Summer rolls on

Traffic heads through downtown Woodstock, Vermont, crossing the bridge over Kedron Brook. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

As this unusual summer continues, Vermont is seeing some visitor traffic from tourists eager to head to the Green Mountains, and Woodstock is no different.  

In this regional tourism hub, visitors from familiar states are in town, including New York, Massachusetts and other New England neighbors, as well as Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia. They’ve come amid a changed environment, under Woodstock’s local requirement to wear face-coverings, and current state-imposed quarantine restrictions for travelers from high-risk areas (see this state map). Though the crowds are smaller, they keep coming in, looking for that respite in the countryside. 

Beth Finlayson, executive director of the Woodstock Area Chamber of Commerce, said the flow of business is not like last year, but certainly better than March and April. With the Woodstock Inn open at a 50-percent capacity limit and some B&Bs open, Finlayson said, she sees more people visiting the area, notably families. Some are visiting just for a day. She noted Billings Farm is open, and Pentangle is starting its Music by the River summer concerts on Friday. The Market on the Green on Wednesdays has been popular, and the Welcome Center on Mechanic Street is seeing more traffic, as well. 

“We'll have 30 to 50 people every day, and a good portion are visitors,” Finlayson said of the center’s influx. “Every day, we get someone who wants to rent kayaks, go hiking. There are definitely people coming in.”  

At the Woodstock Inn, the numbers haven’t always hit the 50-percent capacity, but a couple of days did sell out, according to Courtney Lowe, the inn’s vice president of marketing and business development. 

“We’re doing okay with it, but obviously we need the ability to get more occupancy in there,” Lowe said. “For our industry, you definitely need to be above that 60- to 62-percent on an annual basis. At least this helps for now.” 

He added, “We’re seeing our guests really enjoy themselves. They’re sure taking full advantage of the outdoors.”

The inn has seen some cancellations due to the state-imposed restrictions, but Lowe said the inn’s marketing team is working hard to keep their brand prominently before the eyes of potential customers. 

“You’re working a little harder to get that small occupancy here for sure, but it’s necessary, too, for the long run,” he said.   

While much of the local economy is operating at some level, several smaller hospitality establishments have remained closed for now. Charlotte Hollingsworth, co-owner of The Ardmore Inn in the village, said her four-room bed and breakfast aims to open on Aug. 1. She notes she is 73 and her husband, Cary, is 76, and so during the pandemic they are not rushing to reopen. 

“We’d rather stay on the side of caution,” she said. Hollingsworth plans to reopen slowly starting Aug. 1, beginning with just a couple of guests staying and then a couple more coming in once they leave. 

Hollingsworth, who is on the board of the Woodstock chamber, has enjoyed seeing more downtown activity. 

“It’s really nice to see the village kind of alive again,” she said, noting the impact the Woodstock Inn’s July 1 reopening had, especially on Fourth of July weekend. “We could see a total difference." 

Earlier this week, Vermont Gov. Phil Scott said the state’s reopening efforts were in a “holding pattern,” due to the surging COVID-19 caseloads in other regions of the country. The governor’s next press briefing is on Friday at 11 a.m.

— Gareth Henderson

The Vermont I know

Fair, reasonable and kind: Throughout my 18 years as a journalist in this state, I’ve learned Vermonters have all three of those qualities, and they’re often expressed to others. Most of the time I’ve covered a public discussion, even a debate, they were on display. They’ve made me proud to be here, and I still am.

But today, on the national level, these values are facing headwinds, and you see this most clearly through our politics. Sad to say, it doesn’t seem there’s much that can’t be politicized today. Our better angels seem very much under siege, and one can find fresh examples of this overwhelming trend every hour, broadcasted far and wide by the 24-hour news cycle. 

While those situations continue on, however, so does our strength as Vermonters, because to express loving qualities as a community over a long period of time takes strength. And all of those qualities are worth defending. They are especially important now, given the major issues we now face together. 

It is certainly a point of pride to look at Vermont’s coronavirus numbers, which include the lowest caseload in the country. To me, that is the result of Vermonters banding together to do the right thing and support one another during this crisis. So far, the state has also managed to control several small outbreaks, but remains firm on travel restrictions, noting the surges in cases around the country. 

Clearly, points of progress, though significant, are just one part of the picture. The economic challenges loom large, as a partially-opened statewide economy struggles greatly. That said, the qualities that sustained us as we pitched in to help one another in the early days of this pandemic, are still within us. Since they remain, let’s reflect on them and draw on the strength they impart. With that, we will get to tomorrow, meet our challenges and be truly better, together. 

— Gareth Henderson

The need for relief

When it comes to pandemic relief dollars, all eyes are on Congress which is taking steps toward a new federal bill to help with the financial impact of the crisis.

Businesses are certainly among those watching. Though many Vermont business owners have partially reopened their operations, many companies face a rough summer amid revenue declines and often with a smaller workforce. 

“We definitely need a new stimulus package,” said PJ Skehan, executive director of the Hartford Area Chamber of Commerce. “We need another lift here to get us through.”

Chambers have been busy keeping businesses informed of relief opportunities. For example, the application process opened Monday for a new economic relief grant program to help sole proprietors, which comprise a large portion of the business community in Vermont. Skehan said Tuesday he was encouraging people to apply for the funds if they haven’t already. 

“Don’t leave any money on the table,” he said. 

The federally funded Vermont Sole Proprietor Stabilization Program will provide grants of $5,000, $7,500 or $10,000 to qualifying sole proprietors through a lottery draw. The grants will be awarded through a lottery system on Aug. 14. Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (BDCC) and Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission (TRORC) will be administering funds. More details are available at the program portal.

As state officials have many times acknowledged, the relief funding already offered is not enough during such a widespread pandemic. But hopefully it will at least be of some help as businesses look to stabilize their operations, in anticipation of additional assistance. 

Naturally there is trepidation about the new relief plan Congress hopes to hammer out. On Tuesday, Vermont Gov. Phil Scott understandably said Vermont was in a “holding pattern” on reopening more sectors, with the recent surges in COVID-19 cases elsewhere in the country. If that continues, and restrictions cannot be further lifted, business relief will be all the more critical as this challenging summer wares on into the fall. 

Still, Vermont’s pandemic data continues to provide a good basis for progress. As the governor noted in his Tuesday remarks, Vermont now has the lowest number of COVID-19 cases in the nation. While many still struggle amid the financial impact, it’s still important to forge ahead and work together to hold that progress, and build on it. If the past few months are any indication, we’ve proven we can do so. 

— Gareth Henderson

Life outside

Many parts of our lives happen inside four walls. But outside, the natural world keeps on ticking, and it’s always waiting to dazzle us. 

Indeed, the natural beauty that surrounds us and adds so richly to our lives, keeps many of us here in Vermont. In the Green Mountains, we’re blessed with numerous ways to enjoy the outdoors. Chief among them: the 272-mile Long Trail, the Appalachian Trail, and countless mountains to explore. I’ve seen some hikers making their way through the region already — another sign of increasing summer activity. (The Green Mountain Club, which oversees the Long Trail, regularly recommends hikes ranging from easy to difficult.) Swimming, biking, kayaking have all been on the rise as well, as more people get outside and more visitors drop in. 

There’s also a certain calm-amid-the-storm factor when it comes to being outside these days. We’ve all experienced it to some degree. With the turbulence out in the world, we need the re-centering effect nature can provide; its calming, focused presence gives us peace. And the more we embrace it, the stronger we’ll be, when we take that calmness back to the rest of our lives. 

I was reminded of this recently, when I took my first bike ride in months (yep, I was way overdue). Riding through Woodstock Village, with that refreshing air hitting my face, the beautiful scenes around the downtown re-charged me and I realized how much I’d missed enjoying the grandeur that surrounds us every day. Sometimes, we realize a little more what we have here. 

That ride reminded me that those opportunities to get outside are ones to cherish, and not ones to take for granted. Seeking those moments more often is a good goal to take with us. Life is better when we do.

— Gareth Henderson

Is loon history in the making?

A loon calls out from its nest at Green River Reservoir in Hyde Park, Vermont. In Barnard, Silver Lake may have its first long-term loon pair, though no evidence has been found to that effect. (Jennifer Lucas / Vermont Center for Ecostudies)

A couple of loons on Silver Lake in Barnard have caught the attention of swimmers, kayakers and others enjoying the summer weather. 

The question is, are they actually a couple? Possible, but not confirmed, says Eric Hanson, loon biologist with the Vermont Center for Ecostudies (VCE). The lake has never had a confirmed long-term pair of loons. Hanson would need evidence of a nest or nesting activity to reach that conclusion. One sure sign would be sightings of loons rushing in and out of shoreline locations, which they do to gather nest materials, while cooing at each other — part of mating behavior. 

Then there’s that operative word, long-term. The pair would need to be sighted four to five times over six to eight weeks to fit the bill. Also important: Two loons spending time together on the lake doesn’t by itself show a long-term bond, because these birds are very social, Hanson said. So yes, they could just be hanging out.

The most recent activity reported to VCE is one preening on the water last week. But if more than one sticks around, they could make loon history for Silver Lake.

“If they're still there, and they've been there fairly constantly, we definitely want to keep an eye out next May or early June," said Hanson, adding that’s when most nesting activity takes place. If that’s happening at a certain lake, signage is placed to protect nesting sites from water craft. 

In Barnard, there’s still a sliver of a chance two loons could create a site on Silver Lake this month. At other Vermont locations, there have been five or six late nesting spots this July — all first-time nests for those birds. 

“They may try to sneak one in, it’s not unheard of,” Hanson said. 

On Saturday morning, over 200 volunteers will help VCE with their annual loon count which covers more than 160 lakes. Loons continue to be a favorite animal for people to watch, with their grace and almost constant activity this time of year. While the following is not always the case, some are so used to canoes and kayaks that they’ll swim alongside them, even with chicks. 

“It's one of those species you can just watch continuously without interrupting them,” Hanson said. 

— Gareth Henderson

First week under mask ordinance

A number of shops in Woodstock, Vermont, are posting this sign which notes a local face-covering requirement. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Most people are complying with the face-covering ordinance enacted in Woodstock, Vermont, on July 9 — and many have been grateful it's in place. That's the feedback from business owners, speaking on Wednesday about the emergency ordinance Village Trustees approved last week. The town Select Board approved a resolution for areas outside the village. 

The ordinance requires that face-coverings be worn in all municipal buildings and establishments in the village, and also at village-owned public outdoor spaces including sidewalks and public parks. Exceptions are spelled out for some situations, several of which include toddlers age 2 and younger, people with breathing issues, strenuous outdoor work, or athletic activity such as running or bicycle riding. 

Parking attendants, police, or the health inspector are tasked with enforcing the regulation, and will also have extra masks to offer to those who don’t have one. The Woodstock Welcome Center on Mechanic Street has a supply as well. The face-covering requirement will remain in place until Vermont’s state of emergency order ends, or the trustees vote to remove their ordinance, whichever happens first.

Village Trustees Chair Jeff Kahn said people have been appreciative of the new rule and, so far, enforcement has gone smoothly. Individuals without masks are usually fine with accepting one to wear, he said. Some businesses have free masks available, and the Welcome Center has given out a number of them. Small signs about the ordinance and resolution have been handed out to local businesses, and Kahn said larger metal signage is in the works for several locations around the village.

He emphasized the new measure is for everyone’s safety. 

“We certainly want people to know we're not just doing this for ourselves,” Kahn said. “We want the visitors to be safe, also.”

Most local businesses have required masks since reopening to in-person retail, and Kahn’s shop, Unicorn, is one of them. In keeping with the overall trend, he said most shoppers have been open to wearing masks, and honoring the store’s request to sanitize hands, with no issues. He recalled only one couple who “left in a huff” after refusing both. 

“We’re pretty sure they were trying to make a political statement,” Kahn said. 

Kim Smith, co-owner of 37 Central Clothiers and Red Wagon Toy Company, reported the same positive response to the mask requirement, a rule that she, too has had in place since reopening. Free masks are at her stores if people need them. Smith said not one person has refused to comply, and visitors have praised the new rule. 

“I think they're happy that we're on it for them, too, not just for us," Smith said. 

That’s also been her experience at 37 Central’s location in Hanover, New Hampshire, where many of her customers are students from the local high school and Dartmouth College.

“They've all been great about wearing masks," said Smith, who also has them for sale. "We sell kids masks like crazy, too."  

— Gareth Henderson

Vermont’s progress gets national spotlight

Vermont’s steady progress against the coronavirus has grabbed the national spotlight. 

On Wednesday, CNN Health highlighted Vermont along with New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Connecticut as states that have “tamed the coronavirus, even after reopening.” 

The article emphasizes Vermont’s contact-tracing program which has helped contain the virus as well as several outbreaks.

“Vermont has the lowest test positivity rate in the nation - 0.78% as of Wednesday, according to Johns Hopkins University,” the CNN article states “It also has the 3rd lowest number of coronavirus cases per capita and the 10th lowest Covid-19 death rate of any state.”

Gov. Phil Scott officially extended Vermont’s state of emergency on Wednesday to help the state manage the crisis and respond to outbreaks. The state is currently responding to a possible outbreak in Manchester. 

It’s worth noting that local communities have been a big part of keeping the state’s overall pandemic numbers low. Woodstock last week became the latest Vermont town to enact a face-covering ordinance. The emergency ordinance passed by Woodstock Village Trustees requires that face-coverings be worn in all municipal buildings and establishments in the village, and also at village-owned public outdoor spaces including sidewalks and public parks. Some exceptions are included in the new requirement, which the town Select Board passed as a resolution. The ordinance and resolution will be in effect until the state of emergency ends, or the trustees lift the requirement, whichever happens first.

So far, businesses in Woodstock Village report most shoppers have been compliant with the new rule, and appreciate that it’s there (more on this Thursday). That shows the best response to the pandemic, is a community response, and it seems to be having a statewide impact in Vermont, and in other states which have shown the greatest progress in combating the virus. One of the most important points: More progress means more reopening, while of course monitoring what’s happening elsewhere.

As Gov. Phil Scott said Tuesday: "As long as the data stays consistent, we will stick with our effort to incrementally lift restrictions and get closer to a point where this (emergency) order is no longer necessary."

— Gareth Henderson

Grants unveiled for health, dairy sectors

Vermont’s health care and dairy sectors are next in line to see pandemic-related relief grants become available this week. Two new programs for housing aid launched on Monday. 

Applications open Friday with about $275 million for the health care sector and $25 million for dairy operations. This funding, backed by federal aid dollars, was approved by the Legislature in a series of relief bills last month.

While state officials on Tuesday acknowledged there’s much more to do to help these essential sectors, they hoped this funding would help ease the towering financial pressures of the pandemic. 

Mike Smith, Vermont’s health and human services secretary, said, though the state provided some early assistance to this sector, much more is needed to ensure health providers and service organizations stay afloat during and after the crisis. He also noted the health sector’s vast economic impact. 

“Health care spending in Vermont constitutes roughly 20 percent of Vermont’s gross state product,” Smith said at Tuesday’s press briefing with Gov. Phil Scott. 

Smith also noted his team worked hard to make the grants program inclusive. 

“We intentionally designed the application process to support providers and organizations of every size and type to ensure equity in the process and to encourage all eligible providers to seek funding,” he said. 

Once it opens Friday, applicants will have four weeks to complete the process, and grants will be awarded only after all applications have been reviewed. Applications to this needs-based program will be accepted until Aug. 15, for grants covering pandemic-related expenses incurred between March 1 and June 15. Health providers and organizations are encouraged to sign up to receive an email notification once the process begins and to receive updates. 

“If providers are not certain they are eligible, we want them to apply anyway,” Smith said. A webinar about the grant process is set for Monday at 6 p.m. 

Smith said a second round of applications will begin in October, for pandemic-related expenses incurred between June 16 and Sept. 30. 

Tuesday’s briefing also focused on dairy, another essential sector hit hard by the pandemic. Agriculture Secretary Anson Tebbetts described the impact on dairy farmers, cheesemakers and value-added businesses.

“When the country shut down, those small businesses that rely on restaurants, colleges, schools and institutions for a paycheck, they were lost,” Tebbetts said. “Income dropped, expenses increased for many.” 

Of the $25 million package, $21.2 is available for family farms, and $3.8 million is allocated for dairy processors, including those who make cheese, yogurt and ice cream, and bottle milk. The online application process launches at noon Friday, and all application forms must be received by Oct. 1. To be eligible, the applying business must have been in operation as of March 1, and all losses and costs must have occurred since March 1 and be pandemic-related. 

Grants will be sent out two to three weeks after an application’s approval, Tebbetts said. The application form is at agriculture.vermont.gov, or applicants may email agrcovidresponse@vermont.gov or call 802-828-2430. 

Tebbetts also said a $5 million relief program for non-dairy farmers is in the works, and producers, farmers markets and slaughterhouses will be included. Grants from working lands programs and assistance for fairs and field days groups will be announced in the coming days.

“Farmers are essential to Vermont's future,” Tebbetts said. “They provide Vermont, New England, New York and the nation fresh, wholesome food that is needed now more than ever.”

— Gareth Henderson

Housing aid programs launch this week

Money for housing has been one of the greatest needs during the pandemic, and starting this week, $30 million in funding will become available to help Vermonters in need. 

On Monday, the Vermont State Housing Authority (VSHA) and Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) will start accepting applications for two new assistance programs announced by Gov. Phil Scott on Friday. The money is part of relief funding approved by lawmakers and backed by federal aid.

The $30 million total includes $25 million for rental assistance and $5 million for mortgage assistance to lower-income households, to be administered by VSHA and VHFA, respectively. 

In his Friday remarks, Gov. Phil Scott acknowledged these grants won’t address all of the needs impacted groups are facing in the pandemic. 

“But we’ll continue to look for ways to support them, so they can survive this once-in-a-century crisis,” Scott said. 

Richard Williams, VSHA’s executive director, outlined the financial hardships involved for renters, which have been a long-standing struggle.

“Even prior to COVID-19, over half of the renters in Vermont — about 36,000 households — have housing costs that consume more than 30 percent of their income,” he said Friday, adding, “One quarter of Vermont renters spend more than half of their income on housing.” The new funding is designed to help keep Vermont renters in their homes and avoid homelessness during the crisis, Williams added.

Grants through this new rental housing stabilization program are available to renters, landlords and families experiencing homelessness, he noted. As well as past-due rent, the funding can also cover first and last month rent payments and security deposits. Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-serve basis.  

Maura Collins, executive director of VHFA, spoke about the mortgage assistance program. She emphasized that it’s available to anyone who meets the criteria, not just VHFA clients. This funding will pay for up to three months of mortgage payments for low-income households. Applications will be taken from July 13 through Aug. 31, but that period may shorten if funds run out. 

The program is limited to Vermont households with incomes in the last 90 days of $15,000. For homes in Chittenden County, that limit is $18,000. Other requirements include that the applicant must have missed at least two monthly mortgage payments; the loan must have been in force before March 1; and the home must be the applicant’s primary residence. 

The governor also pointed out that this funding is just a portion of the housing-related assistance approved by the Legislature, which totals $85 million. Other funding will be highlighted at future press conferences. 

“It’s critical we keep moving forward, so we can recover as a state and nation, and recovery starts with everyone having a safe and secure place to call home,” Scott said. 

More information on these programs is available at accd.vermont.gov through the Agency of Commerce and Community Development.

— Gareth Henderson

Gray: Time to resolve inequities in Vt.

Molly Gray, a Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor, speaks at a car rally in Woodstock, Vermont, on Saturday. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed food insecurity and lack of broadband access like never before. But for lasting solutions on these issues, Vermont needs new leaders, said Molly Gray, a Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor who visited Woodstock on Saturday. 

“We have massive inequity right here in our Vermont,” she said at the campaign rally on the high school grounds, organized by Women For A Change. “We have to transform our future. We have left a lot of Vermonters behind.” 

Gray faces three opponents in the Aug. 11 Democratic primary, including two Chittenden County senators, Senate President Tim Ashe and Sen. Debbie Ingram; and candidate Brenda Siegel of Newfane. Incumbent Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman is running for governor.

At Saturday’s rally, Gray spoke of major issues facing society, including racial injustice and the pandemic. She emphasized the importance of being united as we take on these problems, including everyone in the Vermont community. 

“Whether you’ve been in Vermont four years, four decades or four generations, we’re all Vermonters,” Gray said. “That’s the message we need to be sending. We need to come together.” 

Gray, an assistant attorney general in Vermont, has deep roots in the Green Mountains. Her family has been in the state since the 1800s, and she was born and raised in Newbury, Vermont, where her family owns Four Corners Farm. She went on to attend the University of Vermont, becoming a Division-I cross-country skier. After college, she helped elect U.S. Rep. Peter Welch to Congress and worked for him as a Congressional aide in Washington, D.C. Gray would later spend three years working for the Red Cross engaging the U.S. on humanitarian issues. 

Her strong interest in human rights followed Gray back to her home state, where she attended Vermont Law School (VLS). She later helped launch the International Code of Conduct Association, the first global initiative mandated to oversee the human rights compliance of private security contractors. Gray, currently on leave from her state job while campaigning, also teaches night classes in international human rights at VLS. 

When Gray looks at her state now, she sees myriad unresolved issues, including access to child care, paid family leave and climate change. As lieutenant governor, she wants to bring state agencies and groups together to resolve these important problems and invest in solutions. 

“I’m going to fight for Vermonters every single day,” Gray said at the rally. 

On schools, she pointed out that 41 percent of Vermont high school graduates don’t go on to further education. Gray said that underscores the importance of maintaining the state college system. The Vermont Colleges System came under intense scrutiny this spring, when a controversial plan to close three of its campuses was withdrawn after widespread public outcry. Now with a new chancellor at the helm, pressure remains to resolve chronic financial issues to make the colleges viable for the long term. 

In an interview after Saturday’s gathering, Gray said the inequities she spoke of can only be resolved with new leaders. 

“Same people, same outcomes,” she said. “It’s our responsibility to ask who’s at the table when we’re talking about economic injustice, social injustice, racial injustice, environmental injustice.” 

Gray was frustrated to see lawmakers scramble for broadband funding this spring when she said the issue had been building for so long.

“It shouldn’t take a global pandemic to take care of basic economic injustices,” she said. 

So far, Gray said Vermonters are responding to her message, noting the campaign has gained over 600 supporters and raised over $200,000. She emphasized the importance of resolving the inequities that exist right here in Vermont. 

“I feel like we’re having a 1968 moment in 2020, and we need the same kind of transformative change.” 

— Gareth Henderson

Fay forecast: Week of rain getting started

Clouds roll in over Lake Nineveh in Mount Holly early Friday evening. (Sherry Boudro Photo)

It looks like we’re about to get all that rain we’ve been missing, after two weeks of moderate drought conditions in Vermont.

At the same time, forecasters warn there may be localized road washouts, so use caution if you need to be out and about.

Moderate to heavy rains from Tropical Storm Fay are expected to intensify Saturday and last into most of next week, according to the National Weather Service. As the ever-deepening dark clouds suggest, the more moderate showers are arriving tonight.

The system will impact most of Vermont, essentially Windsor and Rutland counties and everything to the north, as well as northern New York State. The heaviest downpours appear poised for Saturday, with accumulations of up to 1.5 inches and winds of 10 to 15 mph. Some areas to the north may see up to 2 inches of rain.

Tropical Storm Fay hit New Jersey earlier on Friday, prompting some coastal flooding and road closures as it moved northward. Gusts of up to 25 mph were reported along the coast.

As the system visits the Green Mountains, it obviously brings welcome rains for farmers and gardeners after weeks of drought. But as I mentioned before, caution is urged on the roads as local flooding may occur in some spots depending on rainfall.

Once this storm has passed, hopefully the heat wave will have passed, too. It’s time for Mother Nature to let us out of the oven, at least for a little while.

— Gareth Henderson

Bear necessities: Food tops the list

With more cubs to feed this year, Vermont black bears have been all the more relentless in finding food sources . (Photo Courtesy Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department)

You might call it the year of the bear. The state has received a record number of sightings, especially in June, as black bears often neared human dwellings in search of food and finding it, in bird feeders, compost piles and other plentiful sources. 

Humans are witnessing the impact of multiple factors, according to state bear biologist Forrest Hammond. He said the short winter was followed by a delay in vegetation growth, turning bears away from their usual food sources. The ongoing drought is having the same effect. 

"With bears, it's always about food," Hammond said. "They go five months without eating at all, and their whole social structure is based on size."

He urged people to bring in their bird-feeders and secure any bags of bird seed — a major attraction. When a bear strikes bird-seed gold, or some other abundant source, it's likely to keep returning every night and visit the neighbors, too. 

"A bear gets more nutrition from those five pounds of bird seed than a whole day of eating vegetation in the woods," Hammond said. 

With the recent composting law in effect, that's proving to be a big bear attraction, as well. Hammond said there are a lot of people who haven't composted before, and if they're composting incorrectly or odors are getting out, the bears will show up. 

"There's probably a lot more compost in people's backyards than there's ever been," Hammond said. He noted there has also been more food waste, with a large number of people at home for many weeks. 

Not only are there a lot of reasons for bears to drift closer to houses, but there are more bears, too. Hammond explained that in the past decade, bear food sources in the wild have become more cyclical, with a good food year followed by a poor one. The adult females have begun synchronized reproduction, so that a lot more cubs are born after a good food year, he said. 

"Every adult female we knew of, in Vermont and New Hampshire, all produced cubs this past year, so there are more females with little cubs out and about this year," Hammond said. "The females have been desperate to find enough food to lactate and feed their little cubs, so they survive."   

Though there are many ursine roamers this year, there is something people can do if they catch a bear in the act: just holler. Hammond said if you make some noise, it can make the bear retreat. 

"The angry tone of your voice is something animals recognize," he said. 

That can be an important deterrent, Hammond said. He noted that a family at a second home in Waitsfield recently saw a bear at the property line while they were eating a meal at their picnic table. They all went inside, and the bear readily wandered over and got a buffet some bears could only dream of. And it won’t soon forget about it, either.

"That bear is emboldened and empowered," Hammond said. When that happens, he added, it will come back for many weeks looking for more. 

The state has an online form people can use to report black bear incidents. When it comes to responding to reports, the state prioritizes incidents of significant property damage, such as bears breaking into houses or cars, Hammond said. Fortunately, incidents of injury to people are rare. 

"Bears go to great lengths to avoid people, and not to touch people," Hammond said.

More information on living with black bears is available online through the Vermont  Fish & Wildlife Department. 

— Gareth Henderson 

Doing business, mercantile style

Suzi Curtis, owner of Woody’s Mercantile in Woodstock, Vermont, re-stocks some of the candy in her new shop on Wednesday. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Suzi Curtis couldn't be happier about her new shop. As soon as the doors opened on July 1, Woody's Mercantile at 7 Central Street in downtown Woodstock, Vermont, was off to the races. Fourth of July weekend brought even more traffic into the store, she said. 

"The register didn't stop ringing." 

Curtis had originally planned to open the shop last year in Hanover, New Hampshire, where she and her husband, Geoff, have lived for 25 years. But the timing just didn't work business-wise.  Woodstock, a place that often intrigued her, came to mind. When Curtis found out the former Whippletree space was available, she jumped at the opportunity. 

"I always loved Woodstock," Curtis said. "With both locals and tourists, I think it's more of a consistent year-round business." 

She said the concept of the shop morphed into more of a "home goods and gifts" store, with some variety that lets her change up the offerings as needed.

"The mercantile allows me to be more nimble," Curtis said. 

So far, she said the shop has sold a number of candles, pillows and napkins, for example. Small items that can easily fit in the car or suitcase have been popular, Curtis mentioned. The biggest seller has been pet toys; and yes, dogs are allowed in. 

"And welcomed with treats," she added. 

It's Curtis' first time owning a store, but she's no stranger to making a sale. She's been a sales rep for 25 years, through her enterprise Curtis Group Sales in the ski and outdoor clothing industry. The Woodstock shop is named after longtime friend Woody Weider, a sales rep for Merrell who was beloved in the Upper Valley and throughout the outdoor industry. Weider lived in Thetford until he passed away three years ago.

"He was the life of the party," Curtis said. "Just a fun-loving Vermonter." 

Not all the items in her new shop would appeal to him, Curtis said with a laugh. 

"He loved candy, loved cool stuff," she said.

Going forward, Curtis plans to work a lot with local artisans to bring custom projects to the store, such as special prints or maybe hats. 

Thus far, Woody's Mercantile has also seen some customers from Hanover. 

"There was so much buzz about Woody's (there last year); now they're coming here," Curtis said. 

Woody's Mercantile, located at 7 Central Street in Woodstock, Vermont, is open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; closed Monday. The shop can be reached at 802-457-1600 or by emailing suzi@woodysmercantile.com. Find more information at www.woodysmercantile.com.

— Gareth Henderson

Celebrating Vermont on a T-shirt

Mark Scully, owner of Vermont Eclectic Company in Woodstock, Vermont, sells a couple of the shop’s Vermont-made T-shirts to Tom Giapponi, of Quechee, on Tuesday. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Mark Scully's new shop not only celebrates Vermont, but it also celebrates Vermont-made art — with T-shirts. 

That's the main event at Vermont Eclectic Company on Central Street in downtown Woodstock, Vermont, a store offering a variety of T-shirts are all designed and made in the Green Mountain State. And the creators are front and center. 

"It's trying to create the sense of a gallery, highlighting the designs of the shirts and the artists' bios," Scully said. 

The new venture came about following some big changes. Scully left his human resources job in Boston, after a 30-year career in that sector, looking for a new path in life. He and his wife, Maura, eventually sold their house in Boston and their seasonal home in Plymouth, and then moved to Woodstock, arriving at their home in Linden Hill last September. 

While taking a stroll around Woodstock one day, the beginnings of an idea took root. 

"People were walking around town with T-shirts, but none were T-shirts about Vermont," Scully said. "They were all about other places." He later found a survey online which said about half of Americans have a T-shirt they hold onto for years for nostalgia, and about half of those are bought on vacation. 

Thus was born the idea for Vermont Eclectic Company, which opened on July 3, when Scully saw plenty of customers (even with the 3-person capacity limit in the shop). 

Meet “Clucky,” the mascot of Vermont Eclectic Company, whose creation was inspired by one of the T-shirt designs at the shop. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

The store opened after a three-month renovation which wrapped up just a couple days before the doors opened to the public. 

"I didn't know what to expect, especially with COVID," Scully said, noting the capacity limit and mask requirement. "But everyone's been super respectful." 

Customers coming into the store find several other Vermont-made items, including candles, birdhouses and guestbooks. The biggest attraction at the shop — literally the biggest, by size — is the giant chicken sculpture named "Clucky." He was made in Vermont, too, built at The Arcana Workshop in Barre, and inspired by the T-shirt design from artist Sarah Rosedahl. 

The T-shirts are all screen-printed in Vermont by New Duds in Colchester, except for several of the kids' shirts, which artist Heather Drury did by hand. 

Going forward, Scully plans to keep switching up the T-shirt offerings, much like a gallery would.

"So there's always a reason to come in and check it out," he said. Three new Vermont designs are coming soon. 

Vermont Eclectic, located at 12B Central Street in Woodstock, Vermont, is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Saturday; and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Contact the shop at 802-281-0885, email vteclecticco.com, or visit www.vteclecticco.com. 

— Gareth Henderson 

Going wild: From chipmunks to bears

We’re getting into wildlife a bit more this week on Omni Reporter, starting with a couple notes about chipmunks, which have been out and about quite a lot in 2020. 

Those speedy critters were apparently working on a surge in population for a while. A bumper crop of beechnuts and acorns in Vermont last fall helped greatly, allowing chipmunks to hoard those food supplies for the winter, as biologist and University of Vermont professor emeritus Bill Kilpatrick recently said on Vermont Public Radio. This led to “high survivorship from their first litter of young” in the early spring, he told VPR. And of course, spring came earlier, which helped them gain even more momentum.

Other creatures have been enjoying the mild spring, too, one of them being much larger than a chipmunk. Bears have been running a sort of neighborhood patrol lately, it seems; many are the Facebook posts about bear sightings. Could one factor be that people are just at home, walking more often, and noticing them more? Perhaps, but sightings appear to be occurring at all times of day. 

More about that on Thursday, when I speak with wildlife biologist Forrest Hammond, the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department’s leading bear expert. Until then, enjoy the outdoors, and if you encounter a bear, here are some safety tips to follow. 

— Gareth Henderson

A summer boost for commerce

Shoppers flock to Woodstock Village on Friday for the annual Sidewalk Sale Days. The sale resumes Saturday. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Outdoor seating filled and shoppers going from store to store — that’s what you want in your downtown. And that’s what Woodstock Village had when the annual Sidewalk Sale Days got rolling on Friday. The event continues on Saturday.

The village had vibrant traffic throughout Friday, certainly more so than in some recent weeks following the reopening of different sectors including retail. Lodging capacity is limited to 50 percent, but the Woodstock Inn reopened on Wednesday — likely adding to that influx of visitors strolling the sidewalks.

Indeed, except for the wearing of masks and the capacity limits in shops, Friday would have seemed like a fairly normal July 3, with lots of local commerce leading into the big holiday weekend. Kimbel Biele and her husband, Jon, the new owners of Elevation Clothing, chose Friday to open their doors, setting up their sidewalk-sale location outside. That choice worked out nicely.

“It’s a great day already,” Kimbel Biele said just before 1 p.m., noting a mix of visitors and local shoppers. She saw a number of families come through in the morning, many enjoying the in-person commerce experience. “People are definitely excited to be out and seeing other people.”

Across the street at the Yankee Bookshop, small lines formed several times as people waited their turn to go in because of the store’s capacity limit of 10 people, including the 2 staff inside. The shop took part in the sidewalk sale as well.

“We’ve been busy, I think it’s more people than we anticipated,” said co-owner Kristian Preylowski.

If you’ve been concerned lately about the pace of business, about seeing less traffic than you’re used to in June, being in Woodstock on Friday afternoon was a nice dose of encouragement. It felt like a busy downtown should feel going into a major summer weekend: families strolling through town, people smiling as they go to the next shop, music outside, and plenty of traffic on the road.

Though it still may not match a comparable weekend last year business-wise, it gave the infusion of commerce, joy and momentum any downtown needs these days. Based on the many inquiries to lodging establishments in recent weeks, there is a strong interest in summer travel. It seems people are acting on that interest, and local shops are starting to benefit from it. These are good signs for the local and regional economy.

Friday was the biggest local example yet, of a return to normal summer activity. And it felt good. There was happiness and togetherness in the air. It was palpable, and that’s the kind of momentum we need today. I expect we can look forward to more of that positive energy as reopening continues. As today showed, we still have it in us.

— Gareth Henderson

Grants on tap for businesses

The state hopes new relief grants can give businesses a boost during the pandemic. Downtown Woodstock is shown here on Wednesday. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

The application process opens Monday for $70 million in new grants meant to help struggling businesses amid the pandemic, state officials announced Wednesday. 

This money is part of the $1 billion in pandemic relief the Legislature approved through various bills in recent weeks, funded by federal aid. More of those bills will be reviewed by the governor’s team in the coming days. Next up for Gov. Phil Scott’s signature: a package with $96 million in additional grant relief.

In his Wednesday remarks, Scott said the state has a couple of resources to help businesses with the process. The Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) will host a series of webinars for grant applicants, the first of which takes place Thursday. There will also be one place, at accd.vermont.gov, where businesses can send questions about the program. 

Though the $70 million announced today will help, Scott said, he knew it was not enough and the recovery would be long. 

“Even though we’ve begun cautiously and methodically reopening our economy, and putting more Vermonters back to work, I realize that many of you, especially our small businesses, are still on the brink of ruin,” Scott said at the press briefing. 

He also gave a nod to the perseverance of Vermonters through the toughest times.

“We’ve seen the strength of Vermonters and what a powerful impact we have when we stick together,” he said. 

The Economic Recovery Grants Program unveiled Wednesday has several eligibility requirements. Among them: “Business has experienced a 75% or greater drop in total revenue in any one-month period from March 1, 2020 to Aug. 31, 2020, when compared with the same month in 2019.”

There are two ways to apply for funding, depending on the following factor. Businesses that file rooms and meals or sales and use taxes will apply through the “MYVTAX” portal through the Vermont Department of Taxes. All other businesses or nonprofits must apply through a new grant management system organized by ACCD.

“It is our goal to distribute these funds as quickly and as seamlessly as possible within weeks of an approved application,” said Joan Goldstein, the state’s commissioner of economic development. 

The maximum grant award will be $50,000 and each business or organization may receive only one grant. Applicants are encouraged to review program details at accd.vermont.gov and have the necessary documents ready before Monday, Goldstein added. 

The state is expected to announce recovery grant programs for the health care and agricultural sectors in the coming weeks.

— Gareth Henderson

Concert series to begin in July

Burlington-based trio Pete’s Posse will kick off Pentangle Arts’ “Music by the River” summer concert series at the North Chapel’s back lawn on July 24. From left are Pete Sutherland, Oliver Scanlon and Tristan Henderson of Pete’s Posse. (Photo Provided)

Amid a year of constant change, Pentangle Arts in Woodstock, Vermont, just confirmed its summer concert series will begin later this month. 

It was exciting news, following a springtime that saw the schedule wiped clean due to the pandemic. 

"It feels really good to have some programming, I can tell you that," said Alita Wilson, Pentangle's executive director. "Any opportunity to support artists and present entertainment to our community and visitors is welcome."   

The weekly concerts are in partnership with the North Chapel, which will still be hosting the series on its back lawn at 5:30 p.m. The line-up for 2020: Pete's Posse on July 24; Interplay Jazz on July 31; Emerald Rae on Aug. 7; VSO's Jukebox Quartet on Aug. 14; and Jay Nash on Aug. 21. 

"I think it's a good representation of Vermont artists," Wilson said, noting the addition of the Vermont Symphony Orchestra's Jukebox Quartet this year.  "I'm thrilled to have them; it's classical with a twist." 

Wilson said she's looking for some clarification from the state on what the mask requirement will be, since a number of patrons usually bring something to eat. She said there will be social distancing, with groups asked to enter the event six feet apart. Wilson said there will be sufficient distance between the performers and the audience, as well. 

"We will ask when patrons leave, that they put their masks back on," she said. There will be no tables at the concerts, and no food served. 

Despite the changes, Wilson is just glad to have this series going forward, noting how important it is to support the musicians. 

"This is going to be part of our new world, trying to support our local artists in our state, so they can get their feet underneath them and have the opportunity to perform," she said.   

Throughout that very long, difficult springtime we had, music and the outdoors are two things that gave people a sense of peace, and continue to do so. This series combines them, and people are sure to love the opportunity to enjoy both. 

This welcome news follows several statewide reopenings connected with outdoor fun in the warmer weather — still a very attractive notion after those many weeks stuck at home.  On Monday, Vermont cleared playgrounds to reopen amid guidelines such as six feet of social distancing. State parks reopened Friday. 

For more information about "Music by the River", go to www.pentanglearts.org or send an email to info@pentanglearts.org. 

— Gareth Henderson

Bag ban to start this week

Vermont’s single-use plastic-bag ban, aiming to keep plastic pollution out of the environment, takes effect this week. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Vermont’s ban on single-use plastic bags takes effect on Wednesday, though some states, like Maine and New Hampshire, have postponed theirs amid the pandemic. 

The postponements stem from a fear that reusable bags could be vectors for the coronavirus, though officials in Vermont did not agree. The state says reusable bags can be used safely and are not any more of a risk than other surfaces customers and employees come in contact with, according to a recent report from the Associated Press. 

It appears the ban, passed by Vermont lawmakers in 2019, will have the first desired effect: cutting back on some plastic pollution. The new law prohibits grocers, retailers and restaurants from providing plastic bags. It makes exceptions for plastic bags used for dry cleaning, flowers, packaging loose produce and other food items inside stores.

Much of the focus when this bill first hit the Vermont Legislature centered on grocery stores. But the ban may not cause the hoped-for surge in reusable bags, amid the current trepidation around them. In addition, some stores ask customers to refrain from bringing their own bags during the pandemic. One good thing: Many businesses that have opened to in-store traffic still offer curbside service, as a way for people to still get their food if they feel safer remaining outside. With that, the ban won’t change many things amid the current situation. The long term impact will be the aspect to watch. 

— Gareth Henderson

New day at the market

Laurel Boyd checks out the flowers for sale at the Woodstock Farmers Market in Woodstock, Vermont, on Friday. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

It’s been over two weeks since the Woodstock Farmers Market opened to in-store traffic, and so far, so good, said longtime owner Patrick Crowl in a recent interview.

On June 9, he wasn’t so sure how customers would react to new safety protocols, shortened hours and other changes. There is a 15 to 20-customer limit in the store, masks are required, social distancing implemented, and customers must sanitize their hands at the store entrance before heading in.

But on Thursday, Crowl said the response was positive from the start.

“People were very, very appreciative, polite, respectful, and played within the rules really, really well,” he said. “It all worked out.” 

Customers depart the Woodstock Farmers Market with their purchases on Friday. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Before June 9, the store had seen 12 weeks of only curbside — a service Crowl said is here to stay. However, they are running the curbside operation and their in-store business on limited staff availability, which Crowl said is a big reason for the scaled back hours of 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday. He noted that staffing is down due to several reasons, including the fact that some can’t get child care.

“The pressure right now on the payroll is extreme, meaning we have more work than we have people for,” Crowl said. “It’s an hour to set up, an hour to close. Then we have to social distance as best we can. … We try to fulfill all the webcart orders in the store before opening in the morning.”  

Federal assistance has been a huge factor. The market received a loan from the Payroll Protection Program meant to keep workers paid, and the business has 24 weeks (until the end of the year) to spend it, Crowl said. 

“Without that money, we’d probably be upside down,” he added. “That’s been a godsend.” 

Employee Nick Becker sanitizes a basket at the Woodstock Farmers Market on Friday. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Among changes to in-store offerings, a big one involves a customer favorite: sandwiches. Rather than made-to-order, there is a set offering of pre-made sandwiches available each day. Some customers will miss the on-site sandwich ordering, but Crowl said some workers who want to avoid waiting may like the grab-and-go model.

“Now you can come in and grab a sandwich, a bag of chips and a Coke and be out of the store in five minutes,” Crowl said. He added it’s a much different approach from the daily sandwich line, which is very heavy on staff time. “I think that’s interesting, so, stay tuned.” 

Throughout the day, the staff follows strict sanitizing protocols, including sanitizing all surfaces regularly and wiping down all carts and baskets before use. Customers are asked to line up at the front door and wait to enter, if 15 to 20 shoppers are already inside. 

More information is available at www.woodstockfarmersmarket.com. 

— Gareth Henderson