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.

America’s ongoing vote

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

Given the great importance of the Nov. 3 election, it’s interesting to be reminded that much of the voting will be over with by then. 

On Monday, the PBS NewsHour noted that about 4 million ballots have already been cast in 22 states. Also, either mail-in or in-person early voting is starting this week in 43 states and Washington, D.C. Does that lessen the impact recent events may have on the vote? Indeed, major stories like the first 2020 presidential debate, or President Donald Trump testing positive for COVID-19, have less of an impact on the election if millions have already cast their ballots. Millions more are projected to take advantage of mail-in or early voting in the coming weeks, as well, the NewsHour reported. 

All this shows how changing times have an impact on how political influences play out during an election. For many decades, October news events leading up to an election had deep influence on the outcome. Today, that impact is somewhat tempered by the voting methods available — and as we all know, just a small number of votes can shift the results. In addition, the fact that a record-breaking number of Americans are voting by mail due to health concerns amid the pandemic adds an important factor. 

All these observations, however, are not to suggest that these impacts are negatives in and of themselves. Obviously, the well-being of voters and election workers is the most important consideration, so the mail-in voting option is absolutely critical to ensure people have the chance to vote during the pandemic. Another more general point is that change will happen over time. It's inevitable, and changes in such broad systems always have ripple effects. 

These interesting goings-on will have different meanings for different people. However, one thing remains the same: Everyone must vote. So, if you haven't mailed your ballot or gone to your polling place to vote early, do it. With an election so important, it’s more crucial than ever to ensure that America makes history in 2020 when it comes to voter participation. Your voice is needed, and every voice counts. 

— Gareth Henderson

Still innovating

Scarborough Marsh provides majestic scenes along Route 1 in Scarborough, Maine. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

As we drove home to Vermont from Maine on Sunday evening, I couldn't help thinking about the long, varied, dynamic path leading from the work of history to today’s greatest achievements. 

Passing the impressive location of Bath Iron Works, with massive equipment lighting up the Kennebec River’s shores as seen from Route 1, I was struck by the many decades of ship-building and innovation that took place there, starting in 1884, through World War II and the present day. The company's work defined a region and helped shape history. 

Today, innovation defines us still. During a pandemic, millions have taken to sewing machines at home and in groups to create masks for hospitals and other organizations. Retail technology has adjusted with the popular shift to curb-side pick-up, and conferences and events will keep innovating further in the virtual realm.

These examples of U.S. ingenuity will only grow in the coming months, and, to be sure, it's a pattern seen in many sectors. A number of advancements we can't fathom yet, and many of them we won't know about for some time. However, we can rest assured they're underway, because when it comes to new ideas for pressing issues, that's what we do as a people. We are problem-solvers, and present challenges will lead to advancements that will impact generations to come. 

— Gareth Henderson

Taking a hike

A stunning view from the top of Cadillac Mountain. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

After no camping at all in 2020, we opted to break that pattern this weekend and head to Maine for our first family camping trip of the year.  Mount Desert Island is home to many campgrounds dotting the Island’s edge, including the Oceanside KOA, where we stayed.

We headed to Bar Harbor in one of Maine's numerous "green" counties — meaning Vermont has given Hancock County the green color on its non-quarantine travel map, so we don’t have to quarantine upon the return trip. 

As one does in Maine, we took full advantage of the outdoors. We met some friends for several enjoyable outdoor excursions — including a bike ride around Eagle Lake and a day hike up Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park. Between the autumn beauty of riding a bike with woods all around, and the incredible blending of scenery up the mountain, these were special places to behold. 

I'm sure I haven't done this much hiking at once since my mid-teens, but it's well worth the experience of being surrounded by nature's harmonious beauty and its many expanses. The hike has some lovely forested sections going up, with some fun, half-hidden shaded spots where you could sit on a rock and write for a while. Eventually, forest blends with rock faces until the rock takes over. In one spot fairly high up, you dip down into a forested trail with a beautiful field off to the side — including a few more autumn colors. Then it's quickly back up the rock faces, over some more shaded trail, to the summit — where you can see the Maine coast and its numerous harbors. On the other side, the view is nothing but ocean. It was a moment of awe to see that majestic wall of blue meeting the sky, especially when, on the way back down, you can view it over the tops of pine trees. A Vermonter doesn't get to put those two things together in his writings, unless he's somewhere like Maine. To finish off our day, we headed to the Thirsty Whale for the lobster rolls and enjoyed a lovely late dinner overlooking the harbor.

Though the mountain and ocean scenes were beautifully inspiring, for me the most inspiring part was interacting with other hikers on Saturday, though these were mostly little more than friendly greetings. They were multiple moments of kindness, and those moments always do good things for you. One memorable moment later that night was when our car battery died just before heading out for lobster, and not one, but two, total strangers stepped forward to help get our car started.

During the Cadillac trek, everyone was wonderful and always ready to share a smile and sometimes a bit of humor. Mask-wearing was common along the trail, as was social distancing, very respectfully done. It appears many have become used to hiking in these unique times of change, but one thing hasn't changed: Our inclination toward being inclusive and kind to others. That was the best part of the weekend, and one I plan to take home with me. 

— Gareth Henderson

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

Rising above the noise

The work of haying forms a unique pattern surrounded by fall scenery off Cloudland Road in Pomfret, Vermont, recently. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

This week's presidential debate was more than just a reflection of the political noise that's throwing public discourse off track. It was also a reminder that we should all do our part to turn the discourse in a more productive direction — one that unites, not divides. 

Obviously, that kind of change will take time and patience, and it can't be rushed. It starts with productive moments, leading to understanding each other more fully, and finding common ground for greater progress on important issues. This all starts by trying to understand those we disagree with, offering a compassionate, listening ear. It can be difficult and uncomfortable, but it's the only way to counter polarization and build each other up. 

Though national political pressures are at play here, Vermont is well-suited to providing that environment, a place where people can speak about disparate points of view civilly, so that it leads to further discussion. The state has small communities, where the level of familiarity with one another may be helpful for building productive partnerships for change.

Going forward, a foundation of common thought is always useful when starting such discussions. Thankfully, regardless of our political persuasion, we still have some things in common. That includes this basic value: In the end, we all want our communities to succeed. 

Our collective goal is progress, and we have to break out of our political silos to seize it. That work starts small — on the community level, the family and friend level. If there's a viewpoint you've never understood, seek out an opportunity to learn more about it. Maybe even talk to someone who holds that view. Hopefully that leads to a basis of stronger understanding and, on some issues, common ground. It may feel like a small step, but small steps bring us closer to the greater unity we need and deserve today. If we take those steps, we can gradually rise above that political noise, and build a more productive future together. 

— 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

RBG’s legacy of justice and civility

An American flag waves in Woodstock, Vermont, on July Fourth. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

While the nation faces swirling political headwinds, it's important to remember what unites us. To do that, we honor a true champion for justice and civility. Those qualities never had a stronger guardian than Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who was honored throughout the nation following her Sept. 18 passing. 

Ginsburg's tireless work fighting for women's rights stands as a shining example of unity through justice. Her courage moved the country forward. She waged her own battles against gender discrimination, notably at Harvard Law School, where she was one of nine women in a class of over 500. She would later take that battle to the courts in the 1970s, when, with the ACLU Women’s Rights Project, she won several landmark Supreme Court decisions striking down laws that treated men differently than women based on gender stereotypes.

At the U.S. Supreme Court, Ginsburg’s work and rulings made an indelible mark on history, including the 1996 Virginia Military Institute case where she successfully fought for a women's right to attend the state funded, traditionally all-male school. In 2013, she issued a stinging dissent in the Shelby County case which removed federal oversight from a key Voting Rights Act provision meant to protect jurisdictions with a history of discrimination. As a CNN report noted, that 2013 case led to the start of the "Notorious RBG" moniker, which became part of popular culture and introduced her to new generations. She kept on breaking down barriers even after her death, becoming the first woman to lie in state at the U.S. Capitol in Washington.

Throughout her incredible career, Ginsburg's commitment to justice was combined with another constant: her defense of civility. That was exemplified in her longtime friendship with Justice Antonin Scalia, with whom she had little in common when it came to judicial views. But they shared other interests, and could still be friends. That's the substance unity is made of, and something we need to cultivate in today's world. 

In an article in Forbes on Monday, Sarah Chamberlain, president and CEO of the Republican Main Street Partnership, recalled when she first met the famous justice. 

"In a brief meeting I had with Justice Ginsburg, her words to me were simple and powerful: 'Keep going. Keep fighting.' Her struggles as a woman through poverty and prejudice inspired my own career to keep up the fight," Chamberlain wrote. "But I must note, it is not a fight meant to tear anyone down. Rather, it is a fight to build everyone up."

Efforts to build up face a constant test amid a bitterly contentious presidential campaign, racial tension, economic turmoil and the pandemic. Almost always, the problems appear much louder than even the thought of progress. For some, that means the issues can't be resolved. But Ginsburg showed us how to courageously confront the issues, keep the tone civil, and with time, bring more justice into people's lives. That unrelenting persistence, buttressed by action, organization and civility rather than volume, is what charts the course for true change. That's how we continue the fight. 

Rabbi Lauren Holtzblatt captured what the nation must do, at last week's memorial service for Ginsburg at the U.S. Capitol: 

"Even as our hearts are breaking, we must rise with her strength and move forward."

— Gareth Henderson 

Life-changing compassion

Fall foliage glimmers in the sunlight at Faulkner Park in Woodstock, Vermont, on Sunday. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Amid a news cycle like the current one, it's easy to lose heart and feel like many situations are hopeless. However, that's when a story about someone helping somebody else might give us a little hope, like a ray of light. 

Today we're looking at a story from CNN, about a woman in a dilapidated home who got some unexpected help from her community in Woburn, Massachusetts. It all started when electrician John Kinney saw the state of Gloria Scott’s home during a job there, and felt compassion toward her. There were various issues, including no proper running water, a broken sink and damage from prior plumbing issues — all of which she couldn't afford to fix, CNN reported. 

After he finished his work, Kinney couldn't just disappear — he had to do something. And he sure did. He and a few friends got to work on the house for free, but to pay for the major repairs, Kinney set up an online fundraiser which eventually came up with over $100,000 for Scott. Along with that, volunteers donated some supplies, and restaurants sent over meals. It was a life-changer for the 72-year-old, who had lived by herself for over 10 years, the CNN report said.

"She's so happy, she's got all types of new friends," Kinney told CNN. "She's out here making lunch for us, laughing, joking. It's just a miracle to witness."  

Even in the toughest of times, there are still good people doing great things for others. As in this case, some of the most beautiful deeds are done without an initial plan in mind, but are spontaneous acts of kindness that lead to inspiring results. Every story of compassion can inspire the best in each of us, showing that anyone can make a difference by helping somebody else. That’s an encouraging sentiment to take into the new week.

— Gareth Henderson

Fall colors, welcome back

Early fall foliage as seen from Cloudland Road in Pomfret, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

On the heels of that first rush of cool autumn, here come the colors. In Vermont, the fall foliage is popping up everywhere — and it's one week early, experts say. 

It's a visual breath of fresh air, to see the mountains light up with reds, oranges and yellows. Though it marks the end of summer, many might be ready for fall after the brutally humid days many experienced in New England this year. Already I hear many conversations of baking for the upcoming season — we all know about those apple creations, and many others. That late-afternoon cup of tea will increasingly make its appearance, too, as those temps drop to autumn lows.

Not so fast, though. This weekend, everyone's getting outside to catch that last gasp of summer, with temperatures in the 70s throughout the region. It's a time to not only enjoy the beauty of our natural surroundings and attractions, but to do what we can to support local businesses, many of which need every bit of income as the fall season revs up. For that reason, it was a good feeling to head through downtown Woodstock and see lots of traffic on Saturday. Hopefully that continues here and throughout other nearby states, with of course the need to follow the state and local restrictions in place to keep everybody healthy. 

As with every season in 2020, this one will look different in many respects. Numerous big events are cancelled, and other traditions are also off the table. But there are still ways to enjoy this time of year, connect with others, and sustain a sense of community, including showing kindness to one another, even amid challenges. If we’re determined to do that, nothing can take away that great feeling we have when adding to the world’s good, and sharing it with others so they can benefit, too. That approach to community is a powerful force — one that makes any season brighter.

— Gareth Henderson

Including kindness

(Gareth Henderson Photo)

The voices of young people have been heard throughout this pandemic, and sometimes in the simplest, and most beautiful ways. So many times, the simplest messages speak most strongly, right when we need them most. 

The art on Google's homepage logo is something many have grown used to over the years; we may not always stop and look closely at its message. Today I did, and I was so glad I took that moment. It showed a drawing by Sharon Sara, an elementary school student from Frisco, Texas, who won the 2020 Doodle for Google contest. The artwork shows girls of different races holding hands together, and it exudes a beautiful innocence around inclusion and friendship, things the world needs to be reminded of today.

For its annual contest, Google's prompt for 2020 was "I show kindness by ..." — and Sharon decided to focus on being inclusive in her drawing titled, "Together as one." Along with her winning entry, Sharon reflected on some struggles she’s had with friendship.

"People have not wanted to be my friend because of how I look, so I decided to draw what I do!" she wrote to Google. "No matter what people look like, you look on the inside and then decide if you want to be their friend."

She added, "Kindness means to not look at someone from the outside, but look at their personality, and being open to their friendship."

To wake up to that message this morning, with its simple truth that anyone can be a friend, was a wonderful gift from the heart. It was another inspiring example of our youth’s positive influence, specifically on matters of inclusion. How special it is, that millions of people have now seen and read Sharon’s heartfelt message. Another hopeful note: A number of the other contest submissions also focused on inclusivity.

In 2020, young people have formed an impactful collective voice, not only during protests against injustice, but also in defense of simple human decency everyone should follow. They remind our country and the world that everyone is deserving of kindness. This year, no message could be more important. 

— 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

Going virtual

Clouds are illumined as daylight fades in West Woodstock. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Festivals and conferences large and small have made the switch to online platforms, often Zoom, due to the pandemic. While many people miss the in-person connections, there's an upside when it comes to audiences — the numbers go up. 

On the large scale, a national physics conference went virtual in April, with free registration available to anyone interested. That annual conference of the American Physical Society was a success, Nature.com reported, with registration topping 7,200 — more than four times the regular amount. LinkedIn also found a greater audience for its TransformHER conference when it moved online in June.  Usually with 350 to 400 in-person attendees, the livestream had 62,000 views, according to CNBC.

There's also a big marketing boost with many more people attending, which means many more groups will embrace online events, especially if lots of regions have to keep restricting crowds to limit the spread of COVID-19.  This is also a trend on the smaller scale of things. In Vermont, Woodstock's annual literary festival, Bookstock, went virtual for the first time Thursday night and continues in the coming months. Alison Hankey, the event's coordinator, said it'll be a learning experience that will inform future planning.

"We're using this fall program as a learning opportunity," Hankey said. "It's kind of an art form," she said of designing online events. 

With more groups diving into online events, that art form will develop in new and different ways, and innovation will gain momentum in that space. While not all attendees will have the same level of internet access, the current trend may end up broadening the price range of events, and therefore broadening their audiences. It will be interesting to watch this situation unfold, especially if the need for online events only increases from here, which is likely to some extent. Groups and organizations may find an increasing number of people participating in those platforms, especially as more people get used to being attendees in the virtual world. 

— Gareth Henderson