Ariel Brewer arrived at the rally with her three daughters, Adele, 11, Sage, 6, and Neva, 3. They all made signs, one a big red heart, the other stating “Black Lives Matter”, and the third insisting, “Our skin color should not define us.” Adele created the latter sign. 

“We look different on the outside, but we’re the same on the inside,” she said. 

Her mother senses a boldness in the younger generation, a quality she thinks should be harnessed for change. 

“I tell my daughters, ‘If there’s one thing you learn from me, it’s to speak for yourself,’” Brewer said. 

If the national discourse is any indication, they are being heard. 

— Gareth Henderson

Staying cautious

Matt Powers, executive director of the Woodstock History Center in Woodstock, Vermont, moves some items back into the center’s office on Friday. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

As Vermont continues to gradually reopen, a number of organizations are cautiously navigating that road. Buildings with multiple uses can make it a tougher balancing act.  

That’s where the Woodstock History Center finds itself. Museums, galleries and libraries fall under the state’s retail protocol, and the History Center has each of those functions under its roof, as Executive Director Matt Powers noted.

The center does not have a firm reopening date yet, but just last Friday, it began a gradual effort to move staff back into the building.

“We’re going really slow and being very thoughtful about how we’re going to do it,” Powers said in a recent interview.

For example, the new work scheduling will include no more than three staff members in the facility at a time. New protocols will include temperature checks as well, as required by the state. The center has also bought masks and will have hand-sanitizing stations. Keeping historical items and spaces clean, in accordance with COVID-19 guidelines, is a whole other set of rules the organization is still figuring out, Powers said.

While it remains closed to the public, the organization will continue to do curbside donations of historical items, and by appointment only. Research requests are now only taken online. As for the back lawn area, signage is upcoming that encourages masks and social distancing. 

The center has started to feel the financial impact of the pandemic in recent weeks, with fewer parking space rentals and a decline in e-memberships, Powers said. The organization did not have its annual spring appeal this year.

“We’ve been financially okay up until fairly recently,” Powers said.

The History Center previously set up a cash reserve fund, which Powers said has been helpful.

“All of our staff is working right now, thankfully,” he said.

Like many workplaces, the History Center employees have been working remotely and meeting regularly on Zoom.

“The most important thing has been focusing on the health of the staff and trying to keep them busy,” said Powers, who has six employees there. “Everyone has been really pleasant and patient.”

Fortunately the work has been there. The center’s team has been working on installing four major exhibits, adding virtual tours to the website (which has already been in the works), and also considering changes to the scenic lawn area by the river, including adding more interpretive functions and wayfinding.

“If our doors are closed, we need to be doing things outside,” Powers said.

A big priority has been working out how to accommodate library rentals in order to keep that income, Powers said. Also, the organization is seeking grants to help keep things running.

He noted the importance of what Vermont’s museums offer visitors.

“We are cultural drivers of the economy,” Powers said. “People aren’t going halfway across the world to go to the best T-shirt shops.”

But fulfilling that cultural mission will look different this year. Powers has been talking with other historical societies and also regional and national groups to exchange ideas and gain advice. He said the Norwich Historical Society is another group which has a multi-use facility as well. 

“We’re all hoping to break even,” Powers said.  

Early on, he said, a lot of similar nonprofits struggled to know when to seek assistance, since the focus was understandably on more significant needs like food and unemployment. But Powers remembered a webinar in which an expert with a national organization encouraged historical societies and similar organizations to seek the help they needed. 

“She said, ‘You’re part of the local orchestra, just like everybody else.’”

— Gareth Henderson

'Learning to live together'

The crowd kneels for eight minutes at a vigil on Sunday in Woodstock, Vermont, in honor of George Floyd. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

“We’re learning to live together.” That message was sung and spoken during a vigil today in Woodstock, Vermont, where over 100 people, including religious leaders and local officials, gathered to remember George Floyd, oppose hate and look toward a united future. 

An inspiring scene took place near the end of the event, when the crowd took a knee for eight minutes in honor of Floyd, a black man who died under the knee of a white Minneapolis police officer who arrested him almost two weeks ago. Since his death, over 700 cities and towns across the U.S. have seen protests and vigils as millions speak out against racism and demand change.

The Woodstock event came one day after a rally drew hundreds of people to nearby South Royalton, Vermont, where attendees in unison spoke the names of 206 black people who have died at the hands of police in recent years. At Sunday’s vigil, the crowd together spoke the names of Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Nina Pop and Tony McDade — whose lives are honored with a memorial on the front lawn of the North Universalist Chapel Society in Woodstock, where people have been arriving to lay flowers all weekend. 

Leading Sunday’s vigil was the North Chapel’s pastor, Rev. Leon Dunkley, who encouraged the crowd to see the beauty within themselves and share it in others. Dunkley assured those present that working for equality doesn’t have to be done with anxiety. 

“If we can find a way to do this as joy-based work, we’re going to get through this just fine,” Dunkley said, adding the following quote: “Never be afraid to return the beauty to our world.”

The vigil also acknowledged the diversity central to that beauty. Dunkley pointed out Sunday’s event took place on Abenaki ground, noting that we are “part of a larger story.” He then welcomed Rachel and Jeffrey Kahn from Congregation Shir Shalom, who shared a Torah from Czechoslovakia that survived the Holocaust.

“This Torah today is here to bear witness to what happens when hate goes unchecked, but this Torah survived,” Rachel Kahn said.   

As the nation grapples with hate, the example of former NFL star Colin Kaepernick has re-emerged into the news. With that in mind, Dunkley, a black man who once lived in Minneapolis, pointed out the two meanings of “taking a knee.” He brought up Kaepernick, who knelt in protest during the National Anthem in 2016 and was essentially forced from the league when no team would sign him. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell recently released a statement saying the NFL was wrong and that they stand with the “Black Lives Matter” movement.

As Sunday’s crowd applauded that change, Dunkley called it “a beautiful arch of growth that’s possible for all of us.” He then acknowledged the second meaning. 

“Taking a knee in Minneapolis, where I used to live, meant taking the life of a man named George Floyd.” 

On Sunday, as people held a number of “Black Lives Matter” posters, Dunkley also noted that some were criticizing that name, saying it should be “All Lives Matter.” He said “Black Lives Matter” is not a means of affirming an identity, rather, it’s a form of resistance to what led to the deaths of those 206 individuals. 

As the protests continued this weekend throughout the country, young people have had a strong presence, and Woodstock’s event on Sunday was no exception. Trey Jones, a local high school freshman, who is white, said he’s always had cousins and an uncle in New Jersey who were bi-racial. He was at Sunday’s vigil to show his support. 

“Just to do something for my cousins, for their future, means a lot to me,” Jones said. 

As the people knelt silently, united, for those eight minutes, I was heartened to see three young boys, each looking younger than 12, side by side, each on one knee. They were there, too, listening to the qualities of joy, grace and beauty being mentioned as strong, positive forces we have within us. At this pivotal time for our state and nation, Dunkley asked the crowd to consider what message they would give the world. If we walk with those qualities, innocently welcoming them as a child would, we will each lovingly figure out what we can do to help, and walk with others in that direction.

— Gareth Henderson

Rules loosen for dining, travel

Scenic vistas like this one along High Pastures Road in Pomfret draw visitors to Vermont every summer. The state is loosening travel restrictions. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

It's been a long way up the coronavirus mountain, and Vermont continues to make progress on reopening while heading down the other side of it.

Starting Monday, restaurants get the go-ahead for indoor dining with restrictions, Gov. Phil Scott announced at a press briefing. The rules install a 25-percent capacity limit and six-foot distancing between tables. Bars will remain closed, reservations are required, and cleaning protocols are outlined in the governor’s order.

Despite this expected good news, many restaurants remain in dire financial straits amid the pandemic. 

"I know we've still got a long way to go to get our restaurants back on their feet, and I know they can't make it on 25-percent capacity, but we've got to start somewhere, and we'll be able to build on this if the numbers move in the right direction," Scott said. 

Along with the dining announcement, the state also said travel restrictions will be eased as of Monday. The state will allow people living in counties in New England and upstate New York, that have 400 or fewer active COVID-19 cases per one million residents, to come to Vermont without a quarantine requirement. Vermonters will also be able to travel to those places without a quarantine. That said, Vermonters must still follow the rules of other states when traveling to those areas. Also in Friday’s update, the capacity limit on lodging establishments and campgrounds was raised from 25 to 50 percent.

The governor also said health officials are confident that, with the state's solid testing capacity, they can contain a recent outbreak in Winooski and stop it from spreading to the rest of the city or state. Vermont on Thursday confirmed 34 new COVID-19 cases in that city after weeks of seeing few new cases. Outside of Winooski, the same day saw a total of two other confirmed cases statewide. 

Scott acknowledged that some will be worried about loosening these restrictions at the same time as the situation in Winooski.

“I recognize this is a lot to absorb ... but I want to be clear, each of these steps is done working with the guidance of our health experts,” Scott said. He noted that firmer restrictions earlier in the spring gave the state time to build up its testing capacity, which it did. 

Indeed, it was a difficult time to take in the news of a spike in cases, but it appears cautious leadership is paying off for Vermont, not only health-wise but also in downtowns. With the beautiful weather and the gradual loosening of restrictions, for example, Woodstock Village was busier on Friday than I’ve seen it in some time. As more retail shops and restaurants open, we will see that activity increase statewide as customers see the economic ecosystem beginning to revive. Tourism will gradually trickle in as word gets out about the relaxed restrictions. As economic activity increases, positive signs of community and solidarity around progress will have the opportunity to flourish. Let’s take those steps together while being kind, compassionate and loving — in other words, while being Vermont Strong. 

— Gareth Henderson

Saving summer tourism

The summer tourism season was a key topic at Vermont Gov. Phil Scott’s press briefing on Wednesday, as the state faces mounting pressure to reopen related sectors as they struggle to survive.

Restaurants were front and center, and Scott aims to unveil a plan on Friday to restart indoor dining as pandemic recovery efforts continue. Key COVID-19 metrics continue to show good signs for Vermont, almost two weeks after the governor gave the green light to outdoor dining. He cautioned that the indoor-dining plan would be gradual, starting with restrictions like social distancing. 

At the same time, the state is working on a plan to allow out-of-state visitors without a quarantine - something businesses badly need to make money in these warmer months. Officials are also looking at ways to increase capacity at lodging establishments and campgrounds, Scott said, adding he knows many businesses are barely making it by. Hotels, motels, inns and bed-and-breakfasts remain under a 25-percent occupancy limit and tight restrictions.

“We’re doing all we can to open up as much as we can, as safely as we can,” Scott said. 

A $400 million relief package announced in mid-May by the governor, and funded by federal CARES Act money, remains under discussion by the Legislature, who also face pressure to act quickly.

With each passing week, that pressure builds throughout the state and the New England region as businesses and nonprofits look to survive, with limited options to do so. The situation is different in each state, but in this region most pandemic-related metrics are pointed in the right direction, and hopefully Friday arrives with more good news. That said, the time of need is still with us, and anything we can do to help our neighbors, businesses and communities is a step we need to take. 

— Gareth Henderson

Seeking real change

A couple crosses Elm Street in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

As the U.S. looks to find its way through the aftermath of the tragic death of George Floyd, Vermont’s leadership offered a statewide perspective today and announced steps forward.

Gov. Phil Scott’s press conference came after Sunday night’s protests, riots and looting throughout U.S. cities, including nearby Boston. It came a week after Scott and the Vermont State Police condemned the actions of police in Minneapolis that caused Floyd’s death.

On Monday, Scott called on all Vermonters to consider what they can do to address the issue of racial inequality.

“We must all make clear, enough is enough,” he said. 

Scott also urged people to understand the history that led up to this point. 

“While we’re watching the response across the country, it’s important to reflect on a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King, who said, ‘A riot is the language of the unheard.’ They simply don’t know what else to do,” he said. “And for those who see the national protests and feel disdain instead of sympathy, just know, the reactions we’re seeing in cities around the country are the results of decades, actually centuries, of calls for help that went unheard.” 

The governor called Floyd’s death at the hands of police “barbaric and totally inexcusable,” saying the officers involved should be charged and tried for murder (one officer is facing a murder charge; three others were fired). Scott also mentioned the recent, and peaceful, protests which occurred in Vermont. 

“I assure you, we’re listening. We hear what you have to say,” he said, asking that future protests also be done “peacefully and safely,” especially amid the pandemic. 

Scott said we all should remember this about Floyd’s death: “It’s not an isolated incident.” Therefore, he added, just listening is not enough — action needs to be taken. 

On Monday, Scott announced the launch of a statewide Racial Equity Task Force, which had already been in the works for several months. He said the task force will: 

• Look at the disparities among COVID-19 infection and death rates and examine how to close those gaps. 

• Evaluate available supports for racially diverse populations. 

• Review current state and federal law on hate speech.

• Contemplate ways to encourage Vermonters from a range of racial and ethnic groups to run and serve in public office at all levels. 

The governor acknowledged the task force, the members of which will be announced next week, is not the whole solution. 

“It’s going to take some soul-searching and real change, individually, to make a difference,” Scott said. “We should take this time to reflect on what role each of us can play to end hate, racism and bigotry. And for those of us who are white, and not typically the victim of it, we have to take a very close look, because the reality is, it’s everywhere, even here.” 

Scott said hate and inequality pose a bigger long-term risk to the nation than even COVID-19. But we have the opportunity to address it, together.

“It just takes us, united, to make this a better country for everyone,” he said.

— Gareth Henderson

Dining outside

People enjoy the outdoor dining experience on Saturday afternoon at The Prince & The Pauper in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Restaurants in Vermont have been able to offer outdoor dining, under restrictions, for just over a week, and those serving outside have found customers enthusiastic to enjoy a meal in the fresh spring air.

In Woodstock, the Prince and the Pauper was one of the first in this region to give it a try. The restaurant had its soft launch of patio outdoor dining on Friday, May 22, shortly after getting final requirements in order. The last time the P&P had outdoor dining was 15 years ago, said co-owner Liz Schwenk. Longtime bartender Clemens Steinrisser was serving customers outside at the time — and now he is again.

“We were joking, it’s really come full circle,” Schwenk said.

Seating times are available from 4 to 6:45 p.m. by reservations only. Customers are asked to wear masks as they are arriving or leaving, but can take them off when seated. The five tables are spaced apart at the required 10 feet. Most of the tables are for two, and seating times are staggered for safety and also for staff, Schwenk said. She said customers have been great about following the rules.

The big theme is, people are happy to see each other, especially after having to stay at home for so long. Some families have been eating at the P&P for two or three generations.

“We’re so lucky with the amazing customers we have,” Schwenk said, noting many have gotten take-out orders for weeks. “It’s so nice to see their faces again.”

That was also the common sentiment when some local retail shops reopened in mid-May, and people were thrilled to come in and talk with their local shop owners in person again.

“It really feels like the community has wrapped its arms around each other,” Schwenk said.

The Prince and The Pauper can be reached at 802-457-1818 and online at www.princeandpauper.com. The take-out option remains available.

— Gareth Henderson

Hope for the summer

People enjoy the Ottauquechee River in Woodstock, Vermont, on a very humid Wednesday evening. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Further steps in reopening are on tap for Vermont later this week, including loosening the restriction on gatherings.

Citing favorable COVID-19 data in the state, Gov. Phil Scott on Wednesday said he will likely increase the gathering limit from 10 to 25 people by the weekend. He also aims to announce a time frame on Friday for reopening more close-contact businesses like cleaning services and fitness centers. 

As the governor noted, it's been a little over two weeks since the state took its first big step in reopening, when it allowed manufacturing and construction to fully get back to work. 

"It appears we continue to move in the right direction ... and as a result, we'll be able to put more Vermonters back to work, open up social activities and restart most parts of our economy in some capacity," Scott said. 

He added that Vermonters got us to this point, by adhering to important public-safety guidelines. 

"You put your family and neighbors' health first," Scott said. 

Going forward, the governor's team will identify the level of progress they need to see in neighboring states to completely reopen Vermont, which would involve easing or lifting the 14-day quarantine requirement for those crossing into the state. With multiple Vermont sectors at some level of operation now, the data from other New England states — which have more COVID-19 cases now — is more important than ever. 

It is also important for Vermont's economy. The farther we go into summer, the more the pressure rises on the state government to ease restrictions and fully reactivate the tourism economy. Many sectors depending on visitor traffic have been in rough shape now for weeks, and hopefully the $400 million state relief package — funded by federal relief dollars — will see passage in Montpelier soon. 

In the meanwhile, the continued downward trend in Vermont's numbers gives added hope that more reopenings are on the way. The measured approach appears to be working, and together, as a community, we can build more momentum with each step we take as a state. Progress is being made, and we head toward summer with hopeful indications that more progress is right around the corner.

— Gareth Henderson 

The push for recovery

A family bikes up River Road in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

After a beautiful Memorial Day Weekend, the nation rolled into another busy week as states continued to work on reopening their economies. 

The announcement of the day was the New York Stock Exchange reopening, a development highlighted by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Also announced: Long Island is expected to reopen on Wednesday. That falls in line with recent positive trends in New York, including the fact that, on Tuesday, the state saw its number of new COVID-19 cases fall to their lowest level since the pandemic took hold there in March.

Promising trends continued in the Green Mountains, where numbers kept heading downward. With campgrounds and marinas open in Vermont, much of the state’s outdoor recreation sector saw plenty of activity over the holiday weekend. A number of local people opted to have fun closer to home, while there were some visitors as well. In various locations, area restaurants could be seen offering outdoor seating, which the state allowed as of Friday. Though it’s not a moneymaker, it added some vitality to downtowns at a time when each community could use it.

Speaking of local businesses, Gov. Phil Scott said the state is moving ahead with a new marketing campaign to encourage Vermonters to buy locally. There has never been a more important time to support local businesses. 

“We can help each other out by just looking at the products we buy, and buy from each other,” the governor told Vermont Public Radio today. 

The state’s overall plan for reopening is moving forward. The next step: As of Friday, hair salons and barbershops can reopen under state-imposed limits and safety measures. Hopefully, those businesses and also restaurants — having been some of the first ordered to shut down in March — will be able to sustain operations over the long-term. Right now, the future of our downtowns is unclear, but we can all make an effort to buy local as much as possible. Our local businesses need us, and now is the time to unite, support them and rebuild that economic vitality our communities need. 

— Gareth Henderson