Staying vigilant for the 2020 vote

The sun shines through recent fall foliage in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

All U.S. citizens must remain vigilant when it comes to factors impacting the voting process in 2020, and recent media reports show the importance of that. Understandably, all eyes are on the issue of ballot delivery, as voting by mail has become essential during the pandemic.

One of those reports came out of New Hampshire, where some local election officials say "absentee ballots and other mail that previously stayed local is now being sent through regional processing centers in Manchester, N.H., or White River Junction, Vt. — resulting in an extra day or more of travel time," according to New Hampshire Public Radio on Wednesday.

NHPR said that shift was due to an apparent U.S. Postal Service policy change which has impacted some of that state's communities and not others. In any event, naturally this sparked great concern, and Deputy Secretary of State Dave Scanlan is looking into it, NHPR reported. 

In response, Stephen Doherty, a regional spokesman for the USPS, told NHPR the Postal Service’s “number one priority between now and Election Day is the secure, on-time delivery of the nation’s Election Mail.”  

That delivery is the subject of a major court case in Wisconsin, according to a PBS NewsHour report. On Thursday, a federal appeals court rejected an effort to allow six additional days for absentee ballots to be counted. The ruling means the ballots would have to be delivered when the polls close on Nov. 3, Election Day. However, the Wisconsin case for the six-day extension is likely to end up at the U.S. Supreme Court, which could set precedent for similar efforts in the future. 

In Vermont, there haven't been any significant challenges to the state's vote-by-mail plans, except for a federal lawsuit, which a judge rejected last month on the grounds that plaintiffs didn’t have standing to file it, according to Vermont Public Radio.

Throughout the summer and fall, Vermont officials have remained confident in the vote-by-mail system. In a recent commentary, Secretary of State Jim Condos pointed out that in the August primary, the majority of votes in the Green Mountains were cast by mail. 

"Voting by mail, early in-person, and in low numbers at the polls on Election Day, was conducted safely and securely," Condos said. (Check out Vermont voting information and deadlines here.)

Indeed, in primary elections here and throughout the country, workers did a tremendous job under challenging circumstances. Obviously, November brings a greater challenge still. A large number of votes by mail are coming in, likely in record numbers. As that process proceeds, we must all remain watchful regarding factors which may impact the election and the honorable work being done by local and state workers to protect the vote. Hopefully, working together, we can help this critical function of democracy continue smoothly. 

— Gareth Henderson 

Vt. still a leader in COVID response; caution urged

A view of the Ottauquechee River near the Woodstock-Pomfret town line. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Vermont continues to be a leader in a number of COVID-19 metrics, even as major challenges abound throughout the region and the country. 

On Tuesday at a press conference, state officials said Vermont had the lowest seven-day infection rate in the country, and still had a low test positivity rate. There were no COVID-related deaths in Vermont in September, nor anyone in the ICU with the virus that entire month in the whole state — a fact that Mike Pieciak, commissioner of the Department of Financial Regulation, called "pretty remarkable.” He also noted that cases among young Vermonters from age 0 to 19 were down by 41 percent going into September, which was a good sign for the start of school.

The most difficult data point was the number of cases, which was higher this week, mainly due to an outbreak in Addison County among guest workers at Champlain Orchards in Shoreham. A total of 27 of the workers tested positive for COVID-19. On Tuesday, Health Commissioner Mark Levine said the outbreak had been contained to the site, contact tracing was complete, and quarantine measures were in place. There is no known threat to the public from the situation, Levine said, noting that none of Vermont’s four new cases on Tuesday were in Addison County. The same was true for Wednesday's six new cases.

He also cautioned people to stick to the facts, saying that transmission of the virus works the same for any group.

"It's vital that Vermonters know the facts about COVID, learned from trusted sources who will tell you the truth even as we learn more about the virus," Levine said at the press briefing. "Do not be distracted or swayed by so much chaos and political theater at the top. COVID-19 spreads because it is a highly contagious virus that is in the air we all breathe." 

Levine also urged the importance of mask-wearing, social distancing and avoiding large crowds. That reminder came as cases rose over the past week in New York, Massachusetts and Quebec. 

"Generally, the number of individuals allowed to come in (to Vermont) without a quarantine has gone down to 2.9 million, which is the lowest number since we released the travel map," Pieciak said Tuesday. He was referring to an online map showing the counties from which people can come to Vermont without observing quarantine rules.

Clearly, the Addison County outbreak and rising cases elsewhere in the country show the need for continued vigilance and caution. That said, maybe that vigilance is not only needed around our own actions around public health, but also around how we treat others. We’ve all felt the rising tide of tension around the pandemic, coupled with economic turmoil and growing political rancor. While we deal with these challenges, we can still take a moment to regard our neighbors kindly, and be good to others. Using Levine’s wording, we don’t have to be “distracted or swayed” from those opportunities to lift others up. They might be the best opportunities we have to make any given day a better one.

— Gareth Henderson

Inn tightening protocols after outcry over wedding

Traffic heads through Woodstock Village during the summer. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

The Woodstock Inn is tightening its health protocols following public outcry about an outdoor wedding event at the Woodstock, Vermont, establishment on Saturday where multiple people were seen without face masks. Local and state authorities have mandates in place requiring face coverings due to the pandemic.

Over the weekend, a photo showing several dozen people at the wedding gathering sitting close to each other, unmasked, quickly made the rounds on Facebook and grabbed headlines, drawing heavy criticism from residents and other businesses. On Sunday, Woodstock town and village officials announced they were speaking with inn management about the matter on Monday. Concerned residents also alerted state officials, and the matter came up at Tuesday's regular press conference with Gov. Phil Scott, who had directed his team to speak with inn officials after the issue was reported.

At the briefing, in response to a media question, Public Safety Commissioner Michael Schirling said he and Commerce Secretary Lindsay Kurrle spoke with inn management on Monday and shared their concerns. Schirling confirmed there were no known COVID-19 cases stemming from the wedding, and he said inn officials were taking steps to prevent a situation like Saturday from happening in the future. Each guest staying at the inn completed the health attestation form required by the state, he added.

"We're confident that together with the plans they have in place, both retroactively and with what they've learned from this particular event, that things are going to go as well as possible," Schirling said.

On Tuesday, local leaders were also confident the inn was taking the right steps to improve their protocols. Jeff Kahn, chair of the Village Trustees, said having guests outside unmasked was "a big mistake" — a point driven home in Monday's meeting with inn leadership.

"They said it will not happen again," Kahn said in a Tuesday interview, noting the inn was at work on changes. "We feel good and confident they responded in the correct manner."

He urged residents to keep wearing their masks, as the local ordinance requires. 

"Let's all remain vigilant about following protocols that keep us all safe."    

In an interview Tuesday afternoon, Courtney Lowe, the inn's vice president of marketing and business development, told Omni Reporter the inn's new protocols should be finalized over the next couple of days. While there had already been public health protocols in place at the inn, Lowe said the issue that arose from Saturday’s gathering stemmed from a misunderstanding on the inn's part about the local facial covering ordinance. But he said the inn was committed to everyone's safety.

"We care deeply about the community; we never want to do the wrong thing," Lowe said. "We want to make sure we're doing the best we possibly can in this environment."    

The misunderstanding came from the fact that the inn wasn't aware that any person outside on inn grounds was required by the village ordinance to wear a mask while not consuming food or drink, according to Lowe.

"We have an understanding now, that if (guests) are not drinking or eating outside, they must have a mask," he confirmed.

Lowe said the whole 95-person wedding party had temperature checks upon arrival, and the set up included three aisles that were six feet apart — details not visible from the circulated photo. He said there was also signage asking people to wear masks, and people were seated in pods of "trusted friends and family." The inn had been regularly in touch with the Agency of Commerce and Community Development to ensure compliance with state rules, including the required six-foot social distancing.

Lowe also said the inn had been greatly focused on the state guidance, but, after speaking with state and local authorities, the inn is clear that the strict local masking requirement trumps the rules in the state mandate.

Saturday marked the first time the inn had a large wedding in 2020; before last weekend, all such gatherings had been under 30 people this year. Originally, there were about 30 more guests slated to arrive for the Saturday wedding, but they did not travel, due to Vermont's quarantine requirements. Lowe said most of the inn’s weddings originally planned for this year were already moved to 2021.

Currently, the state has a 150-person limit on outdoor events.

— Gareth Henderson

Editor’s Note: This story has been corrected to reflect that only those wedding guests staying at the inn completed the state-required health attestation form, which is in compliance with current regulations for lodging businesses. Also, a paragraph was adjusted to make clear that the inn tried to adhere to the state’s required six feet of social distancing.

U.S. House passes revised relief bill

A recent autumn view from High Pastures Road in Pomfret, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

A $2.2 trillion relief package passed the U.S. House of Representatives late Thursday, in the latest bid by lawmakers to help Americans and the economy amid the pandemic. But the proposal faces headwinds in the Senate.

The new bill is an updated version of the Heroes Act, which the House passed earlier this year. Throughout the summer, the White House and Democratic leaders repeatedly came up short in their efforts to negotiate the first relief deal since the CARES Act.

U.S. Rep Peter Welch, of Vermont, voted for the new relief plan, saying now was a time for bold action. Welch championed two initiatives included in the bill: a $120 billion grant program for restaurants, and a $10 billion fund for independent theaters and live music venues. 

“The economic pain of the coronavirus pandemic is still being felt across our state," Welch said in a statement. "Vermont businesses needed help in May, and they need it even more today. " 

The House's new $2.2 trillion bill includes these key provisions, among others:

• A second round of $1,200 economic impact payments to individuals.

• Funding to restore the $600 weekly federal unemployment payments through January.

• $12 billion to make sure that students have broadband so that they can learn at home.

• More than $800 million for Vermont state and local governments.

• $225 billion for K-12 schools and colleges to open and operate safely during the pandemic.

The bill also funds additional COVID-19 testing, the Postal Service, and efforts to combat food insecurity.

Though the House bill is a note of progress, it is unlikely to make it through the Senate, where the Republican majority remains concerned over the total amount of the aid, according to CNBC. This was also a contention over the summer, as the White House preferred a bill in the $1 trillion range; the original Heroes Act came in at over $3 trillion. 

Before the latest bill passed the House, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi spoke by phone on Thursday, and, though there was no new deal between them, they agreed to continue negotiations, CNBC reported. The need for significant aid to state and local governments continues to be a key point of disagreement. At this point, the House has departed for its October recess, as a CBS report noted.

For months, lawmakers of all political persuasions have pressed for more relief from Congress, as economic pressure deepens for individuals and businesses amid the pandemic, and prior aid from the CARES Act runs thinner. On the road ahead, listening will be key. Hopefully the great needs of this hour can inspire more of that approach, as the work to move this legislation forward continues. 

— Gareth Henderson

Woodstock celebrates John Doten

Sylvia and John Doten wave to the participants in a vehicle parade for John’s 90th birthday in Woodstock, Vermont, on Wednesday. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Cars, trucks, tractors and a few backhoes formed a joyful parade to celebrate Woodstock's longest-standing select board member on Wednesday. 

It was the 90th birthday for John Doten, Jr., who has served 28 years on the Woodstock Select Board. The sun broke through the clouds just in time for the vehicle parade's 2 p.m. start — the perfect birthday gift. As the parade neared town hall, where Doten and his wife Sylvia sat out front to wave to the participants, a friend hopped off a tractor to give Doten a large sign stating in big, bold letters: "Johnny D. for President." The vehicles kept on coming, and the Dotens kept on waving. John, famous for his big smile, booming laugh and sense of humor, was grateful to see everyone driving by. 

"If I didn't have all these friends, I don't know what I'd do," he said. "Everyone's just been great." 

Town employees drive heavy equipment as part of Wednesday’s parade for John Doten’s 90th birthday. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

John and Sylvia Doten have been married for 61 years, and he graduated from the local high school in 1949, and Sylvia in 1956. All four of their children graduated from Woodstock as well. 

Sylvia remembered John's work ethic going back to the early days. He bought his first truck in April of his senior year, when the rest of his peers were off to New York City for the class trip. Some of the folks who waved to John on Wednesday remembered those days, and Sylvia called it a "fantastic" afternoon. 

"He realizes how loved he is," she said. 

John Doten, Jr., a military veteran, has run his local grading and excavation business for decades in town. No one knows Woodstock better than John, and for years, he has put that knowledge to good use during his work as an elected official.

"The thing about John is, he did it for the people," said L.D. "Butch" Sutherland, Jr., also a select board member. "And now the people are saying, 'Thanks.'"

From left, pictured with John Doten, are Lynn Beach, Mary Riley, Nikki Nourse and Beth Fish, who have each worked as the administrative assistant to the municipal manager during Doten’s select board tenure. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Mary Riley, also on the select board, served for years as the administrative assistant to the municipal manager. She met the Dotens in 1970, a year after she moved to Woodstock. Riley remembered a time in the early 1990s when her son, Chris, was in college in Massachusetts, and he planned to bring some friends home to Woodstock one day, when college was called off because of a snow storm. 

"They were going to come up and go skiing the next day," she said. 

That night, Riley looked at her driveway piled high with snow, and wondered how on earth the boys were going to get to the house. Well, the group of friends included the Dotens' son, Johnny — so his dad had a plan. Suddenly, Riley heard a loud bang, and up the driveway came John in his plow truck. 

"He plowed his way up the driveway, turned around and left, and then, the boys came up," she recalled. It was reflective of his approach to town business: simply doing what needs to be done. "Just in the nick of time, right on cue." 

Onlookers wave at Wednesday’s vehicle parade for John Doten’s 90th birthday. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

That resourcefulness has been important on numerous occasions, right up to the present day. Bill Kerbin started as Woodstock's municipal manager in March. 

"He has a lot of institutional knowledge," Kerbin said of John. "That comes in handy for a newcomer like me." 

Toward the end of Wednesday's event, friends and family kept showing up. A basket of birthday cards was piled high as the celebratory balloons waved in front of town hall, a place John knows very well. His niece Julie Strong was happy to see the turnout. 

"John is so deserving of this and so much more," she said, noting how much happiness he's brought to others. "We're hoping we can give some of it back." 

— Gareth Henderson

Riding an antique tractor, Woodstock Town Clerk Charlie Degener shouts “Happy Birthday!” to John Doten at Wednesday’s parade. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Progress 2020: The Census in Vermont

Brilliant fall colors on display in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

After having one of the nation's worst participation rates earlier this year, Vermont has made great progress in responding to the 2020 U.S. Census, Gov. Phil Scott recently announced. 

"I'm pleased to report, while we previously lagged behind in the rankings, we're now fifth in the country, and on track to match our 2010 response," Scott said at a Friday press conference.

As of Sunday, 60.1 percent of Vermont households had responded to the Census; the state's 2010 response was 60.3 percent. 

Vermonters' initially slow response in the spring and most of the summer sparked several announcements from state officials urging people to participate, as the results impact each state’s federal funding. Officials 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.

Last Friday, the governor said the state could do "even better", and he asked those who haven't done so, to fill out their form. Federal officials on Monday announced plans to conclude the Census on Oct. 5, despite a court order to stick with the original Oct. 31 end date. Earlier this year, in-person data collection was delayed for many weeks due to the pandemic. The Census can be completed online at my2020census.gov or by phone at 844-330-2020.

Vermont's increased participation in the 2020 Census is already a note of progress in turbulent times. Whether it's next week or on Halloween, it appears the Census will conclude in October. If you haven't filled out the form just yet, it quite literally is a five-minute process, and an easy way to help your state. Vermonters: Let's go for that 60.3 percent.

— Gareth Henderson

Citing data, Vt. eases several school restrictions

The American flag is shown at Woodstock High School & Middle School in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Starting Saturday, public K-12 schools in Vermont will be able to hold sports competitions, use certain communal spaces, and have greater flexibility in how they group students in their buildings.

These new allowances result from an updated "step level" under statewide guidance amid the pandemic, according to Education Secretary Dan French, who made the announcement Tuesday at a press conference. That guidance includes two levels of virus mitigation strategy. As of Saturday, all public schools in Vermont can move from "Step 2" — where they started the year Sept. 8 — to the less restrictive "Step 3." 

French said the decision comes after a review of the COVID-19 health conditions throughout Vermont and the schools' ability to implement statewide guidance. He said the few COVID-19 cases in schools so far resulted from the virus being brought into school, not transmitted in the building — also a key factor leading to Tuesday’s announcement.

"To date, we have not seen transmission of the virus in schools," French said.

He emphasized that health precautions meant to limit the spread of COVID-19 are still the same.

"All the basic mitigation strategies, such as staying home when you're sick, completing the daily health check, wearing a facial covering, social distancing and washing your hands remain in place and must be followed," he said.    

The new step level means that, as of Saturday, interscholastic sports competitions can start. The timing of the change was meant to give sports teams a full weekend to resume games, French noted.

Additionally, spaces like cafeterias and gymnasiums can resume their traditional uses, though of course with restrictions. 

"(Those spaces) can return to their regular uses, but under smaller group sizes, staggering the use of the space, and doing the required cleaning between uses," French said. 

The change also gives schools more flexibility in grouping students, he said. Though the student "pods" required in Step 2 can still play an important role, they are not required under Step 3. 

"This will provide a greater flexibility for grouping students by subject, which is particularly important for high schools," French said. 

He noted this does not alter any guidance regarding in-person instruction; the decision on whether to offer in-person learning or not still resides with local school districts. But Step 3 will give schools more flexibility in how they offer those learning opportunities. 

"We know ... that in-person instruction is very important for the healthy development and academic success of our students, particularly for our younger students," French said. "So, we believe it is critical to continue to work towards more in-person instruction while the conditions are optimal to do so."

French also thanked Vermonters for their adherence to public health measures, which has limited the spread of COVID-19. State officials have said the low prevalence of the virus in Vermont was an important factor that allowed schools to reopen, though with restrictions, this fall. Vermont has the lowest COVID-19 test positivity rate of any state in the nation.

"If we want to keep schools open and do what is best for our kids, we have to continue to work together," French said. 

— Gareth Henderson

Woodstock kicks off weekly BLM vigil

Participants display their signs at Monday’s Black Lives Matter vigil in Woodstock, Vermont. At right, Willa Nohl and Ashley Murray (at far right) hold up the large BLM sign. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

A weekly Black Lives Matter vigil kicked off on Monday in Woodstock, Vermont, with the goal of continually showing solidarity with the movement. 

Going forward, the vigil will be held each Monday from 5 to 5:30 p.m. at Tribou Park in Woodstock Village, at the intersection of Pleasant Street and Route 4. Many in the Woodstock community have been active supporters of Black Lives Matter, attending multiple events earlier this year in support of social justice in the wake of George Floyd's killing in Minneapolis. That included a Black Lives Matter car rally in Woodstock on the day of Floyd's funeral in June. Protests and vigils were also held in a number of other Upper Valley towns, some drawing large crowds. 

The move to hold a Woodstock vigil each week started with local resident Mary Corrigan, who noted the nearby New Hampshire towns of Hanover, Lebanon and Canaan hold their own events regularly in support of BLM. 

"I wanted to keep it on people's minds," she said.

Corrigan and fellow organizer Peggy Fraser spread the word about the vigil, with help from some members of local group Women For A Change. About 30 people showed up at Tribou Park on Monday afternoon, with a number of passing motorists honking in support. 

Area residents support Black Lives Matter at a vigil in Woodstock, Vermont, on Monday. At center, Woodstock resident Jane Curtis, 103, displays the sign, “Know Justice, Know Peace.” Organizer Mary Corrigan is shown at far left. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

The vigil was organized prior to the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on Friday. At Monday's event, Fraser invited people at the vigil to fill out name tags with Ginsburg's name and wear them, in honor of her legacy. 

Ashley Murray, a Mendon resident who helped hold up a large Black Lives Matter sign, said Ginsburg's many years of tireless work for justice were particularly poignant now. 

"Her cases have done a lot to expand rights for a lot of people, and it's important to support that idea, which may now be threatened from a judicial perspective," Murray said. 

At one point, a motorist drove by the vigil, rolled down the window and yelled, "Trump, Trump, Trump!", and then left. Murray said it's "disheartening" to see evidence of the political division in the country. 

"I'd love to see people come together and see that it's for everybody," she said of Black Lives Matter. "It's basic human rights for everyone." 

Pamela Fraser, of Barnard, whose mother, Peggy, helped organize the vigil, said the political climate makes it even more important to come out and support the movement for social change. 

"It's strange to me that it's become political to support ending injustice," Pamela Fraser said. 

She was encouraged by the community's support of these efforts on Monday. 

"I'm glad to see people still caring."

— Gareth Henderson 

Woodstock child care ‘hub’ approved

The second floor of The Community Campus offers a stunning view of Mount Tom. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

A new Woodstock nonprofit has become one of 23 child care "hubs" approved in Vermont, as part of the state’s effort to help families needing child care for school-aged children on remote learning days.

This state program is expected to serve at least 6,000 children after more locations get the green light this month. Using funding approved by the Legislature, each child care hub receives assistance with start-up costs. 

The newly approved Woodstock hub is The Community Campus (TCC), a nonprofit located on Route 12 at the base of Mount Tom. TCC, serving children in grades K-7, provides academic support and creative enrichment opportunities on remote learning days and after school. Its first day of operation was Sept. 8. TCC shares a building with the Rainbow Playschool. The two operate in separate parts of the building, and a few spaces are shared, though used at different times.

Vermont’s child care hub program has grown in recent weeks as the state has pushed to approve more sites. Earlier this month, Human Services Secretary Mike Smith said his team is paying particular attention to regions that need these services most, including southern Bennington County, Windham County and portions of central Vermont. 

"I'm pretty happy with the roll out, based on what we've done in a fairly short time," Smith said on Sept. 11. "I can't stress enough how much people have worked tremendously to get this system up and running." 

— Gareth Henderson

Woodstock's library adjusts to virtual life

The Norman Williams Public Library in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

From the knitting group and book reviews to a festival, the Norman Williams Public Library in Woodstock, Vermont, dove into virtual offerings in recent months like many nonprofits have — and that's expected to continue into the long term.

Clare McFarland, the library's director, expected that to hold true even after the pandemic, with any new program having some kind of online component. 

"Going forward, I think there'll always be a virtual presence," she said. "I think people are becoming more and more comfortable with doing things virtually." 

A number of programs have been online now for weeks, including children's programs and a YouTube channel featuring book reviews. That channel, run by Adult Services Director Kathy Beaird, will soon feature a new cooking series. This past week, the library helped launch the virtual version of the Bookstock Literary Festival, which presents four authors this year. Next up for the local library: a virtual book launch for "Sustainable Kitchen: Recipes and Inspiration for Plant-based, Planet Conscious Meals" with Upper Valley authors Heather Wolfe and Jaynie McCloskey, coming up at 7 p.m. on Tuesday (email programs@normanwilliams.org for an invite to this free Zoom Webinar). 

At top left, Meg Brazill, director of communications and events for the Norman Williams Public Library, speaks during Thursday’s virtual Bookstock event with poet Reuben Jackson, at top right, with New York Times bestselling author Jenna Blum as host for the evening. (Image Provided)

McFarland said it's not possible to plan everything during the evolution of these online events, and so, it's important to be flexible. 

"It's a matter of letting it evolve," she said, adding, "People are definitely learning new strengths they didn't know they had."   

It's now been a month since the library reopened its building, located near Woodstock's picturesque Village Green. McFarland was appointed to be the library's director in July, after having worked there for eight years. She said the library’s reopening has gone well in spite of the challenges amid the pandemic, and the staff has worked together very well to keep operations moving forward. The public has also been greatly supportive.

"There's been no issue with mask-wearing, and people following the rules," McFarland said. "It's been better than we could have hoped for." 

Current hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from noon to 6 p.m., and Tuesday and Thursday are curbside only, same hours. There’s a 30-minute limit for patrons on the main floor, where there is a five-person limit as well.

“We’re trying to cycle people through the building as best we can, without having people hanging around,” McFarland said.

For those coming in, there’s a table in the entrance way with hand sanitizer, and there are five tickets on the table. Each person is asked to take a ticket, and if someone comes in and all five tickets are gone, that person needs to wait until one comes back.

The children’s room is by appointment only, and there is also a five-person limit in that space.

McFarland said the curbside pick-up option continues to be popular, and overall library operations are going well under the new procedures.

“Things are working very smoothly right now.”

— Gareth Henderson

Vt. eases rules on lodging, restaurants

Traffic moves through downtown Woodstock, Vermont, during the summer. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

In a bid to help strengthen the hospitality sector before foliage season, Vermont Gov. Phil Scott on Friday loosened several state restrictions on businesses amid the pandemic. 

Scott announced that lodging establishments — which had been limited to 50 percent capacity — can now rent all their rooms, as long as guests follow all required health precautions. Those include mask-wearing, physical distancing and travel and quarantine requirements. Additionally, the governor said restaurants can now open up bar seating, with six-foot physical distancing and a lexan barrier between customers and staff working behind the bar. Both of these rule changes were effective immediately. 

Scott acknowledged many of these businesses are struggling to survive.

"I know this is not enough to soften the economic blow to our hospitality sector, and we'll continue to work with the Legislature to support these businesses that were hit the hardest, in order to help save the jobs and revenue they create," he said.    

Along those lines, Scott announced the state has a new program to help businesses. There are now five organizations across Vermont offering free expert advice on how businesses can navigate the financial pressures of the pandemic. Any businesses or nonprofits wanting to learn more are welcome to visit accd.vermont.gov for details.

To date, Vermont has been able to open most sectors to some extent, Scott said, thanks to Vermonters' adherence to public health measures. The state still has the lowest COVID-19 test positivity rate in the nation. However, to continue those good results, everyone must remain vigilant and keep following the same health practices to make further progress, Scott said. 

"If we all do our part — both Vermonters and visitors — we can continue to safely open up the economy, put people back to work in order to provide for their families, and prevent our local small businesses from closing their doors for good," he said.

Vermont continues to maintain an online map which shows which travelers can visit Vermont without a quarantine, per state requirements. Travelers from a county with less than 400 active COVID-19 cases per million residents are allowed to visit the Green Mountains with no quarantine.   

On Friday, state officials announced the total number of travelers able to visit quarantine-free increased by 2 million over the past week, to a total of 7.4 million. That is due to recent declines in cases in some of the most populous counties in New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.

— Gareth Henderson

Virtual Bookstock Festival starts Thursday

(Gareth Henderson Photo)

For the first time, Woodstock's annual literary festival will go virtual on Thursday night, kicking off a series of four author appearances this year.

Virtual Bookstock 2020 is one of many "firsts" in the world, as large events navigate life in the pandemic. Alison Hankey, the festival’s coordinator, said a small team took on the effort to "reorganize and rethink" Bookstock’s 12th year. The response to the virtual announcement has been overwhelmingly positive, Hankey said. 

"I think people really are craving cultural connection at this time, and Bookstock is kind of an anchor event for that," she said.    

The Vermont festival is still free, with registration open right up until the last minute. Audiences will be able to take part in online Q&A in real time.

The first author in the 2020 line-up is poet, jazz historian and music reviewer Reuben Jackson, of Washington, D.C., who will take the virtual stage on Thursday at 7 p.m. He will read from his newest book of poetry, "Scattered Clouds," and is well-known to Vermont as the former host of "Friday Night Jazz" on Vermont Public Radio. 

"The programming we've set up, starting with Reuben Jackson, is just highly relevant to the times we're living in," Hankey said. "Three of the authors are African American, and we felt really strongly we wanted to make sure we're amplifying Black voices."

Additionally, the program maintains the event's strong ties to the Green Mountains, as each author has a connection to Vermont. 

"Bookstock is very much a Vermont literary event, and we are trying to highlight that with this programming," Hankey said.       

After Thursday, this series continues in the coming months with cartoonist, game designer, and author Jason Lutes (Hartland, Vermont) reading from and discussing his graphic novel “Berlin”, which has been published in 15 languages; Dr. François S. Clemmons (Middlebury, Vermont), the Grammy Award-winning founder and director of the Harlem Spiritual Ensemble and author of “Officer Clemmons”, his memoir titled after the role he created on the PBS television series “Mister Rogers' Neighborhood”; and New York Times reporter and author Nikita Stewart ("Troop 6000: The Girl Scout Troop That Began in a Shelter and Inspired the World"). These appearances are on Oct. 15, Nov. 19 and Dec. 17, respectively. 

Bookstock 2020's core team includes Hankey; program coordinator Pam Ahlen; communications director Meg Brazill, who works for event partner Norman Williams Public Library; and Peter Rousmaniere, Bookstock's head of donor and partner relations. 

As for 2021, Bookstock is planning two events. The traditional book sale on the Woodstock Village Green will be in late July as usual, and the author presentations will be in September. That said, Hankey noted it's unclear whether small venues will be available for those presentations.

"It's very much aspirational at this point," she said. 

Hankey said this fall's program will be a "learning opportunity" for the Bookstock group, just as many groups are having to learn about Zoom to deliver events.     

"We as a committee, as a group, are learning from this, and once we do that, we'll have a better idea of what we can do in years to come," she said. 

Hankey is a content manager for LinkedIn Learning, where she develops online courses for businesses professionals. 

"It's wonderful to bring an iconic festival into the world of technology," she said. "It's a great learning experience."    

Bookstock 2020’s sponsors and partners are Mascoma Bank, The Byrne Foundation and the Norman Williams Public Library, with additional critical support from Pauline Davenport Children’s Fund of the Vermont Community Foundation, as well as Vermont Poetry Center.

— Gareth Henderson

Fauci: Vermont a ‘model’ for COVID response

Outdoor fun has continued throughout the summer in Vermont. Here, kayakers enjoy Silver Lake in Barnard. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

The nation's leading infectious disease expert called Vermont a "model for the country" when it comes to handling the coronavirus. 

On Tuesday at a state press briefing, Dr. Anthony Fauci, a member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, said Vermonters should stay cautious and keep following precautionary measures that gave the state its good results. He said Vermont has made progress against COVID-19 because of mask-wearing, social distancing, frequent hand-washing and other health practices.

Fauci is the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and has advised six U.S. administrations. He said Vermont's approach to curbing the pandemic is one that any region of the country can successfully use.

"It should be the model of how you get to such a low test positivity that you can actually start opening up the economy in a safe and prudent way," Fauci said, joining the briefing by video. 

Vermont has a COVID-19 test positivity rate of 0.2 percent, the lowest in the nation, as well as the fewest COVID-19 cases of any state. School resumed on Sept. 8, and college students have returned to the state. Some have feared a "second wave" of COVID-19 infections late this year. Fauci said visitor traffic and people spending more time indoors are factors, but so are the precautions people take.
"I don't think you inevitably are going to have a second wave," he said. "It's going to be challenging as you get into the fall and the winter, but it doesn't necessarily mean you're going to have a problem, if you do the kind of prudent health measures that you've been doing."  

In response to a media question, Fauci said the political divisiveness in the country is a factor. He recalled when dealing with the anthrax attacks after 9/11, that the nation was unified around the action needed. Fauci said this was also the case regarding HIV in the U.S. Though there was stigmatization of the disease for some years, he said there was a universal push to address the issue, which helped lead to progress. 

"When you have a situation of a combination of inherent divisiveness in society, a lot of politicization, during a climate such as an election year where it really brings out differences among groups, it makes it much more difficult than in other situations that I have found myself in when we were challenged," Fauci said. 

He was confident in the multiple levels of "checkpoints" and safeguards during the vaccine development process, and he also said certain technological advances allowed trials to get started more quickly than in the past. Fauci said he trusted the Food and Drug Administration to follow scientific guidance on the issue.

"They have pledged that they will do what the science tells them to do," Fauci said. "So I can tell you, based on my experience and what I'm seeing, if there's a vaccine, which I'm fairly certain there will be — that's safe and effective — I, for one, would not hesitate to take it, nor would I hesitate to recommend that my entire family do it." 

Fauci said he expected a safe vaccine to be completed by November or December, and for doses to be available by January or February.      

— Gareth Henderson

Keeping up with the legislative session

Sunlight shines through the woods in West Woodstock. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

As expected, the 2020 Vermont Legislature has spent a ton of time on the state budget, amid the financial pressures of the pandemic. But other bills have also been working their way through the House and Senate. 

A climate change-related bill now awaits the governor's signature, after it received approval from both chambers. The Global Warming Solutions Act would require Vermont to meet targeted reduced carbon emissions, and the bill forms a climate council to create a plan to reduce pollution. Some opponents of the bill, including Gov. Phil Scott, have said the responsibility for that plan should not be placed in the hands of an unelected council. Supporters argue it's time for the state to take bold action on climate change. Lawmakers appear to have the votes to override an expected veto from Scott, according to NBC5.

Also making progress is legislation that would require the state to automatically purge criminal records for people convicted of possessing small amounts of marijuana. Rep. Tom Burditt, of West Rutland, told Vermont Public Radio on Monday that since the state has legalized possession of an ounce or less, criminal records from those convictions should also be expunged. That bill is up for a final vote in the House on Tuesday, according to VPR. 

Another bill which creates a tax-and-regulate system for cannabis was in a House and Senate conference committee as of Monday. 

As this unusual legislative session continues, the above bills are several proposals prioritized by lawmakers. There are clear differences between some lawmakers and the governor on the climate change legislation. Additionally, it will be interesting to see what transpires regarding the tax-and-regulate bill — a topic that has sparked some debate in the past. With several measures nearing the legislative finish line, it appears we have another important week ahead of us. 

— Gareth Henderson

State budget heading to Senate

The Ottauquechee River is shown in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

After the House passed it last week, the $7.1 billion Vermont state budget plan is on its way to the Senate.

The proposal, which covers the last three quarters of the current fiscal year, includes $23.8 million in bridge funding to keep the Vermont State Colleges system functioning this year through the fiscal challenges of the pandemic. The Legislature passed a first-quarter budget in June.

Rep. Charlie Kimbell, representing Woodstock, Reading and Plymouth, said the House's budget includes much of the governor's initial proposal, with several exceptions. Overall, the House proposal includes $100 million in new grants and incentives to aid the economy. Additionally, the plan makes more sole proprietors eligible for economic recovery grants, Kimbell added. It also leaves major social assistance programs intact. 

The $7.1 billion plan is inflated over last year's budget because it includes federal COVID-19 relief money, Kimbell said. In the proposal, the House spends the remainder of the CARES Act funding, about $200 million. Kimbell said some voters have asked him about funding for the state colleges for the following year, fiscal year 2022. 

"We don't have that answer at all yet," he said. In total, the state colleges system is getting over $98 million in the budget, including the $23.8 million in bridge funding and also $29.8 million for the colleges' annual general fund appropriation.

A statewide committee which includes some legislators is discussing the long-term future of the college system. Kimbell pointed out that Southern New Hampshire University, for example, is laser-focused on its remote learning program. SNHU has unveiled a plan to revamp on-campus learning to a model that would cost students $10,000 per year.

"This (situation) could permanently change how people think of higher education," Kimbell said. 

Maintaining the funding for the college system is a top priority for Windsor County Sen. Alison Clarkson, of Woodstock. The main struggle is how to spend the remaining federal relief money, she said, adding there are many businesses, organizations and programs in great need of funding.

"They're all areas that we care about," Clarkson said. "That's very hard when the slice of the pie is not very big." 

She lamented the fact that the U.S. Congress hadn't been able to agree on a second stimulus package. 

"Need is not a partisan thing," Clarkson said. "Every state has municipal needs, health care needs, educational needs, business needs, individual needs."  

On a positive note, Clarkson pointed out that the federal relief money has allowed the state to fund some permanent housing, which is crucial because of the housing situation in Vermont. The pandemic's financial strain has exacerbated the already-challenging issues of homelessness and low-income housing. And winter is just around the corner.

"We need 10,000 new housing units tomorrow, but ... every permanent unit is a blessing," Clarkson said. "That's a good example of taking CARES Act money and using it for maximum long-term benefit." 

After the state Senate creates and approves its version of the budget bill, it's back to the House to reconcile the two proposals. Then, the finalized budget bill will head to the governor's desk. The process might be a more rapid one than usual. The House Appropriations Committee spent under three weeks reviewing the governor's proposal. As Kimbell noted, that's usually a two-month process. 

— Gareth Henderson

Restrictions on lodging may loosen soon

Sun and shadow blend in this mountain view from Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

The Vermont lodging industry might see a loosening of restrictions before foliage season, if the state's COVID-19 metrics stay low. Hotels, inns and other lodging businesses have been among the hardest hit during the pandemic, being required to keep capacity at no more than 50 percent of total rooms since early summer.  

At a Friday press conference, Gov. Phil Scott said the state may "open that spigot a bit more" on the economy, if the data remains favorable. Vermont still has the nation's lowest positivity rate for COVID-19. In the past week, the state conducted 15,000 tests of college and university students who returned and just five were positive, bringing the total number of students who have tested positive to 38. That's well below any number that would spark concern about community spread, officials noted. 

With those kinds of numbers, the governor said he could see loosening restrictions on the hospitality sector in a couple of weeks or sooner. 

"If things continue the way they are, we'll be announcing some opening of the spigot possibly next week ... but again, it's all reliant on the data and the science, making sure it's safe to do so," Scott said.

Earlier in the summer, the state slowed down its reopening activity due to the multiple spikes in cases around the country. Regionally, Friday bought the good news that overall COVID-19 cases dropped slightly last week in the Northeast. Also, there were some improvements reported on the regional travel map showing who can travel to Vermont without having to quarantine, with more areas in the Northeast fitting that definition, including Cape Cod and parts of New York. From the states on that map, total of 5.5 million individuals can now come to Vermont without a quarantine, up from 5.2 million last week. Those numbers may also help turn the state toward further reopening activity for lodging and hospitality. 

Also on Friday, Scott extended the state of emergency to Oct. 15, which allows the state to quickly adjust or add to the statewide measures put in place. The governor said he knows many will be disappointed at the idea of having to continue with economic restrictions, but he said these decisions are based on data and science to keep Vermonters safe. 

"Rest assured we'll get through this. I know we will, and with Vermont ingenuity and perseverance, we'll be stronger as a result."  

— Gareth Henderson

Confronting challenges together

A scenic view along High Pastures Road in Pomfret, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

As the country heads toward the fall season, the economic challenges facing U.S. communities are steep.

In New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago and Houston, "at least half of people say they have experienced the loss of a job or a reduction in wages or work hours in their household since the start of the coronavirus outbreak," National Public Radio reported from its recent poll. In each of America's four largest cities, a wide range of financial issues appear to be deepening for families, just as schools are restarting and health concerns persist amid the pandemic. 

These converging factors loom in rural states as well, as communities try to make the most of grant funding and other solutions. Vermont has the lowest COVID-19 infection rates in the U.S., but financial assistance is still a major need.  More than 40,000 people remain unemployed, and 1 in 4 Vermonters are food insecure, Vermont Business Magazine reported. 

That said, some local efforts to help those in need are ongoing. The Woodstock Area Relief Fund is continuing to provide assistance to those financially struggling due to the pandemic. Also, on Wednesday, the Vermont Community Foundation announced five COVID-19 recovery initiatives, according to Vermont Business Magazine. They focus grant funding for five areas: rural entrepreneurship, food system resilience, rural internet connectivity, career learning and skill-building, and creating anti-racist communities. Grants totaling $238,000 went to organizations working on those issues, and the community foundation expects more grantmaking in 2020, the VBM report stated.

Such community-based efforts will be critically important, especially while Congressional efforts to create a second stimulus package remain stalled. With no further federal aid on the way, it's up to Vermonters to pull together and use teamwork to boost state and local initiatives. The way forward is truly to help each other, using that community strength for which Vermont is known, because we know what that strength can do. That unity has seen us through challenges before, and it is poised to face this one and lead us to progress.

— Gareth Henderson

Mail-in voting preparations underway

Sun illuminates the countryside along North Bridgewater Road in Bridgewater, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Nine states will be sending out ballots to all voters for the November general election, in an effort to ensure safe voting during the pandemic. 

One of those states is Vermont, and Gov. Phil Scott is confident in the mail-in voting plan, Vermont Public Radio reported. All active registered voters in Vermont will be sent a general election ballot in two weeks. The governor disagreed with some of his fellow Republicans, who have raised concerns about voter fraud.

"I think the mail-in type of approach is new," Scott told VPR Wednesday. "I think it could have been done in a different way. The reality is that's the way it's going to be done in Vermont, and I believe it will be done successfully."  

The Washington Post reported that their analysis of three states with universal mail voting "found a minuscule number of potentially fraudulent ballots in recent elections, undercutting assertions that such practices open the door to rampant fraud."

In that same August report, Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy of New Jersey — which is also doing universal mail-in voting in November — emphasized keeping the process safe while maintaining voting access.

“Ensuring that every voter has the ability to securely cast their ballot, while protecting public health, is our paramount concern," Murphy told the Post. "The recent primary election gave us the opportunity to see what worked and where we could make improvements.”  

Massachusetts is doing the same. On Wednesday, Secretary of State William Galvin said the state's mail-in voting effort was a "great success" in the primary, NBC Boston reported Wednesday, but more funding was needed for the November election to go smoothly.

As states move forward with their plans, the concerns surrounding the Postal Service still loom very large. About 20 states have expanded or eased access to mail-in voting for the Nov. 3 election, according to The Washington Post. States and voters have important roles in protecting the integrity of mail-in voting systems, especially in such a crucial election. It will be challenging, but it's a duty that must be done, and now is the time for everyone to work to support these efforts.

— Gareth Henderson

The Community Campus debuts

The Community Campus team is shown in Woodstock, Vermont. At left (bottom to top) are Kate Kardashian, Tesha Buss, Kristiana Ploss and Carolyn Shaw, and at right are Izzy Jenne and (top) Heather Todd-Perham. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

A new venture in Woodstock, Vermont, is providing working parents with some much-needed support for children during remote learning days. 

That need led to the formation of The Community Campus (TCC),  a new nonprofit providing academic support and creative enrichment opportunities on remote learning days and after school. It shares a building with the Rainbow Playschool at the foot of Mount Tom on Route 12 and serves children in grades K-7. Rainbow and TCC operate in separate parts of the building, and a few spaces are shared, though used at different times.

The impetus for the TCC concept formed when Kate Kardashian, a special education teacher in the local Windsor Central Supervisory Union, went through the difficult experience that so many parents did this spring, when the pandemic hit and suddenly remote learning was the new reality. Kardashian knew working parents would need help this school year, including those who could not get essential worker status.  

"We needed to do something for families and kids," she said.   

A view from the second-floor back steps of The Community Campus offers this scenic view of Mount Tom. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

She spoke with her friend, Tesha Buss, then-president of the Rainbow Playschool Board. Buss had anticipated remote learning would be a struggle again for her staff, and she suggested Rainbow's building as a possible option, and the process began from there. 

Collaboration with the school district is centrally important to this effort. Kristiana Ploss, the educational director for TCC, said the program is designed to be a help to the district and teachers. 

"We're supporting the school district and their remote menus of learning," Ploss said. 

There are different schedule options, and the cost is $50 per day for the 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. program option, and $20 per day for 3-5 p.m. after-school care. There are options for tuition assistance, including through the Woodstock Area Relief Fund. Buss, the TCC business manager, said the main focus for TCC is the current need in the community.

"What the (long-term) looks like, that's not fully determined," Buss said, adding the nonprofit is working on start-up costs. It recently received its state license as a school-aged child care center. "Right now, we're just doing what we have to do." 

Kardashian, whose TCC role is on a volunteer basis, remains working for the local school district and felt the need to get this project off the ground to help the community.   

"It's really a grassroots effort that's meeting an immediate need," she said.   

The classroom for grades 6 and 7 is shown at The Community Campus. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

TCC began its year on Tuesday, when all Vermont public schools reopened. As of Monday, 35 kids were enrolled and more spots were available.

In the morning, TCC staff help the students get through their remote assignments and projects, Ploss said. In the afternoon, students get to experience "genius work," inspired by Google's "genius hour" concept, believing that better results come from letting workers pursue projects they’re passionate about. At TCC, students can choose a project they're interested in, make a plan, and tackle it, involving a topic relevant to school studies. It's a chance to "build on their school work" using a subject which interests them, Ploss explained. The campus at the base of Mount Tom provides plenty of ways to involve the outdoors in these projects.

"We really want them to make it their own," she said.

TCC also partners with local entities. The staff will regularly pick up books from the Norman Williams Public Library for the students. Also, the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Park plans to collaborate on some learning programs. 

Additionally, TCC has applied to become a child care hub, under a new state program trying to address the needs around school-aged child care and remote learning. If approved, the program would help with TCC's start-up costs. That application is pending. 

— Gareth Henderson

Celebrating the new East End Park

The sign for the long-awaited East End Park in Woodstock, Vermont, greets the community on Monday. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

A decade of work to transform Woodstock's East End into a new park by the Ottauquechee River has come to fruition. 

On Monday, volunteers who made the project happen welcomed the public to a grand opening for the park and also for the new Ottauquechee River Trail, which offers public access to the scenic waterway.

The park area, running alongside the river at Woodstock's East End, has an amphitheater with stone work by Olde World Masonry, with a labyrinth just below it created by Toby Bartles. Just a couple more elements are being completed at the other end: a slide for kids to enjoy, and also a rock scramble, being made by stone mason Dan Snow,  which will offer a rock climbing experience at the site. 

This blending of scenic beauty and fun is a world apart from the East End's earlier days, when it was used as a snow dump in the winter and was an overgrown eyesore the rest of the year. The community coalesced around this project and was led by Sustainable Woodstock's East End Action Group. Joby Thompson, a member of that very group, was part of discussions in 2009, when the park was just an idea. 

Joby Thompson (center) shows Townsend Belisle and his daughter, Devi, plans for the slide and rock scramble at the East End Park in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

"It's a dream come true, after 10 years of hard labor and many processes," Thompson said Monday, standing next to the labyrinth named in her honor. 

Barbara Barry and Mary MacVey were also there along the way, with Thompson and many other volunteers, through numerous work days of clearing brush where the park now stands. 

"What it was before was a waste of a gorgeous view," Barry said, highlighting the river’s grandeur. "Now it's a great place for events and for the kids to run around." 

MacVey said it may still be an undiscovered space for some, who are used to driving by the area. But based on Monday's steady turnout, that is changing. 

"Our new entrance makes a huge announcement, that you have arrived," she said. 

Part of the amphitheater at the new East End Park in Woodstock, Vermont, is shown. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

The East End Park sign — created by Jeff Sass, Jim Dow and Art Garges — stands at the entrance by Route 4 and is topped with a railroad bell, donated by Polly Bigham. From 1875 to 1933, the park and adjacent land was the terminus and turnabout for the train that ran the 14-mile line from White River Junction to Woodstock. Also adding to the site's history, is a stunning view across the river of Billings Farm land, part of the legacy of conservation here. Sustainable Woodstock Director Michael Caduto called it a "nexus" of Woodstock land use history. 

"It's just a fantastic collaborative project for the good of the people in Woodstock and the people who visit here," Caduto said of the park, noting all project funds were privately raised. He also said it's rare to have a trail which offers such great access to a river. 

Windsor County Sen. Dick McCormack, who joined Monday's crowd, agreed and said a river offers something special to the place. 

"It's something people want to share," he said. 

Jack Rossi, a local architect and longtime member of the East End Action Group, was enjoying this moment. 

"It's really exciting and rewarding to see it come to fruition." 

— Gareth Henderson